Prospectus Supplement |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) |
5,560,000 Shares of Common Stock
URANIUM ENERGY CORP. |
Uranium Energy Corp. (which we refer to as "UEC," the "Company," "we," or "us") is offering and selling up to 5,560,000 shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value per share (which we refer to as the "Shares"), pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. The Shares will be sold at a negotiated price of $3.60 per Share. See the sections titled "Summary - The Offering," "Description of Common Stock" and "Plan of Distribution" beginning on pages S-6, S-15 and S-18 of this prospectus supplement.
Our shares of common stock are traded on the NYSE Amex Equities Exchange (which we refer to as the "NYSE Amex") under the symbol "UEC." On March 30, 2012, the closing price of our shares of common stock on the NYSE Amex was $3.90 per share of common stock. Our principal executive office is located at 1111 West Hastings Street, Suite 320, Vancouver, BC, V6E 2J3, and our web site address is www.uraniumenergy.com.
Investing in the Shares involves risks. Before buying any Shares, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in our Shares in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 6 of the accompanying base prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
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Per Share Price |
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Total(1) |
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Public offering price |
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$3.60 |
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$20,016,000 |
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Placement agents' fees |
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$0.198 |
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$1,100,880 |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
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$3.402 |
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$18,915,120 |
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(1) In addition, we have granted the placement agents an option (which we refer to as the "Agents' Option") to place up to an additional 834,000 Shares at the same price as the offering price to the public exercisable, in whole or in part, at the sole option of Dundee Securities Ltd., on behalf of the placement agents, at any time up to 30 days following closing of the offering. This prospectus supplement covers the offer and sale of the Shares upon exercise of the Agents' Option. If the Agents' Option is fully exercised, the total public offering price will be $23,018,400, placement agents' fees will be $1,266,012, and proceeds, before expenses, to us, will be $21,752,388. A purchaser who acquires Shares forming part of the Agents' Option, if applicable, acquires those Shares under this prospectus supplement.
We are offering and selling the Shares pursuant to an agency agreement dated April 2, 2012 by and between us and Dundee Securities Ltd. as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with this offering. A syndicate of agents, consisting of Dundee Securities Ltd., Global Hunter Securities LLC, CIBC World Markets Inc. and Haywood Securities Inc., shall act as placement agents in connection with this offering. The placement agents are not required to purchase or sell any Shares offered hereby nor are they required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of Shares, but will use their best efforts to arrange for the sale of all of the Shares offered hereby. In addition, the Company may sell a portion of the Shares directly rather than pursuant to the agency agreement. The placement agents will receive a fee of 1.0% for any Shares sold directly by the Company. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to the closing of this offering, the actual offering amount, placement agents' fees, and proceeds, before expenses, to us are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amounts set forth above.
We expect the Shares offered hereby to be delivered in book-entry form through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company on or about April 10, 2012, or such earlier date as we and the placement agents may agree following the completion of the placement of all of the Shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
Neither the United States Securities Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
DUNDEE SECURITIES LTD. |
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GLOBAL HUNTER SECURITIES |
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CIBC |
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HAYWOOD SECURITIES INC. |
The date of this prospectus supplement is April 2, 2012
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus relating to this offering. We have not, and the placement agents have not, authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the placement agents are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate only as of the respective dates of such documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. Information in this prospectus supplement updates and modifies the information in the accompanying base prospectus and information incorporated by reference herein and therein. To the extent that any statement made in this prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus (unless otherwise specifically indicated therein) differs from those in the accompanying base prospectus, the statements made in the accompanying base prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein are deemed modified or superseded by the statements made by this prospectus supplement.
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT |
S-1 |
WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
S-1 |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
S-1 |
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE |
S-3 |
SUMMARY |
S-4 |
RISK FACTORS |
S-8 |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
S-14 |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK |
S-15 |
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS |
S-15 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
S-18 |
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
S-21 |
BASE PROSPECTUS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
3 |
SUMMARY |
4 |
RISK FACTORS |
6 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
12 |
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES |
13 |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
13 |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES |
13 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
14 |
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
23 |
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS |
26 |
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS |
29 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
30 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES |
31 |
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
36 |
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR |
37 |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS |
37 |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE |
37 |
ii
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement relates to a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the "SEC") utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer, sell and issue any of the securities or any combination of the securities described in the accompanying base prospectus in one or more offerings. The accompanying base prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. This prospectus supplement contains specific information about the terms of this offering of Shares by us. This prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus filed by us (unless otherwise specifically stated therein) may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus filed by us together with the information described under the sections entitled, "Where to Find Additional Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference" in this prospectus supplement and any additional information you may need to make your investment decision. We have also filed this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system (which Canadian-filed prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus we refer to as the "Canadian Prospectus"). The securities qualified under the Canadian Prospectus may be offered and sold in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, subject to any applicable securities laws.
Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the Shares described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and Canada, as applicable. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States or Canada may not be described fully in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or the Canadian Prospectus. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the accompanying base prospectus.
Unless otherwise stated, currency amounts in this prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars. The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and the selected consolidated financial data derived therefrom included in this prospectus supplement, are presented in United States dollars. The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and the selected consolidated financial data derived therefrom included in this prospectus supplement, have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
The registration statement that contains the accompanying base prospectus (SEC File No. 333-176406) (including the exhibits filed with and the information incorporated by reference into the registration statement) contains additional important business and financial information about us and the Shares that is not presented or delivered with this prospectus supplement. That registration statement, including the exhibits filed with the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference into the registration statement, can be read at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, or at the SEC office mentioned under the section of this prospectus supplement entitled "Where to Find Additional Information" below.
WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy materials we have filed with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its public reference room. Our SEC filings also are available to the public on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us, including our SEC filings, at www.uraniumenergy.com. The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the Canadian Prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC or with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contain "forward-looking-statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
S-1
as amended (which we refer to as the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the "Exchange Act") and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if warranted, development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements please see the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6 of the accompanying base prospectus and, to the extent applicable, the "Risk Factors" sections in our annual reports on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC and the Canadian securities authorities that are incorporated by reference herein. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors should review our subsequent reports
S-2
filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and with the Canadian securities authorities and any amendments thereto. We qualify all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
This prospectus supplement is deemed, as of the date hereof, to be incorporated by reference into the accompanying base prospectus solely for the purpose of offering the Shares. Other documents are also incorporated, or are deemed to be incorporated, by reference into the accompanying base prospectus, and reference should be made to the accompanying base prospectus for full particulars thereof.
The following documents which have been filed by us with the SEC and with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada, are also specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of the accompanying base prospectus, as supplemented by this prospectus supplement (excluding, unless otherwise provided therein or herein, information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K):
(a) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 that we filed with the SEC on October 13, 2011;
(b) our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarters ended October 31, 2011 and January 31, 2012 that we filed with the SEC on December 12, 2011 and March 12, 2012, respectively;
(c) our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on August 30, 2011, September 15, 2011, October 31, 2011, November 8, 2011, December 6, 2011, January 26, 2012, and March 5, 2012, and our Current Report on Form 8-K/A that we filed with the SEC on September 22, 2011; and
(d) the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2005, as updated in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2006, which disclosed the increase in the Company's authorized share capital to 750,000,000 shares of common stock.
All documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus supplement but before the end of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus shall be incorporated by reference in the accompanying base prospectus, as supplemented by this prospectus supplement, from the date of filing of such documents. Information that we file later with the SEC and prior to the completion of the offering of securities made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus will automatically update information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the information we file later with the SEC over different information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
You may obtain copies of any of these documents by contacting us at the address and telephone number indicated below or by contacting the SEC as described under the section entitled "Where to Find Additional Information." You may request a copy of these documents, and any exhibits that have specifically been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning:
Uranium Energy Corp.
Amir Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer
1111 West Hastings Street, Suite 320
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2J3
Telephone: (604) 682-9775
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated herein or therein, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of the applicable document.
S-3
The following is a summary of the principal features of the offering and is not intended to be complete. It should be read together with the more detailed information and financial data and statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, any free writing prospectus filed by us and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the sections entitled "Risk Factors." Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the placement agents will not exercise the Agents' Option to place additional Shares.
Corporate History
Uranium Energy Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 16, 2003 under the name "Carlin Gold Inc." During 2004, we changed our business operations and focus from precious metals exploration to uranium exploration in the United States, and on January 24, 2005, we changed our name to "Uranium Energy Corp."
On December 31, 2007, we incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, UEC Resources Ltd., under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Effective December 18, 2009, we acquired a 100% interest in the South Texas Mining Venture, L.L.P. ("STMV"), a Texas limited liability partnership, from each of URN Resources Inc., a subsidiary of Uranium One Inc., and Everest Exploration, Inc. ("STMV Acquisition"). On September 3, 2010, we incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, UEC Paraguay Corp., under the laws of the State of Nevada. Effective May 24, 2011, we acquired a 100% in interest in Piedra Rica Mining S.A., a Paraguayan company.
Our principal executive office is located at 1111 West Hastings Street, Suite 320, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2J3. We also have a corporate office located at 500 North Shoreline Boulevard, Suite 800N, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401.
General
We are engaged in uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations, on properties located in the United States and, most recently, Paraguay. Our fully-licensed and 100% owned Hobson Processing Facility ("Hobson") forms the basis for our regional operating strategy in the South Texas Uranium Belt utilizing in-situ recovery mining. As a central processing site, Hobson processes uranium-loaded resins from our Palangana Mine ("Palangana"), which began production in November 2010, and additionally from other satellite mining operations within the South Texas Uranium Belt as they enter production. Both Hobson and Palangana were acquired through the STMV Acquisition in December 2009.
At July 31, 2011, we had mineral properties covering 41,225 acres located in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming and 247,000 acres located in the area of Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay. We acquired these mineral rights for the purposes of uranium exploration, development and production activities through staking and lease agreements, subject to varying royalty interests which may be indexed to uranium prices. Many of these mineral properties have been the subject of historical exploration by other mining companies. Specific exploration targets may be identified internally by our geological team by utilizing this prior exploration work combined with our extensive exploration database.
On September 7, 2011, we completed the acquisition of a major uranium exploration database covering the Goliad formation in southern Texas from Uranium One Inc.
On September 9, 2011, we completed a stock-for-stock merger with Concentric Energy Corp., pursuant to which we acquired Concentric, including its undivided 100% interest in the Anderson Project, a 7,581-acre mineral claim block located in Yavapai County, Arizona, with a previous history of small-scale, open-pit uranium production.
S-4
On November 30, 2011, we completed an acquisition of an undivided 100% interest in the Workman Creek uranium project located in Gila County, Arizona, which consists of approximately 180 unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 3,600 acres.
On February 21, 2012, we acquired the rights to explore for uranium on the Burke Hollow Project, a 17,510-acre property located in eastern Bee County, Texas.
In February 2012, through an amendment to a previous property acquisition agreement, we agreed to acquire a 100% interest in an additional 247,000 acres, with an option to acquire a further 493,000 acres, located in the area of the Coronel Oviedo Project, subject to a 1.5% gross overriding royalty. We expect to complete this transaction during our third fiscal quarter ending April 30, 2012.
On March 30, 2012, we completed our acquisition of Cue Resources Ltd. ("CUE"), as a result of which we have acquired an undivided 100% legal and beneficial interest in and to certain concession contracts covering a 230,650-hectare uranium exploration property located in southeastern Paraguay and known as the Yuty ISR Project.
S-5
The Offering
The following is a brief summary of certain terms of this offering and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all of the information that will be important to a holder of Shares. For a more complete description of our shares of common stock, see the section entitled "Description of Common Stock" in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
Issuer: |
Uranium Energy Corp. |
Offering: |
Up to 5,560,000 Shares |
Offering Price: |
$3.60 per Share |
Offering Size: |
Up to $20,016,000 |
Agents' Option: |
We have granted to the placement agents an Agents' Option, exercisable in whole or in part, at the sole option of Dundee Securities Ltd., on behalf of the placement agents, at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the offering to place up to an additional 15% of the offering (that is, an additional 834,000 Shares), at the offering price. |
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (1) |
Prior to the offering: 78,472,885 shares of common stock |
After the offering: 84,032,885 shares of common stock(2) |
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Agency Agreement |
We are offering and selling the Shares pursuant to an agency agreement dated April 2, 2012 by and between us and Dundee Securities Ltd. as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with this offering. A syndicate of agents, consisting of Dundee Securities Ltd., Global Hunter Securities LLC, CIBC World Markets Inc. and Haywood Securities Inc., shall act as placement agents in connection with this offering. The placement agents are not required to purchase or sell any Shares offered hereby nor are they required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of Shares, but will use their best efforts to arrange for the sale of all of the Shares offered hereby. In addition, the Company may sell a portion of the Shares directly rather than pursuant to the agency agreement. |
Placement Agents' Fee: |
We have agreed to pay the placement agents a cash fee of 5.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares pursuant to the offering, including the over-allotment option, if any. This fee will be 1% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any Shares sold directly by the Company. See the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus supplement. |
S-6
Use of Proceeds: |
The proceeds to us, before expenses, from the sale of the Share in this offering are estimated to be approximately $18,915,120 ($21,752,388 if the Agents' Option is exercised in full), after deducting the placement agents' fee. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at our projects and for general corporate and working capital purposes. See the section entitled "Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus supplement. |
Risk Factors: |
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Listing Symbol: |
Our shares of common stock are listed for trading on the NYSE Amex under the symbol "UEC." |
(1)
These figures do not include 9,479,375 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options, which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.90 per share, as at March 30, 2012. To the extent any options are exercised, new options are issued under our equity incentive plans, or we otherwise issue additional shares of common stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock, there will be further dilution to new investors. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, there are 116,165 shares of common stock available for issuance under our equity incentive plans.In addition, these figures do not include 872,193 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock purchase warrants, which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $7.41 per share, as at March 30, 2012; nor do these figures include an aggregate of 987,967 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding options and warrants that we assumed upon our acquisition of Cue Resources Ltd., which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $6.41 per share, as at March 30, 2012;
(2)
If the Agents' Option is exercised in full, 84,866,885 shares of common stock will be outstanding after this offering.S-7
Investing in the Shares involves a number of very significant risks. Prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risks described in the base prospectus, our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, before investing in the Shares. If any of such risks actually occurs, our business could be materially harmed. Such risks and uncertainties are not the only ones faced by us. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those of which we are currently unaware or that are currently deemed immaterial, may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, prospects and the price of our common stock.
Risks Related to Our Company and Business
Evaluating our future performance may be difficult since we have a limited financial and operating history, with significant negative cash flow and net losses to date. Furthermore, the success of the Company will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability from our mining operations.
Uranium Energy Corp. was incorporated on May 16, 2003 as a precious metals explorer and subsequently changed our business operations to focus on uranium properties in the United States. Since then, we have been engaged in uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations on properties located in the United States and, most recently, Paraguay. We commenced uranium production for the first time at our Palangana Mine in November 2010 and generated uranium concentrates sales during the six months ended January 31, 2012. We also hold certain mineral property interests in various stages of exploration and development in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming and in the area of Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay. The Company has not established proven or probable reserves on any of its mineral properties.
The Company has a history of significant negative cash flow and net losses since its inception to January 31, 2012 totaling $107.8 million. Although we generated revenue from sales of uranium concentrates in Fiscal 2012, we do not expect to achieve profitability or develop positive cash flow from operations in the near term. Historically, we have been reliant primarily on equity financings to fund our ongoing operations and we expect this reliance to continue for the foreseeable future.
As a result of our limited financial and operating history, including significant negative cash flow and net losses to date, it may be difficult to evaluate the future performance of the Company. Furthermore, the long-term success of the Company's business including its ability to acquire additional uranium projects and continue with its exploration, development and production activities on existing uranium projects will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and to develop positive cash flow from operations.
The uranium industry is capital intensive, and we will require significant additional financing to acquire additional uranium projects and continue with our exploration and development programs and mining operations on our existing uranium projects.
The uranium industry is capital intensive, and we will require significant additional financing to acquire additional uranium projects and continue with our exploration and development programs and mining operations on our existing uranium projects. Without such additional financing, we will be required to curtail or abandon any one or all of these activities.
Historically, we have relied on equity financing as our primary source of financing. Our ongoing reliance on equity financing and its availability whenever such additional financing is required will be dependent on many factors, including but not limited to general market conditions and the market value of our common stock. We may also be required to seek other forms of financing such as joint ventures, debt financing or other arrangements. We also filed a Form S-3 "Shelf" Registration Statement that became effective September 2, 2011 which provides for the offer and sale of certain securities of the Company from time to time, at its discretion, up to an aggregate public offering of $50 million. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful in securing any form of additional financing when required and on terms favorable to us.
S-8
Uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations are inherently subject to many significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ significantly from estimated amounts.
Uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations are inherently subject to many significant risks and uncertainties.
Uranium exploration is frequently non-productive, in which case the uranium project may be abandoned and written-off. Furthermore, we will not be able to recover the funds that we incur on our exploration programs if we do not establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium on our mineral projects and develop these into profitable mining operations. There is no assurance that we will be successful in establishing ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium.
Whether an ore body contains commercially recoverable uranium depends on many factors including, without limitation: (i) the particular attributes of the deposit such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; (ii) the market price of uranium, which may be volatile; and (iii) government regulations and regulatory requirements including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection, permitting and land use, taxes, land tenure and transportation. We have neither established nor have plans on establishing proven and probable reserves through the completion of feasibility studies in accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7 on our mineral projects on which we are currently utilizing or planning on utilizing in-situ recovery mining.
Our long-term success will depend on our ability to establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium and to develop these into profitable mining operations. Mining operations have many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: (i) significantly higher than expected capital costs to construct the mine; (ii) significantly higher than expected actual production costs; and (iii) mine production being below expectations. There is no assurance that any ore body that we may develop into a mine will become profitable.
Uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations are subject to many risks beyond our control including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground and water conditions and adverse claims to water rights; (ii) unusual or unexpected geological formations; (iii) metallurgical and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected ore grades; (vi) industrial accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) availability of contractors and labor; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials and equipment; and (xii) the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations. These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties, production facilities or other properties; personal injury; environmental damage; delays in mining; increased production costs; monetary losses; and legal claims.
If we become subject to liability, we may not be able or may elect not to insure against such risk due to high insurance premiums or other reasons. Where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. However, we cannot provide any assurance that such insurance will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will be adequate to cover any resulting liability.
Further exploration by our Company may not result in economically viable mining operations or yield new reserves.
Exploration for uranium involves many risks and uncertainties and success in exploration is dependent on a number of factors, including the quality of management, quality and availability of geological expertise and the availability of exploration capital. Major expenses may be required to establish reserves by drilling, constructing mining or processing facilities at a site, developing metallurgical processes and extracting uranium from ore. Also, substantial expenses may be incurred on exploration projects which are subsequently abandoned due to poor exploration results or the inability to define reserves which can be mined economically.
Even if an exploration program is successful and economically recoverable uranium is found, it can take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling and identification of the mineralization until production is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of extraction may change and uranium that was economically recoverable at the time of discovery ceases to be economically recoverable. There can be no assurance that uranium recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on‐site conditions or in production scale operations, and material changes in geological resources or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of uranium projects.
We cannot assure that exploration and development programs will result in profitable commercial mining operations. The economics of developing uranium properties are affected by many factors including the cost of operations, fluctuations in the price of uranium, costs of processing equipment and such other factors as government
S-9
regulations. In addition, the quantity of uranium ultimately extracted may differ from that indicated by drilling results and such differences could be material.
We have limited production and sales history.
We have limited production history. Ongoing production and commissioning of staged expansions to production may not proceed as planned, with potential for delay in the timing of targeted production and/or a failure to achieve the level of targeted production. In extreme circumstances, these potential delays or difficulties may necessitate additional funding which could lead to additional equity or debt requirements for our Company. In addition to potential delays, there is a risk that capital and/or operating costs will be higher than expected or there will be other unexpected changes in variables upon which expansion and commissioning decisions were made. These potential scope changes and/or cost overruns may lead also to additional funding requirements. Our activities may be affected by numerous other factors beyond our control. Mechanical failure of our operating plant and equipment, and general unanticipated operational and technical difficulties may adversely affect our operations. Operating risks beyond our control may expose our Company to uninsured liabilities. The business of mining, exploration and development is subject to a variety of risks and hazards such as cave-ins and other accidents, flooding, environmental hazards, the discharge of toxic chemicals and other hazards and the use of contractors. Such occurrences may delay production, increase production costs or result in damage to and destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury, environmental damage and legal liability.
In addition, we have limited history selling our uranium product and inventories. We may experience difficulty in marketing and/or selling our uranium product and inventories which may adversely impact our revenues and operating cash flows.
Acquisitions that we may make from time to time could have an adverse impact on us.
From time to time, we examine opportunities to acquire additional mining assets and businesses. Any acquisition that we may choose to complete may be of a significant size, may change the scale of our business and operations, and may expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. Our success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition, and integrate the acquired operations successfully with those of our Company. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, there may be a significant change in commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and established the purchase price or exchange ratio; a material ore body may prove to be below expectations; we may have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, realizing anticipated synergies and maximizing the financial and strategic position of the combined enterprise, and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls across the organization; the integration of the acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and contractors; and the acquired business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. In the event that we choose to raise debt capital to finance any such acquisition, our leverage will be increased. If we choose to use equity as consideration for such acquisition, existing shareholders may suffer dilution. Alternatively, we may choose to finance any such acquisition with our existing resources. There can be no assurance that we would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such acquisitions.
The uranium industry is subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards, including environment protection laws and regulations. If any changes occur that would make these laws, regulations and standards more stringent, it may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations are subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards at the federal, state, and local levels governing permitting, development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and reclamation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, hazardous substances and other matters. Our compliance with these requirements requires significant financial and personnel resources.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, may change or be applied or interpreted in a manner which may also have a material adverse effect on our operations. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency or special interest group, may also have a material adverse effect on our operations.
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Uranium exploration and development programs and mining operations are subject to stringent environmental protection laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. These laws and regulations, which include permitting and reclamation requirements, regulate emissions, water storage and discharges and disposal of hazardous wastes. Uranium mining operations are also subject to laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of mining methods. Various permits from governmental and regulatory bodies are required for mining to commence or continue, and no assurance can be provided that required permits will be received in a timely manner.
Our compliance costs including the posting of surety bonds associated with environmental protection laws and regulations and health and safety standards have been significant to date, and are expected to increase in scale and scope as we expand our operations in the future. Furthermore, environmental protection laws and regulations may become more stringent in the future, and compliance with such changes may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
To the best of our knowledge, our operations are in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable laws, regulations and standards. If we become subject to liability for any violations, we may not be able or may elect not to insure against such risk due to high insurance premiums or other reasons. Where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. However, we cannot provide any assurance that such insurance will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will be adequate to cover any resulting liability.
We may not be able to obtain or maintain necessary licenses.
Our exploration and mining activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate authorizations, licences, permits and consents, as well as continuation of the authorizations, licences, permits and consents already granted, which may be granted for a defined period of time, or may not be granted or may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. There can be no assurance that all necessary authorizations, licences, permits and consents will be granted to us, or that authorizations, licences, permits and consents already granted will not be withdrawn or made subject to limitations.
Major nuclear incidents may have adverse effects on the nuclear and uranium industries.
The nuclear incident that occurred in Japan in March 2011 had significant and adverse effects on both the nuclear and uranium industries. If another nuclear incident were to occur, it may have further adverse effects for both industries. Public opinion of nuclear power as a source of electricity generation may be adversely affected, which may cause governments of certain countries to further increase regulation for the nuclear industry, reduce or abandon current reliance on nuclear power or reduce or abandon existing plans for nuclear power expansion. Any one of these occurrences has the potential to reduce current and/or future demand for nuclear power, resulting in lower demand for uranium and lower market prices for uranium, adversely affecting the Company's operations and prospects. Furthermore, the growth of the nuclear and uranium industries is dependent on continuing and growing public support of nuclear power a source of electricity generation.
The marketability of uranium concentrates will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The marketability of uranium concentrates produced by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include macroeconomic factors, fluctuations in the market price of uranium, governmental regulations, land tenure and use, regulations concerning the importing and exporting of uranium and environmental protection regulations. The future effects of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but any one or a combination of these factors may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The uranium industry is highly competitive and we may not be successful in acquiring additional projects.
The uranium industry is highly competitive, and our competition includes larger, more established companies with longer operating histories that not only explore for and produce uranium, but also market uranium and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. Due to their greater financial and technical resources, we may not be able to acquire additional uranium projects in a competitive bidding process involving such companies. Additionally, these larger companies have greater resources to continue with their operations during periods of depressed market conditions.
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We hold mineral rights in foreign jurisdictions which could be subject to additional risks due to political, taxation, economic and cultural factors.
We hold certain mineral rights located in Paraguay through the acquisition of a 100% interest in Piedra Rica Mining S.A., a company incorporated in Paraguay. Operations in foreign jurisdictions outside of the U.S. and Canada, especially in developing countries, may be subject to additional risks as they may have different political, regulatory, taxation, economic and cultural environments that may adversely affect the value or continued viability of our rights. These additional risks include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in governments or senior government officials; (ii) changes to existing laws or policies on foreign investments, environmental protection, mining and ownership of mineral interests; (iii) renegotiation, cancellation, expropriation and nationalization of existing permits or contracts; (iv) foreign currency controls and fluctuations; and (v) civil disturbances, terrorism and war.
In the event of a dispute arising at our foreign operations in Paraguay, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of the courts in the United States or Canada. We may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing our rights with respect to a government entity or instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Any adverse or arbitrary decision of a foreign court may have a material and adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
There is no guarantee that title to our mineral property interests will not be challenged.
Although we have taken reasonable measures to ensure proper title to our interests in mineral properties and other assets, there is no guarantee that the title to any of such interests will not be challenged. No assurance can be given that we will be able to secure the grant or the renewal of existing mineral rights and tenures on terms satisfactory to us, or that governments in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not revoke or significantly alter such rights or tenures or that such rights or tenures will not be challenged or impugned by third parties, including local governments, aboriginal peoples or other claimants. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. A successful challenge to the precise area and location of our claims could result in us being unable to operate on our properties as permitted or being unable to enforce our rights with respect to our properties.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to legal proceedings.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to numerous regulatory investigations, civil claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. The results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation the difficulty of predicting decisions of regulators, judges and juries and the possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. There can be no assurances that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business and/or financial position.
We depend on certain key personnel, and our success will depend on our continued ability to retain and attract such qualified personnel.
Our success is dependent on the efforts, abilities and continued service of certain senior officers and key employees and consultants, especially Amir Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Harry Anthony, Chief Operating Officer. A number of our key employees and consultants have significant experience in the uranium industry. A loss of service from any one of these individuals may adversely affect our operations, and we may have difficulty or may not be able to locate and hire a suitable replacement.
Certain directors and officers may be subject to conflicts of interest.
The majority of our directors and officers are involved in other business ventures including similar capacities with other private or publicly-traded companies. Such individuals may have significant responsibilities to these other business ventures, including consulting relationships, which may require significant amounts of their available time. Conflicts of interest may include decisions on how much time to devote to our business affairs and what business opportunities should be presented to us. Our Code of Business Conduct for Directors, Officers and Employees provides for guidance on conflicts of interest.
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Nevada law and our Articles of Incorporation may protect our directors and officers from certain types of lawsuits.
Nevada law provides that our directors and officers will not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as directors and officers. Our Bylaws provide for broad indemnification powers to all persons against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. These indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our directors and officers against claims, and may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our directors and officers caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances.
A majority of our directors and officers are residents outside of the U.S., and it may be difficult for stockholders to enforce within the U.S. any judgments obtained against us or any of our directors or officers.
A majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the U.S., and all or a substantial portion of such persons' assets are located outside of the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on our directors and officers, or enforce within the U.S. any judgments obtained against us or our directors and officers, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. or any state thereof. Consequently, stockholders may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies against us or our directors and officers under U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, stockholders may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions under U.S. federal securities laws. The foregoing risks also apply to those experts identified in this document that are not residents of the U.S.
Disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed and operated, are designed to obtain reasonable, and not absolute, assurance as to its reliability and effectiveness.
Management's evaluation on the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures is designed to ensure that information required for disclosure in our public filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis to our senior management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management's report on internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use and transactions are properly recorded and reported. Any system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable, and not absolute, assurance as to its reliability and effectiveness.
Risks Related to this Offering and the Company's Common Stock
The issuance of new shares of our common stock in this offering could result in resales of our common stock by our existing stockholders concerned about the potential dilution of their holdings. In turn, these resales could have the effect of depressing the market price for our common stock.
The issuance of additional shares of common stock may negatively impact the trading price of our shares of common stock and may result in significant dilution to our existing stockholders and reduce the market value of their investment.
We have issued equity securities in the past and may continue to issue equity securities to finance our activities in the future, including to finance future acquisitions, or as consideration for acquisitions of businesses or assets. In addition, outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock may be exercised, resulting in the issuance of additional shares of common stock. The issuance by us of additional shares of common stock would result in dilution to our stockholders, including a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power and a decrease in the market price of our common stock, and even the perception that such an issuance may occur could have a negative impact on the trading price of our shares of common stock.
Historically, the market price of our common stock has been and may continue to fluctuate significantly.
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volatility is often unrelated to specific company performance, it can have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Historically, the market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly, and may continue to do so in the future.
We have broad discretion concerning the use of proceeds.
We currently intend to allocate the net proceeds received as described under "Use of Proceeds". However, management will have broad discretion concerning the use of the proceeds as well as the timing of their expenditures. As a result, an investor will be relying on the judgment of management for the application of the net proceeds. Management may use the net proceeds in ways that an investor may not consider desirable. The results and the effectiveness of the application of the proceeds are uncertain. If the net proceeds are not applied effectively, our results of operations and/or financial position may suffer.
The proceeds to us, before expenses, from the sale of the Shares in this offering are estimated to be approximately $18,915,120 ($21,752,388 if the Agents' Option is exercised in full), after deducting the placement agents' fee. We anticipate other expenses of approximately $150,000, such that our anticipated net proceeds are approximately $18,765,120 ($21,602,388 if the Agents' Option is exercised in full). We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at our projects and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
Until such time as the net proceeds of the offering are used as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds primarily in short-term bank guaranteed deposits or other substantially similar secure deposits.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
Our Common Stock is traded on the NYSE Amex under the symbol "UEC." We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 shares of our $0.001 par value common stock. As of March 30, 2012, 78,472,885 shares of our common stock were outstanding, and the closing price of our Common Stock was $3.90 per share on the NYSE Amex. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of our common shares are entitled to share ratably in all net assets available for distribution to common stockholders after payment to creditors. Our common stock is not convertible or redeemable and has no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There are no cumulative voting rights.
The holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefore at such times and in such amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Holders of common stock will share equally on a per share basis in any dividend declared by the board of directors. We have not paid any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on such stock in the foreseeable future.
We may, from time to time, issue common shares or other securities otherwise than through the offering of Shares pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to Non-U.S. holders (as defined below) with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and United States court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive basis.
Scope of this Summary
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. In addition, this summary does not address other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences.
Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary deals only with persons or entities that hold our common shares as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as (without limitation): banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; dealers in securities or foreign currencies; regulated investment companies; traders in securities that mark to market; U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; persons holding common shares as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment; persons holding common shares as a result of a constructive sale; persons holding common shares whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; persons who directly, indirectly, or by attribution own 10% or more of our outstanding equity interests; or entities that acquire common shares that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors (i.e., partners) in such partnerships. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
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Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder (e.g., application of the alternative minimum tax). Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any holder. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
If an entity treated as a partnership holds our common shares, the tax treatment of the partners and the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common shares, you should consult your own tax advisor.
This summary is not intended and was not written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the U.S. federal tax laws that may be imposed on the taxpayer.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
Non-U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term "Non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is not: an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia; an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Common Shares
Dividends
Distributions on our common shares will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid from our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a Non-U.S. Holder's basis in our common shares, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock, which will be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading "--Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares," below. Any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to our common shares generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate under an applicable treaty if the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form), unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) relating to income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S.
Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and includible in the Non-U.S. Holder's gross income are not subject to the withholding tax (assuming proper certification and disclosure), but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively connected income received by a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder of common shares who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate or exemption is required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
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Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of common shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of such common shares, unless:
If a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual described in the first or third bullet point above, he or she will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common shares under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. If a Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation described in the first or third bullet point above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain from such a sale or other taxable disposition generally in the same manner as if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code. In addition, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation described in the first bullet point above, it may be subject to the branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual described in the second bullet point above, the holder will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common shares even though the holder is not considered a resident of the United States. The amount of such gain may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders the amount of dividends paid on our common shares to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest, dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends that we make, provided we receive a statement meeting certain requirements to the effect that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient. The requirements for the statement will be met if (1) the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name, address and U.S. taxpayer identification number, if any, and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN) or (2) a financial institution holding the instrument on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes us or our paying agent, if applicable, with a copy of the statement. In
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addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of a sale of our common shares within the U.S. or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.
Recent Legislation Relating to Foreign Accounts
Recently enacted legislation will require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common shares held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds) beginning after December 31, 2013, in the case of dividends, and beginning after December 31, 2014, in the case of such gross proceeds, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in the institution held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly- or partially-owned by U.S. persons. Accordingly, the entity through which our common shares are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common shares held by certain investors that are non-financial non-U.S. entities will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, beginning after December 31, 2013, in the case of dividends, and beginning after December 31, 2014, in the case of such gross proceeds, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any "substantial U.S. owners" or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity's "substantial U.S. owners," which will in turn be provided to the Secretary of the Treasury. Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their holding of our common shares.
We are offering the Shares through placement agents, although we may offer a portion of the Shares directly rather than through the placement agents. Subject to the terms and conditions of the placement agency agreement dated April 2, 2012, Dundee Securities Ltd. has agreed to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with the offering. A syndicate of agents, consisting of Dundee Securities Ltd., Global Hunter Securities LLC, CIBC World Markets Inc. and Haywood Securities Inc., shall act as placement agents in connection with this offering. The placement agents are not purchasing any Shares offered by this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, nor are they required to purchase or sell any Shares offered hereby nor are they required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of Shares, but will use their best efforts to arrange for the sale of all of the Shares offered hereby.
There is no requirement that any minimum number of Shares or dollar amount of securities be sold in this offering and there can be no assurance that we will sell all or any of the Shares being offered. The placement agents propose to arrange for the sale to one or more purchasers of the Shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement, and the accompanying base prospectus pursuant to the terms of the placement agency agreement.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the placement agency agreement, each placement agent has agreed to arrange for the purchase of the following number of Shares at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement through a syndicate of placement agents, as follows:
Placement Agent |
|
Number of Shares |
Dundee Securities Ltd. |
55% |
|
Global Hunter Securities LLC |
25% |
|
CIBC Wold Markets Inc. |
15% |
|
Haywood Securities Inc. |
|
5% |
Total |
|
100% |
|
|
|
The offering is being made in the United States and in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to a multijurisdictional disclosure system implemented by the United States and Canada. The Shares will be offered in the United States and Canada through the placement agents either directly or, if applicable, through their respective registered broker dealer affiliates. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of the placement agency agreement, the placement agents may offer the Shares outside the United States and Canada.
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The public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement was determined based upon arm's length negotiations between us and Dundee Securities Ltd.
We intend that the offering will remain open for a period of six calendar days from the initial announcement of the offering on April 2, 2012. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing this offering, we will close and sell that number of Shares that have been placed as of the closing date, even if such number of Shares is less than the maximum amount offered under this prospectus supplement. Confirmations will be distributed to all investors who agree to purchase the Shares, informing them of the closing date of the offering. We currently anticipate that the closing of this offering will take place no later than April 10, 2012. However, if and when the offering has been fully subscribed, we and the placement agents may agree to close the offering earlier than the currently anticipated closing date. Investors will also be informed of the date and manner in which they must transmit the purchase price for their Shares.
We have granted the placement agents an Agents' Option exercisable up to 30 days following the closing of the offering to place a total of up to 834,000 Shares offered hereby, at the public offering price. Dundee Securities Ltd. may, on behalf of the placement agents, exercise this Agents' Option solely to cover any over-subscriptions, if any, made in connection with this offering. If the Agents' Option is exercised in full, the total public offering price, placement agents' fees, and proceeds, before expenses, to us (as set out on the cover page of this prospectus supplement) will be $23,018,400, $1,266,012 and $21,752,388, respectively.
The following table shows the per Share and total placement agents' fees to be paid to the placement agents by us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the placement agents of the Agents' Option to place additional Shares, and also assumes that none of the Shares will be sold by us directly (for any Shares sold by us directly the placement agents would receive fees of 1% of the gross proceeds).
|
|
Without Option |
|
With Option |
|
||
Fee Per Share |
|
$ |
0.198 |
|
$ |
0.198 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,100,880 |
|
$ |
1,266,012 |
|
Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing in this offering, the actual total offering fees, if any, are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amount set forth above. We will not provide any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (which we refer to as "FINRA"), or any independent broker-dealer with placement agent compensation in excess of 8% of the initial gross proceeds from the placement or sale by such FINRA member or independent broker-dealer of any securities being offered hereby.
The placement agency agreement provides that the placement agents' obligation to place the Shares depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the placement agency agreement including, but not limited to:
Pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the placement agency agreement, we have agreed to indemnify each placement agent, its affiliates, and its directors, officers, employees, agents , partners, advisors and shareholders against certain liabilities and expenses related to the offering, and in the event such indemnification is not available or is insufficient to hold them harmless, to contribute to payments such indemnified parties may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
We and our officers and directors have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 60 days from the date of the Agency Agreement, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Dundee Securities Ltd., such consent not be unreasonably withheld, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, agree to offer or sell, solicit offers to purchase, grant any call option or purchase any put option with respect to, pledge, borrow or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock, and will
S-19
not establish or increase any "put equivalent position" or liquidate or decrease any "call equivalent position" with respect to any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock (in each case within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), or otherwise enter into any swap, derivative or other transaction or arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any economic consequence of ownership of any of shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus in electronic format may be made available on Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the placement agents of this offering, or by their affiliates. Other than any prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus made available in electronic format in this manner, the information on any website containing this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus is not part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, or the Canadian Prospectus, and such information has not been approved or endorsed by us or any placement agent in such capacity and should not be relied on by prospective investors.
The placement agency agreement will be included as an exhibit to our current report on Form 8-K that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the consummation of this offering.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding the placement agents' fees and assuming no exercise of the Agents' Option, will be approximately $150,000, which includes approximately $100,000 in reimbursable expenses paid to the placement agents.
Other Relationships
Some of the Agents and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us. They have received customary fees and commissions for these transactions, including that, in connection with our acquisition of Cue Resources Ltd., and in consideration of, certain investment banking advice to the Company related to such acquisition, we issued Dundee Securities Ltd. 38,692 shares of common stock of the Company on March 30, 2012 at a price of $3.8908, being the 5-day volume weighted average price of the common stock.
Notice to prospective investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may be made to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
Each purchaser of securities described in this prospectus supplement located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.
For purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities
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to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.
We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of Shares through any financial intermediary on our behalf, other than offers made by the Agents with a view to the final placement of the Shares as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the Shares is authorized to make any further offer of the Shares on behalf of us or the Agents.
Notice to prospective investors in the United Kingdom
This prospectus supplement is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a relevant person). This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement or any of its contents.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Certain legal matters relating to the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by McMillan LLP, and for the placement agents by Goodmans LLP, with respect to Canadian legal matters, and by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, with respect to United States legal matters.
The consolidated financial statements of Uranium Energy Corp. appearing in Uranium Energy Corp.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2011, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
No expert or counsel named in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus as having prepared or certified any part of this prospectus or the accompanying base prospectus or having given an opinion upon legal matters in connection with the registration or offering of the Shares was employed on a contingency basis, or had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in our Company, nor was any such person connected with our Company as a promoter, managing or principal underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.
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URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
$50,000,000
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Receipts
Units
Uranium Energy Corp. ("we" or the "Company") may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $50,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of our common shares ("Common Shares"), debt securities ("Debt Securities"), warrants to purchase Common Shares or Debt Securities ("Warrants"), subscription receipts for Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof ("Subscription Receipts"), or any combination of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or Subscription Receipts ("Units") (collectively, the Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts and Units are referred to as the "Securities") in one or more transactions under this prospectus (the "Prospectus").
This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we offer Securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") that describes specific information about the particular Securities being offered and may add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. You should read both this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, together with any additional information which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This Prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without the Prospectus Supplement which includes a description of the method and terms of that offering.
We may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement, which we will provide to you each time we offer Securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this Prospectus.
The Common Shares are traded on the NYSE Amex Equities Exchange ("NYSE Amex") under the symbol "UEC". On August 17, 2011, the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on NYSE Amex was $3.32 per Common Share. There is currently no market through which the Securities, other than the Common Shares, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell the Securities purchased under this Prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Securities, other than the Common Shares, in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of these Securities and the extent of issuer regulation.
Investing in the Securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" on page 6.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these Securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is September 2, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
3 |
SUMMARY |
4 |
RISK FACTORS |
6 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
12 |
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES |
13 |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
13 |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES |
13 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
14 |
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
23 |
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS |
26 |
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS |
29 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
30 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES |
31 |
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
36 |
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR |
37 |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS |
37 |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE |
37 |
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This Prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the Securities described in this Prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of initial aggregate offering price of $50,000,000. This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement and may include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Common Shares, the number of Common Shares offered, the offering price and any other specific terms of the offering; (ii) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or the currency unit for which such Debt Securities may be purchased, maturity, interest provisions, authorized denominations, offering price, covenants, events of default, any redemption terms, any sinking fund provisions, any exchange or conversion terms, whether payment on the Debt Securities will be senior or subordinated to our other liabilities and obligations and any other specific terms; (iii) in the case of Warrants, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares or Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers, the exercise price, dates and periods of exercise, and the currency or the currency unit in which the exercise price must be paid and any other specific terms; (iv) in the case of Subscription Receipts, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Warrants or Debt Securities receivable upon satisfaction of certain release conditions, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers, any additional payments to be made to holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the release conditions, the terms of the release conditions, terms governing the escrow of all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts, terms for the refund of all or a portion of the purchase price for Subscription Receipts in the event the release conditions are not met and any other specific terms; and (v) in the case of Units, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Warrants, Debt Securities or Subscription Receipts comprising the Units. A Prospectus Supplement may include specific variable terms pertaining to the Securities that are not within the alternatives and parameters set forth in this Prospectus.
In connection with any offering of the Securities (unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement), the underwriters or agents may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a higher level than that which might exist in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted or discontinued at any time. See "Plan of Distribution".
Please carefully read both this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement together with the documents incorporated herein by reference under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
Owning securities may subject you to tax consequences in the United States. This Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion in any Prospectus Supplement with respect to a particular offering and consult your own tax advisor with respect to your own particular circumstances.
References in this Prospectus to "$" are to United States dollars.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Prospectus. The distribution or possession of this Prospectus in or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these Securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. The information contained in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this Prospectus or of any sale of the Securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
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SUMMARY
Our Company
Corporate Organization
On December 31, 2007, UEC Resources Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. On December 18, 2009, we purchased all of the outstanding securities of URN Texas GP, LLC and URN South Texas Project, Ltd., the 99% joint venture partner of the South Texas Mining Venture, L.L.P. ("STMV"). Concurrently, we acquired certain assets and liabilities from a third party including the remaining 1% interest in STMV.
Our principal offices are located at 500 North Shoreline, Suite 800N, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78401 and 1111 West Hastings Street, Suite 320, Vancouver, BC, V6E 2J3, and our web site address is www.uraniumenergy.com.
Our Business
At April 30, 2011, we had mineral rights covering 51,031 gross acres located in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. We acquired these mineral rights for the purposes of uranium production, development and exploration through staking and lease agreements, subject to varying royalty interests which may be indexed to uranium prices. Many of these mineral rights have been the subject of historical exploration by other mining companies, or developed from internal geologic studies by our geology team including the use of our exploration database to identify targets. We believe that our exploration projects are prospective for uranium based on either prior exploration work conducted by other companies, or management information and work products derived from various reports, maps, radioactive rock samples, exploratory drill logs, state organization reports, consultants, geological study, and other exploratory information. The Company has not established proven or probable reserves on any of its projects.
We may acquire additional mineral rights as opportunities arise.
The Securities Offered under this Prospectus
We may offer the Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units with a total value of up to $50,000,000 from time to time under this Prospectus, together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement and related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities we may offer. Each time we offer Securities, we will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the Securities, including, to the extent applicable:
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A Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no Prospectus Supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this Prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
We may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement, which we will provide to you each time we offer Securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.
We may offer Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per Common Share on all matters that require shareholder approval. Holders of our Common Shares are entitled to dividends when and if declared by our Board of Directors. Our Common Shares are described in greater detail in this Prospectus under "Description of Common Shares."
Debt Securities
We may offer Debt Securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The Debt Securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between our Company and a trustee for the holders of the Debt Securities. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the Debt Securities under "Description of Debt Securities." We urge you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of Debt Securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the Debt Securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of Debt Securities containing the terms of Debt Securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
We may offer Warrants for the purchase of Common Shares or Debt Securities, in one or more series, from time to time. We may issue Warrants independently or together with Common Shares, Debt Securities, or Subscription Receipts, and the Warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities.
The Warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates and may be issued under one or more warrant indentures, which are contracts between our Company and a warrant trustee for the holders of the Warrants. We may also
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choose to act as our own warrant trustee. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the Warrants under "Description of Warrants." We urge you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of Warrants being offered, as well as the warrant certificates and, if applicable, the warrant indentures, that contain the terms of the Warrants. Specific warrant certificates and, if applicable, warrant indentures, will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
We may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions and for no additional consideration, Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof. Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription receipt agreements, each to be entered into between our Company and an escrow agent, which will establish the terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts. Each escrow agent will be a financial institution organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or Canada or a province thereof and authorized to carry on business as a trustee. A copy of the form of subscription receipt agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will be incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
We may offer Units consisting of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and/or Subscription Receipts to purchase any of such securities in one or more series. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the Units under "Description of Units." We urge you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of Units being offered. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate unit agreement with a unit agent. We may also choose to act as our own unit agent. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any unit agreements that describe the terms of the series of Units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of Units.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER OR SELL ANY SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
An investment in our common stock involves a number of very significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties in addition to other information in this prospectus in evaluating our company and its business before purchasing shares of our common stock. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed due to any of the following risks. The risks described below may not be all of the risks facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. You could lose all or part of your investment due to any of these risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
We will require significant additional financing in order to continue our exploration and development activities and our assessment of the commercial viability of our mineral properties.
We will need to raise additional financing to complete further exploration and development of our mineral properties. Furthermore, if the costs of our planned exploration and development programs are greater than anticipated, we may have to seek additional funds through public or private share offerings or arrangements with corporate partners. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to raise the required funds, or on terms satisfactory to us. The continued exploration and development of our mineral properties and the development of our business will depend upon our ability to establish the commercial viability of our mineral properties and to ultimately develop cash flow from operations and reach profitable operations. We currently have no revenue from operations and are experiencing significant negative cash flow. Accordingly, the primary source of
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funds presently available to us is through the sale of equity securities. In addition, we believe that debt financing may potentially be an alternative to us. Alternatively, we may finance our business by offering an interest in our mineral properties to be earned by another party or parties carrying out further exploration thereof or to obtain project or operating financing from financial institutions, neither of which is presently intended. Our future cash flows and the availability of financing will be subject to a number of variables, including the market price of uranium. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all. If we are unable to obtain this additional financing, we will not be able to continue our exploration or development activities and our assessment of the commercial viability of our mineral properties.
As our mineral properties do not contain any reserves, we may not discover commercially exploitable quantities of ore on our mineral properties that would enable us to enter into commercial production, achieve revenues and recover the money we spend on exploration.
Since inception, we have not established proven and probable reserves through the completion of feasibility studies for any of our mineral properties in accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7, and there are no plans to do so. Accordingly, we are classified as an exploration stage company. Although we announced initial production activities at our Palangana project on November 17, 2010, and continue to conduct development activities on our Palangana project as well as permitting activities on our Goliad project, there is no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists or will be established on any of our mineral properties in accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7. We will continue to conduct exploration activities on our other mineral property interests with the objective of ascertaining whether these properties contain economic quantities of uranium ore. The known mineralization at these projects has not been determined to be economic ore, and may never be determined to be economic. We will also continue to pursue the acquisition of new mineral property interests that we believe contain or have the potential to contain economic quantities of uranium ore. There is a substantial risk that these exploration activities will not result in discoveries of commercially recoverable quantities of ore.
Our exploration activities on our mineral properties may not be successful, which could lead us to abandon our plans to develop the property and its investments in exploration.
Our long-term success depends on our ability to establish commercially recoverable quantities of ore on our mineral properties that can then be developed into commercially viable mining operations. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently non-productive. These risks include unusual or unexpected geologic formations, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor. The success of uranium exploration is determined in part by the following factors:
Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal, and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Whether a mineral deposit will be established or determined to be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, which include, without limitation, the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices, which fluctuate widely; and government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. We may invest significant capital and resources in exploration activities and abandon such investments if we are unable to identify commercially exploitable mineral reserves. The decision to abandon a project may reduce the trading price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise future financing. We cannot provide any assurance to investors that we will discover mineralized material in sufficient quantities on our properties to justify commercial operations. Further, we will not be able to recover the funds that we spend on exploration if we are not able to establish commercially recoverable quantities of ore on our mineral properties.
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We have a history of operating losses and there can be no assurances we will be profitable in the future.
We have a history of operating losses, expect to continue to incur losses, and may never be profitable. Further, we have been dependent on sales of our equity securities and debt financing to meet our cash requirements. We have incurred net losses totaling $90,176,718 from May 16, 2003 (inception) to April 30, 2011. We incurred net losses totaling $14,478,669 in the year ended July 31, 2010, $13,503,576 in the year ended July 31, 2009 and $19,236,124 in the year ended July 31, 2008. Further, we do not expect positive cash flow from operations in the near term. There is no assurance that actual cash requirements will not exceed our estimates. In particular, additional capital may be required in the event that: (i) the costs to acquire additional uranium exploration claims are more than we currently anticipate; (ii) exploration costs for additional claims increase beyond our expectations; (iii) development and mining expenditures exceed anticipated costs; or (iv) we encounter greater costs associated with general and administrative expenses or offering costs.
Our participation in an increasingly larger number of uranium minerals exploration prospects has required and will continue to require substantial capital expenditures. The uncertainty and factors described throughout this section may impede our ability to economically discover uranium prospects. As a result, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from operating activities in the future.
We are a relatively new entrant into the uranium mineral exploration and mining industry with a limited and unprofitable operating history.
Since our inception on May 16, 2003, our activities have been limited to organizational efforts, obtaining working capital and acquiring, exploring and developing a very limited number of properties. As a result, there is limited historical financial and operating information available upon which to evaluate our future performance.
The business of minerals exploration and mining is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including those described in this section, and if uranium is found in economic quantities, the profitability of future uranium mining ventures depends upon factors beyond our control. The profitability of mining uranium properties if economic quantities of uranium are found is dependent upon many factors and risks beyond our control, including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground and water conditions and adverse claims to water rights; (ii) geological problems; (iii) metallurgical and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected ore grades; (vi) accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) labor disputes; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials and equipment; and (xii) the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations.
The risks associated with exploration and mining could cause personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability.
The Company's exploration and mining activities are subject to the risks normally inherent in the industry, including, but not limited, to environmental hazards, flooding, fire, periodic or seasonal hazardous climate and weather conditions, unexpected rock formation, industrial accidents and metallurgical and other processing problems. These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties, production facilities or other properties; personal injury; environmental damage; delays in mining; increased production costs; monetary losses; and possible legal liability. The Company may become subject to liability which it cannot insure against or which it may elect not to insure due to high premium costs or other reasons. Where considered practical to do so the Company maintains insurance against risks in the operation of its business in amounts which the Company believes to be reasonable. Such insurance, however, contains exclusions and limitations on coverage. The Company cannot provide any assurance that such insurance will continue to be available, will be available at economically acceptable premiums or will be adequate to cover any resulting liability. In some cases, coverage is not available or considered too expensive relative to the perceived risk.
The uranium exploration and mining industry is highly competitive and there is no assurance that we will be successful in acquiring mineral exploration properties or leases.
The uranium exploration and mining industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies that have greater resources. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce uranium, but also market uranium and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more
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for productive uranium properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration and mining activities during periods of low uranium market prices. Our larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to explore them in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects.
If we are successful in acquiring additional properties, some or all of the properties may not produce positive results of exploration, or we may not complete exploration of such prospects within specified time periods which may cause the forfeiture of the lease in that prospect. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate acquired properties, which could result in substantial costs and delays or other operational, technical or financial problems. Further, acquisitions could disrupt ongoing business operations. If any of these events occur, it would have a material adverse effect upon our operations and results from operations.
The marketability of natural resources will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
The marketability of natural resources which may be acquired or discovered by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include macroeconomic factors, market fluctuations in commodity pricing and demand, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment, governmental regulations, land tenure, land use, regulation concerning the importing and exporting of uranium and environmental protection regulations. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
Uranium mining operations are subject to comprehensive regulation, which may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, causing an adverse effect on our business operations.
If economic quantities of uranium are found on any lease owned by us in sufficient quantities to warrant uranium mining operations, such mining operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, including laws regulating removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Uranium mining operations are also subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of mining methods and equipment. Various permits from government bodies are required for mining operations to be conducted; other than what has been previously disclosed herein, no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. Environmental standards imposed by federal, provincial, or local authorities may be changed and any such changes may have material adverse effects on our activities. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, thus resulting in an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damages which we may elect not to insure against due to prohibitive premium costs and other reasons. To date, we have not been required to spend material amounts on compliance with environmental regulations. However, we may be required to do so in the future and this may affect our ability to expand or maintain our operations.
Uranium minerals exploration, development and mining activities are subject to certain environmental regulations, which may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of our operations.
Uranium minerals exploration, development and mining operations are subject to stringent federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations relating to improving or maintaining environmental quality. Environmental laws often require parties to pay for remedial action or to pay damages regardless of fault. Environmental laws also often impose liability with respect to divested or terminated operations, even if the operations were terminated or divested of many years ago.
Our uranium mining operations and exploration activities are or will be subject to extensive laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Uranium mining is also subject to risks and liabilities associated with
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pollution of the environment and disposal of waste products occurring as a result of mineral exploration and production. Compliance with these laws and regulations will impose substantial costs on us and will subject us to significant potential liabilities.
Costs associated with environmental liabilities and compliance are expected to increase with the increasing scale and scope of operations and we expect these costs may increase in the future.
We believe that our operations comply, in all material respects, with all applicable environmental regulations. However, we are not fully insured at the current date against possible environmental risks.
Any change in government regulation/administrative practices may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and our profitability.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, may be changed, applied or interpreted in a manner which will fundamentally alter our ability to carry on business. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency, or other special interest groups, may have a detrimental effect on us. Any or all of these situations may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and/or our profitably.
Timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production are based on estimates which may differ from actual results.
Other than what has been previously disclosed herein, there are no assurances if and when a particular mineral property of the Company can enter into production. The amounts of future production for all our projects, including Palangana, are based on the estimates prepared by or for the Company. The capital and operating costs to take the Company's projects into production may be significantly higher than anticipated. Capital and operating costs of production and economic returns are based on estimates prepared by or for the Company may differ significantly from their actual values. There can be no assurance that the Company's actual capital and operating costs will not be higher than currently anticipated.
In addition, the construction and development of mines and infrastructure are complex. Resources invested in construction and development may yield outcomes that may differ significantly from those anticipated by the Company.
We may be unable to retain key employees or consultants or recruit additional qualified personnel.
Our extremely limited personnel means that we would be required to spend significant sums of money to locate and train new employees in the event any of our employees resign or terminate their employment with us for any reason. Due to our limited operating history and financial resources, we are entirely dependent on the continued service of Amir Adnani, our President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and a director, and Harry Anthony, our Chief Operating Officer and a director. We may not have the financial resources to hire a replacement if any of our officers were to die. The loss of service of any of these employees could therefore significantly and adversely affect our operations.
Our officers and directors may be subject to conflicts of interest.
Some of our officers and directors serve only part time and may be subject to conflicts of interest. Each may devote part of his working time to other business endeavors, including consulting relationships with other corporate entities, and may have responsibilities to these other entities. Such conflicts may include deciding how much time to devote to our affairs, as well as what business opportunities should be presented to us. Because of these relationships, some of our officers and directors may be subject to conflicts of interest.
Nevada law and our articles of incorporation may protect our directors from certain types of lawsuits.
Nevada law provides that our officers and directors will not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as officers and directors. Our Bylaws permit us broad indemnification powers to all persons against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. The exculpation provisions may have the effect of preventing stockholders from
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recovering damages against our officers and directors caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances. The indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our officers and directors against claims, including claims arising out of their negligence, poor judgment, or other circumstances.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock into the public market by certain stockholders may result in significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock and could affect your ability to realize the current trading price of our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market by certain stockholders could cause a reduction in the market price of our common stock. As of August 17, 2011, we had 73,487,337 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, stock options outstanding to purchase 8,579,750 shares and share purchase warrants outstanding to purchase 4,348,983 shares.
The sale of a substantial number of shares into the public market of previously restricted shares, or upon exercise of stock options or warrants, could place downward pressure on the price of our common stock.
The trading price of our common stock on the NYSE Amex Equities exchange and previously on the OTC Bulletin Board has been and may continue to fluctuate significantly and stockholders may have difficulty reselling their shares.
Our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE Amex Equities exchange (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange) on September 28, 2007, and previously traded on the OTC Bulletin Board, and the trading price has fluctuated. In addition to volatility associated with securities in general, the value of your investment could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors upon the market price of our common stock: (i) disappointing results from our discovery or development efforts; (ii) failure to meet our revenue or profit goals or operating budget; (iii) decline in demand for our common stock; (iv) downward revisions in securities analysts' estimates or changes in general market conditions; (v) technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies; (vi) lack of funding generated for operations; (vii) investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and (viii) general economic trends.
In addition, stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities have been highly volatile. These fluctuations are often unrelated to operating performance and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, investors may be unable to sell their shares at a fair price and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Additional issuances of equity securities may result in dilution to our existing stockholders. Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 750,000,000 shares of common stock.
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional shares of our capital stock to provide additional financing in the future and the issuance of any such shares may result in a reduction of the book value or market price of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If we do issue any such additional shares, such issuance also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other stockholders. As a result of such dilution, if you acquire shares of our common stock, your proportionate ownership interest and voting power could be decreased. Further, any such issuances could result in a change of control.
Our common stock may at times be classified as a "penny stock" under SEC rules which limits the market for our common stock.
Because the market price of the common stock has fluctuated and may trade at times at less than $5 per share, the common stock may be classified from time to time as a "penny stock." SEC Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons other than those who qualify as an "established customer" or an "accredited investor." This includes the requirement that a broker-dealer must make a determination that investments in penny stocks are suitable for the customer and must make special disclosures to the customers concerning the risk of penny stocks. Many broker-dealers decline to participate in penny stock transactions because of the extra requirements imposed on penny stock transactions. Application of the penny stock rules to our common stock from time to time may limit the
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market liquidity of our shares, which in turn affects the ability of holders of our common stock to resell the shares they purchase, and they may not be able to resell at prices at or above the prices they paid.
A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital and adversely impact our operations.
A decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise additional capital for our operations. Because our operations to date have been principally financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our common stock could have an adverse effect upon our liquidity and our continued operations. A reduction in our ability to raise equity capital in the future would have a material adverse effect upon our business plan and operations, including our ability to continue our current operations. If our stock price declines, we may not be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations.
A majority of our directors and officers are outside the United States, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any of our directors or officers.
A majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons' assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on our directors or officers, or enforce within the United States or Canada any judgments obtained against us or our officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, you may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies under U.S. federal securities laws against them. In addition, investors may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States. The foregoing risks also apply to those experts identified in this prospectus that are not residents of the United States.
This Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain "forward-looking-statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if warranted, development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
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This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the sections titled "Risk Factors" of this Prospectus. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus by the foregoing cautionary statements.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
We did not have any fixed charges during the five fiscal years ended July 31, 2010 or for our period ended April 30, 2011. Accordingly, we have no ratio of earnings to fixed charges to illustrate for such periods.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities covered by this Prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, exploration and development of existing or acquired mineral properties or repayment of indebtedness.
We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, the holders of our common shares are entitled to share ratably in all net assets available for distribution to common stockholders after payment to creditors. Our common stock is not convertible or redeemable and has no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There are no cumulative voting rights.
The holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefore at such times and in such amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Holders of common stock will share equally on a per share basis in any dividend declared by the board of directors. We have not paid any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on such stock in the foreseeable future.
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We may, from time to time, issue Common Shares or other securities otherwise than through the Offering of Securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue Debt Securities in one or more series under an indenture (the "Indenture"), to be entered into between us and Transfer Online, Inc. as trustee. The Indenture will be subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). A copy of the form of the Indenture will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part and will be filed on SEDAR. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete description, prospective investors should refer to the Indenture and the terms of the Debt Securities. If Debt Securities are issued, we will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the particular terms and provisions of any series of Debt Securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to that series of Debt Securities. Prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and not on the following information to the extent that the information in such Prospectus Supplement is different from the following information. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any supplemental indenture describing the terms and conditions of Debt Securities we are offering before the issuance of such Debt Securities.
We may issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the offering of Debt Securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
The Indenture will not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities that we may issue under the Indenture and will not limit the amount of other indebtedness that we may incur. The Indenture will provide that we may issue Debt Securities from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or any foreign currency. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of our Company. The Indenture will also permit our Company to increase the principal amount of any series of the Debt Securities previously issued and to issue that increased principal amount.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement for any series of Debt Securities that we offer will describe the specific terms of the Debt Securities and may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
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Unless stated otherwise in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, no holder of Debt Securities will have the right to require our Company to repurchase the Debt Securities and there will be no increase in the interest rate if we become involved in a highly leveraged transaction or if our Company has a change of control.
We may issue Debt Securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time of issuance, and offer and sell the Debt Securities at a discount below their stated principal amount. We may also sell any of the Debt Securities for a foreign currency or currency unit, and payments on the Debt Securities may be payable in a foreign currency or currency unit. In any of these cases, we will describe certain Canadian federal and U.S. federal income tax consequences and other special considerations in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
We may issue Debt Securities with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, we may reopen a previous issue of a series of Debt Securities and issue additional Debt Securities of such series (unless the reopening was restricted when such series was created).
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Ranking and Other Indebtedness
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and other subordinated debt from time to time outstanding and equally with other Debt Securities issued under the Indenture. The Indenture will provide that the Debt Securities will be subordinated to and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness. "Senior Indebtedness" will be defined in the Indenture as: (a) all indebtedness of our Company in respect of borrowed money, other than: (i) indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities; and (ii) indebtedness which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is expressed to rank in right of payment equally with or subordinate to the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities; (b) all obligations of our Company for the reimbursement of amounts paid pursuant to any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction; and (c) all obligations of the type referred to in paragraphs (a) through (b) above of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise. For greater certainty, "Senior Indebtedness" will include all indebtedness of our Company for borrowed money which is outstanding as at the date of the Indenture.
Our Board of Directors may establish the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of a series of Debt Securities will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations, other than Senior Indebtedness, and whether the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be guaranteed by any other person and the nature and priority of any security.
Debt Securities in Global Form
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a series of the Debt Securities may be issued in whole or in part in global form as a "global security" and will be registered in the name of or issued in bearer form and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that series. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in part, for the Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a particular series of the Debt Securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. We anticipate that the provisions described in this section will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary therefor or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration system, the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by the global security to the accounts of such persons, designated as "participants", having accounts with such depositary or its nominee. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the Debt Securities or by our Company if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by our Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary therefor or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states in the United States may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.
So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of the global security or holder of a global security in bearer form, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have a series of the Debt Securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such series of the Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
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Any payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on global securities registered in the name of a depositary or securities registrar will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such Debt Securities. None of our Company, any trustee or any paying agent for the Debt Securities represented by the global securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for a global security or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such participants.
Discontinuance of Depositary's Services
If a depositary for a global security representing a particular series of the Debt Securities is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or, if at any time the depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue such series of the Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for a global security representing such series of the Debt Securities. If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, Debt Securities in definitive form will be printed and delivered upon written request by the holder to the trustee. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have a series of the Debt Securities represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue a series of the Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the global securities representing that series of Debt Securities.
Debt Securities in Definitive Form
A series of the Debt Securities may be issued in definitive form, solely as registered securities, solely as unregistered securities or as both registered securities and unregistered securities. Registered securities will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and unregistered securities will be issuable in denominations of $5,000 and integral multiples of $5,000 or, in each case, in such other denominations as may be set out in the terms of the Debt Securities of any particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will have interest coupons attached.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities (other than global securities) will be made at the office or agency designated by our Company, or at our option we can pay principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any, by cheque mailed or delivered to the address of the person entitled at the address appearing in the security register of the trustee or electronic funds wire or other transmission to an account of persons who meet certain thresholds set out in the Indenture who are entitled to receive payments by wire transfer. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest, if any, will be made to the persons in whose name the Debt Securities are registered at the close of business on the day or days specified by us.
At the option of the holder of Debt Securities, registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount. If, but only if, provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of any series may be exchanged for registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In such event, unregistered securities surrendered in a permitted exchange for registered securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest, and interest will not be payable on such date for payment of interest in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for such unregistered security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.
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The applicable Prospectus Supplement may indicate the places to register a transfer of the Debt Securities in definitive form. Service charges may be payable by the holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities in definitive form, and we may, in certain instances, require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with these transactions.
We shall not be required to:
Merger, Amalgamation or Consolidation
The Indenture will provide that we may not amalgamate or consolidate with, merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement with any other person or, directly or indirectly, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to another person, unless among other items:
When such a successor person assumes our obligations in such circumstances, subject to certain exceptions, we shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Debt Securities and the Indenture.
Provision of Financial Information
We will file with the trustee, within 20 days after we file or furnish them with the SEC, copies of our annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which we are required to file or furnish with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding that we may not remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, we will continue to provide the trustee:
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, the following is a summary of events which will, with respect to any series of the Debt Securities, constitute an event of default under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series:
A default under one series of Debt Securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the Debt Securities of any default, except in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, if in good faith it considers it in the interests of the holders to do so and so advises us in writing.
If an event of default (except for events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) for any series of Debt Securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series may require us to repay immediately:
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If an event of default relates to events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal of all Debt Securities will become immediately due and payable without any action by the trustee or any holder.
Subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the affected series can rescind and annul an accelerated payment requirement. If Debt Securities are discounted securities, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain provisions relating to the acceleration of maturity of a portion of the principal amount of the discounted securities upon the occurrence or continuance of an event of default.
Other than its duties in case of a default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of the rights or powers that it will have under the Indenture at the request or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnity, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of Debt Securities may, subject to certain limitations, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of Debt Securities.
We will be required to furnish to the trustee a statement annually as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture and, if we are not in compliance, we must specify any defaults. We will also be required to notify the trustee as soon as practicable upon becoming aware of any event of default.
No holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:
However, such above-mentioned limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security.
When we use the term "defeasance", it means discharge from our obligations with respect to any Debt Securities of or within a series under the Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if we deposit with the trustee cash, government securities or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal, interest, if any, premium, if any, and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Debt Securities of a series, then at our option:
If this happens, the holders of the Debt Securities of the affected series will not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of Debt Securities and the replacement of lost, stolen,
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destroyed or mutilated Debt Securities. These holders may look only to the deposited fund for payment on their Debt Securities.
To exercise the defeasance option, we must deliver to the trustee:
If we are to be discharged from our obligations with respect to the Debt Securities, and not just from our covenants, the U.S. opinion must be based upon a ruling from or published by the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
In addition to the delivery of the opinions described above, the following conditions must be met before we may exercise our defeasance option:
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by our Company and the trustee pursuant to one or more Supplemental Indentures (a "Supplemental Indenture") with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by the modification. However, without the consent of each holder affected, no such modification may:
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The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of that series waive, insofar as only that series is concerned, past defaults under the Indenture and compliance by our Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. However, these holders may not waive a default in any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security or compliance with a provision that cannot be modified without the consent of each holder affected.
We may modify the Indenture pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture without the consent of any holders to:
The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Any trustee under the Indenture or its affiliates may provide other services to our Company in the ordinary course of their business. If the trustee or any affiliate acquires any conflicting interest and a default occurs with respect to the Debt Securities, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.
Resignation and Removal of Trustee
The trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of the Debt Securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.
In connection with the Indenture, we will irrevocably designate and appoint CT Corporation System, 111 8th Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as our Company's authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Debt Securities that may be
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instituted in any U.S. federal or New York State court located in The Borough of Manhattan, in the City of New York, or brought by the trustee (whether in its individual capacity or in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture), and will irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
Because all or substantially all of our assets, as well as the assets of certain of the directors of our Company, are within the United States, any judgment obtained in Canada against our Company or certain of our directors, including judgments with respect to the payment of principal on the Debt Securities, may not be collectible within Canada.
We have been advised that there is doubt as to the enforceability in the United States, by a court in original actions or actions to enforce judgments of Canadian courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon Canadian federal or provincial securities laws.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable Prospectus Supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the Warrants that we may offer under this Prospectus, which may consist of Warrants to purchase Common Shares or Debt Securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with Common Shares, Debt Securities or Subscription Receipts offered by any Prospectus Supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those Securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any Warrants that we may offer under this Prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of Warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any Warrants offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We will evidence each series of Warrants by Warrant certificates ("Warrant Certificates") that we may issue under one or more warrant indentures (each, a "Warrant Indenture"), which we may enter into with a warrant trustee (the "Warrant Trustee") that we will name in the relevant Prospectus Supplement. We may also choose to act as our own Warrant Trustee.
This summary of some of the provisions of the Warrants is not complete. The statements made in this Prospectus relating to any Warrant Indenture and Warrants to be issued under this Prospectus are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable Warrant Certificate and, if applicable, Warrant Indenture. Prospective investors should refer to the Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture relating to the specific Warrants being offered for the complete terms of the Warrants. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture describing the terms and conditions of Warrants we are offering before the issuance of such Warrants.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to any Warrants offered by our Company will describe the particular terms of those Warrants and include specific terms relating to the offering.
The particular terms of each issue of equity warrants ("Equity Warrants") will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:
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The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants ("Debt Warrants") will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:
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Rights of Holders Prior to Exercise
Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the Common Shares or Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the Securities that we specify in the applicable Prospectus Supplement at the exercise price that we describe therein. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, holders of the Warrants may exercise the Warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become void.
Holders of the Warrants may exercise the Warrants by delivering the Warrant Certificate representing the Warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to our Company or, if applicable, the Warrant Trustee, in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. We will set forth on the Warrant Certificate and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the information that the holder of the Warrant will be required to deliver to our Company or, if applicable, the Warrant Trustee.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed at our Company or, if applicable, the corporate trust office of the Warrant Trustee or any other office indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new Warrant Certificate for the remaining amount of Warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, holders of the Warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for Warrants.
The Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture will specify that upon the subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the Common Shares or Debt Securities or any other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the Warrants will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange for or on the conversion of or in respect of the Common Shares or Debt Securities to which the holder of a Common Share or Debt Security would have been entitled immediately after such event. Similarly, any distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the number of Common Shares to be issued to holders of Equity Warrants.
We may issue Warrants in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities, which will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The global securities may be in temporary or permanent form. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global security. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the exchange, registration and transfer rights relating to any global security.
The Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture will provide for modifications and alterations to the Warrants issued thereunder by way of a resolution of holders of Warrants at a meeting of such holders or a consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders of Warrants required to pass such a resolution or execute such a written consent will be specified in the Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture.
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We may amend any Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture and the Warrants, without the consent of the holders of the Warrants, to cure any ambiguity, to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other manner that will not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding Warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS
We may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions and for no additional consideration, Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof. Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription receipt agreements (each, a "Subscription Receipt Agreement"), each to be entered into between our Company and an escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), which will establish the terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts. Each Escrow Agent will be a financial institution organized under the laws of the United States or a state thereof or Canada or a province thereof and authorized to carry on business as an escrow agent. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any Subscription Receipt Agreement describing the terms and conditions of Subscription Receipts we are offering before the issuance of such Subscription Receipts.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of Subscription Receipts and is not intended to be complete. The statements made in this Prospectus relating to any Subscription Receipt Agreement and Subscription Receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable Subscription Receipt Agreement and the Prospectus Supplement describing such Subscription Receipt Agreement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to any Subscription Receipts we offer will describe the Subscription Receipts and include specific terms relating to their offering. All such terms will comply with the requirements of NYSE Amex relating to Subscription Receipts. If underwriters or agents are used in the sale of Subscription Receipts, one or more of such underwriters or agents may also be parties to the Subscription Receipt Agreement governing the Subscription Receipts sold to or through such underwriters or agents.
The Prospectus Supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement for any Subscription Receipts we offer will describe the specific terms of the Subscription Receipts and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
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In addition, the Prospectus Supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement for any Subscription Receipts we offer will describe all contractual rights of rescission that will be granted to initial purchasers of Subscription Receipts in the event this Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement under which Subscription Receipts are issued or any amendment hereto or thereto contains a misrepresentation, as discussed further under the sub-paragraph entitled "Rescission" below.
The holders of Subscription Receipts will not be shareholders of our Company. Holders of Subscription Receipts are entitled only to receive Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof on exchange of their Subscription Receipts, plus any cash payments provided for under the Subscription Receipt Agreement, if the Release Conditions are satisfied. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, the holders of Subscription Receipts shall be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price therefor and all or a portion of the pro rata share of interest earned or income generated thereon, as provided in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
The Escrowed Funds will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, and such Escrowed Funds will be released to our Company (and, if the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, a portion of the Escrowed
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Funds may be released to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts) at the time and under the terms specified by the Subscription Receipt Agreement. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, holders of Subscription Receipts will receive a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price for their Subscription Receipts plus their pro rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement. Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants may be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, and will be released to the holders of Subscription Receipts following satisfaction of the Release Conditions at the time and under the terms specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will specify that upon the subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants or any other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the Subscription Receipts will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange for or on the conversion of or in respect of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants to which the holder of a Common Share, Debt Security or Warrant would have been entitled immediately after such event. Similarly, any distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the number of Common Shares to be issued to holders of Subscription Receipts whose Subscription Receipts entitle the holders thereof to receive Common Shares. Alternatively, such securities, evidences of indebtedness or assets may, at the option of our Company, be issued to the Escrow Agent and delivered to holders of Subscription Receipts on exercise thereof. The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that if other actions of our Company affect the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants, which, in the reasonable opinion of the directors of our Company, would materially affect the rights of the holders of Subscription Receipts and/or the rights attached to the Subscription Receipts, the number of Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants which are to be received pursuant to the Subscription Receipts shall be adjusted in such manner, if any, and at such time as our directors may in their discretion reasonably determine to be equitable to the holders of Subscription Receipts in such circumstances.
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that any misrepresentation in this Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement under which the Subscription Receipts are offered, or any amendment thereto, will entitle each initial purchaser of Subscription Receipts to a contractual right of rescission following the issuance of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants to such purchaser entitling such purchaser to receive the amount paid for the Subscription Receipts upon surrender of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants, provided that such remedy for rescission is exercised in the time stipulated in the Subscription Receipt Agreement. This right of rescission does not extend to holders of Subscription Receipts who acquire such Subscription Receipts from an initial purchaser, on the open market or otherwise, or to initial purchasers who acquire Subscription Receipts in the United States.
We may issue Subscription Receipts in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities, which will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The global securities may be in temporary or permanent form. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global security. The applicable Prospectus Supplement also will describe the exchange, registration and transfer rights relating to any global security.
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide for modifications and alterations to the Subscription Receipts issued thereunder by way of a resolution of holders of Subscription Receipts at a meeting of such holders or a consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders of Subscriptions Receipts required to pass such a resolution or execute such a written consent will be specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
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The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable Prospectus Supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the Units that we may offer under this Prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any Units that we may offer under this Prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of Units in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The terms of any Units offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement, if any ("Unit Agreement"), between our Company and a unit agent, if any ("Unit Agent"), that describes the terms and conditions of the series of Units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of Units. We may also choose to act as our own Unit Agent. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the Units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Unit Agreement, if applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of Units. We urge you to read the applicable Prospectus Supplements related to the particular series of Units that we sell under this Prospectus, as well as the complete Unit Agreement, if applicable, and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the Units.
We may issue units comprising one or more of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and Subscription Receipts in any combination. Each Unit will be issued so that the holder of the Unit is also the holder of each security included in the Unit. Thus, the holder of a Unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The Unit Agreement, if applicable, under which a Unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the Unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the terms of the series of Units, including:
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under "Description of Common Shares," "Description of Debt Securities," "Description of Warrants," and "Description of Subscription Receipts" will apply to each Unit and to any Common Share, Debt Security, Warrant or Subscription Receipt included in each Unit, respectively.
We may issue Units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Each Unit Agent, if applicable, will act solely as our agent under the applicable Unit Agreement, if any, and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any Unit. A single bank or trust company may act as Unit Agent for more than one series of Units. A Unit Agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by our Company under the applicable Unit Agreement, if any, or Unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon our Company. Any holder of a Unit may, without the consent of the related Unit Agent, if applicable, or the holder of any other Unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the Unit.
Our Company, any Unit Agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any Unit Certificate as an absolute owner of the Units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the Units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
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We may offer and sell the Securities, separately or together: (a) to one or more underwriters or dealers; (b) through one or more agents; or (c) directly to one or more other purchasers. The Securities offered pursuant to any Prospectus Supplement may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at: (i) a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; (ii) market prices prevailing at the time of sale; (iii) prices related to such prevailing market prices; or (iv) other negotiated prices. We may only offer and sell the Securities pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement during the period that this Prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains effective. The Prospectus Supplement for any of the Securities being offered thereby will set forth the terms of the offering of such Securities, including the type of Security being offered, the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such Securities, the proceeds to our Company from such sale, any underwriting commissions or discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. Only underwriters so named in the Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Securities offered thereby.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the obligations of underwriters to purchase the Securities will be subject to certain conditions, but the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Securities offered by the Prospectus Supplement if any of such Securities are purchased. We may offer the Securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. We may agree to pay the underwriters a fee or commission for various services relating to the offering of any Securities. Any such fee or commission will be paid out of the general corporate funds of our Company. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the Prospectus Supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
If dealers are used, and if so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will sell such Securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. We will set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Securities may also be sold through agents designated by our Company. Any agent involved will be named, and any fees or commissions payable by our Company to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Any such fees or commissions will be paid out of the general corporate funds of our Company. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Securities may also be sold directly by our Company at such prices and upon such terms as agreed to by our Company and the purchaser. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved in the offering.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the Securities offered by this Prospectus may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
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Underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with our Company to indemnification by our Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under Canadian provincial and territorial and United States securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such underwriters, dealers or agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, our Company in the ordinary course of business.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this Prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable Prospectus Supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
One or more firms, referred to as "remarketing firms," may also offer or sell the Securities, if the Prospectus Supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the Securities in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The Prospectus Supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm's compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Securities they remarket.
In connection with any offering of Securities, underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at any time.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to U.S. holders and Non-U.S. holders (as defined below) with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares acquired pursuant to this Prospectus. It does not address the United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and exercise of Warrants, Subscription Receipts, or Units.
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and United States court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this Prospectus. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive basis.
Scope of this Summary
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential United States federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities or Common Shares. In addition, this summary does not address other United States federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special United States Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary deals only with persons or entities that hold our Debt Securities or Common Shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as (without limitation): banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; dealers in securities or foreign currencies; regulated investment companies; traders in securities that mark to market; U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; persons holding Common Shares as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position,
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synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment; persons holding Common Shares as a result of a constructive sale; persons holding Debt Securities or Common Shares whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; persons who directly, indirectly, or by attribution own 10% or more of our outstanding equity interests; or entities that acquire Common Shares that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors (i.e., partners) in such partnerships. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state and local, and foreign tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect the United States federal income tax consequences to such holder (e.g., application of the alternative minimum tax). Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or United States federal income tax advice with respect to any holder. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state and local, and foreign tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
If an entity treated as a partnership holds our Common Shares, the tax treatment of the partners and the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Common Shares, you should consult your own tax advisor.
This summary is not intended and was not written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the United States federal tax laws that may be imposed on the taxpayer.
No legal opinion from United States legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the United States federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
Definitions
U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of Debt Securities or Common Shares acquired pursuant to this Prospectus that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia; an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Non-U.S. Holders
The term "Non-U.S. Holder" means any beneficial owner of Debt Securities or Common Shares acquired pursuant to this Prospectus that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership nor other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Non-U.S. Holder should review the discussion under the headings "Additional Amounts Paid with Respect to Debt Securities," "Tax Redemptions," and "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares" below for more information.
Debt Securities
Payments of Interest
Interest on a Debt Security generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time of receipt or accrual in accordance with the U.S. Holder's method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Repayments of Principal
Repayments of the principal amount of a Debt Security are not subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Sales or Exchanges of Debt Securities
Except to the extent that gain or loss is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or complete retirement of a Debt Security equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the Debt Security. The gain or loss generally will be long-term if the Debt Security has been held for more than one year. The adjusted basis of a Debt Security generally will equal its initial cost reduced by principal payments previously received on the Debt Security.
Additional Amounts Paid with Respect to Debt Securities
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments made by or on behalf of our Company under or with respect to the Debt Securities of any series will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other government charge (including penalties, interest and other liabilities related thereto) imposed or levied by or on behalf of the U.S. Government or by any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax ("U.S. Taxes"), unless we are required to withhold or deduct U.S. Taxes by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant government authority or agency.
If we are so required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of U.S. Taxes from any payment made under or with respect to the Debt Securities issued, we will pay, unless otherwise specified, as additional interest such additional amounts, (the "Additional Amounts"), as may be necessary so that the net amount received by a holder of the Debt Securities after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the amount such holder of the Debt Securities would have received if such U.S. Taxes had not been withheld or deducted (a similar payment will also be made to holders of the Debt Securities, other than excluded holders (as defined herein), that are exempt from withholding but required to pay tax under the Code, directly on amounts otherwise subject to withholding); provided, however, that no additional amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a holder (an "excluded holder") if the holder of the Debt Securities or the beneficial owner of some or all of the payment to the holder:
We will make such withholding or deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority as and when required in accordance with applicable law. We will pay all taxes, interest and other liabilities which arise by virtue of any failure of our Company to withhold, deduct and remit to the relevant authority on a timely basis the full amounts required in accordance with applicable law. We will furnish to the holder of the Debt Securities subject to withholding or deduction, within 60 days after the date the payment of any U.S. Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by us.
The foregoing obligations shall survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of the Indenture.
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Tax Redemption of Debt Securities
If and to the extent specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities issued of a series will be subject to redemption at any time, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, upon the giving of a notice, if (1) we determine that (a) as a result of any change in or amendment to the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of the U.S. or of any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or any change in position regarding application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction), which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after a date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement if any date is so specified, we have or will become obligated to pay, on the next succeeding date on which interest is due, Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt Security of such series or (b) on or after a date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any action has been taken by any taxing authority of, or any decision has been rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction in, the U.S. or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, including any of those actions specified in (a) above, whether or not such action was taken or decision was rendered with respect to our Company, or any change, amendment, application or interpretation shall be proposed, which, in any such case, in the opinion of counsel to our Company, will result in our becoming obligated to pay, on the next succeeding date on which interest is due, Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt Security issued of such series and (2) in any such case, our Company, in our business judgment, determines that such obligation cannot be avoided by the use of reasonable measures available to it; provided however, that (i) no such notice of redemption may be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which we would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts were a payment in respect of the Debt Securities then due, and (ii) at the time such notice of redemption is given, such obligation to pay such Additional Amounts remains in effect.
In the event that we elect to redeem the Debt Securities issued of such series pursuant to the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph, we shall deliver to the trustee a certificate, signed by an authorized officer, stating that we are entitled to redeem the Debt Securities issued of such series pursuant to their terms.
Common Shares
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares
Distributions
Distributions made on our Common Shares generally will be included in a U.S. Holder's income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) as of the end of our taxable year in which the distribution occurs. However, with respect to dividends received by individuals, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, such dividends are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Common Shares. Dividends received by a corporation may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations.
Sale, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of Common Shares
Upon the sale, certain qualifying redemptions, or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. Holder's holding period in the Common Shares is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) will generally be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15%, which maximum is currently scheduled to increase to 20% for dispositions occurring during taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A U.S. Holder who sells Common Shares at a loss which, in the aggregate, exceeds certain thresholds may also be required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends on our Common Shares and to the proceeds of a sale of Common Shares paid to a U.S. Holder unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares
Dividends
Distributions on our Common Shares will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid from our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a Non-U.S. Holder's basis in our Common Shares, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock, which will be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading "Sale or Exchange of Common Shares," below. Any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to our Common Shares generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate under an applicable treaty if the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) relating to income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S.
Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and includible in the Non-U.S. Holder's gross income are not subject to the withholding tax (assuming proper certification and disclosure), but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively connected income received by a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder of Common Shares who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate or exemption is required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of such Common Shares, unless:
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not owned more than 5% of our Common Shares at any time during such 5-year or shorter period. Certain attribution rules apply in determining ownership for this purpose. Non-U.S. Holders should be aware that our Company has made no determination as to whether our Company is or has been a USRPHC, and we can provide no assurances that our Company is not and will not become a USRPHC in the future. In addition, in the event that our Company is or becomes a USRPHC, Non-U.S. Holders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Common Shares will meet the Regularly Traded Exception at the time a Non-U.S. Holder purchases Common Shares or sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of such Common Shares. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the consequences if we have been, are or will be a USRPHC.
If a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual described in the first bullet point above, he or she will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. If a Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation described in the first bullet point above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain from such a sale or other taxable disposition generally in the same manner as if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code and, in addition, it may be subject to the branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual described in the second bullet point above, such holder will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares even though such holder is not considered a resident of the U.S. The amount of such gain may be offset by the Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. source capital losses.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders the amount of dividends paid on our Common Shares to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest, dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends that we make, provided we receive a statement meeting certain requirements to the effect that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient. The requirements for the statement will be met if (1) the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name, address and U.S. taxpayer identification number, if any, and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN) or (2) a financial institution holding the instrument on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes us or our paying agent, if applicable, with a copy of the statement. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of a sale of our Common Shares within the U.S. or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
The law firm of Cozen O'Connor has acted as special New York legal counsel to our Company by providing an opinion on the validity of the Debt Securities offered in this Prospectus and applicable Prospectus Supplements. Such Debt Securities may be offered in one or more series under an Indenture to be entered into between us and Transfer Online, Inc. as trustee.
Counsel named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will pass upon legal matters for any underwriters, dealers or agents.
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The consolidated financial statements of Uranium Energy Corp. appearing in Uranium Energy Corp.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2010, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The combined financial statements of the operations to be acquired by Uranium Energy Corp. (collectively the "Texas Operations") as at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the years then ended, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Current Report on Amendment No. 2 to Form 8-K of the Company filed with the SEC on November 22, 2010 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered chartered accountants, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
No expert or counsel named in this prospectus as having prepared or certified any part of this prospectus or having given an opinion upon the validity of the securities being registered or upon other legal matters in connection with the registration or offering of the common stock was employed on a contingency basis, or had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the registrant, nor was any such person connected with the registrant as a promoter, managing or principal underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.
Our registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is Transfer Online, Inc. located at 512 SE Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97214.
Filing of Canadian Prospectus
On August 19, 2011, we filed a prospectus pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system between the United States and Canada with the securities regulatory authorities in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, which upon final receipt, will permit our Company to offer and sell the Securities for gross proceeds of up to $50,000,000. The Securities that may be sold in the Provinces of Canada named above, together with the Securities to be sold in the United States pursuant to this Prospectus, will not exceed $50,000,000.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus.
The following documents filed by our company with the SEC are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 that we filed with the SEC on October 14, 2010;
(b) our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarters ended October 31, 2010, January 31, 2011, and April 30, 2011 that we filed with the SEC on December 10, 2010, March 14, 2011, and June 9, 2011, respectively;
(c) our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on October 29, 2010, November 22, 2010, January 10, 2011, March 4, 2011, May 11, 2011, May 17, 2011, July 11, 2011 and July 20, 2011;
(d) our Current Report on Form 8-K/A (Amendment No. 2) that we filed with the SEC on November 22, 2010, including the combined financial statements of the Texas Operations (acquired by Uranium Energy Corp. on December 18, 2009) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (unaudited) and years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007;
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(e) our proxy statement on Schedule 14A that we filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011; and
(f) The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2005, as updated in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2006, which disclosed the increase in the Company's authorized share capital to 750,000,000 shares of common stock.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement or in any subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the Prospectus but not delivered with the Prospectus. We will provide this information, at no cost to the requester, upon written or oral request to us at the following address or telephone number:
Amir Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer
1111 West Hastings Street, Suite 320
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2J3
Telephone: (604) 682-9775
We file annual and quarterly reports, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site (
http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC for the securities we are offering by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information.
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URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
$20,016,000
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
DUNDEE SECURITIES LTD. |
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GLOBAL HUNTER SECURITIES |
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CIBC |
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HAYWOOD SECURITIES INC. |
April 2, 2012
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