“It seems to us that you think people are willing to wait years for factual information with the faith of a disciple, never asking for more than the master is willing to share. Things have changed, Ross, and they continue to change rapidly in a negative direction. The disciples are now angry.” — Dec. 6, 2007 letter from dissident shareholders to Calgary mining promoter Ross Stanfield. Last in a series Les Stahlke was getting impatient. In 1995, he had bought $106,000 worth of non-voting shares in Gallowai Metal Mining Corp., one of two B.C. companies that have spent an enormous amount of money developing a gold property near Cranbrook. Calgary promoter Ross Stanfield, who owns all the voting shares of Gallowai and Bul River Mineral Corp., had repeatedly told Stahlke the mine was on the verge of production, but the promised production never materialized. This alarmed Stahlke and many of the other 3,765 shareholders, mainly from Alberta, who over the past 33 years have invested more than $220 million in the project, 40 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook. In April, he and 11 other unhappy investors filed a minority shareholders’ oppression petition in B.C. Supreme Court, seeking to oust Stanfield from his position of authority. The hearing starts Monday. Stahlke, a former Lutheran pastor and a consultant who specializes in corporate governance matters, said in an affidavit supporting the petition that he convened a meeting of nine disgruntled investors in October 2007. “There was a consensus, which I shared, that we had been denied access to regular and appropriate information regarding the Gallowai Bul River mine. ... The intention was to try to work with Ross Stanfield to improve the communications.” The group sent its first letter to Stanfield on Nov. 12, 2007. It was extremely diplomatic in tone and substance, but it noted “the ongoing absence of true, substantial and timely information has led to a very active rumour mill.” The group asked for a meeting to address these concerns. “I never received a response,” Stahlke recalled in his affidavit. That prompted a second, more strongly worded letter: “We are warning you of the danger caused by the inflammatory rumours that are creating explosive pressure,” they wrote on Dec. 6, 2007. “We are hearing that Gallowai is another Bre-X [and] the shareholders have all been fleeced. ... We believe it is just a matter of time before some disgruntled individual or group of individuals will explode in anger.” Stahlke said Stanfield did not respond, so the group sent three more letters, also to no avail. In May 2008, Stanfield wrote a curious letter to shareholders, relating how, in the early 1970s, somebody told him there was a rich ore zone on the property. Suddenly, it had become an exploration imperative. “I want to explain why it is so important now,” he said in a May 2008 letter to shareholders. “Yes, we intend to go into production at Gallowai Bul River, but give me two and a half months to run this zone down first. If it proves to be successful, we would have conditions very different to deal with.” Not willing to wait, the dissidents began conducting “webinars” — Internet broadcasts that other investors could participate in — to rally moral and financial support. Stanfield was not pleased. Days later, he filed a lawsuit against them in Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary, accusing them of unlawfully attempting to usurp his authority and defaming his companies. He also alleged the dissidents had defaulted on their share subscription agreements by not purchasing additional shares. He claimed more than $200 million in damages. In its statement of defence, the group alleged that Stanfield had filed the lawsuit “for personal motives of retaliation, and unfounded personal fears and prejudices.” They called for an inspector and a forensic accounting of the company’s financial affairs, and asked for leave to bring a shareholders’ derivative action against Stanfield and his companies. Stanfield’s companies also filed a separate lawsuit against one of the petitioners, Brian Carpenter of Spruce Grove, Alta., alleging they had authorized him to take three tons of ore from the mine site to landscape his yard, but he actually took more. In his statement of defence, Carpenter described both lawsuits as frivolous and vexatious. In October 2008, the companies’ auditor — Meyers Norris Penny — resigned. According to an affidavit filed by Patrick J. Campbell, a director of both Gallowai and Bul River, the accounting firm resigned due to the dissidents’ court action. For reasons unknown, Stanfield’s companies did not start looking for a new auditor until June of this year, when they sent “request for proposal” letters to eight auditors. There is still no indication in the court file that they have hired a replacement auditor. The most recent audited statements for the two companies are now nearly two years old. In late 2008, the dissidents held a series of meetings with investors in various towns in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The group now claims to have the support of more than 400 shareholders. Some claim Stanfield has tried to bully them into dropping their support. Klaus Setzerman, a Kelowna retiree and Bul River shareholder, said in an affidavit that he received a call from somebody named “Donna” at Stanfield’s office, who told him she had a list of shareholders who had agreed to support the dissidents. “She told me that all those shareholders will be held liable as part of the lawsuit against [the dissident group]” and that he should hire a lawyer and get his name withdrawn. He said he refused: “I will not be intimidated by such inappropriate tactics,” he stated in his affidavit. Stephen Roehrig, an Edmonton shareholder who acts as CEO of the dissident group, said other shareholders told him they had received similar calls and became concerned they would be “on the hook” for legal damages and costs, and asked to have their names removed. In April this year, due to jurisdictional issues, the dissidents filed a petition to oust Stanfield in B.C., where Gallowai and Bul River are registered. The Alberta actions have been either stayed or discontinued. It is not clear how the company is financing continuing mine development. Vancouver chartered accountant Frances Potgieter noted in a supporting affidavit that the two companies’ general and administrative expenses jumped from $1.86 million in 2002 to $6.1 million in 2007. She said that, judging by the companies’ financial statements, there had been “no obvious change in the affairs or business functions of the corporations during the period in question.” Some shareholders have filed affidavits claiming their shares are eligible for redemption. However, the companies are claiming they haven’t paid for additional shares they subscribed for, so are in default of their subscription agreements. The shareholders say they always understood the purchase of these shares was optional. Despite years of delay and disappointment, the dissidents say they still believe there’s a “viable and valuable resource in the form of either gold or platinum group metals ... that is able to be mined successfully and commercially.” Others paint a bleaker picture. Vancouver mining engineer Ian Smith, hired as an expert witness by the petitioners, says in an affidavit there is strong evidence the deposit “is not economic and will never go into production.” Vancouver lawyer Ron Josephson, who is representing the petitioners, has a bleaker theory. In an earlier court proceeding, he charged that Stanfield set out 30 years ago to mine gold. “He changed his business plan when he discovered there was no gold in the mine. Now he’s mining the pockets of investors. That’s his plan.” Of course, this is an untested allegation. The real test starts Monday in B.C. Supreme Court. dbaines@vancouversun.com
A page from an undated annual report, a document entered as evidence in the trial of Gallowai Metal Mining Corporation, shows Joe Kennedy, (left), Gallowai Mine superintendent; then-Minister of Mines Dan Miller, (2nd left) Ross Stanfield Jr., Gallowai Mine manager and Ross H. Stanfield, president and CEO of Gallowai.
Photograph by: Handout, Vancouver Sun files
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Think Miners Are Liars? Then Sue Em!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Canadian Arrow provides clarification on previous option grant
Canadian Arrow provides clarification on previous option grant
cnw
SUDBURY, ON, Oct. 23 /CNW/ - Canadian Arrow Mines Limited (the "Company") (CRO-TSX Venture) announced today that the exercise price of its previously disclosed grant of stock options (see press release dated October 6, 2009) has been amended from $0.05 per share to $0.10 per share in order to comply with the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange. All other terms of such options remain as disclosed in the October 6, 2009 press release.
Canadian Arrow prepares to drill nickel projects
cnw
SUDBURY, ON, Oct. 5 /CNW/ - Canadian Arrow Mines Limited (CRO: TSX-V) (the "Company") having recently completed a $1.83M financing is pleased to provide an update on the exploration programs planned on its nickel-copper properties located in northwestern Ontario.
"Over $1.5M is to be expended on resumption of our exploration activities," comments Company President Kim Tyler. "First pass drilling programs are prepared to evaluate the six highest priority targets on our regional projects in addition to drilling proposed on the open extensions of our flag-ship Kenbridge nickel/copper deposit."
The initial focus will be on the Turtlepond Lake group of projects located about 40 km south of Dryden, Ontario and 70 km east of Kenbridge. The Turtlepond Lake Group consists of three previously under-explored historic nickel-copper occurrences, (Glatz, Emmons and Prigg), coincident with recently surveyed electromagnetic conductor/magnetic anomalies, and three other newly discovered geophysical targets, North Glatz, Night Danger, and Double E. All targets are clustered within 1.5 km of each other. A map detailing the Turtlepond projects can be viewed on the Company's website at:
http://www.canadianarrowmines.
- The drill program which comprised our 253 million dollar property is open at depth and further drilling could significantly increase the resource. Some of our strongest results were on outer edges of the drill zone. De-watering of the 2500 meter mine shaft will allow them to get at these areas. The intersection I speak of is the 7% nickel over 5 meters that intersection comes from the end of the drill core. Further exploration could offer up amazing results. 0 summer 2008 drill results out, any significant finds in mine ready atikocan or kenora/dryden properties will lift stock.
- The company has contractual agreements with Opiwica explorations (OPW) on the TSX.V to mill there major gold and copper find with in close proximity of Canadian Arrows Planned site. Mining could begin on both projects in early 2010. This represents earnings and is a good partnership for a company seeking to be the next significant Nickel Copper producer in Canada.
- Canadian Arrow has the ability to produce nickel in its mine at 3.47 per pound nickel. That kind of number is unheard of in comparison to other mines. With production scheduled for early 2010 (around the same time our economy should be significantly rebounding) what if nickel prices return back to 15 dollars per pound? This site will look like a gem to any investor! (plus the property would be worth about 400mil at 15 dollars per pound nickel.
This is just a few of the key points that I believe make this company look attractive. If my predictions are correct we will see a significant rebound to normal multiples over the course of the next couple of months and with any significant news pertaining to my points and our sp and volume will be sent soaring. JV with cash on the books and abilitiy to help put project into production will send our sp back to .50 if not higher! I am Bull on Canadian Arrow mines.
Buy OPC-T Target $3.00+ Takeover Bid Coming
| DEALTALK-Canada's oil patch, mines tempt Asian giants 18:11 EDT Thursday, October 22, 2009 | |
* More deals seen as Asian economies grow
* Squeezed Canadian balance sheets make for bid targets
* State-owned firms can take long-term view
By Jeffrey Jones and Pav Jordan
CALGARY/TORONTO, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Canada's energy and mining sectors are riding a wave of acquisitions by Asian companies that are flush with cash and hungry for resources to fuel rapidly expanding economies, a trend not expected to let up soon.
Deals such as Korea National Oil Corp's C$1.8 billion ($1.7 billion) bid for Harvest Energy Trust
"We've been saying that the sectors which are the most susceptible to such M&A are the resource and energy sectors, and I still believe this to be the case," said Alain Auclair, head of investment banking for UBS Securities Canada.
"You still see the Asian countries with access to capital or strong balance sheets that can deploy cash quickly to seize opportunities.
"I think it's a trend that we're going to keep seeing, especially for companies who might be under pressure from a balance sheet perspective."
That is the case with debt-heavy Harvest, known for its Western Canadian oil and gas operations and a refinery on the East Coast, one it could not afford to expand by itself.
Last week, China's No. 2 nickel miner, Jilin Jien Nickel Industry <600432.ss>, and Canada's Goldbrook Ventures
The number of such deals will only increase as China, Korea and other Asian nations seek to own the production of resources such as nickel or oil, instead of having to buy them on international markets.
South Korea, for example, aims to pump 300,000 barrels of oil a day by 2012 as it expands its manufacturing economy. It is currently the world's fifth-largest oil importer.
In August, state-owned PetroChina paid C$1.9 billion for a 60 percent stake in two planned oil sands projects owned by Athabasca Oil Corp. That was China's largest Canadian oil acquisition to date.
The deal helped fuel the shares of small developers such as Opti Canada Inc
CASH IS KING
At a time when publicly traded businesses are struggling under the weight of a global economic crisis, state-owned oil companies can deploy cash for multibillion-dollar projects without having to seek shareholder approval.
"They couldn't care less about the balance of this year, or next year, even the year after," FirstEnergy Capital Corp analyst William Lacey said. "They're looking at the next 10-20 years, and the internal demands and they are going to meet those demands."
Bob Schulz, a professor of strategy and global management at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, said big, but not blockbuster deals will continue to be the order of the day in Canada's oil patch.
"Big, positive and probably in C$1 billion to C$2 billion bite-size chunks," said Schulz.
Those transactions are large enough to give new companies a a foothold in long-term projects like oil sands developments, but not of a scale to cause alarm in the United States, Canada's largest energy and minerals export market, Schulz said.
Canada has been coveted as a storehouse for natural resources for hundreds of years, and investors in oil, gas and minerals enjoy minimal political risk.
In energy circles, it is best known for Alberta's oil sands, the largest deposits of crude outside the Middle East.
Developing the unconventional oil using mining or underground steam techniques is costly, and numerous small players have been culled to make way for major companies with deep pockets.
Harvest is not an oil sands developer, but KNOC made a foray into that part of the business in 2006 by acquiring an oil sands property from Newmont Mining Corp
Analysts say buyers will get a boost from legal changes in Canada that force most Canadian income trusts to convert to traditional corporations by 2011, when their favored tax status terminates.
The changes will force many, sometimes highly leveraged, trusts to either become corporations, merge or get squeezed financially, making many into attractive targets.
($1=$1.05 Canadian) (Editing by Rob Wilson)
* Long Lake oil sands project restarts
* Shares rise as much as 12 percent
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Shares of Opti Canada Inc rose as much as 12 percent on Thursday as its partner in the Long Lake oil sands project restarted production after shutting the facility for maintenance in mid-September.
Opti shares were up 16 Canadian cents, or 7.1 percent, at C$2.43 in afternoon dealings on the Toronto Stock Exchange after touching C$2.54 earlier in the day. Volume was 5.06 million shares, nearly half again the usual average over the past three months.
Opti owns a 35 percent stake in the Long Lake oil sands project in northern Alberta. Partner Nexen Inc said on Thursday that it had completed a month-long turnaround at facility and was ramping bitumen production up to the 12,000 to 15,000 barrel a day level that it had produced before the shutdown began.
Long Lake is a thermal oil sands project, which pumps steam into the ground to liquefy deposits of tar-like bitumen so it can be pumped to the surface and shipped to the project's upgrader for conversion into refinery-ready synthetic crude.
The project has the capacity to produce as much as 60,000 barrels of synthetic crude per day, but because thermal projects take months or more to reach full output, Long Lake isn't expected to reach peak rates for up to two years.
Opti has been a favored target for takeover rumors in recent months, with the shares shooting up a third. The company said it couldn't point to any reason for the gain, though some analysts credited high frequency trading methods and speculation that Chinese interests could be readying a takeover bid.
Opti shares also often move in tandem with oil prices, which rose on Thursday to the highest this year, recently trading above $77 a barrel.
"If you're looking for the most levered oil play out there, this is it," said William Lacey, an analyst at FirstEnergy Capital.
($1=$1.03 Canadian) (Reporting by Scott Haggett; editing by Peter Galloway)
