DEF 14A 1 formdef14a.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.       )

 

Filed by the Registrant
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, for Use of Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

HYCROFT MINING HOLDING CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HYCROFT MINING HOLDING CORPORATION

PO Box 3030

Winnemucca, NV 89446

 

To the Stockholders of Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation (“Hycroft”) to be held virtually on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, to consider and vote upon the following proposals to:

 

  1. Elect seven directors to serve on Hycroft’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successor is elected and qualified;
     
  2. Ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Moss Adams LLP to serve as Hycroft’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024;
     
  3. Conduct a non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;
     
  4. Conduct a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;
     
  5. Approve the amendment and restatement of the HYMC 2020 Performance and Incentive Pay Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance by 900,000 shares of common stock; and
     
  6. Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

 

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees, “FOR” the ratification of Moss Adams LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm, “FOR” the approval by non-binding, advisory vote the compensation of our named executive officers, “THREE YEARS” for the preferred frequency for future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and “FOR” the approval of the amendment and restatement of the HYMC 2020 Performance and Incentive Pay Plan.

 

The Board has fixed the close of business on March 26, 2024, as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) thereof. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and shall be entitled to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) thereof.

 

Your vote is important. Please carefully read the proxy statement and accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting for more complete information on matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

 

If you have any questions regarding the accompanying proxy materials, you may contact Morrow Sodali LLC, our proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 607-0088 or email at hymc.info@investor.morrowsodali.com.

 

By Order of the Board,  
   
 
Stephen A. Lang  
Chairman of the Board  

 

This proxy statement is being mailed with the form of proxy on or shortly after April 12, 2024.

 

IMPORTANT

 

Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, we strongly encourage you to designate the proxies and direct them on how to vote your shares via the Internet, mobile device, or mail as described in the proxy materials. If you hold shares through a brokerage or bank, you must instruct them how to vote your shares.

 

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HYCROFT MINING HOLDING CORPORATION

PO Box 3030

Winnemucca, NV 89446

 

NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 23, 2024

 

To the Stockholders of Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation:

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Hycroft” or the “Company”), will be held virtually on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time, to consider and vote upon the following proposals to:

 

  1. Elect seven directors each to serve on Hycroft’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successor is elected and qualified;
     
  2. Ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Moss Adams LLP to serve as Hycroft’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024;
     
  3. Conduct a non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;
     
  4. Conduct a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;
     
  5. Approve the amendment and restatement of the HYMC 2020 Performance and Incentive Pay Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance by 900,000 shares of common stock; and
     
  6. Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

 

Only stockholders of record of the Company as of the close of business on March 26, 2024, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. Each share of the Company’s Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote. We will furnish proxy materials to our stockholders via the Internet. Accordingly, we are mailing our stockholders of record and beneficial owners a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. The Notice will provide instructions on accessing the attached proxy statement and our annual report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, via the internet and how to vote online. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on obtaining printed proxy materials.

 

We are holding our Annual Meeting virtually this year. To attend the Annual Meeting, you must register at www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024. The Annual Meeting is accessible by using the invitation provided upon registration, where you can listen to the Annual Meeting live, submit questions, and vote online. We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting before the start time of 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 23, 2024. Please allow ample time for online check-in, beginning at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 23, 2024. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available on the Annual Meeting website above using the Virtual Control Number provided on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. We encourage you to vote your shares before the Annual Meeting. You are urged to review the information in the enclosed proxy statement carefully before deciding how to vote your shares.

 

You may also access our proxy materials at the following website: www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024. If you have any questions regarding the accompanying proxy materials, you may contact Morrow Sodali LLC, our proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 607-0088 or email at hymc.info@investor.morrowsodali.com.

 

By Order of the Board,  
   
 
Rebecca A. Jennings  

Corporate Secretary

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 2024

 

This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, are available at www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 23, 2024 3
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 2024 3
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING 5
PROPOSAL NO. 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 10
BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS 13
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 22
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 22
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 31
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 33
PROPOSAL NO. 2 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 35
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE 35
PROPOSAL NO. 3 — NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 37
PROPOSAL NO. 4 — NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 38
PROPOSAL NO. 5 — APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE HYMC 2020 PERFORMANCE AND INCENTIVE PAY PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE BY 900,000 SHARES 39
OTHER MATTERS 46

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Hycroft,” the “Company,” or “we”), is soliciting proxies for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The information in this proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of directors and our most highly paid executive officers, and other required information. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”), is available to review with this Proxy Statement. We are mailing a notice of the Annual Meeting (and, for those who request it, a paper copy of this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy) to our stockholders on or about April 12, 2024.

 

What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

 

The five matters scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are:

 

  1. The election of seven directors to serve on Hycroft’s Board until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successor is elected and qualified;
     
  2. The ratification of the Audit Committee’s appointment of Moss Adams LLP to serve as Hycroft’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024;
     
  3. A non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;
     
  4. A non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and
     
  5. The approval of the amendment and restatement of the HYMC 2020 Performance and Incentive Pay Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) to increase the number of authorized shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) available for issuance by 900,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

In addition, such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof may be voted on.

 

When is the Annual Meeting?

 

The Company will hold its Annual Meeting virtually this year, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time. To attend the Annual Meeting, you must register at www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024. The Annual Meeting is accessible by using the invitation provided upon registration.

 

Who is asking me for my vote?

 

The Company is soliciting your proxy on behalf of the Board. We will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting, including preparing and mailing the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) and this Proxy Statement. The Company has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. The Company will pay Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $12,500. In addition, the Company may pay Morrow Sodali LLC a per stockholder fee to solicit holders of record as well as non-objecting beneficial owners (NOBOs). The Company will also reimburse Morrow Sodali LLC for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Our directors and officers may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, mail, Internet, or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies. The Company will reimburse banks, brokers, and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of shares of the Company’s Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of the Common Stock and in obtaining voting instructions from those beneficial owners.

 

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Who is entitled to vote?

 

The holders of shares of Common Stock as of the record date (March 26, 2024) are entitled to attend and vote on matters presented at the Annual Meeting. However, a stockholder may only vote his, her, or its shares if he, she, or it is present virtually or is represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

 

Holders of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock are not entitled to vote.

 

Why did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a complete printed set?

 

Under the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, the Company provides access to its proxy materials via the Internet. Accordingly, the Company is mailing a Notice to stockholders of record and beneficial owners. All stockholders can access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Notice or request a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on accessing the proxy materials via the Internet or to request a printed set are in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.

 

Where can I view the proxy materials on the Internet?

 

The Notice provides instructions on how to view proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet and how to instruct the Company to send future proxy materials to you by email. You can view the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting online at https://www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024.

 

How do I vote my shares at the virtual Annual Meeting?

 

If you hold shares of Common Stock as the stockholder of record, you have the right to vote those shares at the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner and hold shares of Common Stock in street name, you may vote the shares you beneficially own through the online voting platform under a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee and are not required to take any additional action to obtain a legal proxy. Please follow the instructions at www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024 to vote your shares during the Annual Meeting, whether you hold your shares of record or in street name. You will need the control number on your Proxy Card, voting instruction form, or Notice.

 

To attend the Annual Meeting virtually, you are required to register at www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024. The Annual Meeting is accessible by using the invitation provided upon registration. We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting before the start time of 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 23, 2024. Please allow ample time for online check-in, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on May 23, 2024.

 

Even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we encourage you to submit a Proxy Card or voting instruction form for your shares in advance, so your vote will be counted should you later decide not to attend the virtual Annual Meeting.

 

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How may I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?

 

Even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we encourage you to submit a proxy or voting instructions before the Annual Meeting by the method or methods described below:

 

  If you received a Notice by mail: You may access the proxy materials and voting instructions over the internet via the web address provided in the Notice. To access the materials and submit your proxy or voting instructions, you will need the control number provided in the Notice you received in the mail. You may submit your proxy or voting instructions by following the instructions in the Notice or on the proxy voting website before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024.
     
  If you received the proxy materials by e-mail: You may access the proxy materials and voting instructions at the web address provided in the e-mail. You will need the control number set forth in the email to submit your proxy or voting instructions. You may submit your proxy or voting instructions by following the instructions in the e-mail or on the proxy voting website before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024.
     
  If you received the proxy materials by mail: You may submit your proxy or voting instructions by following the instructions provided on the Proxy Card or voting instruction form. If you submit your proxy or voting instructions over the internet, mobile device, or mail, you will need the control number on the Proxy Card or voting instruction form. If you submit your proxy or voting instructions by mail, please complete, sign and date the Proxy Card or voting instruction form and mail it in the accompanying pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope in time to be received before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024.

 

Can I change my vote after I have delivered my proxy?

 

Yes. You may change your vote at any time before voting concludes at the Annual Meeting by:

 

  Providing another proxy, or using any of the available methods for voting, with a later date, before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 22, 2024;
  Notifying the Company’s Secretary in writing before the Annual Meeting that you wish to revoke your proxy; or
  Voting your shares online at the Annual Meeting.

 

How many votes do I have?

 

Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on the Record Date, 21,121,914 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

Can I see a list of stockholders?

 

Yes. You may examine a list of all record stockholders (as of the Record Date) by requesting a list from the Secretary of the Company at least 10 days before the Annual Meeting or online during the Annual Meeting. To access the list during the Annual Meeting, please visit www.cstproxy.com/hycroftmining/2024 and enter the control number provided on the proxy card you received from us, voting instruction form or Notice.

 

What constitutes a quorum?

 

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present at the Annual Meeting if a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote is represented in person (virtually) or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

 

As of the Record Date for the Annual Meeting, 10,560,958 shares of Common Stock would be required to achieve a quorum. As discussed below, broker non-votes and proxies marked “ABSTAIN” are counted to determine whether a quorum is present.

 

What vote is required to approve the proposals presented at the Annual Meeting?

 

Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast by stockholders present in person (virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon, meaning that the seven director nominees who receive the highest number of shares voted “FOR” their election are elected. You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” authority to vote for each of the director nominees. If you “WITHHOLD” authority to vote with respect to one or more director nominees, your vote will not affect the election of such nominees. Broker non-votes will not affect the election of director nominees. Notwithstanding this plurality election standard, the Company has adopted a majority voting standard. Under the majority voting standard, any director in an uncontested election who receives more “withheld” votes than votes “for” their election must tender their resignation. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider such offered resignation and recommend an action to the full Board, which will determine whether to accept or reject that resignation. For more information about the majority voting standard, see “Proposal No. 1—Election of Directors—Vote Required for Approval.”

 

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Proposal No. 2: Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Auditor. Adoption of Proposal No. 2 requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present and in person (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN” from voting concerning Proposal No. 2. If you vote “ABSTAIN” from voting on Proposal No. 2, your vote will not affect the proposal.

 

Proposal No. 3: Non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. Adoption of Proposal No. 3 requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present and in person (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN” from voting with respect to Proposal No. 3. Since this proposal is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on our Board, our Compensation Committee, or us. Our Board and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when determining the compensation of our named executive officers. If you vote “ABSTAIN” from voting with respect to Proposal No. 3, your vote will have no effect on the proposal.

 

Proposal No. 4: Non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of future non-binding advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. The frequency receiving the highest number of votes from the voting power of shares represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be considered the frequency preferred by the stockholders. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN” from voting with respect to Proposal No. 4. Since this proposal is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on our Board, our Compensation Committee, or us. Our Board and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when determining how often we should submit to stockholders future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. If you vote “ABSTAIN” from voting on Proposal No. 4, your vote will not affect the proposal.

 

Proposal No. 5: Approval of the Amendment and Restatement of the Incentive Plan. Adoption of Proposal No. 5 requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by stockholders present and in person (virtually) or represented and entitled to vote on the matter. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN” from voting concerning Proposal No. 5. If you vote “ABSTAIN” from voting with respect to Proposal No. 5, your vote will have no effect on the proposal.

 

Brokers who have transmitted proxy materials to customers may vote the shares of customers who fail to provide voting instructions on “routine matters” but not on “non-routine matters.” When a broker’s customer does not provide the broker with voting instructions on non-routine matters, the broker cannot vote on those matters and instead reports the number of such shares as broker “non-votes.” Broker non-votes count as “present” to determine the presence of a quorum for the transaction of business, but they are not counted as shares cast.

 

Each of the election of directors (Proposal No. 1), the non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal No. 3), the non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal No. 4), and the approval of the amendment to increase the number of authorized shares under the Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 5) are considered to be non-routine, and therefore, if you hold your shares in street name through a broker, you must cast your vote if you want it to count regarding Proposal Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5. The ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 2) is a routine matter, so brokers will have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on Proposal No. 1.

 

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What are the recommendations of the Company’s Board?

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote:

 

  “FOR” election of each of the director nominees in Proposal No. 1;
     
  “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, as described in Proposal No. 2.
     
  “FOR” the non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in Proposal No. 3.

 

  “THREE YEARS” for the preferred frequency for future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in Proposal No. 4.
     
  “FOR” for the amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan, as described in Proposal No. 5.

 

What happens if I sell my shares of Common Stock before the Annual Meeting?

 

The Record Date for the Annual Meeting is earlier than the date of the Annual Meeting. If you transfer your shares of Common Stock after the Record Date, but before the Annual Meeting, unless you grant a proxy to the transferee, you will retain your right to vote such transferred shares at the Annual Meeting.

 

Who will count the votes?

 

A Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company representative, our transfer agent and registrar, will count the votes and act as the election inspector for the Annual Meeting.

 

What if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting?

 

We do not know of any business to be considered at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. If any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting, your properly executed proxy gives authority to Diane R. Garrett, our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, and Stanton K. Rideout, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to vote on such matters at their discretion.

 

Where can I find the voting results from the Annual Meeting?

 

We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. We will also publish the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC within four business days after the date of the Annual Meeting.

 

How can I obtain information about the Company?

 

A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”) and subsequent quarterly filings on Form 10-Q are available on our website at www.hycroftmining.com. Stockholders may also obtain a free copy of our 2023 Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, by visiting our website or by sending a request in writing to our Investor Relations Department at info@hycroftmining.com.

 

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

 

Stockholders may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this Proxy Statement, multiple Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy cards, or voting instruction cards. If (1) you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, or (2) you own shares both as a holder of record and beneficially at a broker, or (3) if you hold shares beneficially through multiple brokers, you could receive more than one Notice, proxy card or voting instruction card. Please complete, sign, date, and return each proxy card and voting instruction card you receive to cast a vote regarding all of your shares of Common Stock.

 

Who can help answer my questions?

 

If you have questions about this Proxy Statement, the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, or how to vote your shares of Common Stock, please contact our Investor Relations Department at info@hycroftmining.com. Alternatively, you may mail your request to Investor Relations Department, Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446.

 

To request additional copies of these proxy materials, contact our Investor Relations Department at the address or email above. For timely delivery of additional sets of materials, stockholders must request the materials no later than five business days before the Annual Meeting.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Overview

 

Our Board currently consists of seven members. As discussed below, under “Corporate Governance—Director Independence,” six of our current Board members and director nominees are “independent” as determined under listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). The Board has nominated all seven of its current directors for election at the Annual Meeting. If elected, each director will hold office until our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until each director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until each director’s earlier resignation, removal, or death.

 

Each director nominee has consented to be named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director if elected. If any nominee is unable to stand for election for any reason, the shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting may be voted for another candidate proposed by our Board, or our Board may choose to reduce its size.

 

Vote Required for Approval

 

If a quorum is present, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present in person (virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on Proposal No. 1. Votes marked “FOR” a nominee will count in favor of that nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted for purposes of the election of directors. Therefore, abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect Proposal No. 1. Brokers do not have the discretion to vote any uninstructed shares over the election of directors. Therefore, the Board urges you to complete your proxy card or voting instruction card and indicate your vote on Proposal No. 1.

 

The Board has adopted a majority voting policy within its Corporate Governance Guidelines (available to download from the Company’s website at http://www.hycroftmining.com). Under the majority voting policy, in uncontested elections, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from their election than votes “for” such election shall promptly tender their resignation to the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall promptly consider the resignation offer and recommend to the full Board action concerning that tendered resignation. The possible actions include accepting the resignation; maintaining the director but addressing the underlying cause of the “withheld” votes; not nominating the director in the future; rejecting the resignation; or any other action such committee deems appropriate and in the best interests of the Company. In considering what recommendation to make to the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider all relevant factors, including any stated reasons why stockholders “withheld” votes for the director’s election; the length of service and qualifications of the director; the overall composition of the Board; the director’s contributions to the Company; the mix of skills and backgrounds on the Board; and whether accepting the resignation would cause the Company to fail to meet any applicable requirements of the SEC, Nasdaq, or the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board will act on the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation no later than 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting. The Company will promptly disclose the Board’s decision concerning the tendered resignation in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. Any director who tenders their resignation under the majority vote policy may not participate in committee or Board deliberations or actions taken concerning the tendered resignation.

 

Nominees for Election to our Board of Directors at the 2024 Annual Meeting

 

Below are each director nominee, their current age, and a brief overview of their business experiences.

 

Name   Age   Position(s)
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.   64   Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Sean D. Goodman   58   Director
Michael J. Harrison   52   Director
Stephen A. Lang   68   Director and Chairman of the Board
David C. Naccarati   70   Director
Thomas Weng   55   Lead Independent Director
Marni Wieshofer   61   Director

 

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Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 12, 2024)
Board Size:            
Total Number of Directors   7
    Female   Male   Non-Binary
Part I: Gender Identity            
Directors   2   5    
Part II: Demographic Background            
African American or Black            
Alaskan Native or Native American            
Asian       1    
Hispanic or Latinx            
White   2   4    
Two or More Races or Ethnicities            
LGBTQ+            
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background            

 

As of March 31, 2024, the gender diversity of the employees of the Company as a whole was approximately 40% female and 60% male.

 

The Board determined each of Messrs. Goodman, Harrison, Lang, Naccarati and Weng, and Ms. Wieshofer is an “independent director” under Nasdaq listing standards as discussed in detail below under “Director Independence”.

 

Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D., began serving as our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director on September 8, 2020, was Acting Chair of the Board from December 15, 2021, through April 8, 2022, and is a member of the Board. From June 2016 until her appointment with the Company, Ms. Garrett was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nickel Creek Platinum Corp. (“NCP”), a mining exploration and development company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the OTCQB Market. She has over 30 years of senior management and financial expertise in natural resources. Before joining NCP, she held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Romarco Minerals Inc. (“Romarco”) from November 2002 until October 2015, taking the multi-million-ounce Haile Gold Mine project from discovery to construction. OceanaGold, Inc. acquired Romarco in 2015, at which time Ms. Garrett became a director and consultant to OceanaGold, Inc. before joining NCP in June 2016. Before that, she held numerous senior positions in public mining companies, including VP of Corporate Development at Dayton Mining Corporation and VP of Corporate Development at Beartooth Platinum Corporation. Early in her career, Ms. Garrett was the Senior Mining Analyst and Portfolio Manager in the precious metals sector with US Global Investors. Ms. Garrett received her Ph.D. in Engineering and Masters in Mineral Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. The Board determined Ms. Garrett should serve as a director due to her technical expertise and background as a senior executive in mining companies; her significant experience with permitting, developing, and constructing gold mines in addition to capital markets; as well as her success in moving a precious metals mining company from the development stage to the successful producer stage. Ms. Garrett is also a director of Novagold Resources Inc., a mineral exploration company operating in the gold mining industry (NYSE American: NG; TSE: NG) and Ausenco PYT Ltd., a privately held global engineering firm.

 

Sean D. Goodman has been a member of our Board since April 8, 2022, and is a member of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee, and the Finance Committee. Mr. Goodman is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC”) and has served in this position since February 2020. Before joining AMC, Mr. Goodman was Chief Financial Officer of Fortune 500 company Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG) from July 2017 to November 2019. Earlier in his career, Mr. Goodman held Chief Financial Officer roles at Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI) and Landis + Gyr AG (SIX: LAND). In addition, Mr. Goodman served in senior strategy and finance roles at Fortune 20 company The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE: HD). Mr. Goodman began his career as an investment banker with Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) and in various consulting and public accounting positions with Deloitte LLP. Mr. Goodman has a Master of Business Administration degree from The Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Business Science degree (with honors) from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Mr. Goodman is a certified public accountant. Mr. Goodman is the designated representative of American Multi-Cinema, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AMC, under the Subscription Agreement, as amended, entered into with the Company. The Board has also determined that Mr. Goodman’s financial, strategic, capital markets, and information technology skills and experience as a chief financial officer of a publicly traded company add valuable insight and expertise to the Board and provide the perspective of a large stockholder.

 

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Michael J. Harrison has been a member of our Board since May 29, 2020, and is a member of the Safety and Technical Committee (Chair) and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Since January 2, 2020, Mr. Harrison has served as Managing Partner of Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty and Managing Director of Sprott, Inc. Since January 2, 2020, Mr. Harrison has served as the CEO of Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. From May 7, 2019, to June 23, 2020, Mr. Harrison served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Sprott Resource Holdings Inc. (“SRHI”) and before such date served as a Managing Director in the mining and metals group of SRHI since February 2017. Before joining SRHI, he was president and CEO of Adriana Resources Inc. from October 2015 to February 2017 and Vice President, Corporate Development for Coeur Mining Inc. from February 2011 to August 2015. Mr. Harrison previously served on the Board of Directors of Corsa Coal Corp. (TSXV: CSO) from March 2011 to March 2017 and on the board of directors of Macusani Yellowcake (TSXV: PLU) from May 2011 to January 2013. Mr. Harrison also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Hycroft Mining Corporation (“HMC”), the Company’s predecessor, from December 2017 until the May 29, 2020, recapitalization transaction with HMC. He also previously worked for Cormark Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial in the mining investment banking groups raising funds and providing mergers and acquisition advice to listed and private mining companies. Previously, Mr. Harrison worked internationally for BHP Billiton Exploration Division as a Project Geophysicist. Mr. Harrison holds a B.Sc.E (Honours) in Geophysics from Queen’s University and an MBA (with Distinction) from the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Harrison brings over 25 years of executive, financial, and technical knowledge in the mining industry to our Board and adds a valuable perspective.

 

Stephen A. Lang has been a member of our Board since May 2021, Chairman of our Board since April 8, 2022, and a member of the Compensation Committee (Chair), the Safety and Technical Committee, and the Environmental, Social, Governance Committee. Mr. Lang has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry, including engineering, development and production at gold, coal, base metals, and PGM operations. He was Chief Executive Officer of Centerra Gold Inc., a publicly traded mining company, from 2008 to 2012 and served as Centerra’s Board Chair from 2012 to 2019. Before that, Mr. Lang served as Chief Operating Officer at Stillwater Mining Company, Vice President/General Manager at Barrick Goldstrike operations, Vice President of Engineering and Project Development for Rio Algom Ltd, General Manager of the Fort Knox Mine for Kinross Gold/Amax Gold, and General Manager at the Twin Creeks and Lone Tree mines for Santa Fe Pacific Gold. Mr. Lang is currently Board Chair at Hudbay Minerals. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Argonaut Gold, Inc. Mr. Lang served as a director of International Tower Hill Mines, Ltd. from February 2014 until and of Bear Creek Mining Corporation from June 2018 to December 2023. In addition, Mr. Lang served as a director of Allied Nevada Gold Corporation (“Allied Nevada”) from June 2013 until October 2015. Allied Nevada entered federal bankruptcy proceedings in March 2015, emerged in October 2015 and was the prior owner of the Company’s Hycroft Open Pit Mine, located in Winnemucca, Nevada, that historically operated as an open-pit oxide mining and heap leach processing operation (the “Hycroft Mine”). Mr. Lang holds a BS and MS in Mining Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Mr. Lang is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board due to his significant experience in the mining industry and his director and leadership experience with other mining companies.

 

David C. Naccarati has been a member of our Board since May 2021 and is a member of the Audit Committee, Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee (Chair), and the Safety and Technical Committee. Mr. Naccarati is a former member of the Finance Committee. Mr. Naccarati has more than 45 years of experience in the mining industry. He currently serves as an independent consultant to the mining industry. He was a founding partner of Cupric Canyon Capital, LLC, a private equity firm focused on acquiring and developing mining properties. He served as a member of its board of directors from 2010 to 2019. Mr. Naccarati was a senior management team member for Phelps Dodge Corporation (“Phelps Dodge”), a publicly traded mining and manufacturing company, from 2004 to 2007, including serving as president of the Phelps Dodge Mining Company, a division of Phelps Dodge. Mr. Naccarati also served as an adjunct professor in the Mining and Geological Engineering Department at the University of Arizona from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Naccarati received a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the Sloan School of Management (MIT). Mr. Naccarati is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board due to his significant safety, technical, and operational experience in the mining industry.

 

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Thomas Weng has been a member of our Board since May 29, 2020, and is a member of the Compensation Committee, the Finance Committee (Chair), and the Nominating and Governance Committee (Chair). Mr. Weng has served as our Lead Independent Director since December 15, 2021 Mr. Weng has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector and is a Co-Founding Partner with Alta Capital Partners, a provider of advisory and consulting services (since February 2011). From February 2007 to January 2011, Mr. Weng was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank and Head of Equity Capital Markets for Metals and Mining throughout the Americas and across all industry segments for Latin America. Prior to 2007, he held various senior positions at Pacific Partners, an alternative investment firm, Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns. Mr. Weng currently sits on the board of International Tower Hill Mines and Jaguar Mining Inc. Mr. Weng graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Mr. Weng is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board because of his extensive knowledge of strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, finance, and mining.

 

Marni Wieshofer has been a member of our Board since May 29, 2020, and is a member of the Audit Committee (Chair), the Compensation Committee, and the Finance Committee. Ms. Wieshofer has served as the Head of Media and was a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey’s TMT Corporate Finance Group, based in Los Angeles, providing mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial advisory and financial restructuring services, including the Weinstein Company and Relativity Media. Before joining Houlihan Lokey, Ms. Wieshofer was a Partner and Managing Director at MESA, a boutique advisory investment bank, where she spearheaded investment banking, strategy, and valuation engagements for companies throughout the media space. Her background also includes having served as Chief Financial Officer and EVP of Corporate Development at Lionsgate Entertainment where she oversaw mergers, acquisitions and other strategic financial initiatives and prominent roles at Media Rights Capital, Alliance Atlantis Communications and Coopers & Lybrand Chartered Accountants. Ms. Wieshofer is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Organigram Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OGI; TSE: OGI) and Acceso Impact Inc. (acceso.org), and a former member of the Board of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. (TSXV: TBRD, OTC: THBRF) where she was Interim Chair of the Board. Ms. Wieshofer holds a BA from Western University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. She is a Canadian Chartered Accountant and obtained the ICD.D designation in 2018. She was granted an Arbor Award in 2019 by the University of Toronto and recognized by Variety Magazine in the 2018 Dealmakers Impact Report. Ms. Wieshofer is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board due to her expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial advisory and financial restructuring services across various industries.

 

Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the election of each of the seven director nominees set forth above in this Proxy Statement.

 

BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, the size of our Board shall be at least one member, or a larger number as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of a majority of the directors then in office. Our Board currently consists of seven members. Under our Certificate of Incorporation, members of our Board serve one-year terms and hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

We have six standing committees. Each of the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Safety and Technical Committee, and the Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee is composed solely of independent directors. Each committee reports to the Board as it deems appropriate and as the Board may request. The composition, duties, and responsibilities of these committees are set forth below.

 

Audit Committee

 

Marni Wieshofer (Chair), Sean D. Goodman, and David C. Naccarati are the members of the Audit Committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, the Audit Committee must have at least three members. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), require the audit committee of a listed company to be comprised solely of independent directors. Messrs. Goodman, Naccarati and Ms. Wieshofer qualify as independent directors under applicable rules. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, and Ms. Wieshofer qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under applicable SEC rules.

 

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Under its charter, the functions of the Audit Committee include:

 

  the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent accounting firm engaged by the Company;
     
  the pre-approval of all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company;
     
  setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm;
     
  obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;
     
  reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC;
     
  discussing with management and the independent auditor, as appropriate, any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response, and our risk assessment and risk management policies, including our major financial risk exposure and steps taken by management to monitor and mitigate such exposure; and
     
  reviewing our financial reporting and accounting standards and principles, significant changes in standards or principles or their application, and the key accounting decisions affecting our financial statements, including alternatives to, and the rationale for, the decisions made.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Stephen A. Lang (Chair), Thomas Weng, and Marni Wieshofer are the members of the Compensation Committee. They are independent directors under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, and each is a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

Under its charter, the functions of the Compensation Committee include the following:

 

  reviewing and approving annual corporate goals and objectives relating to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), evaluating the performance of the CEO considering those goals and reviewing and establishing the CEO’s annual compensation and the Incentive Plan participation levels, and bases of participation; and
     
  reviewing and approving the evaluation process and compensation structure for the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ other officers annually; evaluating, reviewing, and recommending to our Board any changes to or additional stock-based and other incentive compensation plans; and recommending the inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, if applicable, in the annual proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC.

 

In addition, the Compensation Committee conducts an annual in-depth, broad-scope, and detailed review of succession planning efforts at multiple levels of the management team.

 

The Compensation Committee also has sole authority to retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other advisers. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel, or any other adviser, the Compensation Committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.

 

Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee

 

David Naccarati (Chair), Stephen A. Lang, and Sean D. Goodman are the members of the Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee (ESG Committee). All members of the ESG Committee are independent directors under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, and each is a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

Under its charter, the functions of the ESG Committee include:

 

monitoring and advising the Board on the Company’s risks and opportunities related to ESG, including on the Company’s response to sustainability and ESG-related incidents;
  
reviewing and discussing with management the Company’s goals, strategies, and policies and procedures to address ESG risks and opportunities;
  
monitoring and advising the Board on the Company’s performance related to its ESG goals, strategies, and policies and procedures;
  
reviewing and approving the policies and procedures used to prepare ESG-related statements and disclosures, including preparation of the Company’s annual sustainability report;
  
reviewing the Company’s government relations strategies and activities, including any political activities and contributions and lobbying activities; and
  
reviewing the Company’s charitable programs and community investment activities.

 

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Finance Committee

 

Thomas Weng (Chair), Sean D. Goodman, and Marni Wieshofer are the members of the Finance Committee. All members of the Finance Committee are independent directors under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, and each is a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

Under its charter, the functions of the Finance Committee include:

 

  discussing with management any proposed equity or debt financing transactions or other investment, business combination, merger/acquisition or restructuring transactions that are not in the ordinary course of business or which require expenditures above previously authorized spending limitations (a “Proposed Transaction”);
     
  discussing with management all financial statement implications, risk, strategic, market, regulatory or other considerations relevant to a Proposed Transaction;
     
  establishing and revising spending authorization limitations for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other senior officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case to the extent such spending is not part of the Company’s annual budget or business/financial plan previously approved by the Board;
     
  establishing and revising policies regarding the issuance of dividends on the Company’s stock;
     
  establishing and revising policies concerning foreign currency and credit management activities of the Company;

 

  authorizing Proposed Transactions recommended by management in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million; and
     
  approving and recommending for ratification by the Board any Proposed Transactions in an amount exceeding $1.0 million, as well as any Proposed Transaction involving the issuance of the Company’s equity securities.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Thomas Weng (Chair), Sean D. Goodman, and Michael J. Harrison are the Nominating and Governance Committee members, and each is independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards.

 

Under its charter, the functions of the Nominating and Governance Committee include the following:

 

  identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommending nominees to the Board of Directors for the next annual meeting of stockholders;
     
  recommending to the Board the corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company;
     
  leading the Board in its annual review of the performance of (i) the Board; (ii) its committees; and (iii) management; and
     
  recommending to the Board nominees for each Board committee.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate a search firm to identify director candidates and has sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms.

 

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The Nominating and Governance Committee has not set specific minimum qualifications for director positions. Instead, after considering the Board’s current composition, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews nominations for election or re-election to the Board based on a particular candidate’s merits and the Company’s needs. When evaluating candidates for nomination, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers an individual’s skills, diversity, independence, experience in areas that address the needs of the Board, and ability to devote adequate time to Board duties. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not specifically define diversity but values the diversity of experience, perspective, education, race, gender, and national origin as part of its annual evaluation of director nominees for election or re-election. When a new Board seat or a vacated Board seat is being filled, candidates who best fit the needs of the Board and the Company will be interviewed and evaluated by the Nominating and Governance Committee. Candidates selected by the Nominating and Governance Committee are recommended to the full Board of Directors.

 

While the Company maintains a plurality voting standard in director elections, it also adopted a majority voting standard. Under that standard, a director in an uncontested election who receives more “withheld” votes than votes “for” their election must tender their resignation. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider such offered resignation and recommend an action to the full Board, which will determine whether to accept or reject that resignation.

 

Safety and Technical Committee

 

Michael J. Harrison (Chair), Stephen A. Lang, and David C. Naccarati are the Safety and Technical Committee members.

 

Under its charter, the functions of the Safety and Technical Committee include the authority to:

 

  investigate any activity of the Company or its subsidiaries relating to health, safety, loss prevention and operational security, sustainable development, environmental affairs, public policy and relations with communities and civil society, government relations, human rights, and communication matters;
     
  review developmental, construction and operational activities; and
     
  retain outside counsel, experts and other advisors as the Safety and Technical Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion to assist the Company in fulfilling its responsibilities.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board has determined that Messrs. Goodman, Harrison, Lang, Naccarati, and Weng, and Ms. Wieshofer are “independent directors” under Nasdaq listing standards. The Board reviews independence annually and has also determined that each current member of the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee is independent as defined under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules. The Board further determined that Ms. Wieshofer qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under applicable rules and guidance. In making these determinations, the Board found that none of the directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the Company.

 

In connection with the review and determination of the independence of directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviewed the relationship of Mr. Harrison to the various Sprott entities. Mr. Harrison is a Managing Director of Sprott, Inc. and the Managing Partner of Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty (“SRSR”), an affiliate of Sprott Private Resource Lending II (CO), Inc., the payee under the Sprott Royalty Agreement. Under the Nasdaq independence rules, Nasdaq considers payments to or from a listed company in excess of 5% of the recipient’s gross revenues a bar to the independence of a director if that director is a partner, controlling stockholder, or executive officer of such other party. In addition, certain institutional stockholder organizations, such as ISS, consider a transactional relationship to be material if the Company makes annual payments to, or receives annual payments from, another entity exceeding the greater of $200,000 or 5% of the recipient’s gross revenues. The Company’s annual payments to SRSR did not exceed the ISS test or the Nasdaq independence threshold. Therefore, any payments under the Sprott Royalty Agreement in 2023 did not preclude a finding of Mr. Harrison’s independence by the Board under Nasdaq rules or ISS guidelines.

 

Board and Committee Meetings

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Board held ten meetings and acted by unanimous written consent two times. The Audit Committee held four meetings. The Nominating and Governance Committee held two meetings. The Compensation Committee held three meetings and acted by unanimous written consent one time. The Safety and Technical Committee held seven meetings. During 2023, each director attended more than 75% of the combined meetings of the Board and each committee on which he or she served.

 

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Director Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved the following initial annual director compensation arrangements, for non-employee directors:

 

  an annual cash retainer of $55,000;
     
  annual committee chair fees of $12,500 for the Audit Committee, $10,000 for the Safety and Technical Committee and ESG Committee, and $7,500 for each of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Compensation Committees;
     
  annual committee member fees of $5,000 for the Audit Committee, $4,000 for the Safety and Technical Committee and ESG Committee, and $2,500 for each of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee; and
     
  $75,000 in annual equity awards in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

 

In addition, the Compensation Committee approved (i) an initial $50,000 equity award in the form of RSUs for each non-employee director upon their initial appointment to the Board; (ii) an annual $10,000 cash retainer for the independent Lead Director; and (iii) an annual $70,000 retainer for a non-employee independent Chairman of the Board of which $25,000 is payable in cash and $45,000 payable in RSUs.

 

The equity awards are granted to each non-employee director following the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. The AMC Subscription Agreement provides American Multi-Cinema the right to appoint a director to the Board, and the Company agrees to support such director’s nomination so long as American Multi-Cinema retains at least 50% of the Common Stock purchased under the AMC Subscription Agreement, and American Multi-Cinema holds at least 5% of the voting power of the Company. Mr. Goodman serves as a member of our Board as the designated representative of American Multi-Cinema, Inc. He is an executive officer of AMC and an officer and director of American Multi-Cinema, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary. Mr. Goodman disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares of our Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants beneficially owned by AMC and/or American Multi-Cinema, Inc. Any equity grants on behalf of Mr. Goodman by the Company are assigned to AMC or an affiliate thereof.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Name 

Fees Earned or

Paid in

Cash ($)(1)

  

Stock

Awards ($)(2)

   Total ($) 
Stephen A. Lang   89,625    120,000    209,625 
David C. Naccarati   70,250    75,000    145,250 
Michael J. Harrison   67,500    75,000    142,500 
Thomas Weng   83,750    75,000    158,750 
Marni Wieshofer   70,000    75,000    145,000 
Sean D. Goodman(3)   67,500    75,000    142,500 

 

  (1) Amounts reflect the annual cash retainers that the non-employee directors earned for their service in respect of 2023 under our non-employee director compensation policy.
     
  (2) Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value as computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, assuming no forfeitures. These amounts reflect the Company’s accounting expense, and do not correspond to the actual value that the non-employee directors will realize. As of December 31, 2023, each non-employee director had the following outstanding unvested RSUs.
     
  (3) Sean D. Goodman is an executive officer of AMC and an officer and director of American Multi-Cinema, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary. Mr. Goodman disclaims any beneficial ownership in cash paid or of the shares of our Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants beneficially owned by AMC and/or American Multi-Cinema, Inc.

 

Name 

No. of Unvested

RSUs Held as of

December 31, 2023

 
Stephen A. Lang(1)   16,690 
David C. Naccarati   10,881 
Michael J. Harrison   10,431 
Thomas Weng(2)   10,431 
Marni Wieshofer   10,431 
Sean D. Goodman   12,762 

 

  (1) Mr. Lang elected to defer conversion of 3,378 RSUs awarded for his initial director equity grant and 2021 annual director equity grant, to the extent they vest, until the date of his separation from service as a Board member. 
     
  (2) Mr. Weng elected to defer conversion of 2,700 RSUs awarded for his initial director equity grant and 2021 annual director equity grant, to the extent they vest, until the date of his separation from service as a Board member.

 

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Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, executive officers, and employees that complies with SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Code of Ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of the Company’s business. A copy of the Code of Ethics has been posted on our website at www.hycroftmining.com. It is free of charge upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at c/o Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of its Code of Ethics on its website.

 

Compensation Recovery Policy

 

On November 17, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a new compensation recovery policy (the “Clawback Policy”) in compliance with SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Clawback Policy provides that in the event we are required to prepare an “Accounting Restatement” (as defined in the Clawback Policy), we shall, subject to certain limited exceptions as described in the Clawback Policy, recover certain incentive-based compensation from executive officers who are or have been designated as an “officer” by the Board of Directors in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(f). Compensation that shall be recovered under the Clawback Policy generally includes “Incentive-Based Compensation” (as defined in the Clawback Policy) received during the three-year period prior to the “Accounting Restatement Determination Date” (as defined in the Clawback Policy) that exceeds the amount that otherwise would have been received by the “officer” had such compensation been determined based on the restated amounts in the financial restatement. Under the Clawback Policy, “Incentive-Based Compensation” includes any compensation that is granted, earned, or vested based, in whole or in part, upon the attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure (as defined in the Clawback Policy).

 

Hedging and Pledging Policy

 

The Company has adopted a policy regarding the ability of certain persons to hedge, pledge or otherwise limit their exposure to the Company’s securities. The policy applies to (i) the Company’s directors and executive officers (“Company Insiders”); (ii) employees who regularly come into possession of material non-public information about the Company in the course of their duties (together with the Company Insiders, the “Covered Persons”); (iii) any Covered Person’s spouse, other people living in a Covered Person’s household, and minor children; and (iv) entities over which any Covered Person exercises control. Under the policy, each of such persons is prohibited from engaging in the following transactions in the Company’s securities unless advance approval is granted by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer:

 

  Short-term trading. Company Insiders who purchase Company securities may not sell any Company securities of the same class for at least six months after the purchase;
     
  Short sales. Covered Persons may not sell the Company’s securities short;
     
  Options trading. Covered Persons may not buy or sell puts or calls, or other derivative securities on the Company’s securities;
     
  Trading on margin or pledging. Company Insiders may not hold Company securities in a margin account or pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan; and
     
  Hedging. Covered Persons may not enter into hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements relating to Company securities. This provision is not construed to limit a Covered Person’s ability to enter into market hedges not tied to the Company’s securities, including transactions to hedge commodity (gold and silver) exposure.

 

Board Oversight of Risk Management

 

The Board of Directors considers oversight of the Company’s risk management efforts, including enterprise risk management, to be a responsibility of the entire Board (as reported by and through the appropriate committee in the case of risks under the purview of a particular committee). Management regularly updates the full Board on major Company initiatives, strategies, and related risks. At least annually, management reviews with the Board risks to the enterprise and efforts to address them. In addition, presentations are made in the ordinary course at scheduled Board meetings regarding operations, finance, market trends, and the various other risks that face the Company. On an ongoing basis, the various committees of the Board address risk in the areas germane to their scope. For example:

 

 

The Safety and Technical Committee oversees risks in the areas of safety and environmental compliance through an ongoing dialog with management, plays a role in operational risk management, including policy and regulatory risk, and oversees risk associated with managing existing technologies and developing new technologies to enhance and protect our competitive advantage;

 

  The Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee oversees risks, opportunities, strategies, goals, and policies and procedures related to sustainability and corporate social responsibility;
  The Finance Committee plays a vital role in the oversight of financial and market risk, balance sheet risk and capital allocation, liquidity, and tax risk;
     
  The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates Board effectiveness, succession planning, and general corporate best practices;
     
  The Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s policies to attract, retain, and motivate talented employees and ties compensation to actual performance, including risks associated with executive compensation; and
     
  The Audit Committee provides risk oversight of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and corporate policies and controls, including controls over financial reporting, computerized information systems and cyber security, the independent auditor’s selection, retention, qualifications, objectivity and independence, and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function.

 

The chairperson of the relevant Board committee reports on the committee’s discussions to the entire Board during the committee reports portion of the applicable Board meeting.

 

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Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board will periodically appoint a Chairman of the Board and that independent and management directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, are eligible for appointment as Chairman. The Corporate Governance Guidelines state that if the Chairman of the Board is not independent, then the Board should designate an independent lead director who would be available in any situation in which the Chairman has a potential conflict of interest concerning any matter under consideration.

 

Stephen A. Lang serves as our independent Chairman of the Board. Although Mr. Lang is an independent director, the Board has also appointed Mr. Weng as Lead Independent Director. Mr. Weng supports the Chairman, serves as an alternative communication channel for board members, and is able to advise the board on matters where there may be an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

 

The Board believes that our current Board leadership structure, which includes a Lead Independent Director and separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles, provides strong oversight, which benefits our stockholders. The Board believes its current leadership structure best serves the objectives of the Board’s oversight of management, the Board’s ability to carry out its roles and responsibilities on behalf of the Company’s shareholders, and the Company’s overall corporate governance. The Board also believes that the separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus her time and energy on operating and managing the Company, while leveraging our Chairman’s experience and perspectives in an oversight role. The separation of roles also allows an effective balance between strong executive leadership and appropriate safeguards and oversight by the Chairman and other independent directors. The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure to determine whether it continues to best serve the Company and its stockholders.

 

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

 

The independent directors of the Board and each standing committee meet regularly in executive sessions without management present. Stockholders wishing to communicate with the independent directors may contact them by writing to Independent Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446. Any such communication will be promptly distributed by our Corporate Secretary to the individual independent director or directors named in the communication in the same manner as described below in “Communications with the Board.”

 

Communications with the Board

 

Stockholders and other interested parties can send communications to one or more members of the Board by writing to the Board or specific directors or group of directors at the following address: Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446. Any communication will be promptly distributed by our Corporate Secretary to the individual director or directors named in the communication or to all directors if addressed to the entire Board.

 

Board Performance Evaluation

 

The Board annually evaluates its performance for the previous year. The Nominating and Governance Committee establishes the annual performance evaluation format. The evaluation may consist of extensive and detailed written surveys, questionnaires, and/or individual interviews with each director by legal counsel. Through the annual evaluation processes, the Board can improve its critical functions of overseeing personnel development, financial performance, and other major responsibilities for strategy, risk, integrity, reputation, and governance.

 

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Summary of Director Qualifications and Experience

 

Competency   Garrett   Goodman   Harrison   Lang   Naccarati   Weng   Wieshofer
                             
Senior Executive              
(Experience in the highest level of management responsible for setting and achieving organizational objectives, strategic planning, and overall decision-making)                            
Other Public Company Directorships                  
(Experience sitting on public company boards)                            
Mining Industry                  
(Technical and leadership experience in listed mining companies (whether Canadian or US) of similar size, with similar operational assets and developing projects)                            
Financial Literacy              
(Knowledge of financial accounting and reporting, internal financial controls, including the ability to critically assess the financial viability and performance of the organization)                            
Capital Management                  
(Experience in capital management strategies, including debt financing and capital raisings)                            
Technical Mining, Engineering or Geology & Innovation                    
(Background or experience overseeing and innovating the technical engineering or geology aspects of mining)                            
Mine Development/Operating                    
(Experience overseeing the development of mines and/or daily operations)                            
Business Development              
(Experience in identifying and implementing growth opportunities and creating long-term value for the organization from investors, markets, and relationships)                            
Permitting/Regulatory                  

(Experience relating to regulatory approvals and permitting needed in connection with mining operations and development)

                           

 

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Competency   Garrett   Goodman   Harrison   Lang   Naccarati   Weng   Wieshofer
                             
Legal                        
(Experience overseeing significant legal matters at an organization including stockholder lawsuits/threats and/or government investigations)                            
Human Resources                
(Experience with appointment and evaluation of senior executives as well as overseeing strategic human resource management including workforce planning, employee relations and organizational change)                            
Compensation                  
(Experience on compensation committees of public companies; analyzing and setting executive compensation while balancing risks, incentives, and investor relations)                            
Health, Safety, Environmental, Sustainability                
(Experience related to health, safety, environmental, social responsibility and sustainability initiatives and their impact on the organization/investor relations)                            
Corporate Governance              
(Knowledge of best practice governance standards)                            

Government/Regulatory/

Political

               
(Experience in public and regulatory policies and management of impact on industry and the organization)                            
First Nations/Community Relations                        
(Experience with public relations relating to native peoples)                            
Information Technology and Innovation                    
(Experience with IT security/breaches and/or knowledge of the strategic use and governance of information technology and innovation)                            
Strategic Planning              
(Ability to identify and critically assess opportunities and threats and develop effective strategies to achieve the organization’s visions and objectives.)                            
Risk Management              
(Ability to identify key risks to the organization, and monitor risk and compliance management frameworks and systems)                            

 

Stockholders may access a copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines on our website at www.hycroftmining.com.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The names of the current executive officers of the Company and their respective ages as of the date of this Proxy Statement are set forth below.

 

Name   Age   Position(s)
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.   64   President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Stanton K. Rideout   64   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Diane R. Garrett has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director since September 2020 and was Acting Chair of the Board from December 15, 2021, through April 8, 2022, when she was succeeded by Mr. Lang. Ms. Garrett remains as a director on the Board. See the biographical information for Ms. Garrett set forth above under “Nominees for Election to our Board of Directors at the 2024 Annual Meeting.”

 

Stanton K. Rideout has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 2020. He has over 30 years of senior executive experience in the mining and manufacturing industries, including Romarco and Phelps Dodge. From April 2018 until October 2020, Mr. Rideout was a consulting Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Gold Resources Inc. (“CGR”), a Canadian precious and base metals project-generator company. He joined the Board of CGR in June 2017 and became Chairman of the Board in July 2018. Before that, Mr. Rideout served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Romarco from November 2010 through December 2015. After OceanaGold acquired Romarco in September 2015, he provided debt and equity consulting services for a number of mining companies. From January 2008 until May 2008, Mr. Rideout was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Swift Transportation Corporation (“Swift”), a large North American truckload carrier. Prior to Swift, Mr. Rideout held various senior finance and accounting positions over 25 years with Phelps Dodge. Those roles included Vice President and Treasurer, Vice President and Controller, Investor Relations Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of Phelps Dodge International Corporation. Mr. Rideout earned his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Evansville and his Bachelor of Science, Business/Finance, from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Rideout is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

We have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The following disclosure concerns the compensation arrangements of our current named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

2023 Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth the compensation for the services in all capacities to us or our subsidiary companies for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer (each an “NEO” and together, the “NEOs”).

 

Name and

Principal Position

  Year   Salary   Bonus(1)  

Stock

Awards(2)

   All Other Compensation(3)   Total 
                         
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.(4)   2023   $600,000   $462,000   $500,900   $23,512   $1,586,412 
    2022   $587,500   $537,195   $1,200,000   $26,190   $2,350,885 
                               
Stanton K. Rideout(5)   2023   $425,000   $280,500   $250,450   $23,364   $979,314 
    2022   $412,500   $328,556   $637,500   $16,556   $1,395,112 

 

(1) Amounts represent payments under the Company’s incentive bonus plan.
   
(2) Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the fiscal year noted as computed in accordance with FASB’s ASC Topic 718, assuming no forfeitures. These amounts reflect the Company’s accounting expense and do not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the NEOs.
   
(3) During 2023 and 2022, “All Other Compensation” consisted of the following:

 

Name and Principal Position  Year  

401(k)

Matching

Contributions

  

Life Insurance

Premiums

   Total 
                 
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.(4)   2023   $19,800   $3,712   $23,512 
    2022   $20,500   $5,690   $26,190 
                     
Stanton K. Rideout(5)   2023   $19,800   $3,564   $23,364 
    2022   $10,866   $5,690   $16,556 

 

(4) Ms. Garrett was hired effective September 8, 2020. Her annual base salary was set at $550,000 and increased to $600,000 on April 1, 2022. Ms. Garrett’s salary was not increased in 2023.
   
(5) Mr. Rideout was hired effective October 20, 2020. His annual base salary was set at $375,000 and increased to $425,000 on April 1, 2022. Mr. Rideout’s salary was not increased in 2023.

 

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2023 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

 

The following table summarizes information for each NEO with respect to outstanding equity awards and the value of such awards as of December 31, 2023.

 

Name  Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Yet Vest (#)(1)   Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($)(2)   Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)   Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) 
                 
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.   5,253   $12,870    -    - 
    9,615   $23,558           
    56,224   $137,748    -    - 
    100,000   $245,000    -    - 
                     
Stanton K. Rideout   2,686   $6,581    -    - 
    3,298   $8,081           
    44,580   $109,222    -    - 
    50,000   $122,500    -    - 

 

(1)The vesting schedules for the time-based RSUs for each NEO is as follows:

 

Name 

RSU

Grant Amount

   Grant Date  Vesting Schedule
           
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.   5,253   3/2/2021  100% vesting on September 8, 2024
    9,615   9/8/2020  See footnote(1)
    56,224   6/2/2022  See footnote(2)
    100,000   4/18/2023  See footnote(3)
            
Stanton K. Rideout   2,686   3/2/2021  100% vesting on October 20, 2024
    3,298   10/20/2020  See footnote(1)
    44,580   6/2/2022  See footnote(2)
    50,000   4/18/2023  See footnote(3)

 

  (1)

Subject to the continued employment with the Company, the RSUs vest 33% for the first and second installment and 34% for the third installment with the first tranche vested on March 15, 2022; the second tranche vested on March 15, 2023, and the remaining tranche vested on March 15, 2024. Vested RSUs will convert into shares of Common Stock on each applicable vesting date; provided, however, that if, on that conversion date, the holder is prohibited from trading under the Company’s policies or pursuant to applicable securities laws, the conversion date shall be, in the determination of the Board’s Compensation Committee, the 2nd trading day after the date the reporting person is no longer prohibited from such trading.

     
  (2)

Subject to the continued employment with the Company, the RSUs vest 33% for the first and second installment and 34% for the third installment with the first tranche vesting on June 2, 2023, the second trance vesting on June 2, 2024, and the third tranche vesting on June 2, 2025. Vested RSUs will convert into shares of Common Stock on each applicable vesting date; provided, however, that if, on that conversion date, the holder is prohibited from trading under the Company’s policies or pursuant to applicable securities laws, the conversion date shall be, in the determination of the Board’s Compensation Committee, the 2nd trading day after the date the reporting person is no longer prohibited from such trading.

     
  (3) Subject to the continued employment with the Company, the RSUs vest 33% for the first and second installment and 34% for the third installment with the first tranche vesting on April 18, 2024, the second trance vesting on April 18, 2025, and the third tranche vesting on April 18 2026. Vested RSUs will convert into shares of Common Stock on each applicable vesting date; provided, however, that if, on that conversion date, the holder is prohibited from trading under the Company’s policies or pursuant to applicable securities laws, the conversion date shall be, in the determination of the Board’s Compensation Committee, the 2nd trading day after the date the reporting person is no longer prohibited from such trading.

 

Equity Award Grants to Executive Officers

 

We adopted, and our stockholders approved, the Incentive Plan, under which the Company issued equity awards to officers and directors.

 

The long-term equity incentive awards granted in 2022 were time-based RSUs, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the written award agreements and continued employment.

 

The long-term equity incentive award agreements included “double-trigger” accelerated vesting in the event of a Change in Control.

 

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Employment Arrangements

 

Common Defined Terms Used in the Employment Agreements

 

For purposes of the employment agreements with our NEOs, the terms “Cause,” “Change in Control,” “Disability,” and “Good Reason” have the following definitions:

 

The term “Cause” shall mean that one or more of the following has occurred:

 

  (i) the NEO is convicted of a felony or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony (whether or not with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates);

 

  (ii) a failure of the NEO to substantially perform his or her responsibilities and duties to the Company which, to the extent curable, is not remedied within 10 days after the NEO’s receipt of written notice given by the appropriate senior officer or any member of the Board, as applicable, identifying the failure in reasonable detail and granting the NEO an opportunity to cure such failure within such 10-day period;
     
  (iii) the failure of the NEO to carry out or comply with any lawful and reasonable directive of the Board (or any committee of the Board), which, to the extent curable, is not remedied within 10 days after the NEO’s receipt of written notice given by or on behalf of the Company identifying the failure in reasonable detail and granting the NEO an opportunity to cure such failure within such 10-day period;
     
  (iv) the NEO engages in illegal conduct, any breach of fiduciary duty (if any), any act of material dishonesty or other misconduct, in each case in this clause (iv), against the Company or any of its affiliates;
     
  (v) a material violation or willful breach by the NEO of any of the policies or procedures of the Company, including, without any limitation, any employee manual, handbook or code of conduct of the Company which, to the extent curable, is not remedied within 10 days after the NEO’s receipt of written notice given by or on behalf of the Company identifying the violation or breach in reasonable detail and granting the Executive an opportunity to cure such violation or breach within such 10 day period;
     
  (vi) the NEO fails to meet any material obligation the NEO may have under any agreement entered into with the Company which, to the extent curable, is not remedied within 10 days after the NEO’s receipt of written notice given by any member of the Company identifying the failure in reasonable detail and granting the NEO an opportunity to cure such failure within such 10-day period;
     
  (vii) the NEO’s failure to maintain any applicable license, permit or card required by the federal or state authorities or a political subdivision or agency thereof (or the suspension, revocation, or denial of such license, permit or card); or
     
  (viii) the NEO’s breach of any non-compete, non-solicit, confidentiality or other restrictive covenant to which the NEO may be subject, pursuant to an employment agreement or otherwise.

 

The term a “Change in Control” of the Company will be deemed to occur as of the first day that one or more of the following conditions is satisfied:

 

  (i) The “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Company Voting Securities”), is accumulated, held or acquired by a “Person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, holders of capital stock of the Company as of the date hereof or a subsidiary thereof, any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company); provided, however, that any acquisition from the Company or any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of clause (iii) below will not be a Change in Control; provided further, that immediately prior to such accumulation, holding or acquisition, such Person was not a direct or indirect beneficial owner of 15% or more of Company Voting Securities as of the date of the applicable employment agreement; or
     
  (ii) Individuals who, as of the date of the Agreement, constitute the Board, or “Incumbent Board”, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board will be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; or

 

24
 

 

  (iii) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, or “Business Combination”, in each case, unless immediately following such Business Combination: (A) more than 50% of the combined voting power of then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of (x) the corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or “Surviving Corporation”, or (y) if applicable, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries, or “Parent Corporation”, is represented, directly or indirectly by Company Voting Securities outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of Company Voting Securities; (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 40% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) except to the extent that (x) such ownership of the Company existed prior to the Business Combination or (y) that immediately prior to such Business Combination, such Person was a direct or indirect beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company Voting Securities as of the date of the respective employment agreement, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred with respect to the NEO if the NEO is part of a purchasing group that consummates the Change in Control transaction. The NEO will be deemed “part of a purchasing group” for purposes of the preceding sentence if the NEO is an equity participant in the purchasing company or group (except (i) passive ownership of less than two percent of the stock of the purchasing company; or (ii) ownership of equity participation in the purchasing company or group that is otherwise not significant, as determined prior to the Change in Control by a majority of the nonemployee continuing directors.

 

The term “Disability” means the NEO’s long-term disability as defined by and determined under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if the NEO is not covered by a long-term disability plan sponsored by the Company, then the NEO’s inability (as determined by the Board or Compensation Committee thereof in its discretion, (in the case of Ms. Garrett and Mr. Rideout, with the Board or Compensation Committee acting reasonably)) to perform the essential job functions, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

 

The term “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without the NEO’s consent:

 

(i) a material reduction or a material adverse alteration in the nature of the NEO’s position, responsibilities or authorities or the assigning of duties to the NEO that are materially inconsistent with those of the position of such NEO of a company of comparable size in a comparable industry;
   
(ii) the NEO’s becoming the holder of a lesser office or title than that previously held;
   
(iii) any material breach of the applicable employment agreement by the Company that causes an adverse change to the terms and conditions of the NEO’s employment;
   
(iv) the Company requires the NEO to relocate his or her principal business office to a location not within 75 miles of the applicable Company location;
   
(v) any reduction in the NEO’s salary, other than a reduction in salary generally applicable to executive employees; or

 

25
 

 

(vi) failure of the Company to pay the NEO any amount otherwise vested and due under the applicable employment agreement or under any plan or policy of the Company following written notice by the NEO to the Company identifying the failure and the basis for such payment and the Company’s failure to cure within 10 days following receipt of such written notice.

 

In no event will a resignation be deemed to occur for “Good Reason” unless the NEO provides notice to the Company, and such resignation occurs, within 90 days after the event or condition giving rise thereto. Upon receiving notice from the NEO, the Company has a period of 30 days during which it may remedy the event or condition.

 

Employment Agreement with Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.

 

The Company entered into an employment agreement dated as of August 31, 2020 with Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D. Ms. Garrett’s agreement provided for a three-year term as President and Chief Executive Officer (the “2020 Garrett Employment Agreement”), after which Ms. Garrett became an at-will employee. On April 10, 2024, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Ms. Garrett (the “2024 Garrett Employment Agreement”). Under the terms of the 2024 Garrett Employment Agreement, Ms. Garrett is entitled to an annual base salary of $600,000 and an annual cash incentive bonus set at 70% of her annual base salary as target. Under the 2020 Garrett Employment Agreement, Ms. Garrett received an initial long-term equity incentive award having a value of $1,000,000. The initial long-term equity incentive was granted on the effective date of her employment, September 8, 2020, in the form of 96,154 RSUs, which was determined by dividing $1,000,000 by $10.40, the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The RSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant, subject to Ms. Garrett’s continued employment by the Company through the vesting date and subject to any provisions of the grant relating to retirement, disability, change of control and other matters. Ms. Garrett will also be eligible to participate in equity-based compensation plans.

 

As required under the terms of the 2020 Garrett Employment Agreement, on December 15, 2020, the Company offered Ms. Garrett $550,000 worth of time-based RSUs. However, Ms. Garrett did not accept her full time-based equity award and requested that a portion of those time-based RSUs be reallocated and granted to other employees rather than herself. As a result, on December 15, 2020, Ms. Garrett accepted $250,000 in value in the amount of 3,496 RSUs, based upon the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant, rather than the 7,692 RSUs she would have been eligible to receive. Ms. Garrett’s RSUs vested in three equal installments on May 28, 2021, May 27, 2022, and May 29, 2023. The Company did not issue any performance-based equity awards in 2021 or 2022. On March 2, 2021, the Company issued 15,450 time-based RSUs to Ms. Garrett with a grant-date fair value of $1.1 million, and on June 2, 2022, the Company issued 83,916 time-based RSUs to Ms. Garrett with a grant-date fair value of $1.2 million. On April 18, 2023, the Company issued 100,000 time-based RSUs to Ms. Garrett with a grant-date fair value of $500,900. The RSU awards are in continued recognition of Ms. Garrett’s contributions to the Company and to incentivize future performance. On November 14, 2023, the Company effectuated a reverse stock split with a ratio of 1-for-10. All share and per share information has been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented.

 

Employment Agreement with Stanton K. Rideout

 

The Company entered into an employment agreement dated as of October 20, 2020 (the “2020 Rideout Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Rideout, which provided for a three-year term as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, following which he was deemed to be an at-will employee. On April 10, 2024, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Rideout (the “2024 Rideout Employment Agreement”). Under the terms of the 2024 Rideout Employment Agreement, Mr. Rideout is entitled to an annual base salary of $425,000, an annual cash incentive bonus target initially set at 60% of his annual base salary. Under the 2020 Rideout Employment Agreement, Mr. Rideout received an initial long-term equity award having a value of $250,000.

 

The initial long-term equity incentive was granted on the effective date of his employment, October 20, 2020, in the form of 3,298 RSUs, with the number of RSUs determined by dividing $250,000 by the closing stock price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. Such RSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to Mr. Rideout’s continued employment by the Company through the vesting date and subject to any provisions of the grant relating to retirement, disability, change of control and other matters. Mr. Rideout was eligible to participate in equity-based compensation plans in 2021, initially targeted at 150% of his base salary, with 50% of such awards in the form of performance-based equity awards and 50% of such awards in the form of time-based equity awards.

 

26
 

 

On December 17, 2020, the Company awarded Mr. Rideout a portion of the reallocated RSUs (described above under “Employment Agreement with Diane R. Garrett”) equal to $150,000 in value in the amount of 1,911 RSUs, based on the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant, in recognition of his contributions to the Company and to incentivize his future performance. Mr. Rideout’s RSUs have the same vesting schedule as Ms. Garrett’s that were granted on December 15, 2020. On March 2, 2021, the Company issued 7,900 time-based RSUs to Mr. Rideout with a grant-date fair value of $0.6 million, and on June 2, 2022, the Company issued 44,580 time-based RSUs with a grant-date fair value of $0.6 million. On April 18, 2023, the Company issued 50,000 time-based RSUs to Ms. Garrett with a grant-date fair value of $250,450. These RSU awards were made in continued recognition of Mr. Rideout’s contributions to the Company and to incentivize future performance. On November 14, 2023, the Company effectuated a reverse stock split with a ratio of 1-for-10. All share and per share information has been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented.

 

Termination Payment Terms

 

Each employment agreement with our current NEOs, Ms. Garrett and Mr. Rideout, contains provisions entitling them to payments upon termination of their employment in certain circumstances, as described below.

 

Termination of Employment for any Reason

 

Pursuant to the current employment agreements with Ms. Garrett and Mr. Rideout, in the event their employment with the Company terminates for any lawful reason or no reason, they (or their estate, as applicable) will be entitled to receive any earned but unpaid base salary, any earned but unpaid annual cash incentive bonus, any amounts that may be payable under any applicable executive benefit plan, expense reimbursements and COBRA benefits provided that a timely election for COBRA continuation coverage is made and the applicable amounts are paid.

 

Termination of Employment other than for Cause or Voluntary Termination by Executive for Good Reason

 

If the Company terminates Ms. Garrett or Mr. Rideout without Cause, or either of them terminates their employment for Good Reason, they will be entitled to (i) a cash amount equal to 1.5 multiplied by their annual base salary, payable in equal installments over the 18 months following the date of termination; (ii) 18 months of continued coverage under the Company’s medical, dental, life and disability plans, at the same cost to the individual as in effect on the date of termination; and (iii) outplacement services until the earlier of (A) $15,000 in the aggregate having been paid by the Company to the outplacement firm or (B) 12 months following the date of termination.

 

Termination of Employment in the Event of Death or Disability

 

If the employment of Ms. Garrett or Mr. Rideout with the Company is terminated due to her or his death or disability, she or he (or their estate, as applicable) will be entitled to receive the pro rata portion of any bonus payable to them under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan for the year in which such termination for death or disability occurs determined based on the actual bonus attained for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs.

 

Termination of Employment after a Change in Control

 

If within 90 days prior to, or one year after, a Change in Control, the Company terminates the employment of Ms. Garrett or Mr. Rideout for reasons other than for Cause, either of them incurs a Disability or voluntarily terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, such NEO will be entitled to (i) a cash amount equal to 2.0 multiplied by his or her annual base salary, payable in a lump sum on the 60th day following the date of termination, (ii) a cash amount equal to 2.0 multiplied by the greater of (A) the actual bonus paid for the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of termination, (B) the actual bonus attained for the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs prior to the first anniversary of the employment agreement, or (C) the target bonus for the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs prior to the first anniversary of the agreement, payable in a lump sum on the 60th day following the date of termination, (iii) 24 months of continued coverage under the Company’s medical, dental, life and disability plans, at the same cost to the individual as in effect on the date of the Change in Control (or, if lower, as in effect at any time thereafter) and (iv) outplacement services until the earlier of (A) $15,000 in the aggregate having been paid by the Company to the outplacement firm or (B) 12 months following the date of termination.

 

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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

Our compensation policies and philosophies are designed to align compensation with our business objectives and the creation of stockholder value, while enabling us to attract, motivate, and retain individuals who contribute to the Company’s long-term success.

 

The Compensation Committee believes the executive compensation program must be competitive to attract and retain our executive officers. The Compensation Committee has implemented compensation policies and philosophies that link a significant portion of our executive officers’ cash compensation to performance objectives and by providing a portion of their compensation as long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards.

 

Our annual compensation review is undertaken at the direction and under the supervision of the Compensation Committee. Other than our Chief Executive Officer, no executive officers are involved in making recommendations for executive officer compensation, and no executive officer makes any recommendations for their compensation. Additionally, no executive officers are involved in determining director compensation. At its sole discretion, the Compensation Committee may engage independent compensation consultants exclusively to advise the Compensation Committee on executive officer and director compensation matters.

 

In 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged Lane Caputo to provide independent advice on executive officer and director compensation matters. The Compensation Committee, utilizing the compensation consultant’s report and after discussion and review (i) approves the annual base salaries, (ii) equity award grants, (iii) incentive cash award targets, (iv) financial metrics for the upcoming year, and (v) incentive cash awards for the prior year for the named executive officers. The Compensation Committee performs its compensation review and decision-making duties without management present.

 

Generally, the Compensation Committee reviews management’s recommendations and historical pay and performance information in the first quarter of each year. The Compensation Committee’s review includes approval of the value of equity award grants. It is generally the Compensation Committee’s policy to authorize and grant equity awards as of the date of the Board of Directors meeting (typically in March). The awards are then ratified by the non-management members of the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee.

 

The Compensation Committee does not have a specific policy or practice to time equity awards to the release of earnings or other material non-public information. However, the Compensation Committee may determine the value of an equity award but not issue or establish the number of shares or share units while possessing material non-public information, such as a material pending transaction. Our practice is not to accelerate or delay the disclosure of material non-public information, whether favorable or unfavorable, but to make such disclosures when appropriate or required by applicable securities laws. In order not to unduly benefit or harm officers and employees, the Compensation Committee would consider postponing the issuance of awards until after the non-public information has been publicly disclosed or is no longer considered material information.

 

Periodically throughout the year, the Compensation Committee may discuss, as appropriate, the philosophy for the overall compensation program and determine if changes in particular program components or special awards are appropriate or desirable during the current year or for future periods.

 

Compensation for our executive officers will have three primary components: base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus, and long-term equity-based incentive compensation.

 

Base Salary

 

Base salaries are set to be fair to the executive officers, competitive within the industry, and reasonable in light of our cost structure. The Compensation Committee determines base salaries, subject to the terms of any employment agreements, and reviews base salaries annually based upon advice and counsel from its advisors. Based on a review of compensation of peers, and upon the recommendation of management, Ms. Garrett and Mr. Rideout did not receive a base salary increase for 2024.

 

Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses

 

In 2023, the Compensation Committee used annual cash incentive bonuses for the NEOs to tie a portion of the NEOs’ compensation to financial and operational objectives achievable within the applicable fiscal year, such as (i) health and safety, (ii) environmental compliance (iii) technical advancement; (iv) exploration; (v) balance sheet; (vi) stakeholder engagement; and/or (vii) such other metrics as are determined from time to time by the Board. At the beginning of each year, the Compensation Committee sets performance targets, target amounts, target award opportunities, and other terms and conditions of annual cash bonuses for the NEOs. At the end of each year, the Compensation Committee determines the extent the performance targets were achieved and the amount of the award, if any, payable to the NEOs.

 

Equity-Based Awards

 

The Compensation Committee will use equity-based awards to reward long-term performance of the NEOs under the Incentive Plan. Providing a meaningful portion of the total compensation package in the form of equity-based awards is an essential element to compensation arrangements to align the incentives of its officers, including its NEOs, with the interests of its stockholders and serve to motivate and retain the NEOs.

 

Executive Agreements

 

The Company has entered into compensation arrangements with its officers, including employment agreements and equity award agreements, as part of its policy to pay and compensate key executives as appropriate to attract, retain, and compensate executive talent.

 

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Other Compensation

 

We have maintained the various employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, life insurance and 401(k) plans, offered by the Company in which the NEOs participate.

 

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), denies a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1.0 million per year paid to certain current and former executive officers of a publicly traded corporation.

 

Pay Versus Performance

 

Under rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we are required to disclose certain information about the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our NEOs and certain measures of Company performance. The table below shows compensation actually paid (as defined by the SEC in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for our executives and our financial performance for the years shown in the table. For purposes of this discussion, our CEO is also referred to as our principal executive officer or “PEO”, and our other Named Executive Officers are referred to as our “Non-PEO NEOs”. Additional information regarding our compensation philosophy, the structure of our performance-based compensation programs, and compensation decisions made this year is described above in our “Compensation Philosophy and Objectives”.

 

Year  Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO   Compensation Actually Paid to PEO   Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs   Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs   Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return   Net Income (Loss) (in thousands) 
2023  $1,586,412   $1,061,255   $979,314   $714,214   $39.90   $(55,024)
2022  $2,350,885   $1,634,024   $1,395,112   $983,327   $86.64   $(60,828)

 

 

(1)The PEO and other NEOs for the indicated years were as follows:

 

Year   PEO   Non-PEO NEOs
2023   Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.   Stanton K. Rideout
2022   Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.   Stanton K. Rideout

 

Compensation actually paid to our NEOs represents the “Total” compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year, as adjusted as follows:

 

Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation Actually Paid for PEO

 

Year  2023   2022 
Summary Compensation Table Total  $1,586,412   $2,350,885 
(Minus): Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Fiscal Year  $(500,900)  $(1,200,000)
Plus: Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in the Fiscal Year  $245,000   $446,517 
Plus/(Minus): Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years  $(204,105)  $(17,263)
Plus: Fair Value at Vesting of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Fiscal Year  $0   $0 
Plus/(Minus): Change in Fair Value as of the Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years that Vested in the Fiscal Year  $(65,152)  $53,886 
(Minus): Fair Value as of the Prior Fiscal Year End of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Fiscal Year  $0   $0 
Plus: Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards Not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation  $0   $0 
Compensation Actually Paid  $1,061,255   $1,634,024 

 

Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation Actually Paid for Non-PEO NEOs

 

Year  2023   2022 
Summary Compensation Table Total  $979,314   $1,395,112 
(Minus): Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Fiscal Year  $(250,450)  $(637,500)
Plus: Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in the Fiscal Year  $122,500   $237,210 
Plus/(Minus): Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years  $(102,934)  $(7,541)
Plus: Fair Value at Vesting of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Fiscal Year  $0   $0 
Plus/(Minus): Change in Fair Value as of the Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years that Vested in the Fiscal Year  $(34,216)  $(3,954)
(Minus): Fair Value as of the Prior Fiscal Year End of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Fiscal Year  $0   $0 
Plus: Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards Not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation  $0   $0 
Compensation Actually Paid  $714,214   $983,327 

 

For purposes of the above adjustments, the fair value of equity awards on the applicable date was determined in accordance with FASB’s ASC Topic 718, using valuation methodologies that are generally consistent with those used to determine the grant-date fair value for accounting purposes.

 

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Relationship Between Financial Performance Measures

 

The graphs below compare the compensation actually paid to our PEO and the average of the compensation actually paid to our remaining NEOs, with (i) our cumulative total stockholder return (“TSR”), and (ii) our net income, in each case, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023.

 

TSR amounts reported in the graph assume an initial fixed investment of $100.

 

 

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Related Party Transactions relating to the Company

 

Sprott Credit Agreement

 

On October 4, 2019, HMC, as borrower, and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into the Initial Sprott Credit Agreement with Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP (“SPRL II”) for a secured multi-advance term credit facility with an original aggregate principal amount not in excess of $110.0 million. In connection with the consummation of the Recapitalization Transaction, we assumed the Initial Sprott Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, entered into the Sprott Credit Agreement, with us becoming a party thereto, borrowed $70.0 million under such facility and issued to SPRL II 496,634 shares of Common Stock on behalf of SPRL II and the other participants in the Sprott Credit Agreement. As a result, we are the borrower under the Sprott Credit Agreement. Subsequent to the consummation of the Recapitalization Transaction, SPRL II transferred 45,149 shares of Common Stock to nonaffiliated participants in the Sprott Credit Agreement and 13,545 shares of Common Stock to Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Collector), LP., an affiliated participant in the Sprott Credit Agreement. Michael Harrison, a member of our Board, has an indirect pecuniary interest in shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Collector), LP. and SPRL II as chief executive officer of Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. and/or through his fiduciary role as Managing Partner of Sprott Private Resource Streaming & Royalty (Collector) LP.

 

Sprott Royalty Agreement

 

The Company, Hycroft Resources & Development, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“HRD”), and Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Co) Inc., as the payee, an affiliate of SPRL II, entered into the Sprott Royalty Agreement with respect to the Hycroft Mine at the closing of the Recapitalization Transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Sprott Royalty Agreement, at the closing of the Recapitalization Transaction, Sprott Private Resource Lending II (CO), Inc. paid to HRD cash consideration in the amount of $30.0 million, for which HRD granted to Sprott Private Resource Lending II (CO), Inc. a perpetual royalty equal to 1.50% of net smelter returns, payable monthly. Michael Harrison, a member of our Board, has an indirect interest in the Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Co) Inc. as chief executive officer of Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. and/or through his fiduciary role as Managing Partner of Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Collector) LP.

 

2022 Private Placement

 

The Company entered into a subscription agreement with American Multi-Cinema, Inc. dated as of March 14, 2022, as amended April 8, 2022 (as amended, the “AMC Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which American Multi-Cinema, Inc. purchased 23,408,240 units of the Company (each a “Unit”) at a purchase price per Unit of $1.193, with each Unit consisting of one share of Common Stock and one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock providing for a total purchase price of $27.9 million. The AMC Subscription Agreement provides American Multi-Cinema, Inc. the right to appoint a director to the Board, and the Company agrees to support such director’s nomination so long as American Multi-Cinema, Inc. retains at least 50% of the Common Stock purchased under the AMC Subscription Agreement, and American Multi-Cinema, Inc. holds at least 5% of the voting power of the Company. Sean D. Goodman, a member of our Board, is the Chief Financial Officer of AMC, the parent of American Multi-Cinema, Inc., and was appointed to the Board and nominated for election as a director of the Company Annual Meeting under the terms of the AMC Subscription Agreement.

 

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Indemnification Agreements

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. The indemnification agreements and our amended and restated bylaws in effect upon the consummation of the Recapitalization Transaction require us to indemnify all directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law against all expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement of any claims. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to the Company if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law.

 

Other Material Relationships

 

During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred costs of $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, to Ausenco Engineering USA South (“Ausenco”) for work preparing the Hycroft Property Initial Assessment Technical Report Summary Humboldt and Pershing Counties, Nevada with an effective date of March 27, 2023, the Initial Assessment Technical Report Summary for the Hycroft Mine with an effective date of February 18, 2022, and for other engineering services. Diane Garrett is currently a non-executive director for Ausenco’s parent company Board of Directors.

 

Ms. Garrett’s brother, David Thomas, is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Hycroft Mine. Mr. Thomas does not report to Ms. Garrett. In 2023, he received cash compensation of $0.6 million (including a cash short-term incentive award and other compensation of $0.1 million), and time-based RSU awards with a grant date fair value of $0.1 million. In 2022, he received cash compensation of $0.4 million (including a cash short-term incentive award and other compensation of $0.1 million), and time-based RSU awards with a grant date fair value of $0.3 million.

 

Related Party Policy

 

Our Audit Committee, pursuant to its charter, is responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions to the extent that we enter into such transactions. We also require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.

 

These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee, or officer.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock, as of March 26, 2024, by (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of our NEOs and directors and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors, as a group.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each entity, person, director, or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. The percentage ownership of our Common Stock in the “Percentage of Beneficial Ownership” column in the table is based on 21,121,914 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding as of March 26, 2024. Under such rules, beneficial ownership generally includes any shares of Common Stock over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares of Common Stock that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 26, 2024, through the exercise of Warrants or other rights. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, the Company believes each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner  Shares
Beneficially
Owned
   Percentage of
Beneficial
Ownership
 
5% or Greater Stockholders          
American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (1)(2)   4,698,489    19.89%
2176423 Ontario Ltd.(3)   2,085,035    9.80%
Named Executive Officers and Directors(4)          
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.(5)   79,337    * 
Stanton K. Rideout (6)   42,470    * 
Sean D. Goodman(7)   -    * 
Michael Harrison(8)(9)   30,562    * 
Stephen Lang(10)   46,285    * 
David Naccarati(11)    29,482    * 
Thomas Weng(12)   29,814    * 
Marni Wieshofer(13)   40,243    * 
All executive officers and directors as a group (8 individuals)   298,193    1.21%

 

* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

(1) Includes 2,340,824 shares of Common Stock and 2,340,824 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants directly held by American Multi-Cinema, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMC. The business address of American Multi-Cinema, Inc. and AMC is One AMC Way, 11500 Ash Street, Leawood, Kansas 66211.
   
(2)  Includes 16,841 shares of Common Stock issued to AMC upon conversion of RSUs related to American Multi-Cinema, Inc.’s Board representative.
   
(3) Based on Schedule 13D/A (Amendment No. 3) filed June 28, 2022, this includes 1,840,824 shares of Common Stock and 244,211 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant held by 2176423 Ontario Ltd (“2176423 Ontario”), Eric Sprott controls 2176423 Ontario and has the power to direct the voting and disposition of Common Stock held by the entity through his ownership interests in 2176423 Ontario. The foregoing figure for beneficial ownership excludes 2,096,613 shares of Common Stock underlying warrants held by 2176423 Ontario that are not presently exercisable due to the effect of a beneficial ownership limitation blocker. The business address 2176423 Ontario and Eric Sprott is 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J1.

 

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(4) The business address of each of the listed individuals is PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446.
   
(5) Includes (i) 800 shares of Common Stock owned by Ms. Garrett’s spouse’s IRA, and (ii) 33,333 shares of Common Stock to be converted from RSUs on April 18, 2024.
   
(6) Includes 16,666 shares of Common Stock to be converted from RSUs on April 18, 2024.
   
(7) Sean D. Goodman is an executive officer of AMC and an officer and director of American Multi-Cinema, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary. Mr. Goodman disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares of our Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants beneficially owned by AMC and/or American Multi-Cinema, Inc.
   
(8) Includes 2,244 shares of Common Stock to be converted from RSUs on May 24, 2024.
   
(9) Michael J. Harrison has an indirect pecuniary interest in shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Collector), LP and Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP as chief executive officer of Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. and/or through his fiduciary role as a Managing Partner of Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Collector) LP. Mr. Harrison disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Collector), LP. and Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP.
   
(10) Includes 10,431 shares of Common Stock to be converted from RSUs on May 24, 2024.
   
(11) Includes: (i) 1,351 RSUs granted to Mr. Lang on May 24, 2021, and (ii) 2,027 RSUs granted to him on May 24, 2021. Mr. Lang has elected to defer conversion of such RSUs, to the extent they vest, until the date of his separation from service as a Board member.
   
(12) Includes: (i) 2,027 RSUs granted to Mr. Weng on May 24, 2021, and (ii) 673 of the RSUs awarded to him on December 4, 2020. Mr. Weng has elected to defer conversion of such RSUs, to the extent they vest, until the date of his separation from service as a Board member.
   
(13) Includes 10,431 shares of Common Stock to be converted from RSUs on May 24, 2024.
   
  We are not aware of any arrangements that may result in “changes in control” as that term is defined by the provisions of Item 403 of Regulation S-K.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We are asking the stockholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee is not bound by the outcome of this vote. However, if the stockholders do not ratify the selection of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, our Audit Committee may reconsider the selection of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

A representative of Moss Adams LLP is currently expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to answer appropriate questions from stockholders.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

This report of the Audit Committee is required by the SEC and, in accordance with the SEC’s rules, will not be deemed to be part of or incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and will not otherwise be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

The principal purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting process and the audit of the Company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of (i) the integrity of our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements; (ii) our system of disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting; (iii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iv) the qualifications and independence of our independent auditor; (v) the performance of our independent auditor; and (vi) the business practices and ethical standards of the Company. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of work of the Company’s independent auditor. The Audit Committee’s function is more fully described in its charter.

 

Our management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of our financial statements, for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that we use and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Moss Adams LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2023, was responsible for performing an independent audit of our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

The Audit Committee has also reviewed and discussed with Moss Adams LLP the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with Moss Adams LLP those matters required to be discussed under applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”). Additionally, Moss Adams LLP provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Moss Adams LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee also discussed with Moss Adams LLP its independence from the Company.

 

Based upon the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, for filing with the SEC.

 

By the Audit Committee,  
   
 
Marni Wieshofer (Chair)  
Sean D. Goodman  
David Naccarati  

 

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FEES

 

The following table shows fees billed for audit and other services provided by Moss Adams LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022 
Audit Fees  $247,984   $202,580 
Audit-Related Fees   -    - 
Tax Fees   -    - 
All Other Fees   -    - 
Total:  $247,984   $202,580 

 

Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and other services normally provided in connection with regulatory filings. Audit fees include aggregate fees billed by Moss Adams LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.

 

Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related services consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. We did not pay Moss Adams LLP for consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards during the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.

 

Tax Fees. We did not pay Moss Adams LLP for tax planning and tax advice for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.

 

Pre-Approval Policy

 

Our Audit Committee charter delegates sole authority to approve all audit engagement fees and terms to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, or a member of the Audit Committee, must pre-approve any non-audit service provided to the Company by the Company’s independent auditor or other registered public accounting firm. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Audit Committee approved the audit engagement fees and terms for Moss Adams LLP and pre-approved all non-audit fees.

 

Vote Required

 

The ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will not affect this proposal, assuming that a quorum is present. Brokers have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares of Common Stock over the ratification of appointment of independent public registered accounting firms.

 

Recommendation

 

Our Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification

of the selection by the Audit Committee of Moss Adams LLP as our independent

registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 3 — NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Section 14A of the Exchange Act generally requires each public company to include in its proxy statement a separate resolution subject to a non-binding, advisory stockholder vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s NEOs, as disclosed in its proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, not less frequently than once every three years. This is commonly known as, and is referred to herein as, a “say-on-pay” proposal or resolution.

 

Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain, and motivate our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our NEOs are rewarded for the achievement of specific annual, long-term, and strategic goals, and the realization of increased stockholder value.

 

Our Compensation Committee annually reviews the compensation programs for our NEOs to ensure that they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our stockholders’ interests.

 

The say-on-pay proposal is advisory, and therefore will not have any binding legal effect on the Company, our Board or the Compensation Committee. However, our Board and the Compensation Committee do value the opinions of our stockholders and intend to take the results of the vote on this proposal into account in its future decisions regarding the compensation of our NEOs.

 

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our NEOs’ compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This say-on-pay proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our NEOs’ compensation. This vote is not limited to any specific item of compensation, but rather addresses the overall compensation of our NEOs and our philosophy, policies, and practices relating to their compensation as described in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K. The following say-on-pay resolution is submitted for a stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

 

Vote Required

 

The advisory approval of our executive compensation requires a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. As this is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on the Company, our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, although our board of directors and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating our compensation principles, design and practices.

 

Recommendation

 

Our Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the

compensation of our NEOs, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 4 — NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF

FUTURE NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE THE

COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

We are asking our stockholders to advise our Board of Directors, in a non-binding, advisory vote, whether we should conduct a non-binding, advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation (i.e., say-on-pay vote in Proposal No. 3 above) every one, two, or three years.

 

By voting with respect to this proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer that we conduct future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers every one, two, or three years. Our Board of Directors has determined that an advisory non-binding vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers every three years will allow our stockholders to provide feedback on our executive compensation philosophy, policies, and practices.

 

Vote Required

 

Stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of our Board. The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options with respect to this proposal (holding the vote every one, two, or three years, or abstaining). The frequency that receives the highest number of votes from the voting power of shares of our Common Stock present virtually or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon will be deemed to be the frequency selected by our stockholders.

 

As this is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on the Company, our Board or the Compensation Committee, although our Board and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote. Our Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold a non-binding, advisory vote on our NEO compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by our stockholders. Notwithstanding the non-binding, advisory nature of this vote, our Board and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when setting the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation.

 

Recommendation

 

Our Board recommends a vote of THREE YEARS as the preferred frequency for future non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our NEOs.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 5 — APPROVE AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE

INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES

AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE BY 900,000 SHARES

 

We are asking the stockholders to approve an amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 900,000 shares. Other than an increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan, there are no other changes proposed to the Incentive Plan.

 

The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to promote our success and enhance our value by linking the personal interests of employees, directors, and consultants to those of our stockholders and by providing these individuals with an incentive to work to generate superior returns to our stockholders. The Incentive Plan is also intended to provide us with flexibility in creating competitive plans to motivate, attract, and retain the services of employees, directors, and consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort our success is largely dependent.

 

We believe that our interests and those of the stockholders will be advanced if we can continue to offer our employees, notably at the senior management level, consultants, and directors the opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary interests in us. We have determined that the number of shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan should be increased by 900,000 shares, or roughly 4% of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, so that we may continue our compensation structure and strategy and succession planning process.

 

Background

 

On March 8, 2024, the Board unanimously approved the amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan, subject to approval by the stockholders, to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 900,000 shares. The Board has directed the Company to submit this proposal to the stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting. The Board believes the interests of the Company and its stockholders will be advanced if we continue to offer our employees, including senior management, and non-employee directors the opportunity to acquire or increase their economic interests in the Company. The Board concluded that the Company’s ability to attract, retain, and motivate top quality management is material to the Company’s success and would be enhanced by our continued ability to grant equity compensation under the Incentive Plan. Accordingly, the Board has determined that the number of shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan should be increased so that we may continue our compensation structure and strategy.

 

The total number of shares not reserved and available for issuance under the Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2024, was 482,071 shares. If the 900,000 share increase that is the subject of this Proposal No. 5 is approved by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the total number of shares available for future stock awards under the Incentive Plan will be 1,382,071 shares. We are seeking stockholder approval of the amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan in order to comply with the rules of the Nasdaq.

 

Overview

 

In Proposal No. 5, we are requesting that stockholders approve and adopt the amendment and restatement to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 900,000 shares, or approximately 4% of the issued and outstanding shares. The Incentive Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company on May 29, 2020, and subsequently amended and restated on June 2, 2022. The Incentive Plan is described in more detail below. A copy of the Incentive Plan, as proposed to be amended and restated, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A.

 

Determination to Approve the Increase in Shares Authorized for Issuance under the Incentive Plan

 

In determining to approve the amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee and our Board considered, among other things the following:

 

Anticipated needs for additional shares for purposes of incentive compensation, considering the estimates for the Company’s needs over the next approximately one to two years;

 

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  The relative number of increased shares authorized compared to the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on the date hereof and potential increases in the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and outstanding in the future;
     
  Expected employee participation and eligibility levels projected over this timeline;
     
  Development of our business and employee compensation; and
     
  Impact of possible mergers, acquisitions and divestitures on future participation.

 

Overhang and Burn Rate

 

We believe in effectively managing our equity compensation programs while minimizing stockholder dilution. For this reason, our Board and Compensation Committee considers both the “overhang” and “burn rate” in evaluating the impact of grants under our long-term incentive plans on our stockholders.

 

Overhang

 

Overhang is generally calculated as the sum of all equity awards outstanding plus shares available for future grants under a plan, divided by the sum of (i) common shares outstanding, (i) all equity awards outstanding, and (iii) shares available for future grant under a plan. The following table provides certain information with respect to the Company’s projected overhang as of March 31, 2024 assuming approval of the proposed increase in authorized shares:

 

Share Awards Outstanding   603,777 
Shares Available to Grant following Approval of Increased Authorization   1,382,071 
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (a)   21,145,309 
Overhang (Outstanding plus Available to Grant   8.6%
Overhang (Available to Grant only)   6.1%

 

(a)Shares of Common Stock Outstanding as of March 31, 2024

 

Burn Rate

 

Burn rate is calculated as the number of shares granted divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, and generally demonstrates the dilutive impact of our equity award program. The table below provides a summary of our burn rate for each of the last two years, as well as the burn rate.

 

   2023   2022 
Share Awards Granted   501,691    330,707 
Impact of Fluctuations in Common Stock Price(1)          
Weighted Average Common Stock Outstanding   21,113,516    16,977,306 
Burn Rate   2.4%   1.9%
Average Burn Rate        2.2%

 

(1)Amounts include liability-based awards for which the number of units awarded is not determined until the vesting date. The number of liability-based award units included in this amount are estimated using the fair market value of the Common Stock at the end of each year.

 

The historical burn rate described above may not be indicative of what the actual amounts will be in the future.

 

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The Incentive Plan

 

The purposes of the Incentive Plan are to (i) promote the interests of the Company, its affiliates and its stockholders by using stock-based and cash-based incentives to attract, retain and motivate its management of other persons, including officers, directors, key employees and consultants; (ii) reward such persons’ contributions to the performance of the Company; and (iii) to align their interests with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.

 

Principal Provisions of the Incentive Plan

 

The following summary of the Incentive Plan is not a complete description of the Incentive Plan and is qualified in its entirety by references to the full text of the Incentive Plan, copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A.

 

Term of Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan will terminate 10 years after its effective date, unless terminated earlier by the Board.

 

Shares Subject to Incentive Plan. The total number of shares of Common Stock available for all grants under the Incentive Plan is 482,071 shares, and if the proposed amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan is approved by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the total number of shares of Common Stock available under the Incentive Plan will be 1,382,071 shares.

 

Administration. The Compensation Committee administers the Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee and has the exclusive authority, subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan, to (i) interpret the terms of the Incentive Plan and any award agreement; (ii) select participants; and (iii) establish the terms and conditions of awards.

 

Eligibility. Participants in the Incentive Plan consist of the officers, other key employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a total of 63 officers, directors, employees and consultants eligible to receive awards under the Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, will determine and recommend to the full Board for approval and ratification, the number of shares to be awarded to officers and employees and the specific awards to executive officers, and the time or times when such awards are granted. A “subsidiary” is generally defined as any corporation or entity, other than the Company, in an unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the Company if each of the corporations, or other entities other than the last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain, owns 50% or more of the voting stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. An “affiliated entity” means any corporation or other entity controlled by the Company and designated by the Compensation Committee as such.

 

Limitations. The Incentive Plan provides that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted during any calendar year subject to restricted stock or restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards to any one participant is 1,000,000. In addition, the maximum number of shares that may be issued through stock options (including incentive stock options) or stock appreciation rights during any calendar year to any one participant is 1,000,000. Further, the maximum number of shares that may be issued through awards of performance shares and performance units in any calendar year to any one participant is 1,000,000. The maximum number of shares that may be issued through other stock-based awards in any calendar year to one participant is 250,000. The aggregate maximum amount of any cash-based awards granted in any one calendar year to any one participant is not in excess of $5,000,000.

 

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted to non-employee directors shall be limited to an amount equal to 1,000,000 divided by the Fair Market Value (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan) of a share of Common Stock on the applicable date of grant. In addition, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to insiders (such as the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, non-employee directors or significant stockholders), whether under the Incentive Plan or any other arrangement, may not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

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Terms and Conditions of Options. Each option will be evidenced by an award agreement. The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price of an option at the time it is granted, but that exercise price must equal at least 100% of the fair market value of Common Stock at the time the option is granted. “Fair market value” is generally based on the opening, closing, actual, high, low or average selling price of a share of Common Stock reported on any established stock exchange or national market system including, without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or an average of trading days as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Common Stock is not traded on an established exchange or national market system, the “Fair Market Value” means as applied to a specific date, the price of a share of Common Stock that is based on the opening, closing, actual, high, low or average selling prices of a share of Common Stock reported on any established stock exchange or national market system including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange and the National Market System of the Nasdaq on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or an average of trading days, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise or unless otherwise specified in an award agreement, Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the most recent date on which shares of Common Stock were publicly traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Common Stock is not traded on any established stock exchange or national market system, the Fair Market Value means the price of a share Common Stock as established by the Compensation Committee acting in good faith based on a reasonable valuation method that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

Exercise of Options. An option vests and becomes exercisable according to the terms specified in the award agreement that covers the option. The Compensation Committee may establish performance measures that must be satisfied as a condition to the grant of an option or to the exercisability of all or a portion of an option. Whether and under what circumstances an option may be exercised after the participant’s death, retirement, disability or other termination of employment are specified in the award agreement. The award agreement also specifies the means of payment that will be permitted. Among the forms of payment that may be permitted under the Incentive Plan are cash, surrender of shares the optionee holds, by requesting that the Company withhold shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the option, in cash by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or any combination of the foregoing.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right (“SAR”) gives the participant the right to receive the appreciated value in the Common Stock when the SAR vests and the participant exercises it. The exercised SAR will generally be settled in Common Stock, but the award agreement may permit the participant to choose to receive cash instead. The Compensation Committee may also elect to settle the SAR in cash. A SAR may be a freestanding SAR or a tandem SAR. A freestanding SAR is granted by itself. In contrast, a tandem SAR is granted in tandem with an option award.

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Compensation Committee may grant awards of restricted stock and RSUs under the Incentive Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock, subject to a restricted stock award, the number of share equivalent units subject to an RSU award and the performance measures (if any) and restriction period applicable to a restricted stock award or RSUs will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The award agreement covering a restricted stock award or RSUs will generally provide for: (i) a requirement that participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of restricted stock or RSU; (ii) restrictions based on achievement of specific performance goals; (iii) time-based restrictions on vesting; (iv) holding requirements; and/or (v) sale restrictions. Unless otherwise set forth in an award agreement, the holder of a restricted stock award will generally have all rights as a stockholder of the Company, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends. Participants awarded RSUs may in the discretion of the Compensation Committee receive dividend equivalent units that are subject to terms and conditions set by the Compensation Committee.

 

Performance Shares and Performance Units. The Compensation Committee may grant performance shares and performance units under the Incentive Plan. The number of performance shares or performance units subject to such awards will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The agreement relating to an award of performance shares or performance units will generally provide for the vesting of such awards if specified performance measures are met during the specified performance period. The award agreement will also specify whether such awards maybe settled in shares of Common Stock, cash, or a combination of both and may specify whether the holder will be entitled to dividend equivalents at the time of payout of a performance share or performance unit award.

 

Other Stock-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant other equity-based or equity-related awards, including unrestricted shares of Common Stock that upon grant may be fully vested and non-forfeitable.

 

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Cash-Based Incentive Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant cash awards subject to the attainment of specified objective performance goals set forth in an award agreement.

 

Employment or Service Termination. All of the terms relating to the vesting, exercise, cancellation or other disposition of awards granted under the Incentive Plan upon the holder’s termination of employment or separation from service to the Company, whether because of disability, retirement, death, or other termination will generally be determined by the Compensation Committee. The determination will generally be made at the time of grant of the award and will specified in the applicable award agreement.

 

Transferability of Plan Awards. Unless otherwise specified in an award agreement, no award will be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In general, except as provided in the preceding sentence, no award may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process.

 

Amendment, Modification and Termination. The Board may amend the Incentive Plan as it deems advisable, subject to any requirement of stockholder approval required by applicable law, rule, or regulation, including Section 422 of the Code. Stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that would (i) increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Incentive Plan, (ii) effect any change inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code, (iii) extend the term of the Incentive Plan, (iv) reduce the exercise price that would benefit an insider, (v) extend the term of an award granted under the Incentive Plan that would benefit an insider or (vi) remove or exceed insider and non-employee director participation limits imposed under the Incentive Plan. No amendment may impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding award without the consent of the holder. The Board may terminate the Incentive Plan. Termination of the Incentive Plan may not affect the terms or conditions of any award granted prior to termination.

 

Adjustments. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other than a regular cash dividend, the Compensation Committee will appropriately adjust (i) the number and class of securities available for issuance under the Incentive Plan, (ii) the number and class of securities subject to each outstanding award, (iii) the exercise price of each outstanding option or SAR, (iv) the performance goals and the lengths of performance periods, (v) the limitations on the number of securities that may be awarded to any one participant in any calendar year, as set forth above and (vi) the number of shares that may be granted to non-employee directors and insiders.

 

Change in Control. If a change in control, as defined in the Incentive Plan, occurs, the Compensation Committee may, but will not be required to, make adjustments to outstanding awards as it deems appropriate, including electing that each outstanding award will be surrendered to the Company, and that each such award will be cancelled immediately by the Company, with the holder to receive, within a specified period of time from the occurrence of the change in control, a cash payment from the Company. In the event of a change in control, the Compensation Committee may, but will not be required to, substitute for each share of Common Stock available under the Incentive Plan, whether or not then subject to an outstanding award, the number and class of shares into which each outstanding share of Common Stock will be converted pursuant to such change in control. In the event of any such substitution, the purchase price per share in the case of an option and the base price in the case of a SAR will be appropriately adjusted by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may in its discretion accelerate the vesting of any or all awards upon a change in control.

 

Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Participating in the Incentive Plan

 

The following is a general description of the United States federal income tax consequences to participants and the Company relating to options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs and other awards that may be granted under the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code. This discussion only applies to U.S. citizens and/or residents and does not purport to cover all tax consequences relating to options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs and other awards.

 

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Non-qualified Stock Options. A participant generally will not recognize income, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction from income, at the time of grant of a non-qualified stock option. When the option is exercised, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference, if any, between the aggregate exercise price paid and the fair market value, as of the date the option is exercised, of the shares received. The participant’s tax basis in shares acquired upon exercise will equal the exercise price paid plus the amount recognized by the participant as ordinary income. The Company will generally be entitled to a federal income tax deduction (which may be limited by the deductibility limit on compensation in excess of $1,000,000 that is paid in any one year to any “covered employee,” as set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code), in the tax year in which the option is exercised, equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant as described above. If the participant holds shares acquired through exercise of a non-qualified stock option for more than one year after the exercise of the option, the capital gain or loss realized upon the sale of those shares will be a long-term capital gain or loss. The participant’s holding period for shares acquired upon the exercise of an option will begin on the date of exercise.

 

Incentive Stock Options. A participant generally will not recognize income, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction from income, at the time of grant of an incentive stock option. If the option is exercised during employment, or within three months thereafter (or one year in the case of a permanently and totally disabled employee), the participant will generally not recognize any income and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction. However, the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price generally is included in computing the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income.

 

Generally, if the participant disposes of shares acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option within either two years after the date of grant or one year after the date of exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction (which may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code), equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price (limited generally to the gain on the sale). The balance of any gain or loss will be treated as a capital gain or loss to the participant. If shares are disposed of after the two-year and one-year periods described above expire, the Company will not be entitled to any deduction, and the entire gain or loss for the participant will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. A participant generally will not recognize income, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction from income, at the time of grant of a SAR. When the SAR is exercised, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the aggregate grant price and the fair market value, as of the date the SAR is exercised, of Common stock. The participant’s tax basis in shares acquired upon exercise of a stock-settled SAR will equal the amount recognized by the participant as ordinary income. The Company will generally be entitled to a federal income tax deduction (which may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code), in the tax year in which the SAR is exercised, equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant as described above. If the participant holds shares acquired through exercise of a stock-settled SAR for more than one year after the exercise of the SAR, the capital gain or loss realized upon the sale of those shares will be a long-term capital gain or loss. The participant’s holding period for shares acquired upon the exercise of a stock-settled SAR will begin on the date of exercise.

 

Restricted Stock. Except as described below, a participant generally will not recognize income, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction from income, at the time of grant of an award of restricted stock. Instead, the participant will recognize income equal to the fair market value of the shares over the purchase price (if any) only at the time the restrictions lapse.

 

If a participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of a grant of restricted stock, the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time of grant in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the restricted shares on the grant date and the amount, if any, paid for such restricted shares. If the participant makes such an election, he or she will not recognize any further income with respect to such shares solely as a result of a later lapse of the restrictions.

 

If a participant holds the restricted stock as a capital asset after the earlier of either (1) the vesting of such restricted stock or (2) the making of a timely Section 83(b) election with respect to such restricted stock, any subsequent gain or loss will be taxable as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the holding period. For this purpose, the basis in the restricted stock generally will be equal to the sum of the amount (if any) paid for the restricted stock and the amount included in ordinary income as a result of the vesting event or Section 83(b) election, as applicable; provided, however, that, if a participant forfeits restricted stock with respect to which a Section 83(b) election was made prior to vesting, the participant’s capital loss is limited to the amount (if any) paid for such restricted stock.

 

In general, at the time a participant recognizes ordinary income with respect to the restricted stock, the Company will be entitled to a deduction (which may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code) in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

 

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Taxation of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units and Dividend Equivalents. In general, a participant will not incur any tax upon the grant of either RSUs, performance shares or performance units. However, when the restrictions lapse, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value of any shares received. The participant will generally recognize ordinary income on any dividend equivalents at the time of payment. In each of the foregoing cases, the Company will generally have (at the time the participant recognizes income) a corresponding deduction (which may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code).

 

Taxation of Other Stock-Based Awards. Other stock-based awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan. Since the amount, character and timing of income recognized in connection with such awards will vary depending upon the specific terms and conditions of such awards, no information regarding the tax consequences of the receipt of such awards may be provided at this time.

 

Cash Awards. The participant will generally recognize ordinary income on cash awards at the time of payment. The Company will generally have (at the time the participant recognizes income) a corresponding deduction (which may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code).

 

Tax Withholding. The obligations of the Company under the Incentive Plan will be conditioned upon proper arrangements being in place with participants in the Incentive Plan for the payment of withholding tax obligations. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, withholding tax obligations may be settled with shares of Common Stock, including shares that are part of the award that gives rise to the withholding obligation.

 

Compliance with Code Section 409A

 

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 revised the federal income tax law applicable to certain types of awards that may be granted under the Incentive Plan. It is intended that any grants made under the Incentive Plan either be exempt from or in compliance with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company intends to administer the Incentive Plan and any grants made thereunder in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent necessary. Any reference to Section 409A will also include any proposed temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information Table

 

The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2023, relating to our equity compensation plans pursuant to which equity awards are authorized for issuance under the HYMC 2020 Performance and Pay Incentive Plan.

 

   Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights (a)   Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights (b) (1)   Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) 
Approved by security holders(2)   

603,777

   $    482,071 
Not approved by security holders(2)            
Total   

603,777

   $    482,071 

 

(1) Weighted-average exercise price is based solely on securities with an exercise price.
(2) All shares were approved by security holders.

 

New Plan Benefits

 

A new plan benefits table for the Incentive Plan and the benefits or amounts that would have been received by or allocated to participants for the last completed fiscal year under the Incentive Plan if it was then in effect, as described in the SEC proxy rules, are not provided because equity awards made under the Incentive Plan are made at the Compensation Committee’s discretion, subject to the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan. Therefore, the benefits and amounts that will be received or allocated under the Incentive Plan are not determinable at this time.

 

Vote Required for Approval

 

The approval of Proposal No. 5 requires that a majority of the votes cast by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon vote “FOR” Proposal No. 5. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting will have no effect on the vote. Abstentions will have no effect on the vote for this Proposal No. 5. Brokers do not have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares over the amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan to approve the authorization of additional shares of Common Stock. Therefore, the Board urges you to complete your proxy card or voting instruction card and indicate your vote on this Proposal No. 5.

 

Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of an amendment

and restatement of the Incentive Plan to increase the number

of shares authorized for issuance by 900,000.

 

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OTHER MATTERS

 

Submission of Stockholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting

 

For any proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy for submission to the stockholders at its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, it must be submitted in writing and comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and its bylaws. Such proposals must be received by the Company, c/o Corporate Secretary, at its mailing address at PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446 no later than January 23, 2025.

 

In addition, our bylaws provide notice procedures for stockholders to nominate a person as a director and to propose business to be considered by stockholders at a meeting. To be timely, a stockholder’s nomination or proposal must be delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 45 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by us. Our bylaws contain additional provisions regarding the content requirements of any such permitted stockholder business and/or director nomination notices. The notice must include the information required by our bylaws and by Rule 14a-19(b)(2) and Rule 14a-19(b)(3) under the Exchange Act, including a statement that the stockholder intends to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of shares entitled to vote on the election of directors. If any change occurs with respect to such stockholder’s intent to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of such voting power, such stockholder must notify us promptly.

 

Accordingly, for our 2025 Annual Meeting, assuming the meeting is held on or about May 23, 2025, notice of a nomination or proposal must be delivered to us no later than February 22, 2025, and no earlier than January 23, 2025. Nominations and proposals also must satisfy other requirements set forth in our bylaws. The Chairman of the Board may refuse to acknowledge the introduction of any stockholder proposal not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures.

 

Householding Information

 

Unless we have received contrary instructions, we may send a single copy of this proxy statement to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if we believe the stockholders are members of the same family. This process, known as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate information received at any one household and helps to reduce our expenses. However, if stockholders prefer to receive multiple sets of disclosure documents at the same address this year or in future years, the stockholders should follow the instructions described below. Similarly, if an address is shared with another stockholder and together both of the stockholders would like to receive only a single set of our disclosure documents, the stockholders should follow these instructions:

 

  If the shares are registered in the name of the stockholder, the stockholder should contact the Company at PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446, Attn: Investor Relations Department, to inform the Company of his or her request; or
     
  If a bank, broker, or other nominee holds the shares, the stockholder should contact the bank, broker or other nominee directly.

 

Where You Can Find More Information

 

We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We distribute to our stockholders annual reports containing financial statements audited by our independent registered public accounting firm and, upon request, quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited financial information. In addition, the reports and other information are filed through Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (known as “EDGAR”) system and are publicly available on the SEC’s website, located at http://www.sec.gov. We will provide without charge to you, upon written or oral request, a copy of the reports and other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Any requests for copies of information, reports or other filings with the SEC should be directed to Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, PO Box 3030, Winnemucca, Nevada 89446, Attn: Investor Relations Department.

 

By order of the Board of Directors  
   
 
Diane R. Garrett, Ph.D.  
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director  

 

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ANNEX A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

HYMC 2020 PERFORMANCE AND INCENTIVE PAY PLAN

 

1. PURPOSE OF PLAN

 

The Corporation has adopted this Plan to promote the interests of the Corporation, its Affiliated Entities and its stockholders by using stock-based and cash-based incentives to attract, retain and motivate its management and other persons, including officers, Directors, key employees and certain Consultants, to encourage and reward such persons’ contributions to the performance of the Corporation and to align their interests with the interests of the Corporation’s stockholders.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

 

Capitalized terms used in the Plan and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth below: “Affiliated Entity” means any corporation or other entity controlled by the Corporation and designated by the Committee as such.

 

Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category or grant under the Plan, shall include Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Incentive Stock Options, Non-qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Incentive Awards.

 

Award Agreement” means either one of the following, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve: (i) an agreement entered into by the Corporation and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award; or (ii) a written or electronic statement issued by the Corporation to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of an Award. The Committee may provide for the use of non-paper Award Agreement(s) and acceptance and other actions related thereto that involve the use of electronic, internet, intranet or other non-paper means.

 

Board” or “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

Canadian Taxpayer” means (i) a Participant who is a resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act or (ii) a Participant who has exercised employment duties in Canada and whose Award is subject to tax under the Tax Act.

 

Cash-Based Incentive Award” means an Award payable in cash as provided pursuant to Article 12.

 

Cause” shall mean, with respect to any Participant, (i) any material breach of any agreement with the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity, including any restrictive covenant set forth therein, that, if curable, remains uncured for thirty (30) days following written notice from the Corporation; (ii) any act of dishonesty, fraud, theft, embezzlement, fraud or misappropriation of funds with respect to the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity (including acceptance of any bribes or kickbacks or other acts of self-dealing); (iii) the commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) any intentional, grossly negligent or unlawful misconduct or other willful act or omission that causes material harm to the standing, business or reputation of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity; (v) such Participant’s repeated failure to perform his or her duties to, or to comply with lawful directives, rules or policies, of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity; (vi) the violation of any law regarding employment discrimination or sexual harassment; (vii) the unauthorized dissemination of confidential information of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation; (viii) any material misrepresentation or materially misleading omission in any resume or other information regarding such Participant (including such Participant’s work experience, academic credentials, professional affiliations or absence of criminal record) provided by or on behalf of such Participant when applying for employment with the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity; (ix) the Participant’s repeated and consistent underperformance based on formal feedback; (x) the Participant’s insubordination and/or breach of Corporation ethics; or (xi) the Participant’s refusal or failure to perform specific directives of the Board or any officer or employee to whom such Participant reports to the extent that such directives are lawful and consistent with the scope and nature of the Participant’s duties and responsibilities as an employee or contractor of the Corporation. A Participant’s employment or engagement with the Corporation also shall be deemed terminated for Cause if the Participant resigns from the Corporation and the Board or the Committee determines in good faith, either before, at the time of, or after such termination, that one or more of the events described above existed as of the time of such resignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant and the Corporation or the Affiliated Entity have entered into an employment or services agreement that defines the term “Cause” (or a similar term), such definition shall govern for purposes of determining whether such Participant has been terminated for Cause for purposes of the Plan.

 

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Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, each of which shall be determined independently of the others:

 

(i)any Person (as defined herein) becomes a “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of at least 30% of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Corporation. For purposes of this definition, the term “Person” is used as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

(ii)the individuals who are Continuing Directors (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation cease to constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors. For purposes of this definition, “Continuing Directors” shall mean the members of the Board on the Effective Date, provided that any person becoming a member of the Board of Directors subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election was supported by at least a majority of the directors who then comprised the Continuing Directors shall be considered to be a Continuing Director;

 

(iii)the stockholders of the Corporation adopt and consummate a plan of complete or substantial liquidation or an agreement providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation;

 

(iv)the Corporation is a party to a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, plan of arrangement, other form of business combination or a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, with an unaffiliated third party, unless the business of the Corporation following consummation of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, plan of arrangement or other business combination is continued following any such transaction by a resulting entity (which may be, but need not be, the Corporation) and the stockholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction hold, directly or indirectly, at least 30% of the voting power of the resulting entity; provided, however, that a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, plan of arrangement or other business combination effected to implement a recapitalization of the Corporation (or similar transaction) shall not constitute a Change in Control; or

 

(v)there is a change in control of the Corporation of a nature that is reported in response to item 5.01 of Current Report on Form 8-K or any similar item, schedule or form under the Exchange Act, as in effect at the time of the change, whether or not the Corporation, is then subject to such reporting requirements.

 

Change in Control Price” means, if the Change in Control is the result of a tender or exchange offer, merger or other corporate transaction, the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in such tender or exchange offer, merger or other corporate transaction. Otherwise, “Change in Control Price” means the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock upon the Change in Control. To the extent that the consideration paid in any such transaction described above consists all or in part of securities or other non-cash consideration, the value of such securities or other non-cash consideration shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

 

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Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Committee” means the Compensation Committee consisting of two or more members of the Board, each of who shall meet the requirements for (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (ii) an “independent director” under the NYSE American and other applicable listing rules and any other required independence standards.

 

Common Stock” means the Class A common stock of the Corporation.

 

Corporation” means Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

Consultant” means any consultant or advisor if:

 

(a)the consultant or advisor renders bona fide services to the Corporation or any Affiliated Entity for a period of at least 12 months and, in the reasonable opinion of the Corporation, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity;

 

(b)the services rendered by the consultant or advisor are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Corporation’s securities; and

 

(c)the consultant or advisor is a natural person who has contracted directly with the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity to render such services under a written contract.

 

Deferred Payment Date” means, for a Participant, the date after the Period of Restriction to which the Participant has elected to defer payment with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who is not an Employee (including any director who has retired as an Employee).

 

Effective Date” means May 29, 2020.

 

Eligible Person” means any Employee, Director or Consultant of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or of any Affiliated Entity.

 

Employee” means any officer or other employee of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any Affiliated Entity.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exercise Price” means the price at which the shares of Common Stock underlying an Option or SAR may be purchased upon exercise thereof.

 

Expiration Date” means the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

Fair Market Value” means, as applied to a specific date, the price of a share of HYMC Class Common A Stock that is based on the opening, closing, actual, high, low or average selling prices of a share of HYMC Class Common A Stock reported on any established stock exchange or national market system including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange and the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or an average of trading days, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise or unless otherwise specified in an award agreement, Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the closing price of a share of HYMC Class Common A Stock on the most recent date on which shares of HYMC Class Common A Stock were publicly traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the HYMC Class Common A Stock is not traded on any established stock exchange or national market system, the Fair Market Value means the price of a share of HYMC Class Common A Stock as established by the Compensation Committee acting in good faith based on a reasonable valuation method that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

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Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means a Stock Option that qualifies as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

 

Insider” means:

 

(a)the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation, of a Significant Stockholder of the Corporation or of a major Subsidiary of the Corporation;

 

(b)a Director, or a director of a Significant Stockholder of the Corporation or of a major Subsidiary of the Corporation;

 

(c)a person or company responsible for a principal business unit, division or function of the Corporation;

 

(d)a Significant Stockholder of the Corporation;

 

(e)a Significant Stockholder based on post-conversion beneficial ownership of the Corporation’s securities and the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and every director of the Significant Stockholder of the Corporation based on post-conversion beneficial ownership

 

(f)a management company that provides significant management or administrative services to the Corporation or a major Subsidiary of the Corporation, every director of the management company, every Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the management company, and every significant stockholder of the management company;

 

(g)an individual performing functions similar to the functions performed by any of the insiders described in paragraphs (a) to (f); or

 

(h)any other insider that:

 

(i)in the ordinary course receives or has access to information as to material facts or material changes concerning the Corporation before the material facts or material changes are generally disclosed; and

 

  (ii) directly or indirectly exercises, or has the ability to exercise, significant power or influence over the business, operations, capital or development of the Corporation.

 

“Key Employee” means a Participant if the Participant meets the requirements of Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) of the Code (applied in accordance with the Regulations and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) of the Code) at any time during the 12-month period ending on the specified employee identification date (as such term is defined in Section 1.409A-1(i)(3) of the Regulations).

 

Non-qualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Option” or “Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted under Article 8 to an Eligible Person.

 

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Other Stock-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award of a type other than those described in Articles 7 — 10, and which is granted pursuant to Article 11.

 

Participant” means any Eligible Person who has received an Award under the Plan or such Eligible Person’s successor in interest.

 

Performance Period” means the period of time during which performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to an Award.

 

Performance Share” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 10, denominated in shares of Common Stock, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined based on actual results of the corresponding performance criteria.

 

Performance Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 10, denominated in units, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined based on actual results of the corresponding performance criteria.

 

Period of Restriction” means the period when Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units (or other types of Awards as may be applicable) are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or on the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), as provided in the Plan and/or the applicable Award Agreement.

 

Permanent Disability” shall mean that the Participant becomes physically or mentally incapacitated or disabled so that the Participant is unable to perform substantially the same services as the Participant performed prior to incurring such incapacity or disability (the Corporation, at its option and expense, being entitled to retain a physician to confirm the existence of such incapacity or disability, and the determination of such physician to be binding upon the Corporation and the Participant), and such incapacity or disability continues for a period of three consecutive months or any six months in any 12-month period or such other period(s) as may be determined by the Committee with respect to any Award; provided, however, that if the Participant and the Corporation or the Affiliated Entity have entered into an employment or services agreement which defines the term “Permanent Disability” (or a similar term), such definition shall govern for purposes of determining whether such Participant is subject to a Permanent Disability for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of determining the period during which an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 13.2.1 hereof, “Permanent Disability” shall mean “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and (ii) for purposes of an Award subject to Section 409A, “Permanent Disability” shall mean disabled” as set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code.

 

Plan” means this HYMC 2020 Performance and Incentive Pay Plan of the Corporation, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Plan Term” means the period during which the Plan remains in effect (commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Expiration Date).

 

Regulations” means the regulations, as amended from time to time, which are issued under Section 409A of the Code.

 

Reorganization” means any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or other reorganization.

 

Representative” means an executor, administrator, guardian, trustee or other representative of a Participant who has legal authority to exercise such Participant’s Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or rights under other types of Awards on behalf of such Participant or such Participant’s estate.

 

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Restricted Stock” means Common Stock granted under the Plan which is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted under the Plan to receive Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period (except that Canadian Taxpayers may only receive Common Stock), which is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

 

Separation from Service” means separation from service as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Regulations.

 

Significant Stockholder” is a person who, at the time an Award is granted to such person under the Plan, owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or of any Affiliated Entity (after application of the attribution rules set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.424-1(d)).

 

Specified Employee” means any Participant who, as of the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service, is a Key Employee of the Company but only if any stock of the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. If a Participant is a Specified Employee as of the specified employee identification date, the Participant is treated as a Specified Employee for the entire 12-month period beginning on the specified employee effective date (as such term is defined in Section 1.409A-1(i)(4) of the Regulations). The Committee may, in compliance with the Regulations: (a) elect the definition of compensation which shall be used to determine whether a Participant is a Specified Employee, (b) designate the specified employee identification date, (c) designate the specified employee effective date and (d) make such other determinations as may be necessary, advisable or convenient to determine whether any Participant is a Specified Employee. In the absence of any designation by the Committee, the specified employee identification date shall be December 31 and the specified employee effective date shall be the first day of the fourth month following the specified employee identification date.

 

Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right of the type described in Article 9.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary corporation as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

3. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN

 

3.1.Term of Plan; Amendment and Restatement. This Plan became effective as of the Effective Date and all Awards shall be governed by the Plan, as amended from time to time in accordance with Article 18. This Plan shall continue in effect until the Expiration Date, at which time the Plan shall automatically terminate.

 

3.2.Effect on Awards. Awards may be granted during the Plan Term. No Awards may be granted after the Plan Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Award properly granted under the Plan during the Plan Term shall remain in effect after termination of the Plan until such Award has been exercised, terminated or expired, as applicable, in accordance with its terms and the terms of the Plan.

 

3.3.Stockholder Approval. This Plan will be submitted for approval by the Corporation’s stockholders on no later than May 29, 2020.

 

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4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND MAXIMUM AWARDS

 

4.1. Number of Shares Available for Awards.

 

4.1.1. Share Authorization. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance to Participants under the Plan on or after the Effective Date (the “Share Authorization”) shall be 1,382,071 shares, which may be issued entirely through Incentive Stock Options or through a combination of any one or more of the forms of Awards permitted under the Plan. The shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.

 

4.1.2. Shares Available for Future Grant. Shares of Common Stock covered by an Award shall only be counted against the Share Authorization to the extent they are actually issued, provided, that, if any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, an Award expires or otherwise terminates without issuance of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award, or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part) or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award (including on payment in shares of Common Stock on exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right), such shares of Common Stock shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash settlement or non-issuance, be available again for grant under the Plan. In the event that (i) any Option or other Award granted hereunder is exercised through the tendering of shares of Common Stock (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation, or (ii) withholding tax liabilities arising from such Option or other Award are satisfied by the tendering of shares of Common Stock (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation, then in each such case the shares of Common Stock so tendered or withheld shall be added to the shares of Common Stock and available again for grant under the Plan for Awards other than Incentive Stock Options.

 

4.1.3. Limit on Grants to Directors. Subject to Section 4.1.4, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted to Directors under the Plan shall be limited to 376,200.

 

4.1.4. Limit on Grants to Insiders. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issuable to Insiders under the Plan and all other security based compensation arrangements of the Corporation at any time shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to Insiders under the Plan and all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, within a one-year period, shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.

 

4.2. Annual Award Limits. The following limits (“Annual Award Limits”) shall apply to grants of such Awards under the Plan, subject to any adjustments pursuant to Section 4.3 or 18.2.

 

4.2.1. Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be 1,000,000.

 

4.2.2. Options and SARs. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Awards of Options (including ISOs) or SARs granted in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be 1,000,000.

 

4.2.3. Performance Shares and Performance Units. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Awards of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be 1,000,000.

 

4.2.4. Other Stock-Based Awards. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Other Stock-Based Awards granted in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be 1,000,000.

 

4.2.5. Cash-Based Awards. The aggregate maximum amount of any Cash-Based Awards granted in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be five million U.S. dollars ($5,000,000).

 

4.2.6. Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding Section 4.1.3, and subject to Sections 4.2.1 — 4.2.5, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted in any one calendar year to any Director shall be equal to (x) 1,000,000 divided by (y) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

 

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4.3. Adjustments in Authorized Shares. If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased or decreased through a Reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made in: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock included in the Share Authorization in Section 4.1.1 and the share limitation in Sections 4.1.3 and 4.1.4; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under outstanding Awards; and (iii) the Award limits specified in Section 4.2. Subject to Section 18.1, in the event that the shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for different kinds of shares or other securities of the Corporation through transactions of the type referenced above, or in the event of an extraordinary cash dividend, the Committee, in its sole discretion, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan and in order to preserve the intended benefits of the Plan, may substitute or adjust, as applicable, the number and kind of shares or other securities that may be issued under the Plan or under particular forms of Awards, the number and kind of shares or securities subject to outstanding Awards, the Annual Award Limits, and other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards.

 

Subject to Section 18.1 and any applicable regulatory approval, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may also make appropriate adjustments in the terms of any Awards under the Plan to reflect such changes or distributions and to modify any other terms of outstanding Awards, including modifications of performance goals and changes in the length of Performance Periods, in order to preserve the intended benefits of the Plan. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under the Plan. No amendment, modification, suspension or termination may impact the distribution of any Award that is subject to Section 409A, except as permitted by such Section.

 

5. ADMINISTRATION

 

5.1. General. The Committee shall be responsible for administering the Plan, subject to this Article 5 and the other provisions of the Plan. The Committee may retain attorneys, consultants, accountants, or other advisors. The Committee, the Corporation, and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of any such advisors. The fees of any such advisors shall be paid by the Corporation. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participants, beneficiaries, the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any Affiliated Entity and all other interested individuals.

 

5.2. Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, exclusive power and discretion: (i) to interpret the terms and the intent of the Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or document ancillary to or entered into in connection with the Plan, and to adopt such rules, regulations, forms, instruments, and guidelines for administering the Plan as the Committee may deem necessary or proper; (ii) to select Participants; (iii) to establish the terms and conditions of all Awards, including the terms and conditions to be set forth in Award Agreements; (iv) to grant Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under other compensation plans or arrangements of the Corporation; and (v) subject to Article 18, to adopt modifications and amendments to the Plan or any Award Agreement, including without limitation, any that are necessary to comply with the laws of the jurisdictions in which the Corporation and/or its Affiliated Entities operate or may operate.

 

5.3. Delegation. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate the Committee’s authority and duties under the Plan to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or to any other committee, in either case to the extent permitted under applicable law, under such conditions and limitations as the Board or the Committee may from time to time establish, except that only the Committee may make any determinations regarding Awards to Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

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5.4. No Liability. No member of the Board or the Committee or any designee thereof will be liable for any action or inaction with respect to the Plan or any Award or any transaction arising under the Plan or any Award, except in circumstances constituting bad faith of such member.

 

6. ELIGIBILITY

 

Only Eligible Persons shall be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan and may be selected from time to time to receive Awards by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

7. RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

7.1. Grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may grant Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Persons, except that a Restricted Stock Award may not be granted to an Eligible Person that is a Canadian Taxpayer.

 

7.2. Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the material terms of the Award, including, without limitation, the Period(s) of Restriction, the number of shares of Restricted Stock or the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, vesting terms (which can include, without limitation, time-based or performance-based terms) and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in its discretion.

 

7.3. Other Restrictions. The Committee may impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, time-based restrictions, and/or restrictions under applicable laws, rules and regulations or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such shares of Common Stock are listed or traded, holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the shares by the Corporation upon vesting of such shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of Restricted Stock or each Restricted Stock Unit, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, and/or time-based restrictions on vesting.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Article 7, and subject in all cases to the requirements of applicable laws, rules and regulations, shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock Award shall become freely transferable by the Participant after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations), and Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock as the Committee, in its sole discretion shall determine, except that Restricted Stock Units shall only be paid in shares of Common Stock to Canadian Taxpayers.

 

7.4. Certificate Retention or Legend. To the extent that a certificate is issued to evidence shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that such certificate shall: (i) be retained by the Corporation until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such shares have been satisfied or lapse; and/or (ii) bear a legend such as the following or as otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion:

 

The sale or transfer of shares of Common Stock represented by this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, is subject to certain restrictions on transfer as set forth in the HYMC 2020 Performance and Incentive Pay Plan, and in the associated Award Agreement. A copy of such Plan and Award Agreement may be obtained from Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation.

 

7.5. Voting Rights. Issued and outstanding shares of Restricted Stock shall at all times possess the same voting rights as all other issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.

 

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7.6. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Except as the Committee determines otherwise with respect to a particular Award and as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, issued and outstanding shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to dividends if, as and when declared by the Board with respect to the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock on the same basis and on the same payment dates as all other issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant dividend equivalents with respect to any Restricted Stock Units. The terms and conditions of such dividend equivalents, including the rate per Restricted Stock Unit, timing of payment and other requirements, shall be established by the Committee in its discretion, subject to the requirements of Article 17 of the Plan; such dividend equivalents may be paid by crediting the Participant’s account with additional Restricted Stock Units, with the number of such additional Restricted Stock Units determined by dividing the amount of the dividend paid on a share of Common Stock by the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock on the date the dividend was paid, multiplied by the number of Restricted Stock Units credited to the Participant’s account; provided, however, that if an Award under the Plan is subject to vesting based upon the achievement of certain performance goals, any dividend and dividend equivalents, if any, with respect to such Award shall be paid only upon and to the extent that the underlying Award vests.

 

7.7. Section 83(b) Election. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned on the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code concerning a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall be required to promptly file a copy of such election with the Corporation.

 

7.8. Deferred Payment Date. A Participant who is a Canadian Taxpayer may elect to set a Deferred Payment Date with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit Award. To do so, such Participant must give the Committee written notice of the Deferred Payment Date not later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Period of Restriction. A Participant shall not be permitted to give or change any such notice after the day which is sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Period of Restriction. Participants who are United States-based taxpayers may not elect to set a Deferred Payment Date.

 

8. STOCK OPTIONS

 

8.1. Grant of Stock Options. The Committee may grant Option Awards and determine whether an Option will be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option, whether to couple an SAR with an Option, the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each Option, the Exercise Price, the number of installments, if any, in which each Option may vest, the expiration date of each Option and all other terms and conditions of each Option. Incentive Stock Option Awards may be granted only to Participants who are Employees.

 

8.2. Stock Option Award Agreements. Each Option Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the material terms of the Award, including, without limitation, terms consistent with the following provisions, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in its discretion:

 

8.2.1. Duration. Each Option and all rights associated therewith, shall expire on such date as the Committee may determine, but in no event later than the ten-year anniversary of the date of grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Significant Stockholder, the date of expiration may in no event be later than the five-year anniversary of the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option held by a Participant will be subject to a limited extension of 10 business days if so provided in the Award Agreement in the event that the expiration date of the Option held by a Participant falls within a trading “blackout” period imposed by the Corporation and applicable to the Participant.

 

8.2.2. Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for each share of Common Stock that is the subject of an Option shall be determined by the Committee as of the date of grant, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 18.2. The exercise price of any Option designated as a Non-qualified Stock Option shall be equal to no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to such Option on the date of grant. The exercise price of any Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option shall be equal to (i) no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to such Option on the date of grant, if granted to a Participant other than a Significant Stockholder; and (ii) no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to such Option on the date of grant, if granted to a Significant Stockholder.

 

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8.2.3. Vesting. Each Option granted under the Plan shall vest and be exercisable in such installments, if any, during the period prior to its expiration date as the Committee shall determine.

 

8.2.4. No Repricing. Except as otherwise permitted as an adjustment pursuant to Section 18.2 or as approved by the Corporation’s stockholders, the Exercise Price of an Option outstanding under the Plan may not be reduced, whether through amendment, exchange, cancellation and re-grant, repurchase or other method.

 

8.3. Exercise of Options.

 

8.3.1. Notice by Participant. Each Participant (or such Participant’s Representative) who desires to exercise an Option shall give advance written notice of such exercise to the Corporation in such form as may be prescribed from time to time by the Committee or the management of the Corporation.

 

8.3.2. Payment of Exercise Price. Except as described in Section 8.3.3, in the discretion of the Committee, the Exercise Price for Stock Options may be payable in the following ways:

 

(a) by cash or by check payable to the Corporation;

 

(b) in shares of Common Stock (which are owned by the Participant free and clear of all liens and other encumbrances and which are not subject to vesting or other restrictions, including those set forth in Article 7) having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price for the shares being purchased;

 

(c) by requesting that the Corporation withhold such number of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon the exercise of the Stock Option as will have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Exercise Price for the shares being acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option;

 

(d) by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant for services rendered;

 

(e) provided that a public market for the Common Stock exists, and to the extent permitted by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other applicable law: (i) through a “same day sale” commitment from the Participant and a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA Dealer”) whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Stock Option and sell a portion of the shares so purchased to pay the Exercise Price (or a larger number of the shares so purchased), and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Corporation (and any excess to the Participant); or (ii) through a “margin” commitment from the Participant and a FINRA Dealer whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Stock Option and to pledge the shares so purchased to the FINRA Dealer in a margin account as security for a loan from the FINRA Dealer in the amount of the purchase price, and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Corporation; or

 

(f) by any combination of the foregoing. If the Exercise Price for a Stock Option is paid in whole or in part in shares of Common Stock, any portion of the Exercise Price representing a fraction of a share must be paid in cash. When full payment of the Exercise Price has been made to the Corporation, the Participant will be considered for all purposes the owner of the shares with respect to which payment has been made, subject to the restrictions set forth in the Plan or in the Award Agreement.

 

8.3.3. Payment of Exercise Price — Canadian Participants. Notwithstanding the terms of Section 8.3.2, with respect to Options held by Participants who are residents of Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or Participants who were granted Options, all or partially, in respect of employment rendered in Canada, the payment of the Exercise Price associated with an Option may only be made in cash or by check payable to the Corporation.

 

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8.3.4. Exercise by Participant’s Spouse. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Option shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant (or, in the case of the incapacity of the Participant, by the Participant’s Representative) regardless of any community property interest therein of the spouse of the Participant, or such spouse’s successors in interest. If the spouse of the Participant shall have acquired a community property interest in such Option, the Participant, or the Participant’s Representative, may exercise the Option on behalf of the spouse of the Participant or such spouse’s successors in interest.

 

8.4. Special Provisions for Incentive Stock Options. In addition to the limitation applicable to Incentive Stock Options in Section 4.2.2, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of shares of Common Stock underlying an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant under the Plan (and any other option plans of the Corporation) that become exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000 (or, if different, the maximum limitation in effect at the time of grant under Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision), the portion of such Incentive Stock Option in excess of $100,000 (or, if different, such maximum limitation) will be treated as a Non-qualified Stock Option. Except in the case of the Participant’s death or Permanent Disability, the portion of any Incentive Stock Option not exercised within three months after termination of employment with the Corporation and its Affiliated Entities will be treated as a Non-qualified Stock Option.

 

9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

9.1. Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights in connection with an Option Award (“Tandem SAR”) or independently of any Option Award (“Freestanding SAR”).

 

9.2. SAR Award Agreement. Each SAR Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the material terms of the Award, including, without limitation, terms consistent with the following provisions, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in its discretion:

 

9.2.1. Duration. Each SAR, and all rights associated therewith, shall expire on such date as the Committee may determine, but in no event later than the ten-year anniversary of the date of grant, subject to a limited extension of 10 business days if so provided in the Award Agreement in the event that the expiration date of an Award held by a Participant falls within a trading “blackout” period imposed by the Corporation and applicable to the Participant.

 

9.2.2. Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for each share of Common Stock that is the subject of a SAR shall be determined by the Committee and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 18.2.

 

9.2.3. Vesting. Unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, each SAR granted under the Plan shall vest and be exercisable in such installments, if any, during the period prior to its expiration date as the Committee shall determine.

 

9.2.4. No Repricing. Except as otherwise permitted as an adjustment pursuant to Section 18.2 or as approved by the Corporation’s stockholders, the Exercise Price of a SAR outstanding under the Plan may not be reduced, whether through amendment, exchange, cancellation and re-grant, repurchase or other method.

 

9.2.5. Exercise of Tandem SAR. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable to the extent, and only to the extent, the associated Option is exercisable and shall be exercisable only for such period as the Committee may determine. Upon exercise of a Tandem SAR, the Participant shall be required to surrender to the Corporation unexercised the Option to which it relates, or any portion thereof.

 

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9.2.6. Exercise of Freestanding SAR. A Freestanding SAR may be exercised in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

9.2.7. Receipt of Shares or Cash Upon Exercise. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Participant shall receive that number of shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole number) having an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Exercise Price per share specified in the applicable Award Agreement, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the SAR, or portion thereof, which is exercised. However, the Committee may elect to settle, or the Award Agreement may permit the Participant to elect to receive (subject to approval by the Committee), any part or all of the Corporation’s obligation arising out of the exercise of the SAR by the payment of cash equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value of that part or all of the shares of Common Stock it would otherwise be obligated to deliver.

 

10. PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS

 

10.1. Grant of Performance Shares and Performance Units. The Committee may grant Performance Shares and/or Performance Units to Eligible Persons.

 

10.2. Performance Share or Performance Unit Award Agreement. Each Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the material terms of the Award, including, without limitation, any performance metrics, vesting provisions and expiration date, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in its discretion.

 

10.3. Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value based on one share of Common Stock on the date of grant. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee shall set performance metrics in its discretion that, depending on the actual performance results, will determine the number and/or value of the Performance Shares and Performance Units that will be paid to the Participant.

 

10.4. Earning of Performance Shares and Performance Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Shares or Performance Units shall be entitled to receive a payout on the value and number of Performance Shares or Performance Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, if such payout is due as determined based on the actual results of the corresponding performance criteria.

 

10.5. Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Payment of earned Performance Shares and Performance Units shall be made as determined by the Committee and as set forth in the applicable Award Agreements. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Shares and Performance Units in the form of shares of Common Stock or in cash (or a combination thereof) equal to their value, if any, at the end of the applicable Performance Period or as soon as practicable thereafter. Shares of Common Stock may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreements.

 

10.6. No Dividends Payable. Awards of Performance Shares or Performance Units shall not be entitled to dividends with respect to the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock, but, in the discretion of the Committee, may be entitled to dividend equivalents earned and payable to the extent, and at the time, of any payout of such Award.

 

11. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS

 

The Committee may grant Other Stock-Based Awards (which may include unrestricted shares of Common Stock) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee determines appropriate, and may include, without limitation, Awards that upon grant are fully vested and non-forfeitable. Such Other Stock-Based Awards may entail the issue or transfer of actual shares of Common Stock or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of Common Stock. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the material terms and conditions of the Award, including, without limitation, any restrictions or vesting provisions and whether such Award is entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in its discretion.

 

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12. CASH-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS

 

12.1. Eligibility. The Committee may grant annual Cash-Based Incentive Awards to Employees in accordance with this Article 12. The terms of each Cash-Based Incentive Award shall be set forth in an Award Agreement.

 

12.2. Annual Awards.

 

12.2.1. Performance Goals. The Committee shall establish objective performance goals for a calendar year Performance Period.

 

12.2.2. Amount of Awards. In conjunction with the establishment of performance goals, the Committee shall adopt an objective formula for determining the respective amount payable under a Cash-Based Incentive Award if and to the extent the performance goals are attained.

 

12.3. Payment of Awards. Cash-Based Incentive Awards will be payable to Participants in cash following written certification by the Committee of attainment of the specified performance goals for the applicable Performance Period, provided, however, that such payments shall be made no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the year of the Performance Period.

 

12.4. Guidelines. The Committee may adopt from time to time written policies for its implementation of this Article 12.

 

13. FORFEITURE AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT

 

13.1. Terms Provided in Award Agreements. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee in connection with particular Awards and set forth in the applicable Award Agreements, the provisions of Sections 13.2 and 13.3 shall apply to outstanding Awards held by a Participant at the time of termination of the Participant’s employment or the termination of a Participant’s service as a Director or Consultant.

 

13.2. Effect of Termination of Employment on Awards — Employees Only.

 

13.2.1. Termination. Subject to Section 13.2.2, and except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Corporation and the Participant, which may be entered into at any time before or after termination of employment of the Participant, in the event of the termination of an Employee Participant’s employment with the Corporation, a Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity, (i) all of such Participant’s unvested Awards shall expire, terminate and be forfeited, and shall be void for all purposes, immediately on the date such Participant’s employment is terminated; and (ii) all of such Participant’s Awards that are vested on or prior to the date such Participant’s employment is terminated shall not expire for the applicable time period set forth below.

 

(a) Death or Permanent Disability. In the event such Participant’s employment with the Corporation, a Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity terminates as a result of death or Permanent Disability, such Participant’s then vested Awards shall not expire until the earlier of (1) the date on which such Awards would have expired in accordance with their terms had such Participant remained employed; and (2) the date that is (A) one hundred eighty (180) days after the Participant’s employment is terminated, if the Award is not an Incentive Stock Option; or (B) twelve (12) months after the Participant’s employment is terminated, if the Award is an Incentive Stock Option.

 

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(b) Termination for Cause. In the event such Participant’s employment with the Corporation, a Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity terminates for Cause, such Participant’s then vested Awards shall expire, terminate and be forfeited upon the date the Participant’s employment is terminated. If such Participant’s employment is suspended pending an investigation of whether such Participant’s employment should be terminated for Cause, all of such Participant’s rights under any Award shall likewise be suspended during the period of such investigation.

 

(c) Other Termination. In the event such Participant’s employment with the Corporation, a Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity terminates for any reason other than as a result of death, Permanent Disability or for Cause, such Participant’s then vested Awards shall not expire until the earlier of (1) the date on which such Awards would have expired in accordance with their terms had such Participant remained employed; and (2) the date that is thirty (30) days after such Participant’s employment is terminated.

 

13.2.2. Alteration of Vesting and Exercise Periods. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 13.2.1, the Committee may in its discretion designate shorter or longer periods to claim or otherwise exercise Awards following a Participant’s termination of employment; provided; however, (i) that in no event shall the term to exercise a Stock Option after termination of employment be extended beyond the original maximum term of such Stock Option; and (ii) that any shorter periods determined by the Committee shall be effective only if provided for in the Award Agreement or if such shorter period is agreed to in writing by the Participant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Awards shall be claimed or exercisable by a Participant following such Participant’s termination of employment only to the extent that installments thereof had become exercisable on or prior to the date of such termination; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its discretion, elect to accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Awards that had not vested on or prior to the date of such termination.

 

13.3. Effect of Termination of Engagement on Awards — Non-Employees Only.

 

13.3.1. Termination. Subject to Section 13.3.2, and except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Corporation and the Participant, which may be entered into at any time before or after termination of the engagement of the Participant, in the event of the termination of the engagement of a Director or Consultant, (i) all of such Participant’s unvested Awards shall expire, terminate and be forfeited, and shall be void for all purposes, immediately on the date such Director’s or Consultant’s engagement is terminated and (ii) all of such Participant’s Awards that are vested on or prior to the date such Participant’s engagement is terminated shall not expire for the applicable time period set forth below.

 

(a) Death or Permanent Disability. In the event such Participant’s engagement with the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity terminates as a result of death or Permanent Disability, such Participant’s then vested Awards shall not expire until the earlier of (1) the date on which such Awards would have expired in accordance with their terms had such Participant remained engaged; and (2) the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Participant’s engagement is terminated.

 

(b) Termination for Cause. In the event such Participant’s engagement with the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity terminates for Cause, such Participant’s then vested Awards shall expire, terminate and be forfeited upon the date the Participant’s engagement is terminated. If such Participant’s engagement is suspended pending an investigation of whether such Participant’s engagement should be terminated for Cause, all of such Participant’s rights under any Award shall likewise be suspended during the period of such investigation.

 

(c) Other Termination. In the event such Participant’s engagement with the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity terminates for any reason other than as a result of death, Permanent Disability or for Cause, such Participant’s then vested Awards shall not expire until the earlier of (1) the date on which such Awards would have expired in accordance with their terms had such Participant remained engaged and (2) the date that is thirty (30) days after such Participant’s engagement is terminated.

 

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13.3.2. Alteration of Vesting and Exercise Periods. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 13.3.1, the Committee may, in its discretion, designate shorter or longer periods to claim or otherwise exercise Awards following a Director or Consultant Participant’s termination of engagement; provided, however, (i) that in no event shall the term to exercise a Stock Option after termination of an engagement be extended beyond the original maximum term of such Stock Option; and (ii) that any shorter periods determined by the Committee shall be effective only if provided for in the Award Agreement or if such shorter period is agreed to in writing by the Participant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Awards shall be claimed or exercisable by a Participant following such Participant’s termination of engagement only to the extent that the installments thereof had become exercisable on or prior to the date of such termination; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its discretion, elect to accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Awards that had not vested on or prior to the date of such termination.

 

14. REORGANIZATIONS

 

14.1. Corporate Transactions Not Involving a Change in Control. If the Corporation shall consummate any Reorganization not involving a Change in Control in which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive in respect of such shares any securities, cash or other consideration (including, without limitation, a different number of shares of Common Stock), each Award outstanding under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4.3.

 

14.2. Corporate Transactions Involving a Change in Control. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control:

 

(a) The Committee shall have the discretion to terminate and cancel, with or without the payment of any consideration, any or all Awards (or portions thereof) that are not vested as of the date of such Change in Control;

 

(b) The Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the vesting of any or all Awards (or portions thereof) that are not vested as of the date of such Change in Control;

 

(c) The Committee shall have the discretion to remove any restrictions and to terminate any repurchase rights existing with respect to any or all Awards (or portions thereof) as of the date of such Change in Control;

 

(d) Outstanding Awards shall be subject to any agreement of sale, Reorganization or other corporate transaction that effects such Change in Control, which agreement shall provide for one or any combination of the following:

 

(i) The continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Corporation, if the Corporation is a surviving corporation;

 

(ii) The assumption of the outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary;

 

(iii) The termination and cancellation, with or without consideration, of any outstanding Award (or portion of any outstanding Award) that is not vested;

 

(iv) The substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of equivalent awards for the outstanding Awards; or

 

(v) Settlement of each share of Common Stock subject to an outstanding Award that is vested for the Change in Control Price (less, to the extent applicable, the per share Exercise Price), or if the per share Exercise Price equals or exceeds the Change in Control Price, the outstanding Award shall terminate and be canceled immediately prior to giving effect to the Change in Control.

 

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(e) In the absence of any agreement of sale, Reorganization or other corporate transaction effecting such Change in Control, each share of Common Stock subject to an outstanding Award that is vested shall be settled for the Change in Control Price less, to the extent applicable, the per share Exercise Price, or, if the per share Exercise Price equals or exceeds the Change in Control Price, the outstanding vested Award shall terminate and be canceled immediately prior to giving effect to the Change in Control, and each unvested Award shall terminate and be canceled immediately prior to giving effect to the Change in Control without the payment of any consideration therefor.

 

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, a Participant’s entitlement, if any, to payment pursuant to this Section 14.2 shall be forfeited on the date that is six (6) months following the Change in Control (i) if, by such date, such Participant has not responded to any notice from the Corporation with respect to such Change in Control and has failed to notify the Corporation of a new address to which notices from the Corporation may be delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement; or (ii) if such Participant fails by such date to provide the Committee with a bank account to which funds can be wired, information necessary for tax withholding or any other information reasonably requested by the Committee.

 

15. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

 

15.1. Transferability. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Awards shall not be transferable either voluntarily or by operation of law other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; no Awards

shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind; and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.

 

15.2. Domestic Relations Orders. Without limiting the generality of Section 15.1, no domestic relations order purporting to authorize a transfer of an Award or any interest in an Award or to grant the power to exercise an Option or SAR to any person other than a Participant (or his or her Representative) shall be recognized as valid or enforceable.

 

16. ARBITRATION

 

The Committee may, as a condition to granting an Award, require that a Participant agree in writing to submit all disputes or claims arising out of or relating to any such Award to binding arbitration in accordance with such terms as the Committee shall prescribe.

 

17. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A

 

17.1. Compliance.

 

17.1.1. General. Any Award that is granted under the Plan shall be designed and administered so that the Award is either exempt from the application of, or compliant with, the requirements of Section 409A.

 

17.1.2. Terms of Award Agreement. To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Award Agreement shall include such terms and conditions as the Committee determines, in its discretion, are necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition on the Participant of an additional tax under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement (unless the Award Agreement provides otherwise with specific reference to this Section): (i) an Award shall not be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out, settled, substituted, adjusted or modified under the Plan in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A on a Participant; and (ii) if an Award Agreement with a Participant who is Specified Employee provides for the deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made before a date that is six (6) months following the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death.

 

17.1.3. No Warranty. Although the Corporation intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A and the Regulations, the Corporation does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A or any other provision of federal, state, local, or non-United States law. Neither the Corporation, its Affiliated Entities nor their respective directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be liable to any Participant (or any other individual claiming a benefit through the Participant) for any tax, interest or penalties the Participant may owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award under the Plan.

 

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17.2. Deferrals. Subject to the requirements of Section 17.1, the Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the lapse or waiver of restrictions with respect to any Award of a type that may be subject to the deferral provisions of Section 409A and the Regulations. If any such deferral election is required or permitted, the Committee shall, prior to requiring or permitting such deferral election, establish written rules and procedures for such payment deferrals that are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and the Regulations including, without limitation, the time when a deferral election can or must be made, the period of the deferral, and the events that would result in payment of the deferred amount.

 

18. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, SUSPENSION, AND TERMINATION

 

18.1. Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination. Subject to Sections 17.1 and 18.3, the Board may, at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan without stockholder approval in whole or in part; provided, however, that, no amendment of the Plan shall be made without stockholder approval if stockholder approval is required by applicable United States or Canadian federal, state, provincial and local laws, rules, regulation, and any governmental or regulatory agency, including the TSX. Furthermore, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination may impact the distribution of any Award that is subject to Section 409A, except as permitted by such Section. For greater certainty, the Corporation shall submit for stockholder approval any amendment of the Plan required to be submitted for stockholder approval by the TSX or that otherwise would:

 

(a)reduce the Exercise Price that would benefit an Insider;

 

(b)extend the term of Awards granted under the Plan that would benefit an Insider;

 

(c)remove or exceed the Insider and Director participation limits imposed by Section 4.1.4 and Sections 4.1.3 and 4.2.6, respectively;

 

(d)increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be granted under the Plan; and

 

(e)amend this Section 18.1.

 

For Subsection 18.1(a) — (c), the votes of securities held directly or indirectly by Insiders benefiting directly or indirectly from the amendment shall be excluded. For Subsection 18.1(d) — (e), the votes of securities held directly or indirectly by Insiders entitled to receive a benefit directly or indirectly under the arrangement shall be excluded unless the arrangement contains the Insider and Director participation limits imposed by Section 4.1.4 and Sections 4.1.3 and 4.2.6, respectively.

 

In addition to the above exclusions, for Subsection 18.1(e), where the amendment will disproportionately benefit one or more Insiders over other participants under the arrangement, the votes of securities held directly or indirectly by those Insiders receiving the disproportionate benefit shall be excluded.

 

18.2. Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. Subject to Section 18.1, the Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.3 hereof) affecting the Corporation (or any of its Affiliated Entities) or the financial statements of the Corporation (or any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Entities) or of changes in applicable laws, rules, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under the Plan. No amendment, modification, suspension or termination may impact the distribution of any Award that is subject to Section 409A, except as permitted by such Section.

 

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18.3. Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no termination, amendment, suspension, or modification of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award.

 

19. WITHHOLDING

 

19.1. Tax Withholding. The Corporation may take such steps as are considered necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes which the Corporation is required to withhold by any law or regulation of any governmental authority whatsoever, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, through (i) the withholding of all or any portion of any payment or (ii) the withholding from the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value not in excess of the tax withholding requirements based on the maximum statutory rates for the Participant for federal, state, provincial and local tax purposes (including the Participant’s share of payroll or similar taxes) in the applicable jurisdiction. The Corporation, in its discretion, may elect to sell such withheld shares of Common Stock on the market for and on behalf of the Participant or to a broker of the Corporation’s choosing and remit all or a portion of the cash proceeds to the applicable tax authorities to satisfy the applicable withholding requirements. The Participant shall remit to the Corporation in cash any and all applicable withholding taxes that exceed the amount available to the Corporation using whole shares.

 

19.2. Share Withholding. In the discretion of the Committee, any Award other than Options or SARs may provide that a Participant who is an Employee may elect, in accordance with any conditions set forth in such Award, to satisfy in full the tax withholding obligation by authorizing the Corporation to withhold from the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value not in excess of the tax withholding requirements based on the maximum statutory rates for the Participant for federal, state, provincial and local tax purposes (including the Participant’s share of payroll or similar taxes) in the applicable jurisdiction (with any remainder to be withheld to be satisfied by the Participant remitting that amount to the Corporation in cash). The Corporation, in its discretion, may sell such withheld shares of Common Stock to a broker of the Corporation’s choosing and remit all or a portion of the cash proceeds to the applicable tax authorities to satisfy the applicable withholding requirements. This election and authorization to withhold shares is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(i)(B) of the Exchange Act and to be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act.

 

19.3. Option or SAR Withholding. Upon the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option or a SAR, the Corporation shall have the right to: (i) require such Participant (or such Participant’s Representative) to pay the Corporation the amount of any taxes which the Corporation may be required to withhold with respect to such exercise; or (ii) deduct from all amounts paid in cash with respect to the exercise of a SAR the amount of any taxes which the Corporation may be required to withhold with respect to such cash amounts. In the discretion of the Committee, any Award may provide that a Participant or such Participant’s Representative may elect to satisfy in full the tax withholding obligations arising from the exercise of an Option or SAR by authorizing the Corporation to withhold from the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan the tax withholding requirements based on the maximum statutory rates for the Participant for federal, state, provincial and local tax purposes (including the Participant’s share of payroll or similar taxes) in the applicable jurisdiction (with any remainder to be withheld to be satisfied by the Participant remitting that amount to the Corporation in cash). The Corporation, in its discretion, may sell such withheld shares of Common Stock to a broker of the Corporation’s choosing and remit all or a portion of the cash proceeds to the applicable tax authorities to satisfy the applicable withholding requirements. No Participant or Participant’s Representative shall have the right to have shares of Common Stock withheld in excess of the tax withholding requirements based on the maximum statutory rates for the Participant for federal, state, provincial and local tax purposes (including the Participant’s share of payroll or similar taxes) in the applicable jurisdiction. Shares of Common Stock used in either of the foregoing ways to satisfy tax withholding obligations will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.

 

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20. SUCCESSORS

 

All obligations of the Corporation under the Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Corporation, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation.

 

21. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

21.1. Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.

 

21.2. Severability. In the event that any provision of the Plan shall for any reason be held illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law, rule or regulation deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to conform to such applicable law, rule or regulation or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

21.3. Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities or other stock exchanges as may be required.

 

21.4. Delivery of Title. The Corporation shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan prior to obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies or national securities or other stock exchanges that the Corporation determines are necessary or advisable; and completion of any registration or other qualification of the shares of Common Stock under any applicable securities, “Blue Sky” or other laws that the Corporation determines to be necessary or advisable.

 

21.5. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Corporation to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Corporation’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, shall relieve the Corporation of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares of Common Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

21.6. Investment Representations. The Committee may require any individual receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan to represent and warrant in writing that the individual is acquiring the shares of Common Stock for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares of Common Stock.

 

21.7. Unfunded Plan. Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation and/or its Affiliated Entities may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative, or any other individual. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or its Affiliated Entities under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity, as the case may be. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general assets of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity, as the case may be and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan.

 

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21.8. No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether such fractional shares of Common Stock or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

21.9. Non-Exclusivity of the Plan. The adoption of the Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or Committee to adopt such other compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable for any Participant.

 

21.10. No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to: (i) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Corporation’s, any Subsidiary’s of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or (ii) limit the right or power of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or an Affiliated Entity to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.

 

21.11. Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Participants or Eligible Persons (whether or not such individuals are similarly situated). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee will be entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements, as to Participants under the Plan and the terms and conditions applicable to Awards made under the Plan.

 

21.12. No Employment or Other Continuing Rights. Nothing contained in the Plan (or in any Award Agreement or in any other agreement or document related to the Plan or to Awards granted hereunder) shall confer upon any Eligible Person or Participant any right to continue in the employ (or other business relationship) of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any Affiliated Entity or constitute any contract or agreement of employment or engagement, or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any Affiliated Entity to reduce such person’s compensation or other benefits or to terminate the employment or engagement of such Eligible Person or Participant, with or without Cause. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement pursuant to the Plan, the Corporation shall have the right to deal with each Participant in the same manner as if the Plan and any such Award Agreement did not exist, including without limitation with respect to all matters related to the hiring, retention, discharge, compensation and conditions of the employment or engagement of the Participant. Any questions as to whether and when there has been a termination of a Participant’s employment or engagement, the reason (if any) for such termination, and/or the consequences thereof under the terms of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee’s determination thereof shall be final and binding.

 

21.13. References to Successor Statutes, Regulations and Rules. Any reference in the Plan to a particular statute, regulation or rule shall also refer to any successor provision of such statute, regulation or rule.

 

21.14. Conflicts. In case of any conflict between the Plan and any Award Agreement, the Plan shall control.

 

21.15. Governing Law. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

 

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