Skip to main content

AI assistant

Sign in to chat with this filing

The assistant answers questions, extracts KPIs, and summarises risk factors directly from the filing text.

Marvel Discovery Corp. Remuneration Information 2020

Feb 5, 2020

43348_rns_2020-02-04_3ef6dc51-afc5-4808-95a8-a349093bfa13.pdf

Remuneration Information

Open in viewer

Opens in your device viewer

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

General

For the purposes of this Statement of Executive Compensation:

"CEO" means an individual who acted as chief executive officer of the Company, or acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year;

"CFO" means an individual who acted as chief financial officer of the Company, or acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year;

"Named Executive Officer" or "NEO" means each of the following individuals:

(a) a CEO; (b) a CFO; (c) each of the three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company, including any of its subsidiaries, or the three most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and CFO, at the end of the most recently completed financial year and whose total compensation was, individually, more than $150,000 as determined in accordance with applicable securities laws; and (d) each individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the Company, nor acting in a similar capacity at the end of the most recently completed financial year.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The compensation of Company officers and Directors is based on an incentive philosophy with the intent that all efforts will be directed toward a common objective of creating shareholder value. The Company's process for determining executive compensation is not formal. The Board of Directors meets to discuss and determine executive compensation without reference to formal objectives, criteria or analysis. The compensation strategy is to attract and retain talent and experience with focused leadership in the operations, financing, and exploration asset management of the Company with the objective of maximizing the value of the Company. The officers and Board of Directors each have defined skills and experience that are essential to a junior exploration company in the mining industry.

The Company is aware of the challenges that it faces in its present stage of development and the current financial limitations of being a junior exploration company in the current financial markets. The amounts paid to the CEO and CFO for management services have been unchanged in recent years.

Elements of Compensation

The Company's executive compensation consists of an annual base salary and long term incentives in the form of stock options granted under the Company's Stock Option Plan.

The base salaries paid to officers of the Company are intended to provide fixed levels of competitive pay that reflect each officer's primary duties and responsibilities and the level of skill and experience required to successfully perform their role. The Company intends to pay base salaries to officers that are competitive with those for similar positions in the mining industry to attract and retain executive talent in the market in which the Company competes for talent. Base salaries of officers are reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.

The incentive component of the Company's compensation program is the potential longer term reward provided through the grant of stock options. The Company's Stock Option Plan is intended to attract, retain and motivate officers and Directors of the Company in key positions, and to align the interests of those individuals with those of the Company's shareholders. The Stock Option Plan provides such individuals with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company's value growth through the exercise of stock options. Options are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors, which considers factors such as how other junior exploration companies grant options and the potential value that each optionee is contributing to the Company. The number of options granted to an individual is based on such considerations. Stock options are granted at an exercise price of not less than the prevailing market price of the Company's common shares at the time of the grant, and for a term of exercise not exceeding ten years.


The Company has not currently identified specific performance goals or benchmarks as such relate to executive compensation, but from time to time does review compensation practices of companies of similar size and stage of development to ensure the compensation paid is competitive within the Company's industry. The stage of the Company's development and the small size of its specialized management team allow frequent communication and constant management decisions in the interest of developing shareholder value as a primary goal. As the Company progresses toward a revenue-producing entity, and performance goals are more apt to be delegated, particular performance goals will become more complex and measurable, and included in the compensation structure accordingly.

Compensation Policies and Risk Management

The Board of Directors considers the implications of the risks associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices when determining rewards for its officers. Commencing in 2012, the Board of Directors intends to review at least once annually the risks, if any, associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices at such time.

Executive compensation is comprised of short-term compensation in the form of a base salary and long-term ownership through the Company's Stock Option Plan. This structure ensures that a significant portion of executive compensation (stock options) is both long-term and "at risk" and, accordingly, is directly linked to the achievement of business results and the creation of long term shareholder value. As the benefits of such compensation, if any, are not realized by officers until a significant period of time has passed, the ability of officers to take inappropriate or excessive risks that are beneficial to their compensation at the expense of the Company and the shareholders is extremely limited. Furthermore, the short-term component of executive compensation (base salary) represents a relatively small part of the total compensation. As a result, it is unlikely an officer would take inappropriate or excessive risks at the expense of the Company or the shareholders that would be beneficial to their short-term compensation when their long-term compensation might be put at risk from their actions.

Due to the small size of the Company and the current level of the Company's activity, the Board of Directors is able to closely monitor and consider any risks which may be associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices. Risks, if any, may be identified and mitigated through regular Board meetings during which financial and other information of the Company are reviewed. No risks have been identified arising from the Company's compensation policies and practices that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Hedging of Economic Risks in the Company's Securities

The Company has not adopted a policy prohibiting Directors or officers from purchasing financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of the Company's securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by Directors or officers. However, the Company is not aware of any Directors or officers having entered into this type of transaction.

Option-Based Awards

The Company's Stock Option Plan has been and will be used to provide share purchase options which are granted in consideration of the level of responsibility of the executive as well as his or her impact or contribution to the longer-term operating performance of the Company. In determining the number of options to be granted to the executive officers, the Board takes into account the number of options, if any, previously granted to each executive officer, and the exercise price of any outstanding options to ensure that such grants are in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, and closely align the interests of the executive officers with the interests of shareholders.

The Board of Directors as a whole has the responsibility to administer the compensation policies related to the executive management of the Company, including option-based awards.

Compensation Governance

Options are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors, which considers factors such as how other junior exploration companies grant options and the potential value that each optionee is contributing to the Company. The number of options granted to an individual is based on such considerations.

Summary Compensation Table

The following information is presented in accordance with National Instrument Form 51-102F6V – Statement of Executive Compensation, and sets forth compensation for each of Gary Musil, the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO"), Fraser Rieche, the Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO") (together, the "NEOs") and Roger Agyagos and Brent Griffin, the directors of the Company as at August 31, 2019.


Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation, Excluding Compensation Securities

The following table sets out all compensation paid, payable, awarded, granted, given, or otherwise provided, directly or indirectly, by the Company to each NEO and director, in any capacity, for the two most recently completed financial years.

Table of compensation excluding compensation securities
Name and position Year Salary, consulting fee, retainer or commission ($) Bonus ($) Committee or meeting fees ($) Value of Perquisites ($) Value of all other compensation ($) Total compensation ($)
Gary Musil, CEO and Director 2019 60,000^{(3)} Nil Nil Nil 4,702^{(3)} 64,702
2018 60,000^{(2)} Nil Nil Nil 19,313^{(3)} 79,313
Fraser Rieche CFO and Director 2019 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
2018 Nil Nil Nil Nil 8,845^{(4)} 8,845
Roger Agyagos Director 2019 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
2018 Nil Nil Nil Nil 8,845^{(4)} 8,845
Brent Griffin Director 2019 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
2018 Nil Nil Nil Nil 8,845^{(4)} 10,319

NOTES: (1) As at August 31, 2019 year-end the amount owing was $268,514 (2018 - $240,014) to Gary Musil, comprised of $266,000 (2018 - $236,000) of management fees payable and $2,514 (2018 - $4,014) of expenses. (2) As at August 31, 2018 year-end the amount owing was $240,014 (2017 - $357,087) to Gary Musil, comprised of $236,000 (2017 - $336,000) of management fees payable and $4,014 (2017 - $21,087) of expenses. (3) Health benefits and stock option based awards. (4) Stock option based awards.

Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities

No compensation securities were granted or issued to any NEO and/or director by the Company for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company in the most recently completed financial year ended August 31, 2019.

Exercise of Stock Options

During the financial year ended August 31, 2019, no NEO and/or director of the Company exercised compensation securities.

Stock Option Plans and Other Incentive Plans

The Company has adopted a stock option plan (the "Option Plan") pursuant to which the Board may grant options (the "Options") to purchase common shares of the Company (the "Shares") to NEOs, directors and employees of the Company or affiliated corporations and to consultants retained by the Company.

The purpose of the Option Plan is to attract, retain, and motivate NEOs, directors, employees and other service providers by providing them with the opportunity, through options, to acquire an interest in the Company and benefit from the Company's growth. Under the Option Plan, the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance, including Options currently outstanding, is equal to 10% of the Shares outstanding from time to time (the "10% Maximum"). The 10% Maximum is an "evergreen" provision, meaning that, following the exercise, termination, cancellation or expiration of any Options, a number of Shares equivalent to the number of options so exercised, terminated, cancelled or expired would automatically become reserved and available for issuance in respect of future Option grants.

The number of Shares which may be the subject of Options on a yearly basis to any one person cannot exceed 5% of the number of issued and outstanding Shares at the time of the grant. Options may be granted to any employee, officer, director, consultant, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company exercisable at a price which is not less than the market price of common shares of the Company on the date of the grant. The directors of the Company may, by resolution, determine the time period during which any option may be exercised (the "Exercise Period"), provided that the Exercise Period does not contravene any rule or regulation of such exchange on which the Shares may be listed. All Options will terminate on the earliest to occur of (a) the expiry of their term; (b) the date of termination of an optionee's employment, office or position as director, if terminated for just cause; (c) 90 days (or such other period of time as permitted by any rule or regulation of such exchange on which the Shares may be listed) following the date of termination of an optionee's position as a director or NEO, if terminated for any reason other than the optionee's disability or death; (d) 30 days following the date of termination of an optionee's position as a consultant engaged in investor relations activities, if terminated for any reason other than the optionee's disability, death, or just cause; and (e) the date of any sale, transfer or assignment of the Option.


Options are non-assignable and are subject to early termination in the event of the death of a participant or in the event a participant ceases to be a NEO, director, employee, consultant, affiliate, or subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be. Subject to the foregoing restrictions, and certain other restrictions set out in the Option Plan, the Board is authorized to provide for the granting of Options and the exercise and method of exercise of options granted under the Option Plan.

The TSX Venture Exchange requires listed companies that have "rolling" stock option plans in place to receive shareholder approval for such plans on a yearly basis at the company's annual Shareholders meeting. The last shareholders meeting was held on June 27, 2019 and approval was granted.

Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements

Management functions of the Company are not, to any substantial degree, performed other than by directors or NEOs of the Company.

Neither the Company, nor its subsidiaries, has a contract, agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for payments to a NEO following or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change of control of the Company or its subsidiaries, or a change in responsibilities of the NEO following a change in control, other than:

  • Gary Musil - On February 1, 2012 the Company amended the Management Services Agreement with Gary Musil increasing his salary to $5,000 per month, with a term of twenty-four months, automatically renewed. The Company will also reimburse the Mr. Musil for all reasonable business, travel, hotel, entertainment and other out-of-pocket expenses which are incurred. The agreement also provides that Mr. Musil is entitled to the following benefits (a) parking; (b) dental and extended health; (c) paid annual vacation holidays of three weeks with an increase of one week per year; (d) statutory holidays paid; and (d) severance pursuant to "Liability Resulting From Length of Service" as defined in the Employment Standards Act. The agreement with Mr. Musil is in good standing. The agreement with Mr. Musil does not contain any "change of control" clauses.

With respect to the above, "Change of Control" means any event, including an amalgamation, merger or consolidation that causes:

(i) a third party to own or control, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the voting shares of the Company; (ii) a third party to own or control, directly or indirectly, sufficient voting shares in the Company to elect a majority of the directors of the Company; (iii) an assignment, sale, or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's business to a third party or to an affiliate or a wholly owned subsidiary; or (iv) an assignment, sale, or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to a third party or to an affiliate or a wholly owned subsidiary.

Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation

Compensation of Directors

Compensation of directors of the Company is reviewed annually and determined by the Board. The level of compensation for directors is determined after consideration of various relevant factors, including the expected nature and quantity of duties and responsibilities, past performance, comparison with compensation paid by other issuers of comparable size and nature, and the availability of financial resources.

In the Board's view, there is, and has been, no need for the Company to design or implement a formal compensation program for directors. While the Board considers Option grants to directors under the Option Plan from time to time, the Board does not employ a prescribed methodology when determining the grant or allocation of Options. Other than the Option Plan, as discussed above, the Company does not offer any long term incentive plans, share compensation plans or any other such benefit programs for directors.

Compensation of NEOs

Compensation of NEOs is reviewed annually and determined by the Board. The level of compensation for NEOs is determined after consideration of various relevant factors, including the expected nature and quantity of duties and responsibilities, past performance, comparison with compensation paid by other issuers of comparable size and nature, and the availability of financial resources. In the Board's view, there is, and has been, no need for the Company to design or implement a formal compensation program for NEOs.


Elements of NEO Compensation

Salary

The Company's CEO receives an annual salary. The CFO does not receive a salary. The Board reviews the CEO's salary annually to ensure that it reflects the respective NEO's performance and experience in fulfilling his role. Due to the relatively small size of the Company, limited cash resources, and the early stage and scope of the Company's operations, the NEO receives a limited salary relative to industry standards. The Board does not currently have any plan in place to materially increase the NEO's salary.

Option Plan

As discussed above, the Company provides an Option Plan to motivate NEOs by providing them with the opportunity, through Options, to acquire an interest in the Company and benefit from the Company's growth. The Board does not employ a prescribed methodology when determining the grant or allocation of Options to NEOs. Other than the Option Plan, the Company does not offer any long term incentive plans, share compensation plans, retirement plans, pension plans, or any other such benefit programs for NEOs.

Pension Disclosure

No pension, retirement or deferred compensation plans, including defined contribution plans, have been instituted by the Company and none are proposed at this time.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets forth the Company's compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance as at the end of the most recently completed financial year.

Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders 1,905,000 options $0.06 1,915,710^{(1)}
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders N/A N/A N/A
Total 1,905,000 options $0.06 1,915,710^{(1)}

NOTES: (1) Based on issued and outstanding of 38,207,105 as at August 31, 2019 (Year End)