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Aftermath Silver Ltd. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2025
Oct 28, 2025
46851_rns_2025-10-28_dffe8a29-d879-40f3-a338-08da0fd4a56a.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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Aftermath SILVER
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(as at October 22, 2025, except as indicated)
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Management of AFTERMATH SILVER LTD. (the "Company") for use at the Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of the Company ("Shareholders"), to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.
PERSONS OR COMPANIES MAKING THE SOLICITATION
THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY. Solicitations will be made by mail and possibly supplemented by telephone or other personal contact to be made without special compensation by regular officers and employees of the Company. The Company may reimburse Shareholders' nominees or agents (including brokers holding common shares of the Company ("Shares") on behalf of clients) for the cost incurred in obtaining from their principals authorization to execute forms of proxy. The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company. None of the Directors of the Company have advised that they intend to oppose any action intended to be taken by Management as set forth in this Information Circular.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The persons named in the accompanying Form of Proxy are Directors or Officers of the Company. A Shareholder has the right to appoint a person other than the persons named in the enclosed Form of Proxy to attend and act for him on his behalf at the Meeting. To exercise this right, a Shareholder shall strike out the names of the persons named in the Form of Proxy and insert the name of his nominee in the blank space provided, or complete another Form of Proxy. The completed Form of Proxy should be deposited with the Company's Registrar and Transfer Agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto ON M5J 2Y1 at least 48 hours before the time of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, excluding Saturdays and holidays.
The Form of Proxy must be signed by the Shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney. If signed by a duly authorized attorney, the Form of Proxy must be accompanied by the original power of attorney or a notarially certified copy thereof. If the Shareholder is a corporation, the Form of Proxy must be signed by a duly authorized attorney, officer, or corporate representative, and must be accompanied by the original power of attorney or document whereby the duly authorized officer or corporate representative derives his power, as the case may be, or a notarially certified copy thereof. The Chairman of the Meeting has discretionary authority to accept proxies which do not strictly conform to the foregoing requirements.
In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Shareholder may revoke a Proxy either by (a) signing a Proxy bearing a later date and depositing it at the place and within the time aforesaid, or (b) signing and dating a written notice of revocation (in the same manner as the Form of Proxy is required to be executed as set out in the notes to the Form of Proxy) and either
depositing it at the place and within the time aforesaid or with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or on the day of any adjournment thereof, or (c) registering with the Scrutineer at the Meeting as a Shareholder present in person, whereupon such Proxy shall be deemed to have been revoked.
Only registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a proxy. Non-registered holders who wish to change their vote must, at least seven days before the Meeting, arrange for their nominees to revoke the proxy on their behalf.
A revocation of a Proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the revocation.
NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS
Only registered Shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Most Shareholders of the Company are "non-registered Shareholders" because the Shares they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased the Shares. More particularly, a person is not a registered Shareholder in respect of Shares which are held on behalf of that person (the "Non-Registered Holder") but which are registered either: (a) in the name of an intermediary (an "Intermediary") that the Non-Registered Holder deals with in respect of the Shares (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered RRSP's, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (b) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited ("CDS")) of which the Intermediary is a participant. In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company has distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting, this Information Circular and the Proxy (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders.
Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders unless a Non-Registered Holder has waived the right to receive them. Very often, Intermediaries will use service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders. Generally, Non-Registered Holders who have not waived the right to receive Meeting Materials will either:
(a) be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of Shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Holder but which is otherwise not completed. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the Non-Registered Holder when submitting the proxy. In this case, the Non-Registered Holder who wishes to submit a proxy should otherwise properly complete the form of proxy and deliver it to Computershare Trust Company of Canada as provided above; or
(b) more typically, be given a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary, and which, when properly completed and signed by the Non-Registered Holder and returned to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called a "proxy authorization form") which the Intermediary must follow. Typically, the proxy authorization form will consist of a one page pre-printed form. Sometimes, instead of the one page pre-printed form, the proxy authorization form will consist of a regular printed proxy form accompanied by a page of instructions, which contains a removable label containing a bar code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a proxy authorization form, the Non-Registered Holder must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the form of proxy, properly
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complete and sign the form of proxy and return it to the Intermediary or its service company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company.
In either case, the purpose of this procedure is to permit Non-Registered Holders to direct the voting of the Shares, which they beneficially own. Should a Non-Registered Holder who receives one of the above forms wish to vote at the meeting in person, the Non-Registered Holder should strike out the names of the Management Proxyholders and insert the Non-Registered Holder’s name in the blank space provided. In either case, Non-Registered Holders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the proxy or proxy authorization form is to be delivered.
In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 ("NI 54-101") the Company has elected to send meeting materials directly to “non objecting beneficial owners”. If the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you (instead of through a nominee), your name, address and information about your holdings of securities have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the nominee holding on your behalf. By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the nominee holding on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.
The Company does not intend to pay for intermediaries to deliver the meeting materials and Form 54-101F7 Request For Voting Instructions Made By Intermediary to objecting beneficial owners. The objecting beneficial owners will not receive the meeting materials unless the objecting beneficial owner's intermediary assumes the cost of delivery of the meeting materials.
NOTICE AND ACCESS
The Company is not sending these meeting materials to shareholders using "notice and access" as defined in NI 54-101.
VOTING OF SHARES AND EXERCISE OF DISCRETION OF PROXIES
Shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted or withheld from voting on each matter referred to in the Notice of Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and if the shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Shares will be voted accordingly.
In the absence of any direction in the Form of Proxy, it is intended that such Shares will be voted in favour of the motions proposed to be made at the Meeting as stated under the headings in this Information Circular. The Form of Proxy enclosed, when properly signed, confers discretionary authority with respect to amendments or variations to any matters which may properly be brought before the Meeting. The enclosed Form of Proxy does not confer authority to vote for the election of any person as a Director of the Company other than for those persons named in this Information Circular. At the time of printing of this Information Circular, the Management of the Company is not aware that any such amendments, variations or other matters are to be presented for action at the Meeting. However, if any other matters which are not now known to the Management should properly come before the Meeting, the Proxies hereby solicited will be exercised on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the nominee.
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VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares without par value. On October 22, 2025, 314,912,007 Shares were issued and outstanding, with each Share carrying the right to one vote. At a general meeting of the Company, on a show of hands, every Shareholder present in person shall have one vote and, on a poll, every Shareholder shall have one vote for each Share of which he is the holder.
Only Shareholders of record on the close of business on October 22, 2025 who either personally attend the Meeting or who complete and deliver an Form of Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions set out under the heading "Appointment and Revocation of Proxies" will be entitled to have his or her Shares voted at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, the only persons that beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Shares of the Company as at October 22, 2025 was:
| Shareholder Name | Number of Shares Held | Percentage of Issued Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Sprott | 73,967,630(1) | 23.5%(2) |
(1) These Shares are held through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a company wholly owned and controlled by Eric Sprott.
(2) Based on 314,912,007 Shares issued and outstanding, on an undiluted basis, as of October 22, 2025.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this Information Circular, to the knowledge of management of the Company, none of the Directors or executive officers of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a Director of the Company, none of the persons who have been Directors or executive officers of the Company since the commencement of the Company's last completed financial year and no associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing persons has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors or the appointment of auditors.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
For the purposes of this Information Circular, "informed person" means:
(a) a director or executive officer of the Company;
(b) a director or executive officer of a person or company that is itself an informed person or subsidiary of the Company;
(c) any person or company who beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company or a combination of both, carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the Company, other than voting securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a distribution; and
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(d) the Company if it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its own securities, for so long as it holds any of its securities.
Except as otherwise disclosed, no informed person, no proposed director of the Company and no associate or affiliate of any such informed person or proposed director, has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction, which, in either case, has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Certain directors and officers of the Company have been granted incentive stock options by the Company and have subscribed for securities of the Company.
Since the commencement of the last financial period, the Company paid or accrued the following amounts to related parties:
| Year ended May 31, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Accounting and legal | $ 90,000 |
| Consulting | 262,500 |
| Corporate secretarial | 37,000 |
| Directors’ fees | 100,000 |
| Geological consulting services | 308,024 |
| Salaries and wages | 325,000 |
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General
For the purpose of this Statement of Executive Compensation:
“compensation securities” includes stock options, convertible securities, exchangeable securities and similar instruments including stock appreciation rights, deferred share units and restricted stock units granted or issued by the Company or one of its subsidiaries (if any) for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly to the Company or any of its subsidiaries (if any);
“NEO” or “named executive officer” means:
(a) each individual who served as chief executive officer (“CEO”) of the Company, or who performed functions similar to a CEO, during any part of the most recently completed financial year,
(b) each individual who served as chief financial officer (“CFO”) of the Company, or who performed functions similar to a CFO, during any part of the most recently completed financial year,
(c) the most highly compensated executive officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (if any) other than individuals identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than $150,000, as determined in accordance with subsection 1.3(5) of Form 51-102F6V, for that financial year, and
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(d) each individual who would be an NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the Company or its subsidiaries (if any), nor acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year;
“plan” includes any plan, contract, authorization or arrangement, whether or not set out in any formal document, where cash, compensation securities or any other property may be received, whether for one or more persons; and
“underlying securities” means any securities issuable on conversion, exchange or exercise of compensation securities.
Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation, Excluding Compensation Securities
The following table sets forth all direct and indirect compensation paid, payable, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any subsidiary thereof to each NEO and each director of the Company, in any capacity, including, for greater certainty, all plan and non-plan compensation, direct and indirect pay, remuneration, economic or financial award, reward, benefit, gift or perquisite paid, payable, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided to the NEO or director for services provided and for services to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company or any subsidiary thereof for each of the two most recently completed financial years of the Company, other than stock options and other compensation securities:
| Name and Position | Year | Salary, Consulting Fee, Retainer or Commission ($) | Bonus ($) | Committee or Meeting Fees ($) | Value of Perquisites(1) ($) | Value of All Other Compensation ($) | Total Compensation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alastair Brownlow | |||||||
| CFO | 2025 | 90,000(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 90,000 |
| 2024 | 90,000(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 90,000 | |
| Ralph Rushton | |||||||
| President, CEO and Director | 2025 | 250,000 | 75,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 325,000 |
| 2024 | 240,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 240,000 | |
| Keenan Hohol | |||||||
| Director | 2025 | 35,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 35,000 |
| 2024 | 30,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 30,000 | |
| David Terry | |||||||
| Director | 2025 | 35,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 35,000 |
| 2024 | 30,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 30,000 | |
| Michael Parker | |||||||
| COO and Director | 2025 | 233,024(3) | 75,000(3) | Nil | Nil | Nil | 308,024 |
| 2024 | 168,558(3) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 168,558 | |
| Michael Jeffrey Williams | |||||||
| Executive | |||||||
| Chairman, Vice President and Director | 2025 | 187,500(4) | 75,000(4) | Nil | Nil | Nil | 262,500 |
| 2024 | 180,000(4) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 180,000 |
(1) “Perquisites” include perquisites provided to an NEO or director that are not generally available to all employees and that, in aggregate, are: (a) $15,000, if the NEO or director’s total salary for the financial year is $150,000 or less, (b) 10% of the NEO or director’s salary for the financial year if the NEO or director’s total salary for the financial year is greater than $150,000 but less than $500,000, or (c) $50,000 if the NEO or director’s total salary for the financial year is $500,000 or greater.
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(2) Includes all amounts paid or accrued to Red Fern Consulting Ltd., a company in which Alastair Brownlow is an associate.
(3) Includes all amounts paid or accrued to Mining Footprint Ltd., a company wholly owned by Michael Parker.
(4) Includes all amounts paid or accrued to Octavian Capital Corp., a company wholly owned by Michael Jeffrey Williams.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The following table sets out all compensation securities granted or issued to each director and NEO by the Company or any subsidiary thereof in the year ended May 31, 2025 for services provided, or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company or any subsidiary thereof:
| Name and Position | Type of Compensation Security | Number of Options, Number of Shares and Percentage of Class | Date of Issue or Grant | Issue, Conversion or Exercise Price ($) | Closing Price of Security or Underlying Security on Date of Grant | Closing Price of Security or Underlying Security at Year End | Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Rushton | |||||||
| President, CEO and Director | Stock Options | 750,000 options / 750,000 common shares / 0.32%^{(1)} | Sept 3, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2029 |
| RSUs | 500,000 RSUs / 500,000 common shares / 0.21%^{(2)} | Sept 3, 2024 | N/A | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2027 | |
| Alastair Brownlow^{(4)} | |||||||
| CFO | Stock Options | 150,000 options / 150,000 common shares / 0.06%^{(1)} | Sept 3, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2029 |
| RSUs | 250,000 RSUs / 250,000 common shares / 0.08%^{(3)} | Jan 11, 2025 | N/A | $0.48 | $0.56 | Jan 11, 2028 | |
| Michael Jeffrey Williams | |||||||
| Executive Chairman, Vice President and Director | Stock Options | 750,000 options / 750,000 common shares / 0.32%^{(1)} | Sept 3, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2029 |
| RSUs | 500,000 RSUs / 500,000 common shares / 0.21%^{(2)} | Sept 3, 2024 | N/A | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2027 | |
| Keenan Hohol | |||||||
| Director | Stock Options | 500,000 options / 500,000 common shares / 0.21%^{(1)} | Sept 3, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2029 |
| RSUs | 300,000 RSUs / 300,000 common shares / 0.12%^{(2)} | Sept 3, 2024 | N/A | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2027 | |
| David Terry | |||||||
| Director | Stock Options | 500,000 options / 500,000 common shares / 0.21%^{(1)} | Sept 3, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2029 |
| RSUs | 300,000 RSUs / 300,000 common shares / 0.12%^{(2)} | Sept 3, 2024 | N/A | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2027 | |
| Michael Parker | |||||||
| COO and Director | Stock Options | 750,000 options / 750,000 common shares / 0.32%^{(1)} | Sept 3, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2029 |
| RSUs | 500,000 RSUs / 500,000 common shares / | Sept 3, 2024 | N/A | $0.31 | $0.56 | Sept 3, 2027 |
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| Name and Position | Type of Compensation Security | Number of Options, Number of Shares and Percentage of Class | Date of Issue or Grant | Issue, Conversion or Exercise Price ($) | Closing Price of Security or Underlying Security on Date of Grant | Closing Price of Security or Underlying Security at Year End | Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.21%^{(2)} | |||||||
| RSUs | 300,000 RSUs / 300,000 common shares / 0.10%^{(3)} | Jan 11, 2025 | N/A | $0.48 | $0.56 | Jan 11, 2028 |
Notes
(1) Calculated on a partially diluted basis, based on the 234,308,338 Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the date of grant.
(2) Calculated on a partially diluted basis, based on the 234,308,338 Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the date of grant. All RSUs vest and shares become issuable 1/3 one year after grant, 1/3 two years after grant, and 1/3 three years after grant.
(3) Calculated on a partially diluted basis, based on the 287,997,119 Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the date of grant. All RSUs vest and shares become issuable 1/3 one year after grant, 1/3 two years after grant, and 1/3 three years after grant.
(4) All awards granted to Red Fern Consulting Ltd, a company in which Mr. Brownlow is an associate.
As at May 31, 2025, Mr. Rushton held 1,500,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.80 per share until expiry on October 9, 2025; 250,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until expiry on December 5, 2027; 750,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until September 3, 2029; and 500,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on September 3, 2024.
As at May 31, 2025, Mr. Brownlow held 200,000 stock options exercisable at $0.80 per share until expiry on October 9, 2025; 150,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until expiry on December 5, 2027; 150,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until expiry on September 3, 2029; and 250,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on January 11, 2025. The stock options and RSUS were held by Red Fern Consulting Ltd., a Company of which Mr. Brownlow is an employee.
As at May 31, 2025, Mr. Williams held 900,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.80 per share until expiry on October 9, 2025; 250,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until expiry on December 5, 2027; 750,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until September 3, 2029; and 500,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on September 3, 2024.
As at May 31, 2025, Mr. Hohol held 500,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.80 per share until expiry on October 9, 2025; 250,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until expiry on December 5, 2027; 500,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until September 3, 2029; and 300,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on September 3, 2024.
As at May 31, 2025, Mr. Terry held 500,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.80 per share until expiry on October 9, 2025; 250,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at
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$0.35 per share until expiry on December 5, 2027; 500,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until September 3, 2029; and 300,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on September 3, 2024.
As at May 31, 2025, Mr. Parker held 600,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.65 per share until expiry on June 16, 2026 and 1,400,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until expiry on December 5, 2027; 750,000 stock options which stock options are exercisable at $0.35 per share until September 3, 2029; 500,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on September 3, 2024; and 300,000 RSUs for which shares become issuable 1/3 each year following issuance on January 11, 2025.
Exercise of Stock Options
On October 25, 2025, the following Directors exercised an aggregate of 2,869,500 stock options with an expiry date of December 11, 2024, and exercise price of $0.335 as follows:
- 600,000 by Mr. Terry
- 169,500 by Mr. Hohol
- 1,500,000 by Mr. Rushton
- 600,000 by Mr. Williams
On the date of exercise, the closing price of the underlying security was $0.61.
No other compensation securities were exercised by a director or NEO during the Company’s most recently completed financial year ended May 31, 2025.
Stock Option Plans and Other Incentive Plans
The Board adopted a 10% rolling long-term incentive plan (the “Long-Term Incentive Plan”) on October 25, 2023. The Long-Term Incentive Plan was last approved by the Company’s shareholders on November 20, 2024.
The purpose of the Long-Term Incentive Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value by: (a) encouraging the attraction and retention of Eligible Persons (as defined below); (b) encouraging such Eligible Persons to focus on critical long-term objectives; and (c) promoting greater alignment of the interests of such Eligible Persons with the interests of the Company, in each case as applicable to the type of Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.
For a more detailed description of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, see "Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Long-Term Incentive Plan".
External Management Companies
The Company has not engaged the services of an external management company to provide executive management services to the Company, directly or indirectly.
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
Other than described below, the Company is not party to any formal, written employment, consulting or management agreements with any NEO or director.
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Octavian Capital Corp. of 1500-409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2, charged the Company $87,702, for rent and other administrative services during the year ended May 31, 2025 on a cost recovery basis. The amounts charged by Octavian Capital Corp. are in the normal course of operations and were recorded at their exchange amount which is the price agreed to between the Company and Octavian Capital Corp. Octavian Capital Corp. is controlled by Michael Williams, who is also a director of the Company.
Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation
The Company has established a Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, which is responsible for determining compensation for the Directors and executive officers of the Company. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted any formal policies and practices to determine director or executive compensation. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee undertakes the specific work required from time to time to discharge the committee's responsibilities in relation to the Company's compensation policies.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee does not employ any formal objectives, criteria or analysis, other than those set forth in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. When determining individual compensation levels for the Company's executive officers, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee takes into consideration a variety of factors including the Board's understanding of the amount of compensation generally paid by similarly situated companies to their executives who have similar roles and responsibilities; each executive officer's individual performance during the fiscal year; each executive officer's experience, skills and level of responsibility; the executive's historical compensation and performance within the Company; and existing market standards within the mining industry.
The Company's Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Keenan Hohol, Michael Parker and David Terry. The Company considers Keenan Hohol and David Terry to be independent. Each member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee has extensive experience with executive compensation through their current and previous roles as directors and/or officers of other public companies in the mining industry. The Board believes that the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee collectively has the knowledge, experience and background required to fulfill its mandate. The members have the following skills and experience that enable them to make decision on the suitability of the Company's compensation policies and practices:
- Keenan Hohol has served on a variety of Compensation and Corporate Governance committees of TSX Venture listed companies. He has also served as chief legal counsel to several publicly traded mining companies and has gained experience in advising on and managing executives and directors in compensation and human resources matters.
- Michael Parker has served on a variety of Compensation and Corporate Governance committees of TSX Venture listed companies. He has extensive practical experience in managing compensation and governance issues in the resource sector.
- David Terry has served as a director and officer of numerous publicly traded companies in the exploration and mining industry. In addition, he has served on audit and compensation committees of a number of companies.
The Company did not retain professional executive compensation consultants in the most recently completed financial year.
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Termination and Change of Control Benefits
The Company has an agreement with Ralph Rushton, President, CEO and Director whereby the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Rushton an amount equal to twelve (12) months compensation on that date in the event of termination without cause or resignation with good cause. In the event of a change of control, if within twelve (12) months following a change of control of the Company, Mr. Rushton’s engagement is terminated by the Company without good cause or, Mr. Rushton terminates his agreement with or without good cause at any time within twelve (12) months after a change of control, in either case, it will receive as severance an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months annual compensation as at that date.
Pension Plan Benefits
The Company has no pension plans that provide for payments or benefits to any NEO at, following or in connection with retirement.
The Company also does not have any deferred compensation plans relating to any NEO.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth details of the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company were authorized for issuance as at May 31, 2025.
| Plan Category | Column (a)
Number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options (1) | Column (b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options | Column (c)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders | Options: 16,175,000 | $0.52 | 11,214,901 |
| | RSUs: 2,900,000 | RSUs: N/A | |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | Options: 16,175,000 | $0.52 | 11,214,901 |
| | RSUs: 2,900,000 | RSUs: N/A | |
(1) The Company does not have any warrants or rights outstanding under any equity compensation plans.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As at October 22, 2025 there was no indebtedness outstanding of any current or former director, executive officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries which is owing to the Company or its subsidiaries, or, which is owing to another entity which indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries, entered into in connection with a purchase of securities or otherwise.
No individual who is, or at any time during the most recently completed financial year was, a director or executive officer of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company and no associate of such persons:
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(i) is or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been, indebted to the Company or its subsidiaries; or
(ii) is indebted to another entity, which indebtedness is, or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries,
in relation to a securities purchase program or other program.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
National Policy 58-201 (“NP 58-201”) establishes corporate governance guidelines which apply to all public companies. The Company has reviewed its own corporate governance practices in light of these guidelines. In certain cases, the Company’s practices comply with the guidelines, however, the Board considers that some of the guidelines are not suitable for the Company at its current stage of development and therefore these guidelines have not been adopted. National Instrument 58-101 mandates disclosure of corporate governance practices which disclosure is set out below.
INDEPENDENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
The Company’s current Board consists of five directors, two of whom the Company considers to be independent based upon the tests for independence set forth in National Instrument 52-110. David Terry and Keenan Hohol are considered independent. Michael Williams is not considered independent as he is Vice President & Executive Chairman of the Company; Ralph Rushton is not considered independent as he is the Chief Executive Officer & President of the Company; and Michael Parker is not considered independent as he is the Chief Operating officer of the Company.
MANAGEMENT SUPERVISION BY BOARD
The size of the Company is such that all the Company’s operations are conducted by a small management team which is also represented on the Board. The Board considers that management is effectively supervised by the independent directors on an informal basis as the independent directors are actively and regularly involved in reviewing the operations of the Company and have regular and full access to management. The independent directors are able to meet at any time without any members of management including the non-independent directors, being present. Further supervision is performed through the audit committee which is composed of a majority of independent directors who meet with the Company’s auditors. The independent directors exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management.
PARTICIPATION OF DIRECTORS IN OTHER REPORTING ISSUERS
The participation of the directors in other reporting issuers is described in the table provided under “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Elections of Directors” in this Information Circular.
ORIENTATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Board’s practice is to recruit for the Board only persons with extensive experience in the mining and mining exploration business and in public company matters. Prospective new board members are provided a reasonably detailed level of background information, verbal and documentary, on the Company’s affairs and plans prior to obtaining their consent to act as a director.
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The Board provides training courses to the directors as needed, to ensure that the Board is complying with current legislative and business requirements.
ETHICAL BUSINESS CONDUCT
The Board identifies new candidates for board nomination by an informal process of discussion and consensus-building on the need for additional directors, the specific attributes being sought, likely prospects, and timing. Prospective directors are not approached until consensus is reached. This process takes place among the majority of the non-executive directors.
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
The Board has responsibility for identifying potential Board candidates. The Board assesses potential Board candidates to fill perceived needs on the Board for required skills, expertise, independence and other factors. Members of the Board and representatives of the mining exploration industry are consulted for possible candidates.
COMPENSATION
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Keenan Hohol, Michael Parker and David Terry. The Committee’s primary purpose is to (1) enable the Company to recruit, retain and motivate employees and ensure conformity between compensation and other corporate objectives and review and recommend for Board consideration, all compensation packages, both present and future, for the Company’s management and directors (including annual retainer, meeting fees, bonuses and option grants) including any severance packages; and (2) to monitor and to generally be responsible for developing the Company’s governance and human resources policies and guidelines relating to corporate governance and human resources and overseeing their implementation and administration.
A majority of the members shall not be officers or employees of the Company and shall be unrelated, independent directors.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for ensuring a compensation policy and practice that is supportive of the Company’s business strategies and that appropriately links senior management performance and compensation. In addition, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee shall ensure the recruitment, ongoing long-term development and deployment of high calibre senior management. In particular, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee shall establish levels of salary, bonus, benefits and incentives provided to persons acting as officers of the Company. Compensation generally includes the three (3) following components: base salary, annual bonus based on performance and grant of stock options. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the North American context of its activities and increased competition in the market for its key personnel while also taking into account the performance and objectives set forth for the Company.
Annually, following the annual general meeting of the Company, the Board elects from its members not less than three directors to serve on the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member holds office until the close of the next annual general meeting of the Company or until the member resigns or is replaced, whichever first occurs. The Board appoints one of the directors on the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee as the chairperson (the “Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson”), whose duties include overseeing the proper functioning of the Compensation
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and Corporate Governance Committee to ensure the proper discharge of its duties, to schedule meetings and to ensure timely reporting to the Board.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is accountable to the Board and reports to the Board at its next regular meeting all deliberations and actions it has taken since any previous report. Minutes of Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee meetings will be available for review by any member of the Board on request to the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee endeavors to meet at least twice per year and may call special meetings as required.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board has no committees, other than the Audit Committee and Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee.
ASSESSMENTS
The Board annually reviews its own performance and effectiveness as well as the effectiveness and performance of its committees. Effectiveness is subjectively measured by comparing actual corporate results with stated objectives. The contributions of individual directors are informally monitored by other Board members, bearing to mind the business strengths of the individual and the purpose of originally nominating the individual to the Board.
The Board monitors the adequacy of information given to directors, communication between Board and management and the strategic direction and processes of the Board and its committees.
The Board believes its corporate governance practices are appropriate and effective for the Company, given its size and operations. The Company's corporate governance practices allow the Company to operate efficiently, with checks and balances that control and monitor management and corporate functions without excessive administration burden.
AUDIT COMMITTEE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH AUDITOR
National Instrument 52-110 of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 52-110") requires the Company, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its Information Circular certain information concerning the constitution of its audit committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth below.
The Company's audit committee is governed by an audit committee charter, the text of which is attached as Schedule "A" to this Information Circular.
The Company's audit committee is comprised of three directors: Michael Parker, Keenan Hohol and David Terry. As defined in NI 52-110, the Company considers Messrs. Hohol and Terry to be "independent" directors and all three are "financially literate".
The educational background or experience of the following audit committee members has enabled each to perform his responsibilities as an audit committee member and has provided the member with an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements, the
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ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves as well as experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more individuals engaged in such activities and an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting:
Keenan Hohol is a lawyer with over 20 years of international advisory experience, with a record of achievements in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and corporate transactions, corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, litigation management, business ethics and anticorruption, and corporate social responsibility. Mr. Hohol's previous executive roles include General Counsel, Global Exploration, BHP Billiton; Global Head of Legal, Western Coal and interim General Counsel at Walter Energy; Vice-President, Legal and General Counsel for Silver Standard Resources; and General Counsel for Pan American Silver. Mr. Hohol is currently an independent director of Aftermath Silver Ltd., and senior Corporate Counsel to Rio Tinto Exploration (Americas).
Mr. Hohol is financially literate and familiar with the preparation and review of financial statements and accounting principles used in reading and preparing financial statements.
David Terry, Ph.D., P.Geo. is an economic geologist and has more than 35 years' experience in the mineral exploration and mining sector and is presently a director of several publicly traded companies. In the course of his career he has played a key role in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and base metal projects and deposits. He also has experience in the industrial commodities, energy metals and coal sectors.
Dr. Terry has held senior executive positions, directorships and advisory roles with a number of publicly-listed and private mineral resource companies. Dr. Terry has also worked with a number of senior mining companies including Boliden Limited, Westmin Resources Limited, Hemlo Gold Mines Inc., Cominco Limited and Gold Fields Mining Corporation. Dr. Terry holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in geology from Western University in Ontario and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.
Dr. Terry is financially literate and familiar with the preparation and review of financial statements and accounting principles used in reading and preparing financial statements.
Michael Parker, BSc. (Mining Geology) FAusIMM, has held senior leadership roles in the mining industry and is the co-founder and director of the mining consultancy firm Mining Footprint Ltd.
Mike began his career in 1986 as a geologist in South Africa and worked in production in the gold, copper, and phosphate industries for several years. Spanning a career of 21 years with First Quantum Minerals, he worked in Central Africa, mostly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, until 2010, and then in Latin America, principally Peru and Argentina, until 2017 in senior management roles.
Mike has strong language skills (fluency in French and Spanish). As Country Manager for DRC and Regional Manager for Latin America for First Quantum, he built multi-disciplinary teams based on transparency and respect with a strong ethical foundation.
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He lists amongst his technical successes the discovery of the Lonshi and Frontier copper mines in DRC. Mike has served on several boards and has been involved with acquisitions and project development, particularly in the copper sector
Since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, the Company’s Board of Directors has not failed to adopt a recommendation of the audit committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor.
Since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, the Company has not relied on:
(a) the exemption in section 2.4 (De Minimis Non-audit Services),
(b) the exemption in subsection 6.1.1(4) (Circumstance Affecting the Business or Operations of the Venture Issuer),
(c) the exemption in subsection 6.1.1(5) (Events Outside Control of Member),
(d) the exemption in subsection 6.1.1(6) (Death, Incapacity or Resignation), or
(e) an exemption from NI 52-1010, in whole or in part, granted under Part 8 (Exemption),
The audit committee has specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services, as described in its audit committee charter.
In the following table, “audit fees” are fees billed by the Company’s external auditor for services provided in auditing the Company’s annual financial statements for the subject year. “Audit-related fees” are fees not included in audit fees that are billed by the auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. “Tax fees” are fees billed by the auditor for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. “All other fees” are fees billed by the auditor for products and services not included in the foregoing categories.
The fees paid by the Company to its auditor in each of the last two fiscal years, by category, are as follows:
| Financial Year Ending | Audit Fees | Audit Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2025 | $60,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| May 31, 2024 | $69,500 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
The Company is a “venture issuer” as defined in NI 52-110 and is relying on the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110 relating to Parts 3 (Composition of Audit Committee) and 5 (Reporting Obligations).
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PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended May 31, 2025 together with the auditor’s report on those statements and Management Discussion and Analysis, will be presented to the shareholders at the Meeting.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The persons named in the enclosed Form of Proxy intend to vote in favour of fixing the number of Directors at five (5).
Each Director of the Company is elected annually and holds office until the next Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders unless that person ceases to be a Director before then. In the absence of instructions to the contrary the Shares represented by proxy will be voted for the nominees herein listed.
Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director.
Management proposes that the number of directors for the Company be determined at five (5) for the ensuing year subject to such increases as may be permitted by the Articles of the Company, and the Management nominees for the Board of Directors and information concerning them as at October 22, 2025 as furnished by the individual nominees are as follows:
| Name, Jurisdiction of Residence and Position | Principal Occupation or Employment | Previous Service as a Director | Holdings of Shares of the Company^{1} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keenan Hohol^{2,3} | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | |||
| Director | Lawyer | Since August 2018 | 165,000 |
| David Terry^{2,3} | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | |||
| Director | Geologist | Since July 2018 | 507,500^{4} |
| Ralph Rushton | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | |||
| Director | President, CEO & Director of Aftermath Silver Ltd. | Since September 2019 | 564,136^{5} |
| Michael Parker^{2,3} | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | |||
| Director | Geologist | Since June 2021 | Nil |
| Michael Jeffrey Williams | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | |||
| Director, VP, Exec. Chairman | President and CEO of Vendetta Mining Corp. since December, 2009. | Since February 2011 | 2,012,678^{6} |
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Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as at October 22, 2025, based upon information filed by individual directors on SEDI. Unless otherwise indicated, such Shares are held directly.
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee
- 407,500 of these shares are held by Vinland Holdings Inc., a private company controlled by David Terry.
- 244,970 of these shares are held in RRSP and 42,500 of these shares are held in TFSA.
- 15,000 of these shares are held by McLeod Williams Capital Corp., a private company controlled by Michael Jeffrey Williams, 125,000 of these shares are held in Michael Williams RRSP, 1,701,058 of these shares are held by Octavian Capital Corp., a private company controlled by Michael Jeffrey Williams and 1,067 of these shares are held in RRSP by Vanessa Williams.
No proposed director is to be elected under any arrangement or understanding between the proposed director and any other person or company, except the directors and executive officers of the Company acting solely in such capacity.
The following directors of the Company hold directorships in other reporting issuers as set out below:
| Name of Director | Name of Other Reporting Issuer |
|---|---|
| Michael Jeffrey Williams | Full Metal Minerals Ltd. |
| Vendetta Mining Corp. | |
| Ralph Rushton | Medgold Resources Corp. |
| David Terry | Golden Arrow Resources Corporation |
| Blue Sky Uranium Corp. | |
| Argentina Lithium and Energy Corp. | |
| Keenan Hohol | - |
| Michael Parker | Solis Minerals Ltd. |
Other than as set forth below, to the knowledge of management, no proposed director:
(a) is, at the date of this Information Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity,
(i) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days;
(ii) was the subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the company being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or
(iii) within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
(b) has, within the 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or
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instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
In addition, no proposed director has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority or has been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body or self-regulating authority that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
On October 6, 2015, the Company was subject to a cease trade order for failure to file financial statements. The cease trade order was lifted on August 18, 2017 by the British Columbia Securities Commission.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to pass a resolution appointing Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accounts (“Davidson”), as the auditor of the Company, to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the Board to fix the remuneration to be paid thereto. Davidson was first appointed as the Company’s auditor on April 26, 2017.
The persons named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy intend to cast the votes represented by proxy in favour of the foregoing resolution unless the holder of Shares who has given such proxy has directed that the votes be otherwise cast.
APPROVAL OF LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board adopted a 10% rolling long-term incentive plan (the “Long-Term Incentive Plan”) on October 25, 2023. The Long-Term Incentive Plan was last approved by the Company’s shareholders on November 20, 2024.
The purpose of the Long-Term Incentive Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value by: (a) encouraging the attraction and retention of Eligible Persons (as defined below); (b) encouraging such Eligible Persons to focus on critical long-term objectives; and (c) promoting greater alignment of the interests of such Eligible Persons with the interests of the Company, in each case as applicable to the type of Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.
Summary of the Long-Term Incentive Plan
The following is a summary of the key provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The following summary is qualified in all respects by the full text of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached as Schedule “B” to this Information Circular.
The Long-Term Incentive Plan shall provide for the award of Restricted Share Units ("RSUs"), Performance Share Units ("PSUs"), Deferred Share Units ("DSUs"), Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs") and options to purchase Shares ("Options" and together with RSUs, PSUs, DSUs and SARs, "Awards") to Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants (as such terms are defined by Exchange Policy 4.4) of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, or an Eligible Charitable Organization (collectively, "Eligible Persons"), as further described in the following summary. The RSUs, PSUs, DSUs, SARs and Options issuable to any participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (a "Participant"), or in the case of Options, any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company, shall be hereinafter referred to as "Incentive Securities".
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All capitalized terms used but not defined in this section have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Plan Administration
The Long-Term Incentive Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Board or, if the Board by resolution so decides, by a committee appointed by the Board. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made or approved by the Board in good faith shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding on any Participants of the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Company, subject to any required approval of the Exchange.
Shares Available for Awards
Unless otherwise approved by the Exchange and the Shareholders (disinterested, if required) from time to time, the maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under the Company's Security Based Compensation Plans, at any point, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time. For greater certainty, this limitation applies to all Incentive Securities granted or issued under the Company's Security Based Compensation Plans at any point in time, including those held by Insiders (as a group) at any point in time.
Participation Limits
The Long-Term Incentive Plan provides the following limitations on grants:
(a) The aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Consultant in any twelve (12) month period in respect of Incentive Securities shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated at the date an Award is granted to the Consultant.
(b) The aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one person in any twelve (12) month period in respect of Incentive Securities shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the person, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval.
(c) The aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Insiders (as a group) in any twelve (12) month period in respect of Incentive Securities, shall not exceed ten (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to a particular Insider, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval.
(d) Eligible Persons who are Investor Relations Service Providers may only receive Options as Awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (if the Shares are listed on the Exchange) and the aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Investor Relations Service Providers in respect of Incentive Securities in any twelve (12) month period shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Investor Relations Service Provider.
(e) Eligible Persons who are Eligible Charitable Organizations may only receive Options as Awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (if the Shares are listed on the Exchange) and the aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Eligible Charitable Organizations at any point in time in respect of Incentive Securities shall not exceed one (1%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time. Options granted to Eligible Charitable Organizations will not be included in the other limits set out in the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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Eligibility and Participation
Subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan (including, without limitation, restrictions on grants to Investor Relations Service Providers and Eligible Charitable Organizations) and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of RSUs, PSUs, DSUs, SARs and Options to all categories of Eligible Persons.
General Vesting Requirement
No Award granted or issued under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, other than Options, may vest before the date that is one year following the date it is granted or issued. Subject to the approval of the Exchange with respect to Awards held by Investor Relations Service Providers, vesting may be accelerated by the Board for Awards held by a Participant in the event of death or who ceases to be an Eligible Person under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in connection with a change of control, take-over bid, reverse takeover or other similar transaction. All Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers must vest and become exercisable in stages over a period of not less than twelve (12) months, with no more than one-quarter (1/4) of such Options vesting and becoming exercisable in any three (3) month period.
Description of RSUs
A RSU is an Award that is a bonus for services rendered in the year of grant that, upon settlement, entitles the recipient Participant to receive a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs credited to a Participant's Account on certain vesting dates.
RSUs shall be subject to such restrictions as the Board, in its discretion, may establish or determine in the applicable Award Agreement or at the time an Award is granted. Unless otherwise provided for in an Award Agreement, all RSUs will vest and become payable by the issuance of Shares at the end of the restricted period as specified by the Board in the applicable Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a change of control event, all restrictions upon any RSUs shall lapse immediately and all such RSUs shall become fully vested.
Effect of Termination on RSUs
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, RSUs shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any RSUS granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. Any RSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to the Participant's death, had vested, will accrue to the Participant's estate in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all RSUs granted to such Participant will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled.
Termination of Employment or Service Without Cause, Voluntary Termination, Retirement or Disability: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, due to retirement or due to disability, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach or due to disability, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to termination, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. Any RSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to termination,
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had vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to cessation, have not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. Any RSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to cessation, have vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Description of PSUs
A PSU is an Award that is awarded based on the attainment of performance criteria within a certain period, which criteria and period shall be selected, settled and determined by the Board. An Award Agreement may provide the Board with the right during a Performance Cycle or after it has ended, to revise Performance Criteria and Award amounts if unforeseen events occur.
All PSUs will vest and become payable to the extent that the Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement are satisfied for a Performance Cycle, as determined by the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a change of control event, all PSUs shall become fully vested.
Effect of Termination on PSUs
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, PSUs shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any PSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. However, the Board may determine that certain PSUs have vested based on the extent which Performance Criteria have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. Any PSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to the Participant's death, had vested, will accrue to the Participant's estate in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all PSUs granted to such Participant will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled.
Termination of Employment or Service Without Cause, Voluntary Termination, Retirement or Disability: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, due to retirement or due to disability, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach or due to disability, any PSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to termination, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. However, the Board may determine that certain PSUs have vested based on the extent which Performance Criteria have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. Any PSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to termination, had vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any PSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to cessation, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. However, the Board may determine that certain PSUs have vested based on the extent which Performance Criteria have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. Any
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PSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to cessation, had vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Description of DSUs
A DSU is an Award that is payable after the effective date that a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, subject to certain vesting criteria. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a change of control event, all DSUs shall become fully vested.
The payment of DSUs will occur on the date that is designated by the Participant and communicated to the Company by the Participant in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the designated day, or such earlier date as the Participant and Company may agree. If no notice is given by the Participant for a designated day, the DSUs shall be payable on the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason or any earlier period on which the DSUs vested, as the case may be, at the sole discretion of the Participant.
Election by Directors - DSUs
Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, Directors may elect to receive directorship fees in the form of DSUs which election must be made within certain timeframes as specified in the Long-Term Incentive Plan. In case of an election by a Director, the number of DSUs to be credited shall be determined by dividing applicable directorship fees with the Market Price on the Grant Date of the DSUs or if more appropriate, another trading range that best represents the period for which the DSUs were earned (subject to minimum pricing requirements under Exchange policies). No fractional DSUs shall be credited to any Director.
Description of Options
An Option is an Award that gives a Participant the right to purchase one Share at a specified price in accordance with the terms of the Option and the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The exercise price of the Options shall be determined by the Board at the time the Option is granted but in no event shall such exercise price be lower than the discounted Market Price permitted by the Exchange.
The maximum term of any Option shall not exceed ten (10) years and the Board shall determine the vesting, performance and other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised, subject to any vesting restrictions set out in Exchange Policy 4.4. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a change of control event, all Options shall become fully vested except for Options held by Investor Relations Service Providers which acceleration is subject to acceptance of the Exchange.
Options will be exercised pursuant to their applicable Award Agreement which exercise shall be contingent upon receipt by the Company of a written notice of exercise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and of a form of cash payment acceptable to the Company for the full purchase price of the Shares to be issued.
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Effect of Termination on Options
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, Options shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any Options held by such Participant at the date of death shall be exercisable (by an inheritor or the Participant's estate) for a period of 120 days after the date of death or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death of such Participant.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, no Option shall be exercisable from the date of termination as determined by the Board.
Termination of Employment or Service Without Cause, Voluntary Termination or Retirement: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, due to retirement, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any Options held by such Participant at the date of termination shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days after the date of termination determined by the Board or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination.
Disability: Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company due to disability, any Options held by such Participant at the date of termination shall be exercisable for a period of 120 days after the date of termination determined by the Board or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any Options held by such Participant on the Cessation Date shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days (120 days in case of termination due to disability) after the Cessation Date or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Director was entitled to exercise the Option at the Cessation Date.
Description of SARs
A SAR is an Award that gives a Participant the right to receive payment equal to the excess of the Market Price at the date which a SAR is exercised over the applicable grant price of a SAR. The grant price of a SAR shall be determined by the Board at the time the SAR is granted, which in no event shall be lower than the discounted Market Price permitted by the Exchange. Where a SAR is granted in relation to an Option, it shall be a right in respect of the same number of Shares and the grant price shall be the same as the exercise price of the Option it is granted in relation to. The actual number of Shares to be granted to the Participant upon payment of a SAR shall be the aggregate SAR excess amount (Market Price at the date of exercise over grant price of a SAR) divided by the Market Price at the time of exercise.
The maximum term of any SAR shall not exceed ten (10) years and the Board shall determine the vesting, settlement and other terms of any SAR. SARs granted in relation to an Option shall only be exercisable at the same time and to the same extent the related Option is exercisable. In the sole discretion of the Board, the Award Agreement for a SAR may provide that the Company may elect to satisfy the exercise of a SAR by paying to the Participant case in the amount equal to the SAR excess amount in lieu of Shares.
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SARs will be exercised pursuant to their applicable Award Agreement which exercise shall be contingent upon receipt by the Company of a written notice of exercise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a change of control event, all SARs shall become fully vested, subject to the policies of the Exchange.
Effect of Termination on SARs
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, SARs shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any SARs held by such Participant at the date of death shall be exercisable (by an inheritor or the Participant's estate) for a period of 120 days after the date of death or prior to the expiration of the SAR, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of death of such Participant.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, no SAR shall be exercisable from the date of termination as determined by the Board.
Termination of Employment or Service Without Cause, Voluntary Termination or Retirement: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, due to retirement, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any SARs held by such Participant at the date of termination shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days after the date of termination determined by the Board or prior to the expiration of the SAR, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of termination.
Disability: Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company due to disability, any SARs held by such Participant at the date of termination shall be exercisable for a period of 120 days after the date of termination determined by the Board or prior to the expiration of the SAR, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of termination.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any SARs held by such Participant on the Cessation Date shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days (120 days in case of termination by disability) after the Cessation Date or prior to the expiration of the SAR, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Director was entitled to exercise the SAR at the Cessation Date.
Non-Transferability of Awards
No Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.
Amendment and Termination of the Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Board may at any time or from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue the Long-Term Incentive Plan and may amend the terms and conditions of any Awards granted thereunder, subject to (a) any required approval of any applicable regulatory authority or
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Exchange, and (b) any required approval of Shareholders in accordance with the Exchange Policy 4.4 or applicable law. Without limitation, Shareholder approval shall not be required for the following amendments:
(a) amendments to fix typographical errors;
(b) amendments to clarify existing provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan that do not have the effect of altering the scope, nature and intent of such provisions; and
(c) amendments that are necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of the Exchange.
Amendments to Awards
Subject to compliance with applicable laws and Exchange policies, the Board may make amendments or alterations to Awards, provided that no amendment or alteration shall be made which would impair the rights of any Participant, without such Participant's consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the amendment or alteration is: (a) either required or advisable in respect of compliance with any law, regulation or requirement of any accounting standard; or (b) not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award.
The Company will be required to obtain disinterested Shareholder approval in accordance with Exchange Policy 4.4 in respect of any extension or reduction in the exercise price of Options granted to any Participant if the Participant is an Insider at the time of the proposed reduction or extension.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution
At the Meeting, the following resolution (the "Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution"), with or without variation, will be placed before the Shareholders:
"BE IT RESOLVED, as an ordinary resolution of the Company's shareholders, that
a) the 10% long-term incentive plan of the Company (the "Long-Term Incentive Plan"), substantially in the form attached as Schedule "B" to Information Circular dated October 22, 2025, is hereby ratified, re-approved and confirmed as the long-term incentive plan of the Company;
b) the Board or any director or officer is authorized to make amendments to the Long-Term Incentive Plan from time to time as required or deemed necessary by the TSX Venture Exchange or as the Board, or director or officer may, in its sole discretion, deem to be necessary, advisable or desirable, provided that such amendments will be subject to the approval of all applicable regulatory authorities; and
c) any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized and directed, acting for, in the name of and on behalf of the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, and to deliver or cause to be delivered, all such other deeds, documents, instruments and assurances and to do or cause to be done all such other acts as in the opinion of such director or officer of the Company may be necessary, advisable or desirable to carry out the terms of the foregoing resolutions."
To be adopted, this resolution is required to be passed by a simple majority (51%) of Shareholder votes cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The Board unanimously recommends that Shareholders
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vote in favour of the Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution. The persons designated as proxyholders in the accompanying Form of Proxy (absent contrary directions) intend to vote FOR the Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution.
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no other matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Meeting. Should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the Shares represented by the Form of Proxy solicited hereby will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting by proxy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information concerning the Company is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders wishing to obtain a copy of the Company's financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis may contact the Company at Suite 1500 – 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1T2, Telephone: (604) 484-7855.
Financial information is provided in the Company's comparative financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for its most recently completed financial period which are filed on SEDAR+.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Ralph Rushton"
Ralph Rushton
President & CEO
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SCHEDULE "A"
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Aftermath Silver Ltd.
(the "Company")
Mandate
The primary function of the audit committee (the "Committee") is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to regulatory authorities and shareholders, the Company's systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting, and the Company's auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes. Consistent with this function, the Committee will encourage continuous improvement of, and should foster adherence to, the Company's policies, procedures and practices at all levels. The Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to:
- serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company's financial reporting and internal control system and review the Company's financial statements.
- review and appraise the performance of the Company's external auditors.
- provide an open avenue of communication among the Company's auditors, financial and senior management and the Board of Directors.
Composition
The Committee shall be comprised of three directors as determined by the Board of Directors, each of whom shall be free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member of the Committee.
At least one member of the Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. All members of the Committee that are not financially literate will work towards becoming financially literate to obtain a working familiarity with basic finance and accounting practices. For the purposes of the Company's Charter, the definition of "financially literate" is the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can presumably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual shareholders' meeting. Unless a Chair is elected by the full Board of Directors, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by a majority vote of the full Committee membership.
Meetings
The Committee shall meet a least quarterly, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. As part of its job to foster open communication, the Committee will meet at least annually with the Chief Financial Officer and the external auditors in separate sessions.
Responsibilities and Duties
To fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Committee shall:
Documents/Reports Review
a) Review and update this Charter annually.
b) Review the Company's financial statements, MD&A and any annual and interim earnings, press releases before the Company publicly discloses this information and any reports or other financial information (including quarterly financial statements), which are submitted to any governmental body, or to the public, including any certification, report, opinion, or review rendered by the external auditors.
External Auditors
a) Review annually the performance of the external auditors who shall be ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and the Committee as representatives of the shareholders of the Company.
b) Obtain annually, a formal written statement of external auditors setting forth all relationships between the external auditors and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1.
c) Review and discuss with the external auditors any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the external auditors.
d) Take, or recommend that the full Board of Directors take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the external auditors.
e) Recommend to the Board of Directors the selection and, where applicable, the replacement of the external auditors nominated annually for shareholder approval.
f) At each meeting, consult with the external auditors, without the presence of management, about the quality of the Company's accounting principles, internal controls and the completeness and accuracy of the Company's financial statements.
g) Review and approve the Company's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditors of the Company.
h) Review with management and the external auditors the audit plan for the year-end financial statements and intended template for such statements.
i) Review and pre-approve all audit and audit-related services and the fees and other compensation related thereto, and any non-audit services, provided by the Company's external auditors. The pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provision of non-audit services if:
i. the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services provided to the Company constitutes not more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the Company to its external auditors during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided;
ii. such services were not recognized by the Company at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and
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iii. such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee by the Company and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee who are members of the Board of Directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Committee.
Provided the pre-approval of the non-audit services is presented to the Committee's first scheduled meeting following such approval such authority may be delegated by the Committee to one or more independent members of the Committee.
Financial Reporting Processes
a) In consultation with the external auditors, review with management the integrity of the Company's financial reporting process, both internal and external.
b) Consider the external auditors' judgments about the quality and appropriateness of the Company's accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting.
c) Consider and approve, if appropriate, changes to the Company's auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the external auditors and management.
d) Review significant judgments made by management in the preparation of the financial statements and the view of the external auditors as to appropriateness of such judgments.
e) Following completion of the annual audit, review separately with management and the external auditors any significant difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, including any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information.
f) Review any significant disagreement among management and the external auditors in connection with the preparation of the financial statements.
g) Review with the external auditors and management the extent to which changes and improvements in financial or accounting practices have been implemented.
h) Review any complaints or concerns about any questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.
i) Review certification process.
j) Establish a procedure for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Other
Review any related-party transactions.
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SCHEDULE “B”
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
AFTERMATH SILVER LTD.
(the "Company")
Long-Term Incentive Plan
SECTION 1 ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The Company wishes to establish this long-term incentive plan ("Plan"). The purpose of this Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value by: (a) encouraging the attraction and retention of Eligible Persons; (b) encouraging such Eligible Persons to focus on critical long-term objectives; and (c) promoting greater alignment of the interests of such Eligible Persons with the interests of the Company, in each case as applicable to the type of Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.
This Plan provides for the grant of Restricted Share Units, Performance Share Units, Deferred Share Units, Stock Appreciation Rights and Options to Eligible Persons, as further described herein.
This Plan and the Restricted Share Units, Performance Share Units, Deferred Share Units, Stock Appreciation Rights and Options issuable under the Plan are subject to Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Policy").
This Plan is a "rolling up to 10%" security based compensation plan, as such term is used in the Policy, permitting outstanding Incentive Securities in a maximum aggregate amount that is equal to ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares at the date of any Award.
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS
As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) "Award" means any award of RSUs, PSUs, DSUs, Options or SARs granted under this Plan or, in the case of Options, any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company;
(b) "Award Agreement" means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document, including an electronic communication, as may from time to time be designated by the Company as evidencing any Award granted under this Plan;
(c) "Board" means the board of directors of the Company;
(d) "Blackout Period" means an interval of time during which the Company has determined that one or more Participants may not trade any securities of the Company because they may be in possession of publicly undisclosed confidential material information pertaining to the Company;
(e) "Cessation Date" means the effective date on which a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason;
(f) "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a reorganization, amalgamation, merger, acquisition or other business combination (or a plan of arrangement in connection with any of the foregoing), other than solely involving the Company and any one or more of its affiliates, with respect to which all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the Shares and other securities of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, amalgamation, merger, acquisition, business combination or plan of arrangement do not, following the completion of such reorganization, amalgamation, merger, acquisition, business combination or plan of arrangement, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of
the resulting voting rights (on a fully-diluted basis) of the Company or its successor;
(ii) the sale, exchange or other disposition to a person other than an affiliate of the Company of all, or substantially all of the Company's assets;
(iii) a resolution is adopted to wind-up, dissolve or liquidate the Company;
(iv) a change in the composition of the Board, which occurs at a single meeting of the shareholders of the Company or upon the execution of a shareholders' resolution, such that individuals who are members of the Board immediately prior to such meeting or resolution cease to constitute a majority of the Board, without the Board, as constituted immediately prior to such meeting or resolution, having approved of such change; or
(v) any person, entity or group of persons or entities acting jointly or in concert (an "Acquiror") acquires or acquires control (including, without limitation, the right to vote or direct the voting) of Voting Securities of the Company which, when added to the Voting Securities owned of record or beneficially by the Acquiror or which the Acquiror has the right to vote or in respect of which the Acquiror has the right to direct the voting, would entitle the Acquiror and/or associates and/or affiliates of the Acquiror to cast or to direct the casting of 20% or more of the votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding Voting Securities which may be cast to elect directors of the Company or the successor Company (regardless of whether a meeting has been called to elect directors);
For the purposes of the foregoing, "Voting Securities" means Shares and any other shares entitled to vote for the election of directors and shall include any security, whether or not issued by the Company, which are not shares entitled to vote for the election of directors but are convertible into or exchangeable for shares which are entitled to vote for the election of directors including any options or rights to purchase such shares or securities;
(g) "Committee" means such committee of the Board performing functions in respect of compensation as may be determined by the Board from time to time;
(h) "Company" means Aftermath Silver Ltd., a company incorporated under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, and any of its successors;
(i) "Consultant" means a "Consultant" as defined in the Policy;
(j) "Deferred Share Unit" or "DSU" means a right to receive on a deferred basis a payment in Shares as provided in Subsection 5.3 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
(k) "Determination Date" means a date determined by the Board in its sole discretion but not later than 90 days after the expiry of a Performance Cycle;
(l) "Director" means a "Director" as defined in the Policy;
(m) "Disability" means any disability with respect to a Participant which the Board, in its sole and unfettered discretion, considers likely to prevent permanently the Participant from:
(i) being employed or engaged by the Company, its subsidiaries or another employer, in a position the same as or similar to that in which he was last employed or engaged by the Company or its subsidiaries; or
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(ii) acting as a Director or Officer;
(n) "Discounted Market Price" means "Discounted Market Price" as defined in Policy 1.1 – Interpretation of the TSX Venture Exchange;
(o) "DSU Payment Date" has the meaning set out in Subsection 5.3.5;
(p) "Effective Date" has the meaning set out in Section 8;
(q) "Election Form" means the form to be completed by a Director specifying the amount of Fees he or she wishes to receive in DSUs under this Plan;
(r) "Eligible Person" means a Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, or an Eligible Charitable Organization;
(s) "Employee" means an "Employee" as defined in the Policy;
(t) "Exchange" means the TSX Venture Exchange and, if applicable, any other stock exchange on which the Shares are listed;
(u) "Exchange Hold Period" means "Exchange Hold Period" as defined in Policy 1.1 – Interpretation of the TSX Venture Exchange;
(v) "Extension Period" has the meaning set out in Section 5.4.5;
(w) "Fees" means the annual board retainer, chair fees, meeting attendance fees or any other fees payable to a Director by the Company;
(x) "Grant Date" means, for any Award, the date specified in an Award Agreement as the date on which an Award is granted;
(y) "Incentive Securities" means the Options, DSUs, RSUs, PSUs and SARs issuable to any Participant under this Plan or, in the case of Options, any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company;
(z) "Insider" means an "Insider" as defined in Policy 1.1 – Interpretation of the TSX Venture Exchange;
(aa) "Investor Relations Activities" means "Investor Relations Activities" as defined in Policy 1.1 – Interpretation of the TSX Venture Exchange;
(bb) "Investor Relations Service Provider" means "Investor Relations Service Provider" as defined in the Policy;
(cc) "Management Company Employee" means a "Management Company Employee" as defined in the Policy;
(dd) "Market Price" of Shares at any Grant Date means the market price per Share as determined by the Board, provided that if the Company is listed on an Exchange, such price shall not be less than the market price determined in accordance with the rules of such Exchange;
(ee) "Officer" means an "Officer" as defined in the Policy;
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(ff) "Option" means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to, or governed by, this Plan and any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company;
(gg) "Option Plan" means the Company's Stock Option Plan dated November 23, 2022, as may be amended or restated from time to time;
(hh) "Participant" means any Eligible Person to whom Awards are granted;
(ii) "Participant's Account" means a notional account maintained for each Participant's participation in this Plan which will show any Incentive Securities credited to a Participant from time to time;
(jj) "Performance Criteria" means criteria established by the Board which, without limitation, may include criteria based on the Participant's personal performance and/or financial performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and that are to be used to determine the vesting of the PSUs;
(kk) "Performance Cycle" means the applicable performance cycle of the PSUs as may be specified by the Board in the applicable Award Agreement;
(ll) "Performance Share Unit" or "PSU" means a right awarded to a Participant to receive a payment in Shares as provided in Section 5.2 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
(mm) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or governmental authority or body;
(nn) "Restriction Period" means the time period between the Grant Date and the Vesting Date of an Award of RSUs specified by the Board in the applicable Award Agreement, which is subject to the requirements of this Plan with respect to vesting;
(oo) "Restricted Share Unit" or "RSU" means a right awarded to a Participant to receive a payment in Shares as provided in Subsection 5.1 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
(pp) "Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company with the consent of an Officer;
(qq) "Security Based Compensation" means "Security Based Compensation" as defined in the Policy;
(rr) "Security Based Compensation Plans" has the meaning set out in Subsection 4.1.1;
(ss) "Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means a right awarded to a Participant to receive a payment in Shares as provided in Subsection 5.5 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
(tt) "SAR Amount" has the meaning set out in Subsection 5.5.3;
(uu) "SAR Grant Price" has the meaning set out in Subsection 5.5.2;
(vv) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act (British Columbia), as amended from time to time;
(ww) "Shares" means the common shares of the Company;
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(xx) "Trading Day" means any date on which the TSX Venture Exchange (or other Exchange if the Shares are not listed on the TSX Venture Exchange) is open for trading; and
(yy) "Vesting Date" means, for any Award, the date when the Award is fully vested in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION
3.1 BOARD TO ADMINISTER PLAN. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Plan shall be administered by the Board and the Board shall have full authority to administer this Plan, including the authority to interpret and construe any provision of this Plan and to adopt, amend and rescind such rules and regulations for administering this Plan as the Board may deem necessary in order to comply with the requirements of this Plan.
3.2 DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE. All of the powers exercisable hereunder by the Board may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by resolution of the Board, be delegated to and exercised by the Committee or such other committee as the Board may determine.
3.3 INTERPRETATION. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made or approved by the Board in good faith shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding on the Participants and the Company, subject to any required approval of the Exchange.
3.4 NO LIABILITY. No Director shall be personally liable for any action taken or determination or interpretation made or approved in good faith in connection with this Plan and the Directors shall, in addition to their rights as Directors, be fully protected, indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action taken or determination or interpretation made. The appropriate officers of the Company are hereby authorized and empowered to do all things and execute and deliver all instruments, undertakings and applications and writings as they, in their absolute discretion, consider necessary for the implementation of this Plan and of the rules and regulations established for administering this Plan. All costs incurred in connection with this Plan shall be for the account of the Company.
SECTION 4 SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS
4.1 LIMITATIONS ON SHARES AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE.
4.1.1 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under this Plan and all of the Company's other previously established or proposed Security Based Compensation plans to which these limitations apply under Exchange policies (collectively, "Security Based Compensation Plans"), at any point in time, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time.
4.1.2 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Consultant in any twelve (12) month period in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date.
4.1.3 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Participant in any twelve (12) month period in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval pursuant to the Policy.
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4.1.4 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Insiders (as a group) at any point in time in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time.
4.1.5 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Insiders (as a group) in any twelve (12) month period in respective of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval pursuant to the Policy.
4.1.6 Eligible Persons who are Investor Relations Service Providers may only receive Options as Awards under this Plan if the Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange at the time of issuance or grant, and the maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Investor Relations Service Providers in any twelve (12) month period pursuant to the exercise of Options shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date.
4.1.7 Eligible Persons who are Eligible Charitable Organizations may only receive Options as Awards under this Plan if the Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange at the time of issuance or grant, and the maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Eligible Charitable Organizations at any point in time in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, Options granted to Eligible Charitable Organizations will not be included in the other limits set out in this Section 4 or elsewhere in this Plan.
4.2 ACCOUNTING FOR AWARDS. The number of Shares underlying an Award, or to which such Award relates, shall be counted on the Grant Date of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting or issuing Awards under this Plan. As this Plan is a "rolling up to 10%" Security Based Compensation plan, as such term is used in the Policy, the number of Incentive Securities issuable under this Plan will replenish in an amount equal to the number of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise or vesting, as applicable, of such Incentive Securities at any point in time. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Shares related to Awards which have been settled in cash, cancelled, surrendered, forfeited, expired or otherwise terminated without the issuance of such Shares shall be available again for granting Awards under this Plan.
4.3 ADJUSTMENTS FOR SHARE SPLITS AND CONSOLIDATIONS. If the number of outstanding Shares is increased or decreased as a result of a Share split or consolidation, the Board may make appropriate adjustments, in accordance with the terms of this Plan, the policies of the Exchange, and applicable laws, to the number and price (or other basis upon which an Award is measured) of Incentive Securities credited to a Participant. Any determinations by the Board as to the required adjustments shall be made in its sole discretion and all such adjustments shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes under this Plan.
4.4 OTHER ADJUSTMENTS. Any adjustment, other than as noted in section 4.3, to an Award granted or issued under this Plan must be subject to the prior acceptance of the Exchange, including adjustments related to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, dividend or other distribution. Any increase in the number of Shares underlying outstanding Awards as a result of the adjustment provisions provided in section 4.3 or 4.4 is subject to compliance with the limits set out in section 4.1 and, if any increase in the number of Shares underlying outstanding Awards as a result of the adjustment provisions provided in section 4.3 or 4.4 would result in any limit set out in section 4.1 being exceeded, then the Company may, if determined by the Board in its sole and unfettered discretion
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(subject to the prior approval of the Exchanges, if applicable), make payment in cash to the Participant in lieu of increasing the number of Shares underlying outstanding Awards in order to properly reflect any diminution in value of the underlying Shares as a result of the event that triggers the adjustment.
4.5 VESTING REQUIREMENT. No Award granted or issued under this Plan, other than Options, may vest before the date that is one year following the date it is granted or issued. Notwithstanding this provision, subject to the approval of the Exchange with respect to Awards held by Investor Relations Service Providers, vesting may be accelerated by the Board in its sole discretion for Awards held by a Participant who dies or who ceases to be an Eligible Person under this Plan in connection with a change of control, take-over bid, reverse takeover or other similar transaction as permitted by section 4.6 of the Policy. All Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers must vest and become exercisable in stages over a period of not less than twelve (12) months, with no more than one-quarter (1/4) of such Options vesting sooner than three (3) months after the Options were granted and no more than another one-quarter (1/4) of the Options becoming exercisable in any following three (3) month period.
4.6 OPTION PLAN. As of the Effective Date, Options which are outstanding under the Option Plan shall continue to be exercisable and shall be deemed to be governed by and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.
4.7 RESALE RESTRICTIONS. All Incentive Securities shall be subject to any applicable resale restrictions pursuant to applicable securities laws. In addition, Incentive Securities and Shares underlying Incentive Securities that are subject to the Exchange Hold Period pursuant to Exchange Policy 1.1 must contain a legend with the Exchange Hold Period commencing on the Grant Date, and the Award Agreement shall contain any applicable resale restriction or Exchange Hold Period.
4.8 BONA FIDE PARTICIPANTS. In respect of Awards granted to Employees, Consultants, Consultant Companies or Management Company Employees, the Company and the Participant is representing herein and in the applicable Award Agreement that the Participant is a bona fide Employee, Consultant, Consultant Company or Management Company Employee, as the case may be, of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. The execution of an Award Agreement shall constitute conclusive evidence that it has been completed in compliance with this Plan.
SECTION 5. AWARDS
5.1 RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
5.1.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of RSUs to Eligible Persons. RSUs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of RSUs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in accordance with this Plan. Each RSU shall, contingent upon the lapse of any restrictions, represent one (1) Share, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement. The number of RSUs granted pursuant to an Award and the Restriction Period in respect of such RSUs shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.1.2 RESTRICTIONS. RSUs shall be subject to such restrictions as the Board, in its sole discretion, may establish in the applicable Award Agreement, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times and on such terms, conditions and satisfaction of objectives as the Board may, in its discretion, determine at the time an Award is granted.
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5.1.3 VESTING. All RSUs will vest and become payable by the issuance of Shares at the end of the Restriction Period if all applicable restrictions have lapsed, as such restrictions may be specified in the Award Agreement.
5.1.4 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all restrictions upon any RSUs shall lapse immediately and all such RSUs shall become fully vested in the Participant and will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9, provided that no acceleration of vesting of RSUs upon a Change of Control can occur prior to the date that is one year from the date of grant of such RSUs unless the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person in connection with such Change of Control.
5.1.5 DEATH. Other than as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, have not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant or his or her estate, as the case may be, shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever. Any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, had vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant's estate in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 thereof.
5.1.6 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not vested will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's termination without cause, voluntary termination, Retirement or breach of agreement, had vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 thereof.
5.1.7 DISABILITY. Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such RSUs, provided, however, that no RSUs may be redeemed during a leave of absence. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not vested will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant that, prior to the Participant's termination due to
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Disability, had vested pursuant to term of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 hereof.
5.1.8 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not yet vested will, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the Cessation Date, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Cessation Date for any reason, had vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 hereof.
5.1.9 PAYMENT OF AWARD. As soon as practicable after each Vesting Date of an Award of RSUs, and subject to the applicable Award Agreement, the Company shall issue from treasury to the Participant, or if Subsection 5.1.5 applies, to the Participant's estate, a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs credited to the Participant's Account that become payable on the Vesting Date. As of the Vesting Date, the RSUs in respect of which such Shares are issued shall be cancelled and no further payments shall be made to the Participant under this Plan in relation to such RSUs. Such payments shall be made entirely in Shares, unless otherwise provided for in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.2 PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS
5.2.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of PSUs to Eligible Persons. PSUs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of PSUs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, in accordance with this Plan. Each PSU shall, contingent upon the attainment of the Performance Criteria within the Performance Cycle, represent one (1) Share, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement. The number of PSUs granted pursuant to an Award, the Performance Criteria that must be satisfied in order for the PSUs to vest and the Performance Cycle in respect of such PSUs shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.2.2 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. The Board will select, settle and determine the Performance Criteria (including without limitation the attainment thereof), for purposes of the vesting of the PSUs, in its sole discretion. An Award Agreement may provide the Board with the right, during a Performance Cycle or after it has ended, to revise the Performance Criteria and the Award amounts if unforeseen events (including, without limitation, changes in capitalization, an equity restructuring, an acquisition or a divestiture) occur which have a substantial effect on the financial results and which in the sole judgment of the Board make the application of the original Performance Criteria unfair or inappropriate unless a revision is made. Notices will be provided by the Company to the Exchange, if required, with respect to the foregoing.
5.2.3 VESTING. All PSUs will vest and become payable to the extent that the Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement are satisfied for the Performance Cycle, the determination of which shall be made by the Board on the Determination Date.
5.2.4 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all PSUs granted to a Participant shall become fully vested in such Participant (without regard to the attainment of any Performance Criteria) and shall become payable to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 hereof,
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provided that no acceleration of vesting of PSUs upon a Change of Control can occur prior to the date that is one year from the date of grant of such PSUs unless the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person in connection with such Change of Control.
5.2.5 DEATH. Other than as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and below, upon the death of a Participant, all PSUs granted to the Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, have not vested, will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant or his or her estate, as the case may be, shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever, provided, however, the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.6 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all PSUs granted to the Participant which, prior to the Participant's termination, have not vested, will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.7 DISABILITY. Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such PSUs, provided, however, that no PSUs may be redeemed during a leave of absence. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not vested will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board
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determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 hereof.
5.2.8 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not yet vested will, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the Cessation Date, provided, however, that the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 hereof.
5.2.9 PAYMENT OF AWARD. Subject to the applicable Award Agreement, payment to Participants in respect of vested PSUs shall be made after the Determination Date for the applicable Award and in any case within ninety (90) days after the last day of the Performance Cycle to which such Award relates. Such payments shall be made entirely in Shares, unless otherwise provided for in the applicable Award Agreement. The Company shall issue from treasury to the Participant, or if Subsection 5.2.5 applies, to the Participant's estate, a number of Shares equal to the number of PSUs that have vested. As of the Vesting Date, the PSUs in respect of which such Shares are issued shall be cancelled and no further payments shall be made to the Participant under this Plan in relation to such PSUs.
5.2.10 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION; ADJUSTMENT OF GOALS. At the time that a PSU is first issued, the Board, in the Award Agreement or in another written document, may specify whether performance will be evaluated including or excluding the effect of any of the following events that occur during the Performance Cycle or Restriction Period, as the case may be: (A) judgments entered or settlements reached in litigation; (B) the write down of assets; (C) the impact of any reorganization or restructuring; (D) the impact of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, regulatory actions or other laws affecting reported results; (E) extraordinary non-recurring items as may be described in the Company's management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the applicable financial year; (F) the impact of any mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs or other divestitures; (G) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (H) other extraordinary events having a similar impact on a Participant's ability to satisfy Performance Criteria, as determined in the discretion of the Board.
5.2.11 ADJUSTMENT OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS. The Board shall have the sole discretion to adjust the determination of the degree of attainment of the pre-established Performance Criteria or restrictions, as the case may be, as may be set out in the applicable Award Agreement governing the relevant PSU. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Board may not make any adjustment or take any other action with respect to any PSU that will increase the amount payable under any such PSU. The Board shall retain the sole discretion to adjust PSUs downward or to otherwise reduce the amount payable with respect to any Award of PSUs.
5.3 DEFERRED SHARE UNITS
5.3.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of DSUs to Eligible Persons. DSUs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of DSUs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in
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accordance with this Plan. Each DSU shall, contingent upon the occurrence of the applicable vesting criteria, represent one (1) Share. The number of DSUs granted pursuant to an Award and the vesting criteria in respect of such DSUs shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.3.2 ELECTION BY DIRECTORS. Each Director may elect to receive any part or all of his or her Fees in DSUs under this Plan. Elections by Participants regarding the amount of their Fees that they wish to receive in DSUs shall be made no later than 90 days after this Plan is adopted by the Board, and thereafter no later than December 31 of any given year with respect to Fees for the following year. Any Director who becomes a Participant during a fiscal year and wishes to receive an amount of his or her Fees for the remainder of that year in DSUs must make his or her election within 60 days of becoming a Director.
5.3.3 CALCULATION. In the case of an election by a Director, the number of DSUs to be credited to the Participant's Account shall be calculated by dividing the amount of Fees selected by an Director in the applicable Election Form by the Market Price on the Grant Date, or if more appropriate, another trading range that best represents the period for which the award was earned (subject to minimum pricing requirements under Exchange policies). If, as a result of the foregoing calculation, a Participant shall become entitled to a fractional DSU, the Participant shall only be credited with a full number of DSUs (rounded down) and no payment or other adjustment will be made with respect to the fractional DSU.
5.3.4 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all DSUs granted to a Participant shall become fully vested in such Participant and shall become payable to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.3.5 hereof, provided that no acceleration of vesting of DSUs upon a Change of Control can occur prior to the date that is one year from the date of grant of such DSUs unless the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person in connection with such Change of Control.
5.3.5 PAYMENT OF AWARD. After the effective date that the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason or any earlier vesting period(s) as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, each Participant shall be entitled to receive on the DSU Payment Date that number of Shares equal to the number of DSUs credited to the Participant's Account, such Shares to be issued from treasury of the Company. The aforementioned payment will occur on the date (the "DSU Payment Date") that is one of two (2) dates designated by the Participant and communicated to the Company by the Participant in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the designated day (or such earlier date as the Participant and the Company may agree, which dates shall be no earlier than then ninetieth (90) day following the year of the Cessation Date and no later than the end of the calendar year following the year of the Cessation Date, or any earlier period in which the DSUs vested, as the case may be) and if no such notice is given, then on the first anniversary of the Cessation Date or any earlier period on which the DSUs vested, as the case may be, at the sole discretion of the Participant.
5.3.6 DEATH. Upon death of a Participant, the Participant's estate shall be entitled to receive, within 120 days after the Participant's death and at the sole discretion of the Board, such Shares that would have otherwise been payable in accordance with Subsection 5.3.5 hereof to the Participant upon such Participant ceasing to be an Eligible Person.
5.4 OPTIONS
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5.4.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of Options to Eligible Persons. Options granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of Options to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in accordance with this Plan. Each vested Option shall represent the right to purchase one (1) Share in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Plan. The number of Options granted pursuant to an Award shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.4.2 EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price of the Options shall be determined by the Board at the time the Option is granted. In no event shall such exercise price be lower than the discounted Market Price permitted by the Exchange, which shall be the Discounted Market Price if the Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange at the time of grant. The Board shall not reprice any Options granted under this Plan, except in accordance with the rules and policies of the Exchange. For greater certainty, the Company will be required to obtain disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the Policy in respect of any extension or reduction in the exercise price of Options granted to any Participant if the Participant is an Insider at the time of the proposed reduction or extension.
5.4.3 TIME AND CONDITIONS OF EXERCISE. The Board shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, provided that the term of any Option granted under this Plan shall not exceed ten years. In the case of an Option granted to an Eligible Charitable Organization, such Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (a) ten years from the date of grant and (b) the 90th day following the date that the holder ceases to be an Eligible Charitable Organization. The Board shall also determine the vesting, performance and/or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised. Vesting provisions applied to Options granted to Participants who are Investor Relations Service Providers must be in compliance with Section 4.5.
5.4.4 EVIDENCE OF GRANT. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement. The Award Agreement shall reflect the Board's determinations regarding the exercise price, time and conditions of exercise (including vesting provisions) and such additional provisions as may be specified by the Board.
5.4.5 EXERCISE. The exercise of any Option will be contingent upon receipt by the Company of a written notice of exercise in the manner and in the form set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, which written notice shall specify the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, and which shall, be accompanied by a cheque, bank draft or other method of cash payment as is acceptable to the Company for the full purchase price of such Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Certificates for such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time following the receipt of such notice and payment. Neither the Participants nor their legal representatives, legatees or distributees will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of any Shares unless and until the certificates for the Shares issuable pursuant to Options under this Plan are issued to such Participants under the terms of this Plan. In the event that the expiry date of an Option falls during a Blackout Period, the expiry date of such Option shall automatically be extended to a date which is ten (10) business days following the end of such Blackout Period (the "Extension Period"), subject to no cease trade order being in place under applicable securities laws; provided that if an additional Blackout Period is subsequently imposed by the Company during the Extension Period, then such Extension Period shall be deemed to commence following the end of such additional Blackout Period to enable the exercise of such Option within ten (10) business days following the end of the last imposed
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Blackout Period. CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Option, to the extent that it has not otherwise become vested and exercisable, and subject to the applicable Award Agreement, shall automatically become fully and immediately vested and exercisable, without regard to any other applicable vesting requirement, subject to the Policy. For greater certainty, any acceleration of vesting of Options held by a Participant who is a Investor Relations Servicer Provider is subject to prior Exchange acceptance.
5.4.6 DEATH. Where a Participant shall die, any Option held by such Participant at the date of death shall be exercisable in whole or in part only by the person or persons to whom the rights of the Participant under the Option shall pass by the will of the Participant or the laws of descent and distribution for a period of 120 days after the date of death of the Participant or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death of such Participant.
5.4.7 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, no Option held by such Participant shall be exercisable from the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any Option held by such Participant at such time shall remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90 days after the date of termination determined by the Board (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement, which period shall not, in any event, exceed twelve (12) months from the date of termination determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination determined by the Board.
(c) Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all Options granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such Options. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, any Option held by such Participant shall remain exercisable for a period of 120 days after the date of termination determined by the Board (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement, which period shall not, in any event, exceed twelve (12) months from the date of termination determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination determined by the Board.
5.4.8 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any Option held by such Participant at such time shall, subject to the applicable Award Agreement and the provisions below, remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90
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days after the Cessation Date (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement, which period shall not, in any event, exceed twelve (12) months from the Cessation Date) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as of the Cessation Date. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all Options granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such Options, provided that if a Participant ceases to be a Director due to Disability, subject to the applicable Award Agreement, any Option held by such Participant shall remain exercisable for a period of 120 days after the Cessation Date (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement, which period shall not, in any event, exceed twelve (12) months from the Cessation Date) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as of the Cessation Date.
5.5 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
5.5.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may determine, the Board may, from time to time, in its discretion, grant Awards of SARs to Eligible Persons. SARs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of SARs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in accordance with this Plan. The number of SARs granted pursuant to an Award shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.5.2 SAR GRANT PRICE. The exercise price of the SAR (the "SAR Grant Price") shall be determined by the Board at the time the SAR is granted. In no event shall the SAR Grant Price be lower than the discounted Market Price permitted by the Exchange, which shall be the Discounted Market Price if the Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange at the time of grant. The Board shall not reprice the SAR Grant Price of any SAR granted under this Plan, except in accordance with the rules and policies of the Exchange. For greater certainty, the Company will be required to obtain disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the Policy in respect of any reduction in the SAR Grant Price applicable to SARs granted to any Participant if the Participant is an Insider at the time of the proposed reduction.
5.5.3 PAYMENT.
(a) Subject to the provisions hereof, a SAR is the right to receive a payment in Shares equal to the excess, if any, of:
(i) the Market Price at the date such SAR is exercised; over
(ii) the SAR Grant Price,
multiplied by the number of Shares in respect of which the SAR is being exercised (less any amount required to be withheld for taxes by applicable law) (the "SAR Amount").
(b) For greater clarity, the actual number of Shares to be granted to the Participant pursuant to Subsection 5.5.3(a) shall be equal to the aggregate SAR Amount divided by the Market Price at the time of exercise.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the sole discretion of the Board, the Award Agreement may provide that the Company may elect to satisfy the exercise of
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a SAR (in whole or in part) by paying to the Participant cash in an amount equal to the SAR Amount in lieu of Shares.
5.5.4 TERMS OF SARs. SARs shall be granted on such terms as shall be determined by the Board and set out in the Award Agreement (including any terms pertaining to vesting and settlement), provided the term of any SAR granted under this Plan shall not exceed ten (10) years.
5.5.5 EXERCISE. The exercise of any SAR will be contingent upon receipt by the Company of a written notice of exercise in the manner and in the form set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, which written notice shall specify the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is being exercised. If the Participant is to receive Shares, certificates for such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time following the receipt of such notice. Neither the Participant nor his legal representatives, legatees or distributees will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of any Shares unless and until the certificates for the Shares issuable pursuant to SARs under this Plan are issued to such Participant under the terms of this Plan. In the event that the expiry date of a SAR falls during a Blackout Period, the expiry date of such SAR shall automatically be extended to the Extension Period, subject to no cease trade order being in place under applicable securities laws; provided that if an additional Blackout Period is subsequently imposed by the Company during the Extension Period, then such Extension Period shall be deemed to commence following the end of such additional Blackout Period to enable the exercise of such SAR within ten (10) business days following the end of the last imposed Blackout Period.
5.5.6 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all SAR's granted to a Participant shall become fully vested in such Participant and shall become exercisable by the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.5.5 hereof, provided that no acceleration of vesting of SARs upon a Change of Control can occur prior to the date that is one year from the date of grant of such SARs unless the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person in connection with such Change of Control.
5.5.7 DEATH. Where a Participant shall die while holding a SAR, any SAR held by such Participant at the date of death shall be exercisable in whole or in part only by the person or persons to whom the rights of the Participant under the SAR shall pass by the will of the Participant or the laws of descent and distribution for a period of 120 days after the date of death of the Participant or prior to the expiration of the exercise period in respect of the SAR, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of death of such Participant.
5.5.8 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, no SAR held by such Participant shall be exercisable from the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any SAR held by such Participant at such time shall remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90 days after the date of termination determined by the Board (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable
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Award Agreement, which period shall not, in any event, exceed twelve (12) months from the date of termination determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the exercise period in respect of the SAR, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of termination determined by the Board.
(c) Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all SARs granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such SARs. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, subject to the applicable Award Agreement, any SAR held by such Participant shall remain exercisable for a period of 120 days after the date of termination determined by the Board (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement, which period shall not, in any event, exceed twelve (12) months from the date of termination determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the exercise period in respect of the SAR, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of termination determined by the Board.
5.5.9 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any SAR held by such Participant at such time shall, subject to the applicable Award Agreement and the provisions below, remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90 days after the Cessation Date or prior to the expiration of the exercise period in respect of the SAR, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR as of the Cessation Date. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all SARs granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such SARs, provided that if a Participant ceases to be a Director due to Disability, subject to the applicable Award Agreement, any SAR held by such Participant shall remain exercisable for a period of 120 days after the Cessation Date or prior to the expiration of the exercise period in respect of the SAR, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the SAR as of the Cessation Date.
5.6 GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
5.6.1 FORFEITURE EVENTS. The Board will specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant's rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events shall include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, violation of material Company policies, fraud, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company.
5.6.2 AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. Without limiting Subsection 5.5, Awards may, in the discretion of the Board, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards, may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
5.6.3 NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. No Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise
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encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company. The Company does not intend to make Awards assignable or transferable, except where required by law or in certain estate proceedings described herein.
5.6.4 CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UPON SECURITIES SUBJECT TO AWARDS. The Board may provide that the Shares issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Board in its sole discretion may specify, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability and forfeiture or repurchase provisions or provisions on payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued under an Award, including without limitation: (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law; (B) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant; (C) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers; and (D) provisions requiring Shares to be sold on the open market or to the Company in order to satisfy tax withholding or other obligations.
5.6.5 SHARE CERTIFICATES. All Shares delivered under this Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under this Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of any securities commission, the Exchange, and any applicable securities legislation, regulations, rules, policies or orders, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
5.6.6 CONFORMITY TO PLAN. In the event that an Award is granted which does not conform in all particulars with the provisions of this Plan, or purports to grant an Award on terms different from those set out in this Plan, the Award shall not be in any way void or invalidated, but the Award shall be adjusted by the Board to become, in all respects, in conformity with this Plan.
SECTION 6 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
6.1 SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF PLAN. This Plan is subject to annual shareholder approval in accordance with the Policy. The initial shareholder approval requirements and related matters are set out in section 8.1 of this Plan.
6.2 AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION OF THIS PLAN. The Board may at any time or from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue this Plan and may amend the terms and conditions of any Awards granted hereunder, subject to (a) any required approval of any applicable regulatory authority or Exchange, and (b) any required approval of shareholders of the Company in accordance with the Policy or applicable law. Without limitation, shareholder approval shall not be required for the following amendments:
6.2.1 amendments to fix typographical errors;
6.2.2 amendments to clarify existing provisions of the Plan that do not have the effect of altering the scope, nature and intent of such provisions; and
6.2.3 amendments that are necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of the Exchange.
If this Plan is terminated, Awards granted or issued prior to the date of termination shall remain outstanding and in effect in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions.
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6.3 AMENDMENTS TO AWARDS. Subject to compliance with applicable laws and Exchange policies, the Board may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate, any Awards thereto granted, prospectively or retroactively. No such amendment or alteration shall be made which would impair the rights of any Participant, without such Participant's consent, under any Award thereto granted, provided that no such consent shall be required with respect to any amendment or alteration if the Board determines in its sole discretion that such amendment or alteration either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, this Plan or the Award to satisfy or conform to any law or regulation or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award.
SECTION 7 GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1 NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Eligible Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under this Plan, or, having been selected to receive an Award under this Plan, to be selected to receive a future Award, and further there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons under this Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient, subject to compliance with the terms of this Plan and the Policy.
7.2 WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under this Plan the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards) of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under such Award or under this Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy statutory withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, whenever cash is to be paid on the redemption, exercise or vesting of an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct from all cash payments made to a Participant any taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments. Whenever Shares are to be delivered on the redemption, exercise or vesting of an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct from any other amounts payable to the Participant any taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such delivery of Shares, or if any payment due to the Participant is not sufficient to satisfy the withholding obligation, to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any taxes required by law to be withheld. At the sole discretion of the Board, a Participant may be permitted to satisfy the foregoing requirement by:
7.2.1 electing to have the Company withhold from delivery Shares having a value equal to the amount of tax required to be withheld, or
7.2.2 delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or a portion of the Shares and to deliver to the Company from the sales proceeds an amount sufficient to pay the required withholding taxes.
For greater certainty, the application of this Section 7.2 to any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under this Plan shall not conflict with the policies of the Exchange that are in effect at the relevant time and the Company will obtain prior Exchange acceptance and/or shareholder approval of any application of this Section 7.2 if required pursuant to such policies.
7.3 NO LIMIT ON OTHER SECURITY-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS. Subject to compliance with the Policy if the Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and compliance with the applicable limitations set out Section 4.1, nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Company or a subsidiary of the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other security-based compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
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7.4 NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. The grant of an Award shall not constitute an employment contract nor be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company. Further, the Company may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability, or any claim under this Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan or in any Award Agreement.
7.5 NO RIGHT AS SHAREHOLDER. Neither the Participant nor any representatives of a Participant's estate shall have any rights whatsoever as shareholders in respect of any Shares covered by such Participant's Award, until the date of issuance of a share certificate to such Participant or representatives of a Participant's estate for such Shares.
7.6 CURRENCY. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all dollars amounts in this Plan are in Canadian dollars.
7.7 GOVERNING LAW. This Plan and all of the rights and obligations arising here from shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
7.8 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify this Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of this Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of this Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
7.9 NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither this Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company.
7.10 NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan or any Award, and the Board shall determine whether cash, or other securities shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be cancelled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
7.11 HEADINGS. Headings are given to the Sections and Subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.
7.12 NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the value of any Award granted pursuant to this Plan or as to the future value of any Shares issued pursuant to any Award.
7.13 NO REPRESENTATIONS OR COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO TAX QUALIFICATION. Although the Company may, in its discretion, endeavor to (i) qualify an Award for favourable Canadian tax treatment or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment, the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment. The Company shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on holders of Awards under this Plan.
7.14 CONFLICT WITH AWARD AGREEMENT. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Plan and an Award Agreement, the provisions of this Plan shall govern for all purposes.
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7.15 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under this Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or stock exchanges on which the Company is listed as may be required. The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under this Plan prior to:
7.15.1 obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and
7.15.2 completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable or at a time when any such registration or qualification is not current, has been suspended or otherwise has ceased to be effective.
The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
SECTION 8 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
8.1 EFFECTIVE DATE AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. This Plan shall become effective upon the date (the "Effective Date") of approval by the Board and will remain subject to shareholder approval and Exchange approval, provided that, if the Company grants or issues Awards under this Plan that it would not otherwise be permitted to grant under its existing Option Plan prior to the requisite shareholder approval for this Plan having been obtained, the Company must also obtain specific (and separate) shareholder approval for such grants or issuances. If shareholder approval for this Plan is obtained after the Effective Date, no right under any Award (other than an Option, which was or could have been granted under the Option Plan) that is granted or issued under this Plan prior to such shareholder approval may vest or be exercised, as applicable, before the date of the shareholders' meeting held to approve this Plan and such grants or issuances (as applicable). The requisite shareholder approvals must be obtained in accordance with the Policy and, if the requisite shareholder approvals are not obtained, this Plan and all Awards granted hereunder (other than Options, which were or could have been granted under the Option Plan), will terminate.
Approved by the Board of Directors of the Company effective October 25, 2023.
Approved by the shareholders of the Company on ___, 2023.
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