EX-99.13 14 tm225623d1_ex99-13.htm EXHIBIT 99.13

 

Exhibit 99.13

 

 

 

 

 

Notice of Annual General and Special
Meeting of Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management Information Circular

October 22, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

October 22, 2021

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of First Cobalt Corp. (“First Cobalt” or the “Company”), we would like to invite you to attend the annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”):

 

  Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021
  Time: 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time)
  General Public Dial-In: North America Toll Free 1-800-319-4610
    International Toll 1-604-638-5340
  Webcast: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/firstcobalt20211202.html

 

In order to vote and/or ask questions during the Meeting, registered shareholders and duly-appointed proxyholders must pre-register using the link below no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, the pre-registration deadline will be extended to 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), two (2) full business days before any adjourned or postponed Meeting for which the pre-registration is intended.

 

https://services.choruscall.ca/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNu mber= 10016745&linkSecurityString=1307494af7

 

Upon registration at the link above, registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be provided a separate phone number and a unique PIN for registration purposes at the Meeting. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually using the separate phone number and a unique PIN.

 

The enclosed management proxy circular (the “Circular”) contains information about voting instructions, the business of the meeting, the nominated directors, corporate governance practices and how the Company compensates its executives and directors.

 

The Circular also contains information on a proposed name change of the Company to a name to be determined by the board of directors of the Company. The Company believes a name change is desirable to more appropriately reflect the Company’s ambition to become a North American battery materials company with a near-term objective of offering OEM and automaker clients diversified, sustainable and traceable battery materials. In addition, the Circular contains information on the Company’s proposed consolidation of between 10:1 and 18:1 at the discretion of the board of directors of the Company, and information on the Company’s proposed amendments to its existing Amended and Restated LTIP.

 

Due to ongoing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of our communities, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, the Company encourages shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting using the proxy form or the voting instruction form provided to them with the Meeting materials. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually by following the instructions above. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will not be able to vote at the Meeting through the general public dial in and webcast link provided above. Non-registered shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves and not completed the pre-registration steps will be able to attend the Meeting virtually as guests, but guests will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Your participation in the affairs of the Company is important to us. Please take this opportunity to exercise your vote, either virtually at the meeting or by completing and returning your proxy form.

 

We appreciate your support and we will continue to work for your interests.

 

  “Trent Mell”
   
  Trent Mell
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

  TABLE OF CONTENTS  
     
PART 1: VOTING INFORMATION 4
   
  Who can vote? 4
  How to vote? 4
  Revoking Your Proxy 7
     
PART 2: BUSINESS OF THE MEETING 8
   
  1. Receipt of Financial Statements 8
  2. Appointment of Auditor 8
  3. Number of Directors 9
  4. Election of Directors 9
  5. Name Change 14
  6. Consolidation 16
  7. 2021 LTIP 19
     
PART 3: ABOUT FIRST COBALT 25
   
  Corporate Governance Practices 25
  Role of the Board 26
  Committees of the Board 28
     
PART 4: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 32
   
  Report of the Compensation, Governance, and Nominating Committee 32
  Compensation Discussion and Analysis 32
  Summary Compensation 35
  Incentive Plan Awards 37
  Termination and Change of Control Benefits 38
  Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 39
  Other Compensation Matters 39
     
PART 5: DIRECTOR COMPENSATION 39
   
PART 6: OTHER INFORMATION 41
   
  Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers 41
  Interest of Certain Persons or Companies in Matters to be Acted Upon 41
  Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions 41
  Management Contracts 41
  Other Matters 41
  Shareholder Proposals 42
  Additional Information 42
  Approval of Directors 42
     
SCHEDULE 1: BOARD MANDATE 43
   
SCHEDULE 2: AUDIT COMMITTEE MANDATE 45
   
SCHEDULE 3: 2021 LTIP 47
   
SCHEDULE 4: CHANGE OF AUDITOR REPORTING PACKAGE 48

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Annual General and Special Meeting (the “Meeting”) of the shareholders (the “Shareholders”) of FIRST COBALT CORP. (the “Company”) on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), for the following purposes:

 

1.To receive the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020, together with the report of the Auditors thereon;

 

2.To appoint KPMG LLP as the Auditor of the Company for the ensuing year, and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the Auditor;

 

3.To fix the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year at five (5);

 

4.To elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;

 

5.To consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, a special resolution authorizing an amendment to the Company’s articles to change the name of the Company to a name to be determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”)in its sole discretion (the “Name Change”) and as more particularly described in the accompanying management information circular of the Company dated October 22, 2021 (the “Circular”); and

 

6.To consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, a special resolution authorizing an amendment to the Company’s articles to complete a consolidation (the “Consolidation”) of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares (the “Common Shares”) on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share for between ten (10) and eighteen (18) pre-Consolidation Common Shares, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion and as more particularly described in the accompanying Circular;

 

7.To consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, an ordinary resolution of disinterested Shareholders to approve the 2021 LTIP, as more particularly described in the accompanying Circular; and

 

8.To transact such further or other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

 

Due to ongoing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of our communities, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, the Company encourages Shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting using the proxy form or the voting instruction form provided to them with the Meeting materials. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually by following the instructions below. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will not be able to vote at the Meeting through the general public dial in and webcast link provided below. Non-registered Shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves and not completed the pre-registration steps will be able to attend the Meeting virtually as guests, but guests will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting. We encourage participants to dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask to join the Meeting.

 

  Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021  
  Time: 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time)  
  General Public Dial-In: North America Toll Free 1-800-319-4610
    International Toll 1-604-638-5340
  Webcast: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/firstcobalt20211202.html

 

1

 

In order to vote and/or ask questions during the Meeting, registered Shareholders and duly-appointed proxyholders must pre-register using the link below no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, the pre-registration deadline will be extended to 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), two (2) full business days before any adjourned or postponed Meeting for which the pre-registration is intended.

 

https://services.choruscall.ca/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNu mber= 10016745&linkSecurityString=1307494af7

 

Upon registration at the link above, registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be provided a separate phone number and a unique PIN for registration purposes at the Meeting. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually using the separate phone number and a unique PIN.

 

With the exception of the Consolidation resolution and Name Change resolution, all resolutions require a simple majority of the votes cast at the Meeting, whether in person or by proxy. A “special resolution” is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by Shareholders (in person or by proxy) in respect of that resolution at the Meeting. The resolution to approve the 2021 LTIP requires a simple majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by disinterested Shareholders. The text of each “special resolution” has been provided in the Circular.

 

The nature of the business to be transacted at the Meeting is described in further detail in the Circular, which forms part of this Notice and provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting.

 

You are entitled to vote at the Meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof if you owned Common Shares of the Company at the close of business on October 8, 2021 (the record date). For information on how you may vote, please refer to Part 1 of this Circular.

 

Toronto, Ontario

October 22, 2021

  By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
  “Trent Mell
 
  Trent Mell
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2

 

MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR

 

This management proxy circular (the “Circular”) is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management (“Management”) of First Cobalt Corp. (the “Company” or “First Cobalt”) for use at the annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders of common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares” and the holders of the Common Shares, the “Shareholders”) to be held on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders and at any adjournment thereof. Unless otherwise noted, information in this Circular is given as at October 22, 2021.

 

Due to ongoing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of our communities, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, the Company encourages Shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting using the proxy form or the voting instruction form provided to them with the Meeting materials. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually by following the instructions below. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will not be able to vote at the Meeting through the general public dial in and webcast link provided below. Non-registered Shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves and not completed the pre-registration steps will be able to attend the Meeting virtually as guests, but guests will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting. We encourage participants to dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask to join the Meeting.

 

  Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021  
  Time: 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time)  
  General Public Dial-In: North America Toll Free 1-800-319-4610
    International Toll 1-604-638-5340
  Webcast: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/firstcobalt20211202.html

 

In order to vote and/or ask questions during the Meeting, registered Shareholders and duly-appointed proxyholders must pre-register using the link below no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, the pre-registration deadline will be extended to 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), two (2) full business days before any adjourned or postponed Meeting for which the pre-registration is intended.

 

https://services.choruscall.ca/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNu mber= 10016745&linkSecurityString=1307494af7

 

Upon registration at the link above, registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be provided a separate phone number and a unique PIN for registration purposes at the Meeting. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually using the separate phone number and a unique PIN.

 

Solicitation of Proxies

 

It is expected that the solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, however, proxies may also be solicited by the officers, directors and employees of the Company by telephone, electronic mail, telecopier or personally. These persons will receive no compensation for such solicitation other than their regular fees or salaries. The cost of soliciting proxies in connection with the Meeting will be borne directly by the Company.

 

3

 

Notice-and-Access

 

The Company is availing itself of the “notice-and-access” provides in section 9.1.1 of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”), in the case of Registered Shareholders (as defined below) and section 2.7.1 of National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“NI 54-101”), in the case of Non-Registered Shareholders (as defined below), which allow the Company to deliver this Circular and other proxy-related materials to Shareholders via certain specified electronic means, provided that the conditions of NI 51-102 and NI 54-101 are met.

 

The Company will deliver this Circular and other proxy-related materials to Shareholders by posting it on its website at https://www.firstcobalt.com/investors/meeting-materials/. These materials will be available on the Company’s website as of November 2, 2021 and will remain on the website for one full year thereafter. The materials will also be available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com as of November 2, 2021. Shareholders may contact the Company’s transfer agent, AST Trust Company (Canada) (“AST Trust”), at 1-888-433-6443 or by email at fulfilment@astfinancial.com to request a paper copy of the Circular and other proxy-related materials. Shareholders with questions on notice-and-access may also contact AST Trust.

 

The Company will not use the procedure known as “stratification” in relation to the use of notice-and-access provisions. Stratification occurs when a reporting issuer using the notice-and-access provisions provides a paper copy of the Circular to certain Shareholders with the notice package.

 

PART 1: VOTING INFORMATION

 

Who can vote?

 

Registered and Non-Registered Shareholders

 

You have the right to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, if you owned Common Shares of the Company as of the close of business (Toronto time) on October 8, 2021 (the “Record Date”). Each Common Share you own entitles you to one vote in person or by proxy at all meetings of the Shareholders. Except as otherwise noted in this Circular, a simple majority of the votes cast at the Meeting, whether in person, by proxy or otherwise, will constitute approval of any matter submitted to a vote.

 

You are a registered Shareholder (a “Registered Shareholder”) if the Common Shares are registered in your name. This means that your name appears in the Shareholders’ register maintained by First Cobalt’s transfer agent, AST Trust. You are a non-registered (or beneficial) Shareholder (a “Non-Registered Shareholder”) if your bank, trust company, securities broker or other financial institution or intermediary (your nominee) holds your Common Shares for you in a nominee account.

 

Common Shares outstanding and principal holders of Common Shares

 

On October 8, 2021, the Company had 534,327,116 Common Shares issued and outstanding.

 

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, as of October 8, 2021, no person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, 10% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.

 

How to vote?

 

You can vote via the internet, fax, mail or email. You may elect to vote by proxy. Voting by proxy means you are giving someone else the authority to vote your shares for you (called your proxyholder).

 

Completing the Proxy Form

 

This package includes a proxy form (for Registered Shareholders) (the “Proxy Form”) that includes the names of First Cobalt officers or directors who are proxyholders. When you vote by proxy, you are giving them the authority to vote your shares for you according to your instructions. If you return your Proxy Form and do not specify how you want to vote your Common Shares, one of these officers or directors will vote your Common Shares in favour of the items listed in the Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders.

 

4

 

You can also appoint someone else to be your proxyholder. Print his or her name in the space provided on the Proxy Form, or by completing another Proxy Form and providing proper instructions to vote your Common Shares. This person does not need to be a Shareholder. Your vote can only be counted if he or she attends the Meeting and votes your Common Shares, or if they are pre-registered to attend the Meeting by conference call using the link provided above. You may pre-register them or provide them the link to pre-register themselves before the deadline.

 

Your proxyholder will vote according to your instructions on these items and on any ballot that may be called for. If you do not specify how you want to vote your Common Shares, your proxyholder can vote as he or she sees fit. If there are changes or new items, your proxyholder has the discretionary authority to vote your Common Shares as he or she sees fit.

 

Returning your Proxy Form

 

To be effective, AST Trust must receive your completed Proxy Form no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

 

If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, we must receive your completed Proxy Form by 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), two (2) full business days before any adjourned or postponed Meeting at which the proxy is to be used. Late proxies may be accepted or rejected by the Chairman of the Meeting at his or her discretion and he or she is under no obligation to accept or reject a late proxy. The Chairman of the Meeting may waive or extend the proxy cut-off without notice.

 

Exercise of discretion

 

With respect to matters specified in the proxy, if no voting instructions are provided, the nominees named in the accompanying Proxy Form will vote Common Shares represented by the proxy FOR the approval of such matter.

 

The nominee named in your Proxy Form will vote or withhold from voting in accordance with your instructions on any ballot that may be called for and if the Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Common Shares will be voted accordingly. The proxy will confer discretionary authority on the nominee with respect to matters identified in the Proxy Form for which a choice is not specified and any other matter that may properly come before the Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, whether or not the matter is routine and whether or not the matter is contested.

 

As of the date of this Circular, Management is not aware of any amendment, variation or other matter that may come before the Meeting. If any amendment, variation or other matter properly comes before the Meeting, the nominee intends to vote in accordance with the nominee’s best judgment.

 

Registered Shareholders

 

Registered Shareholders can vote by proxy or in person in one of the following ways:

 

Voting by proxy

 

Internet

 

Go to www.astvotemyproxy.com and follow the instructions on screen. You will need your control number, which appears below your name and address on the Proxy Form.

 

5

 

Fax and Email

 

Complete both sides of the Proxy Form, sign and date it and fax both sides to First Cobalt’s transfer agent, AST Trust Company (Canada), Attention: Proxy Department, to 416.368.2502 or toll free in Canada and the United States to 1.866.781.3111 or scan and email to proxyvote@astfinancial.com.

 

Mail

 

Complete, sign and date the Proxy Form and return it in the envelope provided, or send it to: AST Trust, Attention: Proxy Department, P.O. Box 721, Agincourt, Ontario, M1S 0A1, Canada.

 

As noted above, due to ongoing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of our communities, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, the Company encourages Shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting using the Proxy Form or the voting instruction form provided to them with the Meeting materials. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually by following the instructions above. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will not be able to vote at the Meeting through the general public dial in and webcast link provided above. Non-registered Shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves and not completed the pre-registration steps will be able to attend the Meeting virtually as guests, but guests will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting.

 

Non-Registered Shareholders

 

The information set forth in this section is of significant importance to many Shareholders, as a substantial number of Shareholders do not hold Common Shares in their own name. Shareholders who hold their Common Shares through their brokers, intermediaries, trustees or other persons, or who otherwise do not hold their Common Shares in their own name should note that only proxies deposited by Registered Shareholders will be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Non-Registered Shareholder by a broker, then those Common Shares will, in all likelihood, not be registered in the Shareholder’s name. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the Shareholder’s broker or an agent of that broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). In the United States, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of Cede & Co. (the registration name for The Depository Trust Company, which acts as nominee for many United States brokerage firms). Common Shares held by brokers (or their agents or nominees) on behalf of a broker’s client can only be voted or withheld at the direction of the Non-Registered Shareholder. Without specific instructions, brokers and their agents and nominees are prohibited from voting shares for the broker’s clients. Therefore, each Non-Registered Shareholder should ensure that voting instructions are communicated to the appropriate person well in advance of the Meeting.

 

Existing regulatory policy requires brokers and other intermediaries to seek voting instructions from Non-Registered Shareholders in advance of Shareholder meetings. The various brokers and other intermediaries have their own mailing procedures and provide their own return instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by Non-Registered Shareholders to ensure that their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. The form of instrument of proxy supplied to a Non-Registered Shareholder by its broker (or the agent of the broker) is substantially similar to the Proxy Form provided directly to Registered Shareholders by the Company. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the Registered Shareholder (i.e., the broker or agent of the broker) how to vote on behalf of the Non-Registered Shareholder. The vast majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”) in Canada. Broadridge typically prepares a machine-readable voting instruction form, provides those forms to Non-Registered Shareholders and asks Non-Registered Shareholders to return the voting instruction forms to Broadridge, or otherwise communicate voting instructions to Broadridge (by way of the internet or telephone, for example). Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Non-Registered Shareholder who receives a voting instruction form cannot use that form to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting. The voting instruction forms must be returned to Broadridge (or instructions respecting the voting of Common Shares must otherwise be communicated to Broadridge) well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted. If you have any questions respecting the voting of Common Shares held through a broker or other intermediary, please contact that broker or other intermediary for assistance.

 

6

 

Non-Registered Shareholders fall into two (2) categories—those who object to their identity being known to the issuers of securities which they own (“OBOs”) and those who do not object to their identity being made known to the issuers of the securities which they own (“NOBOs”). Subject to the provisions of NI 54-101, issuers may request and obtain a list of their NOBOs from intermediaries directly or via their transfer agent and may obtain and use the NOBO list for the distribution of proxy-related materials directly (not via Broadridge) to such NOBOs. The Company will not be sending proxy-related materials directly to NOBOs.

 

The Company’s OBOs can expect to be contacted by Broadridge or their brokers or their broker’s agents as set out above. The Company does not intend to pay for intermediaries to deliver proxy-related materials to OBOs and accordingly, if the OBO’s intermediary does not assume the costs of delivery of those documents in the event that the OBO wishes to receive them, the OBO may not receive the documentation.

 

As noted above, a Non-Registered Shareholder receiving a voting instruction form cannot use that voting instruction form to vote the Common Shares directly at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Although a Non-Registered Shareholder may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting Common Shares registered in the name of his or her broker, a Non-Registered Shareholder may obtain a legal proxy from such broker, or Broadridge as the agent for that broker, to attend the Meeting as a proxyholder for the Registered Shareholder and vote their Common Shares in that capacity. To do this, a Non-Registered Shareholder must enter their own name in the blank space on the voting instruction form indicating that they or their appointee are going to attend and vote at the Meeting and return the voting instruction form to their broker or Broadridge in accordance with the instructions provided well in advance of the Meeting. The Non-Registered Shareholder will also need to complete the pre-registration steps noted above in advance of the 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 deadline to receive a separate phone number and a unique PIN for registration purposes at the Meeting. Non-Registered Shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves and not completed the pre-registration steps will be able to attend the Meeting as guests, but guests will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting.

 

All references to Shareholders in the Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders, Circular and the accompanying Proxy Form are to Registered Shareholders of the Company as set forth on the list of Registered Shareholders of the Company as maintained by the registrar and transfer agent of the Company, AST Trust, unless specifically stated otherwise.

 

Revoking Your Proxy

 

Registered Shareholders can revoke a vote you made by proxy in one of two (2) ways:

 

  1. Complete a new Proxy Form that is dated later than the Proxy Form you want to revoke, and then mailing it to AST Trust, so they receive it by 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021; or

 

2.Send a notice in writing to the registered office of the Company at Suite 2400, Bay- Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2T6 so that it is received by 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 or, if the Meeting is adjourned, the last business day preceding the day of the postponed Meeting.

 

7

 

PART 2: BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

 

The Meeting will be held in order to:

 

1.To receive the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020, together with the report of the Auditors thereon;

 

2.To appoint KPMG LLP as the Auditor of the Company for the ensuing year, and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the Auditor;

 

3.To fix the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year at five (5);

 

4.To elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;

 

5.To consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, a special resolution authorizing an amendment to the Company’s articles to change the name of the Company to a name to be determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in its sole discretion (the “Name Change”) and as more particularly described herein;

 

6.To consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, a special resolution authorizing an amendment to the Company’s articles (the “Articles”) to complete a consolidation (the “Consolidation”) of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share for between ten (10) and eighteen (18) pre-Consolidation Common Shares, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion and as more particularly described herein;

 

7.To consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, an ordinary resolution of disinterested Shareholders to approve the 2021 LTIP, as more particularly described herein; and

 

8.To transact such further or other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

 

1.Receipt of Financial Statements

 

The audited financial statements of the Company for year ended December 31, 2020 together with the report of the Auditors thereon, will be presented to the Shareholders at the Meeting. Copies of the financial statements, the Auditors’ report and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020, have been mailed to all Registered Shareholders and Non-Registered Shareholders who have opted to receive such materials. These documents can also be found on the Company’s website at www.firstcobalt.com and are also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

No formal action will be taken at the Meeting to approve the financial statements. If any Shareholder has questions regarding such financial statements, such questions may be brought forward at the Meeting.

 

2.Appointment of Auditor

 

Management of the Company has recommended to the Board that the Company propose KPMG LLP to the Shareholders for election as the Company’s auditors. KPMG LLP was first appointed Auditors of the Company on December 10, 2020.

 

The Board recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the appointment of KPMG LLP. Accordingly, unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the appointment of KPMG LLP, as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year, until the close of the next annual meeting of Shareholders, at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors.

 

8

 

As required by section 4.11 of NI 51-102, a copy of the Company’s reporting package (which has been filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities and delivered to each of MNP LLP and KPMG LLP) is attached as Schedule 4 and includes:

 

(a)The notice of change of auditors of the Company prepared in respect of MNP LLP resignation as the Auditor of the Company and the Company’s appointment of KPMG LLP as its new Auditor, to hold such position until the close of the next annual meeting of Shareholders of the Company;

 

(b)The response letter of MNP LLP with respect to the notice of change of Auditors of the Company; and

 

(c)The response letter of KPMG LLP with respect to notice of change of Auditors of the Company.

 

3. Number of Directors

 

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to fix the number of directors for the ensuing year at five (5).

 

The Board recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the fixing of the number of directors for the ensuing year at five (5). Accordingly, unless a Shareholder specifies in the accompanying proxy that its Common Shares are to be voted against the resolution, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the fixing of the number of directors for the ensuing year at five (5).

 

4.Election of Directors

 

Nominees for the Board of Directors

 

The Board is currently comprised of five (5) directors, all of whom are being put forth for re-election. As such, in addition to being asked to set the Board at five (5) for the ensuing year, Shareholders will also be asked to elect five directors to serve until the next annual meeting of Shareholders. The term of office for each of the Company’s present directors expires at the conclusion of the Meeting.

 

Management of the Company has nominated each of John Pollesel, Trent Mell, Garett Macdonald, Susan Uthayakumar and C.L. “Butch” Otter, each a current director of the Company, for re-election.

 

The Board recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the election of each of the nominees. Accordingly, unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the election of each of the nominees.

 

The Company expects all of its directors to demonstrate leadership and integrity and to conduct themselves in a manner that reinforces the Company’s corporate values and culture of transparency, teamwork and individual accountability. Above all, the Company expects that all directors will exercise their good judgment in a manner that keeps the interests of Shareholders at the forefront of decisions and deliberations. Each candidate must have a demonstrated track record in several of the skills and experience requirements deemed important for a balanced and effective Board.

 

Director Independence

 

A director is not independent if he has a direct or indirect relationship that the Board believes could reasonably be expected to interfere with his ability to exercise independent judgment. The Board has determined that it is the best interests of the Company to ensure a majority independent Board at all times.

 

9

 

As of the date of this Circular, four of the Company’s five directors are independent and would be considered independent in the event they are duly re-elected to the Board. Trent Mell is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and is therefore not considered independent.

 

Director Profiles

 

The following table sets out the names of the nominees for election as directors, the offices they hold within the Company, their occupations, the length of time they have served as directors of the Company, and the number of securities of the Company which each beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as of the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

Trent Mell, 51

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

 

Director since March 14, 2017

 

Not Independent

Mr. Trent Mell founded First Cobalt in 2017, bringing more than 20 years of international business and operational experience. His mining career includes mine permitting, development and operations with Barrick Gold, Sherritt International, North American Palladium and AuRico Gold. Mr. Mell’s commercial experience includes M&A, joint ventures, offtake contracts and over $2.6B in equity and debt financings. He was also CEO of Falco Resources, owner of the Horne Project which has mineral reserves of over 6M gold equivalent ounces. As President and Head of Mining of PearTree Securities, Mr. Mell created a mining team and led the firm to become the largest provider of flow-through capital in Canada, placing more than $300 million in capital in their first year. Mr. Mell holds an EMBA from the Kellogg School of Management and Schulich School of Business, a LL.M from Osgoode Hall as well as a B.A., B.C.L. and LL.B. from McGill University. 

 

Securities Held Member Principal Occupation
Shares: 4,749,952* Board President and CEO, First Cobalt
Options: 2,573,333 CGN Committee  
Warrants: 250,000    
Deferred Share Units:245,313    
Restricted Share Units: 256,790    
Performance Share Units: 450,000    

 

*1,578,493 shares are held by Cienna Other Directorships Duration
Capital Corp., a company controlled Toronto Hydro-Electric November 2020 – Present
by Trent Mell System Limited  

 

10

 

 

 

John Pollesel, 58

Edmonton, Alberta

Canada

 

Director since May 17, 2017

 

Independent

 

Mr. John Pollesel is currently CEO for Boreal Agrominerals Inc., an agromineral fertilizer company. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Mining at Finning Canada and has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry. Mr. Pollesel previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Base Metals Operations for Vale SA’s North Atlantic Operations, where he was responsible for the largest underground mining and metallurgical operations in Canada and the UK. Prior to this, he was Vice President and General Manager for Vale’s Ontario Operations. Mr. Pollesel also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Compania Minera Antamina in Peru. Mr. Pollesel holds an BA (Hons) in Accounting from the University of Waterloo and MBA from Laurentian University. He is an FCPA and FCMA. 

 

Securities Held Member Principal Occupation
Shares: 450,000 Board (Chair) CEO of Boreal Agrominerals Inc.
Options: 500,000 Audit Committee  
Deferred Share Units: 849,035 CGN Committee (Chair)  
  Technical and Sustainability  
  Committee  
     
  Other Directorships Duration
  Noront Resources Inc. June 2017 – Present
  North American Construction November 2017 – Present
  Group Ltd.  

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

Garett Macdonald, 49

West Lorne, Ontario

Canada

 

Director Since June 4, 2018

 

Independent

 

 

Mr. Garett Macdonald is a professional mining engineer with over 25 years of industry experience in project development and mine operations. Mr. Macdonald served as Vice President of Project Development for JDS Energy and Mining and was responsible for leading the Curraghinalt Feasibility Study for Dalradian Resources, a high grade multi million-ounce gold project in Northern Ireland, acquired by Orion Mine Finance for $537M in 2018. From 2009 to 2013 he served as Vice President of Operations for Rainy River Resources prior to the $310M sale of Rainy River to New Gold Inc. Mr. Macdonald also held roles in mine operations, project engineering and performance improvement with senior Canadian mining firms Suncor Energy, and Placer Dome Inc. Mr. Macdonald is currently the President & CEO of Maritime Resources Corp. and a director of Aurelius Minerals and Gungnir Resources. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Western University’s Ivey Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from Laurentian University in Sudbury.

 

Securities Held Member Principal Occupation
Shares: 106,650 Board President & CEO, Maritime
Options: 750,000 Audit Committee Resources Corp.
Deferred Share Units: 468,214 Technical and Sustainability  
  Committee (Chair)  
     
  Other Directorships Duration
  Gungnir Resources Inc. July 2015 – Present
  Aurelius Minerals Inc. June 2017 – Present
  Maritime Resources Corp. October 2018 – Present

 

 

 

 

C.L. “Butch” Otter, 79

Star, Idaho

USA

 

Director since February 21, 2019

 

Independent

Clement Leroy “Butch” Otter is an American businessman and politician. He held the longest consecutive terms as Governor of Idaho, a position he held from 2007 to 2019. Mr. Otter was also the longest serving Lieutenant Governor of Idaho with 14-year tenure from 1987 to 2001, before being elected to the U.S. Congress from 2001 to 2007. Butch spent 30 years working with J.R. Simplot Company, a privately-owned global food and agribusiness, with interests in seed production, farming, fertilizer manufacturing, frozen-food processing, and food brands and distribution. He worked his way up from a Simplot Caldwell Potato Plant to the position of President of Simplot International, during which he traveled to nearly 80 countries to promote the company. Mr. Otter also served in the military from 1968 to 1973. He was part of the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Armored Cavalry.

 

 

Securities Held Member Principal Occupation
Shares: 21,000 Board Retired Governor
Options: 1,300,000 CGN Committee  
Deferred Share Units: 676,001    
  Other Directorships Duration
  Integra Resources Corp. September 2019 – Present

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

Susan Uthayakumar, 49

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

 

Director since October 1, 2019

 

Independent

 

Ms. Susan Uthayakumar is a business executive with almost 25 years of experience in finance and executive management. She has been with Schneider Electric, an energy technology company, for the past 16 years, has served as President of Schneider Electric Canada and is currently the company’s Global Sustainability Business Division Leader. She began her career as a CA with Deloitte, where she held positions of increasing responsibilities before joining McCain, where she executed global growth strategies and acquisitions across North America, Europe and Asia. Ms. Uthayakumar is a CA and CPA and has an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management as well as a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. She also holds the Board of Directors Certification from the Stanford University.

Securities Held Member Principal Occupation
Shares: 1,212,500 Board Global Sustainability Business
Options: 300,000 Audit Committee (Chair) Division Leader, Schneider Electric
Warrants: 156,250   Canada
Deferred Share Units: 278,266    
  Other Directorships Duration
  Wajax Corporation May 2020 – Present
  Facedrive Inc. April 2021 – Present
  Next Hydrogen Solutions May 2021 – Present
  Inc.  

 

 

The Company does not have an executive committee of its Board.

 

Except as set out herein, no proposed director is being elected under any arrangement or understanding between the proposed director and any other person or company.

 

Corporate Cease Trade Orders

 

To the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that:

 

a)was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order, or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under applicable securities legislation, and which in all “cases was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days (an “Order”), which Order was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of such company; or

 

b)was subject to an Order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of such company.

 

The foregoing information, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by the proposed directors.

 

Bankruptcies, or Penalties or Sanctions

 

Except as disclosed herein, to the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director:

 

a)is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been within 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets;

 

13

 

b)has, within 10 years before the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold his assets;

 

c)has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or

 

d)has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

 

Advance Notice Provision

 

The Company’s by-laws contain advance notice provisions (the “Advance Notice Provision”), which require that advance notice be given to the Company in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board are made by Shareholders other than pursuant to: (i) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act (“CBCA”); or (ii) a Shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the CBCA.

 

Among other things, the Advance Notice Provision fixes a deadline by which holders of Common Shares must submit director nominations to the Company prior to any annual or special meeting of Shareholders and sets forth the minimum information that a Shareholder must include in the notice to the Company for the notice to be in proper written form.

 

The Advance Notice Provision will allow the Company to receive adequate prior notice of director nominations, as well as sufficient information on the nominees. The Company will thus be able to evaluate the proposed nominees’ qualifications and suitability as directors. It will also facilitate an orderly and efficient meeting process.

 

The deadline for receiving proposals was Monday, October 25, 2021. The Company did not receive notice of a nomination in compliance with the Advance Notice Provision, and as such, any nominations other than nominations by or at the direction of the Board or an authorized officer of the Company will be disregarded at the Meeting.

 

5. Name Change

 

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, a special resolution in the form set out below (the “Name Change Resolution”), authorizing an amendment to the Articles to change the name of the Company to a name to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

Required Approvals and Effective Date

 

The ability of the Board to effect the Name Change is subject to the approval of Shareholders at the Meeting and the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”).

 

The Name Change must be passed by a “special resolution” of Shareholders. A “special resolution” is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by Shareholders (in person or by proxy).

 

Assuming approval of the Name Change is obtained from Shareholders and the TSXV, the Board expects to select a name and proceed with the Name Change after the date of the Meeting. The Name Change will take effect on a date to be coordinated with the TSXV and following the filing by the Company of Articles of Amendment and upon the date that a Certificate of Amendment is issued in accordance with the CBCA. The Company will announce by news release the new name, new ticker symbol on the TSXV and the effective date of the Name Change.

 

14

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if the Name Change Resolution is approved by Shareholders at the Meeting, the Board may elect not to proceed with the Name Change, in its sole discretion.

 

Principal Reasons for the Name Change

 

The Company believes a name change is desirable to more appropriately reflect the Company’s ambition to become a North American battery materials company with a near-term objective of offering OEM and automaker clients diversified, sustainable and traceable battery materials.

 

First Cobalt will be undertaking a rebranding of the Company to underscore a broader strategy of developing North America’s only battery materials park. Phase 1 entails an expansion and recommissioning of the Company’s hydrometallurgical refinery located five hours north of Toronto. The Company anticipates the refinery will produce 5,000 tonnes per annum of battery cobalt contained in cobalt sulfate from cobalt hydroxide intermediate product supplied from Glencore and China Molybdenum mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Phase 2 entails the recycling of black mass from spent lithium-ion batteries supplied by various black mass producers (battery shredders) in the U.S. and elsewhere. Phase 3 entails the construction of a nickel sulfate plant, thereby providing all of the necessary components (other than manganese) to attract a precursor manufacturer to establish a facility adjacent to these refining operations.

 

Shareholder Approval Authorizing the Name Change

 

The Board recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Name Change Resolution. To be effective, the Name Change Resolution must be approved by no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of Common Shares present in person, or represented by proxy, at the Meeting. Accordingly, unless a Shareholder specifies in the accompanying proxy that its Common Shares are to be voted against the Name Change Resolution, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the Name Change Resolution.

 

The text of the Name Change Resolution to be submitted to Shareholders at the Meeting is set forth below:

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT:

 

1.the Articles of First Cobalt Corp. (the “Company”) be amended to change the name of the Company to a name to be determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in its sole discretion;

 

2.any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized and directed, acting for, in the name of and on behalf of the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, under the seal of the Company or otherwise and to deliver or to cause to be delivered, all such other deeds, documents, instruments and assurances and to do or cause to be done all such other acts as in the opinion of such director or officer of the Company may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of the foregoing resolutions; and

 

3.notwithstanding that this resolution has been duly passed by the shareholders, the Board is hereby authorized and empowered, if it decides not to proceed with this resolution, to revoke this resolution, in its sole discretion, in whole or in part at any time prior to it being given effect without further notice to, or approval of, the shareholders.”

 

15

 

6. Consolidation

 

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, a special resolution in the form set out below (the “Consolidation Resolution”), authorizing an amendment to the Articles to effect the Consolidation of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share for between ten (10) and eighteen (18) pre-Consolidation Common Shares, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

Required Approvals and Effective Date

 

The ability of the Board to effect the Consolidation is subject to the approval of Shareholders at the Meeting and the acceptance of the TSXV.

 

The Consolidation must be passed by a “special resolution” of Shareholders. A “special resolution” is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by Shareholders (in person or by proxy).

 

The Consolidation will take effect on a date to be coordinated with the TSXV. The Company will announce by news release the effective date of the Consolidation.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if the Consolidation Resolution is approved by Shareholders at the Meeting, the Board may elect not to proceed with the Consolidation, in its sole discretion. The Board will continue to assess market conditions and the interests of the Company and Shareholders before proceeding to effect the Consolidation, if at all.

 

Principal Reasons for Effecting the Consolidation

 

The Board has not concluded if or when it might want to undertake the Consolidation to reduce the number of Common Shares outstanding, but there are three considerations that will likely determine whether to proceed. First, the Company believes an increased Common Share price will allow it to attract certain individual and institutional investors who have minimum share price thresholds for equity investments, which thresholds preclude them from investing in ‘penny stocks’. Second, the Company may pursue a secondary listing on a securities exchange in the United States, which has certain minimum share price requirements. The Company believes that a secondary listing could attract new investors given the strong demand for equity investments in battery materials, recycling and electric vehicle companies in the United States. The third consideration is the timing to affect a Consolidation. Management has studied many consolidations and believes that in order to be successful, they should be preceded by a significant event, milestone or catalyst. As at October 21, 2021, the last trading day prior to the date of this Circular, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSXV was $0.305.

 

With guidance from financial advisors, the Company believes a total Common Share count below 60,000,000 will better position the Company for future investment by North American institutional investors while maintaining appropriate trading liquidity and meeting minimum United States listing thresholds. The current Common Share count arose through a merger with an Australian company, where higher outstanding shares are more common.

 

Principal Effects of the Consolidation

 

On October 21, 2021, the Company had 540,414,476 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Should the Board proceed with the minimum allowable Consolidation on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share for every ten (10) pre-Consolidation Common Shares, the number of post-Consolidation Common Shares issued and outstanding will be approximately 54,041,448 (on a non-diluted basis). Should the Board proceed with the maximum allowable Consolidation on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share for every eighteen (18) pre-Consolidation Common Shares, the number of post-Consolidation Common Shares issued and outstanding will be approximately 30,023,026 (on a non-diluted basis).

 

16

 

The implementation of the Consolidation would not affect the total Shareholders’ equity of the Company or any components of Shareholders’ equity as reflected on the Company’s financial statements except: (i) to change the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares; and (ii) to change the number of outstanding stock options, Common Share purchase warrants, RSUs, DSUs and PSUs of the Company, as well as their relative exercise prices, to reflect the Consolidation.

 

The Consolidation will not materially change any Shareholder’s proportion of votes to total votes; however, if the Consolidation is effected by the Board, the total number of votes that a Shareholder may cast at any future Shareholder meeting of the Company will be reduced.

 

Any fractional Common Share resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

If the Name Change Resolution (as defined above) is approved by Shareholders, the Company may choose to effect the Consolidation concurrently with the Name Change or proceed with the Name Change or Consolidation independent of one another.

 

Risk Factors

 

The effect of the Consolidation upon the market price of the Common Shares cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of share consolidations for corporations similar to the Company is varied. There can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of the Common Shares immediately following the Consolidation will be equal to or greater than the total market capitalization immediately before the Consolidation. Similarly, there can be no assurance that a lower share count will not impact liquidity. In addition, there can be no assurance that the per-Common Share trading price of the Common Shares following the Consolidation will remain higher than the per-Common Share trading price immediately before the Consolidation or equal or exceed the direct arithmetical result of the Consolidation. In addition, a decline in the trading price of the Common Shares after the Consolidation may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of the Consolidation.

 

Furthermore, the Consolidation may lead to an increase in the number of current Shareholders who will hold “odd lots” of Common Shares; that is, a number of Common Shares not evenly divisible into “board lots” (a board lot is either 100, 500 or 1,000 Common Shares, depending on the price of the Common Shares). As a general rule, the cost to Shareholders transferring an odd lot of Common Shares is somewhat higher than the cost of transferring a board lot. As a result, transaction costs associated with transferring Common Shares may be increased for certain Shareholders that hold an odd lot of Common Shares following the Consolidation.

 

There are additional risks and uncertainties related directly to the Company that could affect the value of the Common Shares including the risk factors discussed in management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed on SEDAR under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Effect on Common Share Certificates

 

If the Board elects to effect the Consolidation, in its sole discretion, the Company shall issue a news release announcing the terms, the exchange ratio and the effective date of the Consolidation before the Company files an amendment to the Articles with the authorities that administer the CBCA. The Company will also prepare a letter of transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”).

 

Following an announcement of an effective date of the Consolidation (if any), in order to obtain a certificate or certificates representing the post-Consolidation Common Shares after giving effect to the Consolidation, each Registered Shareholder shall complete and execute the Letter of Transmittal and deliver the same to AST Trust, together with their Common Share certificates representing their pre-Consolidation Common Shares in accordance with the instructions set out in the Letter of Transmittal. The certificates that are surrendered shall be exchanged for new certificates representing the number of post-Consolidation Common Shares to which such Registered Shareholder is entitled as a result of the Consolidation. No delivery of a new certificate to a Registered Shareholder will be made until the Registered Shareholder has surrendered his, her or its existing certificates representing the pre-Consolidation Common Shares. In the event that the Consolidation is not implemented, all Common Share certificates delivered pursuant to a Letter of Transmittal will be returned to the respective Registered Shareholders. In addition, after the exchange of pre-Consolidation Common Share certificates for post-Consolidation Common Share certificates, shareholders will have no further interest with respect to any fractional post-Consolidated Common Shares.

 

17

 

 

PRIOR TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONSOLIDATION (IF ANY), SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY COMMON SHARE CERTIFICATES AND SHOULD NOT DELIVER THEIR COMMON SHARE CERTIFICATES OR THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE COMPANY OR AST TRUST.

 

Only Registered Shareholders are required to complete, sign and submit the appropriate Letter of Transmittal as described above. Non-Registered Shareholders are not required to submit a Letter of Transmittal. The intermediary or clearing agency, through whom the Non-Registered Shareholder holds the pre-Consolidation Common Shares will take the appropriate steps to ensure the holder’s accounts are adjusted to reflect the exchange ratio, as applicable. If you hold your Common Shares with an intermediary and you have questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your intermediary.

 

No Dissent Rights

 

Under the CBCA, shareholders do not have any dissent and appraisal rights with respect to the proposed Consolidation. If the Company implements the Consolidation, the Company will not independently make such rights available to shareholders.

 

Shareholder Approval Authorizing the Consolidation

 

The Board recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Consolidation Resolution. To be effective, the Consolidation Resolution must be approved by no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of Common Shares present in person, or represented by proxy, at the Meeting. Accordingly, unless a Shareholder specifies in the accompanying proxy that its Common Shares are to be voted against the Consolidation Resolution, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the Consolidation Resolution.

 

The text of the Consolidation Resolution to be submitted to Shareholders at the Meeting is set forth below:

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT:

 

1.the Articles of First Cobalt Corp. (the “Company”) be amended to provide that:

 

(a)the authorized share capital of the Company is altered by consolidating all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the “Consolidation”) on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation common share for between ten (10) and eighteen (18) pre-Consolidation common shares, with such final exchange ratio to determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in its sole discretion;

 

(b)any fractional common share arising post-Consolidation of the common shares of the Company will be rounded to the nearest whole common shares;

 

2.any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized and directed, acting for, in the name of and on behalf of the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, under the seal of the Company or otherwise and to deliver or to cause to be delivered, all such other deeds, documents, instruments and assurances and to do or cause to be done all such other acts as in the opinion of such director or officer of the Company may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of the foregoing resolutions; and

 

3.notwithstanding that this resolution has been duly passed by the shareholders, the Board is hereby authorized and empowered, if it decides not to proceed with this resolution, to revoke this resolution, in its sole discretion, in whole or in part at any time prior to it being given effect without further notice to, or approval of, the shareholders.”

 

18

 

 

7. 2021 LTIP

 

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve with or without variation, an ordinary resolution of disinterested Shareholders in the form set out below (the “2021 LTIP Resolution”), to approve an Amended and Restated LTIP (the “2021 LTIP”).

 

The Company’s existing equity Amended and Restated LTIP was last approved by Shareholders on September 25, 2019. The Board approved the 2021 LTIP on October 21, 2021. The 2021 LTIP increases the number of Options, PSUs, RSUs and DSUs from 18,000,000 Options to 25,500,000 Options; from 4,000,000 PSUs to 5,000,000 PSUs; from 2,000,000 RSUs to 4,500,000 RSUs; and from 4,000,000 DSUs to 7,000,000 DSUs, such that the maximum number of Common Shares to be reserved for issuance under the 2021 LTIP be increased from 28,000,000 Common Shares to 42,000,000 Common Shares. This represents approximately 7.9% of the current issued and outstanding Common Shares, with the increase in total Common Shares reserved for issuance driven by the increase in the Company’s employee base as it has grown into a develop stage. The 2021 LTIP also clarifies termination and blackout provisions to better align with the requirements of the TSXV. The TSXV has conditionally approved the 2021 LTIP subject to disinterested Shareholder approval at the Meeting. If, at the Meeting, the Company does not obtain disinterested Shareholder approval of the 2021 LTIP, the Company’s existing Amended and Restated LTIP will continue to remain in place.

 

The purpose of the 2021 LTIP is to align the interests of those directors, employees and consultants designated by the Board as being eligible to participate in the 2021 LTIP with those of the Company and its Shareholders and to assist in attracting, retaining and motivating key employees by making a portion of the incentive compensation of participating employees directly dependent upon the achievement of key strategic, financial and operational objectives that are critical to ongoing growth and increasing the long-term value of the Company. In particular, the 2021 LTIP is designed to allow the Board to grant Awards to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of Shareholder value by: (a) encouraging the attraction and retention of directors, key employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries; (b) encouraging such directors, key employees and consultants to focus on critical long-term objectives; and (c) promoting greater alignment of the interests of such directors, key employees and consultants with the interests of the Company. In 2020, the Company made significant strides executing its strategic plan, resulting in the hiring of personnel at its refinery, at its Idaho project and in its corporate office. Historically, the Company has made use of long-term incentive grants as an alternative to cash bonuses and salary increases as a means of conserving capital, rewarding performance, retaining personnel and aligning behaviour with Shareholder interests.

 

An “Award” means an option (“Option”), performance share unit (“PSU”), restricted share unit (“RSU”) and deferred share unit (“DSU”) granted under the existing Amended and Restated LTIP (or once approved, the 2021 LTIP).

 

The following table summarizes the key provisions of the 2021 LTIP. Defined terms used below not otherwise defined in the Circular shall have the meaning set out in the 2021 LTIP.

 

19

 

 

Eligible Participants For all Awards, any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company who is eligible to receive Awards under the 2021 LTIP.
Types of Awards Options, PSUs, RSUs and DSUs.
Number of Securities Issued and Issuable The aggregate number of Common Shares to be reserved and set aside for issue upon the exercise or redemption and settlement for all Awards granted under the 2021 LTIP, together with all other established security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, shall be not more than 42,000,000 Common Shares. In addition to the foregoing:
    · up to a maximum of 4,500,000 Common Shares may be reserved for issuance upon conversion of RSUs;
    · up to a maximum of 5,000,000 Common Shares may be reserved for issuance upon conversion of PSUs;
    · up to a maximum of 7,000,000 Common Shares may be reserved for issuance upon conversion of DSUs; and
    · up to a maximum of 25,500,000 Commons Shares may be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of Options.
Plan Limits When combined with all of the Company’s other previously established security-based compensation arrangements, including the limitation imposed on the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise or redemption and settlement of DSUs, PSUs, RSUs and Options set out above, the 2021 LTIP shall not result in the grant:
    · to any one person in any 12-month period which could, when exercised, result in the issuance of Common Shares exceeding 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated at the date of grant, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval to the grant;
    · to any one consultant in any 12-month period which could, when exercised, result in the issuance of Common Shares exceeding 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated at the date of grant;
    · of Options in any 12-month period, to persons employed or engaged by the Company to perform Investor Relations Activities which could, when exercised, result in the issuance of Common Shares exceeding, in aggregate, 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated at the date of grant; or
    · of RSUs, PSUs or DSUs to persons employed or engaged by the Company to perform Investor Relations Activities.
Definition of Market Price Market Price” at any date in respect of the Common Shares shall be, the closing trading price of such Common Shares on the TSXV on the last trading day immediately before the date on which the Market Price is determined. In the event that the Common Shares are not then listed and posted for trading on an TSXV, the Market Price shall be the fair market value of such Common Shares as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
Assignability An Award may not be assigned, transferred, charged, pledged or otherwise alienated, other than to a participant’s personal representatives.
Amending Procedures The Board may at any time or from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion and without shareholder approval, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue the 2021 LTIP and may amend the terms and conditions of any Awards granted thereunder, provided that no amendment may materially and adversely affect any Award previously granted to a participant without the consent of the participant. Provided that any amendments made to the 2021 LTIP shall be made in accordance with TSXV requirements. By way of example, amendments that do not require shareholder approval and that are within the authority of the Board include but are not limited to:
    · Amendments of a “housekeeping nature”;
    · Any amendment for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, error or omission in the 2021 LTIP or to correct or supplement any provision of the 2021 LTIP that is inconsistent with any other provision of the 2021 LTIP;
    · An amendment which is necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the shares are listed;
    · Amendments respecting administration and eligibility for participation under the 2021 LTIP;
    · Changes to the terms and conditions on which Awards may be or have been granted pursuant to the 2021 LTIP, including changes to the vesting provisions and terms of any Awards;
    · Any amendment which alters, extends or accelerates the terms of vesting applicable to any Award;
    · Changes to the termination provisions of an Award or the 2021 LTIP which do not entail an extension beyond the original fixed term.

 

20

 

 

  Notwithstanding the foregoing, shareholder approval shall be required for the following amendments (unless such an amendment is prohibited by TSXV requirements in which case such amendment cannot be made):
    · Reducing the exercise price of Options, or cancelling and reissuing any Options so as to in effect reduce the exercise price;
    · Extending (i) the term of an Option beyond its original expiry date, or (ii) the date on which a PSU, RSU or DSU will be forfeited or terminated in accordance with its terms, other than in circumstances involving a blackout period; and
    · Increasing the fixed maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 LTIP;
    · Permitting Awards granted under the 2021 LTIP to be transferable or assignable other than for estate settlement purposes;
    · Amending the definition of “Eligible Person” to permit the introduction or reintroduction of participants on a discretionary basis; and
    · Revising any shareholder approval requirements needed pursuant to the 2021 LTIP.
Financial Assistance The Company will not provide financial assistance to participants under the 2021 LTIP.
Other In the event of a change in control, the Board shall have the right, but not the obligation, to permit each participant to exercise all of the participant’s outstanding Options and to settle all of the participant’s outstanding PSUs, RSUs and DSUs, subject to any required approval of the TSXV and subject to completion of the change in control, and has the discretion to accelerate vesting.
  The 2021 LTIP further provides that if the expiry date or vesting date of Options is during a blackout period, the expiry date or vesting date, as applicable, will be automatically extended for a period of ten trading days following the end of the blackout period, subject to certain requirements of the TSXV as set out in the 2021 LTIP. In the case of PSUs, RSUs and DSUs, any settlement that is effected during a blackout period shall be in the form of a cash payment.

Description of Awards  
A. Stock Options  
Stock Option Terms and Exercise Price The exercise price, vesting, expiry date and other terms and conditions of the Options are determined by the Board. The exercise price shall in no event be lower than the Market Price of the shares at the date of grant, less any allowable discounts.
Term Options shall be for a fixed term and exercisable as determined by the Board, provided that no Option shall have a term exceeding ten years.
Vesting All Options granted pursuant to the 2021 LTIP will be subject to such vesting requirements as may be imposed by the Board, with all Options issued to consultants performing Investor Relations Activities vesting in stages over at least 12 months with no more than 1/4 of the Options vesting in any three-month period.
Exercise of Option The participant may exercise Options by payment of the exercise price per Common Share subject to each Option.

Circumstances Involving Cessation of Entitlement to Participate

Reasons for
Termination
  Vesting   Expiry of Vested Options
Death   Unvested Options automatically vest as of the date of death   Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the date of death
  Disability   Options continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option until the date that is one year following the date of disability   Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the date of disability
  Retirement   Options continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option until the date that is one year following the date of retirement   Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the date of retirement

 

21

 

 

  Resignation   Unvested Options as of the date of resignation automatically terminate and shall be forfeited   Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and three months following the date of resignation
          Options granted to Persons engaged primarily to provide Investor Relations Activities expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and 30 days following the date of resignation
 

Termination without Cause / Constructive Dismissal (No Change in Control)

 

Unvested Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date automatically vest as of the Termination Date

 

Unvested Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option until the date that is one year following the Termination Date
  Options expire on the earlier of scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the Termination Date
  Change in Control   Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date shall vest and become immediately exercisable, subject to any required approvals of the TSXV   Options expire on the scheduled expiry date of the Option
      Options from and after the Original LTIP Date do not vest and become immediately exercisable upon a change in control, unless:    
    ·      the successor fails to continue or assume the obligations under the 2021 LTIP or fails to provide for a substitute Award, or      
           
    ·      if the Option is continued, assumed or substituted, the participant is terminated without cause (or constructively dismissed) within two years following the change in control,     
      subject to any required approvals of the TSXV    
           
  Termination with Cause   Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date that are unvested as of the Termination Date automatically terminate and shall be forfeited   Vested Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date shall expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the option and three months following the Termination Date
      Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date, whether vested or unvested as of the Termination Date, automatically terminate and shall be forfeited   Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date, whether vested or unvested as of the Termination Date, automatically terminate and shall be forfeited

B. Performance Share Units
PSU Terms A PSU is a notional security but, unlike other equity-based incentives, vesting is contingent upon achieving certain performance criteria, thus ensuring greater alignment with the long-term interests of shareholders. The terms applicable to PSUs under the 2021 LTIP (including the performance cycle, performance criteria for vesting and whether dividend equivalents will be credited to a participant’s PSU account) are determined by the Board at the time of the grant.
Vesting PSUs do not vest, and cannot be paid out (settled), until the completion of the performance cycle. For Canadian taxpayers, the performance cycle shall in no case end later than December 31 of the calendar year that is three years after the grant date.

 

22

 

 

Settlement At the grant date, the Board shall stipulate whether the PSUs are paid in cash, shares, or a combination of both, in an amount equal to the Market Value of the notional shares represented by the PSUs in the holders’ account.
   
C. Restricted Share Units
RSU Terms An RSU is a notional security that entitles the recipient to receive cash or shares at the end of a vesting period. The terms applicable to RSUs under the 2021 LTIP (including the vesting schedule and whether dividend equivalents will be credited to a participant’s RSU account) are determined by the Board at the time of the grant.
Credit to RSU Account As dividends are declared, additional RSUs may be credited to RSU holders in an amount equal to the greatest whole number which may be obtained by dividing (i) the value of such dividend or distribution on the record date established therefore by (ii) the Market Price of one share on such record date.
Vesting RSUs vest upon lapse of the applicable restricted period. For employees, vesting generally occurs in three equal instalments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date. For directors, one third of the Award may be immediately vesting, with the balance vesting equally over the first two anniversaries of the grant date.
Settlement At the grant date, the Board shall stipulate whether the RSUs are paid in cash, shares, or a combination of both, in an amount equal to the Market Value of the notional shares represented by the RSUs in the holders’ account.
D. Deferred Share Units
DSU Terms

A DSU is a notional security that entitles the recipient to receive cash or shares upon resignation from the Board (in the case of directors) or at the end of employment. The terms applicable to DSUs under the 2021 LTIP (including whether dividend equivalents will be credited to a participant’s DSU account) are determined by the Board at the time of the grant.

 

Typically, DSUs have been granted (i) as a component of a director’s annual retainer, or (ii) as a component of an officer’s annual incentive grant. The deferral feature strengthens alignment with the long-term interests of shareholders.

Credit to DSU Account As dividends are declared, additional DSUs may be credited to DSU holders in an amount equal to the greatest whole number which may be obtained by dividing (i) the value of such dividend or distribution on the record date established therefore by (ii) the Market Price of one share on such record date.
Vesting DSUs are fully vested upon grant.
Settlement DSUs may only be settled after the date on which the holder ceases to be a director, officer or employee of the Company. At the grant date, the Board shall stipulate whether the DSUs are paid in cash, shares, or a combination of both, in an amount equal to the Market Value of the notional shares represented by the DSUs in the holders’ account.

E. PSUs, RSUs and DSUs  
Circumstances Involving Cessation of Entitlement to Participate Reason for
Termination
Treatment of Awards
Death Outstanding Awards that were vested on or before the date of death shall be settled as of the date of death. Outstanding Awards that were not vested on or before the date of death shall vest immediately and be settled as of the date of death, prorated to reflect (i) in the case of RSUs and DSUs, the actual period between the grant date and date of death, and (ii) in the case of PSUs, the actual period between the commencement of the performance cycle and the date of death, based on the participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the date of death.
    Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Awards shall in all respects terminate as of the date of death.
  Disability In the case of RSUs and DSUs, outstanding Awards as of date of disability shall continue to vest for a period no longer than one year of the date of disability and be settled in accordance with their terms. In the case of PSUs, outstanding PSUs as of date of disability shall vest and be settled in accordance with their terms based on the participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the date of the disability. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Awards shall in all respects terminate as of the date of disability.

 

23

 

 

  Retirement Outstanding Awards that were vested on or before the date of retirement shall be settled as of the date of retirement. Outstanding Awards that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date of retirement shall be settled as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the date of retirement. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Awards shall in all respects terminate as of the date of retirement.
  Resignation Outstanding Awards that were vested on or before the date of resignation shall be settled as of the date of resignation, after which time the Awards shall in all respects terminate.
  Termination without Cause / Constructive Dismissal (No Change in Control) Outstanding Awards that were vested on or before the Termination Date shall be settled as of the Termination Date. Outstanding Awards that would have vested on the next vesting date following the Termination Date (in the case of PSUs, prorated to reflect the actual period between the commencement of the performance cycle and the Termination Date, based on the participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the Termination Date), shall be settled as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the Termination Date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Awards shall in all respects terminate as of the Termination Date.
  Change in Control Awards do not vest and become immediately exercisable upon a change in control, unless:

    ·  the successor fails to continue or assume the obligations under the 2021 LTIP or fails to provide for a substitute Award, or
       
    ·  if the Award is continued, assumed or substituted, the participant is terminated without cause (or constructively dismissed) within two years following the change in control. 
       
  Termination with Cause Outstanding Awards (whether vested or unvested) shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date and be forfeited.

 

Any Common Shares subject to an Award which for any reason expires without having been exercised or is forfeited or terminated shall again be available for future Awards under the 2021 LTIP and any Common Shares subject to an Award that is settled in cash and not Common Shares shall again be available for future Awards under the 2021 LTIP.

 

The above summary is subject to the full text of the 2021 LTIP. The full text of the 2021 LTIP is attached as Schedule 3.

 

The Board has approved the 2021 LTIP. The formal adoption of the 2021 LTIP is subject to disinterested Shareholder approval at the Meeting and final TSXV approval. The Company estimates that a total of 7,211,062 Common Shares held by the Company’s directors, officers, employees and advisors, representing 1.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of the Record Date, will be excluded from voting on the 2021 LTIP Resolution.

 

The Board recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the 2021 LTIP Resolution. Accordingly, unless a disinterested Shareholder specifies in the accompanying proxy that its Common Shares are to be voted against the 2021 LTIP Resolution, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the 2021 LTIP Resolution.

 

The text of the 2021 LTIP Resolution to be submitted to disinterested Shareholders at the Meeting is set forth below:

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION OF DISINTERESTED SHAREHOLDERS THAT:

 

1.the 2021 LTIP (as defined and described in the Company’s management information circular dated October 22, 2021), be and is hereby ratified, confirmed, authorized and approved;

 

2.the form of 2021 LTIP may be amended in order to satisfy the requirements or requests of any regulatory authority or stock exchange without requiring further approval of the shareholders of the Company;

 

24

 

 

3.the Company be and is hereby authorized to grant stock options, performance share units, restricted share units and deferred share units pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 LTIP and the Company be and is authorized to issue and allot common shares of the Company on exercise, redemption or settlement of those stock options, performance share units, restricted share units and deferred share units; and

 

4.any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized and directed, acting for, in the name of and on behalf of the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, under the seal of the Company or otherwise and to deliver or to cause to be delivered, all such other deeds, documents, instruments and assurances and to do or cause to be done all such other acts as in the opinion of such director or officer of the Company may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of the foregoing resolutions.”

 

PART 3: ABOUT FIRST COBALT

 

Corporate Governance Practices

 

First Cobalt believes in the importance of a strong Board and sound corporate governance policies and practices to direct and manage its business affairs. Good corporate governance is essential to retaining the trust of the Shareholders, attracting the right people to the organization and maintaining the Company’s social license in the communities where it works and operates. First Cobalt also believes that good governance enhances its performance.

 

The Company’s governance framework is evolving as the Company continues to grow. First Cobalt’s governance policies also respect the rights of Shareholders and comply with the rules of the Canadian Securities Administrators and the TSXV.

 

The Board has adopted Board and committee mandates as well as other policies and practices. Independent directors are expected to hold in-camera meetings at each quarter-end Board meeting. A copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Conduct”), as well as Board and committee mandates, are posted on First Cobalt’s website at www.firstcobalt.com and can be requested from the Company.

 

The Board has not adopted policies on mandatory retirement or overboarding, on the belief that age or number of Board seats are not, in themselves, determinants of a director’s ability to make an effective contribution to the Company. Overboarding thresholds will be higher, for instance, for directors who are retired from active employment.

 

The following discussion outlines some of First Cobalt’s current corporate governance practices, particularly with respect to the matters addressed by National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Canadian Guidelines”) and National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“NI 58-101”).

 

Code of Conduct

 

First Cobalt is committed to adhering to high standards of corporate governance. The Company’s Code of Conduct reflects its commitment to conduct its business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and the highest ethical standards. The Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Board and applies to every director, officer and employee of the Company. In addition, directors, officers and employees must also comply with corporate policies, including First Cobalt’s Disclosure and Insider Trading Policy.

 

The Code of Conduct requires high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the Company’s business dealings. First Cobalt’s reputation for honesty and integrity is integral to the success of its business and no person associated with the Company will be permitted to achieve results through violations of laws or regulations or through unscrupulous dealings. First Cobalt’s business activities are always expected to be conducted with honesty, integrity and accountability.

 

25

 

 

The Board monitors compliance with the Code of Conduct through its Audit Committee, which oversees the Company’s anonymous whistleblower program. Any incidences of noncompliance would be reviewed by Management and reported to the Audit Committee or the Board.

 

Activities that may give rise to conflicts of interest are prohibited unless specifically approved by the Board or the Audit Committee. To ensure that directors exercise independent judgment, each director must disclose all actual or potential conflicts of interest or material interest and refrain from voting on matters in which such director has a conflict of interest. The director must also excuse himself or herself from any discussion on the matter.

 

Role of the Board

 

The primary responsibility of the Board is to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company. In discharging its fiduciary duties, Board members are expected to use their experience and expertise to guide Management and ensure good governance practices are adhered to. The Board oversees the Company’s systems of corporate governance and financial reporting and controls to ensure that the Company reports adequate and reliable financial and other information to Shareholders and engages in ethical and legal conduct.

 

The Company expects each member of its Board to act honestly and in good faith and to exercise business judgment that is in the best interests of the Company and its stakeholders. The Chairman does not have a second or casting vote in the case of equality of votes in any matter brought before the Board.

 

In addition to possessing the requisite skill and experience required to carry out their functions, directors must demonstrate a track record of honesty, integrity, ethical behaviour, fairness and responsibility and a commitment to representing the long-term interests of First Cobalt’s stakeholders. They must also be able to devote the time required to discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively. New candidates for the Board are identified principally by the CGN Committee. In identifying new candidates for Board nomination, the Company looks for individuals with diverse backgrounds at the executive level. This ensures that best practices and experience across multiple industries can be applied in making strategic decisions for the Company.

 

In addition to the foregoing, each director is expected to:

 

·Develop an understanding of First Cobalt’s strategy, business environment, the market in which the Company operates and its financial position and performance;
   
·Be willing to share expertise and experience with Management and fellow directors, and to use a respectful, collegial approach in challenging the views of others;
   
·Diligently prepare for each Board and committee meeting by reviewing all of the meeting materials in advance of the meeting date;
   
·Actively and constructively participate in each meeting and seek clarification when necessary to fully understand the issues being considered;
   
·Leverage experience and wisdom in making sound strategic and operational business decisions; and
   
·Demonstrate business acumen and a mindset for risk oversight.

 

Mandates

 

A copy of the Board Mandate outlining the role and responsibilities of the Board is included as Schedule 1 to this Circular. In order to delineate their respective roles and responsibilities, written position descriptions for the Chairman of the Board and the CEO have been developed.

 

26

 

 

The responsibilities of the Chairman include providing overall leadership to enhance the effectiveness of the Board; assisting the Board, committees and the individual directors in effectively understanding and discharging their duties and responsibilities; overseeing all aspects of the Board and committee functions to ensure compliance with the Company’s corporate governance practices; acting as an adviser and confidant to the CEO and other executive officers; and ensuring effective communications between the Board and Management. The Chairman is also required to coordinate and preside at all meetings of the Board and Shareholders.

 

The responsibilities of the CEO include (subject to the oversight of the Board) general supervision of the business of the Company; providing leadership and vision to the Company; developing and recommending significant corporate strategies and objectives for approval by the Board; developing and recommending annual operating budgets for approval by the Board; and working with the Board on talent development and succession planning. The CEO communicates regularly with the Board to ensure that directors are being provided with timely and relevant information necessary to discharge their duties and responsibilities.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance shareholder value. A fundamental part of risk management is not only understanding the risks a company faces and what steps Management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the full Board in setting the Company’s business strategy is a key part of its assessment of the Board’s appetite for risk and also a determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for the Company.

 

Board Effectiveness

 

On an annual basis, directors review the Board’s performance and effectiveness as well as the effectiveness and performance of its committees. Effectiveness is subjectively measured by comparing actual corporate results with stated objectives. The contributions of individual directors are informally monitored by other Board members, bearing to mind the particular credentials of the individual and the purpose of originally nominating the individual to the Board.

 

The Board believes its corporate governance practices are appropriate and effective for the Company, given its size and scope of activities. The Company’s corporate governance practices allow the Company to operate efficiently, with checks and balances that control and monitor Management and corporate functions without excessive administration burden.

 

Director Orientation and Education

 

At present, the Company does not provide a formal orientation program for new directors. New directors are briefed by the CEO and other officers on the Company’s current business plan, strategic priorities, property holdings, ongoing exploration programs, short, medium-and long-term corporate objectives, financials status, general business risks and mitigation strategies, and existing Company policies. This is considered to be appropriate, given the Company’s size and current level of operations, the ongoing interaction amongst the directors and the low director turn-over. However, if the growth of the Company’s operations warrants it, it is possible that a formal orientation process would be implemented.

 

Continuing education of Board members is achieved through site visits, regular CEO emails on topics deemed relevant and quarterly Board material. The skills and knowledge of the Board as a whole is such that no formal continuing education process is currently deemed required. The Board is comprised of individuals with varying backgrounds, who have, both collectively and individually, extensive experience in running and managing public companies, particularly in the natural resource sector. Board members are encouraged to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation, with management’s assistance. The directors are advised that, if a director believes that it would be appropriate to attend any continuing education event for corporate directors, the Company will pay for the cost thereof. Board members have full access to the Company’s records. Reference is made to the table under the heading “Election of Directors” for a description of the current principal occupations of the members of the Board.

 

27

 

 

Committees of the Board

 

There are currently three standing committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation, Governance, and Nominating Committee (the “CGN Committee”) and the Technical and Sustainability Committee.

 

Audit Committee

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in its oversight of: the integrity of First Cobalt’s financial reporting process and the quality, transparency and integrity of its financial statements and other related public disclosures; the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relevant to First Cobalt’s financial statements; the external Auditors’ qualifications and independence; and the performance of the internal audit function and the external Auditors.

 

More particularly, the Audit Committee oversees the Company’s practices with respect to preparation and disclosure of financial related information, including through its oversight of the integrity of the quarterly and annual financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis; compliance with accounting and finance-related legal requirements; the audit of the consolidated financial statements; the appointment and performance review of the independent Auditors; the accounting and financial reporting practices and procedures including disclosure controls and procedures; the system of internal controls including internal controls over financial reporting and management of financial business risks that could materially affect First Cobalt.

 

A copy of the Audit Committee’s mandate is included as Schedule 2 to this Circular.

 

All members of the Audit Committee are “financially literate” and “financial experts”, within the meaning of applicable regulations. In considering criteria for determination of financial literacy, the Board assesses the ability to understand financial statements of the Company. In determining accounting or related financial expertise, the Board considers familiarity with accounting issues pertinent to the Company, past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, and any other comparable experience or background which results in the individuals’ financial sophistication.

 

Composition of the Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Ms. Susan Uthayakumar (Chair) and Messrs. John Pollesel and Garett Macdonald. All of the members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and are independent.

 

National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”) provides that a member of an audit committee is “independent” if the member has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company, which could, in the view of the Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of the member’s independent judgment. All members of the Audit Committee are “independent” within the meaning of NI 52-110.

 

Relevant Education and Experience

 

The following sets out the Audit Committee members’ education and experience that is relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as an Audit Committee member.

 

Susan Uthayakumar

 

Ms. Uthayakumar has almost 25 years of experience in finance and executive management. For the past 16 years, she has been with Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation. Ms. Uthayakumar is a CA and CPA and holds an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management as well as a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo.

 

28

 

 

John Pollesel

 

Mr. Pollesel has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry and has held senior management roles with several publicly listed companies. Mr. Pollesel holds an HBA and MBA from the University of Waterloo and Laurentian University, respectively. He is a FCPA and FCMA.

 

Garett Macdonald

 

Mr. Macdonald has over 25 years of experience in the resource sector and currently holds the role of Chief Executive Officer with Maritime Resources Corp. He has held numerous senior management roles and is a director of three other publicly listed junior mining companies. Mr. Macdonald holds an MBA from Western University’s Ivey Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from Laurentian University.

 

Audit Committee Oversight

 

At no time since the commencement of the Company’s most recent completed financial year was a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor not adopted by the Board.

 

Reliance on Certain Exemptions

 

At no time since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year has the Company relied on the exemption in section 2.4 of NI 52-110 (De Minimis Non-audit Services), subsection 6.1.1(4) (Circumstances Affecting the Business or Operations of the Venture Issuer), subsection 6.1.1(5) (Events Outside Control of Member), subsection 6.1.1(6) (Death, Incapacity or Resignation) or an exemption from NI 52-110, in whole or in part, granted under Part 8 of NI 52-110.

 

The Company is relying upon the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110.

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

See Schedule 2 – Audit Committee Mandate for specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services.

 

External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)

 

The aggregate fees billed by the Company’s external Auditors in each of the last two (2) fiscal years for audit fees are as follows:

 

Fees in Canadian dollars     December 31, 2020(5,6)       December 31,
2019(5)
 
Audit fees(1)   $ 100,088     $ 82,219  
Audit-related fees(2)   $ 26,750     $ Nil  
Tax fees(3)   $ Nil     $ Nil  
All other fees(4)   $ 5,350     $ 3,954  
Total   $ 132,188     $ 82,219  

 

Notes:

 

(1)The aggregate fees billed for audit services, including fees relating to the review of quarterly financial statements, statutory audits of the Company’s subsidiaries.
(2)The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not disclosed in the “Audit Fees” row.
(3)The aggregate fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.
(4)Fees billed in relation to valuation services.
(5)For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, none of the Company’s audit-related fees, tax fees or all other fees described in the table above made use of the de minimis exception to pre-approval provisions contained in section 2.4 of NI 52-110.
(6)For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 fees, a total of $90,950 is related to the Company’s current Auditor KPMG LLP and $41,238 is related to the Company’s former Auditor MNP LLP.

 

29

 

 

CGN Committee

 

The CGN Committee has been created to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for developing and recommending corporate governance principles applicable to the Company and overseeing qualified individuals in Board and management positions. The GCN Committee also makes recommendations to the Board concerning executive compensation matters. The CGN Committee is responsible for the review and assessment of the compensation arrangements for the Company’s NEOs (as defined below). The Board (exclusive of the CEO, who is also a member of the Board) approves executive compensation. The CGN Committee rely on their experience and background in the mining and finance sectors, both as senior executives and as members of the boards of directors of other public companies and work with the Management to make executive compensation decisions in the best interests of the Company. In assessing individual executive compensation, the CGN Committee, with input from Management, consider the compensation of the individual’s peers in comparable industries, the individual’s experience, performance and historical compensation and the overall performance of the Company. The CGN Committee meets as required throughout the year in person or by telephone. There are two (2) scheduled meetings each year – one at year-end to determine review compensation, including performance incentive entitlements, and another meeting to review long-term incentive grants for Board and management under the Company’s existing Amended and Restated LTIP. The assessments and determinations made at these two (2) meetings relate to the overall executive compensation package provided to NEOs. The CGN Committee also meets on an ad hoc basis throughout the year to review matters outside of the normal compensation review process.

 

Composition of the CGN Committee

 

The CGN Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Trent Mell, Butch Otter and John Pollesel (Chair). Mr. Otter and Mr. Pollesel are independent.

 

As noted under each member’s “Director Profiles” located above, all members of the CGN Committee have direct experience relevant to their responsibilities with respect to executive compensation. The members of the CGN Committee rely on their individual experiences as current or previous executives/directors of reporting issuers. These experiences and the skills derived therefrom allow the members to appropriately make decisions on the suitability of the Company’s compensation policies and practices.

 

Technical and Sustainability Committee

 

The Technical and Sustainability Committee has been created to assist the Board in ensuring there is appropriate oversight over the engineering, production process, and risk mitigation decisions made in relation to the refinery restart. In addition, this committee ensure the Company is following global best practices in relation to Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) practices and that appropriate analysis, such as Life Cycle Assessments (“LCA”) are performed to ensure the Company advances its assets in a manner that minimizes the overall carbon footprint. This committee ensure major technical decisions are reviewed and assessed against ESG criteria before implemented.

 

Composition of the Technical and Sustainability Committee

 

The Technical and Sustainability Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Garett Macdonald (Chair) and John Pollesel.

 

Environmental and Social Governance

 

The Company’s mission is to be one of the most sustainable producers of battery materials.

 

Cobalt is a key element in fueling the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and for electric battery storage, both of which are essential technologies in the reduction of global carbon emissions.

 

30

 

 

The Company strives to be a leader amongst its peer group in the area of ESG. Cobalt is essential to the global transition to electric mobility and the Company is committed to sustainable production and employing industry leading ESG practices at its refinery.

 

The Company will provide a clean and ethical supply of cobalt for the electric vehicle market from large, commercial mining operations that provide ethically sourced cobalt and the highest quality cobalt hydroxide globally. As a member of the Cobalt Institute, the Company will follow the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (CIRAF), an industry-wide risk management tool that helps cobalt supply chain players identify production and sourcing related risks. The Company also committed to the Responsible Minerals Initiative, which will include a third-party audit of the systems in place to responsibly source minerals in line with current global standards.

 

The Company’s refinery is projected to have a lower quartile carbon intensity cobalt by virtue of hydro powered mining operations supplying its hydro powered refining operation. In October 2020, results were released from an independent LCA which affirmed the low carbon footprint of the Company’s refinery. The report concluded that the environmental impacts associated with refining cobalt at the Company’s refinery will be materially lower than the published impacts of a leading Chinese refiner.

 

The Company takes a proactive, risk-based approach to environmental management and human rights with robust measures intended to minimize the environmental impact of operations and prevent the use of child labor at any level in the supply chain. The Company believes that these and other ESG practices will help it establish a premium brand of cobalt sulfate for the electric vehicle market.

 

Diversity Disclosure

 

Term Limits

 

Directors are to be elected at each annual meeting of Shareholders to hold office for a term expiring at the next annual general meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed, unless he or she resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified in accordance with the CBCA. The CGN Committee will be principally responsible for the nomination of new candidates for election by Shareholders to the Board. The Company has not adopted term limits for members of the Board or other mechanisms for Board renewal. The CGN Committee recognizes the benefit that new perspectives, ideas and business strategies can offer and support periodic Board renewal. The CGN Committee and the Board also recognize that a director’s experience and knowledge of the Company’s business is a valuable resource. Accordingly, the Board believes that the Company and the Shareholders are best served by the regular assessment of the effectiveness of the Board rather than by fixed age, tenure and other limits.

 

Designated Groups

 

The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance in all aspects of the Company’s business and affairs and recognizes the benefits of fostering greater diversity in the boardroom. A fundamental belief of the Board is that a diversity of perspectives maximizes the effectiveness of the Board and decision-making in the best interests of the Company. As noted above, in identifying new candidates for Board nomination, the Company does look for individuals with diverse backgrounds at the executive level. This ensures that best practices and experience across multiple industries can be applied in making strategic decisions for the Company. However, the Company has not adopted a formal written policy related to the identification and nomination of designated groups (as defined in the Employment Equity Act (Canada)) for directors. The Company nonetheless appreciates the value of a diverse Board and management and believes that diversity helps it reach its efficiency and skill objectives for the greater benefit of Shareholders.

 

31

 

 

No specific quota or targets for representation of designated groups on the Board or for executive officer positions has been adopted so as to allow the CGN Committee to perform an overall assessment of the qualities and skills of a potential candidate instead of concentrating on designated groups. When the CGN Committee selects candidates for the Board or for executive officer positions, it considers not only the qualifications, personal qualities, business background and experience of the candidates, it also considers the composition of the group of nominees, including whether the individual is a member of a designated group, to best bring together a selection of candidates allowing the Company to perform efficiently and act in the best interest of the Company and the Shareholders.

 

There is currently one (20%) woman on the Board and one (20%) visible minority on the Board. One of the five (20%) nominees to the Board is a woman and visible minority. Management does not currently have a member of a designated group.

 

PART 4: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Report of the Compensation, Governance, and Nominating Committee

 

The Company is pleased to give you important background information and context to the executive compensation discussion and analysis that follows and the decisions made about executive compensation for the financial year ended December 31, 2020. The Company’s executive compensation philosophy is based on pay for performance and prudent risk management to motivate the senior leadership to execute corporate strategy in a manner that delivers strong results for Shareholders.

 

Our Approach to Compensation

 

The current compensation plan adopts a balanced approach between shorter-term results and longer-term strategic objectives and is designed with the following considerations in mind:

 

·Linking compensation to the Company’s performance;
   
·Emphasizing variable compensation that is contingent upon achievement of key business objectives;
   
·Compensating executives at a level and in a manner that ensures First Cobalt is capable of attracting, motivating and retaining superior talent; and
   
·Aligning the interests of executive officers with the short- and long-term interests of Shareholders.

 

To strengthen the alignment between pay and performance, a percentage of the senior executive officers’ compensation is variable in nature, in the form of cash bonuses and Options, RSUs, PSUs and DSUs pursuant to the Company’s current Amended and Restated LTIP. The current Amended and Restated LTIP (and contemplated 2021 LTIP) provides the Company flexibility in the design of executive compensation programs, including vesting criterion contingent on future performance. The Company is seeking disinterested Shareholder approval for an amendment to the Company’s current Amended and Restated LTIP to increase the number of fixed Options, RSUs, PSUs and DSUs available for issuance. See “2021 LTIP” above.

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

The compensation discussion and analysis describes First Cobalt’s compensation policies and practices for its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and its two (2) other most highly compensated executive officers. These individuals are referred to in this compensation discussion and analysis as the “Named Executive Officers” (“NEOs”).

 

The CGN Committee considers the implications of the risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices and reports such implications to the Board. The Board strives to ensure that the members of the CGN Committee have the skills and experience required to make decisions on whether the Company’s compensation policies and practices are consistent with its risk profile. The CGN Committee believes that the executive compensation structure addresses potential risks by tying a portion of overall compensation to the achievement of certain milestones, including: (i) criteria relating to annual performance, in the case of bonus payments and (ii) vesting periods for Options or other Awards. No risks have been identified arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

32

 

 

The Company’s NEOs and directors are not permitted to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by the NEO or director. For greater certainty, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such financial instruments include prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds.

 

Named Executive Officers

 

During the financial year ended December 31, 2020, First Cobalt’s NEOs were Trent Mell, Ryan Snyder, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Peter Campbell, the Vice-President Business Development of the Company and Frank Santaguida, the Vice-President Exploration of the Company.

 

Objectives of the Executive Compensation Program

 

The Company’s executive compensation practices underpin a number of objectives:

 

·Attract, motivate and retain highly qualified and experienced executives;
   
·Recognize and reward contributions to the success of the Company as measured by the accomplishment of performance objectives;
   
·Ensure that a significant proportion of compensation is directly linked to the success of the Company while not encouraging excessive or inappropriate risk-taking;
   
·Promote adherence to the high standards and values reflected in the Company’s Code of Conduct and Sustainability Charter;
   
·Ensure retention by setting total direct compensation targets at a level that is competitive with the markets in which the Company competes; and
   
·Protect long-term Shareholder interests by ensuring NEOs and other senior executives’ interests are aligned with those of Shareholders.

 

Fundamentally, the Company’s compensation practices are intended to promote value-creation actions for the benefit of Shareholders, and to reward individual and team efforts for meeting short-term and long-term objectives.

 

Executive Compensation Strategy

 

NEOs cannot control a number of significant factors that impact financial results, including commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and regulatory uncertainty. Our compensation program design thus considers factors over which the executive officers can exercise control, such as meeting budget targets established by the Board at the beginning of each year, controlling costs, mitigating risks, taking successful advantage of business opportunities and enhancing the competitive and business prospects of the Company. NEOs will participate in the compensation process and coordinate with the Board in setting target bonuses and objectives. The Board can subsequently exercise discretion in their award of compensation absent attainment of the relevant performance criteria or reduce or increase the size of any award or payout.

 

For the December 31, 2020 fiscal year, the Company had six (6) defined performance objectives, all of which were met. A summary of the targets and the Company’s achievement against such targets is provided below:

 

33

 

 

Objective Achievement
Common Share price appreciation above market peer group The Company’s Common Share price appreciated 164% during the 2020 calendar year, exceeding peer group performance.
Finalize positive feasibility study on the refinery In May 2020, the Company released the results of a positive engineering study (Class 3 AACE study) on the Company’s refinery showing strong project economics and return on capital. This serves as the base engineering deliverable to move forward towards expanding and recommissioning the refinery as a meaningful global cobalt refiner.
Strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and increase treasury Across two (2) private placements, the sale and option of non-core assets to Kuya Silver Corp., the exercise of warrants, and the finalization of a bought-deal equity offering in early 2021, the Company has significantly strengthened its treasury position.
   
  The Company has maintained a cash and cash equivalents balance in excess of $10 million at all times since the completion of its January 2020 equity financing. The Company also secured an additional $10 million in commitments from the Ontario and Canadian governments for its refinery plans.
Complete commercial arrangements for refinery feedstock The Company completed a long-term feed purchase contract with Glencore and an MOU and agreed term sheet on a long-term feedstock arrangement with IXM. This provides the Company with, in its view, the two (2) best sources of cobalt hydroxide feedstock in the world as inputs for the refinery.
Develop internal five-year strategic plan The Company developed an internal strategic plan to surface value from its three assets and is continuing along this defined path. This includes a continued focus on bringing the refinery into production as soon as possible, monetizing the Cobalt Camp and focusing on Iron Creek as its flagship mineral exploration asset.
Zero harm to people and the environment The Company reported zero lost-time incidents and zero environmental incidents during the 2020 calendar year.

 

Elements of Compensation

 

Compensation is comprised of three main components: base salary, annual bonus and stock options and other long-term incentives.

 

a)Base Salary – The primary element of the Company’s compensation program is base salary. The Company’s view is that a competitive base salary is a necessary element for retaining qualified executive officers. The amount payable to an executive officer as base salary is determined primarily by the number of years’ experience, personal performance and by comparisons to the base salaries and total compensation paid to executives of comparable publicly-traded companies within the Canadian mineral exploration sector, specifically those focused on developing battery minerals. For the 2020 calendar year, which includes the most recently completed financial year, the general criteria applied in selecting the comparator group were as follows:

 

a.Industry/Sub-industries: Metals – Battery metals, precious and base metals
   
b.Market Capitalization: $20 million to $280 million

 

c.Stage of Development: Exploration and development

 

34

 

 

Based on those criteria, the following group of companies in 2020 was determined to be an appropriate comparator group:

 

Company Name  Market Cap ($) 
Jervois Global Limited  $270,264,000 
Clean Teq Holdings Limited  $195,538,200 
Sherritt International  $162,887,000 
Neo Lithium Corp.  $254,160,000 
Noront Resources  $77,000,000 
Mason Graphite  $65,389,000 
Avalon Advanced Materials  $38,325,000 
Canada Silver Cobalt Works  $70,132,000 
Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc.  $281,183,000 
Northern Graphite Corporation  $18,557,000 
Graphite One Inc.  $21,123,000 
UEX Corporation  $117,568,000 
Nevada Copper Corp.  $215,798,000 
Troilus Gold Corp.  $142,785,000 
Bonterra Resources  $109,568,000 

 

Based on a review of the peer group noted, the base salaries and total compensation paid to CEO of the Company were below the average range of the peer group and other NEOs were found to generally align with the median range of the peer group.

 

b)Annual Bonus – Along with the establishment of competitive base salaries and long-term incentives, one of the objectives of the executive compensation strategy is to encourage and recognize strong levels of performance by linking achievement of corporate and individual goals and objectives with variable cash compensation in the form of an annual bonus.

 

As noted above, all corporate objectives for the 2020 were successfully achieved. There were no cash bonuses paid by the Company for the 2019 year given financial constraints. With the achievement of all major 2020 objectives and the improved financial condition of the Company, bonuses relating to the 2020 year were paid to the executive team commensurate with performance.

 

c)Stock Options and other long-term incentives – The award of Options is intended to give each Option holder an interest in preserving and maximizing shareholder value in the longer term. In addition, the grant of Awards generally is intended to align the interests of executive officers with those of Shareholders and to enable the Company to attract and retain individuals with experience and ability. Award grants are considered when reviewing executive officer compensation packages as a whole. Options generally have a five-year term, are subject to vesting provisions of up to three years and carry an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Common Shares as at the granting date. DSUs generally vest immediately upon grant but may not be exercised until the director ceases to serve on the Board. PSUs generally vest in two (2) tranches over a 12-month period contingent on achieving strategic corporate objectives. There are 3,138,235 DSUs, 1,575,000 PSUs and 1,096,791 RSUs outstanding as of the date of this Circular. The periodic award of Awards under the Company’s current Amended and Restated LTIP is determined by the Board based on the recommendations of the CGN Committee, is discretionary and takes into account previous Option awards as well as typical market practices of the comparator group of companies.

 

Summary Compensation

 

The following table sets out, for the three most recently completed financial years, the compensation paid to or earned by each of the NEOs.

 

35

 

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

                   Non-Equity         
                   Incentive Plan         
                   Compensation         
               Option-             
           Share-   Based   Annual         
Name and          Based   Awards   Incentive   All Other     
Principal      Salary   Awards   (1)(4)   Plan(5)   Compensation   Total Compensation 
Position  Year   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($) 
Trent Mell(2)   2020    330,435    87,000    74,578    245,000    -    737,013 
CEO   2019    283,977    7,250    71,090    -    -    362,317 
    2018    278,846    59,510    366,700    250,000    -    955,056 
Ryan Snyder(3)   2020    240,059    43,500    37,289    104,000    -    424,848 
CFO   2019    231,088    -    37,416    -    10,000    278,504 
    2018    35,385    -    44,448    -    -    79,833 
Frank Santaguida   2020    154,800    14,500    -    77,000    -    246,300 
VP Exploration   2019    200,856    -    22,450    -    -    223,306 
    2018    192,308    51,594    195,566    100,000    -    539,468 
Peter Campbell   2020    195,237    58,000    37,289    95,000    -    385,526 
VP Business    2019    195,856    5,000    37,416    -    -    238,272 
Development   2018    192,308    51,594    195,566    100,000    -    539,468 

 

Notes:

 

(1)Fair value of incentive stock option grants calculated using the Black-Scholes model.
(2)In 2020, Trent Mell’s salary was increased to $330,000 to align with peer group metrics.
(3)Ryan Snyder was appointed as CFO of the Company on October 22, 2018.
(4)This column includes the grant date fair value of all Options granted by the Company to the NEOs during the indicated year. All grant date fair values equal the accounting fair values determined for financial reporting purposes in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payment and were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes options pricing model has been used to determine grant date fair value due to its wide acceptance across industry as an option valuation model, and because it is the same model the Company uses to value options for financial reporting purposes.
(5)Management bonuses were paid on the basis of achieving certain corporate objectives for the applicable years.

 

Current Senior Leadership Team

 

Trent Mell – Chief Executive Officer

 

On February 15, 2017, Trent Mell entered into an employment agreement with the Company (the “Mell Agreement”), and was subsequently appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on March 2, 2017. Mr. Mell was paid an annual base salary of $330,000 in 2020. He has a target bonus of 50% of base salary and a maximum bonus potential of 100% of base salary, contingent upon achieving corporate objectives to be agreed upon with the Board. Mr. Mell was paid a total bonus of $245,000 relating to 2020.

 

Ryan Snyder – Chief Financial Officer

 

On October 22, 2018, Ryan Snyder entered into an employment agreement with the Company (the “Snyder Agreement”), and was subsequently appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Snyder was paid an annual base salary of $230,000 in 2020. He has a target bonus of 35% of base salary and a maximum bonus potential of 70% of base salary, contingent upon achieving corporate objectives to be agreed upon with the Board. Mr. Snyder was paid a bonus of $104,000 relating to 2020.

 

36

 

 

 

Frank Santaguida – Vice-President, Exploration

 

On March 27, 2017, Frank Santaguida entered into an employment agreement with the Company (the “Santaguida Agreement”), and was subsequently appointed as Vice-President, Exploration of the Company. Mr. Santaguida is paid an annual base salary of $200,000. He has a target bonus of 35% of base salary and a maximum bonus potential of 70% of base salary, contingent upon achieving corporate objectives to be agreed upon with the Board. Mr. Santaguida was paid a bonus of $77,000 relating to 2020.

 

Peter Campbell – Vice-President, Business Development

 

On March 29, 2017, Peter Campbell entered into an employment agreement with the Company (the “Campbell Agreement”), and was subsequently appointed as Vice-President, Business Development of the Company. Mr. Campbell is paid an annual base salary of $200,000. He has a target bonus of 35% of base salary and a maximum bonus potential of 70% of base salary, contingent upon achieving corporate objectives to be agreed upon with the Board. Mr. Campbell was paid a bonus of $95,000 relating to 2020. In November 2020, Mr. Campbell commenced a retirement process and the Company modified his salary and workload to 50% of previous levels.

 

Incentive Plan Awards

 

Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards

 

The following table sets forth all share-based and option-based awards outstanding for the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2020:

 

   Option-Based Awards Share-Based Awards 
                      Market        
   Number of              Number of   Value of   Number     
   Securities          Value of   Share-   Share-   of Share-   Market Value 
   Underlying          Unexercised   Based   Based   Based   of Share- 
   Unexercised   Exercise      in-the-money   Awards -   Awards -   Awards -   Based Awards 
   Options   Price      Options(1)   Unvested   Unvested(2)   Vested   - Vested(2) 
Name  (#)   ($)   Expiry Date  ($)   (#)   ($)   (#)   ($) 
Trent Mell   1,500,000    0.66   Mar. 2, 2022   -    400,000    148,000    245,313    90,766 
    773,333    0.49   Jun. 26, 2023   -    -    -    -    - 
    700,000    0.36   Sep. 27, 2023   7,000    -    -    -    - 
    950,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   218,500    -    -    -    - 
    1,100,000    0.14   Jul. 10, 2025   253,000    -    -    -    - 
Ryan Snyder   400,000    0.27   Oct. 24, 2023   40,000    200,000    74,000    100,000    37,000 
    500,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   115,000    -    -    -    - 
    550,000    0.14   Jul. 10, 2025   126,500    -    -    -    - 
Frank Santaguida   500,000    0.69   May 31, 2022   -    100,000    37,000    -    - 
    600,000    0.49   Jun. 26, 2023   -    -    -    -    - 
    200,000    0.36   Sep. 27, 2023   2,000    -    -    -    - 
    300,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   69,000    -    -    -    - 
Peter Campbell   500,000    0.69   May 31, 2022   -    200,000    74,000    231,250    85,563 
    600,000    0.49   Jun. 26, 2023   -    -    -    -    - 
    200,000    0.36   Sep. 27, 2023   2,000    -    -    -    - 
    500,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   115,000    -    -    -    - 
    550,000    0.14   Jul. 10, 2025   126,500    -    -    -    - 

 

Notes:

 

(1)The “value of unexercised in-the-money options” is calculated based on the difference between the closing price of $0.37 for the Common Shares on the TSXV on December 31, 2020 and the exercise price of the Options, multiplied by the number of unexercised Options.

 

(2)The “market value of share-based awards” is calculated as the number of share-based awards multiplied by the closing price of $0.37 for the Common Shares on the TSXV on December 31, 2020.

 

37

 

 

Value Vested or Earned During the Year

 

The following table sets forth the value of all incentive plan awards vested or earned for each Named Executive Officer during the financial year ended December 31, 2020:

 

   Option Based Awards -   Share Based Awards -   Non-Equity Incentive 
   Value Vested During the   Value Vested During the   Plan compensation – 
   Year(1)   Year   Value Earned During the 
Name  ($)   ($)   Year ($) 
Trent Mell          -    29,000            - 
Ryan Snyder   -    14,500    - 
Frank Santaguida   -    -    - 
Peter Campbell   -    29,000    - 

 

Notes:

 

(1)The “value vested during the year” is calculated based on the positive difference between the closing price for the Common Shares on the TSXV as of the date of vesting and the exercise price of the Options, multiplied by the number of vested Options. All Options granted to the NEOs had an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares as of the date of grant.

 

(2)The “Share Based Awards” encompass the DSUs that vested during 2020. The value reflects the value of the Common Shares issuable to each individual on the DSU vesting date, which is the grant date.

 

Pension Benefits

 

The Company does not have a pension plan that provides for payments or benefits to the NEOs at, following, or in connection with retirement.

 

Termination and Change of Control Benefits

 

In accordance with the terms of the Mell Agreement, the Snyder Agreement, the Santaguida Agreement and the Campbell Agreement, the Company may terminate each executive at any time without further obligation by providing notice based on the length of employment of each executive. In the case of the Mell Agreement, Mr. Mell would be entitled to receive a payment equivalent to 24 months’ salary and bonus in the event the agreement is terminated without cause. In the case of the Snyder Agreement, the Santaguida Agreement and the Campbell Agreement, Messrs. Snyder, Santaguida and Campbell would each be entitled to receive a payment equivalent to 12 months’ salary and bonus in the event their respective agreements are terminated without cause. The Company has also entered into change of control agreements with each of Messrs. Mell, Snyder, Santaguida and Campbell pursuant to which they would each be entitled to payments equivalent to the above in the event they are terminated within 12 months of a change of control event. A change of control event is defined as another party acquiring a controlling position in the Common Shares of the Company. Upon any of the termination or change of control payments noted above, there are no associated conditions for the terminated officers such as non-compete clauses. The officers must continue to adhere to their confidentiality requirements under the Company’s existing policies.

 

The following table discloses the estimated amounts payable to those NEOs under a termination or change of control. Amounts disclosed in the table below assume that the NEOs termination of employment and/or change of control occurred on December 31, 2020:

 

   Payment due upon Termination   Payment due upon Change of
Control
 
NEO  ($)   ($) 
Trent Mell   990,000    990,000 
Ryan Snyder   310,500    310,500 
Frank Santaguida   270,000    270,000 
Peter Campbell   270,000    270,000 

 

38

 

 

Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table provides information regarding the number of Common Shares to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding Options and exercise of current DSUs and RSUs and the weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding Options in connection with the Company’s existing Amended and Restated LTIP as at December 31, 2020:

 

   Number of Common       Number of Common 
   Shares to be issued   Weighted-average   Shares remaining 
   upon exercise of   exercise price of   available for future 
   outstanding options,   outstading   issuance under equity 
Plan Category  PSUs, RSUs and DSUs   options   compensation plans(1) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders             
Options  15,203,333   $0.33   2,496,667 
DSUs  3,120,505        109,478 
RSUs  1,300,000        700,000 
PSUs  -        4,000,000 
Total  19,623,838        7,306,145 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  N/A    N/A   N/A 
Total  19,623,838   $0.33   7,306,145 

 

Notes:

 

(1)The aggregate number of Common Shares to be reserved and set aside for issue upon the exercise or redemption and settlement for all awards granted under the Company’s existing Amended and Restated LTIP, together with all other established security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, shall not exceed 28,000,000.

 

Other Compensation Matters

 

Proportion of Common Shares Held by Directors and Executive Officers

 

Collectively, as of the date hereof, the directors and executive officers of the Company, as a group, own directly or indirectly, 7,211,062 Common Shares representing approximately 1.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.

 

PART 5: DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The following table discloses the particulars of the compensation provided to the non-executive directors of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Non-Executive Director Compensation

(Financial Year Ended December 31, 2020)

 

                        Non-equity                    
      Annual           Option-     incentive                    
      Fees -     Share-Based     Based     plan     Pension     All Other     Total  
      Cash     Awards     Awards(1)     compensation     value     Compensation     Compensation  
Name     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)  
John Pollesel(2)     $ 60,000     $ 36,250     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ 96,250  
Garett Macdonald(3)     $ 20,000     $ 14,500     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ 34,500  
Butch Otter(4)     $ 80,490     $ 14,500     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ 94,990  
Susan Uthayakumar(5)     $ 6,250     $ 20,723     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ Nil     $ 26,973  

 

Notes:

 

(1)Fair value of incentive stock option grants calculated using the Black-Scholes model.

 

(2)John Pollesel was appointed as a director of the Company on May 17, 2017 and was granted 250,000 DSUs in 2020.

 

(3)Garett Macdonald was appointed as a director of the Company on June 4, 2018 and was granted 100,000 DSUs in 2020.

 

(4)C.L. “Butch” Otter was appointed as a director of the Company on February 21, 2019 and was granted 100,000 DSUs in 2020.

 

(5)Susan Uthayakumar was appointed as a director of the Company on October 1, 2019 and was granted 144,643 DSUs in 2020. An additional 30,864 DSUs were granted to Ms. Uthayakumar in early 2021 relating to Director fees for Q3 and Q4 2020.

 

39

 

 

Narrative Discussion

 

The Company recognizes the contribution that its directors make to the Company and seeks to compensate them accordingly. Compensation of directors of the Company is reviewed annually and determined by the Board. The level of compensation for directors is determined after consideration of various relevant factors, including the expected nature and quantity of duties and responsibilities, past performance, comparison with compensation paid by other issuers of comparable size and nature, and the Company’s financial resources.

 

The Board has adopted a formal compensation policy following the recommendations of a market study prepared by an independent compensation consultant. PM Search Partners was retained in October 2019 to benchmark appropriate Board compensation for similar companies. Pursuant to the policy, Board members receive an annual retainer of $20,000 for a year of service and the Chairman of the Board receives $60,000. The chairs of the Audit Committee and the Technical and Sustainability Committee received an additional $5,000 retainer. No meeting attendance fees are paid and directors are entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable costs incurred to attend meeting.

 

Executive Compensation-Related Fees

 

In 2019, aggregate fees billed by PM Search Partners for services related to determining compensation for directors and executive officers totalled $30,000. These were the only fees billed by PM Search Partners during 2019. In 2020, the Company paid $30,000 to PM Search Partners for compensation consulting services.

 

Incentive Plan Awards

 

Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards

 

The following table sets forth all awards outstanding for each of the non-executive directors of the Company as of December 31, 2020:

 

   Option-Based Awards   Share-Based Awards 
   Number of          Value of   Number of           Market 
   Securities          Unexercised   Share-   Market Value   Number of   Value of 
   Underlying          in-the-   Based   of Share-   Share-Based   Share-Based 
   Unexercised   Exercise      money   Awards -   Based Awards   Awards -   Awards - 
   Options   Price      Options(1)   Unvested   - Unvested   Vested   Vested(2) 
Name  (#)   ($)   Expiry Date  ($)   (#)   ($)   (#)   ($) 
John Pollesel   200,000    0.69   Jun. 1, 2022   -    -    -    769,035    284,543 
    300,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   69,000    -    -    -    - 
Garett Macdonald   300,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   69,000    -    -    428,214    158,439 
Butch Otter   1,000,000    0.18   Feb. 21, 2024   190,000    -    -    636,001    235,320 
    300,000    0.14   Sep. 4, 2024   69,000    -    -    -    - 
Susan Uthayakumar   300,000    0.16   Oct. 1, 2024   63,000    -    -    189,286    70,036 

 

Notes:

 

(1)The “value of unexercised in-the-money options” is calculated based on the difference between the closing price of $0.37 for the Common Shares on the TSXV on December 31, 2020 and the exercise price of the Options, multiplied by the number of unexercised Options.

 

(2)The “market value of share-based awards” is calculated as the number of share-based awards multiplied by the closing price of $0.37 for the Common Shares on the TSXV on December 31, 2020.

 

(3)300,000 Options at an exercise price of $0.14 were exercised during the financial year ended December 31, 2020 by a former director of the Company.

 

40

 

 

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

 

The following table sets forth the value of all incentive plan awards vested or earned by each non-executive director of the Company during the financial year ended December 31, 2020:

 

           Non-Equity Incentive 
   Option Based Awards –   share Based Awards –   Plan Compensation - 
   Value Vested During the   Value Vested During the   Value Earned During the 
Name  Year(1)   Year(2)   Year 
John Pollesel   -    36,250    - 
Garett Macdonald   -    14,500    - 
Butch Otter   -    14,500    - 
Susan Uthayakumar   -    20,973    - 

 

Notes:

 

  (1) The “value vested during the year” is calculated based on the positive difference between the closing price for the Common Shares on the TSXV as of the date of vesting and the exercise price of the Options, multiplied by the number of vested Options.

 

  (2)The “Share Based Awards” encompass the DSUs that vested during 2020. The value reflects the value of the Common Shares issuable to each individual on the DSU vesting date, which is the grant date.

 

PART 6: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers

 

As of October 22, 2021, no director, officer or employee of the Company or any of their respective associates, has been indebted, or is presently indebted, to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Interest of Certain Persons or Companies in Matters to be Acted Upon

 

No director or executive officer of the Company, or any person who has held such a position since the beginning of the last completed financial year of the Company, nor any nominee for election as a director of Company, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted on at the Meeting other than the election of directors and the approval of the 2021 LTIP, and as may be set out herein.

 

Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions

 

To the knowledge of Management of the Company, no director or executive officer of the Company, no person who beneficially owns, controls or directs, directly or indirectly, Common Shares carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Common Shares (each of the foregoing being an “Informed Person”), no director or executive officer of an entity that is itself an Informed Person or a subsidiary of the Company, no proposed director of the Company, and no associate or affiliate of the foregoing has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of the Company’s last completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which, in either case, has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Management Contracts

 

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this Circular, the management functions of the Company and its subsidiaries are not performed to any substantial degree by any person or company other than the directors and executive officers of the Company or its subsidiaries.

 

Other Matters

 

Management knows of no amendment, variation or other matter to come before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders. However, if any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted on such matter in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons voting the proxy.

 

41

 

 

Shareholder Proposals

 

A Shareholder intending to submit a proposal at the Company’s next annual meeting of Shareholders must comply with the applicable provisions of the CBCA. The Company will include a Shareholder proposal in the management proxy circular prepared for such annual meeting of Shareholders provided such proposal and declarations as required by the CBCA are received by the Company at its registered office at least 90 days before the anniversary of the previous year’s annual reference date and provided such proposal is required by the CBCA to be included in the Company’s management proxy circular.

 

Shareholders should carefully review the provisions of the CBCA relating to a Shareholder proposal and consult with a legal advisor.

 

Additional Information

 

Additional information regarding the Company and its business activities is available on the SEDAR website located at www.sedar.com. The Company’s financial information is provided in its audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are available for review under the Company’s profile on SEDAR. Shareholders may contact the Company to request copies of the financial statements and MD&A by: (i) mail to 401 Bay Street – 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2Y4; or (ii) e-mail to info@firstcobalt.com.

 

Approval of Directors

 

The contents and the sending of this Circular to Shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Meeting, to each director and to the Auditors of the Company have been approved by the Board.

 

DATED at Toronto, Ontario, the 22nd day of October, 2021.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors,
   
  “Trent Mell”
   
  Trent Mell
   
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

42

 

 

SCHEDULE 1:

BOARD MANDATE

 

The Board of Directors of First Cobalt Corp. (the “Company”) is responsible for the stewardship of the business and affairs of the Company. The Board seeks to discharge this responsibility by reviewing, discussing and approving the Company’s strategic plans, annual budgets and significant decisions and transactions as well as by overseeing the senior officers of the Company in their management of its day-to-day business and affairs. The Board’s primary role is to oversee corporate performance and assure itself of the quality, integrity, depth and continuity of management so that the Company is able to successfully execute its strategic plans and complete its corporate objectives.

 

It is the Board’s expectation that it will, as part of its oversight function, annually visit at least one of the mining operations in which the Company holds an interest and meet with its management and employees.

 

The Board delegates to the senior officers the responsibility for managing the day-to-day business of the Company. The Board discharges its responsibilities to oversee management directly and through the Audit Committee, the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee and the Technical and Sustainability Committee. In addition to these standing committees, the Board may appoint ad hoc committees periodically to address issues of a more short-term nature. At all times, the Board will retain its oversight function and ultimate responsibility for matters that the Board may delegate to Board committees.

 

To fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Board among other things shall be responsible for the following:

 

OVERSIGHT OF MANAGEMENT

 

· Approving the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer and the other officers of the Company. The Board, through the Compensation Committee, is also responsible for approving the annual compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other officers of the Company.

 

· Through the Compensation Committee, ensuring that management succession planning programs are in place, including programs to recruit management with the highest standards of integrity and competence and train, develop and retain them.

 

· Through the Compensation Committee, establishing and updating the Company’s executive compensation policy and ensuring that such policy aligns management’s interests with those of the shareholders.

 

· Reviewing and approving transactions that are in excess of specified limits set out in the Company’s Authorization Policy.

 

· Developing and approving position descriptions for each of the Chairman of the Board and the CEO, and measuring the performance of those acting in such capacities against such position descriptions.

 

· Promoting a culture of integrity throughout the Company consistent with the Code of Conduct, taking appropriate steps, to the extent feasible, to satisfy itself as to the integrity of the CEO and other executive officers of the Company, and that the CEO and other executive officers create a culture of integrity throughout the Company.

 

BUSINESS STRATEGY

 

· Adopting a strategic planning process pursuant to which management develops and proposes, and the Board reviews and approves, significant corporate strategies and objectives, taking into account the opportunities and risks of the business. This will include the review and approval of management’s proposed annual budget and operational plan, and the monitoring of the Company’s performance against both strategic objectives and the annual budget.

 

· Reviewing and approving the Company’s annual and short-term corporate objectives developed by management.

 

· Reviewing and approving all major acquisitions, dispositions and investments and all significant financings and other significant matters outside the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

 

· Providing input to management on emerging trends and issues that may affect the business of the Company, its strategic plan or its annual budget.

 

43

 

 

FINANCIAL AND RISK MATTERS

 

· Reviewing and approving the Company’s annual budget presented by management.

 

· Reviewing and approving the Company’s annual audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements and the notes for each, as well as the annual and interim Management’s Discussion and Analysis, the Annual Information Form, Management Proxy Circular, and other public offering documents.

 

· Overseeing, directly and through the Audit Committee, the processes implemented to ensure that the financial performance and results of the Company are reported fairly, accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards and in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

 

· Overseeing, directly and through the Audit Committee, the process implemented to ensure integrity of the Company’s internal control and management information systems.

 

· Overseeing the processes by which the principal risks of the Company are identified, assessed and managed and ensuring that appropriate risk management systems are implemented and maintained with a view to achieving a proper balance between risks incurred and the creation of long-term sustainable value to shareholders.

 

· Overseeing the work of management’s Mineral Reserve and Resource Committee.

 

STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION

 

· Approving and reviewing the Company’s Disclosure Policy and any other policies that address communications with shareholders, employees, financial analysts, governments and regulatory authorities, the media and the communities in which the business of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries is conducted.

 

· Monitor the effectiveness of the Company’s continuous disclosure program with a view to satisfying itself that material information is disseminated in a timely fashion.

 

· Adopt a process to enable shareholders to communicate directly with the Board.

 

SUSTAINABILITY

 

·Monitor the effectiveness of the Company’s sustainability practices with a view to satisfying itself that the Company’s actions are consistent with the goal of zero harm to people, the environment and our host communities. This commitment means the Company will strive to act consistently in all of its operations in relation to health & safety, the environment, community relations and social development.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

· Overseeing the development of the Company’s approach to corporate governance, including maintaining Corporate Governance Guidelines that set out the expectations of directors, including basic duties and responsibilities with respect to matters such as attendance at Board meetings and advance review of meeting materials.

 

· Taking appropriate steps to remain informed about the Board’s duties and responsibilities and about the business and operations of the Company.

 

· Ensuring that the Board receives from officers the information and input required to enable the Board to effectively perform its duties.

 

· Overseeing, through the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and the Chairman of the Board, the review of the effectiveness of the Board, its Committees and individual directors on an annual basis.

 

BOARD ORGANIZATION

 

· Establishing committees of the Board and delegating certain Board responsibilities to these committees, consistent with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

44

 

 

SCHEDULE 2:

AUDIT COMMITTEE MANDATE

 

PURPOSE

 

The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is a committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) charged with oversight of financial reporting as well as related disclosure, internal controls, regulatory compliance and risk management functions.

 

COMPOSITION

 

The members of the Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board. The Chair shall be elected by the members of the Committee. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of three directors of the Company, the majority of which must be independent directors. Independence is defined by applicable Canadian laws and regulations as well as the rules of relevant stock exchanges (the “Applicable Laws”). At a minimum, each Committee member shall have no direct or indirect relationship with the Company that could, in the opinion of the Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of a Committee member’s independent judgment (except as otherwise permitted by Applicable Laws).

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

 

Each member of the Committee must be financially literate, meaning that the director has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present the breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements.

 

At least one member of the Committee shall be a ‘financial expert’ within the meaning of Applicable Laws. The financial expert should have the following competencies:

 

·An understanding of financial statements and accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements;

 

·The ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;

 

·Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity comparable to the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

 

·An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

 

·An understanding of audit committee functions.

 

RISK OVERSIGHT

 

In addition to the specific responsibilities enumerated below, the Committee shall be responsible for reviewing financial risks of the business and overseeing the implementation and evaluation of appropriate risk management practices. This will involve inquiring with management regarding how financial risks are managed and seeking opinions from management and the independent auditor regarding the adequacy of risk mitigation strategies.

 

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

 

In addition to such other duties as may be delegated by the Board, the Committee shall:

 

1.Financial Statements: Review the Company’s interim and annual financial statements, MD&A and related press releases and recommend Board approval of such documents.

 

2.Variances: Obtain explanations from management for significant variances between comparative reporting periods and question management and the independent auditor regarding any significant financial reporting issues raised during the fiscal period and the method of resolution.

 

3.Internal Controls: Inquire as to the adequacy of the Company’s system of internal controls and review periodic reports from management regarding internal controls, which should include an assessment of risk with respect to financial reporting.

 

4.Auditor: Recommend Board approval for the appointment of the Company’s independent auditor. Oversee the work of the independent auditor; ensure that the independent auditor reports directly to the Committee; and ensure that any disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting are resolved.

 

45

 

 

5.Non-audit Services: Approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by the independent auditor. The Chair of the Committee may pre-approve such services on behalf of the Committee provided that such approvals are presented at the Committee meeting following such pre-approval. In order to obtain pre-approval, management should detail the work to be performed by the independent auditor and obtain the assurance from the independent auditor that the proposed work will not impair their independence.

 

Certain de minimis non-audit services will satisfy the pre-approval requirement provided:

 

·the aggregate amount of all these non-audit services that were not pre-approved is reasonably expected to constitute no more that 5% of the total audit fees paid by the Company and its subsidiaries to the independent auditor during the fiscal year in which the services are provided;

 

·the Company or its subsidiaries, did not recognize the services as non-audit services at the time of the engagement; and

 

·the services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved prior to the completion of the annual audit.

 

6.Whistleblower. Oversee a Company whistleblower program that provides an opportunity for confidential and anonymous submissions of concerns regarding questions accounting or auditing matters and other potential violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct.

 

7.Hiring: Review and approve the Company’s policies regarding the hiring of current and past partners and employees of the Company’s present or former independent auditor.

 

8.Reporting: Report to the Board on a quarterly basis on the proceedings of Committee meetings.

 

9.Mandate: Annually review the Committee’s mandate and assess the Committee’s functioning and performance relative to the requirements set out within this mandate.

 

CHAIRMAN RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Chairman of the Committee shall:

 

1.Convene and preside over Committee meetings and ensure they are conducted in an efficient, effective and focused manner.

 

2.Oversee management with the preparation of an agenda and ensure that meeting materials are prepared and disseminated in a timely manner.

 

3.Ensure that the Committee has sufficient time and information to make informed decisions.

 

4.Provide leadership to the Committee and management with respect to matters covered by this mandate.

 

AUTHORITY

 

The Committee has authority to:

 

1.Appoint, compensate, and oversee the work of any registered public accounting firm retained by the Company.

 

2.Conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within its scope of responsibility, including with respect to whistleblower submissions.

 

3.Retain, at the Company’s expense, independent legal, accounting or other advisors to assist the Committee in carrying out its duties or to assist in the conduct of an investigation.

 

4.Meet with management, the independent auditor and other advisors, as necessary.

 

5.Obtain full access to the books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

6.Call a meeting of the Board to consider any matter of concern to the Committee.

 

MEETINGS

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary, but not less frequently than quarterly. A quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings shall be a majority of members. Decisions shall be made by an affirmative vote of the majority of members in attendance and the Committee Chair shall not have a deciding or casting vote.

 

An in-camera session of independent directors shall take place at least quarterly. The Committee may also request to meet separately with management, internal auditors, independent auditors or other advisors. Meeting minutes shall be recorded and maintained, as directed by the Chair of the Committee.

 

46

 

 

SCHEDULE 3:

2021 LTIP

 

47

 

 

 

 

2021

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

FIRST COBALT CORP.

 

1.PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Plan is to attract, retain and motivate persons of training, experience and leadership as directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, to advance the long-term interests of the Corporation by providing such persons with the opportunity and incentive, through equity-based compensation, to acquire an ownership interest in the Corporation, and to promote a greater alignment of interests between such persons and shareholders of the Corporation.

 

2.DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

2.1Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Addendum” means the addendum for US Taxpayers (as defined in the Addendum) attached hereto as Addendum A – Special Provisions Applicable to US Taxpayers and forming part of the Plan;

 

affiliate” means an “affiliated company” determined in accordance with the Securities Act and also includes those entities that are similarly related, whether or not any of the entities are corporations, companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, trusts, income trusts or investment trusts or any other organized entity issuing securities;

 

associate” means an “associate” determined in accordance with the Securities Act;

 

Award” means an Option, Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit and/or Deferred Share Unit granted under the Plan (as applicable);

 

Award Agreement” means an Option Award Agreement, a PSU Award Agreement, an RSU Award Agreement and/or a DSU Award Agreement (as applicable);

 

Blackout Period” means an interval of time during which (a) trading in securities of the Corporation is restricted in accordance with the policies of the Corporation; or (b) the Corporation has otherwise determined that one or more Participants may not trade in securities of the Corporation because they may be in possession of undisclosed material information (as defined under applicable securities laws);

 

Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation or, if established and duly authorized to act, a committee of the board of directors of the Corporation;

 

Canadian Taxpayer” means a Participant (other than a consultant) liable to pay income taxes in Canada as a result of the receipt of an Award or the settlement thereof;

 

 

- 2 -

 

Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

 

(a)a consolidation, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other reorganization or acquisition involving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and another corporation or other entity, as a result of which Shareholders prior to the completion of the transaction hold less than 50% of the votes attached to all of the outstanding voting securities of the successor corporation or entity after completion of the transaction;

 

(b)a resolution is adopted to wind-up, dissolve or liquidate the Corporation;

 

(c)any person, entity or group of persons or entities acting jointly or in concert (the “Acquiror”) acquires, or acquires control (including the power to vote or direct the voting) of, voting securities of the Corporation which, when added to the voting securities owned of record or beneficially by the Acquiror or which the Acquiror has the right to vote or in respect of which the Acquiror has the right to direct the voting, would entitle the Acquiror and/or associates and/or affiliates of the Acquiror to cast or direct the casting of 50% or more of the votes attached to all of the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities which may be cast to elect directors of the Corporation or the successor corporation (regardless of whether a meeting has been called to elect directors);

 

(d)the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation;

 

(e)as a result of or in connection with:

 

(i)the contested election of directors; or

 

(ii)a transaction referred to in paragraph (a) of this definition of “Change in Control”,

 

the nominees named in the most recent management information circular of the Corporation for election to the board of directors of the Corporation shall not constitute a majority of the directors;

 

(f)the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that a transaction or series of transactions involving the Corporation or any of its affiliates that has occurred or is immanent is a Change in Control,

 

and for purposes of the foregoing, “voting securities” means the Shares and any other shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, and shall include any securities, whether or not issued by the Corporation, which are not shares entitled to vote for the election of directors but which are convertible into or exchangeable for shares which are entitled to vote for the election of directors, including any options or rights to purchase such shares or securities;

 

consultant” means a person, other than a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or of any subsidiary of the Corporation, that:

 

(a)is engaged to provide bona fide services to the Corporation or subsidiary, other than services provided in relation to a distribution of securities;

 

(b)provides the services under a written contract with the Corporation or subsidiary; and

 

 

- 3 -

 

(c)spends or will spend all or substantially all of his, her or its time and attention on the affairs and business of the Corporation or subsidiary;

 

and includes, for an individual consultant, a corporation of which the individual consultant is an employee or shareholder, and a partnership of which the individual consultant is an employee or partner, and, for greater certainty, includes consultants who provide outsourced or contract labour to the Corporation or a subsidiary, and employees of such consultants;

 

Corporation” means First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada, or its successor, as applicable;

 

Deferred Annual Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.1(b);

 

Deferred Share Unit” means a deferred share unit granted in accordance with Section 8.1, the value of which on any particular date shall be equal to the Market Price of one Share, and that represents the right to receive cash and/or Shares equal to the Market Price of one Share on settlement of the Deferred Share Unit;

 

Disability” means a medical condition that would qualify a Participant for benefits under a long-term disability plan of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation;

 

Discounted Market Price” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Corporate Finance Manual;

 

Disinterested Shareholder Approval” means approval by a majority of the votes cast by all the Corporation’s shareholders at a duly constituted shareholders’ meeting, excluding votes attached to shares of the Corporation beneficially owned by Insiders to whom options may be granted under the Plan and their associates and affiliates;

 

Dividend Equivalents” means the right, if any, granted under Section 14, to receive payments in cash or in Shares, based on dividends declared on Shares;

 

DSU Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.3;

 

DSU Award Agreement” means a written confirmation agreement, substantially in the form of Schedule H – DSU Award Agreement, setting out the terms and conditions relating to a Deferred Share Unit and entered into in accordance with Section 8.2 and Error! Reference source not found.;

 

DSU Separation Date” means, with respect to Deferred Share Units granted to a Participant, the date on which the Participant ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation for any reason, without regard to any agreed or otherwise binding severance or notice period (whether express, implied, contractual, statutory or at common law);

 

Effective Date” means date the Plan is ratified by the shareholders of the Corporation and all required approvals of any relevant regulatory authorities are received;

 

Eligible Person” means any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation who is eligible to receive Awards under the Plan and the terms of the Exchange Corporate Finance Manual;

 

 

- 4 -

 

Exchange” means the TSX Venture Exchange or, if the Shares are no longer listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, such other exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted for trading;

 

Exchange Corporate Finance Manual” means the corporate finance manual published by the Exchange, as amended from time to time, or if the Shares are no longer listed for trading on the Exchange, the policies of such other exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted for trading;

 

Grant Date” means the date on which an Award is made to an Eligible Person in accordance with the provisions hereof;

 

Insider” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Corporate Finance Manual;

 

Investor Relations Activities” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Corporate Finance Manual;

 

Management Corporation Employee” means an individual employed by a Person providing management services to the Corporation, which are required for the ongoing successful operation of the business enterprise of the Corporation, but excluding a Person involved in Investor Relations Activities;

 

Market Price” at any date in respect of the Shares shall be, the closing trading price of such Shares on the Exchange on the last trading day immediately before the date on which the Market Price is determined. In the event that the Shares are not then listed and posted for trading on an Exchange, the Market Price shall be the fair market value of such Shares as determined by the Board in its sole discretion;

 

Option” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Section 5.1;

 

Option Award Agreement” means a written award agreement, substantially in the form of Schedule A – Option Award Agreement (Non U.S.) or Schedule B – Option Award Agreement (U.S.), setting out the terms and conditions relating to an Option and entered into in accordance with Sections 5.2 and Error! Reference source not found.;

 

Option Price” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.2(a);

 

Original LTIP Date” means October 26, 2017;

 

Participant” means an Eligible Person selected by the Board to participate in the Plan in accordance with the Plan, or his or her Personal Representatives, as the context requires;

 

Performance Share Unit” means a performance share unit granted in accordance with Section 6.1, the value of which on any particular date shall be equal to the Market Price of one Share, and that represents the right to receive cash and/or Shares equal to the Market Price of one Share on settlement of the Performance Share Unit;

 

Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or partnership, unlimited liability company, joint stock company, association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator, legal or personal representative, government, governmental body, entity or authority, group, body corporate, corporation, unincorporated organization or association, syndicate, joint venture or any other entity, whether or not having legal personality, and any of the foregoing in any derivative, representative or fiduciary capacity and pronouns have a similar meaning;

 

 

- 5 -

 

Personal Representative” means:

 

(a)in the case of a Participant who, for any reason, is incapable of managing its affairs, the Person entitled by law to act on behalf of such Participant; and

 

(b)in the case of a deceased Participant, the executor or administrator of the deceased duly appointed by a court or public authority having jurisdiction to do so;

 

Plan” means this Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended or amended and restated from time to time;

 

PSU Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3;

 

PSU Award Agreement” means a written confirmation agreement, substantially in the form of Schedule C – PSU Award Agreement (Non U.S.) or Schedule D – PSU Award Agreement (U.S.), setting out the terms and conditions relating to a Performance Share Unit and entered into in accordance with Section 6.2 and Error! Reference source not found.;

 

PSU Vesting Date” means, with respect to Performance Share Units granted to a Participant, the date determined in accordance with Section 6.4, which date, for Canadian Taxpayers, shall not be later than the date referred to in Section 6.2(b);

 

Restricted Share Unit” means a restricted share unit granted in accordance with Section 7.1, the value of which on any particular date shall be equal to the Market Price of one Share, and that represents the right to receive cash and/or Shares equal to the Market Price of one Share on settlement of the Restricted Share Unit;

 

Retirement” means:

 

(a)in the case of a director, officer or an employee of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation, retirement as determined in accordance with the retirement policy of the Corporation or subsidiary, as such policy may exist from time to time; and

 

(b)in the case of a consultant, the completion of the term of the consultant’s Service Agreement in accordance with its terms (for greater certainty, without being renewed);

 

RSU Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.3;

 

RSU Award Agreement” means a written confirmation agreement, substantially in the form of Schedule E – RSU Award Agreement (Non U.S.) or Schedule F – RSU Award Agreement (U.S.), setting out the terms and conditions relating to a Restricted Share Unit and entered into in accordance with Section 7.2 and Error! Reference source not found.;

 

 

- 6 -

 

RSU Vesting Date” means, with respect to Restricted Share Units granted to a Participant, the date determined in accordance with Section 7.4, which date, for Canadian Taxpayers, shall not be later than the date referred to in Section 7.2(b);

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c.418, as amended, as at the date hereof;

 

Security-Based Compensation Arrangement” shall include:

 

(a)stock option plans for the benefit of employees, Insiders, service providers, or any one of such groups;

 

(b)stock purchase plans where the Corporation provides financial assistance or where the Corporation matches the whole or a portion of the securities being purchased;

 

(c)stock appreciation rights involving issuances of securities from treasury;

 

(d)any other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuances of securities of the Corporation;

 

(e)security purchases from treasury by an employee, Insider, or service provider which is financially assisted by the Corporation by any means whatsoever;

 

Service Agreement” means any written agreement between a Participant and the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation (as applicable), in connection with that Participant’s employment, service or engagement as a director, officer, employee or consultant or the termination of such employment, service or engagement, as amended, replaced or restated from time to time;

 

Shareholder” means a holder of Shares;

 

Shares” mean common shares of the Corporation;

 

subsidiary” means a “subsidiary” determined in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators; and

 

Termination Date” means:

 

(a)for Awards granted before the Original LTIP Date, the date on which a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person; and

 

(b)for Awards granted on and after the Original LTIP Date, the date on which the Participant ceases to be actively employed by, ceases to actively perform services to, or ceases to be actively engaged by the Corporation and/or any subsidiary of the Corporation (and not, for greater certainty, the date that is the end of any agreed or otherwise binding severance or notice period (whether express, implied, contractual, statutory or at common law)), without regard to whether the Participant continues thereafter to receive any compensatory payments or other amounts from the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation.

 

 

- 7 -

 

2.2Headings. The headings of all articles, sections, and paragraphs in the Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of the Plan.

 

2.3Context; Construction. Whenever the singular or masculine are used in the Plan, the same shall be construed as being the plural or feminine or neuter or vice versa where the context so requires.

 

2.4Statutes. Any reference to a statute, regulation, rule, instrument, or policy statement shall refer to such statute, regulation, rule, instrument, or policy statement as the same may be amended, replaced or re-enacted from time to time.

 

2.5Canadian Funds. Unless otherwise specifically provided, all references to dollar amounts in the Plan are references to lawful money of Canada. Any amounts paid on exercise or in settlement of an Award shall be paid in Canadian dollars.

 

2.6Addendum. The following addendum is attached to, forms part of, and shall be deemed to be incorporated in, the Plan:

 

Addendum Title
Addendum A Special Provisions Applicable to US Taxpayers

 

2.7Schedules. The following schedules are attached to, form part of, and shall be deemed to be incorporated in, the Plan:

 

Schedule Title
A

Option Award Agreement (Non U.S.)

(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Exercise of Option)

B Option Award Agreement (U.S.)
(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Exercise of Option)
C

PSU Award Agreement (Non U.S.)

(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Performance Share Units)

D

PSU Award Agreement (U.S.)

(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Performance Share Units)

E

RSU Award Agreement (Non U.S.)

(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units)

F

RSU Award Agreement (U.S.)

(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units)

G Deferred Share Unit Election Notice
H

DSU Award Agreement

(including Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Deferred Share Units)

 

 

- 8 -

 

3.ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

3.1The Plan shall be administered by the Board.

 

3.2The Board shall have the power, where consistent with the general purpose and intent of the Plan and subject to the specific provisions of the Plan:

 

(a)to establish policies and to adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the purposes, provisions and administration of the Plan and to amend or revoke such policies, rules and regulations;

 

(b)to interpret and construe the Plan and to determine all questions arising out of the Plan and any Award awarded pursuant to the Plan, and any such interpretation, construction or determination made by the Board shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes;

 

(c)to determine the time or times when Awards will be awarded, subject to the requirements of applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements;

 

(d)to determine which Eligible Persons should be granted Awards;

 

(e)to determine the number of Awards to be awarded to Eligible Persons;

 

(f)to determine the term of Awards and the vesting criteria applicable to Awards (including performance vesting, if applicable);

 

(g)to determine if Shares which are subject to an Award will be subject to any restrictions upon the exercise or vesting of such Award;

 

(h)to prescribe the form of the instruments relating to the grant, exercise and other terms of Awards including the form of Option Award Agreements, RSU Award Agreements, DSU Award Agreements and all ancillary documents and instruments related to the Plan and Awards; and

 

(i)subject to Section 13, to make all other determinations under, and such interpretations of, and to take all such other steps and actions in connection with the proper administration of the Plan as it, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary or advisable.

 

The Board’s guidelines, rules, regulation, interpretations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding upon the Corporation and all other Persons.

 

Prior to its implementation by the Corporation, the Plan is subject to approval by the Exchange and thereafter the Plan must be approved by shareholders and the Exchange on an annual basis.

 

3.3Delegation. The Board may delegate to any director, officer or employee of the Corporation, including but not limited to a committee of the Board, such of the Board’s duties and powers relating to the Plan as the Board may see fit, subject to applicable law.

 

3.4Use of Administrative Agent. The Board may in its sole discretion appoint from time to time one or more entities to act as administrative agent to administer Awards granted under the Plan and to act as trustee to hold and administer the Plan and the assets that may be held in respect of Awards granted under the Plan, the whole in accordance with the terms and conditions determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

- 9 -

 

3.5Limitation of Liability and Indemnification. No member of the Board or a committee of the Board will be liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Awards granted thereunder and each such member shall be entitled to indemnification by the Corporation with respect to any such action or determination in the manner provided for by the Board or a committee of the Board.

 

4.SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND PARTICIPATION LIMITS

 

4.1Shares Subject to Awards. Subject to adjustment under the provisions of Section 10, the aggregate number of Shares to be reserved and set aside for issue upon the exercise or redemption and settlement for all Awards granted under this Plan, together with all other established Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Corporation, shall not exceed a total of 42,000,000 Shares. This represents approximately 7.9% of the current issued and outstanding Shares of the Company (on a non-diluted basis). In addition to the foregoing:

 

(a)up to a maximum of 4,500,000 Shares may be reserved for issuance upon settlement of Restricted Share Units granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

(b)up to a maximum of 5,000,000 Shares may be reserved for issuance upon settlement of Performance Share Units granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

(c)up to a maximum of 7,000,000 Shares may be reserved for issuance upon settlement of Deferred Share Units granted pursuant to the Plan; and

 

(d)up to a maximum of 25,500,000 Shares may be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of Options.

 

In respect of Performance Share Units, the maximum Shares issuable under the grant shall be included in the calculation for purposes of this Section 4.1.

 

4.2Shares Available for Future Grants. Any Shares subject to an Award which for any reason expires without having been exercised or is forfeited or terminated shall again be available for future Awards under the Plan and any Shares subject to an Award that is settled in cash and not Shares shall again be available for future Awards under the Plan.

 

4.3Participation Limits. The Plan, when combined with all of the Corporation’s other previously established Security-Based Compensation Arrangements, including the limitations imposed on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise or redemption and settlement of Options, Restricted Share Units, Performance Share Units and Deferred Share Units set out in Section 4.1 above, shall not result at any time in:

 

(a)the grant of an Award to any one Person in any 12 month period which could, when exercised, result in the issuance of Shares exceeding five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Corporation, calculated at the Award Date, unless the Corporation has obtained the requisite Disinterested Shareholder Approval to the grant;

 

- 10 -

 

(b)the grant of an Award to any one consultant in any 12 month period which could, when exercised, result in the issuance of Shares exceeding two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Corporation, calculated at the Award Date;

 

(c)the grant of an Option, in any 12 month period, to Persons employed or engaged by the Corporation to perform Investor Relations Activities which could, when exercised, result in the issuance of Shares exceeding, in aggregate, two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Corporation, calculated at the Award Date; or

 

(d)the grant of Restricted Share Units, Performance Share Units or Deferred Share Units to Persons employed or engaged by the Corporation to perform Investor Relations Activities.

 

Any entitlement to acquire Shares granted pursuant to the Plan or other Security-Based Compensation Arrangement prior to the Participant becoming an Insider shall be included for the purposes of the limits set out in this Section 4.3.

 

4.4Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of Options or the settlement of Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units in Shares, and the Board may determine the manner in which fractional share value shall be treated.

 

5.OPTIONS

 

5.1Grant. Options may be granted to Eligible Persons and Management Corporation Employees at such time or times as shall be determined by the Board by resolution. The Grant Date of an Option for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Option is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements. A press release is generally required at the time of grant for Options granted to Participants; however, no such press release is required if the Options are granted to employees or consultants that are not directors or officers of the Corporation or performing Investor Relations Activities, except where the grant constitutes material information under applicable securities laws.

 

5.2Terms and Conditions of Options. Options shall be evidenced by an Option Award Agreement, which shall incorporate the terms of the Plan and specify such further terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including:

 

(a)the number of Shares to which the Options to be awarded to the Participant pertain;

 

(b)the exercise price per Share subject to each Option (the “Option Price”), which shall in no event be lower than the Discounted Market Price at the Grant Date. Options may not be awarded unless and until the Options have been allocated to specific Persons, and then, once allocated, a minimum Option Price can be established;

 

(c)the Option’s scheduled expiry date, which shall not exceed ten years from the Grant Date (provided that if no specific determination as to the scheduled expiry date is made by the Board, the scheduled expiry date shall be ten years from the Grant Date); and

 

- 11 -

 

(d)such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters and any requirements of the rules and regulations of the Exchange.

 

For greater certainty, each Option Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

 

5.3Vesting. Subject to Section 12, all Options granted pursuant to the Plan will be subject to such vesting requirements as may be imposed by the Board or as otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement. The Option Award Agreement representing any such Option will disclose any vesting conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options issued to consultants performing Investor Relations Activities will vest in stages over at least 12 months with no more than 1/4 of the Options vesting in any three month period.

 

5.4Exercise of Option. Options may be exercised only to the extent vested. Options may be exercised by the Participant by delivering to the Corporation a notice of exercise, substantially in the form attached as Appendix 1 - Notice of Exercise of Option attached to the Option Award Agreement, specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised. Payment of the Option Price may be made in cash, by certified cheque made payable to the Corporation, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or other instrument acceptable to the Board.

 

An Exchange four month hold period will be imposed from the date of grant of the Option on all Options awarded to Insiders or promoters of the Corporation and on all Options for which the Option Price is based on a discount to the Market Price.

 

No certificates for Shares so purchased will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the exercise of the Option. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be contingent upon receipt from the Participant by the Corporation of the full purchase price for such Shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

5.5Termination of Option Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or Option Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, subject to Section 12, Options shall be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  Reason for Termination Vesting Expiry of Option
  Death Unvested Options automatically vest as of the date of death Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the date of death

 

- 12 -

 

  Reason for Termination Vesting Expiry of Option
  Disability Options continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option until the date that is one year following the date of disability Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the date of disability
  Retirement Options continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option until the date that is one year following the date of retirement Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the date of retirement
  Resignation Unvested Options as of the date of resignation automatically terminate and shall be forfeited

Options expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and three months following the date of resignation

 

Options granted to Persons engaged primarily to provide Investor Relations Activities expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and 30 days following the date of resignation

  Termination without Cause/Constructive Dismissal - No Change in Control Involved

Unvested Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date automatically vest as of the Termination Date

 

Unvested Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Option until the date that is one year following the Termination Date

Options expire on the earlier of scheduled expiry date of the Option and one year following the Termination Date
  Change in Control

Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date shall vest and become immediately exercisable

 

Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date shall vest in accordance with Section 12

Options expire on the scheduled expiry date of the Option

 

- 13 -

 

  Reason for Termination Vesting Expiry of Option
  Termination with Cause

Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date that are unvested as of the Termination Date automatically terminate and shall be forfeited

 

Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date, whether vested or unvested as of the Termination Date, automatically terminate and shall be forfeited

Options granted prior to the Original LTIP Date shall expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiry date of the Option and three months following the Termination Date

 

Options granted from and after the Original LTIP Date, whether vested or unvested as of the Termination Date, automatically terminate and shall be forfeited

 

6.PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

6.1Grant. Performance Share Units may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as shall be determined by the Board by resolution, pursuant to recommendations of the Board from time to time. The Grant Date of a Performance Share Unit for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Performance Share Unit is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

6.2Terms and Conditions of Performance Share Units. Performance Share Units shall be evidenced by a PSU Award Agreement, which shall specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including:

 

(a)the number of Performance Share Units to be awarded to the Participant;

 

(b)the performance cycle applicable to each Performance Share Unit, which shall be the period of time between the Grant Date and the date on which the performance criteria specified in Section 6.2(c) must be satisfied before the Performance Share Unit is fully vested and may be settled by the Participant, before being subject to forfeiture or termination, which period of time, for Canadian Taxpayers, shall in no case end later than December 31 of the calendar year which is three years after the calendar year in which the Grant Date occurs;

 

(c)the performance criteria, which may include criteria based on the Participant’s personal performance and/or the performance of the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, that shall be used to determine the vesting of the Performance Share Units;

 

(d)whether and to what extent Dividend Equivalents will be credited to a Participant’s PSU Account in accordance with Section 14; and

 

- 14 -

 

(e)such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters.

 

For greater certainty, each PSU Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan. No Shares will be issued on the Grant Date and the Corporation shall not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Awards.

 

6.3PSU Accounts. A separate notional account shall be maintained for each Participant with respect to Performance Share Units granted to such Participant (a “PSU Account”) in accordance with Section 15.3. Performance Share Units awarded to the Participant from time to time pursuant to Sections 6.1 shall be credited to the Participant’s PSU Account and shall vest in accordance with Section 6.4. On the vesting of the Performance Share Units pursuant to Section 6.4 and the corresponding issuance of cash and/or Shares to the Participant pursuant to Section 6.5, or on the forfeiture or termination of the Performance Share Units pursuant to the terms of the Award, the Performance Share Units credited to the Participant’s PSU Account will be cancelled.

 

6.4Vesting. Subject to Section 12, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or PSU Award Agreement, each Performance Share Unit shall vest and shall be settled as at the date that is the end of the performance cycle (which shall be the “PSU Vesting Date”), subject to any performance criteria having been satisfied.

 

6.5Settlement.

 

(a)The Performance Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Performance Share Units attached to the PSU Award Agreement, acknowledged by the Corporation. On settlement, the Corporation shall, for each vested Performance Share Unit being settled, deliver to the Participant a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the PSU Vesting Date, one Share, or any combination of cash and Shares equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the PSU Vesting Date, in the sole discretion of the Board. No certificates for Shares issued in settlement will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the settlement of the Performance Share Units. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be issued in settlement of Performance Share Units will be contingent upon the fulfillment of any requirements contained in the PSU Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

(b)For greater certainty, for Canadian Taxpayers, in no event shall such settlement be later than the period of time specified in Section 6.2(b).

 

- 15 -

 

6.6Termination of Performance Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or PSU Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, Performance Share Units shall be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  Reason for
Termination
Treatment of Performance Share Units
 
  Death Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death shall be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date of death. Outstanding Performance Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death shall vest immediately and be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date of death, prorated to reflect the actual period between the commencement of the performance cycle and the date of death, based on the Participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the date of death. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of death.
  Retirement Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date of Retirement shall be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date of Retirement. Outstanding Performance Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date of Retirement shall be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the earlier of the vesting date and the date that is one year from the date of Retirement. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of Retirement.
  Disability Outstanding Performance Share Units as of the date of Disability shall vest and be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 in accordance their terms, based on the Participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the date of Disability. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of Disability.
  Resignation Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date of resignation shall be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date of resignation, after which time the Performance Share Units shall in all respects terminate.
  Termination without Cause/Wrongful Dismissal - No Change in Control Involved Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the Termination Date shall be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the Termination Date. Outstanding Performance Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the Termination Date, prorated to reflect the actual period between the commencement of the performance cycle and the Termination Date, based on the Participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the Termination Date, shall be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the Termination Date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the Termination Date.

 

- 16 -

 

  Reason for
Termination
Treatment of Performance Share Units
 
  Change in Control Performance Share Units vest in accordance with Section 12.
  Termination of the Participant for Just Cause Outstanding Performance Share Units (whether vested or unvested) shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date and be forfeited.

 

7.RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

7.1Grant. Restricted Share Units may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as shall be determined by the Board by resolution, pursuant to recommendations of the Board from time to time. The Grant Date of a Restricted Share Unit for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Restricted Share Unit is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

7.2Terms and Conditions of Restricted Share Units. Restricted Share Units shall be evidenced by an RSU Award Agreement, which shall specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including:

 

(a)the number of Restricted Share Units to be awarded to the Participant;

 

(b)the period of time between the Grant Date and the date on which the Restricted Share Unit is fully vested and may be settled by the Participant, before being subject to forfeiture or termination, which period of time, for Canadian Taxpayers, shall in no case be later than December 31 of the calendar year which is three years after the calendar year in which the Grant Date occurs;

 

(c)whether and to what extent Dividend Equivalents will be credited to a Participant’s RSU Account in accordance with Section 14;

 

(d)in the case of a Canadian Taxpayer, in respect of each Restricted Share Unit that may be awarded under the RSU Award Agreement, the year in which the services to which the Restricted Share Unit relates were rendered; and

 

(e)such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters.

 

For greater certainty, each RSU Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan and, if applicable, the Addendum. No Shares will be issued on the Grant Date and the Corporation shall not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Awards.

 

7.3RSU Accounts. A separate notional account shall be maintained for each Participant with respect to Restricted Share Units granted to such Participant (an “RSU Account”) in accordance with Section 15.3. Restricted Share Units awarded to the Participant from time to time pursuant to Sections 7.1 shall be credited to the Participant’s RSU Account and shall vest in accordance with Section 7.4. On the vesting of the Restricted Share Units pursuant to Section 7.4 and the corresponding issuance of cash and/or Shares to the Participant pursuant to Section 7.5, or on the forfeiture or termination of the Restricted Share Units pursuant to the terms of the Award, the Restricted Share Units credited to the Participant’s RSU Account will be cancelled.

 

- 17 -

 

7.4Vesting. Subject to Section 12, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or RSU Award Agreement, each Restricted Share Unit shall vest and shall be settled when all applicable restrictions shall have lapsed (which shall be the “RSU Vesting Date”). Unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or RSU Award Agreement, each Restricted Share Unit shall vest and shall be settled in three approximately equal instalments on the first three anniversaries of the Grant Date.

 

7.5Settlement.

 

(a)The Restricted Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units attached to the RSU Award Agreement, acknowledged by the Corporation. On settlement, the Corporation shall, for each vested Restricted Share Unit being settled, deliver to the Participant a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the RSU Vesting Date, one Share, or any combination of cash and Shares equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the RSU Vesting Date, in the sole discretion of the Board.1 No certificates for Shares issued in settlement will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the settlement of the Restricted Share Units. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be issued in settlement of Restricted Share Units will be contingent upon the fulfillment of any requirements contained in the RSU Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

(b)For greater certainty, for Canadian Taxpayers, in no event shall such settlement be later than the period of time specified in Section 7.2(b).

 

7.6Termination of Restricted Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or RSU Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, Restricted Share Units shall be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  Reason for Termination Treatment of Restricted Share Units
  Death Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death shall be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date of death. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death shall vest and be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date of death, prorated to reflect the actual period between the grant date and the date of death. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of death.

 

 

1 For Participants who are US Taxpayers, settlements shall take place in accordance with such further limitations as may be prescribed by the Addendum.

 

- 18 -

 

 
 
Reason for
Termination
Treatment of Restricted Share Units
 
  Retirement Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date of Retirement shall be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date of Retirement. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date of Retirement shall be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the date of Retirement. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of Retirement.
  Disability Outstanding Restricted Share Units as of the date of Disability shall continue to vest for a period of no longer than one year of the date of Disability and be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 in accordance their terms, after which time the Restricted Share Units shall in all respects terminate.
  Resignation Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date of resignation shall be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date of resignation, after which time the Restricted Share Units shall in all respects terminate.
  Termination without Cause/Wrongful Dismissal -No Change in Control Involved Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the Termination Date shall be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the Termination Date. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the Termination Date shall be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the Termination Date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the Termination Date.
  Change in Control Restricted Share Units vest in accordance with Section 12.
  Termination of the Participant for Just Cause Outstanding Restricted Share Units (whether vested or unvested) shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date and be forfeited.

 

- 19 -

 

8.DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

 

8.1Grant.

 

(a)Discretionary Deferred Share Units. Deferred Share Units may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as shall be determined by the Board by resolution, pursuant to recommendations of the Board from time to time. The Grant Date of a Deferred Share Unit for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Deferred Share Unit is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

(b)Mandatory or Elective Deferred Share Units. In addition to the foregoing, on fixed dates established by the Board and subject to such terms and conditions and other procedures as the Board shall determine, pursuant to recommendations of the Board, the Board may require a Participant to defer, or may permit a Participant to elect to defer, receipt of all or a portion of the following amounts payable by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation:

 

(i)Director’s Retainer - in the case of a member of the Board who is not also an officer or employee of the Corporation, an amount equal to all or a portion of his or her annual directors’ retainer payable on account of his or her services as a member of the Board (which amount shall not include committee chairperson retainers, committee members retainers, Board or committee meeting fees, or special remuneration for ad hoc services rendered to the Board); or

 

(ii)Officers’ and Employees’ Annual Incentive - in the case of an officer or employee of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation (as applicable), an amount equal to all or a portion of his or her annual incentive bonus for a calendar year,

 

(the “Deferred Annual Amount”), and receive in lieu thereof an Award of Deferred Share Units equal to the greatest whole number which may be obtained by dividing (i) the amount of the Deferred Annual Amount, by (ii) the Market Price of one Share on the date of payment of such Deferred Annual Amount. For elective Deferred Share Units, the form of election shall be substantially in the form of Schedule G –Deferred Share Unit Election Notice.

 

8.2Terms and Conditions of Deferred Share Units. Deferred Share Units shall be evidenced by a DSU Award Agreement, which shall specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including:

 

(a)the number of Deferred Share Units to be awarded to the Participant;

 

(b)for Deferred Share Units awarded under Section 8.1(a):

 

(i)the period of time between the Grant Date and the date on which the Deferred Share Unit is fully vested and may be settled by the Participant, before being subject to forfeiture or termination, subject to Section 8.5(b) for Canadian Taxpayers;

 

- 20 -

 

(ii)any performance criteria, which may include criteria based on the Participant’s personal performance and/or the financial performance of the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, that may be used to determine the vesting of the Deferred Share Units (if applicable); and

 

(iii)such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board shall determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters;

 

(c)in the case of Deferred Share Units awarded to a Canadian Taxpayer, such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph 6801(d) of the Regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada); and

 

(d)in the case of Deferred Share Units awarded to a US Taxpayer, such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the requirements of US Code Section 409A (as defined in the Addendum).

 

For greater certainty, each DSU Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan and, if applicable, the Addendum. No Shares will be issued on the Grant Date and the Corporation shall not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Awards.

 

8.3DSU Accounts. A separate notional account shall be maintained for each Participant with respect to Deferred Share Units granted to such Participant (a “DSU Account”) in accordance with Section 15.3. Deferred Share Units awarded to the Participant from time to time pursuant to Section 8.1 shall be credited to the Participant’s DSU Account and shall vest in accordance with Section 8.4. On the vesting of the Deferred Share Units pursuant to Section 8.4 and the corresponding issuance of cash and/or Shares to the Participant pursuant to Section 8.5, or on the forfeiture and termination of the Deferred Share Units pursuant to the terms of the Award, the Deferred Share Units credited to the Participant’s DSU Account will be cancelled.

 

8.4Vesting. Subject to Section 12, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or DSU Award Agreement:

 

(a)each Deferred Share Unit awarded under Section 8.1(a) shall vest in accordance with the DSU Award Agreement; and

 

(b)each Deferred Share Unit awarded under Section 8.1(b) shall immediately vest at the time it is credited to the Participant’s DSU Account.

 

8.5Settlement.

 

(a)The Deferred Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Deferred Share Units attached to the DSU Award Agreement, acknowledged by the Corporation. On settlement, the Corporation shall, for each such vested Deferred Share Unit, deliver to the Participant a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the DSU Separation Date, one Share, or any combination of cash and Shares equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the DSU Separation Date, in the sole discretion of the Board. No certificates for Shares issued in settlement will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the settlement of the Deferred Share Units. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be issued in settlement of Deferred Share Units will be contingent upon the fulfillment of any requirements contained in the DSU Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

- 21 -

 

(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, all settlements of Deferred Share Units granted to a Participant who is a Canadian Taxpayer shall take place (i) after the DSU Separation Date; and (ii) by December 31 of the first calendar year that commences after such time.

 

8.6Termination of Deferred Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or DSU Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, Deferred Share Units shall be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  Reason for
Termination
Treatment of Deferred Share Units
 
  Death Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death shall be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of death. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death shall vest and be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of death, prorated to reflect the actual period between the grant date and the date of death. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of death.
  Retirement Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date of Retirement shall be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of Retirement. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date of Retirement shall be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the date of Retirement. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of Retirement.
  Disability Outstanding Deferred Share Units as of the date of Disability shall continue to vest for a period no longer than one year of the date of Disability and be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 in accordance their terms. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the date of Disability.

 

- 22 -

 

  Reason for
Termination
Treatment of Deferred Share Units
 
  Resignation Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date of resignation shall be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of resignation, after which time the Deferred Share Units shall in all respects terminate.
  Termination without Cause/Wrongful Dismissal - No Change in Control Involved Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the Termination Date shall be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the Termination Date. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the Termination Date shall be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the earlier of such vesting date and the date that is one year from the Termination Date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units shall in all respects terminate as of the Termination Date.
  Change in Control Deferred Share Units vest in accordance with Section 12.
  Termination of the Participant for Just Cause Outstanding Deferred Share Units (whether vested or unvested) shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date and be forfeited.

 

9.NON-ASSIGNABILITY AND NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

 

An Award granted pursuant to this Plan is personal to the Participant and may not be assigned, transferred, charged, pledged or otherwise alienated, other than to a Participant’s Personal Representatives.

 

10.ADJUSTMENTS

 

10.1The number and kind of Shares to which an Award pertains and, with respect to Options, the Option Price, shall be adjusted in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split or redivision, reduction, combination or consolidation, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Corporation, in such manner, if any, and at such time, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine to be equitable in the circumstances; provided that such adjustments are not inconsistent with the Plan and the rules and regulations of the Exchange (as applicable). Failure of the Board to provide for an adjustment shall be conclusive evidence that the Board has determined that it is equitable to make no adjustment in the circumstances. If an adjustment results in a fractional share, the fraction shall be disregarded.

 

10.2Subject to Section Error! Reference source not found., if at any time the Corporation grants to its shareholders the right to subscribe for and purchase pro rata additional securities of any other corporation or entity, there shall be no adjustments made to the Shares or other securities subject to an Award in consequence thereof and the Awards shall remain unaffected.

 

- 23 -

 

10.3The adjustments provided for in this Section 10 shall be cumulative.

 

10.4On the happening of each and every of the foregoing events, the applicable provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Board shall take all necessary action so as to make all necessary adjustments in the number and kind of securities subject to any outstanding Award (and the Plan) and, with respect to Options, the Option Price.

 

11.PRIORITY OF AGREEMENTS

 

11.1Priority of Agreements. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of a Participant’s Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail with respect to such Participant. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of (i) the Plan and/or a Participant’s Award Agreement, and (ii) a Participant’s Service Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail with respect to such Participant. With respect to the Plan, the terms of the Participant’s Service Agreement must not (i) cause a violation of US Code 409A in respect of a US Taxpayer (as defined in the Addendum) or (ii) cause the Plan to be a “salary deferral arrangement” as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) in respect of a Participant that is a Canadian Taxpayer, in either case the terms of the Plan shall prevail.

 

11.2Vesting and Termination Provisions in Service Agreements. In the event that a Participant’s Service Agreement contains provisions respecting the vesting of the dates upon which any or all outstanding Awards shall be exercisable or settled, without regard to whether such Awards have otherwise vested in accordance with their terms, or provisions respecting the expiry, forfeiture and termination of such Awards, the vesting or expiry, forfeiture and termination of such Awards, as applicable, shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Participant’s Service Agreement with respect to such Participant, provided such terms do not contradict or otherwise conflict with the terms of the Plan, in either case the terms of the Plan shall then prevail.

 

12.CHANGE IN CONTROL - TREATMENT OF AWARDS

 

12.1Change in Control - Awards Granted On and After Original LTIP Date. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or Award Agreement, if a Change in Control shall conclusively be deemed to have occurred and at least one of the two additional circumstances described below occurs, then there shall be immediate full vesting of each outstanding Award granted on and after the Original LTIP Date, subject to any required approval of the Exchange, which may be exercised and settled, in whole or in part, even if such Award is not otherwise exercisable or vested by its terms:

 

(a)upon a Change in Control the surviving corporation (or any affiliate thereof) or the potential successor (or any affiliate thereto) fails to continue or assume the obligations with respect to each Award or fails to provide for the conversion or replacement of each Award with an equivalent award that satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 12.1(b)(i)(A) or 12.1(b)(i)(B); or

 

(b)in the event that the Awards were continued, assumed, converted or replaced as contemplated in 12.1(b)(i), during the two-year period following the effective date of a Change in Control, the Participant is terminated by the Corporation without cause or the Participant resigns for good reason, and for purposes of Section 12.1:

 

- 24 -

 

(i)the obligations with respect to each Participant shall be considered to have been continued or assumed by the surviving corporation (or any affiliate thereto) or the potential successor (or any affiliate thereto), if each of the following conditions are met, which determination shall be made solely in the discretionary judgment of the Board, which determination may be made in advance of the effective date of a particular Change in Control and shall be final and binding:

 

(A)the Shares remain publicly held and widely traded on an established stock exchange; and

 

(B)the terms of the Plan and each Award are not materially altered or impaired without the consent of the Participant;

 

(ii)the obligations with respect to each Award shall be considered to have been converted or replaced with an equivalent award by the surviving corporation (or any affiliate thereto) or the potential successor (or any affiliate thereto), if each of the following conditions are met, which determination shall be made solely in the discretionary judgment of the Board, which determination may be made in advance of the effective date of a particular Change in Control and shall be final and binding

 

(A)each Award is converted or replaced with a replacement award in a manner that qualifies under Subsection 7(1.4) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) in the case of a Participant that is a Canadian Taxpayer or that complies with Code Section 409A in the case of a Participant that is a US Taxpayer on all or any portion of the benefit arising in connection with the grant, exercise and/or other disposition of such award;

 

(B)the converted or replaced award preserves the existing value of each underlying Award being replaced, contains provisions for scheduled vesting and treatment on termination of employment (including with respect to termination for cause or constructive dismissal) that are no less favourable to the Participant than the underlying Award being replaced, and all other terms of the converted award or replacement award (but other than the security and number of shares represented by the continued award or replacement award) are substantially similar to the underlying Award being converted or replaced; and

 

(C)the security represented by the converted or replaced Award is of a class that is publicly held and widely traded on an established stock exchange.

 

12.2Change in Control. Notwithstanding Section 12.1, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board shall have the right, but not the obligation, and without the consent of any Participant, to permit each Participant, within a specified period of time prior to the completion of the Change in Control as determined by the Board, to exercise all of the Participant’s outstanding Options and to settle all of the Participant’s outstanding Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units and Deferred Share Units (to the extent then vested and exercisable, including by reason of acceleration by the Board pursuant to Section 12.3 or in accordance with the Award Agreement) but subject to and conditional upon the completion of the Change in Control and any required approval of the Exchange.

 

- 25 -

 

12.3Discretion to Accelerate Awards. Notwithstanding Section 12.1, and subject to any required approval of the Exchange, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board may accelerate the dates upon which any or all outstanding Awards shall vest and be exercisable or settled, without regard to whether such Awards have otherwise vested in accordance with their terms.

 

12.4Termination of Awards on Change in Control. Subject to and conditional upon completion of the Change in Control event, the Plan and all outstanding Awards, vested and unvested, shall be deemed to be terminated, without further act or formality, except to the extent required under Sections 12.1 and 16.2, if applicable.

 

12.5Further Assurances on Change in Control. The Participant shall execute such documents and instruments and take such other actions, including exercise or settlement of Awards vesting pursuant to Section 12.2 or the Award Agreement, as may be required consistent with the foregoing; provided, however, that the exercise or settlement of Awards vesting pursuant to Section 12.2 or the Award Agreement shall be subject to the completion of the Change in Control event.

 

12.6Awards Need Not be Treated Identically. In taking any of the actions contemplated by this Section 12, the Board shall not be obligated to treat all Awards held by any Participant, or all Awards in general, identically.

 

12.7Canadian Taxpayer. In the case of a Deferred Share Unit held by a Participant that is a Canadian Taxpayer, and subject to any further limitations provided in any Award Agreement, (i) no payment settlement shall be made to the Participant under this Section 12 until after the time that the Participant ceases to be a director or officer of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation / an employee or consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation for any reason, without regard to any agreed or otherwise binding severance or notice period (whether express, implied, contractual, statutory or at common law); and (ii) all settlements to such Participant under this Section 12 shall be made by December 31 of the first calendar year that commences after such time.

 

13.AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN AND AWARDS

 

13.1Discretion to Amend the Plan and Awards. Subject to Subsection Error! Reference source not found. and Section 13.2, the Board may amend the Plan or Awards at any time, provided, however, that no such amendment may materially and adversely affect any Award previously granted to a Participant without the consent of the Participant, except to the extent required by applicable law (including Exchange requirements). Any amendment under this Section shall be subject to all necessary regulatory approvals and must be consistent with the rules and regulations of the Exchange.

 

- 26 -

 

13.2Amendments Requiring Shareholder Approval. Notwithstanding Section 13.1, no amendments to the Plan or Awards to:

 

(a)with respect to Options, reduce the Option Price, or cancel and reissue any Options so as to in effect reduce the Option Price;

 

(b)extend (i) the term of an Option beyond its original expiry date, or (ii) the date on which a Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit will be forfeited or terminated in accordance with its terms, other than in accordance with Section 16.3;

 

(c)increase the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan;

 

(d)revise the participation limits set out in Section 4.3;

 

(e)revise Section 9 to permit Awards granted under the Plan to be transferable or assignable other than for estate settlement purposes;

 

(f)amendments to the definition of “Eligible Person” that may permit the introduction or reintroduction of Participants on a discretionary basis; or

 

(g)revise the amending provisions set forth in Section 13.1 or 13.2;

 

shall be made without obtaining approval of the Shareholders or Disinterested Shareholders, of the Corporation, as applicable, in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange and, for certainty, the foregoing are subject to the limitations set out in Section Error! Reference source not found..

 

13.3Amendment, Suspension or Discontinuance. No amendment, suspension or discontinuance of the Plan or of any Award may contravene the requirements of the Exchange or any securities commission or other regulatory body to which the Plan or the Corporation is now or may hereafter be subject to. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the ability of the Board to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

13.4Tax Provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(a)no amendment to the Plan shall cause the Plan or Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units granted to a Canadian Taxpayer hereunder to be made without the consent of such Canadian Taxpayer if the result of such amendment would be to cause the Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units to be a “salary deferral arrangement” under the Income Tax Act (Canada); and

 

(b)no amendment to the Plan shall cause the Plan or Deferred Share Units granted to a Canadian Taxpayer hereunder to cease to meet the conditions of paragraph 6801(d) of the Regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) without the consent of such Canadian Taxpayer.

 

14.DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

 

The Board may determine whether and to what extent Dividend Equivalents will be credited to a Participant’s PSU Account, RSU Account and DSU Account with respect to Awards of Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units. Dividend Equivalents to be credited to a Participant’s PSU Account, RSU Account or DSU Account shall be credited as follows:

 

(a)any cash dividends or distributions credited to the Participant’s PSU Account, RSU Account or DSU Account shall be deemed to have been invested in additional Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units, as applicable, on the record date established for the related dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the greatest whole number which may be obtained by dividing (i) the value of such dividend or distribution on the record date by (ii) the Market Price of one Share on such record date, and such additional Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit, as applicable, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as are applicable in respect of the Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit, as applicable, with respect to which such dividends or distributions were payable; and

 

- 27 -

 

(b)if any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares or other securities, such Shares and other securities shall be subject to the same vesting, performance and other restrictions as apply to the Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Unit, as applicable, with respect to which they were paid.

 

No Dividend Equivalent will be credited to or paid on Awards of Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units that have expired or that have been forfeited or terminated.

 

15.MISCELLANEOUS

 

15.1No Rights as a Shareholder. Nothing contained in the Plan nor in any Award granted hereunder shall be deemed to give any Person any interest or title in or to any Shares or any rights as a shareholder of the Corporation or any other legal or equitable right against the Corporation whatsoever with respect to Shares issuable pursuant to an Award until such Person becomes the holder of record of Shares.

 

15.2Employment. Nothing contained in the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to employment or continued employment or the right to continue to serve as a director, officer or a consultant as the case may be, or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation to terminate such employment or service at any time. Participation in the Plan by an Eligible Person is voluntary. For stock options granted to employees, consultants or Management Corporation Employees, the Corporation and the Option holder are responsible for ensuring and confirming that the Option holder is a bona fide employee, consultant or Management Corporation Employee, as the case may be.

 

15.3Record Keeping. The Corporation shall main appropriate registers in which shall be recorded all pertinent information with respect to the granting, amendment, exercise, vesting, expiry, forfeiture and termination of Awards. Such registers shall include, as appropriate:

 

(a)the name and address of each Participant;

 

(b)the number of Awards credited to each Participant’s account;

 

(c)any and all adjustments made to Awards recorded in each Participant’s account; and

 

(d)such other information which the Corporation considers appropriate to record in such registers.

 

- 28 -

 

15.4Income Taxes. As a condition of and prior to participation in the Plan, an Eligible Person shall authorize the Corporation in written form to withhold from any payment otherwise payable to such Eligible Person any amounts required by any taxing authority to be withheld for taxes of any kind as a consequence of such participation in the Plan, the issuance of any Shares pursuant to the Plan or the settlement in cash and/or Shares of any Awards under the Plan. In addition, as a condition for the exercise of an Option, the Corporation may require a Participant to deliver to the Corporation all or a portion of the taxes required to be withheld or remitted by the Corporation under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any applicable Canadian provincial taxation statute as a result of the exercise of the Option.

 

15.5No Representation or Warranty. The Corporation makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of any Shares issued pursuant to the Plan.

 

15.6Direction to Transfer Agents. Upon receipt of a certificate of an authorized officer of the Corporation directing the issue of Shares issuable under the Plan, the transfer agent of the Corporation is authorized and directed to issue and countersign share certificates for the Shares subject to the applicable Award in the name of such Participant or as may be directed in writing by the Participant.

 

16.TERM OF AWARD, EXPIRY, FORFEITURE AND TERMINATION OF AWARDS / BLACKOUT PERIODS

 

16.1Term of Award. Subject to Section 16.3, in no circumstances shall the term of an Award exceed ten years from the Grant Date.

 

16.2Expiry, Forfeiture and Termination of Awards. If for any reason an Award expires without having been exercised or is forfeited or terminated, and subject to any extension thereof in accordance with the Plan, such Award shall forthwith expire and be forfeited and shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.

 

16.3Blackout Periods. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, except as provided in Section 2.2 of the Addendum, if the expiry date or vesting date of an Award, other than a Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit awarded to a Canadian Taxpayer, as applicable, is during a Blackout Period, the expiry date or vesting date, as applicable, will be automatically extended for a period of ten Trading Days following the end of the Blackout Period, provided that the following requirements are satisfied:

 

(a)the Blackout Period must be formally imposed by the Corporation pursuant to its internal trading policies. For greater certainty, in the absence of the Corporation formally imposing a Blackout Period, the expiry date of any Awards will not be automatically extended in any circumstances;

 

(b)the Blackout Period must expire upon the general disclosure of the undisclosed material information; and

 

(c)the automatic extension of a Participant’s Award will not be permitted where the Participant or the Corporation is subject to a cease trade order (or similar order under securities laws) in respect of the Corporation’s securities.

 

 

 

- 29 -

 

In the case of a Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit awarded to a Canadian Taxpayer or US Taxpayer (as defined in the Addendum), any settlement that is effected during a Blackout Period in order to comply with Section 13.4 in the case of a Canadian Taxpayer or the Addendum in the case of a US Taxpayer shall (subject to the requirements of applicable law) be settled in cash, notwithstanding any other provision hereof.

 

17.GOVERNING LAW

 

The Plan shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

18.REGULATORY APPROVAL

 

18.1The Plan shall be subject to the approval of any relevant regulatory authority whose approval is required, including the Exchange. Any Awards granted prior to such approval and acceptance shall be conditional upon such approval and acceptance being given and no such Awards may be exercised or shall vest unless such approval and acceptance is given.

 

19.EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

 

The Plan is dated with effect as of the Effective Date.

 

20.EXISTING INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

 

Following the Effective Date, the Plan will replace all current incentive stock option plans and long-term incentive plans of the Corporation currently in place, and such plans shall thereafter be of no further force and effect. All outstanding incentive stock options or other awards issued under any previous plans shall thereafter be deemed to be issued under the Plan and shall thereafter be governed under the Plan.

 

 

- 30 -

 

 

 

ADDENDUM A - SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO US TAXPAYERS

 

This Addendum sets forth special provisions of the Plan that apply to US Taxpayers (as defined below) and forms part of the Plan. All capitalized terms, to the extent not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1For the purposes of this Addendum:

 

Disability” means “disability” as defined in Section 422(c) of the US Code;

 

Fair Market Price” shall be last closing price of the Issuer’s Shares before either the issuance of a press release or the filing with the Exchange of a price reservation form (Form A) required to fix the price at which the Shares are to be issued, less any applicable discount, or, if the Shares are not listed on the Exchange, on such other principal stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are listed or quoted, as the case may be. If the Shares are not publicly traded or quoted, then the “Fair Market Price” shall be the fair market value of the Shares, as determined by the Board, on the Grant Date. In the resolution allocating any Option, the Board may determine that the Grant Date shall be a future date determined in the manner specified in such resolution, in which case, for the purpose of this definition, “Fair Market Price” shall be deemed to be the last closing price of the Issuer’s Shares before either the issuance of a press release or the filing with the Exchange of a price reservation form (Form A) required to fix the price at which the Shares are to be issued, less any applicable discount, or, if the Shares are not listed on the Exchange, on such other principal stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are listed or quoted, as the case may be, or, if the Shares are not publicly traded or quoted, then the “Market Price” shall be the fair market value of the Shares, as determined by the Board, on the Grant Date; and “Fair Market Price” with respect to a Non-Qualified Stock Option will be the fair market value determined by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, within the meaning of US Code Section 409A;

 

Incentive Stock Option” means any Award designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the US Code;

 

Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Award that is not an Incentive Stock Option;

 

Separation From Service” shall mean that employment with the Corporation and any entity that is to be treated as a single employer with the Corporation for purposes of United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) terminates such that it is reasonably anticipated that no further services will be performed;

 

Specified Employee” means a US Taxpayer who meets the definition of “specified employee,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the US Code;

 

subsidiary corporation” means “subsidiary corporation” as defined in Section 424(f) of the US Code;

 

Ten Percent Owner” means a US Taxpayer who, at the time an Award is granted, owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the US Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any parent or subsidiary corporation, within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the US Code;

 

 

- 31 -

 

US Code” means the United States Internal Revenue US Code of 1986 and any applicable United States Treasury Regulations and other binding regulatory guidance thereunder;

 

US Code Section 409A” means Section 409A of the US Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder;

 

US Code Section 409A Award” means an Award that is “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of US Code Section 409A;

 

US Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations thereunder;

 

US Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations thereunder; and

 

US Taxpayer” means a Participant who is a citizen or resident of the United States for purposes of the US Code, or whose Awards under the Plan are subject, or would be subject, absent an exemption, to US Code Section 409A.

 

2.INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

 

2.1Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options. Awards granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Notwithstanding Sections 3.2 and 5.1 of the Plan, Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to an Eligible Person who is an employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary corporation. To the extent that any Award does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

2.2Term of Option. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan arguably to the contrary:

 

(a)in no circumstances shall the term of an Option exceed ten years from the Grant Date or be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the Grant Date; and

 

(b)in no circumstances shall the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner exceed five years from the Grant Date or be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.

 

2.3Plan Limit on Incentive Stock Options. Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan and Sections 422 and 424 of the US Code, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan and which may be made subject to Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed 25,500,000.

 

2.4Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422(d) of the US Code, the aggregate Market Price (determined as of the Grant Date) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and any other plan of the Corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations that become exercisable or vest for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed US$100,000 or such other limit as may be in effect from time to time under Section 422 of the US Code. To the extent that any Award exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

 

- 32 -

 

3.OPTIONS

 

3.1Option Price. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the Option Price of such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Price of the Shares determined as of the Grant Date. For all other US Taxpayers, the Option Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Price of the Shares determined as of the Grant Date. The Option Price of a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Price of the Shares as determined as of the Grant Date.

 

3.2Method of Exercise of Options. Section 5.3 of the Plan shall not be available if the Option being exercised is an Incentive Stock Option.

 

3.3Option Award Agreement. The Option Award Agreement for US Taxpayers shall specify whether such Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. If no such specification is made, the Option will be (a) an Incentive Stock Option if all of the requirements under the US Code are satisfied, and (b) in all other cases, a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

4.PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS AND RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

4.1Settlement of Performance Share Units for US Taxpayers. Notwithstanding the timing of settlement described in Sections 6.5 and 6.6 of the Plan, but subject to Section 7.4 of this Addendum, for US Taxpayers, all settlements of Performance Share Units credited to a US Taxpayer’s PSU Account shall take place within 30 days of the date such Performance Share Units vest without receipt of the Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units from the US Taxpayer.

 

4.2Settlement of Restricted Share Units for US Taxpayers. Notwithstanding the timing of settlement described in Sections 7.5 and 7.6 of the Plan, but subject to Section 7.4 of this Addendum, for US Taxpayers, all settlements of Restricted Share Units credited to a US Taxpayer’s RSU Account shall take place within 30 days of the date such Restricted Share Units vest without receipt of the Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units from the US Taxpayer.

 

5.DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

 

5.1Elections for US Taxpayers. Section 8.1(b) of the Plan shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(a). Except as otherwise permitted under such regulation, a Participant’s election to defer a Deferred Annual Amount must be made by the end of the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which services giving rise to the right to payment of such amounts are to be performed. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during a US Taxpayer’s first calendar year of eligibility in the Plan (as described in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(a)(7)) such US Taxpayer may, within 30 days of becoming eligible, elect to participate in the Plan for such calendar year solely with respect to compensation to be paid for services to be performed after the date such election is made.

 

 

- 33 -

 

5.2Distribution Date for Settlement of DSUs Held By US Taxpayers. Notwithstanding the timing of settlement described in Sections 8.5 or 8.6 of the Plan, but subject to Section 7.4 of this Addendum, for US Taxpayers, all settlements of Deferred Share Units credited to a US Taxpayer’s DSU Account shall take place within 30 days of the date of the US Taxpayer’s Separation From Service without receipt of the Notice of Settlement of Deferred Share Units from the US Taxpayer, unless a different fixed settlement date was specified in the applicable DSU Award Agreement at the time of grant of the Deferred Share Units (the “distribution date”). Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan arguably to the contrary (including Sections 12.2 and 13 of the Plan), any acceleration of the vesting of Deferred Share Units held by US Taxpayers will not result in the acceleration of the distribution date for such Deferred Share Units unless permitted under US Code Section 409A.

 

5.3Special Limitation Applicable to Eligible Persons Who Are Both a Canadian Taxpayer and a US Taxpayer. If the Deferred Share Units of a US Taxpayer are subject to tax under the income tax laws of Canada and also are subject to tax under US Code Section 409A, the following special rules regarding forfeiture will apply. For greater clarity, these forfeiture provisions are intended to avoid adverse tax consequences under US Code Section 409A and/or under paragraph 6801(d) of the regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada), that may result because of the different requirements as to the time of distribution of Deferred Share Units (and thus the time of taxation) with respect to a US Taxpayer’s separation from service (under US tax law) and his retirement or loss of office (under Canadian tax law). The intended consequence of this Section 5.4 of the Plan is that distributions to US Taxpayers in payment of Deferred Share Units only will occur if such US Taxpayer experiences both a Separation From Service under US Code Section 409A and a retirement of loss of office within the meaning of paragraph 6801(d) of the regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada). If a US Taxpayer otherwise would be entitled to payment with respect to Deferred Share Units in any of the following circumstances, such Deferred Share Units shall instead be immediately and irrevocably forfeited, unless the relevant taxation authorities have provided guidance that the payment with respect to Deferred Share Units in such circumstances would not result in adverse tax consequences to the Eligible Person or the Corporation under either the Income Tax Act (Canada) or the US Code, or that compliance with the tax rules of only one jurisdiction would not cause a failure to comply with the rules of the other taxing jurisdiction:

 

(a)a US Taxpayer experiences a Separation From Service as a result of a permanent decrease in the level of services such US Taxpayer provides to the Corporation and its affiliates to less than 20% of his past service, but such US Taxpayer continues to provide some level of service to the Corporation or an affiliate such that he has not had a retirement from, or loss of office or employment with, the Corporation or a corporation related thereto, within the meaning of paragraph 6801(d) of the regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada); or

 

(b)a US Taxpayer experiences a Separation From Service for purposes of a distribution required under US Code Section 409A as a result of ceasing to be a member of the Board, but such person continues providing services as an employee or as a member of the board of an affiliate, and as a result he has not experienced a retirement from, or loss of office or employment with, the Corporation or a corporation related thereto, within the meaning of paragraph 6801(d) of the regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada); or

 

 

- 34 -

  

(c)a US Taxpayer experiences a retirement from, or loss of office or employment with, the Corporation or a corporation related thereto, within the meaning of paragraph 6801(d) of the regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada), by virtue of ceasing employment as both an employee and as a director, but he continues to provide services as an independent contractor such that he has not experienced a Separation from Service.

 

6.TAXES

 

6.1Payment of Taxes. Each US Taxpayer is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or for the account of such US Taxpayer in connection with the Plan or any other plan maintained by the Corporation (including any taxes and penalties under US Code Section 409A), and neither the Corporation nor any subsidiary of the Corporation shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such US Taxpayer (or any Participant ) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.

 

6.2Tax Withholding. A US Taxpayer shall be required to pay to the Corporation, and the Corporation shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash or other compensation payable under the Plan, or from any other compensation or amounts owing to the US Taxpayer, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of amounts paid under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Corporation to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes.

 

7.MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1Non-Assignability. Section 9 of the Plan shall only be available to US Taxpayers if the Option to be transferred is a Non-Qualified Stock Option and to the extent permissible under US law. No Incentive Stock Option shall be transferable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and all Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant, or by the Participant’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the Participant’s Disability. Section 9 of the Plan shall only be available to US Taxpayers with respect to Performance Share Units, Deferred Share Units and Restricted Share Units to the extent permissible under US law.

 

7.2Amendments. In addition to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, to the extent determined by the Board to be required either by the US Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the US Code or otherwise, Plan amendments as they relate to or affect US Taxpayers shall be subject to approval by the Corporation shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders. An amendment to increase the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan and which may be made subject to Incentive Stock Options as set forth in Section 2.3 of this Addendum must be approved by shareholders within 12 months of adoption of such amendment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, no amendment in respect of an Award to a US Taxpayer shall be made without the consent of such US Taxpayer if the result of such amendment would be to cause the Award to violate the requirements of US Code Section 409A.

 

 

- 35 -

 

7.3Effective Date; Shareholder Approval. The Plan including the Addendum shall become effective upon the Effective Date. Awards may be granted under this Addendum from and after the Effective Date; provided however that if Corporation’s shareholders fail to approve the Plan and this Addendum within 12 months of the Effective Date, any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan to a US Taxpayer from and after the Effective Date to the date that is 12 months of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the Effective Date or the date the Plan including the Addendum are approved by the Corporation’s shareholders.

 

7.4US Code Section 409A Awards. If an Award is determined to constitute a US Code Section 409A Award, the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Board from time to time in order to comply with US Code Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a US Code Section 409A Award is payable upon a Separation From Service to a Participant who is considered a Specified Employee, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s date of Separation From Service, or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to US Code Section 409A.

 

7.5Priority. Except as specifically provided in this Addendum, the provisions of the Plan and the Participant’s Award Agreement shall govern. For Participants who are US Taxpayers, in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of (i) the Plan and/or a Participant’s Award Agreement, and (ii) this Addendum, the terms of this Addendum shall prevail.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (NON U.S.)

 

This Option Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the • day of •, 20• between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (the “Company”) and • in the City of •, in the Province of • (the “Participant”).

 

1. DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of •, 2021 (the “Plan”) and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan, and the Addendum, if applicable, unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND PRICE

 

2.1The Company grants Options to the Participant to purchase the number of Shares hereinafter set out, subject to the terms and conditions in the Plan and hereinafter set out:

 

Grant Date:
Number of Options:
Option Price:
Scheduled Expiry Date:

 

3.EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

3.1Options shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Option has vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows:

 

Vesting Dates Number of Options

 

3.2The Option may be exercised by the Participant by delivering to the Company a completed Appendix 1 – Notice of Exercise of Option, a copy of which is attached hereto.

 

4.ATTRIBUTES OF OPTIONS

 

4.1All Options, whether or not vested, hall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated by reference. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

5.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1Notices. Any notice given regarding the matters contemplated by this Agreement must be in writing, sent by personal delivery, courtier, facsimile or email and addressed:

 

 

A-2

 

To the Company at:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.

401 Bay Street, 6th Floor

Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4

Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

To the Participant at:

 

Address:

 

  Attention:
Email:

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

5.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives.

 

5.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the terms of the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

5.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

      First Cobalt Corp.
       
    By:  
      Name:
      Title:
       
       
Witness to Participant’s Signature     Name:
      Title:

 

 

A-3

 

APPENDIX 1

TO OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (NON U.S.)

NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

TO: First Cobalt Corp. (the “Company”)

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of •, 2021 (the “Plan”) and the related agreement entered into between the Company and the undersigned dated as of •, 20• the undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise all or part of its Option granted pursuant to the Plan in the following manner:

 

1. Option Information:  
     
  Grant Date  
     
  Number of Options Granted  
     
  Option Price per Share  
     
2. Exercise Information:  
     
  Number of Options Being  
  Exercised  
     
  Number of Share Appreciation  
  Rights in respect of which Option  
  is Being Exercised:  
     
  Aggregate Option Price  
     
3. Registration. The Shares are to be registered as directed below:
   
  Name of Financial Institution  
     
  Address  
     
  Account Number  
     
  Contact / Telephone  

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the       day of                          , 20     .

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE B

OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (U.S.)

 

This Option Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the • day of •, 20• between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (the “Company”) and • in the State of • (the “Participant”).

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of [•], 2021 (the “Plan”) and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan, and the Addendum, if applicable, unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND PRICE

 

2.1The Company grants Options to the Participant to purchase the number of Shares hereinafter set out, subject to the terms and conditions in the Plan and hereinafter set out:

 

Grant Date:
Number of Options:
Option Price: US$• per Share
Scheduled Expiry Date:

 

3.EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

3.1Options shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Option has vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows:

 

Vesting Dates Number of Options

 

3.2The Option may be exercised by the Participant by delivering to the Company a completed Appendix 1 – Notice of Exercise of Option, a copy of which is attached hereto.

 

4.ATTRIBUTES OF OPTIONS

 

4.1All Options, whether or not vested, hall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated by reference. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

 

B-2

 

5.FOR AGREEMENTS WITH US TAXPAYERS

 

Alternative #1 - The following provisions apply to Options granted to US Taxpayers that are intended to be Incentive Stock Options.

 

5.1Incentive Stock Options for US Taxpayers

 

This Option (or such portion of the Option as indicated above) is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422(b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “US Code”), to the extent permitted under applicable law. To the extent that any portion of the Option does not so qualify, it shall be deemed a non-qualified stock option.

 

In order to qualify as “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the US Code, the Participant understands that in order to obtain the benefits of an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the US Code, no sale or other disposition may be made of Shares for which incentive stock option treatment is desired within the one-year period beginning on the day after the day of the transfer of such Shares to it, nor within the two-year period beginning on the day after Grant Date of this Option and further that this Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment as an Employee (or 12 months in the case of death or disability) to qualify as an incentive stock option. If the Participant disposes (whether by sale, gift, transfer or otherwise) of any such Shares within either of these periods, he or she will notify the Company within 30 days after such disposition. The Participant also agrees to provide the Company with any information concerning any such dispositions required by the Company for tax purposes. Further, to the extent this Option and any other incentive stock options of the Participant having an aggregate Market Price in excess of $100,000 (determined as of the Grant Date) first become exercisable in any year, such options will not qualify as incentive stock options.

 

Alternative #2 - Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

5.2Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

This Option (or such portion of the Option as indicated above) is not intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422(b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

6.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

6.1Notices. Any notice given regarding the matters contemplated by this Agreement must be in writing, sent by personal delivery, courier, facsimile or email and addressed:

 

To the Company at:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.

401 Bay Street, 6th Floor

Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

To the Participant at:

 

Address:

  Attention:
Email:

 

 

B-3

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

6.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives.

 

6.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the terms of the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

6.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

      First Cobalt Corp.
       
    By:  
      Name:
      Title:
       
       
Witness to Participant’s Signature     Name:
      Title:

 

 

B-4

 

APPENDIX 1

TO OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (U.S.)

NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

TO: First Cobalt Corp. (the “Company”)

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of •, 2021 (the “Plan”) and the related agreement entered into between the Company and the undersigned dated as of •, 20• the undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise all or part of its Option granted pursuant to the Plan in the following manner:

 

1. Option Information:  
     
  Grant Date  
     
  Number of Options Granted  
     
  Option Price per Share  
     
2. Exercise Information:  
     
  Number of Options Being  
  Exercised  
     
  Number of Share Appreciation  
  Rights in respect of which Option  
  is Being Exercised:  
     
  For US Taxpayers:  
     
  I am exercising my Option for  
  Incentive Stock Options  
     
  I am exercising my Option for  
  Non-Qualified Stock Options  
     
  Aggregate Option Price  
     
3. Registration. The Shares are to be registered as directed below:
   
  Name of Financial Institution  
     
  Address  
     
  Account Number  
     
  Contact / Telephone  

 

 

B-5

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the       day of                          , 20     .

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE C

PSU AWARD AGREEMENT (NON U.S.)

 

This PSU Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the • day of •, 20• (the “Grant Date”) between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) and • in the City of •, in the Province of • (hereinafter called the “Participant”).

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of • (the “Plan”) and the Addendum, if applicable, and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND VESTING PROVISIONS

 

2.1The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant an aggregate of • Performance Share Units as an incentive for future services, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, and the terms and conditions hereinafter set out. Performance Share Units shall be settled by the Corporation in accordance with the Plan only to the extent that the Performance Share Units have vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Performance Share Unit shall vest as to 50% on the second anniversary of the Grant Date and the remaining 50% on the third anniversary of the Grant Date as set out in the table below:

 

Number of Performance Share Units PSU Vesting Date

 

2.2The Performance Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Performance Share Units, acknowledged by the Corporation. Provided that if a notice of settlement is not delivered prior to December 31 of the third Anniversary, the Performance Share Units shall be settled as of such date.

 

3.ATTRIBUTES OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

3.1All Performance Share Units, whether or not vested, shall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to form a part hereof. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

4.OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1The table below lists the companies that make up the relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) peer group for the 20• PSU awards:

 

20• PSU Performance Peer Group

 

 

C-2

 

4.2The vesting of Performance Share Units is conditional upon the achievement of relative TSR as set out in the table below:

 

Relative Total Shareholder  
Return Adjustment Factor
(Percentile Ranking)  

 

4.3Dividend Equivalents will be credited to the PSU Account with respect to the Performance Share Units.

 

5.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to provisions hereof shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally to the Person to whom it is to be given or if delivered to the Person’s address at the following applicable address or mailed to the Person at such address by ordinary mail, postage prepaid, or provided by any electronic means of sending messages, including facsimile transmission or email, which produces a paper record. Notice shall not be sent by mail if there is any general interruption of postal services in the municipality in which or to which it is mailed:

 

If to the Corporation:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.

401 Bay Street, 6th Floor

Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

If to the Participant:

 

Address:

 

  Attention:
Email:

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

 

C-3

 

5.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives and Permitted Assigns.

 

5.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan, constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and this Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

5.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

      First Cobalt Corp.
       
    By:  
      Name:
      Title:
       
       
Witness to Participant’s Signature     Name:
      Title:

 

 

C-4

 

APPENDIX 1

TO PSU AWARD AGREEMENT (NON U.S.)

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

TO: First Cobalt Corp. (the “Corporation”)

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of • , 2021 (the “Plan”) and the related agreement entered into between the Corporation and the undersigned dated as of • , 20•, including Section • of the Plan:

 

1.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to settle vested Performance Share Units in the Participant’s PSU Account under the Plan as follows:

 

Number of Vested PSU Vesting Date
Performance Share Units

 

2.Registration. The Shares issued in settlement of the vested Performance Share Units, if any, are to be registered in the name of the undersigned and are to be delivered, as directed below:

 

  Name  
  Address  

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the       day of                          , 20     .

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

3.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The vested Performance Share Units in the Participant’s PSU Account under the Plan shall be settled as follows:

 

Number of Vested         Percentage in Cash
Performance Share PSU Vesting Date Percentage in
Units     Shares
, 20• % %

 

 

C-5

 

Accepted and agreed this       day of                                    , 20    .

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE D

PSU AWARD AGREEMENT (U.S.)

 

This PSU Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the · day of ·, 20· (the “Grant Date”) between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) and · in the City of ·, in the State of · (hereinafter called the “Participant”).

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of • (the “Plan”) and the Addendum, if applicable, and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND VESTING PROVISIONS

 

2.1The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant an aggregate of • Performance Share Units, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, and the terms and conditions hereinafter set out. Performance Share Units shall be settled by the Corporation in accordance with the Plan only to the extent that the Performance Share Units have vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Performance Share Unit shall vest as to 50% on the second anniversary of the Grant Date and the remaining 50% on the third anniversary of the Grant Date as set out in the table below:

 

Number of Performance Share Units  PSU Vesting Date
·  ·
·  ·

 

2.2The Performance Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Performance Share Units, acknowledged by the Corporation. Provided that if a notice of settlement is not delivered prior to December 31 of the third Anniversary, the Performance Share Units shall be settled as of such date.

 

3.ATTRIBUTES OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

3.1All Performance Share Units, whether or not vested, shall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to form a part hereof. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

4.OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1The table below lists the companies that make up the relative TSR peer group for the 20· PSU awards:

 

20· PSU Performance Peer Group
·   · 
·   · 
·   · 
·   · 

 

 

D-2

 

4.2The vesting of Performance Share Units is conditional upon the achievement of relative TSR as set out in the table below:

 

Relative Total Shareholder    
Return    
(Percentile Ranking)   Adjustment Factor
·    · 
·    · 
·    · 

 

4.3Dividend Equivalents will be credited to the PSU Account with respect to the Performance Share Units.

 

5.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to provisions hereof shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally to the Person to whom it is to be given or if delivered to the Person’s address at the following applicable address or mailed to the Person at such address by ordinary mail, postage prepaid, or provided by any electronic means of sending messages, including facsimile transmission or email, which produces a paper record. Notice shall not be sent by mail if there is any general interruption of postal services in the municipality in which or to which it is mailed:

 

If to the Corporation:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.

401 Bay Street, 6th Floor

Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

If to the Participant:

 

Address:·
  ·

 

Attention:·
Email:·

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

 

D-3

 

5.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives and Permitted Assigns.

 

5.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan, constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and this Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

5.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

 

D-4

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

D-5

 

APPENDIX 1

TO PSU AWARD AGREEMENT (U.S.)

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

TO:        First Cobalt Corp. (the “Corporation”)

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of ·, 2021 (the “Plan”) and the related agreement entered into between the Corporation and the undersigned dated as of ·, 20·, including Section 6.5 of the Plan:

 

1.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to settle vested Performance Share Units in the Participant’s PSU Account under the Plan as follows:

 

Number of Vested   
Performance Share Units  PSU Vesting Date
·  ·

 

2.Registration. The Shares issued in settlement of the vested Performance Share Units, if any, are to be registered in the name of the undersigned and are to be delivered, as directed below:

 

Name  
Address  

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the __day of ______________, 20__.

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

3.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The vested Performance Share Units in the Participant’s PSU Account under the Plan shall be settled as follows:

 

Number of Vested               
Performance Share        Percentage in      
Units   PSU Vesting Date    Shares    Percentage in Cash 
·   ·, 20·    ·%   ·%

 

 

D-6

 

Accepted and agreed this___ day of _________, 20__.

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE E

RSU AWARD AGREEMENT (NON U.S.)

 

This RSU Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the · day of ·, 20· between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) and • in the Province of • (hereinafter called the “Participant”).

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of •, 2021 (the “Plan”) and the Addendum, if applicable, and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan and the Addendum, if applicable, unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND VESTING PROVISIONS

 

2.1The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant an aggregate of • Restricted Share Units for services rendered, or to be rendered, in the year of grant, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, including the Addendum, if applicable, and the terms and conditions hereinafter set out. Restricted Share Units shall be settled by the Corporation in accordance with the Plan only to the extent that the Restricted Share Units have vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Restricted Share Unit shall vest immediately.

 

Alternative:

 

shall vest as follows:

 

Number of Restricted     Percentage of Vested
Share Units  RSU Vesting Date  Restricted Share Units
·  ·  ·
·  ·  ·
·  ·  ·

 

2.2The Restricted Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units, acknowledged by the Corporation. Provided that if a notice of settlement is not delivered prior to December 31 of the third Anniversary, the Restricted Share Units shall be settled as of such date.

 

3.ATTRIBUTES OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

3.1All Restricted Share Units, whether or not vested, shall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to form a part hereof. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

4.OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1Dividend Equivalents will be credited to the RSU Account with respect to the Performance Share Units.

 

 

E-2

 

5.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to provisions hereof shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally to the Person to whom it is to be given or if delivered to the Person’s address at the following applicable address or mailed to the Person at such address by ordinary mail, postage prepaid, or provided by any electronic means of sending messages, including facsimile transmission or email, which produces a paper record. Notice shall not be sent by mail if there is any general interruption of postal services in the municipality in which or to which it is mailed:

 

If to the Corporation:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.
  401 Bay Street, 6th Floor
  Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

If to the Participant:

 

Address:·
  ·

 

Attention:·
Email:·

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

5.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives and Permitted Assigns.

 

5.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan, including the Addendum, if applicable, constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and this Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

5.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

 

E-3

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

E-4

 

APPENDIX 1

TO RSU AWARD AGREEMENT (NON U.S.)

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

TO:       First Cobalt Corp. (the "Corporation")

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as● (the "Plan") and the related agreement entered into between the Corporation and the undersigned dated as of ●, 20●, including Section 7.5 of the Plan:

 

1.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to settle vested Restricted Share Units in the Participant’s RSU Account under the Plan as follows:

 

Number of Vested Restricted   
Share Units  RSU Vesting Date
·  ·

 

2.Registration. The Shares issued in settlement of the vested Deferred Share Units, if any, are to be registered in the name of the undersigned and are to be delivered, as directed below:

 

Name  
Address  

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the ___ day of ____________ , 20__.

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

3.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The vested Restricted Share Units in the Participant’s RSU Account under the Plan shall be settled as follows:

 

Number of Vested Restricted   
Share Units  RSU Vesting Date
·  ·

 

Accepted and agreed this _____day of___________, 20___.

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE F

RSU AWARD AGREEMENT (U.S.)

 

This RSU Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the · day of ·, 20· between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the "Corporation") and · in the City of ·, in the State of · (hereinafter called the "Participant").

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of ● (the “Plan”), and the Addendum, if applicable, and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND VESTING PROVISIONS

 

2.1The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant an aggregate of ● Restricted Share Units for services rendered, or to be rendered, in the year of grant, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, and the terms and conditions hereinafter set out. Restricted Share Units shall be settled by the Corporation in accordance with the Plan only to the extent that the Restricted Share Units have vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Restricted Share Unit shall vest immediately.

 

Alternative:

 

shall vest as follows:

 

Number of Restricted     Percentage of Vested
Share Units  RSU Vesting Date  Restricted Share Units
·  ·  ·
·  ·  ·
·  ·  ·

 

2.2The Restricted Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Restricted Share Units, acknowledged by the Corporation. Provided that if a notice of settlement is not delivered prior to December 31 of the third Anniversary, the Restricted Share Units shall be settled as of such date.

 

3.ATTRIBUTES OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

3.1All Restricted Share Units, whether or not vested, shall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to form a part hereof. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

4.OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1Dividend Equivalents will be credited to the RSU Account with respect to the Performance Share Units.

 

 

F-2

 

5.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to provisions hereof shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally to the Person to whom it is to be given or if delivered to the Person’s address at the following applicable address or mailed to the Person at such address by ordinary mail, postage prepaid, or provided by any electronic means of sending messages, including facsimile transmission or email, which produces a paper record. Notice shall not be sent by mail if there is any general interruption of postal services in the municipality in which or to which it is mailed:

 

If to the Corporation:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.
  401 Bay Street, 6th Floor
  Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

If to the Participant:

 

Address:· 
  · 

 

Attention:· 
Email:· 

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

5.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives and Permitted Assigns.

 

5.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan, constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and this Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

5.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

 

F-3

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

F-4

 

APPENDIX 1

TO RSU AWARD AGREEMENT (U.S.)

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

TO: First Cobalt Corp. (the "Corporation")

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as • (the "Plan") and the related agreement entered into between the Corporation and the undersigned dated as of • , 20•, including Section 7.5 of the Plan:

 

1.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to settle vested Restricted Share Units in the Participant’s RSU Account under the Plan as follows:

 

Number of Vested Restricted   
Share Units  RSU Vesting Date
·  ·

 

2.Registration. The Shares issued in settlement of the vested Deferred Share Units, if any, are to be registered in the name of the undersigned and are to be delivered, as directed below:

 

Name  
Address  

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the ___ day of ____________ , 20__.

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

3.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The vested Restricted Share Units in the Participant’s RSU Account under the Plan shall be settled as follows:

 

Number of Vested Restricted   
Share Units  RSU Vesting Date
·  ·

 

Accepted and agreed this ____ day of __________________ , 20__ .

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE G

DEFERRED SHARE UNIT ELECTION NOTICE

 

TO:First Cobalt Corp. (the “Corporation”)

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the related agreement entered into between the Corporation and the undersigned dated as of ·, 20·, including Section 8.5 of the Plan:

 

1.For Directors

 

Required Minimum Amount: For the period _________ to _________ , the undersigned hereby acknowledges his or her agreement to receive the following percentage (the “Minimum Percentage”) of his or her [annual retainer] by way of Deferred Share Units:

 

         Percentage in      
    Amount    Deferred Share Units    Percentage in Cash 
Annual Retainer  $·    ·%   ·%

 

Elected Amount: For the period _____________ to _____________, the undersigned hereby elects to receive the following percentage (the “Elected Percentage”) of his or her [annual retainer] by way of Deferred Share Units:

 

         Percentage in      
    Amount    Deferred Share Units    Percentage in Cash 
Annual Retainer  $·    ·%   ·%

 

2.For Employees

 

Elected Amount: For the period _________ to ________ , the undersigned hereby elects to receive the following percentage (the “Elected percentage”) of their [annual compensation] [annual inventive bonus] by way of Deferred Share units:

 

         Percentage in      
    Amount    Deferred Share Units    Percentage in Cash 
Annual Compensation  $·    ·%   ·%
Annual Incentive Bonus  $·    ·%   ·%

 

 

G-2

 

3.Acknowledgement

 

The undersigned confirms and acknowledges that:

 

(a)all Awards shall at all times be held by the undersigned subject to and in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to form a part hereof. The undersigned hereby confirms that he or she has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan, and agrees to be bound by them;

 

(b)this election shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the undersigned and its Personal Representatives; and

 

(c)this election is irrevocable.

 

In and for the purposes hereof, terms defined in the Plan, and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan, unless otherwise defined herein.

 

DATED the __ day of ___________ , 20__ .

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE H

DSU AWARD AGREEMENT

 

This DSU Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the · day of ·, 20· between First Cobalt Corp., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) and · in the City of ·. in the Province of · (hereinafter called the “Participant”).

 

1.DEFINITIONS

 

1.1Terms defined in the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of • (the “Plan”) and the Addendum, if applicable, and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan and the Addendum, if applicable, unless otherwise defined herein.

 

2.GRANT AND VESTING PROVISIONS

 

2.1The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant an aggregate of • Deferred Share Units, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan including the Addendum, if applicable, and hereinafter set out. Deferred Share Units shall be settled by the Corporation in accordance with the Plan only to the extent that the Deferred Share Units have vested. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, each Deferred Share Unit shall vest at the time it is credited to the Participant’s DSU Account, unless the Deferred Share Unit was awarded under Section 8.1(a) of the Plan, in which case each Deferred Share Unit shall vest in accordance with the following:

 

Number of Deferred     Percentage of Vested 
Share Units  DSU Vesting Date  Deferred Share Units 
·  ·            , 20·   100%
·  2nd Anniversary of Grant Date     
·  3rd Anniversary of Grant Date     

 

2.2The Deferred Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 - Notice of Settlement of Deferred Share Units, acknowledged by the Corporation.

 

3.ATTRIBUTES OF DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

 

3.1All Deferred Share Units, whether or not vested, shall at all times be held by the Participant subject to and in accordance with the Plan and the Addendum, if applicable, the terms of which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to form a part hereof. The Participant hereby confirms that a copy of the Plan and the Addendum, if applicable, has been made available, and agrees to be bound by it.

 

4.OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1Dividend Equivalents will be credited to the DSU Account with respect to the Performance Share Units.

 

 

H-2

 

5.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1Notices. Any notice to be given pursuant to provisions hereof shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally to the Person to whom it is to be given or if delivered to the Person’s address at the following applicable address or mailed to the Person at such address by ordinary mail, postage prepaid, or provided by any electronic means of sending messages, including facsimile transmission or email, which produces a paper record. Notice shall not be sent by mail if there is any general interruption of postal services in the municipality in which or to which it is mailed:

 

If to the Corporation:

 

Address:First Cobalt Corp.
  401 Bay Street, 6th Floor
  Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
  Canada

 

Attention:Chief Executive Officer
Tel:(416) 900-3891
Facsimile:(416) 900-3891
Email:info@firstcobalt.com

 

If to the Participant:

 

Address:·
  ·

 

Attention:·
Email:·

 

Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received when it is delivered personally at the address as aforesaid. Any notice mailed or provided by electronic document as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been received on the day it was delivered or sent by electronic means or on the fifth day after it was mailed.

 

5.2Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the Participant and its Personal Representatives.

 

5.3Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan including the Addendum, if applicable, constitute the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and this Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between the parties.

 

5.4Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario and shall be deemed to have been made therein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

H-3

 

APPENDIX 1

TO DSU AWARD AGREEMENT

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

 

TO: First Cobalt Corp. (the “Corporation”)

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan dated as of ·, 2021 (the “Plan”) and the related agreement entered into between the Corporation and the undersigned dated as of ·, 20·, including Section 8.5 of the Plan:

 

1.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to settle vested Deferred Share Units in the Participant’s DSU Account under the Plan as follows:

 

Number of Vested      
Deferred Share Units  Vesting Date  DSU Separation Date
·  ·          , 20·  ·              , 20·

 

2.Registration. The Shares issued in settlement of the vested Deferred Share Units, if any, are to be registered in the name of the undersigned and are to be delivered, as directed below:

 

Name  
Address  

 

Terms defined in the Plan and used herein have the respective meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

 

DATED the ___ day of _________________ , 20__.

 

     
Witness to Participant’s Signature   Name:
    Title:

 

3.Amounts Paid in Settlement. The undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees to settle vested Deferred Share Units in the Participant’s DSU Account under the Plan as follows:

 

Number of               
Vested     DSU         
Deferred     Separation  Percentage in  Percentage in    Date of
Share Units  Vesting Date  Date  Shares  Cash   Settlement
·  ·         , 20·  ·       , 20·  ·        %  ·        %  ·         , 20·

 

 

H-4

 

Accepted and agreed this___ day of ______________ , 20__ .

 

    First Cobalt Corp.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 4:

CHANGE OF AUDITOR REPORTING PACKAGE

 

48

 

 

 

 

Ontario Securities Commission

22nd Floor - 20 Queen Street West

Toronto, ON M5H 3S8

 

December 11, 2020

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

Re: Notice of Change of Auditors for First Cobalt Corp.

 

Pursuant to National Instrument 51-102, First Cobalt Corp. hereby provides change of auditor notice as follows:

 

·On December 10, 2020, MNP LLP of Vancouver, British Columbia resigned as First Cobalt Corp.’s auditor, at the Company’s request,
  
·On December 10, 2020, First Cobalt Corp. appointed KPMG LLP of Toronto, Ontario, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of MNP LLP, and to hold such position until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of First Cobalt Corp.
  
·The resignation of MNP LLP and the appointment of KPMG LLP was considered and approved by the Board of Directors of First Cobalt Corp.
  
·There were no modifications of opinion by MNP LLP in the Auditors’ Reports of the two most recently completed fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
  
·The Board of Directors of First Cobalt Corp. is of the opinion that there were no “reportable events” as defined by National Instrument 51-102, which occurred in connection with the audit of the two most recently completed fiscal years or for any period subsequent to the most recently completed fiscal period for which an Auditors’ Report was issued.
  
·Dated at the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, this 11th day of December, 2020.

 

Yours very truly,  
   
/s/ Ryan Snyder  
Ryan Snyder, Chief Financial Officer  
First Cobalt Corp.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 11, 2020

 

Ontario Securities Commission

22nd Floor - 20 Queen Street West

Toronto, ON M5H 3S8

 

First Cobalt Corp. (the "Company")

Notice Pursuant to National Instrument 51-102 - Change of Auditor ("Notice")

 

As required by National Instrument 51-102, we have reviewed the information contained in the notice dated December 11, 2020 given by the Company to ourselves and KPMG LLP.

 

Based on our knowledge of such information at this date, we agree with the statements set out in the Notice.

 

Yours very truly,

 

MNP LLP

Chartered Professional Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

  KPMG LLP
Bay Adelaide Centre
333 Bay Street, Suite 4600 Toronto, ON M5H 2S5 Canada
Tel 416-777-8500
Fax 416-777-8818

 

To the Ontario Securities Commission

22nd floor - 20 Queen Street West

Toronto, ON, M5H3S8

 

December 17, 2020

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

Re: Notice of Change of Auditors of First Cobalt Corp

 

We have read the Notice of First Cobalt Corp dated December 11, 2020 and are in agreement with the statements contained in such Notice.

 

Yours very truly,

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

 

 

 

KPMG LLP is a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent
member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.

KPMG Canada provides services to KPMG LLP.