As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2016
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
|
Canada |
|
Not Applicable |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or |
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
199 Bay Street, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 285
Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5L 1G9
(416) 306-6300
(Address of and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)
DL Services Inc.
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6100
Seattle, Washington 98104
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
|
Christopher J. Barry |
|
Lloyd Hong |
|
Kathleen Ritchie |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. x
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
Title of Each Class of |
|
Amount to |
|
Proposed Maximum |
|
Proposed Maximum |
|
Amount of |
| |||
|
Common Shares, no par value |
|
1,850,000 Common Shares |
|
US$ |
66.86 |
|
US$ |
123,691,000 |
|
US$ |
12,455.68 |
|
(1) Plus such additional common shares as may be issued by reason of stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions.
(2) Based on the average of the high and low prices of the common shares of Franco-Nevada Corporation on March 17, 2016 on the New York Stock Exchange, and estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
If as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions, the number of securities purported to be registered on this registration statement changes, the provisions of Rule 416 shall apply to this registration statement.
Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus contained in this Registration Statement relates to Registration Statement No. 333-190109.
FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION
1,850,000 Common Shares
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
On July 19, 2013, we adopted a Dividend Reinvestment Plan, which we refer to as the “Plan”, to provide, among other things, eligible holders of our common shares with a means to reinvest dividends declared and payable to them as shareholders (less any withholding tax) in additional common shares. The Plan permits participating shareholders to obtain additional common shares by reinvesting the cash dividends (less any withholding tax) paid on the common shares held by the participant without paying any commissions, service charges or brokerage fees. We expect to continue to pay dividends quarterly.
At our election, the common shares acquired by the agent under the Plan will either be newly issued shares acquired from us (a “treasury acquisition”) or purchased on the open market (a “market acquisition”). At our discretion, common shares may be purchased in a treasury acquisition at a discount of up to 5% of the “average market price” (currently set at a 3% discount). The “average market price” is, in the case of a treasury acquisition, the average closing price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange or an alternative Canadian open market, as applicable, for the five (5) consecutive trading days on which at least a board lot of common shares traded ending on the day immediately prior to the applicable dividend payment date and, in the case of a market acquisition, the average price paid (excluding brokerage commissions, fees and all transaction costs) per common share by the agent for all common shares purchased in respect of a dividend payment date under the Plan. A “board lot” is 100 common shares.
Our common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FNV”. On March 17, 2016, the closing price for our common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange was Cdn$85.17 and on the New York Stock Exchange was US$65.72.
The dividends paid by us are dependent upon numerous factors, including our cash flow, and are subject to, among other things, the factors and conditions described in this prospectus under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Franco-Nevada Corporation”.
We will receive net proceeds from treasury acquisitions but not market acquisitions. We cannot estimate anticipated proceeds from the issuance of common shares pursuant to the Plan, which will depend upon the extent of shareholder participation in the Plan and the amount of quarterly dividends we pay, if any. We will not pay underwriting commissions in connection with the Plan, but have incurred costs of approximately $5,500 in connection with the establishment of the Plan and will be responsible for the ongoing administrative costs associated with the operation of the Plan.
Our principal executive offices are located at 199 Bay Street, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 285, Commerce Court West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5L 1G9, Telephone Number: (416) 306-6300.
Investing in our common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence.
The date of this prospectus is March 18, 2016.
|
I | |
|
1 | |
|
1 | |
|
1 | |
|
2 | |
|
3 | |
|
3 | |
|
3 | |
|
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING MINERAL AND OIL AND GAS RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES |
5 |
|
6 | |
|
7 | |
|
8 | |
|
8 | |
|
8 | |
|
9 | |
|
10 | |
|
10 | |
|
10 | |
|
11 | |
|
11 | |
|
11 | |
|
12 | |
|
12 | |
|
Responsibilities of Franco-Nevada Corporation and the Plan Agent |
12 |
|
12 | |
|
13 | |
|
13 | |
|
14 | |
|
14 | |
|
14 | |
|
14 | |
|
United States Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Participants |
18 |
|
23 | |
|
24 | |
|
25 | |
|
26 | |
|
26 | |
|
27 | |
|
27 |
You should rely only upon the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and on other information included in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. This prospectus amends and restates the related prospectus dated July 24, 2013, and references to this prospectus include documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (this “prospectus”). We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different than the information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is current only as of its date. We are not making an offer of common shares in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted by law.
In this prospectus (excluding the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus), unless the context requires otherwise, references to Franco-Nevada, the “Corporation”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Franco-Nevada Corporation and the subsidiaries through which it conducts its business.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), and are presented in United States dollars.
Before you invest, you should read this prospectus together with the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”. You should refer to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the exhibits to the registration statement for further information.
Investing in our common shares involves risks. Before you decide to participate in the Plan and invest in our common shares, you should carefully consider the risk described below, together with all risks described in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including subsequent documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Discussions of certain risks and uncertainties affecting us are provided under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 71 of our Annual Information Form, filed as Exhibit 99.1, to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 10, 2016 and which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time by our filings under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus from time to time.
Risk Related to the Plan
You will not know the price of the common shares you are purchasing under the Plan at the time you authorize the investment or elect to reinvest your dividends.
The price of our common shares may fluctuate between the time you decide to purchase common shares under the Plan and the time of actual purchase. In addition, during this time period, you may become aware of additional information that might affect your investment decision.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, accordingly, file reports and other information with the SEC. The reports and other information we file with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act can be read and copied, at prescribed rates, at the SEC’s public reference room at 100
F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings are also available electronically from the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov, as well as from commercial document retrieval services. You may also want to visit our website at www.franco-nevada.com for further information. Any information that is included on or linked to our website is not a part of this prospectus.
We have filed under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), a registration statement on Form F-3 relating to the Plan. This prospectus forms a part of the registration statement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement, certain portions of which have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and our common shares you are encouraged to refer to the registration statement and the exhibits that are incorporated by reference into it. Statements contained in this prospectus describing provisions of the Plan are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the Plan that is included as an exhibit to the registration statement, and each such statement in this prospectus is qualified in all respects by such reference.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with or furnished to the SEC are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form a part of, this prospectus:
1. our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 which incorporates by reference the audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014; and
2. the description of our common shares contained in our registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on August 26, 2011, including any amendment or report updating such description.
In addition, all subsequent Annual Reports on Form 20-F, Form 40-F or Form 10-K, and all subsequent filings on Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, that we file pursuant to the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, are hereby incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Also, we may incorporate by reference future reports on Form 6-K that we furnish subsequent to the date of this prospectus by stating in those Form 6-Ks that they are being incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, in one of those other documents or in any other later filed document that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified shall not be deemed, except as so modified, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Any such statement so superseded shall be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus.
Any person receiving a copy of this prospectus, including any beneficial owner, may obtain without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except for the exhibits to those documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to our principal executive offices, 199 Bay Street, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 285, Commerce Court West, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1G9, Telephone Number: (416) 306-6300.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are a corporation organized under the laws of Canada and our principal offices are located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the United States federal or state securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that we have been organized under the laws of Canada, that most of our officers and directors are residents of Canada, that some or all of the experts named in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are residents of Canada, and that all or a substantial portion of their assets and our assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for United States investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us and upon those directors, officers or experts who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States, predicated upon civil liability of such persons under United States federal or state securities laws. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors, officers or experts who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts of liabilities based solely upon the United States federal or state securities laws. We have appointed DL Services Inc., 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6100, Seattle, Washington 98104, as our agent in the United States upon which service of process against us may be made in any action based on this prospectus.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, references to “$” or “US$” indicate references to United States dollars. References to “Cdn$” indicate references to Canadian dollars.
The following table lists, for each period presented, the high and low exchange rates, the average of the exchange rates during the period indicated, and the exchange rates at the end of the period indicated, for one Canadian dollar, expressed in United States dollars, based on the noon exchange rate published by the Bank of Canada.
|
|
|
Year ended |
| |||||||
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| |||
|
High for the period |
|
$ |
0.8527 |
|
$ |
0.9422 |
|
$ |
1.0164 |
|
|
Low for the period |
|
$ |
0.7148 |
|
$ |
0.8589 |
|
$ |
0.9348 |
|
|
End of period |
|
$ |
0.7225 |
|
$ |
0.8620 |
|
$ |
0.9402 |
|
|
Average for the period |
|
$ |
0.7820 |
|
$ |
0.9054 |
|
$ |
0.9710 |
|
On March 17, 2016, the Bank of Canada’s noon exchange rate was Cdn$1.00 = US$0.7702.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus include certain “forward looking information” and “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, respectively, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, management’s expectations regarding our growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities. In addition, statements (including data in tables) relating to reserves and resources and gold equivalent ounces are forward looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates and assumptions are accurate and that such reserves and resources and gold equivalent ounces will be realized. Such forward looking statements reflect management’s current
beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “is expected,” “budgets,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “projects,” “intends,” “targets,” “aims,” “anticipates” or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward looking statement, including, without limitation: fluctuations in the prices of the primary commodities that drive royalty and stream revenue (gold, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, uranium, silver, iron-ore and oil and gas); fluctuations in the value of the Canadian and Australian dollar, Mexican peso and any other currency in which revenue is generated, relative to the U.S. dollar; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by us; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not we are determined to have “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) status as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; potential changes in Canadian tax treatment of offshore streams; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the properties in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest; actual mineral content may differ from the reserves and resources contained in technical reports; rate and timing of production differences from resource estimates, other technical reports and mine plans; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the properties in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to, unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious disease; and the integration of acquired assets. The forward looking statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the asset portfolio; our ongoing income and assets relating to determination of our PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which we hold a royalty, stream or other interest; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; integration of acquired assets; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. However, there can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and investors are cautioned that forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. We cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
For additional information with respect to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, as well as any risk factors disclosed in the documents incorporated
by reference. The forward looking statements herein are made as of the date of this prospectus only and we do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Our forward looking statements contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are made as of the respective dates set forth in such exhibits. Such forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. In preparing this prospectus, we have not updated such forward looking statements to reflect any change in circumstances or in management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions that may have occurred subsequent to the date thereof, nor do we assume any obligation to update such forward looking statements in the future, except as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING MINERAL AND OIL AND GAS RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral resource and reserve estimates included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference have been prepared by the owners or operators of the relevant properties (as and to the extent indicated by them) in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101—Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification System. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. NI 43-101 permits a historical estimate made prior to the adoption of NI 43-101 that does not comply with NI 43-101 to be disclosed using the historical terminology if, among other things, the disclosure: (a) identifies the source and date of the historical estimate; (b) comments on the relevance and reliability of the historical estimate; (c) states whether the historical estimate uses categories other than those prescribed by NI 43-101; and (d) includes any more recent estimates or data available.
Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and reserve and resource information contained herein and in the documents incorporated by reference may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “resource” does not equate to the term “reserves”. Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC’s disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” or “inferred mineral resources” or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute “reserves” by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors should also understand that “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated “inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of “reserves” are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by us in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves” under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein and in the documents incorporated by reference may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.
In addition to NI 43-101, a number of resource and reserve estimates have been prepared in accordance with the JORC Code or the SAMREC Code (as such terms are defined in NI 43-101), which differ from the requirements of NI 43-101 and U.S. securities laws. Accordingly, information containing descriptions of our mineral properties set forth herein and in the documents incorporated by reference may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. For more information, see “Technical and Third Party Information—Reconciliation to CIM Definitions” in our Annual Information Form, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Similarly, the requirements of NI 51-101 for disclosure of oil and gas activities differ significantly from those of the SEC, and disclosure concerning the oil and gas properties in which the Corporation has interests may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. The primary differences between the Canadian requirements and the U.S. standards for oil and gas related disclosure are that:
· NI 51-101 requires disclosure of gross and net reserves using forecast prices, whereas the SEC rules require the disclosure of net reserves estimated using a historical 12-month average price;
· NI 51-101 requires the disclosure of the net present value of future net revenue attributable to all of the disclosed reserves categories, estimated using forecast prices and costs, before and after deducting future income tax expenses, calculated without discount and using discount rates of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, whereas the SEC rules require disclosure of the present value of future net cash flows attributable to proved reserves only, estimated using a constant price (the historical 12-month average price) and a 10% discount rate;
· NI 51-101 requires a one-year reconciliation of gross proved reserves, gross probable reserves and gross proved plus probable reserves, based on forecast prices and costs, for various product types, whereas the SEC rules require a three-year reconciliation of net proved reserves, based on constant prices and costs, for less specific product types; and
· NI 51-101 reserve estimates are based on definitions and standards promulgated by the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and generally recognized industry practices in Canada, whereas SEC reserve estimates are based on different reserves definitions and are prepared in accordance with generally recognized industry practices in the U.S.
We were incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”) on October 17, 2007 and were amalgamated with Franco-Nevada Canada Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, on January 1, 2008. Franco-Nevada is the leading precious metals royalty and stream company by both gold revenue and number of precious metal assets. The Corporation is precious metals-focused but also has the largest and most diversified portfolio of royalties and streams by commodity, geography, revenue type and stage of project. The portfolio is actively managed with the aim to maintain over 80% of revenue from precious metals (gold, silver and platinum group metals).
Franco-Nevada does not operate mines, develop projects or conduct exploration. Franco-Nevada’s business model is focused on managing and growing its portfolio of royalties and streams. The advantages of this business model are:
· Exposure to precious metals price optionality;
· A perpetual discovery option over large areas of geologically prospective lands with no cost other than the initial investment;
· Limited exposure to many of the risks associated with operating companies;
· A free cash-flow business with limited cash calls;
· A high-margin business that can generate cash through the entire commodity cycle;
· A scalable and diversified business in which a large number of assets can be managed with a small stable overhead; and
· A forward looking business in which management focuses on growth opportunities rather than operational or development issues.
Franco-Nevada’s financial results in the short-term are primarily tied to the price of commodities and the amount of production from its portfolio of producing assets. From time to time, financial results are also supplemented by acquisitions of new producing assets. Over the longer term, results are impacted by the availability of exploration and development capital applied by other companies to expand or extend Franco-Nevada’s producing assets or to advance Franco-Nevada’s advanced and exploration assets into production.
Franco-Nevada has a long-term focus in making its investments and recognizes it is in a cyclical industry. Franco-Nevada has historically operated by maintaining a strong balance sheet so that it can make investments during commodity cycle downturns.
Effective with the second quarter of 2014, we moved from monthly to quarterly dividend payments. We expect to continue to pay dividends quarterly. However, the payment of dividends is not assured. The amount of future cash dividends, if any, will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors, and may vary depending upon a variety of factors and conditions existing from time to time, including without limitations, compliance with applicable laws and our cash flow. Depending on these and various other factors, many of which will be beyond our control, we may change our dividend policy from time to time, and, as a result, future cash dividends could be reduced or suspended entirely. The market value of our common shares may deteriorate if we reduce or suspend the amount of cash dividends that we pay in the future, and that deterioration may be material. You should refer to the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors”. The paying agent for our dividends in the U.S. is Computershare Trust Company of Canada.
Our principal executive offices are located at 199 Bay Street, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 285, Commerce Court West, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1G9, Telephone Number: (416) 306-6300.
We will receive net proceeds from the sale of common shares in connection with a treasury acquisition, but not a market acquisition. We have no basis for estimating precisely either the number of common shares that may be issued under the Plan in a treasury acquisition or the prices at which the common shares may be sold. The amount of net proceeds that we will receive will depend upon the extent of the participation in the Plan and the amount of the quarterly dividends that we pay, if any. The net proceeds from the sale of the common shares will be used for general corporate purposes.
The following is a summary of the material attributes of the Plan. The summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to the complete Plan that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Since the establishment of the Plan in 2013, we have authorized an aggregate of 3,200,000 common shares of the Corporation to be issued, if as and when issued, under the Plan, including the 1,850,000 common shares offered by this prospectus.
The purpose of our Plan is to allow holders of our common shares to reinvest dividends declared and payable (less any withholding tax) to them as shareholders in additional common shares without paying any brokerage commissions or service charges. Full reinvestment of the dividends (less applicable withholding tax) is assured under the Plan because the Plan permits fractional shares, as well as whole shares, to be credited to the participants’ accounts.
Common shares will be acquired by the Plan Agent (as defined below) in a treasury acquisition (as defined below) or in a market acquisition (as defined below). In a treasury acquisition, common shares may be purchased from the Corporation at a discount of up to 5% at the discretion of the Corporation (the discount is currently set at 3%) of the “average market price” of the common shares, which is based upon the average market price of our common shares as calculated under the Plan. The discount does not apply to market acquisitions under the Plan.
We seek to provide a sustainable and predictable stream of dividends. However, the payment of dividends is not assured, and the amount of future cash dividends, if any, paid by us will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors, and will vary depending upon a variety of factors and conditions existing from time to time, such as our financial performance. Depending on these and various other factors, many of which will be beyond our control, we may change our dividend policy from time to time, and, as a result, future cash dividends could be reduced or suspended entirely. Our policy in respect of dividends is reviewed annually in order to establish dividend levels commensurate with, among other things, cash flow expectations and internal cash requirements.
You are eligible to participate in the Plan if you reside in Canada or the U.S. and are a holder of at least one common share and meet the requirements outlined below. The extent to which you may directly participate in the Plan will depend on the manner in which you hold your common shares.
If you are a registered owner you may directly enroll in the Plan. If you are a beneficial owner then, in order to participate in the Plan, you must make arrangements through your broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee who holds the common shares on your behalf.
To become a participant in the Plan, you or your nominee must complete a form authorizing us to forward all cash dividends paid on some or all common shares registered in your name or in your nominee’s name on your behalf, now or in the future, to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, the Plan Agent for the Plan. The completed authorization form should be forwarded to the Plan Agent at the address set out under “Notices” below. Dividends to be reinvested under the Plan on behalf of participants who are residents of the U.S. will be subject to applicable Canadian non-resident withholding tax. See “Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Plan — Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus.
We and the Plan Agent reserve the right to deny participation in the Plan to any person who appears to be, or who we or the Plan Agent have reason to believe is, subject to the laws of any jurisdiction which do not permit participation in the Plan in the manner sought by or on behalf of that person.
If you are a beneficial owner and wish to participate in the Plan, then you must determine whether your nominee allows participation in the Plan. Please note that not all nominees will allow, nor is any nominee required to allow, your participation in the Plan. If you wish to participate and your nominee does not allow it, it is your responsibility to either transfer your common shares to a different nominee allowing participation in the Plan, or into your own name and enroll directly. If you wish to participate and your nominee does allow it, you must arrange for your nominee to enroll in the Plan on your behalf. If you choose to enroll in the Plan, your nominee may be required to elect to participate on your behalf every dividend period.
You may obtain an enrollment form at any time from the Plan Agent’s website at www.investorcentre.com or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-800-564-6253, or by visiting our website at www.franco-nevada.com. If you are a registered holder, once you have enrolled in the Plan, you will remain enrolled until you discontinue participation or until we terminate or suspend the Plan. If you are a beneficial holder, your nominee may be required to elect to participate on your behalf every dividend period. See “Termination of Participation” and “Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan and Plan Agent” below.
Your participation in the Plan will commence with the first dividend payment after which you or your nominee submitted your enrollment form, provided that:
(i) if you are a registered owner of common shares, the Plan Agent received the form not later than 5.00 p.m. (Toronto time) five (5) business day preceding the record date for the dividend; or
(ii) if you are a beneficial owner of common shares, the Plan Agent received appropriate instructions from CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (“CDS”) or other nominee not later than such time as may be agreed from time to time between such depository or nominee and the Plan Agent in accordance with custom and practice relating to such depository’s or nominee’s system. The depository must in turn receive appropriate instructions from the nominee holders that are depository participants not later than such deadline as may be established by the depository from time to time.
The Plan permits participation by beneficial owners by having their nominee register through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). However, DTC announced in 2014 that it had terminated its participation in DRIPs for Canadian securities for all events announced with a record date beyond March 31, 2014. As a result, this summary of the plan does include references to DTC.
If the enrollment form or instructions, as applicable, are not received by the Plan Agent by the stipulated deadline, the dividend will be paid to you in the usual manner and participation in the Plan will commence with the next dividend.
We reserve the right to determine, from time to time, a minimum number of common shares that a participant must hold in order to qualify for or continue enrollment in the Plan.
Cash dividends payable (less applicable withholding tax) on common shares enrolled in the Plan will be aggregated and then used by the Plan Agent to acquire common shares for participants. At the Corporation’s election, the common shares acquired by the Plan Agent under the Plan will be either newly issued common shares acquired from the Corporation (a “treasury acquisition”) or common shares purchased on the Canadian open market through the facilities of either, at the Corporation’s option, the Toronto Stock Exchange or an alternative Canadian open market, as applicable (in respect of participants resident in Canada) or the New York Stock Exchange (in respect of participants resident in the U.S.) (either a “market acquisition”).
Common shares acquired through participation in the Plan will, in turn, be automatically enrolled in the Plan.
All funds received by the Plan Agent under the Plan will be applied to the purchase of common shares. In no event will interest be paid to participants on any funds held for investment under the Plan.
We do not control the price of common shares acquired under the Plan. The purchase price allocated for each common share acquired by the Plan Agent under the Plan during each investment period (the “Average Market Price”) will be:
a. in the case of a treasury acquisition, subject to the discount referred to below, the average closing price of the common shares (denominated in the currency in which the common shares trade on the applicable stock exchange) traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange or an alternative Canadian open market, as applicable (with respect to treasury acquisitions acquired on behalf of participants resident in Canada) or the New York Stock Exchange (with respect to treasury acquisitions acquired on behalf of participants resident in the U.S.) for the five (5) consecutive trading days on which at least a board lot of common shares traded ending on the day immediately prior to the applicable dividend payment date; and
b. in the case of a market acquisition, the actual average price paid (excluding brokerage commissions, fees and all transaction costs) per common share (denominated in the currency in which the common shares trade on the applicable stock exchange) purchased by the Plan Agent on behalf of participants on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange or any other alternative Canadian market, as applicable, for all common shares purchased in respect of an dividend payment date under the Plan. The Plan Agent will acquire the common shares by a market acquisition in a manner, provided herein, on the applicable dividend payment date or such date or dates as soon as practicable within three (3) trading days immediately after the dividend payment date unless otherwise directed by the Corporation.
At our discretion, common shares may be purchased in the case of a treasury acquisition at a discount of up to 5% from the Average Market Price (currently set at a 3% discount). We will announce by way of a press release and in dividend announcements any applicable discount from the Average Market Price.
Participation in the Plan may result in the participant holding a fraction of a common share (up to six decimal places). Dividends will be paid and reinvested on such fractional common shares. In the event of termination of the Plan or of termination of participation in the Plan, a participant will receive payment for the value of any residual fraction of a common share so held based on the price received by the Plan Agent in respect of the sale of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange or any other alternative Canadian market, as applicable (in respect of participants resident in Canada) or the New York Stock Exchange (in respect of participants resident in the U.S.) on the date on which termination is processed by the Plan Agent.
If we make available to shareholders any rights to subscribe for additional common shares or other securities, rights certificates will be forwarded to a participant in the Plan in proportion to the number of whole common shares owned, including common shares acquired through participation in the Plan being held for the participant by the Plan Agent. Such rights will not be made available for any fractional common shares held for a participant.
Stock Dividend or Subdivision of Common Shares
If common shares are distributed pursuant to a stock dividend or a subdivision of common shares, the common shares received by the Plan Agent for participants under the Plan will be held by the Plan Agent and credited by the Plan Agent to a participant’s account based on the whole and fractional common shares being held by the Plan Agent for the participant’s account. In the event of a consolidation or similar change in the number of outstanding common shares into a smaller number, the Plan Agent will proportionately adjust the account of each participant under the Plan according to the number of whole common shares held for the account of that participant prior to the effective time of the consolidation or similar change.
Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Plan Agent for the participants, will administer the Plan. Its responsibilities include:
· effecting participation in the Plan by participants upon receipt of on-line registration or a duly completed enrollment form in accordance with the instructions contained in the enrollment form;
· establishing and maintaining records for the Plan and for the account of each participant;
· purchasing and crediting the common shares accumulated under the Plan to each participant’s account;
· reporting to the participants in the Plan;
· maintaining appropriate records to facilitate the provision of tax information to participants;
· processing requests from participants for amendments to, or termination of, their participation in the Plan; and
· other duties required by the Plan or necessary or desirable to fulfill the aims of the Plan.
References to participants in this subsection refers to the directly registered participants, not participants who participate in the Plan through their broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee.
Participants’ Accounts and Reports
The Plan Agent will maintain a separate account for each participant (other than those registered with CDS) which will be credited with the whole and fractional common shares allocated to such participant. On a quarterly basis, approximately two to three weeks after the Plan Agent completes the common share purchase for any dividend payment, the Plan Agent will furnish to each participant in the Plan, a report of the amount of cash dividends paid, the common shares purchased for such participant under the Plan, the purchase price per share and the cumulative total of all common shares purchased for that account.
These reports will be the only record for participants of the cost of each purchase of common shares. All such reports should be retained by participants for income tax purposes. In addition, each participant will receive annually the appropriate tax information for recording dividend income. The reinvestment of dividends under the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax applicable to such dividends.
Participants who participate in the Plan through their broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee will receive such information and reports through such nominee.
Registration, Withdrawal or Disposition of Common Shares
Common shares purchased under the Plan and held under the Plan by the Plan Agent for the account of participants other than CDS will be registered in the name of the Plan Agent or its nominee or in accounts designated by it for the account of participants other than CDS. A Direct Registration System Advice (“DRS Advice”) evidencing book-entry registered ownership of such common shares, or a certificate for such common shares, will only be issued to the participant if the Plan or the participant’s participation therein is terminated or if the participant withdraws common shares from its account.
A Plan participant may, without terminating participation in the Plan, withdraw from its account under the Plan, and have a DRS Advice or share certificate issued and registered in the participant’s name for, any number of whole shares held for its account under the Plan by delivering to the Plan Agent a duly completed withdrawal portion of the voucher located on the reverse of the statement of account issued by the Plan Agent. A withdrawal request may also be obtained from the Plan Agent at the address below. Alternatively, participants may follow the instructions at the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal at www.investorcentre.com/franco-nevada. The withdrawal of common shares and issuance of a DRS Advice or share certificate will generally be completed within three weeks following receipt of the withdrawal request. A participant who withdraws common shares from the Plan but does not terminate participation in the Plan will continue to participate in the Plan for the common shares withdrawn. Any remaining shares (including a residual fraction of a share) will continue to be held by the Plan Agent for the Plan participant’s account under the Plan.
A participant may also request the sale of common shares held under the Plan by duly completing the withdrawal portion of the voucher on the reverse side of the statement of account and delivering it to the Plan Agent. In this event, the Plan Agent will sell such shares through a broker-dealer designated by the Corporation from time to time. The registered participant will be charged a commission by the broker-dealer, which commission will be deducted from the cash proceeds of the sale to be paid to the participant. The Plan Agent will deliver the net proceeds of the sales after deducting brokerage commission, transfer and withholding taxes, if any, to the participant.
Common shares being held for a participant in the Plan may not be pledged, sold or otherwise disposed of by a participant. Participants wishing to do so must request a DRS Advice or share certificate, or contact their broker or nominee.
Commissions and Administrative Costs
There will be no commissions, service charges or brokerage fees payable by participants in connection with the purchase of common shares under the Plan. Administrative costs associated with the operation of the Plan, including the fees and expenses of the Plan Agent, will be borne by us. However, participants who enroll in the Plan through a broker, trust company, bank or other nominee may be subject to fees in accordance with their nominee. The Plan Agent will be paid fees for its services pursuant to a plan services agreement between us and the Plan Agent.
Responsibilities of Franco-Nevada Corporation and the Plan Agent
Neither we nor the Plan Agent shall be liable for any act or any omission to act in connection with the operation of the Plan. Participants should recognize that neither we nor the Plan Agent can assure a profit or protect against loss as a result of their purchase of common shares under the Plan.
A shareholder who is enrolled in the Plan directly as a participant and wishes to terminate their participation in the Plan may do so voluntarily by delivering to the Plan Agent a duly completed termination
portion of the voucher located on the reverse of the statement of account issued by the Plan Agent. A termination request form may also be obtained from the Plan Agent at the address below. Alternatively, participants may follow the instructions at the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal at www.investorcentre.com/franco-nevada. In addition, participation will be terminated automatically following receipt by the Plan Agent of written notice of an individual participant’s death.
If a duly completed termination request (or notice of an individual participant’s death) is not received by the Plan Agent before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the fifth (5th) business day preceding a dividend record date, or is received between a record date and a dividend payment date then the participant’s account will not be closed, and participation in the Plan by such participant will not be terminated, until after the dividend payment date to which that record date relates. No terminations will be processed between a record date and the completion of the applicable common share purchases by the Plan Agent with respect to a dividend payment.
A participant who is enrolled in the Plan indirectly through a depository or otherwise through their or its broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee and wishes to terminate their or its participation in the Plan must contact the nominee who holds their or its shares and provide appropriate instructions to do so. The nominee should be consulted to confirm what information or documentation may be required to give effect to the termination instructions, and to inquire about any applicable deadlines that the nominee may impose or be subject to under the policies of that nominee or such depository’s system.
In the event of termination of participation, a participant (other than a depository) or a deceased participant’s estate or legal representative, as applicable, will be issued a DRS Advice or share certificate for the number of whole common shares held under the Plan by the Plan Agent in the participant’s account and a cash payment for any fraction of a common share which will be converted by the Plan Agent at the prevailing market price at the time of sale on the Toronto Stock Exchange or any other alternative Canadian market, as applicable (in respect of participants resident in Canada) or the New York Stock Exchange (in respect of participants resident in the U.S.). Upon termination of participation in the Plan, a participant will receive payment for fractional entitlements to common shares, if any, in Canadian currency (for all participants that are resident in Canada) or U.S. currency (for all participants resident in the U.S.).
We reserve the right to terminate participation in the Plan if the number of common shares purchased for a participant under the Plan is less than one (1) common share over a period of twelve (12) consecutive months. In that event, the Plan Agent will sell fractional common shares in the participant’s account and pay the participant the proceeds of the sale, net of brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and withholding taxes, if any, together with a cash payment for any fraction of a common share in the account which will be converted by the Plan Agent at the prevailing market price at the time of sale.
For any meeting of shareholders, participants will receive proxy materials in order to vote all whole common shares held by the Plan Agent on your behalf. Your common shares will be voted as you direct or you may vote by proxy or in person at the meeting of shareholders. Common shares for which instructions are not received will not be voted. A fractional common share does not carry the right to vote.
Amendment or Termination of Plan and/or Plan Agent
We may amend or terminate the Plan at any time, but such action shall have no retroactive effect that would prejudice the interests of participants. Where required, amendments to the Plan will be subject to the prior approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange. We will publicly announce any material amendments to or termination of the Plan.
If Computershare Trust Company of Canada ceases to act as Plan Agent for any reason, another qualified party will be designated by us to act as Plan Agent and participants will be notified of the change.
All notices required to be given under the Plan shall be mailed to each participant (including CDS and financial institutions and stock brokerages holding common shares as registered holder on behalf of non-registered participants) at the address shown on the records of the Plan Agent or at a more recent address as furnished by the participant.
Notices to the Plan Agent shall be addressed as follows:
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
North Tower
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
Attention: Dividend Reinvestment Department
Or the National Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-564-6253
Or by visiting www.investorcentre.com
Notices to us shall be addressed as follows:
Franco-Nevada Corporation
199 Bay Street, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 285, Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1G9
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
Fax No.: (416) 306-6330.
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
We shall conclusively determine any issues of interpretation arising in connection with the Plan or its application.
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE PLAN
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to shareholders who participate in the Plan. This summary is of a general nature only, is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations and is not intended to be legal or tax advice to any particular shareholder.
This summary is provided by and on behalf of us and not the Plan Agent. The summary is for general information only and is not intended to be legal or tax advice to any particular shareholder. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisor as to their particular circumstances.
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary, as of the date of this prospectus, of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) and the Income Tax Regulations (the “Regulations”) generally applicable to a participant (a “Specified Participant”) that, at all relevant times, for purposes of the Tax Act, deals at arm’s length with and is not affiliated with the Corporation and holds common shares as capital property, all within the meaning of the Tax Act.
This summary does not apply to a participant: (i) that is a “financial institution” for purposes of the “mark-to-market” rules in the Tax Act; (ii) that is a “specified financial institution”; (iii) an interest in which is or would constitute a “tax shelter investment”; (iv) that has entered or will enter into, with respect to the common shares, a “synthetic disposition arrangement” or a “derivative forward agreement”; (v) that is a corporation resident in Canada that is or becomes a part of a transaction or event or series of transactions or events to which the foreign affiliate dumping rules in section 212.3 of the Tax Act apply; (vi) that reports its “Canadian tax results” in a currency other than Canadian currency; or (vii) that is exempt from tax under the Tax Act, all as defined in the Tax Act. Such participants should consult their own tax advisor.
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Tax Act and the Regulations in force as of the date of this prospectus, specific proposals to amend the Tax Act and the Regulations that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to such date (the “Tax Proposals”), and the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency. This summary assumes that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed and does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative practices, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ from the Canadian federal income tax considerations discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted as proposed or at all, or that legislative, judicial or administrative changes will not modify or change the statements expressed herein.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not, and is not intended to be, legal or tax advice to any particular participant under the Plan. This summary is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to participants. Accordingly, participants should consult their own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences applicable to them having regard to their own particular circumstances.
Canadian Residents
This portion of the summary is generally applicable to a Specified Participant that, at all relevant times, for purposes of the Tax Act, is resident in Canada, or is deemed to be resident in Canada (a “Canadian Participant”).
The reinvestment of dividends under the terms of the Plan does not relieve a Canadian Participant from any liability for income taxes that may otherwise be payable on such amounts. In this regard, a Canadian Participant who participates in the Plan will be treated, for tax purposes, as having received, on each dividend payment date, a taxable dividend equal to the amount of the dividend payable on such date, which dividend will be subject to the same tax treatment accorded to taxable dividends received by the Canadian Participant from a taxable Canadian corporation.
For example, in the case of a Canadian Participant who is an individual (including certain trusts), such dividends will be subject to the normal gross-up and dividend tax credit rules applicable to taxable dividends received by an individual from taxable Canadian corporations, including the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit for “eligible dividends” properly designated as such by the Corporation. Taxable dividends received by such a Canadian Participant may give rise to minimum tax under the Tax Act,
depending on the individual’s circumstances. In the case of a Canadian Participant that is a corporation, such dividends will be included in the Canadian Participant’s income and will normally be deductible in computing such Canadian Participant’s taxable income. In certain circumstances, subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act (as proposed to be amended by Tax Proposals released on July 31, 2015) will treat a taxable dividend received by a Canadian Participant that is a corporation as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain. Canadian Participants that are corporations are urged to consult their own tax advisor having regard to their particular circumstances. A Canadian Participant that is a “private corporation” or “subject corporation” (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay a 33-1/3% refundable tax under Part IV of the Tax Act on such dividends to the extent that such dividends are deductible in computing the Canadian Participant’s taxable income for the year. Other taxes could apply depending on the circumstances of the Canadian Participant.
If cash dividends are reinvested in common shares for a Canadian Participant under the Plan in a treasury acquisition, and if the Corporation determines to issue such common shares at a discount of up to 5%, at the discretion of the Corporation, from the Average Market Price, such discount should not give rise to a taxable benefit under the Tax Act to such Canadian Participant. The discount is currently set at 3%.
A Canadian Participant should not realize any additional income under the Tax Act when the participant receives certificates for whole common shares previously credited to the participant’s account under the Plan, either upon the participant’s request, upon termination of participation in the Plan or upon termination of the Plan. Generally, one-half of any capital gain realized by a Canadian Participant on a disposition of a common share acquired pursuant to the Plan must be included in the Canadian Participant’s income for the year as a taxable capital gain. Subject to certain specific rules in the Tax Act, one-half of any capital loss realized by a participant on a disposition of a common share in a taxation year will be an allowable capital loss which must be deducted from any taxable capital gains realized by the Canadian Participant in the year of disposition. Allowable capital losses for a taxation year in excess of taxable capital gains for that year generally may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year against net taxable capital gains realized in such years to the extent and under the circumstances discussed in the Tax Act.
When a Canadian Participant’s participation in the Plan is terminated by the Canadian Participant or the Corporation or when the Plan is terminated by the Corporation, the Canadian Participant may receive a cash payment. A deemed dividend may arise if the cash payment for a fractional common share exceeds the paid-up capital in respect of such fractional common share and a capital gain (or loss) may also be realized in certain circumstances. A deemed dividend is treated in the manner described above in respect of dividends.
The disposition by a Canadian Participant to the Corporation of a fraction of a common share in consideration for cash (either upon the Canadian Participant’s request, upon termination of participation in the Plan or upon termination of the Plan) may give rise to a deemed dividend to the Canadian Participant as well as a capital gain or capital loss.
The cost to a Canadian Participant of common shares acquired under the Plan will be the price paid for those shares by the Canadian Participant. The adjusted cost base of such common shares to the Canadian Participant will be computed by averaging the cost of those shares with the adjusted cost base of all other common shares of the Corporation held by the Canadian Participant as capital property.
A Canadian Participant who disposes of or is deemed to have disposed of common shares acquired pursuant to the Plan (including on the disposition of a fraction of a common share in consideration for cash upon termination of participation in the Plan or upon termination of the Plan) will generally realize a capital gain (or incur a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of such common shares exceed (or are exceeded by) the aggregate of the adjusted cost base of such common shares immediately before the disposition or deemed disposition and any reasonable expenses associated with the
disposition or deemed disposition. Canadian Participants will generally be subject to the tax treatment normally applicable under the Tax Act in respect of such capital gains or capital losses. For example, generally one-half of any such capital gain (a “taxable capital gain”) realized by a Canadian Participant must be included in the Canadian Participant’s income for the taxation year in which the disposition occurs. Capital gains realized by a Canadian Participant who is an individual (including certain trusts) may result in the individual paying minimum tax under the Tax Act. A Canadian Participant that is a “Canadian-controlled private corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay an additional refundable tax of 6-2/3% on its “aggregate investment income” (as defined in the Tax Act) for the year, which is defined to include an amount in respect of taxable capital gains.
U.S. Residents
This portion of the summary is generally applicable to a Specified Participant that, at all relevant times: (i) is neither resident in Canada nor deemed to be resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act; (ii) is a resident of the U.S. and is a “qualifying person” within the meaning of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Treaty”); and (iii) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold common shares in a business carried on in Canada (a “U.S. Resident Participant”). U.S. Resident Participants are urged to consult with their own tax advisor to determine their entitlement to benefits under the Treaty based on their particular circumstances.
Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a U.S. Resident Participant that is an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere or an authorized foreign bank (as defined in the Tax Act). Such U.S. Resident Participant should consult with their own tax advisor as to their particular circumstances.
The reinvestment of dividends under the terms of the Plan does not relieve a U.S. Resident Participant from any liability for income taxes that may otherwise be payable on such amounts. In this regard, a U.S. Resident Participant who participates in the Plan will be treated, for tax purposes, as having received, on each dividend payment date, a taxable dividend equal to the amount of the dividend payable on such date, which dividend will be subject to the same tax treatment accorded to taxable dividends received by the U.S. Resident Participant from a taxable Canadian corporation.
All cash dividends paid on common shares held by a U.S. Resident Participant will generally be subject to the treatment under the Tax Act normally applicable to taxable dividends from taxable Canadian corporations even if such dividends are reinvested in common shares under the Plan on behalf of a U.S. Resident Participant. For example, such dividends will be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25%, subject to any reduction in the rate of withholding to which the U.S. Resident Participant is entitled under the Treaty. Under the Treaty if the U.S. Resident Participant is the beneficial owner of such dividends, the applicable rate of Canadian withholding tax is generally reduced to 15%. The amount in respect of such dividends to be reinvested under the Plan will be reduced by the amount of any such applicable withholding tax.
The disposition by a U.S. Resident Participant to the Corporation of a fraction of a common share in consideration for cash (either upon the U.S. Resident Participant’s request, upon termination of participation in the Plan or upon termination of the Plan) may give rise to a deemed dividend which is subject to withholding tax as well as capital gain or capital loss.
A U.S. Resident Participant will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of any capital gain realized by such U.S. Resident Participant on a disposition of common shares (including upon the disposition of a fractional common share), unless the common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Tax Act) of the U.S. Resident Participant at the time of the disposition and the U.S. Resident Participant is not entitled to relief under the Treaty. Generally, as long as the common shares are listed on a
“designated stock exchange” (which includes the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange) at a particular time, such shares will not constitute taxable Canadian property to a U.S. Resident Participant at such time unless at any time during the sixty (60) month period that ends at that time: (a) the U.S. Resident Participant, persons with which the U.S. Resident Participant does not deal at arm’s length, partnerships whose members include, either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, the U.S. Resident Participant or persons which do not deal at arm’s length with the U.S. Resident Participant, or any combination of them, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation; and (b) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (i) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (ii) “Canadian resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), (iii) “timber resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), and (iv) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in, property described in (i), (ii) and (iii), whether or not such property exists. U.S. Resident Participants holding common shares that constitute taxable Canadian property should consult their own tax advisor.
United States Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Participants
The following is a general summary of U.S. federal income tax consequences which may be applicable to a U.S. person (as defined below) who holds common shares and participates in the Plan (referred to as a “U.S. Participant”) as of the date hereof. The summary is applicable to U.S. Participants (as defined below) who are residents of the U.S. for purposes of the Treaty. Except where noted, it deals only with common shares held as capital assets and it does not deal with all tax aspects that might be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of its personal circumstances, nor does it deal with particular types of shareholders that are subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws, such as (i) insurance companies; (ii) tax-exempt organizations; (iii) financial institutions or broker-dealers; (iv) non-U.S. individuals and non-U.S. corporations; (v) U.S. expatriates; (vi) persons who mark-to-market our common shares; (vii) subchapter S corporations; (viii) U.S. Participants whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; (ix) regulated investment companies; (x) holders who receive common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; (xi) persons holding common shares as part of a “straddle”, “hedge”, “conversion transaction”, “synthetic security” or other integrated investment; (xii) persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (xiii) persons holding common shares through a partnership or similar pass-through entity; and (xiv) persons holding a 10% or more (by vote or value) beneficial interest in the Corporation. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. This summary does not address all possible tax considerations that may be material to a shareholder and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Except as provided herein, this summary does not address tax reporting requirements. Persons considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of common shares, or participation in the Plan, should consult their own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including state, local and non-U.S. jurisdictions.
As used herein, the term “U.S. person” means a beneficial holder of a common share that is (i) an individual that is a citizen or resident of the U.S., (ii) a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (x) is subject to the supervision of a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (y) that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership, including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If one is a partner in a partnership holding common shares, such partner is urged to consult one’s tax advisor regarding the consequences of the ownership and disposition of common shares by the partnership.
Distributions Generally
A U.S. Participant who participates in the Plan generally will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution from the Corporation with respect to its common shares equal to the sum of (a) the fair market value of the common shares credited to the participant’s Plan account, (b) any cash distributions actually received by the shareholder with respect to common shares not included in the Plan, (c) any applicable sales or brokerage fees the Corporation pays on the U.S. Participant’s behalf, and (d) any fees or tax withholdings, including Canadian withholding taxes, subtracted from a distribution prior to purchase of common shares. The total amount of cash dividends and other distributions will be reported to the U.S. Participant and to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) on the appropriate tax form after the end of each year. U.S. Participants should consult their own tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any fees subtracted from cash distributions prior to reinvestment of such distributions in common shares. The amount of the distribution deemed received may exceed the amount of the cash dividend that was reinvested if the Corporation offers a discount on the purchase price of the common shares.
Distributions to U.S. Participants, including any deemed dividend resulting from a discount in the purchase price as discussed below, will constitute dividends to the extent of the Corporation’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Code requires this treatment even though a U.S. Participant will never actually receive the reinvested dividends in cash because its dividends are used instead to purchase common shares. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid by the Corporation to non-corporate U.S. Participants, including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Corporation not be classified as a PFIC (as defined below) in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex and each U.S. Participant should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, if a U.S. Participant so elects with respect to all foreign taxes, it will generally be entitled to a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability for the Canadian withholding tax imposed on those dividends. The amount of the credit will be subject to limitations contained in the foreign tax credit provisions of the Code. A U.S. Participant who finds that, because of such limitations, it is more advantageous in its particular case to claim Canadian withholding tax as a deduction rather than as a credit may do so, but only for a year for which the U.S. Participant elects to do so with respect to all foreign taxes.
To the extent that the Corporation makes a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital, reducing the tax basis in the U.S. Participant’s common shares, and the amount of each distribution in excess of a U.S. Participant’s tax basis in its common shares will be taxable as gain realized from the sale of its common shares.
The amount of any dividend paid in Canadian dollars will equal the U.S. dollar value of the Canadian dollars received calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date the dividend is received by the U.S. Participant regardless of whether the Canadian dollars are converted into U.S. dollars. If the Canadian dollars received as a dividend are not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Participant will have a basis in the Canadian dollars equal to the U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or the disposition of the Canadian dollars will be treated as
ordinary income or loss. Different rules apply to U.S. Participants who use the accrual method of tax accounting.
Certain Dispositions of Shares of the Common Shares
U.S. Participants will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes merely upon withdrawal of common shares previously credited to a U.S. Participant’s Plan account. However, a U.S. Participant will realize a gain or loss when common shares are sold or exchanged, whether pursuant to the U.S. Participant’s request upon termination of participation in the Plan or by the U.S. Participant after receipt of common shares from the Plan, and, in the case of any fraction of a common share, when the U.S. Participant receives a cash adjustment for a fraction of a common shares. The amount of such gain or loss will be the difference between the amount which the U.S. Participant receives for the common shares or fraction of a common shares and the tax basis therefor. The gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. Losses recognized by a U.S. Participant upon the disposition of shares of the common shares will be considered capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. Participant but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to U.S.$3,000 of ordinary income each year). All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of common shares may be disallowed if the taxpayer purchases other common shares within thirty (30) days before or after the disposition.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If the Corporation were to constitute a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code (a “PFIC”) for any year during a U.S. Participant’s holding period, then certain different and potentially adverse U.S. federal income tax rules would affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Participant resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. The U.S. Treasury Department has not issued specific guidance on how the income and assets of a non-U.S. corporation such as the Corporation will be treated under the PFIC rules.
The Corporation generally will be a PFIC for any tax year in which, after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries, (a) 75 percent or more of its gross income is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50 percent or more of its assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, based on the quarterly average of the fair market values of such assets (the “asset test”). “Gross income” generally includes all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources. “Passive income” generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions. Passive income generally excludes active business gains arising from the sale of commodities, if substantially all (85 percent or more) of a foreign corporation’s commodities are stock in trade or inventory, real and depreciable property used in a trade or business, or supplies regularly used or consumed in a trade or business, and certain other requirements are satisfied.
Under certain attribution rules, if the Corporation were a PFIC, U.S. Participants would generally be deemed to own their proportionate share of the Corporation’s direct or indirect equity interest in any company that is also a PFIC (a “Subsidiary PFIC”), and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any indirect gain realized on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC upon the sale of the common shares of the Corporation, as well as their proportionate share of (a) any “excess distributions” (as discussed below) on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC and (b) any gain realized upon the disposition or deemed disposition of stock of a Subsidiary PFIC by the Corporation or by another Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Participants directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC. If the Corporation were classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Participant held common shares, then the Corporation generally would continue to be classified as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Participant for any subsequent taxable year in which the U.S. Participant
continued to hold common shares, even if the Corporation’s income or assets would not cause it to be a PFIC in such subsequent taxable year, unless an exception were to apply.
The Corporation believes, on a more-likely-than-not basis, that it currently qualifies, and expects to continue to qualify in the future, for the active commodities business exception for purposes of the PFIC asset test and PFIC income test. Accordingly, the Corporation believes, on a more-likely-than-not basis, that it was not a PFIC for its tax year ended December 31, 2015, and, based on its current and anticipated business activities and financial expectations, the Corporation expects, on a more-likely-than-not basis, that it will not be a PFIC for its current tax year and for the foreseeable future. However, the Corporation believes that it was a PFIC for its tax year ended December 31, 2011, and prior tax years.
The determination as to whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a particular tax year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations and uncertainty. In addition, there is limited authority on the application of the active commodities exception and other relevant PFIC rules to entities such as the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the views of the Corporation (or a Subsidiary PFIC) concerning its PFIC status. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on its assets and income over the course of such tax year, and, as a result, the Corporation’s PFIC status for its current tax year and any future tax year cannot be predicted with certainty. Each U.S. Participant should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC status of the Corporation and any Subsidiary PFIC.
If the Corporation were a PFIC for any tax year in which a U.S. Participant held common shares, and such U.S. Participant had not made an effective QEF Election or Mark-to-Market Election under the PFIC rules (as defined and more fully described below) with respect to its common shares, then such holder generally would be subject to special rules with respect to “excess distributions” made by the Corporation on the common shares and with respect to gain from the direct or indirect disposition of common shares. An “excess distribution” generally would include the excess of distributions made with respect to the common shares to a U.S. Participant in any tax year over 125% of the average annual distributions made to such U.S. Participant by the Corporation during the shorter of the three preceding tax years or such U.S. Participant’s holding period for the common shares. Generally, a U.S. Participant would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the direct or indirect disposition of the common shares ratably over its holding period for the common shares. Amounts allocated to the year of the disposition or excess distribution would be taxed as ordinary income, and amounts allocated to prior tax years would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for ordinary income for each such year. In addition, an interest charge would apply.
If the Corporation were a PFIC for any tax year in which a U.S. Participant held common shares, and such U.S. Participant had made a timely and effective election to treat the Corporation as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF Election”) for the first tax year of such U.S. Participant’s holding period in which the Corporation were classified as a PFIC, then such U.S. Participant generally would not be subject to the PFIC rules described in the preceding paragraph. Instead, such U.S. Participant would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such holder’s pro rata share of (a) the net capital gain of the Corporation, which would be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Participant, and (b) the ordinary earnings of the Corporation, which would be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Participant. A QEF Election, once made, would be effective with respect to such U.S. Participant’s common shares for all subsequent tax years in which the Corporation is treated as a PFIC, unless the QEF Election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of the QEF Election. The QEF Election cannot be made unless the Corporation provides or makes available certain information. To facilitate the making of QEF Elections by U.S. Participants, for each tax year that the Corporation is classified as a PFIC, the Corporation: (a) intends to make available to U.S. Participants, upon written request, a “PFIC Annual Information Statement” and (b) upon written request, use commercially reasonable efforts to provide all additional information that such U.S. Participant is required to
obtain in connection with maintaining such QEF Election with regard to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiary PFICs. The Corporation may provide such information on its website (www.franco-nevada.com). U.S. Participants considering the QEF Election should note that a QEF Election with respect to common shares would not apply to any Subsidiary PFICs. Consequently, unless a U.S. Participant makes a QEF Election with respect to any Subsidiary PFIC, it could be subject to the adverse tax consequences described above with respect to any interests in a Subsidiary PFIC. In light of the uncertainties described above, the Corporation has continued to provide such information for all taxable years through 2014 despite its belief on a more-likely-than-not basis that it was not a PFIC in any taxable year after 2011, and it currently expects that it will continue to do so, although it reserves the right to discontinue this practice in the future.
If the Corporation were a PFIC for any tax year in which a U.S. Participant held common shares, and such U.S. Participant had made a timely and effective “mark to market” election (a “Mark-to-Market Election”) in the first tax year of such U.S. Participant’s holding period in which the Corporation were classified as a PFIC, then such U.S. Participant generally would not be subject to the PFIC rules described in the preceding paragraphs. Instead, such holder generally would include in ordinary income, for each tax year in which the Corporation were a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the common shares, as of the close of such tax year over (b) such U.S. Participant’s adjusted tax basis in such common shares. The U.S. Participant would be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss each year the excess of its adjusted tax basis in the common shares over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the Mark-to-Market Election. A U.S. Participant’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares would be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the Mark-to-Market Election rules. In addition, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Participant that made a Mark-to-Market Election would recognize ordinary income or ordinary loss (but only to the extent such loss did not exceed the net amount of previously included income as a result of the Mark-to-Market Election). A Mark-to-Market Election would apply to the tax year in which such election is made and to each subsequent tax year, unless the common shares were to cease to be “marketable stock,” the U.S. Participant were to mark the common shares to market under non-PFIC provisions of the Code, or the IRS were to consent to the revocation of such election. The Mark-to-Market Election is expected to be available with respect to the Corporation, provided that the common shares are “regularly traded” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which is expected to be the case. However, the Mark-to-Market Election will not be available with respect to any Subsidiary PFIC. Accordingly, U.S. Participants making a Mark-to-Market Election would be subject to unfavorable tax consequences described above with respect to any Subsidiary PFIC.
In any year in which the Corporation is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Participant generally will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing certain information regarding such holder’s interest in the Corporation (or a Subsidiary PFIC). A failure to satisfy such reporting requirement could result in the extension of the statute of limitations with respect to federal income tax returns filed by such U.S. Participant. The PFIC rules are complex, and each U.S. Participant should consult its own tax advisor regarding the foregoing reporting requirements, the advisability of making a QEF Election or Mark-to-Market Election, and any other tax consequences under the PFIC rules of acquiring, owning and disposing of common shares.
Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding for U.S. Participants
The Corporation may be required to report to U.S. Participants and to the IRS the amount of distributions made or deemed made during each calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under some circumstances, U.S. Participants may be subject to backup withholding on payments made with respect to, or cash proceeds of a sale or exchange of, common shares. Backup withholding will apply only if the holder (i) fails to furnish its taxpayer identification number (which, for an individual, would be his or her Social Security number); (ii) furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number; (iii) is notified by the IRS that the U.S. Participant has failed to properly report payments of interest or distributions and is subject to
backup withholding; or (iv) under some circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has furnished a correct taxpayer identification number and has not been notified by the IRS that the U.S. Participant is subject to backup withholding for failure to report interest and distribution payments or has been notified by the IRS that the U.S. Participant is no longer subject to backup withholding for failure to report those payments.
Backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to some U.S. Participants, such as corporations in certain circumstances and tax-exempt organizations. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding with respect to a payment to a U.S. Participant will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Participant’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Participant to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. U.S. Participants should consult their own tax advisor regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining an exemption.
Under U.S. federal income tax law and Treasury Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Participants must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on individuals who are U.S. Participants that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U.S. Participants may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. These information reporting requirements also apply to U.S. corporations, partnerships, and trusts formed or availed of for purposes of holding, directly or indirectly, specified foreign financial assets. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Participants should consult with their own tax advisor regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.
Tax on Net Investment Income
Certain U.S. Participants that are individuals, estates or trusts will be required to pay an additional 3.8% tax (the “Net Investment Income Tax”) on, among other things, certain dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock. U.S. Participants that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their own tax advisor regarding the effect, if any, of the Net Investment Income Tax on their ownership and disposition of the common shares. Special rules apply to PFICs.
Tax consequences will vary depending on each U.S. Participant’s specific circumstances. Each U.S. Participant should discuss specific tax questions regarding participation in the Plan with its own tax advisor.
Subject to the discussion below, we will distribute common shares purchased under the Plan as described in this prospectus. This prospectus relates to the offering of our common shares in the United States pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition and subject to any limitations imposed by the Plan, we intend to offer an indeterminate number of our common shares under the Plan outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The Plan Agent will assist in the identification of registered shareholders, execute transactions in the common shares pursuant to the Plan and provide other related services, but will not be acting as an underwriter with respect to our common shares sold under the Plan. You will pay no brokerage commissions
or trading or transaction fees on common shares purchased through the Plan with reinvested dividends. However, you may be responsible for other fees and expenses, including a handling fee and brokerage commissions and trading and transaction fees upon the sale of your common shares that are subject to the Plan, including the sale of your common shares upon the termination of participation in the Plan. Our common shares are currently listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FNV”.
Participants who acquire our common shares through the Plan and resell them shortly after acquiring them, including coverage of short positions, under certain circumstances, may be participating in a distribution of securities that would require compliance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and may be considered to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act. We will not extend to any such person any rights or privileges other than those to which he, she or it would be entitled as a participant in the Plan, nor will we enter into any agreement with any such person regarding the resale or distribution by any such person of common shares so purchased.
Our major shareholders, directors, officers and members of our management, supervisory or administrative bodies may participate in the Plan.
From time to time, financial intermediaries, including brokers and dealers, and other persons may engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit from any discounts to the market price applicable to common shares purchased pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan. Those transactions may cause fluctuations in the trading price and volume of our common shares. Financial intermediaries and such other persons who engage in positioning transactions may be deemed to be underwriters. We have no arrangements or understandings, formal or informal, with any person relating to the sale of our common shares to be received under the Plan. We reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate participation in the Plan by otherwise eligible persons to eliminate practices that are inconsistent with the purposes of the Plan.
The common shares to be offered by this prospectus will be offered to our shareholders pursuant to participation in the Plan. The common shares are currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FNV”.
The authorized share capital of Franco-Nevada consists of an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares of which, as of March 17, 2016, 177,398,233 common shares and no preferred shares were outstanding.
Common Shares
Each common share carries the right to one vote at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation. There are no special rights or restrictions of any nature attached to the common shares. All common shares rank equally as to dividends, voting powers and participation in assets upon liquidation of the Corporation.
Preferred Shares
The preferred shares may be issued in one or more series, each series to consist of such number of shares as may, before the issue thereof, be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. The directors shall determine before the issue thereof the designations, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the preferred shares of each series including the rate or amount of dividends or the method of calculating dividends, the dates of payment thereof, the redemption and/or purchase prices and terms and conditions of
redemption and/or purchase, any voting rights, any conversion rights and any sinking fund or other provisions.
The preferred shares of each series will, with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank on a parity with the preferred shares of every other series and be entitled to preference over the common shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares. The preferred shares of any series may also be given such other preferences over the common shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares as may be fixed by the directors.
Warrants
Franco-Nevada has outstanding certain warrants to purchase common shares, of which the following class is listed and posted for trading.
2017 Warrants
The Corporation has outstanding as of March 17, 2016 6,510,769 warrants, each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share upon payment of C$75.00 until June 16, 2017 (the “2017 Warrants”). In addition, the Corporation has issued one special warrant which is exchangeable until June 16, 2017 into 2,000,000 2017 Warrants upon the holder achieving certain permitting, development and financing criteria. The 2017 Warrants are listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “FNV.WT.A”.
Our common shares began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 20, 2007. Our common shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on September 8, 2011. The following table sets forth the high and low prices of the common shares as reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated, beginning, in the case of the New York Stock Exchange, on September 8, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
Toronto Stock Exchange (Cdn$) |
|
New York Stock Exchange (US$) |
| ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
High |
|
Low |
| ||||
|
2011 |
|
Full Year |
|
$ |
47.24 |
|
$ |
27.75 |
|
— |
|
— |
| ||
|
2012 |
|
Full Year |
|
$ |
60.62 |
|
$ |
37.99 |
|
$ |
61.60 |
|
$ |
37.51 |
|
|
2013 |
|
Full Year |
|
$ |
58.09 |
|
$ |
33.05 |
|
$ |
59.03 |
|
$ |
31.54 |
|
|
2014 |
|
Full Year |
|
$ |
67.12 |
|
$ |
43.38 |
|
$ |
61.47 |
|
$ |
40.67 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
59.84 |
|
$ |
43.38 |
|
$ |
53.70 |
|
$ |
40.67 |
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
61.25 |
|
$ |
49.08 |
|
$ |
57.39 |
|
$ |
44.54 |
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
67.12 |
|
$ |
53.21 |
|
$ |
61.47 |
|
$ |
47.83 |
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
63.72 |
|
$ |
50.94 |
|
$ |
56.38 |
|
$ |
44.66 |
|
|
2015 |
|
Full Year |
|
$ |
74.10 |
|
$ |
49.96 |
|
$ |
58.84 |
|
$ |
38.20 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
74.10 |
|
$ |
56.08 |
|
$ |
58.84 |
|
$ |
45.93 |
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
66.98 |
|
$ |
58.47 |
|
$ |
56.04 |
|
$ |
47.40 |
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
62.87 |
|
$ |
49.96 |
|
$ |
48.69 |
|
$ |
38.20 |
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
72.90 |
|
$ |
56.57 |
|
$ |
55.47 |
|
$ |
44.79 |
|
|
|
|
September |
|
$ |
59.80 |
|
$ |
51.92 |
|
$ |
44.89 |
|
$ |
39.05 |
|
|
|
|
October |
|
$ |
72.90 |
|
$ |
56.57 |
|
$ |
55.47 |
|
$ |
42.66 |
|
|
|
|
November |
|
$ |
67.55 |
|
$ |
60.45 |
|
$ |
51.50 |
|
$ |
45.39 |
|
|
|
|
December |
|
$ |
68.06 |
|
$ |
62.37 |
|
$ |
50.87 |
|
$ |
44.79 |
|
|
2016 |
|
January |
|
$ |
70.12 |
|
$ |
58.67 |
|
$ |
49.68 |
|
$ |
41.47 |
|
|
|
|
February |
|
$ |
85.86 |
|
$ |
60.90 |
|
$ |
62.09 |
|
$ |
43.33 |
|
|
|
|
March (1-17) |
|
$ |
88.89 |
|
$ |
74.50 |
|
$ |
68.40 |
|
$ |
55.55 |
|
The expenses, determined as of the filing of our registration statement on Form F-3 of which this prospectus forms a part, in connection with the issuance and distribution of the common shares being offered are as follows:
|
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
|
$ |
12,456 |
|
|
Legal Fees and Expenses |
|
$ |
30,000 |
* |
|
Auditor Fees |
|
$ |
20,000 |
* |
|
Stock Exchange Listing Fees |
|
$ |
10,000 |
* |
|
Agent Fees |
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
77,956 |
|
*Estimated
Our By-Law No. 1 provides that we agree to indemnify each of our directors and officers, each of our former directors and officers and each individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or each individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with us or another entity. Subject to the limitations contained in the CBCA, our By-Law No. 1 provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance as our board of directors may from time to time determine for the benefit of our directors or officers, each former director and officer and each individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or each individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity.
Additionally, our By-Law No. 1 provides that no director or officer shall be liable (i) for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other director, officer, employee, or agent, (ii) for joining in any receipt or other act for conformity, (iii) for any loss, damage or expense happening to us through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired for or on our behalf, (iv) for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of our moneys shall be invested, (v) for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious acts of any person with whom any of our moneys, securities or effects shall be deposited, (vi) for any loss occasioned by any error of judgment or oversight on the part of that person, (vii) for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which happen in the execution of the duties of that person’s office or in relation thereto, unless the same are occasioned by that person’s own willful neglect or default.
Our indemnity applies only to the extent that the individual seeking indemnity acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interest, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in similar capacity at our request; and in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful. We may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding. The individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions set out above.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the CBCA and our by-laws, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
The validity of the common shares being offered by this prospectus and certain federal Canadian tax matters have been passed upon for us by Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, Toronto, Ontario. Certain U.S. federal tax matters have been passed upon for us by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Seattle, Washington.
The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Certain information relating to our mineral reserves and resources included in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus has been prepared by Phil Wilson and GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd., and has been included in reliance upon each such person’s authority as an expert.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Under the CBCA, the Registrant may indemnify a present or former director or officer of the Registrant or another individual who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the Registrant or other entity. The Registrant may not indemnify an individual unless the individual acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as a director or officer or in a similar capacity at the Registrant’s request and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful. The indemnification may be made in connection with an action by or on behalf of the Registrant or other entity to procure a judgment in its favor, to which the individual is made a party because of the individual’s association with the Registrant or other entity as described above only with court approval. The aforementioned individuals are entitled to indemnification from the Registrant in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual’s association with the Registrant or other entity as described above if the individual was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual described above ought to have done provided the individual fulfills the conditions set out above. The Registrant may advance moneys to an individual described above for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding described above; however, the individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions set out above.
By-law No. 1 of the Registrant provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify each director and officer of the Registrant, each former director and officer of the Registrant and each individual who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer, or each individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the Registrant or other entity. Subject to the limitations contained in the CBCA, the by-law of the Registrant provides that the Registrant, may purchase and maintain insurance as the board of directors of the Registrant may from time to time determine for the benefit of a director or officer of the Registrant, each former director and officer of the Registrant and each individual who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer, or each individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity.
Additionally, By-law No. 1 provides that no director or officer shall be liable (i) for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other director, officer, employee, or agent, (ii) for joining in any receipt or other act for conformity, (iii) for any loss, damage or expense happening to the Registrant through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired for or on behalf of the Registrant, (iv) for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the moneys of the Registrant shall be invested, (v) for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious acts of any person with whom any of the moneys, securities or effects of the Registrant shall be deposited, (vi) for any loss occasioned by any error of judgment or oversight on the part of that person, (vii) for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which happen in the execution of the duties of
that person’s office or in relation thereto, unless the same are occasioned by that person’s own willful neglect or default.
The Registrant’s indemnity applies only to the extent that the individual seeking indemnity acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the Registrant, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in similar capacity at the Registrant’s request; and in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful. The Registrant may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding. The individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions set out above.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 9. Exhibits
|
Exhibits |
|
Document Description |
|
3.1 |
|
Articles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-3D filed on July 24, 2013)(File No. 333-190109) |
|
3.2 |
|
By-Law No. 1 Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Current Report on Form 6-K furnished on March 27, 2015)(File No. 001-35286) |
|
4.1 |
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, dated as of July 19, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-3D filed on July 24, 2013)(File No. 333-190109) |
|
5.1 |
|
Opinion of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP |
|
8.1 |
|
Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP |
|
8.2 |
|
Opinion of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
23.1 |
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
|
23.2 |
|
Consent of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
23.3 |
|
Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1) |
|
23.4 |
|
Consent of Phil Wilson |
|
23.5 |
|
Consent of GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. |
|
24.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement) |
Item 10. Undertakings
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(i) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(1) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(2) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(3) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change in such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth above in paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(2) and (i)(3) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(ii) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(iii) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(iv) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided that the Registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (iv) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-K if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement.
(v) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration
statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(vi) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(1) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(2) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(3) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(4) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on March 18, 2016.
|
|
|
FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Sandip Rana |
|
|
|
Name: Sandip Rana |
|
|
|
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David Harquail, Sandip Rana and Lloyd Hong, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent, acting together, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including, without limitation, post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ David Harquail |
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
David Harquail |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Sandip Rana |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Sandip Rana |
|
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Pierre Lassonde |
|
Chairman of the Board and Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Pierre Lassonde |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Tom Albanese |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Tom Albanese |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Derek Evans |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Derek Evans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Graham Farquharson |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Graham Farquharson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Catharine Farrow |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Catharine Farrow |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Louis Gignac |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Louis Gignac |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Randall Oliphant |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
Randall Oliphant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ David R. Peterson |
|
Director |
|
March 18, 2016 |
|
David R. Peterson |
|
|
|
|
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act, the undersigned has signed this registration statement, solely in the capacity of the duly authorized representative of Franco-Nevada Corporation in the United States, on this 18th day of March, 2016.
|
|
|
FRANCO-NEVADA U.S. CORPORATION | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
By: |
/s/ Sandip Rana | |
|
|
|
Name: |
Sandip Rana |
|
|
|
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
INDEX
|
Exhibits |
|
Document Description |
|
3.1 |
|
Articles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-3D filed on July 24, 2013)(File No. 333-190109) |
|
3.2 |
|
By-Law No. 1 Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Current Report on Form 6-K furnished on March 27, 2015)(File No. 001-35286) |
|
4.1 |
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, dated as of July 19, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-3D filed on July 24, 2013)(File No. 333-190109) |
|
5.1 |
|
Opinion of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP |
|
8.1 |
|
Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP |
|
8.2 |
|
Opinion of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
23.1 |
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
|
23.2 |
|
Consent of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
23.3 |
|
Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1) |
|
23.4 |
|
Consent of Phil Wilson |
|
23.5 |
|
Consent of GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. |
|
24.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement) |
