As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2021

 

Registration No. 333-

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form F-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

British Columbia, Canada

 

Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

Suite 900, 570 Granville Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6C 3P1, Canada

604-682-3701

(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Paracorp Incorporated

1090 Vermont Ave NW #910

Washington, DC 20005

888-272-3725

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

Copy to:

 

Nathan Harte 

Chief Financial Officer 

570 Granville Street, Suite 900 

Vancouver, British Columbia 

V6C 3P1, Canada 

Telephone: (604) 682-3701 

Facsimile: (604) 682-3600

 

Daniel B. Eng 

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP 

333 Bush Street, Suite 1100 

San Francisco, California 94104 

Telephone: (415) 362-2580 

Facsimile: (415) 434-0882

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Emerging Growth Company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities. ☐

 

 

 

   

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered

 

Amount to be registered

(1)(2)(3)(5)

 

 

Proposed maximum offering

price per unit (3)

 

Aggregate maximum offering

price (3)(4)

 

 

Amount of registration

fee (3)

 

Common shares, without par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscription Receipts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$ 50,000,000.00

 

 

 

 

$ 50,000,000.00

 

 

$ 5,455.00

 

__________

(1)

Also includes an indeterminate aggregate principal amount and number of securities of each identified class of securities up to a proposed aggregate offering price of $50,000,000, which may be offered by the registrant from time to time in unspecified numbers and at indeterminate prices, and as may be issued upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. Except as provided in Rule 426(b) under Securities Act of 1933, in no event will the aggregate offering price of all types of securities issued by the Registrant pursuant to this registration statement exceed $50,000,000.

(2)

Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.

(3)

Pursuant to General Instruction II.C. of Form F-3, the table lists each of the classes of securities being registered and the aggregate proceeds to be raised, but does not specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered, proposed maximum offering price per unit, and proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

(4)

The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely to calculate the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(5)

Consisting of some or all of the securities listed above, in any combination, including common shares, warrants, subscription receipts and debt securities and units consisting of, or a combination of, common shares, warrants, subscription receipts and debt securities.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

    

 

 

 

   

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This registration statement on Form F-3 includes $50,000,000 of our common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, subscription receipts which entitle the holder to receive upon satisfaction of release conditions and for no additional consideration common shares or warrants or any combination thereof, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or debt securities or any combination of these securities in one or more transactions.

 

This registration statement contains two prospectuses:

 

a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance and sale by the Registrant of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000 of common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, subscription receipts which entitle the holder to receive upon satisfaction of release conditions and for no additional consideration common shares or warrants or any combination thereof, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or debt securities or any combination of these securities; and

 

 

 

an at the market sales agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by the Registrant of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $25,000,000 of common shares that may be offered, issued and sold by the Registrant under a sales agreement dated January 13, 2021 (the “Sales Agreement) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the “Lead Agent”), H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Roth Capital Partners, LLC and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (collectively with the Lead Agent, the “Agents”).

 

The base prospectus immediately follows this Explanatory Note. The at the market sales agreement prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The common shares that may be offered, issued and sold by the Registrant under the at the market sales agreement prospectus is included in the $50,000,000 of securities, including common shares that may be offered, issued and sold by the Registrant under the base prospectus.

  

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated January 13, 2021

    

PROSPECTUS

 

 

$50,000,000

Common Shares

Warrants

Subscription Receipts

Debt Securities

Units

 

From time to time, we may offer up to $50,000,000 of our common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, subscription receipts to receive common shares or warrants or any combination thereof, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or debt securities or any combination of these securities in one or more transactions.

 

We will provide specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus which may include, but is not limited to, an at the market sales agreement prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement, and any documents incorporated by reference, may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, any documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus carefully before buying any of the securities being offered.

 

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

 

Our common shares are listed on NYSE American under the symbol “ASM” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “ASM”. On January 11, 2021, the reported sale price for a common share on NYSE American was $1.24 and on the TSX was Cdn$1.56.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 5 and contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  

The date of this prospectus is  , 2021.

  

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

 

1

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING THE TERMS RESERVES AND RESOURCES

 

 

1

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

 

2

 

ABOUT AVINO SILVER & GOLD MINE LTD.

 

 

3

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

3

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

3

 

RISK FACTORS

 

 

5

 

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

 

5

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

5

 

MARKET FOR OUR COMMON SHARES

 

 

5

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

 

6

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES

 

6

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

 

20

 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

 

 

21

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

24

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

 

26

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

26

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

 

27

 

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

 

29

 

MATERIAL CHANGES

 

 

29

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

 

29

 

EXPERTS

 

 

29

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

 

29

 

 

 

i

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Some of the statements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement we may file constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). These statements relate to future events concerning our business and to our future revenues, operating results, and financial condition. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology.

 

Any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are only estimates or predictions of future events based on information currently available to our management and management’s current beliefs about the potential outcome of future events. Whether these future events will occur as management anticipates, whether we will achieve our business objectives, and whether our revenues, operating results, or financial condition will improve in future periods are subject to numerous risks. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements. These important factors include those that we discuss under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other sections of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as in our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read these factors and the other cautionary statements made in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this prospectus or the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus. If one or more of these factors materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING
THE TERMS RESERVES AND RESOURCES

 

In Canada, an issuer is required to provide technical information with respect to mineralization, including reserves and resources, if any, on its mineral exploration properties in accordance with Canadian requirements, which differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC applicable to registration statements and reports filed by United States companies pursuant to the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act. As such, information contained in this registration statement concerning descriptions of mineralization under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. In particular, this registration statement and the annual report on Form 20-F incorporated herein may include the terms “mineral resource,” “inferred mineral resource” “indicated mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource,” and “mineral reserve.” Investors are advised that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed under Canadian rules by National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. Further, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. In addition, NI 43-101 permits disclosure of “contained ounces” of mineralization. In contrast, the SEC only permits issuers to report mineralization as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

 

The definitions of proven and probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7, as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” for United States reporting purposes 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, 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.

 

 
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U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits identified as an “measured mineral resource,” “indicated mineral resource,” or “inferred mineral resource” will ever be converted to mineral reserves as defined in NI 43-101 or SEC Industry Guide 7. Further, “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian securities legislation, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This document is called a prospectus and is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer our common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, subscription receipts which entitle the holder to receive upon satisfaction of release conditions and for no additional consideration common shares or warrants or a combination thereof, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or debt securities or any combination of these securities in one or more offerings, in amounts we will determine from time to time, up to a total dollar amount of $50,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities described in this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement, or information that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, containing more specific information about the terms of the securities that we are offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings and securities. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplement, any information incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectuses, includes all material information relating to these offerings and securities. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including without limitation, a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to these offerings or securities or the specific plan of distribution. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference having a later date, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement or incorporated information having a later date. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” before buying any of the securities being offered.

 

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus.

 

Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.

 

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 

 
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In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms, as well as references to “Avino” or the “Company,” refer to Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.” Reference to dollars shall mean United States dollars unless otherwise referenced.

 

ABOUT AVINO SILVER & GOLD MINE LTD.

 

We were incorporated by Memorandum of Association under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada on May 15, 1968, and on August 22, 1969, by virtue of an amalgamation with Ace Mining Company Ltd., became a public company whose common shares are registered under the Exchange Act and we changed our name to Avino Mines & Resources Limited. On April 12, 1995, we changed our corporate name to International Avino Mines Ltd. and effected a reverse stock split of one common share for every five common shares outstanding. On August 29, 1997, we changed our corporate name to Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. to better reflect our business of exploring for and mining silver and gold. Our principal executive office is located at Suite 900, 570 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1, Canada. Our telephone number is (604) 682-3701. Our website is located at www.avino.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

We are a natural resource company, primarily engaged in the extracting and processing of gold, silver, and copper and the acquisition and exploration of natural resource properties. Our principal business activities have been the exploration for and extracting and processing of silver, gold and copper at a mineral property located in the State of Durango, Mexico (known as the “Avino Property”), located near the town of Durango, comprising the “San Gonzalo Mine” which ceased operations in the fourth quarter of 2019, and the “Avino Mine”, which is operational, but mining operations have been temporarily suspended since April 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic safety measures imposed by the Mexican authorities and a labour strike which has been resolved, but the labour settlement agreement must be approved by the Mexican labour authority. We also own certain mineral exploration properties in Mexico known as the “Ana Maria Property” and “El Laberinto Property,” which have been optioned to Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., certain mineral claims in British Columbia, known as the “Minto Property” and “Olympic-Kelvin Property”, and fourteen (14) quartz mining leases in the Yukon Territory, Canada, known as the “Eagle Property,” all of which are currently inactive and not material to Avino’s financial position or operations.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the securities covered by this prospectus, please see the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is http://www.sec.gov.

 

We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, we file certain reports and other information with the SEC. Such reports and other information are available for inspection and copying at the Public Reference Room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at http://www.avino.com. You may access our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this prospectus.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and certain information that we will later file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below as well as certain filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement, and any filings made after the date of this prospectus until we sell all of the securities under this prospectus, except that we do not incorporate any document or portion of a document that was furnished and deemed by the rules of the SEC not to have been filed:

 

 
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·

Our Registration Statement of common shares pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2011;

 

 

 

 

·

Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 25, 2020;

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020, containing our Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and Management Discussion and Analysis;

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on July 27, 2020, containing our Notice and Information Circular dated July 13, 2020 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on Thursday, August 27, 2020;

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 12, 2020, containing our Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and Management Discussion and Analysis;

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2020, regarding the granting of an option to purchase the Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties to Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. (formerly, Gray Rock Resources Ltd.);

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2020, announcing the results of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2020, containing our Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and Management Discussion and Analysis; and

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021, announcing our updated mineral resource estimate.

   

Additionally, all reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and incorporated herein after (i) the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement; and (ii) the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination or completion of this offering, shall be part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and other documents. Any information that we subsequently file with the SEC that is incorporated by reference as described above will automatically update and supersede any previous information that is part of this prospectus.

 

We hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents. Requests for such copies should be directed to:

 

Dorothy Chin, Corporate Secretary

Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd.

570 Granville Street, Suite 900

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1

Canada

Tel: 604 682-3701

Fax: 604 682-3600

   

 
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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in, or incorporated into, the applicable prospectus, prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference herein or therein. Each of the referenced risks and uncertainties could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities. Additional risks not known to us or that we believe are immaterial may also adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition and the value of an investment in our securities.

 

In addition to the foregoing risks, if we issue debt securities pursuant to a trust indenture, we do not intend to register the trust indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“Trust Indenture Act”), pursuant to an exemption. Accordingly, holders of our debt securities, if any, may not receive the same protection that they would otherwise receive if the trust indenture was registered under the Trust Indenture Act including the appointment of a suitable independent and qualified trustee to act for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities and certain substantive provisions for the trust indenture including debt holders’ lists, reports, and duties and responsibilities of the trustee that would be entered into by the trustee and us.

 

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

We may sell from time to time pursuant to this prospectus (as may be detailed in prospectus supplements) an indeterminate number of securities as shall have a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000. The actual per share price of the securities that we will offer pursuant hereto will depend on a number of factors that may be relevant as of the time of offer. See “Plan of Distribution” below.

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization and liabilities as of September 30, 2020. This table should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as at and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

As at September 30, 2020 (in 000s)

   

Total liabilities

 

$11,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

108,304

 

Equity reserves

 

 

9,239

 

Treasury shares (14,180 shares, at cost)

 

 

(97 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(4,655 )

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(52,868 )

Total equity

 

59,923

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$71,638

 

   

MARKET FOR OUR COMMON SHARES

 

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American and TSX under the symbol “ASM.”

 

 
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

We may offer, from time to time, our common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, subscription receipts which entitle the holder to receive upon satisfaction of release conditions and for no additional consideration common shares or warrants or a combination thereof, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or debt securities or any combination of these securities in one or more offerings, in amounts we will determine from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. See “Description of Capital Shares”, “Description of Warrants”, “Description of Subscription Receipts”, “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Units” below. Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

 

·

designation or classification;

 

·

aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

 

·

rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;

 

·

redemption, conversion or sinking fund terms, if any;

 

·

voting or other rights, if any;

 

·

conversion prices, if any; and

 

·

important federal income tax considerations.

   

The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus also may supplement, or, as applicable, add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

The terms of any particular offering, the offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus, prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus relating to such offering.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES

 

The description below of our capital shares is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”). For a complete description, you should refer to our Articles, copies of which are on file with the SEC.

 

Our Articles authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares, without par value.

 

Common Shares

 

Each holder of common shares is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, except matters that relate only to one or more of the series of preferred share, and each holder does not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the common shares entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose.

 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common shares will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to shareholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding preferred shares.

 

Holders of common shares have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common share. All outstanding common shares are, and the common shares offered by us in this offering, when issued and paid for, will be fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the common shares are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred share which we may designate in the future.

 

 
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Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare, 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B9.

 

Comparison of British Columbia and Delaware Corporate Law

 

Comparison of Shareholder Rights

 

The Company is a corporation governed by the British Columbia, Business Corporations Act (the “BCBCA”). The BCBCA differs in some material respects from the laws generally applicable to Delaware corporations under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Below is a summary of certain of those material differences, and is provided for illustrations purposes only. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the DGCL, the BCBCA, and the Company’s Articles.

 

Stockholder/Shareholder Approval 

of Business Combinations; 

Fundamental Changes

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, certain fundamental changes, such as amendments to the certificate of incorporation, a merger, consolidation, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property of a corporation not in the usual and regular course of the corporation’s business, or a dissolution of the corporation, are generally required to be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or the bylaws require a higher percentage. 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA and the Company’s articles, certain company alterations, such as changes to authorized share structure, continuances, into or out of province, certain amalgamations, sales, leases or other dispositions of all or substantially all of the undertaking of a company (other than in the ordinary course of business) liquidations, dissolutions, and certain arrangements are required to be approved by ordinary or special resolution as applicable.

 

 

 

 

 

However, generally under the DGCL, stockholder approval is not required if the number of shares of common stock, including securities convertible into common stock, of a corporation issued in a merger does not exceed 20% of its stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger. In certain situations, the approval of a business combination may require approval by a certain number of the holders of a class or series of shares. In addition, Section 251(h) of the DGCL provides that stockholders of a constituent corporation need not vote to approve a merger if: (i) the merger agreement permits or requires the merger to be effected under Section 251(h) and provides that the merger shall be effected as soon as practicable following the tender offer or exchange offer, (ii) a corporation consummates a tender or exchange offer for any and all of the outstanding stock of such constituent corporation that would otherwise be entitled to vote to approve the merger, (iii) immediately following the consummation of the offer, the stock accepted for purchase or exchanges plus the stock owned by the consummating corporation equals at least the percentage of stock that would be required to adopt the agreement of merger under the DGCL, (iv) the corporation consummating the offer merges with or into such constituent corporation and (v) each outstanding share of each class or series of stock of the constituent corporation that was the subject of and not irrevocably accepted for purchase or exchange in the offer is to be converted in the merger into, or the right to receive, the same consideration to be paid for the shares of such class or series of stock of the constituent corporation irrevocably purchased or exchanged in such offer.

 

An ordinary resolution is a resolution (i) passed at a shareholders’ meeting by a simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at general meetings, or (ii) passed, after being submitted to all of the shareholders holding shares that carry the right to vote at general meetings, by being consented to in writing by such shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold shares carrying at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast on the resolution.

 

A special resolution is a resolution (i) passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at general meetings who voted in respect of the resolution at a meeting duly called and held for that purpose or (ii) passed by being consented to in writing by all shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.

 

Under the BCBCA, an action that prejudices or interferes with a right or special right attached to issued shares of a class or series of shares must be approved by a special separate resolution of the holders of the class or series of shares being affected.

 

 

 
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The DGCL does not contain a procedure comparable to a plan of arrangement under BCBCA.

 

Under the BCBCA, arrangements are permitted and a company may make any proposal it considers appropriate “despite any other provision” of the BCBCA. In general, a plan of arrangement is approved by a company’s board of directors and then is submitted to a court for approval. It is customary for a company in such circumstances to apply to a court initially for an interim order governing various procedural matters prior to calling any security holder meeting to consider the proposed arrangement. Plans of arrangement involving shareholders must be approved by a special resolution of shareholders, including holders of shares not normally entitled to vote. The court may, in respect of an arrangement proposed with persons other than shareholders and creditors, require that those persons approve the arrangement in the manner and to the extent required by the court. The court determines, among other things, to whom notice shall be given and whether, and in what manner, approval of any person is to be obtained and also determines whether any shareholders may dissent from the proposed arrangement and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. Following compliance with the procedural steps contemplated in any such interim order (including as to obtaining security holder approval), the court would conduct a final hearing, which would, among other things, assess the fairness of the arrangement and approve or reject the proposed arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BCBCA does not contain a provision comparable to Section 251(h) of the DGCL.

 

 
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Special Vote Required 

for Combinations with 

Interested 

Stockholders/ Shareholders

 

Delaware

 

Unless a Delaware corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides that it elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, a Delaware corporation may not engage in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the time of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless (i) the board of directors of the corporation, prior to the time of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, approves either the business combination or the transaction in which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding shares owned by directors and officers of the corporation and shares held in certain types of employee stock plans); or (iii) the board of directors and the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder approve the business combination on or after the time of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder.

   

For purposes of Section 203, the DGCL, subject to specified exceptions, generally defines an interested stockholder to include any person who, together with that person’s affiliates or associates, (i) owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (including any rights to acquire stock pursuant to an option, warrant, agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion or exchange rights, and stock with respect to which the person has voting rights only), or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and owned 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the previous three years.

 

British Columbia 

 

The BCBCA does not contain a provision comparable to Section 203 of the DGCL with respect to business combinations.

   

However, Multi-lateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (the “Instrument”), published by the Canadian Securities Regulators who have adopted the Instrument, applies to the Company if it undertakes a related party transaction or business combination (as defined therein), in which case the Instrument provides (subject to certain exemptions) for a formal valuation, and majority of the minority shareholders’ approval of the proposed transaction.

 

 

 
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Appraisal Rights; Rights to Dissent

 

Delaware

 

Under the DGCL, a stockholder of a corporation participating in some types of major corporate transactions may, under varying circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which the stockholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair market value of his or her shares in lieu of the consideration he or she would otherwise receive in the transaction. 

 

For example, a stockholder is entitled to appraisal rights in the case of a merger or consolidation if the shareholder is required to accept in exchange for the shares anything other than: (i) shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof; (ii) shares of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, that on the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders; (iii) cash instead of fractional shares of the corporation or fractional depository receipts of the corporation; or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

British Columbia 

 

The BCBCA provides that shareholders of a company are entitled to exercise dissent rights in respect of certain matters and to be paid the fair value of their shares in connection therewith. The dissent right is applicable where the company resolves to (i) alter its articles to alter the restrictions on the powers of the company or on the business it is permitted to carry on; (ii) approve certain amalgamations; (iii) approve an arrangement, where the terms of the arrangement or court orders relating thereto permit dissent; (iv) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its undertaking; or (v) continue the company into another jurisdiction. 

 

Dissent may also be permitted if authorized by resolution. A court may also make an order permitting a shareholder to dissent in certain circumstances.

 

Compulsory Acquisition

 

Delaware

 

Under the DGCL, a merger in which one corporation owns, prior to the merger, 90% or more of each class of stock of a second corporation may be completed without the vote of the second corporation’s board of directors or shareholders.

 

 

British Columbia 

 

The BCBCA provides that if, within 4 months after the making of an offer to acquire shares, or any class of shares, of a company, the offer is accepted by the holders of not less than 90% of the shares (other than the shares held by the offeror or an affiliate of the offeror) of any class of shares to which the offer relates, the offeror is entitled, upon giving proper notice within 5 months after the date of the offer, to acquire (on the same terms on which the offeror acquired shares from those holders of shares who accepted the offer) the shares held by those holders of shares of that class who did not accept the offer. Offerees may apply to the court, within 2 months of receiving notice, and the court may set a different price or terms of payment and may make any consequential orders or directions as it considers appropriate.

 

 
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Stockholder/Shareholder Consent  

to Action Without Meeting

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, any action that can be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if written consent to the action is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of the stockholders.

 

British Columbia 

 

Although it is not customary for public companies to do so, under the BCBCA, shareholder action without a meeting may be taken by a consent resolution of shareholders provided that it satisfies the thresholds for approval in a company’s articles, the BCBCA and the regulations thereunder. A consent resolution is as valid and effective as if it was a resolution passed at a meeting of shareholders.

 

 

 

 

Special Meetings of Stockholders/ 

Shareholders

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, a special meeting of shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such persons authorized in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws.

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, the holders of not less than 5% of the issued shares of a company that carry the right to vote at a general meeting may requisition that the directors call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of transacting any business that may be transacted at a general meeting. Upon receiving a requisition that complies with the technical requirements set out in the BCBCA, the directors must, subject to certain limited exceptions, call a meeting of shareholders to be held not more than 4 months after receiving the requisition. If the directors do not call such a meeting within 21 days after receiving the requisition, the requisitioning shareholders or any of them holding in aggregate not less than 2.5% of the issued shares of the company that carry the right to vote at general meetings may call the meeting.

 

 
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Distributions and Dividends; 

Repurchases and Redemptions

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation, a corporation may pay dividends out of its capital surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared or the preceding fiscal year, as long as the amount of capital of the corporation following the declaration and payment of the dividend is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by issued and outstanding shares having a preference upon the distribution of assets. Surplus is defined in the DGCL as the excess of the net assets over capital, as such capital may be adjusted by the board. 

 

A Delaware corporation may purchase or redeem shares of any class for cash or other property except when its capital is impaired or would be impaired by the purchase or redemption. A corporation may, however, purchase or redeem out of capital shares that are entitled, upon any distribution of its assets, to a preference over another class or series of its shares or, if no shares entitled to a preference are outstanding, any of its shares if such shares will be retired and the capital reduced.

 

 

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, unless its charter or an enactment provides otherwise, a company may pay a dividend in money or other property (including by issuing shares or warrants by way of dividend) unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is insolvent, or the payment of the dividend would render the company insolvent. 

 

The BCBCA provides that no special rights or restrictions attached to a series of any class of shares confer on the series a priority in respect of dividends or return of capital over any other series of shares of the same class. 

 

Under the BCBCA, the purchase or other acquisition by a company of its shares is generally subject to solvency tests similar to those applicable to the payment of dividends (as set out above). The Company is permitted, under its articles, to acquire any of its shares, subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to such class or series of shares and the approval of its board of directors. 

 

Under the BCBCA, subject to solvency tests similar to those applicable to the payment of dividends (as set out above), a company may redeem, on the terms and in the manner provided in its articles, any of its shares that has a right of redemption attached to it.

 

 
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Vacancies on Board of Directors

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, a vacancy or a newly created directorship may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. Any newly elected director usually holds office for the remainder of the full term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of the class of directors to which the newly elected director has been elected expires.

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA and the Company’s articles, a vacancy among the directors created by the removal of a director may be filled by the shareholders at the meeting at which the director is removed or, if not filled by the shareholders at such meeting, by the shareholders or by the remaining directors. In the case of a casual vacancy, the remaining directors may fill the vacancy. Under the BCBCA, directors may increase the size of the board of directors by one third of the number of current directors. 

 

Under the BCBCA and the Company’s articles, if as a result of one or more vacancies, the number of directors in office falls below the number required for a quorum, the remaining directors may appoint as directors the number of individuals that, when added to the number of remaining directors, will constitute a quorum and/or call a shareholders’ meeting to fill any or all vacancies among directors and to conduct such other business that may be dealt with at that meeting, but must not take any other action until a quorum is obtained.

 

 

 

 

Removal of Directors; 

Terms of Directors

 

Delaware

  

Under the DGCL, except in the case of a corporation with a classified board or with cumulative voting, any director or the entire board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. If a Delaware corporation has a classified board, unless its certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, any director or the entire board may only be removed by stockholders for cause.

 

British Columbia

 

The Company’s articles allow for the removal of a director by special resolution of the shareholders.

 

All directors are eligible for re-election or re-appointment.

 

 

 
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Inspection of Books 

and Records

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, any holder of record of stock or a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of such stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person has the right during usual business hours to inspect the corporation’s books and records for a proper purpose.

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, directors and shareholders may, without charge, inspect certain of the records of a company. Former shareholders and directors may also inspect certain of the records, free of charge, but only those records pertaining to the times that they were shareholders or directors. 

 

Public companies must allow all persons to inspect certain records of the company free of charge.

 

 

 

 

Amendment of 

Governing Documents

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, a certificate of incorporation may be amended if: (i) the board of directors adopts a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment, declares the advisability of the amendment and directs that it be submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders; provided that, unless required by the certificate of incorporation, no meeting or vote is required to adopt an amendment for certain specified changes; and (ii) the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on the matter approve the amendment, unless the certificate of incorporation requires the vote of a greater number of shares.  

 

If a class vote on the amendment is required by the DGCL, a majority of the outstanding stock of the class is required, unless a greater proportion is specified in the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of the DGCL.

 

Under the DGCL, the board of directors may amend a corporation’s bylaws if so authorized in the certificate of incorporation. The shareholders of a Delaware corporation also have the power to amend bylaws.

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, a company may amend its articles or notice of articles by (i) the type of resolution specified in the BCBCA, (ii) if the BCBCA does not specify a type of resolution, then by the type specified in the company’s articles, or (iii) if the company’s articles do not specify a type of resolution, then by special resolution. The BCBCA permits many substantive changes to a company’s articles (such as a change in the company’s authorized share structure or a change in the special rights or restrictions that may be attached to a certain class or series of shares) to be changed by the resolution specified in that company’s articles. 

 

Our articles provide that certain changes to the Company’s share structure and any creation or alteration of special rights and restrictions attached to a series or class of shares be done by way of ordinary resolution. However, if a right or special right attached to a class or series of shares would be prejudiced or interfered with by such an alteration, the BCBCA requires that holders of such class or series of shares must approve the alteration by a special separate resolution of those shareholders.

 

 
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Indemnification of 

Directors and Officers

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, subject to specified limitations in the case of derivative suits brought by a corporation’s stockholders in its name, a corporation may indemnify any person who is made a party to any action, suit or proceeding on account of being a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or was serving at the request of the corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding, provided that there is a determination that: (i) the individual acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (ii) in a criminal action or proceeding, the individual had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. 

 

Without court approval, however, no indemnification may be made in respect of any derivative action in which an individual is adjudged liable to the corporation, except to the extent the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity.

 

The DGCL requires indemnification of directors and officers for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably relating to a successful defense on the merits or otherwise of a derivative or third-party action. 

 

Under the DGCL, a corporation may advance expenses to any director or officer relating to the defense of any proceeding upon the receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified.

 

 

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, a company may indemnify: (i) a current or former director or officer of that company; or (ii) a current or former director or officer of another corporation if, at the time such individual held such office, the corporation was an affiliate of the company, or if such individual held such office at the company’s request against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative or other legal proceeding or investigative action (whether current, threatened, pending or completed) in which he or she is involved because of that person’s position as an indemnifiable person, unless: (i) the individual did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of such company or the other entity, as the case may be; or (ii) in the case of a proceeding other than a civil proceeding, the individual did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful. A company cannot indemnify an indemnifiable person if it is prohibited from doing so under its articles. 

 

In addition, a company must not indemnify an indemnifiable person in proceedings brought against the indemnifiable person by or on behalf of the company or an associated company. A company may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnifiable person in respect of that proceeding only if the indemnifiable person has provided an undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses was prohibited, the indemnifiable person will repay any amounts advanced. Subject to the aforementioned prohibitions on indemnification, a company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnifiable person in respect of such eligible proceeding if such indemnifiable person has not been reimbursed for such expenses, and was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of such eligible proceeding or was substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of such eligible proceeding. On application from an indemnifiable person, a court may make any order the court considers appropriate in respect of an eligible proceeding, including the indemnification of penalties imposed or expenses incurred in any such proceedings and the enforcement of an indemnification agreement. 

 

As permitted by the BCBCA, the Company’s articles require it to indemnify its directors, officers, former directors or officers (and such individual’s respective heirs and legal representatives) and permit the Company to indemnify any person to the extent permitted by the BCBCA.

 

 
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Limited Liability of 

Directors

 

Delaware

 

The DGCL permits the adoption of a provision in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation limiting or eliminating the monetary liability of a director to a corporation or its shareholders by reason of a director’s breach of the director’s fiduciary duties, except for (i) any breach the duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (ii) any act or omission not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a known violation of law; (iii) any breach in which the director obtains an improper personal benefit from the corporation; or (iv) the unlawful payment of a dividend or the unlawful approval a stock repurchase.

 

 

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, a director or officer of a company must (i) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company; (ii) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent individual would exercise in comparable circumstances; (iii) act in accordance with the BCBCA and the regulations thereunder; and (iv) subject to (i) to (iii), act in accordance with the articles of the company. These statutory duties are in addition to duties under common law and equity. 

 

No provision in a contract or the articles of a company may relieve a director or officer of a company from the above duties. 

 

Under the BCBCA, a director is not liable for certain acts if the director has otherwise complied with his or her duties and relied, in good faith, on (i) financial statements of the company represented to the director by an officer of the company or in a written report of the auditor of the company to fairly reflect the financial position of the company, (ii) a written report of a lawyer, accountant, engineer, appraiser or other person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by that person, (iii) a statement of fact represented to the director by an officer of the company to be correct, or (iv) any record, information or representation that the court considers provides reasonable grounds for the actions of the director, whether or not that record was forged, fraudulently made or inaccurate or that information or representation was fraudulently made or inaccurate. Further, a director is not liable if the director did not know and could not reasonably have known that the act done by the director or authorized by the resolution voted for or consented to by the director was contrary to the BCBCA.

 

 
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Stockholder/ 

Shareholder Lawsuits

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, a stockholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the corporation to enforce the rights of the corporation; provided, however, that under Delaware case law, the plaintiff generally must be a stockholder not only at the time of the transaction that is the subject of the suit, but also throughout the duration of the derivative suit. Delaware law also requires that the derivative plaintiff make a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the derivative claim before the suit may be prosecuted by the derivative plaintiff, unless such demand would be futile. An individual also may commence a class action suit on behalf of himself or herself and other similarly situated stockholders where the requirements for maintaining a class action have been met.

 

 

 

 

British Columbia 

 

Under the BCBCA, a shareholder (including a beneficial shareholder) or director of a company and any person who, in the discretion of the court, is an appropriate person to make an application to court to prosecute or defend an action on behalf of a company (a derivative action) may, with judicial leave: (i) bring an action in the name and on behalf of the company to enforce a right, duty or obligation owed to the company that could be enforced by the company itself or to obtain damages for any breach of such right, duty or obligation or (ii) defend, in the name and on behalf of the company, a legal proceeding brought against the company. 

 

Under the BCBCA, the court may grant leave if: (i) the complainant has made reasonable efforts to cause the directors of the company to prosecute or defend the action; (ii) notice of the application for leave has been given to the company and any other person that the court may order; (iii) the complainant is acting in good faith; and (iv) it appears to the court to be in the interests of the company for the action to be prosecuted or defended. 

 

Under the BCBCA, upon the final disposition of a derivative action, the court may make any order it determines to be appropriate. In addition, under the BCBCA, a court may order a company to pay the complainant’s interim costs, including legal fees and disbursements. However, the complainant may be held accountable for the costs on final disposition of the action.

 

 
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Oppression Remedy

 

 

 

Delaware

 

Although the DGCL imposes upon directors and officers fiduciary duties of loyalty (i.e., a duty to act in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the corporation and its stockholders) and care, the DGCL does not provide for a remedy for a breach of fiduciary duties that is comparable to the BCBCA’s oppression remedy.

 

 

British Columbia

 

The BCBCA’s oppression remedy enables a court to make an order (interim or final) to rectify the matters complained of if the court is satisfied upon application by a shareholder (as defined below) that the affairs of the company are being conducted or that the powers of the directors have been exercised in a manner that is oppressive, or that some action of the company or shareholders has been or is threatened to be taken which is unfairly prejudicial, in each case to one or more shareholders. The applicant must be one of the persons being oppressed or prejudiced and the application must be brought in a timely manner. A “shareholder” for the purposes of the oppression remedy includes legal and beneficial owners of shares as well as any other person whom the court considers appropriate. 

 

The oppression remedy provides the court with extremely broad and flexible jurisdiction to intervene in corporate affairs to protect shareholders.

 

 

 

 

Blank Check 

Preferred 

Stock/Shares

 

Delaware 

 

Under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation of a corporation may give the board the right to issue new classes of preferred shares with voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights to be determined by the board at the time of issuance, which could prevent a takeover attempt and thereby preclude shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their shares. 

 

In addition, the DGCL does not prohibit a corporation from adopting a shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill,” which could prevent a takeover attempt and also preclude shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their shares.

 

 

British Columbia

 

Under the Company’s articles, the preferred shares may be issued in one or more series. Accordingly, the Company’s board of directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, but subject to the provisions of the BCBCA, to determine the maximum number of shares of each series, create an identifying name for each series and attach such special rights or restrictions, including dividend, liquidation and voting rights, as the Company’s board of directors may determine, and such special rights or restrictions, including dividend, liquidation and voting rights, may be superior to those of the subordinate voting shares and multiple voting shares. The issuance of preferred shares, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company and might adversely affect the market price of the Company’s subordinate voting shares and the voting and other rights of the holders of subordinate voting shares. Under the BCBCA, each share of a series of shares must have the same special rights or restrictions as are attached to every other share of that series of shares. In addition, the special rights or restrictions attached to shares of a series of shares must be consistent with the special rights or restrictions attached to the class of shares of which the series of shares is part. 

 

In addition, the BCBCA does not prohibit a corporation from adopting a shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill,” which could prevent a takeover attempt and also preclude shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their shares.

 

 
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Advance Notification

Requirements for Proposals of

Stockholders/Shareholders

 

Delaware 

 

Delaware corporations typically have provisions in their bylaws, often referred to as “advance notice bylaws,” that require a stockholder proposing a nominee for election to the board of directors or other proposals at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders to provide notice of any such proposals to the corporation in advance of the meeting for any such proposal to be brought before the meeting of the stockholders. In addition, advance notice bylaws frequently require the stockholder nominating a person for election to the board of directors to provide information about the nominee, such as his or her age, address, employment and beneficial ownership of shares of the corporation’s capital stock. The stockholder may also be required to disclose information about the stockholder, including, among other things, his or her name, share ownership and agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to such nomination. 

 

For other proposals, the proposing stockholder is often required by the bylaws to provide a description of the proposal and any other information relating to such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf that proposal is being made, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the proposal and pursuant to and in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

British Columbia

 

Under the BCBCA, qualified shareholders holding at least one percent (1%) of the Company’s issued voting shares or whose shares have a fair market value in excess of $2,000 in the aggregate may make proposals for matters to be considered at the annual general meeting of shareholders. Such proposals must be sent to the Company in advance of any proposed meeting by delivering a timely written notice in proper form to the Company’s registered office in accordance with the requirements of the BCBCA. The notice must include information on the business the shareholder intends to bring before the meeting. To be a qualified shareholder, a shareholder must currently be and have been a registered or beneficial owner of at least one share of the company for at least 2 years before the date of signing the proposal. 

 

If the proposal and a written statement in support of the proposal (if any) are submitted at least three months before the anniversary date of the previous annual meeting and the proposal and written statement (if any) meet other specified requirements, then the company must either set out the proposal, including the names and mailing addresses of the submitting person and supporters and the written statement (if any), in the proxy circular of the company or attach the proposal and written statement thereto. 

 

In certain circumstances, the company may refuse to process a shareholder’s proposal. 

 

In addition, our articles include provisions for advance notice of any nomination of a director by a registered shareholder. Pursuant to the articles, the nomination must be in writing, and received by the Secretary of the Company, (i) in the case of an annual general meeting, not less than 10 days after the date on which the first public announcement of the annual meeting was made; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not less than 15 days after the date on which the first public announcement of the special meeting was made. The nomination must set forth for each person whom the nominating shareholder proposes to nominate (a) the name, age, business address and residential address of the person; (b) the principal occupation or employment of the person; (c) the class or series and number of shares of the Company which are controlled or beneficially owned by the person as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date of the notice; and (d) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular under the BCBCA and applicable securities laws; and (e) as to the nominating shareholder giving the notice, any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the nominating shareholder has a right to vote any shares of the Company, and any other information relating to such nominating shareholder that would be required to be made in a dissident’s proxy circular under the BCBCA and applicable securities laws. The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably requested to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee.

 

 
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

General

 

We may issue warrants to purchase common shares. We may issue the warrants independently or together with any underlying securities, and the warrants may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We may also issue a series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the warrants that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When warrants are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the warrants as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.

 

This summary and any description of warrants in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific warrant document or agreement. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of warrants. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” above for information on how to obtain a copy of a warrant document when it is filed.

 

When we refer to a series of warrants, we mean all warrants issued as part of the same series under the applicable warrant agreement.

 

Terms

 

The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any warrants that we may offer, including but not limited to the following:

 

 

the title of the warrants;

 

the total number of warrants;

 

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

the price or prices at which the warrants may be exercised;

 

the currency or currencies that investors may use to pay for the warrants;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security;

 

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable;

 

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

if applicable, the terms of redemption of the warrants;

 

the identity of the warrant agent, if any;

 

the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and

 

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

 
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Warrant Agreement

 

We may issue the warrants in one or more series under one or more warrant agreements, each to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company, or other financial institution as warrant agent. We may add, replace, or terminate warrant agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent or may choose one of our subsidiaries to do so.

 

The warrant agent under a warrant agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants issued under that agreement. Any holder of warrants may, without the consent of any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise those warrants in accordance with their terms.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

We may issue the warrants in registered form or bearer form. Warrants issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the warrants represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in a global warrant will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue warrants in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any warrants are issued in non-global form, warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or exercise their warrants at the warrant agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus.

 

Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of common share will not have any rights of holders of common share and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the common share.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable offering material. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be redeemed as set forth in the applicable offering material.

 

Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable offering material. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable offering material, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

 

We may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions and for no additional consideration, common shares, warrants or any combination thereof. Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription receipt agreements (each, a “Subscription Receipt Agreement”), each to be entered into between us and an escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), which will establish the terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts. Each Escrow Agent will be a financial institution organized under the laws of Canada or a province thereof and authorized to carry on business as a trustee. A copy of the form of Subscription Receipt Agreement will be filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the SEC by incorporation by reference from a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K that we file with the SEC describing the terms and conditions of such Subscription Receipts that we are offering before the issuance of such Subscription Receipts.

 

 
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The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of Subscription Receipts and is not intended to be complete. The statements made in this prospectus relating to any Subscription Receipt Agreement and Subscription Receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable Subscription Receipt Agreement and the prospectus supplement describing such Subscription Receipt Agreement.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any Subscription Receipts we may offer will describe the Subscription Receipts and include specific terms relating to their offering. All such terms will comply with the requirements of the TSX and NYSE relating to Subscription Receipts. If underwriters or agents are used in the sale of Subscription Receipts, one or more of such underwriters or agents may also be parties to the Subscription Receipt Agreement governing the Subscription Receipts sold to or through such underwriters or agents.

 

General

 

The prospectus supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement for any Subscription Receipts we may offer will describe the specific terms of the Subscription Receipts and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

  

 

·

the designation and aggregate number of Subscription Receipts offered;

 

·

the price at which the Subscription Receipts will be offered;

 

·

the currency or currencies in which the Subscription Receipts will be offered;

 

·

the designation, number and terms of the common shares, warrants or combination thereof to be received by holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the release conditions, and the procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers;

 

·

the conditions (the “Release Conditions”) that must be met in order for holders of Subscription Receipts to receive for no additional consideration, common shares, warrants, or any combination thereof;

 

·

the procedures for the issuance and delivery of common shares, warrants or a combination thereof to holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions;

 

·

whether any payments will be made to holders of Subscription Receipts upon delivery of the common shares, warrants or a combination thereof upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions (e.g. an amount equal to dividends declared on common shares by us to holders of record during the period from the date of issuance of the Subscription Receipts to the date of issuance of any common shares pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement);

 

·

the identity of the Escrow Agent;

 

·

the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will hold all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the sale of Subscription Receipts, together with interest and income earned thereon (collectively, the “Escrowed Funds”), pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions;

 

·

the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Escrow Agent will hold common shares, warrants or a combination thereof pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions;

 

·

the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will release all or a portion of the Escrowed Funds to us upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions;

 

·

if the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will release a portion of the Escrowed Funds to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees or commission in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts;

 

·

procedures for the refund by the Escrow Agent to holders of Subscription Receipts of all or a portion of the subscription price for their Subscription Receipts, plus any pro rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, if the Release Conditions are not satisfied;

 

·

any contractual right of rescission to be granted to initial purchasers of Subscription Receipts in the event this Prospectus, the prospectus supplement under which Subscription Receipts are issued or any amendment hereto or thereto contains a misrepresentation;

 

 
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·

any entitlement of us to purchase the Subscription Receipts in the open market by private agreement or otherwise;

 

·

whether we will issue the Subscription Receipts as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global securities;

 

·

whether we will issue the Subscription Receipts as bearer securities, registered securities or both;

 

·

provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of the Subscription Receipt Agreement or any rights or terms attaching to the Subscription Receipts;

 

·

whether the Subscription Receipts will be listed on an exchange;

 

·

material United States federal income tax consequences of owning the Subscription Receipts; and

 

·

any other terms of the Subscription Receipts.

 

The holders of Subscription Receipts will not be shareholders. Holders of Subscription Receipts are entitled only to receive common shares, warrants or a combination thereof on exchange of their Subscription Receipts, plus any cash payments provided for under the Subscription Receipt Agreement, if the Release Conditions are satisfied. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, Holders of Subscription Receipts shall be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price therefor and all or a portion of the pro rata share of interest earned or income generated thereon, as provided in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

 

Escrow

 

The Escrowed Funds will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, and such Escrowed Funds will be released to us (and, if the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, a portion of the Escrowed Funds may be released to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts) at the time and under the terms specified by the Subscription Receipt Agreement. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, holders of Subscription Receipts will receive a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price for their Subscription Receipts plus their pro rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement. common shares or warrants may be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent and will be released to the holders of Subscription Receipts following satisfaction of the Release Conditions at the time and under the terms specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

 

Anti-Dilution

 

The Subscription Receipt Agreement will specify that upon the subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material change of common shares or warrants underlying the particular Subscription Receipts or any other reorganization, amalgamation, arrangement, merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the Subscription Receipts will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange for or on the conversion of or in respect of the common shares or warrants to which the holder of a common share or identical warrant would have been entitled immediately after such event. Similarly, any distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of common shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the number of common shares to be issued to holders of Subscription Receipts whose Subscription Receipts entitle the holders thereof to receive common shares. Alternatively, such securities, evidences of indebtedness or assets may, at our option, be issued to the Escrow Agent and delivered to holders of Subscription Receipts on exercise thereof. The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that if our other actions affect the common shares or warrants, which, in the reasonable opinion of our board of directors, would materially affect the rights of the holders of Subscription Receipts and/or the rights attached to the Subscription Receipts, the number of common shares or warrants which are to be received pursuant to the Subscription Receipts shall be adjusted in such manner, if any, and at such time as our board of directors may in its discretion reasonably determine to be equitable to the holders of Subscription Receipts in such circumstances.

 

 
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Rescission

 

The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that any material misrepresentation in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement under which the Subscription Receipts are offered, or any amendment hereto or thereto, will entitle each initial purchaser of Subscription Receipts to a contractual right of rescission following the issuance of the common shares or warrants to such purchaser entitling such purchaser to receive the amount paid for the Subscription Receipts upon surrender of the common shares or warrants, provided that such remedy for rescission is exercised in the time stipulated in the Subscription Receipt Agreement. This right of rescission does not extend to holders of Subscription Receipts who acquire such Subscription Receipts from an initial purchaser, on the open market or otherwise, or to initial purchasers who acquire Subscription Receipts in the United States.

 

Global Securities

 

We may issue Subscription Receipts in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities, which will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The global securities may be in temporary or permanent form. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global security. The applicable prospectus supplement also will describe the exchange, registration and transfer rights relating to any global security.

 

Modifications

 

The Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide for modifications and alterations to the Subscription Receipts issued thereunder by way of a resolution of holders of Subscription Receipts at a meeting of such holders or a consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders of Subscriptions Receipts required to pass such a resolution or execute such a written consent will be specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

General

 

We may issue debt securities which may or may not be converted into common shares. In no case shall the amount of the debt securities exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate. We may issue the debt securities independently or together with any underlying securities, and warrants may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We may also issue a series of debt securities under a separate indenture agreement to be entered into between us and an indenture agent. Such indenture agreement, if any, will not be qualified with the SEC pursuant to an exemption. The indenture agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the debt securities that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When debt securities are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the debt securities as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.

 

This summary and any description of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific debt securities document or agreement. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of warrants. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” above for information on how to obtain a copy of a warrant document when it is filed.

 

When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean all debt securities issued as part of the same series under the applicable indenture.

 

 
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Terms

 

The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any debt securities that we may offer, including but not limited to the following:

 

 

the title of the debt securities;

 

the total amount of the debt securities;

 

the amount or amounts of the debt securities will be issued and interest rate;

 

the conversion price at which the debt securities may be converted;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the debt securities will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of debt securities that may be exercise at any one time;

 

if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the debt securities are issued and the amount of debt securities issued with each underlying security;

 

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax consideration;

 

if applicable, the terms of the payoff of the debt securities;

 

the identity of the indenture agent, if any;

 

the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt securities; and

 

any other terms of the debt securities, including terms, procedure and limitation relating to the exchange or exercise of the debt securities.

 

Debt Securities

 

We may issue the debt securities in one or more series under one or more agreements, which may include a trust indenture to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company, or other financial institution as indenture agent, if any.

 

In connection with the issuance of any debt securities, we do not intend to issue them pursuant to a trust indenture. However, if a trust indenture is requested by a placement agent, underwriter or broker-dealer as a condition of the financing, we will provide and enter into a trust indenture unless we are required to register such trust indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (“Trust Indenture Act”) in which case we will pass on the financing under this registration statement. Any trust indenture that we may enter into will be exempt from registration under Section 304(a)(9) of the Trust Indenture Act and Rule 4a-3 promulgated thereunder, which provides for an exemption for debt securities in which the aggregate principal amount of outstanding will not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate during a 36-month period. We will not issue debt securities, if any, pursuant to a trust indenture that will exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time during a 36-month period. If a trust indenture is entered into, we will file the indenture as an exhibit on Form 6-K before making any offer of debt securities.

 

The indenture agent under an indenture agreement, if any, will act solely as our agent in connection with the debt securities issued under that agreement. Any holder of debt securities may, without the consent of any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise those debt securities in accordance with their terms.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

We may issue the debt securities in registered form or bearer form. Debt securities issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in global debt securities will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue warrants in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any debt securities are issued in non-global form, debt securities certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or exercise their warrants at the warrant agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus.

 

Prior to the exercise of their debt securities, holders of debt securities exercisable for shares of debt securities will not have any rights of holders of common share and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the common share.

  

 
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Conversion of Debt Securities

 

A debt security may entitle the holder to purchase for in exchange for the extinguishment of debt an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in the debt security. Debt securities may be converted at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the terms of such debt security. After the close of business on the expiration date, debt securities not exercised will be paid in accordance with their terms.

 

Debt securities may be converted as set forth in the applicable offering material. Upon receipt of a notice of conversion properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the indenture agent, if any, or to us, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt security represented by such security is converted, a new debt security will be issued for the remaining debt security.

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units composed of any combination of our common share, warrants, subscription receipts and debt securities. We will issue each unit so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. As a result, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

 

The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to units that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When units are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the units as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.

 

This summary and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of units. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” above for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus may describe:

 

 

·

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

·

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities composing the units;

 

·

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; and

 

·

any other terms of the units.

 

The applicable provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Shares”, “Description of Warrants”, “Description of Subscription Receipts”, and “Description of Debt Securities” above, will apply to each unit and to each security included in each unit, respectively.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus, prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities to fund our growth plans, for working capital, and for other general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures related to our growth. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses whom, from time to time, we engage and explore the possibility of strategic partnering or investment.

 

 
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

 

 

·

through agents;

 

·

to or through underwriters;

 

·

through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);

 

·

directly by us to purchasers (including our affiliates and shareholders), through a specific bidding or auction process, a rights offering, or other method;

 

·

through a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

·

through any other methods described in a prospectus, prospectus supplement.

 

The distribution of securities may be effected, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including:

 

 

·

block transactions (which may involve crosses) and transactions on the NYSE American or TSX or any other organized market where the securities may be traded;

 

·

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement;

 

·

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

·

sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; and

 

·

sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.

 

The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash, outstanding debt or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing shareholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our shareholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

 

Some or all of the securities that we offer through this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.

 

Agents may, from time to time, solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, as applicable, any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter of the securities.

 

 
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If underwriters are used in an offering, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. This prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

 

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we, or an underwriter, will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, as applicable, the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries or affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

Any person participating in the distribution of securities registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.

 

These restrictions may affect the marketability of our securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.

 

Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If more than 10% of the net proceeds of any offering of securities made under this prospectus will be received by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) members participating in the offering or affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA members, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(h).

 

 
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If our aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates is less than $75,000,000 and so long as required by the rules of the SEC, the amount of securities we may offer hereunder will be limited such that the aggregate market value of securities sold by us during a period of 12 calendar months cannot exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates.

 

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.

 

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

Ownership in our securities and the acquisition and disposition thereof raises certain U.S. federal income tax considerations. Each prospectus supplement will address the summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder.

 

MATERIAL CHANGES

 

Except as otherwise described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, in our Reports on Form 6-K filed or submitted under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein and as disclosed in this prospectus, no reportable material changes have occurred since December 31, 2019.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The law firm of Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has acted as the Company’s counsel by providing an opinion on the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplement and counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement will pass upon legal matters for any underwriters, dealers or agents. Certain legal matters related to the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon on the Company’s behalf by Harper Grey LLP, with respect to matters of Canadian law, and Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, San Francisco, California with respect to matters of United States law.

 

EXPERTS

 

Manning Elliott LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedules included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the three years ended December 31, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedules are incorporated by reference in reliance on Manning Elliott LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Information relating to the Company’s mineral properties in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein has been derived from reports, statements or opinions prepared or certified by Tetra Tech Inc. and Red Pennant Geoscience Ltd. and this information has been included in reliance on their expertise.

 

Neither Tetra Tech Inc. nor Red Pennant Geoscience Ltd. and any of their respective directors, officers, employees or partners thereof, have received a direct or indirect interest in the property of the Company or of any associate or affiliate of the Company.

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that we are incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, that many of our officers and directors are residents of countries other than the United States, that some of the experts named in this prospectus are residents of countries other than the United States, and that some of our assets and the assets of said persons are located outside the United States.

 

In particular, it may be difficult to bring and enforce suits against us or said persons under U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult for U.S. holders of our common shares to effect service of process on us or said persons within the United States or to enforce judgments obtained in the United States based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or said persons. In addition, a shareholder should not assume that the courts of Canada (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us, our officers or directors, or other said persons, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States, or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us, our officers or directors or other said persons predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States.

 

 
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$50,000,000

Common Shares

Warrants

Subscription Receipts

Debt Securities

Units

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

, 2021

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated January 13, 2021

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Up to $25,000,000

Common Shares

 

We have entered into a sales agreement (“Sales Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the “Lead Agent”), H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Roth Capital Partners, LLC and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (collectively, with the Lead Agent, the “Agents”) relating to our common shares offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell our common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $25,000,000, from time to time, through the Lead Agent. Unless otherwise indicated, reference to dollars in this prospectus shall mean United States dollars.

 

Our common shares are listed on NYSE American under the symbol “ASM” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “ASM”. On January 11, 2021, the reported sale price for a common share on NYSE American was $1.24 and on the TSX was Cdn$1.56.

 

Sales of our common shares under this prospectus will be made in sales deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). The Lead Agent will act as sales agent on a best efforts basis and use commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the common shares requested to be sold by us, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between the Lead Agent and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

The Agents will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold. In connection with the sale of our common shares on our behalf, each Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation to such Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus and any other risk factor included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Lead Agent

 

Cantor

 

Co-Agents

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co. 

 

Roth Capital Partners

 

A.G.P.

 

The date of this prospectus is  , 2021.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS

Page

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

S-1

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING THE TERMS RESERVES AND  RESOURCES

 

 

S-3

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

S-3

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

 

S-5

 

THE OFFERING

S-6

 

RISK FACTORS

 

 

S-7

 

CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

S-19

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

S-20

 

DILUTION

S-21

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

 

S-22

 

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

S-23

 

EXPENSES

 

 

S-29

 

MATERIAL CHANGES

S-29

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

 

S-29

 

EXPERTS

S-29

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

 

S-29

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

S-30

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

S-31

 

 

 

S-i

 

  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements reflect our current view about future plans, intentions or expectations. These forward-looking statements may be included herein or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects and may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “scheduled,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “aim,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, or any prospectus supplement, include, without limitation, statements regarding:

 

 

·

the future production of silver, gold, and other metals;

 

·

profit, operating costs and cash-flow;

 

·

grade improvements;

 

·

sales volume and selling prices of products;

 

·

capital and exploration expenditures, plans, timing, progress, and expectations for the development of the Company’s mines and projects;

 

·

progress in the development of mineral properties;

 

·

the timing of production and the cash and total costs of production;

 

·

sensitivity of earnings to changes in commodity prices and exchange rates;

 

·

the impact of foreign currency exchange rates;

 

·

the impact of taxes and royalties;

 

·

expenditures to increase or determine reserves and resources;

 

·

sufficiency of available capital resources;

 

·

titles to mineral properties;

 

·

expansions and acquisition plans; and

 

·

our future plans and expectations for the Company’s properties and operations.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The assumptions made by the Company, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to:

 

 

·

general business and economic conditions;

 

·

pandemics, epidemics or quarantines, including the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

·

the supply and demand for, deliveries of, and the level and volatility of prices of, silver, gold, and other metals;

 

·

expected Canadian dollar, Mexican peso and US dollar exchange rates;

 

·

expected taxes and royalties;

 

·

the timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for development projects, expansion of existing facilities and other operations;

 

·

costs of production, and production and productivity levels;

 

·

estimated future capital expenditures and cash flows;

 

·

the continuing availability of water and power resources for operations;

 

·

the accuracy of the information included or implied in the various published technical reports;

 

·

the geological, operational and price assumptions on which such technical reports are based;

 

·

conditions in the financial markets;

 

·

the ability to attract and retain skilled staff;

  

 
S-1

Table of Contents

 

 

·

the ability to procure equipment and operating supplies and that there are no material unanticipated variations in the cost of energy or supplies;

 

·

the ability to secure contracts for the sale of the Company’s products (metals concentrates);

 

·

the execution and outcome of current or future exploration activities;

 

·

the ability to obtain adequate financing for planned activities and to complete further exploration programs;

 

·

the possibility of project delays and cost overruns, or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses;

 

·

the Company’s ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures;

 

·

the ability of contractors to perform their contractual obligations; and

 

·

operations not being disrupted by issues such as mechanical failures, labour disturbances, illegal occupations or mining, seismic events and adverse weather conditions.

 

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation:

 

 

·

changes in commodity prices;

 

·

changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

·

acts of foreign governments;

 

·

pandemics, epidemics or quarantines, including the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

·

political risk and social unrest;

 

·

uncertainties related to title to the Company’s mineral properties and the surface rights thereon, including the Company’s ability to acquire, or economically acquire;

 

·

unanticipated operational difficulties due to adverse weather conditions;

 

·

failure of plant or mine equipment and unanticipated events related to health, safety, and environmental matters;

 

·

failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations;

 

·

delays in obtaining, or denial of, permits necessary for operations or expansion activities;

 

·

uncertainty of mineral resource estimates; and

 

·

the deterioration of general economic conditions.

 

Any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are only estimates or predictions of future events based on information currently available to our management and management’s current beliefs about the potential outcome of future events. Whether these future events will occur as management anticipates, whether we will achieve our business objectives, and whether our revenues, operating results, or financial condition will improve in future periods are subject to numerous risks. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements. These important factors include those that we discuss above and under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other sections of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as in our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You are further cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors are not exhaustive. You should read these risk factors and the other cautionary statements made in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this prospectus or the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus. If one or more of these factors materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

 
S-2

Table of Contents

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING
THE TERMS RESERVES AND RESOURCES

 

In Canada, an issuer is required to provide technical information with respect to mineralization, including reserves and resources, if any, on its mineral exploration properties in accordance with Canadian requirements, which differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC applicable to registration statements and reports filed by United States companies pursuant to the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act. As such, information contained in this registration statement concerning descriptions of mineralization under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. In particular, this registration statement and the annual report on Form 20-F incorporated herein includes the terms “mineral resource,” “inferred mineral resource” “indicated mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource,” and “mineral reserve.” Investors are advised that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed under Canadian rules by National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. Further, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. In addition, NI 43-101 permits disclosure of “contained ounces” of mineralization. In contrast, the SEC only permits issuers to report mineralization as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

 

The definitions of proven and probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7, as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” for United States reporting purposes 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, 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.

 

U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits identified as an “indicated mineral resource,” “measured mineral resource” or “inferred mineral resource” will ever be converted to mineral reserves as defined in NI 43-101 or SEC Industry Guide 7. Further, “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian securities legislation, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement process, we may from time to time offer to sell up to $50,000,000 of our common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants or debt securities or any combination of these securities in one or more transactions.

 

We provide information to you about this offering of our common shares in two separate documents that are bound together: (1) this at the market sales agreement prospectus, which describes the specific details regarding this offering of common shares; and (2) the accompanying base prospectus which provides general regarding our common shares, warrants to purchase common shares, debt securities and units consisting of common shares, warrants or debt securities or any combination of these securities and other information some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both documents combined. If information in this at the market sales agreement prospectus is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus. However, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date-for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus-the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the earlier dates.

 

 
S-3

Table of Contents

 

You should read this prospectus, together with the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the base prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents referred to in the sections of this prospectus and the accompanying base prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” When we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both this at the market sales agreement prospectus and the base prospectus combined.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and Lead Agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

 

We are not making an offer to sell the securities covered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not permitted or in which the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

 

The information appearing in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of its respective date, regardless of the time of delivery of the respective document or of any sale of securities covered by this prospectus. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof.

 

In this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our,” “the company,” and “Avino” refer to Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. Reference to dollars shall mean United States dollars unless otherwise referenced.

  

 
S-4

Table of Contents

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. After you read this summary, to fully understand our company and this offering and its consequences to you, you should read this entire prospectus and any related free writing prospectus carefully, including the information referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus beginning on page S-7, and any related free writing prospectus as well as the other documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus including our financial statements and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Our Company

 

We are a natural resource company, primarily engaged in the extracting and processing of gold, silver, and copper and the acquisition and exploration of natural resource properties. Our principal business activities have been the exploration for and extracting and processing of silver, gold and copper at a mineral property located in the State of Durango, Mexico (known as the “Avino Property”), located near the town of Durango, comprising the “San Gonzalo Mine” and the “Avino Mine”, of which the Avino Mine is operational, but currently mining operations have been suspended since April 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic safety measures imposed by the Mexican authorities and a labour strike which has been resolved but the labour settlement agreement must be approved by the Mexican labour authority, and the San Gonzalo Mine ceased operations during 2019. We also own certain mineral exploration properties in Mexico known as the “Ana Maria Property” and “El Laberinto Property”, which have been optioned to Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd., certain mineral claims in British Columbia, known as the “Minto Property” and “Olympic-Kelvin Property”, and fourteen (14) quartz mining leases in the Yukon Territory, Canada, known as the “Eagle Property”, all of which are currently inactive and not material to Avino’s financial position or operations.

 

Our Strategy

 

Over the next few years, we plan to continue to grow organically into a mid-tier silver producer. We intend to achieve this goal by focusing the following key areas:

 

 

·

Avino Property – Continuing mining operations at the Avino Mine and improve operating efficiencies. We also intend to continue conduct underground exploration;

 

·

Tailings - Continue to review and develop plans to process the oxide tailings resource left from our past milling operations; and

 

·

Exploration - Continue to explore regional targets on the property and consider acquisition opportunities.

 

 

 

Corporate Information

 

We were incorporated by Memorandum of Association under the laws of the Province of British Columbia on May 15, 1968, and on August 22, 1969, by virtue of an amalgamation with Ace Mining Company Ltd., became a public company whose common shares are registered under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we changed our name to Avino Mines & Resources Limited. On April 12, 1995, we changed our corporate name to International Avino Mines Ltd. and effected a reverse stock split of one common share for every five common shares outstanding. On August 29, 1997, we changed our corporate name to Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. to better reflect our business of exploring for and mining silver and gold. Our principal executive office is located at Suite 900, 570 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1, Canada. Our telephone number is 604-682-3701.

 

 

 

  

 
S-5

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

 

 

Common shares offered by us

 

Common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $25,000,000. 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares to be outstanding after this offering

 

Up to 109,729,972 shares, assuming the sale of 20,161,290 common shares in this offering at an offering price of $1.24 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE American on January 11, 2021. The actual number of common shares issued will vary depending on the actual sales prices under this offering. 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan of Distribution

 

“At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through the Lead Agent. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-22 of this prospectus. 

 

 

 

 

 

Use of Proceeds

 

We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for advancing the development of the Avino Mine and its operations and production, the evaluation and acquisition of prospective mineral resource properties and for general working capital. See ‘‘Use of Proceeds’’ on page S-20 of this prospectus. 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should consider carefully when making an investment decision.

 

 

 

 

 

NYSE American symbol

 

ASM

 

 

 

 

 

The number of common shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering as shown above is based on 89,568,682 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020, but does not include the following which were outstanding as of December 31, 2020:

 

 

 

 

 

 

·

3,483,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding under our stock plans, at a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$1.77 per share; 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·

2,890,774 common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $0.80 per share; and

 

 

 

 

·

2,874,000 common shares issuable upon vesting of RSUs outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
S-6

Table of Contents

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in common shares of the Company involves a significant degree of risk and must be considered speculative due to the high-risk nature of the Company’s business. You should carefully consider the information included or incorporated herein by reference in this prospectus (including subsequently filed documents incorporated by reference) and the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto before making an investment decision concerning the common shares. There are various risks that could have a material adverse effect on, among other things, the operating results, earnings, properties, business and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company. These risk factors, together with all of the other information included, or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including information contained in the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and those contained in “Part I. Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 25, 2020, as well as any amendment or update to our risk factors reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. This could cause the trading price of our common shares to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.

 

Our results of operations, cash flows and the value of our properties are highly dependent on the market prices of silver and gold and certain base metals and these prices can be volatile.

 

The profitability of our silver and gold mining operations and the value of our mining properties are directly related to the market price of silver, and to a lesser extent gold and other base metals. The price of silver may also have a significant influence on the market price of our common shares. The market price of silver historically has fluctuated significantly and is affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include supply and demand fundamentals, global or national political or economic conditions, expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and other currencies, interest rates, silver and gold sales and loans by central banks, forward sales by metal producers, accumulation and divestiture by exchange traded funds, and a number of other factors.

 

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from the sale of silver and our results of operations will fluctuate as the prices of this metals change. A period of significant and sustained lower silver prices would materially and adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. During the past fiscal year, silver prices have decreased and, in the event, mineral prices decline or remain low for prolonged periods of time; we might be unable to develop our existing exploration properties, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial performance, and cash flows. An asset impairment charge may result from the occurrence of unexpected adverse events that impact our estimates of expected cash flows generated from our producing properties or the market value of our non-producing properties, including a material diminution in the price of silver and/or gold.

 

We may be required to raise additional capital to mine our properties.

 

The Company is currently focusing on further defining plans to mine its Avino mineralized material, as well as further exploration of the Avino properties in Mexico. The Company may be required to raise capital to further advance the Avino Mine and its infrastructure, as well as to explore the Avino properties. Our ability to raise funds will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, our perceived value for our properties, our prospects, metal prices, businesses competing for financing and our financial condition. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise funds, or to raise funds on commercially reasonable terms. Historically, the Company has raised funds through equity financing and the exercise of options and warrants. The raising of capital may have a dilutive effect on the Company’s per share book value.

 

No assurances can be given that our continuing operations will be profitable in the future.

 

We began extracting and processing resources at levels intended by management at the San Gonzalo Mine during the fourth quarter of 2012 (ceasing operations in 2019), and at the Avino Mine in the third quarter of 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred net losses from continuing operations of ($2,335,000). For the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, we earned net income from continuing operations of $1,657,000 and, $2,665,000, respectively. Prior to the 2013 fiscal year, we had not been profitable. There is no assurance that our operations will be profitable in the future.

 

 
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We have no proven or probable reserves, and our decision to commence extracting and processing resources at levels intended by management was not based on a study demonstrating economic recovery of any mineral reserves and is therefore inherently risky.

 

We have not established the presence of any proven or probable mineral reserves, as defined by the SEC, at any of our properties. Under Guide 7, the SEC has defined a “reserve” as that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Any mineralized material discovered or produced by us should not be considered proven or probable reserves.

 

In order to demonstrate the existence of proven or probable reserves, it would be necessary for us to perform additional exploration to demonstrate the existence of sufficient mineralized material with satisfactory continuity and obtain a positive feasibility study which demonstrates with reasonable certainty that the deposit can be economically and legally extracted and produced. We have not completed a feasibility study with regard to all or a portion of any of our properties to date. Since we commenced extracting and processing resources of mineralized material at levels intended by management at the Avino Mine without a feasibility study, there is inherent uncertainty as to whether the mineralized material can be economically produced or if so, for what period of time. The absence of proven or probable reserves makes it more likely that our properties may cease to be profitable and that the money we spend on exploration and evaluation may never be recovered.

 

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering and may not use the proceeds effectively.

 

Because we have not designated the amount of net proceeds from this offering to be used for any particular purpose, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value.

 

If you purchase our common shares in this offering, you may incur immediate dilution in the book value of your investment.

 

The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common shares outstanding prior to this offering. If we were to sell our common shares in this offering at a price per share greater than our net tangible book value, it would result in dilution of your investment. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants would result in further dilution of your investment. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you may incur if you participate in this offering. Because the sales of the common shares offered hereby will be made directly into the market or in negotiated transactions, the prices at which we sell these common shares will vary and these variations may be significant. Purchasers of the common shares we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices significantly below the price at which they invested.

 

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

 

In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common shares or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common shares at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common shares, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common shares, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

 

 
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Sales of a significant number of our common shares in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common shares.

 

Sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market could depress the market price of our common shares and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common shares would have on the market price of our common shares.

 

The common shares offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offering”, and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

 

Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold, and there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their shares as a result of share sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

 

The actual number of shares we will issue under the sales agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.

 

Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a sales notice to the Lead Agent at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares that are sold by Lead Agent after delivering a sales notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the common shares during the sales period and limits we set with Lead Agent. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our common shares during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares that will be ultimately issued.

 

Impact of COVID-19 on mining operations.

 

Mexico has been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company’s mining operations have been temporarily shut-down since April 2020 first as a result of governmental COVID-19 quarantine and containment measures, and later in July 2020 due to a labour strike, which was resolved in October 2020. The labour settlement agreement must be approved by Mexican governmental labour authority. Although the Company takes appropriate measures and safeguards to protect its staff from infection, these events can result in volatility and disruption to supply chains, operations, transportation, and mobility of people, which are beyond the control of the Company, and which have had and could continue to adversely affect the availability of components, supplies and materials, labour, interest rates, credit ratings, credit risk, inflation, business operations, financial markets, exchange rates, and other factors material to the Company, including in particular, the Company’s revenues and concentrate delivery schedule.

 

In 2012 and 2015, we decided to begin extracting and processing resources at levels intended by management at the San Gonzalo Mine and the Avino Mine, respectively, without preparing a pre-feasibility study or bankable feasibility study which may subject us to more risks.

 

We decided to begin extracting and processing resources at levels intended by management at the San Gonzalo Mine (which ceased operations during 2019) and the Avino Mine without preparing a pre-feasibility study or bankable feasibility study which is a more common practice within the mining industry and therefore may subject us to more business risks. Our decision to begin extracting and processing resources at the San Gonzalo Mine and the Avino Mine were based on limited prior historical information, bulk sample drilling programs, small pilot plant and bench scale testing. Therefore, our decision to begin extracting and processing resources at the San Gonzalo Mine and the Avino Mine were based on limited information which may or may not be representative of information regarding the mines had we otherwise prepared a more comprehensive study. In addition, basing our decision to begin extracting and processing resources on limited information may make us susceptible to risks including:

 

 
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·

certain difficulties in obtaining expected metallurgical recoveries when scaling up to extracting and processing activities at levels intended by management from pilot plant scale;

 

·

the inability to predict the amount of minerals within an area to be mine due the limited sample drilling programs which makes it a challenge to predict our revenues;

 

·

the preliminary nature of mine plans and processing concepts and applying them to full scale extracting and processing activities at levels intended by management;

 

·

determining operating/capital cost estimates and possible variances associated with constructing, commissioning and operating the Avino facilities based on limited information;

 

·

that metallurgical flow sheets and recoveries are based on information at the time and may not be representative of results of the Avino Mine; and

 

·

that we may underestimate capital and operating costs without a comprehensive bankable feasibility study.

 

Company has a limited number of customers.

 

The Company produces concentrates containing silver and gold. The Company sells its concentrates to metals traders and smelters. During the year ended December 31, 2019, a limited number of customers accounted for all of the Company’s revenues, of which one customer accounted for more than 50% of revenues. The Company believes that a small number of customers will continue to represent a significant portion of its total revenue. However, the Company does not consider itself economically dependent upon any single customer or combination of customers due to the existence of other potential metals traders or smelters capable of purchasing the Company’s production. There is a risk that the Company could be subject to limited smelter availability and capacity, or it may not be able to maintain its current significant customers or secure significant new customers on similar terms, any of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

 

Company may be subject to substantial decommissioning and reclamation costs.

 

The Company reviews and reassesses its reclamation obligations at each of its mines based on updated mine life estimates, rehabilitation and closure plans. As at September 30, 2020, the Company had a provision for approximately US$1.35 million on its Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for the estimated present value of future reclamation and remediation associated with the expected retirement of its mineral properties, plant, and equipment. The present value of these reclamation provisions may be subject to change as a result of management’s estimates of ultimate decommissioning and reclamation costs, changes in the remediation technology or changes to applicable laws, regulations and interest rates. Such changes will be recorded in the accounts of the Company as they occur.

 

The costs of performing the decommissioning and reclamation must be funded by the Company’s operations. These costs can be significant and are subject to change. The Company cannot predict what level of decommissioning and reclamation may be required in the future by regulators. If the Company is required to comply with significant additional regulations or if the actual cost of future decommissioning and reclamation is significantly higher than current estimates, this could have an adverse impact on the Company’s future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Company’s operations are subject to political risk and government regulations.

 

The Company’s mining, exploration and development activities are focused in Mexico and Canada, and are subject to national and local laws and regulations, governing prospects, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and others which currently or in the future may have a substantial adverse impact on the Company. In order to comply with applicable laws, the Company may be required to incur significant capital or operating expenditures. Existing and possible future environmental legislation, regulation and action could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restriction and delays in the activities of the Company, the extent of which cannot be reasonably predicted. Violations may require compensation of those suffering loss or damage by reason of the Company’s mining activities, and the Company may be fined if convicted of an offence under such legislation.

 

 
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Mining and exploration activities in Mexico and/or Canada may be affected in varying degrees by political instabilities and government regulations relating to the mining industry. Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions are beyond the Company’s control and may adversely affect the business. Operations may also be affected to varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety. The status of Mexico as a developing country may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain any required financing for projects. The effect of all these factors cannot be accurately predicted. Notwithstanding the progress achieved in improving Mexican political institutions and revitalizing its economy, the present administration, or any successor government, may not be able to sustain the progress achieved. The Company does not carry political risk insurance.

 

Under the Foreign Investment Law of Mexico, there is no limitation on foreign capital participation in mining operations; however, the applicable laws may change in a way which may adversely impact the Company and its ability to repatriate profits. Under Mexican Income Tax Law, dividends are subject to a withholding tax. Corporations with their tax residence in Mexico are taxed on their worldwide income. Mexico levies a value-added tax, known as the IVA, which is an indirect tax levied on the value added to goods and services, and it is imposed on corporations that carry out activities within Mexican territory.

 

During 2013, the Mexico Senate passed tax reform legislation, which took effect on January 1, 2014. The tax reform includes an increase in the corporate tax rate from 28% to 30%, the introduction of a special mining royalty of 7.5% on the profits derived from the sale of minerals, and the introduction of a mining royalty of 0.5% on the gross income derived from the sale of gold, silver and platinum. These changes may have a material impact on the Company’s future earnings and cash flows, and possibly on future capital investment decisions.

 

Exploration and development risks.

 

The business of exploration and development for minerals involves a high degree of risk and few properties become producing mines. Unprofitable efforts result not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits, but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production. There is no assurance that the Company’s future exploration and development activities will result in any discoveries of commercial bodies of ore. The marketability of minerals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of mining facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection, the combination of which factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.

 

The mining industry is highly speculative and involves substantial risks.

 

Even when mining is conducted on properties known to contain significant quantities of mineral deposits it is generally accepted in the mining industry that most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of mineable deposits of ore that can be extracted in a commercially economic manner. There may be limited availability of water, which is essential to milling operations, and interruptions may be caused by adverse weather conditions. Operations are subject to a variety of existing laws and regulations relating to exploration and development, permitting procedures, safety precautions, property reclamation, employee health and safety, air quality standards, pollution and other environmental protection controls. Mining activities are subject to substantial operating hazards, some of which are not insurable or may not be insured for economic reasons.

 

The commercial quantities of ore cannot be accurately predicted.

 

Whether an ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors including the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, as well as minerals prices and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in a mineral deposit being unprofitable.

 

 
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There are no assurances that we can produce minerals on a commercially viable basis.

 

The Company’s ability to generate revenue and profit is expected to occur through exploration, evaluation, advancement and operation of its existing properties as well as through acquisitions of interests in new properties. Substantial expenditures will be incurred in an attempt to establish the economic feasibility of mining activities by identifying mineral deposits and establishing ore reserves through drilling and other techniques, developing metallurgical processes to extract metals from ore, designing facilities and planning mining activities. The economic feasibility of a project depends on numerous factors, including the cost of mining and production facilities required to extract the desired minerals, the total mineral deposits that can be mined using a given facility, the proximity of the mineral deposits to refining facilities, and the market price of the minerals at the time of sale. There is no assurance that existing or future exploration programs or acquisitions will result in the identification of deposits that can be mined profitably.

 

Mining activities and exploration activities are subject to various federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations.

 

Laws and regulations govern the development, mining, production, importing and exporting of minerals, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection of the environment, mine safety, toxic substances, and other matters. In many cases, licenses and permits are required to conduct mining operations. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations and activities of mining companies or more stringent implementation thereof could have a substantial adverse impact on the Company. Applicable laws and regulations will require the Company to make certain capital and operating expenditures to initiate new activity. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to suspend an activity once it is started until a particular problem is remedied or to undertake other remedial actions.

 

Mining activities are inherently risky and subject to accidents.

 

Mining activities are risky and heavily regulated. Despite our attempts to minimize accidents through strict safety procedures, individuals may be injured or harmed working in our mines. Should any accidents occur, our mine may be partially or fully shut down to aid regulators in their investigation, even if it is determined we are not at fault for the cause of the accident. In this regard, there were two accidental deaths at the Company’s San Gonzalo mine in March 2016, and an accidental death at the Avino Mine complex processing facility in June 2014. We do not believe that we were at fault in these accidents and, unfortunately, believe that the accidents were the result of the employees not following the proper safety protocols. Following the accidents, local authorities allowed us to resume mining activities. Notwithstanding our belief that we were not at fault for the accidents, we may nevertheless be found liable and subject to fines and/or penalties or we may be required to revise and implement new safety procedures that would make it more costly to operate our mines. Currently, we do not have insurance covering accidents, but may obtain insurance in the future.

 

Our concentrates are subject to theft and loss.

 

The concentrates produced by the Company have significant value, and are loaded onto road vehicles for transport to smelters in Mexico or to seaports for export to smelters in foreign markets, such as Europe and Asia, where the metals are extracted. The geographic location of the Company’s operating mines in Mexico and trucking routes taken through the country to the smelters and ports for delivery, give rise to risks including concentrate theft, road blocks and terrorist attacks, losses caused by adverse weather conditions, delays in delivery of shipments, and environmental liabilities in the event of an accident or spill. In addition, the Company may have significant concentrate inventories at its facilities or on consignment at other warehouses awaiting shipment. The Company has taken steps to secure its concentrate, whether in storage or in transit. The Company has insurance coverage for its inventory while in transit; however, recovery of the full market value may not always be possible. Despite these risk mitigation measures, there remains a continued risk that theft of concentrate may have a material impact on the Company’s financial results.

 

 
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Our mining operations are subject to number of risks including uninsured risks which may result in suspension of operations.

 

Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. The business of mining and exploration is subject to a variety of risks including, but not limited to, fires, power outages, labour disruptions, industrial accidents, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides, environmental hazards, technical failures, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labour. Such occurrences, against which the Company cannot, or may elect not to insure, may delay production, increase production costs or result in liabilities. The payment of such liabilities may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position. The economics of developing mineral properties are affected by such factors as the cost of operations, variations in the grade and metallurgy of the ore mined, fluctuations in mineral markets, costs of processing and equipment, transportation costs, government regulations including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of mineral product, and environmental protection rules and regulations.

 

During the period between the end of April to June 2020, the Company was required to shut down operations at the Avino Mine due to COVID-19 pandemic safety measures imposed by the Mexican authorities. In June 2020, mining operations briefly resumed, until a labour strike in July 2020 resulting in a suspension of operations. Although the labour strike was resolved in October 2020, operations at the Avino Mine cannot resume until the labour settlement agreement has been approved by the Mexican labour authority. Pending regulatory approval of the labour settlement agreement, the Company intends to resume operations at the Avino Mine during the first calendar quarter of 2021.

 

The exercise of our outstanding warrants, stock options into common shares and issuance of RSUs will result in ownership dilution to our shareholders and could temporary suppress the price of our common shares.

 

As of September 30, 2020, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 2,890,774 common shares at a weighted average exercise price of $0.80 per share. As of September 30, 2020, there were outstanding share options exercisable into 3,612,000 common shares at a weighted average exercise price of Cdn $1.76 and RSUs outstanding for the issuance of a further 2,874,000 common shares. If all of these share options and warrants are exercised and RSUs are issued, such issuance will cause ownership dilution to our shareholders. The dilution may result in a decline in the market price of our common shares.

 

Market forces may adversely affect the marketability of mineral resources.

 

There is no assurance that, even if commercial quantities of mineral resources are discovered, that these can be sold at a profit. Factors beyond the control of the Company may affect the marketability of any mineral occurrences discovered. The prices of silver, gold and copper have experienced volatile and significant movements over short periods of time, and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, including international economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations (specifically, the United States dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and other currencies), interest rates and global or regional consumption patterns (such as the development of gold coin programs), speculative activities and increased production due to improved mining and production methods.

 

The Company is subject to foreign corrupt practices laws.

 

The Company is subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) (“CFPOA”), and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by persons and issuers as defined by the statutes, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees; however, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be ineffective, and our employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors may engage in conduct for which the Company might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA, CFPOA, and/or other laws may result in criminal or civil sanctions and the Company may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. The Company is also subject to the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (Canada) (“ESTMA”), which requires us to maintain records of specific payments (including taxes, royalties, fees, production entitlements, bonuses, dividends, and infrastructure improvements) to all government entities in Canada and abroad, and to publicly disclose payments of $100,000 or more in any payment category on an annual basis within 150 days of our fiscal year end, to increase transparency and deter corruption in the extractive industry sector.

 

 
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The validity of the title to our mining properties may be challenged.

 

In those jurisdictions where the Company has property interests, the Company undertakes searches of mining records and obtains title opinions from reputable counsel in accordance with mining industry practices to confirm satisfactory title to properties in which it holds or intends to acquire an interest, but the Company does not obtain title insurance with respect to such properties. The possibility exists that title to one or more of its properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties, might be defective because of errors or omissions in the chain of title, including defects in conveyances and defects in locating or maintaining such claims, prior unregistered agreements or transfers, and title may be affected by undetected defects or native land claims. For unsurveyed mineral claims, the location and boundaries of such mining claims may be in doubt. The ownership and validity of mining claims are often uncertain and may be contested. The Company is not aware of any challenges to the location or area of its mineral claims. There is, however, no guarantee that title to the Company’s properties will not be challenged or impugned in the future. The properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers.

 

In Mexico and British Columbia legal rights applicable to mining concessions or mineral claims, as applicable, are different and separate from legal rights applicable to surface lands; accordingly, title holders of mining concessions or mineral claims must accommodate and agree with surface land-owners on compensation in respect of mining activities conducted on such land.

 

We do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We have never paid, and we do not intend to pay, any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Certain provisions of organizational documents may discourage takeovers and business combinations that our shareholders may consider in their best interests, which could negatively affect our stock price.

 

Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”) may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our Company or deterring tender offers for our common shares that other shareholders may consider in their best interests.

 

Our Articles authorize us to issue an unlimited number of common shares. Shareholder approval is not necessary to issue our common shares. Issuance of these common shares could have the effect of making it more difficult and more expensive for a person or group to acquire control of us, and could effectively be used as an anti-takeover device.

 

Our Articles provide for an advance notice procedure for shareholders to nominate director candidates for election or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors, and require that special meetings of shareholders be called by the board or shareholders who hold at least 5% of the total issued and outstanding shares.

 

Our business is subject to competition.

 

There is a limited supply of desirable mineral lands available for acquisition, claim staking or leasing in the areas where the Company contemplates expanding its operations and conducting exploration activities. Many participants are engaged in the mining business, including large, established mining companies. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully for new mining properties. The resource industry is intensely competitive in all of its phases, and the Company competes with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities than itself. Competition could adversely affect the Company’s ability to acquire suitable producing properties or prospects exploration in the future.

 

 
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Uncertainty of exploration and evaluation programs.

 

The Company’s profitability is significantly affected by the costs and results of its exploration and evaluation programs. As mines have limited lives, the Company actively seeks to expand its mineral resources, primarily through exploration, evaluation and strategic acquisitions. Exploration for minerals is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently unsuccessful. Among the many uncertainties inherent in any silver, gold, and/or copper exploration and evaluation program are the location of economic ore bodies, the development of appropriate metallurgical processes, the receipt of necessary governmental permits and the construction of mining and processing facilities. Assuming the discovery of an economic deposit, depending on the type of mining operation involved, several years may elapse from the initial phases of drilling until commercial operations are commenced and, during such time, the economic feasibility of extracting and processing resources may change. Accordingly, the Company’s exploration and evaluation programs may not result in any new economically viable mining operations or yield new mineral resources to expand current mineral resources.

 

If the Company fails to obtain or maintain the necessary permits, this may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and business.

 

Existing and possible future environmental legislation, regulations and actions could give rise to additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the activities of the Company, the extent of which cannot be predicted. Regulatory requirements and environmental standards are subject to constant evaluation and may become more restrictive, which could materially affect the business of the Company or its ability to develop its properties. Before production can commence on any of its mineral properties, the Company must obtain regulatory and environmental approvals. There is no assurance that such approvals will be obtained, or if they are obtained, if they will be granted on a timely basis. The cost of compliance with existing and future governmental regulations has the potential to reduce the profitability of operations or preclude entirely the economic development of the Company’s mineral projects and properties.

 

Permitting of exploration programs in Mexico requires the completion of agreements with the indigenous communities in the vicinity of the project. The timing for the completion of such agreements is unpredictable. The process of obtaining such agreements is also affected by the two-year election cycle for the councils of the indigenous communities.

 

Political or economic instability or unexpected regulatory change may adversely affect the Company.

 

The Company is subject to a number of factors beyond its control. Our primary property is located in a foreign country that may be subject to political and economic instability, or unexpected legislative change than is usually the case in certain other countries, provinces and states. Our mineral exploration and mining activities could be adversely affected by:

 

 

·

political instability and violence;

 

·

war and civil disturbances;

 

·

expropriation or nationalization;

 

·

changing fiscal regimes;

 

·

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

·

high rates of inflation;

 

·

underdeveloped industrial and economic infrastructure;

 

·

changes in the regulatory environment governing exploration and evaluation assets; and

 

·

unenforceability of contractual rights, any of which may adversely affect our business in that country.

  

 
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We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

 

We maintain our bank accounts in Canadian and U.S. Dollars and Mexican pesos. Any appreciation in the currency of Mexico or other countries where we may carry out exploration and mining activities against the Canadian or U.S. Dollar will increase our costs of carrying out operations in such countries. In addition, any increase in the Canadian Dollar against the U.S Dollar will result in a loss on our financial statements to the extent we hold funds in Canadian Dollars. Copper, gold and silver are typically sold in U.S. dollars. As a result, the Company is subject to foreign exchange risks relating to the relative value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso. To the extent that the Company generates revenues at the Avino Mine, it will be subject to foreign exchange risks as revenues will be received in U.S. dollars while certain operating and capital costs will be incurred primarily in Mexican pesos. A decline in the U.S. dollar would result in a decrease in the Company’s revenues and adversely impact the Company’s financial performance.

 

We may be subject to land reclamation requirements.

 

Although variable, depending on location and the governing authority, land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration and mining companies, in order to minimize the long-term effects of land disturbance. Reclamation may include requirements to control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents and reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation. In order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on us in connection with our mineral exploration and mining activities we must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration or acquisition programs.

 

Acquisitions the Company may undertake may change our business or expose us to risks.

 

The Company undertakes evaluations of opportunities to acquire additional silver and gold mining properties. Any resultant acquisitions may be significant in size, may change the scale of the Company’s business, and may expose the Company to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. The Company’s success in its acquisition activities depends on its ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, acquire them on acceptable terms, and integrate their operations successfully. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks, such as a significant decline in the price of silver or gold, the mineralized material proving to be below expectations, the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, the potential disruption of the Company’s ongoing business, the inability of management to maximize the financial and strategic position of the Company through the successful integration of acquired assets and businesses, the maintenance of uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies, the impairment of relationships with customers and contractors as a result of any integration of new management personnel and the potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired mining properties. There can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such acquisitions.

 

Current global financial conditions may adversely affect the Company’s ability to secure financing.

 

Financial markets globally have been subject to increased volatility. Access to financing has been negatively affected by liquidity crises and uncertainty with respect to sovereign defaults throughout the world. These factors may impact the ability of the Company to obtain loans and other forms of financing in the future and, if obtained, on terms favourable to the Company. If these levels of volatility and market turmoil continue or worsen, the Company may not be able to secure appropriate debt or equity financing when needed, any of which could affect the trading price of the Company’s securities in an adverse manner.

 

There may be potential conflicts of interest between the Company and our directors, officers, affiliates and promoters.

 

There are potential conflicts of interest to which the directors, officers, insiders and promoters of the Company will be subject in connection with the operations of the Company. The directors, officers, insiders and promoters of the Company are engaged in and will continue to be engaged in corporations or businesses which may be in competition with the Company. Accordingly, situations may arise where such directors, officers, insiders and promoters will be in direct competition with the Company. The Company has a process to identify and declare any conflicts. Conflicts, if any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies as provided under the Business Corporations Act of British Columbia.

 

We are dependent on our management.

 

We are dependent on the services of key executives including our President and Chief Executive Officer and other highly skilled and experienced executives and personnel focused on advancing our corporate objectives as well as the identification of new opportunities for growth and funding. Due to our relatively small size, the loss of these persons or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees required for our activities may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

 
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We are subject to competition for recruitment and retention of qualified personnel.

 

We compete with other exploration and mining companies, many of which have greater financial resources than us or are further in their advancement, for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel. Competition for exploration and mining resources at all levels is highly cyclical and can quickly become very intense, particularly affecting the availability of manpower, drill rigs and supplies. Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel in the future is critical to the Company’s success. As the Company explores its Avino Mine and other properties, the need for skilled labour will increase. The number of persons skilled in the exploration of mining properties is limited and competition for this workforce is intense. The exploration and other initiatives of the Company may be significantly delayed or otherwise adversely affected if the Company cannot recruit and retain qualified personnel and/or obtain other exploration and mining resources as and when required.

 

Our common shares are subject to limited and volatile trading volume.

 

Although the Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American, the TSX, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, referred to herein as the “FSE”, and the Berlin Stock Exchange, the volume of trading has been limited and volatile in the past and is likely to continue to be so in the future, reducing the liquidity of an investment in the Company’s common shares and making it difficult for investors to readily sell their common shares in the open market. Without a liquid market for the Company’s common shares, investors may be unable to sell their shares at favorable times and prices and may be required to hold their shares in declining markets or to sell them at unfavorable prices.

 

Our common shares are subject to volatile share price.

 

In recent years, securities markets in general have experienced a high level of price volatility. The market price of many resource companies, particularly those, like the Company, that are considered speculative exploration and mining companies, have experienced wide fluctuations in price, resulting in substantial losses to investors who have sold their shares at a low price point. These fluctuations are based only in part on the level of progress of exploration, and can reflect general economic and market trends, world events or investor sentiment, and may sometimes bear no apparent relation to any objective factors or criteria. Significant fluctuation in the Company’s common share price is likely to continue.

 

Difficulty for United States investors to effect services of process against the Company.

 

The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Consequently, it will be difficult for United States investors to affect service of process in the United States upon the directors or officers of the Company, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities under the Exchange Act. The majority of the Company’s directors and officers are residents of Canada and many of the Company’s assets are located outside of the United States. A judgment of a United States court predicated solely upon such civil liabilities would probably be enforceable in Canada by a Canadian court if the United States court in which the judgment was obtained had jurisdiction, as determined by the Canadian court, in the matter. There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be brought successfully in Canada against any of such persons or the Company predicated solely upon such civil liabilities.

 

 
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Disruptions to our information technology systems, including future cyber-attacks and security breaches, and the costs of maintaining secure and effective information technology systems could negatively affect our business and results of operations.

 

The efficient operation of our businesses is dependent on computer hardware and software systems. Information systems are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and cyber terrorists. We rely on industry accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential and proprietary information maintained on our information systems, and continue to invest in maintaining and upgrading these systems and applications to ensure risk is controlled. Regardless of our efforts to maintain and upgrade our cyber security systems, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer an intrusion, that unauthorized parties will not gain access to confidential or personal information, or that any such incident will be discovered promptly. The techniques used by criminals to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, and we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. The failure to promptly detect, determine the extent of and appropriately respond to a significant data security breach could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the unavailability of the information systems or failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason, including a major disaster or business interruption resulting in an inability to access data stored in these systems or sustain the data center systems necessary to support functions to meet our needs, and any inability to respond to, or recover from, such an event, could disrupt our business and could result in decreased performance and increased overhead costs, causing our business and results of operations to suffer.

 

We are a multinational company that faces complex taxation regimes in various jurisdictions. Audits, investigations, and tax proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

We are subject to income and non-income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Income tax accounting often involves complex issues, and judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. In particular, most of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business have detailed transfer pricing rules, which require that all transactions with non-resident related parties be priced using arm’s length pricing principles within the meaning of such rules. In addition, the application of withholding tax, value added tax, goods and services tax, sales taxes and other non-income taxes is not always clear and we may be subject to tax audits relating to such withholding or non-income taxes. We believe that our tax positions are reasonable and our tax reserves are adequate to cover any potential liability. However, tax authorities in certain jurisdictions may disagree with our position, including the propriety of our related party arm’s length transfer pricing policies and the tax treatment of corresponding expenses and income. If any of these tax authorities were successful in challenging our positions, we may be liable for additional income tax and penalties and interest related thereto in excess of any reserves established therefor, which may have a significant impact on our results and operations and future cash flow.

 

Changes to tax laws in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate or plan to operate in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

We are a multinational company that is subject to complex taxation regimes in numerous jurisdictions. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in tax laws or their interpretation in any of those jurisdictions. Tax laws, including tax rates, in the jurisdictions in which we operate may change as a result of macroeconomic or other factors outside of our control. Changes in tax laws, treaties, or regulations or their interpretation or enforcement are unpredictable. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

 
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CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

 

The table below sets forth our capitalization and indebtedness as of September 30, 2020.

 

 

·

on an actual basis; and

 

·

on an as adjusted basis assuming that an aggregate of 20,161,290 common shares are sold at a price of $1.24 per share, the reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE American on January 11, 2021 for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $25,000,000 less commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses.

 

Table amounts in thousands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

As Adjusted(1)

 

Total liabilities

 

$11,715

 

 

$11,715

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

 

108,304

 

 

 

 132,432

 

Equity reserves

 

 

9,239

 

 

 

9,239

 

Treasury shares (14,180 shares, at cost)

 

 

(97 )

 

 

 

(97 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(4,655 )

 

 

(4,655 )

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(52,868 )

 

 

(52,868 )

Total equity

 

 

59,923

 

 

 

 84,051

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$71,638

 

 

 

$95,766

 

_________________

(1)

Assumes a sale price of $1.24 per common share, which was the reported closing price of a common share on January 11, 2021 and that all common shares will be sold in the “at the market offering”.

 

 
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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We cannot assure you that we will receive any proceeds in connection with the common shares offered pursuant to this prospectus. Assuming gross proceeds from the sale of $25.0 million of our common shares and expenses associated with the offering of sales commissions and other expenses, our estimated net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $24.1 million. We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for advancing the development of the Avino Mine and its operations and production, for exploration of other areas of the Avino Property and for general working capital.

  

Although we intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for the foregoing purposes, the planned expenditures may change significantly and may not be in the order of priority as indicated above. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the allocation of any net proceeds. Pending use of any net proceeds, we would expect to invest any proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

 
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DILUTION

 

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 was approximately $59,923,000, or $0.67 per share. Net tangible book value per common share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2020. Dilution with respect to net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of common shares in this offering and the net tangible book value per common share immediately after this offering.

 

After giving effect to the sale of $25,000,000 of our common shares in this offering at an assumed offering price of $1.24 per share, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE American on January 11, 2021, and after deducting estimated offering commissions and offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 would have been approximately $84.1 million, or $0.77 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.10 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $0.43 per share to investors purchasing our common shares in this offering at the public offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed public offering price per common share

 

 

$1.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net tangible book value per common share of as September 30, 2020

 

 

$0.67

 

 

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

 

 

$0.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As adjusted net tangible book value per common share as of September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After giving effect to this offering

 

 

 

 

$0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilution per share to investors purchasing our common shares in this offering

 

 

 

 

$0.47

 

 

The above discussion and table are based on 89,568,682 common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2020, and exclude:

 

 

·

3,612,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of September 30, 2020, at a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$1.76 per share;

 

·

2,890,774 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2020, at a weighted average exercise price of $0.80 per share;

 

·

2,874,000 common shares issuable upon vesting of RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2020.

 

The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 20,161,290 of our common shares are sold during the term of the Sales Agreement at a price of $1.24 per share, the last reported sale price of our common share on the NYSE American on January 11, 2021, for aggregate gross proceeds of $25,000,000. The common shares subject to the Sales Agreement are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $0.50 per common share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $1.24 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common shares in the aggregate amount of $25,000,000 during the term of the Sales Agreement is sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $0.81 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $0.93 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $0.50 per share in the price at which the common shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $1.24 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common shares in the aggregate amount of $25,000,000 during the term of the Sales Agreement is sold at that price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $0.68 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $0.06 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.

 

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2020 have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, investors purchasing our common shares in this offering may experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

 
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into the Sales Agreement with the Agents under which it we issue and sell our common shares having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $25,000,000 from time to time through the Lead Agent. The Sales Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-3 of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Lead Agent may sell our common shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act. We may instruct the Lead Agent not to sell common shares if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We or the Lead Agent may suspend the offering of common shares upon notice and subject to other conditions. No common shares will be sold on the TSX or on other trading markets in Canada.

 

We will pay the Agents a commission, in cash, for their services in acting as agents in the sale of our common shares. The Agents will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of up to 3.00% of the gross sales price per share sold. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have also agreed to reimburse the Agents for certain specified expenses, including the fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $75,000. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation and reimbursements payable to Agents under the terms of the Sales Agreement, and other related expenses, will be approximately $110,000.

 

Settlement for sales of common shares will occur on the second business day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the Lead Agent in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common shares as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Agents may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

The Agents will use their commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with their sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the common shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common shares on our behalf, each Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the Agents will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The offering of our common shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate as permitted therein. We and the Lead Agent may each terminate the Sales Agreement at any time upon ten (10) days prior notice.

 

Each Agent and their affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, each Agent will not engage in any market making activities involving our common shares while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus.

 

This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the Lead Agent and the Lead Agent may distribute this prospectus electronically.

 

 
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES 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 the acquisition of common shares pursuant to the offering and the ownership and disposition of the common shares. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders who hold common shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) and who acquire common shares at their original issuance pursuant to the offering, and does not apply to any subsequent U.S. Holder of a common share.

 

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 as a result of the ownership and disposition of common 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 specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable 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 particular U.S. Holder. In addition, this summary does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. Medicare contribution, U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of common shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding all U.S. federal, U.S. state and local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, or disposition of common shares.

 

No opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of common shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, any position taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities upon which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.

 

Scope of This Disclosure

 

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 hereof. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.

 

U.S. Holders. For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

 

·

An individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

·

A corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

·

An estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

·

A trust that (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Non-U.S. Holders. For purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of common shares that is not a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not a U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to non-U.S. Holders arising from the acquisition, ownership or disposition of common shares.

 

Accordingly, a non-U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding all U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences (including the potential application of and operation of any income tax treaties) relating to the purchase of the common shares pursuant to the offering and the acquisition, ownership or disposition of common shares.

 

Transactions Not Addressed. This summary does not address the tax consequences of transactions effected prior or subsequent to, or concurrently with, any purchase of the securities (whether or not any such transactions are undertaken in connection with the purchase of the securities), other than the U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. Holders of the acquisition of common shares and the ownership and disposition of such common shares.

  

 
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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 of the acquisition, ownership, or disposition of common shares by U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a “mark-to-market” accounting method; (d) U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) U.S. Holders that own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) U.S. Holders that acquire common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) U.S. Holders that hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) U.S. Holders that own directly, indirectly, or by attribution, 10% or more, by voting power or value, of the outstanding stock of the Company; and (i) U.S. Holders subject to Section 451(b) of the Code. 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 common shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Tax Act; or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding all U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences (including the potential application and operation of any income tax treaties) relating to the acquisition, ownership, or disposition of common 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 common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners (or other owners) of such partnership of the acquisition, ownership, or disposition of the common shares generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners (or other owners). This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences for any such partner or partnership (or other “pass-through” entity or its owners). Owners of entities and arrangements that are classified as partnerships (or other “pass-through” entities) for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, or disposition of common shares.

 

Distributions on Common Shares

 

As stated above, we have never paid a dividend and have no intention of paying a dividend. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to Common Shares will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian 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 common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares.See “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below. However, the Company may not maintain calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the common shares will be reported to them as a dividend. Dividends received on the common shares generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” available to U.S. corporate shareholders receiving dividends from U.S. corporations. If the Company is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, or another qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program which the U.S. Treasury Department has determined is satisfactory for these purposes, or its shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., dividends paid by the Company to non-corporate U.S. Holders generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Company not be classified as a PFIC 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 Common Shares

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Such capital gain or loss will generally be a long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares is more than one year. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in common shares generally will be such U.S. Holder’s U.S. dollar cost for such common shares.

 

PFIC Status of the Company

 

If the Company is or becomes a PFIC, the foregoing description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares will be different. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of common shares if the Company is or becomes a PFIC are described below under the heading “Tax Consequences if the Company is a PFIC.”

 

 
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A non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC for each tax year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income is passive income (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) (the “income test”) or (ii) 50% or more (by value) of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during such tax year) either produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). For purposes of the PFIC provisions, “gross income” generally includes sales revenues less cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or other operations or sources, and “passive income” generally includes dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from commodities or securities transactions and the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of certain assets which product passive income. If a non-U.S. corporation owns at least 25% (by value) of the stock of another corporation, the non-U.S. corporation is treated, for purposes of the income test and asset test, as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

 

Under certain attribution and indirect ownership rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will generally be deemed to own their proportionate share of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interest in any company that is also a PFIC (a “Subsidiary PFIC”), and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their proportionate share of (a) any “excess distributions,” as described below, on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC and (b) a disposition or deemed disposition of the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC by the Company or another Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holders directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any indirect gain realized on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC on the sale or disposition of common shares. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should be aware that they could be subject to tax even if no distributions are received and no redemptions or other dispositions of the Company’s common shares are made.

 

Although the Company has not conducted a formal analysis of whether or not it will be deemed a PFIC, because the Company’s principal business activities have been the exploration for and extracting, processing and selling of silver, gold and copper at the Avino Property and based on its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company does not believe that it was a PFIC for such calendar year. However, the determination of PFIC status is inherently factual, is subject to a number of uncertainties, and can be determined only annually at the close of the tax year in question. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. There can be no assurance that the Company will or will not be determined to be a PFIC for the current tax year or any prior or future tax year, and no opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning the status of the Company as a PFIC has been obtained or will be requested. U.S. Holders should consult their own U.S. tax advisors regarding the PFIC status of the Company.

 

Tax Consequences if the Company is a PFIC

 

If the Company is a PFIC for any tax year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, special rules may increase such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability with respect to the ownership and disposition of such common shares. If the Company is a PFIC for any tax year during which a U.S. Holder owns common shares, the Company will be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Holder for that tax year and for all subsequent tax years, regardless of whether the Company meets the income test or the asset test for such subsequent tax years, unless the U.S. Holder makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to the common shares. If the election is made, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to sell the common shares it holds at their fair market value on the last day of the last taxable year in which we qualified as a PFIC, and any gain recognized from such deemed sale would be taxed under the PFIC excess distribution regime. After the deemed sale election, the U.S. Holder’s common shares would not be treated as shares of a PFIC unless the Company subsequently becomes a PFIC. U.S. Holders should consult their own U.S. tax advisors regarding the availability and desirability of a deemed sale election.

 

 
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Under the default PFIC rules:

 

 

·

Any gain realized on the sale or other disposition (including dispositions and certain other events that would not otherwise be treated as taxable events) of common shares (including an indirect disposition of the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC) and any “excess distribution” (defined as a distribution to the extent it (together with all other distributions received in the relevant tax year) exceeds 125% of the average annual distribution received during the shorter of the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares) received on common shares or with respect to the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC will be allocated ratably to each day of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares;

 

·

The amount allocated to the current tax year and any year prior to the first year in which the Company was a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income in the current year;

 

·

The amount allocated to each of the other tax years (the “Prior PFIC Years”) will be subject to tax at the highest ordinary income tax rate in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year; and

 

·

An interest charge will be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each Prior PFIC Year.

 

A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective “mark-to-market” election under Section 1296 of the Code (a “Mark-to-Market Election”) or a timely and effective election to treat the Company and each Subsidiary PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF”) under Section 1295 of the Code (a “QEF Election”) may generally mitigate or avoid the default PFIC rules described above with respect to common shares U.S. Holders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Company has satisfied or will satisfy the recordkeeping requirements that apply to a QEF or that the Company has supplied or will supply U.S. Holders with information such U.S. Holders require to report under the QEF rules in the event that the Company is a PFIC for any tax year.

 

A timely and effective QEF Election requires a U.S. Holder to include currently in gross income each year its pro rata share of the Company’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains, regardless of whether such earnings and gains are actually distributed. Thus, a U.S. Holder could have a tax liability with respect to such ordinary earnings or gains without a corresponding receipt of cash from the Company. If the Company is a QEF with respect to a U.S. Holder, the U.S. Holder’s basis in the common shares will be increased to reflect the amount of the taxed but undistributed income. Distributions of income that had previously been taxed will result in a corresponding reduction of basis in the common shares and will not be taxed again as a distribution to a U.S. Holder. Taxable gains on the disposition of common shares by a U.S. Holder that has made a timely and effective QEF Election are generally capital gains. A U.S. Holder must make a QEF Election for the Company and each Subsidiary PFIC if it wishes to have this treatment. To make a QEF Election, a U.S. Holder will need to have an annual information statement from the Company setting forth the ordinary earnings and net capital gains for the year and the Company may not provide this statement, in which case a QEF Election cannot be made. In general, a U.S. Holder must make a QEF Election on or before the due date for filing its income tax return for the first year to which the QEF Election will apply. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, a U.S. Holder will be permitted to make retroactive elections in particular, but limited, circumstances, including if it had a reasonable belief that the Company was not a PFIC and did not file a protective election. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through another PFIC, separate QEF Elections must be made for the PFIC in which the U.S. Holder is a direct shareholder and the Subsidiary PFIC for the QEF rules to apply to both PFICs.

 

Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability and desirability of, and procedure for, making a timely and effective QEF Election (including a “pedigreed” QEF election where necessary) for the Company and any Subsidiary PFIC.

 

Alternatively, a Mark-to-Market Election may be made with respect to “marketable stock” in a PFIC if which is stock that is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange or other market” (within the meaning of the Code and the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations). A class of stock that is traded on one or more qualified exchanges or other markets is considered to be “regularly traded” for any calendar year during which such class of stock is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. If the common shares are considered to be “regularly traded” within this meaning, then a U.S. Holder generally will be eligible to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to its common shares. However, there is no assurance that the common shares will be or remain “regularly traded” for this purpose. A Mark-to-Market Election may not be made with respect to the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC. Hence, a Mark-to-Market Election will not be effective to eliminate the application of the default PFIC rules, described above, with respect to deemed dispositions of Subsidiary PFIC stock, or excess distributions with respect to a Subsidiary PFIC.

 

 
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A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective Mark-to-Market Election with respect to common shares generally will be required to recognize as ordinary income in each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such shares as of the close of such taxable year over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares as of the close of such taxable year. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares generally will be increased by the amount of ordinary income recognized with respect to such shares. If the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares as of the close of a tax year exceeds the fair market value of such shares as of the close of such taxable year, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize an ordinary loss, but only to the extent of net mark-to-market income recognized with respect to such shares for all prior taxable years. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common shares generally will be decreased by the amount of ordinary loss recognized with respect to such shares. Any gain recognized upon a disposition of the common shares generally will be treated as ordinary income, and any loss recognized upon a disposition generally will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of net mark-to-market income recognized for all prior taxable years. Any loss recognized in excess thereof will be taxed as a capital loss. Capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.

 

Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability and desirability of, and procedure for, making a timely and effective Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common shares.

 

Foreign Tax Credit

 

A U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax in connection with the ownership or disposition of common shares may (under certain circumstances) be entitled to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid generally at the election of such U.S. Holder. 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 subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all creditable 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 non-U.S. corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of securities of a non-U.S. 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 common 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.

 

Special rules apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution, including a constructive distribution, from a PFIC. Subject to such special rules, non-U.S. taxes paid with respect to any distribution in respect of stock in a PFIC are generally eligible for the foreign tax credit. The rules relating to distributions by a PFIC and their eligibility for the foreign tax credit are complicated, and a U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding their application to the U.S. Holder.

 

Receipt of Foreign Currency

 

The amount of any distribution or proceeds paid in Canadian dollars to a U.S. Holder in connection with the ownership of common shares, or on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares will be included in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as translated into U.S. dollars calculated by reference to the exchange rate prevailing on the date of actual or constructive receipt of the payment, regardless of whether the Canadian dollars are converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the Canadian dollars received are not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a basis in the Canadian dollars equal to their U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who receives payment in Canadian dollars and engages in a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Canadian dollars may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would generally 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 with respect to foreign currency.

 

 
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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 Canadian dollars.

 

Information Reporting; Backup Withholding

 

Under U.S. federal income tax law, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a non-U.S. 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 not only financial accounts maintained in non-U.S. financial institutions, but also, if held for investment and not in an account maintained by certain financial institutions, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a non-U.S. entity. A U.S. Holder may be subject to these reporting requirements unless such U.S. Holder’s common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns on IRS Form 8938, and, if applicable, filing obligations relating to the PFIC rules, including possible reporting on an IRS Form 8621.

 

Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman of (a) distributions on the common shares, and (b) proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares generally will be subject to information reporting. In addition, backup withholding, currently at a rate of 24%, may apply to such payments if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on IRS 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, 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. 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 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 information reporting and backup withholding rules may apply even if, under the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, payments are eligible for a reduced withholding rate.

 

The discussion of reporting requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute an exhaustive 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 U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. HOLDERS WITH RESPECT TO THE OWNERSHIP, EXERCISE OR DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THEM IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

 
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EXPENSES

 

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us, excluding the Agents’ commissions and expenses, will be approximately $110,000 as follows. All amounts are estimated except for SEC registration fee.

  

SEC registration fee

 

$ 5,455

 

Transfer agent fees and expenses

 

 

5,000

 

Edgar filing costs and expenses

 

 

7,500

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

 

65,000

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

 

20,000

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

7,045

 

Total

 

$ 110,000

 

 

MATERIAL CHANGES

 

Except as otherwise described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, in our Reports on Form 6-K filed or submitted under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein and as disclosed in this prospectus, no reportable material changes have occurred since December 31, 2019.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Harper Grey, LLP, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with respect to matters of Canadian law and Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, San Francisco, California with respect to matters of United States law. The Agents are being represented in connection with this offering by Cooley LLP, New York, New York, with respect to matters of United States law and Stikeman Elliott LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with respect to matters of Canadian law.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd. appearing in Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC on March 25, 2020, have been audited by Manning Elliott LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Information relating to the Company’s mineral properties in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein has been derived from reports, statements or opinions prepared or certified by Tetra Tech Inc. and Red Pennant Geoscience Ltd. and this information has been included in reliance on their expertise.

 

Neither Tetra Tech Inc. nor Red Pennant Geoscience Ltd. and any of their respective directors, officers, employees or partners thereof, have received a direct or indirect interest in the property of the Company or of any associate or affiliate of the Company.

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that we are incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, that many of our officers and directors are residents of countries other than the United States, that some of the experts named in this prospectus are residents of countries other than the United States, and that some of our assets and the assets of said persons are located outside the United States.

 

In particular, it may be difficult to bring and enforce suits against us or said persons under U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult for U.S. holders of our common shares to effect service of process on us or said persons within the United States or to enforce judgments obtained in the United States based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or said persons. In addition, a shareholder should not assume that the courts of Canada (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us, our officers or directors, or other said persons, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States, or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us, our officers or directors or other said persons predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States.

 

 
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The documents we are incorporating by reference as of their respective dates of filing are:

 

 

·

Our Registration Statement of common shares pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2011;

 

 

 

 

·

Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 25, 2020

 

 

 

 

·

 

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020, containing our Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and Management Discussion and Analysis; 

 

 

 

 

·

 

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on July 27, 2020, containing our Notice and Information Circular dated July 13, 2020 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on Thursday, August 27, 2020

 

 

 

 

·

 

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 12, 2020, containing our Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and Management Discussion and Analysis; 

 

 

 

 

·

 

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2020, regarding the granting of an option to purchase the Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties to Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. (formerly, Gray Rock Resources Ltd.)

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2020, announcing the results of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2020, containing our Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and Management Discussion and Analysis; and

 

 

 

 

·

Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021, announcing our updated mineral resource estimate.

 

All subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F filed by us and all subsequent reports on Form 6-K filed by us that are identified by us as being incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be a part hereof after the date of this prospectus but before the termination of the offering by this prospectus.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, 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.

 

 
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Each person, including any beneficial owner to whom this prospectus is delivered, may request, orally or in writing, a copy of these documents, which will be provided at no cost, by contacting:

 

Dorothy Chin, Corporate Secretary

Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd.

570 Granville Street, Suite 900

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1

Canada

Tel: 604 682-3701

Fax: 604 682-3600

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the SEC relating to the securities offered by this prospectus, which includes additional information. You should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreements or other document.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers. We, as a “foreign private issuer,” are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing certain disclosure and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to their purchases and sales of shares. In addition, we are not required to file annual, quarterly and current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we anticipate filing with the SEC, within four months after the end of each fiscal year, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm.

 

You may read and copy any materials we file or furnish with the SEC and the registration statement by accessing the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at www.avino.com, through which you can access our SEC filings. The information on our web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be a part of this prospectus.

 

 
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Up to $25,000,000

 

Common Shares

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Lead Agent

 

Cantor

 

Co-Agents

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

Roth Capital Partners

 

A.G.P.

 

, 2021

  

 

 

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that we must indemnify a director, former director or alternate director of the Company and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed to which such person is or may be liable, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or alternate director of the Company. We may indemnify any person under our Articles of Incorporation. We may, and do, maintain a policy of insurance for the benefit of directors, officers and employees against liability incurred by such individual acting in their capacity as a director, officer or employee.

 

We are subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”). Under Section 160 of the Act, we may, subject to Section 163 of the Act, indemnify an individual who:

 

 

·

is or was a director or officer of our company;

 

 

 

 

·

is or was a director or officer of another corporation (i) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (ii) at our request; or

 

 

 

 

·

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;

 

and includes the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an “eligible party”), against a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, a proceeding (an “eligible penalty”) in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of our company or an associated corporation, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation (a) is or may be joined as a party, or (b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding (an “eligible proceeding”) to which the eligible party is or may be liable and we may, subject to section 163 of the Act, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding.

 

Under Section 161 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

 

Under Section 162 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, we may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that we must not make such payments unless we first receive from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

 

Under Section 163 of the Act, we must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

 

 

·

if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, we were prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our Articles;

 

·

if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, we are prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our Articles;

 

 
II-1

 

  

 

·

 

if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

 

·

 

in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

 

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of the Company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, we must not either indemnify the eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

 

Under Section 164 of the Act, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may, on application of our company or an eligible party:

 

 

·

order us to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

 

 

 

 

·

order us to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

 

 

 

 

·

order the enforcement of, or payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by us;

 

 

 

 

·

order us to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the Act; or

 

 

 

 

·

make any other order the court considers appropriate.

   

Section 165 of the Act provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, the Company or an associated corporation.

 

Under the Act, the Articles may affect our power or obligation to give an indemnity or pay expenses to the extent that the Articles prohibit giving the indemnity or paying the expenses. As indicated above, this is subject to the overriding power of the Supreme Court of British Columbia under Section 164 of the Act.

 

We believe that the foregoing policies and provisions of our Articles and bylaws are necessary to attract and retain qualified officers and directors. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted with respect to our directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

 
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Item 9. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Exhibits. The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated herein by reference:

 

Exhibit Number

Description

 

 

 

1.1*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Common Shares

1.2*

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Warrants

1.3*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Units

1.4*

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Debt Securities

1.5*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Subscription Receipts

1.6**

 

Sales Agreement dated as of January 13, 2021 by and among and Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Roth Capital Partners, LLC and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners,

4.1*

 

Form of Warrant Agreement (including Form of Warrant Certificate) with respect to Warrants to purchase Common Share

4.2*

Form of Warrant Agreement (including Form of Warrant Certificate) with respect to Warrants to purchase Units

4.3*

 

Form of Unit Agreement (including Form of Unit Certificate)

4.4*

Form of Debt Security

4.5*

 

Form of Subscription Agreement

5.1**

Opinion of Harper Grey, LLP

23.1**

 

Consent of Harper Grey, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.2**

Consent of Manning Elliott LLP

23.3**

 

Consent of Tetra Tech Inc.

23.4**

 

Consent of Red Pennant Geoscience Ltd.

24.1**

Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this Registration Statement)

____________

* If applicable, to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed on Form 6-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated here by reference.

 

** Filed herewith

 

 
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Item 10. Undertakings

 

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”);

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC (“Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

Provided, however, that:

 

(A) Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by “Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act or § 210.3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.

 

 
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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B (§ 230.430B of this chapter):

 

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) (§ 230.424(b)(3) of this chapter) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) (§ 230.424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) of this chapter) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) (§ 230.415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) of this chapter) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

 

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

 

II-5

 

 

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 
II-6

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing this Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver, province of British Columbia, Canada, on the 13th day of January, 2021.

  

 

AVINO SILVER & GOLD MINES, LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David Wolfin

 

 

 

David Wolfin, President,

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, David Wolfin and Nathan Harte, and each them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto, that are related to the offering covered by this registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:

/s/ David Wolfin

 

Date: January 13, 2021

 

 

David Wolfin,

 

 

 

 

President & Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nathan Harte

 

Date: January 13, 2021

 

 

Nathan Harte

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jasman Yee

 

Date: January 13, 2021

 

 

Jasman Yee, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ronald Andrews

 

Date: January 13, 2021

 

 

Ronald Andrews, Director

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gary Robertson

 

Date: January 13, 2021

 

 

Gary Robertson, Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Peter Bojtos

 

Date: January 13, 2021

 

 

Peter Bojtos, Director

 

 

 

 

 
II-7

 

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