UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549




FORM 20-F








o

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934ORx

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For fiscal year ended December 31, 2015ORo

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For the transition period from ____ to ______ORo

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934Date of event requiring this shell company report:














Commission file number: 001-33136








EXETER RESOURCE CORPORATION


(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)





Province of British Columbia, Canada


(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)





999 West Hastings Street, Suite 1660
 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2W2


(Address of principal executive offices)





Cecil Bond, CFO


999 West Hastings Street, Suite 1660


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2W2


Tel: (604) 688-9592


Email: exeter@exeterresource.com


(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)





Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
  Title of Each Class
Name of ExchangeCommon Shares, no par value
NYSE MKT LLCSecurities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None





Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None





Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Registrant’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:  As at December 31, 2015, 88,407,753 common shares of the Registrant were issued and outstanding





Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o   No x





If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o  No  x





Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes oNo o








Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)





Large accelerated filer o                                                   Accelerated filer o                                Non-accelerated filer x





Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:




U.S. GAAP o
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued x

by the International Accounting Standards Board
Other o










If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:





Item 17  o                     Item 18  o





If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes o   No x








TABLE OF CONTENTS






INTRODUCTION
4CURRENCY
4CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
4CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS
6REGARDING MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES
6EXPLANATORY NOTE REGARDING PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
6GLOSSARY OF MINING TERMS
6PART I
10Item 1.
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
10Item 2.
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
10Item 3.
Key Information
10Item 4.
Information on the Company
21Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
41Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
44Item 7.
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
58Item 8.
Financial Information
60Item 9.
The Offer and Listing
60Item 10.
Additional Information
62Item 11.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
75Item 12.
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
76PART II
76Item 13.
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
76Item 14.
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
76Item 15.
Controls and Procedures
76Item 16A.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
78Item 16B.
Code of Ethics
78Item 16C.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
78Item 16D.
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
78Item 16E.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
78Item 16F.
Changes in Registrants Certifying Accountant
79Item 16G.
Corporate Governance
79Item 16H.
Mine Safety Disclosure
79PART III
80Item 17.
Financial Statements
80Item 18.
Financial Statements
80Item 19.
Exhibits
81




i





INTRODUCTION







In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, except as otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires, the "Company", "we", “our” or "us" or “Exeter” refers to Exeter Resource Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, as applicable.





CURRENCY





Unless we otherwise indicate in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, all references to "Canadian Dollars", "CDN$" or "$" are to the lawful currency of Canada and all references to "U.S. Dollars" or "US $" are to the lawful currency of the United States.





CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS





This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains “forward looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of securities legislation in Canada and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.Such forward-looking statements concern the Company’s anticipated results and developments in the Company’s operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future.  These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.




Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed, and such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited.  Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.  While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of the Company’s future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors and assumptions include, amongst others, the effects of general economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with negotiations and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements.  In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:





●
risks related to the Company operating in the resource industry, which is highly speculative, and has certain inherent exploration risks which could have a negative effect on the Company’s operations;


●
risks related to the Company not having any mineral reserves;


●
risks related to the Company’s requirement to make advance royalty payments and perform certain other obligations to maintain its interest in Caspiche;


●
risks related to the Company’s ability to secure adequate water or power resources for the Caspiche project in the near term;


●
risks related to the inherently dangerous activities of mining exploration, development and production;


●
risks related to the Company’s operations containing significant uninsured risks which could negatively impact future profitability as the Company maintains no insurance against its operations;


●
risks related to the Company not having surveyed any of its properties, including risks related to the lack of guarantee on clear title to mineral properties and the uncertainty that the Company could lose title and ownership of its properties which would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations and valuation;


●
risks related to environmental approvals, when received, being subject to court challenges.  Such challenges, if successful can result in considerable additional costs or delay or stop future project development;































































4




●
risks related to changes in the market price of gold, copper, silver, and other minerals which in the past has fluctuated widely and which could affect the profitability of possible future operations and financial condition;
 ●
risks related to land reclamation requirements which may be burdensome;
 ●
risks related to regulations governing issues involving climate change, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
 ●
risks related to the natural resource industry being highly competitive, which could restrict the Company’s growth;
 ●
risks related to market forces outside the Company’s control that could negatively impact the Company’s operations;
 ●
risks related to the Company being subject to environmental laws and regulations which may increase the costs of doing business and/or restrict operations;
 ●
risks related to the Company's property interests being in foreign countries which are subject to risks from political and economic instability in those countries;
 ●
risks related to the Company having a history of losses and expecting losses to continue for the foreseeable future and will require additional equity financings, which will cause dilution to existing shareholders;
 ●
risks related to the global economy;
 ●
risks related to the Company’s lack of cash flow sufficient to sustain operations and its expectation that it will not receive operating revenue in the foreseeable future;
 ●
risks related to foreign currency fluctuations;
 ●
risks related to the market for the Company’s common shares being subject to volume and price volatility which could negatively affect a shareholder’s ability to buy or sell the Company’s common shares;
 ●
risks related to officers and directors becoming associated with other natural resource companies which may give rise to conflicts of interests;
 ●
risks that the Company could be deemed a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), which could have negative consequences for U.S. investors;
 ●
risks related to the Company’s intent to not pay dividends;
 ●
risks related to increased costs and compliance risks as a result of being a public company;
 ●
risks related to differences in United States and Canadian reporting of reserves and resources;
 ●
risks related to the potential inability of U.S. investor’s to enforce civil liabilities against the Company or its directors, controlling persons and officers; and
 ●
risks related to the Company being a foreign private issuer under U.S securities laws.
 The above list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements.  Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the section heading “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” below in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.  Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by law.  Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statement.





The Company qualifies all the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F by the foregoing cautionary statements.





5


CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS


REGARDING MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES





As used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101—Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) 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 SEC’s Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”).  Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary permits and governmental authorizations must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.




In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.  “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility.  It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.  Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.  Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC Guide 7 standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.




Accordingly, information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.





EXPLANATORY NOTE REGARDING PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION




The annual audited consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are reported in Canadian dollars.  For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, as presented in the annual audited consolidated financials contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘‘IFRS’’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).  For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, which annual audited consolidated financials are not presented in this Annual Report, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.  Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS are not comparable in all respects with financial statements that are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”).







Glossary of Mining TermsAg

Symbol used for silver in the periodic table of elements.Alteration

Any change in the mineral composition of a rock brought about by physical or chemical means.Andesite

A dark-colored, fine-grained extrusive rock that, when porphyritic, contains phenocrysts composed primarily of zoned sodic plagioclase and one or more of the mafic minerals.As

Symbol used for arsenic in the periodic table of elements.Assaying

Laboratory examination that determines the content or proportion of a specific metal (e.g. silver) contained within a sample.  Technique usually involves firing/smelting.
   6
  Au

Symbol used for gold in the periodic table of elements.Breccia

A rock in which angular fragments are surrounded by a mass of fine-grained minerals.Bulk Sample

A collection of representative mineralized material whose location, geologic character and metal assay content can be determined, and then used for metallurgical or geotechnical testing purposes.Carbon in Leach

A recovery process in which a slurry of gold ore, carbon granules and cyanide are mixed together.  The cyanide dissolves the gold content and the gold is absorbed in the carbon.  The carbon is subsequently separated from the slurry for further gold removal.Channel Sampling

Cutting a groove in a rock face or outcrop to obtain material for sampling.Chip Sampling

Taking of small pieces of rock with a pick along a line, or at random, from the width or face of an exposure or outcrop for exploration sampling.Clastic

Fragments of minerals and rocks that have been moved individually from their places of origin.Cu

Symbol used for copper in the periodic table of elements.Cut-off grade

The lowest grade of mineralized material that qualifies as resource in a deposit. (i.e. contributing material of the lowest assay that is included in a resource estimate.)



Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors:Please review the “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.Diamond Drilling

A type of rotary drilling in which diamond bits are used as the rock-cutting tool to produce a recoverable drill core sample of rock for observation and analysis.Diorite

An intrusive igneous rock.Dip

The angle that a structural surface, a bedding or fault plan, makes with the horizontal, measured perpendicular to the strike of the structure.Disseminated

Where minerals occur as scattered particles in the rock.Epithermal

Low temperature hydrothermal process or product.Exploration

Work involved in searching for ore, usually by drilling or driving a drift.Fault

A fracture or break in rock along which there has been movement.Feasibility Study

Means a comprehensive study of a mineral deposit in which all geological, engineering, legal, operating, economic, social, environmental and other relevant factors are considered in sufficient detail that it could reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a financial institution to finance the development of the deposit for mineral production.Felsic

An adjective describing an igneous rock having mostly light colored minerals and rich in silica, potassium and sodium.    7
 Grade

The metal content of rock, generally in terms of percentage (%) or parts per million (ppm). With precious metals, grade can be expressed as troy ounces or grams per tonne of rock.Hg

Symbol used for mercury in the periodic table of elements.Hydrothermal

The products or the actions of heated waters in a rock mass such as a mineral deposit precipitating from a hot solution.Ignimbrite

A felsic volcanic tuff in which the fragments were welded together as the tuff cooled.Intrusion/Intrusive

Molten rock that is intruded (injected) into spaces that are created by a combination of melting and displacement.Magnetometer

An instrument for detecting and measuring changes in the earth's magnetic field, including those in different rock formations which may indicate the presence of specific minerals.Metallurgical Tests

Scientific procedures carried out on rock/material to determine the optimum extraction methods for the potentially economic metals contained in representative samples of the mineralization normally obtained from diamond drill hole cores are used for this test work.Metallurgy

The study of the extractive processes which produce mineral concentrates or final metals for marketing, from their host rocks.Mineral

A naturally occurring inorganic substance or compound having a definite chemical composition and a characteristic internal structure, usually in crystal form.Mineral Resource

A concentration or occurrence of diamonds, natural solid inorganic material, or natural solid fossilized organic material including base and precious metals, coal, and industrial minerals in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction.  The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge.



Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors:Please review the “Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.Mineralization

A natural concentration in rocks or soil of one or more metalliferous minerals.Net Smelter Return Royalty / NSR Royalty

A phrase used to describe a royalty payment made by a producer of metals based on gross metal production from the property, less deduction of certain limited costs including smelting, refining, transportation and insurance costs.Open Pit

A mining method whereby the mineral reserves are accessed from surface by the successive removal of layers of material usually creating a large pit at the surface of the earth.Outcrop

The part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground.Oxide

A compound of oxygen with another element.Preliminary Economic Assessment

“Preliminary economic assessment” (PEA) means a study, other than a pre-feasibility study, that includes an economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral resources.   8
   Phyllic Alteration

A hydrothermal alteration common in porphyry base-metal systems.Porphyry

Any igneous rock in which relatively large crystals are set in a fine-grained matrix of rock.Pre-feasibility Study

A comprehensive study of the viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where the mining method, in the case of underground mining, or the pit configuration, in the case of an open pit, has been established and an effective method of mineral processing has been determined, and includes a financial analysis based on reasonable assumptions of technical, engineering, legal, operating, economic, social, and environmental factors and the evaluation of other relevant factors.Pyroclastic

Produced by explosive or aerial ejection of ash, fragments, and glassy material from a volcanic vent; applied to the rocks and rock layers as well as to the textures so formed.Quartz

Crystalline silica; often forming veins in fractures and faults within older rocks.Reverse Circulation (RC) Drilling

A type of percussion drilling where hammer force is transmitted down a length of steel drill rods to a rotating bit that breaks the rock into chips.  The rock chips are forced to the surface using air or water forced down the outer chamber of a twin-walled drill rod and driven back to the surface through the inner chamber.  The rock chips are then collected for analysis.Rhyolite

A group of extrusive igneous rocks, typically porphyritic and commonly exhibiting flow texture, with phenocrysts of quartz and alkali feldspar in a glassy to cryptocrystalline groundmass; also, any rock in that group; the extrusive equivalent of granite.Sampling

Taking a sample of rock or material in order to test and assay its mineral composition.Sediments/Sedimentary

Rocks formed by the deposition of sediment or pertaining to the process of sedimentation.Shear Zone

A zone in which shearing has occurred on a large scale so that the rock is crushed and brecciated.Silicification

The in situ alteration of a rock, which involves an increase in the proportion of silica minerals.Stockwork

A mineral deposit consisting of a three-dimensional network of planar to irregular veinlets closely enough spaced that the whole mass can potentially be mined.Tuff

A general term for all consolidated pyroclastic rocks.Vein

A thin, sheet-like, crosscutting body of hydrothermal mineralization, principally quartz.Volcanics

Those originally molten rocks, generally fine grained, that have reached or nearly reached the Earth's surface before solidifying.






9




PART I





Item 1.                 Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors





Not Applicable.





Item 2.                 Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable





Not Applicable.





Item 3.                 Key Information





A.           Selected Financial Data





The selected financial data and the information of the Company in the following table as at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for the three years ended December 31, 2015 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company presented in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent Registered Public Accountant, as indicated in their report which is included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.  The selected financial data and the information of the Company as at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2102 and 2011 in the following table was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company which are not presented in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.





The selected historical consolidated financial information presented below is condensed and may not contain all of the information that you should consider.  This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our annual audited consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto and the sections entitled “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” and ‘‘Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.’’





The table below sets forth selected consolidated financial data under IFRS as issued by the IASB, which differ in certain respects from the principles the Company would have followed had its consolidated financial statements been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  The information has been derived from our annual audited consolidated financial statements set forth in ‘‘Item 18 — Financial Statements.’’





In this Annual Report on Form 20-F all dollars are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.





(in thousands, except for share data)

December 31,

2015


December 31,

2014


December 31,

2013


December 31,

2012


December 31,

2011IncomeInterest Income

$
291


$
497


$
643


$
812


$
977(Loss) gain on sale of assets


-



-



-



(6
)


14Loss from continuing operations


(8,897
)


(10,565
)


(19,051
)


(25,226
)


(30,571
)Gain (loss) from discontinued operations


-



-



-



-



-Net (loss) income for the year


(8,897
)


(10,565
)


(19,051
)


(25,226
)


(30,571
)Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the year


(8,893
)


(10,559
)


(19,033
)


(25,154
)


(30,627
)Basic and diluted loss per common share from continuing operations


(0.10
)


(0.12
)


(0.22
)


(0.29
)


(0.35
)Basic (loss) income per common share from net (loss) income

and comprehensive(loss) income for the year


(0.10
)


(0.12
)


(0.22
)


(0.29
)


(0.35
)Diluted (loss) income per common share from net (loss) income

and comprehensive(loss) income for the year


(0.10
)


(0.12
)


(0.22
)


(0.29
)


(0.35
)Total Assets


22,543



31,042



40,923



56,325



72,880Total Liabilities


331



1,168



895



926



1,896Working Capital


22,153



29,790



39,897



55,235



70,765Share Capital


246,089



246,089



246,089



246,089



242,270Total Equity


22,212



29,874



40,028



55,399



70,984Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding


88,407,753



88,407,753



88,407,753



88,235,975



86,915,354





10




Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies





The Company’s accounting policies are discussed in detail in our annual audited consolidated financial statements set forth in ‘‘Item 18 — Financial Statements’’, however, accounting policies require the application of management’s judgment in respect of the following relevant matters:





(i)
use of estimates – the preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant areas requiring the use of estimates include accrued liabilities and the determination of the assumptions used in the calculation of share-based compensation expense.  Actual results could differ from those estimates used in the financial statements.(ii)
share-based compensation – the Company provides compensation benefits to its employees, directors, officers and consultants through a share-based compensation plan.  All share-based awards are measured and recognized based on the grant date fair value.  Fair value is determined using the Black Scholes option pricing model.  Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the stock.  The Company utilizes historical data to estimate the expected option term for input into the valuation model.  The risk-free rate for the expected term of the applicable option is based on the Government of Canada yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.





Actual results may differ materially from those estimates based on these assumptions.





Recent Changes in Accounting Policy and Disclosures





New Standards and Interpretations Not Yet Adopted




The IASB has issued the following standards which have not yet been adopted by the Company.





IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments - classification and measurement





IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) was issued by the IASB in November 2009 with additions in October 2010 and July 2014 and will replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (“IAS 39”). IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost or fair value, replacing the multiple rules in IAS 39. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the context of its business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. Most of the requirements in IAS 39 for classification and measurement of financial liabilities were carried forward unchanged to IFRS 9, except that an entity choosing to measure a financial liability at fair value will present the portion of any change in its fair value due to changes in the entity’s own credit risk in other comprehensive income, rather than within profit or loss. The new standard also requires a single impairment method to be used, replacing the multiple impairment methods in IAS 39. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.





IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers





In May 2014, the IASB published IFRS 15 which replaces IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and some revenue-related interpretations.  IFRS 15 establishes a new control-based revenue recognition model, changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized at a point in time or over time, provides new and more detailed guidance on specific topics and expands and improves disclosures about revenue.  IFRS 15 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.  Earlier adoption is permitted.  There should be no impact on the Company’s financial statements from this new standard.





IFRS 16 – Leases





In January 2016, the IASB published IFRS 16 which replaces IAS 17, Leases.  IFRS 16 establishes how an entity will recognise, measure, present and disclose leases. It is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.




11





Exchange Rates





The following tables set out the exchange rates for one United States dollar (“US$”) expressed in terms of Canadian dollars (“CDN$”) for (i) the average exchange rates (based on the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month) in each of the years 2011 to 2015 and the low rate in each of those years, and (ii) the range of high and low exchange rates in each of the months October 2015 to March 2016.




The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low, end of period and average for period noon buying rates as published by the Bank of Canada, as expressed in the amount of one United States Dollar equal to Canadian dollars.




2016

(to April 21)
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011High for period
1.4589
1.3990
1.1643
1.0697
1.0418
1.0604Low for period
1.2627
1.1728
1.0614
0.9839
0.9710
0.9449End of period
1.2710
1.3840
1.1601
1.0636
0.9949
1.0170Average for period
1.3570
1.2787
1.1045
1.0299
0.9996
0.9891




The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, the high and low exchange rates for one United States dollar expressed in Canadian dollars on the last day of each month during such period, based on the noon buying rate.




October
November
December
January
February
March2015
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016High
1.3242
1.3360
1.3990
1.4589
1.4040
1.3468Low
1.2904
1.3095
1.3360
1.3969
1.3523
1.2962





Exchange rates are based on the Bank of Canada nominal noon exchange rates.  The nominal noon exchange rate on April 21, 2016 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of one United States dollar into Canadian dollars was US$1.00 = Cdn$1.2710.





B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness





Not Applicable.





C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds





Not Applicable.





D.           Risk Factors





In addition to the other information presented in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, the following should be considered carefully in evaluating us and our business.  This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties.  Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.





Properties in which the Company has or is acquiring an interest in, are all currently at the exploration stage.  The activities of the Company are speculative due to the high risk nature of its business which is the acquisition, financing, exploration and development of mining properties.  The following risk factors, which are not exhaustive, could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company.  These risks include but are not limited to the following:





12
 
 
 
 Operations and Mineral ExplorationRisks





The Company operates in the resource industry, which is highly speculative, and has certain inherent exploration risks which could have a negative effect on the Company’s operations.





Resource exploration is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production.  The marketability of minerals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and such other factors such as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environment protection.  Any one or a combination of these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on its investment capital.





The Company does not have any mineral reserves or water rights.





The Company is at the exploration stage on all of its properties and is engaged in ongoing engineering work in order to determine if any economic deposits exist on its properties.  The Company may expend substantial funds in exploring certain of its properties only to abandon them and lose its entire expenditure on the properties if no commercial or economically viable quantities of minerals are found.  Even in the event that commercial quantities of minerals are discovered, the exploration properties might not be brought into commercial production.  Finding commercially viable mineral deposits is dependent on a number of factors, not the least of which is the technical skill of exploration personnel involved.  The commercial viability of a mineral deposit once discovered is also dependent on a number of factors, some of which are the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade, amenability to metallurgical processing, and proximity to infrastructure, availability of power and water, as well as metal prices.  The Company’s Caspiche project is located in the Atacama region of Northern Chile which has been experiencing drought conditions for an extended period resulting in considerable stress on available water resources.  In addition, the Chilean government is currently reviewing regulations regarding water rights and there is greater uncertainty regarding the potential to secure water rights in the area.  While the Company believes that it has discovered significant quantities of water at the Peñas Blancas exploration concessions which may be adequate for the potential development options identified in the PEA Report, it does not have any water rights.  In order to obtain water rights it is required to make applications to various government departments including the General Directorate of Water Resources (“DGA”) and the Ministry of Public Land of the Chilean government (“BBNN”).  In the event that water rights are secured, the ability to extract and use such water is subject to further permitting appraisal from the authorities and there is no guarantee that such permits will be received.  The Company is also continuing to pursue other avenues for acquisition of water resources.  The Company is an exploration stage company with no history of pre-tax profit and no income from its operations.  There can be no assurance that the Company’s operations will be profitable in the future.  There is no certainty that the studies conducted by the Company will result in a commercially viable mining operation.  No assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery of mineral reserves will in fact be realized or that the identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) mineral deposit which can be legally and economically exploited.  There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale tests or the results of pilot plant operations and metallurgical testwork will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production.  If the Company is unsuccessful in its development efforts, the Company may be forced to acquire additional projects or cease operations.





The Company is required to make advance royalty payments and perform certain other obligations to maintain its interest in the Caspiche project.





If the Company is unable to fulfill the requirements of these agreements, including the requirement to make advance royalty payments and commence commercial production within a fixed period, its interest in its Caspiche project could be lost.








13
 
 The Company’s operations are subject to the inherent risk associated with mineral exploration, development and production activities.





Mineral exploration, development and production activities generally involve a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome.  Environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, fires, power outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, land-slides, the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor, and the inability to meet ongoing requirements of various permits required for operations are other risks involved in the operation of mines and the conduct of exploration, development and production programs.  Operations and activities in which we have a direct or indirect interest will be subject to all the hazards and risks normally incidental to exploration, development and production of precious and base metals, any of which could result in work stoppages, damage to or destruction of mines, if any, and other producing facilities, damage to life and property, environmental damage and possible legal liability for any or all damage.  The occurrence of such risks could cause significant delays in the conduct of the Company’s activities or their cancelation which could negatively impact profitability.





The Company’s operations contain significant uninsured risks which could negatively impact future profitability as the Company maintains no insurance against its operations.





The Company’s development of its mineral properties contain certain risks, including unexpected or unusual operating conditions including rock bursts, cave-ins, flooding, fire and earthquakes.  It is not always possible to insure against such risks.  The Company currently maintains general liability and director and officer insurance but no insurance against its properties or operations.  The Company may decide to take out such insurance in the future if such insurance is available at economically viable rates.





The Company has not surveyed any of its properties, has no guarantee of clear title to its mineral properties and the Company could lose title and ownership of its properties which would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations and valuation.





The Company has only done a preliminary legal survey of the boundaries of some of its properties, and therefore, in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which these properties are situated, their existence and area could be in doubt.  If title is disputed, the Company will have to defend its ownership through the courts.  In the event of an adverse judgment, the Company would lose its property rights.  Some of the Company’s exploration concessions associated with its Caspiche project overlap exploration concessions held by other parties and entitlement to such concessions has not yet been determined and is not assured.  Some of the land over which the Company holds exploration concessions may be subject to claims of indigenous populations which have not been resolved.  The Company has secured an easement for surface rights for most of the area required for the potential development of Caspiche however the easement is being challenged in court and there is no guarantee that the Company will be successful in maintaining its rights under the easement.  In addition the Company will be required to negotiate agreements with indigenous communities over certain areas required for potential development of its project and there is no certainty that such negotiations will be successful.





A shortage of equipment and supplies could adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate its business.





The Company is dependent on various supplies and equipment to carry out its mineral exploration and, if warranted, development operations.  Any shortage of such supplies, equipment and parts could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to carry out its operations and therefore limit or increase the cost of potential future production.





14


Changes in the market prices of gold, copper, silver and other metals, which in the past have fluctuated widely, would affect the future profitability of the Company’s planned operations and financial condition.





The Company’s long-term viability and future profitability depend, in large part, upon the market price of gold, copper, silver and other metals and minerals from potential future production from its mineral properties.  The market price of gold, copper, silver and other metals is volatile and is impacted by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including:




●
expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;●
the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and certain other currencies;●
interest rates;●
global or regional political or economic conditions;●
supply and demand for jewelry and industrial products containing metals;●
sales by central banks and other holders, speculators and producers of gold, silver, copper and other metals in response to any of the above factors; and●
any executive order curtailing the production or sale of gold, silver or copper.




The Company cannot predict the effect of these and other factors on metal prices.  A decrease in the market price of gold, silver, copper and other metals could affect the commercial viability of the Company’s properties and its anticipated development of such properties in the future.  Lower gold and other commodity prices could also adversely affect the Company’s ability to finance exploration and development of its properties.





Land reclamation requirements for the Company’s properties may be burdensome and expensive.





Although variable, depending on location and the governing authority, land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration companies (as well as companies with mining operations) in order to minimize long term effects of land disturbance.





Reclamation may include requirements to:




●
control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents;●
treat ground and surface water to drinking water standards; and●
reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation.


In order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on the Company in connection with its potential development activities, the Company must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and development programs.  If the Company is required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, its financial position could be adversely affected.





Regulations and pending legislation governing issues involving climate change could result in increased operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.





A number of governments or governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes in response to various climate change interest groups and the potential impact of climate change.  Legislation and increased regulation regarding climate change could impose significant costs on the Company, and its suppliers, including costs related to increased energy requirements, capital equipment, environmental monitoring and reporting and other costs to comply with such regulations.  Any adopted future climate change regulations could also negatively impact the Company’s ability to compete with companies situated in areas not subject to such limitations.  Given the emotion, political significance and uncertainty around the impact of climate change and how it should be dealt with, the Company cannot predict how legislation and regulation will affect our financial condition, operating performance and ability to compete.  Furthermore, even without such regulation, increased awareness and any adverse publicity in the global marketplace about potential impacts on climate change by the Company or other companies in its industry could harm its reputation.  The potential physical impacts of climate change on the Company’s operations are highly uncertain, and would be particular to the geographic circumstances in areas in which it operates.  These may include changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures.  These impacts may adversely impact the cost, potential production and financial performance of the Company’s operations.


15


The natural resource industry is highly competitive, which could restrict the Company’s growth.





The Company competes with other exploration resource companies, which have similar operations, and many competitors have operations, financial resources and industry experience greater than those of the Company.  This may place the Company at a disadvantage in acquiring, exploring and developing properties.  Such companies could outbid the Company for potential projects or produce minerals at lower costs which would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations.





Mineral operations are subject to market forces outside of the Company’s control which could negatively impact the Company’s operations.





The marketability of minerals is affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the entity involved in their mining and processing.  These factors include market fluctuations, government regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, allowable production, imports, exports and supply and demand.  One or more of these risk elements could have an impact on costs of an operation and if significant enough, reduce the profitability of the operation and threaten its continuation.





The Company is subject to substantial environmental requirements which could cause a restriction or suspension of Company operations.





The current and anticipated future operations of the Company require permits from various governmental authorities and such operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations governing various elements of the mining industry.  The Company’s development activities in Chile are subject to various federal and local laws governing land use, the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, and other matters.  Such operations and exploration activities are also subject to substantial regulation under these laws by governmental agencies and may require that the Company obtain permits from various governmental agencies.





Exploration generally requires one form of permit while development and production operations require additional permits.  There can be no assurance that all permits which the Company may require for future exploration or possible future development will be obtainable on reasonable terms.  In addition, future changes in applicable laws or regulations could result in changes in legal requirements or in the terms of existing permits applicable to the Company or its properties.  This could have a negative effect on the Company’s exploration activities or its ability to develop its properties.





The Company is also subject to environmental regulations, which require the Company to minimize impacts upon air, water, soils, vegetation and wildlife, as well as historical and cultural resources, if present. The Company is required to comply with the provisions of the International Labour Organisation Convention 169 (“ILO 169”) on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples which sets out requirements for consultation with indigenous communities. Compliance with ILO 169 requirements could result in delays and significant additional expense in obtaining the necessary approvals or agreement with indigenous communities to advance the Caspiche project.





In Chile, exploration activities normally require environmental approval.  Early stage exploration activities in the scarcely populated Atacama region do not need an environmental impact declaration (DIA) nor an environmental impact study if they involve less than 40 drill holes or drill platforms.  On the other hand if the exploration project considers more work than this, a DIA or EIA is required to be prepared and assessed by the environmental evaluation service department (SEA) within the Ministry of Environment.  The SEA can be consulted regarding the complexity of the proposal and which of the two styles of reports is required.  Normally exploration programs, even if quite large, require the less complex DIA.  Development, construction and operations almost always require an EIA.  The appropriate document must be presented to the SEA (usually the branch in the Region) in the correct format and they then consult with other government departments regarding the proposal and arrange public comment.  Finally, taking into account the responses they have received, the regional environmental evaluation commission (CEA) which is chaired by the Regional Governor and includes all the various sectorial authorities that were involved in the assessment procedure, issues an environmental qualification resolution (RCA) which allows the proposed works to proceed, subject to any conditions or constraints that it deems to impose.





As the Company is in an exploration phase, the appropriate activities and intentions have been described and approved in DIAs.  However if in practice the exploration activities result in negative effects upon the environment, government agencies will usually require the Company to provide remedial actions to correct the negative effects.  The requirements of Government that can be imposed on planned operations as a result of the SEA evaluation can require additional facilities,





16





restrictions on operations, additional capital and operating expenditure and additional regulatory requirements that cannot be reasonably forecast by the Company prior to assessment.  In addition, compliance with environmental regulations and the terms of an RCA is supervised by another branch of the Ministry of Environment, the SMA who carry out inspections and respond to 3rd party complaints.   In case of breach, the SMA will determine the remedial actions or restrictions and may initiate sanctioning procedures which can include temporary or permanent suspension of activities as well as the imposition of significant fines, none of which can be reasonably forecast by the Company.





In addition various parties can commence court challenges to any permits or authorizations granted by the authorities.  Such court challenges if successful can result in significant delays and increased costs for potential project development. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in substantial fines and enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or other remedial actions.





The Company's property interests in foreign countries are subject to risks from political and economic instability in those countries.





Exploration in foreign jurisdictions exposes the Company to risks that may not otherwise be experienced if all operations were domestic.  The risks include, but are not limited to: military repression, extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, labour instability or militancy, mineral title irregularities and high rates of inflation.  In addition, changes in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude in foreign countries in which we operate may adversely affect our business.  We may be affected in varying degrees by government regulation with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety.  The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.  Political risks may adversely affect the Company’s existing assets and operations.  The Company does not maintain and does not intend to purchase political risk insurance at this time.  Real and perceived political risk in some countries may also affect the Company’s ability to finance exploration programs and attract joint venture partners, and future mine development opportunities.





Financing Risks





The Company has a history of losses and expects losses to continue for the foreseeable future and will require additional equity financings, which will cause dilution to existing shareholders.





The Company has limited financial resources and has no operating cash flow.  As of December 31, 2015, the end of the last financial year, the Company had incurred accumulated losses totalling approximately $270 million.  Continued development efforts will require additional capital to maintain and advance the studies on the Company’s Caspiche project.  Additionally, development of the Company’s Caspiche project would require significant additional capital which the Company may be unable to access.  The Company has been required to raise funds through the sale of its common shares and has no current plans to obtain financing through means other than equity financing however should it determine to proceed with development of its properties it may be required to obtain loans or other sources of finance for such development.  However, the Company may not be able to obtain additional equity or other financing on reasonable terms, or at all.  If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient financing in the future, it might have to dramatically slow development efforts and/or lose control of its Caspiche project.  If equity financing is required, then such financings could result in significant dilution to existing or prospective shareholders.  These financings may be on terms less favourable to the Company than those obtained previously.





The Company may be subject to risks relating to the global economy.





Global financial conditions have been subject to volatility and access to public financing has been negatively impacted.  These conditions could, among other things, make it more difficult for the Company to obtain, or increase its cost of obtaining, capital and financing for its operations.  Access to additional capital may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to it, or at all. The Company is also exposed to liquidity risks in meeting its operating and capital expenditure requirements in instances where cash positions are unable to be maintained or appropriate financing is unavailable.  These factors may impact the ability of the Company to obtain loans and other credit facilities in the future and, if obtained, on terms favourable to the Company.  If these increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue, the Company’s operations could be adversely impacted and the trading price of the common shares could be adversely affected.




17




The Company has a lack of cash flow sufficient to sustain operations and does not expect to begin receiving operating revenue in the foreseeable future.





The Company’s properties have not advanced to the commercial production stage and the Company has no history of earnings or cash flow from operations.  The Company has paid no dividends on its common shares since incorporation and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.  Historically, the only source of funds available to the Company has been through the sale of its common shares.  Any future additional equity financing would cause dilution to current shareholders.  If the Company does not have sufficient capital for its operations, management would be forced to reduce or discontinue its activities, which would have a negative effect on the value of its securities.





The Company operates in foreign countries and is subject to currency fluctuations which could have a negative effect on the Company’s operating results.





The Company’s operations at December 31, 2015 were located in Chile which makes it subject to foreign currency fluctuation as the Company’s accounts are maintained in Canadian dollars while certain expenses are numerated in U.S. Dollars, Australian Dollars, and Chilean Pesos.  Such fluctuations may adversely affect the Company’s financial position and results.  Management may not take any steps to address foreign currency fluctuations that will eliminate all adverse effects and, accordingly, the Company may suffer losses due to adverse foreign currency fluctuations.





Risks Relating to an Investment in the Common Shares of the Company





The market for the Company’s common shares has been subject to volume and price volatility which could negatively affect a shareholder’s ability to buy or sell the Company’s common shares.





The market for the common shares of the Company may be highly volatile for reasons both related to the performance of the Company, or events pertaining to the industry (i.e. mineral price fluctuation/high production costs/accidents) as well as factors unrelated to the Company or its industry such as economic recessions and changes to legislation in the countries in which it operates.  In particular, market demand for products incorporating minerals in their manufacture fluctuates from one business cycle to the next, resulting in change in demand for the mineral and an attendant change in the price for the mineral.  In the last five financial years, the price of the Company’s common shares has fluctuated between $0.39 and $6.20.  The Company’s common shares can be expected to continue to be subject to volatility in both price and volume arising from market expectations, announcements and press releases regarding the Company’s business, and changes in estimates and evaluations by securities analysts or other events or factors.  In recent years the securities markets in the U.S. and Canada have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly small-capitalization companies such as the Company, have experienced wide fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to the operations, performances, underlying asset values, or prospects of such companies.  For these reasons, the Company’s common shares can also be subject to volatility resulting from purely market forces over which the Company will have no control such as that experienced recently resulting from the economic downturn due to the on-going economic uncertainty in the United States, Europe and elsewhere around the globe.  Further, despite the existence of a market for trading the Company’s common shares in Canada, the U.S. and Germany, shareholders of the Company may be unable to sell significant quantities of common shares in the public trading markets without a significant reduction in the price of the common shares.





The Company is dependent upon key management, the absence of which would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations.





The Company depends on the business and technical expertise of its management and key personnel, including Wendell Zerb, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bryce Roxburgh, Co-Chairman, Yale Simpson, Co-Chairman and Cecil Bond, Chief Financial Officer.  There is little possibility that this dependence will decrease in the near term.  As the Company’s operations expand, additional general management resources will be required.  The Company may not be able to attract and retain additional qualified personnel and this would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations.  The Company has entered into services agreements with Wendell Zerb, Bryce Roxburgh, Yale Simpson and Cecil Bond and some of its senior personnel.  The Company maintains no “key man” life insurance on any members of its management or directors.





18


Certain officers and directors may have conflicts of interest, which could have a negative effect on the Company’s operations.





Certain of the directors and officers of the Company are also directors and/or officers and/or shareholders of other natural resource companies.  While the Company is engaged in the business of exploiting mineral properties, such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time.  The directors of the Company are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to uphold the best interests of the Company and to disclose any interest that they may have in any project or opportunity of the Company.  If a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the board of directors, any director in a conflict must disclose his interest and abstain from voting on such matter.  In determining whether or not the Company will participate in any project or opportunity, the directors will primarily consider the degree of risk to which the Company may be exposed and its financial position at the time.





The Company is likely a "passive foreign investment company" which may have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders





U.S. shareholders of common shares should be aware that the Company believes it was classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) during the tax year ended December 31, 2015, and may be a PFIC in future tax years.  If the Company is a PFIC for any year during a U.S. shareholder’s holding period of the common shares, then such U.S. shareholder generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of common shares, or any “excess distribution” received on its common shares, as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distribution, unless the shareholder makes a timely and effective "qualified electing fund" election (“QEF Election”) or a "mark-to-market" election with respect to the common shares.  A U.S. shareholder who makes a QEF Election generally must report on a current basis its share of the Company's net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which the Company is a PFIC, whether or not the Company distributes any amounts to its shareholders.  However, U.S. shareholders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy the record keeping requirements that apply to a qualified electing fund, or that the Company will supply U.S. shareholders with information that such U.S. shareholders require to report under the QEF Election rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. shareholder wishes to make a QEF Election.  Thus, U.S. shareholders may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to their common shares.  A U.S. shareholder who makes a mark-to-market election generally must include as ordinary income each year the excess of the fair market value of the common shares over the taxpayer’s adjusted tax basis therein.  This paragraph is qualified in its entirety by the discussion below under the heading “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.”  Each U.S. shareholder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.





The Company does not intend to pay dividends.





The Company has not paid out any cash dividends to date and has no plans to do so in the immediate future.  As a result, an investor’s return on investment will be solely determined by his or her ability to sell common shares in the secondary market.





Increased costs and compliance risks as a result of being a public company.





Legal, accounting and other expenses associated with public company reporting requirements have increased significantly in the past few years.  The Company anticipates that general and administrative costs associated with regulatory compliance will continue to increase with ongoing compliance requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,as well as any new rules implemented by the SEC, Canadian Securities Administrators, the NYSE MKT and the TSX in the future.  These rules and regulations have significantly increased the Company’s legal and financial compliance costs and made some activities more time-consuming and costly.  There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to effectively meet all of the requirements of these regulations, including Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404andNational Instrument 52-109 of the Canadian Securities Administrators(“NI 52-109”).  Any failure to effectively implement internal controls, or to resolve difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm the Company’s operating results, cause the Company to fail to meet reporting obligations or result in management being required to give a qualified assessment of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or the Company’s independent auditors providing an adverse opinion regarding management’s assessment.  Any such result could cause investors to lose confidence in the Company’s reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the common shares.  These rules and regulations have made it more difficult and more expensive for the Company to obtain director and officer liability





19





insurance, and the Company may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage in the future.  As a result, it may be more difficult for the Company to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on its board of directors or as executive officers.  If the Company fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting, the Company’s ability to provide accurate consolidated financial statements and comply with the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxleyand/or NI 52-109could be impaired, which could cause the Company’s stock price to decrease.





Differences in United States and Canadian reporting of reserves and resources.





The disclosure in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, uses terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada.  The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be used by the Company pursuant to NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.  “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility.  It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources, or inferred mineral resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category.  Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility, pre-feasibility studies or other economic studies, except in rare cases.





Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.  Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.





Further, the terms “Mineral Reserve”, “Proven Mineral Reserve” and “Probable Mineral Reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards.  These definitions differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7.  Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary permits or governmental authorizations must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.





Accordingly, information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and the documents incorporated by reference herein containing descriptions of the Company’s mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.





U.S. investors may not be able to enforce their civil liabilities against the Company or its directors, controlling persons and officers.





It may be difficult to bring and enforce suits against the Company in the United States.  The Company is a corporation incorporated in British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act.  A majority of the Company’s directors and officers are residents of Canada and other countries and all of the Company’s assets and its subsidiaries are located outside of the U.S.  Consequently, it may be difficult for U.S. investors to effect service of process in the U.S. upon those directors or officers who are not residents of the U.S., or to realize in the U.S. upon judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws.  There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be brought successfully in Canada against any of such persons or the Company predicated solely upon such civil liabilities under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.





As a “foreign private issuer”, the Company is exempt from Section 14 proxy rules and Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.





The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”).  Equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3 of the U.S. Exchange Act.  Therefore, the Company is not required to file a Schedule 14A proxy statement in relation to the annual meeting of shareholders.  The submission of proxy and annual meeting of shareholder information on Form 6-K may result in shareholders having less complete and timely information in connection with shareholder actions.  The exemption from


20





Section 16 rules regarding reports of beneficial ownership and purchases and sales of common shares by insiders and restrictions on insider trading in our securities may result in shareholders having less data and there being fewer restrictions on insiders’ activities in our securities.





Item 4.                 Information on the Company





A.           History and Development of the Company





General





The Company was incorporated under the name of Square Gold Explorations Inc. on February 10, 1984 under the Company Act of the Province of British Columbia (subsequently replaced by theBusiness Corporations Act (British Columbia)) with an authorized capital of 20,000,000 common shares without par value.  On July 13, 1987, the Company changed its name to Glacier Resources Inc. and on August 19, 1988 changed its name to Golden Glacier Resources Inc.





On June 10, 2002 shareholders approved (i) a share consolidation on the basis of ten (10) old shares for one (1) new share (the "Consolidation"), (ii) an increase in the authorized share capital post-consolidation from 2,000,000 to 100,000,000 common shares, and (iii) a name change to Exeter Resource Corporation.  The Consolidation and name change were made effective October 11, 2002.





On March 11, 2010, shareholders of the Company approved a plan of arrangement to create two independent companies focused on mineral exploration and development in Argentina and Chile, respectively (the “Plan of Arrangement”), and (ii) a change in the authorized share capital from 100,000,000 to an unlimited number of common shares.  Under the Plan of Arrangement, which was approved by a final order of the British Columbia Supreme Court on March 12, 2010, Exeter retained all assets relating to the Caspiche gold-copper discovery, together with approximately $45.0 million in working capital, and focused on the advancement of Caspiche.  On March 22, 2010 Exeter transferred to Extorre Gold Mines Limited (“Extorre”), its Cerro Moro and other exploration properties in Argentina and approximately $25.0 million in working capital.





The head office of the Company is located at Suite 1660, 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2W2.  The address for service and the registered and records office of the Company is located at Suite 2900, 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 0A3.





Three Year History





The Company is engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Maricunga Region, Chile; its business development over the last three years is described in the following paragraphs.  Unless otherwise noted, Jerry Perkins, Vice President Development and Operations of the Company, a qualified person (“QP”) under NI 43-101, is responsible for the preparation of scientific or technical information in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and Wendell Zerb, President and CEO of the Company, a QP under NI 43-101, is responsible for geological and mineral resource information in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.





2013





In February 2013, the Company announced certain management changes, including the appointment of Wendell Zerb as President & CEO, the transition to Co-Chairman by Bryce Roxburgh, and the retirement of Douglas Scheving from the Board of Directors.





The Company entered into Option and Joint Venture Agreements with San Marco Resources Inc. (“San Marco”), on two properties in Mexico: the Angeles and the La Buena properties.





The Company had the option to earn up to 70% of the Angeles property by incurring expenditures of $10 million over 4 years to earn 51%, and the additional 19% by spending an additional $10 million over the following 3 years.  The agreement provided for cash payments of $950,000 staged over 7 years by way of placements in San Marco at a 25% premium to San Marco’s 20 day volume weighted average share price (“VWAP”).  Exeter committed to a first year expenditure of $1.0 million (completed).  Due to adverse market conditions, the Company terminated its joint venture agreement relating to the Angeles project in December.






21





The Company had the option to earn 60% of the La Buena property by spending $15 million in expenditures and by making cash payments of $650,000 staged over 5 years by way of placements in San Marco at a 25% premium to its 20 day VWAP.  The Company committed to first year expenditures of $1.4 million (completed).





In March 2013, the Company announced that it had completed its first water exploration drill hole to test a potential aquifer located within the Cuenca One tenement for which the Company has filed a new exploration permit application.  Water was encountered in drilling and preliminary air lift tests were conducted to establish the initial characteristics and significance of the water encountered.  Results released in June from a second exploration drill hole sited approximately 1,200 m northwest of the first drill hole, encountered both similar lithologies and water.  Air lift tests completed on this hole provided similar water flows as the first drill hole.  The water levels in each of the holes returned to original levels within minutes of the termination of the air lift tests, suggesting the potential for positive recharge within the aquifer.





In June 2013, the Company announced that its Chilean subsidiary, Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (“Eton Chile”), had entered into a joint venture agreement (“JV”) with the Chilean subsidiary of Canadian company Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation (“Atacama Pacific”).  The JV covered the potential exploration for subsurface water associated with water exploration concessions applied for at Peñas Blancas (Laguna Verde), Quebrada El Fraile and at Cuenca Two, all located in northern Chile.  The agreement included provisions that each company would own a 50% interest in each water tenement and any water rights granted and would incur 50% of the costs associated with exploration.  Exeter’s initial exploration commitments totalled US$500,000.





The Company’s application for surface rights at Caspiche (the “Easement”), was granted by the Chilean Government.  The Easement gives the Company the right to carry out work and install all of the infrastructure and surface modifications required for the potential development of a mining operation, including roads, excavations, stockpiles, buildings, pipelines, power lines, tailings storage facilities and the like.  The Company already had a lease agreement with the Chilean Government for the surface rights that corresponded to its initial mineral rights in the area, and the Easement extended this area to cover most of its additional tenements as well as surfaces that may be required for Caspiche development.  The Easement excluded specific surface rights in areas owned by the indigenous community, the Comunidad Colla Rio Jorquera y sus afluentes (CCRJ).  The Company had an access agreement with CCRJ and maintained a good relationships, including open communications with the CCRJ and other indigenous communities in the Maricunga area. It expects these relationships and agreements to continue in the future.





The Company announced the evaluation of a new approach for the potential development of the Caspiche deposit.  The new approach considered both a standalone open pit oxide gold operation as well as a similar initial operation that then later combined with underground mining of a central higher grade gold copper sulphide core.  Santiago based engineering consultancies, NCL Construccion y Ingenieria (“NCL”) and Alquimia Conceptos S.A. (“Alquimia”) conducted these initial studies which investigated lower capital cost and scaleable mining alternatives rather than a large scale, capital intensive super pit scenario.





These initial studies investigated the concept of mining a central higher grade zone using selective, top-down, open stope mining methods, rather than the much larger scale bottom-up (block cave) underground approach previously evaluated by the Company.  The objective was to accelerate access to the higher grade core with lower upfront capital expenditures and a relatively early start to production when compared to block caving. Anticipated advantages to a smaller scale, but higher grade operation included reduced water and power requirements when compared to a large scale open pit scenario.





2014





The Company continued its work on the Caspiche project in an effort to advance the project through the review of lower capital alternatives for the potential development of the project.  Options assessed included open pit mining of the near surface oxide zone (gold only), followed by a deepening of the open pit as well as underground mining of the central, higher grade portion of the gold-copper sulphide deposit by open stoping.





In January 2014, Eton Chile negotiated new water exploration agreement terms (“Water Agreement”) with Atacama Pacific.  The new terms amended the original agreement entered into between the parties in May 2013 and allowed Eton Chile to earn an additional 40% interest, for an aggregate 90% interest, in water exploration tenements Cuenca Two, Quebrada El Fraile, and Peñas Blancas.  Water exploration tenements have a maximum term of two years during which exploration activity can be conducted and are not renewable.  A new application is required after two years should future exploration be warranted.  In the event that water is discovered an application for water rights must be made within 90 days of the expiry of the water exploration concession.




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The objective of the Company’s water exploration program was to identify, evaluate, and secure water sources to support a potential initial heap leach gold stage and a follow-on gold-copper sulphide stage of mining at Caspiche.





In February 2014, Exeter informed San Marco that results from exploration at the La Buena project did not meet Company objectives and that it was terminating the joint venture agreement.





During the first quarter of 2014, Eton Chile was served with a court claim challenging the Chilean Government’s 2013 grant of the Easement.  The claim, filed before the Santiago Civil Court, was filed by a private Chilean mineral exploration company, Cerro del Medio.  Under Chilean mining law there are provisions which provide for securing necessary surface access for the development of mineral deposits.  Cerro del Medio’s claim, cites “non-compliance by the Chilean Government of certain legal formalities required to approve the easement” and “that the easement granted overlaps Cerro del Medio’s Santa Cecilia project mining properties”.  A review of the claim by Eton Chile’s Chilean legal counsel has concluded that Cerro del Medio’s claim has no grounds under Chilean law and should be rejected.





In May 2014, the Company released the results of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for Caspiche (see details of the technical report filed relating to the PEA below). The PEA reported on the work carried out in evaluating the new approaches to potential development at Caspiche described in the paragraphs above, in this Annual Report.  It concentrated on three new low capex potential development options, all of which required modest quantities of water to support mining operations. The Company announced that three large-diameter drill holes completed at the Company’s water exploration concession (option for 90% interest) Peñas Blancas, had intersected potentially significant quantities of water based on preliminary evaluation using airlift testing.  Down hole pump testing, a more definitive measurement technique to quantify water flow rates and the recharge rate, was completed on one hole, LV-03.  Pump tests on LV-03 confirmed a potentially significant water resource.  Tests included a series of variable and fixed-speed pump tests.  At each flow rate tested, the water table stabilized and recovered rapidly, suggesting favourable permeability and transmissivity.  Flow rates of +40 litres per second (“l/s”) were recorded.





In October 2014, the Company announced an expanded water drilling program at Peñas Blancas. The expanded water exploration program included completing two additional large diameter water bore holes and a series of smaller diameter water monitoring holes together with down hole pump tests and water level measurements to quantify water flow rates and aquifer recharge rates.  Results from the pump tests, indicated potential for sustainable flows of over 200 l/s over the five holes tested (two new holes and three from drilling in Q2/14).





New metallurgical column leach results from the Company’s Caspiche oxide gold zone were encouraging, suggesting previous estimates for life of mine heap leach recoveries of approximately 80% might be conservative.  The tests on coarsely crushed -50 mm material, indicated some potential for increased metallurgical recoveries in the shallower zones, and hence possibly enhanced project cash flow.  Five PQ diamond drill cores provided a total of 74 bottle roll test samples and 17 column test samples, including 10 column tests on -50 mm material.  The column test materials were composited level by level to simulate mining intervals of two years within a ten year mine plan.  Well mineralized gravels, which overly the oxide zone were also tested.  The test work was designed to systematically test the oxide zone such that when considered with earlier results confidence levels would approach the requirements for a final feasibility study.





In December 2014, the Company announced the filing of an amended technical report prepared by Santiago based engineering consultancies, NCL Ingeniería y Construcción and Alquimia Conceptos S.A. titled “Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caspiche Project, Atacama Region, Chile” dated December 19, 2014 with an effective date of April 30, 2014 (the “PEA Report”).  The PEA Report described the three new low capex, potential development options, all of which required modest quantities of water compared with the requirements of a large scale open pit.  The PEA Report calculated that the 30,000 tonne per day (“tpd”) standalone oxide operation would require a peak water supply of less than 50 l/s. This option produced an estimated average of 122,000 gold equivalent* ounces annually over a projected ten year mine life, including 148,000 ounces annually in the first five years.








Disclaimer: The economic analysis contained in the 2014 PEA is considered preliminary in nature. No inferred mineral resources were used, nor is there any certainty that the economic forecast outlined in the 2014 PEA will be realized. See Exeter’s website or Sedar for the news release dated December 19, 2014: Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caspiche Project; Effective date: April 30, 2014.




The PEA Report used prices of: Au US$1,300 US$/oz. Ag US$20/oz. and Cu US$3/lb




* Gold equivalent oz (AuEq) value is based on Au, Ag and Cu revenues (prices and recoveries involved). AuEq oz [troy oz] = [Au g/t * Rec Au *tonnes]/31.1 + [Ag g/t * Rec Ag * tonnes]/31.1* silver price troy oz/ gold price troy oz + [[Cu% * Rec Cu * tonnes]*2204] * copper price lbs/gold price troy oz. Recoveries are adjusted based on metallurgical characteristic of the resource.




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The standalone oxide open pit mine plan benefited from lower up front capital requirements and sequenced higher start up grades in the initial part of the mine life.  In addition, a low life-of-mine strip ratio (0.27:1) and favorable leach kinetics were positive contributors to the project economics.  At US$1,300/oz gold, the pre-tax net present value (“NPV”) was US$355 million, generating an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 34.7%, and a payback period of 3.4 years from initial construction using a 5% discount rate (after-tax 27% NPV 5% US$252 million, IRR 28.5%).  The other two potential development options considered the phased treatment of both oxides and sulphides at 60,000 tpd and 27,000 tpd respectively.  One option looked at mining both gold in oxides and gold-copper in sulphides by open pit only.  This option required a peak water supply of about 185 l/s.  The other option looked at open pit mining of gold in oxides followed by selective high grade underground mining of gold-copper sulphide mineralization by open stoping methods, an option that required a peak supply of 150 l/s.





2015





The Company continued its work on the Caspiche gold-copper project in the Maricunga region of Northern Chile. The main focus through 2015 was the advancement of programs related to securing water for the Caspiche project and the review of lower capital alternatives for the potential development of the project.





In February 2015 the Company announced further positive results from the water exploration drilling program at Peñas Blancas. Drilling results suggested that Peñas Blancas is part of a previously undiscovered, extensive, subterranean aquifer. It is located centrally within a high-altitude basin, where there are no other existing underground water rights. The extensive winter snowfall in the area is believed to be the source of recharge. In the second quarter of 2015 the Company announced completion of the water exploration drilling program. Individual pump testing of the six large diameter exploration wells drilled in Peñas Blancas confirmed strong constant water flows and rapid recharge rates. The aggregate flow rate that was tested at constant rates was over 400 l/s, with individual wells varying from 45 l/s to 85 l/s. This aggregate flow rate was considerably above Exeter’s previously targeted estimate of 200 + l/s.





The Company believes that Peñas Blancas could support any of the three identified low capex, development options for the Caspiche project as outlined in the PEA Report. Importantly, the aquifer could also provide an appropriate long term water resource for other potential users in this arid, largely unpopulated region of Chile.





An application for water rights at Peñas Blancas was filed in August 2015.





Also in August 2015, due to challenging financial markets, the Company announced an initiative to reduce corporate overhead through personnel layoffs and reductions in remuneration payable to directors and officers by up to thirty percent.





In November 2015, the Company applied for access to certain areas at Peñas Blancas covering the area where its water drill holes are located and was granted a provisional easement over the area.





Exeter also reviewed a number of new opportunities during the year with the objective of identifying assets that could be acquired to provide additional value for shareholders.








24


B.           Business Overview





General





The Company is a mineral resource exploration and development company.  The Company’s principal property is the Caspiche property in northern Chile.





The Company is in the exploration stage of its corporate development; it owns no producing properties and, consequently has no current operating income or cash flow from the properties it holds, nor has it had any income from operations in the past three financial years.  As a consequence, operations of the Company are primarily funded by equity subscriptions.





The progress on and results of work programs on the Company’s principal property is set out “Item 4. Information on the Company – Item D. Property, Plants and Equipment”.  At this time, based on the exploration results to-date, the Company cannot project significant mineral production from any of its existing properties.





Specialized Skills





The Company’s business requires specialized skills and knowledge in the areas of geology, drilling, planning, implementation of exploration programs, and compliance.  To date, the Company has been able to locate and retain such professionals in Canada and Chile, and believes it will be able to continue to do so.





Competitive Conditions





The Company operates in a very competitive industry, and competes with other companies, many of which have greater technical and financial facilities for the acquisition and development of mineral properties, as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and consultants.





Business Cycles





Late in 2008 the credit crisis in the United States sent many economies, including the Canadian economy, into a recession.  Since then, some of the markets have recovered, however the economies of certain States within the European Economic Union have declined and the commodity market has remained volatile.  The gold market, late in 2010, made significant gains in terms of US Dollars but remained volatile throughout 2011 and suffered declines through the latter part of 2012 and through 2015.  In addition to commodity price cycles and recessionary periods, exploration activity may also be affected by seasonal and irregular weather conditions in Chile.  In particular, exploration on the Company’s Caspiche property at higher altitude is challenging and potentially not possible in winter.





Government Regulations





The Company’s operations are subject to certain governmental laws and regulations.  The Company’s properties are affected in varying degrees by government regulations relating, among other things, to the acquisition of land, pollution control and environmental protection, land reclamation, safety and production.  Changes in any of these regulations or in the application of the existing regulation are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect its operations.  Failure to comply with the conditions set out in any permit or failure to comply with the applicable statutes and regulations may result in orders to cease or curtail operations or to install additional equipment.  The Company may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of its activities.  The effect of these regulations cannot be accurately predicted.  See “Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors.”





Mineral Application Process in Chile





There are two types of mining concessions in Chile: exploration concessions and exploitation concessions.  The principal characteristics of each are the following:





Exploration Concessions





The titleholder of an exploration concession has the right to carry out all types of mineral exploration activities within the area of the concession.  Exploration concessions can overlap or be granted over the same area of land; however, the rights granted by an exploration concession can only be exercised by the titleholder with the earliest dated exploration concession over a particular area.




25





For each exploration concession the titleholder must pay an annual fee per hectare (“ha”) to the Chilean Treasury and exploration concessions have a duration of two years.  At the end of this period, they may (i) be renewed as an exploration concession for two further years in which case at least 50% of the surface area must be renounced, or (ii) be converted, totally or partially, into exploitation concessions.





A titleholder with the earliest dated exploration concession has a preferential right to be granted an exploitation concession in the area covered by the exploration concession, over any third parties with a later dated exploration or exploitation concession request.  The titleholder must oppose any applications made by third parties for exploitation concessions within the area for the exploration concession to remain valid.





Exploitation Concessions





The titleholder of an exploitation concession is granted the right to explore and exploit the minerals located within the area of the concession and to take ownership of the minerals that are extracted.  Exploitation concessions can only be overlapped by exploration concessions and the rights granted by an exploitation concession can only be exercised by the titleholder with the earliest dated exploitation concession over a particular area.





Exploitation concessions are of indefinite duration and an annual fee is payable to the Chilean Treasury in relation to the number of ha.





Where a titleholder of an exploration concession has applied to convert the exploration concession into an exploitation concession, the application for the exploitation concession and the exploitation concession itself is back dated to the date of the request of the exploration concession. A titleholder to an exploitation concession must apply to annul or cancel any exploitation concessions which overlap with the area covered by its exploitation concession within a certain time period in order for the exploitation concession to remain valid.





In accordance with Chilean law, from the date that an application for an exploitation concession is made to the court, the applicant has the right to transfer or grant an option to purchase the exploitation concession in the process of being constituted and the court has no discretion to refuse the final grant of the concession.





Environmental Protection Requirements





The Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulations promulgated by government agencies from time to time. In Chile, mining operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry operations, such as seepage from tailings disposal areas, and the use of cyanide which could result in environmental pollution. A breach of such legislation may result in imposition of fines and penalties. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which means stricter standards and enforcement with fines and penalties for non-compliance more stringent. Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies including its directors, officers and employees. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has the potential to negatively affect future operations.





Foreign Operations





Mineral exploration and mining activities in Chile may be affected in varying degrees by political instability and government regulations relating to the mining industry.  Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions may adversely affect the Company’s business.  Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety.





26


Social or Environmental Policies





In March 2008, the Company adopted its “Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Principles and Policies”.  The Company’s “Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Principles and Policies” sets out the principles that all directors, management and employees are required to adhere to while conducting Company business.  The principles are (i) environmental stewardship, which sets the objective of minimizing negative impacts on the environment; (ii) the commitment to conduct due diligence before undertaking material activities on the ground to ensure proper management of issues surrounding these activities; (iii) a commitment to engage host communities and other affected and interested parties by including all parties and providing clear and accurate information; (iv) contribute to community development; (v) upholding Human Rights; (vi) safeguarding the health and safety of workers and local populations by implementing sound health and safety policies; (vii) a commitment to accurate and transparent reporting; and (viii) the commitment to ethical business practices.





C.           Organizational Structure




As of the effective date of this report, the Company has four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (“Eton Chile”), Sociedad Contractual Minera Retexe Chile (“Retexe Chile”), Minera Goldeye Chile Limitada (“Goldeye”) and Eton Mining Corp. (“Eton”).  Eton Chile, Retexe Chile and Goldeye are Chilean corporations, registered to conduct the Company’s business in Chile.  Eton is a British Columbia corporation, and is not currently active.





D.           Property, Plants and Equipment





Presently, the Company is in the exploration stage of its mineral project development (as those terms are considered under Canadian disclosure requirements; under SEC Industry Guide 7 we are an exploration stage company as we don’t currently have any proven and probable reserves under Industry Guide 7 standards, See “Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimates” above.).  It owns no producing properties.  The Company’s properties are currently in the exploratory stage.  In order to determine if a commercially viable mineral deposit exists in any of such properties, further exploration work will need to be done and a final evaluation based upon the results obtained to conclude economic and legal feasibility.  The following is a discussion of the Company’s material mineral properties.





Caspiche, Chile





Property Description





By an agreement with Minera Anglo American Chile Limitada and its affiliate Empresa Minera Mantos Blancos S.A. (together “Anglo American”) dated October 11, 2005 and subsequently amended, the Company acquired the right to review a number of properties in the Maricunga region of Chile.  Under the terms of the agreement, the Company had the right to acquire a 100% interest in the properties by incurring aggregate expenditures of US$2,550,000 over five years including conducting 15,500 m of drilling.





Having met the requirements to earn its interest in the properties, effective February 14, 2011 the Company exercised its option and acquired the properties subject to a 3% NSR from production from the properties and the vendor’s buy back right by re-paying certain of the Company’s expenditures incurred on the properties if the properties are not put into production within 15 years of exercising the option.  In addition, the Company will be required to pay a further 0.08% NSR from production pursuant to an agreement with a private entity.  The Company is required to make an advance annual royalty payment of US$250,000 up until March 31, 2020 (US$1,250,000 paid to December 31, 2015) and thereafter US$1 million annually for the period March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2025 or until commencement of commercial production, should production commence prior to March 31, 2025, at which time the advance royalty will cease and NSR will be payable.





The following is based on the Summary section of an independent technical report on the Caspiche property titled, “Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caspiche Project, Atacama Region, Chile”, with an effective date of April 30, 2014 and an amended and restated date of December 19, 2014 (the “PEA Report”).  The NI 43-101 technical report was prepared by Carlos Guzmán, Mining Eng., FAusIMM and registered member of the Chilean Mining Commission; Leticia Conca, Mining Eng., and registered member of the Chilean Mining Commission; Rick Adams, BSc, and member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and member of the AusIMM with Chartered Professional (Geology) accreditation all of whom are QPs under NI 43-101.  The report is available for viewing on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.




27





Information dated subsequent to the date of the technical report is provided by the Company.





The reader is cautioned that the following is an abridged summary only and is directed to view the full technical report on SEDAR at www.sedar.comor EDGAR at www.sec.gov.





Location





The Caspiche project is located high in the central Chilean Andes, within the 3rd Region of Chile.  The property is located 120 km ESE of Copiapó, which has a population of approximately 160,000 people, in northern Chile and is situated at the southern end of the Maricunga metallogenic belt, between the undeveloped Cerro Casale gold-copper project 12 km to the south, and the operating Maricunga Gold Mine (formerly Refugio), 15 km to the north.





Figure 4.1: Caspiche Location Map (Source: Exeter, 2013)














Concessions and Mineral Rights





Chile is a country with a stable mining industry with mature mining laws.  There are two types of mining concessions in Chile, exploration concessions and exploitation concessions.




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With exploration concessions, the titleholder has the right to carry out all types of exploration activities within the area of the concession.  Exploration concessions can overlap or be granted over the same area of land; however, the rights granted by an exploration concession can only be exercised by the titleholder with the earliest dated exploration concession over a particular area. For each exploration concession, the titleholder must pay an annual fee per ha to the Chilean Treasury.  Exploration concessions have duration of two years.  At the end of this period, they may (i) be renewed as an exploration concession for two further years in which case at least 50% of the surface area must be renounced, or (ii) be converted, totally or partially, into exploitation concessions.





With exploitation concessions, the titleholder has the right to explore and exploit the minerals located within the concession area and to take ownership of the extracted minerals.  Exploitation concessions can only be overlapped by exploration concessions and the rights granted by an exploitation concession can only be exercised by the titleholder with the earliest dated exploitation concession over a particular area.





The titleholder must pay an annual fee to the Chilean Treasury of approximately 5.80 US$/ha.  Exploitation concessions are of indefinite duration, and therefore do not expire, as long as the annual fee is paid. Concession owners do not necessarily have surface rights to the underlying land; however, they do have the right to explore or exploit the concession and to establish easements over the land according to the Mining Code.





At the effective date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, the Caspiche property consists of twenty-one granted mining exploitation concessions totalling 3,600 ha and four exploitation concessions in application covering an additional 457 ha.  The granted mining exploitation concessions are listed in Table 4-1 and those under application are listed in Table 4-2.





Table 4-1: Exeter Caspiche Mining Exploitation Concessions - Granted




Concession Name
ROL
Hectares
Concession TypeCaspiche 1/10
03203–1455–0
100
ExploitationCaspiche Segundo 1/32
03203–1494–1
312
ExploitationVega de Caspiche 1/9
03203–1493–3
81
ExploitationCaspiche Tercero 1/10
03203–1495–K
100
ExploitationCaspiche IV 1/7
03203–4659–2
70
ExploitationCaspiche V 1/20
03203–4660–6
185
ExploitationCaspiche VI 1/25
03203–4661–4
243
ExploitationCaspiche VII 1/20
03203–4662–2
169
ExploitationCaspiche VIII 1 /300
03203–6117–6
300
ExploitationCaspiche IV 11
03203–4727–0
2
ExploitationTroya 1/12
03203–1856–4
120
ExploitationPanorama 1 1/250
03203–8292–K
250
ExploitationPanorama 2 1/300
03203–6293–8
300
ExploitationPanorama 3 1/100
03203–6294–6
100
ExploitationPanorama 4 1/300
03203–6295–4
300
ExploitationPanorama 5 1/50
03203–6296–2
50
ExploitationPanorama 6 1/200
03203–6297–0
200
ExploitationPanorama 7 1/300
03203–6298–9
300
ExploitationPanorama 9 1/178
03203–6300–4
178
ExploitationPanorama 10 1/160
03203–6301–2
160
ExploitationPanorama 8A 1/80
03203–6202–0
80
ExploitationTOTAL
3,600





Table 4-2: Exeter Caspiche Exploitation Concessions - In Application




Concession Name
ROL
Hectares
Concession TypeESCUDO IV 1/240
03203–5923–6
227
Exploitation in applicationESCUDO V 1/240 1/90
03203–5924–4
90
Exploitation in applicationESCUDO VI 1/100 1/20
03203–5925–2
20
Exploitation in applicationPANORAMA 8 1/120

120
Exploitation in applicationTOTAL
457






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The Caspiche exploitation concessions do not have expiration dates, and are in good standing as of the effective date of this report.  Exeter paid the annual license fee for the Caspiche concessions for the period 2015 to 2016 and Exeter expects to make all payments required to maintain the properties in good standing in the future.





At the effective date of this report Exeter had been granted fifty-six mining exploration concessions over the original concessions, vacant ground and those of third parties, totalling 14,700 ha and two exploration concessions in application covering an additional 600 ha.  These concessions are valid under Chilean law, but are considered junior to the Caspiche and third party concessions where they overlap.  The concessions that overlap the Caspiche concessions were established by Exeter as a safeguard only.  The granted Exeter mining exploration concessions are listed in Table 4-3 and those under application are listed in Table 4-4.





Table 4-3: Exeter Exploration Concessions - Granted





Concession Name
ROL
Hectares
Concession TypeALBACORA 1A
03203-D502-1
300
ExplorationALBACORA 2A
03203-D503-K
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 12A
03203-D504-8
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 13A
03203-D505-6
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 14A
03203-D506-4
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 15A
03203-D507-2
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 16A
03203-D508-0
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 17A
03203-D509-9
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 18A
03203-D510-2
300
ExplorationPANORAMA 19A
03203-D511-0
300
ExplorationESCUDO 7A
03203-D524-2
300
ExplorationESCUDO 8A
03203-D525-0
100
ExplorationESCUDO 9A
03203-D526-9
100
ExplorationESCUDO 10A
03203-D527-7
300
ExplorationESCUDO 11A
03203-D528-5
300
ExplorationESCUDO 12A
03203-D529-3
300
ExplorationESCUDO 13A
03203-D530-7
200
ExplorationESCUDO 14A
03203-D531-5
300
ExplorationESCUDO 15A
03203-D532-3
200
ExplorationESCUDO 16A
03203-D533-1
200
ExplorationESCUDO 17A
03203-D534-K
300
ExplorationESCUDO 18A
03203-D535-8
300
ExplorationESCUDO 19A
03203-D536-6
100
ExplorationESCUDO 20A
03203-D537-4
300
ExplorationESCUDO 21A
03203-D538-2
300
ExplorationESCUDO 22A
03203-D539-0
300
ExplorationESCUDO 23A
03203-D540-4
300
ExplorationESCUDO 24A
03203-D541-2
300
ExplorationESCUDO 25A
03203-D542-0
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 1
03102-J846-2
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 2
03102-J847-0
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 3
03102-J848-9
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 4
03102-J880-2
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 5
03102-J849-7
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 6
03102-J850-0
300
ExplorationFLAMINGO 7
03102-I706-1
200
ExplorationFLAMINGO 8
03102-I707-K
200
Exploration   30
  Concession Name
ROL
Hectares
Concession TypeFLAMINGO 9
03102-I708-8
200
ExplorationFLAMINGO 10
03102-I709-6
200
ExplorationFLAMINGO 11
03102-I710-K
200
ExplorationFLAMINGO 12
03102-I711-8
200
ExplorationSALMON 1B
03203-D852-7
100
ExplorationREINETA 1B
03203-D853-5
200
ExplorationREINETA 3B
03203-D854-3
300
ExplorationGLORIA 1A
03202-2800-K
200
ExplorationGLORIA 2A
03202-2801-8
200
ExplorationLACUS C 5
03201-K055-K
300
ExplorationLACUS C 6
03201-K056-8
300
ExplorationLACUS C 7
03201-K057-6
300
ExplorationLACUS C 9
03201-K058-4
300
ExplorationLACUS C 10
03201-K059-2
300
ExplorationLACUS C 11
03201-K060-6
200
ExplorationLACUS C 13
03201-K061-4
300
ExplorationLACUS C 14
03201-K062-2
300
ExplorationLACUS C 15
03201-K063-0
300
ExplorationLACUS C 18
03201-K064-9
300
Exploration








Table 4-4: Exeter Exploration Concessions – In Application





Concession Name
ROL
Hectares
Concession TypeCORVINA 1B
N/A
300
Exploration in applicationREINETA 2B
N/A
300
Exploration in application





Physiography





The Caspiche property is located high in the central Chilean Andes within the region commonly described as the Atacama Desert.  The topography within the property is almost entirely volcanic in nature and consists of broad open areas of moderate relief and prominent ridges with limited cliff zones of exposed bedrock.  The Caspiche property itself lies within the catchment of the Copiapó river tributary system, however a little further to the north-west an intermediate ridgeline and valley system closes the high Andean drainage resulting in a chain of endorheic saline lakes stretching considerable distances within the high Atacama region.





Vegetation is limited to grasses and small thorny bushes and small marsh areas at the junction of creeks.  Wildlife includes guanaco, vicuña, foxes, rabbits, ground squirrels, hawks, condors and small reptiles.





Accessibility





Access to the project is by 183 km of paved and gravel road from Copiapó.  The initial 22 km running south from Copiapó through the town of Tierra Amarilla is paved highway which connects to a 161 km treated gravel road that runs east-southeast to the project site.  Currently, total driving time from Copiapó to site is approximately 3 hours.  The main gravel road serves as a regional transportation route to Argentina and is gradually being upgraded.  This route also serves the nearby Maricunga Gold Mine (Kinross Gold Corp.) and Cerro Casale gold-copper project (Kinross Gold Corp. and Barrick Gold Corp.).  From this road, several access alternatives exist to the project and other additional access options have been identified if required.





Climate





The climate at Caspiche is typical for the central Andean Cordillera: windy, cold at night with limited precipitation, usually in the form of snow.  Day-time temperatures in summer months approach 23 °C, with night-time lows of 5 °C.  Day-time





31





temperatures in winter are around freezing, with night-time temperatures dropping to -15 °C.  Exploration field seasons generally run from late October through mid-May.  Operating mines in the area, such as the nearby Maricunga Gold Mine, are operated year-round at elevations of 4,200 to 4,500 m above sea level.  Upon development, it is expected that the mine would be operated year-round.  Exeter operates three automatic weather stations to monitor detailed climatic variations.





Current Infrastructure





Caspiche is a green field site, and thus existing site infrastructure is limited to roads and trails on the property.  The property is large enough to host an open pit or underground mining operation, although optimum locations for infrastructure may overlie third party mining claims.  Concession owners have the right to establish an occupation easement over the surface as required for the comfortable exploration or exploitation of the concession.  The majority of the area required by Exeter is owned by the Chilean government.  The process for obtaining permits for easements and water rights is well defined in Chile.





On March 15, 2011, Exeter entered into an occupation agreement with the local Colla community over an area of 1.77 ha where the project camp was located.   The initial duration of this agreement was for three years with a right to extend for a further three years.  This agreement has been extended to March 15, 2017.  On June 16, 2011 the BBNN granted Exeter a surface rights lease (the “Lease”) over a 1,313 ha area covering certain mineral tenements of the Caspiche project.  The duration of the Lease is five years from May 3, 2011 and the Company has applied to renew the lease.  An annual rental payment is paid quarterly by the Company.





On June 10, 2013 the Chilean government granted a surface land use Easement of approximately 9,600 ha to extend the area required for future potential development of Caspiche.  The Easement specifically excludes surface rights in areas owned by the local indigenous communities.  This Easement is now also the subject of a court claim initiated by a local Chilean company challenging the Chilean governments granting of the Easement.





Exeter has completed a water drilling program at its concessions in the Peñas Blancas area where it has the option to acquire up to a 90% interest in any water discovered. Water quantities discovered to date are believed to be sufficient for the potential development options outlined in the PEA report. The application process for water rights at Peñas Blancas has been commenced.  In addition, initiatives are ongoing to outline additional sources of water.





Power for the existing projects in the Maricunga region is normally sourced from near Copiapó and carried to the mines by private power lines owned by the operating companies. Copiapó and the surrounding areas are serviced by an extensive power grid known as the Central Interconnected System, (SIC), which also services the main population centres around Santiago and further south.  Plans are currently being implemented to considerably strengthen the power generation and distribution system in the region and are due to be completed in 2017.  Exeter proposes using on site power generation or extending the Maricunga line for the power supply for the heap leach power requirements and then connect to the grid system should the sulphide project be developed.





Water





In January 2014, the Company’s Chilean subsidiary, Eton Chile, negotiated new water exploration agreement terms (“Water Agreement”) with Atacama Pacific.  The new terms amended the original agreement entered into between the parties in May 2013. The Water Agreement allows Eton Chile to earn an additional 40% interest, for an aggregate 90% interest, in any water rights granted following the discovery of water near Peñas Blancas (Laguna Verde) in Maricunga region, norther Chile.  To earn the additional 40% interest, Eton Chile is required to incur an additional 40% (total of 90%) of all expenditures relating to exploration and potential development on the water tenements.  In addition, in the event of approval of water rights by the General Directorate of Water Resources (“DGA”), Eton Chile will assume Atacama Pacific’s obligation to pay Hydro Exploraciones SpA (“Hydro”), an Atacama Pacific affiliate, US$15,000 per l/s of DGA approved water rights.  Atacama Pacific will remain obligated to pay Hydro US$15,000 per l/s on its 10% interest.  Regardless of the total amount of DGA approved water acquired, payments to Hydro are capped at US$1 million.  These payments are not applicable to Eton Chile’s original 50% interest in any water rights acquired.  In addition, Eton Chile will pay US$5,000 per month to Hydro from the date of any application for water rights for assisting with securing such water rights.  The aggregate of the monthly payments are deductible from any amount payable to Hydro for water rights acquired.





During 2014, three large-diameter drill holes, LV-02, LV-03 and LV-04, completed at Peñas Blancas, intersected potentially significant quantities of water based on preliminary evaluation using airlift testing.  Down hole pump testing, a more definitive measurement technique to quantify water flow rates and the recharge rate, was completed on one hole, LV-





32




03, prior to the onset of winter.  Pump tests on LV-03 confirmed a potentially significant water resource.  Tests included a series of variable and fixed-speed pump tests.  At each flow rate tested, the water table stabilized and recovered rapidly, suggesting favourable permeability and transmissivity.  Flow rates of +40 litres per second (“l/s”) were tested.





Following the winter shut-down in October 2014, the Company commenced an expanded water drilling program at Peñas Blancas which included completing two additional large diameter water bore holes and a series of smaller diameter water monitoring holes together with down hole pump tests and water level measurements to quantify water flow rates and aquifer recharge rates.





In the second quarter of 2015, the Company announced completion of the water exploration drilling program at Peñas Blancas. Testing of the water discovery confirmed aggregate flow rates of over 400 l/s. The ultimate, cumulative flow rate potential of the aquifer remains open and the technical characteristics of the aquifer are considered excellent. Maximum anticipated water requirements based on the 2014 PEA is 185 l/s, less than half of the flow rate tested. The water exploration phase at Peñas Blancas is complete and applications to acquire water rights have been initiated. The timeline for this approval process is not defined by the Chilean water authorities. In Q4 2015, the Company was granted a provisional easement over the area where the water drill holes are located.





Mineralization





Mineralization has been encountered in two main areas of the Caspiche property.  These two areas are called Caspiche Porphyry and Caspiche Epithermals.





High-sulphidation epithermal, intermediate-sulphidation epithermal and porphyry-style mineralization occur at Caspiche.  High-sulphidation epithermal-style mineralization occurs at Caspiche, and hosts disseminated gold in felsic volcanic rocks and dioritic to quartz dioritic quartz-feldspar porphyry intrusive rocks.  Modelling of the mineralization indicates the presence of an upper gold-bearing oxide zone underlain by a lower gold-copper-bearing sulphide zone.  Porphyry-style stockwork quartz veining, containing gold and copper mineralization, has been intersected over broad lengths in drill holes.  Gold only mineralization from the MacNeill zone partially overprints and upgrades the western edge of porphyry style mineralization and is confined to the underside of the eastward-flared, late-mineral diatreme contact.  No porphyry-style mineralization or intermediate-epithermal style mineralization has been observed at surface on the property.  This is in part due to the extensive alluvium and colluvium which covers approximately 90% of the Caspiche property area.





Mineralization is hosted primarily by diorite porphyry and mineralized basement and andesitic volcanic rocks, covered by up to 60 m of alluvial material.  The upper surficial deposits is generally mineralized only in gold and low level silver, and the onset of copper mineralization generally coincides with the commencement of sulphide mineralization.  No significant supergene oxide mineralization has been observed at Caspiche Porphyry.  Mineralized intercepts in and around the diorite porphyry appear to have good continuity, and yield consistent intercepts of several hundred metres of porphyry-style, sulphide mineralization grading between 0.3 g/t and 1.4 g/t gold, and 0.1% and 0.5% copper.  Near surface, oxide intercepts at Caspiche Porphyry generally range between 20 m and 200 m grading between 0.2 g/t and 1.2 g/t gold and no appreciable copper.





At Caspiche Epithermals, only high-sulphidation epithermal style alteration and mineralization have been observed and intersected by drilling to date.  Potential for porphyry-style mineralization at depth remains, because drilling to date at Caspiche Epithermals has mostly targeted near-surface high-sulphidation epithermal mineralization and thus reached only relatively shallow depths in most areas.  One deeper drill hole completed in 2009 to the west of the system and an additional two deeper drill holes in the southern portion of the prospect failed to intersect intrusive rocks or proximal porphyry-style alteration and mineralization downgrading the potential for these areas.





Historical Exploration





Anglo American was the first company to explore the Caspiche area.  Between 1986 and 1990, Anglo American conducted three field campaigns on the property.  The first campaign consisted of rock-chip and grid-soil geochemical surveys, where a total of 842 rock-chip samples and 431 soil samples were collected.  These surveys identified a 650 m by 300 m zone of the Caspiche Porphyry area that was strongly anomalous at surface in gold, silver, copper, and arsenic.  Eighty rock samples returned values greater than 1 g/t gold, with a high value of 5.45 g/t gold.




33





During the 1988 field season, Anglo American drilled 568 m in 12 shallow air rotary holes in the Caspiche Porphyry sector.  These drill holes targeted near-surface gold mineralization identified in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks, and delineated by geochemical surveys.  Drilling from this campaign intersected significant widths of mineralization in several holes, including 32 m grading 1.10 g/t gold in SHC-4 and 48 m grading 1.03 g/t gold in SHC-5.





During the 1990 season, Anglo American drilled 950 m in six reverse circulation (RC) holes, exploring the Caspiche Porphyry gold system to greater depths.  Results from this program yielded narrow intersections of gold mineralization, including 10 m grading 1.09 g/t gold in SPC-02 and 34 m grading 0.63 g/t gold in SPC-05.





During the first field season of an option in 1996-1997, Newcrest conducted geological mapping, rock geochemical surveys, aeromagnetic and IP / resistivity geophysical surveys and drilled 3,298 m in 14 RC drill holes.  Twelve holes were drilled at Caspiche Porphyry to follow-up disseminated mineralization discovered by Anglo American and to test targets defined by the geochemical and geophysical surveys.  Two holes were drilled in the Caspiche Epithermals area, targeting epithermal-style mineralization indicated by anomalous gold and mercury surface geochemistry.





During the 1997-1998 field season, Newcrest conducted soil geochemical surveys, geological investigations and drilled 4,123 m in 22 RC drill holes in the Caspiche Porphyry and Caspiche Epithermals prospect areas.  Porphyry-style gold-copper mineralization was encountered in several of the drill holes at Caspiche Porphyry.





Exeter optioned the property in October 2005.  No significant exploration work was reportedly conducted on the property from the end of the Newcrest drill campaign until Exeter began work.





In 2006 and 2007, Exeter compiled historic exploration data into a geographic information system (GIS), reprocessed existing geophysical data, completed geological mapping of the property area, collected rock-chip samples and conducted controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT), pole-dipole induced polarization (PDIP), and natural source magnetotellurics geophysical surveys.  In 2008 and 2009, Exeter completed property-scale geological mapping, a PIMATM (field portable, infrared spectrometer useful for mineral identification) study of drill core samples, a soil orientation survey over the Caspiche Porphyry area, a reinterpretation of the regional geophysical data and age dating work.





From 2006 through September 2011, Exeter completed over 66,000 m of drilling in 99 drill holes, mostly as deep diamond drill holes in the Caspiche Porphyry area.  Other work conducted during this period included geological mapping of the surface of the property, geochemical and geophysical surveying to help guide exploration for additional intrusive centres, geotechnical logging and geomechanical testing of a significant number of oriented drill cores and metallurgical testwork to determine expected metallurgical recoveries and guide process design.





During the drill season between September 2011 to May 2012, Exeter completed 35 diamond holes for 8,666 m, including an extensive geotechnical program, metallurgical test holes and groundwater monitoring holes.





At the end of November 2012, a radiometrics and high resolution helicopter magnetic program was conducted at Panorama and over the VIN properties, previously held under option from Xstrata, by NewSense Geophysics Ltd.





Sampling and Analysis





Reverse Circulation (RC) and core sampling by the Company was consistently applied throughout the Exeter drill campaigns.  Exeter documented their RC and core sampling procedures in a document, written in Spanish, which was used to train drill sampling staff.





RC drill cuttings were sampled using a tricone or hammer bit via a cyclone at 1 m intervals.  Sample material was collected at the drill rig in a large plastic bag, weighed, labelled and then transported to the Caspiche camp, located about 8 km from Caspiche Porphyry.  At the Caspiche camp, the entire sample was manually split to one-eighth and seven-eighth fractions using a single pass through a triple stage riffle splitter.  The one-eighth split was then weighed and set aside for compositing, while the seven-eighth reject sample was bagged.  The one-eighth splits from each consecutive 1 m samples were combined to form the 2 m field composite for assaying.





Diamond drilling by Exeter at Caspiche employed HQ (6.35 cm), HQ3 (6.11 cm), NQ (4.76 cm), and NQ3 (4.50 cm) diameter core tools.  PQ (8.50 cm) diameter core was employed during the confirmation / metallurgical drill program of the 2009-2010 drill campaign.






34





HQ3 and NQ3 triple-tube core tools were used with oriented core.  The triple-tube splits were removed from the core barrel and rolled into a spare split, followed by Exeter’s trained field technicians fitting the core together, measuring the length of the recovered sample and continuing the oriented line.  The angle between the pin and ball mark was transferred to the core from the ring using specifically-designed protractors and marked as a red pencil line.  The oriented core was then placed in a wooden core tray, where the end of the run was marked with a core block marked with hole depth.  There was always a trained field technician at the rig to perform core orientation and to record the preliminary core run recovery.





Exeter personnel transported the drill core from the drill site to Exeter’s offices in Copiapó where the core was logged and photographed by digital camera.  To maintain the integrity of the core, the boxes were packed and fastened with belts in the back of the trucks.





Following logging and photographing, core was sawn in half in uniform 2 m intervals using a diamond saw.  One half of the core interval was bagged for assay, and the other half was stored for future reference.  Core samples for assay were placed in marked plastic bags, sealed and transported to the assay laboratory by Exeter personnel.





PQ diameter core from the confirmation / metallurgical drill program in 2009-2010 was split differently than the core from the routine drilling programs.  To preserve as much of the core as possible for metallurgical testing, the core was divided so that the portion retained for assaying was approximately one-quarter NQ core.  In practice, a 1.7 cm split of the 8.5 cm core was used for assaying, and the remainder was retained in the core box for use in later metallurgical testwork.





Average core recovery for the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 drill programs was approximately 98 %.





The various steps taken by Exeter to ensure the integrity of analytical data were appraised and deemed to be consistent with standard industry practice by independent reviews and audits.  The sampling procedures were appropriate for the style of mineralization and structural controls for the Caspiche Project.  The most recent independent audit and resource calculations were carried out by Cube Consulting Pty. Ltd. (“Cube”).  Cube’s examination of drill cores, particularly in regard to the recognition of mineralized intervals, verified the soundness of the core sampling procedure.





Cube most recently undertook a site visit to the Caspiche Project on the 22nd,23rd, and 24th of October 2013.  Cube’s site visit included a field inspection, confirmation of drill hole locations, review of the geological and structural setting and inspection of representative mineralization in diamond drill core.  Cube undertook independent sampling and assaying of select drill core intervals during this site visit.





Cube believed that the current database provided an accurate and robust representation of the Caspiche project and was appropriate for use in mineral resource estimation.





Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves and Preliminary Economic Assessment





The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) reported below for the Caspiche Project with an effective date of April 11, 2012 (the “Cube 2012 Mineral Resource”) was prepared by Mr. Ted Coupland, MAusIMM(CP), at the time, Director and Principal Geostatistician of Cube.  The Cube 2012 Mineral Resource, was classified in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards for  Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (Nov 2010).  Mr. Patrick Adams MAusIMM(CP), Director and Principal Geologist of Cube has reviewed and validated the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource.





The Cube 2012 Mineral Resource reported from within the 'reasonable prospects' resource shell is summarized in Table 1-5 below.  The Cube 2012 Mineral Resource may be affected by further infill and exploration drilling that may result in increases or decreases in subsequent resource estimates.  The MRE may also be affected by subsequent assessments of mining, environmental, processing, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, and other as yet identified factors.  The Cube 2012 Mineral Resource is reported above a gold equivalent (AuEq) cut-off.  Oxide material was reported above 0.18 g/t AuEq cut-off and sulphide material was reported above 0.30 g/t AuEq cut-off.  Note that the PEA does not include or use the inferred mineral resources.







35







Table 1-5: Caspiche Mineral Resource Statement April 2012




Material
Class
Tonnes

(Mt)
Au

(g/t)
Cu (%)
Ag

(g/t)
AuEq1

(g/t)
Au Eq2

(Moz)Oxide
Measured
66
0.46

1.55
0.46
1.0Oxide
Indicated
56
0.39

1.63
0.40
0.7Total Oxide
Meas + Ind
122
0.43

1.58
0.43
1.7Sulphide
Measured
554
0.58
0.23
1.16
1.02
18.3Sulphide
Indicated
727.9
0.48
0.18
1.17
0.84
19.6Total Sulphide
Meas + Ind
1,282.1
0.52
0.20
1.17
0.92
37.9Total Meas+Ind

1,403.6
0.51
0.19
1.20
0.88
39.6







Material
Class
Tonnes

(Mt)
Au

(g/t)
Cu (%)
Ag

(g/t)
AuEq1

(g/t)
Au Eq2

(Moz)Oxide
Inferred
2.5
0.23

1.18
0.23Sulphide
Inferred
195.6
0.29
0.12
0.91
0.52
3.3Total
Inferred
198.1
0.29
0.12
0.91
0.52
3.3





1.
The following formula was used on calculating AuEq values in each block of the model:





where Au and Cu were the block kriged gold and copper grades, PAu and PCu were the gold and copper prices (US$1,150/oz and U.S$2.50/lb, respectively), and RAu and RCu are the gold and copper projected metallurgical recoveries, 65% and 85%, respectively for sulphide material and 78% for gold and 11% for copper in the oxide zone.





2.
Au Eq (Moz) = resource tonnes * AuEq1





Both the oxide and sulphide AuEq cut-off grades were selected as appropriate for the reporting of resources intended for open pit exploitation.  Cu% grades shown in the oxide portions of the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource are provided for information only.  Copper is not considered an economically viable product in the oxide portions of the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource.





For the purposes of the PEA a sub set of the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource including only the sulphide portion of the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource was reported using an updated AuEq formula.  The sulphide portions of the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource were reported as shown in Table 1-6 and Table 1-7 above a cut off of 0.75 g/t AuEq.  This higher cut off was selected as appropriate for the reporting of mineral resources intended for underground exploitation based on preliminary economic cut off studies commissioned by Exeter during October 2013 (NCL 29/10/2013).





36


Table 1-6: Caspiche – Transitional Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources - April 2013 above 0.75 g/t AuEq cut off.




Material
Class
Tonnes

(Mt)
Au

(g/t)
Cu

(%)
Ag

(g/t)
AuEq1

(g/t)Transitional
Measured
2.8
0.93
019
0.97
0.93Transitional
Indicated
0.7
1.04
0.30
1.26
1.05Total Transitional
Meas + Ind
3.5
0.95
0.21
1.02
0.95







1.
The following formula was used in calculating AuEq values in each block of the model:









where Au, Ag and Cu are the block kriged gold, silver and copper grades, PAu, PAg and PCu are the gold, silver and copper prices (US$1,250/oz., US$15/oz. and US$2.75/lb, respectively).  RAu and RCu are the Au and Cu projected metallurgical recoveries based on a number of S% thresholds.







Table 1-7 details the recovery factors for gold, silver and copper within the oxidized, and sulphide domains and the DP and Non-DP stratigraphic units using a sulphur threshold determined by and provided by Exeter.




Table 1-7: Caspiche – Sulphide Project Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources - April 2013 above 0.75 g/t AuEq cut off.





Material
Class
Tonnes

(Mt)
Au

(g/t)
Cu

(%)
Ag

(g/t)
AuEq1

(g/t)Sulphide
Measured
378.6
0.71
0.30
1.30
1.28Sulphide
Indicated
431.6
0.64
0.27
1.40
1.16Total Sulphide
Meas + Ind
810.2
0.67
0.29
1.35
1.22







1.
The following formula was used in calculating AuEq values in each block of the model:







where Au, Ag and Cu are the block kriged gold, silver and copper grades, PAu, PAg and PCu are the gold, silver and copper prices (US$1,250/oz., US$15/oz. and US$2.75/lb, respectively).  RAu and RCu are the Au and Cu projected metallurgical recoveries based on a number of S% thresholds.





Mining Methods





NCL has been used by Exeter to carry out mine planning and design services for several years.  In 2014, NCL was commissioned once again to review possible new development concepts that would require less up front capital expenditure and focus on higher grade or more easily treated components of the resources.





A summary of NCL’s 2014 Scope of Work follows:





●
Develop conceptual mine plans and mine production schedules for the potential life of mine (LOM), for five defined options:






37





°
Option 1:30 ktpd open pit mine for gold and silver oxide mineralization treated by heap leaching





°
Option 2: 60 ktpd open pit mine for gold and silver oxide mineralization treated by heap leaching and a 27 ktpd open pit mine for gold and copper sulphide mineralization treated in a conventional concentrator plant





°
Option 3: 60 ktpd open pit mine for gold and silver oxide mineralization treated by heap leaching and a 27 ktpd underground mine for gold and copper sulphide mineralization treated in a conventional concentrator plant.





°
Option 4: 60 ktpd open pit mine for gold and silver oxide mineralization treated by heap leaching and a 12 ktpd open pit mine for gold and copper sulphide mineralization treated in a conventional concentrator plant





°
Option 5: 27 ktpd underground mine for gold and copper sulphide mineralization treated in a conventional concentrator plant.





●
Determine the mine equipment and labour requirements for each of the options.





●
Estimate the mine initial and sustaining capital and operating costs for each of the options.





Different mining schedules, equipment and labour requirements were prepared and evaluated.  Only Measured and Indicated resources were included in the schedules.





●
Option 1 proposed to extract an average of 30 ktpd of mineralized material over a potential project life of 10 years.  Total materials movement from the mine did not exceed 15 Mt per year.





●
Option 2 considered an expanded open pit to extract oxide and sulphide material.  Proposed production averaged 57 ktpd of oxide material for 6 years.  From the sixth year of operation, the pit production was up to 27 ktpd of sulphide material for 12 years.





●
Option 3 combined an expanded open pit to extract oxide followed by an underground mine to extract sulphide material.  Proposed production from the pit averaged 60 ktpd of oxide material for 5 years.  Proposed underground mine production averaged 25 ktpd of sulphide material for 38 years.





●
Option 4 considered an extended open pit to extract oxide and sulphide material.  Proposed production averaged 60 ktpd of oxide material for 6 years.  From the sixth year of operation, pit production was up to 12 ktpd of sulphide material for 12 years.





●
Option 5 considered an underground mine producing an average of 25 ktpd of sulphide material for 38 years.





The open pit options all considered a full diesel fleet, 8m for benches for option 1 and 16m benches for all other options.  The underground options included an underground sizer and conveyor belt.





Measured and Indicated mineral resources included in the mining schedules for all options are summarized in Table 1-8.





38





Table 1-8: Mining Schedule and Mine Life by Option (source: NCL, May, 2014)









The PEA Report shows three potential development options:





1.
A 30,000 tpd heap leach oxide gold project producing a projected average of 122,000 oz AuEq*annually over a planned 10 year mine life, including 148,000 oz AuEq*annually in the first five years.





Very low strip ratio (0.27:1) and favorable gold recoveries, drive favorable economics.





●
Projected average total cash operating costs US$589/oz AuEq*. AISC US$676/oz AuEq*.


●
Pre-tax NPV5% of US$355 million at US$1,300/oz.


●
IRR of 34.7%.


●
After-tax (27% tax rate) NPV5% of US$252 million, IRR 28.5%.


●
Payback period of 3.4 years from initial construction.


●
Estimated initial capex US$210 million plus an additional US$41 million in contingencies.


●
Required water, 44 l/s.





2.
A larger, scalable 60,000 tpd open pit, heap leach oxide gold option followed by expanded open pit mining (27,000 tpd) of the gold copper sulphide zone. Planned mine life is 18 years with projected average annual production of approximately 289,000 oz AuEq*per year.





3.
A scalable 60,000 tpd open pit, heap leach oxide gold operation transitioning to underground sub level open stope mining (27,000 tpd) of the higher grade gold copper sulphide zone. Projected annual average production is 250,000 oz of Au in years 1-3 and 425,000 oz AuEq* in years 4-13. Over a planned 42 year mine life projected production is 344,000 oz AuEq* per year.





Economic Analysis





The economic analysis is based on the estimated CAPEX and OPEX and revenue calculated thereof.  The CAPEX and OPEX were developed as noted in Section 21 of the PEA Report.  Cash flow and economic analyses were performed from the effective date that equipment was on the project site.





The economic analysis is presented in a pre and post-tax format, and includes the Anglo American and third party royalty totalling 3.08% and the Chilean state royalty.  A post-tax discussion is also included in this report but as Alquimia is not a financial advisor these figures should be confirmed with a recognised tax expert.  Sensitivities based on commodity price, metals recovery, operating cost and capital expenditure variation were performed and discussed in Section 22 of the PEA Report.





Since the analysis is based on a cash flow estimate, it should be expected that actual economic results might vary from these results.  The PEA has been completed to a level of accuracy of ± 35%.  The PEA Report is not a preliminary feasibility study or feasibility study as defined by the NI 43-101 guidelines.





The PEA Report used prices of: Au US$1,300 US$/oz. Ag US$20/oz. and Cu US$3/lb




* Gold equivalent oz (AuEq) value is based on Au, Ag and Cu revenues (prices and recoveries involved). AuEq oz [troy oz] = [Au g/t * Rec Au *tonnes]/31.1 + [Ag g/t * Rec Ag * tonnes]/31.1* silver price troy oz/ gold price troy oz + [[Cu% * Rec Cu * tonnes]*2204] * copper price lbs/gold price troy oz. Recoveries are adjusted based on metallurgical characteristic of the resource.




39





There are no mineral reserves defined by the PEA Report, as the PEA Report is only a conceptual analysis of potential economic viability.





The economic analysis contained in the PEA Report is considered preliminary in nature and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized.  No inferred mineral resources form part of the PEA Report economic evaluation and no mineral reserves for the PEA Report have been established.  Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability.  There is no certainty that economic forecasts outlined in the PEA Report will be realized.  The PEA Report and the Cube 2012 Mineral Resource (as defined herein) may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors.


Economic parameters used for the evaluation are shown in Table 1-18.





Table 1-18: Main Economic Parameters












Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments




None.





40


Item 5.                 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects





Overview





The Company is an exploration stage company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada with its head office in Vancouver, Canada, and, together with its subsidiaries, it is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties.  The Company is also evaluating new opportunities with the objective of securing properties which offer near term discovery potential.  The continued operations of the Company is dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete the development of such properties, and the profitable production from or disposition of such properties.





Our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.





Critical accounting policies and use of estimates





Reference should be made to significant accounting policies contained in Note 4 of the December 31, 2015 audited consolidated financial statements of the Company attached hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.  These accounting policies can have a significant impact of the financial performance and financial position of the Company.  Note 4 also contains a discussion of use of estimates and judgments.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.





A.
Operating Results




The following discussion is intended to supplement the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.  This discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risk factors set out under the heading “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors”.  See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above.




Results of Operations for fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014





The Company currently has no revenue generating activities other than interest income.  Interest income of $291,000 was recognized in 2015 compared to $497,000 in 2014.  Interest income in 2015 was lower than 2014 due to cash balances being used to fund ongoing exploration and administrative expenditures together with lower interest rates on cash invested.





During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company’s net loss decreased by $1.7 million from a net loss of $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to a net loss of $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.





Significant variances for expenses:





Share based compensation totalled $1,231,000, an increase of $826,000 over 2014 due to the Company granting stock options to directors, officers and employees and re-pricing certain employee stock options.





Shareholder communications: $390,000 ($578,000 in 2014) – the lower expenditure in 2015 is mainly due to Company reducing expenditures as a result of the challenging financial conditions experienced in 2015.





Mineral property exploration expenditures: $6,296,000 ($8,390,000 in 2014) – the higher expenditure in 2014 was largely attributable to costs related to water exploration and the review of lower capital cost alternatives for the potential development of the Caspiche project which was completed in 2014. In 2015, the water exploration program was completed during the second quarter of the year resulting in lower expenditures compared to 2014.






41


The Company implemented voluntary reductions of directors and senior executives’ remuneration in the 4th quarter, resulting in reductions of expenditures of approximately $92,000 as well as implementing personnel reductions.





Results of Operations for fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013





The Company currently has no revenue generating activities other than interest income.  Interest income of $497,000 was recognized in 2014 compared to $643,000 in 2013.  Interest income in 2014 was lower than 2013 due to cash balances being used to fund ongoing exploration and administrative expenditures together with lower interest rates on cash invested.





During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s net loss decreased by $8.5 million from a net loss of $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to a net loss of $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.





Significant variances for expenses:





Administration salaries and consulting were $694,000 and $1.3 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 respectively.  The decrease relates predominately to a decrease of approximately $684,000 in share-based compensation recognized in 2014 compared to 2013 due to options vesting in 2013.





Director’s fees were $213,000 and $1.4 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The decrease relates predominately to a decrease of approximately $1,177,000 in share-based compensation recognized in 2014 compared to 2013 due to options vesting in 2013.





Management fees were $203,000 and $1 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The decrease relates predominately to a decrease of approximately $667,000 in share-based compensation recognized in 2014 compared to 2013 due to options vesting in 2013.





B.           Liquidity and Capital Resources





The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 totalled $22.3 million compared to $30.8 million at December 31, 2014, a decrease of about $8.5 million.  The Company continues to utilize its cash resources to fund project exploration and administrative requirements.  Aside from cash and cash equivalents, the Company has no material liquid assets.  While the Company has successfully raised funds through past capital financings, there are no guarantees that such sources of funds will be available in the future.





Management continues to evaluate and adjust its planned level of activities to ensure that adequate levels of working capital are maintained.  The availability of funding will affect the planned activity levels at the Caspiche project and expenditures will be adjusted to match available funding.





Currently, the Company intends to continue to utilize its cash and cash equivalent to fund the exploration and development of its properties, with specific focus on Caspiche and for general working capital purposes.





The Company has no loans or bank debt and there are no restrictions on the use of its cash resources.  The Company has not issued any dividends and management does not expect this will change in the near future.





42


The Company deposits the majority of its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions in Canada and holds balances in banks in Chile as required to meet current expenditures.  The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.





The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and due to and from related parties approximates fair value due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.





The Company operates in Canada and Chile, and it is therefore exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies.





The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are denominated in several currencies (mainly Canadian Dollars, Chilean Pesos, US Dollars and Australian Dollars).  Such foreign currency balances, which are held in the Canadian parent, are subject to fluctuation against the Canadian Dollar.  Such foreign currency balances, which are held in the Chilean subsidiary, are subject to fluctuation against the Chilean Peso.





C.           Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.





None.





D.           Trend Information





While the Company does not have any producing mines it is directly affected by trends in the metal industry.  At the present time global metal prices are volatile.  Base metal prices and, in particular, gold prices, driven by rising global demand, climbed dramatically and approached near historic highs over the past several years.  Subsequently prices have decreased significantly due to, amongst other factors, declines in economic growth in certain countries while improving stability in the financial markets may have led to declining prices of gold.





Overall market prices for securities in the mineral resource sector and factors affecting such prices, including base metal prices, political trends in the countries such companies operate, and general economic conditions, may have an effect on the terms on which financing is available to the Company, if at all.





Except as disclosed, the Company does not know of any trends, demand, commitments, events or uncertainties that will result in, or that are reasonably likely to result in, its liquidity either materially increasing or decreasing at present or in the foreseeable future.  Material increases or decreases in liquidity are substantially determined by the success or failure of the Company’s exploration programs.





E.           Off-balance sheet arrangements





The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.





F.           Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations





As of December 31, 2015, the Company had the following contractual obligations:





Payments Due by Period ($000s)

(Figures are in Canadian Dollars)Contractual Obligations

Total


Less than 1

Year


1-3 Years


4-5 years


More than

5 YearsAdvance Royalty Payments

$
8,650


$
346


$
692


$
692


$
6,920Land Easement Payments

$
4,501


$
643


$
1,286


$
1,286


$
1,286Office and Equipment Leases

$
379


$
326


$
53


$
-


$
-Property Access Agreements

$
103


$
103


$
-


$
-


$
-Total

$
13,633


$
1,418


$
2,031


$
1,978


$
8,206








43


G.           Safe Harbor





The Company seeks safe harbor for our forward-looking statements contained in Items 5.E and F.  See the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above.





Item 6.                 Directors, Senior Management and Employees





A.           Directors and Senior Management





The following is a list of the Company’s directors and senior management as at December 31, 2015.  The directors were elected by the Shareholders on June 11, 2015 and are elected for a term of one year, which term expires at the election of the directors at the next annual meeting of shareholders.




Name, Position(s) with the

Companyand Municipality

of Residence
Principal Occupation
Period (s) Served as a

DirectorBryce G. Roxburgh

Co-Chairman of the Board Director

Manila, Philippines
Co-Chairman of the Company since February 27, 2013; President and CEO of the Company from September 2003 to March 2013; Chairman of Rugby Mining Limited since January 2007; Co-Chairman of Extorre Gold Mines Limited from March 2010 until August 2012.
March 20, 2003 to dateYale R. Simpson

Co-Chairman of the Board Director

West Vancouver, B.C.

Canada
Co-Chairman of the Company since February 27, 2013; Chairman of the Company from September 11, 2003 to February 27, 2013; President of Canaust Resource Consultants Ltd. since 1992;  Director of Adamera Minerals since February 2013 and Rugby Mining Limited since January 2007; Co-Chairman of Extorre Gold Mines Limited from March 2010 until August 2012; Director of Diamonds North Resources Ltd. from March 2002 to February 2013; Dynasty Metals & Mining Inc. from September 2003 to October 2011; Maudore Minerals Ltd. from November 2010 to June 2012; Silver Quest Resources Ltd. from December 2009 to December 2011; Independence Gold Corp. from December 2011 to October 2014.
June 10, 2003 to dateRobert G. Reynolds

Director

Sydney, Australia
Director of Rugby Mining Limited since January 24, 2007; Dacian Gold Limited since October 2012; Convergent Minerals Limited since December 2011; Chairman of Alacer Gold Corp./Avoca Resources Limited from March 2002 to August 2011; Director of Extorre Gold Mines Limited from March 2010 to  August 2012; Global Geoscience Limited from December 2007 to December 2015 and Chesser Resources Limited from October 2012 to February 2015.
June 12, 2007 to dateJulian Bavin

Director

Santiago, Chile
Director of Prism Resources since May 2012; Minera IRL Ltd since December 2015 and Director of Pan Global Resources from June 2010 to July 2015.
March 25, 2010 to date
  John Simmons

Director

Sydney, Australia
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. Partner with Simmons Johnson & Co. Chartered Accountants (now Nexia Court) from 1978 to 2012.
August 18, 2010 to date
   44
  Wendell M. Zerb

President and Chief Executive Officer

Burnaby, B.C. Canada
Appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer on February 27, 2013; Senior Mining Analyst for Canaccord Capital from March 2005 to July 2012 and a registered Professional Geologist with the Association of Professional Engineers, and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).
N/AS. R. Jeremy Perkins VP Development and Operations

Santiago, Chile
Appointed as Vice President Development and Operations on February 1, 2005; Chartered Professional Metallurgist (CPmet), Director and Principal, J Perkins & Associates Pty Ltd, an industry consultant firm since 1989.
N/ACecil Bond

Chief Financial Officer

Langley, B.C. Canada
Appointed as Chief Financial Officer on April 13, 2005; Chartered Accountant. Director and officer of various private companies. Director of Rugby Mining Limited from March 2009 until September 2012; Director of Extorre Gold Mines Limited from December 2009 to March 2010 and VP Finance of Extorre from March 2010 until August 2012.
N/A





Family Relationships





There are no family relationships between any directors or executive officers of the Company.





Arrangements





There are no known arrangements or understandings with any major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any of the Company’s officers or directors was selected as an officer or director of the Company.





Conflicts of Interest





There are no existing or potential conflicts of interest among the Company, its directors, officers or promoters as a result of their outside business interests with the exception that certain of the Company’s directors, officers and promoters serve as directors, officers and promoters of other companies, as set out below, and, therefore, it is possible that a conflict may arise between their duties as a director, officer or promoter of the Company and their duties as a director or officer of such other companies.





The directors and officers of the Company are aware of the existence of laws governing accountability of directors and officers for corporate opportunity and requiring disclosures by directors of conflicts of interest and the Company will rely upon such laws in respect of any directors’ and officers’ conflicts of interest or in respect of any breaches of duty by any of its directors or officers.  All such conflicts will be disclosed by such directors or officers in accordance with the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, and they will govern themselves in respect thereof to the best of their ability in accordance with the obligations imposed upon them by law.





The majority of the Company’s directors are also directors, officers or shareholders of other companies that are engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and exploiting natural resource properties including properties in countries where the Company is conducting its operations.  Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time.  Such a conflict poses the risk that the Company may enter into a transaction on terms which place the Company in a worse position than if no conflict existed.  The directors of the Company are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the Company and to disclose any interest which they may have in any project or opportunity of the Company.  However, each director has a similar obligation to other companies for which such director serves as an officer or director.  The Company has no specific internal policy governing conflicts of interest.





45





In addition to their positions on the Board, the following directors also serve as directors of the following reporting issuers or reporting issuer equivalent(s):





Name of Director
Reporting Issuer(s) or Equivalent(s)Bryce G. Roxburgh
Rugby Mining LimitedYale R. Simpson
Rugby Mining Limited

Adamera Minerals Corp.Robert G. Reynolds
Rugby Mining Limited

Dacian Gold Limited

Convergent Minerals LimitedJohn C. Simmons
NoneJulian Bavin
Prism Resources

Minera IRL Ltd





B.
Compensation





The Company does not have a formal compensation program.  However, the Compensation Committee of the Board meets to discuss and determine the recommendations that it will make to the Board regarding management compensation, without reference to formal objectives, criteria or analysis.  The general objectives of the Company’s compensation strategy are to (a) compensate management in a manner that encourages and rewards a high level of performance and outstanding results with a view to increasing long-term shareholder value; (b) align management’s interests with the long-term interests of shareholders; (c) provide a compensation package that is commensurate with other junior mineral exploration companies to enable the Company to attract and retain talent; and (d) ensure that the total compensation package is designed in a manner that takes into account the constraints that the Company is under by virtue of the fact that it is a junior mineral exploration company without a history of earnings.





The Compensation Committee is composed of Robert G. Reynolds, John C. Simmons and Julian Bavin, all of whom are independent directors, applying the definition set out in section 1.4 of National Instrument 52- 110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”) and Rules 803A and 805(c)(1) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide.





The Compensation Committee considers and evaluates executive compensation levels on an annual basis, including when considered necessary, against available information for “peer group” companies, which are principally comprised of “junior mineral exploration” companies, to ensure that the Company’s executive compensation levels are within the range of comparable norms.  In selecting peer group companies, the Compensation Committee primarily looks for public companies that are comparable in terms of business and size.  During 2015 the Compensation Committee reviewed executive compensation levels and, in discussion management determined that certain executive and director remuneration would be temporarily reduced by up to 30% given the challenging economic circumstances in the junior mining industry. The temporary reductions in remuneration were effective October 1, 2015.





Currently, the principal components of the Company’s executive compensation packages are base remuneration, long-term incentive in the form of stock options, and a discretionary annual incentive cash bonus.  The Company targets base remuneration, bonuses, and option based awards towards an upper level relative to peer companies for similarly experienced executives performing similar duties.  Generally, awards are made within this range, although compensation is awarded above or below in cases of exceptional or poor corporate and/or individual performance or other individual factors relating to a Named Executive Officer.  The Company benchmarks against upper compensation levels to attract and retain executives, and provide an incentive for executives to strive for better than average performance to earn better than average compensation and helps the Company to manage the overall cost of management compensation.






46





While the Compensation Committee believes that it is important to use benchmarking data to assist it in determining appropriate ranges for executive compensation, it also considers other factors when awarding executive compensation, such as the overall financial strength of the Company, its exploration successes and equity financing success.





Base remuneration is used to provide the Named Executive Officers a set amount of money during the year with the expectation that each Named Executive Officer will perform his responsibilities to the best of his ability and in the best interests of the Company.





The granting of incentive stock options provides a link between management compensation and the Company’s share price.  It also rewards management for achieving results that improve Company performance and thereby increase shareholder value.  Stock options are generally awarded to executive officers at the commencement of employment and periodically thereafter.  In making a determination as to whether a grant of long-term incentive stock options is appropriate, and if so, the number of options that should be granted, consideration is given to: the number and terms of outstanding incentive stock options held by the Named Executive Officer; current and expected future performance of the Named Executive Officer; the potential dilution to shareholders and the cost to the Company; general industry standards and the limits imposed by the terms of the Company’s stock option plan, as amended (the “Option Plan”) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”).  The Company considers the granting of incentive stock options to be a particularly important element of compensation as it allows the Company to reward each Named Executive Officer’s efforts to increase value for shareholders without requiring the Company to use cash from its treasury.  The terms and conditions of the Company’s stock option grants, including vesting provisions and exercise prices, are governed by the terms of the Option Plan, which are described under “Incentive Plan Awards” below.





Finally, the Compensation Committee will consider whether it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Company to award a discretionary cash bonus to the Named Executive Officers and if so, in what amount.  A cash bonus may be awarded to reward extraordinary performance that has led to increased value for shareholders through strategic corporate transactions, property acquisitions or divestitures, the formation of new strategic or joint venture relationships and/or capital raising efforts.  Demonstrations of extraordinary personal commitment to the Company’s interests, the community and the industry may also be rewarded through a cash bonus.





The Compensation Committee considers the implications and risks of the Company’s compensation policies and practices as a factor in assisting the Board in approving and monitoring guidelines and practices regarding the compensation and benefits of officers.  In particular, the committee considers the impact on NEOs and other senior executives to ensure that they do not take undue risks.  The Compensation Committee has not identified any risks in the Company’s existing compensation policies and practices that it believes would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.





The Company does not have a formal policy prohibiting a NEO or director from purchasing financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation and held, directly or indirectly, by the NEO or director.





Summary Compensation Table





The following table is a summary of compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers for the three most recently completed financial years.





Name and

Principal Position
Year
Salary

($)
Share-

based 
awards 
($)
Option-basedawards($)(1)
Non-equity incentive 
plan compensation
Pensionvalue($)(3)
All other 
compensation

($)
Total 
compensation

($)Annualincentiveplan(2)
Long-termincentiveplan(3)Bryce G. Roxburgh, Co-Chairman(4)
2015

2014

2013
$185,000(6)

$200,000(7)

$280,000(8)
Nil

Nil

Nil
$354,375

Nil

$339,900
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
$539,375

$200,000

$619,900Yale R. Simpson, Co-Chairman
2015

2014

2013
$106,875(9)

$120,000(10)

$120,000(10)
Nil

Nil

Nil
$194,198

Nil

$203,940
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
$301,073

$120,000

$323,940   47
   Wendell M. Zerb, President and Chief Executive Officer(5)
2015

2014

2013
$323,750(11)

$350,000

$350,000
Nil

Nil

Nil
$359,417

Nil

$1,115,400
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
$6,000

$6,000

Nil
$689,167

$356,000

$1,465,400Cecil R. Bond, Chief Financial Officer
2015

2014

2013
$231,250(12)

$250,000(13)

$250,000(13)
Nil

Nil

Nil
$253,100

Nil

$203,940
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
$484,350

$250,000

$453,940S. R. Jeremy Perkins, VP Development & Operations
2015

2014

2013
$269,172(14)

$249,141(14)

$212,389(14)
Nil

Nil

Nil
$68,350

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil

Nil
$337,522

$249,141

$212,389




(1)
The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model for determining the fair value of stock options issued at grant date.  These values do not represent actual amounts received by the NEOs as the gain, if any, will depend on the market value of the shares on the date that the option is exercised.




(2)
The Company does not currently have a formal annual incentive plan or long term incentive plan for any of its executive officers, including its Named Executive Officers, but may award discretionary bonus payments from time to time.




(3)
The Company does not have any pension, retirement or deferred compensation plans, including defined contribution plans.




(4)
Mr. Roxburgh transitioned from the role of President and Chief Executive Officer to the role of Co-Chairman, a position shared with Mr. Simpson, on February 28, 2013.




(5)
Mr. Zerb was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer on February 28, 2013.




(6)
The Company paid a fee of $16,667 per month for the first nine  months and $11,666.67 for the last three months of the financial year ended December 31, 2015 to Rowen Company Limited (“Rowen”) a company controlled by Mr. Roxburgh. The decrease in the last three months was due to the voluntary temporary reduction in remuneration agreed to between Rowen and the Company.




(7)
The Company paid a fee of $16,667 per month during the financial year ended December 31, 2014 to Rowen.




(8)
The Company paid a fee of $30,000 per month for the first six months and $16,667 per month for the last six months of the financial year ended December 31, 2013 to Rowen.




(9)
The Company paid a fee of $14,583.33 per month for first nine months and $10,208.33 for the last three months of the financial year ended December 31, 2015 to Canaust Resource Consultants Ltd. (“Canaust”).  Canaust is controlled by Mr. Simpson. The decrease in the last three months was due to the voluntary temporary reduction in remuneration agreed to between Canaust and the Company.




(10)
The Company paid a fee of $14,583 per month for the financial years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 to Canaust Resource Consultants Ltd. (“Canaust”).  Canaust is controlled by Mr. Simpson.
  (11)
The Company paid a salary of $29,166.67 per month for first nine months and $20,416.67 for the last three months of the financial year ended December 31, 2015 to Wendell Zerb (“Zerb”).  The decrease in the last three months was due to the voluntary temporary reduction in remuneration agreed to between Zerb and the Company.
  (12)
The Company paid a fee of $20,833.33 per month for first nine months and $14,583.33 for the last three months of the financial year ended December 31, 2015 to 667060 B.C. Ltd. (“667060”), a company controlled by Mr. Bond.  The decrease in the last three months was due to the voluntary temporary reduction in remuneration agreed to between 667060 and the Company.
  (13)
The Company paid a fee of $20,833 per month for the financial years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 to 667060.
  (14)
Fees paid by the Company, based upon time charged, are paid to J Perkins & Associates Pty Ltd. (“JPA”), a company controlled by Mr. Perkins.




The Company entered into consulting agreements dated as of September 1, 2014 with Bryce Roxburgh (“Roxburgh”), Cecil Bond (“Bond”) and Yale Simpson (“Simpson”) and the companies through which their services are provided.





Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company, Rowen of Hong Kong and Roxburgh, Rowen provides the services of Roxburgh to the Company, and provides for Roxburgh to serve as a director of the Company as elected and to hold office at the pleasure of the Board.  Roxburgh is a beneficiary of Rowen.  The Company pays Rowen a monthly consulting fee of $16,667 for Roxburgh’s services.  Rowen and the Company agreed to a temporary reduction in the monthly fee commencing October1, 2015 to $11,666.66 per month to recognize the current financial difficulties in the junior mining industry.  The agreement has a term of two years, and upon expiry, will automatically be extended for a further two years unless the Company gives 180 days’ notice that it will not extend the agreement.  See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.




48





Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company, 667060 of British Columbia and Bond, 667060 provides the services of Bond to the Company, and provides for Bond to serve as CFO of the Company at the pleasure of the Board.  667060 is controlled by Bond.  The Company pays 667060 a monthly consulting fee of $20,833 for Bond’s services.  667060 and the Company agreed to a temporary reduction in the monthly fee commencing October1, 2015 to $14,583.33 per month to recognize the current financial difficulties in the junior mining industry.  The agreement has a term of two years, and upon expiry, will automatically be extended for a further two years unless the Company gives 180 days’ notice that it will not extend the agreement.  See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.





Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company, Canaust of British Columbia and Simpson, Canaust provides the services of Simpson to the Company, and provides for Simpson to serve as a director of the Company as elected and to hold the office of Chairman at the pleasure of the Board.  Canaust is controlled by Simpson.  The Company pays Canaust a monthly consulting fee of $14,583 for Simpson’s services.  Canaust and the Company agreed to a temporary reduction in the monthly fee commencing October1, 2015 to $10,208.33 per month to recognize the current financial difficulties in the junior mining industry The agreement has a term of two years, and upon expiry, will automatically be extended for a further two years unless the Company gives 180 days’ notice that it will not extend the agreement.  See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.





Incentive Plan Awards





Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards – NEOs.





The following table is a summary of all option-based awards and share-based awards to the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year.




Option based Awards
Share based AwardsName
Number of

securities

underlying

unexercised

options

(#)
Optionexercise

pricee

($)
Option expiration

date
Value of

unexercised

in-the-money

options(1)

($)
Number of

shares or

units of

shares that

have not

vested

(#)
Market or

payout value

of shares-

based awards

that have

not vested
Market or

payout valueof

shares-based

awards not

paid outor

distributed

($)Bryce G. Roxburgh
1,250,000
$0.56
Aug. 20, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
NilYale R. Simpson
685,000
$0.56
Aug. 20, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
NilWendell M. Zerb
1,500,000
$0.54
Aug. 27, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
NilCecil R. Bond
1,000,000
$0.50
Sep. 11, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
NilS. R. Jeremy Perkins
250,000
$0.54
Aug. 27, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil




(1)           In-the-money options are those where the market value of the underlying securities as at the most recent financial year end exceeds the option exercise price.  This amount is calculated as the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the options on December 31, 2015, being the last trading day of the Company’s shares for the financial year, and the exercise price of the option.  The closing market price of the Company’s shares as at December 31, 2015 was $0.45.  These options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend on the market value of the underlying securities on the date of exercise.





49


Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earning During The Year - NEOs




The following table is a summary of the value of awards vested or earned during the most recently completed financial year for the Named Executive Officers.




Name
Option-based awards –

Value vested during the

year(1)(2)

($)
Share-based awards –

Value vested during the

year

($)
Non-equity incentive plan

compensation – Value earned

during the year

($)Bryce G. Roxburgh
Nil
Nil
NilYale R. Simpson
Nil
Nil
NilWendell M. Zerb
Nil
Nil
NilCecil R. Bond
Nil
Nil
NilS. R. Jeremy Perkins
Nil
Nil
Nil




(1)           Value vested during the year is calculated by subtracting the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested (being the closing price of the Company’s shares on the TSX on the last trading day prior to the vesting date) from the exercise price of the option.




(2)           No options vested during the year, options vested immediately or the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested was equal to or lower than the exercise price of the option.




Stock Option Plan





The Company has adopted an incentive stock option plan (the “Plan”), the essential elements of which are as follows: On May 31, 2013, shareholders approved an amended Plan reducing the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable pursuant to options granted under the Plan, such that options granted under the Plan may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the option grant.  At December 31, 2015, the maximum number of options issuable under the Plan was 8,840,775. The Plan provides for a limit on insider participation such that the shares reserved for issuance to insiders does not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.  Options granted under the Plan may have a maximum term of ten years, but options granted to date have had a life of 5 years.  Unless subsequently amended, the exercise price of options granted under the Plan will not be less than the last closing market price of the Company’s shares immediately preceding the grant date.  Options granted under the Plan may be subject to vesting at times as determined by the directors of the Company and the Toronto Stock Exchange.





Termination and Change of Control Benefits





The Company has entered into consulting agreements with each of Rowen and Bryce Roxburgh; 667060 and Cecil Bond and Canaust and Yale Simpson and an employment agreement with Wendell Zerb.  Pursuant to the terms of the consulting agreements, where termination notice is given by the Company, other than for certain specified reasons, the Company will pay Rowen, 667060 or Canaust, as applicable, a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly consulting fee under the agreement plus an amount equivalent to the highest annual bonus paid in the immediately preceding two years.  Pursuant to the employment agreement, where termination notice is given by the Company, other than for certain specified reasons, the Company will pay Wendell Zerb, a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly salary under the agreement plus an amount equivalent to the highest annual bonus paid in the immediately preceding two years.  If no such annual bonus has been paid then the deemed annual bonus will be fifty percent of the annual fee payable to the consultant or employee under the applicable contract excluding any temporary reductions. Where termination notice is delivered by either party within the 90-day period following a Change of Control (as defined below), the Company will pay Rowen, 667060 or Canaust, as applicable, a lump sum equal to 30 times the monthly consulting fee under the agreement, plus 2 times the annual bonus or deemed annual bonus and the Company will pay Wendell Zerb a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly consulting fee under the agreement, plus 2 times the annual bonus or deemed annual bonus.





“Change of Control” is defined as:




(i)
the sale, transfer or disposition of the Company’s assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or




(ii)
the Company amalgamates, merges or enters into a plan of arrangement with another company at arm’s length to the Company and its affiliates, other than an amalgamation, merger or plan of arrangement that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting entity outstanding immediately after such amalgamation, merger or plan of arrangement; or






50




(iii)
any Person or combination of Persons at arm’s length to the Company and its affiliates acquires or becomes the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting securities of the Company, whether through the acquisition of previously issued and outstanding voting securities, or of voting securities that have not been previously issued, or any combination thereof, or any other transaction having a similar effect, and such person or combination of persons exercise(s) the voting power attached to such securities in a manner that causes the Incumbent Directors to cease to constitute a majority of the Board; or




(iv)
any Person or combination of Persons at arm’s length to the Company and its affiliates acquires or becomes the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting securities of the Company, whether through the acquisition of previously issued and outstanding voting securities, or of voting securities that have not been previously issued, or any combination thereof, or any other transaction having a similar effect; or




(v)
the removal, by extraordinary resolution to the shareholders of the Company, of more than 51% of the then Incumbent Directors of the Company, or the election of a majority of directors to the Board who were not nominees of the Incumbent Board at the time immediately preceding such election.




“Incumbent Director” means any member of the Board who was a member of the Board prior to the occurrence of the transaction, transactions or elections giving rise to a Change of Control and any successor to an Incumbent Director who was recommended or elected or appointed to succeed an Incumbent Director by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board.





“Person” means any individual, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, syndicate, sole proprietorship, company or corporation with or without share capital, unincorporated association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator or other legal personal representative, regulatory body or agency, government or governmental agency or entity however designated or constituted.





Had a notice of termination been given on December 31, 2015 in the circumstances described above, other than a Change of Control, Rowen would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $500,000; 667060 would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $625,000; Canaust would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $437,500 and Wendell Zerb would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $875,000.





Had a Change of Control occurred on December 31, 2015, and the Company determined that it would act in accordance with the provisions of the contracts and where such notice of termination was given under each of the consulting and employment agreements, Rowen would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $700,000; 667060 would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $875,000; Canaust would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $612,500 and Wendell Zerb would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $1,050,000.





Director Compensation





Effective January 1, 2012, non-executive directors received fees totalling $50,000 per annum payable quarterly.  Commencing October 1, 2015 non-executive directors agreed to a temporary reduction in fees to $35,000 per annum payable quarterly. The granting of incentive stock options provides a link between director compensation and the Company’s share price.  Stock options are generally awarded to directors when they are first elected by the shareholders or appointed by the Board and periodically thereafter.  In making a determination as to whether a grant of long-term incentive stock options is appropriate, and if so, the number of options that should be granted, consideration is given to: the number and terms of outstanding incentive stock options held by the director; current and expected future contribution of the director; the potential dilution to shareholders and the cost to the Company; general industry standards; and the limits imposed by the terms of the Option Plan and the TSX.  The Company considers the granting of incentive stock options to be a particularly important element of compensation as it allows the Company to reward each director’s efforts to increase value for shareholders without requiring the Company to use cash from its treasury.





51




Director Compensation Table





The following table is a summary of all compensation provided to the directors of the Company for the most recently completed financial year.





Name(1)
Fees

earned

($)
Share-

based

awards

($)
Option-

based

awards

($)(2)
Non-equity

incentive plan

compensation

($)
Pension

value

($)
All other

compensation

($)
Total

($)Robert G. Reynolds
$46,250
Nil
$80,798
Nil
Nil
Nil
$127,048Julian Bavin
$46,250
Nil
$80,798
Nil
Nil
Nil
$127,048John C. Simmons
$46,250
Nil
$80,798
Nil
Nil
Nil
$127,048




(1)           For disclosure regarding compensation for any directors whom are also NEOs, please refer to the ‘Summary Compensation Table’ above.  There was no compensation payable to these NEOs in their role as directors.




(2)           The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model for determining the fair value of stock options issued at grant date.  These amounts do not represent actual amounts received by the directors, as any gain, if any, will depend on the market value of the shares on the date that the option is exercised.




Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards





The following table is a summary of all option-based awards to the directors of the Company that were outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year.  There were no share-based awards outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year.





Option based Awards
Share based AwardsName(1)
Number of 
Securities 
underlying 
unexercised 
options

(#)
Option

exercise price ($)
Option

expiration date
Value of

unexercised

in-the-money

options(2)

($)
Number

of shares

or units

of

shares that

have not

vested

(#)
Market or

payout value

of shares-

based

awardsthat

have not

vested

(#)
Market or

payout value

of shares-

based

awards not

paid out or

distributed

($)Robert G. Reynolds
285,000
$0.56
Aug. 20, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
NilJulian Bavin
285,000
$0.56
Aug. 20, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
NilJohn C.Simmons
285,000
$0.56
Aug. 20, 2020
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil




(1)           For disclosure regarding option-based awards outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year for any directors whom are also NEOs, please refer to the ‘Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards - NEOs’ table above.




(2)           In-the-money options are those where the market value of the underlying securities as at the most recent financial year end exceeds the option exercise price.  This amount is calculated as the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the options on December 31, 2015, being the last trading day of the Company’s shares for the financial year, and the exercise price of the option.  The closing market price of the Company’s shares as at December 31, 2015 was $0.45. These options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend on the market value of the underlying securities on the date of exercise.




52




Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During The Year





The following table is a summary of all value vested or earned during the most recently completed financial year for the directors of the Company.





Name(1)
Option-based awards – Value

vested during the year(2)(3)

($)
Share-based awards – Value

vested during the year

($)
Non-equity incentive plan

compensation  – Value earned

during the year

($)Robert G. Reynolds
Nil
Nil
NilJulian Bavin
Nil
Nil
NilJohn C. Simmons
Nil
Nil
Nil




(1)
For disclosure regarding incentive plan awards for any directors whom are also NEOs, please refer to the “Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During The Year - NEOs” table above.




(2)
Value vested during the year is calculated by subtracting the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested (being the closing price of the Company’s shares on the TSX on the last trading day prior to the vesting date) from the exercise price of the option.




(3)
No options vested during the year, options vested immediately or the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested was lower than or equal to the exercise price of the option.





C.           Board Practices





The Board is currently comprised of five directors.  The size and experience of the Board is important for providing the Company with effective governance in the mining industry.  The Board’s mandate and responsibilities can be effectively and efficiently administered at its current size.  The Board has functioned, and is of the view that it can continue to function, independently of management as required.  Directors are elected for a term of one year at the annual general meeting.  At the Annual General Meeting, held on June 11, 2015, the shareholders elected Messrs. Roxburgh, Simpson, Reynolds, Simmons and Bavin as directors.





The Board has considered the relationship of each director to the Company and currently considers three of the five directors to be independent directors (Messrs. Reynolds, Simmons and Bavin) because they are independent of management and free from any interest and any business or other relationship which could reasonably be expected to interfere with the director’s ability to act with a view to the best interest of the Company, other than interests and relationships arising solely from shareholdings.  Bryce G. Roxburgh and Yale R. Simpson, co-chairmen of the board, are not independent by virtue of the fact that they are or have within the last three years been executive officers of the Company.





Procedures are in place to allow the Board to function independently.  At the present time, the Board has experienced directors that have made a significant contribution to the Company’s success, and are satisfied that it is not constrained in its access to information, in its deliberations or in its ability to satisfy the mandate established by law to supervise the business and affairs of the Company.  Committees meet independent of management and other directors.





53




Mandate of the Board of Directors, its Committees and Management





The Board does not have a written mandate.  However, it is required to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and to act with a view to the best interests of the Company.  The Board actively oversees the development, adoption and implementation of the Company’s strategies and plans.  The Board’s responsibilities include:





●
to the extent feasible, satisfying itself as to the integrity of the CEO and other executive officers and that the executive officers create a culture of integrity throughout the Company,





●
the Company’s strategic planning process,





●
the identification of the principal risks of the Company’s business and ensuring the implementation of appropriate systems to manage risk,





●
the Company’s succession planning, including appointing, training and monitoring senior management,





●
the Company’s major business development initiatives,





●
the integrity of the Company’s internal control and management information systems,





●
the Company’s policies for communicating with shareholders and others, and





●
the general review of the Company’s results of operations.





The Board considers that certain decisions are sufficiently important that management should seek prior approval of the Board.  Such decisions include:





●           approval of the annual capital budget and any material changes to the operating budget,





●           approval of the Company’s business plan,





●           acquisition of, or investments in new business,





●           changes in the nature of the Company’s business,





●          changes in senior management, and





●
all matters as required under the Business Corporations Act, applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and exchange rules and regulations.





Committees





Audit Committee





The Company’s Board of Directors has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established for the purpose of overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and audits of the Company’s annual financial statements in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act.  As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, the Company’s Audit Committee is comprised of John C. Simmons, Robert G. Reynolds (Chairman) and Julian Bavin.





In the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, all the members of the Audit Committee are independent (as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and Section 803A of the NYSE MKT Company Guide).  The Audit Committee meets the composition requirements set forth by Section 803B(2) of NYSE MKT Company Guide.  All three members of the Audit Committee are financially literate, meaning they are able to read and understand the Registrant’s financial statements and to understand the breadth and level of complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Registrant’s financial statements.






54
 
 
 
 The members of the Audit Committee do not have fixed terms and are appointed and replaced from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.





The Audit Committee meets with the CEO and CFO of the Company and the independent auditors to review and inquire into matters affecting financial reporting matters, the system of internal accounting and financial controls and procedures and the audit procedures and audit plans.  The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board the independent registered public accounting firm to be appointed, subject to shareholder approval.  In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the Board for approval the annual consolidated financial statements, the annual report and certain other documents required by regulatory authorities.





The Board has not developed a written position description for the Chairman of the Audit Committee but considers the Chairman to be responsible for setting the tone for the committee work, ensuring that members have the information needed to do their jobs, overseeing the logistics of the Audit Committee’s operations, reporting to the Board on the Audit Committee’s decisions and recommendations, setting the agenda and running and maintaining minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee.





Compensation Committee





The Compensation Committee is responsible for discussing and determining the recommendations that it will make to the Board regarding the CEO’s compensation, with reference to the general objectives of the Company’s compensation strategy.  The Compensation Committee also makes recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO officer and director compensation, incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans.  The Compensation Committee reviews executive compensation disclosure before the Company publicly discloses the information.  Compensation matters may also be reviewed and approved by the entire Board.





The Compensation Committee is composed of John C. Simmons (Chairman), Robert G. Reynolds and Julian Bavin, all of whom are independent (as determined in Sections 803A and 805(c)(1) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide).





The Board has not developed a written position description for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee but considers the Chairman to be responsible for setting the tone for the committee work, ensuring that members have the information needed to do their jobs, overseeing the logistics of the Compensation Committee’s operations, reporting to the Board on the Compensation Committee’s decisions and recommendations, setting the agenda and running and maintaining the minutes of meeting of the Compensation Committee.





While the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants to advise the committee, no such consultants were retained since the beginning of the Company’s most recently completed financial year.





Governance and Nominating Committee





The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Julian Bavin (Chairman), Robert G. Reynolds and John C. Simmons, all of whom are independent directors (as determined in Section 803A of the NYSE MKT Company Guide).  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has no formal mandate; however, it oversees, monitors and reviews the quality and effectiveness of corporate governance best practices and disclosure policies.  It reviews the composition of the Board members, on a periodic basis, makes recommendations regarding Board composition, analyzes the need for new nominees when vacancies arise and identifies and proposes new nominees who have the necessary competencies and characteristics to meet such needs.





When considering potential Board nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account a number of factors, which may include the current composition of the Board, the ability of the individual candidate to contribute on an overall basis, the ability of the individual to contribute sufficient time and resources to the Board, the current and future needs of the Company, the skills and competencies the Board has, and the skills and competencies the Board should have, the individual’s direct experience with public companies in general and mining companies in particular as well as the individual’s skills and knowledge and the skills and knowledge of existing members of the Board.





The Board has not developed a written position description for the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee but considers the Chairman to be responsible for setting the tone for the committee work, ensuring that members have the information needed to do their jobs, overseeing the logistics of the Nominating and Corporate





55





Governance Committee’s operations, reporting to the Board on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s decisions and recommendations, setting the agenda and running and maintaining minutes of the meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.


D.           Employees





As of December 31, 2015 the Company had 4 full-time employees in Canada (4 full-time as of the date hereof), and 9 full-time and 1 part-time employees in Chile (9 full-time and 1 part-time as of the date hereof).  The Company relies on and engages consultants on a contract basis to provide services, management and personnel who assist the Company, to carry on its administrative or exploration activities either in Canada or Chile.





E.           Share Ownership





As of April 21, 2016, the Company had 88,442,753 shares outstanding.  The following table sets forth details of all Named Executive Officer and Director beneficial share ownership and percentage of ownership as of April 21, 2016.


Name of Beneficial Owner
Number of Shares

Beneficially Held
Percent(*)Bryce G. Roxburgh(1)
5,111,750
5.74%Yale R. Simpson(2)
2,089,850
2.35%Robert G. Reynolds(3)
142,500
**John C. Simmons(4)
142,500
**Julian Bavin(5)
142,500
**Wendell M. Zerb(6)
945,500
1.06%Cecil R. Bond(7)
609,200
**S. R. Jeremy Perkins(8)
395,652
**





*
Where persons listed on this table have the right to obtain additional common shares through the exercise of outstanding options within 60 days from April 21, 2016, these additional shares are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of common share owned by such persons, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage owned by any other person.  Based on 88,442,753 common shares outstanding as of April 21, 2016.


**
Less than one percent




(1)
Includes 625,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016 and includes 2,919,500 shares registered in the name of Rowen and 350,000 shares registered in the name of Joamel Holdings Pty. Limited.


(2)
Includes 342,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.


(3)
Includes 142,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.


(4)
Includes 142,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.


(5)
Includes 142,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.


(6)
Includes 750,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.


(7)
Includes 500,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.


(8)
Includes 125,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016.








56


Outstanding Options





The following information, as of December 31, 2015, reflects outstanding options held by the individuals referred to in “Compensation”:





No. of Options
Date of Grant
Exercise Price
Expiration DateBryce G. Roxburgh
1,250,000
21 August, 2015
$0.56
20 August, 2020Yale R. Simpson
685,000
21 August, 2015
$0.56
20 August, 2020Robert G. Reynolds
285,000
21 August, 2015
$0.56
20 August, 2020John C. Simmons
285,000
21 August, 2015
$0.56
20 August, 2020Julian Bavin
285,000
21 August, 2015
$0.56
20 August, 2020Wendell M. Zerb
1,500,000
28 August, 2015
$0.54
27 August, 2020Cecil R. Bond
1,000,000
12 September, 2015
$0.50
11 September, 2020S. R. Jeremy Perkins
250,000
28 August, 2015
$0.54
27 August, 2020





Equity Compensation Plan Information




The following table sets out information as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, December 31, 2015, with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.





Plan Category
Number of securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants and rights

(a)
Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

(b)
Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuances under

equity compensation

plans (excluding

securities reflected in

column (a))

(c)Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders*
7,445,000
$0.53
1,395,775Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders
N/A
N/A
N/ATotal
7,445,000
$0.53
1,395,775




*
On May 31, 2013, shareholders approved an amended Plan reducing the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable pursuant to options granted under the Plan, such that options granted under the Plan may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the option grant.  At December 31, 2015, the maximum number of options issuable under the Plan was 8,840,775.






57





Item 7.                 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions





A.           Major Shareholders





As far as it is known to the Company, other than identified below, it is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any other corporation or by the Canadian Government, or any foreign government, or by any other natural or legal person.





To the knowledge of the Company’s directors and senior officers, the following table sets forth certain information as at April 21, 2016, concerning the ownership of the Company’s common shares as to each person known by the directors and senior officers, based solely upon public records and filings, to be the direct and/or indirect owner of more than five (5%) percent of the Company’s common shares, who owned more than five percent of the outstanding shares of each class of the Company’s voting securities.





Name
Number of Shares of

Common Stock Owned
Percent of

Class *Sun Valley Gold, LLC
10,391,713
11.75%TSP Capital Management Group, LLC
5,744,600
6.50%Bryce G. Roxburgh(1)
5,111,750
5.74%
  *
Where persons listed on this table have the right to obtain additional common shares through the exercise of outstanding options within 60 days from April 21, 2016, these additional shares are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of common share owned by such persons, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage owned by any other person.  Based on 88,442,753 common shares outstanding as of April 21, 2016.(1)
Includes 625,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options within 60 days of April 21, 2016 and includes 2,919,500 shares registered in the name of Rowen and 350,000 shares registered in the name of Joamel Holdings Pty. Limited.


Changes in ownership by major shareholders





To the best of the Company’s knowledge there have been no changes in the ownership of the Company’s shares by major shareholders.





Voting Rights





The Company’s major shareholders do not have different voting rights.





Shares Held in the United States





As of April 21, 2016, there were approximately 66 registered holders of the Company’s shares in the United States, with combined holdings of 28,543,745 common shares.





Change of Control





As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, there were no arrangements known to the Company which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of the Company.





Control by Others





To the best of the Company’s knowledge, the Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation, any foreign government, or any other natural or legal person, severally or jointly.





58


B.           Related Party Transactions





During the three-year period ended December 31, 2015:





Amounts due from related parties of $18,000 at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $9,000; December 31, 2013 - $21,000) is for the recovery of common expenditures from associated companies.  The amounts due from related parties are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.





Amounts due to related parties of $20,000 at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $64,000; December 31, 2013 - $42,000) is for management, consulting and exploration fees and for expenses incurred while conducting the Company’s business.  The amounts due to related parties are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.





During the period ended December 31, 2015 a total of $792,000 (2014 - $833,000; 2013 - $900,000) was paid or accrued for related party transactions as described below:





a)
Exploration and consulting fees of $185,000 (2014 - $200,000; 2013 - $280,000) were paid or accrued to a corporation of which a Co-Chairman and former President and CEO of the Company is a principal.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $5,000 (December 31, 2014 - $14,000; December 31, 2013 - $10,000) to this company.





b)
Exploration fees of $269,000, (2014 - $249,000; 2013 – $212,389) were paid or accrued to a corporation controlled by the Vice-President, Exploration and Development.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $13,000 (December 31, 2014 - $28,000; December 31, 2013 - $20,000) to this company.





c)
Management fees of $107,000 (2014 - $120,000; 2013 - $120,000) were paid to a corporation controlled by a Co-Chairman of the Company.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $Nil (December 31, 2014 - $Nil; December 31, 2013 - $12,000) to this company.





d)
Management fees of $231,000 (2014 - $250,000; 2013 - $250,000) were paid or accrued to a corporation controlled by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $2,000 (December 31, 2014 - $22,000; December 31, 2013 - $Nil) to this company.





e)
The Company paid or accrued rent expense of $Nil (2014 - $14,000; 2013 - $38,000) to a company controlled by a director of the Company.  Of this amount, $Nil (2014 - $6,000; 2013 - $20,000) was recovered from a corporation with directors in common.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $Nil (December 31, 2014 - $Nil; December 31, 2013 - $Nil) to this company.





During the period, the Company shared costs of certain common expenditures including administrative support, office overhead and travel with Rugby Mining Limited (“Rugby”).





f)
The Company, along with Rugby, incurs certain expenditures for staff and exploration expenditures on behalf of each other.  The net amount provided or incurred by the Company on behalf of Rugby during the period ended December 31, 2015 was $95,000 (2014 - $135,000).  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts receivable of $18,000 (December 31, 2014- $9,000; December 31, 2013 - $21,000) from Rugby.  The amounts due from Rugby are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.





C.           Interests of Experts and Counsel





Not Applicable.






59
 
 
 
 Item 8.                 Financial Information





A.           Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information





The following financial statements of the Company are attached to this Annual Report on Form 20-F:





●
Auditors’ Report;


●
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014;


●
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013;


●
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013;


●
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013; and


●
Notes to Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.





Legal Proceedings





On January 7, 2014, Exeter’s Chilean subsidiary, Eton Chile, was served with a court claim challenging the Chilean Government’s grant of a surface easement required for the potential development of its Caspiche project.  The claim, filed before the Santiago Civil Court, was filed by a private Chilean mineral exploration company, Cerro del Medio.  As of the effective date of this document, there has been no court date set for the commencements of proceedings in this case.





Under Chilean mining law there are provisions which provide for securing necessary surface access for the development of mineral deposits.  Cerro del Medio’s claim, cites “non-compliance by the Chilean Government of certain legal formalities required to approve the easement” and “that the easement granted overlaps Cerro del Medio’s Santa Cecilia project mining properties”.





A review of the claim by Eton Chile’s Chilean legal counsel has concluded that Cerro del Medio’s claim has no grounds under Chilean law and should be rejected.





Other than the above claim, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings, nor to the knowledge of management, are there any legal proceedings pending which may materially affect the business and affairs of the Company.





Dividend Policy





The Company has not paid any dividends on its common shares and does not intend to pay dividends on its common shares in the immediate future.  Any decision to pay dividends on its common shares in the future will be made by the Board of Directors of the Company on the basis of earnings, financial requirements and other such conditions that may exist at that time.





B.           Significant Changes





None.





Item 9.                 The Offer and Listing





A.           Price History of Stock





The common shares of Exeter are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "XRC", on the NYSE MKT under the symbol "XRA", and on the Deutsche Borse AG Regulated Unofficial Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "EXB".  The Company's common shares commenced trading on the TSX on October 27, 2009.  Prior to trading on the TSX, the Company's common shares were listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”).





The following table sets forth the high and low prices expressed in Canadian dollars on the TSX and in United States dollars on NYSE MKT in the United States for the Company’s common shares for the past five years, for each quarter for the last two fiscal years, and for the last six months.






60







TSX

(Canadian Dollars)
NYSE MKT

(United States Dollars)Last Five Fiscal Years
High
Low
High
Low2015
0.82
0.39
0.66
0.292014
0.94
0.56
0.87
0.512013
1.49
0.53
1.49
0.492012
4.19
1.05
4.20
1.092011
6.20
2.49
6.50
2.422015
High
Low
High
LowFourth Quarter ended December 31, 2015
0.57
0.39
0.40
0.29Third Quarter ended September 30, 2015
0.61
0.42
0.48
0.31Second Quarter ended June 30, 2015
0.82
0.58
0.65
0.46First Quarter ended March 31, 2015
0.80
0.57
0.66
0.452014
High
Low
High
LowFourth Quarter ended December 31, 2014
0.90
0.56
0.79
0.51Third Quarter ended September 30, 2014
0.93
0.66
0.87
0.59Second Quarter ended June 30, 2014
0.80
0.61
0.75
0.56First Quarter ended March 31, 2014
0.94
0.58
0.85
0.54Last Six Months
High
Low
High
LowMarch 2016
0.87
0.67
0.67
0.50February 2016
0.73
0.53
0.54
0.37January 2016
0.56
0.43
0.40
0.31December 2015
0.57
0.42
0.40
0.31November 2015
0.47
0.39
0.36
0.29October 2015
0.51
0.41
0.39
0.30








B.           Plan of Distribution





Not Applicable.





C.           Markets





The common shares of Exeter are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "XRC", on the NYSE MKT under the symbol "XRA", and on the Deutsche Borse AG Regulated Unofficial Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "EXB".





D.           Selling Shareholders





Not Applicable.





E.           Dilution





Not Applicable.






61


F.           Expenses of the Issue





Not Applicable.





Item 10                 Additional Information





A.           Share Capital





Not Applicable.





B.           Memorandum and Articles of Association





The Company was incorporated under the British Columbia Company Act (the “Company Act”).  On March 29, 2004, the British Columbia legislature enacted the British Columbia Business Corporations Act ("BCBCA") and repealed the Company Act.  The BCBCA is free of many of the restrictions that were found in the Company Act, including restrictions on the residency of directors, the location of annual general meetings and limits on authorized share capital.  As well, the BCBCA uses new forms and terminology and has replaced one of the constating documents, the Memorandum, with a Notice of Articles.




The regulations under the BCBCA provide that certain “Pre-existing Company Provisions” (“PCPs”) will apply to companies that were incorporated under the Company Act, unless and until shareholders pass a special resolution to remove the application of the PCPs.  The PCPs contain some of the restrictions that were found in the Company Act.  For example, the PCPs provide that a special resolution or a special separate resolution must be passed by at least three-quarters of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy at a meeting.  This is the majority that was required under the Company Act.  The BCBCA allows a special resolution to be passed by a two-thirds vote of shareholders.




At the Company’s annual and special general meeting held on June 24, 2005, shareholders passed a special resolution to remove the application of the PCPs.  The Company’s Notice of Articles was amended accordingly.  Shareholders also passed a special resolution adopting a new set of Articles (the “Articles”) that comply with the BCBCA.




Pursuant to the BCBCA, as the Articles do not specify the majority of votes required to pass a special resolution, a special resolution must be passed by two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy at a meeting.  Management believes that this provides the Company with greater flexibility for future corporate activities and is consistent with special resolution requirements for companies in other jurisdictions.





The Notice of Articles and Articles do not address the Company’s objects and purposes and there are no restrictions on the business the Company may carry on.





A director who has, directly or indirectly, a material interest in an existing or proposed material contract or transaction of the Company or who holds any office or possesses any property whereby, directly or indirectly, a duty or interest might be created to conflict with his duty or interest as a director, shall not vote in respect of any such proposed material contract or transaction and if he shall do so his vote shall not be counted, but he shall be counted in the quorum present at the meeting at which such vote is taken.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all of the directors have a material interest in a proposed material contract or transaction, any or all of those directors may vote on a resolution to approve the contract or transaction.





Part 9 of the Articles details the directors’ borrowing powers.  The directors may from time to time on behalf of the Company:





(a)
borrow money in such amount, in such manner, on any security, from such sources and upon any terms and conditions as they think fit;





(b)
guarantee the repayment of money borrowed by any person or the performance of any obligation of any person;





(c)
issue bonds, debentures, notes and other debt obligations either outright or as continuing security for any indebtedness or liability, direct or indirect, or obligations of the Company or of any other person; and





(d)
mortgage, charge (whether by way of specific or floating charge), grant a security interest in or give other security on the undertaking, or on the whole or any part of the property and assets of the Company, both present and future.






62


There are no age considerations pertaining to the retirement or non-retirement of directors.





A director is not required to hold a share in the capital of the Company as qualification for his office but must be qualified as required by the BCBCA to become, act or continue as a director.





There are no specified limits upon a director’s ability to hold any office or place of profit with the Company in conjunction with his office of director.  Directors are repaid such reasonable traveling, hotel and other expenses as they may incur in conducting the business of the Company.  If any director performs extra services for the Company, he is entitled to receive remuneration fixed by the Board of Directors or the Company at a general meeting.





Subject to the provisions of the BCBCA, the directors shall cause the Company to indemnify a director, officer or alternate director or a former director, officer or alternate director of the Company or a person who, at the request of the Company, is or was a director, alternate director or officer of another corporation, at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company or a person who, at the request of the Company, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity (in each case, an “eligible party”), and the heirs and personal representatives of any such eligible party, against all judgments, penalties or fines awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, a legal proceeding or investigative action (whether current, threatened, pending or completed) in which such eligible party or any of the heirs and personal representatives of such eligible party, by reason of such eligible party being or having been a director, alternate director or officer or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director, alternate director or officer, is or may be joined as a party or is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to the proceeding.  Provided the Company first receives a written undertaking from the eligible party to repay amounts advanced if so required under the BCBCA, the directors shall cause the Company to pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, the costs, charges and expenses, including legal and other fees actually and reasonably incurred by the eligible party in respect of the proceeding.  After the final disposition of the proceeding, the directors shall cause the Company to pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the eligible party in respect of the proceeding,to the extent the eligible party has not already been reimbursed for such expenses, subject to the provisions of the BCBCA.  Each director, alternate director and officer of the Company on being elected or appointed shall be deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the foregoing indemnity.





All of the authorized common shares of the Company are of the same class and, once issued, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets.  Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be acted upon by the shareholders.  Holders of common shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefore.





Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of common shares are entitled to receive pro rata the assets of the Company, if any, remaining after payments of all debts and liabilities.  No shares have been issued subject to call or assessment.  There are no pre-emptive or conversion rights and no provisions for redemption or purchase for cancellation, surrender, or sinking or purchase funds.





Unless the BCBCA or the Company’s Articles otherwise provide, any action to be taken by a resolution of the shareholders must be taken by a “special resolution”.  Such a “special resolution” requires a two-thirds vote of shareholders rather than a simple majority for passage.  The BCBCA contains provisions which require a “special resolution” for effecting certain corporate actions.  The principle corporate actions that require a “special resolution” include:





(a)
reducing share capital, subject to certain limits;





(b)
altering the Notice of Articles to change the majority required to pass a special resolution or a special separate resolution;





(c)
approving various forms of amalgamation, including an amalgamation into a foreign jurisdiction;





(d)
approving an arrangement with shareholders;





(e)
approving the disposition of the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking of the Company;





(f)
continuing the Company into another jurisdiction; and








63


(g)
authorizing a voluntary liquidation or the removal of a liquidator.





There are no restrictions on the repurchase or redemption of common shares of the Company while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments.





There is no liability to further capital calls by the Company.





There are no provisions discriminating against any existing or prospective holder of securities as a result of such shareholder owning a substantial number of shares.





The Company’s Articles provide that the authorized share structure may be increased, subdivided, consolidated or otherwise changed by the Board of Directors, provided that the change does not prejudice or interfere with a right attached to issued shares.  An ordinary resolution of the shareholders will be required before the Company may create, vary or delete special rights and restrictions attached to a class or series of shares, or if a change prejudices or interferes with a right attached to issued shares. In addition, if a change prejudices or interferes with a right attached to issued shares, shareholders holding that class or series of shares must consent to the change by a separate special resolution.





Subject to Part 10.1 of the Articles and the BCBCA, annual general meetings shall be held once in every calendar year, at a time not being more than 15 months after the holding of the last preceding annual general meeting, and at a place as the directors shall appoint.  In default of the meeting being held, the court may, on its own motion or on the application of the Company, a director or a shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting, order that a meeting of shareholders be held.





The directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting.  Shareholders holding in the aggregate at least 1/20 of the shares of the Company that carry the right to vote at meetings may also requisition a general meeting for the purpose of transacting any business that may be transacted at a general meeting.  A general meeting, if requisitioned in accordance with the BCBCA, shall be convened by the directors or, if not convened by the directors, may be convened by the requisitionists as provided in the BCBCA.





Not less than 21 days’ notice of any general meeting specifying the date, time and place of the meeting and in case of special business, the general nature of that business shall be given in the manner mentioned in Part 24 of the Articles or otherwise as prescribed by law to any person as may by law or under the Articles or other regulations of the Company be entitled to receive the notice from the Company.  The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any person shall not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.  Persons entitled to notice of a general meeting may waive or reduce the period of notice convening the meeting.





There are no limitations on the rights to own securities.





There is no provision of the Company’s Articles that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company (or any of its subsidiaries).





There are no provisions in the Company’s Articles or in the BCBCA governing the threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.  Under applicable Canadian securities laws, any person holding or having beneficial ownership or control or direction over more than 10% of the Company’s issued shares is required to file insider and other reports disclosing such shareholdings.





64
 
 
 
 C.           Material Contracts





The Company has the following material contracts:





1.           Purchase Agreement dated April 13, 2011 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (Exeter Resource Corporation) and Anglo American Norte S.A. (formerly Minera Anglo American Chile Limitada and Empresa Mantos Blancos S.A.).  Pursuant to this agreement, the Company acquired the mineral properties comprising the Caspiche gold-copper project in the Maricunga district, Chile from Anglo American (“Anglo”).  By an agreement dated October 11, 2005 and subsequently amended, the Company had acquired the right to review a number of properties in the Maricunga region of Chile.  Under the terms of the agreement, the Company had the right to earn a 100% interest in the properties by incurring aggregate expenditures of US$2.55 million over five years including conducting 15,500 meters (“m”) of drilling with the vendor retaining a 3% net smelter royalty (“NSR”) in the properties.  Having met these conditions, Anglo transferred title to the mineral properties to Exeter and retained a 3% net smelter royalty on production from the project.  Anglo also retained the right to repurchase the mineral properties for the amount that the Company has incurred on the property in the event that commercial production has not commenced prior to March 31, 2021.  The Company is required to make a US$250,000 advance royalty payment annually up until March 31, 2020 (US$1,250,000 paid to December 31, 2015) and thereafter US$1.0 million annually for the period March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2025 or until commencement of commercial production. Should production commence prior to March 31, 2025, the advance royalty will cease and the NSR will be payable.





2.           Easement Agreement dated March 15, 2011 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton (Exeter Resource Corporation) and Comunidad Indígena Colla del Río Jorquera y sus Afluentes. Exeter entered into an occupation agreement with the local Colla community over an area of 1.77 ha where the project camp was located. The initial duration of this agreement was for three years with a right to extend for a further three years.  This agreement has been extended to March 15, 2017.





3.           Easement Agreement dated June 10, 2013 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (Exeter Resource Corporation) and the Chilean Government.  The Company already has a lease agreement with the Chilean Government for the surface rights that correspond to its initial mineral rights in the area, and this new easement, which is valid for 25 years, extends this area to cover most of its additional tenements as well as surfaces that may be required for Caspiche development.  In order to maintain these rights, the Company is required to make aggregate payments of approximately US$6.3 million over 10 years of which US$3.0 million has been paid to December 31, 2015.  Seven annual payments of approximately US$465,000 remain payable.





4.           Amended Water Agreement (the “Water Agreement”) dated February 26, 2014 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (Exeter Resource Corporation) and the Chilean subsidiary of Canadian company Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation (“Atacama Pacific”) regarding water exploration.  The Water Agreement allows Eton to earn an additional 40% interest, for an aggregate 90% interest, in any water rights granted following the discovery of water near Peñas Blancas (Laguna Verde) in the Maricunga region, northern Chile.  To earn the additional 40% interest, Eton is required to incur an additional 40% (total of 90%) of all expenditures relating to exploration and potential development on the water tenements.  In addition, in the event of approval of water rights by the General Directorate of Water Resources (“DGA”), Eton will assume Atacama Pacific’s obligation to pay Hydro Exploraciones SpA (“Hydro”), an Atacama Pacific affiliate, US$15,000 per litre per second (“l/s”) of DGA approved water rights.  Atacama Pacific will remain obligated to pay Hydro US$15,000 per l/s on its 10% interest.  Regardless of the total amount of DGA approved water acquired, payments to Hydro are capped at US$1 million.  These payments are not applicable to Eton’s original 50% interest in any water rights acquired.  In addition, Eton will pay US$5,000 per month to Hydro from the date of any application for water rights for assisting with securing such water rights.  The aggregate of the monthly payments are deductible from any amount payable to Hydro for water rights acquired.





D.           Exchange Controls





Canada has no system of exchange controls.  There are no Canadian restrictions on the repatriation of capital or earnings of a Canadian public company to non-resident investors.  There are no laws in Canada or exchange restrictions affecting the remittance of dividends, profits, interest, royalties and other payments to non-resident holders of the Issuer’s securities, except as discussed below under “Item 10. Additional Information, E. Taxation.”






65




There are no limitations under the laws of Canada or in the organizing documents of the Company on the right of foreigners to hold or vote securities of the Company, except that the Investment Canada Act may require review and approval by the Minister of Industry (Canada) of certain acquisitions of “control” of the Company by a “non-Canadian”.  The threshold for acquisitions of control is generally defined as being one-third or more of the voting shares of the Company.  “Non-Canadian” generally means an individual who is not a Canadian citizen, or a corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is ultimately controlled by non-Canadians.





E.           Taxation





Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences





The following summarizes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to the holding and disposition of common shares in the capital of the Company by a holder who, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, as amended (the “Treaty”), is resident in the United States, holds the common shares as capital property and does not use or hold the common shares in the course of carrying on a business in Canada (a “U.S. Holder”).  The common shares will generally be considered to be capital property to a U.S. Holder, unless the U.S. Holder holds the common shares in the course of carrying on a business, or acquires the common shares in a transaction or transactions considered to be an adventure in the nature of trade.





This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act, the regulations thereunder, all amendments thereto publicly proposed by the government of Canada, the published administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency and the current provisions of the Treaty.  This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by way of legislative, judicial or administrative action or interpretation, nor does it address any provincial, territorial or foreign (including without limitation, any United States) tax considerations.





This summary is of a general nature only and it is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular U.S. Holder.  Accordingly, U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors about the specific tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of common shares.





A U.S. Holder will be liable to pay a Canadian withholding tax on every dividend that is or is deemed to be paid or credited to the U.S. Holder on the U.S. Holder’s common shares.  The rate of withholding tax under the Tax Act is 25% of the gross amount of the dividend paid.  However, the Treaty will reduce that withholding tax rate, provided the U.S. Holder is eligible for benefits under the Treaty.  The general rate of withholding tax under the Treaty will be 15% of the gross amount of the dividend, but if the U.S. Holder is a company that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company, the rate of withholding tax will be reduced to 5%.  The Company will be required to withhold the applicable tax from the dividend payable to the U.S. Holder, and to remit that tax to the Receiver General for Canada on account of the U. S. Holder.  Not all persons who are residents of the United States will qualify for benefits under the Treaty.  U.S. Holders are advised to consult their own tax advisors in this regard.





A U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition or deemed disposition of a common share, unless the common share constitutes “taxable Canadian property” to the U.S. Holder for purposes of the Tax Act.  Provided that the common shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange” for purposes of the Tax Act (which includes the TSX) at the time of disposition, the common shares will generally not constitute “taxable Canadian property” to a U.S. Holder unless, at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition (i) the U.S. Holder, together with persons with whom the U.S. Holder does not deal at “arm’s length” for the purposes of the Tax Act, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class of shares of the Company and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or a combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource properties” or “timber resource properties” (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act), or options or interests in respect of any such properties.  U.S. Holders whose common shares may constitute “taxable Canadian property” should consult their own tax advisors.





Provided the common shares are listed at the time of disposition on the TSX or other “recognized stock exchange” for purposes of the Tax Act, a U.S. Holder who disposes of common shares will not be required to satisfy the obligations imposed under Section 116 of the Tax Act and, as such, the purchaser of such shares will not be required to withhold any amount on the purchase price paid.






66
 
 
 
 Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences





The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares of the Company.





This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.  In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty.  Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder.  This summary does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.  Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements.  Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.





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





Scope of this Summary





Authorities





This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended, or the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this document.  Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary.  This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.





U.S. Holders





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





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


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


●
an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or


●
a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.





Non-U.S. Holders





For purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of common shares that is not a U.S. Holder.  This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. Holders arising from and relating to the





67





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





U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed





This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, the following:  (a) U.S. Holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) U.S. Holders that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) U.S. Holders that own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) U.S. Holders that acquired common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) U.S. Holders that hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); or (h) U.S. Holders that own or have owned (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company.  This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; (b) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”); (c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold common shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Tax Act; or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention.  U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.





If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners of such partnership generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners (or owners).  This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partnership or partner.  Partners of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.





Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules





If the Company were to constitute a “passive foreign investment company” under the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or a PFIC, as defined below, for any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, then certain different and potentially adverse rules will affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.  In addition, in any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, such holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require.  In addition to penalties, a failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax.  U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621.





PFIC Status of the Company





The Company generally will be a PFIC if, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the value of the Company’s assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets (the “asset test”).  “Gross income” generally includes all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income” generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.





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Active business gains arising from the sale of commodities generally are excluded from passive income if substantially all (85% or more) of a foreign corporation’s commodities are stock in trade of such foreign corporation or other property of a kind which would properly be included in inventory of such foreign corporation, or property held by such foreign corporation primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business and certain other requirements are satisfied.





For purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, if the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, the Company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation.  In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, and assuming certain other requirements are met, “passive income” does not include certain interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by the Company from certain “related persons” (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code), to the extent such items are properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income.





In addition, under certain attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate share of the stock of any subsidiary of the Company that is also a PFIC, or a Subsidiary PFIC, and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their proportionate share of (a) a distribution on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC and (b) a disposition or deemed disposition of the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holders directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC.





The Company believes that it was classified as a PFIC during the tax year ended December 31, 2015, and may be a PFIC in future tax years.  No opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning the status of the Company as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested. The determination of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a tax year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations.  In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on the assets and income of such corporation over the course of each such tax year and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this document.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge any determination made by the Company (or a Subsidiary PFIC) concerning its PFIC status.  Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC status of the Company and any Subsidiary PFIC.





Default PFIC Rules Under Section 1291 of the Code





If the Company is a PFIC, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares will depend on whether such U.S. Holder makes an election to treat the Company and each Subsidiary PFIC, if any, as a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF” under Section 1295 of the Code, or a QEF Election, or a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code, or a Mark-to-Market Election.  A U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election will be referred to in this summary as a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder.”





A Non-Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code with respect to (a) any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares and (b) any excess distribution received on our common shares.  A distribution generally will be an “excess distribution” to the extent that such distribution (together with all other distributions received in the current tax year) exceeds 125% of the average distributions received during the three preceding tax years (or during a U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common shares, if shorter).





Under Section 1291 of the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares (including an indirect disposition of the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC), and any “excess distribution” received on common shares, must be ratably allocated to each day in a Non-Electing U.S. Holder’s holding period for the respective common shares.  The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to the tax year of disposition or distribution of the excess distribution and to years before the entity became a PFIC, if any, would be taxed as ordinary income.  The amounts allocated to any other tax year would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax rate applicable to ordinary income in each such year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the tax liability for each such year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such year.  A Non-Electing U.S. Holder that is not a corporation must treat any such interest paid as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.





If the Company is a PFIC for any tax year during which a Non-Electing U.S. Holder holds common shares, the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such Non-Electing U.S. Holder, regardless of whether the Company ceases to be a PFIC in one or more subsequent tax years.  A Non-Electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC





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status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above), but not loss, as if such common shares were sold on the last day of the last tax year for which the Company was a PFIC.





QEF Election





A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election for the first tax year in which its holding period of its common shares begins generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to its common shares.  A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of (a) the net capital gain of the Company, which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Holder, and (b) the ordinary earnings of the Company, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder.  Generally, “net capital gain” is the excess of (a) net long-term capital gain over (b) net short-term capital loss, and “ordinary earnings” are the excess of (a) “earnings and profits” over (b) net capital gain.  A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such amounts for each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such U.S. Holder by the Company.  However, for any tax year in which the Company is a PFIC and has no net income or gain, U.S. Holders that have made a QEF Election would not have any income inclusions as a result of the QEF Election.  If a U.S. Holder that made a QEF Election has an income inclusion, such a U.S. Holder may, subject to certain limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge.  If such U.S. Holder is not a corporation, any such interest paid will be treated as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.





A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election with respect to the Company generally (a) may receive a tax-free distribution from the Company to the extent that such distribution represents “earnings and profits” of the Company that were previously included in income by the U.S. Holder because of such QEF Election and (b) will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our common shares to reflect the amount included in income or allowed as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF Election.  In addition, a U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares.





The procedure for making a QEF Election, and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of making a QEF Election, will depend on whether such QEF Election is timely for purposes of avoiding the rules under Section 1291 of the Code discussed above. A QEF Election will be treated as “timely” if such QEF Election is made for the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common shares in which the Company was a PFIC.  A U.S. Holder may make a timely QEF Election by filing the appropriate QEF Election documents at the time such U.S. Holder files a U.S. federal income tax return for such year.  If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely and effective QEF Election for the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common shares, the U.S. Holder may still be able to make a timely and effective QEF Election in a subsequent year if such U.S. Holder also makes a “purging” election to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above) as if such common shares were sold for their fair market value on the day the QEF Election is effective.





A QEF Election will apply to the tax year for which such QEF Election is timely made and to all subsequent tax years, unless such QEF Election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of such QEF Election.  If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election and, in a subsequent tax year, the Company ceases to be a PFIC, the QEF Election will remain in effect (although it will not be applicable) during those tax years in which the Company is not a PFIC.  Accordingly, if the Company becomes a PFIC in another subsequent tax year, the QEF Election will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the QEF rules described above during any subsequent tax year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC.





U.S. Holders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy record keeping requirements that apply to a QEF, or that the Company will supply U.S. Holders with information that such U.S. Holders require to report under the QEF rules, in event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. Holder wishes to make a QEF Election.  Thus, U.S. Holders may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to their common shares.  Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a QEF Election.




Mark-to-Market Election





A U.S. Holder may make a Mark-to-Market Election only if the common shares are marketable stock.  Our common shares generally will be “marketable stock” if our common shares are regularly traded on (a) a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) the national market system established pursuant to section





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11A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or (c) a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located, provided that (i) such foreign exchange has trading volume, listing, financial disclosure, and meets other requirements and the laws of the country in which such foreign exchange is located, together with the rules of such foreign exchange, ensure that such requirements are actually enforced and (ii) the rules of such foreign exchange ensure active trading of listed stocks.  If such stock is traded on such a qualified exchange or other market, such stock generally will be “regularly traded” for any calendar year during which such stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter.





A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to its common shares generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to such common shares.  However, if a U.S. Holder does not make a Mark-to-Market Election beginning in the first tax year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common shares or such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF Election, the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above will apply to certain dispositions of, and distributions on, our common shares.





A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will include in ordinary income, for each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of our common shares, as of the close of such tax year over (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares.  A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common shares, over (b) the fair market value of such common shares (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years).





A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election generally also will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our common shares to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election.  In addition, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will recognize ordinary income or ordinary loss (not to exceed the excess, if any, of (a) the amount included in ordinary income because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years over (b) the amount allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years).





A Mark-to-Market Election applies to the tax year in which such Mark-to-Market Election is made and to each subsequent tax year, unless our common shares cease to be “marketable stock” or the IRS consents to revocation of such election.  Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.





Although a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to our common shares, no such election may be made with respect to the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC that a U.S. Holder is treated as owning, because such stock is not marketable.  Hence, the Mark-to-Market Election will not be effective to eliminate the application of the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code described above with respect to deemed dispositions of Subsidiary PFIC stock or distributions from a Subsidiary PFIC.





Other PFIC Rules





Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would cause a U.S. Holder that had not made a timely QEF Election to recognize gain (but not loss) upon certain transfers of common shares that would otherwise be tax-deferred (e.g., gifts and exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations).  However, the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder may vary based on the manner in which common shares are transferred.





Certain additional adverse rules will apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether such U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election.  For example under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder that uses common shares as security for a loan will, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such common shares.





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




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The PFIC rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC rules and how the PFIC rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.





Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares





The following discussion is subject to the rules described above under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”





Distributions on Common Shares





Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to an Offered Share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  A dividend generally will be taxed to a U.S. Holder at ordinary income tax rates if the Company is a PFIC.  To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's tax basis in our common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares.  (See “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of common shares” below).  However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to our common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income.  Dividends received on common shares generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction”.  Subject to applicable limitations and provided the Company is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention or the common shares are readily tradable on a United States securities market, dividends paid by the Company to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Company not be classified as a PFIC in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year.  The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.





Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares





Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder's tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of.  Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, gain or loss recognized on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, our common shares have been held for more than one year.





Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust.  There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation.  Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.





Additional Considerations





Additional Tax on Passive Income





Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts (other than trusts that are exempt from tax) will be subject to a 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes dividends on the common shares and net gains from the disposition of the common shares.  Further, excess distributions treated as dividends, gains treated as excess distributions under the PFIC rules discussed above, and mark-to-market inclusions and deductions are all included in the calculation of net investment income.





Treasury Regulations provide, subject to the election described in the following paragraph, that solely for purposes of this additional tax, that distributions of previously taxed income will be treated as dividends and included in net investment income subject to the additional 3.8% tax.  Additionally, to determine the amount of any capital gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares that will be subject to the additional tax on net investment income, a U.S. Holder





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who has made a QEF Election will be required to recalculate its basis in the common shares excluding QEF basis adjustments.





Alternatively, a U.S. Holder may make an election which will be effective with respect to all interests in a PFIC for which a QEF Election has been made and which is held in that year or acquired in future years.  Under this election, a U.S. Holder pays the additional 3.8% tax on QEF income inclusions and on gains calculated after giving effect to related tax basis adjustments.  U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to any of their income or gains in respect of the common shares.





Receipt of Foreign Currency





The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time).  A U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt.  Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.  Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting.  Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.





Foreign Tax Credit





Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on our common shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid.  Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax.  This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.





Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income.  In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.”  Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code.  However, the amount of a distribution with respect to our common shares that is treated as a “dividend” may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder.  In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income.  The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.





Backup Withholding and Information Reporting





Under U.S. federal income tax law and Treasury Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation.  For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on individuals who are U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts.  The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity.  U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions.  Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial.  U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.






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Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, common shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 28%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax.  However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules.  Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner.  Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.





F.           Dividends and Paying Agents





Not Applicable.





G.           Statement by Experts





Not Applicable.





H.           Documents on Display





We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file reports and other information with the SEC.  You may read and copy any of our reports and other information at, and obtain copies upon payment of prescribed fees from, the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  In addition, the SEC maintains a Website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.




We are required to file reports and other information with the securities commissions in Canada.  You are invited to read and copy any reports, statements or other information, other than confidential filings, that we file with the provincial securities commissions.  These filings are also electronically available from the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") (www.sedar.com), the Canadian equivalent of the SEC's electronic document gathering and retrieval system.




We "incorporate by reference" information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.  The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this Form 20-F and more recent information automatically updates and supersedes more dated information contained or incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F.




As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders.




We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Annual Report on Form 20-F has been delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 20-F (not including exhibits to such incorporated information that are not specifically incorporated by reference into such information).  Requests for such copies should be directed to us at the following address: 999 West Hastings Street, Suite 1660, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2W2.





I.           Subsidiary Information





Not Applicable.







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Item 11                 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk





Credit risk





Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument, will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss.  Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and amounts receivable.  The Company deposits the majority of its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions in Canada and holds balances in banks in Chile as required to meet current expenditures.  The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.





The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and due to and from related parties approximates fair value due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.





The Company operates in a number of countries, including Canada and Chile, and it is therefore exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from transactions denominated in a foreign currency.





The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are held in several currencies (mainly Canadian Dollars, Chilean Pesos, US Dollars and Australian Dollars).  Such foreign currency balances, which are held in the Canadian parent, are subject to fluctuation against the Canadian Dollar.  Such foreign currency balances, which are held in the Chilean subsidiary, are subject to fluctuation against the Chilean Peso.





The Canadian parent company had the following balances in foreign currencies as at December 31, 2015 and 2014:




2015(in thousands)US

Dollars


Australian

DollarsCash and cash equivalents


90



-Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


(27
)


(16
)Net balance


63



(16
)Equivalent in Canadian Dollars


87



(16
)Rate to convert to $ CDN


1.3840



1.0083








2014(in thousands)US

Dollars


Australian

DollarsCash and cash equivalents


248



-Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


(29
)


(61
)Net balance


219



(61
)Equivalent in Canadian Dollars


254



(58
)Rate to convert to $ CDN


1.1601



0.9479








Based on the above net exposures as at December 31, 2015, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 10% depreciation or appreciation of the US dollar and Australian dollar against the Canadian dollar would result in an increase/decrease of $8,700 and $1,600 respectively (2014 - $25,400 and $5,800 respectively) in the Company’s net loss.




75


Interest rate risk





Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates.  The Company’s interest rate risk mainly arises from the interest rate impact on the cash and cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents earn interest based on current market interest rates, which at December 31, 2015 ranged between 1.00% and 1.20%.





Based on the amount of cash and cash equivalents held at December 31, 2015, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 0.5% change in the applicable interest rate would result in an increase/decrease of $112,000 in the interest earned by the Company per annum.





Liquidity risk





Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.  The Company manages its liquidity risk by forecasting cash flows required by operations and anticipated investing and financing activities.  The Company had cash at December 31, 2015 in the amount of $22.3 million in order to meet short-term business requirements.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had current liabilities of $331,000 which are due on demand or within 30 days.








Item 12.                 Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities





A. – C.





Not Applicable.





D.           American Depository Receipts





The Company does not have securities registered as American Depository Receipts.





Part II





Item 13.                 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies





Not Applicable.





Item 14                 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds





A.-D.





None.





E.            Use of Proceeds





Not Applicable.





Item 15                 Controls and Procedures





A.           Disclosure Controls and Procedures





An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s audit committee and management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2015.  Based on their evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii)





76





accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.





B.           Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting





The Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.





Because of their inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Furthermore, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.





The Company’s management, (with the participation of the CEO and the CFO), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015.  This evaluation was based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on its assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as at December 31, 2015, and management’s assessment did not identify any material weaknesses.


C.           Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm





This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, which provides that issuers that are not an “accelerated filer” or “large accelerated filer” are exempt from the requirement to provide an auditor attestation report.





D.           Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting





Based upon their evaluation of our controls, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, there were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors during our last fiscal year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





Item 16.               [Reserved]







77
 
 
 
 Item 16A                 Audit Committee Financial Expert





The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Robert G. Reynolds qualifies as a financial expert (as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) and is independent (as determined under Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 and Section 803A of the NYSE MKT Company Guide).





Item 16B                 Code of Ethics





The Company is committed to the highest standards of legal and ethical business conduct.  The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to all of its directors, officers and employees, including the CEO and CFO.  This Code summarizes the legal, ethical and regulatory standards that the Company must follow and serves as a reminder to the directors, officers and employees, of the seriousness of that commitment.  Compliance with this Code and high standards of business conduct is mandatory for every director, officer and employee of the Company.  The Code meets the requirements for a “code of ethics” within the meaning of that term in Form 20-F.





A copy of the Code in full text is available on the Company’s website at www.exeterresource.com and in print to any shareholder who requests it.  All required substantive amendments to the code, and all waivers of the code with respect to any of the officers covered by it, will be posted on the Company’s website at www.exeterresource.com within five business days of the amendment or waiver, and provided in print to any shareholder who requests them.





During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Company did not substantively amend, waive or implicitly waive any provision of the Code with respect to any of the directors, officers or employees subject to it.





Item 16C                 Principal Accountant Fees and Services





The independent auditor for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.





The following table sets out the aggregate fees billed by the Company’s external auditor for the three most recently completed financial years.





PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPFinancial Year Ending
Audit Fees(1)
Audit-Related Fees(2)
Tax Fees(3)
All Other Fees(4)2015
$124,376
$8,925
$606
$Nil2014
$112,000
$7,500
$800
$Nil2013
$92,500
$20,000
$688
$Nil





(1)
The aggregate fees billed by the Company’s external auditor for audit services.


(2)
The aggregate fees billed by the Company’s external auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements which are not included under the heading “Audit Fees”, including review of interim financial statements and read & comments on interim financial statements.


(3)
The aggregate fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.


(4)
Other than as disclosed above, the Company’s external auditor has not billed the Company for any products or services during the last two financial years.  Fees relate to services relating to short form prospectus filings and information circulars.





The Audit Committee approved 100% of the fees paid to the principal accountant for audit-related, tax and other fees in the fiscal year 2015.  The Audit Committee pre-approves all non-audit services to be performed by the auditor in accordance with the Audit Committee Charter.  There were no hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the Company's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.





Item 16D                 Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees





None.





Item 16E                 Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers





None.






78





Item 16F                 Changes in Registrants Certifying Accountant





None.





Item 16G                 Corporate Governance





The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE MKT.  Section 110 of the NYSE MKT Company Guide permits the NYSE MKT to consider the laws, customs and practices of foreign issuers in relaxing certain NYSE MKT listing criteria, and to grant exemptions from NYSE MKT listing criteria based on these considerations.  A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies pursuant to NYSE MKT standards is set forth on the Company’s website at www.exeterresource.com.





In addition, the Company may from time-to-time seek relief from NYSE MKT corporate governance requirements on specific transactions under Section 110 of the NYSE MKT Company Guide by providing written certification from independent local counsel that the non-complying practice is not prohibited by our home country law, in which case, the Company shall make the disclosure of such transactions available on its website at www.exeterresource.com.  Information contained on the Company’s website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.





A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies pursuant to NYSE MKT standards is as follows:





Shareholder Meeting Quorum Requirement:NYSE MKT minimum quorum requirement for a shareholder meeting is one-third of the outstanding shares of common stock.  In addition, a company listed on NYSE MKT is required to state its quorum requirement in its by-law.  The Company's quorum requirement is set forth in its articles of incorporation, which provides that a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders shall be two persons present in person, each being a shareholder entitled to vote thereat, holding not less than one-tenth of the voting shares of the Company, each of whom is present in person or by proxy or represented by a representative for a shareholder so entitled.





Proxy Delivery Requirement: NYSE MKT requires the solicitation of proxies and delivery of proxy statements for all shareholder meetings, and requires that these proxies shall be solicited pursuant to a proxy statement that conforms to SEC proxy rules.  The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 405 under the Securities Act and the equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from the proxy rules set forth in Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c) and 14(f) of the Exchange Act.  The Company solicits proxies in accordance with applicable rules and regulations in Canada.





Shareholder Approval Requirement:The Company will follow the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and TSX rules for shareholder approval of new issuances of its common shares.  Following securities and exchange rules, shareholder approval is required for certain issuances of shares that: (i) materially affect control of the Company; or (ii) provide consideration to insiders in aggregate of 10% or greater of the market capitalization of the listed issuer and have not been negotiated at arm’s length.  Shareholder approval is also required, pursuant to TSX rules, in the case of most private placements: (x) for an aggregate number of listed securities issuable greater than 25% of the number of securities of the listed issuer which are outstanding, on a non-diluted basis, prior to the date of closing of the transaction if the price per security is less than the market price; or (y) that during any six month period are to insiders for listed securities or options, rights or other entitlements to listed securities greater than 10% of the number of securities of the listed issuer which are outstanding, on a non-diluted basis, prior to the date of the closing of the first private placement to an insider during the six month period.





Item 16H                 Mine Safety Disclosure.





Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities with respect to mining operations and properties in the United States that are subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”).  During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had no mines in the United States that were subject to regulation by the MSHA under the Mine Act.






79





Part III





Item 17                 Financial Statements





See “Item 18 – Financial Statements”.








Item 18                 Financial Statements





The Company’s financial statements are stated in Canadian Dollars and are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).




The following Financial Statements pertaining to the Company are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F:




Management’s Responsibility for Financial ReportingIndependent Auditor’s Report
83 - 84Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
85Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
86Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
87Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
88Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
89 - 106







80





Item 19                 Exhibits





Exhibit Number                                Name




1.1
Certificate of Incorporation, Certificates of Name Change, Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Amalgamation and By-Laws (1)


4.1
Purchase Agreement dated April 13, 2011 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (Exeter Resource Corporation) and Anglo American Norte S.A. (formerly Minera Anglo American Chile Limitada and Empresa Mantos Blancos S.A.) (2)


4.2
Easement Agreement dated June 10, 2013 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (Exeter Resource Corporation) and the Chilean Government. (2)


4.3
Amended Water Agreement dated February 26, 2014 (3)
 4.4
Consulting Agreement with Bryce Roxburgh dated September 1, 2014 (3)
 4.5
Consulting Agreement with Cecil Bond dated September 1, 2014 (3)


4.6
Consulting Agreement with Yale Simpson dated September 1, 2014 (3)
 8.1
List of Subsidiaries
 4.2
Easement Agreement dated June 10, 2013 between Sociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (Exeter Resource Corporation) and the Chilean Government. (2)


12.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 12.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 13.1
Certificate of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350


13.2
Certificate of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350






(1)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed August 24, 2005.


(2)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed April 18, 2014.


(3)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed May 8, 2015








81























EXETER RESOURCE CORPORATION


(An Exploration Stage Company)








Consolidated Financial Statements





For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013


(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
















Index
PageManagement’s Responsibility for Financial ReportingIndependent Auditor’s Report
83 - 84Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
85Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
86Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
87Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
88Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
89 - 106







82





Independent Auditor’s Report








To the Shareholders of Exeter Resource Corporation





We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Exeter Resource Corporation, which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2015, and the related notes, which comprise a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.


Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements





Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.


Auditor’s responsibility





Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement. Canadian generally accepted auditing standards also require that we comply with ethical requirements.





An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence, on a test basis, about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting principles and policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.





We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.













83


Opinion





In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exeter Resource Corporation as at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and its financial performance and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.














signed “PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP”





Chartered Professional Accountants


Vancouver, BC


March 22, 2016










84
 
 
 
 Exeter Resource Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
 December 31, 2015


December 31, 2014AssetsCurrentCash and cash equivalents
(Note 7)

$
22,308


$
30,752Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses


132



173Due from related party
(Note 13)


18



9Other financial assets
(Note 8)


26



2422,484



30,958Property and equipment
(Note 9)


59



84$
22,543


$
31,042LiabilitiesCurrentAccounts payable and accrued liabilities

$
311


$
1,104Due to related parties
(Note 13)


20



64331



1,168Shareholders’ EquityShare capital
(Note 11)


246,089



246,089Contributed surplus



45,635



44,404Deficit


(269,556
)


(260,659
)Accumulated other comprehensive income


44



4022,212



29,874$
22,543


$
31,042
 
 
 Contractual Obligations                                          (Note 16)
 
   See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
   85
  Exeter Resource CorporationConsolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, Except Share Data)
  For the years ended December 31,


2015



2014



2013IncomeInterest income

$
291


$
497


$
643ExpensesAccounting and audit


87



102



135Administration salaries and consulting
(Note 12)


760



694



1,272Amortization
(Note 9)


35



42



50Directors’ fees
(Note 12)


639



213



1,402Foreign exchange loss


29



10



20General and administration
(Note 15)


492



545



571Legal fees


80



127



48Impairment on available-for-sale investments
(Note 8)


48



39



187Management fees
(Note 12)


209



203



1,000Mineral property exploration expenditures
(Notes 10 and 12)


6,296



8,390



14,210Shareholder communications



390



578



705Stock exchange listing and filing fees


123



119



949,188



11,062



19,694Net loss for the year


(8,897
)


(10,565
)


(19,051
)Other comprehensive income for the yearItems that may be reclassified to profit or loss:Currency translation difference


4



6



18Comprehensive loss for the year

$
(8,893
)

$
(10,559
)

$
(19,033
)Basic and diluted loss per common share

$
(0.10
)

$
(0.12
)

$
(0.22
)Weighted average number of common shares outstanding


88,407,753



88,407,753



88,407,753
  
 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
 
 86
 Exeter Resource CorporationConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars)  For the years ended December 31,

2015


2014


2013Operating ActivitiesNet loss for the year

$
(8,897
)

$
(10,565)


$
(19,051)Non-cash items:Amortization                                                           (Note 9)


35



42



50Impairment on available-for-sale investments                                                          (Note 8)


48



39



187Share-based compensation(Note 12)


1,231



405



3,662(7,583
)


(10,079
)


(15,152
)Changes in non-cash working capital items:Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses


41



98



559Due from related parties


(9
)


12



74Due to related parties


(44
)


22



(8
)Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


(791
)


284



(6
)Cash outflow from operating activities


(8,386
)


(9,663
)


(14,533
)Investing ActivitiesAcquisition of property and equipment



(9
)


(2
)


(22
)Acquisition of marketable securities



(50
)


-



(250
)Cash outflow from investing activities


(59
)


(2
)


(272
)Effect of foreign exchange rate change on cash


1



(18
)


3Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(8,444
)


(9,683
)


(14,802
)Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of the year


30,752



40,435



55,237Cash and cash equivalents – end of the year

$
22,308


$
30,752


$
40,435
 
 
 
 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
 
  87
 
 
 Exeter Resource Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars)  Issued Share CapitalNumber of
Shares



Amount



Contributed
Surplus



Deficit



Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)



Total
Shareholders'
EquityBalance - January 1, 2013


88,407,753


$
246,089


$
40,337


$
(231,043
)

$
16


$
55,399Activity during the period:-

Share-based compensation


-



-



3,662



-



-



3,662-

Other comprehensive income


-



-



-



-



18



18-

Net loss for the period


-



-



-



(19,051
)


-



(19,051
)Balance - December 31, 2013


88,407,753


$
246,089


$
43,999


$
(250,094
)

$
34


$
40,028Balance - January 1, 2014


88,407,753


$
246,089


$
43,999


$
(250,094
)

$
34


$
40,028Activity during the period:-

Share-based compensation


-



-



405



-



-



405-

Other comprehensive income


-



-



-



-



6



6-

Net loss for the period


-



-



-



(10,565
)


-



(10,565
)Balance - December 31, 2014


88,407,753


$
246,089


$
44,404


$
(260,659
)

$
40


$
29,874Balance - January 1, 2015


88,407,753


$
246,089


$
44,404


$
(260,659
)

$
40


$
29,874Activity during the period:-

Share-based compensation


-



-



1,231



-



-



1,231-

Other comprehensive income


-



-



-



-



4



4-

Net loss for the period


-



-



-



(8,897
)


-



(8,897
)Balance - December 31, 2015


88,407,753


$
246,089


$
45,635


$
(269,556
)

$
44


$
22,212
 
 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
   88
 1.
Nature of Business
 
 Exeter Resource Corporation (“Exeter” or the “Company”) is an exploration stage company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada with its head office in Vancouver, Canada, and, together with its subsidiaries, it is currently engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties located in Chile.  The Company is also evaluating new opportunities with the objective of securing properties which offer near term discovery potential.
  The Company is in the process of exploring its mineral properties.  The continued operation of the Company is dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete the development of such properties, and the profitable production from or disposition of such properties.
 
 The Company has its primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the NYSE MKT.  The Company’s head office is located at 1660 - 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 2W2.
  2.
Basis of Preparation
  These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for marketable securities at fair value through profit or loss.  The Board of Directors approved the consolidated financial statements on March 22, 2016.
  3.
Changes in Accounting Policy and Disclosures
 
 New Standards and Interpretations Not Yet Adopted
  The IASB has issued the following standards which have not yet been adopted by the Company.
 
 IFRS 9–Financial Instruments - classification and measurement
 
 IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) was issued by the IASB in November 2009 with additions in October 2010 and July 2014 and will replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (“IAS 39”). IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost or fair value, replacing the multiple rules in IAS 39. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the context of its business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. Most of the requirements in IAS 39 for classification and measurement of financial liabilities were carried forward unchanged to IFRS 9, except that an entity choosing to measure a financial liability at fair value will present the portion of any change in its fair value due to changes in the entity’s own credit risk in other comprehensive income, rather than within profit or loss. The new standard also requires a single impairment method to be used, replacing the multiple impairment methods in IAS 39. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
 In May 2014, the IASB published IFRS 15 which replaces IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and some revenue-related interpretations.  IFRS 15 establishes a new control-based revenue recognition model, changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized at a point in time or over time, provides new and more detailed guidance on specific topics and expands and improves disclosures about revenue.  IFRS 15 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.  Earlier adoption is permitted.  There should be no impact on the Company’s financial statements from this new standard.
 89
 3.
Changes in Accounting Policy and Disclosures(Continued)
 
 IFRS 16 – Leases
 
 In January 2016, the IASB published IFRS 16 which replaces IAS 17, Leases.  IFRS 16 establishes how an entity will recognise, measure, present and disclose leases. It is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 4.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Judgements and Estimation Uncertainty
 
 a)
Basis of presentation
 
 These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Exeter and its subsidiaries.  Subsidiaries are those entities which Exeter controls.  The Company has control over an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.
 
 Incorporation
Percentage of
OwnershipSociedad Contractual Minera Eton Chile (“Eton”)
Chile
100%Sociedad Contractual Minera Retexe Chile (“Retexe”)
Chile
100%Minera Goldeye Chile Limitada (“Goldeye”)
Chile
100%
 
 The Company does not have restrictions on its ability to transfer cash to or from its subsidiaries, or to pay dividends, advance loans or make loan repayments between group companies.  All intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains and losses from intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
 
 b)
Mineral property costs
 
 Mineral properties consist of exploration and mining concessions, options to acquire interest in exploration and mining concessions.  Acquisition costs are capitalized and deferred until such time as the property is put into production or the property is disposed of, either through sale or abandonment or becomes impaired.  If a property is put into production the costs of acquisition are expensed on a units of production basis over the life of the property based on estimated proven and probable reserves.  Proceeds received from the sale of any interest in a property will be credited against the carrying value of the property with any excess recognized in the income statement.  If a property is abandoned, the acquisition costs will be written off to the income statement.
 
 c)
Mineral property exploration and evaluation expenditures
 
 The Company expenses mineral property exploration and evaluation expenditures when incurred.  When it has established that a mineral deposit is technically feasible and commercially viable and following a decision to commence development, the costs subsequently incurred to develop a mine on the property prior to the start of mining operations are capitalized and will be amortized on a units of production basis following the commencement of commercial production, or written off if the property is sold, allowed to lapse or abandoned.
 
 d)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to include amounts held in banks and highly liquid investments with an initial term to maturity of ninety days or less.
  90
 4.
Summary ofSignificant Accounting Policies, Judgements and Estimation Uncertainty (Continued)
 
 e)
Translation of foreign currencies
  (i)   Presentation currency
  The consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars.
  (ii)  Functional currency
  The financial statements of each entity are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”).
  The functional currency of the parent company is the Canadian dollar and the functional currency of the Company’s Chilean subsidiaries, Eton, Retexe and Goldeye, is the Chilean Peso.  The financial statements of these subsidiaries (“foreign operations”) are translated into the Canadian dollar presentation currency as follows:
  ·
Assets and liabilities – at the closing rate at the date of the statement of financial position.
  ·
Income and expenses – at the average rate of the period (as this is considered a reasonable approximation to actual rates).
  ·
All resulting changes are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) as cumulative translation adjustments.
  When the settlement of a monetary item receivable from or payable to a foreign operation is neither planned nor likely in the foreseeable future, foreign exchange gains and losses arising from conversion of the item from functional to reporting currency are considered to form part of the net investment in the foreign operation and are recognized in OCI.
  When an entity disposes of its entire interest in a foreign operation, or loses control, joint control, or significant influence over a foreign operation, the foreign currency gains or losses accumulated in OCI related to the foreign operation are recognized in profit or loss.  If an entity disposes of part of an interest in a foreign operation which remains a subsidiary, a proportionate amount of foreign currency gains or losses accumulated in OCI related to the subsidiary are reallocated between controlling and non-controlling interests.
  (iii) Transactions and balances
  Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of an entity using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions.  Generally, foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation at year end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are recognized in the statement of income.
 
 f)
Earnings (loss) per share
 
 Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute the dilutive effect of options, warrants and similar instruments.  Under this method the dilutive effect on earnings per share is calculated presuming the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and similar instruments.  It assumes that the proceeds of such exercise would be used to repurchase common shares at the average market price during the period.  However, the calculation of diluted loss per share excludes the effects of various conversions and exercise of options and warrants that would be anti-dilutive.
  91
 4.
Summary ofSignificant Accounting Policies, Judgements and Estimation Uncertainty (Continued)
 
 g)
Property and equipment
 
 Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.  Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset.  Amortization is calculated at the following annual rates:
  Computer equipment
Straight-line              -  3-6 yearsComputer software
Straight-line              -  2 yearsEquipment including vehicles
Straight-line              -  3-7 yearsLeasehold improvements
Straight-line              -  5 years (term of lease)Office equipment
Straight-line              -  3-7 years
 h)
Share-based compensation
 
 The Company has adopted an incentive stock option plan.  All share-based awards are measured and recognized based on the grant date fair value.  Fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Awards that the Company has the ability to settle with stock are recorded as equity.  Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the tranche’s vesting period, in earnings or capitalized as appropriate, based on the number of options expected to vest.
 
 i)
Income taxes
 
 Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax.  Income tax expense is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized either in OCI or directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in OCI or in equity respectively.
 
 Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.
  Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.
  However, deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss.
  Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.
  A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized.  Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.
 92
   4.
Summary ofSignificant Accounting Policies, Judgements and Estimation Uncertainty (Continued)
 
 j)
Use of estimates and judgements
 
 The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.  Areas of estimates include assumptions used in the accounting for share-based compensation, amortization rates, and contingent liabilities.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
 Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility of the Company’s shares.  Changes in input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.
 
 Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
 
 k)
Financial instruments
 
 Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.  Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired or have been transferred and the Company has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.
 
 Financial assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
 
 At initial recognition, the Company classifies its financial instruments in the following categories depending on the purpose for which the instruments were acquired:
 
 ●
Loans and receivables: Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market.  The Company’s loans and receivables are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and amounts due from related parties, and are included in current assets due to their short-term nature.



Loans and receivables are initially recognized at the amount expected to be received less, when material, a discount to reduce the loans and receivables to fair value.  Subsequently, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method less a provision for impairment.
  ●
Available-for-Sale Financial Assets (“AFS”): Investments held by the Company are classified as AFS and are recorded at fair value.  Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income.  When an investment is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is included in profit or loss for the period.  AFS investments are considered to be impaired when the declines in fair value below cost are considered significant (20% or more) or prolonged (more than 12 months).  The fair value of AFS monetary assets denominated in a foreign currency is translated at the spot rate at the statement of financial position date.
 
 ●
Financial liabilities at amortized cost: Financial liabilities at amortized cost include accounts payable and accrued liabilities and amounts due to related parties.  Accounts payable are initially recognized at the amount required to be paid less, when material, a discount to reduce the payables to fair value.  Financial liabilities are classified as current liabilities as payment is due within twelve months.
 
   93
 4.
Summary ofSignificant Accounting Policies, Judgements and Estimation Uncertainty (Continued)
 
 l)
Royalty payments
 
 The Company expenses all advance royalty payments to mineral property exploration expenditures.  Once a decision on development of mineral properties has been made, the Company will capitalize the advance royalty payments until the commencement of production at which time they will be charged to operations (see Notes 10 and 16).
 
 m)
Land easement
 
 The Company expenses all land easement payments to mineral property exploration expenditures as the agreement with the Chilean Government can be terminated, without penalty, if the Caspiche project does not advance.
 
 5.           Management of Capital
 
 The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the development of its mineral properties and to maintain a flexible capital structure which optimizes the cost of capital at an acceptable risk.
 
 In the definition of capital, the Company includes the components of shareholders’ equity.
 
 The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.  To maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Company may attempt to issue new shares, issue debt and acquire or dispose of assets.
 
 In order to facilitate the management of its capital requirements, the Company prepares annual expenditure budgets that are updated as necessary depending on various factors, including successful capital deployment and general industry conditions.  The annual and updated budgets are approved by the Board of Directors.
 94
 
 6.
Financial Instruments
 
 a)
Fair Value
 
 The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and due to and from related parties approximates fair value due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.
 
 Fair value measurements are categorized within the following hierarchy:
  Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
  Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices); and
  Level 3 - inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs).
  The marketable securities held by the Company are carried at fair value based on quoted prices in the active market (Level 1).
 
 The Company has no financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value classified as Level 2 or Level 3.
 
 b)
Financial Risk Management
 
 The Company’s activities potentially expose it to a variety of financial risks, including credit risk, foreign exchange currency risk, liquidity and interest rate risk.
  Credit risk
 
 Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument, will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss.  Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and amounts receivable.  The Company deposits the majority of its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions in Canada and holds balances in banks in Chile as required to meet current expenditures.  The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.
 
 The Company’s investment policy is to limit investments to guaranteed investment certificates, banker’s acceptance notes, investment savings accounts or money market funds with high quality financial institutions in Canada and treasury bills, selected with regards to the expected timing of expenditures from operations.
 95
 
 
  
 6.
Financial Instruments (Continued)
 
 Currency risk
 
 Currency risk is the risk that the fair values or future cash flows of our financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in foreign currency rates.  The Company’s financial instruments are exposed to currency risk where those instruments are denominated in currencies that are not the same as the functional currency of the entity that holds them, resulting exchange gains and losses impact earnings.
 
 The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are denominated in several currencies (mainly Canadian Dollars, Chilean Pesos, US Dollars and Australian Dollars).  Such balances are subject to foreign exchange fluctuation.
 
 The Canadian parent company had the following balances in foreign currencies as at December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 2015

(in thousands)US

Dollars


Australian DollarsCash and cash equivalents


90



-Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


(27
)


(16
)Net balance


63



(16
)Equivalent in Canadian Dollars


87



(16
)Rate to convert to $ CDN


1.3840



1.0083
 
 2014

(in thousands)US

Dollars


Australian DollarsCash and cash equivalents


248



-Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


(29
)


(61
)Net balance


219



(61
)Equivalent in Canadian Dollars


254



(58
)Rate to convert to $ CDN


1.1601



0.9479
   Based on the above net exposures as at December 31, 2015, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 10% depreciation or appreciation of the US dollar and Australian dollar against the Canadian dollar would result in an increase/decrease of $8,700 and $1,600 respectively (2014 - $25,400 and $5,800 respectively) in the Company’s net loss.
   96
  6.
Financial Instruments(Continued)
 Interest rate risk
 
 Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates.  The Company’s interest rate risk mainly arises from the interest rate impact on cash and cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents earn interest based on current market interest rates, which at December 31, 2015 ranged between 1.00% and 1.20%.
 
 Based on the amount of cash and cash equivalents held at December 31, 2015, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 0.5% change in the applicable interest rate would result in an increase/decrease of $112,000 in the interest earned by the Company per annum.
 
 Liquidity risk
 
 Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.  The Company manages its liquidity risk by forecasting cash flows required by operations and anticipated investing and financing activities.  The Company had cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 in the amount of $22,308,000 in order to meet short-term business requirements.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had current liabilities of $331,000 which are due on demand or within 30 days.
 
 7.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
 (in thousands)

December 31,
2015


December 31,
2014CashCash at bank

$
12,728


$
5,278Investment savings accounts


9,580



25,474Total

$
22,308


$
30,752
 
 8.
Other Financial Assets
 
 The Company holds 312,500* common shares in San Marco Resources Inc. (“San Marco”). In addition, during the year, the Company acquired 1,000,000 common shares of Goldeye Explorations Limited (“Goldeye”).
  Goldeye


San MarcoDecember

31, 2015


December

31, 2014


December

31, 2015


December

31, 2014Number of shares held

(in thousands)


1,000,000



-



312,500



1,562,500Cost

$
50


$
-


$
250


$
250Market value – beginning of year

$
-


$
-


$
24


$
63Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets


(30
)


-



(18
)


(39
)Market value – end of year1

$
20


$
-


$
6


$
24
 
 *
On January 5, 2015 San Marco shares were consolidated on the basis of one new common share for five old common shares.  As a result the Company now holds 312,500 new common shares.
 1
Classified as a Level 1 financial instrument and measured at fair value using quoted prices in  active markets for identical assets.
   97
 9.
Property and Equipment
 
 (in thousands)

Computer Equipment


Computer Software


Equipment including Vehicles


Leasehold Improvements


Office
equipment


TotalCostAs at January 1, 2014

$
111


$
15


$
310


$
22


$
68


$
526Additions


-



-



-



-



2



2Effect of movements in exchange  rates


-



-



(14
)


-



-



(14
)Balance as at December 31, 2014

$
111


$
15


$
296


$
22


$
70


$
514AmortizationAs at January 1, 2014

$
(111
)

$
(15
)

$
(187
)

$
(14
)

$
(68
)

$
(395
)Charged for the year


-



-



(38
)


(4
)


-



(42
)Effect of movements in exchange rates


-



-



7



-



-



7Balance as at December 31, 2014

$
(111
)

$
(15
)

$
(218
)

$
(18
)

$
(68
)

$
(430
)Net carrying valueAs at January 1, 2014

$
-


$
-


$
123


$
8


$
-


$
131As at December 31, 2014

$
-


$
-


$
78


$
4


$
2


$
84CostAs at January 1, 2015

$
111


$
15


$
296


$
22


$
70


$
514Additions


9



-



-



-



-



9Effect of movements in exchange  rates


-



-



5



-



-



5Balance as at December 31, 2015

$
120


$
15


$
301


$
22


$
70


$
528AmortizationAs at January 1, 2015

$
(111
)

$
(15
)

$
(218
)

$
(18
)

$
(68
)

$
(430
)Charged for the year


(3
)


-



(28
)


(4
)


-



(35
)Effect of movements in exchange rates


-



-



(4
)


-



-



(4
)Balance as at December 31, 2015

$
(114
)

$
(15
)

$
(250
)

$
(22
)

$
(68
)

$
(469
)Net carrying valueAs at January 1, 2015

$
-


$
-


$
78


$
4


$
2


$
84As at December 31, 2015

$
6


$
-


$
51


$
-


$
2


$
59
 
 
  98
 10.
Mineral Properties - Acquisition and Exploration Costs
 
 a)
Acquisition Costs
 
 Caspiche
 
 By an agreement dated October 11, 2005 and subsequently amended, the Company acquired the right to review a number of properties in the Maricunga region of Chile.  Under the terms of the agreement, the Company had the right to earn a 100% interest in the properties by incurring aggregate expenditures of US$2.55 million over five years including conducting 15,500 meters (“m”) of drilling with the vendor retaining a 3% net smelter royalty (“NSR”) in the properties.
 
 Having met the requirements to earn its interest in the properties, effective February 14, 2011 the Company exercised its option and acquired the properties.  The vendor retains a 3% NSR from production from the property and has the right to buy the property back by reimbursing certain of the Company’s expenditures incurred on the property if it is not put into production within 15 years of exercising the option.  In addition, the Company will be required to pay a further 0.08% NSR from production pursuant to an agreement with a private entity.  The Company is required to make an advance annual royalty payment of US$250,000 up until March 31, 2020 (US$1,250,000 paid to December 31, 2015) and thereafter US$1 million annually for the period March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2025 or until commencement of commercial production, should production commence prior to March 31, 2025, at which time the advance royalty will cease and the NSR will be payable.
 
 Water agreement
 
 In January 2014, the Company’s Chilean subsidiary, Eton, negotiated new water exploration agreement (“Water Agreement”) terms with the Chilean subsidiary of Canadian company Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation (“Atacama Pacific”).  The new terms amend the original agreement entered into between the parties in May 2013.  The Water Agreement allows Eton to earn an additional 40% interest, for an aggregate 90% interest, in any water rights granted following the discovery of water near Peñas Blancas (Laguna Verde) in the Maricunga region, northern Chile.  To earn the additional 40% interest, Eton is required to incur an additional 40% (total of 90%) of all expenditures relating to exploration and potential development on the water tenements.  In addition, in the event of approval of water rights by the General Directorate of Water Resources (“DGA”), Eton will assume Atacama Pacific’s obligation to pay Hydro Exploraciones SpA (“Hydro”), an Atacama Pacific affiliate, US$15,000 per litre per second (“l/s”) of DGA approved water rights.  Atacama Pacific will remain obligated to pay Hydro US$15,000 per l/s on its 10% interest.  Regardless of the total amount of DGA approved water acquired, payments to Hydro are capped at US$1 million.  These payments are not applicable to Eton’s original 50% interest in any water rights acquired.  In addition, Eton will pay US$5,000 per month to Hydro from the date of any application for water rights for assisting with securing such water rights.  The aggregate of the monthly payments are deductible from any amount payable to Hydro for water rights acquired. Following the discovery of water at Peñas Blancas, as part of the application for water rights, the Company was granted a provisional easement over the area in Q4 2015.
  99
  10.
Mineral Properties - Acquisition and Exploration Costs (Continued)
 
 Land easement
 
 On June 10, 2013 the Company announced that its application for surface rights at Caspiche had been granted by the Chilean Government.  The Company has a lease agreement with the Chilean Government for the surface rights that correspond to its initial mineral rights in the area; the easement extends this area to cover most of its additional tenements as well as areas that may be required for potential development of a mine at Caspiche. In order to maintain these rights, which are valid for 25 years, the Company is required to make total payments of 157,529 Unidades de Fomento (UF)*, an equivalent of approximately US $6.3 million of which US$3.0 million has been paid to December 31, 2015. Seven annual payments of approximately US$465,000 remain payable.
 
 * Unidad de Fomento (UF). This is a unit of account used in Chile. The exchange rate between the UF and the Chilean peso is constantly adjusted to inflation so that the value of the UF remains constant.
  b)
Exploration Costs
 
 The tables below show the Company’s exploration expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
 
 2015

2014

2013(in thousands)

Generative

Chile

Total

Mexico

Chile

Total

Mexico

Chile

TotalAccess/easement/advanced royalty

$
-

$
1,207

$
1,207

$
25

$
1,002

$
1,027

$
57

$
2,603

$
2,660Assays


-


-


-


-


-


-


62


44


106Consultants and contractors


-


428


428


-


755


755


23


1,413


1,436Drilling


-


851


851


6


2,159


2,165


767


2,281


3,048Engineering and geological *


309


629


938


17


1,000


1,017


949


1,474


2,423Environmental


-


161


161


-


121


121


22


91


113Field camp


-


340


340


-


901


901


33


527


560IVA tax


-


371


371


(100
)

451


351


113


535


648Legal and title


-


478


478


2


295


297


105


456


561Metallurgical *


-


17


17


-


323


323


1


230


231Office operations


-


193


193


2


216


218


174


288


462Resource development


-


3


3


-


32


32


-


76


76Travel


28


318


346


2


390


392


142


471


613Wages and benefits *


93


870


963


2


789


791


148


1,125


1,273Exploration costs

$
430

$
5,866

$
6,296

$
(44
)
$
8,434

$
8,390

$
2,596

$
11,614

$
14,210Cumulative exploration costs

$
430

$
106,060

$
109,042

$
2,552

$
100,194

$
102,746

$
2,596

$
91,760

$
94,356
 
 
 * Includes share-based compensation as reflected below:
 
 2015

2014

2013(in thousands)

Chile

Mexico

Chile

Total

Mexico

Chile

TotalEngineering and geological

$
308

$
5

$
208

$
213

$
74

$
533

$
607Metallurgical


-


-


-


-


-


111


111Wages and benefits


149


-


-


-


-


224


224Cumulative exploration costs

$
457

$
5

$
208

$
213

$
74

$
868

$
942
   100
  11.
Share Capital
 
 The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares.
 
 12.
Stock Option Plan
 
 The Company has adopted an incentive stock option plan (the “Plan”), the essential elements of which are as follows:  On May 31, 2013, shareholders approved an amendment reducing the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable pursuant to options granted under the Plan, such that options granted under the Plan may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the option grant.  At December 31, 2015, the maximum number of options issuable under the Plan was 7,445,000. Options granted under the Plan may have a maximum term of ten years, but options granted to date have had a life of 5 years.
  Unless subsequently amended, the exercise price of options granted under the Plan will not be less than the last closing market price of the Company’s shares immediately preceding the grant date.  Options granted under the Plan may be subject to vesting at times as determined by the directors of the Company and the Toronto Stock Exchange.  Stock options usually vest in tranches over a period of 1 to 2 years (50 - 100% per year).
 
 A summary of the changes in share options during the year is as follows:
  December 31, 2015


December 31, 2014Options


Weighted

Average

Exercise Price


Options


Weighted

Average

Exercise PriceOptions outstanding, beginning of year


8,253,000


$
1.26



8,923,000


$
1.30Granted


7,230,000



0.53



50,000



0.70Cancelled


(7,252,500
)


1.27



-



-Forfeited


(410,000
)


1.27



-



-Expired


(375,500
)


1.27



(720,000
)


1.70Options outstanding, end of year


7,445,000


$
0.53



8,253,000


$
1.26
 
 During the year, option holders voluntarily surrendered 7,252,500 options and the Company accounted for these as cancellations whereby the unvested balance of the original fair value was immediately expensed in the amount of $nil (2014 -$nil). Additionally, the Company re-priced 215,000 options which ranged in price from $0.70 to $1.27 to an exercise price of $0.50 per option, recognizing $38,650 in share-based compensation.
 
 The Company granted 7,230,000 options during the year. Of the options granted, 1,500,000 were accounted for as a re-pricing from an exercise price of $1.22 to an exercise price of $0.54 resulting in the Company recognizing $138,809 in share-based compensation. The remaining 5,730,000 options were accounted for as a new grant and the Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $1,053,577. Total share-based compensation for the year was $1,231,036.
 
 There were nil (2014 - nil) options exercised during the period.
  101
 12.
Stock Option Plan (Continued)
 
 The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015.
 Outstanding Options


Exercisable OptionsPrices ($)


Number


Weighted Average Remaining Life
(Years)


Weighted
Average
Exercise Price


Number


Weighted
Average
Exercise Price0.50



2,905,000



4.95


$
0.50



782,500


$
0.500.54



1,750,000



4.91



0.54



437,500



0.540.56



2,790,000



4.89



0.56



697,500



0.567,445,000



4.92


$
0.53



1,917,500


$
0.53
 
 For the options granted during the year, the weighted average grant date fair market value was $0.27 per share.
 
 Share-based Compensation
 
 The fair value of the 7,230,000 (2014 – 50,000) options granted by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
 2015
2014
2013Expected annual volatility
60%
60%
70%Risk-free interest rate
0.59%-0.90%
1.56%
0.96% - 1.42%Expected life
5 years
5 years
5 yearsExpected dividend yield
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
 
 
 Share-based compensation expense of $1,231,000 (2014 - $405,000, 2013 - $3,662,000) was recognised during the year.
 
 Share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31 has been allocated as follows:
 
 (in thousands)

2015


2014


2013Administration salaries and consulting

$
232


$
106


$
790Directors’ fees


500



63



1,240Management fees


42



23



690Mineral property exploration expenditures


457



213



942Total

$
1,231


$
405


$
3,662
 
  102
 
 13.
Related Party Transactions
 
 An amount due from a related party of $18,000 at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $9,000) is for the recovery of common expenditures from Rugby Mining Limited (“Rugby”).  The amounts due from related parties are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.
 
 Amounts due to related parties of $20,000 at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $64,000) is for management, consulting and exploration fees and for expenses incurred while conducting the Company’s business.  The amounts due to related parties are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.
 
 During the year ended December 31, 2015 a total of $792,000 (2014 - $833,000) was paid or accrued for related party transactions as described below:
 
 a)
Exploration and consulting fees of $185,000 (2014 - $200,000) were paid or accrued to a corporation of which a Co-Chairman of the Company is a principal.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $5,000 (December 31, 2014 - $14,000) to this company.
 
 b)
Exploration fees of $269,000 (2014 - $249,000) were paid or accrued to a corporation controlled by the Vice-President, Development and Operations.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $13,000 (December 31, 2014 - $28,000) to this company.
 
 c)
Management fees of $107,000 (2014 - $120,000) were paid to a corporation controlled by a Co-Chairman of the Company.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $Nil (December 31, 2014 - $Nil) to this company.
 
 d)
Management fees of $231,000 (2014 - $250,000) were paid or accrued to a corporation controlled by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $2,000 (December 31, 2014 - $22,000) to this company.
 
 e)
The Company paid or accrued rent expense of $Nil (2014 - $14,000) to a company controlled by a director of the Company.  Of this amount, $Nil (2014 - $6,000) was recovered from a corporation with directors in common.  As at December 31, 2015, the Company had amounts owing of $Nil (December 31, 2014 - $Nil) to this company.
 
 103
  14.           Executive Compensation
 
 Key management personnel are those persons that have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, directly or indirectly.  Key management personnel of the Company at December 31, 2015 included four (4) (2014 - 4, 2013 - 4) executive officers and three (3) (2014 - 3, 2013 - 3) independent members of the Board of Directors.
 
 The following compensation has been provided to key management personnel for the years ended December 31:
  (in thousands)

2015


2014


2013Compensation - cash and benefits

$
986


$
1,070


$
1,163Share-based payments


831



396



2,611Total

$
1,817


$
1,466


$
3,774
 
 15.           Expenses by Nature
 
 General and administration expense is made up of the following:
  Year ended December 31,

(in thousands)2015


2014


2013Bank charges

$
8


$
8


$
13Office


213



211



212Rent


159



185



185Telecommunications


29



27



28Transfer agent


9



17



18Travel and promotion


74



97



115Total

$
492


$
545


$
571
  16.
Contractual Obligations
 
 The Company leases offices in Canada and Chile and has land easement payments and advance royalty obligations related to its properties.  Option payments and property expenditure obligations are contingent on exploration results and can be cancelled at any time should exploration results so warrant.  Other financial commitments are summarized in the table below:
 
 Payments Due by Year

(in thousands)

Total


2016



2017 - 2018



2019 - 2020



2021 - 2025Advance royalty payments*

$
8,650


$
346


$
692


$
692


$
6,920Land easement payments**


4,501



643



1,286



1,286



1,286Office and equipment leases


379



326



53



-



-Property access agreements


103



103



-



-



-Total

$
13,633


$
1,418


$
2,031


$
1,978


$
8,206
 
 * Obligation in US dollars converted to Canadian dollars at the closing rate of the reporting period (1 USD = 1.3840 CAD).
 ** Obligation in Unidad de Fomento (UF). This value is converted to Canadian dollars at the closing rate of the reporting period (1 UF =50.15 CAD).
 
 104
  17.
Segmented Information
 
 The Company’s activities are all in the one reportable operating segment - mineral property acquisition, exploration and development.  The following provides required disclosures on a geographic basis:
 
 December 31,2015(in thousands)

Canada


Chile


TotalCash and cash equivalents

$
22,268


$
40


$
22,308Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses


79



53



132Due from related party


18



-



18Other financial assets


26



-



26Property and equipment


7



52



5922,398



145



22,543Current liabilities


(193
)


(138
)


(331
)$
22,205


$
7


$
22,212Net loss – year ended December 31, 2015

$
2,968


$
5,929


$
8,897
 
 December 31,2014(in thousands)

Canada


Mexico


Chile


TotalCash and cash equivalents

$
30,567


$
-


$
185


$
30,752Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses


144



-



29



173Due from related party


9



-



-



9Other financial assets


24



-



-



24Property and equipment


4



-



80



8430,748



-



294



31,042Current liabilities


(307
)


-



(861
)


(1,168
)$
30,441


$
-


$
(567
)

$
29,874Net loss – year ended December 31, 2014

$
2,239


$
(44
)

$
8,370


$
10,565Net loss – year ended December 31, 2013

$
4,777


$
2,596


$
11,678


$
19,051
    105
  18.
Income Taxes
 
 A reconciliation of consolidated income taxes at statutory rates with the reported taxes is as follows:
 
 (in thousands)

2015


2014


2013Net loss for the year before income tax

$
8,897


$
10,565


$
9,051Combined federal and provincial tax rate


26.00
%


26.00
%


25.75
%Income tax recovery at statutory rates

$
(2,313
)

$
(2,747
)

$
(4,906
)Losses and other deductions for which no benefit has been recognized


1,666



1,979



2,082Non-deductible share-based compensation


320



105



943Non-deductible mineral property exploration costs


277



609



1,019Foreign exchange rate and tax rate differences


(48
)


(66
)


539Other


98



120



323Income tax recovery

$ Nil


$ Nil


$ Nil
  The significant components of the Company’s consolidated future tax assets are as follows:
  (in thousands)

2015


2014


2013Non-capital loss carry forwards – Canada

$
6,688


$
6,248


$
5,708Non-capital loss carry forwards – Chile


3,676



2,459



1,128Exploration and development deductions


18,088



17,689



12,065Property and equipment – Canada


36



34



33Share issue costs


-



-



26Other


53



41



39Unrecognised deferred tax asset

$
28,541


$
26,471


$
18,999
 
 The Company has available non-capital losses for Canadian income tax purposes which may be carried forward to reduce taxable income in future years.  If not utilized, the non-capital losses in the amount of $24 million expire as follows:
 
 (in thousands)2026

$
2,2422027


2,0012028


2,4242029


4,0382031


4,0832032


4,1352033


3,0312034


2,0772034


1,694$
25,725
 
 At December 31, 2015, the Company also has tax loss carry forwards in Chile which have no expiry, totaling $13.6 million, which are available to offset future taxable income.
 
 Tax benefits have not been recorded as it is not considered more likely than not that they will be utilized.
 
 
 
  106
 SIGNATURE
 
 
 The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on Form 20-F on its behalf.
 
   EXETER RESOURCE CORPORATIONDated: April 29 2016
By:
/s/ Wendell ZerbWendell Zerb, President and Chief Executive Officer(Principal Executive Officer)