·
|
future
cash flow and operational results from the Montana Tunnels
mine;
|
|
|
·
|
the
establishment and estimates of mineral reserves and
resources;
|
|
|
·
|
the
timing of completion of feasibility studies at Black
Fox;
|
|
|
·
|
production
and production costs;
|
|
|
·
|
daily
production rates;
|
|
|
·
|
throughput
rates;
|
|
|
·
|
cash
operating costs;
|
|
|
·
|
total
cash costs;
|
|
|
·
|
grades
of ore mined and milled;
|
|
|
·
|
expenditures
for development and exploration;
|
|
|
·
|
pursuit
and success of exploration efforts;
|
|
|
·
|
permits;
|
|
|
·
|
expansion
plans for existing properties;
|
|
|
·
|
plans
for Black Fox and Huizopa;
|
|
|
·
|
closure
costs;
|
|
|
·
|
cash
flows;
|
|
|
·
|
future
financing;
|
|
|
·
|
liquidity;
|
|
|
·
|
estimates
of environmental liabilities;
|
|
|
·
|
our
ability to obtain future financing to fund our estimated operating
and
capital requirements;
|
|
|
·
|
anticipated
exploration, development and corporate overhead
expenditures;
|
|
|
·
|
factors
impacting our results of operations;
|
|
|
·
|
the
impact of adoption of new accounting
standards.
|
Although
we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be certain that these
plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Our actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements
as
a result of the risk factors set forth below and other factors described
in more
detail in this prospectus:
|
·
|
unexpected
changes in business and economic conditions;
|
|
·
|
significant
increases or decreases in gold prices;
|
|
·
|
changes
in interest and currency exchange rates;
|
|
·
|
timing
and amount of production;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated
grade changes;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated
recovery or production problems;
|
|
·
|
changes
in mining and milling costs;
|
|
·
|
operational
problems at our mining property;
|
|
·
|
metallurgy,
processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies
and
water;
|
|
·
|
determination
of reserves;
|
|
·
|
changes
in project parameters;
|
|
·
|
costs
and timing of development of new reserves;
|
|
·
|
results
of current and future exploration activities;
|
|
·
|
results
of pending and future feasibility studies;
|
|
·
|
joint
venture relationships;
|
|
·
|
political
or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in
which we
operate;
|
|
·
|
local
and community impacts and issues;
|
|
·
|
timing
of receipt of government approvals;
|
|
·
|
accidents
and labor disputes;
|
|
·
|
environmental
costs and risks;
|
|
·
|
competitive
factors, including competition for property
acquisitions;
|
|
·
|
availability
of external financing at reasonable rates or at all;
and
|
|
·
|
the
factors discussed in this prospectus under the heading “Risk
Factors.”
|
Many
of
these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. These factors
are
not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors
that may affect us. We may note additional factors elsewhere in this prospectus
and in any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We
undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.
The
earliest predecessor to Apollo Gold Corporation was incorporated under the
laws
of the Province of Ontario in 1936. In May 2003, it reincorporated under
the
laws of the Yukon Territory. Apollo Gold Corporation maintains its registered
office at 204 Black Street, Suite 300, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Y1A
2M9, and the telephone number at that office is (867) 668-5252. Apollo Gold
Corporation maintains its principal executive office at 5655 S. Yosemite
Street,
Suite 200, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-3220, and the telephone number
at
that office is (720) 886-9656. Our internet address is http://www.apollogold.com.
Information contained on our website is not a part of this
prospectus.
Apollo
is
engaged in gold mining including extraction, processing, refining and the
production of by-product metals, as well as related activities, including
exploration and development. We are the operator of the Montana Tunnels
mine
(“Mine”), which is a 50% joint venture with Elkhorn Tunnels, LLC (“Elkhorn”).
The Mine is an open pit mine and mill producing gold doré and lead-gold and
zinc-gold concentrates.
Apollo
has a development project, the Black Fox project, which is located near
the
Township of Matheson in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Apollo also owns
Mexican subsidiaries that own concessions at the Huizopa exploration project,
located in the Sierra Madres in Chihuahua, Mexico.
RECENT
EVENTS
Internal
Controls and Procedures.
As
previously disclosed in our past filings with the SEC, we identified material
weaknesses for the year ended December 31, 2006. A material weakness is
a
significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that
results
in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual
or
interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In January
2006,
a major restructuring and streamlining at the corporate office significantly
changed the design and structure of the internal controls and procedures
at the
corporate level. The weakness that we were addressing related to the lack
of
appropriate review of non-routine or complex accounting matters, related
accounting entries, and appropriate documentation, disclosure and application
of
Canadian and U.S. GAAP, primarily due to a lack of sufficient personnel
with a
level of technical accounting expertise commensurate with our reporting
requirements. In addition, related to the reduction in staffing at the
Montana
Tunnels mine in mid October 2005, and an additional reduction in staffing
in
early May 2006, at which time the mine ceased production operations, our
controls at that location were not operating as previously designed related
to
segregation of duties over procurement, inventory control and accounting
duties.
In
an
effort to address these material weaknesses, staffing additions and other
changes, enhancements and improvements to our internal controls were
made during
the first two quarters of 2007, including increased involvement by corporate
management in the oversight and management of the Montana Tunnels mine.
We have
been evaluating these staffing additions and other changes, improvements
and
enhancements over the period and as of the date of our most recently
filed Form
10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007. Our management, with the
help of
our internal audit team, plans to complete our evaluation of these staffing
additions and other changes, improvements and enhancements to our internal
controls in time to issue a Management’s Report on Internal Controls over
Financial Reporting with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year
ended December 31, 2007, at which time we will be able to report whether
the
material weaknesses mentioned above have been eliminated. These evaluations
include monitoring the effectiveness of controls and performing tests
of
controls to determine if these staffing additions, improvements and enhancements
to our internal controls originally implemented in the second quarter
of 2007
are operating according to design and to determine if they are sufficiently
effective to eliminate the material weaknesses previously reported.
An
investment in the securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider
the following discussion of risks in addition to the other information in
this
prospectus before purchasing any of the securities. In addition to historical
information, the information in this prospectus contains “forward-looking”
statements about our future business and performance. Our actual operating
results and financial performance may be very different from what we expect
as
of the date of this prospectus. The risks below address the factors that
may
affect our future operating results and financial performance.
We
have a history of losses.
Since
our
inception through a merger in June 2002 through March 31, 2007, we incurred
significant losses. Our
net
losses were $15,587,000, $22,208,000, and $31,007,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. There can be no assurance
that
we will achieve or sustain profitability in the future.
We
have experienced operational problems at our Montana Tunnels
mine.
Since
the
sale of our Florida Canyon and Standard mines in November 2005, all of our
revenues have been derived from our milling operations at the Montana Tunnels
mine, which is a low-grade mine. Historically, the Montana Tunnels mine has
been
unprofitable. During 2004, we experienced problems related to the milling
of
low-grade ore at the Montana Tunnels mine, which negatively affected our
revenues and earnings. Throughout 2005, we experienced operational problems,
particularly in the open pit, leading to the suspension of mining on October
21,
2005 for safety reasons due to increased wall activity in the open pit. After
the suspension of mining and until May 12, 2006, we were able to continue
to
produce gold doré, lead-gold and zinc-gold concentrates from milling low-grade
stockpiled ore. However, on May 12, 2006, all operations ceased at the mine
and
it was placed on care and maintenance. On July 28, 2006, we entered into
a joint
venture agreement with Elkhorn Tunnels, LLC, in respect of the Montana Tunnels
mine pursuant to which Elkhorn Tunnels made financial contributions in exchange
for a 50% interest in the mine. Mill operations recommenced in March 2007.
There
can be no assurances that we will not encounter additional operational problems
at our Montana Tunnels mine in the future.
Our
earnings may be affected by metals price volatility, specifically the volatility
of gold and zinc prices.
We
historically have derived all of our revenues from the sale of gold, silver,
lead and zinc, and our development and exploration activities are focused
on
gold. As a result, our future earnings are directly related to the price
of
gold. Changes in the price of gold significantly affect our profitability.
Gold
prices historically have fluctuated widely, based on numerous industry factors
including:
|
·
|
industrial
and jewelry demand;
|
|
·
|
central
bank lending, sales and purchases of
gold;
|
|
·
|
forward
sales of gold by producers and
speculators;
|
|
·
|
production
and cost levels in major gold-producing
regions; and
|
|
·
|
rapid
short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative
or hedging
activities.
|
Gold
prices are also affected by macroeconomic factors, including:
|
·
|
confidence
in the global monetary system;
|
|
·
|
expectations
of the future rate of inflation (if any);
|
|
·
|
the
strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in
which the price of gold is generally quoted) and other
currencies;
|
|
·
|
global
or regional political or economic events, including but not limited
to
acts of terrorism.
|
The
current demand for, and supply of, gold also affects gold prices. The supply
of
gold consists of a combination of new production from mining and existing
shares
of bullion held by government central banks, public and private financial
institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. As the amounts
produced by all producers in any single year constitute a small portion of
the
total potential supply of gold, normal variations in current production do
not
usually have a significant impact on the supply of gold or on its price.
Mobilization of gold held by central banks through lending and official sales
may have a significant adverse impact on the gold price.
All
of
the above factors are beyond our control and are impossible for us to predict.
If the market prices for gold, silver, zinc or lead fall below our costs
to
produce them for a sustained period of time, we will experience additional
losses and we could also be required by our reduced revenue to discontinue
exploration, development and/or mining at one or more of our
properties.
We
do not currently have and may not be able to raise the funds necessary to
explore and develop our Black Fox and Huizopa properties.
We
do not
currently have sufficient funds to complete all of our planned development
activities at Black Fox and our planned exploration activities at Huizopa
or to
develop a mine at Black Fox. The development of Black Fox and exploration
of
Huizopa will require significant capital expenditures. Sources of external
financing may include bank and non-bank borrowings and future debt and equity
offerings. There can be no assurance that financing will be available on
acceptable terms, or at all. The failure to obtain financing would have a
material adverse effect on our growth strategy and our results of operations
and
financial condition.
Substantially
all of our assets are pledged to secure our indebtedness.
Substantially
all of the Montana Tunnels assets and our
Black
Fox property
are
pledged to secure indebtedness outstanding under the Facility Agreement,
dated
October 12, 2007, by and among Montana Tunnels Mining, Inc., Apollo, Apollo
Gold, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo, RMB Australia Holdings Limited
and RMB Resources Inc. Since
these assets represent substantially all of our assets, we will not have
access
to additional secured lending, which will require us to raise additional
funds
through unsecured debt and equity offerings. Default
under our debt obligations would entitle our lenders to foreclose on our
assets.
Our
Huizopa exploration project is subject to political and regulatory
uncertainty.
Our
Huizopa exploration project is located in the northern part of the Sierra
Madres
in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. There are numerous risks inherent in
conducting business in Mexico, including political and economic instability,
exposure to currency fluctuations, greater difficulties in accounts receivable
collection, difficulties in staffing and managing operations and potentially
adverse tax consequences. In addition, our ability to explore and develop
our
Huizopa exploration project is subject to maintaining satisfactory relations
with the Ejido Huizopa, which is a group of local inhabitants who under
Mexican
law are granted rights to conduct agricultural activities and control surface
access on the property. In 2006, we entered into an agreement with the
Ejido
Huizopa pursuant to which we agreed to make annual payments to the Ejido
Huizopa
in exchange for the right to use the land covering our mining concessions
for
all activities necessary for the exploration, development and production
of
potential ore deposits. There can be no assurances that the Ejido Huizopa
will
continue to honor the agreement. If we are unable to successfully manage
our
operations in Mexico or maintain satisfactory relations with the Ejido
Huizopa,
our development of the Huizopa property could be hindered or terminated
and, as
a result, our business
and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our
reserve estimates are potentially inaccurate.
We
estimate our reserves on our properties as either “proven reserves” or “probable
reserves.” Our ore reserve figures and costs are primarily estimates and are not
guarantees that we will recover the indicated quantities of these metals.
We
estimate proven reserve quantities based on sampling and testing of sites
conducted by us and by independent companies hired by us. Probable reserves
are
based on information similar to that used for proven reserves, but the sites
for
sampling are less extensive, and the degree of certainty is less. Reserve
estimation is an interpretive process based upon available geological data
and
statistical inferences and is inherently imprecise and may prove to be
unreliable.
Our
reserves are reduced as existing reserves are depleted through production.
Reserves may be reduced due to lower than anticipated volume and grade of
reserves mined and processed and recovery rates.
Reserve
estimates are calculated using assumptions regarding metals prices. These
prices
have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market price of metals,
as
well as increased production costs, capital costs and reduced recovery rates,
may render reserves uneconomic to exploit, and lead to a reduction in reserves.
Any material reduction in our reserves may lead to increased net losses,
reduced
cash flow, asset write-downs and other adverse effects on our results of
operations and financial condition, including difficulty in obtaining financing
and a decrease in our stock price. Reserves should not be interpreted as
assurances of mine life or of the profitability of current or future operations.
No assurance can be given that the amount of metal estimated will be produced
or
the indicated level of recovery of these metals will be realized.
We
may not achieve our production estimates.
We
prepare estimates of future production for our operations. We develop our
estimates based on, among other things, mining experience, reserve estimates,
assumptions regarding ground conditions and physical characteristics of ores
(such as hardness and presence or absence of certain metallurgical
characteristics) and estimated rates and costs of mining and processing.
In the
past, our actual production from time to time has been lower than our production
estimates and this may be the case in the future.
Each
of
these factors also applies to future development properties not yet in
production and to the Montana Tunnels mine expansion. In the case of mines
we
may develop in the future, we do not have the benefit of actual experience
in
our estimates, and there is a greater likelihood that the actual results
will
vary from the estimates. In addition, development and expansion projects
are
subject to unexpected construction and start-up problems and
delays.
Our
future profitability depends in part on actual economic returns and actual
costs
of developing mines, which may differ significantly from our estimates and
involve unexpected problems, costs and delays.
We
are
engaged in the development of new ore bodies. Our ability to sustain or increase
our present level of production is dependent in part on the successful
exploration and development of new ore bodies and/or expansion of existing
mining operations. Decisions about the development of Black Fox and other
future
projects are subject to the successful completion of feasibility studies,
issuance of necessary governmental permits and receipt of adequate
financing.
Development
projects have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future
cash
flow. Our estimates of proven and probable ore reserves and cash operating
costs
are, to a large extent, based upon detailed geologic and engineering analysis.
We also conduct feasibility studies that derive estimates of capital and
operating costs based upon many factors.
It
is
possible that actual costs and economic returns may differ materially from
our
best estimates. It is not unusual in the mining industry for new mining
operations to experience unexpected problems during the start-up phase and
to
require more capital than anticipated. There can be no assurance that the
Black
Fox property that we are developing will be profitable.
Our
operations may be adversely affected by risks and hazards associated with
the
mining industry.
Our
business is subject to a number of risks and hazards including adverse
environmental effects, technical difficulties due to unusual or unexpected
geologic formations, and pit wall failures.
Such
risks could result in personal injury, environmental damage, damage to and
destruction of production facilities, delays in mining and liability. For
some
of these risks, we maintain insurance to protect against these losses at
levels
consistent with our historical experience and industry practice. However,
we may
not be able to maintain current levels of insurance, particularly if there
is a
significant increase in the cost of premiums. Insurance against environmental
risks is generally too expensive or not available for us and other companies
in
our industry, and, therefore, we do not maintain environmental insurance.
To the
extent we are subject to environmental liabilities, we would have to pay
for
these liabilities. Moreover, in the event that we are unable to fully pay
for
the cost of remediating an environmental problem, we might be required to
suspend or significantly curtail operations or enter into other interim
compliance measures.
Exploration
in general, and gold exploration in particular, are speculative and are
frequently unsuccessful.
Mineral
exploration, particularly for gold and silver, is highly speculative in nature,
capital intensive, involves many risks and frequently is nonproductive. There
can be no assurance that our mineral exploration efforts will be successful.
If
we discover a site with gold or other mineralization, it will take a number
of
years from the initial phases of drilling until production is possible, during
which time the economic feasibility of production may change. Substantial
expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through drilling, to
determine metallurgical processes to extract the metals from the ore and,
in the
case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. As
a
result of these uncertainties, no assurance can be given that our exploration
programs will result in the expansion or replacement of existing ore reserves
that are being depleted by current production.
We
have a limited operating history on which to evaluate our potential for future
success.
We
were
formed as a result of a merger in June 2002 and have only a limited operating
history upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. Over this
period, we have not generated sufficient revenues to cover our expenses and
costs.
The
market price of our common shares could experience volatility and could decline
significantly.
Our
common shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock
Exchange. Our share price has declined significantly since 2004, and over
the
last year the price of our common shares has fluctuated from a low of $0.36
per
share to a high of $0.78 per share. Securities of small-cap companies have
experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated
to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These
factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally
and
market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. Our share
price is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in
gold
and zinc prices or in our financial condition or results of operations as
reflected in our quarterly earnings reports. As a result of any of these
factors, the market price of our common shares at any given point in time
might
not accurately reflect our long-term value. Securities class action litigation
often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility
in the
market price of their securities. We could in the future be the target of
similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs
and
damages and divert management’s attention and resources.
The
existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares may impair our
share
price and our ability to raise capital.
As
of
March 3, 2008, approximately 34.5 million additional common shares are
issuable on exercise of warrants, options or other rights to purchase common
shares at prices ranging from $0.20 to $2.24. In addition, there are
approximately 15.7 million common shares issuable upon the conversion at
the
option of the holder of the $7.8 million outstanding principal amount
of convertible debentures issued February 23, 2007 at a conversion price
of
$0.50 per share. During the term of the warrants, options and other rights,
the
holders are given an opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price
of
our common shares with a resulting dilution in the interest of the other
shareholders. Our ability to obtain additional equity financing during the
period such rights are outstanding may be adversely affected, and the existence
of the rights may have an adverse effect on the price of our common shares.
The
holders of the warrants, options and other rights can be expected to exercise
them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed
capital by a new offering of securities on terms more favorable than those
provided by the outstanding rights.
If
we complete additional equity financings, then our existing shareholders
may
experience dilution.
Any
additional equity financing that we obtain would involve the sale of our
common
shares and/or sales of securities that are convertible into or exercisable
for
our common shares, such as share purchase warrants or convertible notes.
There
is no assurance that we will be able to complete equity financings that are
not
dilutive to our existing shareholders.
The
titles to some of our properties may be uncertain or
defective.
Certain
of our United States mineral rights consist of “unpatented” mining claims
created and maintained in accordance with the U.S. General Mining Law of
1872.
Unpatented mining claims are unique U.S. property interests, and are generally
considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property
interests because the validity of unpatented mining claims is often uncertain.
This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws
and
regulations that supplement the General Mining Law. Also, unpatented mining
claims and related rights, including rights to use the surface, are subject
to
possible challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government.
The
validity of an unpatented mining claim, in terms of both its location and
its
maintenance, is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of federal
and state statutory and decisional law. In addition, there are few public
records that definitively control the issues of validity and ownership of
unpatented mining claims.
In
recent
years, the U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to
the
General Mining Law. Although no such legislation has been adopted to date,
there
can be no assurance that such legislation will not be adopted in the future.
If
ever adopted, such legislation could, among other things, impose royalties
on
gold production from unpatented mining claims located on federal lands or
impose
fees on production from patented mining claims. If such legislation is ever
adopted, it could have an adverse impact on earnings from our operations,
could
reduce estimates of our reserves and could curtail our future exploration
and
development activity on federal lands or patented claims.
While
we
have no reason to believe that our rights to mine on any of our properties
are
in doubt, title to mining properties are subject to potential claims by third
parties claiming an interest in them and, in September 2006 some of our claims
associated with our Black Fox project were listed as reopened for staking
on the
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) website. Five of these
claims
totaling 185 acres were immediately staked by local prospectors. None of
these
reserves or resources at our Black Fox project are located on the properties
related to these claims. Four of these overstaked claims have since been
returned to us. We are negotiating with the overstaker with respect to the
remaining claim; however, no guarantee can be made that such negotiations
will
be successful. It is our opinion that this claim was erroneously listed as
reopened and overstaked and we are working diligently to resolve this
matter.
We
may lose rights to properties if we fail to meet payment requirements or
development or production schedules.
We
derive
the rights to most of our mineral properties from unpatented mining claims,
leaseholds, joint ventures or purchase option agreements which require the
payment of maintenance fees, rents, purchase price installments, exploration
expenditures, or other fees. If we fail to make these payments when they
are
due, our rights to the property may lapse. There can be no assurance that
we
will always make payments by the requisite payment dates. In addition, some
contracts with respect to our mineral properties require development or
production schedules. There can be no assurance that we will be able to meet
any
or all of the development or production schedules. Our ability to transfer
or
sell our rights to some of our mineral properties requires government approvals
or third party consents, which may not be granted.
We
face substantial governmental regulation.
Safety.
Our
U.S. mining operation is subject to inspection and regulation by the Mine
Safety
and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor (“MSHA”)
under the provisions of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) also has jurisdiction over safety and
health standards not covered by MSHA. Our policy is to comply with applicable
directives and regulations of MSHA and OSHA. We have made and expect to make
in
the future, significant expenditures to comply with these laws and
regulations.
Current
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
We must
comply with environmental standards, laws and regulations that may result
in
increased costs and delays depending on the nature of the regulated activity
and
how stringently the regulations are implemented by the regulatory authority.
The
costs and delays associated with compliance with such laws and regulations
could
stop us from proceeding with the exploration of a project or the operation
or
future exploration of a mine. Laws and regulations involving the protection
and
remediation of the environment and the governmental policies for implementation
of such laws and regulations are constantly changing and are generally becoming
more restrictive. We have made, and expect to make in the future, significant
expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations.
Some
of
our properties are located in historic mining districts with past production
and
abandoned mines. The major historical mine workings and processing facilities
owned (wholly or partially) by us in Montana are being targeted by the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”) for publicly funded cleanup, which
reduces our exposure to financial liability. We are participating with the
MDEQ
under Voluntary Cleanup Plans on those sites. Our cleanup responsibilities
have
been completed at the Corbin Flats Facility and at the Gregory Mine site,
both
located in Jefferson County, Montana, under programs involving cooperative
efforts with the MDEQ. MDEQ is also contemplating remediation of the Washington
Mine site at public expense under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act
of 1977 (“SMCRA”). In February 2004, we consented to MDEQ’s entry onto the
portion of the Washington Mine site owned by us to undertake publicly funded
remediation under SMCRA. In March 2004, we entered into a definitive written
settlement agreement with MDEQ and the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) under
which MDEQ will conduct publicly funded remediation of the Wickes Smelter
site
under SMCRA and will grant us a site release in exchange for our donation
of the
portion of the site owned by us to BLM for use as a waste repository. However,
there can be no assurance that we will continue to resolve disputed liability
for historical mine and ore processing facility waste sites on such favorable
terms in the future. We remain exposed to liability, or assertions of liability,
that would require expenditure of legal defense costs, under joint and several
liability statutes for cleanups of historical wastes that have not yet been
completed.
Environmental
laws and regulations may also have an indirect impact on us, such as increased
costs for electricity due to acid rain provisions of the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990. Charges by refiners to which we sell our metallic
concentrates and products have substantially increased over the past several
years because of requirements that refiners meet revised environmental quality
standards. We have no control over the refiners’ operations or their compliance
with environmental laws and regulations.
Potential
Legislation.
Changes
to the current laws and regulations governing the operations and activities
of
mining companies, including changes to the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872,
and
permitting, environmental, title, health and safety, labor and tax laws,
are
actively considered from time to time. We cannot predict which changes may
be
considered or adopted and changes in these laws and regulations could have
a
material adverse impact on our business. Expenses associated with the compliance
with new laws or regulations could be material. Further, increased expenses
could prevent or delay exploration or mine development projects and could
therefore affect future levels of mineral production.
We
are subject to environmental risks.
Environmental
Liability. We
are
subject to potential risks and liabilities associated with environmental
compliance and the disposal of waste rock and materials that could occur
as a
result of our mineral exploration and production. To the extent that we are
subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities or
the
costs that we may incur to remedy any non-compliance with environmental laws
would reduce funds otherwise available to us and could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable
to
fully remedy an environmental problem, we might be required to suspend
operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of
the
required remedy. The potential exposure may be significant and could have
a
material adverse effect on us. We have not purchased insurance for environmental
risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a
result
of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production)
because it is not generally available at a reasonable price or at
all.
Environmental
Permits.
All of
our exploration, development and production activities are subject to regulation
under one or more of the various state, federal and provincial environmental
laws and regulations in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Many of the regulations
require us to obtain permits for our activities. We must update and review
our
permits from time to time, and are subject to environmental impact analyses
and
public review processes prior to approval of the additional activities. It
is
possible that future changes in applicable laws, regulations and permits
or
changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could have a
significant impact on some portion of our business, causing those activities
to
be economically reevaluated at that time. Those risks include, but are not
limited to, the risk that regulatory authorities may increase bonding
requirements beyond our financial capabilities. The posting of bonds in
accordance with regulatory determinations is a condition to the right to
operate
under all material operating permits, and therefore increases in bonding
requirements could prevent our operations from continuing even if we were
in
full compliance with all substantive environmental laws.
We
face strong competition from other mining companies for the acquisition of
new
properties.
Mines
have limited lives and as a result, we may seek to replace and expand our
reserves through the acquisition of new properties. In addition, there is
a
limited supply of desirable mineral lands available in the United States,
Canada
and Mexico and other areas where we would consider conducting exploration
and/or
production activities. Because we face strong competition for new properties
from other mining companies, most of which have greater financial resources
than
we do, we may be unable to acquire attractive new mining
properties.
We
have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial
reporting.
In
2006 a
major restructuring and streamlining at the corporate office significantly
changed the design and structure of our internal controls and procedures
at the
corporate level. Also, following the closure of the mill in May 2006 and
placing
the Montana Tunnels mine on care and maintenance and the subsequent resumption
of mining activities at the mine in September 2006, our controls at that
location were not operating as previously designed because of segregation
of
duties over procurement, inventory control and accounting duties. In
an
effort to address these material weaknesses, staffing additions and other
changes in controls were made during the first two quarters of 2007, including
increased involvement by corporate management in the oversight and management
of
the Montana Tunnels mine. As of September 30, 2007, we carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act.
Based
upon, and as of the date of, that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer
and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures
were not effective because of the material weaknesses discussed above.
These
material weaknesses could result in the misstatement of assets, liabilities,
shareholders’ equity or expenses that would result in a misstatement of the
interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented
or detected.
As
a
non-accelerated
filer,
we will
be subject to the internal control reporting requirements of Section 404
of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year
2007. There can be no assurance that that report will not conclude that we
have
material weakness in our internal controls over financial
reporting.
We
are dependent on certain key personnel.
We
are
currently dependent upon the ability and experience of R. David Russell,
our
President and Chief Executive Officer; Richard F. Nanna, our Senior Vice
President-Exploration; and Melvyn Williams, our Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President-Finance and Corporate Development. We believe that
our
success depends on the continued service of our key officers and there can
be no
assurance that we will be able to retain any or all of such officers. We
currently do not carry key person insurance on any of these individuals,
and the
loss of one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on our
operations.
There
may be certain tax risks associated with investments in our
company.
Potential
investors that are United States taxpayers should consider that we could
be
considered to be a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Although we believe that we currently are not
a
PFIC and do not expect to become a PFIC in the near future, the tests for
determining PFIC status are dependent upon a number of factors, some of which
are beyond our control, and we can not assure you that we will not become
a PFIC
in the future. If we are or become a PFIC, a U.S. taxpayer who disposes of
(or
is deemed to dispose of) our common shares at a gain or who receives a so-called
“excess distribution” on our common shares generally would be subject to a
special adverse tax regime. Such gains and excess distributions would be
allocated ratably to the U.S. taxpayer’s holding period. The current year’s
allocation would be includible as ordinary income in the current year. Prior
year’s allocations would be taxed at the highest marginal rate applicable to
ordinary income for each such year and would be subject to interest charges
to
reflect the value of the U.S. income tax deferral. Additional special adverse
rules also apply to investors who are U.S. taxpayers who own our common
shares if we are a PFIC and have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is also a PFIC.
Special estate tax rules could be applicable to our common shares if we are
a
PFIC.
Possible
hedging activities could expose us to losses.
In
connection with our October 2007 borrowing with RMB Australia Holdings
Limited, we were required to enter into hedges of approximately 65% and 40%,
respectively, of our share of lead and zinc production from the Montana Tunnels
mine during the 12 months following the date of the borrowing. In the future,
we
may enter into precious and/or base metals hedging contracts that may involve
outright forward sales contracts, spot-deferred sales contracts, the use
of
options which may involve the sale of call options and the purchase of all
these
hedging instruments. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
successfully hedge against price, currency and interest rate fluctuations.
Further, there can be no assurance that the use of hedging techniques will
always be to our benefit. Some hedging instruments may prevent us from realizing
the benefit from subsequent increases in market prices with respect to covered
production. This limitation would limit our revenues and profits. Hedging
contracts are also subject to the risk that the other party may be unable
or
unwilling to perform its obligations under these contracts. Any significant
nonperformance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
You
could have difficulty or be unable to enforce certain civil liabilities on
us,
certain of our directors and our experts.
We
are a
Yukon Territory, Canada, corporation. While our chief executive officer is
located in the United States, many of our assets are located outside of the
United States. Additionally, a number of our directors and the experts named
in
this prospectus are residents of Canada. It might not be possible for investors
in the United States to collect judgments obtained in United States courts
predicated on the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities legislation.
It
could also be difficult for you to effect service of process in connection
with
any action brought in the United States upon such directors and experts.
Execution by United States courts of any judgment obtained against us, or
any of
the directors, executive officers or experts identified in this prospectus
or
documents incorporated by reference herein, in United States courts would
be
limited to the assets, or the assets of such persons or corporations, as
the
case might be, in the United States. The enforceability in Canada of United
States judgments or liabilities in original actions in Canadian courts
predicated solely upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities
laws of the United States is doubtful.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
All
of
the common shares covered by this prospectus are being sold by the selling
shareholders identified in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds
from the sale by the selling shareholders of these common shares. See “Selling
Shareholders.”
We
are
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par value.
As
of March 3, 2008, there were 159,949,791 common shares outstanding.
Dividend
Rights
Holders
of our common shares may receive dividends when, as and if declared by our
board
on the common shares, subject to the preferential dividend rights of any
other
classes or series of shares of our company. In no event may a dividend be
declared or paid on the common shares if payment of the dividend would cause
the
realizable value of our company’s assets to be less than the aggregate of its
liabilities and the amount required to redeem all of the shares having
redemption or retraction rights which are then outstanding.
Voting
and Other Rights
Holders
of our common shares are entitled to one vote per share, and in general,
all
matters will be determined by a majority of votes cast.
Election
of Directors
All
of
the directors serve from the date of election or appointment until the earlier
of the next annual meeting of the company’s shareholders or the date on which
their successors are elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions
of
our By-laws and Articles of Incorporation. Directors are elected by a majority
of votes cast.
Liquidation
In
the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Apollo, holders of
the
common shares have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining
after
payment of liabilities and liquidation preferences of any preferred shares
or
other securities that may then be outstanding.
Redemption
Apollo
common shares are not redeemable or convertible.
Other
Provisions
All
outstanding common shares are fully paid and non-assessable.
This
section is a summary and may not describe every aspect of our common shares
that
may be important to you. We urge you to read our Articles of Incorporation,
as
amended, and our By-laws, because they, and not this description, define
your
rights as a holder of our common shares. See “Where You Can Find More
Information” for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.
CIBC
Mellon Trust Company, P. O. Box 7010, Adelaide Postal Station, Toronto,
Ontario M5E 2W9, Canada, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common
shares.
The
selling shareholders identified below are selling all of the common shares
being
offered under this prospectus.
On
October 31, 2007, Apollo completed a private placement to Canadian purchasers
of
7,454,545 Flow Through Shares, which were common shares issued at Cdn$0.55
per
share on a “flow through” basis pursuant to the Income
Tax Act (Canada)
for gross proceeds to Apollo equal to Cdn$4,100,000. Apollo will use the
gross
proceeds from the sale of the Flow Through Shares for exploration activity
at
the Black Fox project. These exploration costs will qualify as “Canadian
Exploration Expenses” as defined in the Income
Tax Act
(Canada)
and will be renounced in favor of the purchasers in the flow through offering.
In addition, as compensation for its services as underwriter/agent in the
flow
through offering, Apollo paid Haywood Securities Inc., a selling shareholder
hereunder, cash compensation of Cdn$225,500 and 18-month options to purchase
372,727 common shares at an exercise price of Cdn$0.55 per share, which shares
are being registered for resale herein.
In
the
offering, Apollo entered into a registration rights agreement with each of
the
selling shareholders in which it agreed to register at its expense the shares
purchased in the offering. Apollo is required to file the registration statement
within 45 days of the closing of the flow through offering, obtain effectiveness
of such registration statement within 120 days (or in the case of a full
review
by the SEC, 180 days) of such closing, and, subject to certain limited deferral
periods, to maintain the effectiveness until the earliest to occur of (a)
the
securities being sold under the registration statement, (b) the securities
being
sold in accordance with rule 144 of the Securities Act or (c) 2 years from
the
closing of the flow through offering.
The
table
below includes information regarding ownership of our common stock by the
selling shareholders named herein and the number of shares that may be sold
by
them under this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, all common shares
offered hereby are Flow Through Shares. Other than as described herein, no
selling shareholder has had any material relationship with Apollo for the
past
three years. We have prepared this table based on information supplied to
us by
or on behalf of the selling shareholders on or prior to December 6,
2007.
|
|
Common
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially
|
|
|
|
Common
Shares Beneficially
|
|
|
|
Owned(1)
|
|
Common
|
|
Owned(1)
After the Offering
|
|
|
|
Prior
to the
|
|
Shares
Offered
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Name
of Selling Shareholder
|
|
Offering
|
|
Hereby
|
|
Number(2)
|
|
of
Class(3)
|
|
Haywood
Securities Inc.(4)
|
|
|
372,727(5
|
)
|
|
372,727(5
|
)
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Hechter,
William
|
|
|
90,900
|
|
|
90,900
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Hobart,
G. Michael(6)
|
|
|
230,545(7
|
)
|
|
54,545
|
|
|
176,000
|
|
|
*
|
|
Mavrix
Explore 2007-II FT LP(8)
|
|
|
2,727,300
|
|
|
2,727,300
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
NCE
Diversified Flow-Through (07) Limited Partnership(9)
|
|
|
1,854,500
|
|
|
1,854,500
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Norrep
Performance 2007 Flow -Through Limited Partnership(10)
|
|
|
909,100
|
|
|
909,100
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Qwest
Energy 2007-II Flow Through Limited Partnership(11)
|
|
|
909,100
|
|
|
909,100
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Stone
2007 - II Flow Through L.P.(12)
|
|
|
909,100
|
|
|
909,100
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
8,003,272
|
|
|
7,827,272
|
|
|
176,000
|
|
|
*
|
|
*Less
than 1%
(1)
|
Pursuant
to Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, a person is deemed to be the
beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to
acquire
beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days, including the
right to acquire through the exercise of an option or warrant
or through
the conversion of a security.
|
(2)
|
Assumes
that all of the shares currently beneficially owned by the selling
shareholders and registered hereunder are sold and the selling
shareholders acquire no additional common shares before the completion
of
this offering.
|
(3)
|
The
percentage ownership for the selling shareholders is based on
156,248,123 common shares outstanding as of December 6, 2007. In
accordance with SEC rules, common shares that may be acquired
pursuant to
options, warrants or convertible securities that are exercisable
as of
December 11, 2007, or will become exercisable within 60 days
thereafter, are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned
by the
person holding such securities for the purpose of computing such
person’s
percentage ownership, but are not deemed to be outstanding for
the purpose
of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
|
(4)
|
Haywood
Securities Inc. served as underwriter/agent in the offering of
Flow
Through Shares completed on October 31, 2007.
|
(5)
|
Represents
common shares purchasable upon exercise of currently exercisable
options.
|
(6)
|
G.
Michael Hobart has been a director of Apollo since 2002 and is
a partner
at Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, a law firm that provides legal services
to
Apollo.
|
(7)
|
Consists
of: (i) 54,545 Flow Through Shares; (ii) 1,000 common shares;
and (iii)
175,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
(8)
|
Malvin
Spooner, Roy Steele, and Bill Shaw are the general partners of
Mavrix
Explore 2007-II FT LP. Malvin Spooner is the Portfolio Manager
of Mavrix
Explore 2007-II FT LP and exercises the voting and dispositive
powers with
regard to the registered shares.
|
(9)
|
NCE
Diversified Management (07) Corp. is the general partner of this
selling
shareholder. Petro Assets Inc. is the sole shareholder of NCE
Diversified
Management (07) Corp. John Driscoll and his family trust are
the sole
shareholders of Petro Assets Inc. Petro Assets Inc. exercises
the voting
and dispositive powers with regard to the Flow Through Shares
being
offered by NCE Diversified Flow-Through (07) Limited Partnership.
|
(10)
|
Norrep
2007 Management Inc. is the general partner of this selling shareholder.
Norrep 2007 Management Inc. is wholly owned by Hesperian Capital
Management Ltd. Randy Oliver, Keith Leslie, Alex Sasso, Steve
Smith, Craig
Millar, Deirdre Harris, Carl Forman, Kamran Khan, and Julie Hoban
own
Hesperian Capital Management Ltd. Norrep 2007 Management Inc.
exercises
the voting and dispositive powers with regard to the Flow Through
Shares
being offered by Norrep Performance 2007 Flow-Through Limited
Partnership.
|
(11)
|
Qwest
Investment Management Ltd. owns this selling shareholder. Trilogy
Holding
Corp., Jennifer Stevenson, Allison Grafton, Daryl Gilbert, Charles
Selby,
Robert Blair, and Lauren Blair own Qwest Investment Management
Ltd.
Stephen McLeach, Maurice Levesque, and Hugh Cartright own Trilogy
Holding
Corp. Trilogy Holding Corp. exercises the voting and dispositive
powers
with regard to the Flow Through Shares being offered by Qwest
Energy
2007-II Flow Through Limited Partnership.
|
(12)
|
Stone
2007-II Flow Through GP Inc. is the general partner of this selling
shareholder. Stone Asset Management Limited has been appointed
investment
counsel and portfolio manager of the selling shareholder and
exercises the
voting and dispositive powers with regard to the Flow Through
Shares being
offered by Stone 2007-II Flow Through L.P. Stone & Co. Limited owns
Stone Asset Management Limited. Richard G. Stone owns Stone & Co.
Limited.
|
The
selling shareholders and their successors, which includes their pledgees,
donees, partnership distributees and other transferees receiving the offered
shares in non-sale transfers, may sell the offered shares directly to purchasers
or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Purchasers of the shares
resold under this prospectus will not receive the Canadian tax benefits
associated with Flow Through Shares, which benefits apply only to the purchasers
in the flow through offering. Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may
receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling shareholders or the purchasers. These discounts, concessions or
commissions may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions
involved.
The
offered shares may be sold in one or more transactions:
|
·
|
at
prevailing market prices at the time of
sale;
|
|
·
|
at
varying prices determined at the time of sale; or
|
These
sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block
transactions, in the following manner:
|
·
|
on
any national securities exchange or quotation service on which
our common
shares may be listed or quoted at the time of
sale;
|
|
·
|
through
the Toronto Stock Exchange in compliance with Canadian securities
laws and
rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange through registered
brokers;
|
|
·
|
in
the over-the-counter market;
|
|
·
|
in
transactions other than on these exchanges or services or in the
over-the-counter market;
|
|
·
|
through
the writing and exercise of options and warrants, whether these
options
and warrants are listed on an option or warrant exchange or otherwise;
or
|
|
·
|
through
the settlement of short sales.
|
The
selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers
or
other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of
the
offered shares and deliver these shares to close out short positions, or
loan or
pledge the underlying shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these
shares.
The
selling shareholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver
shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions,
provided that the short sale is made after the registration statement is
declared effective.
The
selling shareholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all
of
the Flow Through Shares or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they
default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or
secured
parties may offer and sell the common shares from time to time pursuant to
this
prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer or donate the common
shares in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, donees or other
successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes
of
this prospectus.
The
aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the offered
shares will be the purchase price of the shares less any discounts and
commissions. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
offered shares by the selling shareholders.
In
order
to comply with the securities laws of some jurisdictions, if applicable,
the
selling shareholders may sell the offered shares in some jurisdictions through
registered or licensed broker dealers.
The
selling shareholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that
participate in the sale of the offered shares may be deemed to be “underwriters”
within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any commissions
paid,
or discounts or concessions allowed, to any broker-dealer in connection with
any
distribution of the offered shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering
of
the shares is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed
which will set forth the aggregate number of shares of common stock being
offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any
broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms
constituting compensation from the selling shareholders and any discounts
or
commissions allowed or paid to broker-dealers.
In
addition, any securities covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale
pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act may be sold
under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The
selling shareholders each purchased the Flow Through Shares in the ordinary
course of business. At the time of purchase, each selling stockholder had
no
agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to
distribute the securities. There can be no assurance that any selling
stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered
pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part.
Pursuant
to the registration rights agreements between us and each of the selling
shareholders who purchased the Flow Through Shares in the private placement,
we
agreed to pay substantially all of the expenses incident to the registration
of
the offered shares; provided, however, that the selling shareholders will
pay
all underwriting discounts or
commissions or agents’ commissions,
if any.
In connection with sales made pursuant to this prospectus, we agreed to
indemnify the selling shareholders and their respective directors, officers,
employees, affiliates, agents and controlling persons against, and in certain
circumstances to provide contribution with respect to, liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, with respect to specific matters. Further,
the selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify Apollo and our directors,
certain officers and controlling persons against, and in certain circumstances
to provide contribution with respect to, civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from written information
furnished to us by the selling shareholders.
Once
sold
under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, the
common
shares will be freely tradeable in the hands of persons other than our
affiliates.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations
The
following is a summary of the material anticipated U.S. federal income tax
consequences regarding the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our
common
shares. This summary applies to you only if you hold such common shares as
a
capital asset and are eligible for benefits under the Convention between
the
United States of America and Canada with Respect to Taxes on Income and on
Capital signed on September 26, 1980, as amended and currently in force,
which
we refer to as the U.S.-Canada tax treaty. This summary is based upon the
U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code,
regulations promulgated under the Code, administrative rulings and judicial
decisions and the U.S.-Canada tax treaty as in effect on the date of this
prospectus. Changes in the laws may alter the tax treatment of our common
shares, possibly with retroactive effect.
This
summary is general in nature and does not address the effects of any state
or
local taxes, or the tax consequences in jurisdictions other than the United
States. In addition, it does not address all tax consequences that may be
relevant to you in your particular circumstances, nor does it apply to you
if
you are a holder with a special status, such as:
·
|
a
person that owns, or is treated as owning under certain ownership
attribution rules, 5% or more of our voting
shares;
|
·
|
a
broker, dealer or trader in securities or currencies;
|
·
|
a
bank, mutual fund, life insurance company or other financial
institution;
|
·
|
a
tax-exempt organization;
|
·
|
a
qualified retirement plan or individual retirement account;
|
·
|
a
person that holds our common shares as part of a straddle, hedge,
constructive sale or other integrated transaction for tax
purposes;
|
·
|
a
partnership, S corporation, small business investment company or
pass-through entity;
|
·
|
an
investor in a partnership, S corporation, small business investment
company or pass-through entity;
|
·
|
a
person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S.
dollar;
|
·
|
a
person liable for alternative minimum tax;
|
·
|
a
U.S. Holder (as defined below) who is a resident or deemed to be
a
resident in Canada pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada);
and
|
·
|
a
Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) that has a trade or business
in the
United States, or is an individual that either has a tax home in
the
United States or is present within the United States for 183 days
or more
during the taxable year.
|
If
a
partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership
for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common shares, the tax treatment
of
a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the
activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership that owns or may
acquire our common shares should consult the partner’s tax advisor regarding the
specific tax consequences of the acquisition and ownership of our common
shares.
It
is
assumed for purposes of this summary that we are not, have not at any time
been
and will not be after this offering a “controlled foreign corporation” as
defined in Section 957(a) of the Code.
YOU
SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON SHARES IN LIGHT OF YOUR
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
U.S.
Holders
The
following discussion applies to you if you are a “U.S. Holder.” For purposes of
this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a common share that
is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
· |
an
individual citizen or resident of the United States (including an
alien
who is a “green card” holder or who is present in the United States for 31
days or more in the calendar year and meets certain other
requirements); |
|
|
·
|
a
corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States
or any political subdivision
thereof;
|
·
|
an
estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or
|
·
|
a
trust (1) that validly elects to be treated as a U.S. person for
U.S.
federal income tax purposes, or (2) the administration over which
a U.S.
court can exercise primary supervision and all of the substantial
decisions of which one or more U.S. persons have the authority
to
control.
|
Distributions
We
do not
anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. However, subject to
the
discussion below under “- Passive foreign investment company,” the gross amount
of distributions, if any, payable by us on our common shares generally would
be
treated as dividend income to the extent paid out of current or accumulated
earnings and profits. Any such income would be treated as U.S. source income
for
U.S. foreign tax credit purposes to the extent paid from earnings and profits
accumulated by a domestic corporation engaged in a U.S. trade or business.
A
distribution on our shares in excess of current or accumulated earnings and
profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of
the
U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in such shares and then as capital gain. See “Sale
or other disposition of common shares” below.
Canadian
withholding tax on dividend distributions paid by us to a U.S. Holder is
generally reduced to 15% pursuant to the U.S.-Canada tax treaty. U.S. Holders
generally may claim the amount of any Canadian income taxes withheld either
as a
deduction from gross income or as a credit against U.S. federal income tax
liability, subject to numerous complex limitations that must be determined
and
applied on an individual basis. A U.S. Holder’s ability to claim such a credit
again U.S. federal income tax liability may be limited to the extent that
dividends on our common shares are treated as having a U.S. source.
Sale
or other dispositions of common shares
Subject
to the discussion under “— Passive foreign investment company” below, in
general, if you sell or otherwise dispose of our common shares in a taxable
disposition:
·
|
you
will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference (if any) between
the
U.S. dollar value of the amount realized on such sale or other
taxable
disposition and your adjusted tax basis in such common shares;
|
·
|
any
gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term
capital
gain or loss if your holding period for the common shares sold
is more
than one year at the time of such sale or other taxable disposition;
and
|
·
|
any
gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S. source income for
U.S.
foreign tax credit purposes, although special rules apply to U.S.
Holders
who have a fixed place of business outside the United States to
which this
gain is attributable.
|
Long-term
capital gains of individual taxpayers are generally subject to a 15% maximum
U.S. federal income tax rate for capital gains recognized in taxable years
beginning before January 1, 2011. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject
to limitations.
If
you
are a cash basis taxpayer who receives foreign currency, such as Canadian
dollars, in connection with a sale or other taxable disposition of our common
shares, the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar value of the
foreign currency received with respect to such common shares, as determined
on
the settlement date of such sale or other taxable disposition.
If
you
are an accrual basis taxpayer who receives foreign currency in a sale or
other
taxable disposition of our common shares, you generally may elect the same
treatment required of cash basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or other
taxable disposition of such common shares, provided the election is applied
consistently from year to year. The election may not be changed without the
consent of the IRS. If you are an accrual basis taxpayer and do not elect
to be
treated as a cash basis taxpayer (pursuant to the U.S. Treasury Regulations
applicable to foreign currency transactions) for this purpose, you might
have a
foreign currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes because
of
differences between the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency received
on
the date of the sale (or other taxable disposition) of our common shares
and the
date of payment. Any such currency gain or loss generally will be treated
as
ordinary income or loss and would be in addition to gain or loss, if any,
recognized on the sale (or other taxable disposition) of our common
shares.
Passive
foreign investment company
PFIC
Rules Generally.
U.S.
Holders of our common shares would be subject to a special, adverse tax regime
(that would differ in certain respects from that described above) if we were
or
were to become a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. The tests for determining PFIC status are applied annually
and are dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our
control. We do not expect to be a PFIC for the 2007 tax year, although we
can provide no certainty concerning this result. For 2008 and later years,
we
can provide no assurance concerning whether we are likely to be a PFIC as
a
result of future financial results. We do not intend to make or issue to
U.S.
Holders determinations of our status as a PFIC for any taxable
year.
In
general terms, we will be a PFIC for any tax year in which either (i) 75%
or
more of our gross income is passive income (the “income test”) or (ii) the
average percentage, by fair market value, of our assets that produce or are
held
for the production of passive income is 50% or more (the “asset test”). “Passive
income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties,
certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from
commodities transactions. For example, we could be a PFIC for a tax year
if we
have (i) losses from sales activities but interest income (and/or other passive
income) that exceeds those losses or (ii) positive gross profit from sales
but
interest income (and/or other passive income) constitutes 75% or more of
our
total gross income. In such situations, we could be a PFIC even without
recognizing substantial amounts of passive income.
If
we
were, or were to become, a PFIC for any year in which a U.S. Holder owns
our
common shares, gain on a disposition or deemed disposition by the U.S. Holder
of
our common shares, and the amount of “excess distributions”, if any, payable on
our common shares, would be subject to a special adverse tax regime. Such
gains
and excess distributions would be allocated ratably to the U.S. Holder’s holding
period. The U.S. Holder would include as ordinary income for the year of
the
disposition (or deemed disposition) or excess distribution the amount allocated
to that year. The U.S. Holder would be taxed on prior years’ allocations at the
highest marginal rates applicable to ordinary income for each such year and
would be subject to interest charges to reflect the value of the U.S. income
tax
deferral. U.S. Holders must report any gains or distributions received from
a
PFIC by filing a Form 8621 with their returns.
As
discussed below, it we were, or were to become, a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of
our
common shares might be able to make a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election
or “market to market” election to avoid the special rules described above for
“excess distributions.”
QEF
Election to Reduce Impact of PFIC Rules.
The
rules described above for "excess distributions" will not apply to a U.S.
Holder
if the U.S. Holder makes a QEF election for the first taxable year of the
U.S.
Holder's holding period for our common shares during which we are a PFIC
and we
comply with specified reporting requirements. A QEF election for a taxable
year
generally must be made on or before the due date (as may be extended) for
filing
the taxpayer's federal income tax return for the year. A U.S. Holder who
makes a
QEF election generally must report on a current basis his or her share of
our
ordinary earnings and net capital gain for any taxable year in which we are
a
PFIC, whether or not we distribute those earnings.
Upon
request, we will endeavour to provide to a U.S. Holder no later than ninety
days
after the request the information required to make a QEF election. A U.S.
Holder
who makes a QEF election must file a Form 8621 with their annual return.
Upon
request from a U.S. Holder we will endeavour to furnish an annual statement
containing the information necessary to complete a Form 8621 within ninety
days
after the request.
Mark-to-Market
Election to Reduce Impact of PFIC Rules. If
we
become a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of our common shares may elect to recognize
any
gain or loss on our common shares on a mark-to-market basis at the end of
each
taxable year, so long as the common shares are regularly traded on a qualifying
exchange. The mark-to-market election under the PFIC rules is an alternative
to
the QEF election. We cannot provide assurance that our common shares will
be
considered regularly traded on a qualifying exchange for all years in which
we
may be a PFIC. A U.S. Holder who makes a mark-to-market election generally
must
recognize as ordinary income all appreciation inherent in the U.S. Holder’s
investment in our common shares on a mark-to-market basis and may recognize
losses inherent in our common shares only to the extent of prior mark-to-market
gain recognition. The mark-to-market election must be made by the due date
(as
may be extended) for filing the taxpayer's federal income tax return for
the
first year in which the election is to take effect.
Rules
for Lower-Tier PFIC Subsidiaries.
Special
adverse rules apply to U.S. Holders of our common shares for any year in
which
we are a PFIC and have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is also a PFIC (a “lower tier
PFIC”). If we are a PFIC and a U.S. Holder of our common shares does not make
a
QEF election (as described above) in respect of any lower tier PFIC, the
U.S.
Holder could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described
above if (i) we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of
our
interest in, the lower tier PFIC or (ii) the U.S. Holder disposes of all
or part
of our common shares. A QEF election that is made for our common shares will
not
apply to a lower tier PFIC. Moreover, the mark-to-market election (as described
above) is not available for lower-tier PFICs.
Non-U.S.
Holders
The
following summary applies to you if you are a non-U.S. Holder of our common
shares. A non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of a common share that is
not a
U.S. Holder.
Distributions
In
general, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding
tax
on dividends, if any, received from us with respect to our common shares,
unless
such income is (i) effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or
business in the United States or (ii) if a treaty applies, such income is
attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base you maintain in the
United States.
Sale
or other disposition of common shares
In
general, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized
upon the sale or other disposition of our common shares unless:
·
|
such
gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade
or
business or, if a treaty applies, such gain is attributable to
a permanent
establishment or fixed base you maintain in the United States;
or
|
·
|
you
are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days
or more
during the taxable year of disposition or have a tax home in the
United
States, and certain other requirements are
met.
|
Information
reporting and backup withholding
U.S.
Holders of our common shares may be subject to information reporting and
may be
subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) on distributions
on
our common shares or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of
our
common shares paid within the United States. Payments of distributions on,
or
the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common shares to
or
through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to backup
withholding, although information reporting may apply to those payments in
certain circumstances. Backup withholding will generally not apply, however,
to
a U.S. Holder who:
·
|
furnishes
a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that the
U.S.
Holder is not subject to backup withholding on IRS Form W-9 (or
substitute
form); or
|
·
|
is
otherwise exempt from backup
withholding.
|
In
general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to information reporting and
backup withholding. However, a Non-U.S. Holder may be required to establish
an
exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying
the
Non-U.S. Holder’s non-U.S. status on Form W-8BEN.
Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment
to a
holder under the backup withholding rules may be credited against the holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability, and a holder may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts withheld by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the
IRS
in a timely manner.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Lackowicz,
Shier & Hoffman has provided its opinion on the validity of the securities
offered by this prospectus.
The
consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference
from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent registered chartered accountants, as stated in their report,
which
report expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and
includes a separate report titled Comment by Independent Registered Chartered
Accountants on Canada — United States of America Reporting Differences
referring to substantial doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern,
which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated
in
reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts
in
accounting and auditing.
Our
reserves at December 31, 2006 incorporated by reference herein were
prepared by us and audited by Mine Development Associates. All information
regarding reserves incorporated by reference herein is in reliance upon the
authority of that form as experts in such matters.
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITY
The
Business Corporations Act (Yukon Territory) imposes liability on officers
and
directors for breach of fiduciary duty except in certain specified
circumstances, and also empowers corporations organized under Yukon Territory
law to indemnify officers, directors, employees and others from liability
in
certain circumstances such as where the person successfully defended himself
on
the merits or acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in
the
best interests of the corporation.
Our
By-laws, with certain exceptions, eliminate any personal liability of our
directors and officers to us or our shareholders for monetary damages arising
from such person’s performance as a director or officer, provided such person
has acted in accordance with the requirements of the governing statute. Our
By-laws also provide for indemnification of directors and officers, with
certain
exceptions, to the full extent permitted under law which includes all liability,
damages and costs or expenses arising from or in connection with service
for,
employment by, or other affiliation with us to the maximum extent and under
all
circumstances permitted by law.
We
maintain insurance policies under which our directors and officers are insured,
within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against
expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings,
and
certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits
or
proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been
a
director or officer of Apollo.
You
should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided
in
this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus. We have authorized
no one
to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these
securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume
that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other
than
the date on the front of this prospectus.
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
7,827,272
COMMON
SHARES
PROSPECTUS