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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Table of
Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12,
2020
Registration No. 333-237728
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM F-10
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933
Yamana Gold Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Canada
(Province or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
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1041
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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Not
Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
Royal Bank Plaza, North Tower
200 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5J 2J3
(416) 815-0220
(Address, including postal code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Meridian Gold Company
4635 Longley Lane
Unit 110-4A
Reno, Nevada 89502
(775) 850-3700
(Name, Address (Including Zip Code) and Telephone Number (Including
Area Code) of Agent for Service in the
United States)
Copies to:
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Sofia Tsakos
Yamana Gold Inc.
200 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5J 2J3
(416) 815-0220 |
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Adam M. Givertz
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
77 King Street West, Suite 3100
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5K 1J3
(416) 504-0520 |
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Andrea FitzGerald
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
40 King Street West, Suite 2100
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5H 3C2
(416) 869-5300 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
It is proposed
that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate
box):
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A. |
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Upon
filing with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 467(a)
(if in connection with an offering being made
contemporaneously in the United States
and Canada). |
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At some future date (check the appropriate box
below): |
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pursuant to Rule 467(b) on
( )
at
( )
(designate a time not sooner than 7 calendar days
after filing). |
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2. |
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pursuant to Rule 467(b) on
( )
at
( )
(designate a time 7 calendar days or sooner after filing)
because the securities regulatory authority in the review
jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on
( ). |
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3. |
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pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable
after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the
Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction
that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with
respect hereto. |
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4. |
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after the filing of the next amendment to this Form
(if preliminary material is being filed). |
If any of the
securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction's
shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following
box. ý
Pursuant
to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus contained
in this Registration Statement relates to Registration Statement
333-224029.
Table of
Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED
TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS
I-1
Table of
Contents
SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS

YAMANA GOLD INC.
US$1,000,000,000
Common Shares
Preference Shares
Debt Securities
Subscription Receipts
Units
Warrants
Yamana Gold Inc.. ("Yamana" or the "Corporation") may offer and sell,
from time to time, common shares (the "Common Shares"), first preference
shares, Series 1 (the "Preference Shares"), debt
securities (the "Debt
Securities"), subscription receipts
(the "Subscription
Receipts"), units
(the "Units") and warrants (the "Warrants") (all of the
foregoing, collectively, the "Securities") or any combination
thereof in one or more series or issuances up to an aggregate total
offering price of US$1,000,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof
in other currencies) during the 25 month period that the short
form base shelf prospectus (the "Prospectus"), including any
amendments thereto, remains effective. The Securities may be
offered separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms
to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and
set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement
(a "Prospectus
Supplement").
Yamana is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure
system adopted by the securities regulatory authorities in Canada
and the United States, to prepare this Prospectus in
accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada. Prospective
investors in the United States should be aware that such
requirements are different from those of the United States.
The financial statements incorporated by reference herein have been
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
("IFRS") and may be subject to Canadian auditing and independence
standards and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of
United States companies.
The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the
United States federal securities laws may be affected
adversely by the fact that the Corporation is continued under the
laws of Canada, that some or all of its officers and directors may
be residents of a foreign country, that some or all of the experts
named in this Prospectus may be, and the underwriters, dealers or
agents named in any Prospectus Supplement may be, residents of a
foreign country, and a substantial portion of the assets of the
Corporation and said persons may be located outside of the
United States.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") nor any state or Canadian securities regulatory
authority, nor has the SEC or any state securities commission
passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal
offence.
Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition
of the Securities described herein may have tax consequences in
Canada and the United States. Such consequences may not be
described fully herein or in any applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Prospective investors should read the tax discussion contained in
this Prospectus under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations" as well as the tax discussion contained in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to a particular
offering of Securities.
The
specific terms of the Securities with respect to a particular
offering will be set out in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Where required by statute, regulation or policy, and where
Securities are offered in currencies other
Table of
Contents
than
Canadian dollars, appropriate disclosure of foreign exchange rates
applicable to the offering price of such Securities will be
included in the Prospectus Supplement describing such
Securities.
All
information permitted, under applicable laws, to be omitted from
this Prospectus that has been omitted will be contained in one or
more Prospectus Supplements that will be delivered to purchasers
together with this Prospectus. Each Prospectus Supplement will be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus for the purposes of
securities legislation as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement
and only for the purposes of the distribution of the Securities to
which the Prospectus Supplement pertains. Prospective investors
should read this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus
Supplement carefully before investing in any Securities issued
pursuant to the Prospectus.
No underwriter has been involved in the preparation of this
Prospectus or performed any review of the contents of this
Prospectus.
This
Prospectus constitutes a public offering of the Securities only in
those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and
therein only by persons permitted to sell such Securities. The
Corporation may offer and sell Securities to, or through,
underwriters or dealers and may also offer and sell certain
Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents pursuant
to exemptions from registration or qualification under applicable
securities laws. A Prospectus Supplement relating to each issue of
Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus will set forth the
names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the
offering and sale of such Securities and will set forth the terms
of the offering of such Securities, the method of distribution of
such Securities including, to the extent applicable, the proceeds
to the Corporation, if any, and any fees, discounts or any other
compensation payable to underwriters, dealers or agents and any
other material terms of the plan of distribution.
In connection with any offering of Securities, except as
otherwise set out in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
particular offering of Securities, the underwriters or dealers may
over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the
market price of the Securities offered at a level above that which
might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time. A purchaser who acquires Securities forming part of the
underwriters' or dealers' overallocation position acquires those
Securities under this Prospectus. No underwriter or dealer involved
in an "at-the-market distribution", as defined in Canadian National
Instrument 44-102 — Shelf
Distributions("NI 44-102"), no affiliate of
such an underwriter or dealer and no person or company acting
jointly or in concert with such an underwriter or dealer will
over-allot Securities in connection with such distribution or
effect any other transactions that are intended to stabilize or
maintain the market price of the Securities. See "Plan of
Distribution".
The
outstanding Common Shares are listed and posted for trading on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") under the symbol "YRI" and
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE") under the symbol "AUY". On May 11, 2020, the last
trading day prior to the date of this Prospectus, the closing price
of the Common Shares on the TSX was C$7.10 and on the NYSE was
US$5.07. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preference Shares, Debt
Securities, Subscription Receipts, Units and Warrants will not be
listed on any securities exchange. Consequently, unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, there is no
market through which the Preference Shares, Debt Securities,
Subscription Receipts, Units and Warrants may be sold and
purchasers may not be able to resell any such Securities purchased
under this Prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the
Preference Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Units
and Warrants in the secondary market, the transparency and
availability of trading prices, the liquidity of such Securities
and the extent of issuer regulation.
The
Corporation's head office is located at Royal Bank Plaza, North
Tower, 200 Bay Street, Suite 2200, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M5J 2J3 and its registered office is located at
2100 Scotia Plaza, 40 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M5H 3C2.
John
Begeman, Richard Graff and Jane Sadowsky, each a director of the
Corporation, reside outside Canada. In addition, Sergio Castro,
Esteban Chacon and Renan Garcia Lopes, each a "qualified person"
referred to in this Prospectus under "Interests of Experts", reside
outside Canada. Each of the aforementioned individuals have
appointed Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP,
Suite 2100, 40 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3L2, as his or her agent for service of process in Canada.
Prospective investors are advised that it may not be possible for
investors to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against these
individuals, even though such persons have appointed an agent for
service of process.
Investing in the Securities involves significant risks.
Prospective purchasers of the Securities should carefully consider
the risk factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus and in documents incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus.
Yamana will file, with the Prospectus, an undertaking with each
of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces
and territories of Canada that it will not distribute Securities
that, at the time of distribution, are novel specified derivatives
or novel asset-backed securities, without first pre-clearing with
the applicable regulator, the disclosure to be contained in the
Prospectus Supplement pertaining to the distribution of such
Securities.
All dollar amounts in this Prospectus are in Canadian
dollars, unless otherwise indicated. See "Currency Presentation and
Exchange Rate Information".
Table of
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
AND INFORMATION
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CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS REGARDING
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE
ESTIMATES
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION
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CURRENCY PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE
INFORMATION
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
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DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
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THE CORPORATION
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CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
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USE OF PROCEEDS
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EARNINGS COVERAGE RATIO
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
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PRIOR SALES
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MARKET FOR SECURITIES
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RISK FACTORS
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INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
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LEGAL MATTERS
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL
LIABILITIES
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Table of
Contents
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless the
context otherwise requires, all references to Yamana or the
Corporation include the direct and indirect subsidiaries of Yamana
Gold Inc.
Readers should
rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
Corporation has not authorized anyone to provide readers with
different information. The Corporation is not making an offer to
sell or seeking an offer to buy the Securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. Readers should not assume
that the information contained in this Prospectus and any
applicable Prospectus Supplement is accurate as of any date other
than the date on the front of such documents, regardless of the
time of delivery of this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus
Supplement or of any sale of the Securities. Information contained
on the Corporation's website should not be deemed to be a part of
this Prospectus or incorporated by reference herein and should not
be relied upon by prospective investors for the purpose of
determining whether to invest in the Securities.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION
This Prospectus
contains or incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information"
under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively,
"forward-looking
statements"). Except for statements of
historical fact relating to the Corporation (as defined
herein), information contained or incorporated by reference herein
constitutes forward-looking statements, including, but not limited
to, any information as to the Corporation's strategy, plans or
future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking
statements are characterized by words such as "plan", "expect",
"budget", "target", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate",
"estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain
events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular,
forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus include, without limitation, statements with
respect to:
- •
- the
Corporation's expectations in connection with the production and
exploration, development and expansion plans at the Corporation's
projects discussed herein being met;
- •
- the
Corporation's plans to continue building on its base of significant
gold and silver production, development stage properties,
exploration properties and land positions in Canada, Brazil, Chile,
and Argentina through optimization initiatives at existing
operating mines, development of new mines, the advancement of its
exploration properties and, at times, by targeting other
consolidation opportunities with a primary focus in
the Americas;
- •
- Yamana's expectations relating to the performance of its
mineral properties;
- •
- the
estimation of Mineral Reserves (as defined below) and Mineral
Resources (as defined below);
- •
- the
timing and amount of estimated future production;
- •
- the
estimation of the life of mine of Yamana's projects;
- •
- the
timing and amount of estimated future capital and operating
costs;
- •
- the
costs and timing of exploration and development activities;
- •
- the
Corporation's expectation regarding the timing and impacts of the
proposed integration of the Agua Rica Project and the Alumbrera
Mine and timing of the feasibility study;
- •
- expectations regarding the effects of the
COVID-19 outbreak, the temporary suspension of operations at
the Canadian Malartic Mine, Cerro Moro Mine and Agua Rica Project
and the return to operations following the lifting of the temporary
restrictions;
- •
- expectations regarding the timing and consummation of the
intended sale by Yamana of a portfolio of royalty interests
(the "Royalty Sale
Transaction") to Guerrero
Ventures Inc., including whether conditions to the
consummation of the Royalty Sale Transaction will be satisfied and
the timing for completion of the Royalty Sale Transaction,
anticipated benefits of the Royalty Sale Transaction, and
expectations regarding the composition and performance of the
acquiror's portfolio of assets;
1
Table of
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- •
- the
impact of proposed optimizations at the Corporation's
projects;
- •
- the
effect of government regulations (or changes thereto) with
respect to the restrictions on production, export controls, income
taxes, expropriation of property, repatriation of profits,
environmental legislation, land use, water use, land claims of
local people, mine safety and receipt of necessary permits;
- •
- the
impact of the new mining law in Brazil and the Argentinean tax
reform package;
- •
- Yamana's expectations relating to the performance of the
Canadian Malartic Mine;
- •
- the
Corporation's investments and development of infrastructure
improvements to enhance community relations in the locations where
it operates and the further development of the Corporation's social
responsibility programs;
- •
- the
payment of any future dividends;
- •
- the
outcome of any current or pending litigation against the
Corporation; and
- •
- the
outcome of any current or pending tax assessments involving the
Corporation.
Forward-looking
statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of
management considered reasonable at the date the statements are
made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause
actual events or results to differ materially from those projected
in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the impact
of general domestic and foreign business, economic and political
conditions, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing
of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on
projected future conditions, fluctuating metal prices (such as
gold, copper, silver and zinc), currency exchange rates (such as
the Brazilian real, the Chilean peso, the Argentine peso, and the
Canadian dollar versus the United States dollar), interest
rates, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes
in the Corporation's hedging program, changes in accounting
policies, uncertainty in the estimation of Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources, and risks related to acquisitions and/or
dispositions, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be
refined, changes in project development, construction, production
and commissioning time frames, risks associated with infectious
diseases, including COVID-19, nature and climatic condition risks,
risks related to joint venture operations, the possibility of
project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses,
potential impairment charges, higher prices for fuel, steel, power,
labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and
general risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to,
failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated,
risk of infectious diseases, unexpected changes in mine life, final
pricing for concentrate sales, unanticipated results of future
studies, nature and climatic condition risks, seasonality and
unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development
of new deposits, risks relating to the construction and start-up of
new mines, success of exploration activities, permitting timelines,
environmental and government regulation and the risk of government
expropriation or nationalization of mining operations, risks
related to relying on local advisors and consultants in foreign
jurisdictions, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation
expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance
coverage, timing and possible outcome of pending and outstanding
litigation and labour disputes, risks related to enforcing legal
rights in foreign jurisdictions, vulnerability of information
system and risks related to global financial conditions, as well as
those risk factors discussed or referred to herein and in the
Annual Information Form (as defined herein) and the
Corporation's annual management's discussion and analysis filed
with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and
territories of Canada and available under the Corporation's profile
on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval
("SEDAR")
at www.sedar.com. Although the
Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from
those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause actions, events or results not to be
anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. The Corporation undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or
management's estimates, assumptions or opinions should change,
except as required by applicable law. The reader is cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference
herein are presented for the purpose of assisting investors in
understanding the Corporation's expected financial
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and
operational performance and results as at and for the periods ended
on the dates presented in the Corporation's plans and objectives
and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS
REGARDING PRESENTATION OF MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE
ESTIMATES
This Prospectus
and the documents incorporated by reference herein have been
prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws
in effect in Canada, which differ in certain material respects from
the disclosure requirements promulgated by the SEC. For example,
the terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve", "probable
mineral reserve", "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource",
"indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are
Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and
Petroleum (the "CIM") — CIM Definition
Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the
CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the
definitions in the disclosure requirements promulgated by the SEC.
Accordingly, information contained in this Prospectus and the
documents incorporated by reference herein may not be comparable to
similar information made public by U.S. companies reporting
pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements.
See
"Description of the Business — Technical Information" in
the Annual Information Form, which is incorporated by reference
herein, for a description of certain of the mining terms used in
this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference
herein.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The financial
statements of the Corporation are presented in U.S. dollars
and such financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Unless otherwise indicated, any other financial information
included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus has been
prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, unless otherwise
indicated, all historical financial information included or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus is derived from
financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. IFRS differs
in certain material respects from United States generally
accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). As a result,
certain financial information included or incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus may not be comparable to financial information
prepared by other United States companies. This prospectus
does not include any explanation of the principal differences or
any reconciliation between IFRS and U.S. GAAP.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
If, after the
date of this Prospectus, the Corporation is required by
Section 4.2 of NI 43-101 to file a technical report
to support scientific or technical information that relates to a
mineral project on a property that is material to the Corporation,
the Corporation will file such technical report in accordance with
Section 4.2(5)(a)(i) of NI 43-101 as if the words
"preliminary short form prospectus" refer to a "shelf prospectus
supplement".
CURRENCY PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE
INFORMATION
This Prospectus
contains references to United States dollars and Canadian
dollars. Canadian dollars are referred to as "Canadian dollars" or
"C$". United States dollars are referred to as
"United States dollars" or "US$".
The high, low
and closing rates for Canadian dollars in terms of the
United States dollar for each of the periods indicated, as
reported by the Bank of Canada, were as follows:
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Year ended December 31 |
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2019 |
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2018 |
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High
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C$ |
1.3600 |
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C$ |
1.3642 |
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Low
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1.2988 |
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1.2288 |
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Closing
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1.2988 |
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1.3642 |
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On May 11,
2020, the daily average exchange rate for United States
dollars expressed in terms of the Canadian dollar, as reported by
the Bank of Canada, was US$1.00 = C$1.4012.
3
Table of
Contents
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE
Information
has been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from
documents filed with the securities commissions or similar
authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and
filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be
obtained on request without charge from the Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Corporation at
200 Bay Street, Royal Bank Plaza, North Tower,
Suite 2200, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J3, telephone
(416) 815-0220, and are also available electronically under
the Corporation's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or in the
United States through EDGAR at the website of the SEC at
www.sec.gov. The filings of the Corporation through SEDAR and EDGAR
are not incorporated by reference in this Prospectus except as
specifically set out herein.
The following
documents, filed by the Corporation with the securities commissions
or similar authorities in each of the provinces and territories of
Canada, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form
an integral part of, this Prospectus:
- (a)
-
the annual information form (the "Annual Information Form")
of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2019 dated
March 30, 2020;
- (b)
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the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as
at and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018,
together with the auditors' report thereon and the notes
thereto;
- (c)
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management's discussion and analysis of the Corporation for the
year ended December 31, 2019 (the "Annual MD&A");
- (d)
-
the condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the
Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2020,
together with the notes thereto (the "Interim Financial Statements");
- (e)
-
management's discussion and analysis of the Corporation for the
three months ended March 31, 2020; and
- (f)
-
the management information circular of the Corporation dated
March 24, 2020 prepared in connection with the annual meeting
of shareholders of the Corporation held on
April 30, 2020.
Any document of
the type referred to in section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 of
National Instrument 44-101 — Short Form Prospectus Distributions filed by the Corporation with the securities commissions or
similar regulatory authorities in the applicable provinces and
territories of Canada after the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the date that is 25 months from the date of the Prospectus
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus.
In addition, any document filed by the Corporation with, or
furnished by the Corporation to, the SEC pursuant to the
United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange
Act"), subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the date that is 25 months from the
date of the Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into the registration statement of which the Prospectus
forms a part (in the case of any Report on Form 6-K,
if and to the extent provided in such report). To the extent
that any document or information incorporated by reference into the
Prospectus is included in a report that is filed with or furnished
to the SEC, such document or information shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which the Prospectus
forms a part.
Any
statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded, for purposes of this
Prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document that also is, or is deemed to
be, incorporated by reference herein modifies, replaces 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. The modifying or superseding
statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior
statement or include any other information set forth in the
document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying
or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any
purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made,
constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material
fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be
stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in
light of the circumstances in which it
was made.
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A Prospectus
Supplement containing the specific terms of an offering of
Securities will be delivered to purchasers of such Securities
together with the Prospectus and will be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into the Prospectus as of the date of such Prospectus
Supplement, but only for the purposes of the offering of Securities
covered by that Prospectus Supplement.
Upon a new
annual information form and the related annual financial statements
being filed by the Corporation with the applicable securities
commissions or similar regulatory authorities during the currency
of this Prospectus, the previous annual information form, the
previous annual financial statements and all interim financial
statements (and related management's discussion and analysis
in the interim reports for such periods), material change reports
and management information circulars filed prior to the
commencement of the Corporation's financial year in which the new
annual information form is filed shall be deemed no longer to be
incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of further offers
and sales of Securities hereunder. Upon interim consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying management's discussion
and analysis being filed by the Corporation with the applicable
securities regulatory authorities during the period that this
Prospectus is effective, the previous interim consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying management's discussion
and analysis filed shall no longer be deemed to be incorporated
into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of
Securities under this Prospectus. In addition, upon a new
management information circular for the annual meeting of
shareholders being filed by the Corporation with the applicable
securities regulatory authorities during the period that this
Prospectus is effective, the previous management information
circular filed in respect of the prior annual meeting of
shareholders shall no longer be deemed to be incorporated into this
Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities
under this Prospectus.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
The following
documents have been, or will be, filed with the SEC as part of the
Registration Statement (as defined herein) of which this
Prospectus forms a part: (1) the documents listed under
"Documents Incorporated by Reference"; (2) the consent of
Deloitte LLP; (3) the consent of Cassels Brock &
Blackwell LLP; (4) powers of attorney from certain of the
Corporation's directors and officers (included in the Registration
Statement); (5) the consents of the "qualified persons" and
other persons referred to in this Prospectus under "Interests of
Experts"; (6) the Indenture (as defined herein); and
(7) the statement of eligibility of the trustee of
Form T-1. A copy of the form of warrant indenture or
subscription receipt agreement, as applicable, will be filed by
post-effective amendment or by incorporation by reference to
documents filed or furnished with the SEC under the
Exchange Act.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Corporation
is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and applicable Canadian requirements and, in accordance therewith,
files reports and other information with the SEC and with
securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Under the
multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the
United States and Canada, such reports and other information
may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of
Canada, which requirements are different from those of the
United States. As a foreign private issuer, the Corporation is
exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the
furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the Corporation's
officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the
reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in
Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website
that contains reports and other information regarding registrants
that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website
is www.sec.gov.
The Corporation
has filed with the SEC a registration statement
(the "Registration
Statement") on Form F-10 under the
U.S. Securities Act with respect to the Securities. This
Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference
herein, which forms a part of the Registration Statement, does
not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration
Statement, certain parts of which are contained in the exhibits to
the Registration Statement as permitted by the rules and
regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to the
Corporation and the Securities, reference is made to the
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. Statements
contained in this Prospectus, including the documents incorporated
by reference herein, as to the contents of certain documents are
not necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made
to the copy of the document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. Each such statement is qualified in its
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entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement can be
found on EDGAR at the SEC's website: www.sec.gov.
THE CORPORATION
General
Yamana was
formed on July 30, 2003 when, pursuant to Articles of
Amendment, the name of the Corporation was changed from Yamana
Resources Inc. to its current name and on August 12,
2003, pursuant to a reverse stock split, the issued and outstanding
common shares of the Corporation were consolidated on the basis of
one new common share for 27.86 existing common shares. Prior
to these corporate actions, and a concurrent reverse takeover of
certain assets, the Corporation was an inactive shell corporation
whose previous history was mostly limited to exploration
activities. In an effort to streamline its corporate structure,
effective January 1, 2020, the Corporation completed a
vertical short form amalgamation with its wholly owned subsidiary,
Yamana Malartic Canada Inc., pursuant to Articles of
Amalgamation and through which the securities of the Corporation
were not affected. The Corporation is continued under the Canada
Business Corporations Act by Articles of Continuance, dated
February 7, 1995. On February 7, 2001, pursuant to
Articles of Amendment, a maximum of 8,000,000 first preference
shares, Series 1 were authorized, none of which are
outstanding.
Summary Description of the Business
Yamana is a
Canadian-based precious metals producer with significant gold and
silver production, development stage properties, exploration
properties and land positions throughout the Americas, including
Canada, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Yamana plans to continue to
build on this base through expansion and optimization initiatives
at existing operating mines, development of new mines, the
advancement of its exploration properties and, at times, by
targeting other consolidation opportunities with a primary focus in
the Americas.
The
Corporation's portfolio includes five operating gold mines and
various advanced and near development stage projects and
exploration properties in Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.
Yamana operates its mines and projects under common corporate
oversight. Within this structure Jacobina, El Peñón and Canadian
Malartic are the Corporation's material producing mines and among
the largest contributors to operating cash flow. Set out below is a
list of Yamana's main properties and mines:
Material Producing Mines
- •
- Jacobina Mining Complex (Brazil)
- •
- El
Peñón Mine (Chile)
- •
- Canadian Malartic Mine (Canada) — 50% indirect
interest
Other Producing Mines
- •
- Cerro Moro Project (Argentina)
- •
- Minera Florida Mine (Chile)
Additional Projects
- •
- Agua Rica Project (Argentina)
- •
- Suyai Project (Argentina)
- •
- Monument Bay Project (Canada)
For a further
description of the business of the Corporation, see the sections
entitled "Corporate Structure" and "Description of the Business" in
the Annual Information Form.
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Recent Developments
On
March 20, 2020, the Corporation announced that, in response to
developments regarding COVID-19, the Government of Argentina had
imposed a temporary mandatory self-isolation period and travel
restriction until March 31, 2020. In response to this
declaration, the Corporation temporarily demobilized operations at
the Cerro Moro Mine during this period. Underground operations were
reduced and Cerro Moro began provisionally operating largely from
its open pit operations and stockpiled material. The Corporation's
efforts at the Agua Rica Project were similarly gradually reduced
on a temporary basis. Efforts at Agua Rica are mostly corporate
related, as the Corporation advances towards the feasibility study
and permitting for the project and the effects of the mandatory
self-isolation declaration were not meaningful to the overall
project schedule.
On
March 24, 2020, the Corporation announced that pursuant to the
order by the Government of Quebec in relation to COVID-19 to
temporarily restrict all non-essential business until
April 13, 2020, it made the decision to ramp down operations
at the Canadian Malartic Mine. The Canadian Malartic Mine was
placed on care and maintenance and minimal work took place during
the required period. The 50/50 partnership with Agnico Eagle
Mines Ltd., in connection with the acquisition of the Canadian
Malartic Mine, demobilized employees and contractors in a safe and
orderly manner, leaving a small number of employees on site to
maintain property and equipment and oversee all environmental
responsibilities and obligations at the Canadian
Malartic Mine.
With reduced
production coming from suspended or reduced operations, along with
other present day uncertainties related to COVID-19, on
March 24, 2020, the Corporation announced the withdrawal of
its 2020 guidance for production and costs. The Corporation will
update guidance once it has a better understanding of the actual
duration and impact of these uncertainties. The Corporation expects
that any suspended operation is well positioned to safely and
efficiently ramp-up in a timely manner once temporary suspensions
cease.
In
March 2020, as a precaution and given the current uncertainty
around the global pandemic, the Corporation drew down
$200 million of its $750 million revolving credit
facility. The Corporation currently has no plans to utilize these
funds and has sufficient cash on hand, available credit and
liquidity to fully manage its business. At the date hereof, the
Corporation has no pending scheduled debt repayment or significant
capital commitments. See "Consolidated Capitalization".
On
April 6, 2020, the Argentine Government declared mining as
essential service, which will allow the Cerro Moro Mine to resume
full operations. The Corporation has begun to resume operations in
an orderly and gradual manner with attention to health and safety
requirements. Recommended standards and measures have been
established at national, provincial and municipal levels. The
Corporation's protocols relating to these standards and measures
have been discussed with and revised by applicable authorities and
are considered to be in compliance. The Corporation will continue
to consult with national and international medical experts along
with municipal, provincial and national governments, its workforce
and other stakeholders.
On
April 14, 2020, the Corporation announced that the Canadian
Malartic Mine would resume operations starting on April 15,
2020, following the Government of Quebec's decision to authorize
the resumption of mining activities. Between March 24 and
April 15, 2020, the Canadian Malartic Mine developed a robust
plan of hygiene and preventative measures to ensure the health and
safety of its employees, families, and communities.
On
April 15, 2020, the Corporation announced that it had
completed the sale transaction with Stifel GMP and Cormark
Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Dealers") pursuant to which the
Corporation sold 12,000,000 units at a price of C$10.00 per
unit to qualified purchasers, for gross proceeds to Yamana of
C$120,000,000 (the "Sale
Transaction"). The Dealers committed to
purchase from Yamana any unsold units at a price of C$10.00 per
unit on closing, subject to customary conditions for "bought deal"
financings. Each unit consisted of one common share of Equinox
Gold Inc. ("Equinox") owned by Yamana and
one-half of one common share purchase warrant of Yamana. Each
warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional
common share of Equinox owned by Yamana at an exercise price of
C$13.50 for a term of nine months from the date of issue. In the
event all warrants are exercised, the total gross proceeds to
Yamana would be C$201,000,000. Yamana intends to use the net
proceeds of the Sale Transaction for general corporate
purposes.
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Emerging Market Issuer Disclosure
In addition to
the disclosure set out in the section entitled "Other Disclosure
Relating to Ontario Securities Commission Requirements for
Companies Operating in Emerging Markets" in the Annual Information
Form, the following emerging markets disclosure relates to the
Corporation's mineral projects in Brazil, Chile and Argentina
(the "EMIR
Jurisdictions"), namely the Jacobina
Mining Complex in Bahia State, Brazil (the "Brazilian Project"); the El Peñón
Mine in Northern Chile and the Minera Florida Mine in central Chile
(together the "Chilean
Projects"); the Cerro Moro Project in
Santa Cruz province, Argentina, the Agua Rica Project in Catamarca
province, Argentina and the Suyai Project in Cordon de Esquel,
Chubut Province, Argentina (together, the "Argentinean Projects" and together
with the Brazilian Project and the Chilean Projects, the
"EMIR Assets").
Property Ownership
Brazil
The Corporation
is able to satisfy itself as to its ownership of its property
interests in its Brazilian Project through: (a) the receipt
and review of title opinions regarding the Corporation's mineral
rights to the Brazilian Project provided by the Corporation's legal
counsel, Machado De Campos E Barreto Advogados, a law firm in
Brazil recognized as having expertise in mining law matters;
(b) searches conducted in the registry of the National Mining
Agency (the Agência Nacional de Mineração, the
"ANM"), the
agency of the Federal Government responsible for controlling and
applying the Brazilian Mining Code, in which all applications,
grants, transfers and assignments of exploration permits, mining
concessions and other evidence of mineral rights to explore the
underground are registered and recorded; (c) correspondence
with the ANM pursuant to which exploration plans and detailed
reports of work performed and geological and technological studies
are required to be submitted; (d) payment to the ANM in
respect of government fees, charges, taxes and annual exploration
fees payable on the mineral titles held; (e) review,
negotiation and execution of various asset purchase agreements
relating to the acquisition/transfer of certain mining titles;
(f) the entering into of agreements with certain possessors of
surface land covering the majority of the area used in Brazilian
Project; and (g) conducting an internal review of its
paperwork, registrations and legal requirements on a quarterly
basis.
Chile
The Corporation
is able to satisfy itself as to its ownership of its property
interests in its Chilean Projects through: (a) the receipt and
review of title opinions regarding the Corporation's mineral rights
to the Chilean Projects provided by the Corporation's legal
counsel, Nuñez Muñoz Y Cia. Ltda. Abogados, a law firm in
Chile recognized as having expertise in mining law matters;
(b) issuance by the Chilean Agency of Geology and Mining
(SERNEGEOMIN) of the mine and plant permits; (c) payment to
the TESORERIA General de la Republica in respect of government
fees, charges, taxes and annual exploration fees payable on the
mineral titles held; (d) review, negotiation and execution of
various asset purchase agreements relating to the
acquisition/transfer of certain mining titles; (e) the
entering into easement, lease and/or purchase agreements with
certain possessors of surface land covering the majority of the
area used in Chilean Projects; and (f) conducting an internal
review of its paperwork, registrations and legal requirements on a
quarterly basis.
Argentina
The Corporation
is able to satisfy itself as to its ownership of its property
interests in its Argentinean Projects through: (a) the receipt
and review of title opinions regarding the Corporation's mineral
rights to the Argentinean Projects provided by the Corporation's
legal counsel Patricia Inzirillo, Beretta Godoy and Saravia Frías,
law firms in Argentina recognized as having expertise in mining law
matters; (b) correspondence with the Provincial Mining
Ministries pursuant to which exploration plans and detailed reports
of work performed and geological and technological studies are
required to be submitted; (c) payment to the Federal
Administration of Public Revenue and Provincial Revenue Agencies in
respect of government fees, charges, taxes and annual exploration
fees payable on the mineral titles held; (d) review,
negotiation and execution of various asset purchase agreements
relating to the acquisition/transfer of certain mining titles;
(e) the entering into of easement, lease and /or purchase
agreements with certain possessors of surface land covering the
majority of the
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area
used in Argentinean Projects; and (f) conducting an internal
review of its paperwork, registrations and legal requirements on a
quarterly basis.
Permits, Licenses and Regulatory
Approvals
The following
disclosure describes the material permits, business licenses or
other regulatory approvals that are required for the Corporation to
be able to carry out its business operations in Brazil, Chile and
Argentina as currently conducted, through a subsidiary or a
controlled company, and the Corporation has satisfied itself that
it has all required permits, business licenses and other regulatory
approvals to carry out its business, as currently conducted, in the
EMIR Jurisdictions by conducting an internal review of its
paperwork, registrations and legal requirements on a quarterly
basis.
Brazil
- •
- Registration of Brazilian subsidiaries and their foreign
shareholders with the Central Bank of Brazil ("BACEN") and compliance with
regulations regarding foreign direct investment. In particular, all
international transfers of funds or foreign direct investments
related to the Brazilian subsidiaries (including their shares) must
be registered with BACEN. All such registrations have been
completed by the Brazilian Entities (as defined below) and
their respective shareholders.
- •
- Registration of Brazilian subsidiaries with the boards of trade
of the states in which such subsidiary is incorporated and any
state in which the subsidiary has a branch office. A board of trade
is a governmental authority responsible for the approval,
registration, filing and publication of certain corporate
information and functions as the Brazilian registry of commerce.
Jacobina Subco (as defined below) is incorporated in the state
of Bahia, and has a branch office in the state of Minas Gerais and
is therefore registered with the board of trade of
that state.
- •
- Appointment of a legal representative of the Brazilian
subsidiary who is resident in Brazil, to act on behalf of the
Brazilian subsidiary's foreign shareholder, including receiving
service of process and subpoenas. A power of attorney or equivalent
document in respect of such appointment must be filed with the
board of trade of the state in which a Brazilian subsidiary is
incorporated. The document appointing such representative must be
apostilled in jurisdictions in which this is possible or
certificated by the Brazilian consulate in the foreign
shareholder's jurisdiction of residence or incorporation, where
appostiling is not permitted and translated into Portuguese by an
official translator. In the case of Jacobina Subco, one or more
Brazilian residents or foreigners with permanent residence in
Brazil has been appointed to act as the legal representative on
behalf of the Corporation.
- •
- Registration with the federal, municipal and state revenue
authorities (with registration at the municipal and state
authorities to be made in every city and state in which the
Brazilian subsidiary has a head or branch office). In the case of
the Corporation, Jacobina Subco is registered
in Jacobina.
- •
- Obtaining a "functioning permit" issued by the local
department, as well as a "fire department certificate" issued by
the local fire department in each jurisdiction in which a Brazilian
subsidiary has a head or branch office. In the case of the
Corporation, Jacobina Subco holds a permit from the state
of Bahia.
- •
- Obtaining a (i) "preliminary license", (ii) an
"installation license", and (iii) an "operating license", all
of which are typically issued by the state environmental agency in
the state of Bahia. The Corporation's operations are licensed by
environmental authorities pursuant to the necessary preliminary
installation and operating licenses.
- •
- Obtaining exploration licenses and mining concessions, as the
case may be, each to be granted, respectively, by the ANM and by
the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Chile
- •
- Environmental Impact Study approval by the Environmental
Assessment Agency (SEA);
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- •
- Compliance with the Mining Safety Regulation and Environmental
Protection Law which are administered by the National Geological
and Mining Service and the National Environmental
Commission;
- •
- Water Use Rights duly registered in documents available for
public examination in public records indicating that both Surface
Water Use Rights and Underground Water Use Rights are in good
standing, legally registered in the name of the Chilean Entities
(as defined below), free of mortgages, encumbrances,
prohibitions, injunctions and litigation;
- •
- Surface properties and surface property rights such as
easements and occupation rights duly registered in documents
available for public examination in public records at the
corresponding Property Registrar, indicating that such rights are
in good standing, legally registered in the name of the Chilean,
free of mortgages, encumbrances, prohibitions, injunctions
and litigation;
- •
- Legal constitution of exploration and exploitation mining
concessions (the "Mining Concessions") granted by judicial
resolutions through non discretional and non-contentious judicial
proceedings;
- •
- Mining Concessions duly registered in documents available for
public examination in public records at the registry of the
corresponding mining registrar (the "Mining Registrar"), the
agency responsible for due registration of Mining Concessions
according to the requirements of the Chilean mining legislation, in
which all grants, transfers and assignments of Mining Concessions
and other evidence of mineral rights to explore, exploit mineral
properties are registered;
- •
- Payment of the annual mining license fee of the Mining
Concessions.
Argentina
- •
- Environmental Impact Study approval by the Environmental
Assessment Agency (SEA);
- •
- Compliance with the Mining Safety Regulation and Environmental
Protection Law which are administered by Local Government (Mining
and Environment Ministries);
- •
- Water Use Rights duly registered in documents available for
public examination in public records indicating that both Surface
Water Use Rights and Underground Water Use Rights are in good
standing, legally registered in the name of the Argentinean
Entities (as defined below), free of mortgages, encumbrances,
prohibitions, injunctions and litigation;
- •
- Surface properties and surface property rights such as
easements and occupation rights duly registered in documents
available for public examination in public records at the
corresponding Property Registrar, indicating that such rights are
in good standing, legally registered in the name of the
Argentinean, free of mortgages, encumbrances, prohibitions,
injunctions and litigation;
- •
- Legal constitution of exploration and exploitation mining
concessions (the "Mining Concessions") granted by
administrative resolutions;
- •
- Mining Concessions duly registered in documents available for
public examination in public records at the registry of the
corresponding mining registrar (the "Mining Registrar"), the
agency responsible for due registration of Mining Concessions
according to the requirements of the Argentinean mining
legislation, in which all grants, transfers and assignments of
Mining Concessions and other evidence of mineral rights to explore,
exploit mineral properties are registered;
- •
- Payment of the annual mining license fee of the Mining
Concessions.
Foreign Subsidiaries
The Corporation
holds its ownership in the EMIR Assets through local subsidiary
companies in each EMIR Jurisdiction (the "Foreign Operating Entities"). The
Foreign Operating Entities consist of the Jacobina Subco, the El
Peñón Subco, the Cerro Moro Subco, the Minera Florida Subco, the
Agua Rica Subco and the Suyai Subco, all as described
below.
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Brazil
The Jacobina
Mine is owned by the Corporation's wholly-owned indirect
subsidiary, Jacobina Mineração e Comércio Ltda.
(the "Jacobina
Subco"), a company existing under the
laws of Brazil.
Jacobina Subco
is incorporated as a limited liability company (called a "limitada"
or "Ltda.") with two quotaholders (the Corporation's
wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries Yamana Jacobina
Holdings B.V. and Yamana International Holdings Cooperatie
U.A.). The Corporation controls Jacobina Subco by virtue of common
management and has the power and capacity to cause Jacobina Subco
to carry on business in accordance with the Corporation's
instructions.
The
Corporation, by virtue of its ability to control Jacobina Subco in
the manner described above, can remove and appoint its Brazilian
subsidiaries' officers in a straightforward manner. Generally,
officers can be removed by way of a simple communication stating
that such officer is being removed from his or her position, and an
associated filing with the applicable board of trade. Where a
director is nominated in a Brazilian subsidiary's articles of
association, such director may only be removed by way of an
amendment to the articles. In the case of Jacobina Subco, only the
Corporation may amend such subsidiary's articles of association,
and it may do so without having to obtain the consent of third
parties, so long as the amendment complies with the applicable
Brazilian law.
Chile
The El Peñón
Mine is owned by the Corporation's wholly owned indirect
subsidiary, Minera Meridian Ltda.("El
Peñón Subco"), a company existing under
the laws of Chile. The Minera Florida Mine is owned by the
Corporation's wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, Minera
Florida Ltda. (the "Minera
Florida Subco" and, together with the El
Peñón Subco, the "Chilean
Entities"), a company existing under the
laws of Chile.
The Corporation
and the Chilean Entities have common management and the Corporation
is the indirect sole shareholder of El Peñón Subco and Minera
Florida Subco, through its wholly-owned direct subsidiary, Minera
Yamana Chile SpA. The Corporation, as the indirect sole shareholder
of the Chilean Entities, can also resolve in a short period of time
to remove delegates by a written resolution of the sole shareholder
and the registration of same with the Registry of Commerce and can
remove officers by way of simple communication that such officer is
being removed from his/her position. Finally, the supreme authority
for Chilean corporations are the shareholders (who can
function through unanimous written resolutions or through
meetings). The shareholders can, therefore, act directly in making
management decisions and can overrule any decisions made by the
board of directors of the Chilean Entities.
Argentina
The Cerro Moro
Project is owned by the Corporation's indirect subsidiary, Estelar
Resources S.A. ("Cerro Moro
Subco"), a company existing under the
laws of Argentina. The Agua Rica Project is owned by the
Corporation's wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Minera Agua
Rica LLC ("Agua Rica
Subco"), a company existing under the
laws of Delaware with a branch, Minera Agua Rica Sucursal, duly
constituted under the laws of Argentina. The Suyai Project is owned
by the Corporation's wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, Suyai del
Sur, S.A,. (the "Suyai
Subco" and, together with the Cerro Moro
Subco and the Agua Rica Subco, the "Argentinean Entities"), a company
existing under the laws of Argentina.
The Corporation
and the Argentinean Entities have common management and the
Corporation is the indirect sole shareholder of the Argentinean
Entities through various wholly-owned direct subsidiaries. The
Corporation, as the indirect sole shareholder of the Argentinean
Entities, can also resolve in a short period of time to remove
directors by a written resolution of the sole shareholder and the
registration of same in the Commercial Public Register of each
jurisdiction and can remove officers by way of simple communication
that such officer is being removed from his/her position. Note,
however, that if the Argentinean Entity had granted a power of
attorney to the officer, a public notary must revoke such power and
notify the officer formally of such revocation. Finally, the
supreme authority for Argentinean corporations are the shareholders
(who can function through unanimous written resolutions or
through meetings). The shareholders can therefore act directly
in
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making management decisions and can overrule any decisions made
by the board of directors of the Argentinean Entities.
CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
There have been
no material changes in the share and loan capital of the
Corporation, on a consolidated basis, since the date of the Interim
Financial Statements, which are incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
The applicable
Prospectus Supplement will describe any material change, and the
effect of such material change, on the Corporation's share and loan
capitalization that will result from the issuance of Securities
pursuant to such Prospectus Supplement.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net
proceeds to Yamana from any offering of Securities, the proposed
use of those proceeds and the specific business objectives that the
Corporation expects to accomplish with such proceeds will be set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that
offering of Securities.
There may be
circumstances where, on the basis of results obtained or for other
sound business reasons, a re-allocation of funds may be necessary
or prudent. Accordingly, management will have broad discretion in
the application of the proceeds of an offering of Securities. The
actual amount that the Corporation spends in connection with each
intended use of proceeds may vary significantly from the amounts
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and will depend
on a number of factors, including those referred to under "Risk
Factors" and any other factors set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The Corporation may invest funds which it
does not immediately use. Such investments may include short-term
marketable investment grade securities. The Corporation may, from
time to time, issue securities (including debt securities) other
than pursuant to this Prospectus. See
"Risk Factors".
EARNINGS COVERAGE RATIO
Earnings
coverage ratios will be provided as required in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement(s) with respect to the issuance of Debt
Securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Corporation
may, from time to time, during the 25-month period that the
Prospectus remains valid, offer for sale and issue any of the
Securities. The Corporation may issue and sell up to
US$1,000,000,000, in the aggregate, of Securities.
The Corporation
may sell the Securities, separately or together, to or through
underwriters or dealers, and also may sell Securities to one or
more other purchasers directly or through agents. Each Prospectus
Supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including the
name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and any fees
or compensation payable to them in connection with the offering and
sale of a particular series or issue of Securities, the public
offering price or prices of the Securities and the proceeds to the
Corporation from the sale of the Securities.
The Securities
may be sold, from time to time in one or more transactions at a
fixed price or prices which may be changed or at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, including in
transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market distributions" as
defined in NI 44-102, including sales made directly on the
TSX, NYSE or other existing trading markets for the Securities. The
prices at which the Securities may be offered may vary as between
purchasers and during the period of distribution. If, in connection
with the offering of Securities at a fixed price or prices, the
underwriters have made a bona fide effort to sell all
of the Securities at the initial offering price fixed in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the public offering price may be
decreased and thereafter further changed, from time to time, to an
amount not greater than the initial public offering price fixed in
such Prospectus Supplement, in which case the compensation realized
by the underwriters will be decreased by the amount that the
aggregate price paid by purchasers for the Securities is less than
the gross proceeds paid by the underwriters to the Corporation. The
Corporation will obtain any requisite exemptive relief prior to
conducting "at-the-market distributions".
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Underwriters,
dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the
Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with
the Corporation to indemnification by the Corporation against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
U.S. Securities Act and Canadian securities legislation, or to
contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters,
dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such
underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in
transactions with, or perform services for, the Corporation in the
ordinary course of business.
In connection
with any offering of Securities, other than an "at-the-market
distribution", the underwriters may over-allot or effect
transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the
Securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise
prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time. A purchaser who acquires Securities
forming part of the underwriters' or dealers' overallocation
position acquires those Securities under this Prospectus. No
underwriter or dealer involved in an "at the market distribution",
as defined in NI 44-102, no affiliate of such an underwriter
or dealer and no person acting jointly or in concert with such an
underwriter or dealer will over allot Securities in connection with
such distribution or effect any other transactions that are
intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of
the Securities.
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Corporation does not intend to list any of the Securities other
than the Common Shares on any securities exchange. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preference
Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Units and Warrants
will not be listed on any securities exchange. Consequently, unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, there
is no market through which the Preference Shares, Debt Securities,
Subscription Receipts, Units and Warrants may be sold and
purchasers may not be able to resell any such Securities purchased
under the Prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Preference
Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Units and Warrants
in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of
trading prices, the liquidity of such Securities and the extent of
issuer regulation. No assurances can be given that a market for
trading in Securities of any series or issue will develop or as to
the liquidity of any such market, whether or not the Securities are
listed on a securities exchange.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Common Shares
The authorized
share capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of
Common Shares and 8,000,000 Preference Shares. As of the date
of this Prospectus, there are an aggregate of 951,647,134 Common
Shares and no Preference Shares issued and outstanding. The Common
Shares may be offered separately or together with other Securities,
as the case may be.
Holders of
Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of any meetings of
shareholders of the Corporation, to attend and to cast one vote per
Common Share at all such meetings. Holders of Common Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of
directors and, accordingly, holders of a majority of the Common
Shares entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all
directors standing for election. Holders of Common Shares are
entitled to receive on a pro rata basis such
dividends, if any, as and when declared by the Corporation's Board
of Directors at its discretion from funds legally available
therefor and upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, are entitled to receive on a pro rata basis the net assets
of the Corporation after payment of debts and other liabilities, in
each case subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to any other series or class of shares ranking
senior in priority to or on a pro rata basis with the
holders of Common Shares with respect to dividends or liquidation.
Although the articles of the Corporation provide for the potential
issuance of Preference Shares, there is currently no other series
or class of shares outstanding which ranks senior in priority to
the Common Shares. The Common Shares do not carry any pre-emptive,
subscription, redemption or conversion rights, nor do they contain
any sinking or purchase fund provisions. The Common Shares do not
carry any provisions permitting or restricting the issuance of
additional securities or other material restrictions, nor do they
contain any provisions requiring a securityholder to contribute
additional capital.
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Preference Shares
The Preference
Shares may be offered separately or together with other Securities,
as the case may be. Upon a consolidation, merger, or amalgamation
of the Corporation with or into any other corporation, holders of
Preference Shares who have not exercised their right of conversion
at the date of the consolidation, merger, or amalgamation are
entitled to receive upon the exercise of their conversion right,
after the effective date of the consolidation, merger, or
amalgamation, the aggregate number of shares or securities or
property of the Corporation resulting from the consolidation,
merger, or amalgamation, the holder would have been entitled to
receive if they had at the effective date of the consolidation,
been the registered holder of such number of Common Shares. Holders
of Preference Shares are also entitled to receive, in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, an
amount equal to C$0.125 in respect of each of Preference Share held
and all unpaid cumulative dividends before any distribution of the
assets of the Corporation among holders of the Common Shares or any
other class of shares. Holders of Preference Shares are not
entitled to receive notice of or to attend meetings of the
shareholders of the Corporation nor do they have any voting rights
for the election of directors or for any other purpose (except
where the holders of a specified class are entitled to vote
separately as a class).
Debt Securities
In this
section, references to the "Corporation" refer only to Yamana
Gold Inc. and not to any of the Corporation's subsidiaries.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and
provisions of Debt Securities that may be issued hereunder and is
not intended to be complete. The Debt Securities may be offered
separately or together with other Securities, as the case may be.
The specific terms of Debt Securities, including the extent to
which the general terms described in this section apply to those
Debt Securities, will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
The Debt
Securities will be issued in one or more series under the indenture
(the "Indenture"), dated as of June 30, 2014, among the Corporation,
Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking
association, as trustee (the "Trustee") and Citibank, N.A., a
national association, as paying agent, registrar and authenticating
agent (the "Securities
Administrator"). The Indenture will be
subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended. A copy of the Indenture
has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part and has been
filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in
each of the provinces and territories of Canada. The description of
certain provisions of the Indenture in this section do not purport
to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Indenture. Terms
used in this summary that are not otherwise defined herein have the
meaning ascribed to them in the Indenture.
The Corporation
may issue Debt Securities and incur additional Indebtedness other
than through the offering of Debt Securities pursuant to this
Prospectus.
General
The Indenture
does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities
(which may include debentures, notes or other evidences of
Indebtedness) which may be issued thereunder. It will provide that
Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more
series and may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the Indenture also permits the Corporation to increase the
principal amount of any series of Debt Securities previously issued
and to issue Debt Securities of such increased principal
amount.
The terms of
the Debt Securities the Corporation may offer may differ from the
general information provided below. In particular, certain
covenants described below may not apply to certain Debt Securities
the Corporation may offer under the Indenture. The Corporation may
issue Debt Securities with terms different from those of Debt
Securities previously issued under the Indenture.
The applicable
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the specific terms relating to
the Debt Securities of the series being offered and may include,
without limitation, any of the following:
- •
- the
specific designation of the offered Debt Securities;
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- •
- the
aggregate principal amount of the offered Debt Securities;
- •
- the
extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of the
offered Debt Securities will be senior or will be subordinated to
the prior payment of Yamana's other liabilities and
obligations;
- •
- the
percentage or percentages of principal amount at which the offered
Debt Securities will be issued;
- •
- the
date or dates on which the offered Debt Securities will mature and
the portion (if less than all of the principal amount) of the
offered Debt Securities to be payable upon declaration of
acceleration of maturity;
- •
- the
rate or rates per annum (which may be fixed or variable) at which
the offered Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the date or
dates from which any such interest will accrue (or the method
by which such date or dates will be determined) and the dates on
which any such interest will be payable and the regular record
dates for any interest payable on the offered Debt
Securities;
- •
- any
mandatory or optional redemption or sinking fund or analogous
provisions, including the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the
offered Debt Securities may be redeemed or purchased at the option
of the Corporation or otherwise;
- •
- if
the offered Debt Securities will be issuable in whole or in part in
the form of one or more registered global securities
("registered global
securities") the identity of the
depositary for such registered global securities;
- •
- the
denominations in which registered Debt Securities
("registered
securities") will be issuable, if other
than denominations of US$2,000 and any integral multiple of
US$1,000 in excess thereof;
- •
- each place where the principal of and any premium and interest
on the offered Debt Securities will be payable and each place where
the offered Debt Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer or exchange;
- •
-
if other than U.S. dollars, the foreign
currency or the units based on or relating to foreign currencies in
which the offered Debt Securities are denominated and/or in which
the payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the
offered Debt Securities will or may be payable;
- •
- any
index formula or other method pursuant to which the amount of
payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the
offered Debt Securities will or may be determined;
- •
- the
terms and conditions, if any, on which the offered Debt Securities
may be convertible into or exchangeable for any other of the
Corporation's securities or securities of
other entities;
- •
- if
the payment of the offered Debt Securities will be guaranteed by
any other person, the terms of any such guarantees;
- •
- if
the offered Debt Securities will have the benefit of any security
interest created pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture; and
- •
- any
other terms of the offered Debt Securities, including covenants and
events of default which apply solely to the offered Debt
Securities, or any covenants or events of default generally
applicable to the Debt Securities, which are not to apply to the
offered Debt Securities.
Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any
guarantee in respect of Debt Securities would fully and
unconditionally guarantee the payment of the principal of, and
interest and premium, if any, on, such Debt Securities when such
amounts become due and payable, whether at maturity thereof or by
acceleration, notice of redemption or otherwise. The Corporation
expects any guarantee provided in respect of Debt Securities would
be from a subsidiary, affiliate or associate of the Corporation and
would constitute a senior, unsecured obligation of the applicable
guarantor. Other Debt Securities that the Corporation may issue
also may be guaranteed and the terms of such guarantees (including
any subordination) would be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Indenture does not afford the holders the right to tender Debt
Securities to the Corporation for repurchase or provide for any
increase in the
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rate
or rates of interest at which the Debt Securities will bear
interest in the event the Corporation should become involved in a
highly leveraged transaction or in the event of a change in control
of the Corporation.
Debt Securities
may be issued under the Indenture bearing no interest or interest
at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time of issuance,
to be offered and sold at a discount below their stated principal
amount. The Canadian and United States federal income tax
consequences and other special considerations applicable to any
such discounted Debt Securities or other Debt Securities offered
and sold at par which are treated as having been issued at a
discount for Canadian and/or United States federal income tax
purposes will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto.
Ranking and Other Indebtedness
Except as
indicated herein or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities and any guarantees in respect of such Debt
Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Corporation and any
applicable guarantor, respectively, and will rank equally with all
of the Corporation's and any applicable guarantor's other unsecured
and unsubordinated Indebtedness (as defined below under
"— Certain Covenants") from time to time outstanding. The Debt
Securities will be effectively subordinated to all Indebtedness and
other liabilities of the Corporation's subsidiaries (other than any
applicable guarantor, for so long as its guarantee remains in
effect) and subordinated to all secured Indebtedness and other
secured liabilities of the Corporation, any applicable guarantor
and the Corporation's subsidiaries to the extent of the assets
securing such Indebtedness and other liabilities.
Registered Definitive Securities
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
registered securities of a particular series may be issued in the
form of definitive securities without coupons and in denominations
of US$2,000 and any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess
thereof. Debt securities may be presented for exchange and
registered securities may be presented for registration of transfer
in the manner, at the places and, subject to the restrictions set
forth in the Indenture and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
without service charge, but upon payment of any taxes or other
governmental charges due in connection therewith. The Corporation
has appointed the Securities Administrator as security
registrar.
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, where
registered securities are issued in definitive form, payment of the
principal of and any premium and interest on such securities will
be made at the office or agency of the Securities
Administrator.
Registered Global Securities
The registered
securities of a particular series may be issued in the form of one
or more registered 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 Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in
part, for Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a
registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole
by the depositary for such registered global security to a nominee
of such depositary, by a nominee of such depositary to such
depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such
depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or
a nominee of such successor.
The specific
terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of
a particular series of offered Debt Securities to be represented by
a registered global security will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. The Corporation anticipates
that the following provisions will apply to all depositary
arrangements.
Upon the
issuance of a registered global security, the depositary therefor
or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration
system, the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities
represented by such registered global security to the accounts of
such persons having accounts with such depositary or its nominee
("participants")
as will be designated by the underwriters, investment dealers or
agents participating in the distribution of such Debt Securities,
or by the Corporation if such Debt Securities are offered and sold
directly by the Corporation. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
registered global security will be limited to
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participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests
through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of
such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by
the depositary therefor or its nominee (with respect to beneficial
interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold
through participants (with respect to interests of persons other
than participants).
So long as the
depositary for a registered global security or its nominee is the
registered owner thereof, such depositary or such nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
Debt Securities represented by such registered global security for
all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners
of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be
entitled to have Debt Securities of the series represented by such
registered global security registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt
Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under
the Indenture.
Principal,
premium, if any, and interest payments on a registered global
security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will
be made to such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of such registered global security. None of the
Corporation, the Trustee or any paying agent for Debt Securities of
the series represented by such registered global security will have
any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in
such registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
The Corporation
expects that the depositary for a registered global security or its
nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or
interest, will credit participants' accounts with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such registered global security as shown on
the records of such depositary or its nominee. The Corporation also
expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in such registered global security held through such
participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with Debt Securities held
for the accounts of customers registered in "street name", and will
be the responsibility of such participants.
If the
depositary for a registered global security representing Debt
Securities of a particular series is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act and no successor depositary is
appointed within 90 days after the Corporation receives notice
or becomes aware of such condition, the Corporation will issue
registered securities of such series in definitive form in exchange
for such registered global security. If there is an event of
default with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities, the
depositary for the registered global securities of such series may
exchange such registered global securities for registered
securities of such series in definitive form and distribute those
registered securities in definitive form to participants. In
addition, the Corporation may at any time and in its sole
discretion determine not to have the Debt Securities of a
particular series represented by one or more registered global
securities and, in such event, will issue registered securities of
such series in definitive form in exchange for all of the
registered global securities representing Debt Securities of
such series.
Certain Covenants
Set forth below
is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture.
The Corporation urges you to read the Indenture for the full
definition of all such terms.
"Consolidated
Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate
amount of assets after deducting therefrom (1) all current
liabilities (excluding current maturities of long-term
Indebtedness); (2) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,
patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles; and (3) appropriate adjustments on account of
minority interests, all as set forth on the most recent
consolidated balance sheet of Yamana and computed in accordance
with IFRS (as defined below).
"IFRS"
means International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board in effect from time to
time or, if different and then used by the Corporation for its
public financial reporting purposes in Canada, generally accepted
accounting principles in Canada or the
United States.
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"Indebtedness"
means all obligations for borrowed money represented by notes,
bonds, debentures or similar evidence of indebtedness and
obligations for borrowed money evidenced by credit, loan or other
like agreements.
"Lien"
means any deed of trust, mortgage, charge, hypothec, assignment,
pledge, lien, vendor's privilege, vendor's right of reclamation or
other security interest or encumbrance of any kind incurred or
assumed in order to secure payment of Indebtedness.
"Non-Recourse
Debt" means Indebtedness to finance the
creation, development, construction or acquisition of properties or
assets and any increases in or extensions, renewals or refinancings
of such Indebtedness, provided that the recourse of the lender
thereof (including any agent, trustee, receiver or other person
(as defined below) acting on behalf of such entity) in respect
of such Indebtedness is limited in all circumstances to the
properties or assets created, developed, constructed or acquired in
respect of which such Indebtedness has been incurred, to the
capital stock and Debt Securities of the Restricted Subsidiary
(as defined below) that acquires or owns such properties or
assets and to the receivables, inventory, equipment, chattels,
contracts, intangibles and other assets, rights or collateral
connected with the properties or assets created, developed,
constructed or acquired.
"Permitted
Lien" means:
- (1)
- any
Lien on property, shares of stock or Indebtedness of any person
existing at the time such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or
created, incurred, issued or assumed in connection with the
acquisition of any such person;
- (2)
- any
Lien on any Principal Property created, incurred, issued or assumed
at or prior to the time such property became a Principal Property
or existing at the time of acquisition of such Principal Property
by Yamana or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether or not assumed by
Yamana or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that no such Lien
will extend to any other Principal Property of Yamana or any
Restricted Subsidiary;
- (3)
- any
Lien on any Principal Property of any Restricted Subsidiary to
secure Indebtedness owing by it to Yamana or to another Restricted
Subsidiary;
- (4)
- any
Lien on any Principal Property of Yamana to secure Indebtedness
owing by it to a Restricted Subsidiary;
- (5)
- any
Lien on any Principal Property or other assets of Yamana or any
Restricted Subsidiary existing on the date of the Indenture, or
arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into
prior to the date of the Indenture;
- (6)
- any
Lien on all or any part of any Principal Property (including any
improvements or additions to improvements on a Principal Property),
or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary directly or indirectly owning or operating such
Principal Property, where such Principal Property is hereafter
acquired, developed, expanded or constructed by Yamana or any
Subsidiary, to secure the payment of all or any part of the
purchase price, cost of acquisition or any cost of development,
expansion or construction of such Principal Property or of
improvements or additions to improvements thereon (or to
secure any Indebtedness incurred by Yamana or a Subsidiary for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, cost of
acquisition or cost of development, expansion or construction
thereof or of improvements or additions to improvements thereon),
in each case including interest thereon and fees and expenses,
including premiums, associated therewith, created prior to, at the
time of, or within 365 days after the later of, the
acquisition, development, expansion or completion of construction
(including construction of improvements or additions to
improvements thereon), or commencement of full operation of such
Principal Property; provided that no such Lien will extend to any
other Principal Property of Yamana or a Restricted Subsidiary other
than in the case of any such construction, improvement,
development, expansion or addition to improvement, all or any part
of any other Principal Property on which the Principal Property so
constructed, developed or expanded, or the improvement or addition
to improvement, is located;
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- (7)
- any
Lien on any Principal Property or other assets of Yamana or any
Restricted Subsidiary created for the sole purpose of extending,
renewing, altering or refunding any of the foregoing Liens;
provided that the Indebtedness secured thereby will not exceed the
principal amount of Indebtedness so secured at the time of such
extension, renewal, alteration or refunding, plus an amount
necessary to pay fees and expenses, including premiums, related to
such extensions, renewals, alterations or refundings, and that such
extension, renewal, alteration or refunding Lien will be limited to
all or any part of the same Principal Property and improvements and
additions to improvements thereon and/or shares of stock and
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary which secured the Lien
extended, renewed, altered or refunded;
- (8)
- any
Lien in connection with Indebtedness which by its terms is
Non-Recourse Debt; and
- (9)
- any
Lien on any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary created, incurred, issued
or assumed to secure Indebtedness of Yamana or any Restricted
Subsidiary which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing
restrictions, in an aggregate amount which, together with the
aggregate principal amount of other Indebtedness secured by Liens
on any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness
of any Restricted Subsidiary then outstanding (excluding Liens
permitted under the foregoing exceptions) would not then exceed 10%
of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
"person"
means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Principal
Property" means the interest of Yamana or
any Restricted Subsidiary in any (a) mineral property or
(b) processing facility, building or other facility, together
with the land upon which it is erected and fixtures comprising a
part thereof, whether owned as of the date of the Indenture or
thereafter acquired or constructed by Yamana or any Restricted
Subsidiary, the net book value of which interest, in each case, on
the date as of which the determination is being made, is an amount
that exceeds 7% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, except any
such mineral property, processing facility, building or other
facility or any portion thereof, together with the land upon which
it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof,
(i) acquired or constructed principally for the purpose of
controlling or abating atmospheric pollutants or contaminants, or
water, noise, odor or other pollution or (ii) which the board
of directors of Yamana by resolution declares is not of material
importance to the total business conducted by Yamana and its
Restricted Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise. Yamana or any
Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to have an interest in a
Principal Property if such interest is not held directly by Yamana
or a Restricted Subsidiary.
"Restricted
Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of
Yamana that owns or leases a Principal Property or is engaged
primarily in the business of owning or holding capital stock of one
or more Restricted Subsidiaries. "Restricted Subsidiary," however,
does not include (1) any Subsidiary whose primary business
consists of (A) financing operations in connection with
leasing and conditional sale transactions on behalf of Yamana and
its Subsidiaries, (B) purchasing accounts receivable or making
loans secured by accounts receivable or inventory or (C) being
a finance company or (2) any Subsidiary which the Board of
Directors of Yamana has determined by resolution does not maintain
a substantial portion of its fixed assets within Canada or the
United States.
"Subsidiary"
means, at any relevant time, any person of which the voting shares
or other interests carrying more than 50% of the outstanding voting
rights attached to all outstanding voting shares or other interests
are owned, directly or indirectly, by a person and/or one or more
subsidiaries of such person.
Limitation on Liens
For so long as
any Debt Securities under the Indenture are outstanding, the
Corporation will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, create, incur, issue, assume or otherwise have outstanding any
Lien on any Principal Property now owned or hereafter acquired by
Yamana or a Restricted Subsidiary, or on shares of stock or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary now owned or hereafter
acquired by Yamana or a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case other
than Permitted Liens, unless at the time thereof or prior thereto
the Debt Securities then outstanding under the Indenture (together
with, if and to the extent the Corporation so
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determines, any other Indebtedness then existing or thereafter
created) are secured (but only to the extent of any Lien that
is not a Permitted Lien) equally and ratably with (or prior
to) any and all Indebtedness that is secured by such Lien for so
long as such Indebtedness is so secured by such Lien that is not a
Permitted Lien.
For purposes of
the foregoing, the giving of a guarantee that is secured by a Lien
on any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness
of any Restricted Subsidiary, and the creation of a Lien on any
Principal Property or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness that existed prior to
the creation of such Lien, will be deemed to involve the creation
of Indebtedness in an amount equal to the principal amount
guaranteed or secured by such Lien but the amount of Indebtedness
secured by Liens on any Principal Property and shares of stock and
Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries will be computed without
cumulating the underlying Indebtedness with any guarantee thereof
or Lien securing the same.
For the
avoidance of doubt, (i) the sale or other transfer of any
minerals in place for a period of time until the purchaser will
realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined)
or a specified amount of such minerals; (ii) the sale or other
transfer of any minerals in an amount such that the purchaser will
realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined);
(iii) the sale or other transfer of any other interest in
property of a character commonly referred to as a "production
payment;" (iv) any acquisition of any property or assets by
the Corporation or its Restricted Subsidiaries that is subject to
any reservation that creates or reserves for the seller an interest
in any metals or minerals in place or the proceeds from their sale;
(v) any conveyance or assignment in which the Corporation or
its Restricted Subsidiaries convey or assign an interest in any
metals or minerals in place or the proceeds from their sale; or
(vi) any lien upon any of the Corporation's or its Restricted
Subsidiaries' wholly-owned or partially-owned or leased property or
assets to secure the payment of the Corporation or its Restricted
Subsidiaries' proportionate part of the development or operating
expenses in realizing the metal or mineral resources of such
property, shall not constitute the incurrence of Indebtedness
secured by a Lien.
Consolidation, Amalgamation and Merger and Sale of
Assets
The Indenture
provides that the Corporation may not consolidate or amalgamate
with or merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement with any
other person, or, directly or indirectly, convey, transfer or lease
all or substantially all the Corporation's properties and assets to
any person, unless:
- •
- the
person formed by or continuing from such consolidation or
amalgamation or into which the Corporation is merged or with which
the Corporation enters into such statutory arrangement or the
person which acquires or leases all or substantially all of the
Corporation's properties and assets is organized and existing under
the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia or the laws of Canada or any province or
territory thereof or any member nation of the Organization for
Economic Co-Operation and Development;
- •
- the
successor person expressly assumes or assumes by operation of law
all of the Corporation's obligations under the Corporation's Debt
Securities and under the Indenture;
- •
- immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction,
no event of default and no event which, after notice or lapse of
time or both, would become an event of default, will have happened
and be continuing; and
- •
- certain other conditions are met.
If, as a result
of any such transaction, any of the Corporation's Principal
Properties become subject to a Lien, then, unless such Lien could
be created pursuant to the Indenture provisions described under
"— Limitation on Liens" above without equally and ratably
securing the Debt Securities under the Indenture, the Corporation,
simultaneously with or prior to such transaction, will cause the
Debt Securities to be secured equally and ratably with or prior to
the Indebtedness secured by such Lien.
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Payment of Additional Amounts
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, all
payments made by the Corporation or on its behalf under or with
respect to the any series of the Corporation's Debt Securities
issued under the Indenture will be made free and clear of, and
without withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present
or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental
charge (including penalties, interest and other liabilities related
thereto) (collectively "Taxes") imposed or levied by or on
behalf of the Government of Canada or any province or territory
thereof or by any other authority or agency in or outside of Canada
having power to tax (each a "Relevant
Taxing Jurisdiction"), unless the
Corporation is required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law or by
the interpretation or administration thereof by the Relevant Taxing
Jurisdiction.
If any amount
for or on account of such Taxes is required by any Relevant Taxing
Jurisdiction to be withheld or deducted from any payment made under
or with respect to the Debt Securities issued under the Indenture,
the Corporation will pay to each holder of such Debt Securities as
additional interest such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") as may be
necessary so that the net amount received by each such holder after
such withholding or deduction (and after deducting any Taxes
on such Additional Amounts) will not be less than the amount such
holder would have received if such Taxes had not been required to
be withheld or deducted; provided, however, that the foregoing
obligation to pay Additional Amounts shall not
apply to:
- (1)
- any
Taxes that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of
any present or former connection between the relevant holder
(or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, partner, member
or shareholder of the relevant holder, if the relevant holder is an
estate, nominee, trust, partnership, limited liability company or
corporation) and the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction other than the
receipt of such payment or the ownership or holding of or the
execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of such
Debt Security;
- (2)
- any
payment made by the Corporation under or with respect to such Debt
Securities to a holder where such holder did not deal at arm's
length with the Corporation (within the meaning of the Income
Tax Act (Canada)) (the "Tax Act") at the time of the
relevant payment;
- (3)
- any
Taxes that are assessed or imposed by reason of the holder being a
"specified shareholder," as defined in subsection 18(5) of the
Tax Act, of the payer of the payments or not dealing at arm's
length (within the meaning of the Tax Act) with a "specified
shareholder" of such payer;
- (4)
- any
estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, personal
property Tax or similar Tax, assessment or governmental charge;
- (5)
- any
Taxes that are payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding
from a payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional
Amounts on such Debt Securities;
- (6)
- any
Taxes that would not have been so imposed but for the presentation
of such Debt Securities (where presentation is required) for
payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which
such payment became due and payable or the date on which payment
thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except to the
extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to
Additional Amounts had the Debt Securities been presented for
payment on the last date during such 30 day period;
- (7)
- any
Taxes that would not have been so imposed or would have been
imposed at a lower rate if the holder of such Debt Securities had
provided to the Corporation any information, certification,
documentation or evidence required under applicable law, rules,
regulations or generally published administrative practice of the
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction for such Taxes not to be imposed or to
be imposed at a lower rate; provided that such information,
certification, documentation or evidence is required by the
applicable law, rules, regulations or generally published
administrative practice of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction as a
precondition to exemption from or reduction in the requirement to
deduct or withhold all or part of such Taxes and such information,
certification, documentation or evidence is reasonably requested
upon reasonable notice by the applicable payor;
- (8)
- any
Taxes that were imposed on a fiduciary, partnership or other entity
that is not the sole beneficial owner of the payment, if the laws
of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction require the payment to
be
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included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or
settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such
partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled
to such Additional Amounts had it been the
holder; or
- (9)
- any
Taxes that would not have been so imposed but for any combination
of the foregoing.
In any event,
no Additional Amounts will be payable under the provisions
described above in respect of any Debt Securities in excess of the
Additional Amounts which would be required if, at all relevant
times, the holder of such Debt Securities were a resident of the
United States and a qualifying person for purposes of the
Convention Between the United States of America and Canada
with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (1980), as amended,
including any protocols thereto. As a result of the limitation on
the payment of Additional Amounts discussed in the preceding
sentence, the Additional Amounts received by certain holders of the
Corporation's Debt Securities will be less than the amount of Taxes
withheld or deducted, and, accordingly, the net amount received by
such holders will be less than the amount such holders would have
received had there been no such withholding or deduction in respect
of Taxes.
The Corporation
will (i) make such withholding or deduction of Taxes as is
required under applicable law or the interpretation or
administration thereof by the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction,
(ii) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law and
(iii) furnish to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator
reasonable evidence of the payment of any Taxes so deducted or
withheld from each Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction imposing
such Taxes.
If the
Corporation is obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to
any payment under or with respect to the Debt Securities, the
Corporation will deliver to the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator, as the paying agent, an officer's certificate
stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable and
the amounts so payable and will set forth such other information
necessary to enable the payment of such Additional Amounts to
holders of Debt Securities on the payment date. Each such officer's
certificate shall be relied upon until receipt of a new officer's
certificate addressing such matters. To the extent permitted by
law, neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall
have any obligation to determine or obtain knowledge of when
Additional Amounts are paid or owed.
Wherever in the
Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of
principal (and premium, if any), interest or any other amount
payable under or with respect to a Debt Security, such mention will
be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts
to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were
or would be payable in respect thereof.
Tax Redemption
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a
series of the Corporation's Debt Securities will be subject to
redemption at any time, in whole but not in part, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof together with
accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date fixed
for redemption, upon the giving of a notice as described below, if
the Corporation determines that:
- •
- as
a result of (A) any change in or amendment to the laws
(or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, or (B) any change in the
application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings
by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority (including a holding by a court of competent
jurisdiction) of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, which change or
amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the date of
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Corporation or a
successor, as applicable, has or will become obligated to pay, on
the next succeeding date on which interest is due, Additional
Amounts with respect to any Debt Security of such
series; or
- •
- on
or after the date of the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any
action has been taken by any taxing authority of, or any decision
has been rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction in a
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, including any of those actions
specified in the first bullet, whether or not such action was taken
or such decision was rendered with respect to the Corporation or a
successor, as applicable, or any change, amendment, application or
interpretation will be officially proposed, which, in any such
case, in the written opinion of the Corporation's legal counsel,
will result in the Corporation, or a successor, as
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applicable, becoming obligated to pay, on the next succeeding
date on which interest is due, Additional Amounts with respect to
any Debt Security of such series; and
in
any such case, the Corporation, in its business judgment,
determines that the payment of Additional Amounts cannot be avoided
by the use of reasonable measures available to the Corporation
(which shall not include the substitution of an obligor in respect
of the Debt Securities).
In the event
that the Corporation elects to redeem a series of its Debt
Securities pursuant to the provisions set forth in the preceding
paragraph, the Corporation will deliver to the Trustee and the
Securities Administrator an officer's certificate stating that the
Corporation is entitled to redeem such series of Debt Securities
pursuant to their terms.
Notice of
intention to redeem such series of Debt Securities as provided
above will be given not more than 60 nor less than
10 days prior to the date fixed for redemption and will
specify the date fixed for redemption.
Provision of Financial Information
The Corporation
will file with the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, within
30 days after such reports or information are filed with the
SEC, copies, which may be in electronic format, of the
Corporation's annual report and of the information, documents and
other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the
foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which
the Corporation files with the SEC pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Corporation is not
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and does not otherwise report on
an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and
quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated
by the SEC, the Corporation will continue to provide the Trustee
and the Securities Administrator (i) within 90 days of
the end of each fiscal year, audited consolidated financial
statements of the Corporation for the preceding fiscal year, and a
corresponding management's discussion and analysis of such audited
consolidated financial statements and (ii) within 60 days
of the end of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year,
unaudited financial statements of the Corporation for the preceding
fiscal quarter, and a corresponding management's discussion and
analysis of such unaudited consolidated financial statements. Any
documents filed by the Corporation with the SEC via the SEC's EDGAR
system will be deemed filed with the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator as of the time such documents are filed via the SEC's
EDGAR system. Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator
will have any duty to monitor any filings made with the SEC's
EDGAR system.
Events of Default
Each of the
following constitute events of default under the Indenture with
respect to Debt Securities of any series:
- •
- default in the payment of the principal of any Debt Securities
of that series when it becomes due and payable;
- •
- default in the payment of any interest on any Debt Securities
of that series when such interest becomes due and payable, and such
default is continued for 30 days;
- •
- default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant of
Yamana in the Indenture for the benefit of holders of any Debt
Securities of that series, and such default or breach is continued
for 60 days after written notice to the Corporation as
provided in the Indenture;
- •
- default by Yamana or any Guarantor in the payment of
Indebtedness of US$100,000,000 or more in principal amount
outstanding when due after the expiration of any applicable grace
period, or default under Indebtedness of Yamana or any Guarantor of
US$100,000,000 or more in principal amount resulting in
acceleration of such Indebtedness, but only if such Indebtedness is
not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded
or annulled;
- •
- certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
occur involving Yamana or any Guarantor; and
- •
- any
other event of default provided with respect to Debt Securities of
that series.
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If an
acceleration is in an amount less than US$100,000,000 of any of the
Corporation's Indebtedness or that of any Guarantor, the holders of
the Debt Securities will not have the right to accelerate the
maturity of their Debt Securities even though in some such cases
other creditors may have that right.
Subject to
certain exceptions, the Indenture provides that the Trustee must
give notice of a default of which it has actual knowledge to the
registered holders of the Debt Securities of the relevant series
within 90 days of occurrence.
If an event of
default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization occurs, the principal of and interest on all the
Debt Securities will become immediately due and payable without any
action on the part of the Trustee or any holder. If any other event
of default for the Debt Securities occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of all series issued under the
Indenture and affected by the event of default (voting as a single
class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid
interest on the Debt Securities immediately due and payable. The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of all series issued under the Indenture and affected by
the event of default may in some cases rescind this accelerated
payment requirement.
A holder of
Debt Securities of any series may pursue any remedy under the
Indenture only if:
- •
- such holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing
event of default;
- •
- the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of all series issued under the Indenture and affected by
the event of default make a written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy;
- •
- such holder offers to the Trustee an indemnity or security
satisfactory to the Trustee;
- •
- the
Trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of
the request and offer of indemnity; and
- •
- during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of all series
issued under the Indenture and affected by the event of default do
not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with
the request.
This provision
does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a Debt Security
to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.
Subject to
certain limitations, conditions and restrictions, the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of
all series issued under the Indenture and affected by the event of
default may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee and exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the
Debt Securities of all series affected by such event of default.
The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any such direction that
conflicts with law or the Indenture. In addition, prior to acting
at the direction of holders, the Trustee will be entitled to be
indemnified by those holders against any loss and expenses
caused thereby.
The Indenture
requires the Corporation to deliver each year to the Trustee and
the Securities Administrator a written statement as to the
Corporation's compliance with the covenants contained in
the Indenture.
Trustee
If an event of
default occurs under the Indenture and is continuing, the Trustee
will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent
person in the conduct of that person's own affairs. If an event of
default occurs and is continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee
will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the
Indenture at the written request of any of the holders of any Debt
Securities only after such holders have offered the Trustee
indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it.
The Indenture
contains limitations on the right of the Trustee, if it becomes the
Corporation's creditor, to obtain payment of claims or to realize
on certain property received for any such claim, as security or
otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions
with the Corporation. If, however, it acquires any conflicting
interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign within
90 days after ascertaining that it has a
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conflicting interest and after the occurrence of a default
under the Indenture, unless the default has been cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated within the 90-day period.
Securities Administrator
The rights,
privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the
Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated
and indemnified, are extended to, and shall, to the extent they are
applicable to the Securities Administrator in the performance of
its respective capacities provided for in the Indenture, be
enforceable by the Securities Administrator, in each of its
respective capacities hereunder, including its capacity as paying
agent, registrar and authenticating agent.
Modification and Waiver
The Indenture
may be amended or supplemented or any provision of the Indenture
may be waived without the consent of any holders of Debt Securities
in certain circumstances, including:
- •
- to
provide for the assumption of the Corporation's obligations under
the Indenture by a successor;
- •
- to
add covenants that would benefit the holders of any Debt Securities
or to surrender any rights the Corporation has under
the Indenture;
- •
- to
add events of default with respect to any Debt Securities;
- •
- to
provide for uncertificated Debt Securities in addition to or in
place of certificated Debt Securities or to provide for bearer Debt
Securities;
- •
- to
make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding Debt
Securities of any series issued under the Indenture in any material
respect; provided, that any change made solely to conform the
provisions of the Indenture to a description of Debt Securities in
an offering circular or prospectus supplement will be deemed not to
adversely affect any outstanding Debt Securities of any series
issued under the Indenture in any material respect, as provided in
an officer's certificate;
- •
- to
provide any security for, any guarantees of or any additional
obligors on any series of Debt Securities;
- •
- to
provide for the appointment of a successor trustee or securities
administrator;
- •
- to
comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification
of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
- •
- to
establish the form and terms of Debt Securities of any series or to
authorize the issuance of additional Debt Securities of a series
previously authorized; and
- •
- to
cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency.
The Indenture
may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement.
Without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security issued
under the Indenture and affected thereby, however, no modification
to the Indenture may:
- •
- change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest or additional amounts on, any
Debt Security;
- •
- reduce the principal of any Debt Security or any premium
payable on the redemption of any Debt Security or reduce the amount
of any installment of interest or additional amounts payable on any
Debt Security;
- •
- change the place of payment or make payments on any Debt
Security payable in currency other than as originally stated in
such Debt Security;
- •
- impair the holder's right to institute suit for the enforcement
of any payment on any Debt Security;
- •
- reduce the amount of Debt Securities whose holders must consent
to an amendment, supplement or waiver; or
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- •
- make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Debt
Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of
the Indenture or to make any change in the provision related to
modification.
The holders of
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities
of all series affected by the waiver may on behalf of the holders
of all Debt Securities of such series waive compliance by the
Corporation with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Debt Securities of all series affected by such default may waive
any past default under the Indenture with respect to such Debt
Securities, except a default in the payment of the principal of
(or premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Debt
Securities or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of
each outstanding Debt Security of such series.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Indenture
provides that, at the Corporation's option, the Corporation will be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the
outstanding Debt Securities of any series upon irrevocable deposit
with the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, in trust, of
money and/or U.S. government securities which will provide
money in an amount sufficient without consideration of reinvestment
in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of financial
advisers or independent chartered accountants as evidenced by a
certificate of officers of Yamana delivered to the Trustee and the
Securities Administrator to pay the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Debt Securities of
such series (hereinafter referred to as a "defeasance") (except with respect
to the authentication, transfer, exchange or replacement of the
Corporation's Debt Securities or the maintenance of a place of
payment and certain other obligations set forth in the Indenture).
Such trust may only be established if, among
other things:
- •
- the
Corporation has delivered to the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator an opinion of counsel in the United States
stating that (i) the Corporation has received from, or there
has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue
Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of the
Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable
United States federal income tax law, in either case to the
effect that the holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of such
series will not recognize income, gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such
defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income
tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such defeasance had
not occurred;
- •
- the
Corporation has delivered to the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the
Canada Revenue Agency to the effect that the holders of the
outstanding Debt Securities of such series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or
territorial income or other Canadian tax purposes as a result of
such defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial
or territorial income and other Canadian tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case had such defeasance not occurred (and for the purposes of
such opinion, such Canadian counsel will assume that holders of the
outstanding Debt Securities of such series include holders who are
not resident in Canada);
- •
- no
event of default or event that, with the passing of time or the
giving of notice, or both, will constitute an event of default with
respect to that series of Debt Securities will have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit;
- •
- the
Corporation is not an "insolvent person" within the meaning of
the Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Act (Canada) on the date of such deposit
and after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds
will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally; and
- •
- other customary conditions precedent are satisfied.
The Corporation
may exercise its defeasance option notwithstanding the
Corporation's prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option
described in the following paragraph if the Corporation meets the
conditions described in the preceding paragraph at the time the
Corporation exercises the defeasance option.
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The Indenture
provides that, at the Corporation's option, unless and until the
Corporation has exercised its defeasance option described above
with respect to Debt Securities of the same series, the Corporation
may omit to comply with the covenants described under
"— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Liens," certain
aspects of the covenant described under "— Certain
Covenants — Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale
of Assets" and certain other covenants, and such omission will not
be deemed to be an event of default under the Indenture and the
outstanding Debt Securities upon irrevocable deposit with the
Trustee or the Securities Administrator, in trust, of money and/or
U.S. government securities which will provide money in an
amount sufficient without consideration of reinvestment in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of financial advisers or
independent chartered accountants as evidenced by a certificate of
officers of Yamana delivered to the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator to pay the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest, if any, on the outstanding Debt Securities
(hereinafter referred to as "covenant
defeasance"). If the Corporation
exercises its covenant defeasance option, the obligations under the
Indenture other than with respect to such covenants and the events
of default other than with respect to such covenants will remain in
full force and effect. Such trust may only be established if, among
other things:
- •
- the
Corporation has delivered to the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator an opinion of counsel in the United States to
the effect that the holders of the outstanding Debt Securities will
not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and
will be subject to United States federal income tax on the
same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such covenant defeasance had
not occurred;
- •
- the
Corporation has delivered to the Trustee and the Securities
Administrator an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the
Canada Revenue Agency to the effect that the holders of the
outstanding Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss
for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income or other
Canadian tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and
will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial
income and other Canadian tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case had such
covenant defeasance not occurred (and for the purposes of such
opinion, such Canadian counsel will assume that holders of the
outstanding Debt Securities include holders who are not resident
in Canada);
- •
- no
event of default or event that, with the passing of time or the
giving of notice, or both, will constitute an event of default with
respect to that series of Debt Securities will have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit;
- •
- the
Corporation is not an "insolvent person" within the meaning of the
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) on the date of such deposit
and after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds
will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally; and
- •
- other customary conditions precedent are satisfied.
Discharge of the Indenture
The Corporation
may satisfy and discharge its obligations under the Indenture with
respect to the Debt Securities by delivering to the Securities
Administrator for cancellation all the outstanding Debt Securities
or by depositing with the Trustee or the Securities Administrator,
as the paying agent, after such Debt Securities have become due and
payable or will become due and payable within one year, whether at
stated maturity, on any redemption date or otherwise, cash
sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Debt Securities and pay
all other sums payable under the Indenture by the
Corporation.
Governing Law
The Indenture
and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
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Consent to Service
Under the
Indenture, the Corporation has irrevocably appointed C T
Corporation System, 111 — 8th Avenue,
New York, New York 10011-5201, as its authorized agent
upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising
out of or relating to the Indenture or the Debt Securities that may
be instituted in any federal or New York state court located
in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York, or
brought by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator (whether in
its individual capacity or in its capacity as Trustee or Securities
Administrator, as applicable, under the Indenture), and will
irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
such courts.
Enforceability of Judgments
Since a
substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation are outside
the United States, any judgment obtained in the
United States against the Corporation may need to be satisfied
by seeking enforcement of such judgment in a court located outside
of the United States from the Corporation's assets. The
Corporation has been advised by its Canadian counsel, Cassels
Brock & Blackwell LLP, that there is doubt as to the
enforceability in Canada by a court in original actions, or in
actions to enforce judgments of United States courts, of civil
liabilities predicated upon United States federal
securities laws.
Subscription Receipts
The following
description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of
Subscription Receipts that may be issued hereunder and is not
intended to be complete. Subscription Receipts may be issued at
various times which will entitle holders thereof to receive, upon
satisfaction of certain release conditions and for no additional
consideration, Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Units or
any combination thereof. The Subscription Receipts may be offered
separately or together with other Securities, as the case may be.
Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more
subscription receipt agreements (each, a "Subscription Receipt Agreement"),
each to be entered into between the Corporation and an escrow agent
(the "Escrow
Agent") that will be named in the
relevant Prospectus Supplement. 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.
If underwriters or agents are used in the sale of any Subscription
Receipts, one or more of such underwriters or agents may also be a
party to the Subscription Receipt Agreement governing the
subscription receipts sold to or through such underwriter
or agent.
The statements
made in this Prospectus relating to any Subscription Receipt
Agreement and Subscription Receipts to be issued under this
Prospectus are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof
and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the
applicable Subscription Receipt Agreement. You should refer to the
Subscription Receipt Agreement relating to the specific
Subscription Receipts being offered for the complete terms of the
Subscription Receipts. A copy of any Subscription Receipt Agreement
relating to an offering or Subscription Receipts will be filed by
the Corporation with the securities regulatory authorities in
applicable Canadian offering jurisdictions and the
United States after the Corporation has entered
into it.
The particular
terms of each issue of Subscription Receipts will be described in
the related Prospectus Supplement. This description may include,
but may not be limited to, any of the following,
if applicable:
- •
- the
designation and aggregate number of such Subscription Receipts
being offered;
- •
- the
price at which such Subscription Receipts will be offered;
- •
- the
designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Debt
Securities, Warrants, Units or any combination thereof to be
received by the holders of such Subscription Receipts upon
satisfaction of the release conditions, and any procedures that
will result in the adjustment of those numbers;
- •
- the
conditions (the "Release
Conditions") that must be met in order
for holders of such Subscription Receipts to receive, for no
additional consideration, Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants,
Units or any combination thereof;
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- •
- the
procedures for the issuance and delivery of the Common Shares, Debt
Securities, Warrants, Units or any combination thereof to holders
of such Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the Release
Conditions;
- •
- whether any payments will be made to holders of such
Subscription Receipts upon delivery of the Common Shares, Debt
Securities, Warrants, Units or any combination thereof upon
satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
- •
- 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 such Subscription
Receipts, together with interest and income earned thereon
(collectively, the "Escrowed
Funds"), 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 the Corporation upon
satisfaction of the Release Conditions and 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 commissions in connection with
the sale of the Subscription Receipts;
- •
- procedures for the refund by the Escrow Agent to holders of
such Subscription Receipts of all or a portion of the subscription
price of 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 such Subscription Receipts in the event that this Prospectus,
the Prospectus Supplement under which Subscription Receipts are
issued or any amendment hereto or thereto contains a
misrepresentation;
- •
- any
entitlement of the Corporation to purchase such Subscription
Receipts in the open market by private agreement
or otherwise;
- •
- if
the Subscription Receipts are issued as a Unit with another
Security, the date, if any, on and after which the Subscription
Receipts and the other Security will be separately
transferable;
- •
- whether the Corporation will issue such Subscription Receipts
as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depository for
the global securities;
- •
- whether the Corporation will issue such Subscription Receipts
as bearer securities, as registered securities or both;
- •
- provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of the
Subscription Receipt Agreement or any rights or terms of such
Subscription Receipts, including upon any subdivision,
consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the
Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Units or other
securities, any other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale
of all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets or any
distribution of property or rights to all or substantially all of
the holders of Common Shares;
- •
- whether the Corporation will apply to list such Subscription
Receipts on any exchange;
- •
- material United States and Canadian federal income tax
consequences of owning such Subscription Receipts; and
- •
- any
other material terms or conditions of such Subscription
Receipts.
Rights of Holders of Subscription Receipts Prior to
Satisfaction of Release Conditions
The holders of
Subscription Receipts will not be, and will not have the rights of,
shareholders of the Corporation. Holders of Subscription Receipts
are entitled only to receive Common Shares, Debt Securities,
Warrants, Units or a combination thereof on exchange or conversion
of their Subscription Receipts, plus any cash payments, all as
provided for under the Subscription Receipt Agreement and only once
the Release Conditions have been satisfied.
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Escrow
The
Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide that the Escrowed Funds
will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, and such Escrowed Funds
will be released to the Corporation (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, if provided for in the Subscription Receipt Agreement, in
accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt
Agreement.
Modifications
The
Subscription Receipt Agreement will specify the terms upon which
modifications and alterations to the Subscription Receipts issued
thereunder may be made by way of a resolution of holders of
Subscription Receipts at a meeting of such holders or consent in
writing from such holders. The number of holders of Subscription
Receipts required to pass such a resolution or execute such a
written consent will be specified in the Subscription Receipt
Agreement.
The
Subscription Receipt Agreement will also specify that the
Corporation may amend the Subscription Receipt Agreement and the
Subscription Receipts, without the consent of the holders of the
Subscription Receipts, to cure any ambiguity, to cure, correct or
supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other
manner that will not materially and adversely affect the interests
of the holder of outstanding Subscription Receipts or as otherwise
specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
Units
The following
description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the
Units that may be issued hereunder and is not intended to be
complete. Units may be issued at various times comprising any
combination of the other Securities described in this Prospectus.
Each Unit will be issued so that the holder of such Unit is also
the holder of each Security composing such Unit. Therefore, the
holder of a Unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder
of each included Security (except in some cases where the right to
transfer an included Security of a Unit may not occur without the
transfer of the other included security comprising part of such
Unit). The Units may be offered separately or together with other
Securities, as the case may be.
The particular
terms of each issue of Units will be described in the related
Prospectus Supplement. This description may include, but may not be
limited to, any of the following, if applicable:
- •
- the
designation and aggregate number of Units;
- •
- the
price at which the Units will be offered;
- •
- the
designation and terms of the Units and 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 comprising
the units;
- •
- whether the Corporation will apply to list the Units on any
exchange;
- •
- the
material United States and Canadian Federal income tax
consequences of owning the Units, including how the purchase price
paid will be allocated among the Securities comprising the
Units; and
- •
- whether the Units will be issued in fully registered or global
form.
Warrants
The following
description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of
Warrants for the purchase of Common Shares, Preference Shares,
Units or Debt Securities that may be issued hereunder and is not
intended
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to
be complete. The Warrants may be offered separately or together
with other Securities, as the case may be. Warrants may be issued
at various times under one or more warrant indenture to be entered
into by the Corporation and one or more banks or trust companies
acting as warrant agent.
The statements
made in this Prospectus relating to any warrant indenture and
Warrants to be issued under this Prospectus are summaries of
certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, the provisions of the applicable warrant indenture.
You should refer to the warrant indenture relating to the specific
Warrants being offered for the complete terms of the Warrants. A
copy of any warrant indenture relating to an offering or Warrants
will be filed by the Corporation with the securities regulatory
authorities in applicable Canadian offering jurisdictions and the
United States after the Corporation has entered
into it.
The particular
terms of each issue of Warrants will be described in the related
Prospectus Supplement. This description may include, but may not be
limited to, any of the following, if applicable:
- •
- the
designation and aggregate number of Warrants;
- •
- the
price at which the Warrants will be offered;
- •
- the
designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Preference
Shares, Units or Debt Securities, as applicable, purchasable upon
exercise of the Warrants, and procedures that will result in the
adjustment of those numbers;
- •
- the
date on which the right to exercise the Warrants will commence and
the date on which the right will expire;
- •
- the
exercise price of the Warrants;
- •
- if
the Warrants are issued as a Unit with another Security, the date,
if any, on and after which the Warrants and the other Security will
be separately transferable;
- •
- any
minimum or maximum amount of Warrants that may be exercised at any
one time;
- •
- any
terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability,
exchange or exercise of the Warrants;
- •
- whether the Warrants will be subject to redemption or call and,
if so, the terms of such redemption or call provisions;
- •
- provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of the
warrant indenture or any rights or terms of such Warrants,
including upon any subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or
other material change of the Common Shares, Preference Shares,
Units, Debt Securities or other securities, any other
reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or
substantially all of the Corporation's assets or any distribution
of property or rights to all or substantially all of the holders of
Common Shares;
- •
- material United States and Canadian federal income tax
consequences of owning the Warrants; and
- •
- any
other material terms or conditions of the Warrants.
Warrant
certificates will be exchangeable for new Warrant certificates of
different denominations at the office indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of
Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the
securities subject to the Warrants. The Corporation may amend the
warrant indenture(s) and the Warrants, without the consent of the
holders of the Warrants, to cure any ambiguity, to cure, correct or
supplement any defective or inconsistent provision or in any other
manner that will not prejudice the rights of the holders of
outstanding Warrants, as a group.
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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS
The applicable
Prospectus Supplement may describe certain Canadian federal income
tax consequences to an investor who is a non-resident of Canada or
to an investor who is a resident of Canada of acquiring, owning and
disposing of any of the Securities offered thereunder. The
applicable Prospectus Supplement may also describe certain
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition,
ownership and disposition of any of the Securities offered
thereunder by an initial investor who is a U.S. person (within
the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986),
including, to the extent applicable, such consequences relating to
Debt Securities payable in a currency other than the
U.S. dollar, issued at an original issue discount for
U.S. federal income tax purposes or containing early
redemption provisions or other special items. Investors should read
the tax discussion in any Prospectus Supplement with respect to a
particular offering and consult their own tax advisors with respect
to their own particular circumstances.
PRIOR SALES
Information in
respect of the Common Shares that were issued within the previous
twelve month period, Common Shares that were issued upon the
exercise of options or upon the vesting of restricted share units
and in respect of the grant of options or restricted share units to
acquire Common Shares, will be provided as required in a Prospectus
Supplement with respect to the issuance of Securities pursuant to
such Prospectus Supplement.
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
The Common
Shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX in Canada under
the symbol "YRI" and are listed on the NYSE in the
United States under the symbol "AUY". Trading price and volume
of the Common Shares will be provided as required in each
Prospectus Supplement to the Prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
An investment
in Securities of the Corporation is subject to certain risks, which
should be carefully considered by prospective investors before
purchasing such Securities. In addition to the other information
set out or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus currently,
and from time to time, investors should carefully consider the risk
factors incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and referred
to below. Any one of such risk factors could materially affect the
Corporation's business, financial condition and/or future operating
results and prospects and could cause actual events to differ
materially from those described in forward-looking statements and
information relating to the Corporation. Additional risks and
uncertainties not currently identified by the Corporation or that
the Corporation currently believes not to be material also may
materially and adversely affect the Corporation's business,
financial condition, operations or prospects. Investors should
carefully consider the risks described under the heading "Risk
Factors" in the Annual Information Form and the risk factors
described in the Annual MD&A. See "Documents Incorporated
by Reference."
Risk of Infectious Diseases
Emerging
infectious diseases or the threat of outbreaks of viruses or other
contagions or epidemic diseases, including the
COVID-19 outbreak, could have a material adverse effect on the
Corporation by causing operational and supply chain delays and
disruptions (including as a result of government regulation and
prevention measures), labour shortages and shutdowns, social
unrest, breach of material contracts and customer agreements,
government or regulatory actions or inactions, changes in tax laws,
payment deferrals, increased insurance premiums, decreased demand
or the inability to sell and deliver precious metals, declines in
the price of precious metals, delays in permitting or approvals,
governmental disruptions, capital markets volatility, or other
unknown but potentially significant impacts. In addition,
governments may impose strict emergencies measures in response to
the threat or existence of an infectious disease. The full extent
and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and, to-date,
has included extreme volatility in financial markets, a slowdown in
economic activity, extreme volatility in commodity prices
(including precious metals) and has raised the prospect of a global
recession. The international response to COVID-19 has led to
significant restrictions on travel, temporary business closures,
quarantines, global stock market volatility and a general reduction
in global
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consumer activity. At this time, the Corporation cannot
accurately predict what effects these conditions will have on
mining operations or financial results, including due to
uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the
virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak,
and the length of the travel restrictions and business closures
that have been or may be imposed by the governments of impacted
countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious
diseases in the human population, such as COVID-19, could result in
a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the
economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an
economic downturn that could result in a material adverse effect on
commodity prices, demand for metals, investor confidence, and
general financial market liquidity, all of which may adversely
affect the Corporation's business and the market price of the
Corporation's common shares. Accordingly, any outbreak or threat of
an outbreak of an epidemic disease or similar public health
emergency, including COVID-19, could have a material adverse effect
on the Corporation's business, financial condition and results of
operations. As at the date hereof, the duration of any business
disruptions and related financial impact of the
COVID-19 outbreak cannot be reasonably estimated. It is
unknown whether and how the Corporation may be affected if a
pandemic, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, persists for an
extended period of time.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
The following
are the technical reports prepared in accordance with
NI 43-101 from which certain scientific and technical
information relating to the Corporation's mineral projects
contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus has been
derived, and in some instances extracted from, as well as the
qualified persons involved in preparing such reports, and details
of certain scientific and technical information relating to the
Corporation's mineral projects contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus which have been reviewed and approved
by qualified persons. Copies of the technical reports are available
electronically on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR
at www.sec.gov.
Jacobina
Mining Complex — "Technical
Report on the Jacobina Mine Complex, Bahia State, Brazil" dated
September 30, 2019, prepared by or under the supervision of
Reno Pressacco, M.Sc.(A)., P.Geo., Scott C. Ladd, P.Eng., Brenna
J.Y. Scholey, P.Eng. and Jeffrey C. Martin, P.Eng. of Roscoe Postle
Associates Inc. ("RPA"), all of whom who are
qualified persons pursuant to NI 43-101. The technical
information set forth in the Annual Information Form under the
heading "Description of the Business — Material Producing
Mines — Jacobina Mining Complex", other than the
technical information in the Annual Information Form under the
heading "Mineral Projects — Summary of Mineral Reserve
and Mineral Resource Estimates", has been reviewed and approved by
Sébastien Bernier, P. Geo. Mr. Bernier is employed by the
Corporation as its Senior Director, Geology and Mineral Resources
and is a "qualified person" for the purpose of
NI 43-101.
El
Peñón Mine — "Technical Report
on the El Peñón Mine, Antofagasta Region (II) Chile" dated
March 2, 2018 prepared by or under the supervision of Holger
Krutzelmann, P.Eng., Normand Lecuyer, P.Eng. and Chester M. Moore,
P. Eng. of RPA, all of whom are qualified persons pursuant to
NI 43-101. The technical information set forth in the Annual
Information Form under the heading "Description of the
Business — Material Producing Mines — El Peñón
Mine", other than the technical information in the Annual
Information Form under the heading "Mineral
Projects — Summary of Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource Estimates", has been reviewed and approved by Sébastien
Bernier, P. Geo. Mr. Bernier is employed by the Corporation as
its Senior Director, Geology and Mineral Resources and is a
"qualified person" for the purpose of NI 43-101.
Canadian
Malartic Mine — "Technical
Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for
the Canadian Malartic Property" dated August 13, 2014 prepared
by or under the supervision of Donald Gervais, P. Geo., Christian
Roy, Eng., Alain Thibault, Eng., Carl Pednault, Eng. and Daniel
Doucet, Eng., all of whom are qualified persons pursuant to
NI 43-101 The technical information set forth in the Annual
Information Form under the heading "Description of the
Business — Material Producing Mines — Canadian
Malartic Mine", other than the technical information in the Annual
Information Form under the heading "Mineral
Projects — Summary of Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource Estimates", has been reviewed and approved by Sébastien
Bernier, P. Geo. Mr. Bernier is employed by the Corporation as
its Senior Director, Geology and Mineral Resources and is a
"qualified person" for the purpose of NI 43-101.
The following
are the qualified persons responsible for the Mineral Resource and
Mineral Reserve estimates for each of the Corporation's material
mineral projects set out in the Annual Information Form
under
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the
heading "Description of the Business — Mineral
Projects — Summary of Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource Estimates".
|
|
|
|
|
Property
|
|
Qualified Persons for Mineral Reserves |
|
Qualified Persons for Mineral Resources |
Canadian Malartic
|
|
Sylvie Lampron, Eng., Canadian Malartic Corporation |
|
Pascal Lehouiller, P.Geo, Canadian Malartic
Corporation |
El Peñón
|
|
Sergio Castro, Registered Member of the Chilean Mining
Commission, Yamana Gold Inc. |
|
Dominic Chartier, P.Geo, Yamana Gold Inc. |
Jacobina
|
|
Esteban Chacon, Registered Member of the Chilean Mining
Commission, Yamana Gold Inc. |
|
Renan
Garcia Lopes, MAusIMM CP(Geo), Yamana Gold Inc. |
The
aforementioned firms or persons held less than one percent of the
securities of the Corporation or of any associate or affiliate of
the Corporation when they prepared the reports or the Mineral
Reserve estimates or the Mineral Resource estimates referred to, or
following the preparation of such reports or data, and received
less than a one percent direct or indirect interest in any
securities of the Corporation or of any associate or affiliate of
the Corporation in connection with the preparation of such reports
or data.
None of the
aforementioned firms or persons, nor any directors, officers or
employees of such firms, are currently, or are expected to be
elected, appointed or employed as, a director, officer or employee
of the Corporation or of any associate or affiliate of the
Corporation other than Esteban Chacon, Dominic Chartier, Sergio
Castro and Renan Garcia Lopes, who are employed by Yamana, and
Donald Gervais, Sylvie Lampron, Pascal Lehouiller, Christian Roy
and Carl Pednault, who are employed by the Canadian Malartic
General Partnership.
Deloitte LLP
is the auditor of Yamana and is independent with respect to Yamana
within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and the
applicable rules and regulations thereunder adopted by the SEC and
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
and within the meaning of the rules of professional conduct of
Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal
matters in connection with any offering under the Prospectus will
be passed upon on behalf of the Corporation by Cassels
Brock & Blackwell LLP, as to Canadian legal matters,
and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, as
to United States legal matters. As of the date hereof, the
partners and associates of Cassels Brock & Blackwell own,
directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the
Common Shares.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL
LIABILITIES
The Corporation
is a corporation continued and existing under the laws of Canada.
The Corporation has subsidiaries in Brazil, Chile and Argentina and
all or a substantial portion of the Corporation's assets are
located outside of Canada and the United States. In addition,
some of the Corporation's officers and directors are residents of
Canada or otherwise reside outside of the United States, and
all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside of
the United States. The Corporation has appointed an agent for
service of process in the United States, but it may be
difficult for United States investors to effect service of
process within the United States upon those officers or
directors who are not residents of the United States, or to
realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the
United States predicated upon the Corporation's civil
liability and the civil liability of such officers or directors
under United States federal securities laws or the securities
or "blue sky" laws of any state within the United States. The
Corporation has been advised by its Canadian counsel, Cassels
Brock & Blackwell LLP, that, subject to certain
limitations, a judgment of a United States court predicated
solely upon civil liability under United States federal
securities laws may be enforceable in Canada if the
United States court in which the judgment was obtained has a
basis for jurisdiction in the matter that would be recognized by a
Canadian court for the same purposes. The Corporation has also been
advised by Cassels
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Brock & Blackwell LLP, that there is substantial
doubt whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first
instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon
United States federal securities laws.
The Corporation
filed with the SEC, concurrently with the Registration Statement on
Form F-10 of which this prospectus is a part, an appointment
of agent for service of process on Form F-X. Under the
Form F-X, the Corporation appointed Meridian Gold Company as
its agent for service of process in the United States in
connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding
conducted by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against
or involving the Corporation in a United States court, arising
out of or related to or concerning the offering of Securities under
this Prospectus.
In addition to
the foregoing, it may not be possible for shareholders to effect
service of process against the Corporation's directors and officers
who are not resident in Canada or the United States. In the
event a judgement is obtained in a Canadian court against one or
more foreign resident directors or officers for violations of
Canadian securities laws, it may not be possible to enforce such
judgment and it may be difficult for an investor, or any other
person or entity, to assert Canadian securities law claims in
original actions instituted in Brazil, Chile or Argentina. Courts
in these jurisdictions may refuse to hear a claim based on a
violation of Canadian securities laws on the grounds that such
jurisdiction is not the most appropriate forum to bring such a
claim. Even in the event a foreign court agrees to hear a claim, it
may be determined that the local law, and not the Canadian law, is
applicable to the claim, or, alternatively, if Canadian law is
found to be applicable, the content of applicable Canadian law must
be proven as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly
process and certain matters or procedures will be governed by
foreign law.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR
PURCHASERS
Indemnification
Under
the Canada Business Corporations
Act(the "CBCA"), the Registrant may
indemnify a present or former director or officer of the Registrant
or another individual who acts or acted at the Registrant's request
as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar
capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and
expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a
judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding
in which the individual is involved because of that association
with the Registrant or other entity. The Registrant may not
indemnify an individual unless the individual acted honestly and in
good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, or,
as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for
which the individual acted as a director or officer or in a similar
capacity at the Registrant's request and in the case of a criminal
or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for
believing that the conduct was lawful (the "Indemnity Conditions"). The
indemnification may be made in connection with a derivative action
only with court approval. The aforementioned individuals are
entitled to indemnification from the Registrant as a matter of
right if they were not judged by the court or other competent
authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything
that the individual ought to have done, and they fulfill the
Indemnity Conditions. The Registrant may advance moneys to the
individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding;
however, the individual shall repay the moneys if the individual
does not fulfill the Indemnity Conditions.
The by-laws of
the Registrant provide that, subject to the CBCA, the Registrant
shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or
officer, or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant's request
as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar
capacity, of another entity 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, investigative or other action or
proceeding to which he or she was involved because of that
association with the Registrant or other entity, if he or she acted
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the
Registrant, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the
other entity for which the individual acted as a director or
officer or in a similar capacity at the Registrant's request, and
in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding
that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he or she had reasonable
grounds for believing that his or her conduct
was lawful.
The by-laws of
the Registrant provide that the Registrant may, subject to the
CBCA, purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any
director, officer, or certain other persons as set out above,
against any liability incurred by him or her in his or her capacity
as a director or officer of the Registrant or an individual acting
in a similar capacity of the Registrant or of another body
corporate where he or she acts or acted in that capacity at the
Registrant's request. The Registrant has purchased third party
director and officer liability insurance.
Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has
been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
II-1
Table of
Contents
Exhibits to Form F-10
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Item
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Exhibit |
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4.1
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Annual Information Form of Yamana for the year ended
December 31, 2019 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.1 to Yamana Gold Inc.'s Form 40-F
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30,
2020 (Commission File No. 1-31880, the
"Form 40-F")). |
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4.2
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The Management's Discussion and Analysis of Yamana
for the financial year ended December 31, 2019 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the
Form 40-F). |
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4.3
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The consolidated financial statements of Yamana as
at and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the
Form 40-F). |
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4.4
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The management information circular of Yamana dated
March 24, 2020, in connection with the annual meeting of
Yamana's shareholders held on April 30, 2020 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Yamana's Form 6-K,
furnished to the Commission on April 6,
2020). |
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4.5
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The Management's Discussion and Analysis of Yamana
for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Yamana's Form 6-K, furnished
to the Commission on April 30, 2020). |
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4.6
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The condensed consolidated interim financial
statements of Yamana as at and for the three months ended
March 31, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2
to Yamana's Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on
April 30, 2020). |
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5.1
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** |
Consent of
Deloitte LLP. |
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5.2
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* |
Consent of Cassels Brock &
Blackwell LLP. |
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5.3
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* |
Consent of Reno Pressacco, M.Sc.(A).,
P.Geo. |
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5.4
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* |
Consent of Graham Clow, P.Eng. |
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5.5
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* |
Consent of Brenna J.Y. Scholey,
P.Eng. |
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5.6
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* |
Consent of Jeffrey C. Martin, P.Eng. |
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5.7
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* |
Consent of Holger Krutzelmann,
P.Eng. |
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5.8
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* |
Consent of Normand Lecuyer, P.Eng. |
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5.9
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* |
Consent of Chester M. Moore, P. Eng. |
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5.10
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* |
Consent of Donald Gervais, P. Geo. |
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5.11
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* |
Consent of Christian Roy, Eng. |
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5.12
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* |
Consent of Alain Thibault, Eng. |
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5.13
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* |
Consent of Carl Pednault, Eng. |
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5.14
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* |
Consent of Daniel Doucet, Eng. |
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5.15
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* |
Consent of Sylvie Lampron, Eng. |
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5.16
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* |
Consent of Pascal Lehouiller, P.
Geo. |
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5.17
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* |
Consent of Sergio Castro, ChMC (RM). |
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5.18
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* |
Consent of Dominic Chartier, P.Geo. |
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5.19
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* |
Consent of Esteban Chacon, ChMC
(RM). |
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5.20
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* |
Consent of Renan Garcia Lopes, MAusIMM
CP(Geo). |
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5.21
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* |
Consent of Sébastien Bernier, P.
Geo. |
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6.1
|
* |
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page
to this Registration Statement). |
II-2
Table of
Contents
- *
- Previously filed.
- **
- Filed herewith.
II-3
Table of
Contents
PART III
UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
Item 1. Undertaking
The Registrant
undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone,
representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission
staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the
Commission staff, information relating to the securities registered
pursuant to this Registration Statement on Form F-10
or to transactions in said securities.
Item 2. Consent to Service
of Process
- (a)
- Concurrent with the initial filing of this Registration
Statement on Form F-10, the Registrant filed with the
Commission a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on
Form F-X.
- (b)
- Any
change to the name or address of the agent for service of the
Registrant shall be communicated promptly to the Commission by
amendment to Form F-X referencing the file number of this
Registration Statement.
III-1
Table of
Contents
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 Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement and has duly caused this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Canada, on
May 12, 2020.
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YAMANA
GOLD INC. |
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By:
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/s/ JASON LEBLANC
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Name: |
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Jason
LeBlanc |
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Title: |
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Senior Vice
President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
III-2
Table of
Contents
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed
by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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*
Peter Marrone |
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Executive Chairman |
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May 12, 2020 |
*
Daniel Racine |
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President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer)
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May 12, 2020
|
/s/ JASON LEBLANC
Jason LeBlanc |
|
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer)
|
|
May 12, 2020
|
*
John Begeman |
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Director
|
|
May 12, 2020
|
*
Christiane Bergevin |
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Director
|
|
May 12, 2020
|
*
Andrea Bertone |
|
Director
|
|
May 12, 2020
|
*
Alex J. Davidson |
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Director
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|
May 12, 2020
|
*
Richard Graff |
|
Director
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May 12, 2020
|
*
Kimberly Keating |
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Director
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|
May 12, 2020
|
*
Jane Sadowsky |
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Director
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May 12, 2020
|
*
Dino Titaro |
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Director
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May 12, 2020
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*By:
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/s/ JASON LEBLANC
|
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Name: |
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Jason
LeBlanc |
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Attorney-in-fact |
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III-3
Table of
Contents
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the
requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act, the
undersigned has signed this Amendment No. 1 to the registration
statement, solely in the capacity of the duly authorized
representative of Yamana Gold Inc. in the United States,
on this 12th day of May, 2020.
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MERIDIAN GOLD COMPANY |
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By:
|
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/s/ JASON LEBLANC
|
|
|
|
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Name: |
|
Jason
LeBlanc |
|
|
|
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Title: |
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Director |
III-4
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