As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23,
2008.
Registration
No. 333-153744
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
AMENDMENT
NO. 2
to
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
APOLLO GOLD
CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Yukon
Territory, Canada
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Not
Applicable
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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5655 South Yosemite Street,
Suite 200
Greenwood Village, Colorado
80111
(720) 886-9656
(Address, including zip code, and
telephone number,
including
area code, of principal executive offices)
R. David Russell
President and Chief Executive
Officer
5655 South Yosemite Street,
Suite 200
Greenwood Village, Colorado
80111
(720) 886-9656
(Name, address, including zip code,
and
telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a Copy to
Patricia Peterson
Davis Graham & Stubbs
LLP
1550 Seventeenth Street,
Suite 500
Denver, Colorado
80202
(303) 892-9400
Approximate date of commencement of
proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration
statement becomes effective.
If the
only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. o
If any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933,
other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ
If this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. o
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this
Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. o
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional
classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check
the following box. o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer £
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Accelerated Filer £
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Non-Accelerated Filer £ (do not check if a smaller reporting
company
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Smaller Reporting Company R
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The registrant
hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further
amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities
Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such
date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may
determine.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling
shareholder may not sell these securities pursuant to this prospectus until the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes
effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and Apollo
Gold Corporation is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state
where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to Completion, dated December 23, 2008
PROSPECTUS
APOLLO GOLD
CORPORATION
18,020,000
Common Shares
The
selling shareholders identified on page 18 may use this prospectus to offer
and resell from time to time up to 18,020,000 common shares of Apollo Gold
Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo,” “we” or
“us”). The 18,020,000 common shares are composed of (i) 17,000,000
common shares issued to investors on a “flow through” basis pursuant to the
Income Tax Act (Canada)
in a private placement completed on August 21, 2008, and (ii) 1,020,000 common
shares issuable upon exercise of options granted to Haywood Securities Inc.,
which acted as underwriter/agent in the private placement. We will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares resold under this
prospectus by the selling shareholders. The flow through shares were
offered and sold to residents of Canada in reliance on the exemption from
registration contained in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. Purchasers of the flow through shares resold under this
prospectus will not receive the Canadian tax benefits associated with the flow
through shares, which benefits apply only to the purchasers in the flow through
offering.
Our
common shares are traded on the NYSE Alternext U.S. Exchange under the symbol
“AGT” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “APG.” On
December 22, 2008, the closing price for our common shares on the NYSE Alternext
U.S. Exchange was $0.18 per share and the closing price on the Toronto
Stock Exchange was Cdn$0.225 per share.
The
selling shareholders may sell the shares in transactions on the NYSE Alternext
U.S. Exchange or the Toronto Stock Exchange and by any other method permitted by
applicable law. The selling shareholders may sell the shares at
prevailing market prices or at prices negotiated with purchasers and will be
responsible for any commissions or discounts due to brokers or
dealers. The amount of these commissions or discounts cannot be known
at this time because they will be negotiated at the time of the
sales. We will pay certain of the other offering expenses of the
selling shareholders. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on
page 19.
References
in this prospectus to “$” are to United States dollars. Canadian
dollars are indicated by the symbol “Cdn$”.
The common shares offered in this
prospectus involve a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the
matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus
in determining whether to purchase our common shares.
Neither the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved our common shares, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date
of this prospectus is ___________________.
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Page
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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1
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NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES
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1
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INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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1
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STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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2
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THE
COMPANY
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4
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RECENT
EVENTS
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6
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RISK
FACTORS
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7
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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16
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DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
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16
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SELLING
SHAREHOLDERS
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17
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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19
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TAX
CONSIDERATIONS
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21
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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26
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EXPERTS
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26
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DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITY
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26
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You
should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained or incorporated in this
prospectus.
You
should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of
this prospectus or the dates of the documents incorporated by
reference.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (which we sometimes refer to in this prospectus as the “Exchange Act”),
and file annual, quarterly and periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which we
sometimes refer to in this prospectus as the “SEC”). The SEC
maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) on which our reports, proxy statements
and other information are made available. Such reports, proxy
statements and other information may also be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the operation of the public reference
facilities.
We have
filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3, under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (which we sometimes refer to in this
prospectus as the “Securities Act”), with respect to the securities offered by
this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Reference is hereby made
to the Registration Statement and the exhibits to the Registration Statement for
further information with respect to the securities and us.
NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this
prospectus or in the documents incorporated herein by reference, Apollo uses the
terms “cash operating costs,” “total cash costs,” and “total production costs,”
each of which are considered non-GAAP financial measures as defined in the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K Item 10 and
should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These terms are used by
management to assess performance of individual operations and to compare
Apollo’s performance to other gold producers.
The term
“cash operating costs” is used on a per ounce of gold basis. Cash operating
costs per ounce is equivalent to direct operating cost as found on the
Consolidated Statements of Operations, less production royalty expenses and
mining taxes but includes by-product credits for payable silver, lead and
zinc.
The term
“total cash costs” is equivalent to cash operating costs plus production
royalties and mining taxes.
The term
“total production costs” is equivalent to total cash costs plus non-cash costs
including depreciation and amortization.
These
measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from
operations as determined under U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly
titled measures of other companies. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Apollo Gold’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and Item
2 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in Apollo’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2008 for an explanation of these measures.
The
SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” our publicly filed reports into this
prospectus, which means that information included in those reports is considered
part of this prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC after
the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the
information contained in this prospectus and in prior reports. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
other than information in a report on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02
or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed in connection with such information,
until all of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus have been
sold:
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1.
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Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007,
filed with the SEC on March 25,
2008;
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2.
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Our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June
30, 2008 and September 30, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2008,
August 14, 2008 and November 14. 2008,
respectively;
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3.
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Our
Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008;
May 8, 2008; June 11, 2008; July 1, 2008; July 2, 2008; July 10, 2008;
July 24, 2008; July 24, 2008; July 25, 2008; July 30, 2008; August 6,
2008; August 26, 2008, August 27, 2008, August 29, 2008, October 23, 2008,
October 24, 2008, October 27, 2008 and December 16, 2008;
and
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4.
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The
description of our capital stock set forth in our Registration Statement
on Form 10, filed June 23,
2003.
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In
addition, all filings filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of
this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of this registration
statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
We will
furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all
of the above documents, other than exhibits to such documents that are not
specifically incorporated by reference therein. You should direct any
requests for documents to the Chief Financial Officer, Apollo Gold Corporation,
5655 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 200, Greenwood Village, Colorado
80111-3220, telephone (720) 886-9656.
The
information relating to us contained in this prospectus is not comprehensive and
should be read together with the information contained in the incorporated
documents. Descriptions contained in the incorporated documents as to the
contents of any contract or other document may not contain all of the
information that is of interest to you. You should refer to the copy
of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to our
filings.
This
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus
contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 with respect to our financial condition,
results of operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies,
future events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development efforts.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,”
“should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,”
“predicts,” “intends,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms, or other
comparable terminology. These statements include comments
regarding:
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plans
for Black Fox and Huizopa, including development, exploration and drilling
and the ability to finance
development;
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future
financing of projects by Apollo, including the contemplated project
financing for Black Fox and financing required for the M Pit expansion at
Montana Tunnels;
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the
status of due diligence in connection with the future project financing of
Black Fox and the likelihood of approval and negotiation of definitive
agreements with lenders;
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ability
of Apollo to fully utilize the US$15,000,000 under the Black Fox bridge
facility;
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sufficiency
of proceeds from the Black Fox bridge facility to maintain the progress of
the Black Fox project;
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the
cessation of ore mining at the Montana Tunnels mine, the amount of
stockpiled ore upon cessation of mining and the timing of the processing
thereof, delivery of WARN Act notices to Montana Tunnels employees and the
decision to undertake the M Pit
expansion;
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liquidity
to support operations and debt repayment, in particular the repayment of
the Series 2007-A convertible debentures due February 23,
2009;
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the
timing of commencement of mining at Black
Fox;
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start-up
of and receipt of new equipment at the Black Fox mill
complex;
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timing
and amount of future cash flows from the Montana Tunnels
mine;
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sufficiency
of future cash flows from the Montana Tunnels mine to repay the Montana
Tunnels’ indebtedness;
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the
establishment and estimates of mineral reserves and
resources;
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production
and production costs;
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daily
production, mineral recovery rates and mill throughput
rates;
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grade
of ore mined and milled;
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grade
of concentrates produced;
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anticipated
expenditures for development, exploration, and corporate
overhead;
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timing
and issue of permits;
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expansion
plans for existing properties;
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estimates
of closure costs;
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estimates
of environmental liabilities;
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our
ability to obtain financing to fund our estimated expenditure and capital
requirements;
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factors
impacting our results of operations;
and
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the
impact of adoption of new accounting
standards.
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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:
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changes
in business and economic conditions, including the recent significant
deterioration in global financial and capital
markets;
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significant
increases or decreases in gold prices and zinc
prices;
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changes
in interest and currency exchange
rates;
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changes
in availability and cost of
financing;
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timing
and amount of production;
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unanticipated
grade changes;
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unanticipated
recovery or production problems;
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changes
in operating costs;
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operational
problems at our mining properties;
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metallurgy,
processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies and
water;
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determination
of reserves;
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changes
in project parameters;
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costs
and timing of development of new
reserves;
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results
of current and future exploration and development
activities;
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results
of future feasibility studies;
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joint
venture relationships;
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political
or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we
operate;
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local
and community impacts and issues;
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timing
of receipt of government approvals;
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accidents
and labor disputes;
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environmental
costs and risks;
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competitive
factors, including competition for property
acquisitions;
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availability
of external financing at reasonable rates or at all;
and
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the
factors discussed in this prospectus under the heading “Risk
Factors.”
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Overview
The
earliest predecessor to Apollo Gold Corporation was incorporated under the laws
of the Province of Ontario in 1936. In May 2003, Apollo
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 or the documents
incorporated herein by reference.
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, which is a 50% joint venture with Elkhorn Tunnels,
LLC. The mine, which is located near Helena, Montana, 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 which own concessions at the Huizopa exploration
project, located in the Sierra Madres in Chihuahua, Mexico. The
Huizopa project is subject to an 80% Apollo/20% Mineras Coronado joint venture
agreement.
Montana Tunnels
Mine
During
the third quarter 2008, approximately 2,454,000 tons were mined at Montana
Tunnels, of which 1,824,000 tons were ore. The mill processed
1,221,000 tons of ore at an average throughput of 13,300 tons per day for the
quarter. As at September 30, 2008, the ore stockpile sitting
alongside the mill was 1,982,000 tons. Payable production in the
third quarter was 14,600 ounces of gold, 144,000 ounces of silver, 4,586,000
pounds of lead and 9,623,000 pounds of zinc. Apollo’s share of this
production is 50%.
Total
cash costs for the third quarter 2008 on a by-product basis were $471 per ounce
of gold and on a co-product basis they were $666 per ounce of gold, $9.40 per
ounce of silver, $0.69 per lb of lead and $0.59 per lb of zinc. For
the third quarter 2008, the higher cash costs per ounce of gold on a by-product
basis compared to the third quarter 2007 are the result of (1) 37% higher direct
costs related to higher cost of consumables such as diesel fuel and (2) a 19%
reduction in by-product credits due to lower zinc and lead
prices. During the third quarter 2008, the joint venture spent $0.1
million on capital expenditures. Apollo’s share of these capital
expenditures is 50%. Also in the third quarter 2008, the joint
venture distributed $3.0 million to its principals, 54% of which went to Apollo
and 46% of which went to Elkhorn.
Open
pit mining at Montana Tunnels ceased on December 5, 2008 and, in connection
therewith, WARN Act notifications were issued to 87 employees. See
the disclosure below under the heading “Recent Developments – Cessation of
Mining at Montana Tunnels” for additional information.
Black
Fox
On April
14, 2008, we filed a Canadian Instrument, NI 43-101 Technical Report, which was
prepared to a bankable standard (“bankable feasibility study”). A
bankable feasibility study is a comprehensive analysis of a project’s economics
(+/- 15% precision) used by the banking industry for financing
purposes. The table below summarizes the Black Fox total mineral
reserve.
Black
Fox Probable Reserve Statement as of February 29, 2008
Mining Method
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Cutoff Grade
Au g/t
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Tonnes
(000)
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Grade
Au g/t
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Contained
Au Ounces
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Open
Pit
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0.88 |
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4,350 |
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5.2 |
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730,000 |
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Underground
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3.0 |
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2,110 |
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8.8 |
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600,000 |
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Total
Probable Reserves
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1,330,000 |
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On July 28, 2008, we completed the
acquisition from St Andrew Goldfields Ltd., which we refer to as St Andrew, of a
mill and related equipment, infrastructure, property rights, laboratory and
tailings facilities, located near Timmins, Ontario. The acquisition
was made pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated June 11, 2008, as amended
June 30, 2008 and July 23, 2008, between Apollo and St
Andrew. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, St Andrew agreed to
sell the mill complex to Apollo for a purchase price of Cdn$20 million and the
refund to St Andrew of its bonding commitment at the mill complex in the amount
of approximately Cdn$1.2 million. The Cdn$20 million cash portion of
the purchase price was payable as follows: (i) an initial deposit of
Cdn$1.5 million was paid by Apollo upon execution of the asset purchase
agreement, (ii) Cdn$4 million was paid in cash by Apollo to St Andrew on July 3,
2008 with the proceeds of the RMB Financing (as described below under “Recent
Events – RMB Financing”) and (iii) Cdn$14.5 million was paid in cash by Apollo
to St Andrew on July 28, 2008 with the proceeds of the unit offering (as
described below under “Recent Events”). In addition, we paid interest
of Cdn$134,795 in connection with the July 28, 2008 payment.
Since April 2008, when we completed
the bankable feasibility study on the Black Fox mine, we have made progress at
Black Fox on a number of fronts. Specifically, we have received all
necessary permits and approvals required to commence mining activities,
initiated removal of the glacial till material which overlays the open pit and
began placing orders for the long lead time items required to upgrade the Black
Fox mill complex. Consequently, we are in a position to commence
mining of the Black Fox open pit in April 2009 if we are able to obtain
financing in the amounts, and in accordance with the timing required by the
Black Fox project schedule.
On December 10, 2008, Apollo entered
into a bridge facility agreement with Macquarie Bank Ltd. and RMB Australia
Holdings Limited, which, in this prospectus, we sometimes refer to as the Banks,
pursuant to which Apollo borrowed US$15,000,000 at the closing, which was
deposited in a proceeds account. Apollo withdrew US$6,000,000 from
the proceeds account upon closing. Apollo’s ability to borrow the
remaining US$9,000,000 from the proceeds account is subject to the prior written
approval of the Banks. Under the bridge facility agreement, the Banks
will not approve additional withdrawals unless, prior to February 28, 2009,
Apollo raises equity or makes other funds available in an amount and on terms
satisfactory to the Banks to fund Apollo’s corporate level expenditures
unrelated to the Black Fox project. See the disclosure below under
the heading “Recent Developments – Black Fox Financing” for additional
information.
As of
September 30, 2008, we had committed to lease $8.7 million of mining equipment
and expend an additional
$1.1 million for improvements to the Black Fox mill complex. As of
December 2008, we had (1) committed to lease an additional $7 million
of mining equipment for use at Black Fox, (2) contracted the pre-strip of
alluvial waste for $12.2 million, (3) contracted the construction of waste water
ponds for $3.7 million and (4) made additional commitments to expend $5 million
for improvements to the mill. Permanent project financing is required
in order for us to fulfill these commitments and proceed with these
projects.
Huizopa
Project
During
the second quarter 2008, the helicopter assisted core drilling program on two
identified targets (Puma de Oro and Lobo de Oro) at our Huizopa project was
completed. On August 14, 2008, we announced the results of the core
drilling program on the Puma de Oro exploration target. Twenty five
NQ core holes were drilled on a north-trending zone targeted for drilling based
on Apollo’s geochemical sampling and geologic mapping. The next drill
program is scheduled for 2009 and, in the meantime, we are working on completing
a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 for the Huizopa
property.
RECENT
EVENTS
Black Fox
Financing
In May
2008, we retained the Banks to act as joint arrangers and underwriters for the
Black Fox project finance facility. The Banks have been conducting
due diligence and project review with Apollo and this process is still ongoing
and nearing completion. However, to ensure that development of the
open pit mine and the upgrade of the mill continue on schedule, Apollo and the
Banks completed a US$15 million bridge facility which closed on December 10,
2008, with each Bank making available 50% of the aggregate loan. Upon
closing of the bridge facility, US$15,000,000 was deposited in a proceeds
account. Apollo withdrew US$6,000,000 from the proceeds account upon
closing. Apollo’s ability to borrow the remaining US$9,000,000 from
the proceeds account is subject to the prior written approval of the
Banks. Under the bridge facility agreement, the Banks will not
approve additional withdrawals unless, prior to February 28, 2009, Apollo
raises equity or makes other funds available in an amount and on terms
satisfactory to the Banks to fund Apollo’s corporate level expenditures
unrelated to the Black Fox project. If such conditions are not
satisfied by February 28, 2009, Apollo will be required to repay the unused
portion of the bridge facility, which is currently US$9,000,000. The
Banks continue to finalize their due diligence process and Apollo and the Banks
are in discussion regarding the longer term Black Fox project finance facility
that would refinance the bridge facility. There can be no assurance
that Apollo and the Banks will successfully complete such a
facility.
The
bridge facility agreement requires Apollo to use proceeds from the facility only
for: (i) the funding of the development, construction and operation of the Black
Fox project located in northern Ontario, Canada, and (ii) the funding of certain
fees and costs due under the bridge facility agreement and certain related
project agreements.
The
bridge facility agreement is subject to a five percent arrangement fee and
matures on the earlier to occur of (i) June 30, 2009 or (ii) the first drawing
under a long-term project finance facility, if any, that may be entered into by
Apollo after the date of the bridge facility agreement. Amounts
borrowed under the bridge facility agreement, including amounts in the proceeds
account, will bear interest at LIBOR plus 10%, payable in arrears on the last
day of December 2008, March 2009 and June 2009. The bridge facility
agreement provides that Apollo, at its option, may forgo cash payment of
interest for any interest period, in which event each Bank may elect to either
(i) convert the interest payment owed to it into Apollo’s common shares, which
we refer to as the Conversion Shares or (ii) capitalize the interest payment
owed to it and add such amount to the principal amount of the
loan. The number of Conversion Shares issuable is calculated by
dividing the interest payment by the volume weighted average market price of
Apollo’s shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange during a trailing five-day period
prior to the interest payment date discounted by the maximum discount permitted
by the Toronto Stock Exchange, currently 25%. Apollo agreed to use
its best efforts to register the resale of the Conversion Shares and the Warrant
Shares (as defined below) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
promptly following the execution of the bridge facility
agreement.
Pursuant
to the bridge facility agreement, Apollo issued 42,614,254 warrants (21,307,127
to each Bank) as partial consideration for financing services provided in
connection with the bridge facility agreement. Each warrant entitles
the holder to purchase one of our common shares, which we refer to as the
Warrant Shares, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the warrant. The
warrants expire 48 months from their date of issuance and have an exercise price
of Cdn$0.221 per Warrant Share, subject to customary anti-dilution
adjustments.
Borrowings
under the bridge facility agreement are secured by a first lien on substantially
all of the Apollo’s assets, including the Black Fox project, and the stock of
Apollo’s subsidiaries.
Cessation of Mining at
Montana Tunnels
On
December 5, 2008, we ceased mining of ore from the Montana Tunnels open pit
operation as a result of exhausting the ore in our current “L Pit”
permit. In connection therewith, we issued 60 day notice of
terminations of employment to 87 employees in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which
we refer to as the WARN Act.
We
have received all necessary permits to expand the current pit, which
expansion plan we refer to as the “M Pit project.” The M Pit project
would involve a 12 month pre-stripping program that would cost approximately $70
million, during which time no ore would be produced. We are not
currently engaged in discussions with financing sources for our $35 million
share of the financing costs. The decision to proceed with the M Pit
project must be agreed to by both Apollo and Elkhorn Tunnels, LLC, our joint
venture partner at the mine. We and our joint venture partner have
not yet made a production decision on the M Pit project and such decision will
depend, among other things, on securing financing for the $70 million and the
prices of gold, silver, lead and zinc and available smelter terms. We
expect to continue milling stockpiled ore at Montana Tunnels until April or May
2009. If no decision has been made on M Pit project by the time that
the stockpiled ore is exhausted, then the mill will be placed on care and
maintenance. The current estimate of the reclamation liability for the L Pit and
the Montana Tunnels site is $18.5 million which as at the date this prospectus
is covered by $16.0 million in cash in a trust account plus collateralized land
valued at $3.2 million (Apollo’s share of the liability, cash in trust and
collateralized land is 50% of these amounts).
Early Repayment of
Debt Facility
with RMB Australia Holdings Limited
In
connection with the entry into our October 2007 debt facility with RMB Australia
Holdings Limited (which was arranged by RMB Resources Inc. of Lakewood, CO), we
entered into certain put and call contracts for lead and zinc, which are set
forth below and which were scheduled to expire on September 26,
2008.
Contract
Type
|
|
Base
Metal
|
|
Volume
Strike
|
|
Price
|
|
Put
|
|
Lead
|
|
567
Tonnes (1,250,020 pounds)
|
|
US$ |
1.40 |
|
Call
|
|
Lead
|
|
567
Tonnes (1,250,020 pounds)
|
|
US$ |
1.898 |
|
Put
|
|
Zinc
|
|
891
Tonnes (1,964,316 pounds)
|
|
US$ |
1.20 |
|
Call
|
|
Zinc
|
|
891
Tonnes (1,964,316 pounds)
|
|
US$ |
1.539 |
|
On August
22, 2008, we unwound these put and call contracts early as a debt management
decision and realized a gain of $1,556,000. The net proceeds of $1,556,000 plus
additional cash of $108,000 were used to prepay amounts outstanding under the
October 2007 debt facility. The $1,654,000 amount that was prepaid
was otherwise due on September 30, 2008.
On
July 1, 2008, we entered into an amendment to the October 2007 debt facility
with RMB Australia Holdings Limited pursuant to which we borrowed an additional
$5,150,000 under the October 2007 debt facility. In connection
therewith, we entered into put and call contracts for gold, silver, lead and
zinc as a requirement of the amendment to the October 2007 debt facility
agreement. On October 23, 2008, we unwound part of these put and call
contracts early since the current value of part of the contracts exceeded the
December 2008 repayment obligation of $1,716,667 as under the debt
facility and the proceeds therefrom of $2,010,000 were applied as
follows:
|
Repayment
of principal
|
|
$ |
1,952,000 |
|
|
Interest
to December 31, 2008
|
|
$ |
49,300 |
|
3.
|
Fees
|
|
$ |
8,600 |
|
As of
December 23, 2008 and after giving effect to the $1,952,000 repayment of
principal described above, Apollo owed $2,837,000 million under the RMB debt
facility, as amended, $1,716,667 of which is payable on March 31, 2009 and
$1,120,333 on June 30, 2009. We anticipate that cash proceeds from
the Montana Tunnels mine will be sufficient to repay this debt
facility.
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in our common shares 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 our common shares. 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
do not currently have and may not be able to raise the funds necessary to
explore and develop our Black Fox and Huizopa properties, conduct the M Pit
expansion at Montana Tunnels or repay the Series 2007-A convertible debentures
due February 23, 2009.
We do
not currently have sufficient funds to (i) undertake the M Pit expansion at the
Montana Tunnels mine, (ii) conduct all of our planned development activities at
Black Fox, (iii) complete our planned exploration activities at Huizopa or (iv)
repay the Series 2007-A convertible debentures due February 23,
2009. The M Pit expansion, 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.
In
addition, in recent months, the U.S. financial market indexes experienced steep
declines and the available supply of credit tightened. In light of
these developments, concerns by investors regarding the stability of the U.S.
financial system could result in less favorable commercial financing terms,
including higher interest rates or costs and tighter operating covenants,
thereby preventing Apollo from completing the contemplated financing of its
properties.
Mining
of ore at our Montana Tunnels mine ceased in December 2008.
On
December 5, 2008, we ceased mining of ore from the Montana Tunnels open pit
operation as a result of exhausting the ore in our current “L Pit”
permit. While we have received all necessary permits to expand the
current pit, which expansion plan we refer to as the “M Pit project,” the M Pit
project would cost approximately $70 million, and we and our joint venture
partner have not yet determined whether to proceed with the M Pit
project. Such decision will depend, among other things, on securing
financing for the $70 million and the prices of gold, silver, lead and zinc and
available smelter terms.
The
Montana Tunnels mine is our only source of revenue and cash flow at this
time. If we are unable or choose not to pursue the M Pit project, we
will no longer have any revenues or cash flow once the stockpiled ore at the
Montana Tunnels mine has been processed, which stockpile we expect to exhaust in
April or May 2009. In addition, if we choose to and are able to
pursue the M Pit project, we expect that the pre-stripping program will take
approximately 12 months, during which time no ore will be
produced. As a result, there will be a period of time after the ore
stockpiles from the L Pit have been exhausted and prior to production from the M
Pit (which period we expect would be a minimum of six months but could be
substantially longer) during which we will have no revenue or cash
flow.
Our
current cash balances, together with expected cash flow from the Montana Tunnels
mine, will not be sufficient to repay the Series 2007-A convertible debentures
due February 23, 2009.
On
February 23, 2007, we sold $8,580,000 aggregate principal amount of Series
2007-A convertible debentures. Each $1,000 principal amount of
convertible debentures was convertible at any time at the option of holder into
2,000 common shares at a price per share of $0.50. As of December 22,
2008, the price of a share of our common stock on the NYSE Alternext U.S.
Exchange was $0.18, significantly below the $0.50 conversion price of the
convertible debentures. If the price of our common stock is not
excess of $0.50 upon the maturity of the convertible debentures, we expect that
the holders of the convertible debentures will demand repayment of the principal
amount and accrued but unpaid interest. As of December 23, 2008,
convertible debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $7,400,000 were
outstanding. Based on our current cash balances, together with
expected cash flows from the Montana Tunnels mine and restrictions on the use of
our cash contained in our borrowing agreements and our flow-through financings,
we do not believe we will be able to repay the convertible debentures at
maturity. We are currently considering our financing options to repay
the convertible debentures. There can be no assurance that we will be
successful in obtaining financing for repayment of the convertible debentures
or, if we are successful, that the terms will be
acceptable.
The
existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares may impair our share
price and our ability to raise capital.
Approximately
101.7 million of our common shares are issuable on exercise of warrants, options
or other rights to purchase common shares at prices ranging from $0.176 to $2.24
and a weighted average price of $0.31. In addition, there are
approximately 14.9 million common shares issuable upon the conversion of the
$7.4 million outstanding principal amount of convertible debentures issued
February 23, 2007 at the option of the holder 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.
Future
share sales and issuances could impair our share price.
If
Apollo Gold’s shareholders sell substantial amounts of our common shares, the
market price of our common shares could decrease. Apollo Gold has 219,860,257
common shares outstanding as at December 23, 2008. In addition, we
may sell additional common shares in subsequent offerings and issue additional
common shares to finance future acquisitions. Apollo Gold cannot predict the
size of future issuances of common shares or the effect, if any, that future
issuances and sales of common shares will have on the market price of our common
shares. Sales or issuances of large numbers of our common shares, or the
perception that such sales might occur, may adversely affect prevailing market
prices for our common shares. With any additional issuance of common shares,
investors will suffer dilution to their voting power and we may experience
dilution in our earnings per share.
The
market price of our common shares has experienced volatility and could decline
significantly.
Our
common shares are listed on the NYSE Alternext U.S. Exchange and the Toronto
Stock Exchange. Our share price has declined significantly since
2004, and over the last year the closing price of our common shares has
fluctuated from a low of $0.11 per share to a high of $0.74 per
share. The stock prices of virtually all companies have decreased in
the fall of 2008 as global economic issues have adversely affected public
markets. Furthermore, 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 global economic issues, as well as 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.
We
have a history of losses.
With
the exception of the most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, during
which we had a net income of $2,416,000, we have incurred significant losses.
Our net losses were $15,587,000 and $22,208,000 for the years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, the Montana Tunnels mine is
our only current source of revenue and mining of ore at that mine ceased on
December 5, 2008. We expect to continue the milling of ore stockpiles
at Montana Tunnels until April or May 2009. Following the cessation
of the milling of these ore stockpiles, we will no longer have any revenues or
cash flow. In addition, if we choose and are able to pursue the M Pit
expansion, there will be a period of time after the ore stockpiles from the L
Pit have been exhausted and prior to production from the M Pit (which period we
expect would be a minimum of six months but could be substantially longer)
during which we will have no revenue or cash flow. Therefore, we
expect that we will incur significant losses until such time, if any, that we
begin production from Black Fox and can be no assurance that we will achieve or
sustain profitability 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, that will make
it more difficult to obtain financing for our projects, we will experience
additional losses and we could also be required to discontinue exploration,
development and/or mining at one or more of our properties.
Our
operating expenses could increase significantly if utilities, equipment, fuel or
raw materials prices increase.
We are
a significant consumer of electricity, mining equipment, fuels and raw
materials, all of which we purchase from outside sources. Recent
fluctuations in crude oil have considerably increased our operating expenses,
particularly the cost of diesel fuel, equipment and other raw
materials. Further increases in prices for electricity, equipment,
fuel and raw materials could adversely affect our
profitability.
Our
investments in auction rate securities are subject to risks which may cause
losses and affect the liquidity of these investments.
We
acquired auction rate securities in 2007 with a face value of $1.5
million. The securities were marketed by financial institutions with
auction reset dates at 28 day intervals to provide short-term
liquidity. All such auction rate securities were rated AAA when
purchased, pursuant to Apollo’s investment policy. Beginning in
August 2007, a number of auctions failed and there is no assurance that auctions
for the auction rate securities in our investment portfolio, which currently
lack liquidity, will succeed. An auction failure means that the
parties wishing to sell their securities could not do so as a result of a lack
of buying demand. As at September 30, 2008, Apollo’s auction rate
securities held an adjusted cost basis and fair value of $1.2 million based on
liquidity impairments to these securities and, during the second quarter of
2008, were downgraded to a AA rating. Uncertainties in the credit and
capital markets could lead to further downgrades of Apollo’s auction rate
securities holdings and additional impairments. Furthermore, as a
result of auction failures, our ability to liquidate and fully recover the
carrying value of our auction rate securities in the near term may be limited or
not exist.
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 (i) the Facility Agreement, dated October
12, 2007 and as amended July 1, 2008, 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. further described in our Current Report
on Form 8-K filed July 2, 2008 and (ii) the Facility Agreement, dated December
10, 2008, by and among, Apollo, Macquarie Bank Limited, RMB Australia Holdings
Limited and RMB Resources Inc. further described in our Current Report on Form
8-K filed December 16, 2008. Since these assets represent
substantially all of our assets, we will not have access to additional secured
lending with other financial institutions, 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
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. In April and May 2008, the mill
at the Montana Tunnels mine was shut down for approximately three weeks due to a
crack in the exterior shell of the ball mill. There can be no
assurances that we will not encounter additional operational problems at our
Montana Tunnels mine in the future.
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 financing contingencies, 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, the M Pit expansion at Montana Tunnels 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 or any future M Pit
expansion at Montana Tunnels 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.
Mineral
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
and other 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, with the exception of the fiscal year 2007, we have not generated
sufficient revenues to cover our expenses and costs.
The
titles to some of our properties may be uncertain or defective.
Certain
of our United States mineral rights of the Montana Tunnels mine 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. All of
these overstaked claims have since been returned to us.
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
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 ability to predict or 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 Montana Tunnels debt facility financed by RMB Australia
Holdings Limited, we were required to enter into hedges on gold, silver, lead
and zinc. These hedges cover the first quarter 2009 production from
the Montana Tunnels mine and represent approximately 40% of our share of gold
and silver and 50% of our share of lead production from the Montana Tunnels
mine. There is no outstanding hedge on zinc production. 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 December 23, 2008, there were 219,860,257 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, 320 Bay Street, P. O. Box 1, Toronto, Ontario M5H
4A6, 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
August 21, 2008, we completed a private placement to Canadian purchasers of
17,000,000 common shares issued at Cdn$0.50 per share on a “flow through” basis
pursuant to the Income Tax Act
(Canada) for gross proceeds equal to Cdn$8.5 million. We
agreed to use the gross proceeds from the sale of the flow through shares for
the pre-strip of the Black Fox open pit mine and other exploration activity at
our 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 of the flow through
shares. The flow through shares were offered and sold to residents of
Canada in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Regulation S
of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In
connection with the placement of the flow through shares, we entered into an
Underwriting Agreement with Haywood Securities Inc. dated August 21,
2008. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Haywood Securities Inc.
agreed to act as underwriter/agent in respect of the flow through offering and,
in consideration therefor, we paid Haywood Securities Inc. a cash underwriting
commission equal to Cdn$0.0325 (6.5% of the per share price in the flow through
offering) for each flow through share subscribed for and accepted by us,
including any flow through shares purchased by Haywood Securities Inc. (which
commission in the aggregate was equal to Cdn$55,250). We also issued
to Haywood Securities Inc. compensation options to purchase 1,020,000 common
shares (6% of the number of flow through shares sold in the flow through
offering). Each compensation option is exercisable into one common
share of Apollo at a price of Cdn$0.50 for a period of 18 months from the
closing date of the flow through offering. In addition, we paid all
of Haywood Securities Inc.’s costs and expenses incidental to the placement of
the flow through shares.
In the
offering, Apollo entered into a registration rights agreement with each of the
purchasers in the flow through offering in which it agreed to register at its
expense the shares purchased in the offering. Apollo was 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 August 21, 2008.
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially
Owned After the Offering(1)
|
|
Name of Selling Shareholder
|
|
Beneficially Owned Prior
to the Offering(1)
|
|
|
Common Shares
Offered Hereby
|
|
|
Number(2)
|
|
|
Percentage
of Class(3)
|
|
Haywood
Securities Inc.(4)
|
|
|
3,963,537 |
|
|
|
1,020,000 |
(6)
|
|
|
2,943,537 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCE
Diversified Flow-Through (08) Limited Partnership(7)
|
|
|
12,170,000 |
|
|
|
10,380,000 |
|
|
|
1,790,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MRF
2008 Resource Limited Partnership(8)
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip
Strathy
|
|
|
250,000 |
(9)
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stone
2008 Flow Through L.P.(10)
|
|
|
2,409,100 |
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
909,100 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mavrix
Explore Quebec 2008-I(11)
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mavrix
Explore 2008 – I FT LP(11)
|
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mavrix
Explore 2007 – I FT LP(11)
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mavrix
Explore Quebec 2007-I(11)
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mavrix
Explore Quebec 2007-II(11)
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremy
Link
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
23,
812,637 |
|
|
|
18,020,000 |
|
|
|
5,792,637 |
|
|
|
2.63 |
% |
_____________
*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 219,860,257
common shares outstanding as of December 23, 2008. In
accordance with SEC rules, common shares that may be acquired pursuant to
options, warrants or convertible securities that are exercisable as of
December 23, 2008, 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 August 21, 2008 and has served as an
underwriter/agent for us in connection with other securities offerings
conducted by us and has received compensation for such
service. Robert C. Blanchard, Robert J. Disbrow, Charles J.
Dunlap, David B. Elliott, David M. Lyall, Enrico L. Paolone, John Stephen
T. Rybinski, Eric Savics, John D. Shepherd, John P. Tognetti and John
David W. Willett are officers and/or directors of Haywood Securities Inc.
and exercise the voting and dispositive powers with regard to the flow
through shares being offered by this selling
shareholder. Haywood Securities Inc. is an affiliate of Haywood
Securities (USA), Inc., a registered broker-dealer. At the time
of its acquisition of our shares, this selling shareholder had no
agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to
distribute the securities registered for resale
hereunder.
|
(5)
|
Represents
(i) 1,020,000 common shares purchasable upon exercise of compensation
options exercisable until February 18, 2010 at Cdn$0.50 per share, (ii)
372,727 common shares purchasable upon exercise of compensation options
exercisable until April 30, 2009 at Cdn.$0.55 per share and (iii) 2,570,
810 common shares issuable upon exercise of (a) an option to acquire
1,713,873 units (the “Agents’ Units”) at a price per unit of Cdn$0.60 (the
“Agents’ Compensation Option”) and (b) the common share purchase warrants
included in the Agents’ Units. The Agents’ Compensation Option is
exercisable for a period commencing 180 days following July 24, 2008 and
continuing until 48 months from July 24, 2008. Each Agents’ Unit is
comprised of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase
warrant (“Agents’ Warrant”), each whole Agents’ Warrant included in the
Agents’ Unit entitling the Agent holding such warrant to purchase one
common share of the Company at an exercise price of Cdn$0.78 for a period
commencing 180 days following July 24, 2008 and continuing until 48 months
from July 24, 2008.
|
(6)
|
Represents
1,020,000 common shares purchasable upon exercise of compensation options
exercisable until February 18, 2010 at Cdn$0.50 per share. The
common shares offered by Haywood Securities Inc. hereunder are not flow
through shares.
|
(7)
|
NCE
Diversified Management (08) Corp. is the general partner of this selling
shareholder. Petro Assets Inc. is the sole shareholder of NCE
Diversified Management (08) Corp. John Driscoll is the
President, Chief Executive Officer and sole director of Petro Assets Inc.
and exercises the voting and dispositive powers with regard to the flow
through shares being offered by this selling shareholder. John
Driscoll and his family trust are the sole shareholders of Petro Assets
Inc.
|
(8)
|
Middlefield
Fund Management Limited is the general partner of this selling
shareholder. Dennis daSilva, Richard L. Faiella, W. Garth
Jestly, Robert F. Louzon, Dean C. Orrico, Sylvia V. Stinson and Angela V.
Wanniappa are officers and/or directors of MRF 2008 Resource Limited
Partnership and exercise the voting and dispositive powers with regard to
the flow through shares being offered by this selling
shareholder.
|
(9)
|
Represents
(i) 100,000 flow through shares and (ii) 150,000 common shares purchasable
upon exercise of warrants exercisable until June 27, 2011 at $0.65 per
share.
|
(10)
|
Stone
2008 Flow Through G.P. Inc. is the general partner of this selling
shareholder. Richard G. Stone is the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Stone 2008 Flow Through G.P. Inc. and exercises the
voting and dispositive powers with regard to the flow through shares being
offered by this selling shareholder. 909,100 of the shares
reported as beneficially owned by this selling shareholder prior to this
offering (but none of the shares offered hereunder) are held in the name
of Stone 2007-II Flow Through LP.
|
(11)
|
Malvin
Spooner of Mavrix Fund Management Inc. is the Portfolio Manager of Mavrix
Explore Quebec 2008-I, Mavrix Explore 2008 – I FT LP, Mavrix Explore 2007
– I FT LP, Mavrix Explore Quebec 2007-I and Mavrix Explore Quebec 2007-II
and exercises the voting and dispositive powers with regard to the flow
through shares of each of the Mavrix
Accounts.
|
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 and such sale is made in accordance with all applicable SEC
regulations.
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, or received the
flow through shares as compensation 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.
TAX
CONSIDERATIONS
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.
We
believe 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. although we can provide no certainty regarding this position.
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 under “— Passive foreign investment company,” below, 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. Such dividends will
generally be “qualified dividends” in the hands of individual U.S. Holders and
will be generally subject to a 15% maximum individual U.S. federal income tax
rate for qualified dividends received in taxable years beginning before January
1, 2011. A corporation may be eligible for a dividends received
deduction under Section 243 of the Code.
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
against U.S. federal income tax liability may be limited to the extent that
dividends on our common shares are treated as U.S.-source income for U.S. foreign tax credit
purposes. To the extent that a distribution with respect to our
common shares is paid from earnings and
profits accumulated by a domestic corporation engaged in a U.S. trade or
business (such as a U.S. subsidiary), any
such income would be treated as U.S.-source income for U.S. foreign tax credit
purposes.
Sale
or other disposition 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 2008 tax year, although
we can provide no certainty concerning this result. For 2009 and later tax
years, we can provide no assurance concerning whether we will be a
PFIC.
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 of our common shares,
and certain distributions with respect to our common shares
(so-called “excess distributions”), 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 portion of such gains and excess distributions allocable
to the current tax year would be includible as ordinary income in the
current tax.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.
Certain elections may sometimes be used to reduce the
adverse impact of the PFIC rules on U.S. Holders (“qualifying electing fund”
(“QEF”) and “mark-to-market” elections), but these elections may accelerate the
recognition of taxable income and may result in the recognition of ordinary
income. The PFIC rules are extremely complex, and shareholders
are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the potential consequences
to them of Apollo being classified as a PFIC.
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 U.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 income 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 use reasonable best efforts to provide to a U.S. Holder who
makes a request the information required to make a QEF election no later than
ninety days after the request. A U.S. Holder who makes a QEF election
must file a Form 8621 with their annual return.
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 believe our common shares will be regularly traded on a
qualifying exchange, but 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. A U.S. Holder who makes a
mark-to-market election must file a Form 8621 with their annual
return.
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 although a separate QEF election might be
made with respect to a lower-tier PFIC. We will use reasonable best efforts to
cause a lower-tier PFIC to provide the
information necessary for an effective QEF
election to be made with respect to such lower-tier PFIC.. Moreover, a
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 common
shares offered by this prospectus.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference
from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31,
2007, 2006 and 2005 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 Comments by Independent Registered Chartered
Accountants on Canada — United States of America Reporting Differences
referring to changes in accounting principles and 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
Montana Tunnels reserves at December 31, 2007 incorporated by reference
herein were prepared by us and SRK Consulting (US), Inc. 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
18,020,000
COMMON SHARES
PROSPECTUS
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE
PROSPECTUS
Item 14.
Other
Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
We will
pay all expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered. The following table is an itemized statement of
these expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:
SEC
registration fee
|
|
$ |
184.13 |
|
AMEX
listing fee
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
Legal
fees and expenses
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Accountant’s
fees and expenses
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
Trustee
and transfer agent fees
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Printing
and engraving
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
37,184.13 |
|
All of
the above expenses are estimated except the AMEX listing fee and the SEC
registration fee.
Item 15.
Indemnification
of Officers and Directors.
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.
Item 16. Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
Underwriting
Agreement, filed with the SEC on August 26, 2008 as Exhibit 1.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Sample
Certificate of Common Shares of the Registrant, filed with the SEC on June
23, 2003 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form
10
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Shareholder
Rights Plan Agreement, dated January 17, 2007, by and between Apollo Gold
Corporation and CIBC Mellon Trust Company filed with the SEC on January
19, 2007 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form
8-K
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Compensation
Option Certificate, filed with the SEC on August 26, 2008 as Exhibit 4.1
to the Current Report on Form 8-K
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement, filed with the SEC on August 26, 2008 as
Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form
8-K
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman (previously
filed)
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman (included in
Exhibit 5.1)
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP *
|
|
|
|
23.3
|
|
Consent
of SRK Consulting (US), Inc. filed with the SEC on March 25, 2008 as
Exhibit 23.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
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24.1
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Power
of Attorney (previously
filed)
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Item 17. Undertakings.
(a)
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The
undersigned registrant hereby
undertakes:
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(1)
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To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
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(i)
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To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
of 1933;
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(ii)
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To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would
not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if,
in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a
20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
“Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration
statement;
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(iii)
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To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration
statement;
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…
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(B)
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Paragraphs
(a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration
statement.
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(2)
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That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
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(3)
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To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
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(5)
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That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933
to any purchaser:
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(i)
If the registrant is relying on Rule
430B:
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(A)
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Each
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed
prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement;
and
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(B)
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Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B
relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x)
for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in
the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of
prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first
contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer
and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be
deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating
to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus
relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in
a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of
the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract
of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement
that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of
the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior
to such effective date; or
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(ii)
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If
the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering,
other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than
prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of
and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used
after effectiveness; provided, however, that no statement made in a
registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of
the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract
of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that
was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the
registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to
such date of first use.
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…
(b)
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The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of
an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
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(h)
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Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing a registration statement on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado, on December 23,
2008.
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APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Melvyn
Williams
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Melvyn
Williams, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President - Finance
and Corporate Development
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By:
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/s/ R. David
Russell
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R. David
Russell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director and Authorized
U.S.
Representative
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Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ R. David Russell
R. David
Russell
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President
and Chief Executive
Officer,
and Director
(Principal
Executive Officer)
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December
23, 2008
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/s/ Melvyn Williams
Melvyn
Williams
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Chief
Financial Officer and Senior Vice President - Finance and Corporate
Development (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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December
23, 2008
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*
Charles
E. Stott
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Chairman
of the Board of Directors
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December
23, 2008
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*
G. Michael
Hobart
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Director
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December
23, 2008
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*
Robert
W. Babensee
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Director
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December
23, 2008
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*
W.
S. Vaughan
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Director
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December
23, 2008
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*
David
W. Peat
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Director
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December
23, 2008
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*
Marvin
K. Kaiser
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Director
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December
23, 2008
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* /s/ Melvyn Williams
Melvyn
Williams
Attorney-in-fact
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December
23,
2008
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
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Description
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1.1
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Underwriting
Agreement, filed with the SEC on August 26, 2008 as Exhibit 1.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K
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4.1
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Sample
Certificate of Common Shares of the Registrant, filed with the SEC on June
23, 2003 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form
10
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4.2
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Shareholder
Rights Plan Agreement, dated January 17, 2007, by and between Apollo Gold
Corporation and CIBC Mellon Trust Company filed with the SEC on January
19, 2007 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form
8-K
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4.3
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Compensation
Option Certificate, filed with the SEC on August 26, 2008 as Exhibit 4.1
to the Current Report on Form 8-K
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4.4
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Form
of Registration Rights Agreement, filed with the SEC on August 26, 2008 as
Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K
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5.1
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Opinion
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman (previously
filed)
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23.1
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Consent
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman (included in
Exhibit 5.1)
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23.2
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Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP *
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23.3
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Consent
of SRK Consulting (US), Inc. filed with the SEC on March 25, 2008 as
Exhibit 23.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
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24.1
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Power
of Attorney (previously
filed)
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