UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ x ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ ] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________to _______________
Commission file number 0-49869
AMARC RESOURCES LTD.
(Exact
name of Registrant specified in its charter)
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
(Jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
Suite 1020, 800 West Pender Street
Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2V6
(Address of principal
executive offices)
COMMON SHARES WITHOUT PAR VALUE
(Title
of Class)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class: Not applicable Name of each exchange on which registered: Not applicable
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common shares, no par value
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
62,949,473 common shares as of March 31, 2007
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
[ ] Yes [ x ] No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
[ ] Yes [ x ] No
Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
[ x ] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 126-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
Large accelerated [ ] Filer Accelerated Filer [ ] Non-accelerated Filer [ x ]
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item Registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 [ x ] Item 18 [ ]
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 126-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [ x ]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, all references to we, Amarc and the Company refer to Amarc Resources Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The Company uses the Canadian dollar as its reporting currency. All references in this document to dollars or $ are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. See also Item 3 Key Information for more detailed currency and conversion information.
Except as noted, the information set forth in this Annual Report is as of September 24, 2007 and all information included in this document should only be considered correct as of such date.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Certain terms used herein are defined as follows:
Epithermal Deposit |
Deposit of mineralization formed by natural processes in the earth at low temperature, 50-200o C often within structurally controlled veins. Low sulphidation deposits are developed near-to the surface of the earth, at depths of ~1 km to surficial hotspring settings, and are characterized by quartz veins, vein stockworks and breccias. Mineralization includes gold, silver, electrum, argentite and pyrite with lesser and variable amounts of other sulphide minerals. |
Induced Polarization Survey |
A geophysical survey used to identify a feature that appears to be different from the typical or background survey results when tested for levels of electro-conductivity; IP detects both chargeable, pyrite-bearing rock and non-conductive rock that has a high content of quartz. |
Magnetic Survey |
Magnetic surveys detect sulphide-bearing rocks by inducing magnetic fields, then identifying a feature that appears to be different from the typical or background survey results. |
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Mineral Reserve | Securities and Exchange Commission
Industry Guide 7 Description of Property by Issuers Engaged
or to be Engaged in Significant Mining Operations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission defines a reserve as
that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally
extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Reserves
consist of: |
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Mineral Resource | National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian
Securities Administrators defines a Mineral Resource as
a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized
organic material in or on the Earths crust in such form and quantity
and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for
economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics
and continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted
from specific geological evidence and knowledge. |
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Mineral Symbols | As arsenic; Au gold; Ag silver; Cu copper; Fe iron; Hg mercury; Mo molybdenum; Na sodium; Ni nickel; O oxygen; Pd - palladium; Pt platinum; Pb lead; S sulphur; Sb antimony; Zn zinc. |
Net Smelter Return (NSR) |
Monies actually received for concentrate delivered to a smelter net of metallurgical recovery losses, transportation costs, smelter treatment- refining charges and penalty charges. |
Polymetallic | Pertaining to more than one, or many, metals. |
Porphyry Deposit | Mineral deposit characterized by widespread disseminated or veinlet- hosted sulphide mineralization, characterized by large tonnage and moderate to low grade. |
Pluton, sill, dyke | A body of igneous rock that has been formed beneath the surface of the earth by consolidation of magma. A pluton is a rounded to irregularly- shaped plug-like body. A sill is a horizontal intrusion. A dyke cross cuts the country rocks. |
Quartz-feldspar Porphyry Dyke |
A quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke is a linear intrusion in which large quartz and feldspar crystals occur in a fine groundmass of quartz, feldspar and other minerals. |
Sulphide | A compound of sulphur with another element, typically a metallic element or compound. |
Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposit |
Mineral deposits, with a high content of sulphide minerals, formed by volcanic processes. |
Vein | A tabular or sheet-like mineral deposit with identifiable walls, often filling a fracture or fissure. |
Currency and Measurement
All currency amounts in this Annual Report are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Conversion of metric units into imperial equivalents is as follows:
Metric Units | Multiply by | Imperial Units | |
hectares | 2.471 | = acres | |
meters | 3.281 | = feet | |
kilometers | 0.621 | = miles (5,280 feet) | |
grams | 0.032 | = ounces (troy) | |
tonnes | 1.102 | = tons (short) (2,000 lbs) | |
grams/tonne | 0.029 | = ounces (troy)/ton |
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements appear in a number of different places in this Annual Report and can be identified by words such as anticipates, estimates, projects, expects, intends, believes, plans, or their negatives or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The statements, including the statements contained in Item 3D Risk Factors, Item 4B Business Overview, Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ significantly. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the outlook for the Company's future operations, plans and timing for the Company's exploration programs, statements about future market conditions, supply and demand conditions, forecasts of future costs and expenditures, the outcome of legal proceedings, and other expectations, intentions and plans that are not historical facts. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees and may involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing us or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying the Company's predictions. Some of these risks and assumptions include:
general economic and business conditions, including changes in interest rates;
prices of natural resources, costs associated with mineral exploration and other economic conditions;
natural phenomena;
actions by government authorities, including changes in government regulation;
uncertainties associated with legal proceedings;
changes in the resources market;
future decisions by management in response to changing conditions;
the Companys ability to execute prospective business plans; and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements.
The Company advises you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify, in their entirety, all forward-looking statements attributable to Amarc or persons acting on the Company's behalf. The Company assumes no obligation to update the Company's forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such statements. You should carefully review the cautionary statements and risk factors contained in this and other documents that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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PART I |
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ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS |
A. | DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT |
Not applicable.
B. | ADVISORS |
Not applicable.
C. | AUDITOR |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not Applicable.
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ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION |
A. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The following tables summarize selected financial data for Amarc extracted from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the last five years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
The Companys annual financial statements have been audited by its current independent registered public accounting firm, De Visser Gray LLP, Chartered Accountants. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP). Note 11 to the 2007 annual consolidated financial statements provides descriptions of the material measurement differences between Canadian GAAP and United States generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) as they relate to Amarc and a reconciliation to US GAAP of Amarcs consolidated financial statements.
The following selected financial data is presented in Canadian dollars.
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(C$000) | As at March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
Plant and Equipment, Net | |||||||||||||||
Canadian and US GAAP | $ | 25 | $ | 37 | $ | 47 | $ | 60 | $ | 77 | |||||
Mineral Property Interests | |||||||||||||||
Canadian and US GAAP | | 98 | 156 | 74 | | ||||||||||
Total Assets | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | 8,768 | 5,007 | 8,091 | 14,188 | 1,019 | ||||||||||
US GAAP | 8,768 | 5,007 | 8,100 | 14,272 | 1,019 | ||||||||||
Total Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Canadian and US GAAP | 78 | 38 | 871 | 183 | 256 | ||||||||||
Working Capital | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | 8,665 | 4,834 | 7,017 | 13,871 | 616 | ||||||||||
US GAAP | 8,665 | 4,834 | 7,025 | 13,955 | 616 | ||||||||||
Share Capital | |||||||||||||||
Canadian and US GAAP | 27,287 | 23,997 | 22,388 | 20,639 | 8,636 | ||||||||||
Contributed Surplus | |||||||||||||||
Canadian and US GAAP | 2,295 | 488 | 507 | 413 | 6 | ||||||||||
Deficit | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | (20,892 | ) | (19,515 | ) | (15,675 | ) | (7,047 | ) | (7,878 | ) | |||||
US GAAP | $ | (20,892 | ) | $ | (19,515 | ) | $ | (15,667 | ) | $ | (6,963 | ) | $ | (7,878 | ) |
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(C$000) | As at March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
Net Assets | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | $ | 8,690 | $ | 4,969 | $ | 7,220 | $ | 14,005 | $ | 763 | |||||
US GAAP | 8,690 | 4,969 | 7,229 | 14,089 | 763 | ||||||||||
Shareholders Equity | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | 8,690 | 4,969 | 7,220 | 14,005 | 763 | ||||||||||
US GAAP | $ | 8,690 | $ | 4,969 | $ | 7,229 | $ | 14,089 | $ | 763 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
(C$000, except per share amounts) | Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
Interest and other income | $ | (334 | ) | $ | (130 | ) | $ | (243 | ) | $ | (75 | ) | $ | (5 | ) |
General and administrative expenses | 615 | 819 | 719 | 418 | 789 | ||||||||||
Exploration expenditures | 1,033 | 3,012 | 7,554 | 460 | 405 | ||||||||||
Stock based compensation (recovery) | | (16 | ) | 496 | 407 | 6 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | (38 | ) | 3 | 8 | 10 | 65 | |||||||||
Loss (gain) on marketable securities | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | | (92 | ) | (82 | ) | (2,053 | ) | 20 | |||||||
US GAAP | | (84 | ) | (6 | ) | (2,137 | ) | | |||||||
Loss on sale of equipment | 2 | | | | | ||||||||||
Write down of accounts receivable | | 45 | | | | ||||||||||
Write down of mineral property interest | 98 | 10 | 76 | | | ||||||||||
Write down of marketable securities | | 190 | 7 | | 581 | ||||||||||
Interest expense on flow-through shares | | | 93 | | | ||||||||||
Net loss (income) for the year | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | 1,376 | 3,841 | 8,628 | (831 | ) | 1,855 | |||||||||
US GAAP | $ | 1,376 | $ | 3,849 | $ | 8,704 | $ | (916 | ) | $ | 1,855 | ||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per | |||||||||||||||
share | |||||||||||||||
Canadian GAAP | (0.03 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.19 | ) | 0.04 | (0.12 | ) | ||||||
US GAAP | (0.03 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.19 | ) | 0.04 | (0.12 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average number of common | |||||||||||||||
shares outstanding | 54,557,473 | 49,880,651 | 45,168,411 | 21,421,096 | 15,170,448 |
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See Item 17 for accompanying consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for further details, including note 11, which reconciles Canadian GAAP to US GAAP.
The Company has not declared or paid any cash or other dividends.
Currency and Exchange Rates
On September 24, 2007, the Federal Reserve noon rate for Canadian Dollars was US$1.00 to Cdn$1.0012. The following tables set out the exchange rates, based on noon rates as the nominal quotations by the Bank of Canada website, www.bankofcanada.ca for the conversion of Canadian Dollars into U.S. Dollars.
For year ended March 31 | |||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
End of Period | $ | 1.1529 | $ | 1.1671 | $ | 1.2096 | $ | 1.3105 | $ | 1.4693 | |||||
Average for the Period | $ | 1.1417 | $ | 1.1933 | $ | 1.2786 | $ | 1.3530 | $ | 1.5492 | |||||
High for the Period | $ | 1.1878 | $ | 1.2555 | $ | 1.3783 | $ | 1.4585 | $ | 1.5814 | |||||
Low for the Period | $ | 1.0948 | $ | 1.1489 | $ | 1.1961 | $ | 1.2960 | $ | 1.4759 |
Monthly High and Low Exchange Rate (Canadian Dollars per US Dollar) | ||||||
High | Low | |||||
September 2007 (until September 24, 2007) | 1.0595 | 0.9960 | ||||
August 2007 | 1.0701 | 1.0341 | ||||
July 2007 | 1.0660 | 1.0341 | ||||
June 2007 | 1.0760 | 1.0536 | ||||
May 2007 | 1.1163 | 1.0666 | ||||
April 2007 | 1.1600 | 1.1048 |
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
C. | Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
D. | Risk Factors |
An investment in the Company's common shares is highly speculative and subject to a number of risks. Only those persons who can bear the risk of the entire loss of their investment should participate. An investor should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with Canadian securities regulators before investing in the Company's common shares. The risks described below are not the only ones faced by the Company. Additional risks that management is aware of or that the Company currently believes are immaterial may indeed become important factors that affect the Company's business. If any of the following risks occur, or if others occur, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed and the investor may lose all of his investment.
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The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks.
Resource exploration is a speculative business and involves a high degree of risk. There is no known body of commercial ore on any of the Company's mineral properties and there is no certainty that the expenditures to be made by Amarc in the exploration of the Company's mineral properties will result in discoveries of commercial quantities of minerals. The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Although the discovery of an ore body may result in substantial rewards, few properties explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Significant expenditures may be required to locate and establish ore reserves, to develop metallurgical processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. It is impossible to ensure that the current exploration programs planned by Amarc will result in a profitable commercial mining operation. Significant capital investment is required to achieve commercial production from successful exploration efforts.
The commercial viability of a mineral deposit is dependent upon a number of factors. These include deposit attributes such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, current and future metal prices (which can be cyclical), and government regulations, including those relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and necessary supplies and environmental protection. The complete effect of these factors, either alone or in combination, cannot be entirely predicted, and their impact may result in Amarc not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
The Company does not currently have any properties on which mineral resources or mineral reserves have been outlined.
Amarcs properties have not produced any commercial reserves or ore body.
All of the Company's mineral projects are in the exploration stage as opposed to the development stage and have no known body of economic mineralization. The known mineralization at these projects has not been determined to be economic ore. There can be no assurance that a commercially mineable ore body exists on any of the Company's properties. There is no certainty that any expenditure made in the exploration of the Company's mineral properties will result in discoveries of commercially recoverable quantities of ore. Such assurance will require completion of final comprehensive feasibility studies and, possibly, further associated exploration and other work that concludes a potential mine at each of these projects is likely to be economically viable. In order to carry out exploration and development programs of any economic ore body and place it into commercial production, the Company will be required to raise substantial additional funding.
As the Company does not have revenues, the Company will be dependent upon future financings to continue the Company's plan of operation.
Amarc has not generated any revenues from the Company's business activities since the Company's incorporation. The Company's plan of operations involves the completion of exploration programs on the Company's mineral properties. There is no assurance that these exploration activities will result in the establishment of commercially exploitable mineral deposits on the Company's mineral properties. Even if commercially exploitable mineral deposits are discovered, the Company will require substantial additional financing in order to carry out the full exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties before the Company is able to achieve revenues from sales of mineral resources that the Company is able to extract.
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The loss of management or other key personnel could harm the Company's business.
The success of the Company's activities is dependent to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of management and other key personnel. Investors must be willing to rely to a significant extent on their discretion and judgment.
The Company has no history of earnings and no foreseeable earnings.
Amarc has a history of losses and there can be no assurance that the Company will ever be profitable. The Company anticipates that the Company will retain future earnings and other cash resources for the future operation and development of the Company's business. The Company has not paid dividends since incorporation and the Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Payment of any future dividends is at the discretion of the Company's board of directors after taking into account many factors including the Company's operating results, financial conditions and anticipated cash needs.
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue on a going concern basis, but there can be no assurance that the Company will continue as a going concern.
Although at March 31, 2007 the Company had working capital of approximately $8.7 million, the costs required to complete exploration and development of the Company's projects may be well in excess of this amount. Accordingly, unless additional funding is obtained, the going concern assumption may have to change. If Amarc is unable to obtain adequate additional financing, the Company will be required to curtail operations and exploration activities. Furthermore, failure to continue as a going concern would require that Amarcs assets and liabilities be restated on a liquidation basis which could differ significantly from the going concern basis.
A substantial or extended decline in gold or copper prices would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
The Company's business is dependent on the prices of gold and copper, which are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control. Factors tending to put downward pressure on the prices of gold and copper include:
Sales or leasing of gold by governments and central banks;
A strong U.S. dollar;
Global and regional recession or reduced economic activity;
Speculative trading;
Decreased demand for industrial uses, use in jewellery or investment;
High supply from production, disinvestment and scrap;
Sales by producers in forward transactions and other hedging transactions; and
Devaluing local currencies (relative to gold priced in U.S. dollars) leading to lower production costs and higher production in certain regions.
The Company may experience asset impairments as a result of low gold or copper prices in the future.
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In addition, sustained low gold or copper prices can:
Reduce revenues further through production cutbacks due to cessation of the mining of deposits or portions of deposits that have become uneconomic at the then-prevailing gold or copper price;
Halt or delay the development of new projects;
Reduce funds available for exploration, with the result that depleted reserves are not replaced; or
Reduce existing reserves, by removing ores from reserves that cannot be economically mined or treated at prevailing prices.
Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk.
Amarcs operations are subject to all the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of minerals. These include unusual and unexpected geological formations, rock falls, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, damage to life or property, environmental damage and possible legal liability. Although adequate precautions to minimize risk will be taken, milling operations are subject to hazards such as equipment failure or failure of retaining dams which may result in environmental pollution and consequent liability which will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operation and financial condition.
The Companys business could be adversely affected by government regulations related to mining.
Amarcs exploration activities are regulated in all countries in which the Company operates under various federal, state, provincial and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, which generally includes air and water quality, hazardous waste management and reclamation. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties in which the Company holds interests which are unknown to Amarc at present and which have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain government permits and approvals may adversely impact the Company's operations. The regulatory environment in which the Company operates could change in ways that would substantially increase costs to achieve compliance, or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations or financial position. In particular, the Company's operations and exploration activities in British Columbia are subject to national and provincial laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. These laws are continually changing and, in general, are becoming more restrictive. There can be no certainty that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration, development and operations at the Company's projects.
Although the Company has no reason to believe that the existence and extent of any of the Company's properties is in doubt, title to mining properties is subject to potential claims by third parties claiming an interest in them.
Amarcs mineral properties may be subject to previous unregistered agreements or transfers, and title may be affected by undetected defects or changes in mineral tenure laws. The Company's mineral interests consist of mineral claims, which have not been surveyed, and therefore, the precise area and location of such claims or rights may be in doubt. The failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the failure to pay taxes or to carry out and file assessment work, may invalidate title to portions of the properties where the Company's mineral rights are held.
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The Company is not able to obtain insurance for many of the risks that the Company faces.
In the course of exploration, development and production of mineral properties, several risks and, in particular, unexpected or unusual geological or operating conditions, may occur. It is not always possible to fully insure against such risks, and the Company may decide not to take out insurance against such risks as a result of high premiums or other reasons. Should such liabilities arise they could reduce or eliminate any future profitability and result in an increase in costs and a decline in value of the Company's securities.
The Company is not insured against environmental risks. Insurance against environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) has not been generally available to companies within the industry. The Company will periodically evaluate the cost and coverage of the insurance against certain environmental risks that is available to determine if it would be appropriate to obtain such insurance. Without such insurance, and if the Company becomes subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities would reduce or eliminate the Company's available funds or could exceed the funds the Company has to pay such liabilities and result in bankruptcy. Should the Company be unable to fund fully the remedial cost of an environmental problem, the Company might be required to enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy.
The Company is dependent on its joint venture partners for the development of certain of the Company's properties.
Amarc holds a portion of the Company's assets in the form of participation interests in joint ventures. The Company's interest in these projects is subject to the risks normally associated with the conduct of joint ventures. The existence or occurrence of one or more of the following circumstances and events could have a material adverse impact on the Company's profitability or the viability of the interests held through joint ventures, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition: (i) disagreement with joint venture partners on how to proceed with exploration programs and how to develop and operate mines efficiently; (ii) inability of joint venture partners to meet their obligations to the joint venture or third parties; and (iii) litigation between joint venture partners regarding joint venture matters.
The industry in which the Company operates is highly competitive, and the Company may be unable to compete effectively with other companies.
The mineral exploration and mining business is competitive in all of its phases. The Company competes with numerous other companies and individuals, including competitors with greater financial, technical and other resources, in the search for and the acquisition of attractive mineral properties. Amarc's ability to acquire properties in the future will depend not only on the Company's ability to develop its present properties, but also on the Company's ability to select and acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration. There is no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to compete successfully with its competitors in acquiring such properties or prospects.
The Companys share price has historically been volatile.
The market price of a publicly traded stock, especially a junior resource issuer like Amarc, is affected by many variables not directly related to the Company's exploration success, including the market for junior resource stocks, the strength of the economy generally, the availability and attractiveness of alternative investments, and the breadth of the public market for the stock. The effect of these and other factors on
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the market price of the common shares on the stock exchanges on which the Company trade, suggest the Company's shares will continue to be volatile.
Amarcs directors and officers are part-time and serve as directors and officers of other companies.
Some of the Company's directors and officers are engaged, and will continue to be engaged, in the search for additional business opportunities on their own behalf and on behalf of other companies, and situations may arise where these directors and officers will be in direct competition with us. Conflicts, if any, will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). In order to avoid the possible conflict of interest which may arise between the directors duties to Amarc and their duties to the other companies on whose boards they serve, the Company's directors and officers have agreed that participation in other business ventures offered to them will be allocated between the various companies on the basis of prudent business judgment, and the relative financial abilities and needs of the companies to participate.
There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining the funding required for the Company's operations.
Amarcs operations consist almost exclusively of cash consuming activities given that the Company's main mineral projects are in the exploration stage. The further development and exploration of the various mineral properties in which the Company hold interests is dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain financing through debt financing, equity financing or other means.
If the Company raises additional funding through equity financings, then the Company's current shareholders will suffer dilution.
The Company will require additional financing in order to complete full exploration of the Company's mineral properties. Management anticipates that the Company will have to sell additional equity securities including, but not limited to, its common stock, share purchase warrants or some form of convertible security. The effect of additional issuances of equity securities will result in the dilution of existing shareholders percentage ownership interests.
Amarcs status as a passive foreign investment company has consequences for U.S. investors.
Potential investors who are U.S. taxpayers should be aware that the Company expects to be a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for the current fiscal year, and may also have been a PFIC in prior years and may also be a PFIC in future years. If the Company is a PFIC for any year during a U.S. taxpayers holding period, then such U.S. taxpayer, generally, will be required to treat any so-called excess distribution received on its common shares, or any gain realized upon a disposition of common shares, as ordinary income and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such distribution or gain, unless the taxpayer makes a qualified electing fund (QEF) election or a mark-to-market election with respect to the Company's shares. In certain circumstances, the sum of the tax and the interest charge may exceed the amount of the excess distribution received, or the amount of proceeds of disposition realized, by the taxpayer. A U.S. taxpayer who makes a QEF election generally must report on a current basis its share of the Company's net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which the Company is a PFIC, whether or not the Company distributes any amounts to the Company's shareholders. A U.S. taxpayer who makes the mark-to-market election, generally, must include as ordinary income in each year, the excess of the fair market value of the common shares over the taxpayers tax basis therein. U.S. taxpayers are advised to seek advice from their professional tax advisors.
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The Companys shareholders could face significant potential equity dilution.
As of September 24, 2007, Amarc has no share purchase options outstanding and 10,140,000 share purchase warrants outstanding. However, Amarc does have a share purchase option plan which allows the management to issue options to its employees and non employees based on the policies of the Company. If the options are issued, they will likely act as an upside damper on the trading range of the Company's shares. As a consequence of the passage of time since the date of their original sale and issuance, none of the Company's shares remain subject to any hold period restrictions in Canada or the United States. The unrestricted resale of outstanding shares from the exercise of dilutive securities may have a depressing effect on the market for the Company's shares.
Penny Stock Classification Could Affect the Marketability of the Company's Common Stock and Shareholders Could Find It Difficult to Sell Their Stock.
The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer's confirmation.
Further, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such rules; the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the Company's common shares in the United States and shareholders may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
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ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
A. | HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY |
Incorporation
Amarc Resources Ltd. was incorporated on February 2, 1993, pursuant to the Company Act (British Columbia Canada) (the BCCA), as Patriot Resources Ltd. and changed its name on January 26, 1994 to Amarc Resources Ltd. The BCCA was replaced by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the BCA) in March 2004 and the Company is now governed by the BCA.
Amarc became a public company or reporting issuer in the Province of British Columbia on May 30, 1995. The common shares of Amarc were listed (symbol AHR) on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (VSE) on August 4, 1995 and continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX Venture), formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange, the successor stock exchange to the VSE.
Amarc commenced trading on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) in the United States in June 2004 under the symbol AXREF.
Offices
The head office of Amarc is located at Suite 1020, 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2V6, telephone (604) 684-6365, facsimile (604) 684-8092. The Company's registered office is in care of its attorneys, Lang Michener, 1500 Royal Centre P.O. Box 11117, 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 4N7, telephone (604) 689-9111, fax (604) 685-7084.
COMPANY DEVELOPMENT
Amarc has been engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties since incorporation. The Company is presently engaged in active exploration of a number of early stage exploration properties, located in British Columbia, Canada. All of the Companys mineral properties are in the exploration stage.
The acquisition of these properties and the important developments in Amarcs ownership of these properties are summarized below:
Sitlika Properties, British Columbia, Canada (Bodine Property is now part of these properties)
In December 2006, Amarc announced that it had acquired, by Option Agreement and staking, six exploration properties located in central British Columbia, approximately 110 kilometers northeast of Smithers. These properties comprise approximately 1,100 square kilometers and include the Bodine, Megamine, Megamine South, Polymet, Polymet East and Polymet South claims.
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Property Agreement
On November 14, 2006, the Company reached an option agreement with an arm's length party to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Bodine property. Amarc can acquire its interest in the Bodine property by making staged cash payments totaling $225,000 and expending $2,000,000 on the property over the next four years, of which $25,000 was paid in December 2006. The property is subject to a 3% net smelter royalty, 2% of which may be purchased at the Company's sole discretion for $2,000,000 with the remaining 1% subject to a right of first refusal in favor of the Company. Annual advance royalty payments of $50,000 will be required from the fifth to the fifteenth year of the agreement.
Pinchi Gold Properties, British Columbia, Canada
The Company registered a total of 528 square kilometers in four properties northwest of Fort St. James in central B.C., during the period December 27, 2006 to April 20, 2007. These properties comprise the Calex, Grand, Grandnorth and Petite.
The Company is performing exploration during the 2007 field season in order to define drill targets.
Tulox Property, British Columbia, Canada
The Tulox gold property, located in the Cariboo region and comprising 252 square kilometers, was acquired during the period July 2005 to March 2007.
On May 7, 2007, the Company completed the sale of the Tulox property for consideration of 10,000,000 common shares of Sitec Ventures Corp. (Sitec), subject to certain conditions. The Company will also receive a 3% net smelter royalty return following the commencement of commercial production on the property. The Company also received a "Back In Right" whereby, on completion of $5,000,000 of exploration expenditures on the property by Sitec, the Company will have 90 days during which it can acquire a 60% interest in the property by agreeing to complete a further $10,000,000 of exploration expenditures on the property.
The Tulox property is underlain by Mesozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks that have been intruded by Mosozoic intrusive rocks. These rocks have been overlain by Cenozoic volcanic and pyroclastic rocks. The Tulox property is anomalous in gold and gold indicator elements.
Buck Property, British Columbia, Canada
In January 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Buck mineral property. The 47.5 square kilometer Buck property, located 20 kilometers south of Houston, was acquired from United Mineral Services Ltd., a private company owned by a director of the Company, by reimbursing the cost of: staking the property, line-cutting to establish a survey grid over it and performing an induced polarization geophysical survey on the property.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the Company allowed the property to lapse and a write down of $55,929 to the Buck property interest was recorded.
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RAD Property, British Columbia, Canada
In January 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the RAD property from United Mineral Services Ltd., by reimbursing the staking cost of $8,000. The 20 square kilometer RAD property, located 250 kilometers west of Williams Lake, geologically comprises Jurassic tuffs and volcanic breccia, Upper Cretaceous andesites and basaltic breccias, and overlying Tertiary basalts and andesites. A geologic reconnaissance performed in 2004 confirmed that a historic induced polarization survey had adequately covered the target area and, consequently, no further exploration is planned at this time. The Company plans to allow the property to lapse.
The Nechako Gold Project (formerly, the "BOB" and "JMD" Properties), British Columbia, Canada
In January 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Nechako mineral property. The 13 square kilometer Nechako property, located 80 kilometers west of Quesnel, was acquired by issuing a total of 200,000 shares of the Company to two arm's length parties. Of these 200,000 shares, 50,000 were not due to be issued until the Company reached a third party joint venture agreement or completed a total of $250,000 in exploration expenditures on the property.
In November 2004, the Company signed an option agreement, whereby Endurance Gold Corporation (Endurance Gold), an arm's length private company, can acquire a 60% interest in the property by issuing to the Company 250,000 shares in Endurance Gold, and by incurring $250,000 in exploration work on the property over the next three years. The agreement was conditional upon Endurance Gold becoming a publicly-listed company, a condition that was fulfilled on July 27, 2005 when it listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. On August 18, 2005, the Company received its first payment of 50,000 common shares of Endurance Gold at a deemed price of $0.23 per share. This $11,500 was credited against the acquisition cost of the property.
At the end of the option period, the Company and Endurance Gold could enter into a joint venture to develop the property with the Company owning 40% and Endurance Gold owning 60%. The two arm's length parties from whom the property was acquired waived their right to the 50,000 shares of the Company referred to above.
Since January 2005, Endurance Gold registered an additional 33 square kilometers of mineral claims within the area of common interest surrounding the property. These will form part of the property and are subject to the terms of the agreement with Endurance Gold.
Endurance Gold has performed geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys on the property as well as performing a 422-metre drilling program during November and December 2005. As a result of the expenditures incurred during these programs, Endurance Gold completed the $250,000 exploration expenditure requirement of the option agreement. The Company received an additional payment of 200,000 common shares of Endurance Gold in December 2005. Endurance Gold has therefore completed its requirements for vesting its 60% interest in the property.
The Company reviewed Endurance Golds exploration results and elected not to participate in the additional expenditures required to complete the drilling in December 2005. As a result, the Companys interest in the property was reduced to 32.61% . No further work has been performed on the property by the joint venture since December 2005. During the year ended March 31, 2007, the Company wrote off the remaining costs of $42,500 related to the property.
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The Witch Properties, British Columbia, Canada
In September 2004, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Witch porphyry gold-copper property for a cash payment of $10,000. The property comprises approximately 46 square kilometers and was located in the Witch Lake/Chuchi Lake region, approximately 80 kilometers north-northwest of Fort St. James. The Company added to the property by staking an additional 17.5 square kilometers in four claims.
Exploration work performed by previous owners includes soil sampling, magnetometer surveys, induced polarization surveys, trenching and mapping. Several anomalous areas were outlined, some of which had received historical drilling. Anomalous copper values over discontinuous intervals were encountered in the drilling. Prospective areas of the property remained to be tested by geophysics, and untested targets remained to be drilled. These prospective areas were explored by the Company using geophysical techniques, and anomalous zones were drill tested to determine their geologic character. An evaluation of the results from the characterization drilling indicates that the original Witch property does not warrant additional work by the Company.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2004, the Company staked an additional 364 square kilometers in the Witch Lake region, over areas prospective for porphyry gold-copper targets in a region underlain by Jurassic Takla Group and Chuchi Group volcanic and sedimentary rocks intruded by Triassic to Cretaceous intrusive rocks. These claims reach to the south of the Mt. Milligan deposit (measured and indicated resource of 417 million tonnes containing 0.21% copper and 0.41 g/t gold Terrane Metals Corp. news release, August 21, 2007) and comprise the Chona, Kal, M2, M3, M4, M5, Tsil and additional Witch claims. In November 2004, the Kal, M2, M3, M4, M5 and Tsil properties became subject to a farm out agreement with Rockwell Diamonds Inc., formerly Rockwell Ventures Inc. These claims were surveyed by geophysical techniques then tested by drilling during fiscal 2005. An evaluation of these results was completed, indicating that no further exploration by the Company was warranted, and the M2, M4, M5, Kal and Tsil claims were allowed to lapse in 2005.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company registered an additional 316 square kilometers in the same region (the Chica, additional Chona, Tchent, Wolf and Xander claims). During the 2005 exploration season, the Company performed extensive detailed geophysical and geochemical surveys on the properties and selected drill targets exhibiting the types of anomalies characteristic of porphyry gold-copper deposits. The Company completed a program of nine drill holes (964 meters) in October 2005. No significant results were obtained from the drilling.
On January 12, 2007, the Company held 13 square kilometers of the Chona claims in good standing, at which time the property was sold to an arms length purchaser for the sum of $500. Amarc retains a 2.5% net smelter royalty on production from the property, which can be bought by the purchaser for $2.5 million. As at year end March 31, 2007, all of the Companys Witch and Chona claims had either been sold or had lapsed.
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Iskut Properties, British Columbia, Canada
The Company registered for acquisition a total of 52 square kilometers in five properties in the Iskut River area of northwestern B.C. during the period August 2005 to March 2006. These properties comprise the AA, MEZ, TRI A, Copper 152 and Copper 246 properties.
The Company also entered into a Letter Agreement in May 2006 with an arms length party, giving the Company the right to explore the 23 square kilometer SEDEX property that adjoins the AA property, and the right to enter into a formal option agreement on or before December 31, 2006 to purchase the SEDEX property, by paying the arms length party $100,000 and 265,000 shares of the Company, in stages, by December 31, 2010. The purchase was subject to a 1.5% net smelter royalty in favor of the arms length party, 0.5% of which could be purchased by the Company for $1,000,000. Advance royalty payments of $20,000 annually were payable to the arms length party commencing on or before December 31, 2011.
During the 2007 fiscal year, as a result of exploration programs performed on the Iskut properties, the Company concluded that no further work was warranted on the properties. On December 6, 2006, the Company terminated the SEDEX Letter Agreement and vended the AA property to the original arms length SEDEX owner. Amarc retains a 1.5% net smelter royalty on production from the AA property, 0.5% of which can be purchased by the arm's length party for $1,000,000. The Company plans to let the remainder of the properties lapse.
Other
The Company also has a 5% net profits interest in the 46 mineral claims comprising the Ana Property in the Yukon Territory, Canada, and a 2.5% net profits interest in a mineral lease comprising the Mann Lake Property in Saskatchewan. At the present time, the Company has no plans to undertake any programs on these properties.
B. | BUSINESS OVERVIEW |
Amarc is in the business of acquiring and exploring mineral exploration properties. Amarc is currently focusing on exploration in British Columbia, Canada. The Company has assembled a portfolio of projects through option agreements and ground staking and is carrying out preliminary exploration programs on high priority targets, with the objective of ascertaining whether any of the properties possess commercially viable mineral deposits.
British Columbia Mineral Tenure
On January 12, 2005, the Province of British Columbia adopted a new on-line mineral tenure system that includes mineral tenure acquisition and tenure maintenance procedures, as well as a method of converting previous format claims (legacy claims) to new format claims (cell claims). Most of the Companys mineral tenures have been converted to cell claims resulting in new tenure numbers and slightly larger claim boundaries. Assessment work requirements will remain the same as previously, but will be stated as $4 per hectare per year during the first three years following location of the mineral claim, and $8 per hectare per year in the fourth and succeeding years.
Crown-granted mineral claim tenure is maintained by paying taxes on an annual basis. Unlike mineral claims, the taxes can be paid late, with penalties and interest. If the taxes remain unpaid after a specified period of time, the claims will revert to the Crown and will be subsequently made available for acquisition by normal procedures.
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Environmental Matters
Environmental matters for mineral exploration companies in British Columbia are administered by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. The Company files notice of its work programs with the Ministry, and a bond is determined that will set aside sufficient cash to reclaim the exploration sites to their pre-exploration land use. Typically, no bond is required for exploration activities such as geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys. A bond is required for blasting, machine work and drilling. The required level of reclamation usually involves leaving the sites in a geotechnically stable condition, and grooming the sites to prevent forest fire hazards and to ensure that natural regeneration of indigenous plant species can progress over a reasonable period of time.
Exploration Activities during Fiscal 2007
Amarcs exploration activities completed since the beginning of fiscal 2007 include the following:
Name of Mineral Property | Description of Exploration Activity |
Tulox Property |
The Tulox property was registered during the period July 2005 to October 2006. During fiscal 2007 the Company performed till sampling, airborne magnetometer surveys, geological mapping, grid based soil geochemical surveys and grid based induced polarization surveys. The property has been sold to Sitec Ventures Corp. which will be responsible for the cost of on-going exploration, including drilling. |
Iskut Properties |
During fiscal 2007 the Company performed silt, soil and rock geochemical surveys on the Iskut Properties. A geological review of the Iskut properties concluded that no further exploration work was warranted. |
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Plan of Operations for Fiscal 2008
Amarc plans to complete the following exploration activities during fiscal 2008:
Name of Mineral Property |
Planned Exploration Activity |
Budget (Cdn$) |
Sitlika Properties (Bodine Property is now part of this property) |
The Company plans to perform geological,
geochemical and geophysical surveys on the Properties during the 2007 season to delineate targets for drilling. |
1,500,000 |
Pinchi Gold Properties | The Company plans to perform geological,
geochemical and geophysical surveys on the Properties during the 2007 season to delineate targets for drilling. |
600,000 |
BC Initiative and Acquisitions Program |
Research, planning, data compilation and
business support, including the review, inspection and acquisition of key properties. |
200,000 |
Total | 2,300,000 |
Details of the planned exploration programs are included in Item 4.E of this Annual Report.
Amarc anticipates spending approximately $2,300,000 in the completion of its planned exploration programs during fiscal 2008. Amarc plans to use its existing cash and working capital to fund these exploration programs. The Company completed a significant private placement financing during 2007 that enabled the Company to acquire interests in its British Columbia mineral properties and to proceed with exploration activities on these properties.
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 million and working capital of $8.7 million as at March 31, 2007 and cash and cash equivalents of approximately $6.8 million and working capital of $6.7 million as at September 24, 2007.
C. | Organizational Structure |
The Company operates directly and has no material subsidiaries.
D. | Property, plant and equipment |
All of the Companys properties are located in British Columbia. For further information about the Companys mineral projects, see Further Particulars of Amarcs Properties below. None of the projects have any material tangible fixed assets located thereon although there are still miscellaneous exploration equipment and motor vehicles held in Mexico.
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E. | Further Particulars of Amarcs Properties |
The locations of the currently active properties, described in this section, are shown on Figures 1 and 2 below:
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(1) | The Sitlika Properties, British Columbia (Bodine Propery is now part of this Property) |
Property
The Sitlika properties comprise approximately 1,100 square kilometers and are made up of the Bodine, Megamine, Megamine South, Polymet, Polymet East and Polymet South groups of claims.
Name | Claim Numbers | Size (ha) |
Bodine | 506542, 525003, 525146-525148,
526151, 526976, 527676, 528235, 533360- 533366, 541517-541518, 541520-541522, 541524-541525, 541527, 541530- 541531, 541535, 541538-541539, 541563, 541565-541570, 541572-541574, 541576-541578, 541580, 541582-541585, 541587-541596, 541598-541599, 541624, 542892, 542900, 542913, 542915, 541917, 542919, 542921, 541923, 542926-542927, 542931, 542934, 542936, 541938, 54240, 542942, 542944, 542946, 542948, 542950, 542952, 546954, 542958, 542960, 542961, 542963, 546141-546147, 546284, 547224-547226, 547228, 547229, 547298, 547299, 547301, 559139, 542796-542822, 542824, 542826-542833, 545620-545651, 545829, 545832 |
71,212 |
Megamine | 544619-544673 | 18,582 |
Megamine South | 544644-544675 | 6,002 |
Polymet | 542761-542770, 546654-545666, 546096,-546098 | 10,966 |
Polymet East | 545758-545766 | 3,387 |
Polymet South | 545679, 545681, 545683, 545685, 545687, 545689 | 2,121 |
Location and Access
The Sitlika properties are located in the Omineca-Takla-Babine area, approximately 110 kilometers northeast of Smithers, British Columbia. The Bodine property is situated adjacent to the CNR-BC Rail line at Takla Landing and is traversed by a mainline industrial road and a network of forestry roads. Provincial grid power is located approximately 55 kilometers from this property.
See Figure 2 (above) for a map showing the location of the Sitlika Properties.
Geology
The Sitlika properties cover a 190 kilometer long belt of Permian to Jurassic gossanous metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the Sitlika assemblage. The area was the subject of a focused geological mapping initiative by the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines (Schiarizza and Payie, 1997), which showed that Sitlika rocks have the potential to host volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits.
The Sitlika rocks in this area are equivalent in age to the rocks hosting the Kutcho volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in northern BC. Kutcho Creek, a pre-feasibility stage project, hosts several massive sulphide deposits. The largest and most advanced deposit is the Main deposit, with measured and indicated resources of 15.6 million tonnes grading 1.65% copper, 2.15% zinc, 26 grams silver and 0.3 grams gold per tonne, that is potentially amenable to open pit mining (Western Keltic Mines Inc. website, July 2007).
Exploration in 2006 (Fiscal 2007)
In the Sitlika area, results from stream sediment sampling have returned outstanding and regionally significant copper and zinc concentrations, ranging from 1650-3500 ppm copper and 1750-4000 ppm zinc, from a stream draining altered felsic volcanic rocks. Preliminary prospecting has uncovered a footwall-type stringer copper-zinc mineralized zone, like that typically associated with the formation of
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copper and zinc rich volcanic hosted massive sulphide deposits, within an iron oxide horizon which runs for up to 20 kilometers.
Preliminary property work by Amarc geologists confirmed the occurrence of felsic fragmental volcanic rocks and brecciated and layered sulphides on the Sitlika properties, which strongly indicate the potential to host a new volcanogenic massive sulphide district. Results of initial channel sampling at the Bodine property include: four samples that range from 2.84% to 7.40% copper over widths of 0.10 meter; and three sampled intervals that returned 1.79% copper over 2.90 meters, 1.37% copper over 2.35 meters and 2.38% copper over 1.00 meter.
Plan of Operation for 2007 (Fiscal 2008)
The Company is performing a significant program at Sitlika during the summer of 2007 that includes silt sampling, soil sampling, magnetometer surveys and induced polarization surveys to delineate targets for drilling. The cost of the program is expected to be $1.5 million.
(2) | The Pinchi Gold Property, British Columbia |
Property
The Company registered a total of approximately 500 square kilometers in four properties northwest of Fort St. James in central B.C., during the period December 27, 2006 to April 20, 2007. These properties comprise the Calex, Grand, Grandnorth and Petite.
Name | Claim Numbers | Size (ha) |
Calex | 548530, 548531, 548539-548541 | 1,540 |
Grand |
548040-548050, 548052-548069,
548071-548076, 548078-548089, 548091-548104, 548166-548172, 548174, 548176, 548178-548189, 548528, 548529, 548548-548550, 548778, 548780 |
39,566 |
Grandnorth | 548564-548576, 548578-548579, 548581-548586, 548588-548596 | 11,684 |
Petit | 548190, 548191 | 913 |
Location and Access
The Pinchi Gold property is located in the Omineca-Fort St. James area, approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Fort St. James, British Columbia. The property is well situated with respect to the CNR-BC Rail line and is traversed by a mainline industrial road and a network of forestry roads. Provincial grid power is located approximately 70 kilometers from the property.
See Figure 2 (above) for a map showing the location of the Pinchi Gold Property.
Geology
The property is underlain by Paleozoic limestones, sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks that have been intruded by Mesozoic intrusive rocks. These geologic conditions are prospective for the formation of bulk tonnage Carbonate Replacement Gold Deposits.
Exploration in 2006 (Fiscal 2007)
Company geologists researched the mining and exploration history of the property.
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Plan of Operation for 2007 (Fiscal 2008)
The Company is performing airborne and ground based geophysical surveys and grid based geochemical surveys during the 2007 field season in order to define drill targets. The cost of the program is expected to be $0.6 million.
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ITEM 5 | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
OVERVIEW
Amarc is a mineral exploration company with a portfolio of active exploration projects located in British Columbia, Canada. The Companys business strategy is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. None of the Companys mineral properties have any reserves or have been proven to host mineralized material which can be said to be ore or feasibly economic at current metals prices. The Company incurs significant exploration expenditures as it carries out its business strategy. As Amarc is an exploration stage company, it does not have any revenues from its operations to offset its exploration expenditures. Accordingly, the Companys ability to continue exploration of its properties will be contingent upon achieving additional financing.
Amarcs financial statements are prepared on the basis that it will continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred losses since inception and the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern depends upon its ability to continue to raise adequate financing and to develop profitable operations. Amarcs financial statements do not reflect adjustments, which could be material, to the carrying values of assets and liabilities, which may be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, accompanying this Annual Report. The Company prepares and files its consolidated financial statements with various Canadian regulatory authorities, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted principles ("GAAP"). References should be made to note 11 to the annual financial statements which provide a reconciliation of material measurement differences between Canadian GAAP and US GAAP and their effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's accounting policies are presented in note 3 of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2007 and a reconciliation of material measurement differences between these principles and US GAAP principles is shown in note 11.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to select accounting policies and make estimates. Such estimates may have a significant impact on the financial statements. These include:
Actual amounts could differ from the estimates used and, accordingly, affect the results of operation.
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Mineral resources and reserves, and the carrying values of mineral properties, and of buildings and equipment
Mineral resources and reserves are estimated by professional geologists and engineers in accordance with recognized industry, professional and regulatory standards. These estimates require inputs such as future metals prices, future operating costs, and various technical geological, engineering, and construction parameters. Changes in any of these inputs could cause a significant change in the resources and reserves determined which in turn could have a material effect on the carrying value of mineral property interests, and buildings and equipment.
The carrying value of mineral properties is also dependant on the valuation used for the common shares of the Company issued for the acquisition of mineral properties. The value of the common shares issued is the price of the common shares of the Company at the date of issuance to effect the acquisition.
Site restoration costs (asset retirement obligations)
Upon the completion of any mining activities, the Company will ordinarily be required to undertake environmental reclamation activities in accordance with local and/or industry standards. The estimated costs of these reclamation activities are dependent on labour costs, the environmental impacts of the Company's operations, the effectiveness of the chosen reclamation techniques, and on applicable government environmental standards. Changes in any of these factors could cause a significant change in the reclamation expense charged in a period.
Future income tax assets and liabilities
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Future income tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and their corresponding tax values. Future income tax assets also result from unused loss carry-forwards and other deductions and are recognized to the extent that they are considered more likely than not to be realized. The carrying value of future income tax assets is adjusted, if necessary, by the use of a valuation allowance, to reflect the estimated realizable amount.
Stock-based compensation expense
From time to time, the Company may grant share purchase options to directors, employees, and service providers. In addition, the Company may grant share purchase warrants to investors as part of private placement share offerings, with the value of such warrants initially charged to share capital. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate a value for these options and warrants. This model, and other models which are used to value options and warrants, require inputs such as expected volatility, expected life to exercise, and interest rates. Changes in any of these inputs could cause a significant change in the stock-based compensation expense charged in a period and / or the value of the warrants charged to share capital.
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A. | RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Year Ended March 31, 2007 (2007) versus Year Ended March 31, 2006 (2006)
The Company had net loss of $1,376,438 in 2007 compared to net loss of $3,840,903 in 2006. The loss in 2007 was lower as a result of decreased exploration expenditures in British Columbia.
Exploration expenses for 2007, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased to $1,033,060, from $3,012,825 in 2006, due to a decrease in the number of exploration programs being carried out in British Columbia. The major exploration expenditures during the year were geological (2007 $635,870; 2006 $1,117,544) and assays and analysis (2007 $162,429; 2006 $205,889). The 2007 assays and analysis figure includes $96,030 related to claim staking costs (2006 $17,084). The decrease in geological expense during the year was due to wages paid for less geological and geophysical work conducted in 2007. Assays and analysis expense decreased in 2007 due to lower levels of exploration activities, as several properties were allowed to lapse during the year. Other exploration expenses include site activities (2007 $64,297; 2006 $727,397), travel and accommodation (2007 $46,696; 2006 $92,880), and helicopter expense (2007 $42,358; 2006 $260,720). Option payments related to mineral property interests decreased to $25,000 in 2007 from $78,750 in 2006.
Administrative costs for 2007 decreased with the reduction in corporate activities. Salaries and benefits decreased to $229,024 in 2007 from $382,254 in 2006. Office and administration rose marginally to $150,163 in 2007 from $137,155 in 2006. Legal, accounting and audit decreased by almost 50% from $64,160 in 2006 to $33,465 in 2007. Shareholder communication costs also decreased, from $72,531 in 2006 to $51,857 in 2007, and trust and filing fees remained constant at approximately $18,000 in both 2006 and 2007.
Interest and other income increased to $333,737 in 2007 from $129,852 in 2006, reflecting primarily an accrual for the interest income earned on the $5,500,000, 20%, 90-day promissory note to Rockwell Diamonds Inc. (See Item 7B Related Party Transactions).
The gain on sale of marketable securities was $nil in 2007, vs. $92,887 in 2006, as all marketable securities were disposed of in 2006. The write down of marketable securities was $nil in 2007, compared to $190,392 in 2006. The write down of mineral property interests was $98,429 in 2007, as the remaining balances related to the Buck and Nechako properties were written off. The 2006 write down of $10,000 related to the Witch property.
In 2007, stock based compensation totaled $nil, as there were no options outstanding, or granted during the year. In 2006, a total of $16,282 of stock-based compensation expense was recovered.
Year Ended March 31, 2006 (2006) versus Year Ended March 31, 2005 (2005)
The Company had a net loss of $3,840,903 in 2006 compared to a net loss of $8,627,639 in 2005. The loss in 2006 was lower as a result of decreased exploration expenditures in British Columbia. Excluding stock-based compensation and gain on sales of marketable securities, Amarc had a net loss in 2006 of $3,950,072, compared to a net loss of $8,213,162 in 2005.
Exploration expenses for 2006, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased to $3,012,825, from $7,553,950 in 2005, due to a decrease in the number of exploration programs being carried out in British Columbia. The major exploration expenditures during the year were geological (2006 $1,117,544; 2005 $3,082,953) and site activities (2006 $727,397; 2005 $2,106,647). The decrease in geological expense during the year was due to wages paid for less geological and geophysical work conducted in
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2006. Site activities decreased in 2006 due to less site contractors used by the Company for the Companys exploration activities as several properties were allowed to lapse in the last two quarters of the year. Other exploration expenses include drilling (2006 $260,900; 2005 $708,953), charter air travel (2006 $260,720; 2005 $674,075), and assays and analysis (2006 $205,889; 2005 $455,737). Option payments related to mineral property interests decreased to $78,750 in 2006 from $99,400 in 2005.
Administrative costs for 2006 increased slightly in line with normal administrative activities and inflation. Salaries and benefits increased to $382,254 in 2006 from $356,841 in 2005. Office and administration increased to $137,155 in 2006 from $106,349 in 2005. Legal, accounting and audit increased slightly to $64,160 in 2006 from $63,521 in 2005. In contrast, shareholder communication costs decreased to $72,531 from $104,308 in 2005, and trust and filing decreased to $17,946 from $23,350 in 2005.
Interest and other income decreased to $129,852 in 2006 from $242,862 in 2005, reflecting a lower average cash balance on hand during 2006 as compared to 2005.
The gain on sale of marketable securities was $92,887 in 2006, a slight increase in comparison to the gain of $81,554 in 2005. The gain in 2006 resulted mainly from the sale of shares of Yukon Zinc Corporation and Endurance Gold Corporation. The write down of marketable securities in 2006 totaled $190,392 (2005 - $6,667). The write down of accounts receivable in fiscal 2006 was $45,088 (2005 - $nil) as a result of the rejection by the Mexican government of the Companys IVA returns for the calendar years from 1998 to 2000.
A total of $16,282 of stock-based compensation expense was recovered in 2006 in comparison to $496,031 of stock-based compensation expense recorded in 2005, as a result of a decrease in the Company's share price.
B. | LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,916,194 and working capital of $8,664,814 as at March 31, 2007, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $4,537,933 and working capital of $4,833,727 as at March 31, 2006.
The Company did not have any long term liabilities as at March 31, 2007 or 2006 and does not have any long term liabilities as of the date of this Annual Report.
Planned Exploration Activities
The Company plans to apply its available cash and working capital to continue exploration of the Company's mineral properties. These planned exploration activities are summarized in Item 4.B of this Annual Report. At September 24, 2007, the Company had cash of approximately $6.8 million. The Company anticipates that its cash and working capital will be sufficient to enable it to carry out the Company's planned exploration activities as well as for property maintenance requirements and administrative overhead for the twelve months without obtaining additional financing.
Cash Used in Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities was $1,222,791 in 2007, compared to $4,625,140 in 2006 and $7,414,974 in 2005. The annual decrease in cash used in operating activities from 2005 to 2007 is attributable primarily to the Companys declining levels of exploration activities carried out on its British
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Columbia mineral properties over these three years. The Company anticipates continuing to use cash in its operating activities to carry out its exploration programs.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities were $5,496,555 in 2007, compared to cash flows provided by investing activities of $240,292 in 2006, and cash flows used in investing activities of $146,410 in 2005. Cash flows used in investing activities in 2007 relate primarily to the Companys purchase of a $5,500,000, 90day promissory note from Rockwell Diamonds Inc. Cash flows provided by investing activities in 2006 were attributable to the disposal of shares of Yukon Zinc Corporation and Endurance Gold Corporation. Cash flows used in investing activities in 2005 were related to the acquisitions of $168,000 in mineral property interests and a subscription to a private placement in Expatriate Resources Ltd. of $125,000. Cash flows used in 2005 were partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of marketable securities of $146,590.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows from financing activities were $5,097,607 in 2007, compared to $1,587,402 in 2006 and $1,172,090 in 2005. Cash flows from financing activities in each year were attributable to common shares issued for cash.
Cash flows from financing activities in 2007 were related to the completion of a private placement of 10,490,000 units at $0.50 per unit, consisting of 4,490,000 flow-through units and 6,000,000 non-flow-through units. Each flow-through unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one non-flow-through warrant and each non-flow-through unit consisted of one non-flow-through common share and one warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share until January 17, 2009, at a price of $0.55 per share.
Cash flows from financing activities in 2006 were primarily due to the exercise of previously issued warrants, while cash flows from financing activities in 2005 were related to the exercise of both options and warrants; all issued as part of private placement transactions in previous years.
Requirement of Financing
Historically, Amarcs sole source of funding has been the sale of equity securities for cash, primarily through private placements to sophisticated investors and institutions. The Company has issued common share capital in each of the past three fiscal years pursuant to private placement financings and exercise of warrants and options. The Companys ability to obtain additional financing to fund its exploration programs is always uncertain. There can be no assurance of continued access to significant equity funding.
Development of any of the Companys mineral properties beyond feasibility will require additional equity and possible debt financing, both of which involve significant risks and have been referred to previously in this Annual Report. As Amarc is an exploration stage company, it does not have revenues from operations and, except for interest income from its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, the Company relies on equity funding for its continuing financial liquidity. The Company does not have any arrangements or commitments in place for any additional financing that would enable it to complete development of a project, even in the event of positive feasibility studies.
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The Company presently does not have any material commitments for capital expenditures and accordingly, can remain somewhat flexible in directing its exploration activities to the availability of funds.
The Company has no lines of credit or other sources of financing which have been arranged but are as yet unused.
Financial Instruments
Amarc keeps its financial instruments denominated in Canadian dollars and does not engage in any hedging operations with respect to currency or in-situ minerals. Funds which are excess to Amarcs current needs are invested in short term near-cash investments.
Amarc does not have any material, legally enforceable, obligations requiring it to make capital expenditures and accordingly, can remain relatively flexible in gearing its activities to the availability of funds.
C. | Research Expenditures |
Amarc does not carry out any research or development activities. Please refer to Item 5.A and Item 5.B above for a discussion of the exploration expenditures that the Company has incurred in connection with the exploration of the Company's mineral properties.
D. | Trend Information |
As a natural resource exploration company, Amarcs activities reflect the traditional cyclical nature of metal prices. Consequently, Amarcs business is primarily an event-driven business based on exploration results.
Copper prices have been increasing since late 2003, averaging US$3.03/lb in 2006. As a result of increasing supply, prices dropped slightly in early 2007, but have increased again since mid February 2007. The average price to mid September 2007 is US$3.17/lb.
Overall, gold prices have been increasing for more than three years. Although there was some volatility late in 2006, the average for the year US$604/oz was higher than the average price US$445/oz in 2005. This volatility continued in early 2007, but prices have mainly been increasing since mid January. The gold price has averaged approximately US$662/oz to mid September 2007.
E. | Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
Amarc has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
As used in this Item 5E, the term "off-balance sheet arrangement" means any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity, unconsolidated with the Company, is a party, under which the Company has:
(a) |
any obligation under a guarantee contract that has any of the characteristics identified in paragraph 3 of FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (November 2002) ("FIN 45"), as may be modified or supplemented, excluding the types of guarantee contracts described in paragraphs 6 and 7 of FIN 45; |
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(b) |
a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity for such assets; |
(c) |
any obligation under a derivative instrument that is both indexed to the company's own stock and classified in stockholders' equity, or not reflected, in the company's statement of financial position; or |
(d) |
any obligation, including a contingent obligation, arising out of a variable interest (as referenced in FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (January 2003), as may be modified or supplemented) in an unconsolidated entity that is held by, and material to, the company, where such entity provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with, the company. |
F. | Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations |
As at fiscal year end March 31, 2007, the Company had the following contractual obligations:
Payment due by period | |||||
Type of Contractual Obligation |
Total |
Less than 1 Year |
1 - 3 Years |
3 - 5 Years |
More than 5 Years |
Long-Term Debt Obligations | | | | | |
Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations | | | | | |
Operating Lease Obligations (Office Lease) | | | | | |
Purchase Obligations | | | | | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities Reflected on the Company's Balance Sheet under the GAAP of the primary financial statements |
|
|
|
|
|
Total | | | | | |
During the year ended March 31, 2007, the Company completed a private placement of 10,490,000 units ("Units") at $0.50 per Unit, consisting of 4,490,000 flow-through units and 6,000,000 non-flow-through units. Expenses to be incurred from the proceeds of the flow-through-units were renounced to investors on December 31, 2006. In accordance with certain provisions of the Canadian Income Tax Act, the Company is obligated to spend the proceeds from the flow-through-units by December 31, 2007.
G. | Safe Harbor |
The safe harbor provided in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act applies to forward-looking information provided pursuant to Item 5.E and Item 5.F above.
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ITEM 6 | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES |
A. | Directors and Senior Management |
Name (1) |
Year born |
Position |
Director Since |
David J. Copeland | 1948 | Director | September 1995 |
Scott D. Cousens | 1964 | Director | September 1995 |
Robert A. Dickinson | 1948 | Chairman of the Board and Director | April 1993 |
Jeffrey R. Mason | 1957 | Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director | September 1995 |
Ronald W. Thiessen | 1952 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | September 1995 |
(1) To the best of the Company's knowledge, none of such persons has any family relationship with any other and none were elected as a director or appointed as an officer as a result of an arrangement or understanding with a major shareholder, customer, supplier, or any other party.
The following is biographical information on each of the persons listed above.
DAVID COPELAND, P.Eng. Director
David Copeland is a geological engineer who graduated in economic geology from the University of British Columbia. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Copeland has undertaken assignments in a variety of capacities in mine exploration, discovery and development throughout the South Pacific, Africa, South America and North America. His principal occupation is President and Director of CEC Engineering Ltd., a consulting engineering firm that directs and co-ordinates advanced technical programs for exploration on behalf of the Company and other companies for which Hunter Dickinson Inc., a private company with certain directors in common with the Company, provides consulting services. He is also a director of Hunter Dickinson Inc.
Mr. Copeland is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
Anooraq Resources Corporation | Director | September 1996 | September 2004 |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | November 1995 | Present |
Farallon Resources Ltd. | Director | December 1995 | Present |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | February 1994 | Present |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | June 1996 | Present |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Director and CEO | September 2006 | Present |
Chairman | September 2007 | Present | |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | March 1994 | Present |
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SCOTT COUSENS Director
Scott Cousens provides management, technical and financial services to a number of publicly traded companies. Mr. Cousens focus since 1991 has been the development of relationships within the international investment community. Substantial financings and subsequent corporate success has established strong ties with North American, European and Asian investors. In addition to financing initiatives he also oversees the corporate communications programs for the public companies to which Hunter Dickinson Inc. provides services.
Mr. Cousens is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
Anooraq Resources Corporation | Director | September 1996 | Present |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | June 1994 | Present |
Farallon Resources Ltd. | Director | December 1995 | April 2007 |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | March 1993 | November 2006 |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | June 1996 | Present |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Director | November 2000 | Present |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | October 1992 | Present |
ROBERT DICKINSON, B.Sc., M.Sc. Chairman of the Board and Director
Robert Dickinson is an economic geologist who serves as a member of management of several mineral exploration companies, primarily those for whom Hunter Dickinson Inc. provides services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons. Geology) and a Master of Science degree (Business Administration - Finance) from the University of British Columbia. Mr. Dickinson has also been active in mineral exploration over 40 years. He is a director of Hunter Dickinson Inc. He is also President and Director of United Mineral Services Ltd., a private investment company.
Mr. Dickinson is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | April 1993 | Present |
Co-Chairman | September 2000 | April 2004 | |
Chairman | April 2004 | Present | |
Anooraq Resources Corporation | Director | November 1990 | September 2004 |
Director | October 2004 | Present | |
Chairman | April 2004 | September 2004 | |
Co-Chairman | October 2004 | Present |
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Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | June 2004 | Present |
Chairman | June 2004 | January 2006 | |
Co-Chairman | January 2006 | December 2006 | |
Detour Gold Corporation | Director | August 2006 | Present |
Farallon Resources Ltd. | Director | July 1991 | April 2007 |
Chairman | April 2004 | September 2004 | |
Co-Chairman | September 2004 | April 2006 | |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | May 1986 | November 2006 |
Co-Chairman | September 2000 | April 2004 | |
Chairman | April 2004 | December 2005 | |
Co-Chairman | December 2005 | November 2006 | |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | June 1994 | Present |
Co-Chairman | November 2001 | April 2004 | |
Chairman | April 2004 | Present | |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Director | November 2000 | September 2006 |
Chairman | November 2000 | September 2006 | |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | January 1991 | Present |
Chairman | April 2004 | July 2005 | |
Co-Chairman | July 2005 | May 2006 |
JEFFREY MASON, B.Comm., CA Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director
Jeffrey Mason holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation while specializing in the mining, forestry and transportation sectors at the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. Following comptrollership positions at an international commodity mercantilist and Homestake Mining Group of companies including responsibility for North American Metals Corp. and the Eskay Creek Project, Mr. Mason has spent the last several years as a corporate officer and director to a number of publicly-traded mineral exploration companies. Mr. Mason is also employed as Chief Financial Officer of Hunter Dickinson Inc. and his principal occupation is the financial administration of the public companies to which Hunter Dickinson Inc. provides services.
Mr. Mason is, or was within the past five years, an officer and or director of the following public companies:
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Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
Secretary | September 1995 | Present | |
Chief Financial Officer | September 1998 | Present | |
Anooraq Resources Corporation | Director | April 1996 | September 2004 |
Secretary | September 1996 | Present | |
Chief Financial Officer | February 1999 | May 2007 | |
Coastal Contacts Inc. | Director | October 2006 | Present |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | June 1995 | Present |
Secretary | November 1995 | Present | |
Chief Financial Officer | June 1998 | Present | |
Detour Gold Corporation | Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director |
July 2006 | Present |
Farallon Resources Ltd. | Director | August 1994 | Present |
Secretary | December 1995 | Present | |
Chief Financial Officer | December 1997 | Present | |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | February 1994 | November 2006 |
Secretary | February 1994 | November 2006 | |
Chief Financial Officer | June 1998 | November 2006 | |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | June 1996 | Present |
Secretary | June 1996 | Present | |
Chief Financial Officer | June 1998 | Present | |
Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. | Principal Accounting Officer | January 2005 | Present |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Director | November 2000 | Present |
Chief Financial Officer | November 2000 | April 2007 | |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | February 1994 | Present |
Secretary | February 1994 | Present | |
Chief Financial Officer | November 1998 | Present |
RONALD THIESSEN, CA President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Ronald Thiessen is a Chartered Accountant with professional experience in finance, taxation, mergers, acquisitions and re-organizations. Since 1986, Mr. Thiessen has been involved in the acquisition and financing of mining and mineral exploration companies. Mr. Thiessen is employed by Hunter Dickinson Inc., a company providing management and administrative services to several publicly-traded companies and focuses on directing corporate development and financing activities. He is also a director of Hunter Dickinson Inc.
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Mr. Thiessen is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
September 2000 | Present | |
Anooraq Resources Corporation | Director | April 1996 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
September 2000 | August 2007 | |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | November 1995 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
September 2000 | January 2006 | |
Co-Chairman | January 2006 | Present | |
Detour Gold Corporation | Chairman and Director | July 2006 | Present |
Farallon Resources Ltd. | Director | August 1994 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
December 1999 | September 2004 | |
Co-Chairman | September 2004 | December 2005 | |
Chairman | December 2005 | Present | |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | October 1993 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
September 2000 | December 2005 | |
Co-Chairman | December 2005 | November 2006 | |
Chairman | November 2006 | Present | |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | November 1995 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
November 2001 | Present | |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Director | November 2000 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
November 2000 | September 2006 | |
Chairman | September 2006 | Present | |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | October 1993 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
September 2000 | July 2005 | |
Co-Chairman | July 2005 | May 2006 | |
Chairman | May 2006 | Present | |
Tri-Gold Resources Corp. | Director | July 1992 | Present |
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B. | Compensation |
During the Company's financial year ended March 31, 2007, the aggregate cash compensation paid or payable by the Company or its subsidiaries to its directors and senior officers, all of whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, was $110,775.
Ronald W. Thiessen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey R. Mason, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Robert A. Dickinson, Chairman are each a Named Executive Officers of the Company for the purposes of the following disclosure.
The compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers during the Companys three most recently completed financial years is as set out below:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE | ||||||||
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation | All Other Compensation ($) | ||||
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Other Annual Compensation ($) |
Awards | Payouts | ||||
Securities Under Options/SARs Granted (#) |
Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units ($) |
LTIP Payouts ($) | ||||||
Ronald W. Thiessen Chief Executive Officer, President |
2007 2006 2005 |
46,121 155,127 75,092 |
1,784 Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil 200,000 |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Jeffrey R. Mason Chief Financial Officer, Secretary |
2007 2006 2005 |
30,504 92,835 56,519 |
1,784 Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil 200,000 |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Robert A. Dickinson Chairman |
2007 2006 2005 |
28,798 95,574 20,771 |
1,784 Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil 200,000 |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
A long term incentive plan ("LTIP") is "a plan providing compensation intended to motivate performance over a period greater than one financial year" and does not include option or stock appreciation rights ("SARs") plans or plans for compensation through shares or units that are subject to restrictions on resale. The Company did not award any LTIPs to any Named Executive Officer during the most recently completed financial year.
Share Options
The only equity compensation plan which the Company has in place is its share option plan (See Item 6.E Share Option Plan). The Plan has been established to provide incentive to qualified parties to increase their proprietary interest in the Company and thereby encourage their continuing association with the Company. The Plan is administered by the directors of the Company. The Plan provides that options will be issued to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. The Plan provides that the number of common shares issuable under the Plan, together with all of the Companys other previously established or proposed share compensation arrangements, may not exceed 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding common shares under the Plan. No option was
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granted during the 2007 fiscal year and as at March 31, 2007 and the date of this Annual Report, there are no options outstanding. All options expire on a date not later than five years after the date of grant of such option, for a Tier 2 Company.
Termination of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment Contracts
There is no written employment contract between Amarc and the Named Executive Officers.
There are no compensatory plan(s) or arrangement(s) with respect to the Named Executive Officers resulting from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of the officers employment or from a change of any Named Executive Officers responsibilities following a change in control.
Pension Plans
There is no defined benefit or actuarial plan in place for the Company.
C. | Board Practices |
All directors were elected at the September 28, 2006 annual general meeting. All directors have a term of office expiring at the next annual general meeting of Amarc, scheduled to be held September 27, 2007. All officers have a term of office lasting until their removal or replacement by the board of directors (the Board).
There were no arrangements, standard of otherwise, pursuant to which directors were compensated by Amarc or its subsidiaries for their services in their capacity as directors, or for committee participation, involvement in special assignments or for services as consultants or experts during the most recently completed financial year.
General
The Board believes that good corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. The Canadian Securities Administrators (the "CSA") have adopted National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines, which provides non-prescriptive guidelines on corporate governance practices for reporting issuers such as the Company. In addition, the CSA have implemented National Instrument NI 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, which prescribes certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices. This section sets out the Companys approach to corporate governance and addresses the Companys compliance with NI 58-101.
1. Board of Directors
Directors are considered to be independent if they have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A "material relationship" is a relationship which could, in the view of the Companys board of directors, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a directors independent judgment.
The Board facilitates its independent supervision over management in a number of ways including: by holding regular meetings without the presence of management; by retaining independent consultants; and by reviewing corporate developments with larger shareholders, analysts and potential industry partners, where it deems necessary.
The directors of the Company are not independent. The Company is taking steps to ensure that the duties generally performed by independent directors are being performed by the current directors. The Board
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members have extensive experience as directors of public companies and are sensitive to the related corporate governance and financial reporting obligations associated with such positions. Thus the Board members are reasonably well versed in the obligations of directors and the expectations of independence from management.
2. Other Directorships
The section entitled Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees in this Annual Report gives details of other reporting issuers of which each director is a director or officer.
3. Orientation and Continuing Education
The Company has traditionally retained experienced mining people as directors and hence the orientation needed is minimized. When new directors are appointed, they are acquainted with the Companys mineral project and the expectations of directors. Board meetings generally include presentations by the Companys senior management and project staff in order to give the directors full insight into the Companys operations.
4. Ethical Business Conduct
The Board has adopted an ethics policy which is available on the Companys website, www.amarcresources.com. The Board also understands that the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by the Companys governing corporate legislation and the common law and the restrictions placed by applicable corporate legislation on an individual directors participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has an interest have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Company.
5. Nomination of Directors
The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors required, taking into account the number required to carry out the Boards duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of views and experience.
The Board does not have a nominating committee, and these functions are currently performed by the Board as a whole. However, if there is a change in the number of directors required by the Company, this policy will be reviewed.
6. Compensation
The Board determines the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer. The directors receive no cash compensation for acting in their capacity as directors of the Company.
7. Other Board Committees
The Board has no compensation or other committees other than the audit committee.
8. Assessments
The Board monitors the adequacy of information given to directors, communication between the Board and management and the strategic direction and processes of the Board and its committee.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committees Charter
The audit committee has adopted a charter that sets out its mandate and responsibilities. A copy of the audit committee charter is available at www.sedar.com and the Companys website, www.amarcresources.com.
Composition of the Audit Committee
The members of the audit committee are David Copeland, Scott Cousens and Ronald Thiessen. All members are financially literate.
Relevant Education and Experience
As a result of their education and experience, each member of the audit committee has familiarity with, an understanding of, or experience in:
Audit Committee Oversight
The audit committee has not made any recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate any external auditor.
The Companys auditor De Visser Gray LLP has not provided any material non-audit services during the most recently completed fiscal year.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Company has procedures for the review and pre-approval of any services performed by its auditors. The procedures require that all proposed engagements of its auditors for audit and non-audit services be submitted to the audit committee for approval prior to the beginning of any such services. The audit committee considers such requests, and, if acceptable to a majority of the audit committee members, pre-approves such audit and non-audit services by a resolution authorizing management to engage the Companys auditors for such audit and non-audit services, with set maximum dollar amounts for each itemized service. During such deliberations, the audit committee assesses, among other factors, whether the services requested would be considered "prohibited services" as contemplated by the regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and whether the services requested and the fees related to such services could impair the independence of the auditors.
Exemptions
Pursuant to section 6.1 of Multilateral Instrument 52-110 (MI 52-110), the Company is exempt from the requirements of Parts 3 and 5 of MI 52-110 in respect of the composition of its audit committee and in respect of its reporting obligations under MI 52-110 for the year ended March 31, 2007, by virtue of the Company being a "venture issuer". This exemption exempts a "venture issuer" from, among other things,
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the requirement to have 100% of the members of its audit committee be independent, as would otherwise be required by MI 52-110.
D. | Employees |
At September 24, 2007, Amarc had no direct employees. Amarcs administrative and exploration functions are primarily administered through Hunter Dickinson Inc. (See Item 7- Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions).
E. | Share Ownership |
Security Holdings of Directors and Senior Management
As at September 24, 2007, the directors and officers of Amarc and their affiliates, directly and indirectly, own or control as a group an aggregate of 12,099,917 common shares (19.1%), or 14,839,917 (22.5%) on a diluted basis.
As at September 24, 2007, the Company's directors and senior management beneficially own the following number of the Company's common shares, options and warrants:
Name of Insider |
Securities Beneficially Owned or
Controlled |
As a % of the outstanding
Common Shares |
David J. Copeland |
869,500 Common Shares Nil Options Nil Warrants |
1.4% |
Scott D. Cousens |
539,000 Common Shares Nil Options Nil Warrants |
0.9% |
Robert A. Dickinson(1) |
6,326,409 Common Shares Nil Options 940,000 Warrants |
10.0% |
Jeffrey R. Mason |
2,796,000 Common Shares Nil Options 1,400,000 Warrants |
4.4% |
Ronald W. Thiessen |
1,569,008 Common Shares Nil Options 400,000 Warrants |
2.4% |
Total |
12,099,917 Common Shares Nil Options 2,740,000 Warrants |
19.1%
|
(1) |
Certain of these shares are held by United Mineral Services Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Dickinson. |
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Share Option Plan
As at September 24, 2007, no options were outstanding pursuant to the Company's share option plan, and an aggregate of 6,329,947 common shares were available for issuance, pursuant to the Companys share option plan, described below.
(a) |
Incentive Options none outstanding |
(b) |
Share Incentive Plan |
In order to provide incentive to directors, officers, employees, management and others who provide services to the Company to act in the best interests of the Company, the Company has adopted a Share Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). | |
At the Company's annual general meeting (the "Meeting") held on September 28, 2006, shareholders confirmed the Companys share option plan, previously approved by the shareholders on September 21, 2004. The Plan is based on the maximum number of eligible shares equaling a rolling percentage of up to 10% of the Company's outstanding common shares, calculated from time to time. Pursuant to the Plan, if outstanding options are exercised, or expire, or the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company increases, the number of options available to grant under the Plan increases proportionately. The exercise price of each option is set by the board of directors at the time of grant but cannot be less than the market price. Options can have a maximum term of five years and typically terminate 90 days following the termination of the optionee's employment or engagement, except in the case of retirement or death. Vesting of options is at the discretion of the board of directors at the time the options are granted. | |
Eligible Optionees | |
Under the policies of the TSX Venture, to be eligible for the issuance of a stock option under the Plan an optionee must either be a director, officer or employee of the Company, or a consultant or an employee of a company providing management or other services to the Company, or to its subsidiaries, at the time the option is granted. | |
Options may be granted only to an individual or to a company that is wholly-owned by individuals eligible for an option grant. If the option is granted to a non-individual, the company must provide the TSX Venture with an undertaking that it will not permit any transfer of its securities, nor issue further securities, to any other individual or entity as long as the incentive stock option remains in effect without the consent of the TSX Venture. | |
Insider Limitations | |
The number of shares reserved for issuance under options granted to insiders may exceed 10% of the issued shares, and, within a twelve month period, the number of options granted to insiders may exceed 10% of the issued shares. |
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Disinterested Shareholder Approval
In accordance with the requirements of the TSX Venture and the terms of the Plan, disinterested shareholder approval was received at the Meeting.
"Disinterested Shareholder Approval" means the approval by a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders of the Company at the Meeting excluding votes attached to listed shares beneficially owned by insiders of the Company to whom the options have been granted under the existing plan and associates of those insiders.
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ITEM 7 | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
A. | Major Shareholders |
Major Shareholders
Amarc is a publicly-held corporation, with its shares held by residents of Canada, the United States of America and other countries. To the best of Amarcs knowledge, other than as noted below, no person, corporation or other entity beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or controls more than 5% of the common shares of Amarc, the only class of securities with voting rights. For these purposes, "beneficial ownership" means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security.
As of September 24, 2007, Amarc had authorized unlimited common shares without par value, of which 63,299,473 were issued and outstanding. As September 24, 2007, Robert Dickinson, together with companies controlled by him, held 6,326,409 common shares of Amarc, representing 10.0% of the common shares outstanding.
All of the common shares have the same voting rights.
Geographic Breakdown of Shareholders
As of September 24, 2007, Amarcs register of shareholders indicates that Amarcs common shares are held as follows:
Number of registered | Percentage of total | ||
Location | shareholders of record | Number of shares | shares |
Canada | 13 | 55,779,167 | 88.1% |
United States | 8 | 3,030,306 | 4.8% |
Other | 6 | 4,490,000 | 7.1% |
TOTALS | 27 | 63,299,473 | 100.0% |
Shares registered in intermediaries were assumed to be held by residents of the same country in which the clearing house was located.
Transfer Agent
Amarcs securities are recorded on the books of its transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada located at 4th Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B9 (604) 661-0271 in registered form. However, the majority of such shares are registered in the name of intermediaries such as brokerage houses and clearing houses (on behalf of their respective brokerage clients). Amarc does not have knowledge or access to the identities of the beneficial owners of such shares registered through intermediaries.
Control
To the best of its knowledge, Amarc is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any other corporation, by any foreign government or by any other natural or legal person, severally or jointly, other
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than as noted above under Major Shareholders. There are no arrangements known to Amarc which, at a subsequent date, may result in a change in control of Amarc.
Insider Reports under the British Columbia Securities Act
Under the British Columbia Securities Act, "insiders" (generally, officers, directors and holders of 10% or more of Amarc's shares) are required to file insider reports of changes in their ownership in the first 10 days of the month following a trade in Amarc's securities. Copies of such reports are available for public inspection at the offices of the British Columbia Securities Commission, 9th Floor, 701 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1L2, (604) 899-6500 or at the British Columbia Securities Commission web site, www.bcsc.bc.ca. In British Columbia, all insider reports must be filed electronically 10 days following the date of the trade at www.sedi.ca. The public is able to access these reports at www.sedi.ca.
B. | Related Party Transactions |
Except as disclosed below, Amarc has not, since the beginning of its last fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, and does not propose to:
(1) |
enter into any transactions which are material to Amarc or a related party or any transactions unusual in their nature or conditions involving goods, services or tangible or intangible assets to which Amarc or any of its former subsidiaries was a party; | |
(2) |
make any loans or guarantees directly or through any of its former subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of the following persons: | |
(a) |
enterprises directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling or controlled by or under common control with Amarc; | |
(b) |
associates of Amarc (unconsolidated enterprises in which Amarc has significant influence or which has significant influence over Amarc) including shareholders beneficially owning 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Amarc; | |
(c) |
individuals owning, directly or indirectly, shares of Amarc that gives them significant influence over Amarc and close members of such individuals families; | |
(d) |
key management personnel (persons having authority in responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Amarc including directors and senior management and close members of such directors and senior management); or | |
(e) |
enterprises in which a substantial voting interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence. |
Hunter Dickinson Inc.
The Company is party to the geological and administrative services agreement with Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI) dated December 31, 1996. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the Company paid $884,888 to HDI for services and reimbursements of third party disbursements pursuant to this agreement.
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HDI is a service-provider corporation which has been providing geological, engineering and administration services for 20 years to companies that are exploring, developing and producing from mineral properties. HDI is owned by 10 public resource companies, including Amarc. The other nine public companies that own HDI include: Anooraq Resources Corporation, Continental Minerals Corporation, Farallon Resources Ltd., Great Basin Gold Ltd., Taseko Mines Limited, Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd., Casamiro Resource Corporation, Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., and Rockwell Diamonds Inc. Amarc and the other public companies listed above each own 10% of HDI.
As an umbrella organization, HDI provides, both cost and expertise advantages to the companies through access to a shared multidisciplinary team of mining and financial professionals. This includes: management capability, geological, engineering and environmental expertise, financial acumen, and administrative and support services. In addition, HDI organizes and shares leased premises and office and technical equipment for staff to perform their duties. As of September 24, 2007, HDI employed or retained on a substantially full-time basis, twenty-five geoscientists (of which eleven are professional geologists/PGeo, and two are geological engineers/PEng. and five are PhDs), ten licensed professional mining, mechanical or civil engineers (PEng.), thirteen accountants (including seven CAs and five CMAs or CGAs) and at least 35 administrative and support personnel.
Each public company in the HDI group, including Amarc, has the right to appoint one director to HDI's board of directors so that it has access to all of HDI's financial records, thus assuring transparency of cost allocations. HDI resources are made available on an as needed basis, at cost. Therefore, each public company only pays for the services it uses. In addition, HDI as a representative of the group has contacts in financial markets, primarily in North America, Europe and Asia.
Amarcs business relationship with HDI consists of utilizing the services described above. HDI provides these services to Amarc which include the services of Amarcs President and CEO, pursuant to a standard (within the group) Geological Management and Administration Services Agreement with Hunter Dickinson Inc., dated December 31, 1996 (the "Geological Management and Administration Services Agreement"). Because of cross membership of many of the boards of directors within the group, certain members of management and the board of directors of Amarc are also members of the board directors of HDI.
HDI's arrangements are also flexible enough that it is able to defer collection of monthly service invoices and on occasion, where surplus funds are available to HDI, make short term advances to members of the group. Amarc has been, but is not currently indebted to HDI. The Geological Management and Administration Services Agreement can be terminated by either party on 30 days notice.
Rockwell Diamonds Inc.
Rockwell Diamonds Inc., formerly named Rockwell Ventures Inc. (Rockwell), is a public company with certain directors in common with the Company. On January 26, 2007, the Company advanced $5,500,000 to Rockwell pursuant to a 90-day promissory note. Interest on the promissory note is calculated at a rate of 20% per annum, compounded quarterly. Interest is payable in common shares of Rockwell, based upon the ten day average closing price, less a 10% discount. For the year ended March 31, 2007, interest income of $192,877 was accrued on the promissory note. On April 18, 2007, Rockwell repaid the principal amount of the loan, together with 497,993 common shares of Rockwell at a deemed price of $.495, representing payment of interest on the 90-day promissory note. For the three months period ended June 30, 2007, interest income of $53,629 was accrued on the promissory note.
On June 21, 2007, the Company sold its 497,993 common shares of Rockwell for proceeds of $315,499 and recorded a corresponding gain of $68,992 on the sale of the securities.
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Management / Insiders
During the year ended March 31, 2007, the Company completed a private placement of 10,490,000 units at $0.50 per unit, consisting of 4,490,000 flow-through units and 6,000,000 non-flow-through units. Each flow-through unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one non-flow-through warrant and each non-flow-through unit consisted of one non-flow-through common share and one warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share until January 17, 2009, at a price of $0.55 per share. Directors and officers of the Company participated in this private placement, acquiring in aggregate 2,740,000 units. To the date of this Annual Report, informed persons of the Company participated in the private placement of the units as follows:
Informed Person Participation | Amount | Units |
Robert Dickinson | $ 470,000 | 940,000 |
Jeffrey Mason | $ 700,000 | 1,400,000 |
Ronald Thiessen | $ 200,000 | 400,000 |
C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 8 | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
A. | Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information |
Item 17 of this Form 20-F contains Amarcs audited consolidated annual financial statements as at and for the years ending March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005.
Legal Proceedings
Amarc is not involved in any litigation or legal proceedings and to Amarcs knowledge, no material legal proceedings involving Amarc or its subsidiaries are to be initiated against Amarc.
Dividend Policy
The Company has not paid any dividends on its outstanding common shares since its incorporation and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. All funds of Amarc are being retained for exploration of its projects.
B. | Significant Changes |
There have been no significant changes to the accompanying financial statements since March 31, 2007, except as disclosed in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
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ITEM 9 | THE OFFER AND LISTING |
A. | Offer and Listing Details |
Trading Markets
Amarcs common shares have been listed in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange since August 1995, under the symbol AHR.
The Company's common shares have been traded in the U.S. on OTC Bulletin Board since June 2004, under the symbol AXREF.
The following tables set forth for the periods indicated the price history of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange and on the OTC Bulletin Board.
TSX Venture Exchange | OTCBB | |||
High | Low | High | Low | |
Fiscal | (Cdn$) | (Cdn$) | (US$) | (US$) |
2007 | 0.60 | 0.30 | 0.51 | 0.20 |
2006 | 0.47 | 0.22 | 0.38 | 0.20 |
2005 | 0.75 | 0.43 | 0.60 | 0.34 |
2004 | 0.99 | 0.11 | N/A | N/A |
2003 | 0.89 | 0.15 | N/A | N/A |
TSX Venture Exchange | OTCBB | |||
High | Low | High | Low | |
Quarter | (Cdn$) | (Cdn$) | (US$) | (US$) |
Q1, 2008 | 0.70 | 0.45 | 0.65 | 0.40 |
Q4, 2007 | 0.60 | 0.41 | 0.51 | 0.27 |
Q3, 2007 | 0.48 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.20 |
Q2, 2007 | 0.39 | 0.31 | 0.35 | 0.28 |
Q1, 2007 | 0.50 | 0.35 | 0.46 | 0.30 |
Q4, 2006 | 0.44 | 0.28 | 0.38 | 0.20 |
Q3, 2006 | 0.40 | 0.22 | 0.35 | 0.20 |
Q2, 2006 | 0.40 | 0.27 | 0.35 | 0.21 |
Q1, 2006 | 0.47 | 0.32 | 0.38 | 0.24 |
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TSX Venture Exchange | OTCBB | |||
High | Low | High | Low | |
Month | (Cdn$) | (Cdn$) | (US$) | (US$) |
September 2007 (up to | 0.60 | 0.53 | 0.59 | 0.50 |
September 24, 2007) | ||||
August 2007 | 0.72 | 0.51 | 0.75 | 0.47 |
July 2007 | 0.72 | 0.63 | 0.75 | 0.57 |
June 2007 | 0.68 | 0.61 | 0.65 | 0.57 |
May 2007 | 0.70 | 0.57 | 0.63 | 0.51 |
April 2007 | 0.59 | 0.45 | 0.51 | 0.40 |
B. | Plan of Distribution |
Not applicable.
C. | Markets |
The shares of Amarc traded in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange and successor to the Vancouver Stock Exchange) since August 1995 under the trading symbol AHR. Amarcs shares have traded on the OTC-BB under the symbol AXREF, since June 2004.
D. | Selling Shareholders |
Not applicable.
E. | Dilution |
Not applicable.
F. | Expenses of the Issue |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 10 | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
A. | Share Capital |
Not applicable.
B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association |
Amarcs corporate constituting documents comprising Articles of Association and Memorandum are registered with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies under Corporation No. 436691. A copy of the Companys original Articles of Association was filed as an exhibit with Amarcs initial registration statement on Form 20-F.
In March 2004, the Company Act (British Columbia) (the BCCA) was replaced by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the BCA). All companies incorporated under the BCCA were required to complete a transition application to the BCA by March 29, 2006. The directors of the Company authorized the Company to file a transition application with the Registrar of Companies and to comply with the BCA. Accordingly, the Company filed a Notice of Articles on October 2, 2004. The BCA approved the Companys Notice of Articles and they were also approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting held on October 12, 2005.
A summary of certain changes under the new articles was discussed and filed in a prior year with the Companys filing on Form 20-F.
C. | Material Contracts |
Amarcs material contracts as of September 24, 2007:
(a) |
Geological Management and Administration Services Agreement with Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI) dated for reference December 31, 1996. See Item 7B. |
(b) |
$5,500,000 90-day promissory note agreement with Rockwell Diamonds Inc., formerly named Rockwell Ventures Inc., dated January 26, 2007. See Exhibit 4.3. |
(c) |
Mineral property option agreement re acquisition of the Bodine property, dated November 14, 2006. See Exhibit 4.4. |
(d) |
Tulox property sale agreement, dated May 7, 2007. See Exhibit 4.5. |
| |
D. |
Exchange Controls |
Amarc is incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. There is no law or governmental decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than withholding tax requirements. Any such remittances to United States residents are generally subject to withholding tax, however no such remittances are likely in the foreseeable future. See Taxation, below.
There is no limitation imposed by the laws of Canada or by the charter or other constituent documents of Amarc on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote its common shares, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (Canada) (the Investment Act). The following discussion summarizes the
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material features of the Investment Act for a non-resident who proposes to acquire a controlling number of Amarcs common shares. It is general only; it is not a substitute for independent advice from an investors own advisor, and it does not anticipate statutory or regulatory amendments. Amarc does not believe the Investment Act will have any affect on it or on its non-Canadian shareholders due to a number of factors including the nature of its operations and Amarcs relatively small capitalization.
The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture (each an entity) that is not a Canadian as defined in the Investment Act (i.e. a non-Canadian), unless after review the Minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in Amarcs common shares by a non-Canadian (other than a WTO Investor as that term is defined in the Investment Act and which term includes entities which are nationals of or are controlled by nationals of member states of the World Trade Organization) when Amarc was not controlled by a WTO Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it was an investment to acquire control of Amarc and the value of the assets of Amarc, as determined in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Investment Act, was over $5 million, or if an order for review was made by the federal cabinet on the grounds that the investment related to Canadas cultural heritage or national identity, regardless of the value of the assets of Amarc. An investment in the common shares of Amarc by a WTO Investor, or by a non-Canadian when Amarc was controlled by a WTO Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it was an investment to acquire control of Amarc and the value of the assets of Amarc, as determined in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Investment Act, was not less than a specified amount, which for 2007 is $281 million. A non-Canadian would acquire control of Amarc for the purposes of the Investment Act if the non-Canadian acquired a majority of the common shares. The acquisition of less than a majority but one-third or more of the common shares would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of Amarc unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, Amarc was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of the common shares.
The foregoing assumes Continental will not engage in the production of uranium or own an interest in a producing uranium property in Canada, or provide any financial service or transportation service or is a cultural business, as the rules under the Investment Act governing those businesses are different.
Certain transactions relating to the common shares of the Company would be exempt from the Investment Act, including:
(a) |
an acquisition of the common shares by a person in the ordinary course of that persons business as a trader or dealer in securities; | |
(b) |
an acquisition of control of Amarc in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act; and | |
(c) |
an acquisition of control of Amarc by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of Amarc, through the ownership of the common shares, remained unchanged. |
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E. | Taxation |
The following, in management's understanding, summarizes the material Canadian federal income tax consequences generally applicable to the holding and disposition of common shares by a holder (in this summary, a "U.S. Holder") who, (a) for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"), is not resident in Canada, deals at arm's length with Amarc, holds the common shares as capital property and does not use or hold the common shares in the course of carrying on, or otherwise in connection with, a business in Canada, and (b) for the purposes of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980 (the "Treaty"), is a resident solely of the United States, has never been a resident of Canada, and has not held or used (and does not hold or use) common shares in connection with a permanent establishment or fixed base in Canada. This summary does not apply to traders or dealers in securities, limited liability companies, tax-exempt entities, insurers, financial institutions (including those to which the mark-to-market provisions of the Tax Act apply), or any other U.S. Holder to which special considerations apply.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act, including all regulations thereunder, the Treaty, all proposed amendments to the Tax Act, the regulations and the Treaty publicly announced by the Government of Canada to the date hereof, and the current administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency. It has been assumed that all currently proposed amendments will be enacted as proposed and that there will be no other relevant change in any governing law or administrative practice, although no assurances can be given in these respects. This summary does not take into account provincial, U.S., state or other foreign income tax law or practice. The tax consequences to any particular U.S. Holder will vary according to the status of that holder as an individual, trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the jurisdictions in which that holder is subject to taxation, and generally according to that holder's particular circumstances. Accordingly, this summary is not, and is not to be construed as, Canadian tax advice to any particular U.S. Holder.
Dividends
Dividends paid or deemed to be paid to a U.S. Holder by Amarc will be subject to Canadian withholding tax. Under the Treaty, the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid to a U.S. Holder is generally limited to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend (or 5% if the U.S. Holder is a corporation and beneficially owns at least 10% of Amarc's voting shares). Amarc will be required to withhold the applicable withholding tax from any such dividend and remit it to the Canadian government for the U.S. Holder's account.
Disposition
A U.S. Holder is not subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition of a common share in the open market unless the share is taxable Canadian property to the holder thereof and the U.S. Holder is not entitled to relief under the Treaty. A common share will be taxable Canadian property to a U.S. Holder if, at any time during the 60 months preceding the disposition, the U.S. Holder or persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm's length alone or together owned, or had rights to acquire, 25% or more of Amarc's issued shares of any class or series.
A U.S. Holder whose common shares do constitute taxable Canadian property, and who might therefore be liable for Canadian income tax under the Tax Act, will generally be relieved from such liability under the Treaty unless the value of such shares at the time of disposition is derived principally from real property situated in Canada.
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United States Tax Consequences
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is, in management's understanding, a discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences, under current law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as hereinafter defined) of common shares of Amarc. This discussion does not address all potentially relevant federal income tax matters and it does not address consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of federal income tax law, such as those described below as excluded from the definition of a U.S. Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences (see "Taxation Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences" above). Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of common shares of Amarc should consult their own tax advisors about the specific federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares of Amarc, based upon their individual circumstances.
The following discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time and which are subject to differing interpretations. This discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, of any proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
U.S. Holders
As used herein, a "U.S. Holder" means a holder of common shares of Amarc who is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, an entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof which has elected to be treated as a corporation for United States income tax purposes (under Treasury Regulation section 301.7701 -3), an estate whose income is taxable in the United States irrespective of source or a trust subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and control of a United States fiduciary as described Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. This summary does not address the tax consequences to, and U.S. Holder does not include, persons subject to specific provisions of federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals, persons or entities that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. dollar, shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, shareholders who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, and shareholders who acquired their common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services. This summary is limited to U.S. Holders who own common shares as capital assets and who own (directly and indirectly, pursuant to applicable rules of constructive ownership) no more than 5% of the value of the total outstanding stock of Amarc. This summary does not address the consequences to a person or entity holding an interest in a shareholder or the consequences to a person of the ownership, exercise or disposition of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire common shares. In addition, this summary does not address special rules applicable to United States persons (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) holding common shares through a foreign partnership or to foreign persons holding common shares through a domestic partnership.
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Distribution on Common Shares of Amarc
In general, U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares of Amarc are required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions, equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date), to the extent that Amarc has current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing the U.S. Holder's federal taxable income by those who itemize deductions. (See more detailed discussion at "Foreign Tax Credit" below). To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits of Amarc, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of property. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a U.S. Holder which is a corporation.
In the case of foreign currency received as a dividend that is not converted by the recipient into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Generally, any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the foreign currency, including the exchange for U.S. dollars, will be ordinary income or loss. However, an individual whose realized gain does not exceed $200 will not recognize that gain, provided that there are no expenses associated with the transaction that meet the requirements for deductibility as a trade or business expense (other than travel expenses in connection with a business trip) or as an expense for the production of income.
Dividends paid on the common shares of Amarc generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from certain United States corporations. A U.S. Holder which is a corporation and which owns shares representing at least 10% of the voting power and value of Amarc may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to a 70% (or 80% if the U.S. Holder owns shares representing at least 20% of the voting power and value of Amarc) deduction of the United States source portion of dividends received from Amarc (unless Amarc qualifies as a "foreign personal holding company" or a "passive foreign investment company," as defined below). Amarc does not anticipate that it will earn any United States income, however, and therefore, does not anticipate that any U.S. Holder will be eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Under current Treasury Regulations, dividends paid on Amarc common shares, if any, generally will not be subject to information reporting and generally will not be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax. However, dividends and the proceeds from a sale of Amarc common shares paid in the U.S. through a U.S. or U.S. related paying agent (including a broker) will be subject to U.S. information reporting requirements and may also be subject to the 28% U.S. backup withholding tax, unless the paying agent is furnished with a duly completed and signed Form W-9. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of common shares of Amarc may be entitled, at the option of the U.S. Holder, to either receive a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces United States federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayer's income subject to tax. This election is made on a year-
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by-year basis and generally applies to all foreign taxes paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during that year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder's United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holder's foreign source income bears to his or its worldwide taxable income. In the determination of the application of this limitation, the various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern this classification process. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to two specific classes of income: "passive income, and "general income". Dividends distributed by Amarc will generally constitute "passive income" for these purposes. Prior to January 1, 2007, there were nine specific classes of income rather than the two stated here. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the credit are fact specific, and U.S. Holders of common shares of Amarc should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.
Disposition of Common Shares of Amarc
In general, U.S. Holders will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common shares of Amarc equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received, and (ii) the shareholder's tax basis in the common shares of Amarc. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of U.S. Holders which are individuals, estates or trusts. In general, gain or loss on the sale of common shares of Amarc will be long-term capital gain or loss if the common shares are a capital asset in the hands of the U.S. Holder and are held for more than one year. Deductions for net capital losses are subject to significant limitations. For U.S. Holders which are not corporations, any unused portion of such net capital loss may be carried over to be used in later tax years until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted. For U.S. Holders that are corporations (other than corporations subject to Subchapter S of the Code), an unused net capital loss may be carried back three years and carried forward five years from the loss year to be offset against capital gains until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted.
Other Considerations
Set forth below are certain material exceptions to the above-described general rules describing the United States federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and disposition of common shares:
Passive Foreign Investment Company
United States income tax law contains rules governing "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFIC") which can have significant tax effects on U.S. Holders of foreign corporations. These rules do not apply to non-U.S. Holders. Section 1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the United States if, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is "passive income," which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by fair market value (or, if the corporation is not publicly traded and either is a controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, by adjusted tax basis), of its assets that produce or are held for the production of "passive income" is 50% or more. In the event that Amarc qualifies as a PFIC for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, or in future fiscal years, each U.S. Holder of Amarc is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to how the PFIC rules affect such U.S. Holder's tax situation.
Each U.S. Holder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such corporation qualifies as a PFIC is subject to United States federal income taxation under one of three alternative tax regimes at the election of such U.S. Holder. The following is a discussion of such alternative tax regimes applied to such U.S. Holders of Amarc. In addition, special rules apply if a foreign corporation qualifies as both a PFIC and a "controlled foreign corporation" (as defined below) and a U.S. Holder owns,
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actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of such foreign corporation (See more detailed discussion at "Controlled Foreign Corporation" below).
A U.S. Holder who elects to treat Amarc as a qualified electing fund ("QEF") will be subject, under Section 1293 of the Code, to current federal income tax for any taxable year to which the election applies in which Amarc qualifies as a PFIC on his pro rata share of Amarc's (i) "net capital gain" (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), which will be taxed as long-term capital gain, and (ii) "ordinary earnings" (the excess of earnings and profits over net capital gain), which will be taxed as ordinary income, in each case, for the shareholder's taxable year in which (or with which) Amarc's taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares will be increased by any such amount that is included in income but not distributed.
The procedure a U.S. Holder must comply with in making an effective QEF election, and the consequences of such election, will depend on whether the year of the election is the first year in the U.S. Holder's holding period in which Amarc is a PFIC. If the U.S. Holder makes a QEF election in such first year, i.e., a "timely" QEF election, then the U.S. Holder may make the QEF election by simply filing the appropriate documents at the time the U.S. Holder files his tax return for such first year. If, however, Amarc qualified as a PFIC in a prior year during the U.S. Holder's holding period, then, in order to avoid the Section 1291 rules discussed below, in addition to filing documents, the U.S. Holder must elect to recognize under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code (discussed herein), (i) any gain that he would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold his stock on the qualification date or (ii) if Amarc is a controlled foreign corporation, the U.S. Holder's pro rata share of Amarc's post-1986 earnings and profits as of the qualification date. The qualification date is the first day of Amarc's first tax year in which Amarc qualified as a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. Holder who makes (i) a timely QEF election, or (ii) an untimely QEF election and either of the above-described gain-recognition elections under Section 1291 is referred to herein as an "Electing U.S. Holder." A U.S. Holder who holds common shares at any time during a year of Amarc in which Amarc is a PFIC and who is not an Electing U.S. Holder (including a U.S. Holder who makes an untimely QEF election and makes neither of the above-described gain-recognition elections) is referred to herein as a "Non-Electing U.S. Holder". An Electing U.S. Holder (i) generally treats any gain realized on the disposition of his Amarc common shares as capital gain; and (ii) may either avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status altogether, or make an annual election, subject to certain limitations, to defer payment of current taxes on his share of Amarc's annual realized net capital gain and ordinary earnings subject, however, to an interest charge. If the U.S. Holder is not a corporation, any interest charge imposed under the PFIC regime would be treated as "personal interest" that is not deductible.
In order for a U.S. Holder to make (or maintain) a valid QEF election, Amarc must provide certain information regarding its net capital gains and ordinary earnings and permit its books and records to be examined to verify such information. Amarc intends to make the necessary information available to U.S. Holders to permit them to make (and maintain) QEF elections with respect to Amarc. Amarc urges each U.S. Holder to consult a tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, the QEF election.
A QEF election, once made with respect to Amarc, applies to the tax year for which it was made and to all subsequent tax years, unless the election is invalidated or terminated, or the IRS consents to revocation of the election. If a QEF election is made by a U.S. Holder and Amarc ceases to qualify as a PFIC in a subsequent tax year, the QEF election will remain in effect, although not applicable, during those tax years in which Amarc does not qualify as a PFIC. Therefore, if Amarc again qualifies as a PFIC in a subsequent tax year, the QEF election will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules described above for Electing U.S. Holders in such tax year and any subsequent tax years in which Amarc
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qualifies as a PFIC. In addition, the QEF election remains in effect, although not applicable, with respect to an Electing U.S. Holder even after such U.S. Holder disposes of all of his or its direct and indirect interest in the shares of Amarc. Therefore, if such U.S. Holder reacquires an interest in Amarc, that U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules described above for Electing U.S. Holders for each tax year in which Amarc qualifies as a PFIC.
In the case of a Non-Electing U.S. Holder, special taxation rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i) gains realized on the disposition (or deemed to be realized by reasons of a pledge) of his Amarc common shares and (ii) certain "excess distributions," as defined in Section 1291(b), by Amarc.
A Non-Electing U.S. Holder generally would be required to pro rate all gains realized on the disposition of his Amarc common shares and all excess distributions on his Amarc common shares over the entire holding period for the common shares. All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of the U.S. Holder (excluding any portion of the holder's period prior to the first day of the first year of Amarc (i) which began after December 31, 1986, and (ii) for which Amarc was a PFIC) would be taxed at the highest tax rate for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income. The Non-Electing U.S. Holder also would be liable for interest on the foregoing tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect to each such prior year. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder that is not a corporation must treat this interest charge as "personal interest" which, as discussed above, is wholly non-deductible. The balance, if any, of the gain or the excess distribution will be treated as ordinary income in the year of the disposition or distribution, and no interest charge will be incurred with respect to such balance. In certain circumstances, the sum of the tax and the PFIC interest charge may exceed the amount of the excess distribution received, or the amount of proceeds of disposition realized, by the U.S. Holder.
If Amarc is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-Electing U.S. Holder holds Amarc common shares, then Amarc will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such Amarc common shares, even if it is no longer definitionally a PFIC. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-Electing U.S. Holders) as if such Amarc common shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which it was a PFIC.
Effective for tax years of U.S. Holders beginning after December 31, 1997, U.S. Holders who hold (actually or constructively) marketable stock of a foreign corporation that qualifies as a PFIC may elect to mark such stock to the market annually (a "mark-to-market election"). If such an election is made, such U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to the special taxation rules of Section 1291 discussed above. However, if the mark-to-market election is made by a Non-Electing U.S. Holder after the beginning of the holding period for the PFIC stock, then the Section 1291 rules will apply to certain dispositions of, distributions on and other amounts taxable with respect to Amarc common shares. A U.S. Holder who makes the mark-to market election will include in income for each taxable year as ordinary income for which the election is in effect an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares of Amarc as of the close of such tax year over such U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in such common shares. In addition, the U.S. Holder is allowed a deduction for the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares over the fair market value of such shares as of the close of the tax year, or (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the mark-to-market gains for the common shares in Amarc included by such U.S. Holder for prior tax years, including any amount which would have been treated as a mark-to-market gain for any prior tax year but for the Section 1291 rules discussed above with respect to Non-Electing U.S. Holders, over (B) the mark-to-market losses for shares that were allowed as deductions for prior tax years. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares of Amarc will be adjusted to reflect the amount included in or deducted from income as a result of a mark-to-market election. A mark-to-market election applies to the taxable year in which the election is made and to each subsequent taxable year, unless Amarc common shares cease to be marketable, as specifically
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defined, or the IRS consents to revocation of the election. Because the IRS has not established procedures for making a mark-to-market election, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding the manner of making such an election. No view is expressed regarding whether common shares of Amarc are marketable for these purposes or whether the election will be available.
Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued Proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would treat as taxable certain transfers of PFIC stock by Non-Electing U.S. Holders that are generally not otherwise taxed, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. Generally, in such cases the basis of Amarc common shares in the hands of the transferee and the basis of any property received in the exchange for those common shares would be increased by the amount of gain recognized. Under the Proposed Treasury Regulations, an Electing U.S. Holder would not be taxed on certain transfers of PFIC stock, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. The transferee's basis in this case will depend on the manner of the transfer. In the case of a transfer by an Electing U.S. Holder upon death, for example, the transferee's basis is generally equal to the fair market value of the Electing U.S. Holder's common shares as of the date of death under Section 1014 of the Code. The specific tax effect to the U.S. Holder and the transferee may vary based on the manner in which the common shares are transferred. Each U.S. Holder of Amarc is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to how the PFIC rules affect his or its tax situation.
Whether or not a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election with respect to common shares of Amarc, certain adverse rules may apply in the event that both Amarc and any foreign corporation in which Amarc directly or indirectly holds shares is a PFIC (a "lower-tier PFIC"). Pursuant to certain Proposed Treasury Regulations, a U.S. Holder would be treated as owning his or its proportionate amount of any lower-tier PFIC shares, and generally would be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such indirectly-held PFIC shares unless such U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election with respect thereto. Amarc intends to make the necessary information available to U.S. Holders to permit them to make (and maintain) QEF elections with respect to each subsidiary of Amarc that is a PFIC.
Under the Proposed Treasury Regulations, a U.S. Holder who does not make a timely QEF election with respect to a lower-tier PFIC generally would be subject to tax (and the PFIC interest charge) on (i) any excess distribution deemed to have been received with respect to his or its lower-tier PFIC shares and (ii) any gain deemed to arise from a so-called "indirect disposition" of such shares. For this purpose, an indirect disposition of lower-tier PFIC shares would generally include (i) a disposition by Amarc (or an intermediate entity) of lower-tier PFIC shares, and (ii) any other transaction resulting in a dilution of the U.S. Holder's proportionate ownership of the lower-tier PFIC, including an issuance of additional common shares by Amarc (or an intermediate entity or the lower tier PFIC). Accordingly, each prospective U.S. Holder should be aware that he or it could be subject to tax even if such U.S. Holder receives no distributions from Amarc and does not dispose of its common shares.
Amarc strongly urges each prospective U.S. Holder to consult a tax advisor with respect to the adverse rules applicable, under the Proposed Treasury Regulations, to U.S. Holders of lower-tier PFIC shares.
Certain special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to Amarc common shares while Amarc is a PFIC unless the U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election. For example under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder who uses PFIC stock as security for a loan (including a margin loan) will, except as may be provided in regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such shares.
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Controlled Foreign Corporation
If more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to vote or the total value of the shares of Amarc is owned, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships or corporation, or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(31)), each of which own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to vote of Amarc ("United States Shareholder"), Amarc could be treated as a controlled foreign corporation ("CFC") under Subpart F of the Code. This classification would affect many complex results, one of which is the inclusion of certain income of a CFC which is subject to current U.S. tax. The United States generally taxes United States Shareholders of a CFC currently on their pro rata shares of the Subpart F income of the CFC. Such United States Shareholders are generally treated as having received a current distribution out of the CFC's Subpart F income and are also subject to current U.S. tax on their pro rata shares of increases in the CFC's earnings invested in U.S. property. The foreign tax credit described above may reduce the U.S. tax on these amounts. In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, gain from the sale or exchange of shares by a U.S. Holder of common shares of Amarc which is or was a United States Shareholder at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary income to the extent of earnings and profits of Amarc attributable to the shares sold or exchanged. If a foreign corporation is both a PFIC and a CFC, the foreign corporation generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to United States Shareholders of the CFC. This rule generally will be effective for taxable years of United States Shareholders beginning after 1997 and for taxable years of foreign corporations ending with or within such taxable years of United States Shareholders. Special rules apply to United States Shareholders who are subject to the special taxation rules under Section 1291 discussed above with respect to a PFIC. Because of the complexity of Subpart F, a more detailed review of these rules is outside of the scope of this discussion. Amarc does not believe that it currently qualifies as a CFC. However, there can be no assurance that Amarc will not be considered a CFC for the current or any future taxable year.
F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
G. | Statement by Experts |
Not applicable.
H. | Documents on Display |
Exhibits attached to this Form 20-F are also available for viewing on EDGAR, or at the offices of Amarc, Suite 1020 - 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 or on request of Amarc at 604-684-6365, attention: Shirley Main. Copies of Amarcs financial statements and other continuous disclosure documents required under the British Columbia Securities Act are available for viewing on the internet at www.sedar.com.
I. | Subsidiary Information |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 11 | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
(a) | Transaction Risk and Currency Risk Management |
Amarcs operations do not employ financial instruments or derivatives which are market sensitive and Amarc does not have financial market risks.
(b) | Exchange Rate Sensitivity |
Amarcs administrative operations are in Canada. The Company typically holds most of its funds in Canadian dollars and typically acquires foreign currency on an as-needed basis and hence it is not significantly affected by exchange rate risk. The Company does however, from time to time, invest in US$ denominated short term investments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk on such investments.
The Company currently does not engage in foreign currency hedging.
(c) | Interest Rate Risk and Equity Price Risk |
Amarc is equity financed and does not have any debt, other than routine accounts payable. As such, the Company is not subject to interest rate change risks.
(d) | Commodity Price Risk |
While the value of Amarcs resource properties can always be said to relate to the price of copper and gold metals and the outlook for same, Amarc does not have any operating mines and hence does not have any hedging or other commodity based operational risks respecting its business activities.
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ITEM 12 | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
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PART II
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ITEM 13 | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 14 | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 15 | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2007. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Ronald W. Thiessen, and the Companys Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey R. Mason. Based upon that evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Amarc in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). There have been no changes in the Companys internal controls, or in other factors that significantly affected or could significantly affect internal controls, subsequent to the date the Company carried out the evaluation.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Companys reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Companys reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
During the Companys most recently completed fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, there were no changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
The term internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the registrants principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the registrants board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
(1) |
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the registrant; |
(2) |
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the registrant are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the registrant; and |
(3) |
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the registrants assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
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ITEM 16 | AUDIT COMMITTEE, CODE OF ETHICS, ACCOUNTANT FEES AND EXEMPTIONS |
A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert |
The board of directors has determined that Mr. Ronald W. Thiessen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a member of the audit committee of the Company, qualifies as a financial expert based on his education and experience. Mr. Thiessen is not independent, as that term is defined by the rules of the American Stock Exchange. Mr. Thiessen is an accredited Chartered Accountant in Canada.
B. | Code of Ethics |
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Companys chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and other members of senior management. The Company's Code of Ethics can be viewed at the Companys website, www.amarcresources.com.
C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The following table discloses the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the Companys audit firm, De Visser Gray LLP for various services.
Services: |
Year ended March 31, 2007 |
Year ended March 31, 2006 |
Audit Fees (1) Audit-Related Fees (2) Tax Fees (3) All Other Fees (4) |
$ 14,000 | $ 13,500 |
| ||
1,500 | 1,450 | |
| | |
$ 15,500 | $ 14,950 |
Notes:
(1) | Audit Fees include fees necessary to perform
the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Companys consolidated
financial statements. Audit Fees include fees for review of tax provisions
and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the financial
statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required
by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews
of securities filings and statutory audits. |
(2) | Audit-Related Fees include services that
are traditionally performed by the auditor. These audit-related services
include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting
consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit
or attest services not required by legislation or regulation. |
(3) | "Tax Fees" include fees billed for professional services
rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and
tax planning. The specific services received included a review of the
annual corporate tax return for tax compliance, together with a review
of the tax structure related to the Company's Chinese operations. |
(4) |
"All Other Fees" include fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in (1), (2) or (3) above. |
From time to time, management of the Company recommends to and requests approval from the audit committee for non-audit services to be provided by the Companys auditors. The audit committee routinely considers such requests at committee meetings, and if acceptable to a majority of the audit committee members, pre-approves such non-audit services by a resolution authorizing management to engage the Companys auditors for such non-audit services, with set maximum dollar amounts for each itemized service. During such deliberations, the audit committee assesses, among other factors, whether
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the services requested would be considered prohibited services as contemplated by the SEC, and whether the services requested and the fees related to such services could impair the independence of the auditors. No material non-audit services were provided by the Companys auditors during the year ended March 31, 2007.
D. | Exemptions from Listing Standards for Audit Committees |
Not applicable.
E. | Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
None.
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PART III
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ITEM 17 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The following attached financial statements are incorporated herein:
(1) |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the consolidated balance sheets as at March 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated statements of operations, deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended March 31, 2007; |
(2) |
Consolidated balance sheets as at March 31, 2007, and 2006; |
(3) |
Consolidated statements of operations for each of the years in the three year period ended March 31, 2007; |
(4) |
Consolidated statements of deficit for the periods referred to in (3) above; |
(5) |
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods referred to in (3) above; and |
(6) |
Notes to the consolidated financial statements. |
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ITEM 18 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Not applicable. See Item 17.
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ITEM 19 | EXHIBITS |
The following exhibits are included with this Annual Report on Form 20-F:
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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
AMARC RESOURCES LTD.
/s/ Jeffrey R. Mason | |
JEFFREY R. MASON | |
Director, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
DATED: September 28, 2007 |