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Imperial Metals — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2023
Apr 11, 2023
45219_rns_2023-04-11_918713a2-c2a9-4fec-90fa-0a4cfb3201ea.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of IMPERIAL METALS CORPORATION (the "Company") will be held virtually by live audio webcast online at meetnow.global/MJ69Q6T on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific time), for the following purposes:
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- To receive audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022, together with the auditors' report thereon;
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- To elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
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- To appoint auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration;
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- To consider and, if deemed advisable, pass a resolution approving the amendment and restatement of the Company's Share Purchase Plan to increase the maximum contribution that employees can contribute thereunder, as approved by the board of directors of the Company, and as set out in Schedule A of the accompanying Management Information Circular; and
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- To transact such further and other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
The Company is holding the Meeting as a completely virtual meeting, which will be conducted virtually via live audio webcast online at meetnow.global/MJ69Q6T. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting virtually through the above noted link. Non-registered shareholders (being shareholders who hold their shares, among others, through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary) who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholder will be able to attend the virtual Meeting as guests, but guests will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting.
A shareholder who wishes to appoint a person other than the management nominees identified on the form of proxy or voting instruction form, to represent him, her or it at the Meeting may do so by inserting such person's name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy or voting instruction form and following the instructions in the Management Information Circular and on their form of proxy or voting instruction form.
If you are a registered shareholder of the Company and unable to attend the virtual Meeting, complete and return the accompanying form of proxy in accordance with the instructions set out in the proxy and in the Management Information Circular accompanying this Notice of Meeting. A proxy will not be valid unless it is received by Computershare Investor Services Inc, 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1 not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) between the time fixed for the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. Telephone voting can be completed at 1- 866-732-8683 and Internet voting can be completed at investorvote.com.
The Chairman of the Meeting has the discretion to accept proxies received after that time.
The accompanying Management Information Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting and is supplemental to and expressly made a part of this Notice of Meeting.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia this 30th day of March, 2023.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(signed) "J. Brian Kynoch"
J. Brian Kynoch, President
If you are a non-registered shareholder of the Company and receive these materials through your broker or through another intermediary, please complete and return the materials in accordance with the instructions provided to you by your broker or by any other intermediary. Failure to do so may result in your shares not being eligible to be voted by proxy at the Meeting.
IMPERIAL METALS CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(information as at March 30, 2023 unless indicated otherwise)
This Information Circular accompanies the Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of Imperial Metals Corporation (the "Company") to be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the time and place and for the purposes set out in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by management of the Company for use at the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Meeting.
It is expected that solicitations of proxies will be made primarily by mail and possibly supplemented by email, telephone or other personal contact by directors, officers and employees of the Company at nominal cost. The Notice of Meeting and form of proxy (the "Proxy") together with a financial statement request form will be posted on the Company's website as of April 11, 2023. The costs of solicitation will be borne by the Company. In this Information Circular, except where otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency.
NOTICE-AND-ACCESS
The Company has elected to use the notice-and-access provisions ("Notice-and-Access Provisions") for the Meeting pursuant to National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer ("NI 54-101") with respect to the mailing to its registered and non-registered (beneficial) shareholders. The Noticeand-Access Provisions allow the Company to post proxy-related materials both on SEDAR and a non-SEDAR website, rather than delivering the materials by mail. Shareholders will receive a Notice-and-Access notification, which will contain information on how to obtain electronic and paper copy of the Notice of Meeting, and the Proxy or voting instruction form along with a financial statement request form. Shareholders wishing to receive paper copies of the meeting materials may request copies by contacting 604-488-2659 or [email protected].
The Company is not using procedures known as 'stratification' in relation to the Notice-and-Access Provisions. Stratification occurs when a reporting issuer using the Notice-and-Access Provisions provides a paper copy of the Information Circular to some, but not all, shareholders with the Notice of Meeting.
RECORD DATE
The board of directors of the Company (the "Board") has set the close of business on March 30, 2023, as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining which shareholders of the Company shall be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Only shareholders of record as of the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting, unless after the Record Date a shareholder of record transfers his, her or its Common Shares and the transferee (the "Transferee"), upon establishing that the Transferee owns such Common Shares, requests in writing, at least ten days prior to the Meeting or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, that the Transferee may have his, her or its name included on the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting. In such case, the Transferee, upon fulfilling the necessary requirements, will be entitled to vote such shares at the Meeting. Such written request by the Transferee shall be filed with the Corporate Secretary of the Company at Suite 200, 580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3B6.
PROXIES AND VOTING RIGHTS
Management Solicitation and Appointment of Proxies
Registered Shareholders
The persons named in the accompanying Proxy are nominees of the Company's management. A shareholder has the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder) to attend and act for and on the shareholder's behalf at the Meeting other than the persons designated as proxyholders in the accompanying Proxy. To exercise this right, the shareholder must either:
(a) on the accompanying Proxy, insert the name of the shareholder's nominee in the blank space provided; or
(b) complete another proper form of proxy.
To be valid, a Proxy must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative. In the case of a corporation, the Proxy must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the corporation.
The completed Proxy, together with the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which the Proxy was signed or a notarially certified copy of the power of attorney or other authority, must be received by Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare"), Attention: Proxy Department, 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1, by 2:00 pm (Pacific time) on May 19, 2023 or not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time that the Meeting is to be reconvened after any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. The Chairman of the Meeting has the discretion to accept proxies received after that time. Telephone voting can be completed at 1-866-732-VOTE (1-866-732-8683) and Internet voting can be completed at investorvote.com.
A registered shareholder or a Non-Registered Shareholder who has appointed themselves or a third party proxyholder to represent them at the Meeting, will appear on a list of shareholders prepared by Computershare (as defined below).
Non-Registered Shareholders
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 name but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased their 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 RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs, TFSAs and similar plans); or (b) in the name of a depository (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited) of which the Intermediary is a participant. In accordance with the requirements of applicable securities laws, the Company has elected to send copies of the Noticeand-Access notification, and the Proxy together with a financial statement request form (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") to the depositories and Intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders. The Meeting Materials for those shareholders with existing instructions on their account to receive printed materials will also include a printed copy of the Notice of Meeting.
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 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 Proxy, this 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 the Proxy should otherwise properly complete the Proxy and deliver it to the offices of the Company; 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.
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, 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, or in the case of a proxy authorization form, follow the corresponding instructions on the form. 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.
Non-Registered Holders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholders may attend the Meeting as guests. Guests will be able to listen to the Meeting but will not be able to vote or ask questions at the Meeting. This is because Computershare does not have a record of Non-Registered Holder of the Company and, as a result, will have no knowledge of shareholdings or entitlement to vote, unless the Non-Registered Holder appoints itself as proxyholder.
If you are a Non-Registered Holder and wish to vote at the Meeting, you must appoint yourself as proxyholder by inserting your own name in the space provided for appointing a proxyholder on the voting instruction form sent to you and follow all of the applicable instructions, including the deadline, provided by the intermediary/broker.
Attending the Meeting Online
Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can attend the Meeting online at meetnow.global/MJ69Q6T.
Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can participate in the Meeting by clicking "Shareholder" and entering a Control Number or an Invite Code before the start of the Meeting.
- o Registered shareholders: the 15-digit control number is located on the Proxy or in the email notification you received.
- o Duly appointed proxyholders: Computershare will provide the proxyholder with an Invite Code by email after the voting deadline has passed.
Attending and voting at the Meeting will only be available for registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders.
Non-Registered Holders who have not appointed themselves as proxyholders to participate and vote at the Meeting may login as a guest, by clicking on "Guest" and complete the online form; however, they will not be able to vote or submit questions.
Shareholders who wish to appoint a third-party proxyholder to represent them at the virtual meeting must submit their Proxy or voting instruction form (as applicable) prior to registering their proxyholder. Registering the proxyholder is an additional step once a shareholder has submitted their Proxy or voting instruction form. Failure to register a duly appointed proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving an Invite Code to participate in the Meeting.
To register a proxyholder, shareholders MUST visit www.computershare.com/ImperialMetals by Friday, May 19, 2023 by 2:00 pm Pacific time and provide Computershare with their proxyholder's contact information, so that Computershare may provide the proxyholder with an Invite Code by email.
In order to participate online, shareholders must have a valid 15-digit control number and proxyholders must have received an email from Computershare containing an Invite Code.
The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across most commonly used web browsers (note: Internet Explorer is not a supported browser). We encourage you to access the Meeting prior to the start time. It is important that you are connected to the internet at all times during the Meeting in order to vote when balloting commences.
Participating in the Meeting
The Meeting will be online by way of a live webcast.
- Registered shareholders and appointed proxyholders: Only those who have a 15-digit control number, along with duly appointed proxyholders who were assigned an Invite Code by Computershare (see details under the heading "Appointment of a Third Party as Proxyholder"), will be able to vote and submit questions during the Meeting. To do so, please go to meetnow.global/MJ69Q6T prior to the start of the Meeting to login. Click on "Shareholder" and enter your 15-digit control number or click on "Invitation" and enter your Invite Code.
- United States Beneficial Shareholders: To attend and vote at the virtual meeting, you must first obtain a valid Legal Proxy from your broker, bank or other agent and then register in advance to attend the Meeting. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with the Proxy materials or contact your broker or bank to request a Legal Form of Proxy. After first obtaining a valid Legal Proxy from your broker, bank or other agent, you must submit a copy of your Legal Proxy to Computershare in order to register to attend the Meeting. Requests for registration should be sent:
By mail to: Computershare 100 University Avenue 8th Floor Toronto, ON M5J 2Y1
By email at: [email protected]
Requests for registration must be labeled as "Legal Proxy" and be received no later than 2:00 pm Pacific time on Friday, May 19, 2023. You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email. You are required to register your appointment at computershare.com/ImperialMetals.
Appointment of a Third Party as Proxyholder
The following applies to shareholders who wish to appoint a person (a "third party proxyholder") other than the management nominees set forth in the Proxy or voting instruction form as proxyholder, including non-registered shareholders who wish to appoint themselves as proxyholder to attend and participate at the Meeting.
Shareholders who wish to appoint a third-party proxyholder to represent them at the Meeting must submit their Proxy or voting instruction form (as applicable) prior to registering their proxyholder. Registering the proxyholder is an additional step once a shareholder has submitted their Proxy/voting instruction form. Failure to register a duly appointed proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving an Invite Code to participate in the Meeting.
To register a proxyholder, shareholders MUST visit computershare.com/ImperialMetals by 2:00 pm Pacific time on May 19, 2023 and provide Computershare with their proxyholder's contact information, so that Computershare may provide the proxyholder with an Invite Code via email.
Without an Invite Code, proxyholders will not be able to attend and vote at the Meeting.
Revocation of Proxies
A shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it at any time before the Proxy is exercised:
- a) by an instrument in writing that is:
- (i) signed by the shareholder (or his or her attorney authorized in writing) or, where the shareholder is a corporation, a duly authorized representative of the corporation; and
- (ii) delivered to Computershare Investor Services Inc. or to the registered office of the Company at 200 580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B6 at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, or delivered to the chairperson of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting; or
- b) in any other manner provided by law.
A revocation of a proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the revocation.
Voting of Shares and Proxies and Exercise of Discretion by Proxyholders
If the Proxy is completed, signed and delivered to the Company, the person(s) named as proxyholders therein shall vote or withhold from voting the Common Shares in respect of which they are appointed as proxyholders at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder of the Company appointing them, on any ballot, and if the shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting, the person(s) appointed as proxyholder shall vote accordingly. The Proxy confers discretionary authority upon the person(s) named therein with respect to: (a) each matter or group of matters identified therein for which a choice is not specified; (b) any amendment to or variation of any matter identified therein; and (c) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. As of the date of this Information Circular, the Board knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting, other than matters referred to in the Notice of Meeting. However, if other matters should properly come before the Meeting, the Proxy will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the person(s) voting the Proxy.
If no choice is specified by a shareholder of the Company with respect to any matter identified in the Proxy or any amendment or variation to such matter, it is intended that the persons designated by management in the Proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in favour of such matter.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Company's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value. As of March 30, 2023, there were a total of 154,871,341 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, no person or company beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, voting securities of the Company carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of the Company as at the date hereof other than as set out below:
| Name | Common Shares Held |
Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. N. Murray Edwards ("Edwards") |
69,375,775(1) | 44.80 |
| Fairholme Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of funds or accounts managed by it |
23,992,539 | 15.49 |
(1) Does not include:
- ➢ \$32,500,000 principal amount of 8% convertible debentures issued by the Company on August 31, 2022 maturing August 30, 2027.
- ➢ 4,431,250 warrants exercisable into common shares at a price of \$2.10 per common share until December 23, 2026.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company currently consists of seven directors and it is proposed to elect seven directors for the ensuing year.
The Board proposes to nominate the seven (7) persons named in the table below (the "Nominees") for election as directors of the Company. Each Nominee elected as a director of the Company will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company or until the director sooner ceases to hold office.
The following table sets out the name of each Nominee, the place in which he or she is ordinarily resident, all offices of the Company now held by him or her, his or her present principal occupation, the period of time during which he or she has been a director of the Company, and the number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned by him or her, directly or indirectly, or over which he or she exercises control or direction, as of the date of this Information Circular.
| Name, Place of Residence and Position with Company (1) |
Principal Occupation (1) | Director Since |
Common Shares Owned(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Carolyn D. Anglin 4/5/6 British Columbia, Canada Director |
Principal consultant at Anglin & Associates Consulting; previously Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Environmental Affairs of the Company. |
May 25, 2022 | 17,889 |
| J. Brian Kynoch 5 British Columbia, Canada Director and President |
President of the Company. | March 7, 2002 | 1,545,352 |
| Pierre Lebel 2/4/5 British Columbia, Canada Director and Chairman |
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. |
December 6, 2001 | 207,224 |
| Larry G. Moeller 2/3/4 Alberta, Canada Lead Director |
President, Kimball Capital Corporation, a private company. |
March 7, 2002 | 4,905,594 |
| Janine North2/3/6 British Columbia, Canada Director |
Professional Director. | May 22, 2018 | 72,500 |
| James P. Veitch 2/6 Alberta, Canada Director |
Businessman and Director and Secretary/Treasurer of a private consultancy company. |
May 22, 2018 | 76,553 |
| Edward A. Yurkowski 2/3/4/5/6 British Columbia, Canada Director |
Retired Mining Contractor and Mining Executive. | May 20, 2005 | 38,163 |
(1) The information as to the place of residence, principal occupation and shares beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, has been furnished by the respective directors individually.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee
(3) Member of the Compensation Committee
(4) Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
(5) Member of the Health and Safety Committee
(6) Member of the Special Committee | Mount Polley Breach
No Nominee is to be elected under any arrangement or understanding between the Nominee and any other person or company, except the directors and executive officers of the Company acting solely in such capacity.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
Mr. Yurkowski was a director of Chieftain Metals Corp. ("Chieftain") from May 22, 2013 to September 1, 2016. On August 31, 2016, Chieftain and its wholly-owned subsidiary (Chieftain Metals Inc.) was served with an application by West Face Capital Inc., as agent for West Face Long Term Opportunities Global Master L.P., seeking the appointment of Grant Thornton Limited as receiver of all of the assets, undertakings and properties of Chieftain. On September 6, 2016, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order appointing Grant Thornton Limited as the receiver and manager of all the assets, undertakings and properties of Chieftain. On June 2, 2017, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order authorizing Grant Thornton Limited to file a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) in respect of Chieftain and its wholly owned subsidiary.
Other than as described above, no proposed director of the Company is or has been, during the ten years preceding the date of this Information Circular, to the knowledge of the Company:
- (a) a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company that:
- (i) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied such issuer access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period of more than thirty consecutive days (an "Order") that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
- (ii) was subject to such an Order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the company that is the subject of the Order and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
- (b) a director or executive officer of any company that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of that company.
Individual Bankruptcies
During the ten (10) years preceding the date of this Information Circular, no proposed director of the Company has, to the knowledge of the Company, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of that individual.
Penalties or Sanctions
None of the proposed nominees for election as directors has been subject to:
- (a) 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 since December 31, 2000; or
- (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee on behalf of the Board. The members of the Compensation Committee are all independent, non-management directors. The Compensation Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Company has in place an appropriate plan for executive compensation. The plan must be competitive and rewarding in order to attract, retain and motivate executives who will provide the leadership required to enhance the growth and profitability of the Company.
The Compensation Committee's overall policy for determining executive compensation is based on the following principles:
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- support the fundamental objective of maximizing long term shareholder value;
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- make performance the key determinant of pay for executive officers; and
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- establish clear management accountabilities for executive officers.
Executive compensation is comprised of several components: base salary, annual incentives which relate to specific accomplishments during the year and which are paid in cash and long term equity-based incentives in the form of stock options. To date, no specific formulae have been developed to assign a specific weighting to each of these components. The Company's compensation philosophy is to foster entrepreneurship at all levels of the organization by making long term equity-based incentives, through the granting of stock options, a significant component of executive compensation assuming the Company's common share price achieves good long term performance. The Compensation Committee uses third party compensation data to help determine appropriateness and competitiveness of its compensation program. The Compensation Committee reviews each component of executive compensation and, in addition, reviews total compensation for overall competitiveness.
The Company has not completed an assessment of the potential risks associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee is responsible for annually reviewing the Company's compensation arrangements, as set out above, and may determine to undertake such an assessment during a later period.
The Company has not prohibited its executive officers or directors from purchasing financial instruments that are designed to hedge or off-set a decrease in market value of any securities of the Company granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by an executive officer or director.
Base Salary
The Compensation Committee and the Board approve the salary ranges for all levels of the Company's employees. The Company believes that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program that is designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives. Base salaries for executives are determined by assessment of sustained performance and consideration of competitive compensation levels for the markets in which the Company operates. The Company uses third party compensation surveys (for mining and natural resource companies between 300 and 1,000 employees) to benchmark its base salary levels.
Salary increases for the named executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers" or "NEOs")1 during the year ending December 31, 2022 averaged 7%.
Annual Incentives
The Compensation Committee believes that incentive compensation motivates individual performance to maximize shareholder value and aligns executive officer performance with the Company's objectives and shareholder interests. The Board has approved a bonus plan that is meant to increase corporate performance, profitability and shareholder value. Under the plan, cash payments are made when predetermined operational and financial targets are met. In addition, the Compensation Committee factors into the bonus its assessment of each executive officer's respective contribution to this achievement.
1 For a further definition of the terms "Named Executive Officer" and "NEO", reference may be made to the section entitled "Summary Compensation Table" on page 12.
There are three elements used in determining the annual bonus (all excluding Huckleberry mine):
-
- Financial target (33%) is defined as consolidated pretax cashflow from operations before bonus;
-
- Operating target (33%) is comprised of three equally weighted elements: metal production in concentrate, mill throughput, and aggregate costs (Mount Polley and Huckleberry mines); and
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- Board discretion (34%), which provides the Board opportunity to evaluate the employee's performance.
The bonus calculation has two components, a target bonus and an extra bonus. The target bonus is payable for each bonus element if the targets for that bonus element are met. The extra bonus is payable if a bonus element target is exceeded.
66% of the target bonus is payable if the Company achieves its financial and operating targets. 34% of the target bonus is payable at Board discretion. No target bonus is payable on a bonus element if less than 80% of that target element is reached. The target bonus (other than the Board discretion component) is paid on a graduated scale commencing at 80% of the target and in full when the target element is met. Target elements are evaluated individually and aggregated to determine the overall contribution of that element toward the target bonus. Not all operating elements need to be achieved for payout under the operating target element.
The extra bonus is payable if the target element is exceeded on a graduated scale commencing at 100% of target up to 120% of target. The extra bonus is paid in full when 120% of the target element is achieved.
The maximum bonus payout as a percentage of their base salary for each NEO listed is as follows:
| Brian Kynoch | 75.00% |
|---|---|
| Darb Dhillon | 52.50% |
| Don Parsons | 52.50% |
| Randall Thompson | 37.50% |
| James Miller-Tait | 26.25% |
Long Term Compensation (Option Grants)
The Company has a broadly-based employee stock option plan. The plan is designed to encourage stock ownership and entrepreneurship on the part of employees and, in particular, all executive officers. The plan aligns the interests of executive officers with shareholders by linking a significant component of executive compensation to the long term performance of the Company's common stock.
The President makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding individual stock option based awards for all recipients. The Compensation Committee reviews the appropriateness of the stock option grant recommendations from the President for all eligible employees and accepts or adjusts these recommendations.
Previous stock option grants are taken into account when considering new option grants. Options are granted from time to time and vest over a three (3) or five (5) year period.
The Board is of the view that while fair compensation is an essential element of job satisfaction and performance, other elements such as employee recognition, inclusiveness, job ownership and autonomy, transparency and consistency are equally important and encourages loyalty and principled behavior.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on a \$100 investment in Common Shares of the Company to a \$100 investment in the S&P/TSX Composite Index (assuming the reinvestment of dividends), for the period from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2022. The performance of the Common Shares as set out in the graph below does not necessarily indicate future price performance.

| 31-Dec-17 | 31-Dec-18 | 31-Dec-19 | 31-Dec-20 | 31-Dec-21 | 31-Dec-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P/TSX Composite | 100.00 | 91.11 | 111.96 | 118.23 | 147.89 | 139.25 |
| III | 100.00 | 45.72 | 60.77 | 150.44 | 93.51 | 53.39 |
In the three (3) year period ended December 31, 2022, the NEO's cash compensation increased by 15.6%, the NEO's total compensation decreased by 22.6% and the Common Share price decreased by 64.5%. Factors impacting the change in the NEO's compensation were: (i) there was an option awarded to all NEO's in 2020 and were no options awarded to NEO's in 2021 and 2022; and (ii) cash bonuses were awarded in 2020 and 2021. The cash bonuses related to 2020 were paid in 2021, and the 2021 cash bonus was paid in 2022. Cash bonus amounts for 2022 have not yet been determined.
Summary Compensation Table
"Named Executive Officers" or "NEOs" means the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and the Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO") of the Company and each of the Company's three most highly compensated executive officers, other than the CEO and the CFO, who were serving as executive officers at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year and whose compensation was more than \$150,000. It also includes any individual who would have satisfied the foregoing criteria except that individual was not serving as an executive officer at the end of the most recently completed financial year.
The following table summarizes the compensation earned for each of the Company's three most recently completed financial years ended December 31, 2022 by each individual who during fiscal 2022 served as a Named Executive Officer.
| Name & Principal Position |
Share Option based based awards awards (\$)(1) (\$) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (\$) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary (\$) |
Annual incentive plans(2) |
Long term incentive plans |
Pension value (\$) |
All other compensation (\$)(3) |
Total compensation (\$) |
||||
| Brian Kynoch(4) | 2022 | 315,000 | - | - | 38,467 | - | - | 10,500 | 363,967 |
| President | 2021 | 290,937 | - | - | 103,941 | - | - | 10,183 | 405,061 |
| 2020 | 244,292 | - | 198,400 | 60,000 | - | - | 8,550 | 511,242 | |
| Darb Dhillon(5) | 2022 | 244,000 | - | - | 23,059 | - | - | 4,200 | 271,259 |
| Chief Financial | 2021 | 215,000 | - | - | 34,960 | - | - | 3,528 | 253,488 |
| Officer 2020 |
195,000 | - | 99,200 | 11,439 | - | - | 1,800 | 307,439 | |
| Don Parsons(6) | 2022 | 263,466 | - | - | 26,913 | - | - | 7,717 | 298,096 |
| Chief Compliance | 2021 | 248,460 | - | 99,200 | 59,194 | - | - | 7,454 | 315,108 |
| Officer | 2020 | 232,933 | - | - | 32,213 | - | - | 6,988 | 371,334 |
| Randall Thompson(7) | 2022 | 219,619 | - | - | 22,434 | - | - | 7,321 | 249,374 |
| Chief Operating | 2021 | 207,111 | - | - | 49,343 | - | - | 7,249 | 263,703 |
| Officer and VP 2020 Operations |
194,723 | - | 99,200 | 26,852 | - | - | 6,815 | 327,590 | |
| James Miller-Tait | 2022 | 192,793 | - | - | 9,663 | - | - | 5,595 | 208,051 |
| VP Exploration | 2021 | 175,890 | - | 99,200 | 20,646 | - | - | 5,277 | 201,813 |
| 2020 | 163,493 | - | - | 11,235 | - | - | 4,905 | 278,833 |
(1) This column includes the option grants made by the Company to the Named Executive Officers. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model for determining fair value of stock options issued at grant date. The Black-Scholes option valuation is determined using the expected life of the stock option, expected volatility of the Company's Common Share price, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate.
(2) Amounts referred to in this column include payments under the Bonus Plan which are typically paid after receipt of the Company's annual audited financial statements in the following year. Bonus amounts for 2022 have not yet been determined.
(3) Contributions by the Company to an Employee Share Purchase Plan or RRSP Plan.
(4) The Company does not have a Chief Executive Officer; however, Mr. Kynoch fulfills this role as the Company's principal executive officer.
(5) Appointed July 1, 2020.
(6) Appointed as Chief Compliance Officer on November 15, 2022. Mr. Parsons was previously Chief Operating Officer.
(7) Appointed as Chief Operating Officer on November 15, 2022.
Incentive Plan Awards
Outstanding Option-Based Awards
The following table sets out for each NEO, the incentive stock options (option-based awards) outstanding as at December 31, 2022.
| Option-based Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) |
Option exercise price (\$) |
Option Expiration Date |
Value of unexercised in-the money options (\$) (1) |
| Brian Kynoch | 200,000 | 8.00 | Dec 03 2025 | - |
| 200,000 | 2.00 | Apr 30 2025 | - | |
| Darb Dhillon | 65,000 | 5.75 | Dec 31 2027 | - |
| 100,000 | 2.00 | Apr 30 2025 | - | |
| Don Parsons | 100,000 | 8.00 | Dec 03 2025 | - |
| 100,000 | 2.00 | Apr 30 2025 | - | |
| Randall Thompson | 75,000 | 2.00 | Apr 30 2025 | - |
| James Miller-Tait | 50,000 | 8.00 | Dec 03 2025 | - |
| 100,000 | 2.00 | Apr 30 2025 | - |
(1) Based on the difference between the option exercise price and the closing price of the Company's shares on the TSX at December 31, 2022, which was \$1.81.
Value Vested or Earned During the Year
The following table shows the incentive plan awards value vested or earned for each NEO for the year ending December 31, 2022.
| Name | Option-based awards – Value vested during the year (\$) (1) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year (\$) (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Kynoch | 61,000 | 38,467 |
| Darb Dhillon | 30,500 | 23,059 |
| Don Parsons | 30,500 | 26,913 |
| Randall Thompson | 30,500 | 22,434 |
| James Miller-Tait | 30,500 | 9,663 |
(1) The amount represents the aggregate dollar value that would have been realized if the options had been exercised on the vesting date, based on the difference between the closing price of the Company's shares and the exercise price on such vesting date.
(2) Payment under the Bonus Plan for 2021 was paid on November 1, 2022.
See "Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans – Stock Option Plan".
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
There were no compensatory plans, contracts or arrangements where a Named Executive Officer is entitled to receive more than \$50,000 from the Company or its subsidiaries, including periodic payments or installments, in the event of (i) resignation or retirement of the Named Executive Officer's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries; (ii) a change of control of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) a change in the Named Executive Officer's responsibilities.
In the event of a termination without cause, Don Parsons is eligible for one month's payment in lieu of notice for each year of employment to a maximum of 12 months valued to be \$263,466 as at December 31, 2022.
In the event of a termination without cause, Randall Thompson is eligible for six months payment in lieu of notice valued to be \$109,810 as at December 31, 2022.
In the event of a termination without cause, James Miller-Tait is eligible for one month's payment in lieu of notice for each year of employment to a maximum of six months valued to be \$96,396 as at December 31, 2022.
In the event of a termination without cause, Darb Dhillon is eligible for one month's payment in lieu of notice for each year of employment to a maximum of six months valued to be \$122,000 as at December 31, 2022.
Director Compensation
Commencing July 1, 2008, the Company has paid compensation comprised of cash and Common Shares to its nonmanagement directors, being each director who is not an officer, employee or consultant of the Company.
Until December 1, 2015, each non-management director, other than the Chairman, received an annual retainer of \$40,000 payable in Common Shares plus a meeting fee of \$1,000 payable in cash for each Board or committee meeting attended, subject to an aggregate maximum of \$1,000 per day in meeting fees regardless of the number of meetings attended. The Company purchases the shares in the market for delivery to the directors.
On December 1, 2015, the annual retainer for each non-management director was reduced to \$36,000 payable in Common Shares and a meeting fee of \$900 payable in cash for each Board or committee meeting attended.
Effective July 1, 2021, the annual retainer for each non-management director was reinstated to \$40,000 payable in Common Shares plus a meeting fee of \$1,000 payable in cash for each Board or committee meeting attended.
Effective October 1, 2022, the annual retainer for each non-management director, other than the Chairman, was increased to \$46,000 payable in Common Shares plus a meeting fee of \$1,150 payable in cash for each Board or committee meeting attended.
In 2015 the retainer for the Chairman of the Board was \$8,333 per month. Subsequent to December 31, 2015, the monthly retainer was retroactively reduced by 10% effective December 1, 2015 such that the retainer is \$6,825 per month. In July 2022, the retainer was increased to \$7,166.26.
On a quarterly basis, the number of Common Shares to be delivered to each non-management director of the Company is determined by dividing 25% of the annual retainer by the weighted average daily price of the Common Shares for the respective quarter.
Directors are also reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their duties as directors.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth all compensation paid for the financial year ended December 31, 2022 to non-NEO members of the Board.
| Name (1) | Fees earned (\$) |
Share based awards (\$)(3) |
Option based awards (\$) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensatio n (\$)(4) |
Pension value (\$) |
All other compensation (\$) |
Total (\$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Lebel (2) | 83,948 | - | - | 6,000 | - | - | 89,948 |
| Larry Moeller | 7,000 | 40,000 | - | - | - | - | 47,000 |
| Carolyn D. Anglin | 2,000 | 14,066 | - | - | - | - | 16,066 |
| Janine North | - | 48,000 | - | - | - | - | 48,000 |
| James P. Veitch | 8,000 | 40,000 | - | - | - | - | 48,000 |
| Edward Yurkowski | 8,000 | 40,000 | - | - | - | - | 48,000 |
(1) Mr. Kynoch, President of the Company, does not receive any compensation for serving as a director or for attending meetings of the Board. Disclosure for Mr. Kynoch's compensation is provided on page 12 of this Information Circular.
(2) In 2022, Mr. Lebel received compensation of \$7,166 per month.
(3) Annual retainer payable in Common Shares, issued quarterly.
(4) Payment under the Bonus Plan for 2021 as paid on November 1, 2022.
Option-Based Awards to Directors
The following table sets out the awards outstanding at December 31, 2022 for non-NEO members of the Board.
| Option-based Awards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name(1) | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) |
Option exercise price (\$) |
Option Expiration Date |
Value of unexercised in-the-money options (\$)(2) |
|||
| Pierre Lebel | 50,000 | 8.00 | Dec 03 2025 | - | |||
| 50,000 | 2.00 | Apr 30 2025 | - | ||||
| Larry Moeller | - | - | - | - | |||
| Carolyn D. Anglin | 75,000 | 8.00 | Dec 03 2025 | - | |||
| Janine North | - | - | - | - | |||
| James P. Veitch | - | - | - | - | |||
| Edward Yurkowski | - | - | - | - |
(1) Mr. Kynoch, President of the Company, does not receive any compensation for serving as a director or for attending meetings of the Board. Disclosure for Mr. Kynoch's compensation is provided on page 12 of this Information Circular.
(2) Based on the difference between the option exercise price and the closing price of the Company's shares on the TSX at December 31, 2022, which was \$1.81.
Value Vested or Earned During the Year
The following table shows the incentive plan awards value vested or earned for each non-NEO director for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.
| Name(1) | Option-based awards – Value vested during the year (\$)(2) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year (\$)(3) |
|---|---|---|
| Pierre Lebel | 15,250 | 6,000 |
| Larry Moeller | - | - |
| Carolyn D. Anglin | - | - |
| Janine North | - | - |
| James P. Veitch | - | - |
| Edward Yurkowski | - | - |
(1) Mr. Kynoch, President of the Company, does not receive any compensation for serving as a director or for attending meetings of the Board. Disclosure for Mr. Kynoch's compensation is provided on page 12 of this Information Circular.
(2) The amount represents the aggregate dollar value that would have been realized if the options had been exercised on the vesting date, based on the difference between the closing price of the Company's shares and the exercise price on such vesting date.
(3) Payment under the Bonus Plan for 2021 was paid on November 1, 2022.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101") requires issuers to disclose the corporate governance practices that they have adopted. The following is a discussion of each of the Company's corporate governance practices for which disclosure is required by NI 58-101.
Board of Directors
The Board considers that six (6) of the seven (7) current directors are independent according to the definition of "independence" set out in National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees ("NI 52-110"). The six (6) directors considered independent are Dr. Anglin, Ms. North, Messrs. Lebel, Moeller, Veitch and Yurkowski.
Mr. Lebel, an independent director, is Chair of the Board and presides as such at each meeting. A description of the responsibilities of the Chair of the Board is available on the Company's website at imperialmetals.com.
Mr. Kynoch, by virtue of his office as President of the Company, is not considered to be an independent director of the Company and the Board considers that a majority of the directors are independent according to the definition of "independence" set out in NI 52-110.
Meetings of independent directors are not regularly scheduled but communication among this group occurs on an ongoing basis as needs arise from regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. The number of these informal meetings has not been recorded, but it would not be less than five (5) in the fiscal year that commenced on January 1, 2022. The Board believes that adequate structures and processes are in place to facilitate the functioning of the Board with a level of independence of the Company's Management.
The Board appointed Larry Moeller as Lead Director on May 19, 2010. The Lead Director facilitates the functioning of the Board independently of the Company's management and is generally charged with the responsibility of maintaining and enhancing the quality of the Company's corporate governance practices.
Term Limits and Representation of Women on the Board of Directors and Executive Officer Positions
There is currently one woman as an executive officer of the Company, representing 14% of all executive officers of the Company. The Company has not considered the level of representation of women in executive officer positions when making appointments for said positions because the Company believes that considering the broadest group of individuals who have the skills, knowledge, experience and character required to provide the leadership needed to achieve our business objectives, without reference to their age, gender, race, ethnicity or religion, is in the best interests of the Company and all of its stakeholders.
The Company has two female directors on the Board. The Company has not adopted term limits for the directors of the Company or a target number of women on the Board and women in executive officer positions; however, the Company has adopted a written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women directors (the "Board Diversity Policy") because the Company believes that skills and backgrounds collectively represented on the Board should reflect the diverse nature of the business environment in which the Company operates.
The Company has not considered the level of representation of women on the Board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the Board because the Company is committed to a merit based system for Board composition within a diverse and inclusive culture which solicits multiple perspectives and views and is free of conscious or unconscious bias and discrimination. When assessing Board composition or identifying suitable candidates for appointment or re-election to the Board, the Company will consider candidates on merit against objective criteria having due regard to the benefits of diversity and the needs of the Board. In addition, the Company will periodically assess the expertise, experience, skills and backgrounds of its directors in light of the needs of the Board, including the extent to which the current composition of the Board reflects a diverse mix of knowledge, experience, gender, skills and background.
Directorships
The following directors are currently directors of other issuers that are reporting issuers (or the equivalent) in a jurisdiction in Canada or foreign jurisdiction:
| Pierre Lebel | West Vault Mining Inc. |
|---|---|
| Larry Moeller | Magellan Aerospace Corporation and Orbus Pharma Inc. |
| Janine North | Conifex Timber and Mercer International Inc. |
| James P. Veitch | Magellan Aerospace Corporation |
| Edward Yurkowski |
Fortune Minerals Ltd. |
Attendance
During the fiscal year that commenced on January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, the Board held a total of six (6) meetings:
| Directors | Board of Directors |
Audit Committee |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
Compensation Committee |
Health and Safety Committee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolyn Anglin | 4 of 4 | n/a | 2 of 2 | n/a | 3 of 3 |
| Brian Kynoch | 6 of 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 5 of 5 |
| Pierre Lebel | 6 of 6 | 4 of 5 |
2 of 2 | n/a | 5 of 5 |
| Larry Moeller | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | n/a |
| Edward Yurkowski | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 |
| Janine North | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | n/a | 4 of 4 | n/a |
| James P. Veitch | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Board Mandate
The responsibilities of the Board include setting long term goals and objectives for the Company, formulating the plans and strategies necessary to achieve those objectives and supervising senior management in their implementation. Although the Board delegates the responsibility for managing the day-to-day affairs of the Company to senior management personnel, the Board retains a supervisory role in respect of, and ultimate responsibility for, all matters relating to the Company and its business.
The Board fulfills its mandate through direct oversight, setting policy, appointing committees and appointing management.
The Board Mandate is available at imperialmetals.com.
Position Descriptions
The Board operates under the Board Mandate. In addition, the Board has approved written position descriptions for the positions of President (who acts as CEO), Chairman and Director. The position descriptions are available at imperialmetals.com.
Charters have been adopted for each of the committees of the Board outlining their principal responsibilities.
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board requires that each new director be provided with a written orientation package relating to the Company as well as information on the responsibilities and liabilities of directors. New directors also meet with existing directors and senior management personnel of the Company to learn about the functions and activities of the Company.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has overall responsibility for regularly assessing the skills, experience and knowledge represented on the Board for adequacy and effectiveness. To date, no formal continuing education program has been established for Board members. As each director has a different skill set and professional background, orientation and training activities will be tailored to the particular needs and experience of each director.
Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy
In March 2015, the Company adopted a Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy, with the objective to ensure that communications relating to the Company are: (i) timely, factual and accurate; and (ii) are disseminated in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy confirms in writing the Company's existing disclosure policies and practices, and provides guidance on how the Company interacts with analysts and the public, and contains measures for the Company to avoid selective disclosure.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy
In February 2014, the Company adopted an Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, which is applicable to all of the Company's entities and operations, whether operated by the Company, an affiliate, or a subsidiary, and to all Company employees and third party contractors.
The purpose of this Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy is to reiterate the Company's commitment to full compliance by the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and its officers, directors, employees and agents with Canada's Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and any local antibribery or anti-corruption laws that may be applicable.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Company does not currently have a formal written code for ethical business conduct; however, it is established under and is therefore governed by the provisions of the BCA. Pursuant to the BCA, a director or officer of the Company must disclose to the Company in writing or by requesting that it be entered in the minutes of meetings of the Board, the nature and extent of any interest that he or she has in material contract or material transaction, whether made or proposed, with the Company, if the director or officer: (a) has a material interest in the contract or transaction; (b) is a director or an officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of a party to the contract or transaction; or (c) has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction. The interested director cannot vote on any resolution to approve such contract or transaction.
While there is no formal corporate policy on ethical business conduct, the Company carries out its business in accordance with the rules and regulations of all regulatory agencies to which it is subject. This culture of compliance is stressed to all levels of management of the Company to ensure that business is conducted in an ethical and proper manner at all times.
The Board monitors adherence to high standards of conduct through disclosure and inquiry mechanisms. Management is obligated to report to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee if instances of unethical behaviour are identified. The Board makes inquiries from time to time to ensure that the Company's business is conducted in an ethical and proper manner.
Complaint Procedures
In 2004 a policy was implemented which detailed procedures for receipt, retention and treatment of complaints or submissions regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and confidential and anonymous submission of concerns from employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries about questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Imperial's procedures for filing complaints relating to accounting and auditing matters is available at imperialmetals.com.
Nomination of Directors
The process by which the Board identifies new candidates for Board nomination is outlined in the Company's Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, which is available at imperialmetals.com.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by identifying individuals qualified to become Board and Board Committee members and recommending that the Board select director nominees for appointment or election to the Board; and developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance guidelines for the Company and making recommendations to the Board with respect to corporate governance practices. A full description of the responsibilities, powers and operation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are outlined in its Charter, which is available at imperialmetals.com.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of four (4) independent directors, being Pierre Lebel (Chair), Dr. Carolyn Anglin, Larry Moeller and Edward Yurkowski.
Audit Committee
The primary objective of the Audit Committee is to act as a liaison between the Board and the Company's independent auditors (the "Auditors") and to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the financial statements and other financial information provided by the Company to its shareholders, the public and others, the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualification, independence and performance of the Auditors and the Company's risk management and internal financial and accounting controls, and management information systems. A full description of the responsibilities, powers and operation of the Audit Committee are outlined in its Charter, which is available at imperialmetals.com.
The Audit Committee is composed of five (5) independent directors, being Larry Moeller (Chair), Pierre Lebel, Janine North, James Veitch and Edward Yurkowski.
Additional information regarding the Audit Committee, as required under NI 52-110, can be found under "Directors & Executive Officers – Audit Committee" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2023. The Annual Information Form is available on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") which may be accessed at sedar.com under the Company's profile and is available at imperialmetals.com. A copy of the Company's Annual Information Form will be provided to any shareholder of the Company without charge by request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 200 – 580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B6.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the adequacy and form of compensation provided to Company's directors and officers. A full description of the responsibilities, powers and operation of the Compensation Committee are outlined in its Charter, which is available at imperialmetals.com.
The Compensation Committee is composed of three (3) independent directors, being Larry Moeller (Chair), Janine North and Edward Yurkowski. Each member of the Compensation Committee has direct experience that is relevant to his responsibilities in executive compensation, as well as the skills and experience necessary to enable him to make decisions on the suitability of the Company's executive compensation. Each of the Committee members has held senior management positions or other roles in public companies.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, no outside consultant or advisor was retained by the Company.
Other Board Committees
Other than the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, the Board has a Health and Safety Committee. The Health and Safety Committee Charter is available at imperialmetals.com.
The Health and Safety Committee is a standing committee of the Board. The primary function of the Committee is to oversee the development and implementation of appropriate policies, and to review the performance of the Company with respect to industrial health and safety matters.
The Health and Safety Committee is composed of four (4) directors, both independent and non-independent, being Edward Yurkowski (Chair), Dr. Carolyn Anglin, Brian Kynoch and Pierre Lebel
On August 7, 2014, the Company formed a Special Committee | Mount Polley Breach to oversee the legal and technical work resulting from the breach at the tailing storage facility at Mount Polley. The Special Committee meets on an ad hoc basis and is composed of four (4) independent directors, being James P. Veitch (Chair), Dr. Carolyn Anglin, Janine North and Edward Yurkowski.
The Special Committee does not have a Charter.
Assessments
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has the responsibility for reviewing the performance of the Board as outlined in its Charter. In addition to the Board assessment, each Committee of the Board, other than the two Special Committees, is to self-assess their effectiveness and contribution annually as outlined in their Charters.
On an annual basis, board members complete a confidential questionnaire which is reviewed and assessed by the Board Chair. The Board Chair then reports the feedback to the full Board for discussion and to develop a list of action items. The same process is followed by each committee, on an annual basis.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Stock Option Plan
On March 20, 2007, the Board approved a 10% "rolling" Stock Option Plan (2007) (the "Stock Option Plan"), which was also approved by the Company's shareholders. The total number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to stock options outstanding under the Stock Option Plan, including any Common Shares issuable pursuant to outstanding options previously granted under the Company's former plans, will not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
On March 29, 2010, the Board approved an Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (2007) (the "Amended Plan"), which was also approved by the Company's shareholders on May 19, 2010 and was ratified by the shareholders at the annual general meeting held on May 29, 2013, May 27, 2016, June 25, 2019 and May 25, 2022. Under the rules and policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"), unallocated options, rights or other entitlements under a TSXlisted issuer's security-based compensation arrangement that does not have a fixed maximum number of securities issuable must be approved every three years by a majority of the issuer's directors and by the issuer's shareholders.
Summary of the Amended Plan
The Amended Plan is administered by the Board or a committee thereof (the "Committee"). At its discretion, the Committee, from time to time, grants options to directors, officers, employees and certain other persons providing services to the Company or any of its subsidiaries to purchase Common Shares of the Company.
The maximum number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to stock options outstanding under the Amended Plan at any time will not exceed 10% of the number of Common Shares which are issued and outstanding at that time, provided that if any stock option expires or otherwise terminates for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of Common Shares in respect of such expired or terminated stock options shall again be available for the purposes of granting stock options pursuant to the Amended Plan and reloading is permitted. The number of Common Shares issuable under the Amended Plan and all other established or proposed share compensation arrangements of the Company to insiders of the Company is not to exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares. The number of Common Shares issued to insiders of the Company within any one (1) year period pursuant to the Amended Plan and all other established or proposed share compensation arrangements of the Company is not to exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares.
The stock options will be exercisable at a price fixed by the Committee at the time of grant that will not be less than the Market Price of the Common Shares on the last trading day immediately prior to the date of the grant. "Market Price", on any date, will be the closing trading price of the Common Shares of the Company on the TSX (as reported by such exchange) on the date or, in the absence of a closing price on such date, on the most recent date (not exceeding 10 days) prior to such date or, if the Common Shares are not listed on the TSX, on such other stock exchange as the Committee may designate, and otherwise shall be as determined by the Committee, or such price allowed by the applicable regulatory body or exchange.
Options granted under the Amended Plan are exercisable for such term as may be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, subject to earlier termination after certain events such as the optionee's cessation of service to the Company or death. The Amended Plan provides that if a stock option would otherwise expire during, or within five business days after the end of a trading black-out period imposed by the Company, the expiry date of that stock option will be extended to the day which is ten business days after the end of that trading black-out and empowering the Company to accelerate the termination of stock options in certain circumstances. The Committee, at its sole discretion, may determine the method of vesting, if any, of stock options granted under the Amended Plan. If an optionee ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company for any reason (other than death or retirement), the optionee may, but only within a period determined by the Committee of up to a maximum of 90 days after the optionee's ceasing to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company, exercise the stock option but only to the extent that the optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such cessation. If an optionee ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company by reason of his retirement from the Company, the optionee may exercise the stock option until its expiry date, but only to the extent that the optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such cessation. In the event of the death of an optionee, the stock options previously granted to such optionee shall be exercisable only within six months following the date of the death of the optionee or prior to the expiry date of such stock option, whichever is earlier, and then only by the person or persons to whom the optionee's rights under the stock option shall pass by the optionee's will or the laws of descent and distribution and if and to the extent that the optionee was entitled to exercise the stock option at the date of the optionee's death.
Options granted under the Amended Plan are non-assignable and non-transferable without the prior written consent of the Company, which may be withheld in the Company's sole discretion.
The Company will not provide financial assistance to facilitate the exercise of stock options.
The Amended Plan does not provide for the Company to transform stock options into stock appreciation rights.
The Committee, subject to the prior approval of the Board and, if required, any stock exchange or other regulatory body having jurisdiction which may in turn require the approval of the shareholders of the Company, may discontinue the Amended Plan or amend the Amended Plan or any stock options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, subject to the prior approval of the Board, is specifically authorized to amend the terms of the Amended Plan and the terms of any stock options, without obtaining shareholder approval, for, among others, the following purposes:
- (a) amendments of a housekeeping nature, including the correction or rectification of any ambiguities, defective or inconsistent provisions, errors, mistakes or omissions therein and those of a typographical, grammatical or clerical nature and updating provisions therein to reflect changes in governing laws, including tax laws, or to comply with the requirement of any regulatory authority;
- (b) changes to the vesting provisions;
- (c) changes to the manner of determining the Market Price;
- (d) a change to the termination provisions which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date;
- (e) any change to the eligible participants as optionees which would have the potential of broadening or increasing insider participation;
- (f) the addition of a deferred or restricted share unit or any other provision which results in optionees receiving securities while no cash consideration is received by the Company;
- (g) provide any form of financial assistance;
- (h) amend a financial assistance provision to be more favorable to the optionees;
- (i) add a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, whether or not the feature provides for a full deduction of the number of underlying Common Shares from the reserved Common Shares; and
- (j) any reduction in the exercise price or purchase price or the extension of the term of any stock option which benefits a non-insider of the Company.
However, no amendments to the Amended Plan may be approved by the Committee which:
- (i) increase the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Amended Plan (including a change from a fixed maximum percentage of Common Shares to a fixed maximum number of Common Shares but excluding the reloading of securities after exercise);
- (ii) reduce the exercise price or purchase price or extend the term of any stock option which benefits an insider of the Company, which security holder approval must exclude the votes of securities held by the insiders benefiting from the amendment;
- (iii) change the manner of determining the exercise price so that the exercise price is less than the Market Price of the Common Shares on the last trading day immediately prior to the date of grant;
- (iv) increase the aggregate number of Common Shares in respect of which stock options have been granted and remain outstanding so that such number of Common Shares, when taken together with all of the Company's security based compensation arrangements then either in effect or proposed, shall at any time be such as to result in:
- (A) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to insiders pursuant to stock options exceeding 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares;
- (B) the issuance to insiders pursuant to stock options, within a one (1) year period, of a number of Common Shares exceeding 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares; or
- (v) result in an amendment to any provision of the Amended Plan which does not fall within sections (a) through (j) above,
without obtaining approval of the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading.
All stock options are subject to the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities and stock exchanges to which the Company is subject.
As at the end of December 31, 2022, there were an aggregate of 2,201,000 stock options outstanding under the Amended Plan, representing 1.42% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares, and 13,288,634 stock options remained available for grant, representing 8.58% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
Burn Rate
The Amended Plan burn rate for each of the three most recently completed financial years is:
| Year | Burn Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0% | |
| 2021 | 0% | |
| 2020 | 1.8% |
Share Purchase Plan
On March 2, 2005, the Board established a Share Purchase Plan, which was approved by the Company's shareholders on May 16, 2005 (the "Share Purchase Plan").
Summary of the Share Purchase Plan
The Share Purchase Plan allows full-time employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who have been employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for at least six (6) consecutive months to purchase shares in the Company and receive from the Company an equal number of shares (the "Company's Contribution") over and above the shares purchased. The Share Purchase Plan is designed to allow participation by Company employees in the future growth of the Company. Employees must subscribe no later than December 1st of every year to commence contributions for the following calendar year. Currently, employees have the opportunity to contribute up to a maximum of 5% of their gross annual salaries excluding any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind.
Except with the further approval of the shareholders of the Company given by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company, excluding the votes of insiders of the Company and such insider's associates, the Company may not cause (a) the issuance or delivery to insiders of the Company, within a one (1) year period, of Common Shares under the Share Purchase Plan and the Amended Plan to exceed 10% of the outstanding issue; and (b) the issuance or delivery to any one insider of the Company and such insider's associates, within a one (1) year period, of shares under this Share Purchase Plan and the Amended Plan to exceed 5% of the outstanding issue.
The Company may issue shares from its treasury or purchase shares in the market for delivery to the participants under the Share Purchase Plan. The Common Shares issued or delivered to the participants will be deemed to have been issued at the greater of the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX at the end of each pay period for that quarter and the weighted average trading price five days prior to the end of each pay period. All Common Shares issued or delivered to a participant in accordance with the Share Purchase Plan will be held in safekeeping by the Company and will be delivered, subject as provided in the Share Purchase Plan, to such participant upon the expiry of a period of 6 months following the date of issue of such Common Shares. The Company's Contribution will not exceed 400,000 Common Shares in any calendar year and will not exceed 2,000,000 Common Shares in the aggregate (representing 1.29% of the issued Common Shares of the Company at December 31, 2022). As at the end of December 31, 2022, the Company had 819,276 shares remaining available for grant under the Share Purchase Plan. This represents 0.53% of number of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
If a participant is no longer employed by the Company or its subsidiaries for any reason including termination or death, the participant will be deemed to be no longer a participant in the Share Purchase Plan and (i) any portion of the participant's contribution held in trust for the participant for that quarter will be paid to the participant or the estate of the participant or successor, as applicable; and (ii) any portion of the Company's Contribution then held in trust for the participant for that quarter when termination of employment occurs will be paid to the Company. All benefits, rights and options accruing to any participant in accordance with the Share Purchase Plan are generally not transferable. During the lifetime of a participant, all benefits, rights and options can only be exercised by the participant.
Burn Rate
The Share Purchase Plan burn rate for each of the three most recently completed financial years is:
| Year | Burn Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0% | ||
| 2021 | 0% | ||
| 2020 | 0% |
Proposed Amendments to the Share Purchase Plan
The Board reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate the Share Purchase Plan at any time if and when it is advisable in the absolute discretion of the Board. Any amendment of the Share Purchase Plan which would materially (i) increase the benefits under the Share Purchase Plan; (ii) increase the number of Common Shares which would be issued under the Share Purchase Plan; or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Share Purchase Plan, will require approval of the shareholders of the Company. Any material amendment to any provision of the Share Purchase Plan will require approval of the TSX.
To better align with the insider participation limits as set forth in the TSX Company Manual and the Amended Plan, the Share Purchase Plan will be amended so that, except with the further approval of the shareholders of the Company given by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company, excluding the votes of insiders of the Company and such insider's associates, the number of Common Shares (i) issuable to insiders of the Company at any time; and (ii) issued to insiders of the Company within any one year period, pursuant to the Share Purchase Plan and the Company's other security based compensation arrangements will not exceed 10% of the outstanding issue. Such amendment is not material.
On March 30, 2023, the Board approved, subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Company and the approval of the TSX, an amendment to the Share Purchase Plan to increase the maximum contribution that employees can contribute thereunder of their gross annual salaries excluding any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind, from 5% to 7%. Accordingly, shareholder approval of such amendment will be sought at the Meeting, as more particularly described below under "Particulars of Other Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Amendment and Restatement of the Share Purchase Plan".
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes the Company's compensation plans described in detail above under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance at the end of the Company's most recent completed financial year:
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: |
|||
| Amended & Restated Stock Option Plan (2007) | 2,201,000 | 4.66 | 13,286,134 |
| Share Purchase Plan | Nil | Nil | 819,276 |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Total | 2,201,00 | 4.66 | 14,105,410 |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Other than routine indebtedness, no current or former executive officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, or any associate of any such executive officer, director, employee or proposed nominee, is or has been indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or to any other entity that was provided a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the indebtedness, at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year of the Company.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Management functions of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company are not, to any substantial degree, performed by a person other than the directors or executive officers of the Company or its subsidiaries (if any).
INTERESTS OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Other than as set forth in this Information Circular, no informed person of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company and no associate or affiliate of any such informed person or proposed nominee 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 that, in either case, has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as follows:
On October 2, 2019, the Company entered into a one year \$50 million revolving Credit Facility. The Credit Facility was increased from \$50.0 million to \$75.0 million in October 2021, and further increased from \$75.0 million to \$100.0 million in February 2022 maturing October 9, 2022. On March 31, 2022, the Credit Facility was increased from \$100.0 million to \$125.0 million. This additional increase of \$75.0 million in the Credit Facility was guaranteed by a related party, to which the Company will pay certain fees for providing the guarantee. On February 21, 2023, the Company extended its Credit Facility to February 21, 2024.
On August 31, 2022, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of \$47.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures"). The Convertible Debentures have a term of 5 years with an annual interest rate of 8%, paid semi-annually with the first payment payable on February 28, 2023. Each \$3.20 of principal amount is convertible into one common share of the Company. The Convertible Debentures are not callable unless the closing price of the Company's Common Shares exceeds 140% of the conversion price for at least 30 consecutive days. A maximum of 14,687,500 Common Shares will be issued if all of the Convertible Debentures are converted into Common Shares of the Company. The Convertible Debentures will mature on August 30, 2027. Edwards purchased \$32.5 million of the Convertible Debentures and directors and officers of the Company purchased \$2.25 million of the Convertible Debentures.
On December 28, 2022, the Company completed the Non-Convertible Debentures Private Placement of \$53.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Non-Convertible Debentures. The Company issued the A Debentures which have a maturity date of four years from the date of issuance, and which bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum, with interest paid semi-annually in cash, with the first payment due June 23, 2023. In connection with the issuance of the A Debentures, the Company issued 6,056,250 Warrants which are exercisable into Common Shares of the Company at a price of \$2.10 per share for a period of four years from the date of issuance. The Company also issued the B Debentures which have a maturity date of twelve months from the date of issuance, and which bear interest at a rate of 12.0% per annum, with interest paid semi-annually in cash, with the first payment due June 23, 2023. No warrants were issued in connection with the B Debentures. Edwards purchased \$35.45 million of the A Debentures and \$4.55 million of the B Debentures, and as part of the purchase of the A Debentures received 4,431,250 Warrants and directors and officers of the Company purchased \$1.57 million of the A Debentures and as part of the A Debentures received 196,250 Warrants.
On March 1, 2023, the Company issued 2023 Non-Convertible Debentures, with an aggregate principal amount of \$29,125,000 on a non-brokered private placement basis. The 2023 Non-Convertible Debentures have a maturity date of March 1, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 12.0% per annum, with interest paid semi-annually in cash, with the first payment due September 1, 2023. Edwards purchased \$22 million of the 2023 Non-Convertible Debentures and directors and officers of the Company purchased \$1,125,000 of the 2023 Non-Convertible Debentures.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The shareholders will be asked to vote for the re-appointment of Deloitte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration.
PARTICULARS OF OTHER MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Approval of Amendment and Restatement of the Share Purchase Plan
On March 30, 2023, the Board approved, subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Company and the approval of the TSX, an amendment to the Share Purchase Plan to increase the maximum contribution that employees can contribute thereunder of their gross annual salaries excluding any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind, from 5% to 7%.
At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be asked to consider, and if deemed fit, pass an ordinary resolution approving an amended and restated Share Purchase Plan (the "Amended and Restated Share Purchase Plan") in substantially the following form:
"BE IT RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION, THAT:
-
- The Amended and Restated Share Purchase Plan, in substantially the form described in, and appended as Schedule A to the Circular, is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved.
-
- The maximum contribution that employees can contribute under the Amended and Restated Share Purchase Plan of their gross annual salaries excluding any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind, shall be increased from 5% to 7%.
-
- Any one director or officer of the Company is authorized and directed, on behalf of the Company, to take all necessary steps and proceedings and to executed, deliver and file any and all declarations, agreements, documents and other instruments and do all such other acts and things that may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the foregoing resolutions."
A blackline of the Amended and Restated Share Purchase Plan is appended hereto as Schedule A which reflects the proposed amendment.
OTHER MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
There are no matters to be considered at the Meeting which are known to the directors or executive officers at this time other than as referred to in the Notice of Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting it is the intention of the persons named in the Proxy accompanying this Information Circular to vote the same in accordance with their best judgement of such matters exercising discretionary authority.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information concerning the Company, including the Company's consolidated interim and annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, is available through SEDAR at sedar.com under "Company Profiles – Imperial Metals Corporation". Copies of such information may also be obtained on the Company's website at imperialmetals.com or on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of the Company, 200 – 580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B6, telephone 604-669-8959, [email protected].
Financial information of the Company is provided in the Company's consolidated comparative financial statements, and management's discussion and analysis thereon, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Copies of such financial statements may be obtained in the manner set forth above.
APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby certifies that the contents and sending of this Information Circular have been approved by the directors of the Company.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, this 30th day of March, 2023.
By Order of the Board of Directors of
IMPERIAL METALS CORPORATION
(signed) "J. Brian Kynoch"
J. Brian Kynoch, President
SCHEDULE A
Blackline of the Amended and Restated Share Purchase Plan
(See attached)

SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Share Purchase Plan (the "Plan") is to establish a Plan to advance the interests of Imperial Metals Corporation (the "Company") by encouraging certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to purchase Common shares of the Company.
2.0 THE PLAN
The Plan will be renewed on an annual basis at the Directors' sole discretion, such renewal to be approved no later than December 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year. The renewal of the Plan will be on the same terms and conditions as set out herein.
2.01 Participants
Participants in the Plan for any one calendar year will be full-time salaried employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who have been continuously employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for at least six consecutive months. The Board of Directors of the Company, upon recommendation of the President of the Company, shall have the right in its absolute discretion to waive such six month period or refuse any employee or group of employees the right of participation or continued participation in the Plan.
2.02 Election to Participate in the Plan and Participant's Contribution
Any Participant may elect to contribute money (the "Participant's Contribution") to the Plan in any calendar year, provided the Plan has been renewed by the Directors of the Company for that year, by delivering to the Company a written direction in form and substance as attached hereto as Exhibit "A":
- (a) authorizing the Company to deduct from the Participant's salary in equal installments the Participant's Contribution; and
- (b) directing the Company to register a municipal address specified by the Company as the Participant's address on the shareholders' register for any Shares issued to the Participant in accordance with the Plan.
If by December 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year, the employee has not been continuously employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for at least six consecutive months, then, in the month the employee becomes so employed, a Participant may elect to make a Participant's Contribution with respect to the balance of the calendar year commencing on the first day of the following month.
The Participant's Contribution shall not exceed 57% of the Participant's basic annual salary from the Company and its subsidiaries at the time of delivery of the direction before any deductions, exclusive of any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind whatsoever (the "Basic Annual Salary"). In the case of any employee who becomes employed for six consecutive months during the year and delivers a direction at that time, Basic Annual Salary shall not exceed 57% of the Participant's basic annual salary from the Company and its subsidiaries at the time of delivery of the direction prorated over the remainder of the calendar year before deductions, exclusive of any overtime pay, bonuses or allowances of any kind whatsoever.

No adjustments shall be made to the Participant's Contribution in any one calendar year. In order for the Participant's Contribution to continue, a new written direction shall have been delivered to the Company for such calendar year, provided that the Directors of the Company have authorized the renewal of the Plan for that calendar year.
The Participant's Contribution shall be held by the Company in trust for the purposes of the Plan.
2.03 Company's Contribution
Immediately prior to the date any Shares are issued or delivered to a Participant in accordance with section 2.05, the Company will credit the Participant with and thereafter hold in trust for the Participant an amount (the "Company's Contribution") equal to the Participant's Contribution then held in trust by the Company. The Company's contribution shall not exceed 400,000 Common shares in any calendar year and shall not exceed 2,000,000 Common shares in the aggregate.
2.04 Aggregate Contribution
The Participant's Contributions plus the Company's Contributions shall be the "Aggregate Contribution". The Company shall not be required to segregate the Aggregate Contribution from its own corporate funds or to pay interest thereon.
2.05 Issue or Delivery of Shares
The Company may issue Shares from its treasury or purchase Shares in the market for delivery to the Participants under this Plan.
The Shares issued or delivered to the Participant will be deemed to have been issued at the greater of the closing price of the Shares on The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") at the end of each pay period for that quarter and the weighted average trading price five days prior to the end of each pay period (hereinafter referred to as the "Issue Price").
Except with the further approval of the shareholders of the Company given by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company, excluding the votes of insiders of the Company and such insider's associates (such approval not being sought at the time of adoption of this Plan), the Company may not cause:
- (a) the issuance or deliverynumber of Shares issuable to insiders of the Company, within a one-year period, of Shares under at any time pursuant to this Plan and the Company's Share Option Planother security based compensation arrangements to exceed 10% of the outstanding issue; and
- (b) the issuance or delivery to any one insidernumber of Shares issued to insiders of the Company and such insider's associates, within aany one- year period, of Shares under pursuant to this Plan and the Company's Share Option Planother security based compensation arrangements to exceed 510% of the outstanding issue.
2.06 Safekeeping and Delivery of Shares
All Shares issued or delivered to a Participant in accordance with the Plan will be held in safekeeping by the Company and will be delivered, subject as provided in the Plan, to such Participant upon the expiry of a period (the "Holding Period") of six (6) months following the date of issue of such shares. If the Company receives on behalf of a Participant in respect of any Shares so held:
(a) cash dividends;

(b) option or rights to purchase additional securities of the Company or any other corporation;

- (c) any notice of meeting, proxy statement and proxy for any meeting of holders of Shares of the Company; or
- (d) other or additional Shares or other securities (by way of dividend or otherwise);
then, the Company shall forward to such Participant at the Participant's last known address according to the records of the Company any of the items listed in Subsection 2.06 (a) , (b) and (c) ; and shall hold in safekeeping any additional securities referred to in Subsection 2.06 (d) and shall deliver such securities to a Participant with delivery of the Shares in respect of which such additional securities were issued.
Any Shares issued or delivered to a Participant but held in safekeeping by the Company will be distributed to a Participant or the estate of the Participant prior to the expiry of the Holding Period only upon:
- (a) the date of the commencement of the Participant's retirement in accordance with the Company's normal retirement policy;
- (b) the date of the commencement of the total disability of the Participant determined in accordance with the Company's normal disability policy; or
- (c) the date of death of the Participant.
2.07 Termination of Employment
If a Participant shall cease to be employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any reason or shall receive notice from the Company of the termination of the Participant's employment, or shall die while still a Participant of the Plan, the Participant shall be deemed to be no longer a Participant in the Plan and:
- (a) any portion of the Participant's Contribution then held in trust for the Participant for that quarter shall be paid to the Participant or the estate of the Participant or successor, as the case may be; and
- (b) any portion of the Company's contribution then held in trust for the Participant for the quarter when termination of employment occurs shall be paid to the Company.
2.08 Record Keeping
The Company shall maintain a register in which shall be recorded:
- (i) the name and address of each Participant;
- (ii) any Participant's Contributions; and
- (iii) the number of Shares delivered to the Participant.
2.09 Necessary Approvals
The Plan shall be effective upon the approval of the shareholders of the Company and it is subject to the approval of The Toronto Stock Exchange.
If the Shares cannot be issued or delivered to any Participant for whatever reason, the obligation of the Company to issue such Shares shall terminate and any Participant's Contribution held in trust for the Participant for that quarter shall be returned to the Participant without interest.

2.10 Compliance with Laws
The obligations of the Company to sell shares and deliver share certificates under the Plan are subject to such compliance by the Company and the Participants as the Company deems necessary or advisable with all applicable corporate and securities laws, rules and regulations and any regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the securities of the Company.
2.11 Transferability
All benefits, rights and options accruing to any Participant in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan shall not be transferable unless specifically provided herein. During the lifetime of a Participant, all benefits, rights and options shall only be exercised by the Participant.
2.12 Employment
Nothing contained in the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to employment or continuance of employment with the Company or its subsidiaries, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to terminate the Participant's employment at any time. Participation in the Plan by a Participant shall be voluntary.
2.13 No Further Rights
Nothing contained in the Plan shall give any Participant or any other person, any interest or title in or to any shares of the Company or any rights as a shareholder of the Company or any other legal or equitable right against the Company whatsoever other than as set forth in the Plan.
2.14 Rights of Participants
The Participants shall have no rights whatsoever as shareholders in respect of any of the Shares being purchased for a specific quarter (including without limitation, voting rights or any right to receive dividends, warrants or rights under any rights offering) other than the Shares which have been issued by the Company.
2.15 Shares
As used in the Plan, "Shares" means fully paid and non-assessable Common shares of the Company.
2.16 Third Party Offer
If at any time during the calendar year while the Plan is still is place, an offer to purchase all of the Common shares of the Company is made by a third party, the third party will honour the Plan of the Company to all the Participants of the Plan pursuant to clause 2.05.
2.17 Alterations in Shares
In the event of a stock dividend, subdivision, redivision, consolidation, share reclassification (other than pursuant to the Plan) amalgamation, merger, consolidation, corporate arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or the like of or by the Company, the Board of Directors may make such adjustment, if any, to the Company's Contribution or to the Participant's Contribution, or both, to be granted to the Participant under this Plan as it shall deem appropriate to give proper effect to such event pursuant to Section 2.l8. If because of a proposed merger, amalgamation or other corporate arrangement or reorganization, the exchange or replacement of shares in the Company for those in another company is imminent, the Board of Directors, may, in a fair and equitable manner, determine the manner in which all unissued shares granted under the Plan for that quarter shall be treated. All

determinations of the Board of Directors under this paragraph shall be full and final.
2.18 Administration and Amendment of the Plan
The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be authorized to interpret the Plan and may from time to time, establish, amend or rescind rules and regulations required for carrying out the Plan. Any such interpretation of the Plan shall be final and conclusive.
All administrative costs of the Plan shall be paid by the Company. The officers of the Company are authorized and directed 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 the Plan and of the rules and regulations established for administering the Plan.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time if and when it is advisable in the absolute discretion of the Board of Directors. However, any amendment of the Plan which would:
- (a) materially increase the benefits under the Plan;
- (b) materially increase the number of Shares which would be issued under the Plan; or
- (c) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan;
shall be effective only upon the approval of the shareholders of the Company. Any material amendment to any provision of the Plan shall be approved by any stock exchange or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the securities of the Company.
2.19 No Representations or Warranties
The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of any Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
2.20 Interpretation
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
Dec 5 2011
51374395.151374395.4
Exhibit "A"
TO: Imperial Metals Corporation (Imperial) and its subsidiaries
RE: SHARE PURCHASE PLAN (ESPP) CONTRIBUTION for the Period January 1, * to December 31, *
The undersigned directs Imperial, in accordance with the letter dated December [●], to:
-
- deduct from my base salary, during the period January 1, [●] to December 31, [●], the option indicated below (not to exceed 57% of base salary):
- \$_________ on each payroll payment date; OR
- annual aggregate total of \$_________ (deducted evenly over payroll payments during the year); OR
- maximum allowable under the ESPP (deducted evenly over payroll periods during the year);
for the purchase of Imperial common shares in accordance with the ESPP, plus any and all income tax which may be payable in connection with such purchase.
- hold in trust, deliver and seal such Imperial common shares issued to the undersigned, and all rights with respect thereto in accordance with the ESPP. The authorization to transfer shares electronically to my brokerage account, is provided in the Letter of Authorization for Transfer of Shares.
I subscribe for the number of Imperial common shares issuable to me pursuant to the above-noted direction in accordance with the ESPP, and I acknowledge the above direction and subscription are subject to the terms and conditions of the ESPP and its terms are incorporated herein.
____________________________________
____________________________________
Date: _______________________ ____________________________________
Witness: _____________________ ____________________________________
Name of Participant
Signature of Participant
Daytime Telephone No.

Imperial Metals Corporation 200-580 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3B6
imperialmetals.com
604.669.8959 | [email protected]