Form 6-K -- Management Proxy Materials
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
March 31, 2006
Commission File Number: 000-30586
IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
(Translation of Registrants Name into English)
Suite 654 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E1, CANADA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form
20-F or Form 40-F. *
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Form 20-F- o Form 40-F- o |
* The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 10-K
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- .
This Report on Form 6-K incorporates by reference the exhibits attached hereto.
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Exhibit |
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Title |
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1
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Management Proxy Circular |
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Proxy |
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Electronic Shareholder Consent |
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Supplemental Return Card |
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Notice of Meeting |
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Letter to Shareholders |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
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Date: March 31, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ Beverly A. Bartlett
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BEVERLY A. BARTLETT |
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Corporate Secretary |
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Exhibit 1
Notice of Annual Meeting of the Shareholders
and
Management Proxy Circular
of
IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
DATED: MARCH 17, 2006
IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
654 999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1
Telephone: 604-688-8323 Fax: 604-682-2060
Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
May 4, 2006
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
(the Company) will be held in Suite 629 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia on
Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 1:30 PM local time (the Meeting) for the following purposes:
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to receive the report of the directors; |
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2. |
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to receive the Companys audited financial statements for the financial year ended December
31, 2005 and the auditors report thereon; |
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to elect directors for the ensuing year; |
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4. |
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to appoint auditors for the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to
fix the auditors remuneration; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or
adjournments thereof. |
The Board of Directors has fixed March 23, 2006 as the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Annual General Meeting and at any
adjournment thereof.
A Management Proxy Circular and a Form of Proxy accompany this Notice. The Management Proxy
Circular contains details of matters to be considered at the Meeting. The audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005, and the auditors report
thereon, were mailed to shareholders on or about March 31, 2006.
A shareholder, who is unable to attend the Meeting in person and who wishes to ensure that such
shareholders shares will be voted at the Meeting, is requested to complete, date and execute the
enclosed form of proxy and deliver it by facsimile, by hand or by mail in accordance with the
instructions set out in the Form of Proxy and in the Management Proxy Circular.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 17th day of March, 2006.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Beverly A. Bartlett |
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Beverly A. Bartlett
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Corporate Secretary |
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IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
Suite 654 999 Canada Place
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1
MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR
This Management Proxy Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
management of IVANHOE ENERGY INC. (the Company) for use at the Annual Meeting (the Meeting) of
its shareholders to be held on May 4, 2006, at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in
the accompanying Notice of Meeting. Unless otherwise stated, this Management Proxy Circular
contains information as at March 17, 2006.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The solicitation of proxies by management will be primarily by mail, but proxies may be solicited
by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company personally, by telephone, or by means
of electronic communication.
All costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company.
APPOINTMENT OF PROXYHOLDERS
A shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting may, by means of proxy, appoint a proxyholder or one
or more alternate proxyholders, who need not be shareholders, to attend and act at the Meeting for
the shareholder and on the shareholders behalf.
The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy are directors and/or officers of the
Company. A shareholder may appoint, as proxyholder or alternate proxyholder, a person or persons
other than any of the persons designated in the accompanying Form of Proxy, and may do so either by
inserting the name or names of such persons in the blank space provided in the accompanying Form of
Proxy or by completing another suitable Form of Proxy.
An appointment of a proxyholder or alternate proxyholders will not be valid unless a form of proxy
making the appointment, signed by the shareholder or by an attorney of the shareholder authorized
in writing, is deposited with CIBC Mellon Trust Company, by facsimile to (604) 688-4301 or (416)
368-2502, by mail to P.O. Box 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3X1, by hand to Suite 1600,
Oceanic Plaza, 1066 Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3K9 or by hand or mail to 200
Queens Quay East, Unit 6, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4K9 not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays and statutory holidays) before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof at which the form of
proxy is to be used.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A shareholder who has given a form of proxy may revoke it
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by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the
shareholders attorney authorized in writing |
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with CIBC Mellon Trust Company, not less than 48 hours
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) before the Meeting or an
adjournment thereof, at which the form of proxy is to be used, |
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(ii) |
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at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and
including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or an
adjournment thereof, at which the form of proxy is to be used, |
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with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting
or an adjournment thereof, or |
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in any other manner provided by law. |
A revocation of a form of proxy will not affect a matter on which a vote is taken before the
revocation.
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION
On a poll, the nominees named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote or withhold from voting
the shares represented thereby in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder. The form of
proxy will confer discretionary authority on the nominees named therein with respect to
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each matter or group of matters identified therein for which a choice is not
specified, other than the appointment of an auditor and the election of directors, |
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(b) |
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any amendment to or variation of any matter identified therein, and |
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any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting. |
In respect of a matter for which a choice is not specified in the form of proxy, the nominees named
in the accompanying form of proxy will vote shares represented by the form of proxy at their own
discretion for the approval of such matter.
As of the date of this Management Proxy Circular, management of the Company knows of no amendment,
variation or other matter that may come before the Meeting, but if any amendment, variation or
other matter properly comes before the Meeting, each nominee named in the accompanying form of
proxy intends to vote thereon in accordance with the nominees best judgment.
VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Only registered shareholders of the Company or the persons they appoint as their proxies are
permitted to vote at the Meeting. Most shareholders of the Company are non-registered
shareholders (Non-Registered Shareholders) because the shares they own are not registered in
their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company
through which they purchased the shares. Shares beneficially owned by a Non-Registered Shareholder
are registered either: (i) in the name of an intermediary (an Intermediary) that the
Non-Registered Shareholder deals with in respect of the shares of the Company (Intermediaries
include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers, securities brokers and trustees
or administrators of self-administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (ii) in the name
of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited) of which the
Intermediary is a participant. In accordance with applicable securities law requirements, the
Company will have distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting, this Management Proxy Circular, the
form of proxy and the request form (collectively, the Meeting Materials) to the clearing agencies
and Intermediaries for distribution to Non-Registered Shareholders.
Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Shareholders unless
a Non-Registered Shareholder has waived the right to receive them. Intermediaries often use service
companies to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Shareholders. Generally, Non-Registered Shareholders who have not waived the right to receive Meeting Materials
will either be given:
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a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary and which,
when properly completed and signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder and returned to
the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often
called a voting instruction form) which the Intermediary must follow. Typically, the
voting instruction form will consist of a one page pre-printed form. Sometimes,
instead of the one page pre-printed form, the voting instruction form will consist of
a regular printed proxy form accompanied by a page of instructions which contains a
removable label with a bar code and other information. In order for the form of proxy
to validly constitute a voting instruction form, the Non-Registered Shareholder must
remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the form of proxy, properly
complete and sign the form of proxy |
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and submit it to the Intermediary or its service
company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service
company; or |
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(b) |
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a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically
by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of shares
beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Shareholder but which is otherwise not
completed by the Intermediary. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of
proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the Non-Registered
Shareholder when submitting the form of proxy. In this case, the Non-Registered
Shareholder who wishes to submit a form of proxy should properly complete the form of
proxy and deposit it with the Company, c/o CIBC Mellon Trust Company, Suite 1600, The
Oceanic Plaza, 1066 Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3K9 or 200
Queens Quay East, Unit 6, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4K9. |
In either case, the purpose of these procedures is to permit Non-Registered Shareholders to direct
the voting of the common shares of the Company they beneficially own. Should a Non-Registered
Shareholder who receives one of the above forms wish to vote at the Meeting in person (or have
another person attend and vote on behalf of the Non-Registered Shareholder), the Non-Registered
Shareholder should strike out the persons named in the form of proxy and insert the Non-Registered
Shareholder or such other persons name in the blank space provided. In either case, Non-Registered
Shareholders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those
regarding when and where the proxy or voting instruction form is to be delivered.
A Non-Registered Shareholder may revoke a proxy or voting instruction form given to an Intermediary
by contacting the Intermediary through which the Non-Registered Shareholders common shares of the
Company are held and following the instructions of the Intermediary respecting the revocation of
proxies. In order to ensure that an Intermediary acts upon a revocation of a proxy or voting
instruction form, the written notice should be received by the Intermediary well in advance of the
Meeting.
VOTES NECESSARY TO PASS RESOLUTIONS
The Companys by-laws provide that the quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting is at
least one individual present at the commencement of the Meeting holding, or representing by form of
proxy the holder or holders of, common shares carrying, in the aggregate, not less than
thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the votes eligible to be cast at the Meeting.
Under the Yukon Business Corporations Act (the YBCA) a majority of the votes cast by shareholders
at the Meeting is required to pass an ordinary resolution and a majority of two-thirds of the votes
cast at the Meeting is required to pass all special resolutions.
Shareholders will be asked to elect directors and appoint an auditor for the ensuing year. If
there are more nominees for election as directors or appointment as the Companys auditor than
there are vacancies to fill, those nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected
or appointed, as the case may be, until all such vacancies have been filled. If the number of
nominees for election or appointment is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, all such
nominees will be declared elected or appointed by acclamation.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
The Company is unaware of any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership
of securities or otherwise, of any person who has been a director or executive officer of the
Company or is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company (or an associate or
affiliate of such director, director nominee or executive officer) at any time since the beginning
of the Companys last financial year in any matter to be acted upon other than the election of
directors or the appointment of auditors.
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VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The Company has an authorized capital consisting of an unlimited number of common shares without
par value and an unlimited number of preference shares without par value.
As of March 17, 2006 the Company had outstanding 229,430,769 fully paid and non-assessable common
shares without par value, each carrying the right to one vote. As of such date, there were no
preference shares issued and outstanding.
A holder of record of one or more common shares on the securities register of the Company at the
close of business on Thursday, March 23, 2006, (the Record Date) who either attends the Meeting
personally or deposits a form of proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above
will be entitled to vote or to have such common shares voted at the Meeting, except to the extent
that
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the shareholder has transferred the ownership of any such common shares after
the Record Date, and |
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the transferee produces a properly endorsed share certificate for, or
otherwise establishes ownership of, any of the transferred common shares and makes a
demand to CIBC Mellon Trust Company no later than 10 days before the Meeting that the
transferees name be included in the list of shareholders in respect thereof. |
To the knowledge of the Companys directors and executive officers, as at March 17, 2006 the only
person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over common
shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding common shares of the
Company, the approximate number of common shares so owned, controlled or directed, and the
percentage of voting shares of the Company represented by such shares and the share ownership by
the current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group are:
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Percentage of |
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Number |
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Shares |
Name and Address |
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of Shares |
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Outstanding |
Robert M. Friedland
Hong Kong |
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46,611,725 |
(1) |
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20.31 |
% |
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Directors and Executive
Officers as a Group |
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60,762,227 |
(2)(3) |
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25.86 |
% |
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(1) |
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417,105 common shares are held directly by Mr. Friedland.
46,611,725 common shares are held indirectly, through Newstar Securities SRL (as to
36,728,448 common shares), Premier Mines SRL (as to 5,771,172 common shares) and
Evershine SRL (as to 3,728,448 common shares), companies controlled by Mr.
Friedland. |
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Includes 5,516,667 unissued common shares issuable to directors and
executive officers upon exercise of incentive stock options. |
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Includes 46,611,725 shares held directly and indirectly by Robert M. Friedland. |
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information on all of the equity compensation plans of the Company
under which common shares of the Company are authorized for issuance as at December 31, 2005:
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Number of securities |
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remaining available |
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Number of |
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for future issuance |
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securities to be |
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under equity |
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issued upon |
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Weighted-average |
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compensation plans |
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exercise of |
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exercise price of |
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(excluding securities |
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outstanding options, |
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outstanding options, |
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reflected in column |
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warrants and rights |
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warrants and rights |
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(a)) |
Plan Category |
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(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
securityholders |
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10,278,388 |
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CDN$2.21 |
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2,803,256 |
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Equity compensation
plans not approved
by securityholders |
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Total |
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10,278,388 |
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CDN$2.21 |
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2,803,256 |
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Employees and Directors Equity Incentive Plan
The Companys Employees and Directors Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the Plan) consists of
three component plans: a common share option plan (the Share Option Plan), a common share bonus
plan (the Share Bonus Plan), and a common share purchase plan (the Share Purchase Plan). The
purpose of the Plan is to advance the Companys corporate interests by encouraging equity
participation by its directors, officers, employees and service providers through the acquisition
of the Companys common shares.
The following is a brief description of the terms of the Plan.
Share Option Plan
The Share Option Plan allows the board of directors to grant options to acquire common shares of
the Company in favor of the Companys directors, officers, employees and service providers.
Options are subject to adjustment in the event of a subdivision or consolidation of the Companys
common shares, an amalgamation, or other corporate event affecting the Companys common shares.
Participation in the Share Option Plan is limited to directors, officers, employees and service
providers who are, in the opinion of the Companys board of directors, in a position to contribute
to the Companys future growth and success.
In determining the number of common shares of the Company made subject to an option, the Company
considers, among other things, the optionees relative present and potential contribution to the
Companys success and to the prevailing policies of each stock exchange on which the Companys
common shares are listed. The board of directors determines the date of grant, the number of
optioned shares, the exercise price per share, the vesting period and the exercise period. The
minimum exercise price of any option granted under the Share Option Plan is the weighted average
price of the Companys common shares on the principal stock exchange on which the common shares
trade for the five trading days prior to the date of grant.
Unless earlier terminated upon an optionees death or termination of employment or appointment,
options may be exercisable for a period of up to ten years. The Company may, in its discretion,
accelerate unvested options if a take-over bid is made for the Companys common shares.
Share Bonus Plan
The Share Bonus Plan permits the Companys board of directors to issue up to an aggregate maximum
of 2,000,000 common shares as bonus awards to the Companys directors, officers, employees and
service providers on a discretionary basis having regard to such merit criteria as the board of
directors may determine. As at December 31, 2005, there were 853,210 common shares available to be
issued from the
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Share Bonus Plan.
Share Purchase Plan
Participation in the Share Purchase Plan is limited to employees who have completed at least one
year (or less, at the discretion of the board of directors) of continuous service on a full-time
basis and who are designated by the board of directors as eligible to participate in the Share
Purchase Plan.
Eligible employees may contribute up to 10% of their annual basic salary to the Share Purchase Plan
in semi-monthly installments. The Company then makes contributions on a quarterly basis equal to
the employees contribution.
At the end of each calendar quarter, the eligible employee receives a number of the Companys
common shares equal to the aggregate amount contributed by the employee participant and by the
Company, on the participants behalf, divided by the weighted average trading price of the
Companys common shares on its principal stock exchange during the previous three months.
The Share Purchase Plan component of the Plan has not yet been activated.
General
The aggregate maximum number of common shares which the Company may issue, or reserve for issuance
under the Plan, is currently 20,000,000 common shares. Any increase is subject to Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX) approval and approval by the Companys shareholders. The maximum number of common
shares which the Company may, at any time, reserve for issuance to any one person under the Plan
may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. As at December 31,
2005, there were 2,803,256 common shares of the Company available to be issued from the Plan.
The Companys board of directors has the right to amend, modify or terminate the Plan. However, any
amendment to the Plan that would materially increase the benefits under the Plan, materially modify
the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan or materially change the number of
the Companys common shares that may be issued or reserved for issuance under the Plan is subject
to TSX approval and the approval of the Companys shareholders.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Companys articles provide that the number of directors of the Company will be a minimum of
three and a maximum of eleven. The term of office of each of the current directors will end at the
conclusion of the Meeting. Unless a directors office is earlier vacated in accordance with the
provisions of the YBCA, each director elected will hold office until the conclusion of the next
annual meeting of the Company or, if no director is then elected, until a successor is elected.
Managements nominees for election as directors are as follows:
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David R. Martin
Chairman and Director since 1998 |
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Robert M. Friedland
Director since 1995
Deputy Chairman since 1999 |
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E. Leon Daniel
Director since 1999
President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since 1999 |
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Shun-ichi Shimizu
Director since 1999 |
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Howard Balloch
Director since 2002
Member of Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee since 2002 |
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R. Edward Flood
Director since 1999
Member of Compensation Committee since 2000
Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee since 2003 |
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J. Steven Rhodes
Director since 2003
Member of Compensation Committee and Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee since 2003 |
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Dr. Robert G. Graham
Director since 2005 |
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Robert A. Pirraglia
Director since 2005
Member of Audit Committee since 2005 |
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Brian F. Downey
Director since 2005
Chair of Audit Committee since 2005 |
The following table sets out the names of managements nominees for election as directors and the
states and countries of their residence, the current and initial offices and positions with the
Company or a subsidiary of the Company that each nominee now holds and, if applicable, then held,
each nominees principal occupation, business or employment, the period of time during which each
has been a director of the Company and the number of shares of the Company beneficially owned by
each nominee, directly or indirectly, or over which each nominee exercised control or direction, as
at March 17, 2006.
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Shares |
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Beneficially |
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Period a |
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Owned, |
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Stock |
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Principal Occupation, Business or |
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Director of the |
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Controlled or |
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Options |
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Name and Position |
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Employment
(1) |
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Company |
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Directed (1)(2) |
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Held |
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David R. Martin
Chairman and
Director
Santa
Barbara, CA USA
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Chairman of the Board (August
1998 present), Ivanhoe Energy
Inc.; President, Cathedral
Mountain Corporation (1997
present)
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Since August 1998
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965,393
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3,400,000 |
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Robert M. Friedland
Deputy Chairman and
Director Hong Kong
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Chairman and President, Ivanhoe
Capital Corporation, a
Singapore-based venture capital
company principally involved in
establishing and financing
international mining and
exploration companies, Chairman
and Director, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
(March 1994 present)
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Since February 1995
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46,611,725
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Nil |
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E. Leon Daniel
President and Chief
Executive Officer
and Director Park
City, Utah USA
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President and Chief Executive
Officer (June 1999 present),
Ivanhoe Energy Inc.
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Since August 1998
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633,217
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666,667 |
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R. Edward
Flood (4)
(5)
Director Sun Valley,
Idaho USA
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Deputy Chairman and Director
(June 1999 present), Ivanhoe
Mines Ltd.
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Since June 1999
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25,029
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100,000 |
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Shun-ichi Shimizu
Director
Tokyo, Japan
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Managing Director C.U.E.
Management Consulting Ltd. (1994
present)
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Since July 1999
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97,500
|
|
Nil |
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period a |
|
Owned, |
|
Stock |
|
|
Principal Occupation, Business or |
|
Director of the |
|
Controlled or |
|
Options |
Name and Position |
|
Employment (1) |
|
Company |
|
Directed (1)(2) |
|
Held |
Howard
Balloch (3)
(4) (5)
Director
Beijing, China
|
|
President, The Balloch Group
(July 2001 present),
President, Canada China Business
Council (July 2001 present),
|
|
Since January 2002
|
|
Nil
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Steven
Rhodes (4)
(5)
Director Los
Angeles, CA USA
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Claiborne-Rhodes, Inc.
(2001 present)
|
|
Since December 2003
|
|
Nil
|
|
290,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Robert G.
Graham (6) Director
Nepean, Ontario
Canada
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, Ensyn Corporation,
(April 2005 present).
Previously, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Ensyn Group,
Inc.
|
|
Since April 2005
|
|
6,448,755
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A.
Pirraglia (3)
(6)
Director Belmont, MA
USA
|
|
Chief Operating Officer and Vice
President, Ensyn Corporation
(April 2005 present).
Previously, Chief Operating
Officer, Ensyn Group, Inc.
|
|
Since April 2005
|
|
300,834
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian F.
Downey (3)
Director
Lake in the Hills,
Illinois USA
|
|
President, Downey & Associates
Management Inc. (July 1986
present); Financial Advisor,
Lending Solutions, Inc. (January
2002 present)
|
|
Since July 2005
|
|
Nil
|
|
150,000 |
(1) |
|
The information as to principal occupation, business or employment of and
shares beneficially owned, controlled or directed by a nominee is not within the knowledge
of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the nominee. |
|
(2) |
|
Does not include unissued common shares issuable upon the exercise of
incentive stock options. See Voting Shares. |
|
(3) |
|
Member of the Audit Committee. |
|
(4) |
|
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
(5) |
|
Member of the Compensation Committee |
|
(6) |
|
Under the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 15,
2004 among the Company, Ivanhoe Merger Sub, Inc. and Ensyn Group, Inc. (Ensyn), the
Company granted to Ensyn the right to designate two individuals for appointment to the
Companys board of directors and agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to nominate
Ensyns designees for re-election to the Companys board of directors annually for at least
five years. Ensyns designees, Dr. Robert Graham and Mr. Robert Pirraglia, were appointed to
the Board of Directors on April 15, 2005. |
Additional information with respect to stock options held by managements nominees for
directors is as follows:
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Under |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Vested/ |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Unvested |
|
Vested |
|
Unvested |
DAVID R. MARTIN
|
|
3,400,000 / NIL
|
|
3,400,000 granted
Aug. 24, 1998,
expire Aug. 24,
2008.
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROBERT M. FRIEDLAND
|
|
NIL
|
|
n/a
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. LEON DANIEL
|
|
266,667/ 400,000
|
|
166,667 granted
Aug. 25, 1998 at
CDN $0.50, expire
Aug. 25, 2008.
100,000 granted May
5, 2005 at US$2.42,
expire May 5, 2010.
|
|
n/a
400,000 granted May
5, 2005 at US$2.42,
expire May 5, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. EDWARD FLOOD
|
|
40,000 / 60,000
|
|
30,000 granted Dec.
02, 2003 at CDN
$5.37, expire Dec.
02, 2008.
10,000 granted May
5, 2005 at US$2.42,
expire May 5, 2010.
|
|
20,000 granted Dec.
02, 2003 at CDN
$5.37, expire Dec.
02, 2008.
40,000 granted May
5, 2005 at US$2.42,
expire May 5, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHUN-ICHI SHIMIZU
|
|
NIL
|
|
n/a
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOWARD BALLOCH
|
|
140,000 / 60,000
|
|
100,000 granted
Jan. 28, 2002 at
CDN $3.25, expire
Jan. 28, 2007.
30,000 granted Dec.
02, 2003 at CDN
$5.37, expire Dec.
02, 2008.
10,000 granted May
05, 2005 at CDN
$3.01, expire May
05, 2010.
|
|
n/a
20,000 granted Dec.
02, 2003 at CDN
$5.37, expire Dec.
02, 2008.
40,000 granted May
05, 2005 at CDN
$3.01, expire May
05, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. STEVEN RHODES
|
|
100,000 / 190,000
|
|
90,000 granted Dec.
01, 2003 at CDN
$5.37, expire Dec.
01, 2008.
10,000 granted May
05, 2005 at
US$2.42, expire May
05, 2010.
|
|
60,000 granted Dec.
01, 2003 at CDN
$5.37, expire Dec.
01, 2008.
40,000 granted May
05, 2005 at
US$2.42, expire May
05, 2010.
90,000 granted July
30, 2004 at
US$1.50, expire
July 29, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROBERT G. GRAHAM
|
|
30,000 / 120,000
|
|
30,000 granted May
05, 2005 at CDN
$3.01, expire May
05, 2010.
|
|
120,000 granted May
05, 2005 at CDN
$3.01, expire May
05, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROBERT A. PIRRAGLIA
|
|
40,000 / 160,000
|
|
40,000 granted May
05, 2005 at
US$2.42, expire May
05, 2010.
|
|
160,000 granted May
05, 2005 at
US$2.42, expire May
05, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRIAN DOWNEY
|
|
30,000 / 120,000
|
|
30,000 granted July
22, 2005 at
US$2.32, expire
July 22, 2010.
|
|
120,000 granted
July 22, 2005 at
US$2.32, expire
July 22, 2010. |
Managements nominees for director also serve as directors of the following public companies:
|
|
|
Robert M. Friedland
|
|
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX; NYSE; NASDAQ) |
|
|
|
R. Edward Flood
|
|
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX; NYSE; NASDAQ);
Jinshan Gold Mines Inc. (TSX-V);
Asia Gold Corp (TSX-V);
American Gold Capital Corp (TSX-V) |
|
|
|
Howard R. Balloch
|
|
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX; NYSE; NASDAQ);
Methanex Corporation (TSX; NASDAQ);
Zi Corporation (TSX; NASDAQ);
Tiens Biotech Group (OTCBB);
Gobi Gold Inc. (TSX-V) |
13
Independence of the Board
The following table sets forth the independence status of the Directors of the Company pursuant to
the rules of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the governance standards of the NASDAQ Stock
Market, and the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as more fully discussed under Corporate
Governance Board Composition below.
|
|
|
Independent Directors |
|
Non-Independent Directors |
R. Edward Flood
|
|
David R. Martin(1) |
|
|
|
Howard R. Balloch
|
|
E. Leon Daniel(2) |
|
|
|
J. Steven Rhodes
|
|
Robert M. Friedland(3) |
|
|
|
Robert A. Pirraglia
|
|
Dr. Robert G. Graham(4) |
|
|
|
Brian F. Downey
|
|
Shun-ichi Shimizu(5) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Martin is the executive Chairman of the Company. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Daniel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Friedland is presently considered not to be independent for the reasons set
forth in Schedule A Corporate Governance Practices, Item 1(a). |
|
(4) |
|
Dr. Graham is presently considered not to be independent for the reasons set forth
in Schedule A Corporate Governance Practices, Item 1(a). |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Shimizu is presently considered not to be independent for the reasons set forth
in Schedule A Corporate Governance Practices, Item 1(a). |
Board Committees
The committees of the Board of Directors of the Company consist of an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The members of the
Audit Committee are Brian Downey (Chair), Howard Balloch and Robert Pirraglia. The members of the
Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Howard Balloch
(Chair), Edward Flood and Steven Rhodes.
Summary of Board and Committee Meetings Held
The following table summarizes Board and Committee meetings held during the year ended December 31,
2005:
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Directors
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation Committee
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
|
4 |
|
14
During 2005, two meetings of the Board and two meetings of each of the Committees were held by
teleconference. In addition, 27 resolutions in writing of the Board were passed in 2005.
Resolutions in writing must be executed by all of the directors entitled to vote on a matter.
Attendance of Board and Committee Members
The following table summarizes the attendance of Board and Committee members during the year ended
December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
Nominating |
|
& |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
& Corporate |
|
Corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
Audit |
|
% of Audit |
|
Compensation |
|
& Benefits |
|
Governance |
|
Governance |
|
|
Board |
|
Board |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
Name |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
|
Attended |
David R.
Martin(1)
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Robert M.
Friedland(1)
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
E. Leon
Daniel(1)
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
80 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
R. Edward
Flood(6)
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Shun-Ichi
Shimizu(1)
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Howard
Balloch
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
J. Steven
Rhodes
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
80 |
% |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Robert G.
Graham(1)
(5)
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Robert A.
Pirraglia(3)(5)
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Brian
Downey(2)
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
J. Carver(4)
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Messrs. Friedland, Martin, Daniel, Shimizu and Graham are not members of any
Committee of the Board. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Downey joined the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee on July 22, 2005. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Pirraglia joined the Audit Committee on June 22, 2005. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Carver resigned from the Board on April 12, 2005. |
|
(5) |
|
Messrs. Graham and Pirraglia joined the Board on April 12, 2005. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Flood resigned from the Audit Committee on July 22, 2005. |
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In accordance with the requirements of applicable securities legislation in Canada, the following
executive compensation disclosure is provided in respect of the Companys Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer as at December 31, 2005, and each of the Companys three most highly
compensated executive officers whose annual compensation exceeded CDN$150,000 in the year ended
December 31, 2005 (collectively, the Named Executive Officers). During the year ended December
31, 2005, the aggregate compensation paid to all executive officers of the Company whose annual
compensation exceeded CDN$40,000 was US$1,264,340.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation paid during the years ending December
31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 to each of the Named Executive Officers:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE ($US)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
Long Term Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Payouts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Shares or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under |
|
|
Share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options/ |
|
|
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
SARs |
|
|
Subject to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
Granted |
|
|
Resale |
|
|
LTIP |
|
|
Compen- |
|
Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus(6) |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
Restrictions |
|
|
Payouts |
|
|
sation(7) |
|
E. Leon Daniel |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
340,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,200 |
|
President & Chief Executive |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,792 |
|
Officer(1) |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
332,610 |
|
|
|
81,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,792 |
|
David R. Martin |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,200 |
|
Chairman(2) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,792 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
205,562 |
|
|
|
54,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,792 |
|
Patrick Chua |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President(3) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
|
32,449 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Moench |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
174,460 |
|
|
|
51,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President(4) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
41,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
33,801 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Gordon Lancaster |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer(5) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Daniel was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in June 1999, and has been a
director of the Company since August 1998. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Martin has been Chairman and one of the Companys directors since August 1998. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Chua was appointed an Executive Vice President in June 1999. |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Moench was appointed an Executive Vice President in June 1999. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Lancaster was appointed Chief Financial Officer effective January 2004. |
|
(6) |
|
Bonuses earned in 2003, 2004 and 2005 were payable in cash and common shares of the Company
from the Employees and Directors Equity Incentive Plan at fair market value on the date of
approval by the Compensation Committee. |
|
(7) |
|
This amount represents the Companys matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, a U.S. defined
contribution retirement plan available to U.S. employees. |
16
Long Term Incentive Plan
The Company does not presently have a long-term incentive plan for any of its executive officers,
including its Named Executive Officers.
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
During the financial year ended December 31, 2005, Mr. Daniel received an incentive stock option to
acquire 500,000 common shares of the Company, which vest over 4 years and expire on the 5th
anniversary of the date of grant. No other stock options or SARs were granted to the Companys
Named Executive Officers in the financial year ended December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options/ |
|
|
|
Market Value of |
|
|
|
|
Securities, |
|
SARs |
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
Under |
|
Granted to |
|
Exercise |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
Options/SARs |
|
Employees in |
|
or |
|
Options/SARs |
|
|
NEO |
|
Granted |
|
Financial |
|
Base Price |
|
on the Date of |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
Year |
|
($/Security) |
|
Grant ($/Security) |
|
Date |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
E. Leon Daniel, |
|
500,000 |
|
13.6% |
|
US$2.42 |
|
US$1,210,000 |
|
May 5, |
President & CEO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
Aggregated Option Exercises
During the financial year ended December 31, 2005, no Named Executive Officers exercised options in
2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
In-the-Money Options at |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
Options at December 31, |
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
|
Acquired |
|
Aggregate |
|
2005 |
|
($US) |
|
|
on Exercise |
|
Value Realized |
|
(#) |
|
|
Name |
|
(#) |
|
($US) |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable |
E. Leon Daniel |
|
|
|
|
|
266,667 / 400,000 |
|
104,301 / NIL |
David N. Martin |
|
|
|
|
|
3,400,000 / NIL |
|
2,127,733 / NIL |
Patrick Chua |
|
|
|
|
|
48,000 / 12,000 |
|
|
Gerald Moench |
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 / 10,000 |
|
|
W. Gordon Lancaster |
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 / 100,000 |
|
|
Option and SAR Repricings
No options or stock appreciation rights were re-priced during the year ended December 31, 2005.
Defined Benefit or Actuarial Plan Disclosure
The Company does not presently provide a pension plan for its employees. However, in 2001, the
Company adopted a defined contribution retirement or thrift plan (401(k) Plan) to assist U.S.
employees in providing for retirement or other future financial needs. Employees contributions (up
to the maximum allowed by U.S. tax laws) were matched 90% by the Company in 2005 and are planned to
increase to a maximum of 100% in 2006. The Companys matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan were
US$0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and US$0.2 million for each of the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003.
17
Employment Contracts
The Company has written contracts of employment with Messrs. E. Leon Daniel and W. Gordon
Lancaster. Otherwise, the Company has no written employment contracts or termination of employment
or change of control arrangements with any of its directors or Named Executive Officers. Each of
the written employment contracts the Company has with the Named Executive Officers allows the
Company to terminate the Named Executive Officer for cause in which case the Named Executive
Officer would have no entitlement to any compensation with respect to the termination. None of the
contracts provides for a change of control arrangement.
Mr. Daniels contract provides for an annual salary of not less than US$300,000 over the term of
employment of five years, commencing on April 30, 2002, unless terminated earlier in accordance
with the provisions of the contract. Either party may terminate the contract upon one years notice
provided however that the Company may terminate Mr. Daniels employment at any time without notice
by paying him an amount equal to the lesser of one years salary or the prorated amount of his
annual salary that he would have earned between the date of termination and the expiration of the
contract term. Mr. Daniel is eligible to receive a cash bonus and a stock bonus each year, as
determined by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Daniel is entitled to participate in the Companys
employee benefit programs on the same basis as all of the Companys other employees.
As of January 1, 2004, the Company entered into an employment contract with Mr. Lancaster having no
fixed term of employment and providing for an initial annual salary of US$200,000, subject to
review annually by the Compensation Committee, and the same benefit entitlements available to the
Companys other executive officers. Under the terms of the contract, Mr. Lancaster was granted an
initial incentive stock option to acquire 250,000 common shares of the Company, which vest over 4
years and expire on the 5th anniversary of the date of grant. The Company may terminate Mr.
Lancasters employment for any reason by delivering to him six months written notice.
Composition of Compensation Committee
The Companys Compensation Committee consists of Howard Balloch, R. Edward Flood and J. Steven
Rhodes. None of Messrs. Balloch, Flood or Rhodes is, or at any time has been, an officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Since the beginning of the most recently
completed financial year, which ended on December 31, 2005, none of Messrs. Balloch, Flood or
Rhodes was indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had any material interest in any
transaction or proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. None of the Companys executive officers serve as a member of
the compensation committee or board of directors of any entity that has an executive officer
serving as a member of the Compensation Committee or board of directors of the Company.
Report on Executive Compensation
Our executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee. The members of
the Compensation Committee are all independent directors. Following review and approval by the
Compensation Committee, decisions relating to executive compensation are reported to, and approved
by, the full Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has directed the preparation of this
report and has approved its contents and its submission to shareholders.
Our approach to executive compensation is motivated by a desire to align the interests of our
executive officers as closely as possible with the interests of Ivanhoe and its shareholders as a
whole. In determining the nature and quantum of compensation for our executive officers we are
seeking to achieve the following objectives: to provide a strong incentive to management to
contribute to the achievement of our short-term and long-term corporate goals; to ensure that the
interests of our executive officers and the interests of our shareholders are aligned; to enable us
to attract, retain and motivate executive officers of the highest caliber in light of the strong
competition in our industry for qualified personnel; and to recognize that the successful
implementation of Ivanhoes corporate strategy cannot necessarily be measured, at this stage of its
development, only with reference to quantitative measurement criteria of corporate or individual
performance. We take all of these factors into account in formulating our
18
recommendations to the Board of Directors respecting the compensation to be paid to each of our
executive officers.
The compensation that we pay to our executive officers generally consists of cash, equity and
equity incentives. Our compensation policy reflects a belief that an element of total compensation
for our executive officers should be at risk in the form of common shares or incentive stock
options, so as to create a strong incentive to build shareholder value. The Compensation Committee
oversees and sets the general guidelines and principles for the compensation packages for senior
management. As well, the Compensation Committee assesses the individual performance of our
executive officers and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. Based on these
recommendations, the Board of Directors makes decisions concerning the nature and scope of the
compensation to be paid to our executive officers. The Compensation Committee is also responsible
for considering grants of equity and equity incentives to non-executive management personnel under
Ivanhoes Plan.
The base salaries of our executive officers have traditionally been determined using a subjective
assessment of each individuals performance, experience and other factors we believe to be
relevant, including prevailing industry demand for personnel having comparable skills and
performing similar duties, the compensation the individual could reasonably expect to receive from
a competitor and Ivanhoes ability to pay. We have also considered recommendations from outside
compensation consultants and used compensation data obtained from publicly available sources. We
believe that the salaries we have traditionally paid to our executive officers reasonably
approximate the median level of most of the comparative compensation data to which we had access.
All of our executive officers are eligible to receive discretionary bonuses, based upon our
subjective assessment of Ivanhoes overall performance in relation to its ongoing implementation of
corporate strategy and achievement of corporate objectives and of each executive officers
contribution to such performance and achievement.
The relationship of corporate performance to executive compensation under our executive
compensation program is created, in part, through equity compensation mechanisms. Incentive stock
options, which vest and become exercisable through the passage of time, link the bulk of our
equity-based executive compensation to shareholder return, measured by increases in the market
price of our common shares. We also make, as and when we consider it warranted, recommendations to
the Board of Directors respecting discretionary bonus awards of common shares to our employees,
including our executive officers. Such awards are intended to recognize extraordinary contributions
to the achievement of corporate objectives.
Eligibility for participation from time to time in the various equity incentive mechanisms
available under our Plan is determined after we have thoroughly reviewed and taken into
consideration the individual performance and contribution to overall corporate performance by each
prospective participant. All outstanding stock options that have been granted under our Plan were
granted at prices not less than 100% of the fair market value of Ivanhoe common shares on the dates
such options were granted.
Although Ivanhoe has, in the past, relied heavily upon incentive stock options to compensate its
executive officers, we do not have a policy of granting additional incentive stock options to our
executive officers on an annual basis. We continue to believe, however, that stock-based incentives
encourage and reward effective management that results in long-term corporate financial success, as
measured by stock appreciation. Stock-based incentives awarded to our executive officers are based
on the Compensation Committees subjective evaluation of each executive officers ability to
influence our long-term growth and to reward outstanding individual performance and contributions
to our business. Other factors influencing our recommendations respecting the nature and scope of
the equity compensation and equity incentives to be awarded to our executive officers in a given
year include: awards made in previous years and, particularly in the case of equity incentives, the
number of incentive stock options that remain outstanding and exercisable from grants in previous
years and the exercise price and the remaining exercise term of those outstanding stock options.
During 2005, Ivanhoe granted to Mr. Daniel, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, incentive stock
options exercisable to purchase up to 500,000 common shares at a price of US$2.42 per share. This
award is made to incentivize Mr. Daniel and to align the financial rewards that would accrue to him
based on Ivanhoes success as a result of his efforts with the interests of the shareholders as
reflected in the
19
market price of our common shares. Otherwise, Ivanhoe did not grant any incentive stock options to
its Named Executive Officers during 2005.
During 2005, we conducted a review of our compensation policies and practices and we engaged
outside consultants to provide an appropriate framework for the administration of salaries and
bonus opportunities for all levels of our employees, including our executive and senior management.
Following review of the findings, we adopted some general benchmarks for setting executive and
management compensation at levels consistent with competitive industry standards and practices: (i)
individual salaries would be targeted at the mid-points of ranges paid to equivalents in other
similar companies; (ii) annual bonuses would be awarded on the basis of criteria established in
each year, with 75% of a bonus to be tied to corporate-wide or departmental achievements measurable
by quantifiable targets, project acquisitions (where relevant) and/or stock value, and the
remaining 25% to be based on subjective criteria; (iii) annual bonuses would generally not exceed
amounts that would bring individual compensation levels up to the top quartile of the competitive
marketplace; (iv) bonuses would continue to be made up of a combination of cash and shares; and (v)
the total budgetary burden of bonuses would be anticipated in annual budgeting.
Our Chief Executive Officers minimum salary is set by his employment contract, the material terms
of which are described under Employment Contracts. This contract also provides that our Chief
Executive Officer is eligible to receive, on an annual basis, a cash bonus and a non-cash bonus in
an amount determined by the Compensation Committee based on such criteria as the Committee may
determine from time to time.
The compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
was based on the same basic factors and criteria used to determine executive compensation
generally. Having regard to the general benchmarks we adopted for setting executive compensation
and based on our review of management salaries, we increased the cash compensation we pay to
certain of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, whose salary was increased by
$28,000 for 2005 and 2006. We believe that there will continue to be some subjectivity involved in
determining the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer. In determining an appropriate level of
compensation for our Chief Executive Officer, we will continue to subjectively and qualitatively
analyze Ivanhoes overall performance in relation to its ongoing implementation of corporate
strategy and achievement of corporate objectives and of our Chief Executive Officers contribution
to such performance and achievement. We will also consider our Chief Executive Officers level and
scope of responsibility, experience and the compensation practices of other industry participants
for executives of similar responsibility.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, no bonuses were granted to the Chief Executive Officer or any
other Named Executive Officer except Messrs. Patrick Chua and Gerald Moench. This decision was
based on the Committees view that, despite significant efforts and corporate achievements by
management during 2005, the results of those efforts and achievements had not yet manifested
themselves to a degree sufficient to warrant bonus grants, having regard to the expectations of the
Board of Directors and Ivanhoes shareholders. Bonuses were awarded to Messrs. Chua and Moench as
a one-time compensation equalization measure to address perceived under-compensation in certain
prior years. For 2006 and in the future, we are continuing to develop and establish appropriate
tangible criteria and identifiable objectives to assist in the determination of bonus awards.
Submitted on behalf of the Compensation Committee:
Mr. Howard R. Balloch
Mr. R. Edward Flood
Mr. J. Steven Rhodes
20
Performance Graph
The following graph and table compares the cumulative shareholder return on a CDN$100 investment in
common shares of the Company to a similar investment in companies comprising the S&P/TSX Composite
Index, including dividend reinvestment, for the period from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, |
|
|
(in Canadian Dollars) |
|
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
2005 |
Ivanhoe Energy Inc. |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
65 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P/TSX Composite
Index |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
77 |
|
|
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
111 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
Director Compensation
All independent directors receive director fees of US$2,000 per month. The Company did not pay any
other cash or fixed compensation to its directors for acting as such. The Company reimburses its
directors for expenses they reasonably incur in the performance of their duties as directors and
they are also eligible to participate in the Plan.
21
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following is information respecting the Companys existing equity compensation plans as at
December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average |
|
future issuance under |
|
|
Number of Securities to |
|
exercise price of |
|
equity compensation |
|
|
be issued upon exercise |
|
outstanding |
|
plans (excluding |
|
|
of outstanding options, |
|
options, warrants |
|
securities reflecting in |
Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights |
|
and rights (CDN$) |
|
column (a) |
Equity Compensation
plans approved by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securityholders |
|
|
10,278,388 |
|
|
$ |
2.21 |
|
|
|
2,803,256 |
|
Equity Compensation
plans not approved
by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shareholders |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Total |
|
|
10,278,388 |
|
|
$ |
2.21 |
|
|
|
2,803,256 |
|
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Other than routine indebtedness, at no time during the Companys most recently completed financial
year was any director, executive officer or senior officer of the Company, any proposed management
nominee for election as a director of the Company or any associate or affiliate of any such
director, executive or senior officer or proposed nominee indebted to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or to another entity where such indebtedness is or has been the subject of a
guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding
provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than routine indebtedness.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
The Company is unaware of any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership
of securities or otherwise, of any informed person of the Company, any proposed director of the
Company or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director, in any
transaction since the commencement of the Companys most recently completed financial year or in
any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or
any of its subsidiaries other than the following:
1. |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we paid US$1,007,460 to a wholly owned subsidiary of
Ensyn Corporation, an unaffiliated company that was spun off from Ensyn Group, Inc. as a
result of our acquisition of Ensyn Group, Inc. on April 15, 2005. Of this amount, US$172,646
was reimbursement of salary and expenses for one of our directors, Mr. Robert Graham, in his
position as Chief Executive Officer and President of Ensyn Corporation. The remaining amount
of $834,814 was paid to Ensyn Corporations wholly owned subsidiary during the year ended
December 31, 2005 for technical services provided to us. Mr. Graham owns an approximate 24%
equity interest in Ensyn Corporation. |
2. |
|
The Company is party to cost sharing agreements with other companies wholly or partially
owned by Mr. Robert M. Friedland. Through these agreements, the Company shares office space,
furnishings, equipment and communications facilities in Vancouver, Beijing and Singapore. The
Company also shares the costs of employing administrative and non-executive management
personnel at these offices. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Companys share of
costs for the Vancouver and Singapore offices was US$1,075,120. In addition, the Company was |
22
|
|
reimbursed US$270,804 by Mr. Friedlands companies for their share of costs for Beijing
office services, which the Company administers. The companies with which the
Company is a party to the cost sharing agreements, and Mr. Friedlands ownership interest in
them, are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.M. Friedland |
Company Name |
|
Ownership Interest |
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. |
|
|
31.92 |
% |
Ivanhoe Capital Corporation |
|
|
100.00 |
% |
Ivanhoe Nickel & Platinum Ltd |
|
|
50.06 |
% |
Jinshan Gold Mines Inc. |
|
|
(1) |
|
Asia Gold Corp. |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. owns 52.91% of the common shares of Jinshan Gold Mines
Inc. and 47% of the common shares of Asia Gold Corp. as at December 31, 2005. |
3. |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2005, a company controlled by Mr. Shun-ichi Shimizu
received US$896,715 for consulting services and out of pocket expenses. |
4. |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2005, Mr. Steven Rhodes received US$42,150 for consulting
services and out of pocket expenses. |
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Chartered Accountants, will be nominated at the Meeting for re-appointment
as the Companys auditors at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors. Deloitte & Touche LLP
have been the Companys auditors since April 8, 1997.
The following table summarizes the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
CDN ($000) |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Audit Fees (a) |
|
$ |
751 |
|
|
$ |
314 |
|
Audit Related Fees (b) |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
Tax Fees (c) |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
124 |
|
All Other Fees (d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
871 |
|
|
$ |
572 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Fees for audit services billed in 2005 and 2004 consisted of: |
|
|
|
Audit of the Companys annual financial statements |
|
|
|
|
Reviews of the Companys quarterly financial statements |
|
|
|
|
Comfort letters, statutory and regulatory audits, consents and other services related to
Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory matters |
|
|
|
|
Review of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with
the requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
(b) |
|
Fees for audit related services billed in 2005 and 2004 consist of financial and tax analysis
in contemplation of the Companys proposed merger with Ensyn Group, Inc. |
(c) |
|
Fees for tax services billed in 2005 and 2004 consisted of tax compliance and tax planning
and advice: |
|
|
|
Fees for tax compliance services totaled CDN$43,600 and CDN$58,000 in 2005 and 2004,
respectively. Tax compliance services are services rendered based upon facts already in
existence or transactions that have already occurred to document, compute, and obtain
government approval for amounts to be included in tax filings and consisted of: |
|
i. |
|
Federal, state and local income tax return assistance
|
|
|
ii. |
|
Preparation of expatriate tax returns |
|
|
iii. |
|
Assistance with tax return filings in certain foreign jurisdictions |
23
|
|
|
Fees for tax planning and advice services totaled CDN$31,000 and CDN$66,000 in 2005 and
2004, respectively. Tax planning and advice are services rendered with respect to proposed
transactions or that alter a transaction to obtain a particular tax result. Such services
consisted of tax advice related to structuring certain proposed mergers, acquisitions and
disposals. |
(d) |
|
All Other Fees includes fees for services billed in 2005 and 2004 other than the services
reported as Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees, or Tax Fees. |
In considering the nature of the services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Audit Committee
determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The
Audit Committee discussed these services with Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Companys management to
determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence
promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to implement the U.S.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
Before Deloitte & Touche LLP is engaged by the Company or its subsidiaries to render audit or
non-audit services, the engagement is approved by the Companys Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy for audit or non-audit service engagements.
This policy describes the permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and other services (collectively,
the Disclosure Categories) that Deloitte & Touche LLP may perform. The policy requires that,
prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, a description of the services (the Service List)
expected to be performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP in each of the Disclosure Categories in the
following fiscal year be presented to the Audit Committee for approval. Services provided by
Deloitte & Touche LLP during the following year that are included in the Service List are
pre-approved following the policies and procedures of the Audit Committee.
Any requests for audit, audit-related, tax, and other services not contemplated on the Service List
must be submitted to the Audit Committee for specific pre-approval and cannot commence until such
approval has been granted. Normally, pre-approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings.
However, the authority to grant a specific pre-approval between meetings, as necessary, has been
delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Chairman must update the Audit Committee at
the next regularly scheduled meeting of any services that were granted specific pre-approval.
In addition, although not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Audit Committee
generally requests a range of fees associated with each proposed service on the Service List and
any services that were not originally included on the Service List. Providing a range of fees for
a service incorporates appropriate oversight and control of the independent auditor relationship,
while permitting the Company to receive immediate assistance from the independent auditor when time
is of the essence. On a quarterly basis, the Audit Committee reviews the status of services and
fees incurred year-to-date against the original Service List and the forecast of remaining services
and fees for the fiscal year.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Management functions of the Company and its subsidiaries are not performed by a person or persons
other than the directors or senior officers of the Company.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Until June 30, 2005, the rules and policies of the TSX required corporations listed on the TSX to
disclose their corporate governance practices with reference to a series of guidelines adopted by
the TSX for effective corporate governance (the TSX Guidelines).
Following the enactment in the United States of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act), the TSX initiated a review of its proposed standards in light of new U.S. legislation and
published for public comment proposed amendments to the TSX Guidelines. However, in September 2003
the TSX announced that it would be relinquishing responsibility for setting corporate governance
standards to Canadian securities regulators.
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In January 2004, the Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA) announced new rules governing
(among other things) the independence, competence and responsibility of audit committees, which
rules are substantially similar to those adopted in the United States. These rules are set out in
Multilateral Instrument 52-110 (the CSA Audit Committee Rules) and came into force on March 30,
2004. In April 2005, the CSA announced amendments to the CSA Audit Committee Rules designed to
ensure the consistency of the definition of independence with that of the New York Stock
Exchanges listing standards. These amendments took effect as of June 30, 2005.
The CSA Audit Committee Rules (with which the Company is in compliance) require:
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a minimum three-member audit committee comprised solely of independent directors;
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an audit committee charter that specifies certain specific audit committee
responsibilities and authority, including, among other things, the responsibility for
pre-approving all audit services and permissible non-audit services and the sole
authority to appoint, determine funding for and oversee the outside auditors. |
The CSA also announced, in April 2005, the adoption of Multilateral Instrument 58-101 and
Multilateral Policy 58-201 (collectively, the CSA Corporate Governance Disclosure Requirements),
which took effect as of June 30, 2005. The CSA Corporate Governance Disclosure Requirements
replaced the TSX Guidelines and apply to the Companys disclosure of its corporate governance
practices for the year ended December 31, 2005. The CSA Corporate Governance Disclosure
Requirements require the Company to make certain prescribed disclosures respecting its particular
corporate governance practices and recommend a series of non-prescriptive corporate governance
guidelines (the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines) that Canadian public companies are
encouraged to consider in developing their own corporate governance practices.
During 2003 and 2004, the board of directors implemented several changes to its corporate
governance procedures to comply with the TSX Guidelines, the proposed amendments to those
guidelines published by the TSX in 2002, and U.S. corporate governance standards. As part of those
changes the board of directors:
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appointed a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting
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changed the composition of all committees of the board of directors to
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adopted charters for each of the Companys board committees, being the
Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, formalizing the mandates of those committees; |
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formalized a management Disclosure Committee for the Company, with the
mandate to oversee the Companys disclosure practices; and |
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adopted a formal Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Company
that governs the behaviour of directors, officers and employees. |
The Company is engaged in an ongoing review of its corporate governance practices with reference to
the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines. The board of directors intends to consider additional
changes to its corporate governance practices during the remainder of 2006 with a view to
furthering its adherence to the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines.
The Companys common shares are also quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market. As part of the sweeping
changes to U.S. securities laws and regulations relating to corporate governance over the last four
years brought on by the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC enacted a number of
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new regulations relating to corporate governance standards for U.S.-listed companies and NASDAQ has
implemented numerous changes to its market place rules respecting the corporate governance
standards for NASDAQ-listed companies (the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules).
The CSA Audit Committee Rules, the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NASDAQ Corporate
Governance Rules address, among other things, the composition and independence of boards of
directors and board committees. The CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines are recommendations only
and reflect a best practices standard to which Canadian public companies are encouraged to
adhere. For example, the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines recommend that a board should be
comprised of a majority of independent directors. On the other hand, the NASDAQ Corporate
Governance Rules are prescriptive and require that the board of a NASDAQ-listed company be
comprised of a majority of independent directors.
Each of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and the CSA Corporate
Governance Guidelines define independence in a slightly different way. Although a finding of
independence remains a matter of judgment and perception based on a particular directors
circumstances, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and the CSA Corporate
Governance Guidelines prescribe certain per se bars to a finding of independence. In addition,
there is a heightened independence requirement for members of audit committees under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and the CSA Audit Committee Rules. Unlike
the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, compliance with the requirements of the CSA Audit
Committee Rules relating to the composition of audit committees and the heightened standard of
independence for audit committee members is mandatory.
Subject to certain exceptions, including the requirement pertaining to the composition and
independence of audit committees, foreign private issuers, like the Company, are exempt from any
requirement of the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules which is contrary to a law, rule or regulation
of any public authority exercising jurisdiction over such issuer or contrary to generally accepted
business practices in the issuers country of domicile. The Company believes that it is in full
compliance with all of the applicable requirements of the CSA Audit Committee Rules and all
requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules applicable to
foreign private issuers for which no exemption is available. The Company also believes that most,
but not all, of its corporate governance practices are consistent with the CSA Corporate Governance
Guidelines. The Company intends to continue its efforts to improve its corporate governance
practices in order to make them wholly consistent with the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Board Composition
The CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines recommend that a majority of the directors of a corporation
be independent directors. An independent director is a director who has no direct or indirect
material relationship with the Company. A material relationship is one that could, in the view of
the Board of Directors, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a directors
independent judgment.
A total of ten persons have been nominated for election as directors at the Meeting. Applying the
definitions in the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the board has determined that, if all such
nominees are elected, the board will consist of five independent directors in Edward Flood, Howard
Balloch, Steven Rhodes, Robert Pirraglia and Brian Downey and five non-independent directors in
David Martin, Leon Daniel, Robert Friedland, Robert Graham and Shun-ichi Shimizu. Although the
Company believes that Dr. Graham is independent of management and qualified as an independent
director for the purposes of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, his status as an executive
officer of another company that is expected to furnish consulting and other services to one of the
Companys subsidiaries acquired in its April, 2005 merger with Ensyn Group, Inc. disqualifies him
as an independent director under the applicable per se standards of the CSA Corporate Governance
Guidelines and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is continuing to examine the size and composition
of the board with a view to recommending adjustments to achieve a greater representation of
unrelated directors and has determined to continue to seek, through its Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, additional qualified candidates to augment its experience and expertise and
to
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enhance the Companys ability to effectively develop its business interests. There are currently
ten directors on the board. The maximum number permitted under the Companys articles of
incorporation is eleven. This will facilitate adding an additional qualified candidate to the
Companys board as the opportunity to do so arises.
Mandate of the Board
Under the YBCA, the directors of the Company are required to manage the Companys business and
affairs, and in doing so to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the
Company. In addition, each director must exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably
prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
The board of directors is responsible for supervising the conduct of the Companys affairs and the
management of its business. The boards mandate includes setting long term goals and objectives
for the Company, to formulate the plans and strategies necessary to achieve those objectives and to
supervise senior management in their implementation. Although the board delegates the
responsibility for managing the day to day affairs of the Company to senior management personnel,
the board retains a supervisory role in respect of, and ultimate responsibility for, all matters
relating to the Company and its business.
The boards mandate requires that the board be satisfied that the Companys senior management will
manage the affairs of the Company in the best interest of the shareholders, in accordance with the
Companys principles, and that the arrangements made for the management of the Companys business
and affairs are consistent with their duty described above. The board is responsible for
protecting shareholder interests and ensuring that the incentives of the shareholders and of
management are aligned. The obligation of the board must be performed continuously, and not merely
from time to time, and in times of crisis or emergency the board may have to assume a more direct
role in managing the affairs of the Company.
In discharging this responsibility, the boards mandate provides that the board oversees and
monitors significant corporate plans and strategic initiatives. The boards strategic planning
process includes annual and quarterly budget reviews and approvals, and discussions with management
relating to strategic and budgetary issues. At least one board meeting per year is to be devoted to
a comprehensive review of strategic corporate plans proposed by management.
As part of its ongoing review of business operations, at each board meeting the board reviews the
principal risks inherent in the Companys business, including financial risks, through periodic
reports from management of such risks, and assesses the systems established to manage those risks.
Directly and through the Audit Committee, the board also assesses the integrity of internal control
over financial reporting and management information systems.
In addition to those matters that must, by law, be approved by the board, the board is required
under its mandate to approve annual operating and capital budgets, any material dispositions,
acquisitions and investments outside of the ordinary course of business or not provided for in the
approved budgets, long-term strategy, organizational development plans and the appointment of
senior executive officers. Management is authorized to act, without board approval, on all
ordinary course matters relating to the Companys business.
The mandate provides that the board also expects management to provide the directors on a timely
basis with information concerning the business and affairs of the Company, including financial and
operating information and information concerning industry developments as they occur, all with a
view to enabling the board to discharge its stewardship obligations effectively. The board expects
management to efficiently implement its strategic plans for the Company, to keep the board fully
apprised of its progress in doing so and to be fully accountable to the board in respect to all
matters for which it has been assigned responsibility.
The board has instructed management to maintain procedures to monitor and promptly address
shareholder concerns and has directed and will continue to direct management to apprise the board
of any major concerns expressed by shareholders.
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Each committee of the board is empowered to engage external advisors as it sees fit. Any
individual director is entitled to engage an outsider advisor at the expense of the Company
provided such director has obtained the approval of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee to do so.
The board has adopted a strategic planning process which involves, among other things, the
following:
(i) at least one meeting per year will be devoted to review of strategic plans that are
proposed by management;
(ii) meetings of the board, at least quarterly, to discuss strategic planning issues;
(iii) the board reviews and assists management in forming short and long term objectives of
the Company on an ongoing basis;
(iv) the board also maintains oversight of managements strategic planning initiatives through
annual and quarterly budget reviews and approvals. The strategic planning process adopted by the
board takes into account, among other things, the opportunities and risks of the business.
In order to ensure that the principal business risks borne by the Company are identified and
appropriately managed, the board receives periodic reports from management of the Companys
assessment and management of such risks. In conjunction with its review of operations which takes
place at each board meeting, the board considers risk issues and approves corporate policies
addressing the management of the risk of the Companys business.
The board takes ultimate responsibility for the appointment and monitoring of the Companys
executive management. The board approves the appointment of executive management and reviews their
performance on an ongoing basis.
The Company has a disclosure policy addressing, among other things, how the Company interacts with
analysts and the public. The disclosure policy contains measures for the Company to avoid selective
disclosure. The Company has a Disclosure Committee responsible for overseeing the Companys
disclosure practices. This committee consists of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the Corporate Secretary and senior Corporate
Communications and Investor Relations Department personnel, and receives advice from the Companys
legal counsel. The Disclosure Committee assesses materiality and determines when developments
justify public disclosure. The committee will review the disclosure policy annually and as
otherwise needed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The board reviews and approves
the Companys material disclosure documents, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and management proxy circular. The Companys
annual and quarterly financial reports are reviewed by the Audit Committee and recommended to the
board prior to its release.
Meetings of the Board
The board of directors has mandated regular annual and quarterly meetings. In addition, the board
meets on an ad hoc basis as required, generally by means of telephone conferencing facilities.
Management also communicates informally with members of the board on a regular basis, and solicits
the advice of the board members on matters falling within their special knowledge or experience.
Board Committees
The Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee.
Audit Committee
The mandate of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Companys financial reporting obligations,
systems and disclosure, including monitoring the integrity of the Companys financial statements,
monitoring the independence and performance of the Companys external auditors and acting as a
liaison between the board and the Companys auditors. The activities of the Audit Committee
typically include reviewing interim financial statements and annual financial statements, ensuring
that internal controls over accounting and financial systems are maintained and that accurate
financial information is disseminated
28
to shareholders, reviewing the results of internal and external audits and any change in accounting
procedures or policies, and evaluating the performance of the Companys auditors. The Audit
Committee communicates directly with the Companys external auditors in order to discuss audit and
related matters whenever appropriate.
The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Downey, Balloch and Pirraglia. The CSA Audit
Committee Rules provide for audit committees to consist solely of independent directors. Messrs.
Downey, Balloch and Pirraglia are all independent directors for the purposes of the CSA Audit
Committee Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules, having regard to the heightened
independence requirements applicable to audit committees. Mr. Downey has been determined by the
Board of Directors to be an Audit Committee financial expert. The Company believes that Mr.
Downeys prior experience working as a Certified Management Accountant and significant financial
and business experience at the executive levels of management qualifies him to be an Audit
Committee financial expert.
The board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate, since
each member has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a
breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth
and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Companys
financial statements.
The Company has adopted an updated Audit Committee charter which codifies the mandate of the Audit
Committee to, and specifically defines its relationship with, and expectations of, the external
auditors, including the establishment of the independence of the external auditor and the approval
of any non-audit mandates of the external auditor; the engagement, evaluation, remuneration and
termination of the external auditor; its relationship with, and expectations of, the internal
auditor function and its oversight of internal control; and the disclosure of financial and related
information. The board will review and reassess the adequacy of the Audit Committee charter on an
annual basis.
The Audit Committee has regular access to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The external
auditors regularly attend all meetings of the Audit Committee. At each meeting of the Audit
Committee, a portion of the meeting is set aside to discuss matters with the external auditors
without management being present. In addition, the Audit Committee has the authority to call a
meeting with the external auditors without management being present, at the committees discretion.
Compensation Committee
The role of the Compensation Committee is primarily to review the adequacy and form of compensation
of senior management and the directors with such compensation realistically reflecting the
responsibilities and risks of such positions, to administer the Plan, to determine the recipients
of, and the nature and size of share compensation awards granted from time to time and to determine
the remuneration of executive officers and to determine any bonuses to be awarded.
The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Balloch, Flood and Rhodes. Each member of the
committee qualifies as an independent director for the purposes of the CSA Corporate Governance
Guidelines and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the
board of directors with respect to developments in the area of corporate governance and the
practices of the board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has expressly assumed
responsibility for developing the Companys approach to governance issues. The Committee is also
responsible for reporting to the board with respect to appropriate candidates for nominations to
the board, for overseeing the execution of an assessment process appropriate for the board and its
committees for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the board currently consists of Messrs.
Balloch, Flood and Rhodes. Each member of the committee qualifies as an independent director for
the purposes of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, consultants,
officers and directors regardless of their position in the organization, at all times and
everywhere the Company does business. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides that the
Companys employees, consultants, officers and directors will uphold its commitment to a culture of
honesty, integrity and accountability and that the Company requires the highest standards of
professional and ethical conduct from its employees, consultants, officers and directors. The
Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics has been filed as Exhibit 14.1 to its 2005 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may be obtained, without
charge, by request to Ivanhoe Energy Inc., 654 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada V6C 3E1, Attention: Corporate Secretary or by phone to 604-688-8323.
CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Companys statement of corporate governance practices with reference to the CSA Corporate
Governance Guidelines is set out in Schedule A to this Management Proxy Circular.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management of the Company is not aware of any matter to come before the Meeting other than the
matters referred to in the Notice of Meeting.
DIRECTORS APPROVAL
The contents of this Management Proxy Circular and its distribution to shareholders have been
approved by the board of directors of the Company.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Copies of the Companys annual reports on Form 10-K, the Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
the Companys current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of
charge on or through the Companys website at www.ivanhoe-energy.com or through the SECs website
at www.sec.gov. Additional information relating to the Company is available free of charge on or
through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com. This
includes the Companys comparative financial statements and managements discussion and analysis
for its most recently completed financial year which may be viewed on the SECs website or on the
SEDAR website. Finally, securityholders may contact the Company directly to receive copies of
information relating to it, including its financial statements and managements discussion and
analysis, without charge, upon written or oral request to Beverly A. Bartlett, Corporate Secretary,
Suite 654-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E1, or by telephone at (604)
688-8323.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia as of the 17th day of March, 2006.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
BEVERLY A. BARTLETT
CORPORATE SECRETARY
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SCHEDULE A
Corporate Governance Practices
Effective June 30, 2005, the Canadian Securities Administrators adopted National Instrument
58-101 (NI 58-101) and the associated National Policy 58-201 (NP 58-201) which require the
Company to disclose its corporate governance practices. These new rules replace the former
corporate governance guidelines of the TSX.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1 |
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Board of Directors
(a) Disclose the identity of directors who are
independent. |
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The Board of Directors has reviewed the independence
of each Director on the basis of the definition in
section 1.4 of MI 52-110, as amended and the
applicable provisions of the NASDAQ Corporate
Governance Rules. A Director is independent if he
or she has no direct or indirect material
relationship with the Corporation, including as a
partner, shareholder or officer of an organization
that has a relationship with the Company. A
material relationship is one that would, or, in
the view of the Board of Directors, could be
reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise
of a Directors independent judgment. The Board has
determined, after reviewing the roles and
relationships of each of the Directors, that
one-half (5 out of 10) of the nominees proposed by
management for election to the Board are independent
from the Company. The following nominees have been
affirmatively determined to be independent by the
Board: |
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R. Edward Flood |
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Howard R. Balloch |
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J. Steven Rhodes |
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Robert A. Pirraglia |
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Brian F. Downey |
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This determination was made on the basis that: |
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(a)
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they (and their immediate family members) are
not and have not been within the last three years an
employee or executive officer of the Company; |
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(b)
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they (and their spouse, minor child or step
child) are not and have not been within the last
three years a partner or employee of the Companys
external auditors firm; |
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(c)
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they (and their immediate family members) are
not and have not been within the last three years an
executive officer of an entity of which the
Companys executives served on that entitys
compensation committee; |
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(d)
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they (and their immediate family members) did
not receive more than US$60,000 in direct
compensation from the Company (exclusive of any
remuneration received for acting as a Board or
Committee member) during any 12 month period during
the last three years; |
1 Reference is made to the items in Form 58-101F.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1 |
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(e)
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they are not a partner in, or a continuing
shareholder or executive officer of any for-profit
business organization to which the Corporation made,
or from which the Corporation received payments
(other than those arising solely from investments in
the Corporations securities) that exceed 5% of the
Corporations or business organizations
consolidated gross revenues for that year, or
US$200,000, whichever is more, in any of the past
three years. |
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In determining that Mr. Flood is an independent
director, the board has considered his position as a
director, senior officer and member of management of
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. and other companies in which Mr.
Robert Friedland, a related director and major
shareholder of the Company, also acts as a director,
officer and major shareholder. The board noted that
Mr. Friedland does not participate in the day to day
management of the Companys affairs (although he is
consulted regularly by management personnel in
respect of key management decisions). The board
also noted, however, that Mr. Flood has no business,
family or other relationship with senior management
of the Company. Having regard to all of the
circumstances, the board has determined that Mr.
Flood is independent from management of the Company
and that his business relationship with Mr.
Friedland is not of such a nature as to materially
interfere with his ability to act with a view to the
best interests of the Company. |
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In determining that Mr. Rhodes is an independent
director, the board has considered his former
position as a managing director of Institutional
Investors Consulting Company, a Texas corporation,
which has, in the past, provided consulting services
to the Company. The board has noted that the only
consulting services fee payment made by the Company
to Institutional Investors Consulting Company for
consulting services rendered was made on or about
March 12, 2003 and, as of January 6, 2004, Mr.
Rhodes resigned as managing director of
Institutional Investors Consulting Company. The
board has also considered the consulting fees paid
to Mr. Rhodes in 2005 in the amount of US$42,150 for
miscellaneous consulting services provided during
the year. The board notes that these fees were paid
on an infrequently occurring ad hoc basis based on a
request for assistance by the Company. The board
also noted that Mr. Rhodes has no other business,
family or other relationship with senior management
of the Company. Having regard to all of the
circumstances, the board has determined that Mr.
Rhodes is independent from management of the Company
and that his past business relationship with the
Company is not of such a nature as to materially
interfere with his ability to act with a view to the
best interests of the Company. |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1 |
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In determining that Mr. Balloch is an independent
director, the board considered the fact that he is a
director of and formerly had a limited consulting
arrangement with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., a company in
which Mr. Robert Friedland, a related director and
major shareholder of the Company, also acts as a
director, officer and major shareholder, pursuant to
which Mr. Balloch provided advice from time to time
on Asian business and regulatory matters. The board
considered the limited nature of this former
relationship and also noted that Mr. Balloch has no
business, family or other relationship with senior
management of the Company. Having regard to all of
the circumstances, the board has determined that Mr.
Balloch is independent from management of the
Company and that his former business relationship
with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. is not of such a nature as
to materially interfere with his ability to act with
a view to the best interests of the Company. |
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In determining that Mr. Pirraglia is an independent
director, the board considered the fact that prior
to the completion of the Companys merger with Ensyn
Group, Inc., Mr. Pirraglia was an executive officer
and director of Ensyn Group, Inc. and remains an
executive officer and director of Ensyn Corporation,
a company spun out to the former shareholders of
Ensyn Group, Inc. prior to the completion of the
merger. The board noted that Mr. Pirraglia has no
business, family or other relationship with senior
management of the Company. Having regard to all of
the circumstances, the board has determined that Mr.
Pirraglia is independent from management of the
Company and that his former relationship with Ensyn
Group, Inc. and his ongoing relationship with Ensyn
Corporation is not of such a nature as to materially
interfere with his ability to act with a view to the
best interests of the Company. |
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In determining that Mr. Downey is an independent
director, the board noted that, to their knowledge
and apart from his role as a director in itself, Mr.
Downey has no direct or indirect material
relationship to the Company, including in
particular, no relationship related to the five
criteria listed above. |
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(b) |
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Disclose the identity of directors who are not
independent, and describe the basis for that
determination. |
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The Board of Directors has determined, after
reviewing the roles and relationships of each of the
Directors, that the following 5 out of 10 nominees
proposed by management for election to the Board are
not independent from the Company: |
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David R. Martin: Chairman |
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E. Leon Daniel: President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Robert M. Friedland: Deputy Chairman |
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Shun-ichi Shimizu |
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Dr. Robert G. Graham |
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Messrs. Martin and Daniel are not independent
directors by virtue of their capacity as members of
the Companys senior management. |
33
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1 |
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COMMENTS |
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Mr. Friedland, although not a member of the
Companys management team, works closely with
management personnel on matters relating to the
implementation of the Companys corporate strategy,
financing, evaluation of corporate opportunities and
investor relations. Mr. Friedland does not
participate in the day to day management of the
Companys affairs but is consulted regularly by the
Companys management personnel in respect of key
management decisions. Insofar as Mr. Friedland is
not a member of the Companys senior management, but
is regularly consulted by management personnel as
described above, the Company considers Mr. Friedland
to be a non-independent director. |
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Mr. Shimizu, although not currently an active member
of the Companys senior management team, is the
managing director of a consulting company that
provides ongoing consulting services to the Company
for which the consulting company receives a monthly
retainer from the Company. Mr. Shimizu is also
expected to take an active role as managing director
of the Companys Japanese subsidiary, as part of the
development and implementation of the Companys
future strategy. As such, the Company considers Mr.
Shimizu to be a non-independent director. |
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Although the Company believes that Dr. Graham is
independent of management, his status as an
executive officer of another company that furnishes
consulting and other services to one of the
Companys subsidiaries acquired in its merger with
Ensyn Group, Inc. disqualifies him as an independent
director under the applicable per se standards of
the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines and the
NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. Accordingly, the
Company considers Dr. Graham to be a non-independent
director. |
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(c) |
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Disclose whether or not a majority of the
directors are independent. If a majority
of directors are not independent, describe
what the board of directors (the board)
does to facilitate its exercise of independent
judgment in carrying out its responsibilities. |
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One-half or five of the ten nominees proposed by
management for election to the Board are independent
from the Company. In addition, although certain
other directors, such as Dr. Graham, are not
considered to be independent for the reasons set
forth in Item 1(a) above, they are not members of
management and the Board considers them to be
sufficiently independent of management of the
Company to permit their exercise of independent
judgment in carrying out their responsibilities. |
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is
continuing to examine the size and composition of
the board with a view to recommending adjustments to
ensure that the board has a balanced representation
among management, independent directors and the
Companys major shareholder, and is of a size that
facilitates effective decision-making, given the
Companys stage of development and the size and
complexity of its business. The board seeks to
achieve a greater representation of independent
directors and has |
34
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1 |
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COMMENTS |
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determined to continue to seek,
through its Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, additional qualified candidates to
augment its experience and expertise and to enhance
the Companys ability to effectively develop its
business interests. |
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(d) |
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If a director is presently a director of any
other issuer that is a reporting issuer (or the
equivalent) in a jurisdiction or a foreign
jurisdiction, identify both the director and the
other issuer. |
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All directorships with other public entities for
each of the nominees are set out in the table under
Election of Directors. |
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(e) |
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Disclose whether or not the independent directors
hold regularly scheduled meetings at which members
of management are not in attendance. If the
independent directors hold such meetings,
disclose the number of meetings held since the
beginning of the issuers most recently completed
financial year. If the independent directors do
not hold such meetings, describe what the board
does to facilitate open and candid discussion
among its independent directors. |
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Effective November 3, 2005, the Board approved the
concept of holding regularly scheduled meetings of
non-management directors. Prior to the March 2006
Board meeting, the non-management directors held
their first regularly scheduled meeting without
management directors being present. The
non-management directors plan, as a matter of
policy, to continue meeting separately from the
management directors prior to each regularly
scheduled board meeting. |
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(f) |
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Disclose whether or not the chair of the board is
an independent director. If the board has a chair or
lead director who is an independent director,
disclose the identity of the independent chair or
lead director, and describe his or her role and
responsibilities. If the board has neither a chair
that is independent nor a lead director that is
independent, describe what the board does to provide
leadership for its independent directors. |
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Mr. Martin, a non-independent director, currently
serves as Chairman of the board of directors.
The board continues to discuss structures and
procedures to ensure that it can function
independently of management. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee has recommended that
the board consider the creation of the position of
lead director within the first six months of 2006
with specific responsibility for maintaining the
independence of the board and ensuring that the
board carries out its responsibilities. |
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(g) |
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Disclose the attendance record of each director
for all board meetings held since the beginning of
the issuers most recently completed financial year. |
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The Board held five meetings in the 2005 financial
year and each of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, the Compensation Committee and
the Audit Committee also met four times during the
year. A record of attendance by Director(s) at
meetings of the Board and its Committees as well as
the number of Board and Board Committee meetings
held during the financial year ended December 31,
2005, are set out under Attendance of Board and
Committee Members. |
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2. |
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Board Mandate Disclose the text of the boards
written mandate. If the board does not have a written
mandate, describe how the board delineates its role and
responsibilities. |
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The board of directors has assumed responsibility
for the stewardship of the Company and has adopted a
formal mandate (as described in this Management
Proxy Circular under the heading Corporate
Governance Mandate of the Board) setting out its
stewardship responsibilities. |
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The mandate of the Board is available on the
Companys website (www.ivanhoe-energy.com). A copy
may also be obtained upon request to the Corporate
Secretary of the Company, Suite 654, 999 Canada
Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E1,
telephone (604) 688-8323. |
35
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1
3.
Position Descriptions
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(a) |
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Disclose whether or not the board has developed written position descriptions for the
chair and the chair of each board committee. If the board has not developed written
position descriptions for the chair and/or the chair of each board committee, briefly
describe how the board delineates the role and responsibilities of each such position. |
The board of directors plans to develop written position descriptions for the Chair, the chair of
each board committee and the CEO prior to the end of 2006. Historically, the respective roles
and responsibilities of the chair of the Board of Directors and the chair of each board
committee have been delineated informally with reference to the Board mandate and the charter
of each committee.
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(b) |
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Disclose whether or not the board and CEO have developed a written position description
for the CEO. If the board and CEO have not developed such a position description, briefly
describe how the board delineates the role and responsibilities of the CEO. |
The roles and responsibilities of the CEO have also, to date, been delineated informally in tandem
with the development and evolution of the Companys corporate
strategy.
4.
Orientation and Continuing Education
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(a) |
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Briefly describe what measures the board takes to orient new members regarding: |
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the role of the board, its committees and its directors, and |
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(ii) |
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the nature and operation of the issuers business |
The Company takes steps to ensure that prospective directors fully understand the role of the board
and its committees and the contribution individual directors are expected to make, including, in
particular the commitment of time and energy that the Company expects of its directors. New
directors are provided with a comprehensive information package, including pertinent corporate
documents and a directors manual containing information on the duties, responsibilities and
liabilities of directors. New directors are also briefed by management as to the status of the
Companys business. Directors are provided with the opportunity to make site visits to the
Companys properties.
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(b) |
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Briefly describe what measures, if any, the board takes to provide continuing education
for its directors. If the board does not provide continuing education, describe how the
board ensures that its directors maintain the skill and knowledge necessary to meet their
obligations as directors. |
Management and outside advisors provide information and education sessions to the board and its
committees on a continuing basis as necessary to keep the directors up-to-date with the Company,
its business and the environment in which it operates as well as with developments in the
responsibilities of directors.
Presentations are made to the board from time to time to educate and keep them informed of changes
within the Company and of regulatory and industry requirements and standards.
In addition, directors are encouraged to take courses relevant to the Company and its business,
particularly with respect to corporate governance and the energy industry.
36
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1
5. Ethical
Business Conduct
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(a) |
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Disclose whether or not the board has adopted a written code for its directors,
officers and employees. If the board has adopted a written code: |
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(i) |
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disclose how a person or company may obtain a copy of the code; |
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(ii) |
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describe how the board monitors compliance with its code, or if the board does
not monitor compliance, explain whether and how the board satisfies itself regarding
compliance with its code; and disclose how a person or company may obtain a copy of the
code; |
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(iii) |
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provide a cross-reference to any material change report filed since the
beginning of the issuers most recently completed financial year that pertains to any
conduct of a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the code. |
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees,
consultants, officers and directors regardless of their position in the organization, at all times
and everywhere the Company does business. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides that the
Companys employees, consultants, officers and directors will uphold its commitment to a culture of
honesty, integrity and accountability and the Company requires the highest standards of
professional and ethical conduct from its employees, consultants, officers and directors. The
Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics has been filed as Exhibit 14.1 to its 2005 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. A copy of the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may be obtained,
without charge, by request to Ivanhoe Energy Inc., 654 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada V6C 3E1, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or by phone
to 604-688-8323.
The Audit Committee monitors compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics through
its oversight of the Companys Whistleblowing Policy.
The Board has not granted any waiver of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in favour of a
director or executive officer. Accordingly, no material change report has been required or filed.
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(b) |
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Describe any steps the board takes to ensure directors exercise independent judgment in
considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer
has a material interest. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the disclosure of conflicts of interest
by Directors and ensures that no Director will vote nor participate in a discussion on a matter in
respect of which such Director has a material interest.
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(c) |
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Describe any other steps the board takes to encourage and promote a culture of ethical
business conduct. |
The Company has developed and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has approved
various corporate policies including the Corporate Disclosure, Confidentiality and Securities
Trading Policies, Corporate Disclosure Procedures, the Whistleblowing Policy and the Corporate
Approval Authorities Policy and Procedures.
6.
Nomination of Directors
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(a) |
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Describe the process by which the board identifies new candidates for board nomination. |
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(b) |
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Disclose whether or not the Board has a nominating committee composed entirely of
independent directors. If the board does not have a nominating committee composed entirely
of independent directors, describe what steps the board takes to encourage an objective
nominating process. |
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(c) |
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If the board has a nominating committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operation
of the nominating committee. |
The board has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of Messrs. Flood, Balloch
and Rhodes, all of whom are independent directors under the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines and
the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. Mr. Balloch has been
appointed as Chairman of the committee.
The full board determines, in light of the opportunities and risks facing the Company, what
competencies, skills and personal qualities it should seek in new board members in order to add
value to the Company. Based on this framework, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
has responsibility for identifying nominees to the board and proposing to the full board new
nominees, and for assessing directors on an ongoing basis.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1
If vacancies occur on the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend
nominees to the Board, review the qualifications of prospective members and determine their
relevance, taking into consideration current Board composition and the anticipated skills required
to round out the capabilities of the Board.
The board seeks to achieve a greater representation of independent directors and has determined to
continue to seek, through its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, additional qualified
candidates to augment its experience and expertise and to enhance the Companys ability to
effectively develop its business interests. In so doing, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will seek candidates that meet all Canadian, U.S. and other standards of independence
applicable to the Company.
The mandate of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is available on the Companys
website (www.ivanhoe-energy.com). A copy may also be obtained upon request to the Corporate
Secretary, 654 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E1, telephone (604) 688-8323.
7.
Compensation
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(a) |
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Describe the process by which the board determines the compensation for the issuers
directors and officers. |
The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the board regarding the
adequacy and form of the compensation for non-executive Directors to ensure that such compensation
realistically reflects the responsibilities and risks involved in being an effective director,
without compromising a Directors independence. Directors who are executives of the Company receive
no additional remuneration for their services as Directors.
The Compensation Committee has responsibility for recommending compensation for the Companys
officers to the Board. CEO compensation is approved by the Compensation Committee. See Report on Executive Compensation.
The Companys independent directors receive directors fees of $2,000 per month but the Company
does not pay any other cash or fixed compensation to its directors for acting in such capacity.
Directors of the Company are compensated primarily through the grant of stock options.
Effective March 8 2006, the Company has implemented a corporate policy whereby directors are
required to own, within two years of joining the Board, a number of common shares of the Company,
exclusive of incentive stock options, equal in value to three times their annual cash compensation
for acting as directors. Incumbent directors have until March 2008 to comply. .
38
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1
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(b) |
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Disclose whether or not the board has a compensation committee composed entirely of
independent directors. If the board does not have a compensation committee composed
entirely of independent directors, describe what steps the board takes to ensure an
objective process for determining such compensation. |
The Compensation Committee comprises three Directors, all of whom have been affirmatively
determined by the Board to be independent.
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(c) |
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If the board has a compensation committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operation
of the compensation committee. |
The role of the Compensation Committee is primarily to review the adequacy and form of compensation
of senior management and the directors with such compensation realistically reflecting the
responsibilities and risks of such positions, to administer the Plan, to determine the recipients
of, and the nature and size of share compensation awards granted from time to time and to determine
the remuneration of executive officers and to determine any bonuses to be awarded.
The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include the development of a
compensation philosophy and policy; evaluating the Chief Executive Officer, reviewing Chief
Executive Officer and senior executives compensation, and monitoring equity incentive arrangements.
Effective March 8, 2006, the Company has implemented a corporate policy whereby the CEO is required
to own a number of common shares of the Company, exclusive of incentive stock options, equal in
value to two times his annual salary.
The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Balloch, Flood and Rhodes. Each member of the
committee is an independent director for the purposes of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines
and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
The Compensation Committee Mandate is available on the Companys website (www.ivanhoe-energy.com).
A copy may also be obtained upon request to the Corporate Secretary, Suite 654, 999 Canada Place,
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E1, telephone (604) 688-8323.
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(d) |
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If a compensation consultant or advisor has, at any time since the beginning of the
issuers most recently completed financial year, been retained to assist in determining
compensation for any of the issuers directors and officers, disclose the identity of the
consultant or advisor and briefly summarize the mandate for which they have been retained.
If the consultant or advisor has been retained to perform any other work for the issuer,
state that fact and briefly describe the nature of the work. |
Gurr Lane & Associates were retained by the Compensation Committee to prepare a director
compensation report to assist the Committee in the determination of corporate non-management
director pay levels (cash and stock compensation). They were mandated to provide the review based
on pay levels provided to similar sized companies in the US and Canada, as well as oil and gas
companies in North America with international operations.
Gurr Lane & Associates were also mandated by the Compensation Committee to prepare a report to
assist the Committee in the development of an appropriate compensation strategy for executives and
senior management positions. The marketplace defined was similar-sized North American oil and gas
39
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT1
companies, with international operations, adjusted as necessary for the energy technology
marketplace. The proposals were intended to address salary, annual bonus and stock options.
Gurr Lane & Associates fee for the two reports was CDN$35,000.
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8. |
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Other Board Committees If the board has standing committees other than the audit,
compensation and nominating committees, identify the committees and describe their function. |
The Board has no standing committees other than the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
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9. |
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Assessments Disclose whether or not the board, its committees and individual directors are
regularly assessed with respect to their effectiveness and contribution. If assessments are
regularly conducted, describe the process used for the assessments. If assessments are not
regularly conducted, describe how the board satisfies itself that the board, its committees,
and its individual directors are performing effectively. |
The board, its committees and individual directors have not to date been regularly assessed with
respect to their effectiveness and contribution. However, the Board has approved for 2006 and
future years a process developed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for assessing
the effectiveness of the board as a whole, the committees of the board and the contribution of
individual directors, on an annual basis.
40
Exhibit 2
IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
Suite 654
999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3E1
Telephone No.: 604-688-8323 Fax No.: 604-682-2060
PROXY
This proxy is solicited by the management of IVANHOE ENERGY INC. (the Company) for the Annual
General Meeting of its shareholders (the Meeting) to be held on May 4, 2006.
The undersigned hereby appoints David R. Martin, Chairman of the Company, or failing him, Beverly
A. Bartlett, Secretary of the Company, or instead of either of the foregoing, (insert name)
, as
nominee of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to attend and vote on behalf of the
undersigned at the Meeting to be held in Suite 629 - 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
at 1:30 PM, local time, and at any adjournments thereof, and directs the nominee to vote or abstain
from voting the shares of the undersigned in the manner indicated below:
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1.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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The nominees proposed by management of the Company are: |
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DAVID R.MARTIN
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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ROBERT M. FRIEDLAND
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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E. LEON DANIEL
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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R.EDWARD FLOOD
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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SHUN-ICHI SHIMIZU
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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HOWARD BALLOCH
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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J. STEVEN RHODES
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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ROBERT G. GRAHAM
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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ROBERT A. PIRRAGLIA
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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BRIAN DOWNEY
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FOR o
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WITHHOLD o |
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2.
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APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS |
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To appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company at a
remuneration to be fixed by the board of directors. |
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FOR o WITHHOLD o |
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3. |
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Upon any permitted amendment to or variation of any matter identified in the Notice of Annual
General Meeting. |
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4. |
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Upon any other matter that properly comes before the meeting. |
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REVOKES ANY PRIOR PROXY OR PROXIES. |
. |
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DATED: , 2006. |
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Signature of Shareholder |
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(Please print name here) |
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Note: If not dated, this proxy is deemed to be dated on the day sent by the Company. |
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Affix label here
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Name of Shareholder |
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Address of Shareholder |
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(Please advise the Company of any change of address) |
NOTES:
A proxy will not be valid unless the completed, signed and dated form of proxy is deposited with
CIBC Mellon Trust Company, by facsimile to (604) 688 4301 or (416) 368 2502, by mail to P.O. Box
1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3X1, by hand to Suite 1600, Oceanic Plaza, 1066 West
Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3K9 or by hand or mail to 200 Queens Quay East,
Unit 6, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4K9 not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays and statutory
holidays) before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof at which the form of proxy is to be used.
Any one of the joint holders of a share may sign a form of proxy in respect of the share but, if
more than one of them is present at the Meeting or represented by proxyholder, that one of them
whose name appears first in the register of members in respect of the share, or that ones
proxyholder, will alone be entitled to vote in respect thereof. Where the form of proxy is signed
by a corporation, either its corporate seal must be affixed or the form should be signed by the
corporation under the hand of an officer or an attorney duly authorized in writing.
A shareholder has the right to appoint a person, who need not be a shareholder, to attend and act
for the shareholder and on the shareholders behalf at the Meeting other than either of the
nominees designated in this form of proxy, and may do so by inserting the name of that other person
in the blank space provided for that purpose in this form of proxy or by completing another
suitable form of proxy.
The shares represented by the proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the
instructions of the shareholder on any ballot and where a choice with respect to a matter to be
acted on is specified, the shares will be voted on a ballot in accordance with that specification.
This proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to matters, other than the election of
directors and appointment of auditor, identified or referred to in the accompanying Notice of
Annual General Meeting for which no instruction is given, and with respect to other matters that
may properly come before the Meeting.
In respect of a matter so identified or referred to for which no instruction is given, the nominees
named in this proxy will vote shares represented thereby for the approval of such matter.
Exhibit 3
SHAREHOLDER CONSENT TO DELIVERY OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
Ivanhoe Energy Inc. (the Company) is introducing a voluntary option for the delivery of
Company documents to its shareholders (Shareholders) by electronic means rather than traditional
mailing of paper copies. This option allows the Company to provide its shareholders a convenient
method of receiving materials meant to increase timeliness for Shareholders, provide benefits to
our environment and reduce costs.
I consent to the electronic delivery of the documents listed below that the Company elects
to deliver to me electronically, all in accordance with the terms hereof. The consent granted
herein will last until revoked by the Shareholder.
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The following documents that are filed with securities regulators and mailed to other
Shareholders will at the same time be delivered electronically to me (collectively referred
to as the Documents or each of them as a Document): |
a) annual reports including financial
statements;
b) quarterly reports, including financial statements;
c) notices of meetings of shareholders, management information circulars and forms of proxy;
and
d) such other disclosure documents that
the Company makes available by electronic means.
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The Documents will be delivered to you by the Company by making them available for your
viewing, downloading and/or saving on the Internet website www.ivanhoeenergy.com (the
Website). A Shareholder must then go to Investor Information and Financial Reports and locate the
document of interest for viewing.
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The Company will advise you by e-mail when the documents are available on the Website.
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The viewing, downloading and/or saving of a Document requires me to use: |
a) a computer with a 486/33 processor
(or MacIntosh LC III) or higher with at
least 16 megabytes of RAM (Random Access Memory) and Windows 3.1;
b) access to an Internet service provider;
c) the program Netscape Navigator 3.0 (or higher) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 (or
higher);
d) the program Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 (or higher) to read the material; and
e) an electronic mail account to receive notification.
For Shareholders without Adobe Acrobat Reader, a link will be provided to allow the downloading
of this program. Accordingly, I acknowledge that I understand the above technical requirements
and that I possess the technical ability and resources to receive electronic delivery in the
manner outlined in this Consent to Electronic Delivery of Documents.
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I acknowledge that I may receive at no cost a paper copy of any Document to be delivered if
the Company cannot make electronic delivery available or if I contact the Companys transfer
agent, CIBC Mellon by telephone at (800) 387-0825, regular mail at
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. c/o CIBC Mellon Trust Company, PO Box 1900, Vancouver, BC
V6C 3K9 or via electronic mail at inquiries@cibcmellon.com. I further acknowledge
that my request of a paper copy of any Document does not constitute revocation of this Consent
to Electronic Delivery of Documents. |
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The Documents will be posted on the Website for delivery for a period of time corresponding
to the notice period stipulated
under applicable legislation and the Documents will remain posted on the Website thereafter
for a period of time which is appropriate and relevant, given the nature of the document. |
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I understand that my consent may be revoked or changed at any time by notifying the Companys
transfer agent of such revocation or changed by telephone, regular mail or e-mail as specified
in paragraph 4 above. |
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I understand that the Company maintains in confidence the personal information I provide as a
Shareholder and uses it only for the purpose of Shareholder communication. |
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I understand that I am not required to consent to the electronic delivery of Documents. I
have read and understand this Consent to Electronic Delivery of Documents and I consent to the
electronic delivery of Documents on the foregoing terms. |
I have read and understand this Consent for Electronic Delivery of Documents and consent to the
electronic delivery of the Documents on the terms outlined above.
Please complete the below sections then mail or fax the form to CIBC Mellon Trust Company at the
address below.
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Print Shareholder(s) Name |
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(as it appears on your cheques, certificates, statements or correspondence) |
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Print and mail this form to: or
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Print and fax this form to: |
CIBC Mellon Trust Company
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1- 604-688-4301 |
PO Box 1900 |
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Vancouver, BC |
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V6C 3K9 |
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CIBC Mellon Trust Company
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1-416-643-5660 |
PO Box 7010
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1-416-643-5661 |
Adelaide Street Postal Station |
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Toronto, ON |
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M5C 2W9 |
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Exhibit 4
SUPPLEMENTAL RETURN CARD
May 4, 2006
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REGISTERED AND NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS OF IVANHOE ENERGY INC. (the Company) |
National Instrument 54-101/Shareholder Communication provides shareholders with the opportunity to
elect annually to have their name added to an issuers SUPPLEMENTAL MAILING LIST in order to
receive interim financial statements of the Corporation. If you are interested in receiving such
statements, please complete, sign and return this document to CIBC Mellon Trust Company, The
Oceanic Plaza, 1600 1066 West Hastings Street, PO Box 1900, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3K9.
AS THE SUPPLEMENTAL LIST IS UPDATED EACH YEAR, A RETURN CARD WILL BE REQUIRED FROM YOU ANNUALLY IN
ORDER FOR YOUR NAME TO REMAIN ON THE LIST.
I CERTIFY THAT I AM A: REGISTERED / NON-REGISTERED
(Please Circle)
SHAREHOLDER OF
IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
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Name of Shareholder: |
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Exhibit 5
IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
654 999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1
Telephone: 604-688-8323 Fax: 604-682-2060
Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
May 4, 2006
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of IVANHOE ENERGY INC.
(the Company) will be held in Suite 629 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia on
Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 1:30 PM local time (the Meeting) for the following purposes:
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to receive the report of the directors; |
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to receive the Companys audited financial statements for the financial year ended December
31, 2005 and the auditors report thereon; |
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to elect directors for the ensuing year; |
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to appoint auditors for the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to
fix the auditors remuneration; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or
adjournments thereof. |
The Board of Directors has fixed March 23, 2006 as the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Annual
General Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.
A
Management Proxy Circular and a Form of Proxy accompany this Notice. The Management Proxy
Circular contains details of matters to be considered at the Meeting. The audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005, and the auditors report
thereon, were mailed to shareholders on or about March 31, 2006.
A shareholder, who is unable to attend the Meeting in person and who wishes to ensure that such
shareholders shares will be voted at the Meeting, is requested to complete, date and execute the
enclosed form of proxy and deliver it by facsimile, by hand or by mail in accordance with the
instructions set out in the Form of Proxy and in the Management Proxy Circular.
DATED
at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 17th day of March, 2006.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF |
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DIRECTORS |
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Beverly A. Bartlett |
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Beverly A. Bartlett |
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Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 6
Letter to Shareholders
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
Ivanhoe Energys goal continues to be the pursuit of long-term growth in our oil and gas production
and reserve base. Our strategy is to accomplish this through the application of our key
proprietary heavy oil upgrading technology (HTL) to book reserves, along with state-of-the-art
drilling and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques and the conversion of natural gas to liquids
(GTL).
This past year was one of significant accomplishment for us, with the acquisition of Ensyn Group
Inc. and its proprietary heavy oil upgrading technology in the second quarter of 2005. We consider
the acquisition of this technology to be a major advance in the implementation of our corporate
strategy. We see a clear worldwide need for this technology and it provides us with significant
opportunities to broaden our access to projects that might not otherwise be available to us. We
believe that the value of this technology can be maximized by using it to enter into agreements to
acquire oil reserves and actively participate in heavy oil development projects by building and
owning the projects rather than licensing the technology to third parties.
In 2005, we made considerable progress in our business development efforts for the application of
this technology. We have been assembling an excellent implementation team of experienced heavy oil
experts and engineers to run our heavy oil upgrading business. We have also been negotiating
specific projects, while at the same time maintaining focus on the attainment of performance goals
at the Commercial Demonstration Facility (CDF) in California. Once the final commercial test phase
is complete, we expect to finalize negotiations with heavy oil resource owners and move forward
with oil field development plans, which will include heavy oil upgrading.
During 2005 we were engaged in the normal commissioning process for a new processing facility, and
also completed a number of enhancements to the CDF in order to proceed with the commercialization
phase of this breakthrough technology. In early 2006 we achieved important performance goals at
the CDF, which were key milestones required before proceeding with site-specific design and
engineering of full commercial 10,000 to 15,000 barrel per day heavy oil upgrading plants.
Our newly acquired heavy oil upgrading technology produces lighter, more valuable crude oil at
lower costs and in smaller-sized plants than conventional technologies. It addresses the four key
challenges to heavy oil development:
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the facilities can be field-located and cost-effective at a scale as low as 10,000
to15,000 barrels-per-day, which can be installed in multiple units if higher capacity is
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the value of the upgraded heavy oil is substantially increased; |
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the viscosity of the upgraded product is dramatically reduced, allowing it to be
transported by pipeline without the need for light blend oils; and |
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significant amounts of by-product energy are produced, as an on-site source for the
production of the steam and/or power used in heavy oil recovery. |
Our heavy oil upgrading technology provides significant incremental value, flexibility and risk
avoidance to heavy oil and bitumen producers. The technology can be applied in areas with existing
infrastructure, such as California and Western Canada. It is also a unique option for the
development of stranded heavy oil or tar sands deposits that cannot be produced due to lack of
on-site energy, such as natural gas to make steam, or transportation challenges when the oil is too
heavy to flow. We have seen a number of examples of these stranded assets in South America, North
Africa and the Middle East. We believe that the innovative characteristics of our Heavy-To-Light
oil process will provide us with an opportunity to significantly increase our base of oil reserves
worldwide through joint venture and production sharing arrangements.
Operating Results
Our revenues continued to grow in 2005, rising 66% over 2004, following an 86% increase in 2004.
Our production volumes were up 26% in 2005 in the United States and China to an average of 1,738
net barrels of oil equivalent per day, following a 41% increase in 2004, and we were also helped by
continuing record high oil prices. We again met our goal of achieving positive cash flow from
operations, with cash flow from operations more than doubling in 2005 to $9.4 million, after
reporting $4 million for 2004. Our operating cash flow covers our day-to-day expenses, as well as
the offices that we maintain around the world, our senior level consulting staff and the cost of
our business development activities.
Our net loss in 2005 was reduced from our 2004 and 2003 losses; however our relatively modest
production compared to the significant cash need for our very extensive business and product
development activities, higher depletion, and the $5 million impairment of our Dagang oil project
in China, resulted in a loss for the year of $13.5 million. This compares to a loss of $20.7
million in 2004 and $30.2 million in 2003.
We closed three special warrant financings and generated funds from the exercise of stock options
and common share purchase warrants in 2005 for net proceeds of $26.7 million and $6.2 million
respectively. These funds, combined with the cash flow of $9.4 million generated by our operations
and $8 million of new debt obligations, were sufficient to fund our investing activities for the
year, including the $10 million cash portion of the Ensyn acquisition.
Outlook
The most significant element in our strategy of building oil and gas production and reserves is the
application of our heavy oil upgrading technology to developed and undeveloped heavy oil fields.
Our most valuable assets are this patented technology and our people with their technical
experience and long records of accomplishment. We are becoming increasingly confident in the
technologys ability to launch us to the forefront of heavy oil development and have laid the
foundation for commercial implementation.
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We made significant strides in our business development efforts and in the attainment of various
performance goals at the CDF in 2005. During 2006, our priority is to build on the positive test
results achieved at the CDF and to work towards the establishment of partnerships with owners of
heavy oil reserves to build and operate a commercial heavy oil upgrading facility.
In addition, we will continue to develop our existing fields and undertake low-risk exploration
activities in order to increase production with a view to meeting our goal of funding our ongoing
operations and business development, before capital expenditures. Our capital investment budget
for 2006 is $37.4 million, which includes the continued advancement of our technologies and
development of business initiatives around the world and development of our producing fields, with
further modest exploration in the U.S. and China.
We plan to seek financing as needed from equity markets, project lenders, joint ventures or other
potential financing sources to complete our 2006 capital investment program, to pursue acquisitions
of proven and probable reserves and to deploy our HTL and GTL technologies. In addition, we plan
to complete the merger of our China subsidiary with a U.S. public corporation, resulting in a
stand-alone entity, which will have enhanced cash flow, new capital and a financing platform to
independently grow our oil and gas operations in China.
The opportunities that we see before us, particularly in the development of heavy oil, are
tremendous. We are making excellent progress on the testing of our technology and are organizing
our company around the pursuit of significant heavy oil projects. We appreciate the ongoing
support of our shareholders as we bring this exciting new technology to the industry.
Sincerely,
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/s/ David Martin
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/s/ Leon Daniel |
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David Martin
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Leon Daniel |
Chairman of the Board
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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March 24, 2006 |
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