UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
SCHEDULE 13E-3
(RULE 13e-100)
TRANSACTION STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 13(e) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND RULE 13e-3 THEREUNDER
Natural Resources USA Corporation
(Name of the Issuer)
Green SEA Resources Inc.
GSR Acquisition Corp.
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(Names of Persons Filing Statement) Common Stock, $0.01 par value |
|
(Title of Class of Securities) 639012103 |
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(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities) |
Alan M. Death President and Chief Executive Officer Green SEA Resources Inc. 130 Adelaide St. West, Suite 3303 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3P5 416-867-9299 (Name, Address, and Telephone Numbers of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of the Persons Filing Statement) |
copies to: Thomas M. Rose Troutman Sanders LLP 401 9th Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20004 757-687-7715 |
This statement is filed in connection with (check the appropriate box): a. ¨ The filing of solicitation materials or an information statement subject to Regulation 14A, Regulation 14C or Rule 13e-3(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. b. ¨ The filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. c. ¨ A tender offer. d. x None of the above. Check the following box if the soliciting materials or information statement referred to in checking box (a) are preliminary copies: ¨ Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the transaction: ¨ |
Calculation of Filing Fee
Transaction Valuation* |
Amount of filing fee** | |||
$10,688,470 |
$1,240.93 |
* | Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the filing fee. Determined by multiplying (i) 18,751,701 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Natural Resources USA Corporation, which constitutes the maximum number of outstanding shares of common stock of Natural Resources USA Corporation estimated to be acquired by the filing persons for $0.57 per share in cash, without interest (which estimated number of shares of common stock assumes the exercise of all outstanding stock options of Natural Resources USA Corporation that have an exercise price of less than $0.57 per share), by (ii) $0.57 per share. |
** | The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 0-11(b), equals 0.00011610 multiplied by the transaction valuation. |
þ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
Amount Previously Paid: $1,240.93 | Filing Party: Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. | |
Form or Registration No.: Schedule 13E-3 | Date Filed: August 8, 2011 |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the transaction, passed upon the merits or fairness of the transaction or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
SCHEDULE 13E-3
This Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13E-3 (the Schedule 13E-3/A) is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), by Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. in connection with the going-private transaction of Natural Resources USA Corporation.
Item 1. | Summary Term Sheet. |
The information contained in the section entitled SUMMARY TERM SHEET in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. | Subject Company Information. |
(a) Name and Address. The name of the subject company is Natural Resources USA Corporation. The principal executive offices of the subject company are located at 3200 County Road 31, Rifle, Colorado 81650, and its telephone number is (214) 253-2556.
(b) Securities. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUCSecurities in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Trading Market and Price. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUCTrading Market and Price in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Dividends. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUCDividends in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Prior Public Offerings. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUCPrior Public Offerings in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Prior Stock Purchases. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUCPrior Stock Purchases and SPECIAL FACTORS FAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3. | Identity and Background of Filing Person. |
(a) Name and Address. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIdentity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General PartnerName and Address and in Schedule I to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Business and Background of Entities. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIdentity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General PartnerBusiness Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Business and Background of Natural Persons. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIdentity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General PartnerBusiness and Background of Natural Persons and in Schedule I to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Disclosure relating to Sentient USA Resources Fund, L.P. and Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited is included in Item 3 of this Schedule 13E-3/A pursuant to General Instruction C of Schedule 13E-3 solely because such entities may be persons controlling Green SEA Resources Inc. within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Item 4. | Terms of the Transaction. |
(a) Material terms.
(1) Tender Offers. Not applicable.
(2) Mergers or Similar Transactions. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionMaterial Terms, SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERReasons and SPECIAL FACTORSCERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Different Terms. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Terms of the TransactionMaterial Terms in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Appraisal Rights. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Terms of the TransactionDissent Rights in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Provisions for Unaffiliated Security Holders. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionProvisions for Unaffiliated Security Holders in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Eligibility for Listing or Trading. Not applicable.
Item 5. | Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements. |
(a) Transactions. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and AgreementsTransactions, SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR, ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSource and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration, and under Beneficial Ownership in Schedule I to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Significant Corporate Events. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPast Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and AgreementsTransactions and SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Negotiations or Contacts. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPast Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and AgreementsTransactions and SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Agreements Involving the Subject Companys Securities. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPast Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and AgreementsTransactions, SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR and in Schedule I to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. | Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals. |
(b) Use of Securities Acquired. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPurposes of the Transaction and Plans or ProposalsUse of Securities Acquired in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Plans. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPurposes of the Transaction and Plans or ProposalsPlans in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. | Purposes, Alternatives, Reasons and Effects. |
(a) Purposes. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERPurposes in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Alternatives. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERAlternatives in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Reasons. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERReasons in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Effects. The information contained in the sections entitled SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGEREffects and SPECIAL FACTORSCERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. | Fairness of the Transaction. |
(a) Fairness. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERFairness in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Factors Considered in Determining Fairness. The information contained in the sections entitled SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERFactors considered in determining fairness, SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGER Factors not considered in determining fairness, SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGER Details of the Financial Analyses and SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERCertain negative considerations in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Approval of Security Holders. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERCertain negative considerations in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Unaffiliated Representative. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORS FAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERCertain negative considerations in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Approval of Directors. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORS FAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERCertain negative considerations in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Other Offers. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERFactors not considered in determining fairness in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. | Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations. |
(a) Report, Opinion or Appraisal. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORS REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONS in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Preparer and Summary of the Report, Opinion or Appraisal. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORSREPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONS in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Availability of Documents. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORS REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONS in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. |
(a) Source of Funds. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Source and Amount of Funds or Other ConsiderationSource of Funds in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Conditions. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Source and Amount of Funds or Other ConsiderationConditions in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Expenses. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSource and Amount of Funds or Other ConsiderationExpenses in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Borrowed funds. Not applicable.
Item 11. | Interest in Securities of the Subject Company. |
(a) Securities Ownership. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInterest in Securities of NRUCSecurities Ownership and in Schedule I to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Securities Transactions. The information contained in the sections entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInterest in Securities of NRUCSecurities Transactions and SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. | The Solicitation or Recommendation. |
(d) Intent to Tender or Vote in a Going-Private Transaction. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionMaterial Terms in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Recommendations of Others. Not applicable.
Item 13. | Financial Statements. |
(a) Financial Information. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFinancial StatementsFinancial Information in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Pro Forma Information. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFinancial StatementsPro Forma Information in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Summary Information. The information contained in the section entitled SPECIAL FACTORS SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. | Persons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used. |
(a) Solicitations or Recommendations. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPersons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Employees and Corporate Assets. The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPersons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 15. | Additional Information. |
(b) Other Material Information. None.
Item 16. | Exhibits. |
(a)(1) |
Natural Resources USA Corporation Going-Private Transaction Statement. | |||
(a)(2) |
Letter from GSR Acquisition Corp. to Natural Resources USA Corporation Shareholders. | |||
(a)(3) |
Notice of Merger and Dissent Rights. | |||
(b) |
None. | |||
(c) |
Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion of Cutfield Freeman & Co LTD effective as of August 1, 2011 and dated as of October 20, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix C to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A). | |||
(d) |
None. | |||
(f)(1) |
The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionDissent Rights in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(f)(2) |
Part 13 of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix D to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A). | |||
(g) |
Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Date: December 1, 2011 |
GREEN SEA RESOURCES INC. | |||||
By: | /s/ Alan Death | |||||
Name: Alan Death | ||||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
Date: December 1, 2011 |
GSR ACQUISITION CORP. | |||||
By: | /s/ DArcy Doherty | |||||
Name: DArcy Doherty Title: Vice President, Legal and Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Description
|
|||
(a)(1) |
Natural Resources USA Corporation Going-Private Transaction Statement. | |||
(a)(2) |
Letter from GSR Acquisition Corp. to Natural Resources USA Corporation Shareholders. | |||
(a)(3) |
Notice of Merger and Dissent Rights. | |||
(b) |
None. | |||
(c) |
Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion of Cutfield Freeman & Co LTD effective as of August 1, 2011 and dated as of October 20, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix C to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A). | |||
(d) |
None. | |||
(f)(1) |
The information contained in the section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionDissent Rights in Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A is incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(f)(2) |
Part 13 of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix D to Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 13E-3/A). | |||
(g) |
Not applicable. |
Exhibit (a)(1)
NATURAL RESOURCES USA CORPORATION
GOING-PRIVATE TRANSACTION STATEMENT
December 1, 2011
This transaction statement (the Transaction Statement) describes the going-private transaction involving Natural Resources USA Corporation, referred to herein as NRUC, how it affects you, and what your rights are with respect to the transaction as a shareholder of NRUC. It also includes the position of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp., referred to herein (unless noted or the context requires otherwise) as we, us or GSR, on the fairness of the transaction to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC. Under the terms of the proposed going-private transaction, each share of NRUC common stock owned by you will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive cash in the amount of $0.57 per share, without interest. Additionally, all outstanding options (other than options owned by GSR), whether or not exercisable, will be cancelled in exchange for an amount equal in cash to the number of shares subject to each option times the excess, if any, of the merger consideration less the applicable exercise price of that option, less any required withholding taxes. All out-of-the-money options will be cancelled for no consideration. Please read this summary and the remainder of this document very carefully.
The name of the company that is the subject of this Transaction Statement is Natural Resources USA Corporation, a Utah corporation, its principal executive offices are located at 3200 County Road 31, Rifle, Colorado 81650, and its telephone number is (214) 253-2556.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the transaction, passed upon the merits or fairness of the transaction or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Questions and Answers About the Going-Private Transaction
The following questions and answers briefly address some questions you may have regarding the going-private transaction. We strongly encourage you to read the more detailed information contained in this Transaction Statement, the appendices to this Transaction Statement and the documents referred to and incorporated by reference in this Transaction Statement.
Q: | What is the proposed transaction? |
A: | Green SEA Resources Inc. beneficially owns approximately 95% of the outstanding common stock of NRUC, which it will contribute to its wholly-owned subsidiary, GSR Acquisition Corp., pursuant to the terms of a contribution agreement between Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. (attached hereto as Appendix A) (the Contribution Agreement) prior to the mailing of this Transaction Statement. Following the contribution, GSR Acquisition Corp. will adopt a plan of merger (the form of which is attached hereto as Appendix B) whereby it will effect a short-form merger and merge with and into NRUC, with NRUC being the surviving corporation, in accordance with Section 1104 of the Utah Revised Business Corporations Act (URBC). Following the effectiveness of the short-form merger, you will no longer own any shares of NRUC and your shares will represent the right to receive cash in the amount of $0.57 per share of NRUC common stock, without interest. |
Q: | What will I receive in connection with the transaction? |
A: | Pursuant to the short-form merger, each holder of outstanding shares of common stock of NRUC (other than GSR Acquisition Corp.) will be entitled to receive cash in the amount of $0.57 per share, without interest. |
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Q: | When does Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. expect to complete the short-form merger? |
A: | Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. expect to complete the short-form merger after all conditions to the Contribution Agreement and plan of merger are satisfied or waived and all required regulatory approvals are received. Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. currently expect to complete the short-form merger during the fourth quarter of 2011. It is possible, however, that factors outside of either companys control could result in the completion of the short-form merger at a later time or a failure to complete the short-form merger at all. |
Q: | Is my vote required? |
A: | No. Because GSR Acquisition Corp. will hold greater than 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of NRUC, we are entitled to effect the short-form merger without any vote of the shareholders or the board of directors of NRUC, as permitted by Section 1104 of the URBC. |
Q: | Why am I receiving these materials? |
A: | We are required to provide you with this Transaction Statement pursuant to Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and Section 1104 of the URBC. |
Q: | May I exercise dissent rights related to the proposed transaction? |
A: | Yes. If you do not believe $0.57 per share of NRUC common stock represents the fair value for your shares of NRUC common stock, you may exercise your dissent rights to demand fair value for your shares of NRUC common stock, which may be more than the $0.57 per share merger consideration. |
Q: | How may I preserve and timely exercise my dissent rights? |
A: | In order to exercise your dissent rights, you must follow certain procedures under Part 13 of the URBC as described in detail in this Transaction Statement, which include, but are not limited to, making a written demand for payment using the Form for Demanding Payment by a Dissenting Shareholder attached as Appendix B to the Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights accompanying this Transaction Statement within 30 days after the mailing date of the Transaction Statement and Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights in accordance with the instructions set forth therein. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionDissent Rights in this Transaction Statement. See also the Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights accompanying this Transaction Statement. Any failure to comply with such procedures will result in the loss of your dissent rights. If you seek to exercise your statutory right of dissent, we strongly encourage you to read Appendix D to the Transaction Statement in its entirety and seek advice from legal counsel and your financial advisor. |
Q: | What is our position regarding the fairness of the short-form merger? |
A: | Each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. have determined that the short-form merger is both substantively and procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC. The basis for this determination is set forth in detail in this Transaction Statement and the documents incorporated by reference in this Transaction Statement. |
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SUMMARY TERM SHEET
Summary Terms
Relationship of the Parties |
NRUC is a Utah corporation that identifies and develops natural resource assets in a clean, efficient and environment-friendly manner. NRUC actively participates in the management and development of: | |
Natural sodium bicarbonate;
Water rights assets; and
Oil shale research.
| ||
NRUC owns Bureau of Land Management leases in Colorado covering large-scale deposits of naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). It also owns various water rights assets and sodium leases and it is currently seeking a Research Development and Demonstration lease from the Bureau of Land Management for the purpose of investigating the recovery of oil from oil shale. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUC in this Transaction Statement. | ||
Green SEA Resources Inc. beneficially owns approximately 95% of the outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of NRUC. Green SEA Resources Inc. is a private Canadian company wholly-owned within the Sentient Group of Global Resource Funds (The Sentient Group). GSR Acquisition Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green SEA Resources Inc., incorporated by Green SEA Resources Inc. in Utah in connection with the going-private transaction. Certain of Green SEA Resources Inc.s and GSR Acquisition Corp.s directors and officers are also directors of NRUC. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIdentity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner and Schedule I to this Transaction Statement. | ||
Short-Form Merger and Merger Consideration |
Prior to the mailing of this Transaction Statement and pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement between Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. (attached hereto as Appendix A), Green SEA Resources Inc. will contribute, among other things, all of its shares of common stock of NRUC to GSR Acquisition Corp. Because GSR Acquisition Corp. will own greater than 90% of the outstanding shares of NRUC following the contribution, GSR Acquisition Corp. will adopt a |
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plan of merger prior to the mailing of the Transaction Statement (the form of which is attached hereto as Appendix B), whereby it will effect a short form merger and merge GSR Acquisition Corp. with and into NRUC, with NRUC being the surviving corporation, in accordance with Section 1104 of the URBC. Pursuant to the short-form merger, each outstanding share of common stock of NRUC (other than shares held by GSR Acquisition Corp.) will be entitled to receive cash in the amount of $0.57 per share, without interest. If you properly perfect your dissent rights, you will have the right to demand the fair value of your NRUC common stock. | ||
After the short-form merger, we intend to terminate the registration of the common stock of NRUC under the Exchange Act. | ||
See SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGEREffects, ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionMaterial Terms and ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionDissent Rights in this Transaction Statement. | ||
This Transaction Statement is being disseminated because the short-form merger is a Rule 13e-3 transaction as defined in Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act and in order to comply with Section 1104 of the URBC. | ||
Treatment of Option Holders |
The plan of merger will provide that immediately prior to the closing of the short-form merger, all outstanding options (other than options owned by GSR), whether or not exercisable, will be cancelled in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the number of shares subject to each option times the excess, if any, of the merger consideration less the applicable exercise price of that option, less any required withholding taxes. All out-of-the-money options (i.e., the merger consideration is less than or equal to the applicable exercise price of an option) will be cancelled for no consideration. See SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGEREffectsTreatment of options and ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionMaterial Terms in this Transaction Statement. |
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Purpose of the Short-Form Merger |
The purpose of the short-form merger is for us to acquire all of the shares of NRUC not directly owned by us, and to provide a source of immediate liquidity for the minority shareholders of NRUC. Additionally, following the closing of the short-form merger, we will deregister the NRUC common stock under the Exchange Act and eliminate any future reporting obligations of NRUC thereunder. See SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERPurposes in this Transaction Statement. | |
Tax Consequences |
In general, for United States federal income tax purposes, the short-form merger will be taxable to the minority shareholders of NRUC. See SPECIAL FACTORSCERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS in this Transaction Statement. | |
No Shareholder or Board Vote |
Because GSR Acquisition Corp. will hold greater than 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of NRUC following the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, we are entitled to effect the short-form merger without any vote of the shareholders or board of directors of NRUC, as permitted by Section 1104 of the URBC. See SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGER and ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionMaterial Terms in this Transaction Statement. | |
Surrender of Certificates and Payment for Shares |
You will be paid for your shares of NRUC common stock promptly after the effective date of the short-form merger. Instructions for surrendering your stock certificates to the paying agent in order to receive the merger consideration are set forth in a letter of transmittal (the Letter of Transmittal) that will be delivered to you by the paying agent promptly following the effectiveness of the short-form merger and which should be read carefully. Sending your stock certificates with a properly signed Letter of Transmittal will waive your dissent rights described below. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionMaterial Terms in this Transaction Statement. | |
Source and Amount of Funds |
The total amount of funds required to pay the merger consideration to the minority shareholders of NRUC, and to option holders of in-the-money options (other than GSR) and to pay related fees and |
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expenses is estimated to be approximately $11,070,000. In connection with the short-form merger and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, an affiliate of The Sentient Group will contribute funds sufficient to cover the merger consideration and the option consideration to Green SEA Resources Inc. which will contribute those funds to GSR Acquisition Corp. These funds are not subject to any financing condition. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSource and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration in this Transaction Statement. |
Fairness of the Short-Form Merger
GSRs Position on the Fairness of the Short-Form Merger |
We have determined that the short-form merger is both substantively and procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. For the purposes of this Transaction Statement, the term minority shareholders means those holders of common stock of NRUC other than GSR, but including all unaffiliated shareholders. The term unaffiliated shareholders means those holders of less than 10% of the common stock of NRUC who are neither directors nor officers of NRUC. Each of our boards of directors also believe that the $0.57 per share consideration to be paid for shares of NRUC common stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. In the course of reaching this determination, and in discussions with our advisors, we considered a number of factors that supported our decision, including the following: | |
GSR engaged Cutfield Freeman & Co Ltd. (CF&Co), an independent financial advisor, to conduct an independent valuation of NRUC, prepare a report regarding such valuation and provide an opinion in such report as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to NRUCs shareholders (other than GSR) of the merger consideration proposed by GSR to be received by such shareholders. The CF&Co valuation report and fairness opinion, effective as of August 1, 2011 and dated as of October 20, 2011 (the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion), includes a valuation of $0.562 per share for the common stock held by the minority shareholders of NRUC and states that the amount of the merger consideration determined by GSR is fair, from a financial point of view, to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC. A copy of |
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the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion of CF&Co is attached to this Transaction Statement as Appendix C.
CF&Co prepared the fair market value valuation of NRUC on a sum-of-the-parts basis, valuing each of NRUCs three business interests on a stand-alone basis. The sodium bicarbonate business was valued on a discounted cash flow basis at $66 million. The water rights were valued at $54 million by discounting the value of a cash sale of the core water rights in five years and applying a probability weighting of concluding a transaction and valuing the conditional water rights based on an analysis of a structured sale, a sale to a municipality and certain precedent transactions. The oil shale deposits were valued based on two precedent transactions in the region at $76 million (including $47 million of water rights attributed to oil shale), reflecting option value over the contained oil and the related water rights. A balance sheet adjustment of $2 million was added for a total valuation of $198 million for NRUC, or $0.562 per share.
The short-form merger represents an opportunity for the minority shareholders to receive (without the payment of any brokerage fees or commissions) cash for each share of NRUC common stock, at a price that may be otherwise difficult for the minority shareholders to receive given the limited liquidity of the NRUC common stock. The merger consideration provides certainty of value to the minority shareholders and immediate liquidity.
The average daily trading volume for the common stock of NRUC for the three-month period prior to August 2, 2011, the last trading day prior to first public announcement of the short-form merger, was approximately 1400 shares. There is a limited trading market and limited liquidity for the NRUC common stock, and any third-party proposal to acquire the NRUC common stock would be unlikely to proceed without our consent as a result of our beneficial ownership of approximately 95% of the outstanding common stock of NRUC. As a result, it may be difficult for the minority shareholders to sell significant blocks of common stock of NRUC without adversely impacting the trading price. |
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NRUC has incurred significant costs but not been able to realize many of the benefits that result from being a publicly traded company.
The minority shareholders of NRUC are entitled to exercise dissent rights under the URBC and demand fair value for their shares, which may be more than the cash consideration offered in the short-form merger. | ||
The short-form merger would shift the risk of future financial performance of NRUC from the minority shareholders entirely to GSR.
We do not intend to sell our majority holdings in NRUC, and we do not intend to seek a buyer for NRUC in the foreseeable future.
A greater than 90% shareholder of a Utah corporation has a statutory right under Section 1104 of the URBC to effect a short-form merger without any action by the corporation, its board of directors or its other shareholders. | ||
See SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGER in this Transaction Statement. | ||
Dissent Rights |
You have a statutory right to dissent from the short-form merger and demand payment of the fair value of your NRUC common stock in accordance with Sections 1301, et seq. of the URBC, plus a fair rate of interest, if any, from the date of the consummation of the short-form merger. This value may be more than the $0.57 per share merger consideration. In order to qualify for these rights, you must make a written payment demand within 30 days after the mailing date of the Notice of Merger and Dissent Rights accompanying this Transaction Statement and otherwise comply with the procedures for exercising dissent rights set forth in the URBC. The statutory right of dissent is set out in Sections 1301, et seq. of the URBC, which are attached to this Transaction Statement as Appendix D. Any failure to comply with the statutes terms will result in an irrevocable loss of such right. Shareholders seeking to exercise their statutory right of dissent are encouraged to read Appendix D in its entirety and seek advice from legal counsel. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionDissent Rights in this Transaction Statement and the Notice of Merger and Dissent Rights accompanying this Transaction Statement. |
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Consequences of the Short-Form Merger
Effects of the Short-Form Merger |
Completion of the short-form merger will have the following consequences: | |
GSR Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and into NRUC, with NRUC being the surviving entity.
Each of your shares of NRUC common stock will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive $0.57 in cash, without interest, brokerage fees or commissions, unless you properly exercise your statutory dissent rights under the URBC.
All outstanding options (other than any options owned by GSR), whether or not exercisable, will be cancelled in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the number of shares subject to each option times the excess, if any, of the merger consideration less the applicable exercise price of that option, less any required withholding taxes. All out-of-the-money options (i.e., the merger consideration is less than or equal to the applicable exercise price of an option) will be cancelled for no consideration. NRUC will terminate the registration of its common stock under the Exchange Act and NRUC will no longer be subject to the reporting and other disclosure obligations of the Exchange Act, including requirements to file annual and other periodic reports or to provide the type of going-private disclosure contained in this Transaction Statement. Following the termination of NRUCs obligations under the Exchange Act, NRUC will no longer incur the costs associated with being a public company, including associated legal, audit and other fees. We will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in the future earnings and growth, if any, of NRUCs operations, but will bear the risk of losses that may result from NRUCs operations or a decline in its value after the short-form merger. | ||
See SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGEREffects in this Transaction Statement. |
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For More Information |
You may read and copy any of the documents incorporated by reference at the public reference room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. These SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the SECs Internet web site at www.sec.gov. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInformation about NRUC, and ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIdentity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner in this Transaction Statement. | |
If you have any questions about the going-private transaction, please call DArcy P. Doherty, Vice President, Legal and General Counsel of Green SEA Resources Inc., at 416-649-9283. |
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Transaction Statement and the documents incorporated by reference in this Transaction Statement, including NRUCs Amended Transition Report on Form 10-KT/A for the transition period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on September 14, 2011; NRUCs Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 each filed with the SEC on October 20, 2011 and NRUCs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2011; and the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion, include certain forwardlooking statements. These statements appear throughout this Transaction Statement and include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of GSR, including statements concerning GSRs strategies following completion of the short-form merger. Such forwardlooking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in such forwardlooking statements as a result of various factors, such as positions and strategies of competitors; cash availability/liquidity; the risks inherent with predicting cash flows, revenue and earnings outcomes, as well as all other factors identified in the Risk Factors sections included in NRUCs Amended Transition Report on Form 10-KT/A for the transition period ended December 31, 2010, and as otherwise described in NRUCs filings with the SEC from time to time.
Pursuant to Section 21E(b)(1)(E) of the Exchange Act, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to statements made in connection with a going-private transaction. As such, the safe harbor provisions in NRUCs Amended Transition Report on Form 10-KT/A for the transition period ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on September 14, 2011, NRUCs Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 each filed with the SEC on October 20, 2011 and NRUCs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2011 do not apply to any forward-looking statements we made in connection with the going-private transaction.
SPECIAL FACTORS
PURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGER
Background of the Short-Form Merger
Prior to May 2007, AmerAlia, Inc. (now NRUC) owned 100% of the outstanding common stock of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc., which in turn owned 100% of the outstanding common stock of Natural Soda, Inc. (NSI). NSI is an operating company that produces and sells sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
In 2003, a trust and a fund managed by Sentient Asset Management (the Sentient Entities) provided Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. with short-term debt financing which was refinanced on a long-term basis in 2004. In May 2007, the Sentient Entities converted a portion of the debt owed by Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. and NSI into a 53.5% equity interest in NSI. In August 2007, the Sentient Entities purchased approximately 46% of the equity in AmerAlia, Inc. from a major shareholder of AmerAlia, Inc., and also acquired additional debt obligations of AmerAlia, Inc. from the same major shareholder.
As part of a restructuring transaction in October 2008:
| the Sentient Entities transferred their various interests to Sentient USA Resources Fund, L.P. (SURF); |
| NSI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc.; |
| SURF converted its loans to Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. into Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. equity and AmerAlia, Inc.s ownership in Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. was reduced from 100% to 18%; and |
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| SURF converted its loans to AmerAlia, Inc. into additional common stock of AmerAlia, Inc. |
This reorganization resulted in the ownership structure shown below.
In connection with this restructuring, AmerAlia, Inc., also received approximately $10 million in cash, settled approximately $12 million of debt, terminated indemnification rights relating to the extinguishment of an AmerAlia, Inc. $9.9 million bank loan and extinguished other obligations in exchange for the issue of 48,961,439 shares of its common stock.
Finally, on June 30, 2010, AmerAlia, Inc. issued 286,119,886 shares of its common stock to SURF in exchange for the 82% of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. SURF held with the following resulting structure shown below.
On September 14, 2010 at a Special Meeting of the Shareholders of AmerAlia, Inc., the shareholders approved the amendment of the articles of incorporation to change the name of AmerAlia, Inc. to Natural Resources USA Corporation.
On March 15, 2011, SURF entered into an Exchange Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the Exchange Agreement) with Green SEA Resources Inc. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, SURF exchanged all of its ownership in NRUC for 20,084,954 common shares of Green SEA Resources Inc. The interests of NRUC that
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were exchanged were (i) all of the shares of common stock of NRUC owned by SURF, a total of 334,074,381 shares of common stock, plus (ii) a limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of common stock of NRUC.
On June 14, 2011, the investment committee of the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. held a meeting to consider whether to explore taking NRUC private. At the meeting, Green SEA Resources Inc.s U.S. legal advisors reviewed with the investment committee various alternative transaction structures to effect a going-private transaction of NRUC. It was determined that Green SEA Resources Inc. should retain an independent financial advisor to conduct an independent valuation of NRUC, and CF&Co was selected as such advisor.
On June 24, 2011, Green SEA Resources Inc. retained CF&Co as its financial advisor to conduct an independent valuation of NRUC.
On August 2, 2011, the investment committee of the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. held a meeting to consider the potential benefits of taking NRUC private. At the meeting, representatives of CF&Co reviewed their valuation of NRUC. Following discussion and after management of Green SEA Resources Inc. assessed the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying CF&Cos valuation, the investment committee voted unanimously to approve and recommend to the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. that it effect a going-private transaction pursuant to a short-form merger.
On August 2, 2011, GSR Acquisition Corp. was incorporated as a Utah corporation.
On August 3, 2011, we filed Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D with the SEC disclosing the intention of the investment committee of the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. to recommend to the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. that it effect the going-private transaction pursuant to a short-form merger.
On August 7, 2011, the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. held a meeting to consider the approval of, among other things, the going-private transaction pursuant to a short-form merger under Utah law. Present at the meeting were the board of directors, members of management of Green SEA Resources Inc., CF&Co and certain of Green SEA Resources Inc.s legal advisors. At this meeting, Green SEA Resources Inc.s U.S. legal advisors reviewed with the board of directors the terms of the Contribution Agreement and plan of merger and the other agreements and forms to be filed in connection with a going-private transaction. At this meeting, representatives of CF&Co presented to the board of directors its initial financial analysis with respect to their valuation of NRUC and rendered to the board of directors a written fairness opinion, effective August 1, 2011, stating that the $0.57 per share merger consideration proposed by GSR to be provided to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, was fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders. Following discussion, all of the members of the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc., other than William Gunn (who was a member of the board at this time and abstained from the vote as a result of his position as Chief Executive Officer of NRUC), approved the terms and provisions of, and the transactions contemplated by, the short-form merger, including the Contribution Agreement and plan of merger.
All of the directors of GSR Acquisition Corp. were present at the meeting of the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. held on August 7, 2011 in their capacities as directors and/or members of management of Green SEA Resources Inc., as applicable. The short-form merger and related transaction agreements were also approved by the board of directors of GSR Acquisition Corp. by written consent on August 7, 2011.
On August 8, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13E-3, and Amendment No. 11 to Schedule 13D with the SEC relating to the going-private transaction pursuant to a short-form merger.
On September 14, 2011, NRUC filed an Amended Transition Report on Form 10-KT/A for the transition period ended December 31, 2010 with the SEC to amend and restate its audited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Following such restatement, the evaluation of certain income tax filings of NRUC, and the filing of NRUCs financial statements for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011, CF&Co, at the request of GSR, updated its initial financial analysis and fairness opinion, as reflected in the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion, to reflect a decrease in the valuation of NRUCs sodium bicarbonate business by $1 million, and a reduction in the overall valuation of NRUC from $0.565 per share to $0.562 per share from CF&Cos initial analysis. The amount of such reduction in the overall value of NRUC was considered to be immaterial and we determined not to alter the consideration being offered in connection with the going-private transaction.
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Purposes
The purpose of the short-form merger is to allow us to acquire the minority interest in NRUC. The short-form merger will also provide a source of immediate liquidity for the minority shareholders of NRUC. This transaction will also allow us to terminate the registration of NRUCs common stock under the Exchange Act. Following the reorganization and transfer of NRUC ownership to Green SEA Resources Inc. pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, management of Green SEA Resources Inc. began to consider the advantages and disadvantages of continuing NRUC as a public company, the costs associated with operating NRUC as a public company and compliance issues relating to NRUCs reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. We believe that, from NRUCs perspective, the short-form merger is desirable because it will relieve NRUC of the substantial costs of remaining a public company with reporting requirements. As evidenced by the late filings of NRUCs Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011 and the quotation of NRUCs stock ceasing on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (the OTC Bulletin Board) on June 6, 2011 due to such late filings, we believe NRUC is currently experiencing difficulties with complying with its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. Because of the limited internal resources and personnel currently available at NRUC to attend to Exchange Act compliance and reporting matters, we believe that similar deficiencies would likely continue to occur if NRUC were to remain a public company without dedicating additional internal resources to such matters. The direct and indirect costs associated with NRUCs compliance with the filing and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act have an adverse effect on NRUCs financial performance, and the various costs associated with remaining a public company are expected to remain substantial and possibly increase as a result of recent legislative and regulatory initiatives to improve corporate governance. We believe that, from NRUCs perspective, such costs create a burden that adversely impacts NRUCs ability to efficiently and profitably operate its business.
The most recent fiscal year end NRUC consolidated financial statements show annual general and administrative expenses of approximately $4.7 million per annum. We estimate the cost savings to NRUC will be approximately $1.5 million per annum on an ongoing basis if NRUC is no longer a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and other overhead expenses associated with being a public company.
Based on NRUCs size and resources, we do not believe the costs associated with NRUC remaining a public company are justified for NRUC. In light of these disproportionate costs, we believe that it is desirable for NRUC to eliminate the administrative, legal and financial burden of NRUC remaining a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
Alternatives
We believe that using a short-form merger to effect the going-private transaction is the quickest and most cost effective way for us to acquire the outstanding minority interest in NRUC, and will provide such holders of NRUC common stock with immediate liquidity which otherwise may not be available. We considered and rejected various alternative transactions to accomplish the proposed going-private transaction, as described below, and determined to effect a short-form merger as it is legally permissible under Utah law and affords minority shareholders dissent rights to demand fair value for their shares of NRUC common stock. The alternatives considered included:
Long-form Merger. We considered and rejected the alternative of a long-form merger because of the additional cost and delay likely associated with such a transaction. We would expect a long-form merger to require additional time to close as it would require a special committee of the board of NRUC and a vote of the NRUC shareholders, which in contrast is not required under Utah law for the short-form merger. The added time required to establish a special committee and hold a shareholder meeting would create additional third-party costs, such as additional legal and other advisory fees and expenses, which we estimate could be approximately $750,000 to $1 million in excess of the costs associated with the short-form merger. Additionally, if a long-form merger was not successfully consummated, we could still effect a short-form merger.
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Tender Offer. We also considered a tender offer to purchase all of the NRUC common stock held by minority shareholders. If we were to structure the transaction as a tender offer, it is unlikely that all of the minority shareholders would tender their shares and, therefore, we would need to effect a short-form merger following the tender offer process (which is customary in these types of transactions). As a result, we estimated that we would need to pay approximately $750,000 to $1 million in excess of the costs associated with the short-form merger because of the additional legal, filing and other third-party fees associated therewith. This alternative was rejected based upon the additional cost and delay likely resulting from a failure of all of the minority shareholders to tender their shares.
Asset Purchase. We also rejected the purchase of the assets of NRUC for similar reasons to those provided in connection with the evaluation of a long-form merger.
Reasons
In determining whether to effect the short-form merger, we considered several factors, including:
| the valuation analysis that CF&Co performed; |
| the fairness opinion that CF&Co delivered finding that the $0.57 per share merger consideration proposed by GSR to be received by the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, is fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders; |
| the elimination of additional burdens on management associated with public reporting and other tasks resulting from NRUCs public company status, including, for example, the dedication of time and resources of NRUCs management and board of directors to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley) and shareholder, investor and public relations; |
| the significant decrease in costs, particularly those associated with being a public company (for example, as a privately-held entity, NRUC would no longer be required to file quarterly, annual or other periodic reports with the SEC, publish and distribute to its shareholders annual reports and proxy statements or be subject to various Sarbanes-Oxley related requirements), that we anticipate could result in significant cost savings; |
| the elimination of certain impediments to obtaining capital that can be used to support NRUCs undertakings to grow its operations through the acquisition of existing businesses; and |
| recent public capital market trends affecting small-cap companies, including perceived lack of interest by institutional investors in companies with a limited public float and reduced liquidity due to the recent economic downturn. |
In our view, there are no significant advantages to leaving NRUC as a public company. The disadvantages of leaving NRUC as a public company are the high costs and substantial burdens of maintaining NRUCs status as a public company without the ability to achieve meaningful benefits from such status.
We determined to effect the short-form merger as promptly as practicable because we wish to immediately realize the benefits of taking NRUC private. The short-form merger allows the minority shareholders to receive cash for their shares of NRUC common stock quickly and allows us to merge GSR Acquisition Corp. with and into NRUC without any action by the board of directors of NRUC or the minority shareholders.
Effects
General. Upon completion of the short-form merger, we will receive the entire right to participate in any and all future increases in the value of NRUCs business, and we will bear the entire risk of any losses incurred in the operation of NRUCs business and any decrease in the value of NRUCs business, including any increases and decreases in the net book value and net earnings of NRUC. Once the short-form merger is completed, the
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minority shareholders will no longer be able to benefit from a sale of NRUC to a third-party (although no third-party sale is contemplated at this time). From NRUCs perspective, after the short-form merger, NRUCs operations and management will be under the exclusive control of GSR.
Shareholders other than GSR. Upon completion of the short-form merger, the minority shareholders will no longer have any interest in, and will not be shareholders of, NRUC and, therefore, will not participate in NRUCs future earnings and potential growth. In addition, the minority shareholders will not share in any distribution of proceeds after any sales of businesses of NRUC. All of the minority shareholders other indicia of stock ownership, such as the rights to vote on certain corporate decisions, to vote on the election of directors, to receive distributions upon the liquidation of NRUC and to receive dissent rights upon certain mergers or consolidations of NRUC (unless such dissent rights are perfected in connection with the short-form merger), as well as the benefit of potential increases in the value of a minority shareholders holdings in NRUC based on any improvements in NRUCs future performance, will be extinguished upon completion of the short-form merger.
Upon completion of the short-form merger, the minority shareholders also will not bear the risks of potential decreases in the value of their holdings in NRUC based on any downturns in NRUCs future performance or the stock market. Instead, the minority shareholders will have liquidity in the form of the merger consideration in place of an ongoing equity interest in NRUC.
The shares of NRUC Common Stock. If the short-form merger is consummated, public trading of the shares of NRUC common stock will cease. The NRUC common stock recently ceased being quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. Following the short-form merger, we intend to deregister the NRUC common stock under the Exchange Act. As a result, NRUC will no longer be required under the federal securities laws to file reports with the SEC and will no longer be subject to the proxy rules under the Exchange Act. In addition, the principal shareholders of NRUC will no longer be subject to the reporting and short swing profit provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
Treatment of Options. In connection with and immediately prior to the consummation of the short-form merger, we will take steps to accelerate the vesting of all unvested options to purchase NRUC common stock. All unexercised options (other than any options owned by GSR) that are in the money (meaning that the per-share exercise price is less than the per-share merger consideration) immediately prior to the consummation of the short-form merger will be converted into the right to receive an amount equal to the short-form merger consideration of $0.57 per share subject to such options, minus the exercise price per option, less any required withholding taxes. All unexercised options that are underwater (meaning that the exercise price is greater than or equal to the merger consideration) immediately prior to the consummation of the short-form merger will be cancelled without payment.
Directors. The boards of directors of each of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. consist of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Transaction Statement.
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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to minority shareholders who are U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) relating to the short-form merger. This summary is based upon the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury Regulations, administrative pronouncements, and judicial decisions, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). No ruling will be requested from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) regarding the tax consequences of the short-form merger and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with the discussion set forth below. The discussion does not address aspects of U.S. federal taxation other than income taxation, nor does it address aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to particular shareholders, including but not limited to shareholders who are dealers in securities, life insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, banks, foreign persons, persons who hold shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities, persons who own, directly or indirectly, 5% or more, by voting power or value, of the outstanding shares, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or who acquired their shares in a compensatory transaction and persons who hold shares as part of a straddle, hedge, constructive sale or other integrated transaction for tax purposes. This summary is limited to persons who hold their shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. The discussion also does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of options to purchase shares or holders of stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into shares. In addition, it does not address state, local or foreign tax consequences. U.S. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to their particular situations of the short-form merger or other transactions described this Transaction Statement.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal, business or tax advice to any particular shareholder. Each U.S. Shareholder should seek tax advice based on such U.S. Shareholders particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
As used herein, the term U.S. Shareholder means a beneficial owner of shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein; (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has elected to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership is a beneficial owner of the shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership that holds the shares, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the short-form merger.
The receipt of cash by a U.S. Shareholder pursuant to the short-form merger or pursuant to the U.S. Shareholders statutory dissenters rights, will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Shareholder will generally recognize U.S. source capital gain or loss on the disposition of shares equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash the U.S. Shareholder receives in the short-form merger and the U.S. Shareholders adjusted tax basis in the shares. A U.S. Shareholders basis in a share will generally be the cost at which it was purchased. Capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder held the shares for more than one year at the time of disposition. Long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. Shareholder that is an individual, estate or trust will be taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. No reduced rate applies to capital gain recognized by a U.S. Shareholder that is a corporation. For all U.S. Shareholders, capital losses are generally deductible only against capital gains and not against ordinary income. In the case of an individual, the aggregate amount of capital losses in excess of capital gains may offset up to $3,000 annually of ordinary income.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax
Payments to certain U.S. Shareholders of the proceeds of the sale of the shares may be subject to information reporting and U.S. federal backup withholding tax at the rate of 28% (subject to periodic adjustment) if the U.S. Shareholder fails to supply an accurate taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with applicable U.S. information reporting or certification requirements. Any amount withheld from a payment to a U.S. Shareholder under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against the U.S. Shareholders U.S. federal income tax, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Each U.S. Shareholder should seek U.S. federal tax advice, based on such U.S. Shareholders particular circumstances, from an independent tax advisor.
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FAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGER
Fairness. Green SEA Resources Inc. beneficially owns approximately 95% of the outstanding common stock of NRUC. Thus, Green SEA Resources Inc. may be deemed an affiliate of NRUC within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, the rules of the SEC require us to express our reasonable belief as to the substantive and procedural fairness of the short-form merger to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC. In compliance with Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act, each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. have considered the fairness of the short-form merger to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, and concluded that the short-form merger is both substantively and procedurally fair to them and that at least fair value is being paid for the NRUC common stock.
Factors considered in determining fairness. In reaching the determination that the short-form merger is substantively and procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. considered the following material factors:
| Financial Analyses Performed by CF&Co. CF&Co, an independent financial advisor, conducted an independent analysis of the value of the NRUC common stock resulting from the application of various valuation methodologies, and prepared a Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion. The Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion incorporates the restatement of NRUCs audited consolidated financial statements for the transition period ended December 31, 2010, the evaluation of certain income tax filings of NRUC, and the preparation of NRUCs financial statements for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011. The restatement of NRUCs financial statements resulted in a total reduction of $2,943,341 in net income after tax as of December 31, 2010 and did not materially change the amount of the balance sheet adjustment included in CF&Cos initial analysis that was performed prior to the restatement and quarterly filings. An evaluation relating to the restatement of NRUCs financial statements and certain income tax filings of NRUC clarified that NSI is expected to pay more taxes than previously forecasted in future periods due to a reduction in tax losses specifically related to NSI resulting in a reduction in the value of NRUCs sodium bicarbonate business by $1 million, according to CF&Co. The amount of such reduction is considered to be immaterial to the overall value of NRUC and we determined not to alter the consideration originally offered in connection with the going-private transaction as a result of the restatement, the evaluation of certain income tax filings and the quarterly filings. The restatement of NRUCs financial statements also resulted in an increased amount of NRUC tax losses. These additional tax losses, however, are not being utilized for purposes of valuing NRUC because we believe that NRUC will have already exceeded the cumulative tax loss carry forward limit in the U.S. based on the amount of tax losses already included in CF&Cos initial analysis. These factors do not alter the analysis of CF&Co, or the analysis of either of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp., regarding whether the consideration to be provided is fair because the restatement and the financial statements for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011 resulted in an immaterial decrease in the valuation of NRUC. |
CF&Co prepared the valuation of NRUC on a sum-of-the-parts basis, valuing each of NRUCs three business interests on a stand-alone basis. The sodium bicarbonate business was valued on a discounted cash flow basis at $66 million. The water rights were valued at $54 million by discounting the value of a cash sale of the core water rights in five years and applying a probability weighting of concluding a transaction and valuing the conditional water rights based on an analysis of a structured sale, a sale to a municipality and certain precedent transactions. The oil shale deposits were valued based on two precedent transactions in the region at $76 million (including $47 million of water rights attributed to oil shale), reflecting option value over the contained oil and the related water rights. A balance sheet adjustment of $2 million was added for a total valuation of $198 million for NRUC, or $0.562 per share.
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Each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. has adopted the financial analyses of CF&Co and utilized these analyses as one of the material factors used in reaching the determination that the short-form merger is substantively and procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. For a more detailed discussion of the financial analyses performed by CF&Co, see Details of the Financial Analyses below.
| Fairness Opinion of CF&Co. As described in REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONSValuation Report and Fairness Opinion by CF&Co below, CF&Co provided a fairness opinion to GSR dated effective August 1, 2011 determining that the $0.57 per share merger consideration to be paid to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, in connection with the short-form merger is fair from a financial point of view. A copy of CF&Cos fairness opinion is included in the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion that is attached hereto as Appendix C. Each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. has adopted the fairness opinion of CF&Co and utilized the fairness opinion as one of the material factors used in reaching the determination that the short-form merger is substantively and procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. The restatement of NRUCs financial statements, the evaluation of certain income tax filings of NRUC, and the financial statements for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011, did not alter the analysis, or the fairness opinion, of CF&Co, or the analysis of either of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp., regarding whether the consideration to be provided is fair because such factors resulted in an immaterial decrease in the valuation of NRUC. |
| Cash payment for stock. The merger allows the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, to realize (without the payment of any brokerage fees or commissions) $0.57 per share in cash for their shares of common stock of NRUC, a price that may otherwise be difficult for the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC to attain given the lack of liquidity in the common stock of NRUC. The merger consideration provides certainty of value to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, and immediate liquidity. |
| Limited Trading Market and Liquidity/Market Prices. Each of the boards of directors considered the fact that there is a limited trading market and limited liquidity for NRUC common stock (the average daily trading volume during the three-month period prior to August 2, 2011, the last trading day prior to the first public announcement of the short-form merger, was approximately 1400 shares), and any proposal to acquire the shares by an independent entity would be unlikely to proceed without our consent due to our beneficial ownership of approximately 95% of the outstanding common stock of NRUC. Accordingly, we believe that it may be difficult for the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, to sell significant blocks of common stock of NRUC without adversely impacting the trading price. Additionally, even though the high share prices of NRUC common stock during the first, second and third quarters of 2011 were $1.32, $0.90 and $0.80, respectively, we believe that the over-the-counter trading market for NRUC shares is not a reliable basis for valuation. As noted above, NRUCs shares are thinly traded on the Pink Sheets with a wide bid-ask spread and the trading market is susceptible to large movements on very small trades. Further, to the best of our knowledge NRUCs common stock is not covered by securities analysts. |
| Limited Public Company Benefits. NRUC has incurred significant costs but has not been able to realize many of the benefits that result from being a publicly traded company as a result of the limited liquidity and low trading price of its common stock. We believe that such factors have and will continue to have an adverse impact on the trading price of shares of NRUCs common stock. |
| Dissent Rights. Although the short-form merger does not require the approval of a majority of the minority shareholders (we note that no vote of the minority or unaffiliated shareholders is required to effect the short-form merger), or an unaffiliated representative of the minority or unaffiliated shareholders to negotiate on their behalf, or a special committee of NRUC directors appointed to evaluate the short-form merger, each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. believe that the short-form merger is procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, |
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including the unaffiliated shareholders, because the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, are entitled to exercise dissent rights and demand fair value for their shares of NRUC common stock. State law provides minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, with an opportunity to seek fair value of their shares of NRUC common stock if they believe they are not receiving fair value pursuant to the short-form merger. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTerms of the TransactionDissent Rights in this Transaction Statement. |
| Elimination of Future Financial Performance Risks of NRUC. The short-form merger would shift the risk of the future financial performance of NRUC entirely to Green SEA Resources Inc. who has the power to control NRUCs business. In addition, the short-form merger would eliminate the exposure of the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, to any future declines in the price of the shares of NRUC common stock. |
| No Third-Party Offers. We do not intend to sell our majority holdings in NRUC, and we do not intend to seek a buyer for NRUC in the foreseeable future. These facts foreclosed the opportunity to consider an alternative transaction with a third-party purchaser of NRUC or otherwise provide liquidity in the form of a third-party offer to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. |
| Net Book Value Multiple Valuation. Neither of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. valued NRUC based upon a multiple of its net book value because net book value multiples are traditionally not utilized to value companies in industries such as NRUCs but rather are often used as a valuation method with respect to companies in the financial industry. |
| Going Concern Value. A primary aspect of a going concern valuation is the discounted cash flow methodology, which was used in connection with the financial analyses performed by CF&Co discussed in this Transaction Statement. See FAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERDetails of the Financial Analyses and CF&Cos Amended and Restated Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion attached hereto as Appendix C. |
| Liquidation Value Analysis. Neither the board of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. nor the board of directors of GSR Acquisition Corp. considered implied liquidation value of NRUC because we do not intend to sell our majority holdings in NRUC, and we do not intend to seek a buyer for NRUC in the foreseeable future. |
| Restatement of Financial Statements. On September 14, 2011, NRUC restated its financial statements for the transition period ended December 31, 2010. The restatement resulted in a total reduction of $2,943,341 in net income after tax as of December 31, 2010. The restatement did not materially change the amount of the balance sheet adjustment included in the CF&Co valuation. The restatement does not alter the analysis of CF&Co, or the analysis of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp., regarding whether the merger consideration to be provided is fair because the restatement resulted in an immaterial decrease in the valuation of NRUC. |
Factors not considered in determining fairness. Neither of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. considered the following factors to be material in determining the fairness of the short-form merger:
| Firm Offers. We are not aware of any firm offers to purchase NRUC that have been made during the past two years by any unaffiliated person. |
| Merger, Sale or Sale of Assets. NRUC has not engaged in a merger or sale process (including a sale of all or substantially all of its assets) in the past two years. |
| Acquisition of Control. No third-party can acquire control of NRUC without negotiating with us because of our majority ownership of NRUC. |
Details of the Financial Analyses. In producing the valuation included in the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion, CF&Co conducted the following analyses. The full text of CF&Cos Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion dated effective as of August 1, 2011 and dated as of October 20, 2011, which sets forth the
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assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of the analyses undertaken is attached hereto as Appendix C and is incorporated herein by reference. Holders of NRUC shares are urged to, and should, read the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion carefully and in its entirety in connection with the short-form merger.
| CF&Co prepared the fair market value valuation of NRUC on a sum-of-the-parts basis, valuing each of NRUCs three business interests on a stand-alone basis, for a total value of $198 million. |
(1) The sodium bicarbonate business of NRUC, which is an operating business, was valued on a discounted cash flow basis at $66 million. CF&Co used a 15% discount rate for the existing operation and base case expansion, which is consistent with CF&Cos calculation of NRUCs weighted average cost of capital. CF&Co used a 20% discount rate for assessing potential premium market opportunities. CF&Co included in its analysis a discounted terminal value calculated by applying an appropriate multiple to projected 2030 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as determined by CF&Co). The valuation of the sodium bicarbonate business was cross-checked against market multiples (enterprise value/EBITDA and price/earnings) relative to certain comparable companies.
(2) The water rights were valued at $54 million by discounting the value of a cash sale of the core water rights in five years and applying a probability weighting of concluding a transaction and valuing the conditional water rights based on an analysis of a structured sale, a sale to a municipality and certain precedent transactions. CF&Co evaluated data from over 2,000 water rights transactions in Colorado over a period of approximately 20 years in connection with its analysis.
Each of the filing persons believe that the CF&Co valuation is consistent with the disclosures provided by NRUC with respect to the future value of its water rights because the value is subject to a number of risks that should be appropriately discounted, including the risk that such rights are not currently saleable. As a result, the CF&Co valuation discounted the value of the water rights to reflect what a buyer might pay to acquire the assets today based upon the small number of potential buyers available and political, legal, environmental and technical issues relating to the oil shale industry, and the difficulties and uncertainties inherent in concluding such a sale.
(3) The oil shale deposits in the leases held by NRUC were valued based on two precedent transactions in the region at $76 million (including $47 million of water rights attributed to oil shale), reflecting option value over the contained oil and the related water rights. The large potential value in the oil shale was balanced against the early stage of development and the unproven extraction technology. Additionally, in this market, the majority of oil shale projects are owned by larger international oil companies that do not transact in this market. As a result, it is not unusual to only rely on two precedent transactions of a comparable size and scope.
| A balance sheet adjustment of $2 million was added for a total valuation of $198 million for NRUC, or $0.562 per share. The CF&Co valuation of NRUCs three business interests on a stand-alone basis provides an enterprise value and requires an adjustment to reflect NRUCs balance sheet in order to fully reflect the price at which a 100% sale of NRUC would be conducted. In order to establish the equity value, CF&Co assessed NRUCs financial statements for items which are not captured by its financial modeling and valuation metrics. These items included NRUC cash and asset retirement obligations. |
Certain negative considerations. Each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. considered the following factors, each of which we considered negative, in our deliberations concerning the fairness of the terms of the short-form merger to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, and its procedural fairness:
| Termination of participation in future growth of NRUC. Following the successful completion of the short-form merger, the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, will involuntarily have their interests in NRUC liquidated and will cease to be shareholders of NRUC; therefore, after the short-form merger is effected, the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, will |
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not have the right to retain their shares and sell them at a time and a price of their choosing nor will they otherwise have the right to participate in the future earnings or growth, if any, of NRUC or benefit from increases, if any, in the value of NRUC or its shares of common stock. |
| Conflicts of interest. With respect to the determination of the merger consideration, our financial interests are adverse to the financial interests of the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. In addition, officers and directors of NRUC have actual or potential conflicts of interest in connection with the short-form merger. Some of our directors and officers are also directors of NRUC. |
| No minority shareholder approval. Because the going-private transaction is structured as a short-form merger under the URBC, the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, are not required to vote on the short-form merger. |
| No NRUC board of directors, unaffiliated representative or special committee approval/evaluation. Because the going-private transaction is structured as a short-form merger under the URBC, the board of directors of NRUC was not required to vote on the short-form merger, nor was an unaffiliated representative or a special committee required to be appointed to evaluate the short-form merger. |
| Short-form merger is a taxable transaction. In general, for United States federal income tax purposes, the short-form merger will be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
After giving these factors due consideration, each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. concluded that none of these factors, alone or in the aggregate, is significant enough to outweigh the factors and analyses that we considered to support the belief of each of the boards of directors that the short-form merger is substantively and procedurally fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders.
In determining not to seek approval of the short-form merger by the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC, and in considering the absence of an unaffiliated representative of the minority shareholders or the unaffiliated shareholders, and of a special committee of the directors of NRUC to evaluate the short-form merger, we relied on the statutory right of a holder of at least 90% of the outstanding stock of a corporation under Section 1104 of the URBC to effect a short-form merger without any minority or unaffiliated shareholder action and without the requirement of a special committee or unaffiliated representative of the minority or unaffiliated shareholders. Pursuant to the URBC, (i) the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC will be entitled to exercise statutory dissent rights under Part 13 of the URBC and (ii) the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, will receive advance notice of the short-form merger, and we have disclosed fully the relevant information that is reasonably necessary to permit minority shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC to determine whether to accept the merger consideration or to exercise their statutory dissent rights with respect to their shares of NRUC common stock.
In view of the number and wide variety of factors considered in connection with making a determination as to the fairness of the short-form merger to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, and the complexity of these matters, each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. did not find it practicable to, nor did they attempt to, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered. Moreover, neither of our boards of directors has undertaken to make any specific determination or assign any particular weight to any single factor, but have conducted an overall analysis of the factors described above.
We have not considered any factors, other than as stated above, regarding the substantive or procedural fairness of the short-form merger to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, as it is the view of each of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. that the factors considered provided a reasonable basis to form our belief.
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Recent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR.
Prior to May 2007, AmerAlia, Inc. (now NRUC) owned 100% of the outstanding common stock of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc., which in turn owned 100% of the outstanding common stock of NSI. NSI is an operating company that produces and sells sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
In 2003, the Sentient Entities provided Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. with short-term debt financing which was refinanced on a long-term basis in 2004. In May 2007, the Sentient Entities converted a portion of the debt owed by Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. and NSI into a 53.5% equity interest in NSI. In August 2007, the Sentient Entities purchased approximately 46% of the equity in AmerAlia, Inc. from a major shareholder of AmerAlia, Inc., and also acquired additional debt obligations of AmerAlia, Inc. from the same major shareholder.
As part of a restructuring transaction in October 2008:
| the Sentient Entities transferred their various interests to SURF; |
| NSI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc.; |
| SURF converted its loans to Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. into Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. equity and AmerAlia, Inc.s ownership in Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. was reduced from 100% to 18%; and |
| SURF converted its loans to AmerAlia, Inc. into additional common stock of AmerAlia, Inc. |
This reorganization resulted in the ownership structure shown below.
December 31, 2008 to June 29, 2010
In connection with this restructuring, AmerAlia, Inc., also received approximately $10 million in cash, settled approximately $12 million of debt, terminated indemnification rights relating to the extinguishment of an AmerAlia, Inc. $9.9 million bank loan and extinguished other obligations in exchange for the issue of 48,961,439 shares of its common stock.
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Finally, on June 30, 2010, AmerAlia, Inc. issued 286,119,886 shares of its common stock to SURF in exchange for the 82% of Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. SURF held with the following resulting structure shown below.
On September 14, 2010 at a Special Meeting of the Shareholders of AmerAlia, Inc., the shareholders approved the amendment of the articles of incorporation to change the name of AmerAlia, Inc. to Natural Resources USA Corporation.
On March 15, 2011, SURF entered into the Exchange Agreement with Green SEA Resources Inc. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, SURF exchanged all of its ownership in NRUC for 20,084,954 common shares of Green SEA Resources Inc. The interests of NRUC that were exchanged were (i) all of the shares of common stock of NRUC owned by SURF, a total of 334,074,381 shares of common stock, plus (ii) a limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of common stock of NRUC.
Prior to the mailing of this Transaction Statement and pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement, Green SEA Resources Inc. will transfer all of its shares of common stock of NRUC and its right to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of common stock of NRUC to GSR Acquisition Corp.
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REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONS
Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion by CF&Co
In considering the fairness of the short-form merger from a financial point of view to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, Green SEA Resources Inc. engaged CF&Co on June 24, 2011 to perform an independent third-party valuation of NRUC, provide an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to NRUCs shareholders (other than GSR) of the $0.57 per share merger consideration proposed by GSR to be received by such shareholders and to provide a Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion. CF&Co consented to the references to their Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion in this Transaction Statement and to the inclusion of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion as Appendix C to this Transaction Statement.
CF&Co received a fee of $150,000 for such services, all of which was paid upon delivery of an initial version of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion. No part of such fee is contingent upon consummation of the short-form merger. In addition, GSR agreed to reimburse CF&Co for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to its engagement, including the fees and expenses of counsel, whether or not the short-form merger is consummated. GSR also agreed to indemnify CF&Co for certain potential liabilities relating to or arising out of its engagement.
CF&Co is an independent financial advisory firm and is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and valuations for other corporate purposes. CF&Co provides advice to companies in the mining and metals processing industries, in which industries CF&Cos directors have extensive experience.
CF&Co was selected to provide a valuation report and fairness opinion based upon CF&Cos familiarity with NRUC and its experience and expertise. Further, CF&Co has previously acted for The Sentient Group. In 2010, CF&Co prepared a fairness opinion for The Sentient Group considering the fairness of The Sentient Groups valuation of NRUC, among other businesses. In connection with the 2010 fairness opinion for The Sentient Group, CF&Co received $400,000, approximately $100,000 of which was attributable to considering the fairness of The Sentient Groups valuation of NRUC. While CF&Co considered information received from The Sentient Group herein, its analysis focused on additional information obtained and analyzed in connection with its evaluation, including, as discussed below, information relating to the assets and liabilities of NRUC, the appropriate valuation methodology for each of the assets and the application of such methodology to each of the assets. Additionally, Ken Sangster, who serves on the board of directors of Ivernia Inc., an affiliate of Green SEA Resources Inc., serves as a technical consultant to CF&Co. Mr. Sangster was not involved in performing the valuation of NRUC by CF&Co or in preparing the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion. In addition, Mr. Sangster was not involved in the selection of CF&Co as financial advisor to GSR in connection with the short-form merger.
On August 7, 2011, CF&Co presented an initial version of its Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion to the board of directors of GSR. As of the effective date of August 1, 2011, they derived a value of $0.565 per share for NRUC and determined that the merger consideration of $0.57 per share to be paid to the holders of shares (other than GSR) in connection with the short-form merger is fair to such holders, from a financial point of view.
Following the restatement of NRUCs audited consolidated financial statements for the transition period ended December 31, 2010, the evaluation of certain income tax filings of NRUC, and the preparation of NRUCs financial statements for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011, CF&Co, at the request of GSR, updated the initial version of its Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion, on October 20, 2011, reflecting an immaterial decrease in the valuation of NRUC to a value of $0.562 per share. These factors did not alter the analysis of CF&Co, or the analysis of either of the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp., regarding whether the consideration to be provided is fair because of the immaterial decrease in the valuation of NRUC.
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The full text of CF&Cos Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of the review undertaken, is attached hereto as Appendix C and is incorporated herein by reference. Although the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion is attached in its entirety as Appendix C, a copy of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion is available for inspection at Green SEA Resources Inc., 130 Adelaide St. West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to DArcy P. Doherty, Vice President, Legal and General Counsel of Green SEA Resources Inc. at 416-649-9283. Holders of NRUC shares are urged to, and should, read Appendix C carefully and in its entirety in connection with this Transaction Statement. The summary of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion of CF&Co set forth in this Transaction Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion. The Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion of CF&Co will not reflect any developments that may occur or may have occurred after the date of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion and prior to the completion of the short-form merger.
No limitations were imposed by GSR on the scope of CF&Cos investigation or the procedures to be followed by CF&Co in preparing its valuation or rendering its fairness opinion. CF&Co was not requested to and did not make any recommendation to GSR as to the form or amount of the consideration to be paid to NRUCs minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders. CF&Cos conclusions are based on the financial and comparative analyses described below.
The Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion was directed to GSR for its use in connection with its consideration of the short-form merger. The fairness opinion was not intended to be and did not constitute a recommendation to GSR as to how GSRs boards of directors should vote on the short-form merger or whether or not any shareholder should exercise any statutory dissent rights available to such shareholder with respect to the short-form merger. Additionally, the fairness opinion does not compare the relative merits of the short-form merger with any alternative transaction or business strategy which may have been available to NRUC as alternatives to the short-form merger and does not address the underlying business decision of GSRs boards of directors to proceed with or effect the short-form merger. CF&Co was not involved in structuring or negotiating the short-form merger and was not requested to explore alternatives to the short-form merger or solicit the interest of any other parties in pursuing transactions with GSR or NRUC. As described above, CF&Cos financial analysis was only one of many factors considered by GSR in its determination that the terms of the short-form merger are fair to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of GSR with respect to the value of NRUC.
In order to prepare the valuation of NRUC, CF&Co considered, among other things, information relating to the assets and liabilities of NRUC, the appropriate valuation methodology for each of the assets and the application of such methodology to each of the assets, including:
| Material prepared by NRUC, GSR and The Sentient Group, including financial data, cash flow models, market projections and other information concerning NRUCs assets and the industries within which it operates, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. The projections that were provided to, relied upon and used by CF&Co in its Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion included estimates and forecasts for fiscal years ending December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 of tons sold, operating costs, General and Administrative costs, and capital costs. |
| Certain publicly available information concerning NRUCs assets and the industries within which it operates, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. |
| Past and present market prices and trading volumes of NRUC common stock and of the stock of other companies of a comparable nature to NRUC and/or its assets, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. |
| Public information relating to comparable transactions in industries relevant to NRUC and its assets, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. |
| Discussions with the management of NRUC and GSR, as appropriate and feasible, and a visit to NRUC in Colorado during the course of the valuation process. |
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| Such other corporate, industry and financial market information and analysis, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. |
| In arriving at its opinion, CF&Co, among other things, assumed the following: |
| the validity of technical assumptions regarding the operation of NRUCs assets and underpinning cash flow models; and |
| that the information provided by GSR and NRUC for the purposes of preparing the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion is complete and accurate. |
Subject to the foregoing, the following is a summary of the material financial analyses undertaken by CF&Co with respect to NRUC and presented to GSRs boards of directors.
Valuation Methodology
NRUC has three business interests in Colorado, U.S.A.: (1) a sodium bicarbonate production business; (2) the ownership of water rights; and (3) oil shale deposits within the same area covered by its sodium bicarbonate leases. NRUC is valued on a fair market value basis. The fair market value valuation has been undertaken on a sum-of-the-parts basis, valuing each of NRUCs three business interests on a stand-alone basis, adjusted to reflect NRUCs balance sheet.
Valuation Summary
Sodium Bicarbonate |
$ | 66m | ||
Water rights |
$ | 54m | ||
Oil Shale |
$ | 76m | ||
Balance sheet adjustment |
$ | 2m | ||
|
|
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Sum-of-the-parts Valuation |
$ | 198m | ||
|
|
Details of the Sum-of-the-Parts Valuation
The following section provides a more detailed discussion of CF&Cos approach to valuation for each of the three business interests of NRUC. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion attached as Appendix C.
Sodium Bicarbonate Business
The sodium bicarbonate business of NRUC held by NSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRUC, is valued on a discounted cashflow basis. The net present value uses a 15% nominal discount rate for the existing operation and base case expansion, which is consistent with CF&Cos calculation of NRUCs weighted average cost of capital (which is presented in its entirety as Appendix 1 to the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion). CF&Co used a 20% discount rate for assessing potential premium market opportunities. CF&Co assumes nahcolite resources are sufficient to support a mine life in excess of 20 years and the discounted cash flow analysis therefore is through 2030. CF&Co included in its analysis a discounted terminal value calculated by applying an appropriate multiple to projected 2030 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as determined by CF&Co). Additionally, in connection with its analysis, CF&Co applied a 75% probability to the prospect of NRUC being able to use the full amount of NRUCs non-NSI tax losses, giving total carried forward losses of US$79.0m and CF&Co assumed an annual limit of US$4.9m.
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NSI Valuation
The base case valuation, including upside for premium grade product, is US$66m. If the full accumulated tax losses are not permitted, the valuation would fall to US$56m.
Sensitivities
Ranges shown reflect base, low and high cases for each of the key variables as determined by CF&Co after discussion with NSI management regarding material assumptions in the cash flow model used as the basis of valuation, as further detailed in the full text of the Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion attached as Appendix C, including base case production and plant expansion, future pricing forecasts, premium grade market opportunities, financing options and the ability to carry forward tax losses. Cash flows associated with premium grade product is discounted at 20%.
Market Multiples
As a cross-check to its valuation, CF&Co has examined comparable trading company multiples, as set forth in the tables below:
Enterprise Value/EBITDA (sourceBloomberg):
Current | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. |
11.2 | 10.5 | 9.8 | |||||||||
Solvay Chemicals, Inc. |
6.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | |||||||||
FMC Industrial Chemicals |
9.8 | 8.9 | 8.0 | |||||||||
Penrice Soda Holdings Limited |
5.9 | 5.9 | 4.1 | |||||||||
Imerys SA |
7.7 | 6.3 | 5.9 | |||||||||
Rockwood Energy & Minerals Company Inc. |
8.2 | 7.5 | 6.9 | |||||||||
Compass Minerals International Inc. |
10.9 | 9.0 | 7.8 | |||||||||
OM Group, Inc. |
4.7 | 5.1 | 4.9 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Average |
8.1 | 7.6 | 6.9 | |||||||||
Implied Value of NSI (US$m) |
81 | 69 | 81 |
29
Price/Earnings (sourceBloomberg):
Current | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. |
22.2 | 19.1 | 17.4 | |||||||||
Solvay Chemicals, Inc. |
| | | |||||||||
FMC Industrial Chemicals |
17.5 | 15.1 | 13.2 | |||||||||
Penrice Soda Holdings Limited |
6.1 | | 12.2 | |||||||||
Imerys SA |
14.2 | 11.7 | 10.4 | |||||||||
Rockwood Energy & Minerals Company Inc. |
16.2 | 15.7 | 13.2 | |||||||||
Compass Minerals International Inc. |
19.5 | 15.4 | 12.9 | |||||||||
OM Group, Inc. |
12.6 | 12.1 | 11.1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Average |
15.5 | 14.9 | 12.9 | |||||||||
Implied Value of NSI (US$m) |
96 | 88 | 92 |
For purposes of the foregoing tables, the implied value of NSI was calculated by applying the respective EBITDA and earnings of NRUC, as determined by the CF&Co financial model, to the average of the comparable trading company multiples.
The peer group was chosen on the basis of those companies in the business of selling sodium bicarbonate and similar products. The peer group chosen for the foregoing comparison includes larger companies with greater share liquidity than NRUC, and the analogies are, therefore, imperfect. An illiquid stock such as that of NRUC can be expected to trade at a lower multiple, which is consistent with the CF&Co base case valuation. In addition, smaller resource companies tend to trade at lower multiples than larger companies. For example, mid-tier base metal mining companies trade at around a 5 6x Enterprise Value/Trailing 12 month EBITDA, which implies a valuation of US$50-60m for NSI.
Water Rights
For valuation purposes, the water rights can be divided into those required to sustain the core sodium bicarbonate business and the conditional Wolf Ridge water rights, which may be available for non-core business operations.
Core Water Rights Valuation
CF&Co determined that the most likely option to realize value from the water rights is a sale or lease to an oil shale operation. There are risks and uncertainties attaching to such projects. It is unlikely that any of the oil companies pursuing research projects in the Piceance Basin will pay substantial value for water rights until a firm decision is taken to develop a commercial operation, and any development decision by any oil company is likely 5-10 years away.
CF&Co has evaluated data from over 2,000 water rights transactions in Colorado from 1987 to 2009. The average sale price for all transactions (inflation adjusted to 2011 US dollars) is US$9,915/acre foot. However the average price paid for large water rights transactions is substantially lower than for small transactions. The great majority of transactions are for packages of under 1,000 acre feet. The average for transactions over 1,000 acre feet is approximately US$5,000/acre foot. CF&Co has, therefore, applied a price of US$5,000/acre foot to the core rights.
CF&Co has valued the core water rights by discounting the value of a cash sale of the rights in five years and applying a probability weighting for concluding a transaction. CF&Co used a 5% discount rate, reflecting a risk free rate, and assumed a 25% probability of concluding a transaction. Whilst the 25% probability is subjective, it is based on discussions with NRUC, GSR and a Colorado water rights lawyer regarding NRUCs experience to-date, the condition of the market, risks associated with the oil shale industry (assuming companies in this industry are the most likely buyers), uncertain timing and the difficulties of concluding a sale.
30
NPV (5%) Sale Price |
$ | 26.8m | ||
Probability Discount (75%) |
($ | 20.1m | ) | |
|
|
|||
Valuation of Core Water Rights |
$ | 6.7m | ||
|
|
Wolf Ridge Water Rights Valuation
CF&Co has valued the Wolf Ridge water rights based upon realization resulting from a potential structured sale or a sale to municipality and precedent transactions. CF&Co assumed, based on information from NRUCs management, that half of the Wolf Ridge water rights must be held for NRUCs potential oil shale development project. As a result, CF&Cos valuation is based on being able to sell half of the Wolf Ridge water rights.
Structured Sale
The conditional rights are valued on the basis of the discounted value of the cash flows from an assumed future structured sale. A structured sale is industry standard for the sale of conditional water rights. CF&Co has cross-referenced the valuation to precedent transactions.
CF&Co has assumed the following in a structured sale:
| An upfront deposit payment of 33% of the transaction value paid in five years. |
| The balance of the purchase price payable in ten years. |
| NRUC and the buyer share completion risk (permitting, litigation, etc). |
| Cash flows associated with the sale are discounted at 5%, representing a risk-free rate of return. |
| Probabilities have been applied to reflect the chance of entering into and completing a transaction with any buyer, to adjust the valuations (30% for the deposit payment and 10% for the payment of the balance). |
The potential total sale price is estimated based on the average transaction value for the sale of $9,915/acre foot. While transactions for large volumes of water have tended to attract lower prices than smaller transactions, the Wolf Ridge water rights are acknowledged to be a strategic resource. As a result, CF&Co has ascribed the total average value for the Wolf Ridge water rights. CF&Co has assumed:
| Upfront deposit of $3,305/acre foot paid in five years (i.e. 33% of the total sale price). |
| Completion payment of $6,610/acre foot payable in 10 years. |
| Total value of structured sale: |
NPV (5%) Deposit x 30% Probability |
$ | 62m | ||
NPV (5%) Balance x 10% Probability |
$ | 32m | ||
Total |
$ | 94m |
Sale to Municipality
CF&Co considered several recent precedent transactions entailing the sale of water rights to municipalities:
Transaction |
US$/acre foot | Wolf Ridge (US$m) |
||||||
Aurora |
23,446 | 1,867 | ||||||
Araphoe County |
21,909 | 1,745 | ||||||
East Cherry Creek Valley |
15,000 | 1,195 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Averageall transactions |
20,118 | 1,602 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
31
The above table illustrates the total value a municipality might be willing to pay to acquire the Wolf Ridge water rights under a structured sale. However, CF&Co considered the fact that the water rights sold in the above-noted transactions were more advanced than the Wolf Ridge water rights, with associated infrastructure in place, or committed. Further, CF&Co believes the chances of a sale to a municipality are significantly lower than to an oil shale company.
If the structured sale methodology is applied to the value payable by a municipality, but using probabilities of 15% for the deposit payment and 5% for the balance, the Wolf Ridge water rights would be valued at US$96m.
Precedent Transactions
CF&Co has evaluated data from over 2,000 precedent transactions in Colorado and elsewhere in the Western United States, from 1987 to 2009. Adjusted to 2011 US dollars, the average price paid in the western U.S. was US$8,500 per acre foot versus US$9,915 per acre foot in Colorado.
CF&Co also considered several specific transactions. As well as those discussed above, CF&Co considers the acquisition by Pure Cycle of a large package of Arkansas River rights for US$1,353/acre ft to be a useful analogue for what a buyer might pay to acquire the Wolf Ridge water rights today on an unconditional basis. The implied value of the Wolf Ridge water rights at US$1,353/acre ft is US$108m. However, CF&Co noted that the rights acquired by Pure Cycle are on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. It would be far less controversial to supply the municipalities of Denver and the Front Range from the eastern slopes than from Wolf Ridge on the western slopes. CF&Co also noted, however, that the rights acquired by Pure Cycle are decreed only for agricultural use and would require conversion for municipal use, whereas the Wolf Ridge water rights are decreed for all uses. Balancing these two observations, CF&Co assumed that the Wolf Ridge water rights would trade at a discount to the rights acquired by Pure Cycle.
CF&Co believes the valuation of US$94m reflects a price a buyer might pay today for the 100% of the Wolf Ridge water rights.
Valuation of Water Rights
The total value of the water rights is therefore:
Core water rights: Piceance Creek & Yellow Creek |
$ | 7m | ||
Non-core water rights: Wolf Ridge (100%) |
$ | 94m | ||
Less value of water rights attributed to oil shale |
($ | 47m | ) | |
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 54m | ||
|
|
Oil Shale
Oil Shale Valuation
NRUCs oil shale opportunity is in a very early stage. The extraction technology has not yet been proven at even the pilot scale and NRUC has no oil shale rights beyond those it may be granted under the limited Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) program currently under application with the US government. There are many uncertainties regarding timing, parameters, capital and operating costs for such extraction. There are no delineated reserves or resources.
Precedent Transactions
In the absence of a reliable discounted cash flow analysis, CF&Co reviewed precedent transactions as the primary valuation methodology, illustrating the potential value if NRUC was able to sell the oil shale project today. However, CF&Co has only identified two comparable transactions. Further, the valuation must be applied
32
to the acreage of land over which NRUC is expected to be able to exploit shale oil should it be granted a commercial scale license and confirm the technology, rather than to confirmed reserves or resources.
In addition, CF&Co added the value of 50% of the Wolf Ridge water rights to the value given by analysis of precedent transactions. NRUC would be required to acquire the water if it did not already own it and might seek to monetize the rights if the oil shale project does not proceed.
CF&Co believes the methodology is the best available to estimate the value a buyer might pay today to acquire the oil shale project, with rights to the patent pending technology for the RD&D program, today.
Precedent Transactions
Transaction |
Year | Acres | Value (US$m) |
US$/acre | Implied
Value (US$m) |
|||||||||||||||
Shell acquisition of Nielson-Juhan-Hogle sodium lease |
2006 | 2,240 | 5.0 | 2,232 | 21.3 | |||||||||||||||
Total buy 50% JV interest in AMSO (American Shale Oil Inc.) |
2009 | 50% x 5,120 = 2,560 | 10 | 1 | 3,906 | 37.3 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Average |
3,069 | 29.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
1 | Citigroup, 15 January 2009 report estimated the cost of the transaction as in the tens of millions. Absent more detailed information, CF&Co conservatively assumed the value was $10m to reflect the early stage of the project. |
The implied valuation of NRUCs oil shale project is:
Precedent Transactions |
$ | 29m | ||
Value of water rights attributed to oil shale |
$ | 47m | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 76m | ||
|
|
Balance Sheet Adjustment
CF&Cos valuation of NRUCs assets provides an enterprise value and requires an adjustment to reflect NRUCs balance sheet in order to fully reflect the price at which a 100% sale of NRUC would be concluded. In order to establish the equity value, CF&Co assessed NRUCs financial statements for items which are not captured by its financial modeling and valuation metrics. These items included NRUC cash and asset retirement obligations. The total balance sheet adjustment is $2 million.
Market Valuation
The trading market valuation is not considered by CF&Co to be a reliable basis for valuation. As NRUCs shares are held approximately 95% by GSR and its shares are thinly traded with a wide bid-ask spread, the trading market valuation is susceptible to large movements on very small trades. Information is available publically, however it is not widely distributed and NRUC is not covered by analysts.
Certain Projections
In connection with the preparation of financial analysis by CF&Co for the boards of directors of Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. and the rendering of CF&Cos Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion, CF&Co was provided with certain non-public business and financial information of NRUC and its operating subsidiaries by management of each of NRUC, NSI and Green SEA Resources Inc. during the periods
33
between June 24, 2011 and August 7, 2011. This information included projections of NRUCs future operating performance, which did not give effect to a going-private transaction.
NRUC does not, as a matter of course, publicly disclose projections of future operating and/or financial performance. The projections were not prepared with a view to public disclosure and are included in this Transaction Statement only because such information was made available to CF&Co, relied upon and used thereby. The projections were not prepared with a view to compliance with SEC requirements for public disclosures by companies subject to the reporting obligations of the Exchange Act and related rules and regulations, nor were they prepared in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of financial projections. Neither NRUCs independent registered public accounting firm nor any other independent accountants have examined or compiled the projections, nor have they expressed an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The historical audited financial statements of NRUC incorporated by reference into this Transaction Statement relate to NRUCs historical financial information and do not extend to the projections and should not be read to do so. While presented with numerical specificity, these projections reflect numerous assumptions, including, without limitation, NRUCs future financial performance, sales projections, the current economy and business trends, and NRUCs capital needs and strategic plans, made by management of NRUC, NSI and Green SEA Resources Inc. and are subjective in many respects. In addition, factors such as future industry performance and general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions, all of which are difficult to predict and beyond the control of management of NRUC, NSI and Green SEA Resources Inc., may cause the projections or the underlying assumptions to be inaccurate. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the projections will be realized, and actual results may be materially greater or less than those contained in the projections.
We do not intend to update or otherwise revise the projections or the calculations derived using such projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date when made or to reflect the occurrence of future events even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the projections are shown to be in error or prove not to be true.
The projections that were provided to, relied upon and used by CF&Co in its Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion included estimates and forecasts for fiscal years ending December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 of tons sold, operating costs, General and Administrative costs, and capital costs. The chart below sets forth a summary of the estimates and forecasts provided to, relied upon and used by CF&Co:
Management projections (US$, except volumes sold) Fiscal year ending December 31 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||
Tons sold (t) |
130,000 | 150,000 | 169,992 | 185,004 | 199,992 | |||||||||||||||
Operating costs |
7,969,436 | 8,729,873 | 9,558,866 | 10,279,793 | 11,010,858 | |||||||||||||||
G&A costs |
2,982,275 | 3,131,247 | 3,244,072 | 3,361,272 | 3,483,027 | |||||||||||||||
Environment & Regulatory costs |
280,800 | 287,820 | 295,016 | 302,391 | 309,951 | |||||||||||||||
Capital costs |
23,417,500 | 17,920,000 | 5,900,000 | 2,800,000 | 1,400,000 | |||||||||||||||
(Continued) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Management projections (US$, except volumes sold) Fiscal year ending December 31 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
Tons sold (t) |
215,004 | 225,000 | 234,996 | 245,004 | 255,000 | |||||||||||||||
Operating costs |
11,797,296 | 12,450,982 | 13,135,041 | 13,841,539 | 14,580,197 | |||||||||||||||
G&A costs |
3,609,523 | 3,740,956 | 3,877,528 | 4,019,451 | 4,166,947 | |||||||||||||||
Environment & Regulatory costs |
317,699 | 325,642 | 333,783 | 342,128 | 350,681 | |||||||||||||||
Capital costs |
2,800,000 | 1,400,000 | 2,800,000 | 1,400,000 | 2,800,000 |
34
For additional information on CF&Cos analysis, please see FAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERDetails of the Financial Analyses and REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONS in this Transaction Statement.
The projections described above are forward-looking statements. For information on factors that may cause NRUCs future operating and financial results to materially vary, see CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS in this Transaction Statement.
Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion Conclusion
Based upon the foregoing analyses and the assumptions and limitations set forth in full in the text of CF&Cos Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion attached hereto as Appendix C, CF&Co derived a value of $0.562 per share for NRUC and was of the opinion that, as of the date of CF&Cos opinion, the $0.57 per share merger consideration to be paid to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC for the shares in connection with the short-form merger is fair to such shareholders, from a financial point of view.
35
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial information presented below, under the captions Income Statement Data for the transition period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 and the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, June 30, 2011 and 2010 and September 30, 2011 and 2010 and Balance Sheet Data at December 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and 2009, March 31, 2011 and 2010, June 30, 2011 and 2010 and September 30, 2011 and 2010, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and have been derived from NRUCs audited consolidated financial statements included in NRUCs Amended Transition Report on Form 10-KT/A for the transition period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and NRUCs unaudited consolidated financial statements included in NRUCs Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011, which financial statements are incorporated herein by reference.
Balance Sheet Data |
||||||||||||
As
at December 31, 2010 (Audited) |
As at June 30, 2010 (Audited) |
As at June 30, 2009 (Audited) |
||||||||||
Current Assets |
$ | 9,213,305 | $ | 10,848,504 | $ | 9,481,921 | ||||||
Non-current Assets |
$ | 39,338,212 | $ | 36,573,871 | $ | 32,034,328 | ||||||
Current Liabilities |
$ | 4,040,782 | $ | 5,125,069 | $ | 5,354,746 | ||||||
Non-current Liabilities |
$ | 1,566,594 | $ | 1,293,336 | $ | 1,008,680 | ||||||
Preferred Stock |
0 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||
Book Value per share |
$ | 0.12 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.73 |
As
at March 31, 2011 (Unaudited) |
As
at March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) |
As at June 30, 2011 (Unaudited) |
As at June 30, 2010 (Audited) |
|||||||||||||
Current Assets |
$ | 8,951,324 | $ | 2,629,749 | $ | 9,128,169 | $ | 10,848,504 | ||||||||
Non-current Assets |
$ | 40,102,742 | $ | 7,090,695 | $ | 41,156,382 | $ | 36,573,871 | ||||||||
Current Liabilities |
$ | 4,290,979 | $ | 1,374,468 | $ | 5,077,617 | $ | 5,125,069 | ||||||||
Non-current Liabilities |
$ | 1,576,054 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,660,637 | $ | 1,293,336 | ||||||||
Preferred Stock |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Book Value per share |
$ | 0.12 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.61 |
As at September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) |
As at September 30, 2010 (Unaudited) |
|||||||
Current Assets |
$ | 7,131,629 | $ | 10,167,936 | ||||
Non-current Assets |
$ | 43,622,003 | $ | 37,218,479 | ||||
Current Liabilities |
$ | 5,428,904 | $ | 4,131,400 | ||||
Non-current Liabilities |
$ | 1,539,323 | $ | 1,243,365 | ||||
Preferred Stock |
0 | 0 | ||||||
Book Value per share |
$ | 0.12 | $ | 0.12 |
36
Income Statement Data |
||||||||||||
6 Months Ended December 31, 2010 (Audited) |
Year Ended June 30, 2010 (Audited) |
Year Ended June 30, 2009 (Audited) |
||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 12,924,583 | $ | 21,981,038 | $ | 19,835,160 | ||||||
Gross Profit (including depreciation) |
$ | 4,618,216 | $ | 6,397,715 | $ | 3,984,705 | ||||||
Income (Loss) from Operations |
$ | 1,735,877 | $ | 1,458,622 | $ | (538,352 | ) | |||||
Income (Loss) per share from Operations (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||||
Income (Loss) per share from Operations (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||||
Net Income (Loss) |
$ | 1,844,861 | $ | 1,274,439 | $ | (5,856,440 | ) | |||||
Net Income (Loss) per share (basic) |
$ | 0.01 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.12 | ) | |||||
Net Income (Loss) per share (diluted) |
$ | 0.01 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.12 | ) | |||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
22.72 | 7.90 | 0.16 | |||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (basic) |
352,413,582 | 67,077,586 | 47,899,158 | |||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (diluted) |
352,570,332 | 67,168,992 | 47,899,158 |
3
Months Ended March 31, 2011 (Unaudited) |
3
Months Ended March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) |
|||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,968,177 | $ | 5,439,381 | ||||
Gross Profit (including depreciation) |
$ | 1,959,918 | $ | 1,441,784 | ||||
Income from Operations |
$ | 635,235 | $ | 414,977 | ||||
Income per share from Operations (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Income per share from Operations (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Net Income |
$ | 100,067 | $ | 373,670 | ||||
Net Income per share (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Net Income per share (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
1,396.96 | 10.05 | ||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (basic) |
352,413,582 | 66,293,696 | ||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (diluted) |
353,430,040 | 66,404,665 |
3 Months Ended June 30, 2011 (Unaudited) |
3 Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited) |
6 Months Ended June 30, 2011 (Unaudited) |
6 Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 7,017,953 | $ | 6,202,708 | $ | 12,986,130 | $ | 11,552,089 | ||||||||
Gross Profit (including depreciation) |
$ | 1,985,392 | $ | 2,006,667 | $ | 3,945,310 | $ | 3,448,451 | ||||||||
Income from Operations |
$ | 691,594 | $ | 487,398 | $ | 1,326,829 | $ | 902,375 | ||||||||
Income per share from Operations (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Income per share from Operations (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 145,025 | $ | 453,688 | $ | 245,092 | $ | 827,358 | ||||||||
Net Income per share (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Net Income per share (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
323.49 | 14.46 | 511.78 | 12.03 | ||||||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (basic) |
352,461,082 | 69,472,806 | 352,437,201 | 67,874,469 | ||||||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (diluted) |
353,513,770 | 69,522,333 | 352,568,670 | 67,954,183 |
37
3 Months Ended September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) |
3 Months Ended September 30, 2010 (Unaudited) |
9 Months Ended September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) |
9 Months Ended September 30, 2010 (Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 6,540,627 | $ | 6,377,273 | $ | 19,526,757 | $ | 17,929,362 | ||||||||
Gross Profit (including depreciation) |
$ | 2,154,072 | $ | 2,262,533 | $ | 6,099,382 | $ | 5,710,984 | ||||||||
Income from Operations |
$ | 476,327 | $ | 978,930 | $ | 1,803,156 | $ | 1,881,305 | ||||||||
Income per share from Operations (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Income per share from Operations (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 4,869 | $ | 957,952 | $ | 249,961 | $ | 1,785,310 | ||||||||
Net Income per share (basic) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Net Income per share (diluted) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
3.87 | 46.66 | 59.24 | 19.60 | ||||||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (basic) |
352,488,582 | 352,413,582 | 352,454,516 | 163,763,108 | ||||||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (diluted) |
352,723,354 | 352,476,874 | 353,360,271 | 163,840,708 |
38
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Information about NRUC.
Securities. NRUCs authorized capital stock consists of 700,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.05 per share. As of September 30, 2011, NRUC had outstanding 352,488,582 shares of its common stock, the subject securities of the short-form merger, and options to purchase an additional 3,950,000 shares of common stock (exclusive of the limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of NRUC common stock held by GSR).
Trading Market and Price. NRUCs common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board from August 20, 2002 until late 2005 under the symbol NTRC.OB. On May 18, 2009, NRUC regained its quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board but was again delisted on June 6, 2011. Currently, there is minimal trading in NRUCs common stock on the Pink Sheets.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2011, NRUCs common stock price reached a high of $0.80 and a low of $0.40. The following table shows the high and low common stock prices by quarter from the OTC Bulletin Board of the NRUC common stock for the periods indicated.
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HIGH | LOW | HIGH | LOW | HIGH | LOW | |||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
1.32 | 0.60 | 0.50 | 0.32 | 0.59 | 0.20 | ||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter |
0.90 | 0.50 | 0.45 | 0.32 | 0.55 | 0.21 | ||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter |
0.80 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.11 | 0.50 | 0.30 | ||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
| | 1.01 | 0.25 | 1.01 | 0.30 |
Dividends. To our knowledge, NRUC has not paid any dividends on its common stock during the past two years and there are no restrictions on its current or future ability to pay dividends.
Prior Public Offerings. To our knowledge, NRUC has not made a public offering of its common stock during the past three years that was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from registration under Regulation A promulgated thereunder.
Prior Stock Purchases. Please see discussion above under SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.
Identity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner
Name and Address. Green SEA Resources Inc. and GSR Acquisition Corp. are the persons filing this Transaction Statement. The business address for Green SEA Resources Inc. is 130 Adelaide St. West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3P5, and the business telephone number is 416-365-2783. The business address for GSR Acquisition Corp. is c/o Green SEA Resources Inc., 130 Adelaide St. West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3P5, and the business telephone number is 416-365-2783. Green SEA Resources, Inc. is an affiliate of NRUC by virtue of its beneficial ownership of approximately 95% of the voting stock of NRUC. As part of the short-form merger, GSR Acquisition Corp. was incorporated in Utah on August 2, 2011. SURF and the general partner of SURF, Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited (the Sentient General Partner), are controlling persons of the filing persons. The business address for SURF is c/o Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited, Landmark Square, 64 Earth Close, West Bay Beach South, PO Box 10795, Grand Cayman KY1-1107, Cayman Islands, and the business telephone number is 345-814-6317. The business address for the Sentient General Partner is Landmark Square, 64 Earth Close, West Bay Beach South, PO Box 10795, Grand Cayman KY1-1107, Cayman Islands, and the business telephone number is 345-814-6317. Following such incorporation and prior to the mailing of this Transaction Statement, cash sufficient to fund the short-form merger will be transferred from an affiliate of The Sentient Group to Green SEA Resources Inc. and cash sufficient to fund the
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short-form merger and all NRUC shares previously owned by Green SEA Resources Inc., as well as its right to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of common stock of NRUC (if applicable), will be transferred to GSR Acquisition Corp. in exchange for GSR Acquisition Corp. shares pursuant to the Contribution Agreement (attached hereto as Appendix A).
Business Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner. Green SEA Resources Inc. is a private Canadian company wholly owned within The Sentient Group of Global Resource Funds. GSR Acquisition Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green SEA Resources Inc., incorporated in Utah by Green SEA Resources Inc. in connection with the short-form merger. SURF is an investment fund formed as a limited partnership in Delaware. The Sentient General Partner is the general partner of SURF formed as a company in the Cayman Islands.
Business and Background of Natural Persons. The name, business address, position with Green SEA Resources Inc., GSR Acquisition Corp., SURF and the Sentient General Partner, principal occupation and five-year employment history of each of the directors and executive officers of Green SEA Resources Inc., GSR Acquisition Corp., SURF and the Sentient General Partner, together with the names, principal business and addresses of any corporations or other organizations in which such principal occupations are conducted, are set forth on Schedule I to this Transaction Statement.
During the last five years, none of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Transaction Statement has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
None of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Transaction Statement has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining those persons from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws.
The country of citizenship of each of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Transaction Statement is listed thereon.
Disclosure relating to SURF and the Sentient General Partner is included in this section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIdentity and Background of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner in, and in Schedule I to, this Transaction Statement pursuant to General Instruction C of Schedule 13E-3 solely because such entities may be persons controlling Green SEA Resources Inc. within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Terms of the Transaction
Material Terms.
Pursuant to the short-form merger, each outstanding share of NRUC common stock including those shares owned by an executive officer, director or affiliate of NRUC (other than shares held by GSR Acquisition Corp.) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash in the amount of $0.57 per share, without interest, brokerage fees or commissions. If you properly perfect your dissent rights, you will have the right to demand fair value of your NRUC common stock. Pursuant to the short-form merger, each share of NRUC common stock owned by GSR Acquisition Corp. will be cancelled for no consideration. Pursuant to the short-form merger, each share of GSR Acquisition Corp. common stock, all of which is owned by Green SEA Resources Inc., will be converted into one share of common stock of the surviving corporation following the merger. In connection with and immediately prior to the consummation of the short-form merger, we will take steps to accelerate the vesting of all unvested options to purchase NRUC common stock. All unexercised options (other than options that are owned by GSR) that are in the money (meaning that the per-share exercise price is less than the per-share merger consideration) immediately prior to the consummation of the short-form merger will be converted into the right to receive an amount equal to the short-form merger consideration of $0.57 per share subject to such
40
option, minus the exercise price per option, less any required withholding taxes. All unexercised options that are underwater (meaning that the exercise price is greater than the merger consideration) immediately prior to the consummation of the short-form merger will be cancelled without payment.
Under the URBC, because GSR Acquisition Corp. will own at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of NRUC entitled to vote on the proposed merger immediately prior to the short-form merger as a result of the contribution contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, GSR Acquisition Corp. will have the power to effect the merger without a vote of the NRUC board of directors or the minority shareholders. The board of directors of GSR Acquisition Corp. will adopt the plan of merger by board resolution in accordance with Section 1104 of the URBC following the contribution and prior to the mailing of the Transaction Statement, and no vote of the board of directors of NRUC or its shareholders will be necessary to approve the short-form merger. As a result, neither NRUC nor GSR Acquisition Corp. is soliciting proxies or consents from the board of directors of NRUC or the shareholders of NRUC. The reasons for the short-form merger are set out in SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERReasons. The material federal income tax consequences of the short-form merger are set out in SPECIAL FACTORSCERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS.
In connection with the short-form merger, in order to receive the merger consideration of $0.57 per share, each shareholder or a duly authorized representative must (1) deliver a Letter of Transmittal, appropriately completed and executed, to the paying agent and (2) surrender their shares of NRUC common stock by delivering the stock certificate or certificates that evidence those shares to the paying agent, as set forth in a Letter of Transmittal that will be delivered to you by the paying agent promptly following the effectiveness of the short-form merger. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Letter of Transmittal carefully when received. Delivery of an executed Letter of Transmittal will constitute a waiver of statutory dissent rights.
For accounting purposes, the merger will be accounted for by GSR under International Financial Reporting Standards at book values using predecessor accounting.
In general, for United States federal income tax purposes, the short-form merger will be treated as a taxable transaction. See SPECIAL FACTORSCERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS in this Transaction Statement.
Dissent Rights.
Holders of NRUC common stock who follow the procedures set forth below will be entitled to dissent rights under Part 13 of the URBC, a copy of which is attached as Appendix D to this Transaction Statement.
NRUC shareholders who (a) hold shares of NRUC common stock of record on the effective date of the short-form merger, and (b) otherwise comply fully with the applicable provisions of the URBC, will be entitled to demand payment for their shares of NRUC stock equal to the fair market value of such shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment of the short-merger, in connection with the provisions of Section 1323 of the URBC and to receive from the surviving corporation (i.e., NRUC) payment of such fair market value in cash together with a fair rate of interest, as determined by the surviving corporation.
The following discussion is not a complete statement of the law pertaining to dissent rights under the URBC, and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Part 13 of the URBC, which is provided in its entirety as Appendix D to this Transaction Statement. All references in this summary to a shareholder are to the record holder of the shares of NRUC common stock as to which dissent rights are asserted.
A person having a beneficial interest in shares of NRUC common stock held of record in the name of another person, such as a broker or nominee, must act promptly to cause the record holder to timely follow the steps required by the URBC to perfect applicable dissent rights.
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Any shareholder who wishes to exercise dissent rights or who wishes to preserve that right should review carefully the following discussion, the Notice of Merger and Dissent Rights that accompanies this Transaction Statement and Appendix D to this Transaction Statement. Moreover, because of the complexity of the procedures for exercising dissent rights under the URBC, we believe that shareholders who consider exercising such rights should seek the advice of counsel, which counsel or other services will not be paid for by us or the surviving corporation. Failure to comply with the procedures specified in the URBC timely and properly will result in the loss of dissent rights.
Any holder of NRUC common stock wishing to exercise dissent rights under the URBC must have been a shareholder with respect to the shares for which payment is demanded as of the effective date of the short-form merger. A shareholder who transfers those shares before the date of effectiveness of the short-form merger, will lose any dissent rights with respect to those shares.
Only a holder of record of shares of NRUC common stock issued and outstanding as of the effective time of the short-form merger is entitled to assert dissent rights for the shares of NRUC common stock registered in that holders name. If the shares are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of the payment demand should be made in that capacity, with respect to all of the shares held by the fiduciary for such beneficial shareholder. If the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy, tenancy in common or community property, the payment demand should be executed by or on behalf of all owners. An authorized agent, including one or more joint owners, may execute a payment demand on behalf of a shareholder; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the payment demand, the agent is acting as agent for such owner or owners. A record holder such as a broker who holds shares as nominee for several beneficial owners may exercise dissent rights with respect to the shares held for one or more other beneficial owners while not exercising dissent rights with respect to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners; in such case, the payment demand should set forth the number of shares as to which such rights will be exercised, and where no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the payment notice will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the record owner. If a shareholder holds shares of NRUC common stock through a broker which in turn holds the shares through a central securities depository nominee, a payment demand with respect to such shares must be made by or on behalf of the depository nominee and must identify the depository nominee as record holder.
Beneficial owners who are not record owners and who intend to exercise dissent rights should instruct the record owner to comply strictly with the statutory requirements with respect to the delivery of the record owners written consent to the dissent, and all other applicable requirements for exercising dissent rights.
Any shareholder who has properly asserted his dissent rights in compliance with the URBC will, until the effective time of the short-form merger, retain all rights of a shareholder except the right to transfer shares, and following the effective time of the short-form merger, shall be entitled only to receive payment for such shares in accordance with the URBC.
Notice by GSR Acquisition Corp. At least 10 calendar days prior to the effective date of the short-form merger, GSR Acquisition Corp. must send a notice as to the effectiveness of the merger to each of the NRUC shareholders who are entitled to demand payment for their shares under Part 13 of the URBC. In compliance with this requirement, you are receiving a Notice of Merger and Dissent Rights with this Transaction Statement.
Such written notice is required to: (a) state that the short-form merger was authorized; (b) give notice of the effective date, or proposed effective date, of the merger; (c) state the address at which the surviving corporation will receive payment demands and the address at which certificates for shares of NRUC common stock must be deposited; (d) supply a form for dissenting shareholders to demand payment, which form requests a dissenting shareholder to state an address to which payment is to be made; (e) set a date by which the surviving corporation must receive the payment demand and by which certificates for dissenting shares must be deposited at the address indicated in the notice, which date may not be fewer than 30 nor more than 70 days after the date the dissent notice is given; and (f) be accompanied by a copy of Part 13 of the URBC.
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Demand Notice. A dissenting shareholder who is given the dissent notice described above and wishes to assert dissent rights must, in accordance with the terms of the dissent notice, cause the surviving corporation to receive a payment demand in the same form referred to above, or in another writing, and must timely deposit certificates for dissenting shares of NRUC common stock in accordance with the terms of the dissent notice. A dissenting shareholder who demands payment in accordance with this paragraph retains all rights as an NRUC shareholder except the right to transfer the shares until the effective date of the short-form merger and thereafter has only the right to receive payments for such shares. Upon compliance by the dissenting shareholder with all the requirements described above and all other applicable provisions of the URBC, the surviving corporation will pay the amount the surviving corporation estimates to be the fair value of the dissenting shareholders shares of NRUC common stock, except for any shares acquired by any dissenting shareholder after the date of the first public announcement of the short-form merger to which special provisions not summarized here apply, accompanied by the NRUC balance sheet as of the end of the most recent fiscal year; an income statement for that year; statements of changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for that year; and the latest available interim financial statements, if any. Such annual financial statements shall be audited because NRUC customarily provides audited financial statements to shareholders. Payment shall also be accompanied by a statement of the surviving corporations estimate of the fair value of the dissenting shares of NRUCs common stock and the amount of interest payable with respect to such shares, a statement of a dissatisfied dissenters right to demand payment, as discussed below, and a copy of Part 13 of the URBC.
Dissatisfaction with Payment. A dissenting shareholder may notify the surviving corporation of such shareholders estimate of the value of the shares of NRUC common stock held and demand that the surviving corporation pay such amount if: (a) the dissenter believes that the amount paid by the surviving corporation pursuant to the procedures outlined above is less than the fair value of the shares, (b) if the surviving corporation fails to make payment within 60 days after the date set by it as the date by which it must receive the payment demand, or (c) if, having not effected the short-form merger, NRUC fails to return timely the dissenting shareholders shares of NRUC common stock. A dissenting shareholder waives the right to demand payment according to this paragraph unless such dissenting shareholder causes the surviving corporation to receive notice of his or her estimate within 30 days after the surviving corporation has made payment for the shares of NRUC common stock pursuant to the procedures outlined above.
Filing a petition for appraisal. If a demand for payment by the dissenter remains unresolved, the surviving corporation will commence a proceeding in the applicable District Court of Utah within 60 days after receiving the payment demand from the dissenter and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest payable. If the surviving corporation fails to commence the proceeding within such 60-day period, it shall pay to each dissenter whose demand remains unresolved the amount demanded. Each such dissenting shareholder is entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the court finds that the fair value of his or her shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the surviving corporation or the amount the surviving corporation elected to withhold payment under special provisions applicable to shares acquired after the date of the notice of the special meeting. The court is required to assess court costs, including appraisal costs against the surviving corporation, unless the court determines that the dissenting shareholder acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties in the amounts the court finds equitable against the surviving corporation if it did not substantially comply with Part 13 of the URBC, or against one or more dissenters if the court finds that such dissenter acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith.
Any shareholder wishing to exercise dissent rights is urged to consult legal counsel before attempting to exercise such rights. Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in the URBC may result in the loss of a shareholders statutory dissent rights.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ APPENDIX D IN ITS ENTIRETY BECAUSE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH THEREIN WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
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Provisions for Unaffiliated Security Holders. GSR does not intend to grant minority shareholders special access to its records in connection with the short-form merger. GSR does not intend to obtain counsel or appraisal services for the minority shareholders of NRUC.
Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.
Transactions.
Please see the discussion above under SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR, the discussion under ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSource and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration, and the discussion under Beneficial Ownership in Schedule I to this Transaction Statement, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.
Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.
Use of Securities Acquired. The shares of NRUC capital stock subject to the short-form merger will be cancelled.
Plans. From time to time, NRUC considers acquisitions and other strategic alternatives. However, as a result of its majority ownership interest, GSR has the right to approve any transaction that is not in the ordinary course of business. It is currently expected that, following the consummation of the short-form merger, the business and operations of NRUC will be conducted by us substantially as they are currently being conducted. Because NRUC will no longer be a public company, we may elect to alter the number and composition of the board of directors and members of management of NRUC following the consummation of the short-form merger. Further, we have begun preliminary negotiations with members of management regarding such persons involvement with NRUC following the effectiveness of the short-form merger. We intend to continue to evaluate the business and operations of NRUC with a view to maximizing its potential, and we will take the actions deemed appropriate under the circumstances and market conditions then existing. We intend to cause NRUC to terminate the registration of its common stock under Section 12 of the Exchange Act following the short-form merger. This would result in the suspension of NRUCs duty to file reports pursuant to the Exchange Act. See SPECIAL FACTORSPURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGEREffects.
We do not currently have any commitment or agreement, and we are not currently negotiating, for the sale of any of NRUCs businesses. Except as otherwise described in this Transaction Statement, as of the date of this Transaction Statement, there are not any plans, proposals or negotiations that relate to or would result in:
| any extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving NRUC or any of its subsidiaries; |
| any purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of NRUC or any of its subsidiaries; |
| any material change in the present dividend rate or policy, or indebtedness or capitalization of NRUC; |
| any other material change in the corporate structure or business of NRUC; or |
| any extraordinary corporate transaction involving NRUC after completion of the short-form merger. |
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
Source of Funds. The total amount of funds required to pay the merger consideration to the minority shareholders of NRUC and to option holders of in-the-money options (other than GSR), and to pay related fees and expenses is estimated to be approximately $11,070,000. Prior to the mailing of this Transaction Statement related to the short-form merger and pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement attached hereto as Appendix A, an affiliate of The Sentient Group will contribute funds sufficient to cover the merger consideration and the option consideration to Green SEA Resources Inc. which will contribute those funds to GSR Acquisition Corp. These funds are not subject to any financing condition.
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Conditions. There are no conditions to the financing of the short-form merger, and there are no alternative financing arrangements or alternative financing plans because GSR intends to provide the necessary funding for the short-form merger. GSR is under no obligation to consummate the short-form merger and could decide to withdraw the transaction at any time prior to the effective date, although they do not have a present intention to do so.
Expenses. The paying agent will receive reasonable and customary compensation for its services and will be reimbursed for certain reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the short-form merger, including certain liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws.
Except as described under ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInterest in Securities of NRUCSecurities Transactions, and ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPersons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used, we will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer in connection with the short-form merger. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies will, upon request, be reimbursed by us for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to their customers.
The estimated fees and expenses to be incurred by GSR in connection with the short-form merger are set forth in the table below:
Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion |
$ | 150,000 | ||
SEC filing fee |
$ | 2,500 | ||
Legal and accounting fees and expenses |
$ | 260,000 | ||
Printing and mailing costs |
$ | 30,000 | ||
Paying agent |
$ | 25,000 | ||
Miscellaneous |
$ | 30,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 497,500 | ||
|
|
NRUC has not paid and will not be responsible for paying any of the expenses incurred by us in connection with the short-form merger.
Interest in Securities of NRUC.
Securities Ownership. As of September 30, 2011, Green SEA Resources Inc. may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over 339,574,381 shares of NRUC common stock through (i) its ownership of 334,074,381 shares of NRUC common stock, and (ii) its limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of common stock of NRUC.
If Green SEA Resources Inc. exercised its limited option to acquire to acquire 5,500,000 shares of NRUC common stock, Green SEA Resources Inc. would beneficially own, for the purposes of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) under the Exchange Act, 94.9% of NRUC.
Although SURF and the Sentient General Partner may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the shares of common stock of NRUC owned by Green SEA Resources Inc., each of SURF and the Sentient General Partner has disclaimed beneficial ownership of those shares.
SURF and the Sentient General Partner may be associates of Green SEA Resources Inc. within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. The business address for SURF is c/o Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited, Landmark Square, 64 Earth Close, West Bay Beach South, PO Box 10795, Grand Cayman KY1-1107, Cayman Islands. The business address for the Sentient General Partner is Landmark Square, 64 Earth Close, West Bay Beach South, PO Box 10795, Grand Cayman KY1-1107, Cayman Islands.
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Details regarding the beneficial ownership of NRUCs common stock of the executive officers and directors of GSR, SURF and the Sentient General Partner is set forth in Schedule I to this Transaction Statement.
Securities Transactions. Please see discussion above under SPECIAL FACTORSFAIRNESS OF THE SHORT-FORM MERGERRecent purchases of shares of NRUC stock by GSR, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.
Disclosure relating to SURF and the Sentient General Partner is included in this section entitled ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONInterest in Securities of NRUC in, and in Schedule I to, this Transaction Statement solely because such entities may be associates of, and persons controlling, Green SEA Resources Inc. within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Financial Statements.
Financial Information.
(1) | Audited financial statements, as required, are incorporated by reference to NRUCs Amended Transition Report on Form 10-KT/A for the period from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on September 14, 2011. |
(2) | Unaudited interim financial statements are incorporated by reference to NRUCs Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 each filed with the SEC on October 20, 2011 and NRUCs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2011. |
Pro forma Information. No pro forma data giving effect to the short-form merger is provided because GSR does not believe such information is material to the minority shareholders in evaluating the proposed transaction because (1) the consideration for NRUC common stock is all cash and (2) if the proposed transaction is completed, NRUCs common stock would cease to be publicly traded.
Persons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.
There are no persons or classes of persons who are directly or indirectly employed, retained or to be compensated to make solicitations or recommendations in connection with the short-form merger, and no employees or corporate assets of NRUC will be used by GSR or its affiliates in connection with the short-form merger.
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SCHEDULE I
MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
GREEN SEA RESOURCES INC., GSR ACQUISITION CORP., SENTIENT USA RESOURCES FUND,
L.P. AND SENTIENT EXECUTIVE MLP 1, LIMITED
Directors and Executive Officers. The name, country of citizenship, business address, position with Green SEA Resources Inc., GSR Acquisition Corp., Sentient USA Resources Fund, L.P., and/or Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited, present principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history of the directors and executive officers of Green SEA Resources Inc., GSR Acquisition Corp., Sentient USA Resources Fund, L.P., and Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited, together with the names, principal businesses and addresses of any corporations or other organizations in which such principal occupation is conducted, are set forth below. Except as otherwise indicated, each occupation set forth refers to Green SEA Resources Inc.
Except as set forth below, the principal business address for each executive officer and director is 130 Adelaide St. West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3P5.
Green SEA Resources Inc.
Name (Citizenship) |
Present Position with Green SEA Resources Inc. |
Present Principal Occupation and Business Address | ||
Directors: | ||||
Peter James Cassidy (Australia) | Chairman | Chairman of The Sentient Group
Suite 2401, Level 24 Australia Square Tower 264 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia | ||
Alan Michael Death (United Kingdom) | Director | Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, President and CEO of Ivernia Inc.
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario Canada. M5H 3P5 | ||
Leigh Loddington Hall (Australia) | Director | Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation and Ivernia Inc.
c/o The Sentient Group, Suite 2401, Level 24 Australia Square Tower 264 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia | ||
Charles DiBona (U.S.) | Director | Member of Sentient Council
c/o Green SEA Resources Inc. 130 Adelaide Street West Suite 3303 Toronto, Ontario M5H 3P5 Canada |
S-1
Name (Citizenship) |
Present Position with Green SEA Resources Inc. |
Present Principal Occupation and Business Address | ||
Michael Agnew (Canada) | Director | Independent metallurgy consultant, Michael Agnew Inc., Formerly, Senior Vice President, Technology, Falconbridge Ltd.
153 Cote St-Charles, Hudson, Quebec J0P 1H0 Canada | ||
Colin John Maclean (Australia) | Director | Deputy Chairman of The Sentient Group
Suite 2401, Level 24 Australia Square Tower 264 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia | ||
Wayne Richardson (Australia) | Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | Managing Director and CEO of Renewed Metal Technologies Pty Limited, Managing Director of Orbitas Pty Limited, Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, Formerly, General ManagerSales, Century Yuasa Australia, Formerly Chairman for Southern Oil Pty Limited, Formerly President for Australian Battery Recycling Initiative | ||
18 Station Place (PO Box 6266) Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Australia | ||||
Executive Officers Not Otherwise Listed Above: | ||||
Alan Michael Death (United Kingdom) |
President and Chief Executive Officer | Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, President and CEO of Ivernia Inc.
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5 | ||
Alan Roy Lin You Lee (Australia) | Chief Financial Officer | CFOInvestment Subsidiaries for The Sentient Group, Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, Formerly, Consultant to Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. (wholly owned by Natural Resources USA Corporation), Formerly, Associate Director, Macquarie Group Limited
Level 24, Suite 2401, Australia Square Tower, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia |
S-2
Name (Citizenship) |
Present Position with Green SEA Resources Inc. |
Present Principal Occupation and Business Address | ||
DArcy Pierson Doherty (Canada) | Vice President, Legal and General Counsel and Secretary | Vice President, Legal and General Counsel and Secretary for Ivernia Inc., Formerly, Partner, Associate, Gowling Lafleur Hendersen LLP
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5 | ||
Michael Eric Tamlin (Australia) | Vice PresidentBusiness Development | Director and General Manager, Commercial for Rincon Lithium Limited, Formerly, General Manager, Marketing, Windimurra Vanadium Ltd., Formerly, GM China, Galaxy Resources Limited.
Level 24, Suite 2401, Australia Square Tower, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia | ||
Kane Graeme Arnold Blackman (Australia) |
Vice President, Health Safety and Environment |
ManagerESG of The Sentient Group, Formerly, MOHS&E Manager, Magellan Metals Pty Ltd (2007-2010), Formerly, Consultant and Project Manager, Enesar and Coffey Natural Systems (2005-2007)
Level 24, Suite 2401, Australia Square Tower, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia |
S-3
GSR Acquisition Corp.
Name (Citizenship) |
Present Position with GSR |
Present Principal Occupation and Business Address | ||
Directors: | ||||
Alan Michael Death (United Kingdom) |
Director | Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, President and CEO of Ivernia Inc., President and CEO of Green SEA Resources Inc.
130 Adelaide Street West Street, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5 | ||
Alan Roy Lin You Lee (Australia) | Director and Chief Financial Officer | CFOInvestment Subsidiaries for The Sentient Group, Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, Formerly, Consultant to Natural Soda Holdings, Inc. (wholly owned by Natural Resources USA Corporation), CFO of Green SEA Resources Inc., Formerly, Associate Director, Macquarie Group Limited
Level 24, Suite 2401, Australia Square Tower, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia | ||
Wayne Richardson (Australia) | Director and President and Chief Executive Officer | Managing Director and CEO of Renewed Metal Technologies Pty Limited, Managing Director of Orbitas Pty Limited, Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation, Formerly, General ManagerSales, Century Yuasa Australia, Formerly Chairman for Southern Oil Pty Limited, Formerly President for Australian Battery Recycling Initiative
18 Station Place (PO Box 6266) Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Australia | ||
Leigh Loddington Hall (Australia) | Director | Director of Natural Resources USA Corporation and Ivernia Inc.
c/o The Sentient Group, Suite 2401, Level 24, Australia Square Tower, 264 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia |
S-4
Name (Citizenship) |
Present Position with GSR |
Present Principal Occupation and Business Address | ||
Executive Officers Not Otherwise Listed Above: | ||||
DArcy Pierson Doherty (Canada) |
Vice President Legal and Secretary | Vice President, Legal and General Counsel and Secretary for Ivernia Inc., Vice President, Legal and General Counsel and Secretary of Green SEA Resources, Inc., Formerly, Partner, Associate, Gowling Lafleur Hendersen LLP
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3303, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5 | ||
Lance Redpath (Australia and United Kingdom) |
Controller | Financial Controller, Green SEA Resources Inc., Formerly, Audit Senior Manager, KPMG (2006-2010), Formerly, Audit Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers (2003-2006)
Level 24, Suite 2401, Australia Square Tower, 264 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia |
Sentient USA Resources Fund, L.P.
Sentient USA Resources Fund, L.P. does not have any officers or directors and is managed by its general partner, Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited.
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Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited
Name (Citizenship) |
Present Position with Sentient Executive MLP 1, Limited |
Present Principal Occupation and Business Address | ||
Peter James Cassidy (Australia) | Director | Chairman of The Sentient Group | ||
Suite 2401, Level 24 Australia Square Tower 264 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia | ||||
Greg Link (New Zealand) | Director | General Manager of The Sentient Group | ||
Landmark Square 64 Earth Close, West Bay Beach South PO Box 10795 Grand Cayman KY1-1107 Cayman Islands | ||||
Johanna Druez (Canada) | Director | Assistant Investment Manager of The Sentient Group | ||
c/o Sentient Asset Management Canada Limited Montreal Herald Building 1001 Square Victoria, Suite 450 Montreal (Quebec) H2Z 2B1, Canada |
Beneficial Ownership. To GSRs knowledge, none of the persons listed in this Schedule I is the beneficial owner of any shares of NRUC common stock other than Alan Death who owns 112,500 options to acquire shares of NRUC common stock (which, upon exercise, would be less than 1% of the issued and outstanding shares of NRUC).
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Appendix A
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of August 8, 2011, is made by and among Green SEA Resources Inc., a Canadian corporation (GSR), and GSR Acquisition Corp., a Utah corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of GSR (GSR Acquisition), to be effective immediately prior to the mailing of that certain Going Private Transaction Statement under Section 13(e) of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Schedule 13E-3), that has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to certain of the stockholders of Natural Resources USA Corp., a Utah corporation (NRUC), or such other time as agreed to by the parties (the Effective Time).
Recitals
WHEREAS, GSR owns 334,074,381 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 (the Common Stock), of NRUC, representing approximately 95% of the currently outstanding shares of Common Stock of NRUC, and a limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of NRUC Common Stock (the GSR Option).
WHEREAS, GSR and GSR Acquisition have filed a Schedule 13E-3 with the SEC announcing their intention to cause GSR Acquisition (following the consummation of the transactions described herein) to effect a short form merger (the Merger) with and into NRUC in accordance with the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act, pursuant to which each shareholder of NRUC will receive US$0.57 per share for each share of Common Stock of NRUC held by such shareholder immediately prior to the Merger.
WHEREAS, to effect the Merger, GSR desires to contribute to GSR Acquisition, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i) all of its shares of NRUC Common Stock (the GSR Contributed Shares), (ii) the GSR Option and (iii) an amount of cash equal to Ten Million Five Hundred Seventy-Two Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-Five U.S. Dollars (US$10,572,595) (the Cash Contribution and together with the GSR Contributed Shares and the GSR Option, the Transferred Property), in consideration for the issuance by GSR Acquisition of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock to GSR.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Contribution; Consideration.
(a) Contribution of NRUC Common Stock and GSR Option. At the Effective Time, GSR shall contribute, assign and transfer to GSR Acquisition, and GSR Acquisition shall accept, all of the GSR Contributed Shares and the GSR Option, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances and restrictions of any kind whatsoever.
(b) Cash Contribution. At the Effective Time, GSR shall contribute, assign and transfer to GSR Acquisition, and GSR Acquisition shall accept, the Cash Contribution, free and clear of all claims, encumbrances and restrictions of any kind whatsoever.
(c) Issuance of Shares. In consideration for the Transferred Property, GSR Acquisition shall issue to GSR, upon such contribution, 1,000,000 shares of common stock of GSR Acquisition, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances and restrictions of any kind whatsoever. GSR Acquisition shall credit to the stated capital account maintained for its common stock an aggregate amount equal to the fair market value of the Transferred Property.
(d) This contribution and the Merger are intended to be tax-free pursuant to Section 351 and/or Section 368 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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2. Termination. This Agreement and the obligation of GSR to contribute the GSR Contributed Shares and the Cash Contribution will terminate automatically and immediately upon (i) the full discharge of the obligations herein in connection with the Merger or (ii) one hundred eighty days (180) days following the filing of the Schedule 13E-3 if the Merger has not been approved by the SEC, unless the parties shall otherwise agree.
3. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained in this Agreement.
4. Complete Agreement. This Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter of this Agreement in any way.
5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed on separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. Any telecopied or electronic signature shall be deemed a manually executed and delivered original.
6. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and, where applicable, heirs and personal representatives.
7. Choice of Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof and all questions concerning the validity and construction of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of such state. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION LOCATED IN THE STATE OF UTAH IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ON BEHALF OF SUCH PARTYS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION SUCH PERSON MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE AS TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH COURT IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
8. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues, and therefore each such party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right such party may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or relating to this Agreement, or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each party certifies and acknowledges that (i) no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, (ii) each party understands and has considered the implications of this waiver, (iii) each party makes this waiver voluntarily and (iv) each party has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications expressed above.
9. Remedies. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.
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10. Amendments and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived without the prior written consent or agreement of the parties hereto.
11. Interpretation. Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine and the neuter.
12. No Third Party Beneficiary. Except for the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and assigns, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended, or will be construed, to confer upon or give any person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound hereby, each of the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Contribution Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.
GREEN SEA RESOURCES INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Alan Death | |||
Name: | Alan Death | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
GSR ACQUISITION CORP. | ||||
By: | /s/ DArcy Doherty | |||
Name: | DArcy Doherty | |||
Title: | Vice President, Legal and Secretary |
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Appendix B
FORM OF PLAN OF MERGER
THIS PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of , 2011 (this Plan of Merger), is to provide for the merger of GSR Acquisition Corp., a Utah corporation (GSR Acquisition), with and into Natural Resources USA Corp., a Utah corporation (NRUC). For purposes of the Merger (as hereinafter defined), GSR Acquisition is the parent and NRUC is the subsidiary.
Recitals
WHEREAS, NRUC is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Utah, having an authorized capital stock consisting of Seven Hundred Million (700,000,000) shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 (the Common Stock), and One Million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.05 (the Preferred Stock).
WHEREAS, shares of Common Stock and zero (0) shares of Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding and are the only shares and classes of capital stock of NRUC.
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2011 (the Contribution Agreement), by and between GSR Acquisition and Green SEA Resources, Inc., a Canadian corporation and the sole shareholder of GSR Acquisition (GSR), GSR Acquisition has acquired and currently owns greater than ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding capital stock of NRUC and desires to merge with and into NRUC pursuant to the Utah short-form merger statute (the Merger) in accordance with the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (URBC).
WHEREAS, the board of directors of GSR Acquisition has approved this Plan of Merger on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Plan of Merger, declared this Plan of Merger advisable and resolved to recommend authorization and adoption of this Plan of Merger by its sole shareholder, GSR, as required by Section 16-10a-1104 of the URBC.
NOW THEREFORE, the Plan of Merger is as follows:
1. Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Plan of Merger and applicable law, GSR Acquisition shall be merged with and into NRUC pursuant to Section 16-10a-1104 of the URBC and the separate existence of GSR Acquisition shall thereupon cease and NRUC shall be the surviving corporation (in such capacity, the Surviving Corporation). The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be Natural Resources USA Corp.
2. Effective Time. Following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions in this Plan of Merger, GSR Acquisition will duly execute and file articles of merger (the Articles of Merger) with the Secretary of State of the State of Utah in accordance with the URBC. The Merger will become effective when the Articles of Merger have been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Utah or at such other subsequent date or time as specified in the Articles of Merger in accordance with the URBC (the date and time the Merger becomes effective, Effective Time).
3. Effects of Merger; Governing Documents; Officers and Directors.
(a) The Merger will have the effects set forth in this Plan of Merger and the URBC.
(b) At the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of GSR Acquisition shall cease, and NRUC as the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises of a public and private
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nature and be subject to all the restrictions, disabilities, and duties of GSR Acquisition; and all rights, privileges, powers and franchises of GSR Acquisition, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to GSR Acquisition on whatever account, as well as for share subscriptions and all other things in action belonging to GSR Acquisition, shall be vested in the Surviving Corporation; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and every other interest shall be thereafter as effectively the property of the Surviving Corporation as they were of GSR Acquisition, and the title to any real estate vested by deed or otherwise in GSR Acquisition shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger; but all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of GSR Acquisition shall be preserved unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of GSR Acquisition shall thenceforth attach to the Surviving Corporation and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if such debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by the Surviving Corporation. All corporate acts, plans, policies, agreements, arrangements, approvals and authorizations of GSR Acquisition and its shareholders, board of directors and committees thereof, officers and agents which were valid and effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be taken for all purposes as the acts, plans, policies, agreements, arrangements, approvals and authorizations of NRUC and shall be as effective and binding thereon as the same were with respect to GSR Acquisition.
(c) The articles of incorporation of GSR Acquisition, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation at and after the Effective Time until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.
(d) The bylaws of GSR Acquisition, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation at and after the Effective Time until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.
(e) At the Effective Time, the officers and directors of NRUC shall become the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation to hold the positions in the Surviving Corporation to which they have been elected and to serve in accordance with the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
4. Conversion of Securities in the Merger. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders of any capital stock described below:
(a) Each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares (as hereinafter defined) and Dissenting Shares (as hereinafter defined)) will be automatically cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to $0.57 (the Merger Consideration), whereupon such shares of Common Stock will cease to exist and no longer be outstanding, and each holder thereof will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, upon surrender of Stock Certificates (as hereinafter defined) or Book Entry Shares (as hereinafter defined) in accordance with Section 6.
(b) Each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GSR Acquisition issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be converted into one fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.01, of the Surviving Corporation.
(c) Each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (i) that is owned by NRUC as treasury stock or (ii) that is owned by GSR Acquisition (collectively, the Excluded Shares) shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor.
(d) The limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and owned by GSR Acquisition shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor.
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(e) As soon as practicable following the date of this Plan of Merger, GSR Acquisition shall cause NRUC to adopt such resolutions and take such other actions (including adopting any plan amendments) as are required to provide each then-outstanding NRUC stock option granted under any NRUC equity incentive plan (for the avoidance of doubt, other than the limited option to acquire up to 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock owned by GSR Acquisition), whether or not exercisable, shall be cancelled immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for payment in accordance with Section 6 of an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such stock option immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the per share exercise price of such stock option (for the avoidance of doubt, each holder of a NRUC stock option with a per share exercise price that is equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration shall not be entitled to receive any payment with respect to such stock options), less any required withholding taxes.
5. Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan of Merger to the contrary and to the extent available under the URBC, shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are held by any shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly exercise rights of dissent with respect to such shares (the Dissenting Shares) pursuant to, and who complies in all respects with, the provisions of the URBC applicable to dissenters rights shall not be converted into, or represent the right to receive, the Merger Consideration as provided for in Section 4(a). Any such shareholder shall instead be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such shareholders Dissenting Shares in accordance with the provisions of the URBC. At the Effective Time, the Dissenting Shares shall no longer be outstanding, and each holder of a Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Dissenting Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the fair value of such shares in accordance with the provisions of the URBC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Dissenting Shares held by any shareholder who shall have failed to perfect, withdrawn or lost such shareholders rights to dissent with respect to and receive payment for such Dissenting Shares under the URBC shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into, and to have become exchangeable for, as of the Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Consideration in the manner provided in Section 4(a).
6. Surrender and Payment.
(a) Paying Agent; Payment Fund. Prior to the Effective Time, GSR Acquisition will designate a bank or trust company to act as agent (the Paying Agent) to receive the funds to which shareholders and optionholders of NRUC will become entitled pursuant to Sections 4(a) and 4(e), as applicable, and GSR Acquisition will enter into a paying agent agreement with the Paying Agent, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to GSR Acquisition, for the payment of the Merger Consideration and the consideration to be paid to optionholders. At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, GSR Acquisition shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent an amount of cash equal to the sum of (i) the product of (a) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares) and (b) the Merger Consideration plus (ii) the aggregate consideration to be paid to the optionholders of NRUC pursuant to Section 4(e) (the Payment Fund). The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose except as set forth herein. The Payment Fund will be invested by the Paying Agent as directed by GSR Acquisition; provided, however, that such investments must be (x) in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of America or of any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, (y) in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by either Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poors Corporation, respectively, or (z) in deposit accounts, certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances of, repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements with, or Eurodollar time deposits purchased from, commercial banks, each of which has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating more than $1.0 billion (based on the most recent financial statements of such bank which are then publicly available at the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise).
(b) Exchange Procedures. Promptly following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will cause the Paying Agent to mail to each record holder of, as of the Effective Time, (i) an outstanding certificate or
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certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (the Stock Certificates) or (ii) shares of Common Stock represented by book-entry (the Book-Entry Shares): (A) a form of letter of transmittal for use in effecting the surrender of Stock Certificates or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, the surrender of such shares of Common Stock (which will be in customary form and will specify that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Stock Certificates will pass, only upon delivery of such Stock Certificates to the Paying Agent or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, upon adherence to the procedures set forth in the letter of transmittal); and (B) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such Stock Certificates or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, the surrender of such shares of Common Stock for payment of the Merger Consideration therefor. Upon surrender of a Stock Certificate or of Book-Entry Shares for cancellation to the Paying Agent together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will pay from the Payment Fund to the holder of a Stock Certificate or of Book-Entry Shares, or as otherwise directed in the letter of transmittal, the Merger Consideration for each share of Common Stock formerly evidenced by such Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share, and such Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share will forthwith be canceled. No interest will be paid or will accrue on the Merger Consideration payable in respect of any Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share. If payment of the Merger Consideration is to be made to a person other than the person in whose name the surrendered Stock Certificate is registered, it will be a condition of payment that the Stock Certificate so surrendered will be endorsed properly or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such payment will have paid all transfer and other taxes required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a person other than the registered holder of the Stock Certificate surrendered or will have established to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such taxes either have been paid or are not applicable. Prior to the Effective Time, GSR Acquisition will establish procedures with the Paying Agent and the Depository Trust Company (DTC) to ensure that (x) if the Merger becomes effective at or prior to 11:30 am (Eastern time), the Paying Agent will transmit to DTC or its nominee on the effective date an amount in cash in immediately available funds equal to the number of shares of Common Stock held of record by DTC or such nominee immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Merger Consideration (such amount, the DTC Payment), and (y) if the Merger becomes effective after 11:30 am (Eastern time), the Paying Agent will transmit to DTC or its nominee on the first business day after the effective date an amount in cash in immediately available funds equal to the DTC Payment.
(c) Payment of Equity Incentive Amounts. Promptly following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will cause the Paying Agent to mail to each optionholder entitled to consideration pursuant to Section 4(e): (A) a form of letter of transmittal for use in effecting the surrender of options; and (B) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such options for payment of the consideration set forth in Section 4(e) for such options. Upon surrender for cancellation to the Paying Agent together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will pay from the Payment Fund to such optionholder, or as otherwise directed in the letter of transmittal, the applicable consideration calculated in accordance with Section 4(e), and such option will forthwith be canceled. No interest will be paid or will accrue on the options.
(d) Termination of Exchange Fund. Promptly following the end of the 12-month period beginning at the date the Merger becomes effective, the Surviving Corporation will be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it any funds in the Payment Fund which had been made available to the Paying Agent and not disbursed to holders of Stock Certificates, Book-Entry Shares or options (including all interest and other income received by the Paying Agent in respect of all funds made available to it), and thereafter such holders who have not received the Merger Consideration therefor may surrender such Stock Certificate or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, such shares of Common Stock to the Surviving Corporation and, subject to abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws, receive in consideration therefor the aggregate Merger Consideration that may be payable upon due surrender of the Stock Certificates or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, such shares of Common Stock held by them, without interest or dividends thereon.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Shares. The Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender of a Stock Certificate or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, such shares of Common Stock in
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accordance with the terms of this Plan of Merger will be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Common Stock formerly represented by such Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Shares. At the Effective Time, there will be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Stock Certificates or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, such shares of Common Stock are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent for transfer or any other reason, they will be canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration as provided herein.
(f) No Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of GSR Acquisition, NRUC, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent will be liable to any shareholders or optionholders of NRUC or other person in respect of any cash properly delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws. Any portion of the Payment Fund remaining unclaimed as of a date that is immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any governmental entity will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation free and clear of any claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(g) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any Stock Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Surviving Corporation or Paying Agent will, upon the receipt of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation or Paying Agent, as the case may be, pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Stock Certificate the Merger Consideration payable in respect of the shares of Common Stock previously evidenced by such lost, stolen or destroyed Stock Certificate.
7. Merger Consent. Immediately following the execution of this Plan of Merger, GSR Acquisition shall, in accordance with the URBC, take all action necessary to seek and obtain the approval of its sole shareholder in favor of adopting this Plan of Merger by irrevocable written consent.
8. Taking of Necessary Action. GSR Acquisition shall use all reasonable efforts to take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate the Merger under the URBC or any other applicable laws. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Plan of Merger and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of GSR Acquisition or NRUC, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized to take all such lawful and necessary actions.
9. Amendment. Subject to applicable law, this Plan of Merger may be amended, modified or supplemented by GSR Acquisition at any time prior to the Effective Time.
10. Termination. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Plan of Merger may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the board of directors of GSR Acquisition, notwithstanding approval of this Plan of Merger by the sole shareholder of GSR Acquisition, if circumstances arise which, in the opinion of the board of directors of GSR Acquisition, make the Merger inadvisable.
11. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Plan of Merger is not intended to confer upon any person other than GSR Acquisition and the Surviving Corporation any rights or remedies hereunder.
12. Governing Law. This Plan of Merger shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof.
13. Severability. If any provision of this Plan of Merger shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, GSR Acquisition shall modify this Plan of Merger so as to effect its original intent as closely as possible in order that the Merger may be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
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14. Assignment. This Plan of Merger will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by GSR Acquisition and its successors and assigns.
15. Interpretation. The headings contained in this Plan of Merger are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Plan of Merger. All references to dollars or $ shall mean United States dollars. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Plan of Merger, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Plan of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.
GSR ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
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Appendix C
NATURAL RESOURCES USA CORPORATION
VALUATION REPORT AND FAIRNESS OPINION
Prepared by
CUTFIELD FREEMAN & CO LTD
20 October, 2011
CONTENTS
1 | INTRODUCTION |
C-1 | ||||
2 | CREDENTIALS OF CF&CO |
C-1 | ||||
3 | CF&CO RELATIONSHIP WITH GSR |
C-1 | ||||
4 | TERMS OF REFERENCE |
C-1 | ||||
5 | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |
C-2 | ||||
5.1 |
NRUC Overview |
C-2 | ||||
5.2 |
Valuation Methodology |
C-3 | ||||
5.3 |
Valuation |
C-5 | ||||
6 | NATURAL SODA INC. |
C-5 | ||||
6.1 |
Overview |
C-5 | ||||
6.2 |
Sodium bicarbonate market |
C-5 | ||||
6.3 |
Key assumptions |
C-7 | ||||
6.4 |
NSI Valuation |
C-9 | ||||
7 | WATER RIGHTS |
C-10 | ||||
7.1 |
Overview |
C-10 | ||||
7.2 |
Core Water Rights |
C-11 | ||||
7.3 |
Wolf Ridge Water Rights |
C-12 | ||||
7.4 |
Valuation of Water Rights |
C-16 | ||||
8 | OIL SHALE |
C-16 | ||||
8.1 |
Overview |
C-16 | ||||
8.2 |
Oil Shale Valuation: |
C-17 | ||||
9 | MARKET VALUATION |
C-18 | ||||
10 | BALANCE SHEET ADJUSTMENT |
C-19 | ||||
11 | CONCLUSION |
C-21 | ||||
12 | FAIRNESS OPINION |
C-21 |
Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
TABLES & FIGURES | ||||||
Table 1: |
NRUC Sum-of-the-parts Valuation |
C-5 | ||||
Table 2: |
North American sodium bicarbonate production capacity |
C-6 | ||||
Table 3: |
North American bicarbonate consumption 2008 and estimated annual US demand growth 2008-2013 |
C-6 | ||||
Figure 1: |
NSI NPV (15%) valuation range |
C-9 | ||||
Table 4: |
NSI Comparable Trading Company Market Multiples |
C-9 | ||||
Table 5: |
Core Water Rights Summary |
C-11 | ||||
Table 6: |
Core Water Rights Valuation |
C-12 | ||||
Table 7: |
Wolf Ridge Water Rights Structured Sale Valuation |
C-14 | ||||
Table 8: |
Wolf Ridge Water Rights Precedent Transactions |
C-15 | ||||
Table 9: |
Water Rights Valuation Summary |
C-16 | ||||
Table 10: |
Oil Shale Precedent Transactions |
C-17 | ||||
Table 11: |
Oil Shale Valuation Summary |
C-18 | ||||
Table 12: |
NRUC share price and volume traded (two years to 1 August 2011) |
C-19 | ||||
Table 13: |
Balance Sheet Adjustment |
C-21 | ||||
Table 14: |
NRUC Total Equity Value |
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Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
1 | Introduction |
Green SEA Resources Inc. (GSR) has retained Cutfield Freeman & Co. Ltd (CF&Co) to provide an independent third party valuation of Natural Resources USA Corp. (NRUC).
In order to prepare the valuation, CF&Co considered:
(i) | Information relating to the assets and liabilities of NRUC (see Terms of Reference, below); |
(ii) | Appropriate valuation methodology for each of the assets and the application of such methodology. |
The effective date of the valuation is 1 August 2011.
2 | Credentials of CF&Co |
CF&Co is an independent corporate finance advisory firm, specialising in the resources sector, particularly in mining and metals processing.
CF&Co was founded in 2000, since when it has undertaken over 70 mandates on a wide variety of transactions including mergers and acquisitions of companies and assets, project and offtake financing, joint ventures and fairness opinions. Typically mandates incorporate valuation analysis of companies and or assets.
The directors and employees of CF&Co have extensive experience in mining, metals processing and other natural resource projects around the world.
CF&Co is registered in England and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. It has offices in Toronto and Hong Kong. For further detail please see www.cfandco.com.
3 | CF&Co relationship with GSR |
CF&Co was retained by GSR on 24 June 2011 to perform this independent valuation of NRUC. Prior to this mandate, CF&Co had not worked for GSR.
In 2010 CF&Co prepared a fairness opinion for The Sentient Group (Sentient) whose Global Resources Funds I, II and III together own the shares of GSR, considering the fairness of Sentients valuation of NRUC.
While CF&Co considered information received from Sentient in the preparation of the valuation contained herein, the focus was on new information provided by NRUC and GSR.
From 2001 to 2003 CF&Co provided advisory services to Ivernia Inc., which is now majority owned by GSR. However the work took place before Sentient held a significant stake in Ivernia.1
4 | Terms of Reference |
CF&Co was engaged pursuant to the letter Agreement dated 24 June 2011, which set out the terms of reference. This report provides an independent valuation of NRUC for a transaction between a buyer and seller on a 100% cash basis.
In undertaking the valuation of NRUC, CF&Co considered:
| Material prepared by NRUC, GSR and Sentient, including financial data, cash flow models, market projections and other information concerning NRUCs assets and the industries within which they |
1 | Sentient transferred its shareholdings in Ivernia Inc. to GSR in December 2010 and February 2011. |
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operate, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. The projections that were provided to, relied upon and used by CF&Co in its Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion included estimates and forecasts for fiscal years ending December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 of tons sold, operating costs, General and Administrative costs, and capital costs. |
| Certain publicly available information concerning NRUCs assets and the industries within which they operate, as deemed relevant by CF&Co. |
| Past and present market prices and trading volumes of NRUC and of other companies of a comparable nature to NRUC and/or its Assets as CF&Co deemed relevant. |
| Public information relating to comparable transactions in industries relevant to NRUC and its assets, considered by CF&Co to be relevant. |
| Discussions with the management of NRUC and GSR as appropriate and feasible. CF&Co has visited NRUC during the course of this assignment. |
| In relation to the water rights, CF&Co has held discussions with NRUCs adviser having relevant experience. |
| Such other corporate, industry and financial market information and analysis as CF&Co deemed relevant. |
Pursuant to the Terms of Reference, CF&Co has not opined on the validity of technical assumptions regarding operation of NRUCs assets and underpinning cash flow models. It is also assumed that the information provided by GSR and NRUC management is complete and accurate for the purposes of this report. CF&Co has not independently verified the information.
CF&Co also provides a fairness opinion (s.12) commenting on the fairness of any price paid to NRUCs minority shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders.
This Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion is furnished solely for the benefit of GSR, GSR Acquisition Corp. and their successors at law and their respective Boards of Directors and may not be relied upon by any other person for any reason without our express, written consent.
CF&Co hereby consents to the filing of this Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to, and included in summary form in the text of, the Schedule 13E-3 and the accompany Going Private Transaction Statement in connection with GSRs acquisition of the shares of NRUCs minority shareholders. We also consent to the summarization of this Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion within the text of the Schedule 13E-3 and the accompanying Going Private Transaction Statement.
5 | Executive Summary |
5.1 | NRUC Overview |
NRUC has three business interests in Colorado, USA:
(i) | Sodium bicarbonate |
NRUCs wholly owned subsidiary Natural Soda Inc (NSI) is the only operation in the US which produces sodium bicarbonate by solution mining nahcolite (naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate), giving NSI a substantial cash cost advantage2 over other US producers who must convert soda ash to sodium bicarbonate.
2 | Note, NSI also incurs significant well-set establishment costs which are amortised over the life of the cavitya cost which conventional producers do not incur. |
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NSI is operating near nameplate capacity of 125,000 short tons (t) p.a., achieving record production in 2010. A new boiler will increase capacity at the existing plant to 150,000t p.a. in 20123. Design work has been completed for a major plant expansion which is planned to substantially increase capacity.
(ii) | Water Rights |
NRUC owns 116,7934 acre feet of water rights in the Colorado River basin, of which only a small fraction is required by current sodium bicarbonate operations. Water rights in the western US are in theory tradable, with restricted supply and increasing demand from population centres such as Denver and Las Vegas.
A portion of the water rights owned by NSI could be sold or leased for local industrial or agricultural uses.
NRUCs larger conditional Wolf Ridge water rights are more difficult to market, but could potentially be sold to, or developed with, municipalities in eastern Colorado, states downstream or an oil shale developer in the Piceance Basin. However realising value is a politically sensitive and uncertain process, which can take many years with innumerable legal, regulatory and political obstacles along the way (see s.7).
(iii) | Oil Shale |
The nahcolite resource in NSIs leases is intermingled with oil shale. NRUC is progressing an application with the US government for an oil shale Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) programme on land adjacent to the sodium bicarbonate lease, based on research sponsored by Sentient and NRUC at Monash University, Australia. The project is at an early stage: NRUC has no oil shale leases and no rights to develop an oil shale project beyond those they might be granted if the application to pursue the initial, limited RD&D programme is successful.
Whilst the oil shale has large potential value, the commercial exploitation of the oil shale requires development of new technological processes which have yet to be proven on a pilot or commercial scale. The industry also faces significant opposition from environmental campaigners. These factors also impact on the potential demand from oil shale projects for the water rights.
5.2 | Valuation Methodology |
NRUC is valued on a fair market value (FMV) basisthat is the price at which a cash sale for 100% of the company might be concluded. The FMV is undertaken on a sum-of-the-parts basis, valuing each of NRUCs business interests on a standalone basis, adjusted to reflect NRUCs balance sheet. The effective date of the valuation is 1 August 2011.
NRUCs sodium bicarbonate asset is an operating business to which standard valuation methodologies can be applied (see below). Valuation of the water rights and oil shale is more challenging. Realising value from the water rights is extremely uncertain as any sale of the rights will be politically contentious and open to possible litigation. It is also difficult to estimate in what timeframe any transaction on the water rights might be concluded. The oil shale is a very early stage opportunity which faces significant technical financing and environmental/permitting risks.
3 | NRUC press release 24 November 2010. |
4 | Sum of Water Flow Rights and Direct Storage rights published on page 18 of NRUCs Form 10-KT, filed 25 March 2011 |
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The nature of the water and oil shale assets means that standard valuation methodologies are difficult to apply. Following discussions with NRUC, GSR and Sentient, CF&Co has used its judgment in applying valuation metrics, specifically in relation to precedent transactions which are not perfect analogues. CF&Co believes the valuations reflect what a buyer might pay to acquire the assets today.
NRUC traded over the OTC Bulletin Board in the United States until 6 June 20115. However it had a small free float (<3%) and was very thinly traded. Currently there is minimal trading in NRUCs common stock on the Pink Sheets. While information on NRUC is publicly available, the company is not covered by the media or research analysts. In CF&Cos view the share price should be viewed with extreme caution as a measure of FMV and is not representative of underlying value. However the share price is considered in s.9 as a cross check to the sum-of-the-parts valuation.
(i) | Natural Soda Inc. (NSI) |
The sodium bicarbonate business (NSI) is valued on a discounted cashflow (DCF) basis. The net present value (NPV) uses a 15% nominal discount rate6, which is consistent with CF&Cos calculation of NRUCs weighted average cost of capital (WACC) see Appendix 1. Although NSI is an operating business, CF&Co considers this an appropriate discount rate given NRUCs illiquid share register and execution risks on its expansion plans.
(ii) | Water Rights |
Water rights held by NRUC are valued in two parcels: (a) core rights, a small portion of which support the bicarbonate business; the majority of the water is surplus and could potentially be sold; and (b) conditional rights which could supply a municipality (e.g. Denver, Las Vegas) or a large industrial operation (e.g. oil shale). The rights are valued on the following basis:
(a) | A portion of the core rights, which CF&Co believes can be usefully sold, is valued by discounting the value of a potential sale in five years and applying a probability weighting of achieving a sale. The total value of the sale is based on a wide universe of precedent transactions in Colorado; and, |
(b) | The conditional rights are valued assuming a structured sale process, which is customary for such water rights. CF&Co discounts the cash flows associated with a structured sale, constituting an upfront payment (33%) in five years and a completion payment in ten years and apply a probability weighting for receiving the payments. We cross reference the valuation to precedent transactions. |
The water rights may be exploited in a variety of ways and many are politically contentious. There are ranges of outcomes to which different probabilities can be applied. Value is potentially much higher or lower than we derive for (a) and (b) However, CF&Co believes the methodology reflects the uncertain outcomes and ascribes a value a buyer might reasonably pay to acquire the water rights today.
(iii) | Oil Shale |
The valuation is based on two precedent transactions in the region.
There is large potential upside value in the oil shale. However the asset is early stage, NRUC has no rights to develop a commercial oil shale project and the technology is unproven. CF&Co believes the valuation methodology fairly reflects the option value of the oil shale.
5 | OTC trading in NRUC was suspended on 6 June 2011 due to a delay in filing its Form 10-Q for quarter end 31 March 2011 due to issues with tax disclosures (see s.10). |
6 | NRUC assumes 2.5% annual inflation on prices and costs. CF&Co uses a 20% nominal discount rate for cash flows associated with upside from potential sales into premium grade markets. |
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It is estimated that NRUC will require at least half of the conditional water rights to support an oil shale project. Value associated with those water rights is attributed to the oil shale project.
5.3 | Valuation |
Table 1: NRUC Sum-of-the-parts Valuation
Sodium Bicarbonate |
US$ | 66m | ||
Water Rights |
US$ | 54m | ||
Oil Shale |
US$ | 76m | ||
Balance Sheet Adjustment |
US$ | 2m | ||
|
|
|||
Sum-of-the-parts Valuation |
US$ | 198m | ||
|
|
|||
Outstanding Ordinary Shares7 |
352.5m | |||
|
|
|||
Value Per Share |
US$ | 0.562 | ||
|
|
7 | As per form 10-Q for period ending 30 June 2011, released 20 October 2011. There are no filings relating to the exercise of options since 30 June 2011. |
6 | Natural Soda Inc. |
6.1 | Overview |
NRUC holds 9,543 acres of sodium leases and water rights located in the Piceance Creek Basin of north-west Colorado via two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Natural Soda Holdings, Inc (NSHI), and Natural Soda, Inc (NSI).
NSIs primary business is sodium bicarbonate production from nahcolite leases. NSI and predecessor businesses have mined nahcolite from the leases for fifteen years using solution mining. A program to further define the nahcolite resources is underway. However the nahcolite leases cover a substantial area and CF&Co assumes that the resources will be sufficient to support a long life operation.
The sodium leases were renewed for ten years effective 1 July 2011. Risk of future non-renewal is considered very low; payable production on at least one lease gives NSI a preferential right to renew four of its five leases. However there is no guarantee of future lease renewals. A 2% royalty is payable to the federal government.
6.2 | Sodium bicarbonate market |
(i) | Supply |
NSI is the only North American company producing sodium bicarbonate from nahcolite. Other producers convert trona (soda ash) to bicarbonate at additional cost. Production is concentrated with four companies8.
8 | Source: NSI management |
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Table 2: North American sodium bicarbonate production capacity
Nameplate capacity (short tons) | ||||
Natural Soda Inc. |
125,000 | |||
FMC |
90,000 | |||
Solvay |
143,000 | |||
Church & Dwight |
||||
Green River |
220,000 | |||
Old Fort |
280,000 | |||
|
|
|||
858,000 | ||||
|
|
Since demand grows with GDP, supply is the main driver of pricing. The market is competitive and undisciplined greenfield expansion could lead to a substantial price decline, as happened when American Soda entered the market in 2001. However NSI has signalled its potential expansion plans to competitors and management believe none of the other major producers is likely to complete a rival expansion given NSIs cost advantage. NSI understands that FMC and Church and Dwight have limited sodium bicarbonate production capacity, while Solvay has only a small amount of marginal capacity in lower-grade applications (e.g. animal feed).
(ii) | Demand |
Applications, production technologies and prices for sodium bicarbonate vary substantially by global region. NSIs product is sold primarily in the US, with some exports to Canada and Mexico. In NSIs North American market the major uses of bicarbonate are food and animal nutrition. Overall, market growth trends just behind GDP (see table below), however consumption growth rates are expected to vary widely depending on grade and application9.
Table 3: North American bicarbonate consumption 2008 and estimated annual US demand growth 2008-2013
2008 (metric t) |
2013 (metric t) |
Forecast US annual demand growth 2008-2013 |
||||||||||
Animal Feed |
231 | 243 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
Food |
167 | 176 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
Chemicals |
48 | 48 | | |||||||||
Cleaning Products |
47 | 49 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
Hemodialysis |
51 | 59 | 3.0 | % | ||||||||
Water Treatment |
38 | 41 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||
Pharmaceuticals |
51 | 53 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
Flue Gas |
35 | 39 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||
Blast Media |
19 | 21 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||
Fire Extinguishers |
9 | 9 | | |||||||||
Other |
36 | 39 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
732 | 776 | 1.2 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total 2008 North American demand was 732,000 metric tonnes, equivalent to 807,000 short tons (NSI uses short tons in its financial modelling). CEH forecast 2013 demand to be 776,000 metric tons, or 855,000st.
9 | Source: CEH Marketing Research Report: Sodium Bicarbonate (Oct 2009). North American demand figures include Canada and Mexico. Growth rates based on US demand only. |
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Product is differentiated by grade (purity level) and granulations (particle size). Production of standard grades and granulations are allocated to specific markets with any excess downgraded to lower-value end uses. High purity products for specialist markets such as hemodialysis command a significant price premium.
Substitution is possible in the lower specification animal feed market. FMC could divert soda ash product to alternative forms of carbonate to target that market, however would only be financially incentivised to do so if the soda ash market collapsed.
(iii) | Pricing |
Pricing is negotiated with customers on a bilateral basis. The valuation is based on prices currently negotiated with customers for 2011/12. Both prices and costs are then increased by 2.5% per annum inflation from 2013.
The major risk to NSIs pricing assumption is that customers will hold out for better pricing once NSI brings the planned expansion on stream. However well NSI manages production ramp-up, the market may be adversely affected by the perception of the addition of significant new capacity. CF&Co takes a slightly more conservative view on pricing (see below).
6.3 | Key assumptions |
Key assumptions in the cash flow model used as the basis of the valuation are as follows. CF&Co has reviewed these with NRUC management and considers them to be reasonable.
Production: | Base Case Production:
A boiler upgrade will increase capacity to 150,000t p.a. in 2012.
A further substantial expansion is assumed after 2013. Ramp-up into additional capacity is based on NSI management forecasts for tons sold. The plant expansion has environmental approvals for up to 250,000t p.a. production based on an approved mine plan10.
CF&Co has included assumptions for a modest increase in workforce associated with the assumed future expansion. | |
Pricing: | The valuation considers NSI managements price forecasts for 2011/2012. The financial model incorporates cost and revenue inflation of 2.5% p.a. from 2013.
CF&Co believes it is prudent to assume NSIs potential expansion may affect future sale prices and has included a price adjustment linked to the assumed ramp-up in production after 2013. | |
Premium markets: | CF&Co assumes there is potential for NSI to upgrade its product to capture premium grade market opportunities in the future. Based on conversations with management, the valuation assumes a portion of NSIs production is sold at premium prices. A higher discount rate of 20% is used to value this incremental revenue to reflect technological risk and the additional level of uncertainty. | |
EPA Notice: | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of violation regarding a change in well set monitoring technology by NSI. Management states that the new technology was approved by the EPA and that the EPA has acknowledged its mistake. CF&Co has assumed there is no material risk of disruption to operations. |
10 | NRUC press release 24 November 2010 |
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Financing: | CF&Co assumes the expansion is all equity financed. We do not consider that alternative financing options (e.g. term loan) would materially affect the valuation. | |
Discount Rate: | 15% nominal discount rate for the existing operation and base case expansion, consistent with CF&Cos calculation of NRUCs WACC (see Appendix 1). We used a 20% discount rate for assessing potential premium market opportunities. | |
Terminal value: | CF&Co assumes nahcolite resources are sufficient to support a long mine life, well in excess of 20 years. The valuation therefore includes DCF analysis to 2030, plus a discounted terminal value calculated by applying an appropriate multiple to projected 2030 EBITDA (as determined by CF&Co). The base case uses a 5x EV/EBITDA multiple (lower than the average multiple for NSIs diversified industrial minerals peers, but considered appropriate for a mature single-asset industrial minerals business (see s.6.4(ii))). | |
Effective Date: | The valuation is performed as at 1 August 2011. | |
Tax Losses: | NRUC has aggregated accumulated tax losses of US$104.4m11. However NRUC will only be able to carry forward the tax losses against future profits if it receives permission from the IRS to retroactively consolidate its accumulated tax losses (see s.10 for further detail). The current review12 of NRUCs accounts also raises concerns about the tax loss figure. NSI itself has $2.7m of tax losses, all of which we assume can be carried forward. We apply a 75% probability to the prospect of NRUC being able to use the full amount of NRUCs non-NSI tax losses, giving total carried forward losses of US$79.0m.13 | |
We assume an annual limit of US$4.9m. That figure also assumes NRUC is permitted to retroactively consolidate its accumulated tax losses. NSI is permitted to offset a maximum of US$1.2m p.a. plus an additional estimated US$3.7m p.a. of non-NSI accumulated tax losses. CF&Co considers the valuation to include the benefit of a relatively successful outcome of the tax review process. |
11 | Restated 10-KT/A for period ending 31 December 2010, released 14 September 2011. |
12 | Form 8K, 27 July 2011 |
13 | At the base case assumptions, the valuation of NSI remains US$66m if the full accumulated tax losses are permitted. If the consolidated accumulated losses are not permitted, the valuation of NSI would fall to US$56m. |
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6.4 | NSI Valuation |
The base case valuation, including upside for premium grade product, is US$66m.
(i) | Sensitivities14 |
Figure 1: NSI NPV (15%) valuation range
(ii) | Market Multiples |
As a cross-check to valuation, we have examined comparable trading company multiples15:
Table 4: NSI Comparable Trading Company Market Multiples
EV/EBITDA:
Current | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Church & Dwight |
11.2 | 10.5 | 9.8 | |||||||||
Solvay |
6.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | |||||||||
FMC |
9.8 | 8.9 | 8.0 | |||||||||
Penrice |
5.9 | 5.9 | 4.1 | |||||||||
Imerys |
7.7 | 6.3 | 5.9 | |||||||||
Rockwood |
8.2 | 7.5 | 6.9 | |||||||||
Compass Minerals |
10.9 | 9.0 | 7.8 | |||||||||
OM Group |
4.7 | 5.1 | 4.9 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Average |
8.1 | 7.6 | 6.9 | |||||||||
Implied Value of NSI (US$m) |
81 | 69 | 81 |
14 | Ranges shown reflect base, low and high cases for each of the key variables as determined by CF&Co after discussion with NSI management. Cash flows associated with premium grade product is discounted at 20%. |
15 | Source for trading company multiples: Bloomberg. Implied value of NSI is based on unaudited EBITDA and net income figures, calculated based in part on NSI management forecasts that were considered by CF&Co and certain CF&Co assumptions, as detailed in s.6.3. |
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Price / Earnings:
Current | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Church & Dwight |
22.2 | 19.1 | 17.4 | |||||||||
Solvay16 |
| | | |||||||||
FMC |
17.5 | 15.1 | 13.2 | |||||||||
Penrice |
6.1 | | 12.2 | |||||||||
Imerys |
14.2 | 11.7 | 10.4 | |||||||||
Rockwood |
16.2 | 15.7 | 13.2 | |||||||||
Compass Minerals |
19.5 | 15.4 | 12.9 | |||||||||
OM Group |
12.6 | 12.1 | 11.1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Average |
15.5 | 14.9 | 12.9 | |||||||||
Implied Value of NSI (US$m) |
96 | 88 | 92 |
The peer group chosen includes larger companies with greater share liquidity than NRUC and analogies are imperfecte.g. Church & Dwight is a consumer goods business, rather than a resource company. CF&Co notes:
a) | An illiquid stock such as NRUC can be expected to trade at a lower multiple; and, |
b) | Smaller resource companies tend to trade at lower multiples than larger companies, e.g. mid-tier base metal mining companies trade at around a 5 6x EV/Trailing 12 month EBITDA, which implies a valuation of US$50-60m for NRUC. |
CF&Co concludes that the DCF valuation of NRUC is supported by comparable trading company analysis.
7 | Water Rights |
7.1 | Overview |
NSI owns water rights within the Piceance Basin, which forms part of the Colorado River Basin. In Colorado water rights are akin to land rights and may be bought, sold or leased.
The rights entitle NSI to draw up to 108,813 acre feet annually and to construct a storage facility to store up to 7,980 acre feet of water. The water rights were incorporated into a Decree in Water Division No. 5 of the District Court on August 13, 1991, which includes a plan for augmentation which provides NSI with the right of substitution and exchange and substantially increases the flexibility of NSIs water rights. The rights are decreed for municipal and industrial uses, particularly for the oil shale industry. NSI is required to demonstrate diligence (i.e. an ongoing work programme) in the Colorado every six years. NSI will next need to demonstrate diligence in 2016 and 2017.
For valuation purposes, the water rights can be divided into those required to sustain the core sodium bicarbonate business (Piceance Creek/Yellow Creek rights) and the large conditional Wolf Ridge water rights, which may be available for non-core business operations.
16 | Solvays P/E ratio is excluded as an outlier. The sale of the companys pharmaceuticals business, other nonrecurring items, and ongoing restructuring activities substantially impact 2010 results and forecasts provided on Bloomberg. |
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7.2 | Core Water Rights |
(i) | The Rights |
The core water rights are those associated with NSIs sodium bicarbonate property. The core water rights as stated by NRUC17 comprise of:
Table 5: Core Water Rights Summary
13 Wells on Site |
32,579 acre ft | |||
Piceance Creek Direct Flow |
3,837 acre ft | |||
Larson Reservoir Enlargement |
600 acre ft | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
37,616 acre ft | |||
|
|
NSI uses approx 130 acre ft for the current sodium bicarbonate operation, a small portion of the notional water rights. Water usage will increase with the planned capacity expansion at NSI. However, even allowing for future expansions, a significant portion of the core rights could be sold or leased without adversely affecting the sodium bicarbonate mining operations.
The well rights are junior rights which must be replenished following consumption. While there is a ready market for water rights in Colorado 18, the value of the junior well rights without replenishment is low. CF&CO therefore assumes that NSI will only be able to realise value for water supported by the direct flow rights. The volume of the core water rights stated by NRUC appears to be based on addition of the total flow rates of each water right, assuming the rights can operate continuously.
In fact, CF&CO understands that the actual yield of the well water rights that are part of the core rights is limited to NSIs ability to replace depletions caused to Piceance Creek and Yellow Creek associated with the withdrawal of water pursuant to the well water rights, and such replacement of depletions is a function of the volume of water available for replacement of depletions to Piceance and Yellow Creek. Under the Case No.88CW420 Decree, the water available for replenishment is limited to 307 acre ft p.a. for the Piceance Creek direct flow rights19, plus a potential 600 acre ft p.a. from the Larson Reservoir (a conditional right).
Following discussions with NRUC and its advisers, CF&Co calculates the amount of water available from the well rights for annual pumping, derived from the available direct flow rights, to be approximately 2,483 acre ft, rising to approximately 7,348 acre ft if the Larson Reservoir enlargement rights are developed and become unconditional. For valuation purposes CF&Co assumes that 6,848 acre ft p.a. will be available for sale, allowing 500 acre ft p.a. for use by NSI and assuming conversion of the conditional rights.20 See Appendix 2 for more detail on the calculation.
Given the location and type of the rights, CF&Co understands that buyers are likely to come from within the Piceance Creek Basin as it is uneconomic to transport the water elsewhere. There are a number of oil companies active in the area21 that are the most likely buyers.
17 | Form 10-KT, 30 December 2010, p.18 |
18 | CF&Co has data for over 2000 water rights transactions in Colorado (source: Water Strategist journal; A Comparative Assessment of Water Markets: Insights from the Murray-Darling Basin of Australia and the Western US, by R.Q. Grafton et al. (2011). ); also see www.watercolorado.com |
19 | Case No.88CW420 Decree (see Appendix 2), include rights associated with existing Larson Reservoir |
20 | CF&Co understands that the full 600acre ft of conditional rights will be available, provided the engineering and construction associated with the reservoir enlargement are completed. |
21 | Including Shell, Exxon/Mobil, Chevron/Texaco, ConocoPhillips and BP |
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In 2007 Shell entered into a lease agreement with NSI to take up to 120 acre ft for US$8,146/acre ft. However Shell is not drawing water under the agreement. No other transaction has been concluded by NSI. The value paid by Shell to lease a small amount of water is in line with average sale prices paid for such transactions in Colorado from 1987 2009 (see Appendix 3). However the value a party might pay to acquire a larger package of rights could be substantially lower (e.g. the Colorado average for transactions over 1,000 acre feet is lower than for small packagessee s.7.2(ii)).
(ii) | Core Water Rights Valuation |
Due to their location and replacement/augmentation requirements, the most likely option to realise value from the water rights is sale or lease to an oil shale operation. We comment elsewhere on the risks and uncertainties attaching to such projects (s.5, s.8). It is unlikely that any of the oil companies pursuing research projects in the Piceance Basin will pay substantial value for water rights until a firm decision is taken to develop a commercial operation; any development decision is likely 5-10 years away.
CF&Co has evaluated data from over 2,000 water rights transactions in Colorado from 1987 2009. The average sale price for all transactions (inflation adjusted to 2011 US dollars) is US$9,915/acre ft22. However the average price paid for large water rights transactions is substantially lower than for small transactions (the vast majority of transactions are for packages of under 1,000 acre ft). The average for transactions over 1,000 acre ft is c.US$5,000/acre ft.23 CF&Co therefore applies a price of US$5,000/acre ft to the core rights.
CF&Co values the core water rights by discounting the value of a cash sale of the rights in five years and applying a probability weighting for concluding a transaction. We use a 5% discount rate, reflecting a risk free rate, and assume a 25% probability of concluding a transaction. Whilst the 25% probability is subjective it is based on discussions with NRUC, GSR and its advisers regarding NRUCs experience to-date, the condition of the market, risks associated with the oil shale industry (the most likely buyers), uncertain timing and the difficulties of concluding a sale.
Table 6: Core Water Rights Valuation
NPV (5%) Sale Price |
US$ | 26.8m | ||
Probability Discount (75%) |
(US$ | 20.1m | ) | |
|
|
|||
Valuation of Core Water Rights |
US$ | 6.7m | ||
|
|
7.3 | Wolf Ridge Water Rights |
(i) | The Rights |
The Wolf Ridge Reservoir and Wolf Ridge Feeder Pipeline water rights (Wolf Ridge Rights) were originally decreed for construction of a reservoir adjacent to the bicarbonate processing facility, which could be fed by the pipeline. However, at this time, the Wolf Ridge Rights are not required for the sodium bicarbonate operation. The rights are decreed for municipal, agricultural and a range of industrial uses (including oil shale). The rights are fully consumable (no replacement obligations) and can be severed and transferred.
22 | See Appendix 3. |
23 | See Appendix 3, graph on p.36. |
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The rights are a large strategic resource of potentially high value if exploitedthe total amount of water that could be delivered under the Wolf Ridge rights is approx. 79,649 acre ft p.a.24 However, use of water rights in Colorado is politically controversial and it is far from certain that NRUC will be able to realise value in the short-term.
The alternatives available can be broadly categorised as:
| Selling the water for municipal use on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains (e.g. Denver). |
| Selling downriver to Nevada, Arizona or California. |
| Selling to an oil shale operation. |
Selling to a local oil shale project would be perhaps the least controversial option for NRUC (although oil shale development itself is controversial). Selling to an oil shale project in Utah is also a possibility; relations between Colorado and Utah are strong and Utah is actively encouraging oil shale development near the state border. However, oil shale development is at an early stage, with technology unproven, and a transaction is unlikely until a commitment is made to develop a commercial scale oil shale projectlikely 5-10 years away, possibly longer. A transaction on the Wolf Ridge rights is therefore unlikely in the short term.
(ii) | Assumptions |
Rights for sale: | Management assumes that at least half of the Wolf Ridge water rights must be held for NRUCs potential oil shale project. Our valuation of the water rights is therefore based on being able to sell approximately half of the rights (i.e. 39,825 acre ft p.a.). The value of the remaining water rights is attributed to the oil shale. | |||
Shell Litigation: | Shell is currently seeking court permission to move some of its senior rights to a position downstream of the Wolf Ridge rights. Were Shell successful, NRUC may not be able to take up its full allocation of water rights in a dry year. However NRUC is opposing the case. CF&Co assumes the Wolf Ridge rights are unaffected. | |||
Spin out: | CF&Co assumes that spinning-out the water rights into a separate listed company is impossible for taxation and other practical reasons25. | |||
State Law: | CF&Co understands that the Federal government cannot overturn Colorado State law regarding water rights and that forced purchase / expropriation is not a material risk. |
24 | NRUC/Sentient: based on 7,380 acre ft reservoir and 100cfs pipeline |
25 | The water rights are packaged such that if NRUC proves diligence on some part of the package, diligence is assumed to be demonstrated on all the rights. Diligence is largely demonstrated by activities relating to water rights required for NSIs sodium bicarbonate operations. If the other water rights were spun out into a separate vehicle, that vehicle would have to prove diligence on the rights without recourse to NSI. |
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(iii) | Wolf Ridge Water Rights Valuation |
Noting that NRUC has not realised value from the rights in the past, CF&Co values the water rights on the basis of what a buyer might pay today:
The conditional rights are valued on the basis of the discounted value of the cash flows from an assumed future structured sale. A structured sale is industry standard for the sale of conditional water rights. We cross reference the valuation to precedent transactions.
| Methodology: Structured sale |
CF&Co assumes:
| An upfront deposit payment of 1/3rd of the transaction value in five years; |
| Balance payable in ten years; NRUC and the buyer share completion risk (permitting, litigation, etc); |
| We discount cash flows associated with the sale at 5%, representing a risk free rate of return; and, |
| Apply probabilities to reflect the chance of entering into and completing a transaction with any buyer, to adjust the valuations: 30% for the deposit payment and 10% for the payment of the balance. Probabilities were assigned based on discussions with management and NRUCs advisers, noting interest of potential buyers, political issues, potential litigation risks and the fact that NRUC has not realised value from the rights to-date. |
The potential total sale price is estimated based on the average transaction value of the data outlined in Appendix 3 of US$9,915/acre ft. While transactions for large volumes of water have tended to attract lower prices than smaller transactions, the Wolf Ridge rights are acknowledged to be a strategic resource, so CF&Co ascribes the total average value for Wolf Ridge.
CF&Co therefore assumes:
| Upfront deposit of US$3,305/acre ft paid in five years (i.e. 1/3rd total price). |
| Completion payment of US$6,610/acre ft payable in 10 years |
| Total value of structured sale: |
Table 7: Wolf Ridge Water Rights Structured Sale Valuation
NPV (5%) Deposit x 30% Probability |
US$ | 62m | ||
NPV (5%) Balance x 10% Probability |
US$ | 32m | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
US$ | 94m | ||
|
|
|||
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| Sale to Municipality |
CF&Co considered a potential sale to a municipality at a higher price. There are several recent precedent transactions, which imply municipalities might pay up to US$25,000/acre ft:
Table 8: Wolf Ridge Water Rights Precedent Transactions
Transaction |
US$ /acre ft | Wolf Ridge (US$m) | ||||||
Aurora |
23,446 | 1,867 | ||||||
Araphoe County |
21,909 | 1,745 | ||||||
East Cherry Creek Valley |
15,000 | 1,195 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Averageall transactions |
20,118 | 1,602 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The above illustrates the total value a municipality might pay to acquire the Wolf Ridge rights under a structured sale.
However, CF&Co notes that the water rights sold were more advanced than Wolf Ridge, with associated infrastructure in place, or committed. Further CF&Co believes the chances of a sale to a municipality are significantly lower than to an oil shale company.
If the structured sale methodology is applied to the value payable by a municipality, but using probabilities of 15% for the deposit payment and 5% for the balance, the Wolf Ridge water rights would be valued at US$96m.
| Precedent transactions |
CF&Co has evaluated data from a large number of precedent transactions in Colorado (over 2000), and elsewhere in the Western US, from 1987 to 200926. Adjusted to 2011 US dollars, the average price paid in the Western US was US$8,500/acre ft vs US$9,915/acre ft in Colorado.
CF&Co also considered several specific transactions. As well as those discussed above, CF&Co considers the acquisition by Pure Cycle of a large package of Arkansas River rights for US$1,353/acre ft to be a useful analogue for what a buyer might pay to acquire the Wolf Ridge rights today on an unconditional basis. The implied value of the Wolf Ridge rights at US$1,353/acre ft is US$108m. However CF&Co notes:
(a) | Rights acquired by Pure Cycle are on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. It would be far less controversial to supply the municipalities of Denver and the Front Range from the eastern slopes than from Wolf Ridge on the western slopes; however, |
(b) | The rights are decreed only for agricultural use and would require conversion for municipal use (Wolf Ridge rights are decreed for all uses). |
Taking (a) and (b) into account, one might expect the Wolf Ridge rights to trade at a discount to the rights acquired by Pure Cycle.
CF&Co believes the valuation of US$94m reflects a price a 3rd party might pay today for 100% of the Wolf Ridge rights.
26 | See Appendix 3 for more detail on precedent transactions. |
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7.4 | Valuation of Water Rights |
The total value of the water rights is therefore:
Table 9: Water Rights Valuation Summary
Core rights: Piceance Creek & Yellow Creek |
US$ | 7m | ||
Non-core rights: Wolf Ridge (100%) |
US$ | 94m | ||
Less value of rights attributed to oil shale |
(US$ | 47m | ) | |
|
|
|||
Total |
US$ | 54m | ||
|
|
8 | Oil Shale |
8.1 | Overview |
NRUCs nahcolite leases are located in the centre of one of the worlds largest and richest oil shale deposits. The estimated total in-situ resource within the Piceance Basin is 1.525 trillion barrels.27 Assuming oil shale is uniformly distributed within NSIs leases, the potential resource is 26.1bn barrels.
NRUC has no right to exploit the oil shale contained in the sodium bicarbonate leases. However CF&Co understands that NRUC is likely to have preferred status due to the Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) multimineral development policy, which states that one mineral cannot be exploited to the detriment of another. In October 2010 the BLM recommended that NRUCs RD&D licence application, for an initial 160 acres plus 480 acres, be advanced. A review to ensure that the application complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is ongoing.
In order to exploit the oil shale NRUC will be required to go through the lease application process. That process is uncertain: an application by NRUC may be subject to competition, will rely on successful outcome of the RD&D programme and is dependent on the US Government oil shale leasing programme.
The proposed process has been developed based on sponsored research at Monash University, Australia, and relevant research in respect of Sentients oil shale project in Jordan. A patent application has been filed by Mr Peter Cassidy of Sentient and is pending approval. NRUC has the right to use the technology on licence for the RD&D programme. A future agreement would be required to use Mr Cassidys technology for a commercial scale oil shale project.
The chemical process has only been researched under laboratory conditions and is unproven.
In the long-term the value of the oil shale is potentially high. However:
| NSIs RD&D lease application is still contingent on confirming management and completing environmental and other BLM required due diligence; |
| NRUC will require a lease for future commercial exploitation of the oil shale. The leasing process is subject to risks and uncertainties outlined above; |
| Technology to extract oil economically is unproven at commercial scale. NRUC management estimated the probability of proving the technology and developing a commercial operation as 50%, although timing is another material uncertainty; |
| Commercial development is likely 10+ years away; |
| Development will require significant capital investment. This cannot be accurately estimated until extraction technology is developed and proven, but is likely to be billions of US dollars. It is likely that NRUC will require a partner to support development. |
27 | Estimated by the US Geological Survey using the Fisher assay method. |
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CF&Co therefore believes that value today should reflect option value over the contained oil.
8.2 | Oil Shale Valuation: |
NRUCs oil shale project is very early stagethe technology has not yet been proven at the pilot scale and NRUC has no oil shale rights beyond those it may be granted under the limited RD&D programmeand there are many uncertainties regarding timing, parameters, capital and operating costs. There are no delineated reserves or resources. The uncertain nature of the project makes valuation challenging. CF&Co considered two valuation metrics, as per below:
| Discounted Cash Flow |
A DCF analysis is the standard valuation methodology for resource sector projects, assuming exploitation of the oil shale resource using NRUC / Sentient technology. For an undeveloped project with an independent preliminary economic assessment completed, we would typically expect to see a pre-development discount to NPV of 50-80% of NPV. However for a project at this stage with no resource estimate or economic assessment, CF&Co considers there are too many uncertainties and unknowns to construct a reliable DCF model.
| Precedent Transactions |
In the absence of a reliable DCF model, CF&Co preferred precedent transactions as the primary valuation methodology, illustrating the potential value if NRUC was able to sell the oil shale project today. However the universe is small and CF&Co has only identified two comparable transactions. Further, the valuation must be applied to the acreage of land over which NRUC is expected to be able to exploit should it be granted a commercial scale license and confirm the technology, rather than to confirmed reserves or resources.
To the value given by analysis of precedent transactions, we have added the value of 50% of the Wolf Ridge water rights. NRUC would be required to acquire the water if it did not already own it and might seek to monetise the rights if the oil shale project does not proceed.
The valuation metrics are imperfect, however CF&Co believes the methodology is the best available to estimate the value a buyer might pay to acquire the oil shale project, with rights to Mr Peter Cassidys patent pending technology for the RD&D programme, today.
Table 10: Oil Shale Precedent Transactions
Transaction |
Year | Acres | Value | US$/acre | Implied Value |
|||||||||||||||
Shell acquisition of Nielson-Juhan-Hogle sodium lease |
2006 | 2,240 | US$ | 5m | 2,232 | US$ | 21.3m | |||||||||||||
Total buy 50% JV interest in AMSO (American Shale Oil Inc.) |
2009 | 50% x 5,120 = 2,560 | US$ | 10m | 28 | 3,906 | US$ | 37.3m | ||||||||||||
Average |
3,069 | US$ | 29.3m |
Although NRUCs maximum RD&D lease area is only 640 acres, CF&Co has assumed that NRUC will be able to exploit the oil shale intermingled with the sodium bicarbonate on NRUCs licences (9,543 acres), if the technology proves commercially viable and a commercial lease is granted.
28 | Citigroup, 15 January 2009 report estimated the cost of the transaction as in the tens of millions. Absent more detailed information, CF&Co conservatively assumes the value was US$10m to reflect the early stage of the project. |
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The Shell transaction is a conservative benchmark as the asset had not commenced the RD&D licence prior to acquisition.
The implied valuation of NRUCs oil shale project is:
Table 11: Oil Shale Valuation Summary
Precedent Transactions |
US$ | 29m | ||
Value of water rights attributed to oil shale |
US$ | 47m | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
US$ | 76m | ||
|
|
9 | Market valuation |
NRUCs common stock traded on the OTC bulletin board in the US under the symbol NTRC during certain periods from 20 August 2002 until 6 June 2011. Its capital structure is:
Cash: | US$3.5m (30 June 2011) | |||
Debt: | US$0m | |||
Shares: | Outstanding shares29: | 352.5m | ||
Options/warrants: | 0.4m | |||
Fully-diluted shares: | 352.9m | |||
20-day share price range30: | US$0.52 US$0.80 | |||
Implied fully-diluted market capitalisation: | US$184m US282m |
29 | As per form 10-Q for period ending 30 June 2011. There are no filings relating to the exercise of options since 30 June 2011. |
30 | To 1 August 2011 (reflects trading prior to announcement of GSRs intention to effect a short form merger on 3 August 2011). |
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Table 12: NRUC share price and volume traded (two years to 1 August 2011)
The OTCBB valuation is not considered a reliable basis for valuation. NRUCs shares are tightly held (Sentient owns 95% and insiders/management a further 2%) and its shares are thinly traded with a wide bid-ask spreadthe OTCBB valuation is therefore susceptible to large movements on very small trades. Information is available publically, however it is not widely distributed and NRUC is not covered by analysts.
10 | Balance Sheet Adjustment |
CF&Cos valuation of NRUCs assets gives an enterprise value for the company. In order to establish the equity value we assessed NRUCs financial statements for items which are not captured by our financial modelling and valuation metrics.
NRUCs last audited, public financial statements are the Form 10-KT for the period ending 31 December 2010 filed with the SEC. NRUC has recently appointed PWC as auditors and changed year-end (to 31 December). NRUC filed its tax returns on a consolidated basis without making the elections to consolidate required by the IRS. Due to the need to file individual tax returns for NRUC, NSHI and NSI, rather than on a consolidated basis, losses incurred at one entity cannot be offset against profits incurred at another. NRUC restated the accounts for NRUC and its subsidiaries, releasing a restated form 10-KT/A on 14 September 2011. NRUC management are preparing to submit an application to consolidate the tax losses following the re-statement of the accounts. The Balance Sheet adjustment is based on NRUCs unaudited financial statements in Form 10-Q to June 30, 2011, released on 20 October 2011.
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Tax: | Carried forward losses of US$79.0m (calculated on the basis described below) are included in our financial modelling of NSI. As NSI is expected to be profitable for the foreseeable future, the entirety of NSIs US$2.7m accumulated losses may be carried forward for tax purposes and offset against future profits. On an aggregated basis NRUC would have total accumulated losses of US$104.4m. We assume that 75% of the non-NSI losses can be offset against future profits, albeit subject to an estimated annual limit of US$4.9m.31 The assumption relies on the IRS permitting NRUC to retroactively consolidate its accumulated tax losses. | |
Working capital: | NRUC has sufficient working capital to operate its business. Accounts payable and royalties are more than offset by accounts receivable. The difference is not material. Inventory sales are incorporated into the financial modelling. | |
Cash: | At June 30, 2011 NRUC had cash of US$3.5m32, which CF&Co takes as an approximation of the companys cash balance today. | |
Debt: | NRUC has no third party debt. | |
ARO: | NRUC has US$1.8m of asset retirement obligations.33 These relate to the plugging and rehabilitating of the well sets and removing operations from federal lands. | |
Options/warrants: | CF&Co understands that outstanding in-the-money options and warrants will be cash settled by GSR. | |
Corporate Costs: | NRUC reported G&A costs of US$4.7m on a consolidated basis for the financial year ended 31 December 2010 of which US$3.05m was related to corporate operating costs attributable to NRUC and Natural Soda Holdings Inc, which includes the costs of being a public company, the cost of advancing the oil shale and maintaining the water rights, as well as other general corporate costs. CF&Co excluded these costs in preparing the valuation on the basis that: | |
(i) All corporate costs associated with NRUCs public listing will be extinguished once the company is taken private. | ||
(ii) The oil shale and water rights are valued on the basis of what someone might pay to acquire the assets today, assuming all future costs and liabilities. | ||
(iii) Other general corporate costs are likely non-material and there are likely to be synergies with GSR. | ||
The full benefit of cost savings likely to be achieved by GSR post-privatisation is captured in our valuation. |
31 | NSI is subject to a US$1.2m annual limit and we have assumed an annual limit of US$3.7m p.a. for non-NSI tax losses. |
32 | Form 10-Q for the period ending 30 June 2011. |
33 | Form 10-Q for the period ending 30 June 2011. |
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The total balance sheet adjustment is therefore:
Table 13: Balance Sheet Adjustment
Cash |
US$ | 3.5m | ||
Asset Retirement Obligations |
(US$ | 1.8m | ) | |
|
|
|||
Balance Sheet Adjustment |
US$ | 1.7m | ||
|
|
11 | Conclusion |
The total valuation for 100% of NRUC is therefore:
Table 14: NRUC Total Equity Value
Business |
Valuation | |||
Bicarbonate |
US$ | 66m | ||
Water Rights |
US$ | 54m | ||
Oil Shale |
US$ | 76m | ||
Balance sheet adjustment |
US$ | 2m | ||
|
|
|||
Total Equity Value |
US$ | 198m | ||
|
|
|||
Outstanding Ordinary Shares |
352.5m | |||
|
|
|||
Value Per Share |
US$ | 0.562 | ||
|
|
This Valuation Report and Fairness Opinion is furnished solely for the benefit of GSR and GSR Acquisition Corp. and their Boards of Directors and may not be relied upon by any other person for any reason without our express, written consent.
12 | Fairness Opinion |
CF&Co understands its valuation of NRUC of US$0.562 per share will be the price at which GSR acquires the shares of NRUCs minority shareholders, including its unaffiliated shareholders.
CF&Cos valuation considered the potential outcomes, risks and upside attaching to each of NRUCs business interests. While the range of potential outcomes, and hence values, is large, as noted in this report there are significant uncertainties associated with realising value from NRUCs water rights and oil shale interests. Taking account of those uncertainties, CF&Cos valuation of NRUC seeks to reflect the fair value of NRUCs assets and liabilities assuming a sale on 1 August 2011.
The acquisition of minority interests, including the unaffiliated shareholders, which in this case amount to less than 5% of GSR and confer no management rights, often incur a minority discount to reflect the illiquidity of the shares. GSR has chosen not to apply such a discount.
Based on our analysis of the factors deemed relevant it is our opinion that the proposed price of US$0.57 per NRUC share is fair from a financial point of view to the minority shareholders, including the unaffiliated shareholders, of NRUC.
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APPENDIX 1
NRUC WACC Calculation
Bloomberg reports a WACC of 21%+ for NRUC and calculates NRUCs beta with respect to the S&P 500. In reality, however, NRUCs shares were thinly traded on the OTCBB. Its correlation with an index of the most highly-capitalized, most liquid US stocks is, then, unlikely to fully capture NRUCs systematic risk (i.e. beta).
In addition to the Bloomberg calculation, a first principles calculation is shown in the table below. To mitigate uncertainty over the length of the present cycle, four different time horizons are considered (4-7 years). NRUCs beta is calculated relative to the S&P 600 SmallCap Index, a capitalization-weighted index which measures the performance of selected small cap US equities.
Manual calculation (X year time horizon)
Bloomberg calculation |
4-year | 5-year | 6 year | 7 year | Comment | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Rf |
2.89 | % | 1.03 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.81 | % | 2.18 | % | X-year US treasury yield. Bloomberg calculation uses 10-year treasuries. | |||||||||||
Rm |
10.60 | % | 7.02 | % | 7.92 | % | 8.61 | % | 9.41 | % | ||||||||||||
beta |
2.42 | 2.13 | 1.63 | 1.60 | 1.32 | Daily data. Relative to the S&P 500 (Bloomberg) and S&P 600 SmallCap (otherwise) | ||||||||||||||||
Ke |
21.55 | % | 13.81 | % | 12.02 | % | 12.68 | % | 11.73 | % | ||||||||||||
Weight |
99.15 | % | 99.15 | % | 99.15 | % | 99.15 | % | 99.15 | % | ||||||||||||
Cost of Debt |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Kd |
0.52 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.52 | % | ||||||||||||
Weight |
0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | NRUC has negligible debt. Bloomberg calculation not modified | |||||||||||
WACC |
21.37 | % | 13.70 | % | 11.93 | % | 12.58 | % | 11.64 | % | ||||||||||||
The average first principles WACC, in real terms is 12-13%. Given the NRUC model is based on nominal cashflows assuming 2.5% inflation, CF&Co believes a 15% nominal discount rate is appropriate to value the sodium bicarbonate business.
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A-1-1
APPENDIX 2
Core Water Rights
The core water rights, which divert out of Piceance Creek, are limited to the volumes specified in the Case No. 88CW420 Decree. Pursuant to the Case No. 88CW420 Decree, the yield of the direct flow water rights for replacement of depletions is approximately 270 acre feet per year. See Paragraph 58(c) of the Case No. 88CW420 Decree.34 There is an additional yield associated with the Larson Reservoir water right of approximately 37 acre feet per year (paragraph 58(d)).35
Therefore, the amount of water that is currently available for replacement of depletions to Piceance Creek and Yellow Creek is approximately 307 acre feet per year. Natural Soda also owns a conditional water right for the enlargement of Larson Reservoir and if the water right is developed, the potential yield of the water right is 600 acre feet per year.
Pursuant to the Case No. 88CW420 Decree, the volume of water that may be pumped from wells located on the Sodium Leases is a function of the volume of water available for replacement of depletions to Piceance Creek and Yellow Creek. The Case No. 88CW420 Decree allows water to be withdrawn from the aquifer through the wells with replacement of depletions to the surface stream over a 250 year period. The Case No. 88CW 420 Decree sets out the methodology for calculating the yield of water available from the wells (paras 18 and 56) . Unit depletion rates are specified at Appendix F to the Decree. We calculate the water available from the wells to be:
Pumping Condition |
Pumping Rate (cfs) |
Annual Volume Pumping (AF) |
Maximum Annual Depletion (AF) |
|||||||||
Replacement Supply = 307 AF/yr36 |
3.43 | 2,483 | 307 | |||||||||
Replacement Supply = 907 AF/yr35 |
10.15 | 7,348 | 907 |
The Maximum Annual Depletion is the maximum annual volume of water depleted from Piceance Creek and Yellow Creek during the 250 year period of accounting. Based on water currently available for replenishment, the annual volume of well pumping that could occur with the NSI well water rights is approximately 2,483 acre feet per year, with the potential to expand the volume of well pumping to approximately 7,348 acre feet per year if the conditional Larson Reservoir enlargement water rights are developed. Para 66 of the Decree allows for the maximum flow rate (currently 5cfs) to be increased, which would be required to realise over 3,620acre ft p.a.
34 | Maximum available over 10 years = 4,660acre ft x 57% = 2,703acre ft, i.e. 270acre ft p.a. |
35 | 62acre ft x 60% = 37acre ft |
36 | Based on projected well pumping of NSI wells with replacement supply of 307 AF/yr for 30yrs; 30yrs is used as an approximation of the depletion reflecting application of the methodology to each individual well. |
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A-2-1
APPENDIX 3
Water Rights Transactions
In Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas, trades of committed water annually range between 5% and 15% of total state freshwater diversions with over US$4.3 billion (in 2008 US$ terms) spent or committed by urban buyers between 1987 and 2008. All western US states allow for water trades, but markets are generally local, within a water basin, and within a state due to differential regulations, institutions, and conveyance opportunities. Transfers can be in the form of sales or leases.
Short-term leases within a basin between parties who use water for the same purpose, such as farmers, have been the most common. Longer-term leases and sales of water rights often involve changes in the location and nature of the end application.
| Data |
There are no central registries of trades, making it difficult to determine the overall extent of water marketing in the western US. The journal Water Strategist has aggregated data from 4,406 water transactions from 1987 through 2009 for 12 western states. The data is shown below, inflated to 2009 US$ terms. CF&Co took the data from an academic paper: A Comparative Assessment of Water Markets: Insights from the Murray-Darling Basin of Australia and the Western US, by R.Q. Grafton et al. (2011).
i. | 12 states (4,406 transactions) |
Price data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nature of contract |
Proportion | Average Annual Acre - Feet |
Average Total Price (US$m) |
Inflation37 Adjusted Total Price (US$m) |
Inflation Adjusted Price per Annual Acre-Foot (US$/acre-ft.) |
|||||||||||||||
All |
8,330 | 2.51 | 3.40 | 5,485 | ||||||||||||||||
Sale |
59.0 | % | 1,793 | 1.31 | 1.76 | 8,500 | ||||||||||||||
Lease |
33.2 | % | 20,471 | 4.28 | 5.85 | 497 | ||||||||||||||
Exchange38 |
5.8 | % | 4,985 | 3.24 | 3.85 | 7,777 | ||||||||||||||
Breakdown of Sales |
||||||||||||||||||||
Ag-to-Ag39 |
10.7 | % | 1,570 | 0.47 | 0.67 | 5,425 | ||||||||||||||
Ag-to-Urban |
67.6 | % | 996 | 0.94 | 1.28 | 9,477 | ||||||||||||||
Ag-to-Enviro |
4.4 | % | 4,621 | 5.18 | 6.99 | 5,745 | ||||||||||||||
Urban-to-Ag |
0.7 | % | 5,985 | 0.62 | 0.85 | 941 | ||||||||||||||
Urban-to-Urban |
12.4 | % | 2,079 | 2.71 | 3.67 | 8,920 | ||||||||||||||
Urban-to-Enviro |
0.3 | % | 44,928 | 2.60 | 3.47 | 416 | ||||||||||||||
Enviro-to-Ag |
0.0 | % | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Enviro-to-Urban |
0.0 | % | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Enviro-to-Enviro |
0.1 | % | 1,525 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
Combination |
2.5 | % | 11,469 | 3.77 | 4.00 | 4,505 | ||||||||||||||
Unknown |
1.3 | % | 583 | 0.64 | 0.70 | 6,285 |
37 | Inflation at 2.9% p.a. (Source: US Bureau of Labour Statistics). |
38 | I.e. a permanent transfer of rights without payment. |
39 | Ag = agricultural; Enviro = environmental |
Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
A-3-1
The annual mean price/acre-foot for agriculture-to-urban sales is significantly higher than are agriculture-to-agriculture tradeUS$9,477/acre-ft. vs US$5,425/acre-ft. This indicates that a premium attaches to of out-of-sector water transfers.
In the US, a general lack of regional river basin-wide organisation for market trades makes price comparisons difficult to assemble; most water markets are local and comparable observations of trades within and across sectors are therefore limited. Accordingly, examining the available price data must be done with caution40.
ii. | Colorado-only (2,228 transactions) |
Price data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nature of contract |
Proportion | Average Annual Acre- Feet |
Average Total Price (US$m) |
Inflation Adjusted Total Price (US$m) |
Inflation Adjusted Price per Annual Acre-Foot |
|||||||||||||||
All |
720 | 0.51 | 0.70 | 9,080 | ||||||||||||||||
Sale |
82.9 | % | 271 | 0.49 | 0.67 | 9,915 | ||||||||||||||
Lease |
7.4 | % | 4,715 | 0.36 | 0.46 | 728 | ||||||||||||||
Exchange |
6.6 | % | 1,972 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 8,513 | ||||||||||||||
Breakdown of Sales |
||||||||||||||||||||
Ag-to-Ag |
12.2 | % | 51 | 0.11 | 0.13 | 6,167 | ||||||||||||||
Ag-to-Urban |
79.0 | % | 143 | 0.41 | 0.59 | 10,970 | ||||||||||||||
Ag-to-Enviro |
1.2 | % | 9,251 | 0.42 | 0.58 | 3,722 | ||||||||||||||
Urban-to-Ag |
0.4 | % | 39 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1,570 | ||||||||||||||
Urban-to-Urban |
5.4 | % | 419 | 2.72 | 3.95 | 7,561 | ||||||||||||||
Urban-to-Enviro |
0.1 | % | 1,650 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 97 | ||||||||||||||
Enviro-to-Ag |
0.0 | % | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Enviro-to-Urban |
0.0 | % | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Enviro-to-Enviro |
0.1 | % | 507 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
Combination |
1.3 | % | 918 | 2.79 | 2.00 | 8,070 | ||||||||||||||
Unknown |
0.3 | % | 45 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 7,259 |
The average annual volume of Colorado-based transactions is depressed by a large number of low-volume, high-price transactions, some of which are part of the Colorado-Big Thompson project. The total volume of sale transactions in Colorado from the data set was 500,000 acre ft. NRUCs water rights are equivalent to over 20% of those sold rights. The total volume of all transactions (including leases) was 1.6 million acre ft. The graph below shows that the vast majority of transactions were for a small volume of water rights:
40 | A Comparative Assessment of Water Markets: Insights from the Murray-Darling Basin of Australia and the Western US, R.Q. Grafton et al. (2011) |
Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
A-3-2
The technical and geographical idiosyncrasies of each water project contribute to a large standard deviation in the size of deals, both in terms of volume supplied and US$/acre-ft (US$8,317). The large size of the standard deviations considered suggests averages taken over the data set need to be interpreted with caution.
| Specific Transactions |
CF&Co considered several specific transactions:
Transaction |
Year | Acre ft | Value ($m) |
$/acre ft |
Comments | |||||||||||||
Pure Cycle Corp (PYCO) acquired Arkansas River rights (eastern slope) |
2006 | 60,000 | 81.2 | 1353 | PYCO is listed water utility with portfolio of water rights in Colorado (mcap US$75m41)
Rights decreed for agricultural use only, must be converted in court to municipal use. But less controversial location for project to supply Front Range |
41 | Bloomberg, 2 August 2011 |
Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
A-3-3
Valid benchmark for Wolf Ridge | ||||||||||||||||||
Vidler (subsidiary of PICO) acquired rights in Summit County, Co between 2006-8 |
|
2006
2007
2008 |
|
|
171.5
0.6
3.9 |
|
|
1.2
0.04
0.3 |
|
|
6997
75000
77436 |
|
PICO is a listed diversified holding company (mcap US$615m42). It owns a portfolio of water rights plus real estate and insurance businesses. | |||||
Average: | 176 | 1.5 | 8790 | Large premium over comparable transactions because rights already generating cashflow
Premium transactions not considered valid benchmark for Wolf Ridge sale today. | ||||||||||||||
City of Aurora proposed acquisition of Columbine Ditch water rights from Pueblo Board of Water (rival cash bid from ski-resort developer) | 2009 | 1300 | 30.5 | 23446 | Columbine ditch carries water from Eagle River basin on western slope to Arkansas River basin on eastern slope.
Potential 25% transportation losses to Aurora (however transport of Wolf Ridge water may also incur losses).
Aurora is only supplier with facilities to supply Denver so probably low competition.
Rights more developed than Wolf Ridge, but smaller. Potentially overstates value of Wolf Ridge today. | |||||||||||||
Arapahoe County Water & Wastewater Authority acquired water rights from United Water & Sanitation district, plus infrastructure and easements for delivery | 2009 | 4400 | 96 | 21909 | Water rights not yet decreed for municipal use, but the price reflected the integration of the rights within an integrated infrastructure system for delivery (part of the same agreement)
Not considered valid benchmark for Wolf Ridge today. |
42 | Bloomberg, 2 August 2011 |
Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
A-3-4
East Cherry Creek Valley and Water Sanitation District (ECCV) acquired water rights from United Water & Sanitation District and FRICO. | 2003 | 3000 | |
45 |
|
15000 | Agreement included commitment by United/FRICO to build infrastructure sufficient to deliver water to ECCVs Water Treatment Plant
Envisaged additional phases to expand the amount of water deliverable (for additional payments)
Not considered valid benchmark for Wolf Ridge today. |
Registered at 314-316 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD Registered Company No.4102470
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
A-3-5
Appendix D
Part 13 of the Utah Revised Business Corporations Act
16-10a-1301. Definitions.
For purposes of Part 13:
(1) Beneficial shareholder means the person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(2) Corporation means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share exchange of that issuer.
(3) Dissenter means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action under Section 16-10a-1302 and who exercises that right when and in the manner required by Sections 16-10a-1320 through 16-10a-1328.
(4) Fair value with respect to a dissenters shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action.
(5) Interest means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of payment, at the statutory rate set forth in Section 15-1-1, compounded annually.
(6) Record shareholder means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee to the extent the beneficial owner is recognized by the corporation as the shareholder as provided in Section 16-10a-723.
(7) Shareholder means the record shareholder or the beneficial shareholder.
16-10a-1302. Right to dissent.
(1) A shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of shares held by him in the event of, any of the following corporate actions:
(a) consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party if:
(i) shareholder approval is required for the merger by Section 16-10a-1103 or the articles of incorporation; or
(ii) the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent under Section 16-10a-1104;
(b) consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired;
(c) consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of the corporation for which a shareholder vote is required under Subsection 16-10a-1202(1), but not including a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the shareholders within one year after the date of sale; and
(d) consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of an entity controlled by the corporation if the shareholders of the corporation were entitled to vote upon the consent of the corporation to the disposition pursuant to Subsection 16-10a-1202(2).
D-1
(2) A shareholder is entitled to dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of any other corporate action to the extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors so provides.
(3) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, except to the extent otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors, and subject to the limitations set forth in Subsection (4), a shareholder is not entitled to dissent and obtain payment under Subsection (1) of the fair value of the shares of any class or series of shares which either were listed on a national securities exchange registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or were held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders, at the time of:
(a) the record date fixed under Section 16-10a-707 to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the shareholders meeting at which the corporate action is submitted to a vote;
(b) the record date fixed under Section 16-10a-704 to determine shareholders entitled to sign writings consenting to the proposed corporate action; or
(c) the effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action is authorized other than by a vote of shareholders.
(4) The limitation set forth in Subsection (3) does not apply if the shareholder will receive for his shares, pursuant to the corporate action, anything except:
(a) shares of the corporation surviving the consummation of the plan of merger or share exchange;
(b) shares of a corporation which at the effective date of the plan of merger or share exchange either will be listed on a national securities exchange registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or will be held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders;
(c) cash in lieu of fractional shares; or
(d) any combination of the shares described in Subsection (4), or cash in lieu of fractional shares.
(5) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his shares under this part may not challenge the corporate action creating the entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to him or to the corporation.
16-10a-1303. Dissent by nominees and beneficial owners.
(1) A record shareholder may assert dissent rights as to fewer than all the shares registered in his name only if the shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and causes the corporation to receive written notice which states the dissent and the name and address of each person on whose behalf dissent rights are being asserted. The rights of a partial dissenter under this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which the shareholder dissents and the other shares held of record by him were registered in the names of different shareholders.
(2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissent rights as to shares held on his behalf only if:
(a) the beneficial shareholder causes the corporation to receive the record shareholders written consent to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial shareholder asserts dissent rights; and
D-2
(b) the beneficial shareholder dissents with respect to all shares of which he is the beneficial shareholder.
(3) The corporation may require that, when a record shareholder dissents with respect to the shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders, each beneficial shareholder shall certify to the corporation that both he and the record shareholders of all shares owned beneficially by him have asserted, or will timely assert, dissent rights as to all the shares unlimited on the ability to exercise dissent rights. The certification requirement shall be stated in the dissent notice given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322.
16-10a-1320. Notice of dissent rights.
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting, the meeting notice shall be sent to all shareholders of the corporation as of the applicable record date, whether or not they are entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissent rights under this part. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of this part and the materials, if any, that under this chapter are required to be given the shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action at the meeting. Failure to give notice as required by this subsection does not affect any action taken at the shareholders meeting for which the notice was to have been given.
(2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to Section 16-10a-704, any written or oral solicitation of a shareholder to execute a written consent to the action contemplated by Section 16-10a-704 shall be accompanied or preceded by a written notice stating that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissent rights under this part, by a copy of this part, and by the materials, if any, that under this chapter would have been required to be given to shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action if the proposed action were submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting. Failure to give written notice as provided by this subsection does not affect any action taken pursuant to Section 16-10a-704 for which the notice was to have been given.
16-10a-1321. Demand for paymentEligibility and notice of intent.
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissent rights:
(a) shall cause the corporation to receive, before the vote is taken, written notice of his intent to demand payment for shares if the proposed action is effectuated; and
(b) may not vote any of his shares in favor of the proposed action.
(2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to Section 16-10a-704, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissent rights may not execute a writing consenting to the proposed corporate action.
(3) In order to be entitled to payment for shares under this part, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution adopted by the board of directors, a shareholder shall have been a shareholder with respect to the shares for which payment is demanded as of the date the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is approved by the shareholders, if shareholder approval is required, or as of the effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action is authorized other than by a vote of shareholders.
(4) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of Subsections (1) through (3) is not entitled to payment for shares under this part.
D-3
16-10a-1322. Dissent notice.
(1) If proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized, the corporation shall give a written dissent notice to all shareholders who are entitled to demand payment for their shares under this part.
(2) The dissent notice required by Subsection (1) shall be sent no later than 10 days after the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302, and shall:
(a) state that the corporate action was authorized and the effective date or proposed effective date of the corporate action;
(b) state an address at which the corporation will receive payment demands and an address at which certificates for certificated shares shall be deposited;
(c) inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
(d) supply a form for demanding payment, which form requests a dissenter to state an address to which payment is to be made;
(e) set a date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand and by which certificates for certificated shares must be deposited at the address indicated in the dissent notice, which dates may not be fewer than 30 nor more than 70 days after the date the dissent notice required by Subsection (1) is given;
(f) state the requirement contemplated by Subsection 16-10a-1303(3), if the requirement is imposed; and
(g) be accompanied by a copy of this part.
16-10a-1323. Procedure to demand payment.
(1) A shareholder who is given a dissent notice described in Section 16-10a-1322, who meets the requirements of Section 16-10a-1321, and wishes to assert dissent rights shall, in accordance with the terms of the dissent notice:
(a) cause the corporation to receive a payment demand, which may be the payment demand form contemplated in Subsection 16-10a-1322(2)(d), duly completed, or may be stated in another writing;
(b) deposit certificates for his certificated shares in accordance with the terms of the dissent notice; and
(c) if required by the corporation in the dissent notice described in Section 16-10a-1322, as contemplated by Section 16-10a-1327, certify in writing, in or with the payment demand, whether or not he or the person on whose behalf he asserts dissent rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302.
(2) A shareholder who demands payment in accordance with Subsection (1) retains all rights of a shareholder except the right to transfer the shares until the effective date of the proposed corporate action giving rise to the exercise of dissent rights and has only the right to receive payment for the shares after the effective date of the corporate action.
(3) A shareholder who does not demand payment and deposit share certificates as required, by the date or dates set in the dissent notice, is not entitled to payment for shares under this part.
D-4
16-10a-1324. Uncertificated shares.
(1) Upon receipt of a demand for payment under Section 16-10a-1323 from a shareholder holding uncertificated shares, and in lieu of the deposit of certificates representing the shares, the corporation may restrict the transfer of the shares until the proposed corporate action is taken or the restrictions are released under Section 16-10a-1326.
(2) In all other respects, the provisions of Section 16-10a-1323 apply to shareholders who own uncertificated shares.
16-10a-1325. Payment.
(1) Except as provided in Section 16-10a-1327, upon the later of the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302, and receipt by the corporation of each payment demand pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323, the corporation shall pay the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the dissenters shares, plus interest to each dissenter who has complied with Section 16-10a-1323, and who meets the requirements of Section 16-10a-1321, and who has not yet received payment.
(2) Each payment made pursuant to Subsection (1) shall be accompanied by:
(a) (i) (A) the corporations balance sheet as of the end of its most recent fiscal year, or if not available, a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the date of payment;
(B) an income statement for that year;
(C) a statement of changes in shareholders equity for that year and a statement of cash flow for that year, if the corporation customarily provides such statements to shareholders; and
(D) the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(ii) the balance sheet and statements referred to in Subsection (2)(a)(i) shall be audited if the corporation customarily provides audited financial statements to shareholders;
(b) a statement of the corporations estimate of the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest payable with respect to the shares;
(c) a statement of the dissenters right to demand payment under Section 16-10a-1328; and
(d) a copy of this part.
16-10a-1326. Failure to take action.
(1) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 does not occur within 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by which the corporation must receive payment demands as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, the corporation shall return all deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares, and all shareholders who submitted a demand for payment pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323 shall thereafter have all rights of a shareholder as if no demand for payment had been made.
(2) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 occurs more than 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by which the corporation must receive payment demands as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, then the corporation shall send a new dissent notice, as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, and the provisions of Sections 16-10a-1323 through 16-10a-1328 shall again be applicable.
D-5
16-10a-1327. Special provisions relating to shares acquired after announcement of proposed corporate action.
(1) A corporation may, with the dissent notice given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322, state the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 and state that a shareholder who asserts dissent rights must certify in writing, in or with the payment demand, whether or not he or the person on whose behalf he asserts dissent rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date. With respect to any dissenter who does not certify in writing, in or with the payment demand that he or the person on whose behalf the dissent rights are being asserted, acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date, the corporation may, in lieu of making the payment provided in Section 16-10a-1325, offer to make payment if the dissenter agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand.
(2) An offer to make payment under Subsection (1) shall include or be accompanied by the information required by Subsection 16-10a-1325(2).
16-10a-1328. Procedure for shareholder dissatisfied with payment or offer.
(1) A dissenter who has not accepted an offer made by a corporation under Section 16-10a-1327 may notify the corporation in writing of his own estimate of the fair value of his shares and demand payment of the estimated amount, plus interest, less any payment made under Section 16-10a-1325, if:
(a) the dissenter believes that the amount paid under Section 16-10a-1325 or offered under Section 16-10a-1327 is less than the fair value of the shares;
(b) the corporation fails to make payment under Section 16-10a-1325 within 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by which it must receive the payment demand; or
(c) the corporation, having failed to take the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights, does not return the deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares as required by Section 16-10a-1326.
(2) A dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section unless he causes the corporation to receive the notice required by Subsection (1) within 30 days after the corporation made or offered payment for his shares.
16-10a-1330. Judicial appraisal of sharesCourt action.
(1) If a demand for payment under Section 16-10a-1328 remains unresolved, the corporation shall commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the payment demand contemplated by Section 16-10a-1328, and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unresolved the amount demanded.
(2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding described in Subsection (1) in the district court of the county in this state where the corporations principal office, or if it has no principal office in this state, Salt Lake County. If the corporation is a foreign corporation, it shall commence the proceeding in the county in this state where the principal office of the domestic corporation merged with, or whose shares were acquired by, the foreign corporation was located, or, if the domestic corporation did not have its principal office in this state at the time of the transaction, in Salt Lake County.
(3) The corporation shall make all dissenters who have satisfied the requirements of Sections 16-10a-1321, 16-10a-1323, and 16-10a-1328, whether or not they are residents of this state whose demands remain unresolved, parties to the proceeding commenced under Subsection (2) as an action against their shares. All such dissenters
D-6
who are named as parties shall be served with a copy of the petition. Service on each dissenter may be by registered or certified mail to the address stated in his payment demand made pursuant to Section 16-10a-1328. If no address is stated in the payment demand, service may be made at the address stated in the payment demand given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323. If no address is stated in the payment demand, service may be made at the address shown on the corporations current record of shareholders for the record shareholder holding the dissenters shares. Service may also be made otherwise as provided by law.
(4) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under Subsection (2) is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
(5) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding commenced under Subsection (2) is entitled to judgment:
(a) for the amount, if any, by which the court finds that the fair value of his shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation pursuant to Section 16-10a-1325; or
(b) for the fair value, plus interest, of the dissenters after-acquired shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under Section 16-10a-1327.
16-10a-1331. Court costs and counsel fees.
(1) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under Section 16-10a-1330 shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess costs against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds that the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment under Section 16-10a-1328.
(2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of Sections 16-10a-1320 through 16-10a-1328; or
(b) against either the corporation or one or more dissenters, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by this part.
(3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded.
D-7
Exhibit (a)(2)
LETTER FROM GSR ACQUISITION CORP. TO SHAREHOLDERS OF NATURAL
RESOURCES USA CORPORATION
Dear shareholder of Natural Resources USA Corporation (the Company):
On or about December 28, 2011, GSR Acquisition Corp. (GSR Acquisition) intends to take the Company private through a short-form merger (the Merger). The purposes of this letter and the Going-Private Transaction Statement that accompanies this letter are to (i) tell you more about the Merger, (ii) explain why we think that the $0.57 per share in cash, without interest, that you will receive in the Merger is fair consideration for your shares and (iii) inform you of your right to dissent under Utah law.
Neither you nor the Companys Board of Directors is being asked, or is required, to approve the Merger. Immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger, which will be conducted pursuant to Utah law, GSR Acquisition will own over ninety percent (90%) of the total shares of the Company, which is a sufficient number of shares to enable GSR Acquisition to cause the Merger to occur. As a result of the Merger, which we anticipate will occur on or about December 28, 2011 or as soon thereafter as possible, you will receive $0.57 in cash, without interest, for each share of Company common stock that you own as of that date. You have a statutory right to dissent from the Merger and demand payment of the fair value of your common stock in accordance with Utah law, plus a fair rate of interest, if any, from the date of the consummation of the Merger. This value may be more than the $0.57 per share merger consideration. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE GOING-PRIVATE TRANSACTION STATEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE $0.57 PER SHARE MERGER CONSIDERATION OR EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO DISSENT.
Shareholders of record on the record date will be mailed a letter of transmittal. Shareholders receiving such document should carefully read it. Detailed instructions for surrendering your stock certificates will be set forth in the letter of transmittal. Please do not submit your stock certificates before you have received this document.
After the Merger, the Company common stock will not be publicly traded. The Company will also take steps to terminate its obligations to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Merger will have federal income tax consequences for you, and you should consult with your tax adviser in order to understand fully how the Merger will affect you.
Sincerely, | ||
GSR ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Wayne Richardson | |
Name: | Wayne Richardson | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President |
Exhibit (a)(3)
NOTICE OF MERGER AND DISSENTERS RIGHTS
December 1, 2011
To the Holders of Common Stock of Natural Resources USA Corporation:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322 of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (the Act), that GSR Acquisition Corp., a Utah corporation (GSR Acquisition), has authorized the short-form merger (the Merger) of GSR Acquisition with and into Natural Resources USA Corporation, a Utah corporation (NRUC), with NRUC continuing as the surviving corporation. GSR Acquisition is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green SEA Resources Inc., which is a private Canadian company wholly-owned within the Sentient Group of Global Resource Funds. The Merger will become effective upon the filing of Articles of Merger with the Utah Divisions of Corporations and Commercial Code (the Effective Time), which is expected to occur on or about December 28, 2011. As of the date hereof, GSR Acquisition owns approximately 95% of the outstanding shares of common stock (the Shares) of NRUC. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 16a-10a-1104 of the Act, no action by the shareholders of NRUC (other than GSR Acquisition) is required for the Merger to become effective.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, each outstanding Share (other than (i) Shares held by GSR Acquisition, and (ii) Shares as to which dissenters rights are exercised, as described in the Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3, as amended (the Schedule 13E-3)) and herein, held immediately prior to the Effective Time will represent only the right to receive $0.57 per Share in cash, without interest. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of GSR Acquisition will be terminated, and the shareholder of GSR Acquisition will become the only shareholder of NRUC.
Shareholders of record on the record date will be mailed a letter of transmittal. Shareholders receiving such document should carefully read it. Detailed instructions for surrendering your stock certificates will be set forth in the letter of transmittal. Please do not submit your stock certificates before you have received this document. You should note that the method of delivery of the letter of transmittal, the stock certificate(s), and any other required documentation is at your option and risk.
Following the Effective Time and receipt of your properly completed and executed letter of transmittal and Share certificate(s), your Shares will be cancelled and the paying agent will mail the cash payment for your Shares to the address shown for you in the letter of transmittal, unless you provide a different address in accordance with the instructions in the letter of transmittal. You will not receive the cash payment until the paying agent receives your properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, your Share certificate(s) and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal.
Under Part 13 of the Act, NRUC shareholders (other than GSR Acquisition) who follow the procedures specified in Part 13 have the right to seek judicial appraisal of the fair value (as defined pursuant to Section 16-10a-1301(4) of the Act) of their respective Shares in a district court of the State of Utah located in Salt Lake County, Utah (the District Court). This value may be more than the $0.57 per Share in cash consideration offered in the Merger. In order to qualify for these rights, you must make a written payment demand within 30 days after the date of mailing of this Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights and otherwise comply with the procedures for exercising dissenters rights set forth in the Act. The statutory right of dissent is set out in Section Part 13 of the Act. A copy of Part 13 of the Act is attached as Appendix A hereto. Any failure to comply with its terms will result in an irrevocable loss of such right. The summary contained herein is not a complete statement of the law pertaining to dissenters rights under the Act and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Part 13 of the Act, which is set forth in Appendix A to this Notice. You should carefully read Part 13, particularly the procedural steps required to perfect dissenters rights, because failure to strictly comply with the procedural requirements set forth in Part 13 will result in a loss of dissenters rights. YOU ARE URGED TO
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CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN ATTORNEY REGARDING THE DISSENTERS RIGHTS AVAILABLE TO NRUC SHAREHOLDERS, AND THE PROCESS TO PERFECT YOUR DISSENTERS RIGHTS UNDER PART 13.
If you do NOT plan to pursue your dissenters rights with respect to your Shares, NRUC requests that you execute (or, if you are not the record holder of such Shares, to arrange for such record holder or such holders duly authorized representative to execute) and mail postage paid the letter of transmittal to the paying agent following receipt thereof, together with your Share certificate(s) and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal. You should note that surrender of an executed letter of transmittal will constitute a waiver of dissenters rights under the Act.
Dissenters Procedure
This Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights affords you the notice required by Part 13 of the Act. The right to dissent and demand payment will be lost unless it is perfected by full and precise satisfaction of the requirements of Part 13, the text of which is set forth in full in Appendix A attached to this Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights. Mere failure to execute and return the letter of transmittal along with your stock certificate(s) does NOT satisfy the requirements of Part 13; rather, a separate written demand for payment must be properly executed and delivered to NRUC as described below.
Under the Act, record holders of Shares, as of the closing of the Merger, who follow the procedures set forth in Part 13 of the Act will be entitled to have their Shares appraised by the District Court and to receive payment of the fair value of the Shares, together with interest, if any, as determined by such court. The fair value as determined by the District Court is exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger. The following is a summary of certain of the provisions of Part 13 of the Act and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Part 13, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A.
You have the right, on or prior to January 16, 2012 (i.e., which is at least 30 days after the date of this Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights written above), to demand payment for your Shares in writing from NRUC. A Form for Demanding Payment by a Dissenting Shareholder is attached hereto as Appendix B. Please state an address to which payment is to be made in the space provided in the form. All written demands for payment by a dissenting shareholder, together with certificates for Shares with respect to which dissent is being made, should be sent or delivered to NRUC care of the following address:
Green SEA Resources Inc.
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3303
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5H 3P5
Attention: Vice President, Legal and General Counsel
Payment demands must be received, and certificates for your Shares must be delivered to the address immediately set, forth above by January 16, 2012. If a shareholder does not demand payment and deposit Share certificates by such date, the shareholder will not be entitled to dissent and will be eligible to receive only the Merger consideration of $0.57 per Share.
Only a holder of record of Shares, or a person duly authorized and explicitly purporting to act on his, her, or its behalf, is entitled to assert dissenters rights for the Shares registered in that holders name. A demand for payment should be executed by or on behalf of the holder of record fully and correctly, as the holders name appears on the stock certificate(s).
A beneficial owner of Shares held in street name who desires to dissent and demand payment should take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that a timely and proper demand for payment is made by the record holder of such Shares. Securities held through brokerage firms, banks and other financial institutions are frequently deposited with and held of record in the name of a nominee of a central security deposit, such as The
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Depository Trust Company, Cede & Co., Philadep and others. Any beneficial owner desiring dissent and demand payment who holds Shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution is responsible for ensuring that any demand for payment is made by the record holder of such Shares. The beneficial owner of such Shares who desires to dissent and make demand for payment should instruct such firm, bank or institution that the demand for payment must be made by the record holder of such Shares, which may be the nominee of a central security depository if the Shares have been so deposited.
A demand for payment signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation, or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity must identify the record owner(s) and must be signed in such persons fiduciary or representative capacity. If the Shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand for payment should be executed by or on behalf of all joint owners. An authorized agent, including one or more joint owners, may execute a demand for payment on behalf of a holder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the agent is agent for such owner or owners.
A record holder such as a broker holding Shares as nominee for several beneficial owners may exercise dissenters rights with respect to the Shares held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising such rights with respect to the Shares held for other beneficial owners; in such case, the written demand should set forth the number of Shares as to which payment is sought and where no number of Shares is expressly mentioned the demand will be presumed to cover all Shares held in the name of the record owner.
Any demand for payment received by a nominee record shareholder dissenting with respect to the Shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders must be accompanied by a certification by each beneficial shareholder that shall certify to NRUC that both the beneficial owner and the record shareholders of all Shares owned beneficially by the beneficial owner have asserted, or will timely assert, dissent rights as to all the Shares unlimited on the ability to exercise dissent rights.
Upon compliance by the dissenting shareholder with all the requirements described above and all other applicable provisions of Part 13 of the Act, NRUC will pay the amount it estimates to be the fair value of the dissenting shareholders Shares, except for any shares acquired by any dissenting shareholder after the date of the first public announcement of the short-form merger to which special provisions not summarized here apply, accompanied by:
| the NRUC balance sheet as of the end of the 2010 fiscal year; |
| an income statement for the 2010 fiscal year; |
| statements of changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for fiscal 2010; |
| the latest available interim financial statements, if any; |
| statement of NRUCs estimate of the fair value of the Shares with respect to which a demand for payment has been made and the amount of interest payable with respect to such Shares; |
| a statement of a dissatisfied dissenters right to demand payment, as discussed below; and |
| copy of Part 13 of the Act. |
The annual financial statements shall be audited because NRUC customarily provides audited financial statements to shareholders.
A shareholder who asserts dissent rights must certify in writing, in or with the payment demand, whether or not he or the person on whose behalf he asserts dissent rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the Effective Time. With respect to any dissenter who does not certify in writing, in or with the payment demand that he or the person on whose behalf the dissent rights are being asserted, acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date, NRUC may, in lieu of making the payment provided above, offer to make payment if the dissenter agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand.
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A dissenting shareholder may notify NRUC of such shareholders estimate of the value of the Shares of NRUC common stock held and demand that NRUC pay such amount if: (a) the dissenter believes that the amount paid by NRUC pursuant to the procedures outlined above is less than the fair value of the shares, (b) if NRUC fails to make payment within 60 days after the date set by it as the date by which it must receive the payment demand, or (c) if, having not effected the short-form merger, NRUC fails to return timely the dissenting shareholders Shares. A dissenting shareholder waives the right to demand payment according to this paragraph unless such dissenting shareholder causes the surviving corporation to receive notice of his or her estimate within 30 days after the NRUC has made payment for the shares of NRUC common stock pursuant to the procedures outlined above.
If a demand for payment by the dissenter remains unresolved, NRUC will commence a proceeding in the District Court within 60 days after receiving the payment demand from the dissenter and shall petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest payable. If NRUC fails to commence the proceeding within such 60-day period, it shall pay to each dissenter whose demand remains unresolved the amount demanded. Each such dissenting shareholder is entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the court finds that the fair value of his or her shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by NRUC or the amount NRUC elected to withhold payment under special provisions applicable to shares acquired after the date of this Notice of Merger and Dissenters Rights. The court is required to assess court costs, including appraisal costs against NRUC, unless the court determines that the dissenting shareholder acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties in the amounts the court finds equitable against NRUC if it did not substantially comply with Part 13 of the Act, or against one or more dissenters if the courts finds that such dissenter acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith.
Any shareholder wishing to exercise dissent rights is urged to consult legal counsel before attempting to exercise such rights. Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in the Act may result in the loss of a shareholders statutory dissent rights.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete statement of the procedures to be followed by former shareholders desiring to exercise their dissenters rights and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to Part 13 of the Act, the full text of which is attached hereto as Appendix A. You should carefully read Part 13, particularly the procedural steps required to perfect dissenters rights, because failure to strictly comply with the procedural requirements set forth in Part 13 will result in a loss of dissenters rights. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN ATTORNEY REGARDING THE DISSENTERS RIGHTS AVAILABLE TO FORMER NRUC SHAREHOLDERS, AND THE PROCESS TO PERFECT YOUR DISSENTERS RIGHTS UNDER PART 13 OF THE ACT.
YOU ARE URGED TO READ APPENDIX A IN ITS ENTIRETY SINCE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH THEREIN WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF DISSENTERS RIGHTS.
Additional Information
In connection with the Merger, GSR Acquisition and certain of its affiliates filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) the Schedule 13E-3. In making their decisions as to the exercise of dissenters rights, shareholders are urged to review the Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 and all related materials. A copy of the Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 is enclosed or made available herewith. In addition, copies of the Schedule 13E-3, including all amendments and supplements thereto, can be obtained at GSR Acquisitions expense from the paying agent if you are a bank or a broker. Finally, the Schedule 13E-3 is also available for free on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
NRUC is subject to the information reporting and other requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is required to file reports and other information with the SEC relating to
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NRUCs business, financial condition and certain other matters. These reports and other information should be available for inspection at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. NRUCs filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document-retrieval services and on the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Sincerely,
GSR ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Wayne Richardson | |
Name: | Wayne Richardson | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President |
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APPENDIX A
PART 13 OF THE UTAH REVISED BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
16-10a-1301. Definitions.
For purposes of Part 13:
(1) Beneficial shareholder means the person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(2) Corporation means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share exchange of that issuer.
(3) Dissenter means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action under Section 16-10a-1302 and who exercises that right when and in the manner required by Sections 16-10a-1320 through 16-10a-1328.
(4) Fair value with respect to a dissenters shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action.
(5) Interest means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of payment, at the statutory rate set forth in Section 15-1-1, compounded annually.
(6) Record shareholder means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee to the extent the beneficial owner is recognized by the corporation as the shareholder as provided in Section 16-10a-723.
(7) Shareholder means the record shareholder or the beneficial shareholder.
16-10a-1302. Right to dissent.
(1) A shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of shares held by him in the event of, any of the following corporate actions:
(a) consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party if:
(i) shareholder approval is required for the merger by Section 16-10a-1103 or the articles of incorporation; or
(ii) the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent under Section 16-10a-1104;
(b) consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired;
(c) consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of the corporation for which a shareholder vote is required under Subsection 16-10a-1202(1), but not including a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the shareholders within one year after the date of sale; and
(d) consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of an entity controlled by the corporation if the shareholders of the corporation were entitled to vote upon the consent of the corporation to the disposition pursuant to Subsection 16-10a-1202(2).
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(2) A shareholder is entitled to dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of any other corporate action to the extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors so provides.
(3) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, except to the extent otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors, and subject to the limitations set forth in Subsection (4), a shareholder is not entitled to dissent and obtain payment under Subsection (1) of the fair value of the shares of any class or series of shares which either were listed on a national securities exchange registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or were held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders, at the time of:
(a) the record date fixed under Section 16-10a-707 to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the shareholders meeting at which the corporate action is submitted to a vote;
(b) the record date fixed under Section 16-10a-704 to determine shareholders entitled to sign writings consenting to the proposed corporate action; or
(c) the effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action is authorized other than by a vote of shareholders. (4) The limitation set forth in Subsection (3) does not apply if the shareholder will receive for his shares, pursuant to the corporate action, anything except:
(a) shares of the corporation surviving the consummation of the plan of merger or share exchange;
(b) shares of a corporation which at the effective date of the plan of merger or share exchange either will be listed on a national securities exchange registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or will be held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders;
(c) cash in lieu of fractional shares; or
(d) any combination of the shares described in Subsection (4), or cash in lieu of fractional shares.
(5) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his shares under this part may not challenge the corporate action creating the entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to him or to the corporation.
16-10a-1303. Dissent by nominees and beneficial owners.
(1) A record shareholder may assert dissent rights as to fewer than all the shares registered in his name only if the shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and causes the corporation to receive written notice which states the dissent and the name and address of each person on whose behalf dissent rights are being asserted. The rights of a partial dissenter under this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which the shareholder dissents and the other shares held of record by him were registered in the names of different shareholders.
(2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissent rights as to shares held on his behalf only if:
(a) the beneficial shareholder causes the corporation to receive the record shareholders written consent to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial shareholder asserts dissent rights; and
(b) the beneficial shareholder dissents with respect to all shares of which he is the beneficial shareholder.
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(3) The corporation may require that, when a record shareholder dissents with respect to the shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders, each beneficial shareholder shall certify to the corporation that both he and the record shareholders of all shares owned beneficially by him have asserted, or will timely assert, dissent rights as to all the shares unlimited on the ability to exercise dissent rights. The certification requirement shall be stated in the dissent notice given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322.
16-10a-1320. Notice of dissent rights.
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting, the meeting notice shall be sent to all shareholders of the corporation as of the applicable record date, whether or not they are entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissent rights under this part. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of this part and the materials, if any, that under this chapter are required to be given the shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action at the meeting. Failure to give notice as required by this subsection does not affect any action taken at the shareholders meeting for which the notice was to have been given.
(2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to Section 16-10a-704, any written or oral solicitation of a shareholder to execute a written consent to the action contemplated by Section 16-10a-704 shall be accompanied or preceded by a written notice stating that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissent rights under this part, by a copy of this part, and by the materials, if any, that under this chapter would have been required to be given to shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action if the proposed action were submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting. Failure to give written notice as provided by this subsection does not affect any action taken pursuant to Section 16-10a-704 for which the notice was to have been given.
16-10a-1321. Demand for paymentEligibility and notice of intent.
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissent rights:
(a) shall cause the corporation to receive, before the vote is taken, written notice of his intent to demand payment for shares if the proposed action is effectuated; and
(b) may not vote any of his shares in favor of the proposed action.
(2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to Section 16-10a-704, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissent rights may not execute a writing consenting to the proposed corporate action.
(3) In order to be entitled to payment for shares under this part, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution adopted by the board of directors, a shareholder shall have been a shareholder with respect to the shares for which payment is demanded as of the date the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is approved by the shareholders, if shareholder approval is required, or as of the effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action is authorized other than by a vote of shareholders.
(4) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of Subsections (1) through (3) is not entitled to payment for shares under this part.
16-10a-1322. Dissent notice.
(1) If proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized, the corporation shall give a written dissent notice to all shareholders who are entitled to demand payment for their shares under this part.
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(2) The dissent notice required by Subsection (1) shall be sent no later than 10 days after the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302, and shall:
(a) state that the corporate action was authorized and the effective date or proposed effective date of the corporate action;
(b) state an address at which the corporation will receive payment demands and an address at which certificates for certificated shares shall be deposited;
(c) inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
(d) supply a form for demanding payment, which form requests a dissenter to state an address to which payment is to be made;
(e) set a date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand and by which certificates for certificated shares must be deposited at the address indicated in the dissent notice, which dates may not be fewer than 30 nor more than 70 days after the date the dissent notice required by Subsection (1) is given;
(f) state the requirement contemplated by Subsection 16-10a-1303(3), if the requirement is imposed; and
(g) be accompanied by a copy of this part.
16-10a-1323. Procedure to demand payment.
(1) A shareholder who is given a dissent notice described in Section 16-10a-1322, who meets the requirements of Section 16-10a-1321, and wishes to assert dissent rights shall, in accordance with the terms of the dissent notice:
(a) cause the corporation to receive a payment demand, which may be the payment demand form contemplated in Subsection 16-10a-1322(2)(d), duly completed, or may be stated in another writing;
(b) deposit certificates for his certificated shares in accordance with the terms of the dissent notice; and
(c) if required by the corporation in the dissent notice described in Section 16-10a-1322, as contemplated by Section 16-10a-1327, certify in writing, in or with the payment demand, whether or not he or the person on whose behalf he asserts dissent rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302.
(2) A shareholder who demands payment in accordance with Subsection (1) retains all rights of a shareholder except the right to transfer the shares until the effective date of the proposed corporate action giving rise to the exercise of dissent rights and has only the right to receive payment for the shares after the effective date of the corporate action.
(3) A shareholder who does not demand payment and deposit share certificates as required, by the date or dates set in the dissent notice, is not entitled to payment for shares under this part.
16-10a-1324. Uncertificated shares.
(1) Upon receipt of a demand for payment under Section 16-10a-1323 from a shareholder holding uncertificated shares, and in lieu of the deposit of certificates representing the shares, the corporation may restrict the transfer of the shares until the proposed corporate action is taken or the restrictions are released under Section 16-10a-1326.
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(2) In all other respects, the provisions of Section 16-10a-1323 apply to shareholders who own uncertificated shares.
16-10a-1325. Payment.
(1) Except as provided in Section 16-10a-1327, upon the later of the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302, and receipt by the corporation of each payment demand pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323, the corporation shall pay the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the dissenters shares, plus interest to each dissenter who has complied with Section 16-10a-1323, and who meets the requirements of Section 16-10a-1321, and who has not yet received payment.
(2) Each payment made pursuant to Subsection (1) shall be accompanied by:
(a) (i) (A) the corporations balance sheet as of the end of its most recent fiscal year, or if not available, a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the date of payment;
(B) an income statement for that year;
(C) a statement of changes in shareholders equity for that year and a statement of cash flow for that year, if the corporation customarily provides such statements to shareholders; and
(D) the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(ii) the balance sheet and statements referred to in Subsection (2)(a)(i) shall be audited if the corporation customarily provides audited financial statements to shareholders;
(b) a statement of the corporations estimate of the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest payable with respect to the shares;
(c) a statement of the dissenters right to demand payment under Section 16-10a-1328; and
(d) a copy of this part.
16-10a-1326. Failure to take action.
(1) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 does not occur within 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by which the corporation must receive payment demands as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, the corporation shall return all deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares, and all shareholders who submitted a demand for payment pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323 shall thereafter have all rights of a shareholder as if no demand for payment had been made.
(2) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 occurs more than 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by which the corporation must receive payment demands as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, then the corporation shall send a new dissent notice, as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, and the provisions of Sections 16-10a-1323 through 16-10a-1328 shall again be applicable.
16-10a-1327. Special provisions relating to shares acquired after announcement of proposed corporate action.
(1) A corporation may, with the dissent notice given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322, state the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights under Section 16-10a-1302 and state that a shareholder who asserts dissent rights must certify in
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writing, in or with the payment demand, whether or not he or the person on whose behalf he asserts dissent rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date. With respect to any dissenter who does not certify in writing, in or with the payment demand that he or the person on whose behalf the dissent rights are being asserted, acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date, the corporation may, in lieu of making the payment provided in Section 16-10a-1325, offer to make payment if the dissenter agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand.
(2) An offer to make payment under Subsection (1) shall include or be accompanied by the information required by Subsection 16-10a-1325(2).
16-10a-1328. Procedure for shareholder dissatisfied with payment or offer.
(1) A dissenter who has not accepted an offer made by a corporation under Section 16-10a-1327 may notify the corporation in writing of his own estimate of the fair value of his shares and demand payment of the estimated amount, plus interest, less any payment made under Section 16-10a-1325, if:
(a) the dissenter believes that the amount paid under Section 16-10a-1325 or offered under Section 16-10a-1327 is less than the fair value of the shares;
(b) the corporation fails to make payment under Section 16-10a-1325 within 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by which it must receive the payment demand; or
(c) the corporation, having failed to take the proposed corporate action creating dissent rights, does not return the deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares as required by Section 16-10a-1326.
(2) A dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section unless he causes the corporation to receive the notice required by Subsection (1) within 30 days after the corporation made or offered payment for his shares.
16-10a-1330. Judicial appraisal of sharesCourt action.
(1) If a demand for payment under Section 16-10a-1328 remains unresolved, the corporation shall commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the payment demand contemplated by Section 16-10a-1328, and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unresolved the amount demanded.
(2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding described in Subsection (1) in the district court of the county in this state where the corporations principal office, or if it has no principal office in this state, Salt Lake County. If the corporation is a foreign corporation, it shall commence the proceeding in the county in this state where the principal office of the domestic corporation merged with, or whose shares were acquired by, the foreign corporation was located, or, if the domestic corporation did not have its principal office in this state at the time of the transaction, in Salt Lake County.
(3) The corporation shall make all dissenters who have satisfied the requirements of Sections 16-10a-1321, 16-10a-1323, and 16-10a-1328, whether or not they are residents of this state whose demands remain unresolved, parties to the proceeding commenced under Subsection (2) as an action against their shares. All such dissenters who are named as parties shall be served with a copy of the petition. Service on each dissenter may be by registered or certified mail to the address stated in his payment demand made pursuant to Section 16-10a-1328. If no address is stated in the payment demand, service may be made at the address stated in the payment demand given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323. If no address is stated in the payment demand, service may be made at the address shown on the corporations current record of shareholders for the record shareholder holding the dissenters shares. Service may also be made otherwise as provided by law.
A-6
(4) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under Subsection (2) is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
(5) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding commenced under Subsection (2) is entitled to judgment:
(a) for the amount, if any, by which the court finds that the fair value of his shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation pursuant to Section 16-10a-1325; or
(b) for the fair value, plus interest, of the dissenters after-acquired shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under Section 16-10a-1327.
16-10a-1331. Court costs and counsel fees.
(1) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under Section 16-10a-1330 shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess costs against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds that the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment under Section 16-10a-1328.
(2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of Sections 16-10a-1320 through 16-10a-1328; or
(b) against either the corporation or one or more dissenters, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by this part.
(3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded.
A-7
APPENDIX B
Natural Resources USA Corporation
Form for Demanding Payment by a Dissenting Shareholder
The undersigned is the owner of the following number of shares of capital stock of Natural Resources USA Corporation and hereby demands payment for the same:
Common Stock:
The undersigned represents and warrants that the foregoing shares are all of the shares of capital stock of Natural Resources USA Corporation beneficially owned by the undersigned, except that if the undersigned is a nominee holder this Form for Demanding Payment by a Dissenting Shareholder is accompanied by a certification by each beneficial shareholder that both the beneficial owner and the recordholders of all shares of common stock owned beneficially by the beneficial owner have asserted, or will timely assert, dissent rights as to all the Shares beneficially owned by the beneficial owner.
By initialing in the box to the right of this statement, the undersigned, or the person on whose behalf the undersigned is asserting dissenters rights, hereby certifies that the undersigned acquired ownership of the foregoing shares before the effective date of the merger (Any failure to so initial will be interpreted as a failure to provide this certification). |
Dissenters rights payments with respect to the shares identified above should be sent to the following address:
Signature: |
| |
Name of Record Holder: |
| |
Name of Beneficial Holder: |
| |
Date: |
|
NOTE: | THIS DEMAND MUST BE RECEIVED BY GREEN SEA RESOURCES INC., ATTENTION: VICE PRESIDENT, LEGAL AND GENERAL COUNSEL, AT 130 ADELAIDE STREET WEST, SUITE 3303, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M5H 3P5, ON OR BEFORE 5:00 P.M. (EST) JANUARY 16, 2012. FAILURE TO DELIVER THE DEMAND BY THE DATE INDICATED WILL WAIVE ALL RIGHTS THAT THE SHAREHOLDER HAS TO DISSENT. THIS DEMAND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE CERTIFICATES WITH RESPECT TO WHICH DISSENT AND PAYMENT DEMAND IS BEING MADE. |
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