Filed pursuant to General Instruction II.L. of Form F-10
File No. 333-196906
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
TO THE SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 21, 2014
GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.
U.S.$15,015,000
22,750,000 Common Shares
Golden Star Resources
Ltd. (“
Golden
Star
”, the “
Company
”, “
we
”, “
us
”
or “
our
”) hereby offers, and this prospectus supplement (the “
Prospectus Supplement
”) qualifies
the distribution of, 23,810,000 Common Shares (as defined below) (the “
Offered Shares
”) of Golden Star to be
sold at a price of U.S.$0.66 per Common Share (the “
Offering Price
”).
Golden Star’s
outstanding common shares (“
Common Shares
”) are listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(the “
TSX
”) under the symbol “
GSC
”, on the NYSE MKT LLC (the “
NYSE MKT
”)
under the symbol “
GSS
” and on the Ghana Stock Exchange (the “
GSE
”) under the symbol “
GSR
”.
On April 27, 2016, being the last trading day prior to the announcement of this offering, the closing price of the Common Shares
on the TSX was Cdn.$0.99 and on the NYSE MKT was U.S.$0.75. On April 29, 2016, being the last trading day prior to the date of
this Prospectus Supplement, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX was Cdn.$0.87 and on the NYSE MKT was U.S.$0.69.
Investing in the Offered Shares involves significant risk. Prospective investors should carefully consider the risk factors
outlined in this Prospectus Supplement, the short form base shelf prospectus dated July 21, 2014 (the “Prospectus”)
and the documents incorporated by reference therein before purchasing the Offered Shares. See “Risk Factors”.
The
Company has applied to list the Offered Shares
distributed under this Prospectus Supplement on the TSX and the NYSE MKT.
Listing will be subject to the Company fulfilling all the listing requirements of the TSX and the NYSE MKT.
Price: U.S.$0.66 per Offered Share
|
|
Price
to
the Public
|
|
|
Underwriter’s
Fee
(1)
|
|
|
Net
Proceeds
to Golden Star
(2)
|
|
Per Offered Share
|
|
|
U.S.$0.66
|
|
|
|
U.S.$0.0396
|
|
|
|
U.S.$
0.6204
|
|
Total
(3)
|
|
|
U.S.$15,015,000
|
|
|
|
U.S.$900,900
|
|
|
|
U.S.$
14,114,100
|
|
Notes:
|
(1)
|
In consideration for the services rendered by the Underwriter (as defined below) in connection
with the offering, the Underwriter will be paid a cash fee equal to 6.0% of the Offering Price for each Offered Share sold under
this offering (“
Underwriter’s Fee
”). See “Plan of Distribution”.
|
|
(2)
|
After deducting the Underwriter’s Fee, but before deducting expenses of this offering payable
by Golden Star, estimated to be U.S.$400,000, which together with the Underwriter’s Fee will be paid from the proceeds of
the sale of the Offered Shares.
|
|
(3)
|
Golden Star has granted to the Underwriter an option (the
“
Over-Allotment Option
”), exercisable in whole or in part for a period of 30 days following the closing of
the offering, to purchase up to an additional 3,412,500 Common Shares (the “
Additional Shares
”), representing
15% of the aggregate Offered Shares issued upon the closing of the offering, at the same price and on the same terms as set out
above, to cover over allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full,
the total price to the public, Underwriter’s Fee and net proceeds to Golden Star (before estimated offering expenses) will
be U.S.$17,267,250, U.S.$1,036,035 and U.S.$16,231,215, respectively. This Prospectus Supplement qualifies the distribution of
the Over-Allotment Option and the Additional Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. A purchaser who acquires
Additional Shares forming part of the Over-Allotment Option acquires those Additional Shares under this Prospectus Supplement,
regardless of whether the over-allocation position is ultimately filled through the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option or secondary
market purchases. See “Plan of Distribution”. References to the “Offered Shares” herein includes the Additional
Shares, as the context permits.
|
Underwriter’s Position
|
|
Maximum number of
securities held
|
|
Exercise period
|
|
Exercise price
|
Over-Allotment Option
|
|
3,412,500
Additional Shares
|
|
30 days following closing of the offering
|
|
U.S.$0.66
per
Additional Share
|
This offering of
Offered Shares
is made by Golden Star, a Canadian issuer that is permitted under a multijurisdictional
disclosure system (“MJDS”) adopted by the United States and Canada, to prepare this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. Prospective investors should be aware that such requirements are
different from those applicable to issuers in the United States. Golden Star has prepared its financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2015, incorporated herein by reference, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board which is incorporated within Part 1 of the CPA Canada Handbook - Accounting.
Golden Star’s consolidated financial statements are subject to Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and auditor
independence standards, in addition to the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)
and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) independence standards. Thus, they may not be comparable
to the financial statements of U.S. companies.
The ability of purchasers
of securities to enforce civil liabilities under United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely because we are
incorporated in Canada, most of our officers and directors and most of the experts named in this Prospectus are not residents of
the United States, and all of our assets and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside of
the United States. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities by U.S. Investors”.
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.
(the “
Underwriter
”), as principal, conditionally offers the
Offered Shares
in each of the provinces of Canada other than the province of Québec and in the United States, subject to prior sale, if,
as and when issued by us and accepted by the Underwriter in accordance with the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement
referred to under “Plan of Distribution”, and subject to the approval of certain legal matters on the Company’s
behalf by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP and Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP and on behalf of the Underwriter by Stikeman Elliott
LLP and Dorsey & Whitney LLP. The Underwriter will offer the
Offered Shares
for sale in
the United States and Canada either directly or through its broker-dealer affiliates or agents registered in each jurisdiction.
After the Underwriter has made reasonable efforts to sell all of the Offered Shares at the Offering Price, the Offering Price
may be decreased, and further changed from time to time, to an amount not greater than the Offering Price. However, any such reduction
in the Offering Price shall not affect the net purchase price to be paid to Golden Star. See “Plan of Distribution”.
The Offering Price of the Offered Shares offered hereunder was determined by negotiation between us and the Underwriter.
Subscriptions will
be received subject to rejection or allotment in whole or part and the right is reserved to close the subscription books at any
time without notice. It is expected that the closing of the offering will occur on or about May 9, 2016 or such later date as we
and the Underwriter may agree but, in any event, not later than 42 days following the date of this Prospectus Supplement. The Company
will arrange for an instant deposit of the securities issued hereunder to or for the account of the Underwriter with CDS Clearing
and Depository Services Inc. (“
CDS
”) on the closing date of the offering, against payment of the aggregate purchase
price for the securities issued hereunder. Accordingly, a purchaser of securities issued hereunder will receive only a customer
confirmation from the Underwriter or other registered dealers who are CDS participants and from or through which the securities
issued hereunder are purchased. See “Plan of Distribution”. The Offered Shares are to be taken up by the Underwriter,
if at all, on or before a date not more than 42 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement.
Subject to applicable
laws, the Underwriter may effect transactions intended to stabilize or maintain the market price for the Common Shares at levels
above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
See “Plan of Distribution”.
NONE OF THE CANADIAN
SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, THE SEC NOR ANY UNITED STATES (“U.S.”) STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY
BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES, OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
Prospective investors
should be aware that the acquisition of the Offered Shares described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States
and Canada. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, Canada and the United States may not be described
fully herein. See “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”.
An investment in
the Offered Shares involves certain risks that are described under “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus Supplement, in
the Prospectus and in the documents incorporated therein by reference and should be considered by any prospective purchaser of
Offered Shares.
Tony Jensen, Craig
Nelsen, Daniel Owiredu and William Yeates, being directors of the Company, have appointed the Company, 150 King Street West, Suite
1200, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J9, as agent for service of process. Investors are advised that it may not be possible for investors
to enforce judgements obtained in Canada against any person or company that is incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under
the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process
in Canada.
The registered and
principal office of the Company is located at 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J9.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
table of
contents
SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS
IMPORTANT
NOTICE ABOUT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
This document is in
two parts. The first part is this Prospectus Supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and
updates certain information contained in the accompanying Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein. The second
part, the accompanying Prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering.
Neither the Company
nor the Underwriter are making an offer to sell the Offered Shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted
by law. This Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus must not be used by anyone for any purpose other than in connection
with this offering. The Company does not undertake to update the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement or contained
or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Prospective investors
should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide prospective investors with different or additional information. The
Company takes no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may
give readers of this Prospectus Supplement. Readers should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement
is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus Supplement or the respective dates of the documents
incorporated by reference in the accompanying Prospectus. Information on any of the websites maintained by the Company does not
constitute a part of this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus and shall not be relied upon by prospective purchasers
for the purpose of determining whether to invest in the securities qualified for distribution under this Prospectus Supplement.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus Supplement,
the accompanying Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein contain certain forward-looking statements with
respect to Golden Star’s financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies,
future events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,”
“intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,”
“may,” “will,” and similar expressions (including negative and grammatical variations) identify forward-looking
statements.
Although the Company
believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company
cannot be certain that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results, performance or achievements could
differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus Supplement. These statements include comments regarding: production and cash operating cost estimates;
the receipt of environmental permits, including the approval of the environmental management plan at the Wassa open-pit and underground
gold mines (and satellite pits) (“
Wassa
”); the impact of rain on our operations; the impact of Wassa underground
mining operations on Wassa open pit mining operations and the impact of Wassa open pit mining operations on Wassa underground mining
operations; mining methods and estimated recovery at the Wassa underground mine (“
Wassa Underground
”); required
investments in mine infrastructure; securing financing for operations on favourable terms; anticipated commencement dates of mining
and production at Wassa Underground and Prestea underground mine (“
Prestea Underground
”); estimated costs and
timing of the development of new deposits and sources of funding for such development; capital expenditures; government review
of gold exploration areas; the mining laws, environmental laws and tax regime of Ghana; production capacity, rates and costs; currency
exchange rate fluctuations; gold sales; mining operations and gold recovery rates; ore type, delivery and processing; use of waste
rock; tailings processing; completion, use and capacity of a new facility in the design phase; potential mine life; strip ratios;
permitting and approvals; rehabilitation; estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources; geological, environmental, community
and engineering studies; environmental impact of operations; exploration efforts and activities; timing for commencing or completing
drilling; updates to resource models; identification of acquisition and growth opportunities; timing for completing production
at the oxide pits in Prestea South; relationships with local stakeholder communities; the Company’s status as a PFIC (as
defined herein); use of proceeds; exercise of the over-allotment option; the transformation of Golden Star into a lower cost producer
and the timing thereof; our ability to meet our cash requirements; and fees and expenses relating to the offering.
The following,
in addition to the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus Supplement, are among the factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
|
·
|
significant increases or decreases in gold prices;
|
|
·
|
losses or gains in mineral reserves from changes in operating costs and/or gold prices;
|
|
·
|
failure of exploration efforts to expand mineral reserves and mineral resources around our existing
mines;
|
|
·
|
unexpected changes in business and economic conditions;
|
|
·
|
inaccuracies in mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates;
|
|
·
|
changes in interest and currency exchange rates;
|
|
·
|
possible hedging activities;
|
|
·
|
timing and amount of gold production;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated variations in ore grade, tonnes mined and crushed or milled;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated recovery or production problems;
|
|
·
|
effects of illegal mining on our properties;
|
|
·
|
ability to, and cost of, dewatering our underground mines;
|
|
·
|
changes in mining and processing costs, including changes to costs of raw materials, supplies,
services and personnel;
|
|
·
|
changes in metallurgy and processing;
|
|
·
|
availability of skilled personnel, contractors, materials, equipment, supplies, power and water;
|
|
·
|
changes in project parameters or mine plans;
|
|
·
|
costs and timing of development of mineral reserves;
|
|
·
|
weather, including drought or excessive rainfall in West Africa;
|
|
·
|
results of current and future exploration activities;
|
|
·
|
acquisitions and joint venture relationships;
|
|
·
|
political or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we operate;
|
|
·
|
changes in regulatory frameworks or regulations affecting our operations, particularly in Ghana,
where our principal producing properties are located;
|
|
·
|
local and community impacts and issues;
|
|
·
|
availability and cost of replacing mineral reserves;
|
|
·
|
timing of receipt and maintenance of government approvals and permits;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated transportation costs including shipping incidents and losses;
|
|
·
|
accidents, labor disputes and other operational hazards;
|
|
·
|
environmental (including reclamation) costs and risks;
|
|
·
|
competitive factors, including competition for property acquisitions;
|
|
·
|
availability of capital at reasonable rates or at all;
|
|
·
|
changes in the Ghanaian Cedi and government policies regarding payments in foreign currency; and
|
|
·
|
changes to Golden Star’s mining licenses, including revocation.
|
These factors are not
intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that could affect us. We may note additional risk factors
elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus or in any of the documents incorporated by reference therein.
Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ
materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performance
or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those anticipated,
believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of such statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference
in the Prospectus, this Prospectus Supplement and any of the documents incorporated by reference are qualified by the foregoing
cautionary statements.
CURRENCY
PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
We report in United
States dollars. Accordingly, all references to “$”, “U.S.$” or “United States dollars” in this
Prospectus Supplement refer to United States dollar values. References to “Cdn.$” or “Canadian dollars”
are used to indicate Canadian dollar values.
The noon rate of exchange
on April 29, 2016 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars was Cdn.$1.00
equals U.S.$1.2549 and for the conversion of United States dollars into Canadian dollars was U.S.$1.00 equals Cdn.$0.7969.
References to “GH¢”
or “Ghanaian Cedis” are used to indicate values in Ghanaian Cedi. The noon rate of exchange on April 29, 2016 as reported
by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into Ghanaian Cedi was Cdn.$1.00 equals GH¢3.0404 and for the
conversion of Ghanaian Cedi into Canadian dollars was GH¢1.00 equals Cdn.$0.3289.
The following table
sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the high, low and average noon spot rates for one Canadian dollar in terms of the
United States dollar, as reported by the Bank of Canada.
|
|
Year ended Dec. 31, 2015
(U.S. $)
|
|
|
Year ended Dec. 31, 2014
(U.S. $)
|
|
High
|
|
|
0.8527
|
|
|
|
0.9422
|
|
Low
|
|
|
0.7148
|
|
|
|
0.8589
|
|
Average
|
|
|
0.7820
|
|
|
|
0.9054
|
|
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
This Prospectus
Supplement is deemed, as of the date hereof, to be incorporated by reference into the accompanying Prospectus only for the purposes
of this offering.
The following documents,
filed by the Company with the securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, other than the
province of Québec, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus:
|
(a)
|
annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 dated March 30, 2016
(the “
AIF
”);
|
|
(b)
|
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015
and the related notes and the auditor’s report thereon (collectively, the “
Annual Financial Statements
”);
|
|
(c)
|
management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of
the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 (“
Annual MD&A
”);
|
|
(d)
|
the management information circular of the Company dated March 14, 2016 relating to the Company’s
annual general and special meeting of shareholders to be held on May 5, 2016; and
|
|
(e)
|
material change report dated January 11, 2016 announcing amendments to the Stream Agreement (as
defined therein).
|
Any document of the
type referred to in Section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 of National Instrument 44-101 -
Short Form Prospectus Distributions
filed
by the Company with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada after the date of this Prospectus Supplement
and prior to the completion or termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus,
as supplemented by this Prospectus Supplement, for the purposes of this offering. In addition, for United States purposes, any
document filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act (as defined herein) subsequent to the date of this Prospectus
Supplement and prior to the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, as
supplemented by this Prospectus Supplement, for the purpose of this offering and the registration statement of which this Prospectus
Supplement forms a part (in the case of any Report on Form 6-K, if and to the extent expressly provided in such report).
Upon a new annual information
form and annual consolidated financial statements being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions
or similar regulatory authorities in Canada during the period that this Prospectus Supplement is effective, the previous annual
information form, the previous annual consolidated financial statements and all interim consolidated financial statements, and
in each case the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, and
material change reports, filed prior to the commencement of the financial year of the Company in which the new annual information
form is filed shall be deemed to no longer be incorporated into the Prospectus for purposes of offers and sales of Offered Shares
under this Prospectus Supplement. Upon interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion
and analysis of financial condition and results of operations being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities
commissions or similar regulatory authorities during the period that this Prospectus Supplement is effective, all interim consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
filed prior to such new interim consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations shall be deemed to no longer be incorporated into the Prospectus for purposes of offers and sales of
Offered Shares under this Prospectus Supplement. In addition, upon a new management information circular for an annual meeting
of shareholders being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities
during the period that this Prospectus Supplement is effective, the previous management information circular filed in respect of
the prior annual meeting of shareholders shall no longer be deemed to be incorporated into the Prospectus for offers and sales
of Offered Shares under this Prospectus Supplement.
Documents referenced
in any of the documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, as supplemented by this Prospectus Supplement, but not expressly
incorporated by reference therein, and not otherwise required to be incorporated by reference therein, are not incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus.
Any statement contained
in this Prospectus Supplement, in the accompanying Prospectus, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
therein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein, or in any subsequently
filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference into the Prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded
a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document or statement that it modifies or supersedes. The making
of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement,
when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that
is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was
made.
Copies of the documents
incorporated or deemed incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary
of Golden Star Resources Ltd. at 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J9, Telephone: (416) 816-0424,
email: info@gsr.com, and are also available electronically at www.sedar.com.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The Company has filed
with the SEC a registration statement (the “
Registration Statement
”) on Form F-10 under the United States
Securities Act of 1933
, as amended (the “
U.S. Securities Act
”), relating to the offering of the Offered
Shares. This Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, which constitute a part of the Registration Statement, do not
contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement, certain items of which are contained in the exhibits to
the Registration Statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements included or incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus about the contents of any contract, agreement or other documents referred
to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, you should refer to the exhibits for a more complete description of the
matter involved. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Information omitted from this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus but contained in the Registration Statement is available on the SEC’s website under the Company’s
profile at www.sec.gov. Please refer to the Registration Statement and exhibits for further information.
The Company is subject
to the informational reporting requirements of the United States
Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
, as amended (the
“
Exchange Act
”) as the Common Shares are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, the
Company is required to publicly file reports and other information with the SEC. Under the MJDS, the Company is permitted to prepare
such reports and other information in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from United States
disclosure requirements. As a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the
furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the Company’s officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from
the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, the
Company is not required to publish financial statements as promptly as U.S. companies.
Investors may read
and copy, for a fee, any document that the Company has filed with or furnished to the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room
in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors should call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or access its
website at www.sec.gov for further information about the public reference room. Investors may read and download the documents the
Company has filed with the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval system at www.sec.gov. Investors may read and download
any public document that the Company has filed with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com.
NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this Prospectus
Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, we use the terms “cash operating cost”, “cash
operating cost per ounce”, “all-in sustaining costs”, “cash provided from operations before working capital
changes”, “adjusted net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star shareholders” and “adjusted earnings/(loss)
per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders” which are considered “Non-GAAP financial measures” within
the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance IFRS. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in the Annual MD&A for an explanation
of these measures.
CAUTIONARY
NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINERAL RESERVES
The disclosure in this
Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein, uses mineral resource classification
terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada, and certain mineral resource estimates are made in accordance with National
Instrument 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(“
NI 43-101
”). NI 43-101 is a rule developed
by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and
technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates
contained in or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus have been prepared in accordance
with NI 43-101. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and mineral reserve and mineral resource
information contained herein and incorporated by reference herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S.
companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements under U.S. federal securities laws.
The Prospectus, including
the documents incorporated by reference therein, and this Prospectus Supplement include mineral reserve estimates that have been
calculated in compliance with NI 43-101, as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. For United States reporting
purposes, SEC Industry Guide 7, as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, applies different standards in order to classify mineralization
as a reserve. As a result, the definitions of proven and probable mineral reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions
in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve”
unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time
the reserve determination is made. Among other things, a final or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report
reserves, the three year average historical price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary
permits would be required to be in hand or issuance imminent in order to classify mineralized material as reserves under the SEC
standards. Accordingly, mineral reserve estimates contained in the Prospectus or this Prospectus Supplement may not qualify as
“reserves” under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards.
In addition, the Prospectus
and this Prospectus Supplement may use the terms “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”
and “inferred mineral resources” to comply with the reporting standards in Canada. The Company advises investors that
while those terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities regulations, the SEC does not recognize them. Investors are
cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into SEC defined
mineral reserves. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic
and legal feasibility.
Further, “inferred
resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically.
Therefore, investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred mineral resources exist. In accordance
with Canadian rules, estimates of “inferred mineral resources” cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic
studies.
It cannot be assumed
that all or any part of “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”, or “inferred
mineral resources” will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the
reported “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”, or “inferred mineral resources”
in this Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus or any of the documents incorporated by reference therein is economically or legally
mineable.
For the above reasons,
information contained in this Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein containing
descriptions of the Company’s mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies
subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
ENFORCEABILITY
OF CIVIL LIABILITIES BY U.S. INVESTORS
The Company is a corporation
existing under the
Canada Business Corporations Act
. All but three of the Company’s directors, all but three of its
officers, and all but two of the experts named in the Prospectus, are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United
States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets, and all of the Company’s assets, are located outside the United
States. The Company has appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it may be difficult for holders of
the Common Shares who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon those directors, officers and
experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for holders of the Common Shares who reside in the
United States to realize upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the Company’s civil liability and
the civil liability of its directors, officers and experts under the United States federal securities laws.
The Company filed with
the SEC, concurrently with its registration statement on Form F-10, an appointment of agent for service of process on Form F-X.
Under the Form F-X, the Company appointed Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, 1550 17
th
Street, Suite 500, Denver, Colorado,
USA 80202 as its agent for service of process in the United States in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding
conducted by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against or involving the Company in a United States court arising out
of, related to, or concerning the offering of the Offered Shares under this Prospectus Supplement.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
SUMMARY
This summary highlights
certain information about the Company, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information
that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in the Offered Shares. For a more complete understanding of the Company
and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference therein, and in particular, the information
under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus Supplement and in the AIF. All capitalized terms used in this summary
refer to definitions contained elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement.
THE
BUSINESS
Golden Star Resources
Ltd. was established under the
Canada Business Corporations Act
on May 15, 1992 as a result of the amalgamation of South
American Goldfields Inc., a corporation incorporated under the federal laws of Canada, and Golden Star Resources Ltd., a corporation
originally incorporated under the
Business Corporations Act
(Alberta) on March 7, 1984 as Southern Star Resources Ltd. Golden
Star is a reporting issuer or the equivalent in all provinces of Canada and a foreign private issuer as defined in Rule 3b-4 under
the Exchange
Act in the United States, eligible to file disclosure documents pursuant to the MJDS adopted and implemented
by securities regulatory authorities in the United States and Canada. Golden Star files disclosure documents with the securities
regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada and the SEC in the United States.
Golden Star’s
head and registered office is located at 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J9. Golden Star’s
fiscal year ends on December 31.
recent
developments
Gold Prices
Spot gold prices increased from U.S.$1,062
per ounce at December 31, 2015 to U.S.$1,237 per ounce at March 31, 2016. The spot gold price on April 29, 2016 was U.S.$1,285.65
per ounce. The Company realized an average gold price of U.S.$1,159 per ounce for gold sales during the first quarter of 2016,
compared to an average realized gold price of U.S.$1,210 per ounce for the first quarter of 2015. The average gold price realized
by the Company during the quarter was affected by the streaming agreement (the “
Streaming Agreement
”) entered
into with RGLD Gold AG (“
RGLD
”).
Forward and collar contracts
During the first quarter
of 2016, the Company initiated a gold hedging program to limit its exposure to the fluctuations in the gold price during the development
phase of Wassa Underground and Prestea Underground. As at April 29, 2016, the Company has the following outstanding contracts:
(i) forward contracts for 9,000 ounces (or 1,000 ounces per month from April to December 2016) at a gold price of $1,188 per ounce,
and (ii) collars on 36,000 ounces at gold prices of no less than U.S.$1,125 per ounce and up to U.S.$1,325 per ounce, for months
ranging from April to December 2016. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company incurred realized loss of U.S.$0.3 million on
settled contracts.
Ecobank Loan II drawdown
During the first quarter
of 2016, the Company drew down the remaining U.S.$3 million available from the loan facility with Ecobank Ghana Limited and repaid
principal of U.S.$1.2 million. As at April 29, 2016, U.S.$23.8 million of principal remains outstanding for scheduled payments.
U.S.$20 Million from Streaming Agreement
On April 1, 2016, the
Company received a scheduled advance payment of U.S.$20.0 million pursuant to the Streaming Agreement.
Settlement of Convertible Debentures
The Company repurchased
U.S.$3.6 million principal amount of its 5% convertible senior unsecured debenture due June 1, 2017 (the “
Convertible
Debentures
”) subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2016 for U.S.$1.8 million that included interest payment of U.S.$0.1
million. As at April 29, 2016, U.S.$73.9 million principal amount of the Convertible Debentures remains outstanding and will mature
on June 1, 2017.
First Quarter Production
Production in the first
quarter of 2016 was from the open pit operations with approximately 22,000 ounces of production from Prestea and approximately
31,000 ounces from Wassa. The open pit operations at both Wassa and Prestea are expected to be our primary source of production
through 2016 as development work continues on the respective underground projects. Initial production at the Wassa Underground
project is expected to occur in mid-2016 and in mid-2017 for the Prestea Underground, thereby we expect the annualized production
levels to increase by approximately 25% beginning in late 2017.
THE
OFFERING
Offered Shares
|
Offered Shares having an aggregate Offering Price of U.S.$15,015,000
.
|
|
|
Manner of offering
|
The Underwriter has agreed to purchase from Golden Star, on the closing of the offering, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, 22,750,000 Offered Shares offered hereby at a price of U.S$0.66 per Offered Share payable in cash to Golden Star against delivery of the Offered Shares. Golden Star has granted to the Underwriter the Over-Allotment Option, exercisable in whole or in part, for a period of 30 days following closing of the offering,
to purchase from Golden Star up to 3,412,500
Additional Shares, representing 15% of the aggregate Offered Shares issued upon the closing of the offering, on the same terms as set out above, to cover over-allotments, if any. See “Plan of Distribution”.
|
|
|
Use of proceeds
|
The net proceeds of this offering will be used for debt reduction as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds”.
|
|
|
Risk factors
|
See “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus and the risk factors discussed or referred to in the AIF for a discussion of factors that should be read and consider before investing in the Offered Shares.
|
|
|
Tax considerations
|
Purchasing Offered Shares may have tax consequences. This Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus may not describe these consequences fully for all investors. Investors should read the tax discussion in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus and consult with their tax advisor. See “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this Prospectus Supplement.
|
|
|
Listing symbol
|
The Common Shares are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol “GSC”, on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “GSS” and on the GSE under the symbol “GSR”. The Company has applied to list the Offered Shares distributed under this Prospectus Supplement on the TSX and the NYSE MKT. Listing will be subject to the Company fulfilling all the listing requirements of the TSX and the NYSE MKT.
|
CONSOLIDATED
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the Company’s capitalization
as at (i) December 31, 2015
prior to giving effect to this offering and (ii) December 31, 2015 after giving effect to this
offering (assuming no exercise of the Over-Allotment Option). The following table should be read in conjunction with the Annual
Financial Statements that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus Supplement.
|
|
As at December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
(U.S.$000’s)
Actual
|
|
|
(U.S.$000’s)
As Adjusted
After Giving
Effect to the Offering
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Debt
|
|
|
22,442
|
|
|
|
22,442
|
|
Long Term Debt
|
|
|
91,899
|
|
|
|
91,899
|
|
|
|
|
114,341
|
|
|
|
114,341
|
|
Shareholders’ Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
695,555
|
|
|
|
709,655
|
|
Contributed Surplus
|
|
|
32,612
|
|
|
|
32,612
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
(793,304
|
)
|
|
|
(793,304
|
)
|
|
|
|
(65,137
|
)
|
|
|
(51,037
|
)
|
Total:
|
|
|
49,204
|
|
|
|
63,304
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amounts shown assume the issuance of 22,750,000 Offered
Shares at a price of U.S.$0.66
per Offered Share in the offering,
|
|
(2)
|
Amounts shown assume that the Over-Allotment Option is
not exercised.
|
|
(3)
|
Amounts shown do not include the use of offering proceeds
as described in “Use of Proceeds”.
|
|
(4)
|
Amounts shown are after deducting the Underwriter’s
Fee but before expenses of the offering payable by Golden Star, estimated to be U.S.$400,000.
|
|
(5)
|
Amounts shown do not include (i) an aggregate of 16,164,008 Common Shares issuable upon the
exercise of currently outstanding options at exercise prices ranging from Cdn.$0.30 to Cdn.$5.00 per Common Share, (ii) an
aggregate of 5,402,392 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding deferred share units, (iii)
44,758,182
Common Shares issuable upon full conversion of our U.S.$73.9 million aggregate principal amount of 5% the
Convertible Debenture, or (iv) 5,000,000 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of currently outstanding warrants issued
to Royal Gold Inc. at a price of U.S.$0.27 per
Common Share. Between
January 1, 2016
and the date
hereof, no Common
Shares were issued
by the Company.
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds received
by us from the sale of the Offered Shares, after deducting the Underwriter’s Fee of U.S.$900,900 and the estimated expenses
of the offering of U.S.$400,000, will be approximately U.S.$13,714,100. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, Golden
Star will receive net proceeds of approximately U.S.$16,231,215 after deducting the Underwriter’s Fee and before offering
expenses payable by Golden Star estimated to be approximately U.S.$400,000.
We intend to use approximately
U.S.$12,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering to fund the reduction of certain Company debt and the remainder of the net
proceeds of this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. The amount and timing of the use of the net proceeds
will depend upon various factors, including gold prices, production costs, cash flow from operations, progress of development of
the Company’s projects, the quality of the ores that we mine and business growth including acquisitions and exploration.
There may be circumstances
where, on the basis of results obtained or for other sound business reasons, a re-allocation of funds may be necessary or prudent.
Accordingly, management of the Company has broad discretion in the application of the proceeds of this offering. The actual amount
that the Company spends in connection with the intended use of proceeds may vary significantly from the amounts specified above
and will depend on a number of factors, including those referred to under “Risk Factors”. All expenses relating to
this offering and any compensation paid to the Underwriter will be paid out of the proceeds from the sale of Offered Shares, unless
otherwise stated herein. Pending the use of the proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering
in U.S. or Canadian treasury bills or short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
Underwriting
Golden Star has entered
into an underwriting agreement dated as of May 2, 2016 (the “
Underwriting Agreement
”) with the Underwriter,
under which Golden Star has agreed to sell, and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase from Golden Star, on the closing of the
offering, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, 22,750,000 Offered Shares offered hereby
at a price of U.S.$
0.66
per Offered Share payable in cash to Golden Star against delivery
of the Offered Shares. The price of the Offered Shares offered under this Prospectus was established by negotiation between Golden
Star and the Underwriter.
The obligations of
the Underwriter under the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by it on the basis of certain stated events. Such events include,
but are not limited to certain stated material adverse changes with respect to the Company and certain stated events materially
adversely affecting financial markets in Canada or the United States. The Underwriter is obligated to take up and pay for all of
the Offered Shares offered hereby (other than the Additional Shares issuable on exercise of the Over-Allotment Option) if any of
those Offered Shares are purchased under the Underwriting Agreement.
The expenses of this
offering, not including the Underwriter’s Fee, are estimated to be U.S.$400,000 and are payable by Golden Star. The Underwriter
will receive aggregate fees of U.S.$900,900 (U.S.$0.0396
per Offered Share or
6.0
%
of the Offering Price) for the services performed in connection with this offering (assuming no exercise of the Over-Allotment
Option).
This offering is being
made concurrently in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Québec, and the United States pursuant to the MJDS implemented
by securities regulatory authorities in the United States and Canada. The Underwriter will offer the Offered Shares for sale in
the United States and Canada either directly or through their respective broker-dealer affiliates or agents registered in each
jurisdiction.
The Underwriting Agreement
also provides that Golden Star will indemnify the Underwriter against certain liabilities and expenses, including liabilities under
applicable securities legislation, or will contribute to payments that the Underwriter may be required to make in respect thereof.
Golden Star has agreed
in the Underwriting Agreement not to issue or announce the issuance of any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for or exercisable to acquire Common Shares without the prior consent of the Underwriter during a period commencing
on the date of execution of the Underwriting Agreement and ending 90 days after the closing date of the offering, other than: (i)
issuance of Common Shares upon exercise of currently outstanding rights, or agreements, including options, warrants, debt and other
convertible securities and any rights which have been granted or issued, subject to any necessary regulatory approval; (ii) the
issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of currently outstanding options or deferred share units granted to officers, directors,
employees or consultants of Golden Star or any subsidiary thereof pursuant to Golden Star’s stock option plan, deferred share
unit plan, performance share unit plan, share appreciation rights plan and other similar plans; or (iii) the issuance of options
or deferred share units pursuant to and in accordance with Golden Star’s stock option plan, deferred share unit plan, performance
share unit plan, share appreciation rights plan and other similar plans.
Subscriptions will
be received subject to rejection or allotment in whole or in part and the right is reserved to close the subscription books at
any time without notice. It is expected that the closing of the offering will occur on or about May 9, 2016 or such later date
as the Company and the Underwriter may agree but, in any event, not later than 42 days following the date of this Prospectus Supplement.
The Company will arrange for an instant deposit of the securities issued hereunder to or for the account of the Underwriter with
CDS on the closing date of the offering, against payment of the aggregate purchase price for the securities issued hereunder. Accordingly,
a purchaser of securities issued hereunder will receive only a customer confirmation from the Underwriter or other registered dealers
who are CDS participants and from or through which the Offered Shares issued hereunder are purchased. The Offered Shares offered
hereby are to be taken up by the Underwriter, if at all, on or before a date not later than 42 days after the date of this Prospectus
Supplement.
The Company has applied
to list the Offered Shares distributed under this Prospectus Supplement on the TSX and the NYSE MKT. Listing will be subject to
the Company fulfilling all the listing requirements of the TSX and the NYSE MKT on or before July 27, 2016.
After the Underwriter
has made reasonable efforts to sell all of the Offered Shares at the Offering Price, the Offering Price may be decreased, and further
changed from time to time, to an amount not greater than the Offering Price. However, any such reduction in the Offering Price
shall not affect the net purchase price to be paid to Golden Star.
Over-Allotment Option
Golden Star has granted
to the Underwriter the Over-Allotment Option, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time for a period of 30 days following the
closing of the offering, to purchase from Golden Star up to an additional 3,412,500 Additional Shares, representing 15%
of
the aggregate Offered Shares issued upon the closing of the offering, on the same terms as set out above, to cover over-allotments,
if any, and for market stabilization purposes. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the total price to the public,
Underwriter’s Fee and net proceeds to Golden Star (before expenses of the offering that are estimated to be U.S.$400,000)
will be U.S.$17,267,250, U.S.$1,036,035 and U.S.$16,231,215, respectively. This Prospectus Supplement qualifies the distribution
of the Over-Allotment Option and the Additional Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
Stabilization
Pursuant to policy
statements of certain securities regulators, the Underwriter may not, throughout the period of distribution, bid for or purchase
Common Shares. The foregoing restriction is subject to certain exceptions including: (a) a bid or purchase permitted under the
Universal Market Integrity Rules for Canadian Marketplaces administered by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
relating to market stabilization and passive market making activities, (b) a bid or purchase made for and on behalf of a customer
where the order was not solicited during the period of the distribution, provided that the bid or purchase was for the purpose
of maintaining a fair and orderly market and not engaged in for the purpose of creating actual or apparent active trading in, or
raising the price of, such securities, (c) a bid or purchase to cover a short position entered into prior to the commencement of
a prescribed restricted period, and (d) transactions in compliance with U.S. federal securities laws. Consistent with these requirements,
and in connection with this distribution, the Underwriter may over-allot Offered Shares and may effect transactions that stabilize
or maintain the market price of the Common Shares at levels other than those which otherwise might prevail on the open market.
If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the Underwriter at any time. The Underwriter may carry out these
transactions on the TSX, the NYSE MKT, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Stabilizing transactions
consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Shares
while this offering is in progress. These transactions may also include making short sales of the Common Shares, which involve
the sale by the Underwriter of a greater number of Common Shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. Short sales
may be “covered short sales”, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the Over-Allotment Option, or
may be “naked short sales”, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The Underwriter may create a naked
short position if they are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Common Shares in the open market that
could adversely affect investors who purchase in this Offering. The Underwriter must close out any naked short position by purchasing
Common Shares in the open market. The Underwriter may close out any covered short position either by exercising the Over-Allotment
Option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing Common Shares in the open market.
Furthermore, Golden
Star’s directors and executive officers shall execute lock up agreements, in favour of the Underwriter, pursuant to which
they will agree that, for a period of 90 days following the Closing Date, each such director or executive officer will not, directly
or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, or otherwise dispose of (or announce any intention
to do so) any Common Shares or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Common
Shares, now owned directly or indirectly by them, or under their control or direction, subject to certain limited exceptions, which
require the prior written consent of the Underwriter, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
DESCRIPTION
OF SHARE CAPITAL
Golden Star’s
authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares and an unlimited number of first preferred shares issuable
in series (the “
Preferred Shares
”). As at April 29, 2016, 259,897,095 Common Shares and no Preferred Shares
were issued and outstanding. The material attributes and characteristics of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares are described
in the Prospectus under the heading “Description of Common Shares” and “Description of Preferred Shares”
respectively. The description of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares in the Prospectus is a summary and may not describe every
aspect of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares that may be important to you. Golden Star urges you to read the
Canada Business
Corporations Act
and Golden Star’s articles of arrangement, because they, and not the description in the Prospectus,
define the rights of a holder of Common Shares or Preferred Shares.
PRIOR
SALES
For the twelve-month period before the date of this Prospectus
Supplement, we issued the following Common Shares:
Date
|
|
Number of Common
Shares Issued
|
|
|
Price (Cdn.$)
|
|
August 5, 2015
|
|
|
407,012
|
(1)
|
|
|
$0.27
|
|
Note:
|
(1)
|
407,012 deferred share units of the Company were exercised
on August 5, 2015.
|
For the twelve-month period before the date of this Prospectus
Supplement, we issued the following options to purchase Common Shares:
Date
|
|
Number of Options Issued
|
|
|
Price (Cdn.$)
|
|
February 29, 2016
|
|
|
2,710,442
|
(1)
|
|
|
$0.56
|
|
Note:
|
(1)
|
Represent options to purchase up to 2,710,442 Common Shares.
|
For the twelve-month period before the date of this Prospectus
Supplement, we issued the following deferred share units which may be redeemed for Common Shares:
Date
|
|
Number of Deferred Share
Units Issued
(1)
|
|
|
Price (Cdn.$)
|
|
July 15, 2015
|
|
|
406,961
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
October 15, 2015
|
|
|
492,356
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
January 15, 2016
|
|
|
756,298
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
April 15, 2016
|
|
|
149,815
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Note:
(1) Deferred share units may be redeemed for cash. Common
shares issued from treasury on a one-for-one basis or Common Shares purchased by the Company on the NYSE MKT.
For the twelve month
period before the date of this Prospectus Supplement, we issued 5,000,000 warrants to Royal Gold Inc. which are exercisable to
purchase 5,000,000 Common Shares of Golden Star at a price of U.S.$0.27 per Common Share.
PRICE
RANGE OF OUR COMMON SHARES
Our Common Shares are
listed on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol “GSS”, on the TSX under the trading symbol “GSC” and on
the GSE under the trading symbol “GSR”. As of April 29, 2016, 259,897,095 Common Shares were outstanding. On April
27, 2016, prior to the announcement of this offering, the closing price of our Common Shares on the NYSE MKT was U.S.$0.75 and
on the TSX was Cdn.$0.99. On April 29, 2016, being the last trading day prior to the date of this Prospectus Supplement, the closing
price of our Common Shares on the NYSE MKT was U.S.$0.69 and on the TSX was Cdn.$0.87.
The following table
sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low market closing prices per share of our Common Shares and the volume
of Common Shares traded on the NYSE MKT and TSX, respectively.
|
|
NYSE MKT
(1)
|
|
|
Toronto Stock Exchange
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Volume
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Volume
|
|
|
|
(U.S.$)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Cdn.$)
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
18,424,800
|
|
|
|
0.32
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
1,152,857
|
|
May
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
38,383,000
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
4,124,602
|
|
June
|
|
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
7,296,300
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
0.375
|
|
|
|
423,367
|
|
July
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
13,374,100
|
|
|
|
0.385
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
685,631
|
|
August
|
|
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
16,671,800
|
|
|
|
0.295
|
|
|
|
0.235
|
|
|
|
1,083,035
|
|
September
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
8,302,100
|
|
|
|
0.305
|
|
|
|
0.245
|
|
|
|
339,648
|
|
October
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
12,813,300
|
|
|
|
0.35
|
|
|
|
0.265
|
|
|
|
950,622
|
|
November
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
12,098,100
|
|
|
|
0.295
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
814,359
|
|
December
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
12,751,800
|
|
|
|
0.265
|
|
|
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
731,216
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
13,183,200
|
|
|
|
0.275
|
|
|
|
0.215
|
|
|
|
1,142,419
|
|
February
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
57,955,300
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
3,065,730
|
|
March
|
|
|
0.53
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
60,888,200
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
4,454,800
|
|
April
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
66,739,400
|
|
|
|
0.99
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
5,116,655
|
|
|
(1)
|
Formerly known as the NYSE Amex Equities.
|
We have not declared
or paid cash dividends on our Common Shares since our inception. Future dividend decisions will consider our then-current business
results, cash requirements and financial condition.
Certain
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Fasken
Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Canadian counsel to the Company, and Stikeman Elliott LLP counsel to the Underwriter, the following is,
as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the
Income
Tax Act
(Canada) (
“Tax Act”
) that generally apply to an investor who acquires Offered Shares pursuant to
this prospectus and who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times, deals at arm’s length with the Company
and the Underwriter, is not affiliated with the Company or the Underwriter, and who acquires and holds Common Shares as capital
property (a
“Holder”
). Generally, the Offered Shares will be considered to be capital property to a Holder provided
that the Holder does not use the Offered Shares in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities and
such Holder has not acquired them or been deemed to have acquired them in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure
or concern in the nature of trade.
This summary does not
apply to a Holder: (i) that is a “
financial institution
” for the purposes of the “
mark-to-market property
rules
” contained in the Tax Act; (ii) that is a “
specified financial institution
” as defined in the
Tax Act; (iii) an interest in which would be a “
tax shelter investment
” as defined in the Tax Act; or (iv) that
has made a “
functional currency
” reporting election under the Tax Act to determine its Canadian tax result in
a currency other than Canadian currency. Such Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to an investment in Offered
Shares.
Additional considerations,
not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Holder that is a corporation resident in Canada, and is, or becomes as part of a
transaction or event or series of transactions or events that includes the acquisition of the Offered Shares, controlled by a non-resident
corporation for purposes of the “foreign affiliate dumping” rules in section 212.3 of the Tax Act. Such Holders should
consult their tax advisors with respect to the consequences of acquiring Offered Shares.
This summary is based
upon the current provisions of the Tax Act and its regulations in force as of the date hereof and counsel’s understanding
of the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the
“CRA”
).
This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act and its regulations publicly announced by or on behalf
of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the
“Tax Proposals”
) and assumes that the Tax
Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, although no assurance can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in their
current form or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account any changes in law or in the administrative policies
or assessing practices of the CRA, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account
or consider any provincial, territorial or foreign income tax considerations, which considerations may differ significantly from
the Canadian federal income tax considerations discussed in this summary.
This summary is
of a general nature only, is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and is not intended to be,
nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Holder. Holders should consult their own tax advisors with
respect to their particular circumstances.
For purposes of the
Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of Offered Shares must be expressed in Canadian dollars
using the rate of exchange quoted by the Bank of Canada at noon on the day the amount first arose, or such other rate of exchange
as is acceptable to the CRA.
Resident Holders
The following section
of this summary only applies to Holders who, for the purposes of the Tax Act, are or are deemed to be resident in Canada at all
relevant times (
“Resident Holders”
).
Certain Resident Holders whose Offered
Shares might not constitute capital property may make, in certain circumstances, an irrevocable election permitted by subsection
39(4) of the Tax Act to deem the Offered Shares, and every other “
Canadian security
” as defined in the Tax Act,
held by such persons, in the taxation year of the election and each subsequent taxation year to be capital property. Resident Holders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding this election.
Dividends
Dividends received
or deemed to be received on the Offered Shares will be included in computing a Resident Holder’s income.
In the case of an individual
(and certain trusts), such dividends will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules that apply in respect of
“taxable
dividends”
received from “
taxable Canadian corporations
” (as each term is defined in the Tax Act).
An enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit will be available in respect of “
eligible dividends
” designated
by the Company to such Resident Holder in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Act.
In general,
in the case of a Resident Holder that is a corporation, dividends received or deemed to be received on the Offered Shares
will be deductible in computing the corporation’s taxable income. In certain circumstances, Section 55(2) of the Tax
Act will treat a taxable dividend received by a Resident Holder that is a corporation as proceeds or as a capital gain.
Resident Holders that are corporations should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
A Resident Holder that
is a “
private corporation
” or “
subject corporation
” (each as defined in the Tax Act) generally
will be liable to pay a tax (refundable in certain circumstances) under Part IV of the Tax Act on dividends received or deemed
to be received on the Offered Shares to the extent such dividends are deductible in computing taxable income.
Disposition of Offered
Shares
Upon a disposition
(or a deemed disposition) of an Offered Share (other than a disposition to the Company unless it occurs in the open market in the
manner in which shares are normally purchased by members of the public in the open market), a Resident Holder generally will realize
a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of such security, as applicable, net
of any reasonable costs of disposition, are greater (or are less) than the adjusted cost base of such security, as applicable,
to the Resident Holder. The adjusted cost base to a Resident Holder of an Offered Share acquired pursuant to this Offering will
be averaged with the adjusted cost base of any other Common Shares held by the Resident Holder as capital property at that time.
The tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses is discussed in greater detail below under the subheading “
Capital
Gains and Capital Losses
”.
Capital Gains and
Capital Losses
Generally, a Resident
Holder is required to include in computing its income for a taxation year one-half of the amount of any capital gain (a “
taxable
capital gain
”) realized in the year. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Act, a Resident Holder
is required to deduct one-half of the amount of any capital loss (an “
allowable capital loss
”) realized in a
taxation year from taxable capital gains realized in the year by such Resident Holder. Allowable capital losses incurred in a year
in excess of taxable capital gains realized in the year may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding years or
carried forward and deducted in any following taxation year against taxable capital gains realized in such year to the extent and
under the circumstances described in the Tax Act.
The amount of any capital loss realized
on the disposition or deemed disposition of Offered Shares by a Resident Holder that is a corporation may be reduced by the amount
of dividends received or deemed to have been received by it on such Offered Shares to the extent and in the circumstance specified
by the Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where an Offered Share is owned by a partnership or trust of which a corporation, trust
or partnership is a member or beneficiary, as the case may be. Resident Holders to whom these rules may be relevant should consult
their own tax advisors. A Resident Holder that is throughout the relevant taxation year a
“Canadian-controlled private
corporation”
(as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay a tax (refundable in certain circumstances) on its
“aggregate
investment income”
(as defined in the Tax Act) for the year, which includes taxable capital gains.
Minimum Tax
Capital gains realized and dividends received
on Offered Shares by a Resident Holder that is an individual (and certain types of trusts) may increase the Resident Holder’s
liability to pay minimum tax under the Tax Act. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application
of minimum tax.
Non-Resident Holders
The following section
of this summary only applies to Holders who for the purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times, are neither resident nor
deemed to be resident in Canada and do not use or hold, and will not be deemed to use or hold, the Offered Shares in carrying on
a business in Canada (
“Non-Resident Holders”
). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply
to a Non-Resident Holder that is an insurer carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere. Such Non-Resident Holders should consult
their own Canadian tax advisors.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited
or deemed to be paid or credited to a Non-Resident Holder on the Offered Shares by the Company are subject to Canadian withholding
tax at the rate of 25% on the gross amount of the dividend unless such rate is reduced by the terms of an applicable tax treaty
or convention.
For example, under
the
Canada-United States Tax Convention (1980)
(the
“Treaty”
) as amended, the rate of withholding tax
on dividends paid or credited to a Non-Resident Holder who is resident in the U.S. for purposes of the Treaty, fully entitled to
benefits under the Treaty and is the beneficial owner of the dividend (a
“U.S. Resident Holder”
) is generally
limited to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend (or 5% in the case of a U.S. Resident Holder that is a company beneficially
owning at least 10% of the Company’s voting shares). Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding
the application of any applicable tax treaty to dividends based on their particular circumstances.
Dispositions of Common
Shares
A Non-Resident
Holder generally will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition or
deemed disposition of an Offered Share, nor will capital losses arising therefrom be recognized under the Tax Act, unless the
Offered Share constitutes “
taxable Canadian property
” to the Non-Resident Holder for purposes of the Tax
Act, and the gain is not exempt from tax pursuant to the terms of an applicable tax treaty or convention.
Provided the Offered Shares are
listed on a “
designated stock exchange”
, as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the TSX and NYSE
MKT), at the time of disposition, the Offered Shares generally will not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Resident
Holder at that time, unless at any time during the 60 month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions
are met concurrently:
(i) the Non-Resident Holder,
persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length, partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or
such non-arm’s length person holds a membership interest (either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships),
or the Non-Resident Holder together with all such persons, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the
Company; and
(ii) more than 50%
of the fair market value of the Offered Shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of real or immovable
property situated in Canada,
“Canadian resource properties”
(as defined in the Tax Act),
“timber resource
properties”
(as defined in the Tax Act) or an option, an interest or right in such property, whether or not such property
exists.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, an Offered Share may otherwise be deemed to be taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Holder for purposes of the
Tax Act in particular circumstances.
A Non-Resident Holder’s
capital gain (or capital loss) in respect of Offered Shares that constitute or are deemed to constitute taxable Canadian property
(and are not otherwise exempt from tax pursuant to the terms of an applicable tax treaty or convention) will generally be computed
in the manner described above under the subheading “Resident Holders – Disposition of Offered Shares”.
Non-Resident Holders
whose Offered Shares are taxable Canadian property should consult their own tax advisors.
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a
general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising
from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares acquired pursuant to this Offering.
This summary is for
general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income
tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of
Offered Shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S.
Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including, without limitation, specific tax
consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable income tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should
not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the
U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders
of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares. In addition, except as specifically set forth below, this summary
does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding
the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences
and tax reporting requirements relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares.
No ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service (the “
IRS
”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and
the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In
addition, because the authorities on which this summary are based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S.
courts could disagree with one or more of the conclusions described in this summary.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based
on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “
Code
”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary,
or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the
United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “
Canada-U.S.
Tax Convention
”), and U.S. court decisions that are applicable, and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of
the date of this document. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner
at any time, and any such change could be applied retroactively. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse
or beneficial, of any proposed legislation.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this
summary, the term “
U.S. Holder
” means a beneficial owner of Offered Shares acquired pursuant to this offering
that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
|
·
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
|
|
·
|
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;
|
|
·
|
an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
|
|
·
|
a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and
the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury
Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
|
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S.
Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not
address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the
Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual
retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate
investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that
elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e)
own Offered Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement
involving more than one position; (f) acquire Offered Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise
as compensation for services; (g) hold Offered Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code
(generally, property held for investment purposes); or (h) own, have owned or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution)
10% or more of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company. This summary also does not address the
U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of
the U.S.; (b) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act
(c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold Offered Shares in connection with
carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose Offered Shares constitute “
taxable Canadian property
” under
the Tax Act; or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. U.S.
Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately
above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal/U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and
gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Offered Shares.
If an entity or arrangement
that is classified as a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Offered
Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity and the partners (or other owners) of such entity generally will
depend on the activities of the entity and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences
to any such partner (or owner). Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as
“pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S.
federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Offered Shares.
Ownership and Disposition of Offered
Shares
The following discussion
is subject in its entirety to the rules described below under the heading “
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
”.
Taxation of Distributions
A U.S. Holder
that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to an Offered Share will be required
to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any foreign income tax
withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated “earnings and profits” of the
Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and
accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return
of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Offered Shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or
exchange of such Offered Shares (see “
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Offered Shares
” below).
However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of its earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax
principles, and each U.S. Holder may have to assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the Offered Shares
will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on Offered Shares by corporate U.S. Holders generally will not
be eligible for the “dividends received deduction”. Subject to applicable limitations and provided the Company is
eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention or the Offered Shares are readily tradable on a United States
securities market, dividends paid by the Company to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, generally will
be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided certain holding
period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Company not be classified as a PFIC (as defined below) in the
tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult
its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of
Offered Shares
A U.S. Holder will
recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of Offered Shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any,
between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in
such Offered Shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be
long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, such Offered Shares are held for more than one
year.
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term
capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term
capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under
the Code.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If the Company were
to constitute a “passive foreign investment company” (“
PFIC
”) for any year during a U.S. Holder’s
holding period, then certain potentially adverse rules would affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting
from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Offered Shares. The Company believes that it was not a PFIC for the prior tax
year, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, the Company expects that it should not be a PFIC for the
current tax year and expects that it should not be a PFIC for the foreseeable future. No opinion of legal counsel or other tax
advisor or ruling from the IRS concerning the status of the Company as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested.
However, PFIC classification is fundamentally factual in nature, generally cannot be determined until the close of the tax year
in question, and is determined annually. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal
income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Company has
never been and will not become a PFIC for any tax year during which U.S. Holders hold Offered Shares.
In any year in which
the Company is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information
as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require. In addition to penalties, a failure to satisfy such reporting requirements
may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an
IRS Form 8621 annually.
The Company generally
will be a PFIC if, after the application of certain “look-through” rules with respect to subsidiaries in which the
Company holds at least 25% of the value of such subsidiary, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company
for such tax year is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the value of the Company’s assets
either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”), based on the quarterly
average of the fair market value of such assets. “Gross income” generally includes all sales revenues less the cost
of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income”
generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities,
and certain gains from commodities transactions. Active business gains arising from the sale of commodities generally are excluded
from passive income if substantially all (85% or more) of a foreign corporation’s commodities are stock in trade or inventory,
depreciable property used in a trade or business or supplies regularly used or consumed in the ordinary course of its trade or
business, and certain other requirements are satisfied.
If the Company were
a PFIC in any tax year during which a U.S. Holder held Offered Shares, such holder generally would be subject to special rules
with respect to “excess distributions” made by the Company on the Offered Shares and with respect to gain from the
disposition of Offered Shares. An “excess distribution” generally is defined as the excess of distributions with respect
to the Offered Shares received by a U.S. Holder in any tax year over 125% of the average annual distributions such U.S. Holder
has received from the Company during the shorter of the three preceding tax years, or such U.S. Holder’s holding period for
the Offered Shares. Generally, a U.S. Holder would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition
of the Offered Shares ratably over its holding period for the Offered Shares. Such amounts allocated to the year of the disposition
or excess distribution would be taxed as ordinary income, and amounts allocated to prior tax years would be taxed as ordinary income
at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year and an interest charge at a rate applicable to underpayments of tax would
apply.
If the Company is a
is a PFIC for the taxable year in which a dividend is paid or in the preceding taxable year, such dividends are not eligible for
the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Special rules also apply to foreign tax credits that a U.S. Holder
may claim on a distribution from a PFIC.
While there are U.S.
federal income tax elections that sometimes can be made to mitigate these adverse tax consequences (including the “QEF Election”
under Section 1295 of the Code and the “Mark-to-Market Election” under Section 1296 of the Code), such elections are
available in limited circumstances and must be made in a timely manner. Such elections may accelerate the recognition of taxable
income and may result in the recognition of ordinary income.
U.S. Holders should
be aware that, for each tax year, if any, that the Company is a PFIC, the Company provides no assurances that it will satisfy the
record keeping requirements or make available to U.S. Holders the information such U.S. Holders require to make a QEF Election
with respect to the Company or any subsidiary that also is classified as a PFIC. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to the ownership and disposition of Offered Shares, and the availability
of certain U.S. tax elections under the PFIC rules.
Additional Considerations
Additional Tax on Passive Income
Individuals, estates
and trusts will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on “net investment income” to the extent that net investment
income exceeds a certain threshold. Net investment income includes, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition
of property (other than property held in certain trades or businesses). Net investment income is reduced by deductions that are
properly allocable to such income. Special rules apply to PFIC’s, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding
the application, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of Offered Shares.
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution
paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Offered Shares, generally will
be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless
of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). A U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency
equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency
after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and
generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the
accrual method of tax accounting. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.
Foreign Tax Credit
Subject to the PFIC
rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends
paid on the Offered Shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a
credit for such Canadian income tax. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on
a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income that is subject to U.S. federal income
tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding)
by a U.S. Holder during a year.
Complex limitations
apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S.
Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears
to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income
and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “
foreign source
” or “
U.S. source
”.
Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on
the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise
provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. However, the amount of a distribution
with respect to the Offered Shares that is treated as a “dividend” may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes
than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder. In addition,
this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. The foreign tax credit rules are complex,
and each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Information Reporting
and Backup Withholding
Under U.S. federal
income tax law and Treasury Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their
investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties)
are imposed on individuals who are U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold
amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes, among other things, Offered Shares held for investment
and not held in a depository or custodial account maintained by a foreign financial institution and financial accounts maintained
in foreign financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file
an IRS Form 8938.
Payments made within
the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition
of, Offered Shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 28%, if a U.S.
Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes
an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly
report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished
its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup
withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding
rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed
as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes
required information to the IRS in a timely manner.
The discussion of reporting
requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute a complete description of all reporting requirements that may apply
to a U.S. Holder. A failure to satisfy certain reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which
the IRS can assess a tax, and under certain circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any
unsatisfied reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and
backup withholding rules.
THE ABOVE SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO
CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF ALL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. HOLDERS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP,
AND DISPOSITION OF SHARES. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THEM IN
THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
RISK
FACTORS
The following sets
forth certain risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results
of operations and the trading price of our Common Shares, which may decline, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.
Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business
operations. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address these risks. In addition, other currently unknown risks exist
that may affect our business. In addition to historical information, the information in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus contains “forward-looking” statements about our future business and performance. See “Forward-Looking
Statements”. Our actual results of operations and financial performance may be very different from what we expect as of the
date of this Prospectus Supplement. The risks described below or incorporated by reference herein address the material factors
that may affect our future operating results and financial performance.
An investment in the
Offered Shares involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following discussion of risks, in addition to
the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before
purchasing any of the Offered Shares. In particular, you should give consideration, and review, to the risk factors described in
the AIF under the heading “Risk Factors”, all of which are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus, and which may be accessed at
www.sedar.com
, before deciding to purchase the Offered Shares.
These risk factors include the following: working capital may not be sufficient to meet future obligations; funding from Royal
Gold Inc. may not be received; the Company has pledged substantially all of its assets as security any may not be able to raise
additional debt as a result; the Company may have to repay the Term Loan (as defined in the AIF) early under the provision for
excess cash flow limiting cash flow available for certain other activities; a substantial or prolonged decline in gold prices would
have a material adverse effect on us; we have incurred and may in the future incur substantial losses that could make financing
our operations and business strategy more difficult and that may affect our ability to service our debts as they become due; our
obligations could strain our financial position and impede our business strategy;
Convertible Debenture
(as defined in the AIF) repayment could result in significant shareholder dilution; estimates of our mineral reserves and
mineral resources could be inaccurate, which could cause actual production and costs to differ from estimates; we currently have
only two sources of operational cash flows, which could be insufficient by themselves to fund our continuing exploration and development
activities; we are subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and policies on foreign currencies, which could materially
adversely affect our financial position; any hedging activities might be unsuccessful and incur losses; risks inherent in acquisitions
that we might undertake could adversely affect our current business and financial condition and our growth; we are subject to litigation
risks; we are subject to operational risks; our mining operations are subject to numerous environmental laws, regulations and permitting
requirements and bonding requirements that can delay production and adversely affect operating and development costs; the development
and operation of our mining projects involve numerous uncertainties that could affect the feasibility or profitability of such
projects; we need to continually discover, develop or acquire additional mineral reserves for gold production and a failure to
do so would adversely affect our business and financial position in the future; gold exploration is highly speculative, involves
substantial expenditures, and is frequently non-productive; we face competition from other mining companies in connection with
the acquisition of properties; title to our mineral properties could be challenged; we depend on the services of key executives;
our use of contractors may expose us to a number of risks and increase our mining costs; our insurance coverage could be insufficient;
we are dependent on information technology systems, which are subject to certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data
leakage risks; as a holding company, limitations on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to make distributions to us could
adversely affect the funding of our operations; the Government of Ghana may make or propose changes to the mining fiscal regime
that will have a significant impact on our overall costs; we are subject to changes in the regulatory environment where we operate
which may increase our costs of compliance; environmental bonding requirements are under review in Ghana and bonding requirements
may be increased; the Government of Ghana has the right to increase its interest in certain subsidiaries; we are subject to risks
relating to exploration, development and operations in foreign countries; illegal mining has occurred on our properties, which
is difficult to control, can disrupt our business and can expose us to liability; our activities are subject to complex laws, regulations
and accounting standards that can adversely affect operating and development costs, the timing of operations, the ability to operate
our mines and our financial results; failure to maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our
business and share price; the market price of our Common Shares has experienced volatility and could continue to do so in the future;
investors could have difficulty or be unable to enforce certain civil liabilities on us; the conversion feature of the Convertible
Debentures could limit increases in the trading price of our Common Shares; the existence of outstanding rights to purchase or
acquire Common Shares could impair our ability to raise capital and; current global financial conditions may affect our ability
to obtain financing and may negatively affect our asset values and results of operations.
There are certain U.S. federal income
tax risks associated with ownership of Common Shares.
To ensure compliance
with requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including
any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal
Revenue Code. This communication is used to promote the marketing of the securities described herein, and each potential investor
should seek advice based on the investor’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
Holders of our Common
Shares who are U.S. taxpayers should consider that we may be or could become a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We do
not expect to be a PFIC for the year ending December 31, 2016, and do not expect to become a PFIC in the foreseeable future, but
the tests for determining PFIC status depend upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, and can be subject
to uncertainties, and we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for the year ending December 31, 2016, or any future year.
We undertake no obligation to advise holders of our Common Shares as to our PFIC status for the year ending December 31, 2016,
or any future year.
If we are a PFIC for
any year, any person who is a U.S. Holder and whose holding period for those Common Shares includes any portion of a year in which
we are a PFIC generally would be subject to a special adverse tax regime in respect of “excess distributions.” Excess
distributions include certain distributions received with respect to PFIC shares in a taxable year. Gain recognized by a U.S. holder
on a sale or other transfer of our Common Shares (including certain transfers that would otherwise be tax free) also would be treated
as excess distributions. Such excess distributions and gains would be allocated ratably to the U.S. holder’s holding period.
For these purposes, the holding period of shares acquired either through an exercise of options or the conversion of convertible
debentures includes the holder’s holding period in the option or convertible debt.
The portion of any
excess distribution (including gains treated as excess distributions) allocated to the current year or to a year prior to the first
year in which the Company was a PFIC would be includible as ordinary income in the current year. The portion of any excess distribution
allocated to the first year in the U.S. holder’s holding period in which the Company was a PFIC and any subsequent year or
years (excluding the current year) would be taxed at the highest marginal rate applicable to ordinary income for each such year
(regardless of the taxpayer’s actual marginal rate for that year and without reduction by any losses or loss carryforwards)
and would be subject to interest charges to reflect the value of the U.S. income tax deferral.
Elections may be available
to mitigate the adverse tax rules that apply to PFICs (the so-called “
QEF
” and “
mark-to-market
”
elections), but these elections may cause the recognition of taxable income or gain. We have not decided whether we would provide
to U.S. holders of our Common Shares the annual information that would be necessary to make the QEF election.
Additional special
adverse rules also apply to U.S. holders who own our Common Shares if we are a PFIC and have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is also
a PFIC. Special adverse rules that impact certain estate planning goals could apply to our Common Shares if we are a PFIC.
You are subject to potential dilution
from future financings.
Future sales or issuances
of debt or equity securities could decrease the value of any existing Common Shares, dilute investors’ voting power, reduce
our earnings per share and make future sales of the Company’s equity securities more difficult. With any additional sale
or issuance of equity securities, investors will suffer dilution of their voting power and may experience dilution in the Company’s
earnings per share. Sales of Common Shares by shareholders might also make it more difficult for the Company to sell equity securities
at a time and price that it deems appropriate.
Golden Star may sell
or issue additional debt or equity securities in offerings to finance our operations, exploration, development, acquisitions or
other projects. Golden Star cannot predict the size of future sales and issuances of debt or equity securities or the effect, if
any, that future sales and issuances of debt or equity securities will have on the market price of the Common Shares.
Sales or issuances of a substantial number
of equity securities, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common
Shares.
The Common Share price has experienced
volatility and may be subject to fluctuation in the future based on market conditions
The market prices for
the securities of mining companies, including our own, have historically been highly volatile. The market has from time to time
experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of any particular company.
In addition, because of the nature of our business, certain factors such as our announcements and the public’s reaction,
our operating performance and the performance of competitors and other similar companies, fluctuations in the market prices of
our resources, government regulations, changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our securities
or securities of other companies in the resource sector, general market conditions, announcements relating to litigation, the arrival
or departure of key personnel and the factors listed under the heading “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”
can have an adverse impact on the market price of the Common Shares.
Any negative change
in the public’s perception of Golden Star’s prospects could cause the price of our securities, including the price
of our Common Shares, to decrease dramatically. Furthermore, any negative change in the public’s perception of the prospects
of mining companies in general could depress the price of our securities, including the price of our Common Shares, regardless
of our results. Following declines in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class-action litigation could
be instituted. Litigation of this type, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s
attention and resources.
Golden Star will have broad discretion
in the use of the net proceeds of the offering and may use the net proceeds in ways other than as described herein
Golden Star will have
broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the offering. Because of the number and variability of factors that will
determine our use of such proceeds, our ultimate use might vary substantially from our planned use. You may not agree with how
Golden Star allocates or spend the net proceeds from the offering. Golden Star may pursue acquisitions, collaborations or other
opportunities that do not result in an increase in the market value of our securities, including the market value of our Common
Shares, and may increase our losses.
The Company does not intend to pay
dividends in the foreseeable future
The Company has never
declared or paid any dividends on the Common Shares. Golden Star intends, for the foreseeable future, to retain its future earnings,
if any, to finance its development and exploration activities. The payment of future dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically
by the Board of Directors of Golden Star and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings,
financial condition, cash on hand, financial requirements to fund our exploration activities, development and growth, and other
factors that the Board may consider appropriate in the circumstances.
INTEREST
OF EXPERTS
The technical report
entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on a Feasibility Study of the Wassa open pit mine and underground project in Ghana"
effective date December 31, 2014 and filed on May 8, 2015 (the “
Wassa Underground Feasibility Study
”) was prepared
in accordance with NI 43-101 by SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd. (“
SRK
”) under the supervision of Mike Beare, Rod Redden,
Neil Marshall, Chris Bray, Paul Riley and Dr. John Willis of SRK and S. Mitchel Wasel, each of whom is a “qualified person”
for the purposes of NI-43-101. The technical report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on a Feasibility Study of the Prestea
underground gold project in Ghana” effective date November 3, 2015 and filed on January 15, 2016 and re-filed on January
22, 2016 (the “
Prestea Underground Feasibility Study
”) was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 by SRK under
the supervision of Yao Hua (Benny) Zhang, Ken Reipas, Dr. John Willis, Dr. Tony Rex, Neil Marshall, Jane Joughin and Kris Czajewski
of SRK and Dr. Martin P. Raffield, S. Mitchel Wasel, and Brian Prosser each of whom is a “qualified person” for the
purposes of NI-43-101. The technical report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources and Reserves Golden Star Resources
Ltd., Bogoso Prestea Gold Mine, Ghana" effective date December 31, 2013 and filed on March 14, 2014 (the "
Bogoso Technical
Report
") was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 by SRK under the supervision of Richard Oldcorn, Chris Bray, Dr. John
Arthur and Yan Bourassa, each of whom is a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101. Certain technical information
contained in this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus or in any of the documents incorporated by reference therein
was derived from the Wassa Underground Feasibility Study, the Prestea Underground Feasibility Study and the Bogoso Technical Report.
Each of Martin Raffield,
Steven Mitchel Wasel and Yan Bourassa is an officer or employee of Golden Star and/or an officer, director or employee of one or
more of its associates or affiliates. None of such persons received or will receive a direct or indirect interest in any property
of Golden Star or any of its associates or affiliates. To the best knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, each of such
persons owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of any outstanding class of securities of Golden Star.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters
in connection with this offering will be passed upon by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP and by Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, Canadian
and United States legal counsel to the Company, respectively, and by Stikeman Elliott LLP and Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Canadian
and United States legal counsel to the Underwriter, respectively. As of the date hereof, the partners and associates of Fasken
Martineau DuMoulin LLP, as a group and the partners and associates of Stikeman Elliott LLP, as a group, each own, directly or indirectly,
less than 1% of Golden Star’s outstanding Common Shares.
AUDITORS,
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The auditor of the
Company is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants, through its offices at
18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario Canada. The Annual Financial Statements have been incorporated by reference herein
in reliance upon the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has confirmed that it is independent of the
Company in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and within the
meaning of PCAOB Rule 3520, Auditor Independence.
The transfer agent
and registrar for the Common Shares is CST Trust Company, through its offices at 1066 West Hastings Street, Suite 1600, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada V6E 3X1 and 320 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 4A6 and in Ghana our sub-registrar and transfer
agent is Ghana Commercial Bank Limited at its principal office in the city of Accra, Ghana.
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
The following
documents have been filed or will be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus are a part:
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·
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the documents listed under “Documents Incorporated by Reference”;
|
|
·
|
consents of auditors, engineers and Canadian legal counsel;
|
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·
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the Underwriting Agreement; and
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·
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powers of attorney pursuant to which amendments to the Registration Statement may be signed.
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SHORT FORM
BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS
GOLDEN STAR
RESOURCES LTD.
U.S.$250,000,000
Common Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Debt Securities
Golden Star Resources Ltd. (the “Company”,
“Golden Star”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) may offer and sell from time to time our common
shares (“Common Shares”), First Preferred shares (“Preferred Shares”), warrants (“Warrants”)
to purchase any of the other securities that are described in this short form base shelf prospectus (the “Prospectus”)
or any supplement hereto; debt securities; or any combination thereof for up to an aggregate offering price of U.S.$250,000,000
(all of the foregoing collectively, the “Securities” and individually, a “Security”), in one or more transactions
during the 25-month period that this Prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains effective.
We will provide the specific terms of any
offering of Securities in one or more prospectus supplements (each a “Prospectus Supplement”) to this Prospectus. The
Securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. An investor should read this Prospectus
and any Prospectus Supplement carefully before investing in any Securities.
All dollar amounts in this Prospectus
refer to United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. See “Currency Presentation and Exchange Rate Information”.
Investing in Securities involves significant
risks. Prospective purchasers of Securities should carefully consider the risks described under the headings “Risk Factors”
and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and elsewhere in this Prospectus, and in the documents
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
The specific terms of the Securities with
respect to a particular offering, and the terms of such offering, will be set out in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If required
by applicable law, when Securities are offered in currencies other than Canadian dollars, appropriate disclosure of foreign exchange
rates applicable to the Securities will be included in the Prospectus Supplement describing the Securities.
All information permitted under applicable
law to be omitted from this Prospectus will be contained in one or more Prospectus Supplements that will be delivered to purchasers
together with this Prospectus. For the purposes of applicable securities laws, each Prospectus Supplement will be incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement and only for the purposes of the distribution of
the Securities to which that Prospectus Supplement pertains.
We may sell Securities directly to you,
or through agents, underwriters or dealers we select. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the Securities, we will
name them and describe their compensation in a Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from an offering of
Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to that offering.
Our Common Shares are traded on the NYSE
MKT under the symbol “GSS”, on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “GSC” and
on the Ghana Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSR.” On July 21, 2014, the last reported trading price of our Common
Shares on NYSE MKT was U.S.$0.57 per share, the last reported trading price of our Common Shares on the TSX was C$0.60 per share
and the last reported trading price of our Common Shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange was GH₵2.75 per share. The applicable
Prospectus Supplement will contain information, where applicable, with respect to any listing on the NYSE MKT, the TSX, the Ghana
Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange of the Securities distributed under that Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Securities other than Common Shares will not be listed on any securities exchange.
There is no market through which such Securities may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell Securities purchased under
this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Securities. This may affect the pricing of Securities in the secondary
market, the transparency and availability of trading prices and the liquidity of Securities. See “Risk Factors”.
Golden Star is a foreign private issuer
under United States securities laws and is permitted under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States
and Canada, to prepare this Prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. Purchasers of Securities in the United
States should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. Golden Star has prepared its financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and for the three months ended March 31, 2014, incorporated herein by reference,
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board (“IASB”) which is incorporated within Part 1 of the CPA Canada Handbook - Accounting. Our consolidated financial
statements are subject to Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and auditor independence standards, in addition to the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) independence standards. Thus, they may not be comparable to the financial statements of U.S. companies.
Financial statements which will be deemed
incorporated by reference herein in the future, or which may form part of a Prospectus Supplement in the future, will be prepared
in accordance with IFRS. Purchasers of Securities should be aware that the acquisition of Securities may have tax consequences
both in the United States and in Canada. Such consequences for purchasers who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States
or who are resident in Canada may not be described fully herein or in any applicable Prospectus Supplement. Purchasers of Securities
should read the tax discussion contained in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to a particular offering of Securities.
The ability of purchasers of securities
to enforce civil liabilities under United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely because we are incorporated
in Canada, most of our officers and directors and most of the experts named in this Prospectus are not residents of the United
States, and all of our assets and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside of the United
States. See “Enforceability of Certain Civil Liabilities by U.S. Investors”.
NONE OF THE CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORY
AUTHORITIES, THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY UNITED STATES STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY
BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES, OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
No underwriter has been involved in
the preparation of this Prospectus nor has any underwriter performed any review of the contents of this Prospectus.
The earnings coverage ratio for each
of the 12 month period ended December 31, 2013 and the 12 month period ended March 31, 2014, respectively, is less than a one-to-one.
See “Earnings Coverage Ratio”.
Tony Jensen, Craig Nelsen, Christopher
Thompson and William Yeates, being directors of the Company, have appointed the Company, 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto,
Ontario, M5H 1J9, as agent for service of process. Purchasers are advised that it may not be possible for investors to enforce
judgements obtained in Canada against any person or company that is incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws
of a foreign jurisdiction or resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process in Canada.
The registered and principal office of
the Company is located at 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J9.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus and
the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to our financial
condition, results of operations, business, prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, capital expenditures,
and exploration and development efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,”
“forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,”
“will,” and similar expressions (including negative and grammatical variations) identify forward-looking statements.
Although we believe
that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be certain
that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially
from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus. These statements include comments regarding: anticipated production and cash operating cost estimates; fluctuations
in power and fuel costs and the impact on cash costs; the receipt of environmental permits; anticipated commencement dates of mining
and production; estimated development costs; government review of gold exploration areas; the mining laws and tax regime of Ghana;
production capacity, production rates and production costs; development and operating costs; gold sales; mining operations and
gold recovery rates; ore type, ore delivery and ore processing; use of waste rock; tailings processing; completion, use and capacity
of the tailings storage facilities; potential mine life; strip ratios; permitting and approvals; rehabilitation; estimates of mineral
reserves and mineral resources and the timing of such estimates; geological, environmental, community and engineering studies;
the timing for completion of a preliminary economic assessment of underground mining at the Wassa gold mine and the commencement
of a feasibility study in respect thereof; exploration efforts and activities; timing for commencing or completing drilling; updates
to resource models; identification of acquisition and growth opportunities; timing for completion of pushbacks at Chujah and Bogoso
North; our ability to meet cash requirements; and changes to management of the Company.
The following, in addition
to the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus, are among the factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
|
·
|
significant increases or decreases in gold prices;
|
|
·
|
losses or gains in mineral reserves from changes in operating costs and/or gold prices;
|
|
·
|
failure of exploration efforts to expand mineral reserves and mineral resources around our existing
mines;
|
|
·
|
unexpected changes in business and economic conditions;
|
|
·
|
inaccuracies in mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates;
|
|
·
|
changes in interest and currency exchange rates;
|
|
·
|
timing and amount of gold production;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated variations in ore grade, tonnes mined and crushed or milled;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated recovery or production problems;
|
|
·
|
effects of illegal mining on our properties;
|
|
·
|
changes in mining and processing costs, including changes to costs of raw materials, supplies,
services and personnel;
|
|
·
|
changes in metallurgy and processing;
|
|
·
|
availability of skilled personnel, contractors, materials, equipment, supplies, power and water;
|
|
·
|
changes in project parameters or mine plans;
|
|
·
|
costs and timing of development of mineral reserves;
|
|
·
|
weather, including drought or excessive rainfall in West Africa;
|
|
·
|
results of current and future exploration activities;
|
|
·
|
results of pending and future feasibility studies;
|
|
·
|
acquisitions and joint venture relationships;
|
|
·
|
political or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we operate;
|
|
·
|
changes in regulatory frameworks or regulations affecting our operations, particularly in Ghana,
where our principal producing properties are located;
|
|
·
|
local and community impacts and issues;
|
|
·
|
availability and cost of replacing mineral reserves;
|
|
·
|
timing of receipt and maintenance of government approvals and permits;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated transportation costs including shipping incidents and losses;
|
|
·
|
accidents, labor disputes and other operational hazards;
|
|
·
|
environmental costs and risks;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated title issues;
|
|
·
|
competitive factors, including competition for property acquisitions;
|
|
·
|
availability of capital at reasonable rates or at all;
|
|
·
|
changes in the Ghanaian Cedi and government policies regarding payments in foreign currency; and
|
|
·
|
changes to Golden Star’s mining licenses, including revocation.
|
These factors are not
intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that could affect us. We may note additional risk factors
elsewhere in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus
and any Prospectus Supplement. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements
not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those anticipated, believed,
estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only
as of the date made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of such statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.
CURRENCY
PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
We report in United
States dollars. Accordingly, all references to “$”, “U.S.$” or “United States dollars” in this
Prospectus refer to United States dollar values. References to “Cdn.$” or “Canadian dollars” are used to
indicate Canadian dollar values.
The noon rate of exchange
on July 21, 2014 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars was Cdn.$1.00
equals U.S.$0.93 and for the conversion of United States dollars into Canadian dollars was U.S.$1.00 equals Cdn.$1.07.
References to “GH¢”
or “Ghanaian Cedis” are used to indicate values in Ghanaian Cedi. The noon rate of exchange on July 21, 2014 as reported
by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into Ghanaian Cedi was Cdn.$1.00 equals GH¢3.18 and for the conversion
of Ghanaian Cedi into Canadian dollars was GH¢1.00 equals Cdn.$0.31.
The following table
sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the high, low and average noon spot rates for Canadian dollars in terms of the United
States dollar, as reported by the Bank of Canada.
|
|
Three months
ended
March 31,
2014
(Cdn. $)
|
|
|
Three months
ended
March 31,
2013
(Cdn. $)
|
|
|
Year
ended
Dec. 31,
2013
(Cdn. $)
|
|
|
Year
ended
Dec. 31,
2012
(Cdn. $)
|
|
High
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
|
|
1.03
|
|
|
|
1.04
|
|
|
|
1.06
|
|
Low
|
|
|
1.06
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
|
0.97
|
|
|
|
0.94
|
|
Average
|
|
|
1.10
|
|
|
|
1.01
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
0.99
|
|
The following table
sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the high, low and average noon spot rates for Canadian dollars in terms of the Ghana
cedi, as reported by the Bank of Canada.
|
|
Three months
ended
March 31,
2014
(Cdn. $)
|
|
|
Three months
ended
March 31,
2013
(Cdn. $)
|
|
|
Year
ended
Dec. 31,
2013
(Cdn. $)
|
|
|
Year
ended
Dec. 31,
2012
(Cdn. $)
|
|
High
|
|
|
0.4700
|
|
|
|
0.5400
|
|
|
|
0.6220
|
|
|
|
0.6717
|
|
Low
|
|
|
0.4100
|
|
|
|
0.5200
|
|
|
|
0.5068
|
|
|
|
0.6122
|
|
Average
|
|
|
0.4431
|
|
|
|
0.5272
|
|
|
|
0.5412
|
|
|
|
0.6398
|
|
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information has
been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in all
of the provinces of Canada, other than the Province of Québec.
The following documents, filed by the Company with the
securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, other than the Province of Québec, are
specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus. The information incorporated by reference
is considered part of this Prospectus, and information filed with certain securities regulators in Canada subsequent to this Prospectus
and prior to the termination of a particular offering of Securities referred to in any Prospectus Supplement will be deemed to
update and supersede this information. Except as may be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, we incorporate by reference into
this Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement the documents listed below:
|
(a)
|
annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 dated March 21, 2014
(“AIF”);
|
|
(b)
|
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013
and 2012 and the related notes, which comprise a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information and
the auditor’s report thereon (the “Annual Financial Statements”);
|
|
(c)
|
management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and result of operations of the
Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“Annual MD&A”);
|
|
(d)
|
unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three months
ended March 31, 2014, together with the notes thereto (“Interim Financial Statements”);
|
|
(e)
|
management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of
the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (“Interim MD&A”); and
|
|
(f)
|
the management information circular of the Company dated March 14, 2014 relating to the Company’s
annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on May 8, 2014 (the “Management Information Circular”).
|
Any document of the
type referred to in section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 of National Instrument 44-101 –
Short Form Prospectus Distributions
filed by the Company with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada after the date of this Prospectus,
and all Prospectus Supplements (only in respect of the offering of Securities to which that Prospectus Supplement relates) disclosing
additional or updated information including the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed pursuant to the requirements
of applicable securities legislation in Canada and during the period that this Prospectus is effective, shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference contain meaningful
and material information relating to the Company and the readers should review all information contained in this Prospectus, the
applicable Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Upon a new annual information
form and annual consolidated financial statements being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions
or similar regulatory authorities in Canada during the period that this Prospectus is effective, the previous annual information
form, the previous annual consolidated financial statements and all interim consolidated financial statements, and in each case
the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and material change
reports filed prior to the commencement of the financial year of the Company in which the new annual information form is filed
shall be deemed to no longer to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities under
this Prospectus. Upon interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis
of financial condition and results of operations being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions
or similar regulatory authorities during the period that this Prospectus is effective, all interim consolidated financial statements
and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations filed prior to
such new interim consolidated financial statements shall be deemed to no longer be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes
of future offers and sales of Securities under this Prospectus. In addition, upon a new management information circular for an
annual meeting of shareholders being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions or similar regulatory
authorities during the period that this Prospectus is effective, the previous management information circular filed in respect
of the prior annual meeting of shareholders shall no longer be deemed to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of future
offers and sales of Securities under this Prospectus.
A Prospectus Supplement
containing the specific terms of an offering of Securities and other information relating to the Securities will be delivered to
prospective purchasers of such Securities, together with this Prospectus, and will be deemed to be incorporated into this Prospectus
as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement and only for the purpose of the offering of the Securities covered by that Prospectus
Supplement.
Any statement contained
in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for the purposes of this Prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently
filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement
so modified or superseded shall not constitute a part of this Prospectus, except as so modified or superseded. The modifying or
superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set
forth in the document or statement that it modifies or supersedes. The making of such a modifying or superseding statement shall
not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation,
an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary
to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made.
Copies of the documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary
of Golden Star Resources Ltd., 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J9, Telephone (416) 816-0424, and are also
available electronically at www.sedar.com.
Readers should rely
only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company
has not authorized anyone to provide the reader with different information. The Company is not making any offer of Securities in
any jurisdiction where such offer is not permitted. Readers should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus
is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus, unless otherwise noted herein or as required by law. It should
be assumed that the information appearing in this Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated by reference
herein and therein are accurate only as of their respective dates. The business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects of the Company may have changed since those dates. Information on any of the websites maintained by us does not constitute
a part of this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement
and shall not be relied upon by prospective purchasers for the purpose
of determining whether to invest in Securities qualified for distribution under this Prospectus.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
The financial statements
of the Company incorporated herein by reference and in any Prospectus Supplement are reported in United States dollars. Effective
June 30, 2013, Golden Star adopted IFRS, which differs from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.
GAAP”). Golden Star’s Annual Financial Statements and Interim Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus are prepared in accordance with IFRS.
You should refer to Note 27 of the Annual Financial Statements for a discussion
of the principal differences between the Company’s financial results determined under U.S. GAAP and under IFRS. The SEC has
adopted rules to allow foreign private issuers, such as Golden Star, to prepare and file financial statements prepared in accordance
with IFRS as issued by the IASB without reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, we will not be providing a description of the
principal differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial information included and incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement is determined using IFRS.
AVAILABLE
INFORMATION
The Company files reports
and other information with the securities commissions and similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. These
reports and information are available to the public free of charge under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company has filed
with the SEC a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form F-10 under the United States
Securities
Act of 1933
, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), relating to the Securities. This Prospectus, which constitutes
a part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement. Statements
included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus about the contents of any contract, agreement or other documents referred
to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, you should refer to the exhibits for a more complete description of the
matter involved. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Information omitted from this Prospectus but
contained in the Registration Statement is available on the SEC’s website under the Company’s profile at www.sec.gov.
Please refer to the Registration Statement and exhibits for further information.
The Company is subject
to the informational reporting requirements of the United States
Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
(the “Exchange
Act”) as the Common Shares are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Company is required to
publicly file reports and other information with the SEC. Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the securities
regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States (the “MJDS”), the Company is permitted to prepare such reports
and other information in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from United States disclosure requirements.
As a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content
of proxy statements, and the Company’s officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing
profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, the Company is not required to
publish financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies.
Investors may read
and copy, for a fee, any document that the Company has filed with or furnished to the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room
in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors should call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or access its
website at www.sec.gov for further information about the public reference room. Investors may read and download the documents the
Company has filed with the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval system at www.sec.gov. Investors may read and download
any public document that the Company has filed with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com.
NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this Prospectus,
including the documents incorporated by reference herein, we use the terms “cash operating cost per ounce”, “all-in
sustaining costs”, “cash generated from operations before working capital changes”, “adjusted net income/(loss)
attributable to Golden Star shareholders” and “adjusted net income/(loss) per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders”
which are considered “Non-GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and should
not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance IFRS. See “Non-GAAP
Financial Measures” in the Annual MD&A and Interim MD&A for an explanation of these measures.
CAUTIONARY
NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINERAL RESERVES
The disclosure in this
Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, uses mineral resource classification terms that comply with
reporting standards in Canada, and certain mineral resource estimates are made in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(“NI 43-101”). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities
Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning
mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates contained or incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. These standards differ significantly from the requirements
of the SEC, and mineral reserve and mineral resource information contained herein and incorporated by reference herein may not
be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements under U.S. federal
securities laws.
This Prospectus, including
the documents incorporated by reference herein, includes mineral reserve estimates that have been calculated in compliance with
NI 43-101, as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. For United States reporting purposes, SEC Industry Guide
7, as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, applies different standards in order to classify mineralization as a reserve. As a result,
the definitions of proven and probable mineral reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7.
Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination
has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination
is made. Among other things, a final or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three year
average historical price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary permits would be
required to be in hand or issuance imminent in order to classify mineralized material as reserves under the SEC standards. Accordingly,
mineral reserve estimates contained in this Prospectus may not qualify as “reserves” under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards.
In addition, this Prospectus
may use the terms “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral
resources” to comply with the reporting standards in Canada. The Company advises investors that while those terms are recognized
and required by Canadian securities regulations, the SEC does not recognize them. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any
part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into SEC defined mineral reserves. These terms have
a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility.
Further, “inferred
resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically.
Therefore, investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred mineral resources exist. In accordance
with Canadian rules, estimates of “inferred mineral resources” cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic
studies.
It cannot be assumed
that all or any part of “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”, or “inferred
mineral resources” will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the
reported “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”, or “inferred mineral resources”
in this Prospectus is economically or legally mineable.
For the above reasons,
information contained in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein containing descriptions of the Company’s
mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure
requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
ENFORCEABILITY
OF CIVIL LIABILITIES BY U.S. INVESTORS
The Company is a corporation
existing under the
Canada Business Corporations Act
. All but four of the Company’s directors, all but three of its
officers, and all but two of the experts named in the Prospectus, are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United
States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets, and all of the Company’s assets, are located outside the United
States. The Company has appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it may be difficult for purchasers
of Securities who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon those directors, officers and experts
who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for purchasers of Securities who reside in the United States
to realize upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the Company’s civil liability and the civil liability
of its directors, officers and experts under the United States federal securities laws.
The Company filed with
the SEC, concurrently with its registration statement on Form F-10, an appointment of agent for service of process on Form F-X.
Under the Form F-X, the Company appointed Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, 1550 7th Street, Suite 500, Denver, Colorado, USA 80202
as its agent for service of process in the United States in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted
by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against or involving the Company in a United States court arising out of, related
to, or concerning any offering of Securities under this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
THE
BUSINESS
Golden Star Resources
Ltd. was established under the
Canada Business Corporations Act
on May 15, 1992 as a result of the amalgamation of South
American Goldfields Inc., a corporation incorporated under the federal laws of Canada, and Golden Star Resources Ltd., a corporation
originally incorporated under the
Business Corporations Act
(Alberta) on March 7, 1984 as Southern Star Resources Ltd. Golden
Star is a reporting issuer or the equivalent in all provinces of Canada and a foreign private issuer as defined in Rule 3b-4 under
the Exchange
Act in the United States, eligible to file disclosure documents pursuant to the MJDS adopted and implemented
by securities regulatory authorities in the United States and Canada. Golden Star files disclosure documents with the securities
regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada and the SEC in the United States. Golden Star’s head and registered
office is located at 150 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J9. Golden Star’s fiscal year ends on
December 31.
We own controlling
interests in several gold properties in southwest Ghana:
|
·
|
Through a 90% owned subsidiary, Golden Star (Wassa) Limited (“GSWL”), we own and operate
the Wassa open-pit gold mine and carbon-in-leach processing plant (“Wassa”), located approximately 35 km east of Bogoso
(as defined below). The design capacity of the carbon-in-leach processing plant at Wassa is nominally 3.0 million tonnes per annum
but varies depending on the ratio of hard to soft ore. GSWL also owns the Hwini-Butre and Benso concessions (“HBB”)
in southwest Ghana. The HBB concessions are located approximately 80 km and 50 km, respectively, south of Wassa along the Company’s
dedicated haul road. Wassa/HBB produced and sold 158,899 ounces of gold in 2013 and 185,807 ounces of gold in 2012.
|
|
·
|
Through another 90% owned subsidiary, Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited (“GSBPL”),
we own and operate the Bogoso gold mining and processing operations (“Bogoso”) located near the town of Bogoso, Ghana.
GSBPL operates a gold processing facility at Bogoso with a capacity of up to 3.5 million tonnes of ore per annum, which uses bio-oxidation
technology to treat refractory sulfide ore. In addition, GSBPL has a carbon-in-leach processing facility located near to the sulfide
plant, which is suitable for treating oxide gold ores at a rate of up to 1.5 million tonnes per annum. Bogoso produced and sold
144,999 ounces of gold in 2013 and 172,379 ounces of gold in 2012.
|
We also hold interests
in several gold exploration projects in Ghana and elsewhere in West Africa including Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, and in
South America we hold and manage exploration properties in Brazil.
All our operations,
with the exception of certain exploration projects, transact business in U.S. dollars and keep financial records in U.S. dollars.
Our accounting records are kept in accordance with IFRS. Our fiscal year ends December 31.
Our Common Shares are
traded on the TSX under the symbol “GSC”, on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “GSS” and on the Ghana Stock
Exchange under the symbol “GSR.”
As used in this Prospectus,
the terms “Company,” “Golden Star,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us”
may, depending on the context, refer to Golden Star Resources Ltd. or to one or more of Golden Star Resources Ltd.’s subsidiaries
or to Golden Star Resources Ltd. and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. When we refer to “shares” throughout this
Prospectus, we include all rights attaching to our Common Shares under any shareholder rights plan then in effect. Further information
regarding the business of the Company, its operations and its mineral properties can be found in the documents referenced under
the heading “Documents Incorporated by Reference”.
Mining in Ghana
The Constitution of
Ghana vests title in every mineral in its natural state to the Government of Ghana. The exercise of any mineral right in the form
of reconnaissance, exploration or exploitation of any mineral in Ghana requires an appropriate licence or mineral right to be issued
by the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources.
Once a licence or mineral
right is issued to an entity by the Government of Ghana, Ghanaian mining laws prevent that licence or mineral right from being
transferred, assigned or mortgaged by the licensee or mineral right holder without the prior written approval of the Government
of Ghana. The Ghana Minerals Commission is also required to maintain a public register of all applications, grants, variations,
transfers, suspensions and cancellations of such licences or mineral rights. Official searches may be conducted in the public register
to obtain information regarding any licence or mineral right granted by the Government of Ghana.
The Corporation has
obtained from the Government of Ghana: (i) two mining leases over Bogoso dated August 21, 1987 and August 16, 1988, each for a
term of 30 years, subject to renewal; and (ii) one mining lease over Wassa dated December 31, 2012, for a term of 6 years, subject
to renewal.
With respect to Wassa
and Bogoso, in addition to mining leases, the Corporation requires the following permits, licences or other regulatory approvals
to be able to carry out business operations in Ghana: (i) environmental permits; (ii) approved environmental management plans and
environmental certificates; (iii) reclamation bonds and approved reclamation plans; (iv) water usage permits; (v) business operating
permits; (vi) licences to export, sell or dispose of minerals; (vii) permits/licences to retain a specified percentage (not less
than 25%) of mineral export proceeds for purposes of debt servicing, dividend payment to foreign shareholders and acquisition of
plant and machinery for the mining project; (viii) permits to operate foreign exchange retention accounts with a trustee bank;
and (ix) immigration quotas to employ a specified number of non-Ghanaians to work on mining projects.
In connection with
prior financing transactions, the Corporation has, at the request of underwriters, obtained title opinions in respect of its material
mineral properties. In addition, the Corporation relies on its in-house tenement officers and the services of local experts to
ensure that its operating subsidiaries in Ghana comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements relating to the ownership
and operation of its material mineral properties and assets in Ghana.
During the time in
which we have carried out mining operations at Wassa and Bogoso, Ghana has generally been a politically and economically stable
country. Ghana’s legal system is modelled after the British legal system and the official spoken language in Ghana is English.
Further, in our experience, Ghanaian customs do not materially impact the Corporation’s operations in Ghana.
Internal Controls
As a reporting issuer
in the United States, the Corporation must comply with the controls and reporting provisions set out in the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
. As such, the Corporation has established a control matrix for each mining site (and controls at each corporate level).
The Corporation’s internal controls include policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that accurately
and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, the transactions and dispositions of assets of the Corporation and that are intended
to provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
Corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Governance
The Corporation’s
board of directors and senior management team have considerable experience conducting business in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa
and certain members of our senior management team reside in Ghana. Full biographies of our directors and officers are set out in
the AIF under the heading “Directors and Officers” and in the Management Information Circular under the headings “Director
Profiles” and “2013 Compensation Details”.
We maintain oversight
over the operations of GSWL and GSBPL by electing the directors and appointing the officers of GSWL and GSBPL, respectively, as
well as removing such directors and officers from time to time.
CONSOLIDATED
CAPITALIZATION
There has been no material
change in the share and loan capital of the Company, on a consolidated basis, since the date of the Interim Financial Statements,
which are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
EARNINGS
COVERAGE RATIOS
The following consolidated
earnings coverage ratios have been calculated for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2014 and
give effect to all long-term financial liabilities of the Company and the repayment, redemption or retirement thereof since such
dates. The earnings coverage ratios set forth below do not purport to be indicative of earnings coverage ratios for any future
periods. The earnings coverage ratios and the interest requirements do not give effect to the issuance of any Preferred Shares
or debt securities that may be issued pursuant to any Prospectus Supplement since the aggregate principal amounts and the terms
of such Preferred Shares or debt securities are not presently known.
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Year Ended
December 31, 2013
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Twelve Months
Ended March
31, 2014
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Earnings before borrowing costs and taxes
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$
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(247,926,473
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)
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$
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(284,745,334
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)
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Borrowing costs
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$
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5,633,690
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$
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6,387,316
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Dividends
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$
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0
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$
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0
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Earnings coverage ratio
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(44
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)
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(45
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)
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In order to achieve
an earnings coverage ratio of one-to-one for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2014, the Company
would have needed to earn an additional $253,560,163 and $291,132,650 of earnings before borrowing costs and taxes in such periods,
respectively.
If the Company offers
Preferred Shares or any debt securities having a term to maturity in excess of one year under a Prospectus Supplement, that Prospectus
Supplement will include earnings coverage ratios giving effect to the issuance of such Preferred Shares or debt securities, as
applicable.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to
us from any offering of Securities, the proposed use of those proceeds and the specific business objectives which we expect to
accomplish with such proceeds will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that offering. In general,
we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any Securities offered under this Prospectus for the exploration and development
of our mining properties in Ghana, acquisition, exploration and development of additional properties or interests (direct or indirect)
therein and working capital and other general corporate purposes such as repayment of debt, if applicable.
There may be circumstances
where, on the basis of results obtained or for other sound business reasons, a re-allocation of funds may be necessary or prudent.
Accordingly, management of the Company will have broad discretion in the application of the proceeds of an offering of Securities.
The actual amount that the Company spends in connection with each intended use of proceeds may vary significantly from the amounts
specified above and will depend on a number of factors, including those referred to under “Risk Factors”.
All expenses relating
to an offering of Securities and any compensation paid to agents, underwriters or dealers, as the case may be, will be paid out
of the proceeds from the sale of Securities, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Pending the use of
available funds as set forth in any Prospectus Supplement, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds of any offering of Securities
in an interest bearing account.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer Securities
directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, or through underwriters or dealers designated from time to time. We may distribute
the Securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices (which may be changed from time to time),
at market prices prevailing at the times of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. A description
of such pricing will be disclosed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. We may offer Securities in the same offering, or we
may offer Securities in separate offerings. A Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of each specific offering of Securities,
including:
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the terms of the Securities to which the Prospectus Supplement relates;
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the name or names of any agents, underwriters or dealers;
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the purchase price of the Securities offered thereby and the proceeds to be received by the Company
from the sale of such Securities;
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any agents’ commission, underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation
payable to agents, underwriters or dealers; and
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to agents, underwriters or dealers.
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If underwriters are
used in an offering, the Securities offered thereby will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold
from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
Securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters
without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase Securities will be subject to the conditions precedent agreed
to by the parties and set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all
Securities under that offering if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed
or paid to agents, underwriters or dealers may be changed from time to time.
Agents, underwriters
or dealers may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed
to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in and subject to limitations imposed by applicable securities laws which
includes sales made directly on an existing trading market for our Common Shares, or sales made to or through a market maker other
than on an exchange. In connection with any offering of Securities, except with respect to “at-the-market distributions”,
underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the offered Securities at a
level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued
at any time. No underwriter or dealer involved in an “at-the-market distribution”, as defined under applicable Canadian
securities laws, no affiliate of such an underwriter or dealer and no person or company acting jointly or in concert with such
an underwriter or dealer will over-allot Securities in connection with such distribution or effect any other transactions that
are intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities.
Securities may be sold
directly by the Company or through agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale
of Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions or fees payable by the Company
to any agent will be set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such Prospectus Supplement,
any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents
or underwriters to solicit offers by eligible institutions to purchase Securities from our Company at the public offering price
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified
date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts will be set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Each class or series
of Securities, other than the Common Shares, will be a new issue of Securities with no established trading market. Subject to applicable
laws, any underwriter may make a market in these Securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market
making at any time without notice. There may be limited liquidity in the trading market for any such Securities.
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
We are authorized to
issue an unlimited number of Common Shares. As of July 21, 2014, we had 259,374,879 Common Shares issued and outstanding. All Common
Shares are of the same class and, once issued, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets.
Dividend Rights
Holders of Common Shares
are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors of Golden Star, in its discretion,
subject to the preferential dividend rights of any other classes or series of shares of our company. In no event may a dividend
be declared or paid on the Common Shares if payment of the dividend would cause the realizable value of Golden Star’s assets
to be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and the amount required to redeem all of the shares having redemption or retraction
rights, which are then outstanding.
Voting Rights
Holders of Common Shares
are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be acted upon by the shareholders.
Liquidation
In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Golden Star, holders of Common Shares have the right to a ratable portion of the assets
remaining after payment of liabilities and liquidation preferences of any Preferred Shares or other securities that may then be
outstanding.
Redemption
No shares have been
issued subject to call or assessment. There are no pre-emptive or conversion rights and no provisions for redemption or purchase
for cancellation, surrender, or sinking or purchase funds.
Rights Agreement
Rights to purchase
Common Shares have been issued to holders of Common Shares under an amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement (the
“Rights Agreement”) dated May 9, 2013. One right is attached to each Common Share. Prior to the occurrence of certain
triggering events, each right will entitle the holder, within certain limitations, to purchase one Common Share at an exercise
price equal to three times the market price of a Common Share, as determined under the terms of the agreement. In certain events
(including when a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of any class of our voting shares without complying
with the “permitted bid” provisions of the rights agreement or without the approval of Golden Star’s board of
directors), any exercise of the rights would entitle the holders of the rights (other than the acquiring person or group) to acquire
that number of Common Shares having an aggregate market price on the date of the event equal to twice the exercise price of the
rights for an amount in cash equal to the exercise price. Accordingly, any exercise of the rights may cause substantial dilution
to a person who attempts to acquire Golden Star. The rights, which expire at the close of business on the date of our 2016 annual
shareholders’ meeting (unless extended as provided in the Rights Agreement), may be redeemed at a price of C$0.00001 per
right at any time until a person or group has acquired 20% of our Common Shares, except as otherwise provided in the Rights Agreement.
The Rights Agreement may have certain anti-takeover effects.
Other Provisions
All outstanding Common
Shares are, and the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus or obtainable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of other Securities
offered hereby, if issued in the manner described in this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be, fully paid
and non-assessable.
You should read the
Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of Common Shares, or of Securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for
Common Shares, for the terms of the offering, including the number of Common Shares offered, any initial offering price and market
prices relating to the Common Shares.
This section is a summary
and may not describe every aspect of our Common Shares that may be important to you. We urge you to read the
Canada Business
Corporations Act
and our articles of arrangement, because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of
our Common Shares. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.
DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED SHARES
We are authorized to
issue an unlimited number of Preferred Shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, there were no Preferred Shares outstanding. Preferred
shares are issuable in such classes or series as are determined by the board of directors, who have the authority to determine
the relative rights and preferences of each such class or series. The board of directors has not designated any class or series
of Preferred Shares.
The issuance of Preferred
Shares could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our Common Shares, and the likelihood that preferred holders of Preferred
Shares will receive dividend and liquidation preferences may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of Golden Star, which could depress the market price of our Common Shares. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, all Preferred Shares to be issued from time to time under this Prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable.
The Prospectus Supplement
relating to the Preferred Shares offered will contain a description of the specific terms of that series as fixed by our board
of directors, including, as applicable:
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the number of Preferred Shares offered and the offering price of the Preferred Shares;
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the title and stated value of the Preferred Shares;
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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation of such rates,
periods or dates applicable to the Preferred Shares;
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the date from which dividends on the Preferred Shares will accumulate, if applicable;
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the liquidation rights of the Preferred Shares;
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the procedures for auction and remarketing, if any, of the Preferred Shares;
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the sinking fund provisions, if applicable, for the Preferred Shares;
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the redemption provisions, if applicable, for the Preferred Shares;
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whether the Preferred Shares will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities and,
if so, the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio and the conversion
or exchange period (or the method of determining the same);
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whether the Preferred Shares will have voting rights and the terms of any voting rights;
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whether the Preferred Shares will be listed on any securities exchange; and
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whether the Preferred Shares will be issued with any other securities and, if so, the amount and
terms of these securities; and any other specific terms, preferences or rights of, or limitations or restrictions on, the Preferred
Shares.
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The applicable Prospectus
Supplement will also contain a discussion of the material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase and
ownership of the Preferred Shares offered by the Prospectus Supplement.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
As of the date of this
Prospectus, we have no Warrants outstanding. We may issue Warrants for the purchase of debt securities, Preferred Shares, Common
Shares or any combination of these Securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement. The applicable
Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Warrants offered, including but not limited to the following:
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the number of Warrants offered;
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the price or prices at which the Warrants will be issued;
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the currency or currencies in which the prices of the Warrants may be payable;
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the securities for which the Warrants are exercisable;
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whether the Warrants will be issued with any other securities and, if so, the amount and terms
of these securities;
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the amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each Warrant and the price at which and the
currency or currencies in which the securities may be purchased upon such exercise, and the events or conditions under which the
amount of securities may be subject to adjustment;
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the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall commence and the date on which such
right shall expire;
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the circumstances, if any, which will cause the Warrants to be deemed to be automatically exercised;
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any material risk factors relating to such Warrants;
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if applicable, the identity of the Warrant agent; and
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any other terms of such Warrants.
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Prior to the exercise
of any Warrants, holders of such Warrants will not have any rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise,
including the right to receive payments of dividends, or the right to vote such underlying securities.
Prospective purchasers
of Warrants should be aware that special Canadian federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to
instruments such as Warrants. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe such considerations, to the extent they are material,
as they apply generally to purchasers of such Warrants.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
This Prospectus describes
certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this Prospectus. While the terms summarized
below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer under this Prospectus, we will describe the particular terms
of any debt securities that we offer in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The terms of any debt securities we
offer under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, and may not be subject to or contain any or all
of the terms described below. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a qualified financial institution
as trustee.
As of the date of this
Prospectus, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 5% convertible senior unsecured debentures due June 1, 2017 (the
“5% Convertible Debentures”) is U.S.$77,490,000, without the impact of adjustment.
The following summaries
of material provisions of the debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable Prospectus
Supplement related to the debt securities (if any) that we may from time to time sell under this Prospectus, as well as the indenture
that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The terms of each series
of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in
the manner provided in an indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series.
The debt securities
may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth
in a Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount, prices and
terms of the debt securities. These terms may include:
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the title of the debt securities;
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the price or prices (which may be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we
will sell the debt securities;
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
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the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities;
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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the
rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities
will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence to be
payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
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the place or places where principal, premium and interest payments may be made on the debt securities;
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the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are issued and payable;
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the terms on which the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares,
if applicable, and how the number of Common Shares to be received upon such conversion or exchange will be calculated;
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any mandatory or optional redemption provisions applicable to the debt securities;
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any sinking fund or analogous provisions applicable to the debt securities;
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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof;
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whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global
debt securities;
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the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration
of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;
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any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;
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any additions or changes to, or deletions from, the events of default, covenants or acceleration
provisions applicable to the debt securities;
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the trustee for the series of debt securities and any depositories, interest rate calculation agents,
exchange rate calculation agents, paying agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and
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any other specific terms of the debt securities, which may modify or delete any provision of the
indenture as it applies to that series.
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We may issue debt securities
that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their
maturity pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture.
If we denominate the
purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the
principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a
foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations,
specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign
currency unit or units in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Each debt security
will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of CDS & Co., The Depository Trust Company
(“DTC”) or Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee), as depository, or a nominee (we will refer to any debt
security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive
registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificate as a “certificated debt security”)
as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Book-Entry Debt Securities”
below, debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.
Book-Entry Debt Securities
Each global debt security
representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depository, and registered in the name of
the depository or a nominee of the depository.
Ownership of beneficial
interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depository for the related global
debt security, which we refer to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of
a global debt security, the depository will credit, on its book- entry registration and transfer system, the participants’
accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security beneficially
owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating
in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer
of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository for the related global debt security
(with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through
participants).
So long as the depository
for a global debt security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security, the depository or its nominee,
as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt
security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will
not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a
certificate in definitive form representing debt securities and will not be considered the owners or holders of those debt securities
under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the
depository for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant
through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of the applicable debt security under the applicable
indenture.
We will make payments
of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be,
as the registered holder of the related global debt security. Golden Star, the trustee and any other agent of ours or agent of
the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the
depository, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or premium or interest on, a book-entry debt security, will promptly credit
participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held
by each participant as shown on the records of such depository. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and
customary practices, and will be the responsibility of those participants.
We will issue certificated
debt securities in exchange for each book-entry debt security if the depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue
as depository, or in any other circumstance set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In addition, we may at any time
and in our sole discretion determine not to have the book-entry debt securities of any series represented by one or more global
debt securities and, in that event, will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the book-entry debt securities of that
series. Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a book-entry debt security will be registered in such name or names
as the depository shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depository
from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.
We have obtained the
foregoing information concerning the depository and the depository’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable,
but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
Certificated Debt Securities
Transfer or Exchange
of Certificated Debt Securities
. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this
purpose in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.
You may effect the
transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities
only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities in the manner provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
No Protection In the Event of a Change
of Control
Unless we state otherwise
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and subject to any covenant, if applicable, as set forth below under “Description
of Debt Securities – Covenants – Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”, the debt securities will not contain
any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event
of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect
holders of debt securities.
Covenants
We will set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the following covenant will apply to all debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale
of Assets
We may not, unless
the terms of debt securities provide otherwise, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially
all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:
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we are the surviving corporation, or the surviving entity (if other than Golden Star) or the acquiror
of our properties and assets is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any jurisdiction of Canada and expressly
assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture;
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immediately prior to and after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default,
and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing
under the indenture; and
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certain other conditions are met.
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Events of Default
Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the occurrence of one or more of the following will constitute an event of default with
respect to any series of debt securities:
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default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due
and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days;
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default in the payment of principal of any debt security of that series when due and payable, and
continuance of that default for a period of three business days;
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an event of default occurs and is continuing, or the failure by us to comply with any of the agreements
contained in the debt securities of that series or the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the
indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a
period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of not less than 50% in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company; and
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any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement accompanying this Prospectus.
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No event of default
with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization)
necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of
default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence
of certain events of default or an acceleration under the applicable indenture may constitute an event of default under certain
of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.
If an event of default
with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders
of not less than 50% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and
to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of
that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such lesser amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on
the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect
to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained
by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind the
acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to
debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture. The Prospectus Supplement relating
to any series of debt securities that are discount securities will set forth the particular provisions relating to acceleration
of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.
Subject to certain
rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. The indenture provides that the
trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of
outstanding debt securities if the request conflicts with law or the indenture, is unduly prejudicial to the rights of another
holder of debt securities of that series, or may result in personal liability of the trustee.
No holder of any debt
security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or
for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the applicable indenture, unless:
|
·
|
that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default
with respect to debt securities of that series; and
|
|
·
|
the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that
series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and
the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series
a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.
|
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the holder of any debt security’s right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that
debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.
The applicable indenture
will require us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with
the indenture. The applicable indenture will provide that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities
of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
Golden Star and the
trustee as to any series of debt securities may modify and amend the applicable indenture with the consent of the holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments.
The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series affected may also waive compliance
in a particular instance with any provision of the applicable indenture. Unless the applicable Prospectus Supplement provides otherwise,
in no event may a modification, amendment or waiver, without the consent of the holders of each series of affected debt security
then outstanding:
|
·
|
reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver;
|
|
·
|
reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of a sinking fund or analogous
provision;
|
|
·
|
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any
debt security;
|
|
·
|
reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or waive
a redemption payment or alter the redemption provisions with respect thereto;
|
|
·
|
make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in a currency other than
that stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement for that debt security;
|
|
·
|
reduce the principal amount of original issue discount payable upon acceleration of maturity; or
|
|
·
|
make any change to certain provisions of the applicable indenture relating to, among other things,
the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and
to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment.
|
Subject to the limitations
discussed above and unless the applicable Prospectus Supplement provides otherwise, the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any
existing or past default or event of default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default
or event of default on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders
of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration of the debt securities
and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain
Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance
.
Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, and as set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities
of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents).
We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or United States government obligations or,
in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than United States dollars, foreign government obligations,
that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient
in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal,
premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated
maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any such discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee
an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss
for Canadian federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Canadian federal
income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance
and discharge had not occurred.
Covenant Defeasance
.
Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
upon compliance with certain conditions:
|
·
|
we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger
and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the applicable indenture, as well as any additional covenants
which may be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; and
|
|
·
|
any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default
with respect to the debt securities of that series, or an event of covenant defeasance.
|
The conditions include:
|
·
|
depositing with the trustee money and/or United States government obligations or, in the case of
debt securities denominated in a single currency other than United States dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through
the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion
of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium
and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity
of those payments in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture and those debt securities; and
|
|
·
|
delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities
of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and
related covenant defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.
|
Covenant Defeasance
and Events of Default
. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt
securities, and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default,
if the amount of money and/or United States government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee
is not sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event
of default, we shall remain liable for paying such shortfall.
For purposes of this
discussion, “foreign government obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated
in a currency other than United States dollars:
|
·
|
direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment
of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof;
or
|
|
·
|
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of
that government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government
which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
|
CERTAIN
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The applicable Prospectus
Supplement may describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor acquiring any Securities offered thereunder.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may also describe certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of any Securities offered thereunder by a purchaser of such Securities who is a U.S. person (within the meaning
of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code).
PRIOR
SALES
For the twelve-month
period before the date of this Prospectus, we issued the following Common Shares:
Date
|
|
Number of Common
Shares Issued
|
|
|
Price (Cdn.$)
|
|
March 10, 2014
|
|
|
268,909
|
(1)
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
Note
:
|
(1)
|
268,909 deferred share units of the Company were exercised
on March 10, 2014.
|
For the twelve-month
period before the date of this Prospectus, we issued the following options to purchase Common Shares:
Date
|
|
Number of Options Issued
|
|
|
Exercise Price (Cdn.$)
|
|
October 30, 2013
|
|
|
120,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
0.50
|
|
February 24, 2014
|
|
|
3,616,379
|
(2)
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
May 12, 2014
|
|
|
120,000
|
(3)
|
|
|
0.64
|
|
June 3, 2014
|
|
|
138,351
|
(4)
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
Notes
:
|
(1)
|
Represents options to purchase up to 120,000 Common Shares.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents options to purchase up to 3,616,379 Common Shares.
|
|
(3)
|
Represents options
to purchase up to 120,000 Common Shares.
|
|
(4)
|
Represents options
to purchase up to 138,351 Common Shares.
|
For the twelve-month
period before the date of this Prospectus, we issued the following deferred share units which may be redeemed for Common Shares:
Date
|
|
Number of Deferred Share
Units Issued
(1)
|
|
|
Price (Cdn.$)
|
|
October 15, 2013
|
|
|
360,047
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
January 15, 2014
|
|
|
358,964
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
April 15, 2014
|
|
|
141,120
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
July 15, 2014
|
|
|
238,010
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Note
:
|
(1)
|
Deferred share units may be redeemed for cash, Common Shares issued from treasury on a one-for-one basis or Common Shares purchased
by the Company on the NYSE MKT.
|
TRADING
PRICE AND VOLUME
Our Common Shares are
listed on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol “GSS”, on the TSX under the trading symbol “GSC” and on
the GSE under the trading symbol “GSR”. As of July 21, 2014, 259,374,879 Common Shares were outstanding. On July 18,
2014, being the last trading day prior to the date of this Prospectus, the closing price per share for our Common Shares as reported
by the NYSE MKT was U.S.$0.57, as reported by the TSX was Cdn.$0.60 and on the Ghana Stock Exchange was GH₵2.75.
The following table
sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low market closing prices per share of our Common Shares and the volume
of Common Shares traded on the NYSE MKT and the TSX, respectively.
|
|
NYSE MKT
(1)
|
|
|
Toronto Stock Exchange
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Volume
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Volume
|
|
|
|
(U.S.$)
|
|
|
(Cdn.$)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
47,138,743
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
2,762,724
|
|
August
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
70,495,672
|
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
|
0.465
|
|
|
|
2,954,595
|
|
September
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
83,725,076
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
7,281,542
|
|
October
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
58,892,728
|
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
0.405
|
|
|
|
3,588,969
|
|
November
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
38,681,706
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
4,805,663
|
|
December
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
38,251,391
|
|
|
|
0.52
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
1,810,582
|
|
2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
59,712,293
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
0.50
|
|
|
|
2,346,351
|
|
February
|
|
|
0.84
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
44,559,480
|
|
|
|
0.91
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
3,286,034
|
|
March
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
72,043,658
|
|
|
|
0.96
|
|
|
|
0.64
|
|
|
|
3,084,212
|
|
April
|
|
|
0.74
|
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
28,932,792
|
|
|
|
0.81
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
1,331,585
|
|
May
|
|
|
0.64
|
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
16,642,792
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.50
|
|
|
|
993,932
|
|
June
|
|
|
0.64
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
24,445,041
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.52
|
|
|
|
1,023,388
|
|
July 1 to July 21
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
17,144,485
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
803,493
|
|
|
(1)
|
Formerly known as the NYSE Amex Equities.
|
We have not declared
or paid cash dividends on our Common Shares since our inception. Future dividend decisions will consider our then-current business
results, cash requirements and financial condition.
RISK
FACTORS
The following sets
forth certain risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results
of operations and the trading price of our Common Shares, which may decline, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.
Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business
operations. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address these risks. In addition, other currently unknown risks exist
that may affect our business.
An investment in the
Securities offered by this Prospectus involves a high degree of risk. For a discussion of other factors you should carefully consider
before deciding to purchase Securities, please consider the risks described below and in the documents incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus, including those set forth in the AIF, the Annual Financial Statements, the Annual MD&A, the Interim Financial
Statements and the Interim MD&A, as well as those that may be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and other information
and/or documents incorporated by reference in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Also, please see “Cautionary Statement
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
General Risks
A substantial or prolonged decline
in gold prices would have a material adverse effect on us.
The price of our Common
Shares, our financial results and financial condition, and our exploration, development and mining activities have previously been,
and would in the future be significantly adversely affected by a substantial or prolonged decline in the price of gold. The price
of gold is volatile and is affected by numerous factors beyond our control such as the sale or purchase of gold by various central
banks and financial institutions, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign currencies,
global and regional demand, and the political and economic conditions of major gold-producing countries throughout the world. Any
drop in the price of gold would adversely impact our revenues, profits and cash flows. In particular, a sustained low gold price
could:
|
·
|
cause suspension of our mining operations at Wassa and/or Bogoso if these operations become uneconomic
at the then-prevailing gold price, thus further reducing revenues;
|
|
·
|
cause us to be unable to fulfill our obligations under agreements with our partners or under our
permits and licenses which could cause us to lose our interests in, or be forced to sell, some of our properties;
|
|
·
|
cause us to be unable to fulfill our debt repayment obligations;
|
|
·
|
halt or delay the development of new projects; and
|
|
·
|
reduce funds available for exploration and/or development activities, with the result that depleted
mineral reserves may not be replaced by new exploration activities.
|
Furthermore, the need
to reassess the feasibility of any of our development projects because of declining gold prices could cause substantial delays
or could interrupt development until a reassessment could be completed. Life-of-mine plans incorporating significantly lower gold
prices could result in reduced estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and in material write-downs of our investment
in mining properties and increased amortization, reclamation and closure charges.
We have
incurred and may in the future incur substantial losses that could make financing our operations and business strategy more difficult
and that may affect our ability to service our debts as they become due.
The Company had a net
loss attributable to Golden Star shareholders of $265.9 million in 2013, a net income attributable to Golden Star shareholders
of $7.2 million in 2012 and a net loss attributable to Golden Star shareholders of $2.1 million (determined under U.S. GAAP) in
2011. In recent years increasing operating costs, lower ore grades from our mines, lower gold recovery rates and impairment write-offs
of mine property and exploration property costs have been the primary factors contributing to such losses. In the future, these
factors, as well as declining gold prices, could cause us to continue to be unprofitable. Future operating losses could adversely
affect our ability to raise additional capital if needed, and could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial
condition. In addition, continuing operating losses could affect our ability to meet our debt repayment obligations.
Our obligations could strain
our financial position and impede our business strategy.
We had total consolidated
debt and liabilities as of March 31, 2014, of U.S.$322.4 million, including U.S.$11.9 million in equipment financing loans; U.S.$4.5
million in finance leases; U.S.$38.9 million (net of loan fees) pursuant to a loan from Ecobank Ghana Limited, U.S.$57.5 million
(U.S.$77.5 million face value) pursuant to our outstanding 5% Convertible Debentures; U.S.$113.8 million of current trade payables
and accrued liabilities; U.S.$8.3 million of current tax liabilities; and a U.S.$87.5 million accrual for environmental rehabilitation
liabilities. Our indebtedness and other liabilities may increase as a result of general corporate activities. These liabilities
could have important consequences, including the following:
|
·
|
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
|
|
·
|
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures,
exploration costs and other general corporate requirements;
|
|
·
|
requiring us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to make debt service
payments, which would reduce our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures, exploration and development projects and
other general corporate requirements;
|
|
·
|
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry;
and
|
|
·
|
placing us at a disadvantage when compared to our competitors that have less debt relative to their
market capitalization.
|
Estimates of our mineral reserves
and mineral resources could be inaccurate, which could cause actual production and costs to differ from estimates.
There are numerous
uncertainties inherent in estimating proven and probable mineral reserves and measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources,
including many factors beyond our control. The accuracy of estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources is a function of
the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation,
which could prove to be unreliable. These estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be accurate, and mineral
reserves and mineral resources may not be able to be mined or processed profitably or at all.
Fluctuations in gold
prices, results of drilling, metallurgical testing, changes in operating costs, production, and the evaluation of mine plans subsequent
to the date of any mineral reserve or mineral resource estimate could require revision of the estimates. The volume and grade of
mineral reserves mined and processed and recovery rates might not be the same as currently anticipated. Any material reductions
in estimates of our mineral reserves and mineral resources, or of our ability to extract these mineral reserves and mineral resources,
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We currently have only two sources
of operational cash flows, which could be insufficient by themselves to fund our continuing exploration and development activities.
Our only current significant
internal sources of funds are operational cash flows from Wassa and Bogoso. The anticipated continuing exploration and development
of our properties are expected to require significant expenditures over the next several years. If cash on hand, free cash flows
generated by Wassa and Bogoso and our equipment financing facility and any other available facilities are insufficient to cover
all of our capital investment needs, we may require additional financing or we may consider rescheduling capital spending. Our
ability to raise significant new capital will be a function of macroeconomic conditions, future gold prices, our operational performance
and our then current cash flow and debt position, among other factors. Continued uncertainty in the global economy may affect lending
practices and our ability to access capital. As a result, we may not be able to obtain adequate financing on acceptable terms or
at all, which could cause us to delay or indefinitely postpone further exploration and development of our properties. Consequently,
we could lose our interest in, or could be forced to sell, some or all of our properties.
We are
subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.
Our revenues are in
United States dollars, and we maintain most of our cash and cash equivalents in United States dollars or United States dollar-denominated
securities. We convert our United States funds to foreign currencies as certain payment obligations become due. Accordingly, we
are subject to fluctuations in the rates of currency exchange between the United States dollar and these foreign currencies, and
these fluctuations could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. A significant portion of the operating
costs at Wassa and Bogoso is based on the Ghanaian currency, the Cedi. We are required by the Government of Ghana to convert into
Cedis 20% of the foreign exchange proceeds that we receive from selling gold, but the Government could require us to convert a
higher percentage of gold sales proceeds into Cedis in the future. We obtain construction and other services and materials and
supplies from providers in South Africa and other countries. The costs of goods and services could increase or decrease due to
changes in the value of the United States dollar or the Cedi, the Euro, the South African Rand or other currencies. Consequently,
operation and development of our properties could be more costly than anticipated.
Any hedging activities might
be unsuccessful and incur losses.
While we held no hedging
instruments during 2013, we may enter into additional hedging arrangements in the future. Future hedging activities might not protect
adequately against declines in the price of gold. In addition, although a hedging program could protect us from a decline in the
price of gold, it might also prevent us from benefiting fully from gold price increases. For example, as part of a hedging program,
we could be obligated to sell gold at a price lower than the then-current market price.
Risks inherent in acquisitions
that we might undertake could adversely affect our current business and financial condition and our growth.
We plan to continue
to pursue the acquisition of producing, development and advanced stage exploration properties and companies. The search for attractive
acquisition opportunities and the completion of suitable transactions are time consuming and expensive, divert management attention
from our existing business and may be unsuccessful. Success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to complete acquisitions
on acceptable terms and integrate the acquired operations successfully with our operations. Any acquisition would be accompanied
by risks. For example, there may be a significant change in commodity prices after we have committed to complete a transaction
and established the purchase price or exchange ratio, a material mineral deposit may prove to be below expectations or the acquired
business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. We may lose the services of our key employees or the
key employees of any business we acquire or have difficulty integrating operations and personnel. The integration of an acquired
business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, suppliers and contractors. Any one or
more of these factors or other risks could cause us to not realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition of properties or
companies, and could have a material adverse effect on our current business, financial condition, results of operations and on
our ability to grow.
We are subject to litigation
risks.
All industries, including
the mining industry, are subject to legal claims, with and without merit. As such, we are involved in various routine legal proceedings
incidental to our business. Defense and settlement costs can be substantial, even with respect to claims that have no merit. Due
to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, the resolution of any particular legal proceeding could have a material
effect on our future financial position and results of operations.
We are subject to operational
risks.
We are subject to
a number of operational hazards that can delay production or result in liability to us. Our activities are subject to a number
of risks and hazards including:
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mechanical
and electrical equipment failures;
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unexpected
changes in mineralization grades;
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unexpected
changes in mineralization chemistry and gold recoverability;
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discharge of pollutants or hazardous chemicals;
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labor disputes and shortages;
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supply and shipping problems and delays;
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shortage of equipment and contractor availability;
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unusual or unexpected geological or operating conditions;
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cave-ins of underground workings;
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failure of pit walls or dams;
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marine and transit damage and/or loss;
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changes in the regulatory environment, including in the area of climate change;
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delayed or restricted access to mineral deposits and/or properties due to community interventions;
and
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natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods, droughts and earthquakes.
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These or other occurrences
could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental
damage, delays in mining, delayed production, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Satisfying such liabilities could be
very costly and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
Our mining
operations are subject to numerous environmental laws, regulations and permitting requirements and bonding requirements that can
delay production and adversely affect operating and development costs.
Compliance with existing
regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to environmental protection, in the
jurisdictions where we have projects may have a material adverse effect on our exploration activities, results of operations and
competitive position. New or expanded regulations, if adopted, could affect the exploration, development, or operation of our projects
or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Portions of our Wassa
property, as well as some of our exploration properties in Ghana, including Dunkwa, are located within forest reserve areas. Although
Dunkwa and Wassa have been identified by the Government of Ghana as eligible for mining permits, subject to normal procedures and
a site inspection, permits for projects in forest reserve areas may not be issued in a timely fashion, or at all, and such permits
may contain special requirements with which it is burdensome or uneconomic to comply.
Mining and processing
gold from our future development projects in Ghana will require mining, environmental, and other permits and approvals from the
Government of Ghana. The trend to longer lead times in obtaining environmental permits has reached a point where we are no longer
able to accurately estimate permitting times for our planning purposes. The increases in permitting requirements could affect our
environmental management activities including, but not limited to, tailings disposal facilities and water management projects at
our mines.
Due to an increased
level of non-governmental organization activity targeting the mining industry in Ghana, the potential for the Government of Ghana
to delay the issuance of permits or impose new requirements or conditions upon mining operations in Ghana may increase. Any changes
in the Government of Ghana’s policies, or their application, may be costly to comply with and may delay mining operations.
The exact nature of other environmental control problems, if any, which we may encounter in the future, cannot be predicted primarily
because of the changing character of environmental requirements that may be enacted within the various jurisdictions where we operate.
As a result of the
foregoing risks, project expenditures, production quantities and rates and cash operating costs, among other things, could be materially
and adversely affected and could differ materially from anticipated expenditures, production quantities and rates, and costs. In
addition, estimated production dates could be delayed materially. Any such events could have a materially adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The development
and operation of our mining projects involve numerous uncertainties that could affect the feasibility or profitability of such
projects.
Mine development projects
typically require a number of years and significant expenditures during the development phase before production is possible.
Development projects
are subject to the completion of successful feasibility studies and environmental and socioeconomic assessments, the issuance of
necessary governmental permits and receipt of adequate financing. The economic feasibility of development projects is based on
many factors such as:
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estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources;
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mining rate, dilution and recovery;
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anticipated metallurgical characteristics of the ore and gold recovery rates;
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environmental and community considerations including resettlement, permitting and approvals;
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future gold prices; and
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anticipated capital and operating costs.
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Estimates of proven
and probable mineral reserves and operating costs developed in feasibility studies are based on reasonable assumptions including
geologic and engineering analyses and may not prove to be accurate.
The management of mine
development projects and the start up of new operations are complex. Completion of development and the commencement of production
may be subject to delays. Any of the following events, among others, could affect the profitability or economic feasibility of
a project:
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unanticipated changes in grade and tonnage of ore to be mined and processed;
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unanticipated adverse geotechnical conditions;
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incorrect data on which engineering assumptions are made;
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costs of constructing and operating a mine in a specific environment;
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cost of processing and refining;
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availability of economic sources of power and fuel;
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availability of qualified staff;
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adequacy of water supply;
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adequate access to the site including competing land uses (such as agriculture and illegal mining);
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unanticipated transportation costs and shipping incidents and losses;
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significant increases in the cost of diesel fuel, cyanide or other major components of operating
costs;
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government regulations and changes to existing regulations (including regulations relating to prices,
royalties, duties, taxes, permitting, restrictions on production, quotas on exportation of minerals, protection of the environment
and agricultural lands, including bonding requirements);
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fluctuations in gold prices; and
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accidents, labor actions and force majeure events.
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Adverse effects on
the operations or further development of a project could also adversely affect our business (including our ability to achieve our
production estimates), financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
We need to continually discover,
develop or acquire additional mineral reserves for gold production and a failure to do so would adversely affect our business and
financial position in the future.
Because mines have
limited lives based on proven and probable mineral reserves, we must continually replace and expand mineral reserves as our mines
produce gold. We are required to estimate mine life in connection with our estimation of mineral reserves, but our estimates may
not be correct. In addition, mine life would be shortened if we expand production or if we lose mineral reserves due to changes
in gold price or operating costs. Our ability to maintain or increase our annual production of gold will be dependent in significant
part on our ability to bring new mines into production and to expand or extend the life of existing mines.
Gold exploration
is highly speculative, involves substantial expenditures, and is frequently non-productive.
Gold exploration involves
a high degree of risk. Exploration projects are frequently unsuccessful. Few prospects that are explored are ultimately developed
into producing mines. We cannot assure you that our gold exploration efforts will be successful. The success of gold exploration
is dependent in part on the following factors:
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the identification of potential gold mineralization based on surface analysis;
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availability of prospective land;
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availability of government-granted exploration and exploitation permits;
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the quality of our management and our geological and technical expertise; and
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the funding available for exploration and development.
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Substantial expenditures
are required to determine if a project has economically mineable mineralization. It could take several years to establish proven
and probable mineral reserves and to develop and construct mining and processing facilities. Because of these uncertainties, we
cannot assure you that current and future exploration programs will result in the discovery of mineral reserves, the expansion
of our existing mineral reserves or the development of mines.
We face competition from other
mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties.
We face strong competition
from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing, or capable of producing gold. Many of these
companies have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities. As a result of this competition,
we might be unable to maintain or acquire attractive mining properties on terms we consider acceptable or at all. Consequently,
our future revenues, operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Title to our mineral properties
could be challenged.
We seek to confirm
the validity of our rights to title to, or contract rights with respect to, each mineral property in which we have a material interest.
We have mining leases with respect to our Wassa, Bogoso, Prestea Underground and HBB properties. Title insurance generally is not
available, and our ability to ensure that we have obtained a secure claim to individual mineral properties or mining concessions
is limited. We generally do not conduct surveys of our properties until they have reached the development stage, and therefore,
the precise area and location of such properties could be in doubt. Accordingly, our mineral properties could be subject to prior
unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title could be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. In addition,
we might be unable to operate our properties as permitted or to enforce our rights with respect to our properties.
We depend on the services of
key executives.
We are dependent on
the services of key executives including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and a number of
other highly skilled and experienced executive personnel. Due to the relatively small size of our management team, the loss of
one or more of these persons or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees could have an adverse effect
on our business and future operations.
Our use of contractors may expose
us to a number of risks and increase our mining costs.
We use mining contractors
at Wassa and Bogoso. The use of contractors subjects us to certain risks, some of which are outside our control, including:
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our ability to negotiate agreements with contractors on acceptable terms or at all;
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reduced control over those aspects of operations which are the responsibility of the contractor;
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failure of a contractor to perform under its agreement;
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interruption of operations or increased costs in the event that a contractor ceases to do business
due to insolvency or other unforeseen events;
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failure of a contractor to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements;
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labor relation issues from a contractors’ workforce; and
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the potential to incur liability to third parties as a result of the actions of our contractors.
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The occurrence of one
or more of these risks could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
Our insurance coverage could
be insufficient.
Our business is subject
to a number of risks and hazards generally, including:
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adverse environmental conditions;
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unusual or unexpected geological conditions;
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ground or slope failures;
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changes in the regulatory environment;
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marine transit and shipping damage and/or losses;
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natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods and earthquakes; and
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political risks including expropriation and civil war.
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Such occurrences could
result in:
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damage to mineral properties or production facilities and equipment;
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personal injury or death;
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loss of legitimate title to properties;
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environmental damage to our properties or the properties of others;
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delays in mining, processing and development;
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possible legal liability.
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Although we maintain
insurance in amounts that we believe to be reasonable, our insurance might not cover all the potential risks associated with our
business. We might also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums or at all. Insurance
coverage might not continue to be available or might not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against
risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration and production is not generally available to
us or to other companies in the mining industry on acceptable terms. We might also become subject to liability for pollution or
other hazards which we cannot insure against or which we might elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons.
Losses from these events might cause us to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon our financial
performance and results of operations.
We are
dependent on information technology systems, which are subject to certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage
risks.
We are dependent upon
information technology systems in the conduct of our operations. Any significant breakdown, invasion, virus, cyber attack, security
breach, destruction or interruption of these systems by employees, others with authorized access to our systems, or unauthorized
persons could negatively impact our operations. To the extent any invasion, cyber attack or security breach results in disruption
to our operations, loss or disclosure of, or damage to, our data or confidential information, our reputation, business, results
of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Our systems and insurance coverage for protecting
against cyber security risks may not be sufficient. Although to date we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber
attacks, we may suffer such losses in the future. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to
modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities.
Governmental and Regulatory Risks
As a holding company, limitations
on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to make distributions to us could adversely affect the funding of our operations.
We are a holding company
organized under the federal laws of Canada that conducts operations through foreign (principally Ghanaian) subsidiaries and joint
ventures, and substantially all of our assets consist of equity in these entities. Accordingly, any limitation on the transfer
of cash or other assets between the parent corporation and these entities, or among these entities, could restrict our ability
to fund our operations efficiently, or to repay the 5% Convertible Debentures or other debt. Any such limitations, or the perception
that such limitations might exist now or in the future, could have an adverse impact on available credit and our valuation and
stock price.
The Government
of Ghana may make or propose changes to the mining fiscal regime that will have a significant impact on our overall costs.
In 2012, the Government
of Ghana announced its intent to introduce a 10% windfall profit tax on mining companies. In 2013, as a result of the decline in
spot gold prices during 2013 the Government of Ghana suspended its implementation of the proposed windfall profit tax. However
if gold prices increase the Government of Ghana may decide to continue its plan to implement the proposed 10% windfall profit tax.
The Government of Ghana
could review the existing tax stability agreements of mining companies operating in Ghana. While our mines do not have tax stability
agreements, the Government of Ghana could decide to review our Deeds of Warranty which specify certain tax agreements for our properties.
Such a review could result in some of our financial concessions being revoked or changes which could have a significant impact
on our profitability, results of operations and financial resources.
We are
subject to changes in the regulatory environment where we operate which may increase our costs of compliance.
Our mining operations
and exploration activities are subject to extensive regulation governing various matters, including:
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disposal of process water or waste rock;
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development and permitting;
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mine and occupational health and safety;
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environmental protection and corporate responsibility, and
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mine rehabilitation and closure plans.
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Compliance with these
regulations increases the costs of the following:
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drilling and exploration activities;
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closure, reclamation and rehabilitation and post closure.
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We believe that we
are in substantial compliance with current laws and regulations in Ghana and elsewhere. However, these laws and regulations are
subject to frequent change and reinterpretation. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations and activities
of mining companies or more stringent implementation or interpretation of these laws and regulations could have a material adverse
impact on us. These factors could cause a reduction in levels of production and delay or prevent the development or expansion of
our properties in Ghana.
The implementation
of changes in regulations that limit the amount of proceeds from gold sales that could be withdrawn from Ghana could also have
a material adverse impact on us, as Wassa and Bogoso are currently our only sources of internally generated operating cash flows.
Environmental
bonding requirements are under review in Ghana and bonding requirements may be increased.
As part of its periodic
assessment of mine reclamation and closure costs, the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) reviews the adequacy
of reclamation bonds and guarantees. In certain cases, it has requested higher levels of bonding based on its findings. If the
EPA were to require additional bonding at our properties, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to provide sufficient bonding.
If we are unable to meet any such increased bonding requirements or negotiate an acceptable solution with the Government of Ghana,
our operations and exploration and development activities in Ghana may be materially adversely affected.
The Government of Ghana has
the right to increase its interest in certain subsidiaries.
In accordance with
the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (“Act 703”), the Government of Ghana has a 10% carried interest in the mineral operations
of Ghanaian mining companies. The carried interest comes into existence at the time the government issues a mining license. As
such, the Government of Ghana currently has a 10% carried interest in our subsidiaries that own the Wassa and Bogoso properties.
Under Act 703, the
Government of Ghana has the right to acquire a special share or “golden share” in such subsidiaries at any time for
no consideration or such consideration as the Government of Ghana and such subsidiaries might agree, and a pre-emptive right to
purchase all gold and other minerals produced by such subsidiaries. A “golden share” carries no voting rights and does
not participate in dividends, profits or assets. While the Government of Ghana has not sought to exercise any of these rights at
our properties, any such attempts to do so in the future could adversely affect our financial results.
We are subject to risks relating
to exploration, development and operations in foreign countries.
Our assets and operations
are affected by various political and economic uncertainties in the countries where we operate, including:
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war, civil unrest, terrorism, coups or other violent or unexpected changes in government;
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political instability and violence;
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expropriation and nationalization;
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renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits, and contracts;
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changes in taxation policies;
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unilaterally imposed increases in royalty rates, such as the increase in royalty rates imposed
by the Government of Ghana, effective March 2011, which changed the method of calculating the royalties from not less than 3% and
not more than 6% of a mine’s total mineral revenues to a flat rate of 5% of mineral revenues;
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restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and
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changing political conditions, currency controls, and governmental regulations that favor or require
the awarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from,
a particular jurisdiction.
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Illegal mining has occurred
on our properties, which is difficult to control, can disrupt our business and can expose us to liability.
We continue to experience
illegal mining activity on our mining and exploration properties. Most of this activity is on our Prestea South properties. While
we are proactively working with local, regional and national governmental authorities to obtain protection of our property rights,
any action on the part of such authorities may not occur, may not fully address our problems or may be delayed.
In addition to the
impact on our mineral reserves and mineral resources, the presence of illegal miners can lead to project delays and disputes and
delays regarding the development or operation of commercial gold deposits. Illegal miners could cause environmental damage or other
damage to our properties, or personal injury or death, for which we could potentially be held responsible. Illegal miners may work
on other of our properties from time to time, and they may in the future increase their presence and have increased negative impacts
such as those described above on such other properties.
Our activities
are subject to complex laws, regulations and accounting standards that can adversely affect operating and development costs, the
timing of operations, the ability to operate our mines and our financial results.
Our business, mining
operations and exploration and development activities are subject to extensive Canadian, United States, Ghanaian and other foreign,
federal, state, provincial, territorial and local laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, exports,
taxes, labor standards, waste disposal, protection of the environment, reclamation, historic and cultural resource preservation,
mine safety and occupational health, toxic substances, reporting and other matters, as well as accounting standards. Compliance
with these laws, regulations and standards or the imposition of new requirements could adversely affect exploration, operating
and development costs, the timing of operations and the ability to operate, as well as our financial results.
Failure to maintain effective
internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and share price.
Annually, we are required
to test our internal controls over financial reporting to satisfy the requirements of applicable securities laws, which requires
annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to maintain effective
internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and share price.
Market Risks
The market price of our Common
Shares has experienced volatility and could continue to do so in the future.
Our Common Shares are
listed on the NYSE MKT, the TSX and the Ghana Stock Exchange. Companies with market capitalizations similar to ours have experienced
substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies
involved. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness
of particular industries. Our share price is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in gold prices or in
our financial condition or results of operations as reflected in our quarterly earnings reports. Other factors unrelated to our
performance that could have an effect on the price of our Common Shares include the following:
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the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning our business could be limited
if investment banks with research capabilities do not continue to follow our securities;
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the trading volume and general market interest in our securities could affect an investor’s
ability to trade significant numbers of Common Shares;
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the size of the public float in our Common Shares may limit the ability of some institutions to
invest in our securities; and
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a substantial decline in our stock price that persists for a significant period of time could cause
our securities to be delisted from NYSE MKT, the TSX and/or the Ghana Stock Exchange, further reducing market liquidity.
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As a result of any
of these factors, the market price of our Common Shares at any given point in time might not accurately reflect our long-term value.
Stock markets in general have recently experienced higher levels of volatility. Securities class action litigation often has been
brought against companies following periods of market price volatility that affects the market price of particular securities without
regard to the performance of the company whose stock price is affected. We could in the future be the target of similar litigation.
Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources.
Investors could have difficulty
or be unable to enforce certain civil liabilities on us.
A majority of our assets
are located outside of Canada and all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Accordingly, it might not be possible
for investors to collect judgments obtained in Canadian courts or United States courts predicated on the civil liability provisions
of Canadian securities legislation or U.S. federal securities legislation or to realize upon our assets in connection with such
judgments.
The conversion feature of our
5% Convertible Debentures could limit increases in the trading price of our Common Shares.
The conversion price
of our outstanding 5% Convertible Debentures is $1.65 per share. During periods when our Common Share price is greater than the
conversion price, this conversion feature may limit the increase in the price of our Common Shares, since any increase in the stock
price above the conversion price will make it more likely that the 5% Convertible Debentures will be converted, thereby exerting
a downward pressure on the market price of the Common Shares.
The existence
of outstanding rights to purchase or acquire Common Shares could impair our ability to raise capital.
As of July 21, 2014,
there were options outstanding to purchase up to 15,658,797 Common Shares at exercise prices ranging from Cdn.$0.50 to Cdn.$5.11
per share and there were deferred share units outstanding redeemable for up to 1,850,778 Common Shares issued from treasury. In
addition, 1,617,588 Common Shares were available for future issuance under our stock option plans and 5,620,212 Common Shares were
available for future issuance under our deferred share unit plan. Furthermore, approximately 46,963,636 Common Shares are currently
issuable upon the full conversion of our outstanding Convertible Debentures (additional shares may be issuable to debenture holders
in certain circumstances). During the life of the options, Convertible Debentures and other rights, the holders are given an opportunity
to profit from a rise in the market price of Common Shares, with a resulting dilution in the interest of the other shareholders.
Our ability to obtain additional financing during the period such rights are outstanding could be adversely affected, and the existence
of the rights could have an adverse effect on the price of our Common Shares. The holders of the options, Convertible Debentures
and other rights can be expected to exercise or convert them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any
needed capital by a new offering of securities on terms more favorable than those provided by the outstanding rights.
Current global financial conditions
may affect our ability to obtain financing and may negatively affect our asset values and results of operations.
Global financial conditions
during recent years have been characterized by heightened volatility and uncertainty. As a result, access to financing has been
negatively impacted, which may affect our ability to obtain equity or debt financing in the future on favorable terms or at all.
Additionally, these factors, as well as other related factors, may cause decreases in asset values that are deemed to be other
than temporary, which may result in impairment losses. If such increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue or worsen,
our operations could be adversely impacted and the trading price of our Common Shares may be adversely affected.
The Company has
discretion in the use of the net proceeds from any Offering.
The aggregate amount
of net proceeds to be received by the Company pursuant to any offering of Securities is uncertain and will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will have discretion
in the actual application of the net proceeds from any offering of Securities. The Company may elect to allocate the net proceeds
differently from that described in “Use of Proceeds” if the Company believes it would be in the Company's best interests
to do so at the time such net proceeds are received. Furthermore, as at the date hereof, the Company has no definitive plans for
the expenditure of the proceeds of any offering of Securities and there can be no assurance as to how such funds may be expended.
There are certain
U.S. federal income tax risks associated with ownership of our Common Shares.
Holders of our Common
Shares who are U.S. taxpayers should consider that we may be or could become a “passive foreign investment company”
(“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We do not expect to be a PFIC for the year ending December 31, 2014,
and do not expect to become a PFIC in the foreseeable future, but the tests for determining PFIC status depend upon a number of
factors, some of which are beyond our control, and can be subject to uncertainties, and we cannot assure you that we will not be
a PFIC for the year ending December 31, 2014, or any future year. We undertake no obligation to advise holders of Common Shares
as to our PFIC status for the year ending December 31, 2014, or any future year.
If we are a PFIC for
any year, any person who holds Common Shares who is a U.S. person for U.S. income tax purposes (a “U.S. holder”) and
whose holding period for those Common Shares includes any portion of a year in which we are a PFIC generally would be subject to
a special adverse tax regime in respect of “excess distributions.” Excess distributions include certain distributions
received with respect to PFIC shares in a taxable year. Gain recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale or other transfer of Common
Shares (including certain transfers that would otherwise be tax free) also would be treated as excess distributions. Such excess
distributions and gains would be allocated ratably to the U.S. holder’s holding period. For these purposes, the holding period
of shares acquired either through an exercise of Securities that are convertible or exercisable for Common Shares or the conversion
of convertible debentures includes the holder’s holding period in the Securities that are convertible or exercisable for
Common Shares or convertible debt.
The portion of any
excess distribution (including gains treated as excess distributions) allocated to the current year or to a year prior to the first
year in which the Company was a PFIC would be includible as ordinary income in the current year. The portion of any excess distribution
allocated to the first year in the U.S. holder’s holding period in which the Company was a PFIC and any subsequent year or
years (excluding the current year) would be taxed at the highest marginal rate applicable to ordinary income for each such year
(regardless of the taxpayer’s actual marginal rate for that year and without reduction by any losses or loss carryforwards)
and would be subject to interest charges to reflect the value of the U.S. income tax deferral.
Elections may be available
to mitigate the adverse tax rules that apply to PFICs (the so-called “QEF” and “mark-to-market” elections),
but these elections may cause the recognition of taxable income or gain. The QEF and mark-to-market elections are not available
to U.S. holders with respect to options or convertible securities. We have not decided whether we would provide to U.S. holders
of our Common Shares the annual information that would be necessary to make the QEF election.
Additional special
adverse rules also apply to U.S. holders who own our Common Shares if we are a PFIC and have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is also
a PFIC. Special adverse rules that impact certain estate planning goals could apply to our Common Shares if we are a PFIC.
INTEREST
OF EXPERTS
Each of Richard Oldcorn,
Dr. Lucy Roberts, Chris Bray, Dr. John Arthur, Michael Beare, Neil Marshall, Dr. Anthony Rex, Krzysztof Czajewski, John Willis,
Martin Raffield, Steven Mitchel Wasel and Yan Bourassa is a person who has reviewed or supervised the preparation of information
upon which scientific and technical information relating to Golden Star’s mineral properties contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus is based. Each of Martin Raffield, Steven Mitchel Wasel and Yan Bourassa is an officer or employee
of Golden Star and/or an officer, director or employee of one or more of its associates or affiliates. None of such persons received
or will receive a direct or indirect interest in any property of Golden Star or any of its associates or affiliates. To the best
knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, each of such persons owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of
any outstanding class of securities of Golden Star.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain Canadian legal
matters relating to the offering of Securities hereunder will be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin
LLP with respect to Canadian legal matters and by Davis Graham and Stubbs LLP with respect to United States legal matters. At the
date hereof, each of the partners and associates of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, as a group, and Davis Graham and Stubbs LLP,
as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of any outstanding securities of the Company.
AUDITORS,
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The auditors of the
Company are PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants through their offices at
18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario Canada. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the auditor of the Company and has confirmed
that they are independent of the Company in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants
of Ontario.
The transfer agent
and registrar for the Common Shares is CST Trust Company, through its offices at 1066 West Hastings Street, Suite 1600, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada V6E 3X1 and 320 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 4A6 and in Ghana our sub-registrar and transfer
agent is Ghana Commercial Bank Limited at its principal office in the city of Accra, Ghana.
DOCUMENTS
FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The following documents
have been filed or will be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part:
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the documents listed under “Documents Incorporated
by Reference”;
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consents of auditors, engineers and Canadian legal counsel;
and
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powers of attorney pursuant to which amendments to the
Registration Statement may be signed.
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