<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /x/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/x/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
Royal Oaks Mines Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/x/ No fee required.
/ / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
ROYAL OAK MINES INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual and Special Meeting of the
shareholders of Royal Oak Mines Inc. (the "Meeting") will be held in the Alberni
Room, Pacific Palisades Hotel, 1277 Robson Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
on Thursday, May 29, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., Vancouver time, for the following
purposes:
1. to receive the annual report, including the financial statements and
auditors' report thereon, for the financial year ended December 31,
1996;
2. to elect seven directors;
3. to appoint Arthur Andersen & Co. as auditors of the Corporation and to
authorize the directors to fix their remuneration;
4. to consider, and, if deemed advisable, to approve the stock options
granted to certain senior officers and directors of the Corporation to
purchase, in aggregate, up to 725,000 common shares of the Corporation
at a price of $4.38 per share;
5. to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve the Corporation's
1997 Executive Performance Incentive Plan; and
6. to transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
A Management Information Circular (Proxy Statement), form of proxy and the
annual report accompany this notice of meeting of shareholders. The list of
shareholders will be prepared as of April 23, 1997, the record date fixed for
determining shareholders entitled to notice of the Meeting. If a person
acquires ownership of common shares after that date, the person may establish
such ownership and demand, not later than ten days before the Meeting, that the
person's name be included on the list of shareholders.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ William J.V. Sheridan
William J.V. Sheridan
Secretary
DATED at Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this 21st day of April, 1997.
NOTE: Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting,
shareholders are requested to complete, date, sign and
return the accompanying form of proxy for use at the
Meeting. To be effective, forms of proxy must be received
by Montreal Trust Company of Canada, 510 Burrard Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 3B9, Attention:
Corporate Trust Services, by the last business day preceding
the day of the Meeting or be received by the Chair or
Secretary of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting.
<PAGE>
ROYAL OAK MINES INC.
5501 Lakeview Drive
Kirkland, Washington 98033
U.S.A.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR (PROXY STATEMENT)
RELATING TO THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 1997
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
THIS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR (PROXY STATEMENT) IS FURNISHED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION BY THE MANAGEMENT OF ROYAL OAK MINES INC. (THE
"CORPORATION" OR THE "COMPANY") OF PROXIES TO BE USED AT THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS
THEREOF (THE "MEETING") TO BE HELD AT 2:00 P.M., VANCOUVER TIME, ON THURSDAY,
MAY 29, 1997, FOR THE PURPOSES SET OUT IN THE ACCOMPANYING NOTICE OF MEETING.
SOLICITATION WILL BE MADE PRIMARILY BY MAIL, BUT MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED BY
SOLICITATION PERSONALLY BY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CORPORATION
WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. THE COST OF SOLICITATION BY MANAGEMENT WILL BE
BORNE BY THE CORPORATION. THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS FIRST BEING MAILED TO
SHAREHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT APRIL 25, 1997.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are officers and directors
of the Corporation. A SHAREHOLDER DESIRING TO APPOINT SOME OTHER PERSON TO
ATTEND AND ACT FOR HIM OR HER AND ON HIS OR HER BEHALF AT THE MEETING MAY DO SO
BY INSERTING IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM OF PROXY THE
NAME OF THE PERSON TO BE APPOINTED, WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER OF THE
CORPORATION.
A shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it by an instrument in
writing executed by the shareholder or his or her attorney duly authorized in
writing and deposited either at the registered office of the Corporation (Suite
2500, BCE Place, 181 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 2T7) or with The
Montreal Trust Company of Canada, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada, V6C 3B9, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, at any time up
to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof at which the proxy is to be used, or with
the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof or in any other manner permitted by law.
VOTING OF PROXIES
Common shares which are entitled to be voted at the Meeting and which are
represented by properly executed proxies will be voted by the persons named in
the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the directions contained therein
on any ballot that may be called for. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH DIRECTIONS, IT IS
INTENDED THAT SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED: (i) FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE
SEVEN NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT; (ii) FOR THE
APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO. AS AUDITORS AND FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF
THE DIRECTORS TO FIX THE AUDITORS' REMUNERATION; (iii) FOR APPROVAL OF THE STOCK
OPTIONS GRANTED TO CERTAIN SENIOR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION TO
PURCHASE, IN AGGREGATE, UP TO 725,000 COMMON SHARES OF THE CORPORATION AT A
PRICE OF $4.38 PER SHARE; AND (iv) FOR
<PAGE>
-2-
APPROVAL OF THE CORPORATION'S 1997 EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN, ALL AS
DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY
UPON THE PERSONS NAMED THEREIN WITH RESPECT TO AMENDMENTS OR VARIATIONS TO
MATTERS IDENTIFIED IN THE ACCOMPANYING NOTICE OF MEETING AND WITH RESPECT TO
OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. AS OF THE DATE
HEREOF, MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION KNOWS OF NO SUCH AMENDMENTS, VARIATIONS OR
OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
CURRENCY
Except as otherwise noted herein, all dollar amounts are expressed in
Canadian dollars.
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The authorized capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number
of common shares and an unlimited number of special shares, issuable in series,
of which, on the date of this Proxy Statement, 140,795,079 common shares and no
special shares are issued and outstanding. Witteck Development Inc., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Corporation acquired in December 1995, is the registered
and beneficial owner of 1,924,816 common shares of the Corporation. The shares
owned by Witteck Development Inc. may not be voted but are included in the
number of shares issued and outstanding. Except for Witteck Development Inc.,
each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each common share shown as
registered in his or her name on the list of shareholders which is available for
inspection during usual business hours at the offices of The Montreal Trust
Company of Canada, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B9, and
at the Meeting. The list of shareholders will be prepared as of April 23, 1997,
the record date fixed for determining shareholders entitled to notice of the
Meeting. If a person acquires ownership of common shares after that date, the
person may establish such ownership and demand, not later than ten days before
the Meeting, that his or her name be included on the list of shareholders. The
quorum for meetings of shareholders is 2 persons present, being either
shareholders or proxyholders for shareholders.
To the knowledge of the directors and officers of the Corporation, no
person or corporation beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises
control or direction over shares carrying more than 5% of the voting rights
attached to the issued shares of the Corporation.
The following table presents certain information regarding the number and
percentage of common shares beneficially owned by each director and by each
executive officer of the Corporation and by all directors and executive officers
as a group, as of March 27, 1997. Except as otherwise indicated, the directors
and officers have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
beneficially owned or controlled by them.
<PAGE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF THE
CORPORATION
BENEFICIALLY OWNED OR
CONTROLLED, DIRECTLY OR PERCENTAGE OF
INDIRECTLY(1)(2) COMMON
NAME OFFICE SHARES(1)(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Margaret K. Witte(3) Director, Chairman, President, 3,062,976 2.2%
Chief Executive Officer
Ross F. Burns Director, Vice-President, 410,779 *
Global Exploration
William J. V. Sheridan Director, Secretary 85,000 *
J. Conrad Lavigne Director 115,000 *
John L. May Director 92,500 *
George W. Oughtred Director 610,000 *
Matthew Gaasenbeek Director 112,500 *
John R. Smrke Senior Vice-President 271,370 *
James H. Wood Chief Financial Officer 212,500 *
J. Graham Eacott Vice-President, Investor Relations 171,000 *
Edmund Szol Vice-President, Human Resources 160,000 *
Tim B. Acton Vice-President, Operations Nil
All present directors 5,303,625 3.8%
and executive officers
as a group (12 persons)
</TABLE>
* The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the
class.
(1) The information as to shares beneficially owned, not being within the
knowledge of the Corporation, has been furnished by the respective
directors and executive officers individually.
(2) Includes and assumes the issuance of the following number of common shares
issuable upon the exercise by the following individuals of options which
are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof:
Ms. Witte: 410,000; Mr. Burns: 155,000; Mr. Sheridan: 75,000; Mr. Lavigne:
100,000; Mr. May: 60,000; Mr. Oughtred: 60,000; Mr. Gaasenbeek: 110,000;
Mr. Smrke: 180,000; Mr. Wood: 210,000; Mr. Eacott: 108,000; Mr. Szol:
160,000. Does not include options referred to under "Particulars of
Matters to be Acted On - Stock Options to Senior Officers and Directors" as
those options are not currently exercisable.
(3) Ms. Witte has also granted 2,008 put options which oblige her to purchase
200,800 common shares of the Corporation at a price of $6.00 per share if
the holders require her to do so prior to the expiry of the options on
September 19, 1997.
<PAGE>
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PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED ON
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The articles of the Corporation provide for a minimum of three and a
maximum of fifteen directors. The Corporation currently has seven directors and
the Board of Directors has determined that seven directors will be elected at
the Meeting. Unless a choice is otherwise specified, it is intended that the
shares represented by the proxies hereby solicited will be voted by the persons
named therein for the election of each of the seven nominees whose names are set
forth below, all of whom are now members of the Board of Directors and have been
since the dates indicated below. Management does not contemplate that any
nominee will be unwilling or unable to serve as a director but, if that should
occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, it is intended that the persons named
in the enclosed form of proxy shall reserve the right to vote for another
nominee in their discretion. Each of the following persons is nominated to hold
office as a director until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the
Corporation or until his or her successor is duly elected, unless his or her
office is earlier vacated in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation.
Under the BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (Ontario), the 7 nominees for election
to the Board of Directors who receive the greatest number of votes cast for the
election of directors, will be elected directors. A withholding of a vote (or a
broker non-vote) will have no effect on the election since only affirmative
votes will be counted with respect to the election of directors.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each of
the nominees:
<PAGE>
-5-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF THE
CORPORATION
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED OR
CONTROLLED
NAME AND OFFICE WITH THE DIRECTOR DIRECTLY OR
CORPORATION AGE SINCE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION INDIRECTLY(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MARGARET K. WITTE(3)(4) 43 July 1991 President and Chief Executive 3,062,976
Chairman, President, Chief Officer of the Corporation
Executive the Corporation
ROSS F. BURNS 53 July 1991 Vice-President, Global 410,779
Vice-President, Global Exploration of the Corporation
Exploration
WILLIAM J. V. SHERIDAN(4) 52 July 1991 Partner, Lang Michener 85,000
Secretary (barristers and solicitors)
J. CONRAD LAVIGNE(5) 80 July 1991 President, JCL Corporation 115,000
(broadcast consultants)
JOHN L. MAY(4)(5) 62 July 1991 Mining Executive, retired 92,500
GEORGE W. OUGHTRED(3)(5) 67 July 1991 President, Privatbanken Holdings Inc. 610,000
(private holding company)
MATTHEW GAASENBEEK(3)(4) 67 April 1993 Executive Vice-President, 112,500
Sharwood & Co. (venture capital
company); Chairman, Ontario
Development Corporation
</TABLE>
(1) Each of the nominees listed above was a director of one or more of the
Corporation's predecessors prior to the amalgamation of such predecessors
on July 23, 1991.
(2) The information as to shares beneficially owned, not being within the
knowledge of the Corporation, has been furnished by the respective
directors individually. The number of shares indicated above includes and
assumes the issuance of the following number of common shares issuable upon
the exercise by the following individuals of options which are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof: Ms. Witte:
410,000; Mr. Burns: 155,000; Mr. Sheridan: 75,000; Mr. Lavigne: 100,000;
Mr. May: 60,000; Mr. Oughtred: 60,000; and Mr. Gaasenbeek: 110,000. Ms.
Witte also has granted 2,008 put options which obligate her to purchase
200,800 common shares of the Corporation at a price of $6.00 per share if
the holders require her to do so prior to September 19, 1997.
(3) Denotes members of the Corporation's Audit Committee.
(4) Denotes members of the Corporation's Compensation Committee.
(5) Denotes members of the Corporation's Governance and Nominating Committee.
<PAGE>
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[PICTURE] ROSS F. BURNS has served as Vice-President, Global Exploration of
the Corporation or a predecessor thereof since 1989. From 1986 to
1989, Mr. Burns was Vice-President of Neptune Resources Corp. Mr.
Burns has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Geology from
Queens University and is a Fellow of the Geological Association of
Canada, a registered professional geologist in the Northwest
Territories, and a member of the Prospectors and Developers
Association and the British Columbia and Yukon Chambers of Mines.
Mr. Burns is also the President and a director of Ronnoco Gold Mines
Limited and is a director of Asia Minerals Corp., Northbelt
Yellowknife Mines Ltd. and Mate Yellowknife Mines Ltd.
[PICTURE] MATTHEW GAASENBEEK has served as a director of the Corporation since
1993. Mr. Gaasenbeek is Executive Vice-President of Sharwood & Co.,
a venture capital company and is Chairman of the Ontario Development
Corporation, a Crown corporation. He is also a director of Canadian
Black River Petroleum Ltd., Angoss Software Inc. and National
Enterprises Inc. Mr. Gaasenbeek has been and continues to serve as
a director or officer of various public and private resource and
finance companies. Mr. Gaasenbeek has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
degree in Business Administration from the University of Western
Ontario. Prior to 1991, Mr. Gaasenbeek was President and a director
of Camreco Inc., a mining exploration company.
[PICTURE] J. CONRAD LAVIGNE has served as a director of the Corporation since
1991. Mr. Lavigne is President of JCL Corporation, a broadcast
consulting firm. Mr. Lavigne is a director of Malette Inc. and
Precision Fine Papers Inc. Mr. Lavigne is the former Chairman of
Northern Telephone Co. Ltd. and a former director of Ontario Hydro
and National Bank of Canada. Mr. Lavigne is a Lifetime Honorary
Associate Member of the Central Canadian Broadcast Association and
was inducted into the Canadian Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1990.
[PICTURE] JOHN L. MAY has served as a director of the Corporation since 1991.
Mr. May is a retired mining executive and prior to his retirement in
1991 was Vice-President of Exploration of Teck Corporation. Mr. May
has a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Geology from the
University of Toronto. During his career, he has been an officer
and/or director of a number of public natural resource companies.
He is currently a director of Eldorado Gold Corporation.
[PICTURE] GEORGE W. OUGHTRED has served as a director of the Corporation since
1991. Mr. Oughtred is President of Privatbanken Holdings Inc., a
private holding company and a director of C.I. Fund Management Inc.,
an investment fund manager. Mr. Oughtred has served as a director
and/or officer of numerous other public companies. Mr. Oughtred has
a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University and a Master of
Business Administration degree from the University of Western
Ontario.
[PICTURE] WILLIAM J. V. SHERIDAN has served as a director of the Corporation
since 1991. Mr. Sheridan has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the
University of Toronto and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School,
Toronto. Mr. Sheridan joined Lang Michener, a Canadian law firm, in
1972, became a partner in 1974 and is currently the Managing
Partner. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, mining,
securities and international joint ventures. Mr. Sheridan is also a
director and/or officer of Highwood Resources Ltd., Waterford
Capital Management Inc., Win-Eldrich Mines Ltd., Eden Roc Mineral
Corp., Pinkerton's of Canada Limited, Witco Canada Inc. and other
public and private companies.
<PAGE>
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[PICTURE] MARGARET K. (PEGGY) WITTE has served as President and Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Corporation or a
predecessor thereof since 1989. From 1986 to 1989, Ms. Witte was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Neptune Resources Corp.
Ms. Witte has a Master of Science degree in Metallurgical
Engineering from Mackay School of Mines and Geology in Reno, Nevada
and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of
Nevada. Ms. Witte is a member of the American Institute of Mining,
Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers and the Canadian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy and past director of the Mining Association of
Canada and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
Ms. Witte is a recipient of several awards, including Special
Achievement Award, Canadian Mineral Processors (1985), Woman of
Distinction Award Y.W.C.A. (1991), Developer of the Year,
Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (1993) and the
Financial Post's Newsmaker of the Year (1994). Ms. Witte is also a
director of Highwood Resources Ltd., Talisman Energy Inc., an oil
and gas company, and TransCanada Pipelines Limited, an oil and gas
pipeline company.
CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors met nine times during 1996 and each director
attended all of the meetings, except Mr. Burns and Mr. Oughtred, each of whom
attended eight of the nine meetings. The standing committees of the Board of
Directors are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance
and Nominating Committee. All such committees met during 1996 and each director
attended all of such meetings of the committees on which he or she served.
The Audit Committee, the members of which are Ms. Witte and Messrs.
Gaasenbeek and Oughtred met once in 1996. The Audit Committee's principal
functions are to meet with the Corporation's independent auditors to review the
financial statements contained in the Annual Report, and to discuss specific
issues as appropriate, to review the Corporation's system of internal accounting
controls and to report to the Board of Directors thereon.
The Compensation Committee, the members of which are Ms. Witte and Messrs.
May, Sheridan and Gaasenbeek, met once in 1996. The Compensation Committee's
principal functions are to make recommendations to the Board of Directors
concerning the adequacy and form of compensation of senior officers and
directors of the Corporation.
The Governance and Nominating Committee, the members of which are Messrs.
May, Oughtred and Lavigne, was formed in February 1996. The Governance and
Nominating Committee's principal functions are as set out herein under
"Statement of Corporate Governance Practices - Description of board committees,
their mandates and their activities".
APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
It is intended that the common shares represented by the proxies hereby
solicited will be voted for the re-appointment of Arthur Andersen & Co.,
Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Corporation, to hold office until the
next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation and to authorize the
directors to fix the auditors' remuneration. Arthur Andersen & Co. have been
the auditors of the Corporation since July 23, 1991. A representative of Arthur
Andersen & Co. is expected to be present at the Meeting to make a statement if
he so desires and to be available to respond to questions of the shareholders.
In the appointment of auditors, a withholding of a vote (or a broker non-vote)
will have no effect on the appointment since only affirmative votes will be
counted with respect to the appointment of the auditors.
<PAGE>
-8-
STOCK OPTIONS TO SENIOR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
On January 2, 1997, the Corporation granted options to purchase a total of
725,000 common shares at a price of $4.38 per share to several senior officers
and directors of the Corporation as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
ISSUABLE ON EXERCISE
OF OPTIONS
OPTION HOLDER OFFICE HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Margaret K. Witte Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, 150,000
Director
Ross F. Burns Vice-President, Global Exploration, Director 75,000
John R. Smrke Senior Vice-President 75,000
James H. Wood Chief Financial Officer 75,000
J. Graham Eacott Vice-President, Investor Relations 75,000
Edmund Szol Vice-President, Human Resources 75,000
Matthew Gaasenbeek Director 40,000
J. Conrad Lavigne Director 40,000
John L. May Director 40,000
George W. Oughtred Director 40,000
William J. V. Sheridan Director, Secretary 40,000
</TABLE>
One-half of the options vests on each of April 30, 1998 and April 30, 1999.
Vested options are exercisable for cash until January 1, 2004, provided that a
holder's options shall terminate 90 days after he or she ceases for any reason
to be an officer or director of the Corporation. The options are non-assignable
and are subject to listings approval of The Toronto Stock Exchange and the
American Stock Exchange, which is expected to be obtained. The exercise price
was equal to the closing price of the Corporation's common shares on The Toronto
Stock Exchange on the last trading day prior to the date of grant. The closing
price of the Corporation's common shares on The Toronto Stock Exchange on April
18, 1997 was $3.85.
Because the named option holders are directors and/or senior officers of
the Corporation, the grant of these options requires the approval of a majority
of the votes cast in respect thereof by the shareholders of the Corporation.
Abstention from voting with respect to the grant of options (and broker non-
votes) will have no effect on the approval or non-approval of the options, since
only votes cast either "for" or "against" will be counted in determining whether
the options have been approved by a majority of the votes cast. Unless a choice
is otherwise specified, it is intended that the common shares represented by the
proxies hereby solicited will be voted for approval of the above-described
options. In the event that the said approval is not forthcoming, such options
may not be exercised.
<PAGE>
-9-
On January 2, 1997, the Corporation also granted options to purchase up to
an additional 764,500 common shares of the Corporation at $4.38 per share to
non-executive officers and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
The grant of these options does not require shareholder approval, but the
options are subject to listings approval of The Toronto Stock Exchange and the
American Stock Exchange, which is expected to be obtained.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE OPTION GRANTS
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Corporation has been advised that, based on the present provisions of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and regulations promulgated
thereunder, the U.S. federal income tax consequences for option holders who are
U.S. citizens or residents ("U.S. Optionees") and for Arctic Precious Metals,
Inc. ("Arctic") of the grant, vesting and exercise of the options and the
subsequent disposition of stock acquired thereby will be as described below.
Generally, a U.S. Optionee does not recognize any U.S. federal taxable
income, and Arctic is not allowed a U.S. federal income tax deduction, as a
result of the grant of an option. Upon the exercise of an option, a U.S.
Optionee will realize ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an
amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares
acquired at the time of exercise over the amount paid for such shares. At that
time, Arctic will be allowed a U.S. federal income tax deduction equal to the
amount of ordinary taxable income recognized by the U.S. Optionee, subject to
the limitations described below.
When a U.S. Optionee exercises an option, his or her U.S. federal income
tax basis in the shares acquired is equal to the fair market value of the shares
on the date ordinary income is recognized, and the holding period for such
shares begins on the day after the shares are received.
When a U.S. Optionee disposes of shares acquired upon exercise of an
option, the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the basis in
the shares is treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending
on the holding period for the shares. Long-term capital gain treatment is
applicable if the shares are held for more than one year. The subsequent
disposition by a U.S. Optionee of shares acquired by exercise of an option will
not result in any additional tax consequences to the Corporation or Arctic.
Arctic must satisfy applicable federal tax reporting requirements with
respect to options in order to be entitled to the deductions described above.
In addition, under Section 162(m) of the Code, compensation of an individual who
is the Chief Executive Officer or any of the other four most highly paid
officers of the Corporation may not be deducted to the extent such compensation
exceeds $1 million in any taxable year, unless such compensation qualifies for
an exemption for certain performance-based compensation. The options will not
qualify for this exemption, so the deductions otherwise available to Arctic as
described above may be disallowed in whole or in part as a result of Section
162(m).
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY,
NOT AS SPECIFIC TAX ADVICE TO ANY OPTION HOLDER. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE IMPACT
OF STATE AND LOCAL TAXES, THE FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX, AND SECURITIES
LAWS RESTRICTIONS. U.S. OPTIONEES ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
REGARDING THE TAX EFFECT OF AWARDS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
<PAGE>
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CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of the principal Canadian federal income
tax consequences under the INCOME TAX ACT (Canada) for those option holders who
are or are deemed to be residents of Canada ("Canadian Optionees"). This
summary is based on the current provisions of the INCOME TAX ACT (Canada) and
the regulations thereunder and on the current published administrative and
assessing practices of Revenue Canada, Customs, Excise and Taxation.
A Canadian Optionee will not recognize any income upon the grant of an
option. Upon exercise of the option to acquire common shares of the
Corporation, the Canadian Optionee will be deemed for Canadian income tax
purposes to have received a taxable benefit from his or her employment in the
year in which the option is exercised. The amount of the benefit in respect of
the shares acquired will be the amount by which the fair market value of the
shares at the time of the option exercise (generally the closing price of the
shares on the date of exercise) exceeds the exercise price of the option,
multiplied by the number of shares acquired. The amount of the deemed benefit
is included in computing the Canadian Optionee's income for tax purposes as
employment income in the year in which the option is exercised and the shares
are acquired, and generally, the Canadian Optionee will be entitled to a
deduction of one-quarter of the taxable benefit in computing taxable income for
the year in which the option is exercised.
The adjusted cost base of any shares acquired by the Canadian Optionee on
the exercise of the option will be equal to the exercise price per share plus
the amount of the deemed benefit included in the Canadian Optionee's income. At
such time as the Canadian Optionee disposes of the shares, the Canadian Optionee
will generally realize a capital gain or sustain a capital loss to the extent
that the proceeds of disposition (less any costs of disposition) are greater or
less than the adjusted cost base of the shares disposed of. In computing the
Canadian Optionee's income for the year in which the shares are sold, three-
quarters of the amount of any resulting capital gain (a "taxable capital gain")
will be included in income and three-quarters of the amount of any resulting
capital loss (an "allowable capital loss") will be deductible against taxable
capital gains realized by such Canadian Optionee in the year of disposition.
Any excess of allowable capital losses over taxable capitals gains of the
Canadian Optionee for the year of disposition may be carried back up to three
taxation years or carried forward indefinitely and deducted against net taxable
capital gains in those other taxation years. Capital gains realized by an
individual may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. An individual must
pay the greater of the regular income tax and the alternative minimum tax, which
is based on "adjusted taxable income". In calculating "adjusted taxable
income", certain tax preferences or deductions are not allowed, including the
above described deduction of one-quarter of the amount of the taxable benefit
included in income on the exercise of the stock option and the one-quarter of
the amount of any capital gain realized which is excluded in computing income
for the regular income tax.
There will be no income tax deductions allowed to the Corporation upon the
grant, exercise or termination of the stock options.
<PAGE>
-11-
THE 1997 EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
The 1997 Executive Performance Incentive Plan (the "Plan") provides for
annual incentive payments to key executives of the Company based upon Company
performance. As the Report of the Compensation Committee discusses, the
Company's compensation programs are based on a strong pay-for-performance
philosophy. A central element of this philosophy has been to link one-half of
annual cash compensation to the attainment of the Company's annual financial
objectives and one-half of the annual compensation to factors which result in
production growth. The Plan is intended to continue this direct linkage between
Company growth, financial performance and compensation. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT THE PLAN BE APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS. A copy of the Plan is
included in this Management Information Circular (Proxy Statement) as Exhibit A
and the following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Plan.
In the past, the Company has awarded annual incentives to key executives on
an individual basis as a result of individual accomplishment recognized by the
Compensation Committee. As a result of the Company's growth, the Plan is the
first fully structured plan to be implemented. In addition to the Plan, the
Compensation Committee at their discretion may recommend to the Board of
Directors the granting of stock options to the named executives or other bonus
opportunities separate from the Plan.
If the Plan is not approved by the shareholders, named executive officers
will not be compensated under the Plan and the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors will reassess the situation in light of then-current
circumstances.
The OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1993 added Section 162(m) to the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") which generally
disallows a federal income tax deduction to any publicly held corporation for
compensation paid in excess of $1 million (US) in any taxable year to the Chief
Executive Officer or any of the four other most highly compensated executive
officers ("named executive officers"). The Company intends to structure awards
under the Plan so that compensation resulting therefrom would be qualified
"performance-based compensation" eligible for continued deductibility with
shareholder approval. To allow the Company to so qualify for such compensation,
the Company is seeking approval of the Plan and the material terms of
performance goals applicable to the Plan.
The Plan allows for aggregate payments consisting of $1 million (US) plus
three percent (3%) of Cash Flow from Operating Activities of the Company, as
defined in the Plan, for the fiscal year relating to the award (the "Plan Pool")
provided that where in any year Cash Flow from Operating Activities is a
negative amount, the Plan Pool shall consist of $1 million (US). Amounts
actually payable for any fiscal year will be subject to attainment of
performance goals. No individual may receive as a maximum amount an annual
payment under the Plan that exceeds forty percent (40%) of the Plan Pool for the
fiscal year relating to the awards. Payments under the Plan may be made in
either cash, common shares of the Company or a combination of cash and common
shares. The form of payments will be determined by the Compensation Committee.
The maximum amount of common shares that may be issued in any one year is
limited to 400,000 and the maximum number of common shares that may be issued
pursuant to the Plan is 2,000,000.
The Plan is subject to regulatory approval and to shareholder approval.
<PAGE>
-12-
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
The Plan will be administered by a committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") which will be composed entirely of non-employee directors that meet
the criteria of "outside director" under Section 162(m) of the Code and "non-
employee director" under Section 16 of the SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. The
Committee will select the key executives of the Company that shall receive
awards, the target pay-out level and the performance targets. The Committee
will certify the level of attainment of performance targets. Key executives are
eligible to receive awards under the Plan.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Section 162(m) requires that performance awards be based upon objective
performance measures. For executives whose compensation is, or may be, subject
to Section 162(m), the performance criteria may include one or more of the
following:
a. Operating cash flows e. Reserve increases
b. Revenue and net income f. Return on shareholders' equity
c. Project acquisitions g. Appreciation in share price
d. Cash cost of production
For any participant not expected to be subject to Section 162(m) of the
Code, other performance measures or objectives, whether quantitative or
qualitative, may be established. Performance criteria may relate to the total
Company or any division or activity thereof. Performance targets may be set at
a specific level or may be expressed as relative to the comparable measures at
comparison companies or a defined index. The Committee will establish specific
targets for participants in the Plan.
AWARD DEFERRALS
With the concurrence of the Committee, participating executives may elect
to defer receipt of any cash payments due until their retirement from the
Company or other termination of employment with the Company. Any cash amount
deferred will be credited to deferred compensation accounts for these
executives. The deferred funds will be valued in reference to one or more of
the following: (1) a fund based upon the market value of Company common shares
(including reinvestment of dividend payments); (2) an equity fund designated by
the Committee reflecting a market-based index measuring the rate of return on
equity investments; or (3) a fixed income fund designated by the Committee
utilizing a reasonable interest rate. Additional investment funds may be
established by the Committee as necessary to manage deferrals effectively.
TERMS AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
The Plan, if approved by shareholders, will be effective for all fiscal
years beginning 1997 by action of the Board of Directors. The Plan may be
amended or discontinued by the Board of Directors at any time but no such action
shall adversely affect any outstanding award to a Participant.
<PAGE>
-13-
FUTURE PLAN AWARDS
Since future awards under the proposed Plan will be based upon the future
performance of the Company, actual payments cannot be determined at this time.
The proposed Plan is a continuation of the current methods of evaluating
performance but the 1996 award payments would not have been any different than
as is shown in the Summary Compensation Table had the proposed Plan been in
effect in 1996.
The Plan requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast in respect
thereof by the shareholders of the Corporation, excluding votes cast with
respect to shares owned or controlled by the senior officers of the Corporation.
Abstention from voting with respect to the proposed Plan (and broker non-votes)
will have no effect on the approval or non-approval of the Plan, since only
votes cast either "for" or "against" will be counted in determining whether the
Plan has been approved by a majority of the votes cast. Unless a choice is
otherwise specified, it is intended that the common shares represented by the
proxies hereby solicited will be voted for approval of the Plan.
The Board of Directors feels that the implementation of a structured
program of annual incentive awards based upon Company performance and growth are
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. ACCORDINGLY, THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED PLAN.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth all compensation for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 for the Chief Executive Officer and the four
other most highly compensated executive officers of the Corporation
(collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").
<PAGE>
-14-
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES UNDER
NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL OPTIONS/SARS ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION GRANTED (#) COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($)(3) ($)(8)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
M. K. Witte, 1996 $280,300(US) $950,000(US) $317,754(US)(6) 60,000 $174,380(US)
Chairman,
President and 1995 $250,200(US) $150,000(US) $122,151(US)(4) - -
Chief Executive
Officer 1994 $250,000 $75,250 - 50,000 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.R. Smrke, 1996 $137,840(US) $40,000(US) $110,619(US)(5) 60,000 $27,863(US)
Senior Vice-
President 1995 $132,800(US) $30,000(US) $63,400(US)(5) - -
$41,034(US)(4)
1994 $145,000 $60,250 - 50,000 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J. H. Wood, Chief 1996 $137,840(US) $80,000(US) - 60,000 $30,582(US)
Financial
Officer(1) 1995 $123,600(US) $30,000(US) $41,034(US)(4) - -
1994 $87,917 $40,250 - 230,000 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.F. Burns, 1996 $135,490(US) $40,000(US) $12,500(US)(7) 60,000 $31,188(US)
Vice-President,
Global 1995 $124,500(US) $30,000(US) $15,963(US)(4) - -
Exploration
1994 $145,000 $5,250 - 50,000 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmund Szol, 1996 $137,840(US) $110,000(US) - 60,000 $36,621(US)
Vice-President,
Human 1995 $112,660(US) $30,000(US) - 200,000 -
Resources(2)
1994 - - - - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Wood was hired and appointed Chief Financial Officer in May, 1994.
(2) Mr. Szol was hired and appointed Vice-President, Human Resources in
February, 1995.
(3) Except as otherwise indicated, the value of perquisites and benefits does
not exceed the lesser of $50,000 and 10% of the total annual salary and
bonus.
(4) Relocation payments upon the Corporation's move of its executive offices to
the United States were made to Ms. Witte for $100,000 (US), Mr. Smrke for
$40,000 (US), Mr. Wood for $40,000 (US) and to Mr. Burns for $15,000 (US).
(5) The entire amount for 1995 and $109,834 (US) of the total amount for 1996
represents the difference between the market price of the Corporation's
common shares on the date of exercise and the option exercise price,
multiplied by the number of shares acquired, with the balance for 1996
representing life insurance premiums paid.
<PAGE>
-15-
(6) $272,845 (US) of the total amount represents the difference between the
market price of the Corporation's common shares on the date of exercise and
the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares acquired.
The balance relates to car lease payments of $6,730 (US), the payment of
life insurance premiums of $24,208 (US) and director's fees of $13,971
(US).
(7) Refers to director's fees received.
(8) With respect to 1996, refers to the following amounts for each of Ms. Witte
and Messrs. Smrke, Wood, Burns and Szol respectively: (i) contributions by
the Corporation on behalf of the named officers to the 401(k) Plan: $4,555
(US), $4,135 (US), $4,135 (US), $4,064 (US) and $4,135 (US), respectively
and (ii) with respect to premiums paid by the Corporation under the
Corporation's "split-dollar" Life Insurance Program the sum of (a) the
value of the premium payment used to purchase term life insurance plus (b)
the value of the benefit to the executive officer of the remainder of the
premium payment: $169,825 (US), $23,728 (US), $26,447 (US), $27,124 (US)
and $32,486 (US), respectively.
STOCK OPTIONS
During 1996, options to purchase a total of 1,035,000 common shares of the
Corporation were granted to directors, officers and employees of the
Corporation. Particulars of the grants of options are as follows:
DATE OF GRANT NUMBER OF SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 2, 1996 720,000 $4.90
January 31, 1996 50,000 $6.00
February 2, 1996 20,000 $6.75
February 15, 1996 75,000 $6.38, $6.50
July 31, 1996 100,000 $5.30
August 29, 1996 50,000 $5.25
October 1, 1996 20,000 $5.30
The following tables set forth details of the options granted during 1996
to each of the Named Executive Officers and the particulars of option exercises
and year-end option values for each of the Named Executive Officers:
<PAGE>
- 16 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION GRANTS DURING 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Value
of Securities Potential Realizable
Underlying Value at Assumed
Securities % of Total Options on the Annual Rates of
Under Options Date of Grant Stock Price
Options Granted to Exercise Price ($/Security) Expiration Appreciation for
Granted (#) Employees in ($/security) Date Option Term(1)
Name 1996 -----------------------
5% ($) 10% ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
M.K. Witte 60,000 5.8 4.90 4.85 Jan. 2, 2001 77,398 174,658
J.R. Smrke 60,000 5.8 4.90 4.85 Jan. 2, 2001 77,398 174,658
R.F. Burns 60,000 5.8 4.90 4.85 Jan. 2, 2001 77,398 174,658
J.H. Wood 60,000 5.8 4.90 4.85 Jan. 2, 2001 77,398 174,658
E. Szol 60,000 5.8 4.90 4.85 Jan. 2, 2001 77,398 174,658
</TABLE>
(1) Potential realizable values are based on assumed annual rates of return
specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Corporation
cautions shareholders and option holders that such increases in values are
based on speculative assumptions and should not inflate expectations of the
future value of their holdings.
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES DURING 1996 AND 1996 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Aggregate Value of Unexercised
Acquired on Value Unexercised Options as at in-the-money
Exercise Realized Year End Options at Year End
Name (#) ($) (#) ($)
---------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
M. K. Witte 83,333 $376,665 350,000 60,000 0 0
J. R. Smrke 40,000 $150,000 120,000 60,000 $191,600 0
R. F. Burns -- -- 95,000 60,000 $76,950 0
J. H. Wood -- -- 110,000 180,000 0 0
E. Szol -- -- 50,000 210,000 $3,500 $10,500
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- 17 -
RETIREMENT PLAN
The officers of the Corporation participate in the Royal Oak Mines (USA)
Retirement Plan, which covers substantially all U.S. employees of the
Corporation, as defined. Contributions to the Retirement Plan, and the related
expense or income, are based on general actuarial calculations and accordingly,
no portion of the Corporation's contributions, and related expenses or income,
is specifically attributable to the Corporation's officers. The current maximum
annual pension benefit payable by the Plan to any employee is $120,000 (US),
subject to specified adjustments. Upon reaching the normal retirement age of
65, each participant is eligible to receive annual retirement benefits in
monthly instalments for life equal to, for each year of credited service, 1.2%
of Final Average Earnings (FAE) (defined as the average of the highest 60
consecutive months of earnings during the 120 months preceding severance date).
Officers of the Corporation are eligible to receive reduced retirement benefits
as early as age 55 with 5 years of eligible service. The Retirement Plan
earnings for purpose of the Plan include "regular salary or wages and any base
salary deferrals under the 401(k) Savings Plan. Earnings do not include any
bonus or commissions, overtime pay, moving expenses, car allowances, other
business expense reimbursement or nonqualified deferrals". Annual pensionable
compensation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996 covered by the
Retirement Plan is limited to $150,000 (US) (as may be indexed) pursuant to
Section 401(a)(17) of the Code.
The following table shows estimated aggregate annual benefits under the
Retirement Plan payable upon retirement to a participant who retires in 1996 at
age 65 having the years of service and Final Average Earnings as specified.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAE 5 10 15 20 25 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$US $US $US $US $US $US
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75,000 4,500 9,000 13,500 18,000 22,500 27,000
100,000 6,000 12,000 18,000 24,000 30,000 36,000
125,000 7,500 15,000 22,500 30,000 37,500 45,000
150,000+ 9,000 18,000 27,000 36,000 45,000 54,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits listed in the pension table are not subject to any deduction for
Social Security or other offset amounts. As of December 31, 1996, the following
executive officers have completed the indicated number of years of credited
service: R. F. Burns, 6 years; E. Szol, 1.8 years; J. R. Smrke, 7 years, M. K.
Witte, 6 years and J. H. Wood, 2.6 years.
SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE PLAN
The Corporation has established a plan effective January 1, 1996, to
provide certain executives of the Corporation, including the named officers,
with supplemental life insurance protection for their families in the event of
death under a split dollar life insurance arrangement. Under this plan, upon
the death of a participant, beneficiaries designated by such participant will be
entitled to receive that portion of the policy proceeds equal to the greater of
the total cash value of the policy or two times the participant's highest annual
compensation from the Corporation during the three consecutive calendar years
prior to the death.
<PAGE>
- 18 -
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Corporation has guaranteed the performance of employment agreements
(collectively, the "Agreements") made by its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary,
Arctic Precious Metals, Inc. carrying on business as Royal Oak Mines (USA) Inc.
("Arctic"), with Margaret K. Witte, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation, and Ross F. Burns, Vice-President of Exploration. The Corporation
also guaranteed the performance by Arctic of employment agreements with the
Corporation's Chief Financial Officer and three Vice-Presidents (collectively,
the "Executives"), being Messrs. Wood, Smrke, Szol and Eacott.
The Agreements, which for the four Executives are substantially identical
except for the compensation provisions, were reviewed and approved by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation following the recommendation of the Compensation
Committee. The Agreements are for initial fixed terms of two years in the case
of Ms. Witte and Mr. Burns and one year for the Executives, with identical
automatic renewal terms of additional 12-month periods until termination. In
the event of a termination of employment without cause and in certain other
specified circumstances, including a change of control of Arctic or the
Corporation, each employee is entitled to compensation. In the case of Ms.
Witte and Mr. Burns, the acquisition by any person or group acting in concert of
more than 30% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Arctic or the
Corporation or the election to the Board of Directors of Arctic or the
Corporation of persons employed by or representing any one person or group
acting in concert and constituting 40% or more of the Board of Directors would
constitute a "Terminating Event".
In the event that the employment of either Ms. Witte or Mr. Burns is
terminated without cause, each is entitled to 24 months notice of termination or
payment in lieu thereof with full continuation of benefits for the notice
period. In the event of termination by either employee upon the occurrence of a
Terminating Event, Ms. Witte is entitled to receive a lump sum representing
three years salary, together with all benefits for a 24-month period and Mr.
Burns is entitled to receive a lump sum representing two years salary, together
with all benefits for the 24-month period. In addition, Ms. Witte and Mr. Burns
will have the right for a period of six months from such Terminating Event to
require the Corporation to purchase or arrange for the purchase of up to
2,000,000 common shares (in the case of Ms. Witte) and up to 50,000 common
shares (in the case of Mr. Burns) held by them or their spouses or any
corporation controlled by any of them, respectively, for a price per share equal
to the simple average of the closing price of the common shares of the
Corporation on The Toronto Stock Exchange for each of the business days on which
there was a closing price falling not more than 20 business days prior to the
receipt by the Corporation of the notice of exercise of the right herein
described. If such right is not exercised and Ms. Witte or Mr. Burns, as the
case may be, is then indebted to the Corporation, the outstanding principal
amount of such loan will be forgiven by the Corporation. Ms. Witte is currently
indebted to the Corporation in the principal amount of $700,000 (US) and Mr.
Burns is not indebted to the Corporation.
In the event that the employment of any one of the four Executives is
terminated without cause, including a dismissal arising from or related to a
change of ownership of Arctic or the Corporation, each is entitled to receive
compensation tied to length of service. When termination occurs prior to the
completion of 12 months of service, the employee is entitled to payment of an
amount equal to one year's salary plus the cost to the Corporation of one year
of benefits; where termination occurs after 12 months of service but before the
completion of 48 months of service, the employee is entitled to 18 months base
salary plus the cost to the Corporation of 18 months benefits; and where
termination occurs any time after 48 months of service, the employee is entitled
to 24 months base salary including bonus, plus the cost to the Corporation of
two years of benefits. In the event of a change of control of Arctic or the
Corporation, the Executive is entitled upon dismissal to payments of any bonus
earned but unpaid and has the immediate right
<PAGE>
- 19 -
to exercise all valid option agreements. Loans outstanding under the Agreements
with the Executives are secured and must be repaid in full within 120 days
following termination of employment. Several of the Executives are indebted to
Arctic (see "Indebtedness of Directors and Officers"). Each of Ms. Witte, Mr.
Burns and the Executives are participants in the Corporation's Retirement Plan
(see "Retirement Plan").
COMPOSITION OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
(the "Committee") consists of Matthew Gaasenbeek, the Chairman of the Committee,
Margaret K. Witte, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation,
William J.V. Sheridan, the Secretary of the Corporation and John May.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
OVERALL POLICY
Compensation of the Corporation's executive officers rests in the
discretion of the Board of Directors, and the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors is charged with considering specific information and making
recommendations to the full Board. The Compensation Committee is currently
comprised of four directors who are appointed annually by the Corporation's
Board of Directors, three being non-employee directors. The Compensation
Committee's consideration of and recommendations regarding executive
compensation are guided by a number of factors including overall corporate
performance and return to shareholders. The overall objectives of the
Corporation's executive compensation package are to attract and to retain the
best possible executive talent, to motivate the Corporation's executives to
achieve goals consistent with the Corporation's business strategy, to provide an
identity between executive and shareholder interests through stock option grants
and finally to provide a compensation package that recognizes an executive's
individual contributions in addition to the Corporation's overall business
results.
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the Corporation's executive
compensation program. In making recommendations concerning executive
compensation, the Committee reviews reports published by independent
compensation consultants assessing compensation programs and reviews the
Corporation's executive compensation, corporate performance, share price
appreciation and total return to shareholders against a peer group of public
corporations. The Compensation Committee's periodic review permits an ongoing
evaluation of the link between the Corporation's performance and its executive
compensation in the context of the compensation programs of other corporations.
The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board of Directors
compensation levels and programs for the Chief Executive Officer and all senior
officers, including the individuals whose compensation is detailed in the Proxy
Statement. In reviewing individual performance of executives whose compensation
is detailed in this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee takes into
account the views of the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer (except with
respect to the Chief Executive Officer, whose performance is evaluated by the
other members of the Committee).
<PAGE>
- 20 -
The key elements of the Corporation's executive compensation consist of
base salary, an annual cash performance payment and grant of stock options. The
Compensation Committee's policies with respect to each of these elements,
including the basis for the compensation awarded to Ms. Witte as Chief Executive
Officer, are discussed below. While the Committee takes into consideration all
of the factors set forth below in setting base salaries, the Committee's
deliberations are essentially subjective, and no set quantitative formula
determines the base salaries of any of the named executives.
BASE SALARIES
Base salaries for new executive officers are initially determined by
evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the experience of the
individual and by reference to the competitive marketplace for executive talent,
including a comparison to base salaries for comparable positions at other
corporations both in the peer group and more broadly (since the Corporation
competes with companies outside of its peer group for executive talent).
Annual salary adjustments are determined by evaluating the performance of
the Corporation and of each executive officer, and also take into account new
responsibilities for any particular officer. The Compensation Committee, where
appropriate, also considers other corporate performance measures, including
productivity, cost control, safety, environmental awareness and improvements in
relations with customers, suppliers and employees. The Compensation Committee
places a premium on efficiency, because the Corporation has no control over the
prices at which its product is sold.
With respect to the base salary set for Ms. Witte in 1996, the Compensation
Committee took into account a comparison of base salaries of Chief Executive
Officers of peer corporations, the Corporation's success in meeting its growth
objectives in 1996, the performance of the Corporation's common shares and the
assessment by the Compensation Committee of Ms. Witte's individual performance.
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PAYMENT
In March, 1997, the Compensation Committee met to consider the individual
performance of its Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers of
the Corporation in meeting the goals and objectives of the Corporation in 1996.
In certain areas, individual performance was exemplary. The Corporation
achieved the highest average realized gold price in the industry, namely $481
(US) per ounce. The resultant revenue to the Corporation from hedging
activities was approximately $51,000,000 . In addition, the Corporation
successfully issued $175,000,000 (US) of 11% senior subordinated notes due
2006. The proceeds received from this issue are expected to allow the
Corporation to complete the construction of the Kemess South mine. Finally, two
collective bargaining agreements were signed in 1996 and other negotiations were
held with no work disruptions.
Unfortunately, in some areas the Corporation did not meet its targets.
Cost containment and production goals at its existing operations fell short of
budget projections.
Taking into account these factors as well as the overall financial results
of the Corporation in 1996, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board
the following annual performance payments be made with respect to 1996 (with Ms.
Witte abstaining in respect of her own compensation):
<PAGE>
- 21 -
INDIVIDUAL PAYMENT
Margaret K. Witte $950,000 (US)
John R. Smrke $ 40,000 (US)
James H. Wood $ 80,000 (US)
Ross F. Burns $ 40,000 (US)
Edmund Szol $110,000 (US)
The above amounts were made up of various components. The Compensation
Committee recommended annual performance payments with respect to general
corporate performance as well as specifically for individual achievements during
the year. With respect to general corporate achievements, the Compensation
Committee recommended the sum of $250,000 (US) for Ms. Witte and $40,000 (US)
for each of Messrs. Smrke, Wood, Burns and Szol. With respect to the successful
completion of the note issue, the Committee recommended the amount of $50,000
(US) for Ms. Witte and $40,000 (US) for Mr. Wood. With respect to the
successful collective bargaining accomplishments, the Committee recommended the
amount of $70,000 (US) for Mr. Szol. With respect to the extraordinary hedging
revenues received during 1996, in the approximate amount of $51,000,000, the
Committee recommended the amount of $650,000 (US) for Ms. Witte, since these
results were primarily due to her efforts.
STOCK OPTIONS
Stock options may be granted to the Corporation's executive officers and
key employees, including the individuals whose compensation is detailed in this
Proxy Statement. The size of stock option grants are based on a number of
factors, including competitive compensation data, similar to those used to
determine base salaries and annual bonuses. The Compensation Committee can
elect not to award options.
Stock options are intended to align the interests of executives and
directors with those of the shareholders. All stock options granted have been
granted with an exercise price equal to or above the market price of the common
shares of the Corporation on the date preceding the date of grant and are
generally exercisable during a five year period. This approach is designed to
provide executives with an incentive for creation of shareholder value over the
long term since the benefit of the compensation package cannot be realized
unless share price appreciation occurs. On January 2, 1996, options were
granted to the Chief Executive Officer, to the other named senior officers and
to the directors to each purchase 60,000 common shares at a price of $4.90 per
share based on a closing price of $4.85 on the day prior to the date of grant.
On January 2, 1997, options were granted to the Chief Executive Officer, the
other named senior officers, the directors and others to purchase common shares
at a price of $4.38 per share based on a closing price of $4.38 on the date
prior to the date of grant. These options are subject to shareholder approval
as regards certain senior officers and directors of the Corporation.
Ms. Witte owns 2,652,976 common shares and holds options to purchase an
additional 560,000 common shares. The Compensation Committee believes that
significant equity interests in the Corporation held by the Corporation's
management align the interests of shareholders and management and took this into
account in granting options to Ms. Witte.
<PAGE>
- 22 -
SECTION 162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Section 162(m) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 generally
limits the corporate tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million (US)
paid to the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and any of its four other most
highly paid executive officers. This limit applies to long-term incentive
compensation and annual bonuses, as well as base salary. Compensation that
qualifies as performance-based under regulations of the Internal Revenue Service
is exempt from the deduction limit.
The Compensation Committee recognizes that part of the 1996 annual
compensation paid to the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer will not be
deductible. While the tax impact of any compensation arrangement is one factor
to be considered, the Compensation Committee evaluates such impact in light of
its overall compensation philosophy. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is
requesting shareholder approval of the proposed 1997 Executive Performance
Incentive Plan described in this Management Information Circular (Proxy
Statement) in order to ensure that compensation paid pursuant to such plan will
be deductible under Section 162(m). However, the Compensation Committee retains
discretion to approve compensation that is not fully deductible, if the plan is
not approved by shareholders.
CONCLUSION
The Corporation's executive compensation is linked to individual and
corporate performance and to share price appreciation. In 1996, a significant
portion of the Corporation's executive compensation consisted of these
performance-based variable elements as determined in the discretion of the
Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee
intends to continue the policy of linking executive compensation to corporate
and individual performance and returns to shareholders, recognizing that the
rise and fall of the business cycle may result in an imbalance for a particular
period. The Compensation Committee adjusts for factors such as these, which are
beyond an executive's control, by exercising its qualitative judgment.
The foregoing report is submitted by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors.
Matthew A. Gaasenbeek (Chairman)
John L. May
William J.V. Sheridan
Margaret K. Witte
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Margaret K. Witte, who serves on the Compensation Committee is the
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation. William J.
V. Sheridan, who serves on the Compensation Committee, is the Secretary of the
Corporation and is a partner of the law firm of Lang Michener, counsel to the
Corporation.
In 1996, loans were made to Ms. Witte by Arctic Precious Metals, Inc.
("Arctic"), a subsidiary of the Corporation. The loans are secured by Ms.
Witte's ownership interest in real property and represented by a deed of trust
that is, and will be, subordinate to recorded encumbrances on the real property.
The loans bear interest at the prescribed rates. Ms. Witte's compensation will
be increased to the extent that any interest is paid. The loans are fully
repayable upon the sale of the real property security or within 30 days of the
earlier termination of Ms. Witte's employment for cause. Prior to that time, up
to one-third of the principal amount per year is repayable on demand from bonus
amounts earned by Ms. Witte for that year.
<PAGE>
- 23 -
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, Ms. Witte filed five late
reports covering eleven transactions; Mr. Smrke filed one late initial report
and another late report covering two transactions; Messrs. Gaasenbeek, Sheridan
and Wood each filed one late report covering one transaction; Mr. Eacott filed
one late report covering two transactions and Sadek El-Alfy, former Vice-
President, Operations, filed one late initial report.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total shareholder return of the common shares of the Corporation over the past
five years with the cumulative total return of The Toronto Stock Exchange 300
Total Return Stock Index and The Toronto Stock Exchange Gold and Precious
Minerals Index since that date.(1)
<PAGE>
- 24 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE CHART
[GRAPH]
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEC. 31/91 DEC. 31/92 DEC. 31/93 DEC. 31/94 DEC. 31/95 DEC. 31/96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Royal Oak Close $ 1.60 $ 1.95 $ 6.25 $ 4.60 $ 4.85 $ 4.38
Royal Oak Value 100.00 121.88 390.63 287.50 303.13 273.75
TSE 300 Close 6291.90 6201.72 8220.23 8205.73 9397.97 12061.95
TSE 300 Value 100.00 98.57 130.65 130.42 149.37 191.71
TSE Gold and Precious Close 6750.89 7264.30 14920.00 13463.20 14732.16 16081.79
TSE Gold and Precious Value 100.00 107.61 221.01 199.43 218.23 238.22
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- 25 -
(1) Assumes $100 invested in the Corporation's common shares on December 31,
1991 and in the TSE 300 Total Return Index and in the TSE Gold and Precious
Minerals Index, which assume dividend reinvestment.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The directors of the Corporation are entitled to receive an annual fee of
$8,000 plus $1,000 for each meeting of the board or a committee thereof
attended. The directors are also entitled to reimbursement from the Corporation
for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their
attendance at meetings of the board or a committee thereof.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The aggregate amount of indebtedness to the Corporation or its subsidiaries
incurred in connection with the purchase of securities of the Corporation by all
present and former officers, directors and employees of the Corporation
outstanding as at March 27, 1997 was $110,783 (US).
The following table sets forth the indebtedness incurred by directors,
senior officers and executive officers of the Corporation for the purchase of
securities of the Corporation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SENIOR OFFICERS UNDER SECURITIES
PURCHASE PROGRAMS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Largest
Involvement Amount Amount Financially Assisted
Name and Principal of Issuer or Outstanding Outstanding as Securities Purchases Security for
Position Subsidiary During 1996 at March 27, During 1996 Indebtedness
1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J.R. Smrke, Loan by $74,547 (US) $74,547 (US) 40,000 shares --
Senior Vice-President Subsidiary(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.G. Eacott Loan by $36,236 (US) $36,236 (US) 61,000 shares 15,000 shares
Vice-President, Subsidiary(2)
Investor Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Arctic Precious Metals, Inc., a subsidiary of the Corporation, provided
loans to Mr. Smrke. The loans bear interest at prescribed rates. They are
secured by Mr. Smrke's ownership interest in real property and represented
by a deed of trust that is, and will be, subordinate to recorded
encumbrances on the real property. The loans are repayable from, at the
discretion of the Corporation, future bonus amounts earned by Mr. Smrke and
from the aggregate net value of any stock options exercised by Mr. Smrke,
at the rate of one-half of the after-tax value to Mr. Smrke of such
amounts.
<PAGE>
- 26 -
(2) Arctic Precious Metals, Inc., a subsidiary of the Corporation, provided a
loan to Mr. Eacott. The loan bears interest at prescribed rates and is
secured by the pledge of 15,000 common shares to the Corporation. The loan
is repayable from, at the discretion of the Corporation, future bonus
amounts earned by Mr. Eacott and from the aggregate net value of any stock
options exercised by Mr. Eacott at the rate of one-half of the after-tax
value to Mr. Eacott of such amounts.
As at March 27, 1997, the aggregate amount of indebtedness to the
Corporation or its subsidiaries incurred, other than in connection with the
purchase of securities of the Corporation, by all current and former directors,
officers and employees of the Corporation was $1,269,079 (US).
The following table sets forth the indebtedness to the Corporation or its
subsidiaries incurred by the executive officers, senior officers and directors
of the Corporation, other than for the purchase of securities of the
Corporation.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SENIOR OFFICERS
OTHER THAN UNDER SECURITIES PURCHASE PROGRAMS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Involvement of Issuer Largest Amount Amount Outstanding as at
Name and Principal Position or Subsidiary Outstanding During 1996 March 27, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
M. K. Witte
Chairman, President and Chief Subsidiary(1) $717,226 (US) $700,000 (US)
Executive Officer
J. H. Wood Subsidiary(2) $75,000 (US) $58,800 (US)
Chief Financial Officer
J. R. Smrke Subsidiary(3) $31,400 (US) $16,871 (US)
Senior Vice-President
T. B. Acton Subsidiary(4) nil $250,000 (US)
Vice-President, Operations
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) In 1996, loans were made to Ms. Witte by Arctic Precious Metals, Inc.
("Arctic"), a subsidiary of the Corporation. The loans are secured by
Ms. Witte's ownership interest in real property and represented by a deed of
trust that is, and will be, subordinate to recorded encumbrances on the
real property. The loans bear interest at the prescribed rates.
Ms. Witte's compensation will be increased to the extent that any interest
is paid. The loans are fully repayable upon the sale of the real property
security or within 30 days of the earlier termination of Ms. Witte's
employment for cause. Prior to that time, up to one-third of the principal
amount per year is repayable on demand from bonus amounts earned by
Ms. Witte for that year. See "Employment Agreements."
<PAGE>
- 27 -
(2) In May, 1995, a housing loan was made to Mr. Wood by Arctic. The loan does
not bear interest and is secured against Mr. Wood's residence. The loan is
repayable over a maximum of ten years from, at the discretion of the
Corporation, future bonus amounts earned by Mr. Wood and from the aggregate
net value of any stock options exercised by Mr. Wood, at the rate of
one-half of the after-tax value to Mr. Wood of such amounts.
(3) In January, 1995, a loan was made to Mr. Smrke by Arctic. The loan bears
interest at prescribed rates. It is secured by Mr. Smrke's ownership
interest in real property and represented by a deed of trust that is, and
will be, subordinate to recorded encumbrances on the real property. The
loan is repayable from, at the discretion of the Corporation, future bonus
amounts earned by Mr. Smrke and from the aggregate net value of any stock
options exercised by Mr. Smrke, at the rate of one-half of the after-tax
value to Mr. Smrke of such amounts.
(4) In February, 1997, a bridge housing loan was made to Mr. Acton by Arctic,
to facilitate his relocation and the purchase of a new residence. The loan
is secured by a deed of trust on the new residence and is repayable upon
the sale of Mr. Acton's former residence, which is expected to be completed
in June 1997. The loan is interest free for the first three months and
thereafter will bear interest at 9% per annum.
DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INSURANCE
The Corporation maintains liability insurance policies covering directors
and officers of the Corporation acting in their respective capacities as such.
Total coverage is $25,000,000, subject to a corporate deductible of $250,000.
The total premium paid by the Corporation in respect of this coverage during
1996 was $125,000.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Every company incorporated in Canada or a province thereof whose shares are
listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSE") is required to disclose on an
annual basis its approach to corporate governance with reference to specified
guidelines which are derived from those set out in the TSE Committee on
Corporate Governance Report (the "TSE Report"). Where a company's system of
corporate governance differs from the guidelines, an explanation of the
differences is required.
Set forth below are the matters required to be addressed, a synopsis of the
related TSE guidelines and a commentary on the Corporation's approach with
respect to each.
1. THE MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING ITS DUTIES AND OBJECTIVES.
GUIDELINE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD EXPLICITLY ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE STEWARDSHIP OF THE CORPORATION AND AS PART OF THE OVERALL STEWARDSHIP
RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FOLLOWING MATTERS:
<PAGE>
- 28 -
(i) ADOPTION OF A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS;
The board of directors of the Corporation (the "Board") meets
annually to review and approve the Corporation's annual business
plan. A portion of each regularly scheduled board meeting is set
aside for a discussion of strategic planning and the Board will be
holding special purpose meetings annually with all senior and
operations management to deal principally with strategic planning.
(ii) THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE CORPORATION'S
BUSINESS AND ENSURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS TO
MANAGE THESE RISKS;
The principal risks of the Corporation's business relate primarily
to its mining operations. Detailed systems are in place at each
operating mine site to monitor such risks, including health and
safety and environmental risks and risks relating to mining
methodology. A local manager at each site supervises the
application of such systems and reports regularly to senior
management.
(iii) SUCCESSION PLANNING INCLUDING APPOINTING, TRAINING AND MONITORING
SENIOR MANAGEMENT;
The Board monitors succession planning on an ongoing basis and
adopts responsibility for the appointment and training of new
members of senior management. Responsibility for training new
members of the management team is delegated to the existing senior
management group.
(iv) A COMMUNICATIONS POLICY FOR THE CORPORATION;
The Board specifically reviews and approves the Corporation's
annual financial statements as well as the Corporation's annual
report and shareholders' meeting materials. In addition, various
members of the Corporation's senior management team are charged
with the responsibility of complying with the Corporation's
regulatory disclosure obligations. The Vice-President, Investor
Relations is responsible for dealing on an ongoing basis with
inquiries from shareholders, analysts, the media and other
interested parties.
(v) THE INTEGRITY OF THE CORPORATION'S INTERNAL CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
The integrity of the Corporation's internal control and management
information systems are primarily the responsibility of the Audit
Committee of the Board, which meets with both the Corporation's
financial and accounting personnel and the Corporation's external
auditors to review these matters. The Audit Committee reports to
the full Board with respect to any issues that arise out of such
discussions.
2. THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD, WHETHER THE BOARD HAS A MAJORITY OF UNRELATED
DIRECTORS AND THE BASIS FOR THIS ANALYSIS; IF THE COMPANY HAS A SIGNIFICANT
SHAREHOLDER, WHETHER THE COMPANY SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENT FOR FAIRLY REFLECTING
THE INVESTMENT OF THE MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN THE CORPORATION AND THE BASIS FOR
THIS ANALYSIS.
GUIDELINE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EVERY CORPORATION SHOULD BE
CONSTITUTED WITH A MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFY AS UNRELATED DIRECTORS.
AN UNRELATED DIRECTOR IS A DIRECTOR WHO IS FREE FROM ANY INTEREST AND ANY
BUSINESS OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP WHICH COULD, OR COULD REASONABLY BE PERCEIVED TO,
MATERIALLY INTERFERE WITH THE DIRECTOR'S ABILITY TO ACT WITH A VIEW TO
<PAGE>
- 29 -
THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CORPORATION, OTHER THAN INTERESTS AND RELATIONSHIPS
ARISING FROM SHAREHOLDING. A RELATED DIRECTOR IS A DIRECTOR WHO IS NOT AN
UNRELATED DIRECTOR. IF THE CORPORATION HAS A SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER, IN
ADDITION TO A MAJORITY OF UNRELATED DIRECTORS, THE BOARD SHOULD INCLUDE A NUMBER
OF DIRECTORS WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERESTS IN OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH EITHER THE
CORPORATION OR THE SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER AND WHICH FAIRLY REFLECTS THE
INVESTMENT IN THE CORPORATION BY SHAREHOLDERS OTHER THAN THE SIGNIFICANT
SHAREHOLDER. A SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER IS A SHAREHOLDER WITH THE ABILITY TO
EXERCISE A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
GUIDELINE: THE APPLICATION OF THE DEFINITION OF "UNRELATED DIRECTOR" TO
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
THE BOARD WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WHETHER THE
BOARD HAS A MAJORITY OF UNRELATED DIRECTORS OR, IN THE CASE OF A CORPORATION
WITH A SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER, WHETHER THE BOARD IS CONSTITUTED WITH THE
APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS WHICH ARE NOT RELATED TO EITHER THE CORPORATION
OR THE SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER.
Based on the principles enunciated above, the Board believes that the
following individuals are related directors: Margaret K. Witte (Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer); Ross F. Burns (Vice-President, Global
Exploration) and William J.V. Sheridan (Secretary and partner of Lang Michener,
counsel to the Corporation).
The following directors are considered to be unrelated on the basis that
they are not employed by the Corporation, do not have any material business
relationships with the Corporation, directly or indirectly, and do not receive
any remuneration from the Corporation, directly or indirectly, other than
directors' fees: J. Conrad Lavigne, John L. May, George W. Oughtred and Matthew
Gaasenbeek.
Based on the foregoing, the Corporation has three related and four
unrelated directors. As a majority of the directors are unrelated and the
Corporation has no significant shareholders, the Board believes that its
composition complies with the foregoing guidelines.
GUIDELINE: EVERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD EXAMINE ITS SIZE WITH A VIEW TO
DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF THE NUMBER UPON EFFECTIVENESS, AND UNDERTAKE WHERE
APPROPRIATE, A PROGRAM TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS TO A NUMBER WHICH
FACILITATES MORE EFFECTIVE DECISION-MAKING.
The Board reviews the number of directors on the Board annually with a view
to establishing an optimum number for effective decision-making. The Governance
and Nominating Committee of the Board is charged with the responsibility of
reviewing periodically the size of the Board to ensure its continued
effectiveness. The Board is currently comprised of seven directors. The Board
believes that it is able to operate effectively with seven directors and does
not believe that a reduction in the number of directors is warranted or
desirable.
3. IF THE BOARD DOES NOT HAVE A CHAIR SEPARATE FROM MANAGEMENT, THE STRUCTURES
AND PROCESSES WHICH ARE IN PLACE TO FACILITATE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BOARD
INDEPENDENTLY OF MANAGEMENT.
GUIDELINE: EVERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD HAVE IN PLACE APPROPRIATE
STRUCTURES AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD CAN FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY
OF MANAGEMENT.
The Chairman of the Board is also the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation. The Board believes that, given her detailed knowledge of the
Corporation's operations and experience in the mining industry, the Chief
Executive Officer is the most appropriate individual to set the agenda for
meetings of the Board, ensure that adequate information is provided to the Board
and chair the meetings.
<PAGE>
- 30 -
GUIDELINE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM WHICH ENABLES
AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR TO ENGAGE OUTSIDE ADVISORS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE
CORPORATION IN APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES. ENGAGEMENT OF THE OUTSIDE ADVISOR
SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF AN APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD.
In the case of non-arm's length transactions or other circumstances where a
member or members of the Board may have a conflict of interest with the
Corporation, prudent and established corporate practice dictates that a
committee of independent directors be struck and that such committee be given
the freedom to engage outside advisors at the expense of the Corporation. The
Board concurs with and subscribes to this practice. Although no formal policy
is in place with respect to whether individual directors may retain outside
advisors in other circumstances, any individual director is free to request the
engagement of an outside advisor where he or she feels it appropriate to do so.
The Governance and Nominating Committee, which consists entirely of outside
directors, is responsible for considering and approving such requests.
4. DESCRIPTION OF BOARD COMMITTEES, THEIR MANDATES AND THEIR ACTIVITIES.
GUIDELINE: COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD GENERALLY BE
COMPOSED OF OUTSIDE DIRECTORS, A MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE UNRELATED DIRECTORS,
ALTHOUGH SOME BOARD COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MAY INCLUDE
ONE OR MORE INSIDE DIRECTORS.
There are three committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the
Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. The
composition of each committee is as follows:
a) Audit Committee - Two of the three members of the Audit Committee are
unrelated and are outside directors. The Committee consists of
Matthew Gaasenbeek, George Oughtred and Margaret Witte.
b) Compensation Committee - This committee consists of three outside
directors, William Sheridan, John May and Matthew Gaasenbeek, and one
inside director, Margaret Witte. Two of the four members of the
Compensation Committee are related directors (William Sheridan and
Margaret Witte). The Compensation Committee reviews directors' fees
and retainers, compensation and benefit packages for senior
management, and stock options and the Board believes it is appropriate
for the Chief Executive Officer to serve on such committee. The Chief
Executive Officer does not participate in deliberations of the
Compensation Committee which relate to her compensation.
c) Governance and Nominating Committee - This committee consists of three
outside and unrelated directors: John May, George Oughtred and Conrad
Lavigne. The duties of the Governance and Nominating Committee
include:
(i) recommending nominees for election to the Board and
establishing a process for identifying, recruiting and
appointing new directors;
(ii) establishing a long-term plan for the composition of the
Board;
(iii) reviewing periodically the size of the Board to ensure its
continued effectiveness;
<PAGE>
- 31 -
(iv) assessing and making recommendations regarding the
effectiveness of the Board as a whole, the committees of the
Board and the contribution of each individual director;
(v) reviewing periodically the general responsibilities and
functions of the Board and its committees and the procedures
for Board meetings;
(vi) reviewing and approving the annual disclosure of corporate
governance compliance; and
(vii) considering and approving requests from individual directors
or Committees of the Board to engage outside advisors.
GUIDELINE: EVERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD EXPRESSLY ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY
FOR, OR ASSIGN TO A COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS THE GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR,
DEVELOPING THE CORPORATION'S APPROACH TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ISSUES. THIS
COMMITTEE WOULD, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORPORATION'S
RESPONSE TO THESE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES.
The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to assume
responsibility for developing the Corporation's approach to governance issues.
GUIDELINE: THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF EVERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD BE
COMPOSED ONLY OF OUTSIDE DIRECTORS. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUDIT
COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SPECIFICALLY DEFINED SO AS TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE
TO AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS TO THEIR DUTIES. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE SHOULD HAVE
DIRECT COMMUNICATION CHANNELS WITH THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDITORS TO DISCUSS
AND REVIEW SPECIFIC ISSUES AS APPROPRIATE. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE DUTIES SHOULD
INCLUDE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGEMENT REPORTING ON INTERNAL CONTROL.
WHILE IT IS MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE
SYSTEM OF INTERNAL CONTROL, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO
ENSURE THAT MANAGEMENT HAS DONE SO.
A majority of the members of the Audit Committee are outside directors.
The Board believes that it is appropriate and desirable for the Chief Executive
Officer to sit on the Audit Committee given her intimate knowledge of the
Corporation's operations. The duties and responsibilities of the Audit
Committee comply in full with the foregoing guideline.
GUIDELINE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EVERY CORPORATION SHOULD APPOINT A
COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS COMPOSED ENTIRELY OF OUTSIDE, I.E., NON-MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS, A MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE UNRELATED DIRECTORS, WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF PROPOSING TO THE FULL BOARD NEW NOMINEES TO THE BOARD AND FOR ASSESSING
DIRECTORS ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
The Governance and Nominating Committee, which is composed entirely of
outside and unrelated directors, has been established to assume responsibility
for proposing to the Board new nominees to the Board and for assessing directors
on an ongoing basis.
5. DESCRIPTION OF DECISIONS REQUIRING PRIOR APPROVAL BY THE BOARD.
GUIDELINE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TOGETHER WITH THE CEO, SHOULD DEVELOP
POSITION DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE BOARD AND FOR THE CEO INVOLVING THE DEFINITION OF
THE LIMITS TO MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES. IN ADDITION, THE BOARD SHOULD
APPROVE OR DEVELOP THE CORPORATE OBJECTIVES WHICH THE CEO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
MEETING.
<PAGE>
- 32 -
Reference is made to the disclosure under item 1 with respect to the annual
review and approval by the Board of the Corporation's annual business plan. In
addition, any major capital expenditures, acquisitions, divestitures or other
material transactions, whether or not specifically set forth in the annual
business plan, are subject to Board approval. Position descriptions for the
Board and the Chief Executive Officer have been prepared and are expected to be
approved this year.
6. PROCEDURES IN PLACE FOR RECRUITING NEW DIRECTORS AND OTHER PERFORMANCE-
ENHANCING MEASURES, SUCH AS ASSESSMENT OF BOARD PERFORMANCE.
GUIDELINE: EVERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD IMPLEMENT A PROCESS TO BE
CARRIED OUT BY THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE OR OTHER APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE FOR
ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BOARD AS A WHOLE, THE COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORS.
The effectiveness of the Board as a whole, the committees of the Board and
the contribution of individual directors is assessed on an ongoing basis by both
the Governance and Nominating Committee and senior management.
GUIDELINE: EVERY CORPORATION SHOULD PROVIDE AN ORIENTATION AND EDUCATION
PROGRAM FOR NEW RECRUITS TO THE BOARD.
Any new recruits to the Board will be provided with extensive background
documentation with respect to the Corporation's businesses, visit selected mine
sites and meet with senior management to discuss the Corporation's affairs and
to give the new recruits an opportunity to ask questions.
GUIDELINE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD REVIEW THE ADEQUACY AND FORM OF
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND ENSURE THAT COMPENSATION REALISTICALLY REFLECTS
THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RISKS INVOLVED IN BEING AN EFFECTIVE DIRECTOR.
The Compensation Committee of the Board periodically reviews the adequacy
and form of compensation of directors and makes recommendations to the Board in
this regard.
7. MEASURES FOR RECEIVING SHAREHOLDER FEEDBACK AND MEASURES FOR DEALING WITH
SHAREHOLDER CONCERNS.
The Corporation maintains an open dialogue with all shareholders, both
institutional and individual. It is part of the duties of both the Chief
Executive Officer and the Vice President, Investor Relations of the Corporation
to respond to any inquiries from shareholders or concerns raised by them.
8. THE BOARD'S EXPECTATIONS OF MANAGEMENT.
Reference is made to items 1 and 5 above.
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INTEREST IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
If the resolution to approve the grant of stock options to directors and
certain senior officers of the Corporation named under "Stock Options to Senior
Officers and Directors" is approved, then subject to receipt of listings
approval of The Toronto Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange, those
persons will be entitled to exercise the stock options. If the resolution is
not approved, those persons will not be able to exercise the options and the
option grants will be cancelled.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Except as set forth in this section or otherwise in this Management
Information Circular (Proxy Statement), to the knowledge of management of the
Corporation, no director or officer of the Corporation or nominee for election
as a director or any shareholder known to the Corporation to own of record or
beneficially more than 5% of the Corporation's outstanding common shares or any
member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had any interest
in any material transaction since January 1, 1996.
William J. V. Sheridan, a director and the Secretary of the Corporation, is
a partner in the law firm of Lang Michener, counsel to the Corporation.
In March 1996, the Corporation loaned $3,400,000 to Mountain Minerals Co.
Ltd. ("Mountain Minerals") to acquire control of Highwood Resources Ltd.
("Highwood"). Through a plan of arrangement and subsequent amalgamation,
Mountain Minerals and Highwood combined under Highwood's name. William J. V.
Sheridan, Margaret K. Witte, who is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation, and John R. Smrke, who is the Senior Vice-President
of the Corporation, serve as directors and/or officers of Highwood. In
December, 1996, the Corporation agreed to convert the $3,000,000 balance of
Highwood's debt into 1,935,483 Highwood common shares on the basis of $1.55 per
share, representing a $0.04 premium over the prior 20-day trading average of the
shares on The Toronto Stock Exchange. The Corporation thereby increased its
interest in Highwood to 38.6% of the outstanding common shares.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1998 ANNUAL MEETING
The Corporation will review shareholder proposals intended to be included
in proxy material for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which are received
by the Corporation at its principal executive offices by no later than March 30,
1998. Such proposals must be in writing and should be addressed to the
attention of Corporate Counsel of the Corporation. A proposal may include
nominations for the election of directors if the proposal is signed by one or
more holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than 5 per cent of
the outstanding common shares of the Corporation.
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GENERAL
Copies of the Corporation's most recent Form 10-K and Annual Report,
including comparative financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996,
are available upon written request from the Vice-President, Investor Relations,
5501 Lakeview Drive, Kirkland, Washington 98033 (telephone: 425-822-8992).
Information contained herein is given as of the 21st day of April, 1997
except as otherwise noted. If any matters which are not now known should
properly come before the Meeting, the accompanying form of proxy will be voted
on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the person voting it.
The content and sending of this Proxy Statement have been approved by the
directors of the Corporation.
DATED at Toronto this 21st day of April, 1997.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ William J.V. Sheridan
WILLIAM J.V. SHERIDAN
Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
ROYAL OAK MINES INC.
1997 EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE: The purpose of the 1997 Executive Performance Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") is to promote the interests of Royal Oak Mines Inc. (the "Company") and
its stockholders by providing additional compensation as incentive to certain
key executives of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates who contribute
materially to the success of the Company and such Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
2. DEFINITIONS: The following terms when used in the Plan shall, for the
purposes of the Plan, have the following meanings:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any entity in which the Company has an
ownership interest of at least 20%.
(b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(c) "Company" shall mean Royal Oak Mines Inc., its Subsidiaries and
Affiliates.
(d) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(e) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation which at the time qualifies as
a subsidiary of the Company under the definition of "subsidiary
corporation" in Section 424 of the Code.
3. ADMINISTRATION: The Plan shall be administered under the supervision of
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") which shall exercise its
powers, to the extent herein provided, through the agency of a committee of the
Board (the "Committee") which shall be appointed by the Board. The Committee
shall consist of not fewer than two (2) members of the Board who meet the
definition of "outside directors" under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the
Code and the definition of "non-employee directors" under the provisions of
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation
romulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Committee, from time to time, may adopt rules and regulations
("Regulations") for carrying out the provisions and purposes of the Plan and
make such determinations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the
Committee shall deem appropriate. The Committee may alter, amend or revoke any
Regulation adopted. The interpretation and construction of any provision of the
Plan by the Committee shall, unless otherwise determined by the Board, be final
and conclusive.
4. PARTICIPATION: "Participants" in the Plan shall be such key executives of
the Company as may be designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan
with respect to each fiscal year.
5. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE AWARDS:
(a) For each fiscal year of the Company, the Committee shall determine:
(i) The Company, Subsidiaries and/or Affiliates to participate in
the Plan for such fiscal year.
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(ii) The names of those key executives whom it considers should
participate in the Plan for such fiscal year.
(iii) The basis(es) for determining the amount of the Awards to such
Participants, including the extent, if any, to which payment of
all or part of an Award will be dependent upon the attainment
by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or subdivision
thereof of any specified performance goal or objective.
Performance criteria for Awards under the Plan may include one
or more of the following operating performance measures:
a. Operating cash flow e. Reserve increases
b. Revenue and net income f. Return on shareholders' equity
c. Project acquisition g. Appreciation in share price
d. Cash cost of production
For any Participant who the Committee determines is not
expected to be subject to Section 162(m) of the Code at the
time the Company would be eligible for a compensation deduction
with respect to an Award (absent Section 162(m) of the Code),
other performance measures or objectives, whether quantitative
or qualitative, may be established.
The Committee shall establish the specific targets for the
selected measures. These targets may be set at a specific
level or may be expressed as relative to the comparable measure
at comparison companies or a defined index.
(iv) Whether a percentage of an Award shall be deferred or whether a
Participant may request the Committee to approve deferred
payment of a percentage (not less than 25%) of an Award (the
"Deferred Portion"). Any Award or portion of an Award of which
the Committee does not require deferral or the Participant does
not request deferral shall be paid subject to the provisions of
Section 6 (the "Current Portion"). Any Award which includes a
Deferred Portion shall be subject to the terms and conditions
stated in Section 10 and in any Regulations established by the
Committee.
(b) At any time after the commencement of a fiscal year for which Awards
have been determined, but prior to the close thereof, the Committee
may, in its discretion, eliminate or add Participants, or increase or
decrease the Award of any Participant; but the Committee may not alter
any election made relative to establishing a Deferred Portion of an
Award or which would cause any Award to lose deductibility under
Section 162(m) of the Code. Any changes or additions with respect to
Awards of members of any committee established to oversee the Plan
shall be referred to the Board or Committee, as appropriate for
approval.
6. PAYMENT OF CURRENT PORTION OF PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE AWARDS:
(a) As soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year, the Committee
shall determine the extent to which Awards have been earned on the basis of
actual performance in relation to the established performance objectives
for that fiscal year. The Committee will certify to the Board and the
Participants the extent that such performance objectives have been
attained. Subject to such forfeitures of Awards and other conditions as
are provided in the Plan, an Award shall be payable to a Participant or the
Participant's beneficiary to the extent that the Participant has performed
his or her duties to the satisfaction of the Committee.
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(b) There shall be deducted from all payments of Awards any taxes required to
be withheld by any government entity and paid over to any such government
in respect of any such payment.
(c) FORM OF PAYMENT. The Committee shall determine whether payment with
respect to the Current Portion of an Award, or a Deferred Portion made
under the provisions of Section 10, shall be made entirely in cash,
entirely in Common Stock of the Company, or partially in cash and partially
in Common Stock. Further, if the Committee determines that payment should
be made in the form of Restricted Shares of Common Stock of the Company,
the Committee shall designate the restrictions which will be placed upon
the Common Stock and the duration of those restrictions. The Committee may
not cause Awards to be made under this provision that would result in the
issuance, either on a current or restricted basis, of more than 400,000
shares of Common Stock of the Company in any fiscal year or more than
2,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to the Plan
(subject to adjustment to such numbers pursuant to Section 14 hereof).
7. MAXIMUM PAYMENTS UNDER THE PLAN: Payments under the Plan shall be subject
to the following maximum levels:
(a) TOTAL PAYMENTS. The total amount of Awards paid under the Plan
relating to any fiscal year may not exceed $1 million (US) plus three
percent of the "Cash Flow from Operating Activities" for the Company
in that fiscal year (the "Plan Pool") but provided that where in any
year Cash Flow from Operating Activities is a negative amount, the
Plan Pool shall consist of $1 million (US). Amounts actually payable
for any fiscal year will be subject to attainment of performance
goals. "Cash Flow from Operating Activities" is defined as net income
(loss) adjusted for changes in non-cash items, including net changes
in other operating items as set out in the audited Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flow of the Company. For purposes of determining
the total amount of Awards to be paid under the Plan, Common Stock of
the Company shall be valued at the closing price on the American Stock
Exchange (or any other principal exchange where the shares are listed)
on the day prior to their payment or deferral.
(b) MAXIMUM INDIVIDUAL AWARD. The maximum amount that any Individual
Participant may receive relating to any fiscal year may not exceed
forty percent of the Plan Pool in that fiscal year.
8. CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON PAYMENT OF AWARDS: Payment of each Award to a
Participant or to the Participant's beneficiary shall be subject to the
following provisions and conditions:
(a) RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Participant or any person claiming under or
through the Participant shall have any right or interest, whether
vested or otherwise, in the Plan or in any Award thereunder,
contingent or otherwise, unless and until the Participant shall have
complied with all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan
and the Regulations that affect such Participant or such other person.
Nothing contained in the Plan or in the Regulations shall require the
Company to segregate or earmark any cash, shares or stock or other
property. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor its operation shall in
any way affect the rights and powers of the Company or of any
Subsidiary or Affiliate to dismiss and/or discharge any employee at
any time.
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(b) ASSIGNMENT OR PLEDGE OF RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANT. No rights under the
Plan, contingent or otherwise, shall be assignable or subject to any
encumbrance, pledge or charge of any nature except that a Participant
may designate a beneficiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 9
hereof.
(c) RIGHTS TO PAYMENTS. No absolute right to any Award shall be
considered to have accrued to any Participant prior to the close of
the fiscal year with respect to which an Award is made and then such
right shall be absolute only with respect to any Current Portion
thereof; the Deferred Portion will continue to be forfeitable and
subject to all of the conditions of the Plan. No Participant shall
have any enforceable right to receive any Award made with respect to a
fiscal year or to retain any payment made with respect thereto if for
any reason (death included) the Participant, during such entire fiscal
year, has not performed his or her duties to the satisfaction of the
Company.
9. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY: A Participant may name a beneficiary to
receive any payment to which the Participant may be entitled under the Plan in
the event of the Participant's death, on a form to be provided by the Committee.
A Participant may change his or her beneficiary designation from time to time in
the same manner.
If no designated beneficiary is living on the date on which any payment
becomes payable, such payment shall be payable to the person or persons in the
first of the following classes of successive preference:
(a) Surviving widow or widower;
(b) Surviving children, equally;
(c) Surviving parents, equally;
(d) Surviving brother and sisters, equally; or
(e) Executors or administrators;
and the term "beneficiary" as used in the Plan shall include such person or
persons.
10. DEFERRAL OF PAYMENTS. Any portion of an Award deemed the Deferred Portion
under Section 5(a)(iv) shall be subject to the following:
(a) The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine whether a
Deferred Portion may be elected by the Participant under an Award or
if a Deferred Portion shall be required. If a Deferred Portion
election is permitted for an Award, the Committee shall establish
guidelines regarding the date by which such deferral election by the
Participant must be made in order to be effective.
(b) Concurrent with the establishment of a Deferred Portion for any Award,
the Participant shall determine, subject to the approval of the
Committee, the portion of any Participant's Deferred Portion that is
to be valued by reference to the Performance Incentive Fixed Income
Fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Fixed Income Fund"), the portion
that is to be valued by reference to the Performance Incentive Equity
Fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Equity Fund"), the portion that
is to be valued by reference to the Performance Incentive Company
Stock Fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Stock Fund") and the
portion that shall be valued by reference to any other fund(s) which
may be established by the Committee for this purpose. The Committee
shall designate the Fixed Income Fund and the Equity Fund. The Stock
Fund shall operate as described below.
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(c) Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee shall
determine whether the Fund(s) used to value the account of any
Participant may be changed from the Fund currently used to any other
Fund established for use under this Plan.
(d) Payment of the total amount of a Participant's Deferred Portions shall
be made to the Participant, or, in case of the death of the
Participant prior to the commencement of payments on account of such
total amount, to the Participant's beneficiary, in installments
commencing as soon as practical after the Participant shall cease, by
reason of death or otherwise, to be an employee of the Company. In
case of the death of any Participant after the commencement of
payments on account of the total of the Deferred Portions, the then
remaining unpaid balance thereof shall continue to be paid in
instalments, at such times and in such manner as if such Participant
was living, to the beneficiary of the Participant. However, the
Committee shall possess absolute discretion to accelerate the time of
payment of any remaining unpaid balance of the Deferred Portions to
any extent that it shall deem equitable and desirable under
circumstances where the Participant at the time of payment shall no
longer be an employee of the Company or shall have died.
(e) CONDUCT OF PARTICIPANT FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If,
following the date on which a Participant shall cease to be an
employee of the Company, the Participant shall at any time either
disclose to unauthorized persons confidential information relative to
the business of the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Company, or otherwise act or conduct himself or herself in a manner
that the Committee shall determine is inimical or contrary to the best
interests of the Company, the Company's obligation to make any further
payment on account of the Deferred Portions of such Participant shall
forthwith terminate.
(f) ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS BY PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY. If any
Participant or beneficiary of a Participant shall attempt to assign
his or her rights under the Plan in violation of the provisions
thereof, the Company's obligation to make any further payments to such
Participant or beneficiary shall forthwith terminate.
(g) DETERMINATION OF BREACH OF CONDITIONS. The determination of the
Committee as to whether an event has occurred resulting in a
forfeiture or a termination or reduction of the Company's obligation
in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 10 shall
be conclusive.
(h) FUND COMPOSITION AND VALUATION. Deferred Portions of Awards under the
Plan shall be valued and maintained as follows:
(i) In accordance with the provisions, and subject to the
conditions, of the Plan and the Regulations, the Deferred
Portion as established by the Committee shall be valued in
reference to the Participants' account(s) in the Equity Fund,
in the Fixed Income Fund, in the Company Stock Fund, and in any
other Fund established under this Plan. Account balances shall
be maintained as dollar values, units or share equivalents as
appropriate based upon the nature of the fund. For unit or
share-based funds, the number of units or shares credited shall
be based upon the established unit or share value as of the
last day of the quarter preceding the crediting of the Deferred
Portion.
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(ii) The Company shall advise Participants of the specific measures
used and the current valuations of these Funds as appropriate
to facilitate deferral decisions, investment choices and to
communicate payout levels. The Company Stock Fund shall
consist of units valued as one share of Common Stock of the
Company without par value and shall provide for the
reinvestment of any dividends paid with respect to such Common
Stock.
(iii) Nothing contained in the Fund definitions in subparagraph
10(h)(i) and 10(h)(ii) above shall require the Company to
segregate or earmark any cash, shares, stock or other property
to determine Fund values or maintain Participant account
levels.
(iv) ALTERNATIVE FUNDS. The establishment of the "Fixed Income
Fund", the "Equity Fund" and the "Stock Fund" as detailed in
subparagraphs(i) and (ii) of this paragraph shall not preclude
the right of the Committee to direct the establishment of
additional investment funds ("Funds"), subject to the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
In establishing such Funds, the Committee shall determine the criteria
to be used for determining the value of such Funds.
(i) ACCELERATED DISTRIBUTIONS. The Committee may, in its sole discretion,
allow for the early payment of a Participant's Deferred Portion(s) in
the event of an "unforeseeable emergency". An "unforeseeable
emergency" means severe financial hardship to the Participant
resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the
Participant or a dependent of the Participant, loss of the
Participant's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary
and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond
the control of the Participant. A distribution pursuant to this
paragraph may only be made to the extent reasonably needed to satisfy
the emergency need, and may not be made if such hardship is or may be
relieved (i) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or
otherwise, (ii) by liquidation of the Participant's assets to the
extent such liquidation would not itself cause severe financial
hardship, or (iii) by cessation of participation in the Plan. The
determination of whether and to what extent a distribution is
permitted pursuant to this paragraph shall be made by the Committee.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) By accepting any benefits under the Plan, each Participant and each
person claiming under or through him shall be conclusively deemed to
have indicated acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any
action taken or made to be taken or made under the Plan by the
Company, the Board, the Committee or any other committee appointed by
the Board.
(b) Any action taken or decision made by the Company, the Board, the
Committee or any other committee appointed by the Board arising out of
or in connection with the construction, administration, interpretation
or effect of the Plan or the Regulations shall lie within its absolute
discretion, as the case may be, and shall be conclusive and binding
upon all Participants and all persons claiming under or through any
Participant.
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(c) No member of the Board, the Committee or any other committee appointed
by the Board shall be liable for any act or failure to act of any
other member, or of any officer, agent or employee of such Board or
Committee, as the case may be, or for any act or failure to act,
except on account of their own acts done in bad faith. The fact that
a member of the Board shall then be, shall theretofore have been or
thereafter may be a Participant in the Plan shall not disqualify him
or her from voting at any time as a director with regard to any matter
concerning the Awards, or in favour of or against any amendment or
alteration of the Plan, provided that such amendment or alteration
shall provide no benefit for directors as such and provided that such
amendment or alteration shall be of general application.
(d) The Board, the Committee or any other committee appointed by the Board
may rely upon any information supplied to them by any officer of the
Company or any Subsidiary and may rely upon the advice of counsel in
connection with the administration of the Plan and shall be fully
protected in relying upon given information or advice.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, neither the
Board nor the Committee shall have any authority to take any action
under the Plan where such action would affect adversely the Company's
ability to account for any business combination as a "pooling of
interests" for financial reporting purposes.
12. AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE. The Board may alter, amend, suspend or
discontinue the Plan at any time but no such action shall adversely affect any
outstanding Award to a Participant.
13. EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan will be effective for all fiscal years beginning
with 1997 by action of the Board of Directors conditioned on and subject to
approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock voting, in person or by proxy, at a duly held meeting of
stockholders.
14. ADJUSTMENT. If the shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be
consolidated, subdivided, converted, exchanged or reclassified, then the maximum
numbers of shares of Common Stock issuable in any fiscal year and issuable
pursuant to the Plan shall be similarly adjusted to give effect to such
consolidation, subdivision, conversion, exchange or reclassification.
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ROYAL OAK MINES INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION
for the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 29, 1997
The undersigned shareholder of ROYAL OAK MINES INC. hereby appoints
MARGARET K. WITTE, President, or, failing her, ROSS F. BURNS, Vice-President,
Global Exploration, or, failing him, WILLIAM J.V. SHERIDAN, Secretary, or
instead of any of the foregoing, _________________________________ as PROXY of
the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to attend, vote and otherwise
act for and on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual and Special Meeting of
Shareholders of the Corporation to be held on the date set out above and at
every adjournment thereof in the same manner, to the same extent and with the
same power as if the undersigned were present at the said meeting or any
adjournment thereof, and the undersigned hereby revokes any former instrument
appointing a proxy for the undersigned at the said meeting or any adjournment or
adjournments thereof.
Without limiting the general authorization and power hereby given, all of
the shares registered in the name of the undersigned are to be voted as
indicated below:
1. VOTE / / (or if no specification is made "VOTE") for all of the
following nominees for election of directors (except
those whose names I have deleted); Margaret K. Witte,
Ross F. Burns, William J.V. Sheridan, J. Conrad
Lavigne, John L. May, George W. Oughtred, Matthew
Gaasenbeek.
WITHHOLD VOTE / /
2. VOTE / / (or if no specification is made "VOTE") for the
appointment of Arthur Andersen & Co. as auditors of the
Corporation and authorizing the directors to fix the
auditors' remuneration.
WITHHOLD VOTE / /
3. FOR / / (or if no specification is made "FOR") approval of the
stock options granted to certain senior officers and
directors of the Corporation to purchase, in aggregate,
up to 725,000 common shares of the Corporation at a
price of $4.38 (Cdn.) per share.
AGAINST / /
4. FOR / / (or if no specification is made "FOR") approval of the
Corporation's 1997 Executive Performance Incentive
Plan.
AGAINST / /
DATED this _____ day of ______________, 1997.
------------------------------
Signature of Shareholder
NOTES:
1. Shareholders are entitled to vote at the meeting either in person or
by proxy. A proxy must be dated and signed by the shareholder or his
attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a
corporation, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized.
Signature should agree with the name on this proxy. If this proxy is
not dated in the above space, it will be deemed to bear the date on
which it was mailed.
2. EACH SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON TO REPRESENT HIM OR
HER AT THE MEETING OTHER THAN THE PERSONS SPECIFIED ABOVE. SUCH RIGHT
MAY BE EXERCISED BY INSERTING IN THE SPACE PROVIDED THE NAME OF THE
PERSON TO BE APPOINTED, WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER OF THE
CORPORATION.
3. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED ON ITEMS 1 TO 3
INCLUSIVE AS THE SHAREHOLDER MAY HAVE SPECIFIED BY MARKING AN "X" IN
THE SPACES PROVIDED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THE
SHARES WILL BE VOTED AS IF THE SHAREHOLDER HAD SPECIFIED AN
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE.
4. THIS PROXY CONFERS AUTHORITY FOR THE ABOVE-NAMED TO VOTE IN HIS OR HER
DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO AMENDMENTS OR VARIATIONS TO THE MATTERS
IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE OF MEETING ACCOMPANYING THIS FORM OF PROXY
AND OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
