UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
Registration statement pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
or
Annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended | Commission File Number |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable | ||||
(Province or Other Jurisdiction of | (Primary Standard Industrial | (I.R.S. Employer | ||
Incorporation or Organization) | Classification | Identification No.) | ||
Code) |
(
(Address and telephone number of registrant’s principal executive offices)
(
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including
area code) of agent for service in the United States)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class: | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered: |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this form:
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the registrant’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ⌧
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ⌧
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based
compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Franco-Nevada Corporation (the “Registrant” or the “Company”) is a Canadian issuer that is permitted, under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted in the United States (“MJDS”), to prepare its annual report pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in accordance with disclosure requirements in effect in Canada that differ from those of the United States. The Registrant is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act and in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Equity securities of the Registrant are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 40-F and the exhibits hereto (this “Annual Report”) contain “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 the Registrant’s growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, performance guidance, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities, the performance and plans of third-party operators, audits being conducted by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), the expected exposure for current and future tax assessments and available remedies, the completion of the public consultation process and obtaining all required Panamanian approvals for the proposed concession contract with the Government of Panama for the Cobre Panama mine and the terms of the proposed concession contract. In addition, statements relating to resources and reserves, gold equivalent ounces (“GEOs”) or mine life 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 resources and reserves, GEOs or mine life 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”, “potential for”, “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 the actual results, performance or achievements of the Registrant 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; the adoption of a global minimum tax on corporations; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which the Registrant holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which the Registrant holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; relinquishment or sale of mineral properties; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by the Registrant; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which the Registrant holds a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not the Registrant is 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 the Registrant holds a royalty, stream or other interest; access to sufficient pipeline capacity; actual mineral content may differ from the resources and reserves 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 the Registrant holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or
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cave-ins, sinkholes, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious disease; the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic; and the integration of acquired assets. The forward-looking statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which the Registrant holds 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; the Registrant’s ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; the expected application of tax laws and regulations by taxation authorities; the expected assessment and outcome of any audit by any taxation authority; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which the Registrant holds 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. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. In addition, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of the ongoing audit by the CRA or the Registrant’s exposure as a result thereof. The Registrant 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 the 2022 AIF (as defined below) filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedar.com and the SEC on www.sec.gov.
The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this Annual Report only and the Registrant does 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. The Registrant’s forward-looking statements contained in the exhibits incorporated by reference into this Annual Report 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 Annual Report, the Registrant has 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 does the Registrant 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 RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES
The 2022 AIF has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates included in the 2022 AIF have been prepared by the owners or operators of the relevant properties (as and to the extent indicated by them) in accordance with 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.
Mining disclosure under U.S. securities law was previously required to comply with SEC Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The SEC has adopted rules to replace SEC Industry Guide 7 with new mining disclosure rules under sub-parts 1300 and 1301 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (“Regulation S-K 1300”) which became mandatory for U.S. reporting companies beginning with the first fiscal year commencing on or after January 1, 2021. Under Regulation S-K 1300, the SEC now recognizes estimates of “Measured Mineral Resources”, “Indicated Mineral Resources” and “Inferred Mineral Resources”. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of “Proven Mineral Reserves” and “Probable Mineral Reserves” to be substantially similar to international standards. Readers are cautioned that despite efforts to harmonize U.S. mining disclosure rules with NI 43-101 and other international requirements, there are differences between the
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terms and definitions used in Regulation S-K 1300 and mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards, which definitions have been adopted by NI 43‑101, and there is no assurance that any mineral resources or mineral reserves that an owner or operator may report as “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”, “inferred mineral resources”, “proven mineral reserves” and “probable mineral reserves” under NI 43-101 would be the same had the owner or operator prepared the mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates under the standards of Regulation S-K 1300.
In addition to NI 43-101, a number of mineral resource and mineral 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 the Registrant’s mineral properties set forth in the documents incorporated by reference herein 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 “Reconciliation to CIM Definitions” in the 2022 AIF.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Annual Report and are hereby incorporated by reference herein:
| ● | the Annual Information Form of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 AIF”); |
| ● | the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 MD&A”); and |
| ● | the audited consolidated financial statements of the Registrant, as at and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, including the notes thereto, together with Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the report of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon (the “Financial Statements”). |
The Registrant prepares its consolidated financial statements, which are filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this Annual Report, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). IFRS differs in some significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and thus the consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The information relating to the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures is included under the heading “Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls and Procedures” in the 2022 MD&A, which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is filed in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
ATTESTATION REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PCAOB ID
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CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The information relating to changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting is included under the heading “Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls and Procedures” in the 2022 MD&A, which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR
There were no notices required by Rule 104 of Regulation BTR that the Registrant sent during the year ended December 31, 2022 concerning any equity security subject to a blackout period under Rule 101 of Regulation BTR.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board is comprised of a majority of independent directors in accordance with the requirements of Sections 303A.01 and 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Manual”). The composition of the Board, including the designation of a lead independent director, ensures that the Board has in place appropriate structures and procedures to ensure that the Board can function independently of management.
The Board meets at each regularly scheduled meeting for executive sessions in which the Registrant’s independent and “non-management” directors (as defined in the NYSE Manual) meet independently of non-independent directors and management. David Harquail, the Chair of the Board, serves as the presiding director at all meetings of the Board, and Derek Evans, lead independent director, serves as the presiding director at all such executive sessions.
In addition, the Board has established the Audit and Risk Committee (as described more fully below under “Audit and Risk Committee”) and the Compensation and ESG Committee, each of which is comprised of independent directors, as determined under the NYSE Manual.
The mandate of the Board, the Audit and Risk Committee charter and the Compensation and ESG Committee charter are located on the Registrant’s website at www.franco-nevada.com, under the heading “Corporate—Policies & Mandates.” Copies of the Board mandate and committee charters may be obtained upon request from Investor Relations at 416-306-6323, or by email to info@franco-nevada.com.
AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE
The Board has a separately designated standing Audit and Risk Committee established for the purpose of overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Registrant and audits of the financial statements of the Registrant in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Audit and Risk Committee is comprised of Tom Albanese, Catharine Farrow, Randall Oliphant, and committee chair Jennifer Maki, each of whom is independent under the NYSE Manual and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Oliphant and Ms. Maki are each an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the SEC. The information provided under the heading “Audit and Risk Committee Information” in the 2022 AIF and the Audit and Risk Committee Charter attached as Appendix A to the 2022 AIF is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
A copy of Audit and Risk Committee charter is also located on the Registrant’s website at www.franco-nevada.com, under the heading “Corporate—Policies & Mandates,” or may be obtained upon request from Investor Relations at 416-306-6323, or by email to info@franco-nevada.com.
NYSE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Registrant operates under corporate governance practices that are consistent with the requirements of Section 303A of the NYSE Manual.
In accordance with Section 303A.11 of the NYSE Manual, a summary of the significant ways in which the Registrant’s corporate governance practices differ from those applicable to U.S. domestic companies under New York Stock Exchange listing standards is located on the Registrant’s website at www.franco-nevada.com, under the heading
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“Corporate—FNV Practices & NYSE Rules,” or may be obtained upon request from Investor Relations at 416-306-6323, or by email to info@franco-nevada.com.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Registrant has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”), which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees. All amendments to the Code, and all waivers of the Code with respect to any of the officers covered by it, which waiver may be made only by the Board in respect of senior officers, will be promptly posted on the Registrant’s website and provided in print to any shareholder who requests them.
A copy of the Code is located on the Registrant’s website at www.franco-nevada.com, under the heading “Corporate—Policies & Mandates,” or may be obtained, without charge, upon request from Investor Relations at 416-306-6323, or by email to info@franco-nevada.com.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information relating to the Registrant’s principal accountant fees and services that is included under the heading “Audit and Risk Committee Information—Fees” in the 2022 AIF is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
In addition, the information relating to the Audit and Risk Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures that is included under the heading “Audit and Risk Committee Information—Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” in the 2022 AIF is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Registrant does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
MATERIAL CASH REQUIREMENTS
The information relating to the Registrant’s material cash requirements is included under the headings “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Purchase Commitments” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Capital Commitments” in the 2022 MD&A, which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
None.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each prospective holder of Common Shares should consult its own tax advisor regarding the
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U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
No ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking positions that are different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the conclusions described in this summary.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available as of the date of this Annual Report. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis, which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| ● | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| ● | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| ● | a trust that (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) U.S. Holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) U.S. Holders that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) U.S. Holders that own Common Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) U.S. Holders that acquired Common Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) U.S. Holders that hold Common Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) U.S. Holders subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code; or (i) U.S. Holders that own or have owned (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all outstanding shares of the Company. This summary does not address any tax consequences to U.S. expatriates, former long-term residents of the United States, or persons that are not U.S. Holders. Persons that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
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If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Common Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners (or other owners) of such partnership generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to partnerships or other entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or the partners (or other owners) thereof. Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares
The following discussion is subject to the rules described below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Distributions on Common Shares
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a Common Share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (including the amount of any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, as calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such Common Shares. (See “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below.) However, the Company may not calculate earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the Common Shares will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal information reporting purposes.
Dividends received by a non-corporate U.S. Holder of Common Shares generally will be “qualified dividend income” subject to tax at preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that the Company is a “qualified foreign corporation” and such U.S. Holder satisfies a holding period requirement. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the U.S. Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and that includes an exchange of information provision. The U.S. Treasury has determined that the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention meets these requirements, and the Company believes that it is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. A foreign corporation is also treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on ordinary shares that are readily tradeable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Treasury guidance indicates that the Company’s Common Shares are readily tradeable on an established securities market in the United States. However, there can be no assurance that the Common Shares will be considered readily tradeable on an established securities market in future years. Moreover, the Company will not be a qualified foreign corporation if it is classified as a PFIC (as defined below) for the taxable year in which a dividend is paid or for the preceding taxable year. Dividends received by corporate U.S. Holders generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction.” The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of cash received plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such Common Shares sold or otherwise disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in Common Shares generally will be such holder’s U.S. dollar cost for such shares. Gain or loss recognized on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the Common Shares have been held for more than one year.
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If the Company 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. Holder’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. Holder 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 Company will be treated under the PFIC rules.
The Company generally will be a PFIC for any taxable 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 the value of its assets consists of assets that either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (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 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 Company were a PFIC, U.S. Holders would generally be deemed to own their proportionate share of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interest in any company that is also a PFIC (a “Subsidiary PFIC”), and 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 Company, 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 Company or by another Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holders directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC. If the Company were classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder held Common Shares, then the Company generally would continue to be classified as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Holder for any subsequent taxable year in which the U.S. Holder continued to hold Common Shares, even if the Company’s income or assets would not cause it to be a PFIC in such subsequent taxable year, unless an exception were to apply. The IRS has issued final and proposed regulations providing guidance on various aspects of the PFIC rules, including the income and asset tests described above. The proposed regulations will not be effective unless and until they are adopted in final form, although taxpayers generally may rely on the proposed regulations before adoption, provided the proposed regulations are applied consistently.
The Company 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 Company believes, on a more-likely-than-not basis, that it was not a PFIC for its taxable year ended December 31, 2022, and, based on its current and anticipated business activities and financial expectations, the Company expects, on a more-likely-than-not basis, that it will not be a PFIC for its current taxable year or for the foreseeable future. However, the determination as to whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a particular taxable 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 Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the views of the Company (or a Subsidiary PFIC, as defined above) concerning its PFIC status. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year depends on its assets and income over the course of such taxable year, and, as a result, the Company’s PFIC status for its current taxable year and any future taxable year cannot be predicted with certainty. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC status of the Company and any Subsidiary PFIC.
If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder held Common Shares, and such U.S. Holder 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 Company 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. Holder in any taxable year over 125% of the average
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annual distributions made to such U.S. Holder by the Company during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Shares. Generally, a U.S. Holder 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 and to any year before the Company became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the tax on such amount.
If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder held Common Shares, and such U.S. Holder had made a timely and effective election to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF Election”) for the first taxable year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period in which the Company were classified as a PFIC, then such U.S. Holder generally would not be subject to the PFIC rules described in the preceding paragraph. Instead, such U.S. Holder would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such holder’s pro rata share of (a) the net capital gain of the Company, which would be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Holder, and (b) the ordinary earnings of the Company, which would be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder. A QEF Election, once made, would be effective with respect to such U.S. Holder’s Common Shares for all subsequent taxable years in which the Company were treated as a PFIC, unless the QEF Election were invalidated or terminated or the IRS were to consent to revocation of the QEF Election. The QEF Election cannot be made unless the Company provides or makes available certain information. To facilitate the making of QEF Elections by U.S. Holders, for each taxable year that the Company is classified as a PFIC, the Company intends to: (a) make available to U.S. Holders, 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. Holder is required to obtain in connection with maintaining such QEF Election with regard to the Company or any of its Subsidiary PFICs. The Company may provide such information on its website (www.franco-nevada.com). U.S. Holders 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. Holder 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.
If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder held Common Shares, and such U.S. Holder had made a timely and effective “mark to market” election (a “Mark-to-Market Election”) in the first taxable year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period in which the Company were classified as a PFIC, then such U.S. Holder generally would not be subject to the PFIC rules described in the preceding paragraphs. Instead, such U.S. Holder generally would include in ordinary income, for each taxable year in which the Company 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 taxable year over (b) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Common Shares. The U.S. Holder 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. Holder’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. Holder 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 taxable year in which such election is made and to each subsequent taxable year, unless the Common Shares were to cease to be “marketable stock,” the U.S. Holder 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 Company, provided that the Common Shares are regularly traded on certain qualified exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange. For these purposes, the Common Shares generally will be considered regularly traded during any calendar year in which they are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter, which is expected to be the case. However, the Mark-to-Market Election generally will not be available with respect to any Subsidiary PFIC. Accordingly, U.S. Holders 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 Company is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing certain information regarding such holder’s interest in the Company (or a Subsidiary PFIC), subject to certain exceptions. 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. Holder. Each U.S.
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Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the foregoing reporting requirements, the application of the final and proposed regulations, 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.
Additional Considerations
Tax on Net Investment Income
Certain individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds are required to pay a 3.8 percent additional tax on “net investment income,” including, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in a trade or business). Accordingly, dividends on and capital gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of the Common Shares may be subject to this additional tax.
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or received by a U.S. Holder in foreign currency on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). A U.S. Holder generally will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S.-source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.
Foreign Tax Credit
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the Common Shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.
Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign-source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S.-source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. However, the amount of a distribution with respect to the Common Shares that is treated as a “dividend” may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. The foreign tax credit rules are complex and depend upon a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Disclosure Requirements for Specified Foreign Financial Assets
Certain U.S. Holders that, during any taxable year, hold an interest in a “specified foreign financial asset” generally will be required to file with their U.S. federal income tax returns a statement on IRS Form 8938 setting forth certain information, if the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds certain threshold amounts. “Specified foreign financial assets” generally include shares issued by non-U.S. corporations, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for shares held in custodial accounts maintained with certain financial institutions). Substantial penalties may be imposed, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes may be extended, in the event of a failure to comply. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the possible application to them of this filing requirement.
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Backup Withholding and Additional Information Reporting
Payments made within the United States or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, Common Shares will generally be subject to information reporting. Such payments may also be subject to backup withholding tax if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report interest and dividend income, or (c) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number, that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax, and that such U.S. Holder is a U.S. person. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes the required information to the IRS in a timely manner. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
UNDERTAKING
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
The Registrant has previously filed with the Commission a written consent to service of process on Form F-X. Any change to the name or address of the Registrant’s agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file number of the Registrant.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents are being filed with the SEC as exhibits to this Annual Report.
Exhibit |
| Description |
99.1 | Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 | |
99.2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 | |
99.3 | ||
99.4 | ||
99.5 | ||
99.6 | ||
99.7 | ||
99.8 | ||
99.9 | ||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
104 | Coverage Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION | |
/s/ Lloyd Hong | |
Lloyd Hong | |
Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary | |
Date: March 17, 2023
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