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Pacific Imperial Mines Inc. Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2023

Nov 24, 2023

43923_rns_2023-11-24_7f5e3e93-c08f-4143-ab16-232d4a3f0f18.pdf

Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement

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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR

(Containing information as at November 8, 2023 unless indicated otherwise)

This Management Information Circular (the "Circular") is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of Pacific Imperial Mines Inc. (the "Company") for use at the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of its shareholders to be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of the Meeting.

In this Circular, references to "the Company", "we" and "our" refer to Pacific Imperial Mines Inc. Reference to "common shares" means common shares without par value in the capital of the Company. "Beneficial Shareholders" means shareholders who do not hold common shares in their own name and "intermediaries" refers to brokers, investment firms, clearing houses and similar entities that own securities on behalf of Beneficial Shareholders.

GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION

Solicitation of Proxies

The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company at nominal cost. The Company will bear all costs of this solicitation.

The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy (the "Proxy") are officers and directors of the Company. If you are a shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting, you have the right to appoint a person or company other than either of the persons designated in the Proxy, who need not be a shareholder, to attend and act for you on your behalf at the Meeting. You may do so either by inserting the name of that other person in the blank space provided in the Proxy or by completing and delivering another suitable form of proxy.

The only methods by which you may appoint a person as proxy are submitting a Proxy by mail, hand delivery or fax.

Voting by Proxyholder

The persons named in the Proxy will vote or withhold from voting the common shares represented thereby in accordance with your instructions on any ballot that may be called for. If you specify a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, your common shares will be voted accordingly. The Proxy confers discretionary authority on persons named therein with respect to:

  • (a) each matter or group of matters identified therein for which a choice is not specified, other than the appointment of an auditor and the election of directors,
  • (b) any amendment to or variation of any matter identified therein, and
  • (c) any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting.

In respect of a matter for which a choice is not specified in the Proxy, or where both choices have been specified, in favour or all matters described herein, the persons named in the Proxy will vote the common shares represented by the Proxy for the approval of such matter.

Notice and Access

The Company is not sending this Circular to registered or beneficial shareholders using "notice-and-access" as defined under National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer ("NI 54-101").

Registered Shareholders

If you are a Registered Shareholder and wish to have your common shares voted at the Meeting, you will be required to submit your vote by Proxy in advance of the Meeting. In person voting will not be permitted at the Meeting due to the issues related to the verification of shareholder identity via video conference. Registered Shareholders electing to submit a Proxy may do so by completing, dating and signing the Proxy and returning it to the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare"), in accordance with the instructions on the Proxy. Alternatively, Registered Shareholders may vote their common shares via the internet or by telephone as per the instructions provided on the Proxy.

In all cases you should ensure that the Proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment thereof at which the Proxy is to be used.

Registered Shareholders electing to submit a Proxy may do so by:

  • (a) Internet. Vote online at www.investorvote.com using the Proxy control number found in the enclosed Proxy.
  • (b) Telephone. Using a touch-tone phone to transmit voting choices to the toll-free number given in the Proxy. Registered Shareholders who choose this option must follow the instructions of the voice response system and refer to the enclosed Proxy for the toll-free number, the holder's account number and the Proxy Control Number.
  • (c) Mail. Completing, dating and signing the enclosed Proxy and returning it to Computershare, by fax within North America at 1-866-249-7775, or by mail or hand delivery at 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, Canada.

In all cases ensuring that the Proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment thereof at which the Proxy is to be used.

Should you wish to contact Computershare, please refer to the following:

General Shareholder Inquiries:

By phone: 1-800-564-6253
By fax: 1-866-249-7775
By email: [email protected]
By regular mail: Computershare Investor Services Inc.
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5J2Y1

Non-Registered Shareholders (Beneficial Shareholders)

The following information is significant to shareholders who do not hold common shares in their own name. Beneficial Shareholders should note that the only proxies that can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting are those deposited by Registered Shareholders (those whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of common shares).

These securityholder materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of the securities of the Company. If you are a non-registered owner, and the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities, have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding on your behalf. By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in your request for voting instructions.

If common shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those common shares will not be registered in the shareholder's name on the records of the Company. Such common shares will more likely be registered under the names of the shareholder's broker or an agent of that broker. In the United States, the vast majority of such common shares are registered under the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (which acts as depositary for many U.S. brokerage firms and custodian banks), and in Canada, under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms).

There are two kinds of beneficial owners - those who object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (called "OBOs" for "Objecting Beneficial Owners") and those who do not object to the issuers of the securities they own knowing who they are (called "NOBOs" for "Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners").

Pursuant to NI 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company is sending proxy-related materials directly to NOBOs, which materials will include a scannable Voting Instruction Form (a "VIF"). These VIFs are to be completed and returned to Computershare in the envelope provided or by facsimile. In addition, Computershare provides both telephone voting and internet voting as described on the VIF itself which contain complete instructions. Computershare will tabulate the results of the VIFs received from NOBOs and will provide appropriate instructions at the Meeting with respect to the common shares represented by the VIFs they receive.

Management of the Company does not intend to pay for intermediaries to forward to OBOs under NI 54-101 the proxy-related materials and Form 54-101F7 Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary, and, in the case of an OBO, the OBO will not receive the materials unless the OBO's intermediary assumes the cost of delivery.

Every intermediary that mails proxy-related materials to Beneficial Shareholders has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients. Beneficial Shareholders should follow the instructions of their intermediary carefully to ensure that their common shares are voted at the Meeting.

Most brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. ("Broadridge") in the United States and in Canada. Broadridge mails a voting instruction form (the "Broadridge VIF") which is similar to the Proxy provided to Registered Shareholders by the Company. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the intermediary on how to vote on your behalf. The Broadridge VIF will appoint the same persons as the Company's Proxy to represent you at the Meeting. You have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder of the Company), other than the persons designated in the Broadridge VIF, to represent you at the Meeting. To exercise this right, you should insert the name of the desired representative in the blank space provided in the Broadridge VIF. The completed Broadridge VIF must then be returned to Broadridge by mail or facsimile or given to Broadridge by phone or over the internet, in accordance with Broadridge's instructions. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of common shares to be represented at the Meeting. If you receive a Broadridge VIF, you cannot use it to vote common shares directly at the Meeting – the Broadridge VIF must be completed and returned to Broadridge, in accordance with its instructions, well in advance of the Meeting to have the common shares voted.

Although as a Beneficial Shareholder you may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting common shares registered in the name of your broker, you, or a person designated by you, may attend at the Meeting as proxyholder for your broker and vote your common shares in that capacity. If you wish to attend at the Meeting and indirectly vote your common shares as proxyholder for your broker, or have a person designated by you do so, you should enter your own name, or the name of the person you wish to designate, in the blank space on the Broadridge VIF provided to you and return the same to your broker in accordance with the instructions provided by such broker, well in advance of the Meeting.

Alternatively, you can request in writing that your broker send you a legal Proxy which would enable you, or a person designated by you, to attend at the Meeting and vote your common shares.

Notice to United States Shareholders

The Company's common shares are not registered under Section 12 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and this solicitation of proxies is not subject to the requirements of Section 14(a) of the U.S. Exchange Act. Residents of the United States should be aware that applicable Canadian proxy solicitation rules differ from those of the United States applicable to proxy statements under the U.S. Exchange Act.

This document does not address any income tax consequences of the disposition of the Company's common shares by shareholders. Shareholders in a jurisdiction outside of Canada should be aware that the disposition of common shares by them may have tax consequences both in those jurisdictions and in Canada, and are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances and the tax considerations applicable to them.

Any information concerning any properties and operations of the Company has been prepared in accordance with Canadian standards under applicable Canadian securities laws, and may not be comparable to similar information for United States companies.

Financial statements included or incorporated by reference herein have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and are subject to auditing and auditor independence standards in Canada, and reconciled to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Revocation of Proxies

In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Registered Shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it by:

  • (a) executing a Proxy bearing a later date or by executing a valid notice of revocation, either of the foregoing to be executed by the Registered Shareholder or the Registered Shareholder's authorized attorney in writing, or, if the shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal by an officer or attorney duly authorized, and by delivering the Proxy bearing a later date to Computershare or at the address of the registered office of the Company at Suite 400, 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 4M6, at any time up to and including the last business day that precedes the day of the Meeting or, if the Meeting is adjourned, the last business day that precedes any reconvening thereof, or to the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any reconvening thereof, or in any other manner provided by law; or
  • (b) personally attending the Meeting and voting the Registered Shareholder's common shares.

A revocation of a Proxy will not affect a matter on which a vote is taken before the revocation.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

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

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

The board of directors (the "Board") of the Company has fixed November 8, 2023 as the record date (the "Record Date") for determination of persons entitled to receive notice of the Meeting. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date who either attend the Meeting personally or complete, sign and deliver a form of Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above will be entitled to vote or to have their common shares voted at the Meeting.

As at the Record Date, there were 79,077,468 common shares issued and outstanding, each carrying the right to one vote.

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, as at the Record Date, no person or corporation beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to any class of outstanding voting securities of the Company.

SETTING NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

The persons named in the enclosed Proxy intend to vote in favour of fixing the number of directors at four (4). The Board proposes that the number of directors be fixed at four (4). Shareholders will therefore be asked to approve an ordinary resolution that the number of directors elected be fixed at four (4).

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The term of office of each of the current directors expires at the conclusion of the Meeting. Unless the director's office is earlier vacated in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCBCA"), each director elected will hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company, or if no director is then elected, until a successor is elected.

The following table sets out the names of management's nominees for election as a director (a "proposed director"), the province or state and country in which he is ordinarily resident, all major offices and positions with the Company and any of its significant affiliates each now holds, each nominee's principal occupation, business or employment for the five preceding years for new director nominees, the period of time during which each has been a director of the Company and the number of common shares of the Company beneficially owned by each, directly or indirectly, or over which each exercised control or direction, as at the Record Date.

Name of Nominee;Current Position with theCompany and Province or Stateand Country of Residence Occupation, Business orEmployment(1) Director Since CommonSharesBeneficiallyOwned orControlled(1)
Dr. Roman Shklanka(2)British Columbia, CanadaChair and Director Independent geological consultant;current director of Dynasty GoldCorp., former Chairman and adirector of Euro Manganese Inc.and Kobex Minerals Inc. September 20, 2004 6,140,000(3)
Christopher McLeod, M.Eng.British Columbia, CanadaPresident, CEO, Secretary andDirector Engineer and former President,CEO and Director of GoldMountain Mining Corporation. July 10, 2014 650,000
Peter Holbek, MSc., P.Geo(2)British Columbia, CanadaDirector Independent GeologicalConsultant. September 29, 2020 Nil
Richard Gosse, MSc, P.Geo(2)British Columbia, CanadaDirector Vice President, Exploration ofTrilogy Metals Inc. November 3, 2020 100,000

(1) The information as to principal occupation, business or employment and common shares beneficially owned or controlled is not within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees.

  • (2) Denotes member of Audit Committee.
  • (3) These common shares are held by Shklanka Holdings Ltd., a company owned and operated by Dr. Roman Shklanka.

None of the proposed nominees for election as a director of the Company are proposed for election pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the nominee and any other person, except the directors and senior officers of the Company acting solely in such capacity.

Bankruptcies, Orders and Management Cease Trade Orders

To the best of the Company's knowledge, as at the date of this Circular, and within the last 10 years before the date of this Circular, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company (or any of their personal holding companies) was a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) acted in that capacity for a company that was:

  • (a) subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order denying the relevant company access to any exemptions under securities legislation, for more than 30 consecutive days;
  • (b) subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the company being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under the securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days;
  • (c) within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to

hold its assets; or has 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 the proposed director;

  • (d) subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
  • (e) subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or a regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants ("Manning Elliott LLP"), of Suite 1700, 1030 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2Y3, will be nominated at the Meeting for re-appointment as auditor of the Company. Manning Elliott LLP have been the Company's auditors since 2010.

AUDIT COMMITTEE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH AUDITOR

National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees ("NI 52-110") requires the Company, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its Circular certain information concerning the constitution of its audit committee (the "Audit Committee") and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth in the following:

The Audit Committee's Charter

The Audit Committee has a charter. The copy of the Audit Committee Charter is attached to the Company's management information circular dated November 9, 2021 and was filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca on November 19, 2021 and is specifically incorporated by reference into, and forms an integral part of, this Circular.

Composition of the Audit Committee

The members of the Audit Committee are Dr. Roman Shklanka (Chair), Richard Gosse, and Peter Holbek.

Dr. Shklanka, Mr. Gosse and Mr. Holbek are considered independent members of the Audit Committee. For greater clarity, Dr. Shklanka is the non-executive Chair of the Company, and is, therefore, considered independent.

All members of the Audit Committee are considered to be financially literate.

Relevant Education and Experience

Dr. Roman Shklanka

Dr. Shklanka is an explorationist with over 45 years of international experience in the mining industry which included positions as Chairman of Canico Resources Corp. (Onca-Puma laterite deposit, Brazil was purchased in 2005 by CVRD, now Vale, in a $940 million takeover); Chairman of Sutton Resources Ltd. (Bulyanhulu deposit – Tanzania), which was acquired by Barrick Gold Corporation; founder and chairman of Polaris Minerals Corporation; and Vice President of Exploration for Placer Dome. With Placer, Dr. Shklanka was involved in the acquisition and exploration of numerous mines, among them the Australian Granny Smith gold mine, the Osbourne copper mine, and the Kidston gold mine, at that time the largest gold mine in Australia. He is the recipient of a number of achievement awards, and in 2009 was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

Richard Gosse, P.Geo

Mr. Gosse is an exploration geologist with 40 years of experience, including 15 years at the Vice President level. Mr. Gosse is currently Vice President, Exploration of Trilogy Metals Inc. Previously, Mr. Gosse was the Senior Vice President, Exploration of Dundee Precious Metals Inc. ("Dundee") where he provided leadership, exploration strategy and oversight of initiatives to achieve corporate targets to replace mined reserves with near mine discoveries in Bulgaria, Serbia and Armenia. Prior to his time with Dundee, Mr. Gosse was the Vice President, Exploration of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (now Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.) where he led exploration at the world-class Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in Mongolia. Mr. Gosse earned his BSc in Geology at Queens University and his MSc in Mineral Exploration at Imperial College of Science and Technology, London.

Peter Holbek, P.Geo, M.Sc.

Mr. Holbek has 35 years of experience in mineral exploration and mine development. Mr. Holbek is Professional Geologist (P.Geo) and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree (hons) in Geology and a Master of Science degree in Economic Geology.

Mr. Holbek was the Vice President, Exploration for Copper Mountain Mining Corporation, from 2008 to 2022. Prior to joining Copper Mountain he served as Vice President for Western Keltic Mines and Blackstone Ventures working on the discovery and development of VMS and Nickel deposits. Previously, he served as Vice President, Exploration for Atna Resources Ltd. Prior to that, he held the positions of Exploration Manager and Mine Geologist for Princeton Mining Ltd. and Senior Exploration Geologist at Esso Minerals Canada and Homestake Canada Ltd.

Each member of the Audit Committee has:

  • an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements, and the ability to assess the general application of those principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves;
  • experience in preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can be reasonably expected to be raised by the issuer's financial statements, or experience actively supervising individuals engaged in such activities; and
  • an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.

Audit Committee Oversight

The Audit Committee has not made any recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate any external auditor, other than Manning Elliott LLP.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has not adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services.

External Auditor Service Fees

The Audit Committee has reviewed the nature and amount of the non-audited services provided by Manning Elliott LLP, for the financial years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 to the Company to ensure auditor independence. Fees billed for audit and non-audit services in the last two financial years for audit fees are outlined in the following table:

Nature of Services Fees Paid to Auditorin Year EndedJune 30, 2023 Fees Paid to Auditorin Year EndedJune 30, 2022
Audit Fees(1) $14,674 $9,500
Audit-Related Fees(2) Nil Nil
Tax Fees(3) $7,000 Nil
All Other Fees(4) Nil Nil
Total: $21,674 $9,500

(1) "Audit Fees" include fees necessary to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company's consolidated financial statements, and fees for review of tax provisions and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the financial statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews of securities filings and statutory audits.

(2) "Audit-Related Fees" include services that are traditionally performed by the auditor. These audit-related services include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation.

  • (3) "Tax Fees" include fees for all tax services other than those included in "Audit Fees" and "Audit-Related Fees". This category includes fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities.
  • (4) "All Other Fees" include all other non-audit services.

Exemption

The Company is relying upon the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110 in respect of the composition of its Audit Committee and in respect of its reporting obligations under NI 52-110 for the financial year ended June 30, 2023. This exemption exempts a "venture issuer" from the requirements of Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of that instrument, as would otherwise be required by NI 52-110.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

General

Corporate governance refers to the policies and structure of the Board of a company whose members are elected by and are accountable to the shareholders of a company. Corporate governance encourages establishing a reasonable degree of independence of the Board from executive management and the adoption of policies to ensure the Board recognizes the principles of good management. The Board is committed to sound corporate governance practices, as such practices are both in the interests of shareholders and help to contribute to effective and efficient decision-making.

Effective June 30, 2005, National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101") and National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines ("NP 58-201") were adopted in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. NI 58-101 requires issuers to disclose the corporate governance practices that they have adopted. NP 58-201 provides guidance on corporate governance practices. This section sets out the Company's approach to corporate governance and addresses the Company's compliance with NI 58-101.

Board of Directors

Directors are considered to be independent if they have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A "material relationship" is a relationship which could, in the view of the Company's Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director's independent judgment.

The Board facilitates its independent supervision over management by ensuring certain members of the Board are independent.

The current independent members of the Board are Dr. Roman Shklanka, Peter Holbek and Richard Gosse. For greater clarity, Dr. Shklanka is the non-executive Chair of the Company, and is, therefore, considered an independent member of the Board. The non-independent member of the Board is Christopher McLeod, President and CEO of the Company.

Directorships

Dr. Roman Shklanka is a director of Dynasty Gold Corp.

Orientation and Continuing Education

When new directors are appointed, they receive orientation, commensurate with their previous experience, on the Company's business and industry and on the responsibilities of directors.

Board meetings may also include presentations by the Company's management and employees to give the directors additional insight into the Company's business.

Ethical Business Conduct

The Board has found that the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by the Company's governing corporate legislation and the common law and the restrictions placed by applicable corporate legislation on an individual directors' participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has an interest have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Company.

Nomination of Directors

The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to the shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board's duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of views and experience.

The Board does not have a nominating committee, and these functions are currently performed by the Board as a whole. However, if there is a change in the number of directors required by the Company, this policy will be reviewed.

Compensation

The Board as a whole determines compensation for the directors and the CEO.

Other Board Committees

The Board has no other committees other than the Audit Committee.

Assessments

The Board monitors the adequacy of information given to directors, communication between the Board and management and the strategic direction and processes of the Board and the Board committee.

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

In this section "Named Executive Officer" ("NEO") means the CEO, the CFO and each of the 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 financial year and whose total compensation exceeds $150,000, as well as any additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided except that the individual was not serving as an officer of the Company at the end of the most recently completed financial year end.

Christopher McLeod, President, CEO and a director of the Company, and Alia Khan, the CFO of the Company, are currently the NEOs of the Company for the purposes of the following disclosure.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Board has not yet appointed a compensation committee. The Board assumes responsibility for reviewing and monitoring the long-range compensation strategy for the Company's senior management, with a view to fulfilling its responsibilities concerning executive and director compensation, reviewing director compensation, overseeing the Company's base compensation structure and equity-based compensation programs, recommending compensation of the Company's officers and employees, and evaluating the performance of officers generally, all in light of the Company's annual goals and objectives.

The Company intends to formalize its compensation policies and practices and will take into consideration the implications of any risks associated with the Company's compensation program.

Philosophy and Objectives

The compensation program for the Company's senior management is designed to ensure that the level and form of compensation achieves certain objectives, including:

  • (a) attracting and retaining talented, qualified and effective executives; and
  • (b) motivating the short and long-term performance of these executives.

Equity Participation

The Company believes that encouraging its executives and employees to become shareholders is the best way of aligning their interests with those of its shareholders. Equity participation is accomplished through the Company's stock option plan. Stock options ("Options") are granted to executives and employees taking into account a number of factors, including the amount and term of Options previously granted and competitive factors. The amounts and terms of Options granted are determined by the Board.

Given the evolving nature of the Company's business, the Board will continue to review the overall compensation plan for senior management so as to continue to address the objectives identified above.

Option-Based Awards

On September 14, 2022, the Board adopted its new stock option plan (the "Option Plan"), being a 10% rolling plan, which incorporated amendments required pursuant to TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") Policy 4.4 Security Based Compensation (the "Policy") which became effective November 24, 2021 (formerly, Policy 4.4 Incentive Stock Options). The shareholders of the Company approved the Option Plan on December 15, 2022, and the Exchange approved the Option Plan on January 20, 2023.

The Option Plan is administered by the Board and provides that Options will be granted to directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. See Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Re-Approve Stock Option Plan below.

Non-equity incentiveplan compensation
Name and principalposition Year(1) Salary($) Sharebasedawards($) Optionbasedawards($) Annualincentiveplans($) Longtermincentiveplans($) Pensionvalue($) Allothercompensation($) Totalcompensation($)
Christopher McLeod(2)President and CEO 202320222021 NilNilNil NilNilNil NilNil43,755 NilNilNil NilNilNil NilNilNil NilNilNil NilNil43,755
Alia Khan(3)CFO 202320222021 NilNilNil NilNilNil NilNil17,500 NilNilNil NilNilNil NilNilNil 11,00010,50012,500 11,00010,50030,000

Summary Compensation Table

(1) Financial year ended June 30.

(2) Christopher McLeod has served as President and CEO of the Company since February 23, 2018.

(3) Alia Khan has served as CFO of the Company since February 23, 2018.

Outstanding Option-Based Awards

Pursuant to the Option Plan, the Company may grant up to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company.

The following table sets out all Option-based awards outstanding as at the financial year ended June 30, 2023 for each NEO. There were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:

Name Number of Options Exercise Price ($) Expiry Date
Christopher McLeod 500,000 0.05 September 29, 2025
750,000 0.05 June 15, 2026
Alia Khan 200,000 0.05 September 29, 2025
300,000 0.05 June 15, 2026

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

The following table sets out the value vested during the financial year ended June 30, 2023 for Options awarded under the Option Plan for each NEO, as well as the value earned under non-equity incentive plans for the same period:

Name Option-based awardsValue vested duringthe year ($) Share-based awards -Value vested duringthe year ($) Non-equity incentiveplan compensationValue earned duringthe year ($)
Christopher McLeod Nil Nil Nil
Alia Khan Nil Nil Nil

Termination and Change of Control Benefits

There are no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to any NEO resulting from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of the officer's employment or from a change of an NEO's responsibilities following a change in control.

Director Compensation

There are no arrangements under which directors were compensated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the most recently completed financial year for their services in their capacity as directors or consultants. The Company compensates its directors through Option grants. NEOs do not receive additional compensation for serving as directors.

Outstanding Option-based Awards

The following table sets forth for each director, other than those who are also NEOs of the Company, all awards outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year ended June 30, 2023, including awards granted before the most recently completed financial year.

Name Number of Options Exercise Price ($) Expiry Date
Dr. Roman Shklanka 500,000 0.05 September 29, 2025
750,000 0.05 June 15, 2026
Peter Holbek 500,000 0.05 September 29, 2025
750,000 0.05 June 15, 2026
Richard Gosse 100,000 0.05 November 3, 2025
750,000 0.05 June 15, 2026

Aggregated Options – Value Vested or Earned during the Most Recently Completed Financial Year

The following table sets forth, for each director, other than those who are also NEOs of the Company, the value of all incentive plan awards vested during the financial year ended June 30, 2023:

Name Option-based awardsValue vested duringthe year ($) Share-based awards -Value vested duringthe year ($) Non-equity incentiveplan compensationValue earned duringthe year ($)
Dr. Roman Shklanka Nil Nil Nil
Peter Holbek Nil Nil Nil
Richard Gosse Nil Nil Nil

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets out equity compensation plan information as at the Company's financial year ended June 30, 2023.

Number of securities tobe issued upon exerciseof outstanding Options Weighted-averageexercise price ofoutstandingOptions($) Number of securities remainingavailable for future issuance underequity compensation plans(excluding securities reflected incolumn (a)
Plan Category (a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plansapproved by securityholders -(the stock option plan) 6,000,000 0.05 1,907,747
Equity compensation plans notapproved by securityholders N/A N/A N/A
Total: 6,000,000 1,907,747

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

No directors, proposed nominees for election as directors, executive officers or their respective associates or affiliates, or other management of the Company were indebted to the Company as of the end of the most recently completed financial year or as at the date hereof.

INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

To the knowledge of the Company's management, no informed person (a director, officer or holder of 10% or more of the common shares) or nominee for election as a director of the Company or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director had any interest in any transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the financial year ended June 30, 2023, or has any interest in any material transaction in the current year.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

The management functions of the Company are not, to any substantial degree, performed by any person other than the executive officers and directors of the Company.

PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Re-Approve Stock Option Plan

Exchange policy requires all listed issuers to have a stock option plan if a company intends to grant Options. The Board adopted its Option Plan on September 14, 2022 to include new terms pursuant to the Policy, which came into effect on November 24, 2021. The material terms of the Option Plan are disclosed in the Company's Circular dated November 9, 2022, which was filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca on November 24, 2022.

The Policy requires (i) all of its listed companies to have a security based compensation plan if a company intends to grant Options; (ii) shareholder approval is required by ordinary resolution in respect of the implementation or amendment of a security based compensation plan, and annually no later than 15 months from the date shareholder approval was last obtained for the security based compensation plan, otherwise, the issuer will be unable to grant any further security based compensation under the security based compensation plan until shareholder approval is obtained; and (iii) the security based compensation plan must be submitted for Exchange review and approval on an annual basis.

The Option Plan is a rolling plan, and a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company at the time an Option is granted, less common shares reserved for issuance on exercise of Options then outstanding under the Option Plan, are reserved for Options to be granted at the discretion of the Board to eligible optionees. As at the date of this Circular, there were 6,000,000 Options outstanding.

Shareholder Approval and Exchange Acceptance

The Option Plan is subject to the acceptance by the shareholders of the Company and by the Exchange on an annual basis. At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on the ordinary resolution to approve the Option Plan, with or without variation, as follows:

"UPON MOTION DULY MADE, IT WAS RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT:

    1. The Company's 10% rolling stock option plan (the "Option Plan") approved by the Company's board of directors on September 14, 2022, as more particularly described in the management information circular of the Company dated November 8, 2023, be ratified and approved.
    1. To the extent permitted by law, the Company be authorized to abandon all or any part of the Option Plan if the board of directors deems it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company to do so.
    1. Any one or more of the directors and officers of the Company be authorized to perform all such acts, deeds and things and execute, under seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents as may be required to give effect to these resolutions."

The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the Option Plan. Unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy intend to vote FOR the approval of the foregoing ordinary resolution.

An ordinary resolution is a resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company at a general meeting by a simple majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy.

A copy of the Option Plan is available at Suite 400 – 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 4M6.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Financial information is provided in the audited financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2023 and in the related management discussion and analysis (together, the "Financial Materials"). The Financial Materials were filed on SEDAR+ on October 30, 2023, at www.sedarplus.ca and will be placed before the Meeting.

Additional information relating to the Company and a copy of the Financial Materials may be obtained at www.sedarplus.ca, and upon request from the Company at Suite 400 – 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC, V6J 4M6, telephone: (604) 737-2303 or fax: (604) 737-1140. Copies of the above documents will be provided, upon request, free of charge to security holders of the Company. The Company may require the payment of a reasonable charge from any person or company who is not a security holder of the Company, who requests a copy of any such document.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board is not aware of any other matters which they anticipate will come before the Meeting as of the date of mailing of this Circular.