Form 8-K
8-K — Contango ORE, Inc.
Accession: 0001193125-26-129496
Filed: 2026-03-27
Period: 2026-03-25
CIK: 0001502377
SIC: 1040 (GOLD & SILVER ORES)
Item: Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
Item: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Item: Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders
Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
Item: Regulation FD Disclosure
Item: Other Events
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — d124597d8k.htm (Primary)
EX-2.1 (d124597dex21.htm)
EX-3.1 (d124597dex31.htm)
EX-3.2 (d124597dex32.htm)
EX-4.1 (d124597dex41.htm)
EX-4.2 (d124597dex42.htm)
EX-99.1 (d124597dex991.htm)
EX-99.2 (d124597dex992.htm)
EX-99.3 (d124597dex993.htm)
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8-K
8-K (Primary)
Filename: d124597d8k.htm · Sequence: 1
8-K
Contango ORE, Inc. Contango ORE,Inc. false 0001502377 --12-31 0001502377 2026-03-25 2026-03-25
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 25, 2026
Contango Silver & Gold Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-35770
27-3431051
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
516 2nd Avenue, Suite 401
Fairbanks, Alaska
99701
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code: (907) 388-7770
Contango ORE, Inc.
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which
registered
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share
CTGO
NYSE American LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Explanatory Note
As previously announced, on December 7, 2025, Contango Silver & Gold Inc., formerly known as Contango ORE, Inc. (the “Company”), and its newly formed subsidiary, 1566004 B.C. Ltd. (the “Acquiror”), entered into an Arrangement Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Dolly Varden Silver Corporation, a British Columbia corporation (“Dolly Varden”). Under the Agreement, the Company, indirectly through the Acquiror, will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Dolly Varden (the “Dolly Varden Shares”) at an exchange ratio of 0.1652 of a share of voting common stock of the Company (the “Contango Shares”) for each Dolly Varden Share (the “Exchange Ratio”) by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), on and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
Eligible Canadian resident Dolly Varden Shareholders may elect to receive exchangeable shares (the “Exchangeable Shares”) instead of Contango Shares, which provide, as nearly as possible, equivalent economic and voting rights to Contango Shares but allow for deferral of Canadian income tax that might otherwise be payable upon the immediate exchange of their Dolly Varden Shares for Contango Shares. The Exchangeable Shares are exchangeable for Contango Shares on a one-for-one basis.
Item 2.01.
Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On March 26, 2026, the Company completed the Arrangement pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement. Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, at the effective time of the Arrangement (the “Effective Time”), each Dolly Varden Share that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was exchanged for 0.1652 of a Contango Share, or, for Eligible Holders (as such term is defined in the Arrangement Agreement) who validly elected, 0.1652 of an exchangeable share in the capital of the Acquiror (each whole share being, an “Exchangeable Share”), in each case subject to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement.
Immediately prior to the Effective Time, all Dolly Varden restricted share units awarded pursuant to the Dolly Varden Restricted Share Unit Plan dated May 20, 2022 (“Dolly Varden RSUs”) were surrendered and cancelled or redeemed by Dolly Varden for Dolly Varden Shares, so that holders of the Dolly Varden RSUs prior to the Effective Time participated in the Arrangement as Dolly Varden Shareholders.
At the Effective Time, but not as part of the Arrangement, each outstanding option to purchase Dolly Varden Shares (“Dolly Varden Option”) granted pursuant to the Dolly Varden Share Option Plan, as amended and restated on May 18, 2017, and the Dolly Varden Stock Option Plan dated May 20, 2022 (collectively, the “Dolly Varden Option Plans”), whether vested or unvested, was deemed to be vested to the fullest extent and automatically exchanged for an option to purchase Contango Shares (each, a “Replacement Option”). Each Replacement Option allows the holder to purchase Contango Shares equal to the product of (i) the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Contango Shares), multiplied by (ii) the number of Dolly Varden Shares subject to the original Dolly Varden Option. The exercise price per share is equal to the quotient of (x) the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the exercise price per share of the Dolly Varden Option divided by (y) the Exchange Ratio. The terms of each Replacement Option, including the conditions to and manner of exercising, are the same as the Dolly Varden Option so exchanged, and are be governed by the terms of the Dolly Varden Option Plans, which were assumed by the Company.
In connection with the Arrangement, the Company, 1566002 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, an unlimited liability company existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and wholly-owned subsidiary of Contango formed for the purpose of effecting the Arrangement (“CallCo”), and Acquiror executed an Exchangeable Share Support Agreement (the “Exchangeable Share Support Agreement”). Such agreement, among other things, provides Contango and CallCo, in addition to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares, the right to purchase Exchangeable Shares from the holders thereof (other than Contango and its affiliates) upon the occurrence of certain events, as specified in the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement. Further, the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement provides for the protection of the “economic equivalence” with respect to the Contango Shares and the Exchangeable Shares and for Contango to use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Contango Shares issued upon the exchange of Exchangeable Shares. The foregoing description of the material terms of the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Exchangeable Share
2
Support Agreement, which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
In connection with the Arrangement, the Company, CallCo, Acquiror and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Trustee”), executed a Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement (the “Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement”). The purpose of the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement is to create a trust for the holders of Exchangeable Shares, other than the Company and certain related persons (the “Beneficiaries”). The Trustee will hold the Special Voting Share in order to enable the Trustee to exercise the voting rights attached to the Exchangeable Shares. Holders of Exchangeable Shares can direct the Trustee as to how to vote their Exchangeable Shares on an as-converted-to-Contango-Shares basis. The Trustee will hold the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right (as defined in the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement) in order to enable the Trustee to exercise or enforce such rights, in each case as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries. The foregoing description of the material terms of the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
At the Effective Time, Contango issued 13,686,278 Contango Shares and replacement options to purchase 417,048 Contango Shares, and the Acquiror issued 1,597,301 Exchangeable Shares, to the former Dolly Varden Shareholders. Immediately following the Effective Time, there are 32,104,900 outstanding Contango Shares, including the 1,597,301 Exchangeable Shares, with the former Dolly Varden Shareholders and the Contango Shareholders each owning approximately 50% of the economic and voting interest of the Company. The Exchangeable Shares, which can be converted into Contango Shares at the option of the holder and have the same voting rights as Contango Shares, are similar in substance to shares of Contango Shares and, therefore, have been included in the determination of outstanding Contango Shares immediately following the Effective Time.
In connection with the Arrangement, effective as of March 26, 2026, the Company changed its name from “Contango ORE, Inc.” to “Contango Silver & Gold Inc.” by filing a certificate of amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) on March 25, 2026. On March 26, 2026, the Contango Shares began trading on the NYSE American under the new name; the ticker symbol and CUSIP number remained the same. The foregoing description of the material terms of the Certificate of Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Amendment, which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
In connection with the Arrangement, on March 25, 2026, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock (the “Special Voting Share”) in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement in order to enable the holders of Exchangeable Shares to have their voting rights exercised. After the Effective Time, each Exchangeable Share has become exchangeable for one Contango Share and while outstanding, the Special Voting Share enables holders of Exchangeable Shares to cast votes on matters for which Contango Shareholders are entitled to vote, and by virtue of the share terms relating to the Exchangeable Shares, to receive dividends that are economically equivalent to any dividends declared with respect to the Contango Shares. The foregoing is only a brief description of the material terms of the Certificate of Designation and does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations thereunder. Such description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Designation, which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
The issuance of (i) the Contango Shares to those Dolly Varden Shareholders that elected to receive or otherwise will receive Contango Shares in connection with the Arrangement, and (ii) the Exchangeable Shares to those Dolly Varden Shareholders that elected to receive Exchangeable Shares in connection with the Arrangement, and (iii) the Replacement Options to the holders of the Dolly Varden Options were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the approval of the terms and conditions of the issuance and exchange of such securities by the Supreme Court of British Columbia by the final order issued and entered on March 23, 2026. The subsequent issuance of Contango Shares to the former Dolly Varden Shareholders who elected to receive Exchangeable Shares in exchange for such shareholders’ Exchangeable Shares and to holders of Replacement Options who exercise Replacement Options are expected to will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on a Registration Statements on Forms S-3 and S-8, respectively.
3
Item 3.02.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
To the extent required by Item 3.02 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 3.03
Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
To the extent required by Item 3.03 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
To the extent required by Item 5.02 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Resignation of Directors.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, as of the Effective Time, Richard A. Shortz and Darwin Green, resigned from the Board and any respective committees of the Board to which they belonged. Additionally, Brad Juneau stepped down as Chairman of the Board, although he will remain a director of the Company.
(c) Appointment of Officers.
Shawn Khunkhun
As of the Effective Time, the Board appointed Shawn Khunkhun, as President of the Company.
Mr. Khunkhun, age 44, has served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Dolly Varden since February 18, 2020. Mr. Khunkhun has over 20 years of experience in the capital markets, mineral exploration, and development sector with a focus on enhancing shareholder value. He has served in a variety of strategic roles including CEO, Director and Executive Chairman. Mr. Khunkhun has been instrumental in creating awareness for undervalued companies including explorers, developers, and producers. Mr. Khunkhun is a Director of GoldX2 and also an advisor to West Red Lake, Nations Royalty & NexGold and founder of Argenta Silver. He is the former CEO and a current director of StrikePoint Gold Inc., as well as director of Gladiator Metals Corp. The Board believes Mr. Khunkhun is qualified to serve as a director because of his experience in incubating and growing companies through capital raises, acquisitions, and spinouts, as well as his long-standing relationships with the mining investment community.
The Company and Mr. Khunkhun have not completed their negotiations in connection with Mr. Khunkhun’s employment agreement as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, who previously served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, will remain the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company.
(d) Election of New Directors.
As of the Effective Time, the Board appointed Mr. Khunkhun, Forrester (Tim) Clark and Darren Devine as directors of the Company and named Clynton Nauman as Chairman of the Board.
Forrester (Tim) Clark
Mr. Clark, age 57, has served as a director of Dolly Varden since February 25, 2022. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Fury Gold Mines Ltd., a mineral resource exploration and development company. He brings 23 years of global capital markets experience with numerous US, European and Canadian investment banks, including BMO Capital Markets, where he held the role of Managing Director, Institutional Equity Sales. The Board believes Mr. Clark is qualified to serve as a director because he provides corporate strategy, peer and financial analysis and insights for corporations within the materials, commodities and mining sectors.
Mr. Clark will stand for re-election at the next annual meeting of stockholders. At this time, the Company has not determined the Board committees on which Mr. Clark will serve. Mr. Clark will be eligible for
4
compensation in accordance with the Company’s standard compensation policies for non-employee directors as described in the section entitled “Corporate Governance” in the Company’s proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025.
Darren Devine
Mr. Devine, age 58, has served as a director of Dolly Varden since August 25, 2016. He currently serves as Principal of CDM Capital Partners, a firm that provides corporate finance advisory services to private and public companies, and acts as a director to private and junior public companies primarily in the natural resource sector. Mr. Devine is a former member of the TSX Venture Exchange’s Local Advisory Committee. Prior to founding CDM Capital, Mr. Devine qualified as a barrister and solicitor in British Columbia and in England & Wales and practiced exclusively in the areas of corporate finance and securities law. The Board believes Mr. Clark is qualified to serve as a director because he provides corporate finance and securities law experience, as well as and insights for public companies within the materials, commodities and mining sectors.
Mr. Devine will stand for re-election at the next annual meeting of stockholders. At this time, the Company has not determined the Board committees on which Mr. Devine will serve. Mr. Devine will be eligible for compensation in accordance with the Company’s standard compensation policies for non-employee directors as described in the section entitled “Corporate Governance” in the Company’s proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025.
There are no familial relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.
Item 5.03.
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
To the extent required by Item 5.03 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7.01.
Regulation FD Disclosure.
The Company issued a press release on March 26, 2026 relating to the closing of the Arrangement. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The information included herein and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Item 8.01.
Other Events.
On February 11, 2026, the Company, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden entered into an amending agreement (the “Amending Agreement”). The Amending Agreement amended the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement to include reference to Dolly Varden’s Share Option Plan, as amended and restated on May 18, 2017, which was inadvertently omitted from each of these documents. The Amending Agreement is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.
The audited consolidated financial statements of Dolly Varden as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related ,consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31. 2025 and 2024, and the related notes thereto, are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 and unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2025, and the related notes thereto, are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.3 and incorporated by reference herein.
5
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
2.1
Amending Agreement, effective February 11, 2026, by and among Contango ORE, Inc., 1566004 B.C. Ltd. and Dolly Varden Silver Corporation.
3.1
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Contango ORE, Inc.
3.2
Certificate of Designation of Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock.
4.1
Exchangeable Share Support Agreement.
4.2
Voting And Exchange Trust Agreement.
99.1
Press Release of the Company, dated March 26, 2026.
99.2
Financial Statements of Dolly Varden Silver Corporation as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
99.3
Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
6
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 hereunto duly authorized.
CONTANGO SILVER & GOLD INC.
Date: March 27, 2026
By:
/s/ Mike Clark
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
EX-2.1
EX-2.1
Filename: d124597dex21.htm · Sequence: 2
EX-2.1
Exhibit 2.1
AMENDING AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made effective February 11, 2026 between Contango ORE, Inc.
(“Contango”), 1566004 B.C. Ltd. (“Acquireco”) and Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (“Dolly Varden”, and together with Contango and Acquireco, the “Parties”).
WHEREAS:
A.
The Parties entered into an arrangement agreement dated December 7, 2025 (the “Arrangement
Agreement”) under which Dolly Varden will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquireco pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) attached as Schedule A to the Arrangement Agreement, as
amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the “Plan of Arrangement”).
B.
Pursuant to the amendment provisions set out in section 9.3 of the Arrangement Agreement, the Parties wish
to amend the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement to include reference to Dolly Varden’s Share Option Plan as amended and restated on May 18, 2017, which was inadvertently omitted from each of these documents.
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained
herein, the parties covenant and agree as follows:
1.1 Amendments. The Arrangement Agreement, including the Plan of
Arrangement appended thereto, are hereby amended, restated and replaced in their entirety by the amended and restated arrangement agreement, including the amended plan of arrangement appended thereto, attached as Schedule “A” to this
Agreement.
1.2 Conditions Precedent/Effectiveness. The amendments contemplated by this Agreement shall be effective upon
this Agreement being duly executed and delivered by the Parties.
1.3 Future References. On and after the date of this
Agreement, each reference in any related document to the “Arrangement Agreement”, “Plan of Arrangement”, “thereunder”, “thereof”, or words of the like import relating to the Arrangement Agreement or
the Plan of Arrangement, shall mean and be a reference to the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement as amended hereby. The Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement, each as amended hereby, are and shall continue to be in full
force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.
1.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
1.5 Enurement. This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
1.6 Conflict. If any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent or conflicts with any
provision of the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement, as applicable, the relevant provision of this Agreement shall prevail and be paramount.
1.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by electronic means, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.
[Remainder of
page left intentionally blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed and delivered
this Agreement on the date first written above.
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
By:
(signed) “Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse”
Name: Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
1566004 B.C. LTD.
By:
(signed) “Michael Clark”
Name: Michael Clark
Title: President
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
By:
(signed) “Shawn Khunkhun”
Name: Shawn Khunkhun
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Amending Agreement to
Arrangement Agreement and Plan of Arrangement
Schedule “A”
Amended and Restated Arrangement Agreement and Plan of Arrangement
[See attached].
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
AND
1566004 B.C. LTD.
AND
DOLLY
VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT
Dated February 11, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.1
Definitions
1
1.2
Interpretation Not Affected by Headings
16
1.3
Number and Gender
16
1.4
Date for Any Action
16
1.5
Statutory References
16
1.6
Currency
17
1.7
Accounting Matters
17
1.8
Knowledge
17
1.9
Disclosure Letters
17
1.10
Schedules
17
2.1
Arrangement
17
2.2
Interim Order
17
2.3
U.S. Securities Law Matters
19
2.4
Dolly Varden Meeting
20
2.5
Dolly Varden Circular
21
2.6
Contango Meeting
22
2.7
Contango Proxy Statement
23
2.8
Final Order
25
2.9
Court Proceedings
25
2.10
Arrangement and Effective Date
26
2.11
Dolly Varden Convertible Securities
26
2.12
Payment of Consideration
26
2.13
Announcement and Shareholder Communications
27
2.14
Withholding Taxes
27
2.15
U.S. Tax Matters
27
3.1
Representations and Warranties of Dolly Varden
28
3.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties of Dolly Varden
45
4.1
Representations and Warranties of Contango
45
4.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties of Contango
63
5.1
Representations and Warranties of the Acquiror
63
5.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties of the Acquiror
64
6.1
Covenants of Dolly Varden Regarding the Conduct of Business
65
6.2
Additional Covenants of Dolly Varden
69
6.3
Covenants of Contango Regarding the Conduct of Business
70
6.4
Covenants of Contango Relating to the Exchangeable Shares, Contango Shares and Replacement Options
74
6.5
Mutual Covenants of the Parties Relating to the Arrangement
75
6.6
Pre-Acquisition Reorganization
76
6.7
Regulatory Approvals
78
6.8
Section 85 Elections
79
7.1
Mutual Conditions Precedent
79
7.2
Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Contango and the Acquiror
80
7.3
Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Dolly Varden
81
7.4
Satisfaction of Conditions
81
8.1
Notice of Breach
82
8.2
Non-Solicitation
82
8.3
Expenses and Termination Fees
86
8.4
Access to Information; Confidentiality
89
8.5
Insurance and Indemnification
89
9.1
Term
90
9.2
Termination
90
9.3
Amendment
92
9.4
Waiver
92
10.1
Notices
93
10.2
Governing Law
94
- i -
10.3
Injunctive Relief
94
10.4
Time of Essence
94
10.5
Entire Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment
94
10.6
Severability
95
10.7
Further Assurances
95
10.8
No Third Party Beneficiaries
95
10.9
Mutual Interest
95
10.10
Counterparts, Execution
95
SCHEDULE A PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
A-1
SCHEDULE B DOLLY VARDEN RESOLUTION
B-1
SCHEDULE C KEY REGULATORY APPROVALS
C-1
SCHEDULE D KEY THIRD PARTY CONSENTS
D-1
SCHEDULE E EXCHANGEABLE SHARE TERM SHEET
E-1
- ii -
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT dated February 11, 2026,
BETWEEN:
CONTANGO
ORE, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Contango”)
- and –
1566004 B.C. LTD., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia (the
“Acquiror”)
- and –
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION, a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia
(“Dolly Varden”).
RECITALS:
A.
Contango and Dolly Varden wish to enter into a transaction providing for the acquisition by Contango,
through the Acquiror, of all of the Dolly Varden Shares.
B.
Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden entered into an arrangement agreement on December 7, 2025 (the
“Original Arrangement Agreement”).
C.
Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden wish to amend and restate the Original Arrangement Agreement to
rectify certain inadvertent omissions pursuant to an amending agreement dated February 11, 2026, to which this Agreement is attached.
D.
Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden intend to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
by way of a plan of arrangement under the provisions of the BCBCA.
E.
The Dolly Varden Board, after receiving financial and legal advice and a recommendation from the Dolly
Varden Special Committee, has unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Dolly Varden and that the Consideration to be received by the Dolly Varden Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point
of view, to Dolly Varden Shareholders. The Dolly Varden Board has approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and unanimously determined to recommend approval of the Plan of Arrangement to Dolly Varden Shareholders.
F.
The Contango Board has unanimously determined that the Arrangement and entry into this Agreement, and all
acts and transactions contemplated thereby, are in the best interests of Contango and the Contango Shareholders. The Contango Board has approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and unanimously determined to recommend approval of the
issuance of the Consideration Shares and Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement to the Dolly Varden Shareholders.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1
Definitions
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Acquiror” means 1566004 B.C. Ltd., a company directly and wholly-owned
by Callco, existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
“Acquisition Proposal” means, other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any offer, proposal, expression of interest or inquiry, or public announcement of an intention (orally or in writing) from any person (other than a Party or any of its affiliates) made after the date of
this Agreement (including, for greater certainty, amendments or variations after the date of this Agreement to any offer, proposal, expression of interest or inquiry that was made before the date of this Agreement), relating to:
(a)
any joint venture, earn-in right, royalty grant, lease, license,
acquisition, sale or transfer, direct or indirect, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of:
(i)
the assets of either Dolly Varden or Contango or any of its subsidiaries that, individually or in the
aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the fair market value of the consolidated assets of such Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenue, net income or earnings before interest, Taxes,
depreciation and amortization of such Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or
(ii)
20% or more of the issued and outstanding voting or equity securities (or securities convertible into, or
exchangeable or exercisable for voting or equity securities) of either Dolly Varden or Contango or any of its subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the fair market value of the consolidated assets of
such Party and its subsidiaries, take as a whole;
(b)
any take-over bid, tender offer, exchange offer, sale or treasury issuance of securities or other
transaction that, if consummated, would result in such person beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of any class of the issued and outstanding voting or equity securities (or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or
exercisable for voting or equity securities) of either Dolly Varden or Contango or any of its subsidiaries, whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the fair market value of the consolidated assets of such Party and
its subsidiaries, take as a whole;
(c)
a plan of arrangement, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, share exchange, share issuance, business
combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, share reclassification, winding-up or other similar transaction or series of transactions involving either Dolly Varden or Contango or
any of its subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the fair market value of the consolidated assets of such Party and its subsidiaries, take as a whole; or
(d)
any other transaction, the consummation of which could reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with,
prevent or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Arrangement.
“affiliate”
means an “affiliated entity” within the meaning of MI 61-101.
“Agreement” means this arrangement agreement, including the Schedules hereto, together with the Dolly Varden Disclosure
Letter and the Contango Disclosure Letter, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Amalco” means the surviving entity following the Amalgamation as contemplated in and pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
“Amalco Exchangeable Shares” means the exchangeable shares to be issued by Amalco as contemplated by and defined in
the Plan of Arrangement.
“Amalgamation” means the amalgamation of the Acquiror and Dolly Varden intended to occur as
contemplated by and defined in the Plan of Arrangement.
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“Ancillary Rights Agreement” means the ancillary rights agreement between
Hecla and Dolly Varden dated September 4, 2012.
“Arrangement” means the arrangement pursuant to Division 5 of
Part 9 of the BCBCA with respect to Dolly Varden, the Dolly Varden Shareholders, Contango and the Acquiror on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or variations thereto made in
accordance with Section 9.3 of this Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement or at the direction of the Court in the Interim Order or Final Order with the consent of Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably.
“BCBCA” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
“BCSC” means the British Columbia Securities Commission.
“Big Bulk Project” means Dolly Varden’s Big Bulk copper-gold project located in northwestern British Columbia.
“Board” means, with respect to any person, the board of directors, board of managers or equivalent governing body of such
person, as applicable, as the same is constituted from time to time.
“Board Recommendation” means the Dolly Varden
Board Recommendation or the Contango Board Recommendation, as applicable.
“Business Day” means any day, other than a
Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which the banks located in Vancouver, British Columbia are closed or authorized to be closed.
“Callco” means 1566002 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, an unlimited liability company, directly and wholly-owned by
Contango, existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
“Change in Recommendation” means the
circumstances where, prior to Dolly Varden having obtained the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval, in the case of Dolly Varden, or Contango having obtained the Contango Shareholder Approval, in the case of Contango, the Dolly Varden Board or the
Contango Board, as applicable, in a manner adverse to either of the other Parties: (1) (A) fails to make the Dolly Varden Board Recommendation or the Contango Board Recommendation, as applicable; (B) withdraws, withholds, amends, modifies or
qualifies, or proposes publicly to withdraw, withhold, amend, modify or qualify the Dolly Varden Board Recommendation or the Contango Board Recommendation, as applicable; (C) approves, accepts, endorses, or recommends or proposes publicly to
approve, accept, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal or takes no position or a neutral position with respect to an Acquisition Proposal for more than five Business Days after the public announcement of such Acquisition Proposal (or, if
sooner, beyond the third Business Day prior to the date of the Dolly Varden Meeting or the Contango Meeting, as applicable); (D) accepts or enters into (other than a confidentiality agreement permitted by and in accordance with Section 8.2(e))
or publicly proposes to accept or enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement in respect of an Acquisition Proposal; or (E) fails to reaffirm the Dolly Varden Board Recommendation or the Contango Board Recommendation, as applicable,
within five Business Days (and in any case prior to the Dolly Varden Meeting or the Contango Meeting, as applicable) after having been requested in writing by another Party to do so (it being understood that the taking of a neutral position or no
position with respect to an Acquisition Proposal beyond a period of five Business Days after such request (or, if sooner, beyond the time of the Dolly Varden Meeting or the Contango Meeting, as applicable) shall be considered a failure of the Board
of such Party to reaffirm its recommendation within the requisite time period); or (2) resolves or proposes to take any of the foregoing actions.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Confidentiality Agreement” means the non-disclosure agreement dated as of
August 14, 2025, by and between Dolly Varden and Contango, as supplemented, amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Consideration” means the consideration issuable pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement to a person who is a Dolly Varden
Shareholder.
“Consideration Shares” means the Contango Shares and Exchangeable Shares to be issued as Consideration
pursuant to the Arrangement.
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“Contango” means Contango ORE, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Contango Annual Report” means Contango’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2024 filed on EDGAR.
“Contango Arrangement Proposal” means the proposal to be considered
by the Contango Shareholders at the Contango Meeting to approve, as required by applicable Law (including MI 61-101 with respect to the issuance of Exchangeable Shares and Contango Shares and the rules of
the NYSE American and the TSXV), the issuance of Contango Shares and the Exchangeable Shares to Dolly Varden Securityholders pursuant to the Arrangement and to approve such other actions as may be required in order to allow Contango to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all actions necessary to create and permit the issuance of the Special Voting Share and to increase the authorized capital of Contango to permit the issuance of all Contango
Shares issuable upon the exchange of, or otherwise in connection with, the Exchangeable Shares.
“Contango Benefit
Plans” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(dd)(i).
“Contango Board” means the board of
directors of Contango as the same is constituted from time to time.
“Contango Board Recommendation” has the meaning
ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(a).
“Contango Concessions” means any mining, mineral or exploration concession,
claim, lease, license, Permit or other right to explore for, exploit, develop, mine or produce Minerals or any interest therein which Contango or any of its subsidiaries owns or has a right or option to acquire or use.
“Contango Disclosure Letter” means the disclosure letter executed by Contango and delivered to Dolly Varden concurrently
with the execution of this Agreement.
“Contango Fairness Opinion” has the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 4.1(b).
“Contango Financial Advisor” means Canaccord Genuity Corp.
“Contango Financial Statements” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(m).
“Contango Information Security” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(ff)(i).
“Contango Lands” means any interests and rights in real and immoveable property interests, including property rights, fee
lands, possession rights, licenses, leases, rights of way, rights to use, surface rights or easements which Contango or any of its subsidiaries has a right in or interest in or has an option or other right to acquire or use.
“Contango Locked-Up Shareholders” means all directors and officers of
Contango, Henry Gordon, Bill Armstrong, Kenneth R. Peak Marital Trust, Hexagon LLC, and Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC, all of whom have entered into the Contango Voting Agreements.
“Contango Material Adverse Effect” means any change, effect, event, occurrence, circumstance or state of facts that,
individually or in the aggregate with other such changes, effects, events, occurrences, circumstances or states of fact, is or would reasonably be expected to be, material and adverse to the business, properties, assets, Permits, capital,
liabilities (contingent or otherwise), operations, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Contango and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts resulting from:
(a)
the public announcement of the execution of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the
performance of any obligation hereunder;
(b)
any changes in general political, economic or financial conditions in the United States or Canada;
(c)
any change or proposed change in any applicable Laws or the interpretation, application or non-application of any applicable Laws by any Governmental Entity;
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(d)
any generally applicable changes in U.S. GAAP;
(e)
any natural disaster, war, armed hostilities or act of terrorism;
(f)
any epidemic, pandemic or outbreak of illness, health crisis or public health event, or any worsening of any
of the foregoing;
(g)
conditions generally affecting the mining industry;
(h)
any change in currency exchange, interest or inflation rates;
(i)
any change in the market price of gold or silver; or
(j)
any decrease in the market price or any decline in the trading volume of Contango Shares on the NYSE
American (it being understood that any cause underlying such change in market price or trading volume may be taken into account in determining whether a Contango Material Adverse Effect has occurred),
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any change, effect, event, occurrence, circumstance or state of facts described in clauses (b),
(c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of this definition shall constitute a Contango Material Adverse Effect to the extent that any such change, effect, event, occurrence, circumstance or state of facts has or would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a disproportionate material adverse impact on the business, properties, assets, Permits, capital, liabilities (contingent or otherwise), operations, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of
Contango and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other industry participants of similar size and references in this Agreement to dollar amounts are not intended to be and shall not be deemed to be illustrative or interpretive for
purposes of determining whether a “Contango Material Adverse Effect” has occurred.
“Contango Material
Contracts” means, with respect to Contango and its subsidiaries, any “material contract” (as defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the U.S. Securities Act), whether or not
comprising part of the Contango Public Disclosure Record, including (i) those Contracts set out in Item 15. (b). Exhibits of the Contango Annual Report, (ii) those Contracts set out in Item 6. Exhibits of any Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Contango filed after the Contango Annual Report, or (iii) those Contracts set out in Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits of any Current Report on Form
8-K of Contango filed after the Contango Annual Report, including for the avoidance of doubt, the Peak Gold JV Agreement.
“Contango Meeting” means the special meeting of Contango Shareholders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof,
to be called and held in accordance with applicable Law to consider the Contango Arrangement Proposal and for any other purpose as may be set out in the Contango Proxy Statement and agreed to in writing by Dolly Varden.
“Contango Omnibus Plan” means the Contango 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan approved by the Contango Board on September 8,
2023.
“Contango Projects” means, collectively, the Manh Choh project (a joint venture with Kinross Gold Corporation),
and Contango’s wholly-owned Lucky Shot project and Johnson Tract project, each located in Alaska.
“Contango Proxy
Statement” means the proxy statement on Schedule 14A to be distributed to the Contango Shareholders, including all schedules, appendices and exhibits thereto and enclosures therewith, and information incorporated by reference therein, in
connection with the Contango Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
“Contango Public Disclosure Record” means all documents and information filed by Contango under U.S. Securities Laws since
January 1, 2023 and publicly available on EDGAR.
“Contango Share” means a share of voting common stock in the
authorized share structure of Contango.
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“Contango Shareholder” means a holder of one or more Contango Shares.
“Contango Shareholder Approval” means the approval of the Contango Arrangement Proposal by the affirmative vote of
Contango Shareholders required by the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Contango, the DGCL and the NYSE American at the Contango Meeting, being the affirmative approval of a majority of the outstanding Contango Shares present in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote at the Contango Meeting at which a quorum is present.
“Contango Technical Reports” has
the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(x)(i).
“Contango Termination Fee Event” has the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 8.3(e).
“Contango Voting Agreements” mean the voting support agreements (including all
amendments thereto) between Dolly Varden and the Contango Locked-Up Shareholders.
“Contract” means any written or oral contract, agreement, license, franchise, lease, arrangement, commitment,
understanding, joint venture, partnership or other right or obligation to which Dolly Varden or Contango, respectively, or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which Dolly Varden or Contango, respectively, or any of their respective
subsidiaries is bound or affected or to which any of their respective properties or assets is subject.
“Corruption
Acts” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(ss)(ii).
“Court” means the Supreme Court of
British Columbia.
“Credit and Guarantee Agreement” means the credit and guarantee agreement dated as of May 17,
2023 by and among CORE Alaska, LLC, Contango, Contango Lucky Shot Alaska, LLC (formerly Alaska Gold Torrent, LLC), Contango Minerals Alaska, LLC, ING Capital LLC and Macquarie Bank Limited.
“CSA” means the Canadian Securities Administrators.
“Data Related Vendors” has the meaning ascribed there to in Section 3.1(ff)(v).
“Depositary” means Computershare Investor Services Inc., in its capacity as depositary for the Arrangement.
“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.
“Dissent Rights” means the rights of dissent exercisable by registered Dolly Varden Shareholders as of the record date of
the Dolly Varden Meeting, described in Section 6.1 of the Plan of Arrangement.
“Dolly Varden” means Dolly Varden
Silver Corporation.
“Dolly Varden Benefit Plans” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(dd)(i).
“Dolly Varden Board” means the board of directors of Dolly Varden as the same is constituted from time to time.
“Dolly Varden Board Recommendation” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(a).
“Dolly Varden Circular” means the notice of the Dolly Varden Meeting and accompanying management information circular,
including all schedules, appendices and exhibits thereto, to be sent to Dolly Varden Shareholders in connection with the Dolly Varden Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Dolly Varden Concessions” means any mining, mineral or exploration concession, claim, lease, license, Permit or other
right to explore for, exploit, develop, mine or produce Minerals or any interest therein which Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries owns or has a right or option to acquire or use.
“Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter” means the disclosure letter executed by Dolly Varden and delivered to Contango and the
Acquiror concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.
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“Dolly Varden Equity Incentive Plans” means, collectively, the Dolly
Varden Omnibus Plan, the Dolly Varden Option Plans and the Dolly Varden RSU Plan.
“Dolly Varden Fairness Opinions” has
the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(b).
“Dolly Varden Financial Advisor” means Haywood Securities Inc.
“Dolly Varden Financial Statements” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(m).
“Dolly Varden Information Security” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(ff)(i).
“Dolly Varden Lands” means any interests and rights in real and immoveable property interests, including property rights,
fee lands, possession rights, licenses, leases, rights of way, rights to use, surface rights or easements which Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has a right in or interest in or has an option or other right to acquire or use.
“Dolly Varden Locked-Up Shareholders” means all directors and officers of
Dolly Varden, Fury Gold Mines Limited, 2176423 Ontario Ltd. and Eric Sprott, all of whom have entered into the Dolly Varden Voting Agreements.
“Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect” means any change, effect, event, occurrence, circumstance or state of facts that,
individually or in the aggregate with other such changes, effects, events, occurrences, circumstances or states of fact, is or would reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the business, properties, assets, Permits, capital, liabilities
(contingent or otherwise), operations, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts resulting from:
(a)
the public announcement of the execution of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the
performance of any obligation hereunder;
(b)
any changes in general political, economic or financial conditions in the United States or Canada;
(c)
any change or proposed change in any applicable Laws or the interpretation, application or non-application of any applicable Laws by any Governmental Entity;
(d)
any generally applicable changes in IFRS;
(e)
any natural disaster, war, armed hostilities or act of terrorism;
(f)
any epidemic, pandemic or outbreak of illness, health crisis or public health event, or any worsening of any
of the foregoing;
(g)
conditions generally affecting the mining industry;
(h)
any change in currency exchange, interest or inflation rates;
(i)
any change in the market price of gold or silver; or
(j)
any decrease in the market price or any decline in the trading volume of Dolly Varden Shares on the TSXV (it
being understood that any cause underlying such change in market price or trading volume may be taken into account in determining whether a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect has occurred),
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any change, effect, event, occurrence, circumstance or state of facts described
in clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of this definition shall constitute a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect to the extent that any such change, effect, event, occurrence, circumstance or state of facts has or would reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a disproportionate material adverse impact on the business, properties, assets, Permits, capital, liabilities (contingent or otherwise), operations, results of operations or condition (financial or
otherwise) of Dolly Varden and its
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subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other industry participants of similar size and references in this Agreement to dollar amounts are not intended to be and shall not be deemed to be
illustrative or interpretive for purposes of determining whether a “Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect” has occurred.
“Dolly Varden Material Contracts” means the Ancillary Rights Agreement, Investor Rights Agreement, the Financial Advisory
Agreement, the Special Advisory Agreement and any other Contract of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries:
(a)
involving current and future aggregate actual or contingent obligations to make payment (including advances)
to or by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries of more than $200,000 in any one year or more than $600,000 during the remaining term of such Contract (including, if applicable, any renewals thereof);
(b)
relating to current or future indebtedness for borrowed money or pursuant to which any property or asset of
Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries is subject to a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien);
(c)
restricting the incurrence of indebtedness by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or (including by
requiring the granting of an equal and rateable Lien) the incurrence of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any properties or assets of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries;
(d)
relating to litigation or settlement thereof which gives rise to or could give rise to any actual or
contingent obligations or entitlements of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries which have not been fully satisfied prior to the date of this Agreement, other than obligations or entitlements, individually or together, or not more than $50,000;
(e)
with any Governmental Entity or Indigenous group;
(f)
which creates an exclusive dealing arrangement or right of first offer or limits or purports to limit the
ability of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries to engage in any line of business, compete with any person or in any geographic area or during any period of time;
(g)
which relates to any pending lease, acquisition or disposition, directly or indirectly, of real property,
including Dolly Varden Concessions or Dolly Varden Lands;
(h)
providing for any indemnification or any guarantee by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries in excess of
$1,000,000 or which is not expressly capped or limited in amount;
(i)
in respect of any joint venture, partnership, strategic alliance or similar arrangement or any
shareholders’ agreement;
(j)
involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries with
any third party that could result in one or more third parties being entitled to more than $100,000 in the aggregate;
(k)
the termination of which would reasonably be expected to have a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect;
(l)
for a royalty, metals streaming, long term offtake or similar economic arrangement in respect of any Dolly
Varden Concession;
(m)
any standstill or similar Contract restricting the ability of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries to
offer to purchase or purchase the assets or equity securities of another person; and
(n)
with a term or commitment to or by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries that may reasonably extend beyond
one year and which cannot be terminated without cost or penalty in excess of $100,000 on less than 60 days’ notice.
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“Dolly Varden Meeting” means the special meeting of Dolly Varden
Shareholders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof, to be called and held in accordance with the Interim Order for the purpose of considering the Dolly Varden Resolution and for any other purpose as may be set out in the Dolly Varden
Circular and agreed to in writing by Contango.
“Dolly Varden Omnibus Plan” means the Dolly Varden Omnibus Equity
Incentive Plan approved by the Dolly Varden Shareholders on June 24, 2025.
“Dolly Varden Option” means an option
to purchase a Dolly Varden Share granted pursuant to the Dolly Varden Option Plans.
“Dolly Varden 2017 Option Plan”
means the Dolly Varden Share Option Plan as amended and restated on May 18, 2017.
“Dolly Varden 2022 Option Plan”
means the Dolly Varden Stock Option Plan dated May 20, 2022.
“Dolly Varden Option Plans” means, together, the
Dolly Varden 2017 Option Plan and the Dolly Varden 2022 Option Plan, each being a “Dolly Varden Option Plan”.
“Dolly Varden Optionholder” means a holder of one or more Dolly Varden Options.
“Dolly Varden Projects” means, together, the Kitsault Valley Project and the Big Bulk Project.
“Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record” means all documents and information filed by Dolly Varden under applicable
Securities Laws since January 1, 2023 and publicly available on SEDAR+.
“Dolly Varden Resolution” means the
special resolution to be considered by the Dolly Varden Shareholders at the Dolly Varden Meeting, substantially on the terms and in the form attached as Schedule B to this Agreement.
“Dolly Varden RSU” means a restricted share unit awarded pursuant to the Dolly Varden RSU Plan;
“Dolly Varden RSU Net Exercise Agreements” means, collectively, the agreements to be entered into by Dolly Varden and each
holder of Dolly Varden RSUs prior to the Effective Time providing for the net exercise of the Dolly Varden RSUs in connection with the surrender and cancellation or redemption of the Dolly Varden RSUs pursuant to the terms of the Dolly Varden RSU
Plan and in connection with the Arrangement, in a form to be agreed to by Dolly Varden and Contango, each acting reasonably.
“Dolly Varden RSU Plan” means the Dolly Varden Restricted Share Unit Plan dated May 20, 2022;
“Dolly Varden Securities” means, collectively, the Dolly Varden Shares, Dolly Varden Options and Dolly Varden RSUs.
“Dolly Varden Securityholder” means a holder of one or more Dolly Varden Securities.
“Dolly Varden Share” means a common share in the authorized share structure of Dolly Varden.
“Dolly Varden Shareholder” means a holder of one or more Dolly Varden Shares.
“Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval” means the approval of the Dolly Varden Resolution by the Dolly Varden Shareholders at
the Dolly Varden Meeting in accordance with Section 2.2(c).
“Dolly Varden Special Advisor” means Raymond James
Ltd.
“Dolly Varden Special Committee” means the special committee of the Dolly Varden Board.
“Dolly Varden Subsidiaries” means Homestake Resource and Homestake Royalty.
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“Dolly Varden Technical Report” has the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 3.1(x).
“Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.3(d).
“Dolly Varden Voting Agreements” mean the voting support agreements (including all amendments thereto) between
Contango and the Dolly Varden Locked-Up Shareholders.
“EDGAR” means the
SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval website.
“Effective Date” means the date upon which the
Arrangement becomes effective, as set out in Section 2.10(a).
“Effective Time” means the time on the Effective
Date that the Arrangement becomes effective, as set out in the Plan of Arrangement.
“Eligible Holder” means a Dolly
Varden Shareholder that is a beneficial owner of Dolly Varden Shares and is: (a) a resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and not exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act; or (b) a “Canadian partnership” within the
meaning of the Tax Act, other than a Canadian partnership all the members of which are exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act.
“Environmental Laws” means all applicable federal, provincial, regional, municipal, local or other Laws, imposing liability
or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation of activities, materials, substances or wastes in connection with or for or to the protection of human health, safety, the environment or natural resources (including ambient air, surface
water, groundwater, wetlands, land surface or subsurface strata, wildlife, aquatic species and vegetation).
“Environmental
Liabilities” means, with respect to any person, all liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, response, remedial and removal costs, investigation costs, capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, losses, damages, punitive damages,
property damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses, fines, penalties and sanctions incurred as a result of or related to any Hazardous Substance or any claim, suit, action, administrative order, investigation, proceeding or
demand by any person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law, relating to any environmental matter arising under or related to any Environmental Laws, Environmental
Permits, or in connection with any Release or threatened Release or presence of a Hazardous Substance whether on, at, in, under, from or about or in the vicinity of any real or personal property.
“Environmental Permits” means all Permits under any Environmental Laws.
“Exchange Ratio” means 0.1652 of a Contango Share for each Dolly Varden Share.
“Exchangeable Share Support Agreement” means an agreement to be made among Contango, Callco and Acquiror on the Effective
Date and in connection with this Plan of Arrangement consistent with the terms set out in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
“Exchangeable Share Term Sheet” has the meaning ascribed there to in Section 5.1(g).
“Exchangeable Shares” means the exchangeable shares in the capital of the Acquiror.
“Final Order” means the final order of the Court pursuant to Section 291 of the BCBCA, in a form and substance
acceptable to Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably, after a hearing upon the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, approving the Arrangement, as such order may be affirmed,
amended, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court (with the consent of Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably) at any time prior to the Effective Date or, if appealed, then, as affirmed or as amended on appeal (provided
that any such amendment is acceptable to Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably) unless such appeal is withdrawn, abandoned or denied.
“Financial Advisory Agreement” means the engagement letter dated October 31, 2025 between Dolly Varden and the Dolly
Varden Financial Advisor.
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“Form 51-102F5” means Form 51-102F5 as prescribed in NI 51-102.
“Fury”
means Fury Gold Mines Ltd.
“Governmental Entity” means (a) any multinational, federal, national, provincial,
state, regional, municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, commissioner, board, minister, ministry, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
(b) any subdivision, agent, commission, board or authority of any of the foregoing, (c) any quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization, exercising any
regulatory, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing, or (d) any stock exchange, including the NYSE American and TSXV.
“Hazardous Substance” means any pollutant, contaminant, waste or chemical or any toxic, radioactive, ignitable, corrosive,
reactive or otherwise hazardous or deleterious substance, waste or material, including metals, petroleum, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos and urea- formaldehyde insulation, and any other material or contaminant regulated or defined pursuant to
any Environmental Law.
“Hecla” means Hecla Canada Ltd.
“Homestake Resource” means Homestake Resource Corporation.
“Homestake Royalty” means Homestake Royalty Corporation.
“IFRS” means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada from time to time including, for the avoidance of doubt,
the standards prescribed in Part I of the CPA Canada Handbook - Accounting (International Financial Reporting Standards) as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.
“including”, “includes” or similar expressions are not intended to be limiting and are deemed to be
followed by the expression “without limitation”.
“Indigenous” means any and all aboriginal person, people,
or group, native person, people, or group, tribe, or indigenous person, people, or group, or any person or group asserting to be indigenous or part of an original community or otherwise claiming any right recognized or affirmed under applicable
Laws, treaties or any other interest held by virtue of that person or group’s status as one of the aforementioned groups, and any person or group representing or purporting to represent any of the foregoing.
“Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and other similar proprietary rights in any jurisdiction worldwide,
whether registered or unregistered, including such rights in and to: (a) patents (including all reissues, divisions, provisionals, continuations and
continuations-in-part, re-examinations, renewals and extensions thereof), patent applications, patent disclosures or other patent
rights; (b) copyrights, design, design registration, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals for any of the foregoing, and any “moral” rights; (c) trademarks, service marks, trade names, business
names, logos, trade dress, certification marks and other indicia of commercial source or origin together with all goodwill associated with the foregoing, and all registrations, applications and renewals for any of the foregoing; (d) trade
secrets and business, technical and know-how information, databases (including assay), data collections, and drawings; (e) software, including data files, source code, object code, application programming
interfaces, architecture, files, records, schematics, computerized databases and other software-related specifications and documentation; and (f) Internet domain name registrations.
“Intended U.S. Tax Treatment” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.15.
“Interim Order” means the interim order of the Court contemplated by Section 2.2 of this Agreement and made pursuant
to Section 291 of the BCBCA in a form and substance acceptable to Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably, providing for, among other things, declaration and direction in respect of the notice to be given in respect of,
and the calling and holding of the Dolly Varden Meeting, as the same may be affirmed, amended, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court (provided that any such amendment, modification, supplement or variation is acceptable to Contango, the
Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably).
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“Investor Rights Agreement” means the investor rights agreement between
Fury and Dolly Varden dated February 25, 2022.
“IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
“Johnson Tract” or “Johson Tract project” means the mineral rights to approximately 21,000 acres,
located near tidewater, 125 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, which Contango leases from Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
“Key
Regulatory Approvals” means those consents, orders, exemptions, Permits and other approvals of Governmental Entities as set out in Schedule C hereto.
“Key Third Party Consents” means those consents, approvals and notices required from third parties to proceed with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement as set out in Schedule D hereto.
“Kitsault Valley
Project” means Dolly Varden’s combined Kitsault Valley project located in northwestern British Columbia.
“Law” or “Laws” means all laws (including common law), by-laws,
statutes, rules, regulations, principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, ordinances, judgements, injunctions, determinations, awards, decrees or other requirements, whether domestic or foreign, and the terms and conditions of any grant of
approval, permission, authority or license of any Governmental Entity or self-regulatory authority (including, where applicable, the TSXV and the NYSE American), and the term “applicable” with respect to such Laws and in a context
that refers to one or more persons, means such Laws as are applicable to such person or its business, undertaking, assets, property or securities and emanate from a person having jurisdiction over the person or persons or its or their business,
undertaking, assets, property or securities.
“Liens” means any hypothec, mortgage, pledge, assignment, lien, charge,
security interest, encumbrance, adverse right or claim, other third person interest or encumbrance of any kind, whether contingent or absolute, and any agreement, option, right or privilege (whether by Law, contract or otherwise) capable of becoming
any of the foregoing.
“Lucky Shot” or “Lucky Shot project” means the 8,600 acres of State of Alaska
and patented mining claims located in the Willow Mining District about 75 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, which Contango leases from Alaska Hard Rock, Inc.
“Manh Choh” or “Manh Choh project” means the Main and North Manh Choh deposits within the Peak Gold JV
Property.
“material fact” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act.
“MI 61-101” means Multilateral Instrument
61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.
“Minerals” means all ores, and ores and concentrates derived therefrom, of precious, base and industrial minerals,
including diamonds, which may be lawfully explored for, mined and sold.
“misrepresentation” has the meaning ascribed
thereto in the Securities Act.
“Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(tt).
“NI 43-101” means National Instrument
43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
“NI 51-102” means National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations.
“NI 54-101” means National Instrument
54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer.
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“NYSE American” means the NYSE American Stock Exchange LLC.
“or” is intended to be inclusive and is deemed to mean “and/or.”
“Order” means all judicial, arbitral, administrative, ministerial, departmental or regulatory judgments, injunctions,
orders, decisions, rulings, determinations, awards, or decrees of any Governmental Entity (in each case, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent).
“ordinary course of business” means, with respect to an action taken by a person, that such action is consistent with the
past practices of such person and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day business and operations of such person.
“Outside Date” means May 7, 2026, or such later date as may be agreed to in writing by the Parties.
“Parties” means Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, and “Party” means any of them.
“Peak Gold JV” means Peak Gold, LLC, the joint venture entity that holds the Manh Choh project, of which Contango holds a
30% interest and KG Mining (Alaska), Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation, holds the remaining 70% interest, and which is governed by the Peak Gold JV Agreement.
“Peak Gold JV Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Peak Gold JV, dated as
of October 1, 2020, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Peak Gold JV
Property” means the 675,000 acres located near Tok, Alaska, which the Peak Gold JV leases from the Tetlin Tribal Council, and approximately 13,000 additional acres of State of Alaska mining claims.
“Permit” means any license, permit, certificate, consent, Order, grant, approval, classification, waiver, writ, consent,
registration or other authorization of or from any Governmental Entity.
“Permitted Liens” means (a) statutory
Liens for current Taxes or other charges by Governmental Entities not yet due and payable, or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (provided that appropriate reserves have been made in respect
thereof) to the extent that such proceedings effectively prevent the applicable Governmental Entities from taking collection action in respect of such disputed Taxes or enforcing any Liens securing the same; (b) mechanics’,
carriers’, workers’, repairers’, and similar statutory Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts which are not delinquent or which are being contested by appropriate proceedings (provided that
appropriate reserves have been made in respect thereof); (c) zoning, entitlement, building, and other land use regulations imposed by Governmental Entities having jurisdiction over such person’s owned or leased real property, which are not
violated by the current use and operation of such real property; (d) covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements, and other similar non-monetary matters of record affecting title to such person’s
owned or leased real property, which do not materially impair the occupancy or use of such real property for the purposes for which it is currently used in connection with such person’s businesses; (e) any right of way or easement related
to public roads and highways, which do not materially impair the occupancy or use of such real property for the purposes for which it is currently used in connection with such person’s businesses; and (f) Liens arising under
workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement, and similar legislation.
“person”
includes an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, association, body corporate, trust, natural person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative, Governmental Entity or any other entity, whether
or not having legal status.
“Personal Information” means information in the possession or under the control of Dolly
Varden, Contango or any if their respective subsidiaries, as applicable, about an identifiable individual.
“Plan of
Arrangement” means the plan of arrangement of Dolly Varden, substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto, and any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement or upon the direction
of the Court (with the prior written consent of Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably) in the Final Order.
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“Pre-Acquisition Reorganization”
has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.6(a).
“Privacy Legal Requirements” has the meaning ascribed thereto
in Section 3.1(ff)(iii).
“Proceeding” means any suit, claim, action, charge, complaint, litigation, arbitration,
proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, audit, examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, any court or other Governmental Entity.
“Proposed Agreement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.2(g).
“QRC Debenture” means the 8% unsecured convertible debenture dated April 26, 2022, issued by Contango to Queen’s
Road Capital Investment Ltd., as amended by a side letter dated May 17, 2023.
“Qualified Person” has the meaning
ascribed to such term in NI 43-101 and/or S-K 1300, as applicable.
“Regulatory Approvals” means those sanctions, rulings, consents, orders, exemptions, permits and other approvals (including
the lapse, without objection, of a prescribed time under a statute or regulation that states that a transaction may be implemented if a prescribed time lapses following the giving of notice without an objection being made) of Governmental Entities
required in relation to the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking,
pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of a Hazardous Substance in the indoor or outdoor environment, including the movement of a Hazardous Substance through
or in the air, soil, surface water, ground water or property.
“Reorganizing Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 6.6(a).
“Replacement Option” means options to purchase Contango Shares granted in exchange for the Dolly
Varden Options as set out in the Plan of Arrangement.
“Representatives” means, with respect to any person, its and its
subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, representatives (including any legal, accounting, tax, financial and other advisors) and agents.
“Requesting Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.6(a).
“Response Period” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.2(g)(v).
“Returns” means all reports, forms, elections, statements, declarations, designations, notices, filings, returns and other
documents (whether in tangible, electronic or other form) and including any amendments, schedules, attachments, supplements, appendices and exhibits thereto, that are filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Entity in connection with any
Taxes.
“S-K 1300” means Subpart 229.1300 and Item 601(b)(96) of Regulation S-K under the U.S. Securities Act.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
“SEC Clearance” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.4(a).
“Section 3(a)(10) Exemption” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.3.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act (British Columbia).
“Securities Authorities” means, collectively, the BCSC and the applicable securities commissions and other securities
regulatory authorities in each of the other provinces of Canada.
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“Securities Laws” means the Securities Act and the securities legislation
of each other province and territory of Canada and the rules, regulations, forms, published instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the Securities Authorities made thereunder, as now in effect and as they may be promulgated or amended from
time to time.
“SEDAR+” means CSA’s System for Electronic Data Analysis Retrieval+ website available at
www.sedarplus.ca.
“Special Advisory Agreement” means the engagement letter dated November 21, 2025 between Dolly
Varden and the Dolly Varden Special Advisor.
“Special Voting Share” means the special voting share of preferred stock
in the capital of Contango, consistent with the terms set out in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet.
“subsidiary” has
the meaning ascribed to it in National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions, in force as of the date of this Agreement.
“Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal from an arm’s length third
party that is made after the date of this Agreement to acquire all of the outstanding voting shares of Contango or Dolly Varden (the “Target”) (other than voting shares beneficially owned by the person or persons making such
Acquisition Proposal) or all or substantially all of the assets of the Target and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and (a) that did not result from or arise in connection with a breach of this Agreement; (b) that is reasonably
capable of being completed without undue delay, taking into account all financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such Acquisition Proposal and the person or persons making such Acquisition Proposal; (c) that, if it relates to the
acquisition of voting shares of the Target, is made to all shareholders of the Target, other than the person or persons making such Acquisition Proposal, on the same terms and conditions; (d) that is not subject to any financing condition and
in respect of which it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board of the Target, acting in good faith (and after receiving the advice of its outside legal advisors and financial advisors), that adequate arrangements have been made in
respect of any required financing required to complete such Acquisition Proposal; (e) that is not subject to any due diligence or access condition; (f) that complies with Securities Laws or U.S. Securities Laws, as applicable; (g) in
respect of which the Board of the Target unanimously determines, in its good faith judgment, after receiving the advice of its outside legal advisors, financial advisors and, in the case of the Dolly Varden Board, the Dolly Varden Special Committee,
that (A) failure to recommend such Acquisition Proposal to the shareholders of the Target would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; and (B) having regard for all of the terms and conditions of the Acquisition
Proposal, including all financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal and the person making such proposal, such Acquisition Proposal, will, if consummated in accordance with its terms (but not assuming away any risk of non-completion), result in a transaction more favourable to the shareholders of the Target from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, after taking into account any amendment
to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement proposed by the other Parties pursuant to Section 9.3.
“Superior
Proposal Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.2(g)(iii).
“Tax Act” means the Income
Tax Act (Canada).
“Taxes” means with respect to any person, all supranational, national, federal, provincial,
state, local or other taxes, including income taxes, branch taxes, profits taxes, capital gains taxes, gross receipts taxes, digital services taxes, windfall profits taxes, value added taxes, severance taxes, ad valorem taxes, property taxes,
capital taxes, net worth taxes, production taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, licence taxes, excise taxes, franchise taxes, environmental taxes, transfer taxes, withholding or similar taxes, payroll taxes, employment taxes, employer health taxes,
government pension plan premiums and contributions, social security premiums, workers’ compensation premiums, employment/unemployment insurance or compensation premiums and contributions, stamp taxes, occupation taxes, premium taxes,
alternative or add-on minimum taxes, global minimum or “Pillar 2” taxes, goods and services taxes, harmonized sales taxes, customs duties or other taxes of any kind whatsoever imposed or charged by
any Governmental Entity, any requirement to pay or repay any amount to a Governmental Entity in respect of a tax credit, refund, rebate, governmental grant or subsidy, overpayment, or similar adjustment of Taxes, and any instalments in respect
thereof, together with any interest, penalties, or additions with respect thereto and any interest in respect of such additions or penalties, and whether disputed or not and “Tax” means any one of such Taxes.
“Termination Fee” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.3(c).
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“Tetlin Tribal Council” means the governmental entity of the Native
Village of Tetlin, Alaska.
“Treasury Regulations” means United States Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.
“Trustee” means a trustee to be mutually chosen by Contango and Dolly Varden, acting reasonably, to act as trustee
under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and any successor trustee appointed under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement;
“TSXV” means the TSX Venture Exchange.
“U.S. Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as the same has been and hereinafter
from time to time may be amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“U.S. GAAP” means generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States.
“U.S. Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act
of 1933 as the same has been and hereinafter from time to time may be amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“U.S. Securities Laws” means the U.S. federal securities laws, including without limitation, the U.S. Securities Act, the
U.S. Exchange Act and applicable securities laws of any state of the United States.
“United States” or
“U.S.” means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
“Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement” means an agreement to be made between Contango, Callco, Acquiror and the Trustee on
the Effective Date in connection with this Plan of Arrangement, consistent with the terms set out in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof.
1.2
Interpretation Not Affected by Headings
The division of this Agreement into articles, sections, subsections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the contrary intention appears, references in this Agreement to an Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule by number or
letter or both refer to the Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule, respectively, bearing that designation in this Agreement. The terms “this Agreement”, “hereof”, “herein”, “hereto”,
“hereunder” and similar expressions refer to this Agreement and not any particular article, section, subsection, paragraph or other portion hereof and include any instrument supplementary or ancillary hereto.
1.3
Number and Gender
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and
words importing gender include all genders.
1.4
Date for Any Action
If the date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by a Party is not a Business Day, such action shall be
required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day.
1.5
Statutory References
Any reference in this Agreement to a statute includes all rules and regulations made thereunder, all amendments to such
statute, rule or regulation in force from time to time and any statute, rule or regulation that supplements or supersedes such statute, rule or regulation.
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1.6
Currency
Unless otherwise stated, all references in this Agreement to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of Canada and
“$” refers to Canadian dollars.
1.7
Accounting Matters
Unless otherwise stated, all accounting terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributable thereto under IFRS
and all determinations of an accounting nature in required to be made shall be made in accordance with IFRS consistently applied.
1.8
Knowledge
In this Agreement, (a) references to “the knowledge of Dolly Varden” (or similar expressions)
means the knowledge of Shawn Khunkhun (President and Chief Executive Officer), Ann Fehr (Chief Financial Officer) and Rob van Egmond, Vice-President Exploration after due enquiry, and (b) references to “the knowledge of
Contango” (or similar expressions) means the knowledge of Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse (President and Chief Executive Officer), Michael Clark (Chief Financial Officer), Chris Kennedy (General Manager, Lucky Shot Mine) and Dave Larimer
(Exploration Manager) after due enquiry.
1.9
Disclosure Letters
The Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter and the Contango Disclosure Letter, and all information contained in each of the Dolly
Varden Disclosure Letter and the Contango Disclosure Letter, is confidential information and subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement.
1.10
Schedules
The following Schedules are annexed to this Agreement and are incorporated by reference into this Agreement and form a part
hereof:
Schedule A
Plan of Arrangement
Schedule B
Dolly Varden Resolution
Schedule C
Key Regulatory Approvals
Schedule D
Key Third Party Consents
Schedule E
Exchangeable Share Term Sheet
ARTICLE 2
THE ARRANGEMENT
2.1
Arrangement
(a)
Dolly Varden, Contango and the Acquiror agree that the Arrangement shall be implemented in accordance with
the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement.
(b)
Unless one or both of the Dolly Varden Meeting and the Contango Meeting is postponed or adjourned in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Dolly Varden and Contango agree that the Dolly Varden Meeting and the Contango Meeting shall be held on the same day and at the same time, and agree to take such actions from time to time as may be
necessary in order to ensure that this occurs.
2.2
Interim Order
Dolly Varden shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, and in any event in sufficient time
to file, furnish and mail the Dolly Varden Circular in accordance with Section 2.5, apply
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to the Court in a manner acceptable to Contango and the Acquiror, each acting reasonably, pursuant to subsection 291 of the BCBCA and, in cooperation with Contango and the Acquiror, to schedule
the Interim Order hearing with the Court for a date on or about the 15th calendar day immediately following the date of filing of the Contango Proxy Statement with the SEC; provided that Dolly Varden shall reschedule such hearing if the SEC
Clearance is not obtained (or not obtainable) by the third Business Day prior to the date of the hearing; provided further that in the event such hearing is rescheduled, Dolly Varden shall use commercially reasonable efforts to reschedule such
hearing to occur as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of SEC Clearance, in each case subject to the availability of the Court and subject to and in accordance with the requirements of NI
54-101 with respect to the Dolly Varden Meeting. Dolly Varden shall prepare, file and diligently pursue an application to the Court for the Interim Order, which application will seek, among other things:
(a)
for the class of persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect of the Arrangement and the Dolly Varden
Meeting and for the manner in which such notice is to be provided;
(b)
for confirmation of the record date for the purposes of determining the Dolly Varden Shareholders entitled
to vote at the Dolly Varden Meeting (which date shall be fixed and filed by Dolly Varden in consultation with Contango, acting reasonably) and that such record date will not change in respect of any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Dolly
Varden Meeting;
(c)
that the requisite approval for the Dolly Varden Resolution shall be the affirmative vote of at least:
(i)
662⁄3% of the votes
cast on the Dolly Varden Resolution by the Dolly Varden Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Dolly Varden Meeting, with each Dolly Varden Share entitling a Dolly Varden Shareholder to one vote; and
(ii)
if required by applicable Securities Laws, a simple majority of the votes cast on the Dolly Varden
Resolution by the Dolly Varden Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Dolly Varden Meeting (excluding the votes cast by any Dolly Varden Shareholders required to be excluded pursuant to MI
61-101);
(d)
that, in all other respects, other than as ordered by the Court, the terms, restrictions and conditions of
Dolly Varden’s constating documents, including quorum requirements and all other matters, shall apply in respect of the Dolly Varden Meeting;
(e)
for the grant of Dissent Rights to those Dolly Varden Shareholders who are registered holders of Dolly
Varden Shares as of the record date of the Dolly Varden Meeting;
(f)
for the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the application to the Court for the Final
Order;
(g)
that the Dolly Varden Meeting may be adjourned or postponed from time to time by the Dolly Varden Board
subject to the terms of this Agreement without the need for additional approval of the Court;
(h)
that each Dolly Varden Shareholder will have the right to appear before the Court at the hearing of the
application for the Final Order so long as they enter an appearance within a reasonable time and are in accordance with the procedures set out in the Interim Order;
(i)
that the deadline for the submission of proxies by Dolly Varden Shareholders for the Dolly Varden Meeting
shall be 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in Vancouver, British Columbia) prior to the Dolly Varden Meeting, subject to waiver by Dolly Varden in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(j)
that it is the Parties’ intention to rely on the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption and similar
exemptions from applicable securities Laws of any state of the United States with respect to the issuance of Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement, subject to and conditioned on the
Court’s determination that the Arrangement is
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substantively and procedurally fair to the persons entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares and based on the Court’s approval of the
Arrangement following a hearing at which the persons entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares are permitted to appear and be heard; and
(k)
for such other matters as Contango and the Acquiror may reasonably require subject to obtaining the prior
written consent of Dolly Varden, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
2.3
U.S. Securities Law Matters
The Parties agree that the Arrangement will be carried out with the intention that all Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and
Amalco Exchangeable Shares to be issued pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement will be issued in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act (the
“Section 3(a)(10) Exemption”) and pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities Laws of any state of the United States. In order to ensure the availability of the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption, the Parties
agree that the Arrangement will be carried out on the following basis:
(a)
the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement will be subject to
the approval of the Court;
(b)
the Court will be advised as to the intention of the Parties to rely on the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption
prior to the hearing required to approve the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement to the persons entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares;
(c)
the Court will be required to satisfy itself as to the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and
conditions of the Arrangement to the persons entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares;
(d)
Dolly Varden will ensure that each Dolly Varden Shareholder will be given adequate notice advising them of
their right to attend the hearing of the Court to approve the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and providing them with sufficient information necessary for them to exercise that right;
(e)
Dolly Varden Shareholders will be advised that the Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco
Exchangeable Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act and will be issued by Contango, the Acquiror or Amalco, as applicable, in reliance on the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption;
(f)
the Interim Order will specify that each person entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable
Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares will have the right to appear before the Court at the hearing of the Court to give approval of the Arrangement so long as they enter an appearance within a reasonable time in accordance with the procedures set
out in the Interim Order and in accordance with the requirements of the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption;
(g)
the Court will hold a hearing before approving the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and
conditions of the Arrangement to the persons entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares; and
(h)
the Final Order will expressly state that the Arrangement is approved by the Court as being procedurally and
substantively fair to the persons entitled to receive such Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares, and the Final Order shall include a statement to substantially the following effect:
“This Order shall serve as a basis of a claim to an exemption, pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, from the registration requirements otherwise imposed by such act regarding the distribution of securities pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.”
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2.4
Dolly Varden Meeting
(a)
Subject to the receipt of the Interim Order and the terms of this Agreement, Dolly Varden shall, in
consultation with Contango and the Acquiror, as soon as reasonably practicable after the earliest to occur of (x) the SEC informing Contango that it has no remaining comments to, or will not review, the Contango Proxy Statement (and Contango
agrees to advise Dolly Varden of such matters promptly after the SEC informs Contango of such) or (y) the passage of at least ten calendar days (as calculated pursuant to Rule 14a-6 of the U.S. Exchange
Act) since the filing of a preliminary Contango Proxy Statement with the SEC not informing Contango that it intends to review the Contango Proxy Statement (in either case, the “SEC Clearance”), convene and conduct the Dolly Varden
Meeting in accordance with the Interim Order, Dolly Varden’s notice of articles and articles and applicable Law as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within fifty (50) days of the receipt of the SEC Clearance (and, in that
regard, Dolly Varden shall abridge, as necessary, any time periods that may be abridged under NI 54-101). Except as required by applicable Law, or with the prior written consent of Contango and the Acquiror,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, the Dolly Varden Resolution shall be the only matter of business transacted at the Dolly Varden Meeting.
(b)
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Dolly Varden shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
solicit proxies (i) in favour of the approval of the Dolly Varden Resolution and take all other action necessary or desirable to secure the approval of the Dolly Varden Resolution and all other matters to be brought before the Dolly Varden
Meeting intended to facilitate and complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) against any resolution submitted by any Dolly Varden Shareholder that is inconsistent with the Dolly Varden Resolution and the completion of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, if so requested by Contango or the Acquiror, using proxy solicitation services, as requested by Contango or the Acquiror, acting reasonably, provided that the cost of such proxy
solicitation services shall be borne by Contango.
(c)
Dolly Varden shall provide Contango or the Acquiror with copies of or access to information regarding the
Dolly Varden Meeting generated by any proxy solicitation services firm engaged by Dolly Varden, as reasonably requested from time to time by Contango or the Acquiror.
(d)
Dolly Varden shall give notice to Contango and the Acquiror of the Dolly Varden Meeting and allow
Representatives of Contango, the Acquiror and their legal counsel to attend the Dolly Varden Meeting.
(e)
Dolly Varden shall advise Contango and the Acquiror, as Contango or the Acquiror may reasonably request, and
at least on a daily basis on each of the last ten (10) Business Days prior to the date of the Dolly Varden Meeting, as to the aggregate tally of the proxies received by Dolly Varden in respect of the Dolly Varden Resolution and any other
matters properly brought before the Dolly Varden Meeting.
(f)
Dolly Varden will promptly advise Contango and the Acquiror of any communication (orally or in writing) from
any Dolly Varden Shareholder in opposition to the Arrangement.
(g)
Dolly Varden will promptly advise Contango and the Acquiror of any written notice of dissent or purported
exercise by any Dolly Varden Shareholder of Dissent Rights received by Dolly Varden in relation to the Dolly Varden Resolution and any withdrawal of Dissent Rights received by Dolly Varden. Dolly Varden shall provide Contango and the Acquiror with
an opportunity to review and comment on any written communications sent by or on behalf of Dolly Varden to any Dolly Varden Shareholder who is exercising or purporting to exercise Dissent Rights in relation to the Dolly Varden Resolution and shall
not make any payment or settlement offer, or agree to any payment or settlement prior to the Effective Time with respect to Dissent Rights without the prior written consent of Contango and the Acquiror.
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(h)
Dolly Varden will not recognize any purported notice of exercise of Dissent Rights delivered after the
deadline to deliver a notice of exercise of Dissent Rights without the prior written consent of Contango and the Acquiror.
(i)
Dolly Varden shall, upon the reasonable request from time to time by Contango or the Acquiror, promptly
deliver to Contango or the Acquiror (i) lists of all registered Dolly Varden Shareholders and other security holders of Dolly Varden, showing the name and address of each holder and the number of Dolly Varden Shares or other securities of Dolly
Varden held by each such holder, and securities positions, and (ii) from time to time, at the reasonable request of Contango or the Acquiror, updated or supplemental lists setting out any changes from the list(s) referred to in clause
(i) of this Section 2.4(i).
(j)
Dolly Varden shall not, except (i) as required for quorum purposes (in which case the meeting shall be
adjourned and not cancelled), (ii) as required by Law or a Governmental Entity, (iii) as to comply with Section 2.1(b), (iv) if Contango adjourns or postpones the Contango Meeting (in which case Dolly Varden shall adjourn or postpone the
Dolly Varden Meeting to the same date and time as the Contango Meeting), or (vii) as otherwise permitted under this Agreement, adjourn, postpone or cancel (or propose for adjournment, postponement or cancellation), or fail to call, the Dolly
Varden Meeting without Contango’s and the Acquiror’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, other than as expressly required or permitted in accordance with Section 8.2(k).
(k)
Dolly Varden shall not change the record date for the Dolly Varden Shareholders entitled to vote at the
Dolly Varden Meeting in connection with any adjournment or postponement of the Dolly Varden Meeting unless required by Law.
(l)
Dolly Varden shall not, without the prior written consent of Contango or the Acquiror, waive the deadline
for the submission of proxies by Dolly Varden Shareholders for the Dolly Varden Meeting.
(m)
Subject to applicable Law, Dolly Varden shall promptly advise Contango and the Acquiror of any communication
(written or oral) received by Dolly Varden from the TSXV, any of the Securities Authorities or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the Dolly Varden Meeting.
2.5
Dolly Varden Circular
(a)
Subject to Contango and the Acquiror complying with Section 2.5(c), Dolly Varden shall (i) as
promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, prepare the Dolly Varden Circular (together with any other documents required by Securities Laws and all other applicable Laws in connection with the Dolly Varden Meeting) in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, and (ii) as promptly as reasonably practicable after obtaining the Interim Order file or furnish, as applicable, the Dolly Varden Circular with respect to the Dolly Varden Meeting in
all jurisdictions where the same is required to be filed or furnished and mail the same as required by the Interim Order and in accordance with all applicable Laws in all jurisdictions where the same is required to be mailed (it being understood
that Dolly Varden will file, furnish and mail the Dolly Varden Circular as promptly as practicable, using reasonable best efforts, following the date of the SEC Clearance). If necessary, Dolly Varden shall, in consultation with Contango abridge the
timing contemplated by NI 54-101, as provided in section 2.20 thereof (provided, however, that for greater certainty, the foregoing obligation shall not extend to the making of an application for a waiver or
exemption from the requirements of NI 54-101).
(b)
Dolly Varden shall ensure that the Dolly Varden Circular complies in all material respects with all
applicable Laws and the Interim Order, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, that the Dolly Varden Circular shall not contain any misrepresentation (except that Dolly Varden shall not be responsible for any information included in
the Dolly Varden Circular relating to Contango, the Acquiror and its affiliates that was provided by Contango for inclusion in the Dolly Varden Circular) and shall provide Dolly Varden Shareholders with information in sufficient detail to permit
them to form a reasoned judgment concerning the matters to be placed before them at the Dolly
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Varden Meeting. The Dolly Varden Circular shall include (i) the Dolly Varden Board Recommendation, (ii) a statement that each of the Dolly Varden
Locked-Up Shareholders has signed a Dolly Varden Voting Agreement, pursuant to which they have agreed to, among other things, vote all of their Dolly Varden Shares in favour of the Dolly Varden Resolution and
any other resolution presented at the Dolly Varden Meeting required to give effect to the Arrangement, and (iii) summaries and copies of the Dolly Varden Fairness Opinions. The content of the Dolly Varden Circular shall comply with the terms of
this Agreement.
(c)
Contango shall furnish to Dolly Varden on a timely basis such information regarding Contango, its
affiliates, and the Acquiror as may be required by Law or reasonably required by Dolly Varden in the preparation of the Dolly Varden Circular (including, as required by section 14.2 of Form 51-102F5), and
Contango shall ensure that such information does not contain any misrepresentation concerning Contango, its affiliates or the Acquiror.
(d)
Contango shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary consents from its auditor,
Qualified Persons and any other advisors to the use of any financial, technical or other expert information required to be included in the Dolly Varden Circular and to the identification in the Dolly Varden Circular of each such advisor.
(e)
Contango, the Acquiror and their legal counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment
on drafts of the Dolly Varden Circular, prior to the Dolly Varden Circular being printed, mailed to Dolly Varden Shareholders and filed with any Governmental Entity, and reasonable consideration shall be given to any comments made by Contango, the
Acquiror and their legal counsel, provided that all information relating solely to Contango, its affiliates, and the Acquiror included in the Dolly Varden Circular, and any information describing the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Dolly
Varden Voting Agreements or the Plan of Arrangement, shall be in form and content approved in writing by Contango and the Acquiror, acting reasonably. Dolly Varden shall provide Contango and the Acquiror with final copies of the Dolly Varden
Circular prior to its mailing to the Dolly Varden Shareholders.
(f)
Each of the Parties shall promptly notify the others if at any time before the Effective Date it becomes
aware (in the case of Contango and the Acquiror, only in respect of information relating to Contango, its affiliates or the Acquiror) that the Dolly Varden Circular contains a misrepresentation, or otherwise requires an amendment or supplement to
the Dolly Varden Circular, and the Parties shall co-operate in the preparation of any amendment or supplement to the Dolly Varden Circular, as required or appropriate, and Dolly Varden shall promptly mail or
otherwise publicly disseminate any amendment or supplement to the Dolly Varden Circular to Dolly Varden Shareholders and, if required by the Court or applicable Laws, file the same with any Governmental Entity and as otherwise required.
(g)
Subject to applicable Law, Dolly Varden shall promptly advise Contango and the Acquiror of any communication
(written or oral) received by Dolly Varden from the TSXV, any of the Securities Authorities or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the Dolly Varden Circular.
2.6
Contango Meeting
(a)
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable after the receipt of the SEC
Clearance, Contango shall convene and conduct the Contango Meeting in accordance with Contango’s constating documents and applicable Law as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within fifty (50) days of the receipt of the SEC
Clearance. Except as required by applicable Law, or with the prior written consent of Dolly Varden, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, the Contango Arrangement Proposal shall be the only matter of business transacted at the
Contango Meeting.
(b)
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Contango shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit
proxies (i) in favour of the approval of the Contango Arrangement Proposal and take all other action necessary or desirable to secure the approval of the Contango Arrangement Proposal and all
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other matters to be brought before the Contango Meeting intended to facilitate and complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) against any resolution submitted by any
Contango Shareholder that is inconsistent with the Contango Arrangement Proposal and the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, if so requested by Dolly Varden, using proxy solicitation services, as requested by
Dolly Varden, acting reasonably.
(c)
Contango shall provide Dolly Varden with copies of or access to information regarding the Contango Meeting
generated by any proxy solicitation services firm engaged by Contango, as requested from time to time by Dolly Varden.
(d)
Contango shall give notice to Dolly Varden of the Contango Meeting and allow Dolly Varden’s
Representatives and legal counsel to attend the Contango Meeting.
(e)
Contango shall advise Dolly Varden as Dolly Varden may reasonably request, and at least on a daily basis on
each of the last ten Business Days prior to the date of the Contango Meeting, as to the aggregate tally of the proxies received by Contango in respect of the Contango Arrangement Proposal and any other matters properly brought before the Contango
Meeting.
(f)
Contango will promptly advise Dolly Varden of any communication (orally or in writing) from any Contango
Shareholder in opposition to the Arrangement.
(g)
Contango shall, upon the reasonable request from time to time by Dolly Varden, promptly deliver to Dolly
Varden (i) lists of all registered Contango Shareholders and other security holders of Contango, showing the name and address of each holder and the number of Contango Shares or other securities of Contango held by each such holder, and
securities positions, and (ii) from time to time, at the reasonable request of Dolly Varden, updated or supplemental lists setting out any changes from the list(s) referred to in clause (i) of this Section 2.6(g).
(h)
Contango shall not, except (i) as required for quorum purposes (in which case the meeting shall be
adjourned and not cancelled), (ii) as required by Law or a Governmental Entity, (iii) as to comply with Section 2.1(b), (iv) if Dolly Varden adjourns or postpones the Dolly Varden Meeting (in which case Contango shall adjourn or postpone
the Contango Meeting to the same date and time as the Dolly Varden Meeting), or (vii) as otherwise permitted under this Agreement, adjourn, postpone or cancel (or propose for adjournment, postponement or cancellation), or fail to call, the
Contango Meeting without Dolly Varden’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, other than as expressly required or permitted in accordance with Section 8.2(k).
(i)
Contango shall not change the record date for the Contango Shareholders entitled to vote at the Contango
Meeting in connection with any adjournment or postponement of the Contango Meeting unless required by Law.
(j)
Contango shall not, without the prior written consent of Dolly Varden, waive the deadline for the submission
of proxies by Contango Shareholders for the Contango Meeting.
(k)
Subject to applicable Law, Contango shall promptly advise Dolly Varden of any communication (written or
oral) received by Contango from the NYSE American, any of the Securities Authorities or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the Contango Meeting.
2.7
Contango Proxy Statement
(a)
Subject to Dolly Varden complying with Section 2.7(e), Contango shall (i) as promptly as
reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, prepare the Contango Proxy Statement (together with any other documents required by U.S. Securities Laws and all other applicable Laws in connection with the Contango Meeting) in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, and (ii) as promptly as reasonably practicable after Dolly Varden obtains the Interim Order file or furnish, as applicable, the Contango Proxy Statement with respect to the Contango
Meeting
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with the SEC and in all jurisdictions where the same is required to be filed or furnished and mail the same in accordance with U.S. Securities Laws and all other applicable Laws in all
jurisdictions where the same is required to be mailed (it being understood that Contango will so file, furnish and mail the Contango Proxy Statement as promptly as practicable, using reasonable best efforts, following the date of the SEC Clearance).
(b)
Contango shall ensure that the Contango Proxy Statement complies in all material respects with the rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC and the requirements of all applicable Laws, and to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments of the SEC or its staff. Contango will advise Dolly Varden promptly after it receives any request by the SEC
for amendment of the Contango Proxy Statement or receives any comments thereon and responses thereto or any request by the SEC for additional information, and Contango shall provide Dolly Varden with copies of all substantive correspondence that is
provided by or on behalf of it, on one hand, and by the SEC on the other hand. Contango shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any comments from the SEC with respect to the Contango Proxy Statement as promptly as reasonably
practicable after receipt thereof.
(c)
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Contango shall ensure that the Contango Proxy Statement
not contain any misrepresentation (except that Contango shall not be responsible for any information included in the Contango Proxy Statement relating to Dolly Varden and its affiliates that was provided by Dolly Varden for inclusion in the Contango
Proxy Statement) and shall provide Contango Shareholders with information in sufficient detail to permit them to form a reasoned judgment concerning the matters to be placed before them at the Contango Meeting.
(d)
The Contango Proxy Statement shall include (i) a statement that the Contango Board has evaluated the
Arrangement in consultation with Contango’s management and legal and financial advisors, and has unanimously determined that the Arrangement and entry into this Agreement are in the best interests of Contango; (ii) the Contango Board
Recommendation, (iii) a statement that each of the Contango Locked-Up Shareholders has signed a Contango Voting Agreement, pursuant to which they have agreed to, among other things, vote all of their
Contango Shares in favour of the Contango Arrangement Proposal and any other resolution presented at the Contango Meeting required to give effect to the Arrangement, (iv) a summary and copies of the Contango Fairness Opinion, and (v) the
identities of the three directors nominated by Dolly Varden who shall become members of the Contango Board as of the Effective Time. The content of the Contango Proxy Statement shall comply with the terms of this Agreement.
(e)
Dolly Varden shall furnish to Contango on a timely basis such information regarding Dolly Varden and its
affiliates, as may be required by Law or reasonably required by Contango in the preparation of the Contango Proxy Statement, and Dolly Varden shall ensure that such information does not contain any misrepresentation concerning Dolly Varden or its
affiliates.
(f)
Dolly Varden shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary consents from its auditor,
Qualified Persons and any other advisors to the use of any financial, technical or other expert information required to be included in the Contango Proxy Statement and to the identification in the Contango Proxy Statement of each such advisor.
(g)
Contango and Dolly Varden shall each use commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate with each other to
prepare common disclosure that will be included in both the Dolly Varden Circular and the Contango Proxy Statement, and shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, provide that such disclosure is generally consistent as between the Dolly Varden
Circular and the Contango Proxy Statement.
(h)
Dolly Varden and its legal counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on drafts
of the Contango Proxy Statement, prior to the Contango Proxy Statement being printed, mailed to Contango Shareholders and filed with any Governmental Entity, and reasonable consideration shall be given to any comments made by Dolly Varden and its
legal counsel, provided that all information relating solely to Dolly Varden and its affiliates included in the Contango Proxy
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Statement, and any information describing the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Contango Voting Agreements or the Plan of Arrangement, shall be in form and content approved in writing
by Dolly Varden, acting reasonably. Contango shall provide Dolly Varden with final copies of the Contango Proxy Statement prior to its mailing to the Contango Shareholders.
(i)
Each of the Parties shall each promptly notify the other if at any time before the Effective Date it becomes
aware (in the case of Dolly Varden, only in respect of information relating to Dolly Varden or its affiliates) that the Contango Proxy Statement contains a misrepresentation, or otherwise requires an amendment or supplement to the Contango Proxy
Statement, and the Parties shall co-operate in the preparation of any amendment or supplement to the Contango Proxy Statement, as required or appropriate, and Contango shall promptly mail or otherwise publicly
disseminate any amendment or supplement to the Contango Proxy Statement to Contango Shareholders and, if required by the Court or applicable Laws, file the same with any Governmental Entity and as otherwise required.
(j)
Subject to applicable Law, Contango shall promptly advise Dolly Varden of any communication (written or
oral) received by Contango from the NYSE American, any of the Securities Authorities or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the Contango Proxy Statement.
2.8
Final Order
If (a) the Interim Order is obtained, (b) the Dolly Varden Resolution is passed at the Dolly Varden Meeting by Dolly
Varden Shareholders, as provided for in the Interim Order, and (c) the Contango Arrangement Proposal is passed at the Contango Meeting by Contango Shareholders as required by applicable Law, Dolly Varden shall as soon as reasonably practicable
and in any event within three Business Days following the approval of the Dolly Varden Resolution at the Dolly Varden Meeting take all steps necessary or desirable to submit the Arrangement to the Court and diligently pursue an application for the
Final Order pursuant to Section 291 of the BCBCA.
2.9
Court Proceedings
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Contango and the Acquiror will cooperate with, assist and consent to Dolly Varden
seeking the Interim Order and the Final Order, including by providing Dolly Varden on a timely basis any information required to be supplied by Contango and the Acquiror in connection therewith, and Dolly Varden will diligently pursue the Interim
Order and the Final Order. Dolly Varden will provide legal counsel to Contango and the Acquiror with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon drafts of all material to be filed with, or submitted to, the Court in connection with the
Arrangement (including by providing, on a timely basis and prior to the service and filing of such material, a description of any information required to be supplied by Contango or the Acquiror for inclusion in such material), and will give
reasonable and due consideration to all such comments, provided that all information relating to Contango and the Acquiror included in such materials shall be in a form and substance satisfactory to Contango and the Acquiror, each acting
reasonably. Dolly Varden will also provide legal counsel to Contango on a timely basis with copies of any notice of appearance or notice of intent to oppose and any evidence or other documents delivered to Dolly Varden or its legal counsel in
respect of the application for the Interim Order or the Final Order or any appeal therefrom, and any notice, written or oral, indicating the intention of any person to appeal, or oppose the granting of, the Interim Order or the Final Order. Dolly
Varden shall ensure that all materials filed with the Court in connection with the Arrangement are consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement. Subject to applicable Law, Dolly Varden will not file any material with the
Court in connection with the Arrangement or serve any such material, and will not agree to modify or amend materials so filed or served, except with Contango and the Acquiror’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided that nothing herein shall require Contango and the Acquiror to agree or consent to any increase in or variation in the form of Consideration or other modification or amendment to such filed or served
materials that materially expands or increases Contango or the Acquiror’s obligations, or materially diminishes or limits Contango or the Acquiror’s rights, set forth in any such filed or served materials or under this Agreement or the
Arrangement. In addition, Dolly Varden will not object to legal counsel to Contango or the Acquiror making such submissions on the hearing of the motion for the Interim Order and the application for the Final Order as such counsel considers
appropriate; provided that Dolly Varden is advised of the nature of any submissions with reasonably sufficient time prior to such hearing and such submissions are consistent in all material respects with this Agreement and the Plan of
Arrangement. Dolly Varden will also oppose any appearance, proposal or motion from
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any party on the hearing of the motion for the Interim Order and the application for the Final Order which is inconsistent with this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement. Dolly Varden will also
consult with Contango and the Acquiror with respect to the defense or settlement of any Dolly Varden Shareholder or derivative Proceeding and shall not settle in respect of any such Proceeding without Contango and the Acquiror’s prior written
consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. If at any time after the issuance of the Final Order and prior to the Effective Date, Dolly Varden is required by the terms of the Final Order or by Law to return to the
Court with respect to the Final Order, it shall do so after notice to, and in consultation and cooperation with Contango and the Acquiror.
2.10
Arrangement and Effective Date
(a)
Closing of the Arrangement shall occur, and the Arrangement shall become effective, on the fifth Business
Day following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to completion of the Arrangement set out in Article 7 (excluding any conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Effective Date, but subject to the satisfaction or, where
not prohibited, waiver of those conditions as of the Effective Date by the applicable Party or Parties for whose benefit such conditions exist) or on such other time and date as may be agreed upon by the Parties in writing, and the Arrangement shall
be effective at the Effective Time on the Effective Date and will have all of the effects provided by applicable Laws. From and after the Effective Time, the Plan of Arrangement shall have effect as provided by applicable Law, including the BCBCA.
(b)
The closing of the Arrangement will take place (i) by the exchange of documents by PDF or other
electronic means, or (ii) at such other place as may be agreed to by the Parties, in each case on the Effective Date at such time as may be agreed to by the Parties, acting reasonably.
2.11
Dolly Varden Convertible Securities
(a)
Dolly Varden shall take such action as may be required, including by entering into the Dolly Varden RSU Net
Exercise Agreements, in order to ensure that all unvested Dolly Varden RSUs shall be conditionally vested and that the respective surrender and cancellation or redemption dates of all the Dolly Varden RSUs are conditionally accelerated pursuant to
the terms of Dolly Varden RSU Plan such that all the Dolly Varden RSUs will all be surrendered and cancelled or redeemed by Dolly Varden for Dolly Varden Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, so that holders of the Dolly Varden RSUs prior
to the Effective Time participate in the Arrangement as Dolly Varden Shareholders.
(b)
The Parties agree that all Dolly Varden Options that are not exercised prior to the Effective Time shall be
treated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable instruments governing such securities, including the applicable Dolly Varden Option Plan, the Parties shall take all such reasonable steps as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to
the foregoing including, without limitation, the execution of supplemental instruments and the issuance by Contango of the Replacement Options, as further set out in the Plan of Arrangement, and that, for purposes of Replacement Options governed by
the Dolly Varden 2022 Option Plan, if the holder of Replacement Options, who is a consultant or employee of Dolly Varden, ceases to be an “Eligible Participant” (as such term is defined in the Dolly Varden 2022 Option Plan) at the
Effective Time, all Replacement Options granted to such holder hereunder shall automatically expire on the date that is the earlier of the expiry date of the Replacement Options and the date that is 6 months following the Effective Date.
2.12
Payment of Consideration
(a)
Contango shall, on behalf of the Acquiror, on or immediately prior to the Effective Date and in any event
prior to the closing of the Arrangement, ensure that the Depositary has been provided with sufficient Contango Shares and sufficient Exchangeable Shares (the terms and conditions of such escrow to be satisfactory to the Parties, acting reasonably)
to satisfy the aggregate Consideration payable to the Dolly Varden Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement. For greater certainty, Contango shall not be required pursuant to this Section 2.12 to provide or deposit in escrow with
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the Depositary prior to the Effective Date any Contango Shares or Exchangeable Shares as Consideration for the Dolly Varden Shares held by Dolly Varden Shareholders exercising Dissent Rights and
who have not withdrawn their notice of objection.
(b)
Contango shall, on behalf of the Acquiror, on the timing set out in the Plan of Arrangement, deliver or
cause to be delivered to Dolly Varden Optionholders the Replacement Options.
2.13
Announcement and Shareholder Communications
Dolly Varden and Contango shall mutually agree on the form of initial press release to be issued by each of them to announce
the transactions contemplated hereby promptly following the execution of this Agreement by the Parties. Contango and Dolly Varden agree to co-operate in the preparation of presentations, if any, to Dolly
Varden Shareholders and Contango Shareholders, respectively, regarding the Plan of Arrangement, and prior to the Effective Time no Party shall, other than as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement:
(a)
issue any press release or otherwise make public statements with respect to this Agreement or the Plan of
Arrangement without the consent of the other Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); or
(b)
make any filing with any Governmental Entity with respect to this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement
without the consent of the other Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably, withheld, conditioned or delayed).
Each Party shall enable the other Parties to review and comment on all such press releases prior to the release thereof, shall enable the
other Parties to review and comment on such filings prior to the filing thereof (other than with respect to confidential information contained in such filing) and shall consider to incorporate the comments of the other Parties in good faith;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall be subject to each Party’s overriding obligation to make any disclosure or filing in accordance with applicable Laws, including Securities Laws and U.S. Securities Laws, as applicable, and if such
disclosure or filing is required and the other Parties have not reviewed or commented on the disclosure or filing, the Party making such disclosure or filing shall use commercially reasonable efforts to give prior oral or written notice to the other
Parties, and if such prior notice is not possible, to give such notice immediately following the making of such disclosure or filing.
2.14
Withholding Taxes
Contango, the Acquiror, Callco, Dolly Varden, the Depositary and their respective agents, as applicable (in this section, the
“payor”), shall each be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration or other amount payable (whether in cash or in kind, and including for avoidance of doubt the Consideration Shares or Dolly Varden Shares) or otherwise
deliverable to any person under this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement (including any payment to Dolly Varden Shareholders who have validly exercised their Dissent Rights) such amounts as the payor may be required to deduct or withhold therefrom
under any applicable Law in respect of Taxes. For the purposes hereof and the Plan of Arrangement, all such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated as having been paid to the person of which such deduction or withholding was made on account of
the obligation to make payment to such person thereunder, provided that such deducted or withheld amounts are actually remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity when required by Law by, or on behalf of, the payor.
2.15
U.S. Tax Matters
The Arrangement is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement are intended to be, and hereby are adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under
Section 368 of the Code (the “Intended U.S. Tax Treatment”). Each Party shall file all financial statements, the Returns and similar filings, and otherwise act in a manner that is, consistent with the Intended U.S. Tax
Treatment unless otherwise required as a result of a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, and shall not take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, if such action or failure to act would
reasonably be expected to prevent the Arrangement from qualifying for the Intended U.S. Tax Treatment. Following the Effective Date, the Acquiror will prepare and file in accordance with the Treasury Regulations (including by
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posting a copy on the investor relations section of its website) an IRS Form 8937 with respect to the Arrangement consistent with the Intended U.S. Tax Treatment.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DOLLY VARDEN
3.1
Representations and Warranties of Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden hereby represents and warrants to and in favour of Contango and the Acquiror as follows, except to the extent that
such representations and warranties are qualified by the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter and acknowledges that Contango and the Acquiror are relying upon such representations and warranties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement:
(a)
Board Recommendation. The Dolly Varden Board, after consultation with its financial and legal
advisors, has determined unanimously that the Plan of Arrangement is fair to the Dolly Varden Shareholders and is in the best interests of Dolly Varden and has resolved unanimously to recommend to the Dolly Varden Shareholders that they vote in
favour of the Dolly Varden Resolution (such determination and recommendation, the “Dolly Varden Board Recommendation”).
(b)
Fairness Opinions. The Dolly Varden Board has received the oral opinion, to be subsequently confirmed
in writing, of the Dolly Varden Financial Advisor and the Dolly Varden Special Committee has received the oral opinion, to be subsequently confirmed in writing, of the Dolly Varden Special Advisor, and each such opinion has not been modified,
amended, qualified or withdrawn, each to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the Consideration to be received pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement by the
Dolly Varden Shareholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Dolly Varden Shareholders (together, the “Dolly Varden Fairness Opinions”).
(c)
Organization and Qualification. Dolly Varden and each of its subsidiaries is a corporation duly
incorporated or an entity duly created and validly existing under all applicable Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance or creation and has all necessary corporate power and capacity to own its property and assets as now owned and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Dolly Varden and each of its subsidiaries is duly qualified to carry on business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties and assets owned, leased,
licensed or otherwise held, or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so registered or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect.
(d)
Authority Relative to this Agreement. Dolly Varden has the requisite corporate power and capacity to
enter into this Agreement and (subject to obtaining the Interim Order, the Final Order and the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval) to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Dolly Varden and the performance
by Dolly Varden of its obligations under this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Dolly Varden Board and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Dolly Varden are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
performance by Dolly Varden of its obligations under this Agreement or the completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, other than the Interim Order, the Final Order, approval of the Dolly Varden Circular by the Dolly Varden
Board and the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Dolly Varden and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Dolly Varden, enforceable against Dolly Varden in accordance with its
terms, subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting rights of creditors and that equitable remedies, including specific
performance, may be granted only in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e)
No Violation. Subject to obtaining the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval, Key Third Party Consents
and Key Regulatory Approvals, none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
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Dolly Varden, the performance by Dolly Varden of its obligations hereunder or the completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, or compliance by Dolly Varden or any of its
subsidiaries with any of the provisions hereof will:
(i)
violate, conflict with, or result (with or without notice or the passage of time) in a violation or breach
of any provision of, or require any consent, approval or notice under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or
cause any suspension or revocation of, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon, any of the properties or assets of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, or result in any material restriction, hindrance, impairment
or limitation on the ability of Dolly Varden or any of its material subsidiaries to conduct their business as and where it is now being conducted or cause any payment or other obligation to be imposed on Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries under
any of the terms, conditions or provisions of:
(A)
their respective notice of articles, articles or other comparable constating documents; or
(B)
any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, loan agreement or deed of trust to which Dolly Varden or any of its
material subsidiaries is a party or any Dolly Varden Material Contract;
(C)
any Law applicable to Dolly Varden or any of its material subsidiaries or any of their respective properties
or assets; or
(D)
any Permit currently in effect in respect of Dolly Varden or any of its material subsidiaries;
(ii)
give rise to any rights of first refusal or trigger any change in control provisions or any restrictions or
limitation under any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, loan agreement or deed of trust to which Dolly Varden or any of its material subsidiaries is a party or under any Dolly Varden Material Contract or under any Permit held by Dolly Varden or any of
its material subsidiaries; or
(iii)
result in the imposition of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any property or assets of Dolly
Varden or any of its material subsidiaries.
(f)
Capitalization. The authorized share capital of Dolly Varden consists of an unlimited number of Dolly
Varden Shares, without par value. As of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of this Agreement, there are issued and outstanding 91,866,780 Dolly Varden Shares. In addition, as of the close of business on the Business Day
prior to the date of this Agreement, an aggregate of 2,694,876 Dolly Varden Shares are issuable upon the exercise of Dolly Varden Options and 605,636 Dolly Varden Shares are issuable upon the vesting of Dolly Varden RSUs. There are no options,
warrants, conversion privileges or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments (pre-emptive, contingent or otherwise) of any character whatsoever requiring or which may require the issuance, sale or
transfer by Dolly Varden of any securities of Dolly Varden (including Dolly Varden Shares), or any securities or obligations convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or otherwise evidencing a right or obligation to acquire, any
securities of Dolly Varden (including Dolly Varden Shares) or any of its subsidiaries. All outstanding Dolly Varden Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and
all Dolly Varden Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Dolly Varden Options or vesting of Dolly Varden RSUs in accordance with their respective terms have been duly authorized and, upon issuance, will be validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable. Schedule 3.1(f) to the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date hereof, the holders of all Dolly Varden Options and Dolly Varden RSUs the number, exercise prices, and expiration
dates of each grant to such holders. There are no securities of Dolly Varden or of any of its subsidiaries outstanding which have the right to vote generally (or, other than the Dolly Varden Options and Dolly Varden RSUs, are convertible into, or
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exchangeable or exercisable for, or may vest into, securities having the right to vote generally) with the Dolly Varden Shareholders on any matter. There are no outstanding contractual or other
obligations of Dolly Varden to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its securities or with respect to the voting or disposition of any outstanding securities of its subsidiaries. There are no outstanding bonds, debentures or other
evidences of indebtedness of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries having the right to vote with the Dolly Varden Shareholders on any matters.
(g)
Shareholder and Similar Agreements. Dolly Varden is not party to any shareholder, pooling, voting
trust or other similar agreement relating to the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Dolly Varden.
(h)
Reporting Status and Securities Laws Matters. Dolly Varden is a “reporting issuer” and is
not on the list of reporting issuers in default under applicable Canadian provincial Securities Laws, in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Québec. No delisting, suspension of trading in or cease trading order with respect to any
securities of Dolly Varden and, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, no inquiry or investigation (formal or informal) of Dolly Varden or the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record by any Securities Authority is in effect or ongoing or, to the knowledge
of Dolly Varden, threatened or expected to be implemented or undertaken. The Dolly Varden Shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSXV. Dolly Varden is in compliance with applicable requirements of the TSXV, except where non-compliance would not be reasonably expected to result in a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
(i)
Ownership of Subsidiaries. Other than the Dolly Varden Subsidiaries, Dolly Varden does not have any
subsidiaries. Each Dolly Varden Subsidiary has been incorporated and is validly existing under the provincial laws of British Columbia, and is duly qualified to carry on its business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the
ownership, leasing or operation of its property and assets requires such qualification, and has all requisite power and authority (corporate and other) to conduct its business and to own, lease and operate its properties and assets. The authorized
capital of Homestake Resource consists of an unlimited number of common shares in the capital of Homestake Resource. As at the date hereof, there are 103,248,300 common shares in the capital of Homestake Resource issued and outstanding, all of which
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of Homestake Resource. Dolly Varden is the legal, beneficial and registered owner of all of the
common shares in the capital of Homestake Resource free and clear of all Liens. The authorized capital of Homestake Royalty consists of unlimited common shares without par value and as of the date hereof, there is one common share in the capital of
Homestake Royalty issued and outstanding that has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. Homestake Resource is the legal, beneficial and registered owner of the single
issued and outstanding common share in the capital of Homestake Royalty free and clear of all Liens. No person has any right, agreement or option for the purchase from Dolly Varden or any Dolly Varden Subsidiary any interest in any of such shares of
any Dolly Varden Subsidiary or for the issue or allotment of any unissued shares in the capital of any Dolly Varden Subsidiary.
(j)
Regulatory Approvals. Other than the Key Regulatory Approvals, there are no approvals required from,
or notices required to be given to, any Governmental Entity which would prevent or materially delay consummation by Dolly Varden of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Arrangement.
(k)
Consents. Other than the Key Third Party Consents, there are no consents or waivers required from any
party under any Dolly Varden Material Contract to which Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries are a party in order for Dolly Varden to proceed with the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan
of Arrangement.
(l)
Public Filings. Dolly Varden has filed or furnished, as applicable, all documents in the Dolly Varden
Public Disclosure Record required to be filed or furnished by it in accordance with applicable
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Securities Laws and the requirements of the TSXV. All such documents and information comprising the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record, as of their respective dates (and the dates of any
amendments thereto): (i) did not contain any misrepresentation; and (ii) complied in all material respects with the requirements of applicable Securities Laws and the applicable policies of the TSXV relating to continuous disclosure
requirements. Dolly Varden has not filed any confidential material change report with any Securities Authorities that at the date of this Agreement, remains confidential. Since January 1, 2024, there has been no change in a material fact or a
material change (as those terms are defined under the Securities Act) in relation to Dolly Varden, except for: (A) changes in material facts or material changes that are reflected in a document included in the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure
Record and (B) this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(m)
Dolly Varden Financial Statements.
(i)
Dolly Varden’s audited financial statements as at and for the financial years ended December 31,
2023 and December 31, 2024 (including the notes thereto and the report of the auditors thereon) and Dolly Varden’s unaudited financial statements for the interim period ended September 30, 2025 (the “Dolly Varden Financial
Statements”) were prepared in accordance with IFRS consistently applied and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position of Dolly Varden and its
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and for the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal period-end adjustments) and reflect reserves required
by IFRS in respect of all material contingent liabilities, if any, of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. There has been no material change in Dolly Varden’s accounting policies since December 31, 2024, except as
disclosed in the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record or as required by IFRS.
(ii)
The management of Dolly Varden has established and maintained a system of disclosure controls and procedures
designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Dolly Varden in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in such Laws imposed by such Governmental Entities. Such disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required
to be disclosed by Dolly Varden in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is accumulated and communicated to Dolly Varden’s management, including its
chief executive officer and chief financial officer (or persons performing similar functions), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(iii)
Dolly Varden maintains internal control over financial reporting. Such internal control over financial
reporting is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS and includes policies and procedures that:
(A) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries; (B) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries are being made only with authorizations of management and directors of Dolly Varden
and its subsidiaries, as applicable; and (C) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries that could have a material
effect on its financial statements.
(iv)
To the knowledge of Dolly Varden: (A) there are no material weaknesses in the design and implementation
or maintenance of its internal control over financial reporting of Dolly Varden that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the ability of Dolly Varden to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (B) there is no
fraud, whether or
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not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal control over financial reporting of Dolly Varden.
(v)
Since December 31, 2024, neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to Dolly Varden’s
knowledge, any Representative of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices,
procedures, methodologies or methods of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim that Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has engaged in
questionable accounting or auditing practices, which has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the audit committee of the Dolly Varden Board.
(vi)
The accountants who reported on the Dolly Varden Financial Statements are independent with respect to Dolly
Varden within the meaning of applicable Securities Laws. There has never been any reportable event (within the meaning of NI 51-102) with the current auditors or any former auditors (if any) of Dolly Varden.
(n)
Books and Records. The financial books, records and accounts of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries, in
all material respects: (i) have been maintained, in the case of Dolly Varden in accordance with IFRS, and in the case of its subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of their respective governing jurisdictions;
(ii) are stated in reasonable detail and accurately and fairly reflect the material transactions and dispositions of the assets of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries; and (iii) accurately and fairly reflect the basis for the Dolly Varden
Financial Statements. The corporate records and minute books for each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries contain, in all material respects, complete and accurate minutes of all meetings and resolutions of the directors and shareholders of Dolly
Varden and each of its subsidiaries held or passed, as applicable, since their incorporation, merger, amalgamation or acquisition by Dolly Varden, as the case may be.
(o)
No Undisclosed Liabilities. Other than as disclosed in the most recent Dolly Varden Financial
Statements filed, or furnished, as applicable, on SEDAR+, as incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of such financial statements, or as disclosed in this Agreement, or inter-company indebtedness, liabilities and guarantees among
Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries, Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries have no outstanding material indebtedness or material liabilities and are not party to or bound by any material suretyship, guarantee, indemnification or assumption agreement, or
endorsement of, or any other similar commitment with respect to the material accrued, contingent or other obligations, liabilities or indebtedness of any nature, of any person, either matured or unmatured.
(p)
No Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2024, there has been no Dolly Varden
Material Adverse Effect and no effect, change, development, event or occurrence that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect.
(q)
No Dividend or Distribution. Since December 31, 2024, there has been no dividend or distribution
of any kind declared, paid or made by Dolly Varden on any Dolly Varden Shares.
(r)
Contracts. Schedule 3.1(r) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter includes a complete and accurate
list of all Dolly Varden Material Contracts. Neither Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract that is material to Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than the Dolly Varden Material Contracts. All
Dolly Varden Material Contracts are in full force and effect, and Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries are entitled to all rights and benefits thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof. Dolly Varden has made available to Contango for inspection
true and complete copies of all Dolly Varden Material Contracts. All of the Dolly Varden Material Contracts are valid and binding obligations of Dolly Varden enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the enforcement
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of creditors’ rights generally and subject to the qualification that equitable remedies may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction. Dolly Varden and its
subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all terms of such Dolly Varden Material Contracts, have paid all amounts due thereunder, have not waived any rights thereunder and no material default or breach exists in respect thereof on
the part of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, on the part of any other party thereto, and no event has occurred which, after the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both,
would constitute such a material default or breach or trigger a right of termination of any of the Dolly Varden Material Contracts. As at the date of this Agreement, neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries has received written notice that
any party to a Dolly Varden Material Contract intends to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify or not renew such Dolly Varden Material Contract, and to the knowledge of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, no such action has been threatened.
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any Dolly Varden Material Contract that contains any non-competition obligation or otherwise restricts in any material way the business of Dolly
Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
(s)
Litigation. There are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, threatened
affecting Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or affecting any of the Dolly Varden Concessions, property or assets at law or in equity, including matters arising under Environmental Laws. Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries nor
their respective assets or properties is subject to any outstanding judgement, order, writ, injunction or decree.
(t)
Taxes.
(i)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has duly and timely filed all material Returns required to be
filed by it with the appropriate Governmental Entity prior to the date hereof and all such material Returns are complete and correct in all material respects.
(ii)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has paid on a timely basis all material Taxes, including all
instalments on account of Taxes for the current year, that are due and payable by it.
(iii)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has established reserves on its books and records, in the case of
Dolly Varden in accordance with IFRS, and in the case of its subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of their respective governing jurisdictions, adequate for the payment of any Taxes not yet due and payable and will
continue doing so until the Effective Date.
(iv)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is party to or bound by any tax sharing agreement, tax
indemnity obligation in favour of any person or similar agreement in favour of any person with respect to Taxes (including any advance pricing agreement or other similar agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Entity) (excluding Contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business, the primary purpose of which does not relate to Tax).
(v)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries will be required to include in a tax period ending after
the Effective Time any amount of net taxable income (after taking into account deductions claimed for such a period that relate to a prior period) attributable to income that accrued, or that was required to be reported for financial accounting
purposes in a prior taxable period but that was not included in taxable income for that or another prior tax period.
(vi)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has maintained and continues to maintain, in the place and manner
prescribed by applicable Law, all records and books of account required to be maintained under applicable Laws with respect to Taxes.
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(vii)
No material deficiencies, litigation, proposed adjustments or matters in controversy exist or have been
asserted, in any case in writing, with respect to Taxes of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries. Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is party to any action or proceeding for assessment or collection of Taxes and no such event has
been asserted or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, threatened, in any case in writing, against Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets.
(viii)
There are no material Liens for unpaid Taxes (other than in respect of Taxes not yet due and payable or
Liens for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings pursuant to applicable Laws) upon any of the assets of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
(ix)
To the knowledge of Dolly Varden, there are no outstanding written agreements extending or waiving the
statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, Taxes due from Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries for any taxable period and no request for any such waiver or
extension is currently pending.
(x)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has duly and timely withheld all material Taxes and other amounts
required by Law to be withheld by it (including Taxes and other amounts required to be withheld by it in respect of any amount paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by it to or for the account or benefit of any person, including any
employees, officers or directors and any person who is a non-resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act), and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity such Taxes and other
amounts required by Law to be remitted by it.
(xi)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has duly and timely collected all material amounts on account of
any sales or transfer taxes, including goods and services, harmonized sales and provincial or territorial sales taxes, required by Law to be collected by it and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity any such amounts
required by Law to be remitted by it.
(xii)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries, if legally required to do so, is duly registered under
subdivision (d) of Division V of Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) with respect to the goods and services tax and harmonized sales tax.
(xiii)
None of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has acquired property from a
non-arm’s length person, within the meaning of the Tax Act, for consideration, the value of which is less than the fair market value of the property acquired in circumstances which could subject it to a
liability under section 160 of the Tax Act (or comparable provisions of any other applicable Tax legislation).
(xiv)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with the transfer pricing
provisions of each applicable Law relating to Taxes, including the contemporaneous documents and disclosure requirements thereunder.
(xv)
To the knowledge of Dolly Varden, no jurisdiction or authority in which Dolly Varden or a subsidiary, as
applicable, does not file a Return has alleged that Dolly Varden or such subsidiary, as applicable, is required to file such a Return.
(xvi)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries has applied for any Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or Canada
Emergency Rent Subsidy, in each case as provided for under section 125.7 of the Tax Act, or any analogous or similar pandemic, epidemic or health crisis relief measures enacted by the Government of Canada or any province or territory thereof.
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(xvii)
Dolly Varden is not, and has never been, in default of any of its legal obligations in respect of any
“flow-through share” financings previously undertaken by it.
(xviii)
None of sections 17, 78, 79 or 80 to 80.04 of the Tax Act (or comparable provisions of any other applicable
legislation) have applied to Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, and there are no circumstances existing which could reasonably be expected to result in the application of sections 17, 78, 79 or 80 to 80.04 of the Tax Act (or comparable
provisions of any other applicable legislation) to Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
(xix)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is obligated to make any payments or is a party to any
agreement under which it could be obligated to make any payment that will not be deductible in computing its income under the Tax Act by virtue of Section 67 of the Tax Act (or comparable provisions of any other applicable legislation).
(xx)
For the purposes of the Tax Act, any applicable Tax treaty and any other relevant Tax purposes
(i) Dolly Varden is resident in, and is not a non-resident of, Canada, and is a “taxable Canadian corporation”; and (ii) each of its subsidiaries is resident in the jurisdiction in which
it was formed, is not resident in any other country, and if resident in Canada and is a corporation, is a “taxable Canadian corporation”.
(xxi)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the
meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code or is treated as a U.S. corporation under Section 7874(b) of the Code.
(xxii)
None of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has distributed equity securities of another person, or has
had its equity securities distributed by another person, in the two (2) years preceding the date hereof in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code.
(xxiii)
None of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries is or has been a party to any “listed
transaction” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Code and United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(xxiv)
None of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent
the Arrangement from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (B) Dolly Varden is not aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would prevent the Arrangement from
qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(xxv)
None of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has ever had an obligation to file an information return
pursuant to (i) sections 237.3, 237.4 or 237.5 of the Tax Act, or (ii) sections 1079.8.5 or 1079.8.6 of the Taxation Act (Quebec).
(u)
Property.
(i)
All of the Dolly Varden Concessions are listed in Schedule 3.1(u)(i) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter
and are, in all material respects, the only mining tenures required to conduct Dolly Varden’s or any of its subsidiaries’ current activities at the Dolly Varden Projects.
(ii)
Each of the Dolly Varden Concessions and Dolly Varden Lands is in good standing in all material respects and
is held by Dolly Varden free and clear of all material Liens other than Permitted Liens or as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(u)(ii) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter, and no person has any agreement or right to acquire an interest in such assets.
(iii)
Dolly Varden has possession of, and the right to deal with, the Dolly Varden Concessions and Dolly Varden
Lands.
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(iv)
There are no mineral royalty obligations, metals streaming obligations or similar obligations affecting the
Dolly Varden Concessions or the Dolly Varden Lands or the production or revenues or profits therefrom and no other person has any right to acquire any interest in such obligations.
(v)
Any and all assessment work required to have been performed and filed in respect of the Dolly Varden
Concessions as of the date of this Agreement has been performed and filed in all material respects.
(vi)
All material mining fees, Taxes and other payments required to have been paid by Dolly Varden or any of its
subsidiaries in respect of the Dolly Varden Concessions as of the date of this Agreement have been paid.
(vii)
No other person has any material interest in the Dolly Varden Concessions or the Dolly Varden Lands.
(viii)
There are no back-in rights,
earn-in rights, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer, option rights, royalty rights, rights of participation or similar provisions which would materially affect Dolly Varden’s or its
subsidiaries’ interests in the Dolly Varden Concessions.
(ix)
There are no adverse claims, actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden,
that are threatened, affecting the Dolly Varden Concessions or the Dolly Varden Lands.
(x)
Neither Dolly Varden nor its subsidiaries have received any notice, whether written or oral from any
Governmental Entity or any person with jurisdiction or applicable authority of any revocation or intention to revoke Dolly Varden’s or its subsidiaries’ interests in the Dolly Varden Concessions.
(xi)
No material dispute exists or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, is pending or threatened in connection with
the ownership, access to or use of any Dolly Varden Concessions or Dolly Varden Lands between Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries and: (A) any surface landowner; (B) other mining companies; (C) a concessionaire of hydrocarbon
rights; or (D) any Governmental Entity.
(xii)
Dolly Varden has provided to Contango true, correct and complete copies of the most recent title opinions in
its possession related to the Dolly Varden Projects.
(xiii)
Dolly Varden has provided Contango with access to full and complete copies of all material exploration
information and data within its possession or control including all relevant material geological, geophysical and geochemical information and data (including all drill, sample and assay results and all maps) and all of its technical reports,
feasibility studies and other similar reports and studies concerning the Dolly Varden Concessions and Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has the sole right, title and ownership of all such information, data, reports and studies.
(v)
Operational Matters.
(i)
All rentals, royalties, overriding royalty interests, production payments, net profits, interest burdens,
payments and obligations due and payable, or performable, as the case may be, on or prior to the date hereof under, with respect to, or on account of, any direct or indirect property or asset of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, including the
Dolly Varden Concessions and Dolly Varden Lands, have been, in all material respects:
(A)
duly paid;
(B)
duly performed; or
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(C)
provided for prior to the date hereof.
(ii)
All costs, expenses and liabilities payable on or prior to the date hereof under the terms of any material
contracts and agreements to which Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries is directly or indirectly bound, have been properly and timely paid, in all material respects, except for such expenses that are being currently paid prior to delinquency in
the ordinary course of business.
(iii)
Any and all operations of Dolly Varden and each of its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden,
any and all operations by third parties, on or in respect of the assets and properties of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, have been conducted in a good, workmanlike and efficient manner in accordance with sound mining and other applicable
Canadian mining industry standards and practices and in material compliance with applicable Laws.
(w)
Mineral Resources. Dolly Varden is in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of NI 43-101 and has filed all technical reports required thereby. The most recent estimated indicated, measured and inferred mineral resources disclosed in the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record prior to the date of
this Agreement, have been prepared in accordance with accepted mining, engineering, geoscience and other applicable industry standards and in all material respects in accordance with all applicable Laws, including NI
43-101. The information provided by Dolly Varden to the Qualified Persons in connection with the preparation of the Dolly Varden Technical Report was complete and accurate at the time such information was
furnished and complied in all material respects, with the requirements of NI 43-101. There has been no material reduction in the aggregate amount of the most recently estimated mineral resources of Dolly
Varden from the amounts disclosed in the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record. All material information regarding the Dolly Varden Projects, including drill results, technical reports and studies, that are required to be disclosed by Securities
Laws, have been disclosed in the Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Securities Laws.
(x)
Technical Report.
(i)
The Kitsault Valley Project is currently the only material property of Dolly Varden for the purposes of NI 43-101 and the sole technical report concerning the Kitsault Valley Project is the technical report entitled “Technical Report on the Combined Kitsault Valley Project, British Columbia, Canada” with an
effective date of September 28, 2022, and prepared by Andrew J. Turner, B.Sc., P. Geo. and Rachelle Hough, P. Geo. (the “Dolly Varden Technical Report”).
(ii)
Dolly Varden or its corporate predecessors made available to the authors of the Dolly Varden Technical
Report, prior to the issuance thereof, for the purpose of preparing such report, all information requested by them, and none of such information contained any misrepresentation at the time such information was so provided. All of the material
assumptions in the Dolly Varden Technical Report are reasonable and appropriate.
(iii)
As of the date hereof, the Dolly Varden Technical Report remains current in all material aspects and since
the date of the Dolly Varden Technical Report there is no new material scientific or technical information concerning the Kitsault Valley Project that is not included in the Dolly Varden Technical Report and that would require a new technical report
in respect of such property to be issued under NI 43-101.
(y)
Health and Safety.
(i)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries has received any demand or notice with respect to a
material breach of any applicable health and safety Laws, the effect of which would be reasonably expected to materially affect its operations.
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(ii)
To Dolly Varden’s knowledge, there are no claims, investigations or inquiries pending against Dolly
Varden or any of its subsidiaries (or naming Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries as a potentially responsible party) based on material non-compliance with any applicable health and safety Laws at any of
its operations.
(z)
Cultural Heritage. To Dolly Varden’s knowledge, none of the areas covered by the Dolly Varden
Concessions are considered sacred or are culturally significant to any tribe.
(aa)
Expropriation. No written notice or proceeding in respect of the taking, condemnation or
expropriation by any Governmental Entity of any material part of the property or assets of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, including the Dolly Varden Concessions and Dolly Varden Lands has been given or commenced, nor, to the knowledge of
Dolly Varden, is any such proceeding or notice threatened.
(bb)
Permits. Dolly Varden and each of its subsidiaries has obtained, and is in compliance with, all
material Permits required by applicable Laws or necessary to conduct its current business as is now being conducted. To the knowledge of Dolly Varden, there are no facts, events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in a
revocation of, or failure to renew in the ordinary course, such material Permits as are necessary to conduct Dolly Varden’s or its subsidiaries’ current business as is now being conducted.
(cc)
Environmental Matters. Except for any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have
or would not reasonably be expected to have a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect, each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses, operations, and properties:
(i)
is, and has been since January 1, 2021, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental
Laws and all terms and conditions of all Environmental Permits;
(ii)
has not received any order, request or notice from any person alleging a material violation of any
Environmental Law;
(iii)
(A) is not a party to any material litigation or administrative proceeding, nor to Dolly Varden’s
knowledge is any material litigation or administrative proceeding threatened against it or its property or assets, which in either case: (1) asserts or alleges that it violated any Environmental Laws; (2) asserts or alleges that it is
required to clean up, remove or take remedial or other response action due to the Release of any Hazardous Substances; or (3) asserts or alleges that it is required to pay all or a portion of the cost of any past, present or future cleanup,
removal or remedial or other response action which arises out of or is related to the Release of any Hazardous Substances; (B) has no knowledge of any conditions existing currently which could reasonably be expected to subject it to material
damages, penalties, injunctive relief or cleanup costs under any Environmental Laws or which require or are likely to require cleanup, removal, remedial action or other material response by it pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws; and
(C) is not subject to any material judgment, decree, order or citation related to or arising out of applicable Environmental Law and has not been named or listed as a potentially responsible party by any Governmental Entity in a material matter
arising under any Environmental Laws; and
(iv)
is not involved in operations and does not know of any facts, circumstances or conditions, including the
Release of any Hazardous Substance that would reasonably be expected to result in any material Environmental Liabilities.
(dd)
Employee Benefits.
(i)
Schedule 3.1(dd) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list of all plans,
agreements, programs, policies or practices which provide any employee benefit, fringe benefit, health, life insurance, welfare, supplemental unemployment benefit, bonus, incentive, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock purchase, stock
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compensation, stock option, share appreciation rights, disability, pension, supplemental pension or other retirement savings, and any other employee or independent contractor compensation or
benefit plans, policies, arrangements, practices or undertakings, whether oral or written, formal or informal, funded or unfunded, insured or uninsured, in each case which are maintained by or binding upon Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or
in respect of which Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has any actual or potential liability (collectively, the “Dolly Varden Benefit Plans”).
(ii)
Current and complete copies of all written Dolly Varden Benefit Plans as amended to date, or where oral,
written summaries of the terms thereof, have been made available for inspection to Contango and its counsel, together with copies of all material documents relating to each Dolly Varden Benefit Plan.
(iii)
Each Dolly Varden Benefit Plan has, in all material respects, been established, registered, funded,
administered and invested in compliance with the terms of such Dolly Varden Benefit Plan and all applicable Laws and collective bargaining agreements relating thereto. All employer and employee payments, contributions and premiums required to be
remitted, paid to or in respect of each Dolly Varden Benefit Plan have, in all material respects, been paid or remitted in a timely fashion in accordance with its terms and all applicable Laws. There is no investigation or audit by a Governmental
Entity or claim (other than routine claims for payment of benefits) pending or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, threatened involving any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan or its assets. Dolly Varden does not reasonably expect to incur (whether or not
assessed) any material penalty or Tax under Section 4980B, 4980D, 4980H, 6721 or 6722 of the Code.
(iv)
There have been no material non-exempt “prohibited
transactions” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA) and there have been no material breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan, in each
case, that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Contango.
(v)
None of the Dolly Varden Benefit Plans is a “registered pension plan” or a “retirement
compensation arrangement” as such terms are defined in the Tax Act, or any other plan organized and administered to provide pension or superannuation benefits to any current or former employees of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries. None
of the Dolly Varden Benefit Plans is, and Dolly Varden does not have any current or contingent liability or obligation under or with respect to, any: (i) “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA; (ii)
“multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Section 210 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code; (iii) “multiple employer welfare arrangement” as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA; or (iv) plan that is
or was subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. None of the Dolly Varden Benefit Plans provide health, life insurance or any other welfare benefits beyond retirement or other termination of service to any current or former
employees of Dolly Varden (or any spouses, dependents, survivors or beneficiaries of such persons), other than as required by law. None of the Dolly Varden Benefit Plans applies to, or permits participation by, employers that are not affiliates of
Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
(vi)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries has made any promise or commitment to create any additional
benefit plans which would be considered to be a Dolly Varden Benefit Plan once created or to improve or change the benefits provided under any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan.
(vii)
Each Dolly Varden Benefit Plan that constitutes in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation
plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and applicable regulatory guidance thereunder) subject to Section 409A of the Code has been established, operated and administered in all material respects with its terms and in all
respects with the operational and documentary requirements of, Section 409A of the Code and applicable
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regulatory guidance thereunder, and no amount under any such Dolly Varden Benefit Plan is or has been, or is reasonably expected to be, subject to the interest and additional Tax set forth under
Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. No current or former service provider of Dolly Varden is entitled to any gross-up or otherwise entitled to indemnification or reimbursement by Dolly Varden with respect
to any Taxes, including under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.
(viii)
No payment or benefit that could be received (whether in cash, property or the vesting of property) or may
be made by Dolly Varden with respect to any “disqualified individual” that is a U.S. person for purposes of the Code (as defined in Section 280G of the Code and the applicable regulatory guidance thereunder) could result in
“excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code. Except as provided in this Agreement or as required by applicable Law, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will, either alone or in combination with any other event, (i) result in an increase in the compensation or benefits payable to any current or former director, officer, employee, service provider
or contractor of Dolly Varden or result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any compensation or benefits, in each case, under any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) entitle any current or former employee, director
or other individual service provider of Dolly Varden (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof) to any payment (whether in cash, property or the vesting of property) or benefit or (iii) restrict or limit the rights of Dolly Varden to administer,
amend or terminate any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan.
(ee) Labour and Employment.
(i)
Schedule 3.1(ee) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter sets out a complete and accurate list of all
employees and contractors of Dolly Varden, as well as their title, date of hire, salary, wage rate, fee, vacation entitlement and total accrual, eligibility for overtime, bonus, and other material compensation. Other than as set out in Schedule
3.1(ee), no employee is on leave or otherwise absent from work. Except for those: (A) employment contracts with salaried employees of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries; and (B) contracts with contractors of Dolly Varden and any of
its subsidiaries identified in Schedule 3.1(ee) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter, there are no written or oral contracts of employment entered into with any such employees or contractors. No employee, contractor, officer or director of Dolly
Varden or any of its subsidiaries is party to a change of control, severance, termination, golden parachute or similar agreement or provision or would receive under such agreement or provision as a result of the Arrangement:
(A)
any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, “golden parachute”, bonus or
otherwise) or increase any benefits otherwise payable;
(B)
any increase in the rate of, or acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of, wages, salaries,
commissions, bonuses, incentive compensation or other remuneration, severance entitlement, or benefits otherwise payable; or
(C)
an acceleration in the time of payment or vesting of any benefits or entitlements otherwise available
pursuant to any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan.
(ii)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any collective agreement, either directly or
by operation of law, with any trade union or association which may qualify as a trade union, nor does any trade union or association which may qualify as a trade union hold bargaining rights relating to Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or
their employees. There are no outstanding labour tribunal (administrative or judicial) proceedings of any kind related to any labour or employment obligation under any applicable Laws, including unfair labour practice proceedings or any proceedings
which could result in certification of a trade union as bargaining agent for any employees of Dolly
- 40 -
Varden or any of its subsidiaries. No material claim relating to termination of employment with Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, threatened. To
the knowledge of Dolly Varden, there are no threatened or apparent union organizing activities involving employees of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries nor is Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries currently negotiating any collective
agreement.
(iii)
No labour strike, lock-out, slowdown or work stoppage is pending
against or directly affecting Dolly Varden or any of its properties.
(iv)
All amounts due or accrued for all salary, wages, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, other compensation and
benefits under the Dolly Varden Benefit Plans to the employees and contractors of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries for the period up to December 31, 2024 have either been paid or are accurately reflected in Dolly Varden’s financial books
and records.
(v)
Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries is in compliance with all material terms and conditions of
employment and all Laws respecting employment, including pay equity, accessibility, employment standard, wages, hours of work, overtime, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, human rights and privacy. To the knowledge of Dolly
Varden, neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding or pending grievance, complaint, investigation, order, claim of wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, unfair labour practice, human rights violation or any
other similar dispute relating to employment or termination of employment or relationships with employees, consultants or independent contractors and there is no basis for such grievance, complaint, investigation, order or claim. No event has
occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach, violation or default of such terms and conditions of employment and Laws by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
(vi)
Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries have withheld from each payment made to any of its present or former
employees, contractors, officers or directors, or to other persons, all amounts required by Law to be withheld by it on account of income taxes, pension plan contributions, employment insurance premiums, employer health taxes, workers compensation
and similar taxes and levies, and has remitted such withheld amounts within the required time to the appropriate Governmental Entity.
(vii)
All independent contractors retained or used by Dolly Varden have been properly classified and Dolly Varden
has not received any notice challenging such classification from any Governmental Entity.
(ff)
Data Privacy and Security.
(i)
Dolly Varden has administrative, technical and physical safeguards (including monitoring compliance with
such safeguards) to protect the confidentiality, privacy and security of Personal Information and the systems, technology and networks that process Personal Information (the “Dolly Varden Information Security”). Dolly Varden has
provided true, correct and complete copies of all written policies and procedures related to the Dolly Varden Information Security. Each of Dolly Varden’s employees has received appropriate training on the Dolly Varden Information Security
relevant to each such employee’s role.
(ii)
Neither Dolly Varden nor its subsidiaries has experienced: (i) any unauthorized processing of Personal
Information in the possession, custody or control of any of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries; or (ii) any unauthorized processing by a third party of Personal Information processed for or on behalf of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries. Dolly
Varden has not knowingly, acted in a manner, is not aware of any incident or by the exercise or reasonable diligence would not be aware of any incident that would trigger an obligation to notify any person or Governmental Entity under any applicable
Laws or Contract.
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(iii)
Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries are in compliance with and has complied with, in all material respects,
(i) all Laws related to Personal Information; (ii) all policies, procedures, processes, statements or notices related to Personal Information to the extent such policies, procedures, processes, statements or notices are legally binding or
give rise to legally-enforceable duties; and (iii) each Contract related to the processing of Personal Information (collectively, the “Privacy Legal Requirements”).
(iv)
Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries either transmits Personal Information across jurisdictional borders in
compliance in all material respects with all Privacy Legal Requirements or processes Personal Information exclusively in the same jurisdiction as each data subject to which it relates resides.
(v)
Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries have entered into written agreements with each third party service
provider, vendor and business partner that processes Personal Information, such as payment card processors, advertising and marketing agencies, cloud storage vendors and outsourced technology or human resource functions, (collectively,
“Data Related Vendors”) containing commercially reasonable provisions for data privacy and security. Dolly Varden has taken reasonable steps to select and retain only those Data Related Vendors that are capable of maintaining the
confidentiality, privacy and security of the Personal Information that they process on behalf of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries.
(vi)
No person has commenced or threatened within the past five (5) years any action or other written
complaint, audit, proceeding, claim or investigation arising from or relating to the processing of Personal Information by, for or on behalf of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries.
(vii)
The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein shall not cause, constitute or result in a breach or violation of any Privacy Legal Requirement, any policy, procedure, process, statement or notice of Dolly Varden as it currently exists or as it existed at any time during which
any Personal Information was processed by or on behalf of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries.
(gg)
Intellectual Property
(i)
Schedule 3.1(gg) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct, and complete list of all
Intellectual Property owned by Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries. Dolly Varden or one of its subsidiaries owns (free and clear of any Liens), or possesses valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct the business of Dolly
Varden as it is currently conducted, and to lease, own, use and operate its properties and assets as currently leased and operated.
(ii)
To the knowledge of Dolly Varden, no third party is currently infringing or misappropriating any material
Intellectual Property owned by Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries. Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries has infringed or misappropriated any Intellectual Property of any third party or received any material written claim of
infringement or misappropriation of any Intellectual Property of any third party.
(hh)
Compliance with Laws. Each of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries is, and at all times has been, in
compliance in all material respects with and is not in violation, and has not received written notice of any alleged violation, in any material respect of any applicable Laws, other than non-compliance or
violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect.
(ii)
Winding Up. No order has been made, petition presented or meeting convened for the purpose of winding
up of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, or for the appointment of any provisional liquidator or in relation to any other process whereby the business is terminated and the assets of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries are distributed
amongst the creditors, shareholders or other
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contributors, and there are no proceedings under any applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganisation or similar laws in any relevant jurisdiction, and no events have occurred which, under
applicable Laws, would be reasonably likely to justify any such cases or proceedings.
(jj)
Administration and Receivership. To the knowledge of Dolly Varden, no person has taken any step,
legal proceeding or other procedure with a view to the appointment of an administrator, whether out of court or otherwise, in relation to Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, and no receiver (including any administrative receiver) has been
appointed in respect of the whole or any part of any of the property, assets or undertaking of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries nor has any such order been made (including, in any relevant jurisdiction, any other order by which, during the
period it is in force, the affairs, business and assets of the company concerned are managed by a person appointed by any Governmental Entity).
(kk)
Voluntary Arrangement, Etc. Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries has made any voluntary
arrangement with any of its creditors or is insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they fall due.
(ll)
Related Party Transactions. Other than among Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries, the Ancillary Rights
Agreement, Investor Rights Agreement, pursuant to existing employment agreements entered into between Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries with their respective officers and directors or existing agreements made by Dolly Varden pursuant to the Dolly
Varden Equity Incentive Plans, there are no Contracts or other transactions currently in place between Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and, on the other hand: (i) any Dolly Varden Shareholder of record or, to the
knowledge of Dolly Varden, beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Dolly Varden Shares; (ii) any officer or director of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, any affiliate or associate of any
such, officer, director, or Dolly Varden Shareholder of record or beneficial owner.
(mm)
Registration Rights. No Dolly Varden Securityholder has any right to compel Dolly Varden to register
the Dolly Varden Shares (or any of them) for public sale or distribution.
(nn)
Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no arbitral award, judgment, injunction, order or
decree binding upon Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting, restricting, or impairing in any material respect: (i) any business practice; (ii) any acquisition or
disposition of property; or (iii) the conduct of the business, as currently conducted.
(oo)
Shareholder Rights Plan. There is no shareholder rights plan, “poison pill”, anti-
takeover plan, or similar arrangement in effect to which Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries is subject, party to or otherwise bound.
(pp)
Relationships with Suppliers. Dolly Varden has not received any written notice that any supplier
whose services, if discontinued or withheld, would be reasonably expected to materially affect operations relating to the Dolly Varden Projects, intends to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify or not renew its relationship with Dolly Varden or its
subsidiaries.
(qq)
Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other person is entitled to any
broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Dolly Varden, other than the Dolly Varden Financial
Advisor, the fees and expenses of which are as set forth in their engagement letter (true and complete copies of which have been provided to Contango).
(rr)
Insurance. Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries have in place reasonable and prudent insurance policies
appropriate for its size, nature and stage of development. All such policies of insurance as are listed in Schedule 3.1(rr) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter. All insurance maintained by or in respect of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries
is in full force and effect and in good standing and Dolly Varden will use reasonable commercial efforts to keep them in full force and effect or renew them
- 43 -
as appropriate through the Effective Date. Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries is in default, whether as to payment of premium or otherwise, under the terms of any such insurance nor
has Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries failed to give any notice or present any material claim under any such insurance in a due and timely fashion or received notice or otherwise become aware of any intent of an insurer to either claim any
default on the part of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or not to renew any policy of insurance on its expiry or to increase any deductible or cost.
(ss)
Corrupt Practices Legislation.
(i)
Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to Dolly Varden’s knowledge, any of their
respective directors, officers, agents, employees, consultants or other persons acting on behalf of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries has offered or given, and Dolly Varden is not aware of or does not have any knowledge of any person that has
offered or given on its behalf, anything of value to any official of a Governmental Entity, any political party or official thereof or any candidate for political office, any customer or member of any Governmental Entity, or any other person
(including any Indigenous or aboriginal official, candidate or community member), in any such case while knowing or having reason to know that all or a portion of such money or thing of value may be offered, given or promised, directly or
indirectly, for the purpose of any of the following:
(A)
influencing any action or decision of such person, in such person’s official capacity, including a
decision to fail to perform such person’s official function in order to obtain or retain an advantage for Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries in the course of business;
(B)
inducing such person to use such person’s influence with any Governmental Entity to affect or
influence any act or decision of such Governmental Entity to assist Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any person or otherwise to obtain or retain an advantage in the
course of business; or
(C)
where such payment would constitute a bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or illegal or
improper payment to assist Dolly Varden or the subsidiary in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any person.
(ii)
There have been no actions taken by Dolly Varden, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Dolly
Varden, by any persons on behalf of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, that would cause Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries or such persons to be in violation of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) or the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (United States), as amended (collectively, the “Corruption Acts”) or any similar legislation in any jurisdiction in which Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries conduct their business and to which
Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries may be subject.
(iii)
The financial records of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries have at all times been maintained in compliance
with the Corruption Acts, during such times and to the extent Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries were subject to any such Corruption Act.
(iv)
There are no proceedings or investigations under the Corruption Acts or any similar legislation in any
jurisdiction in which Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries conduct their business pending against Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees, consultants or other persons acting on behalf
of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Dolly Varden, threatened against or affecting, Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees, consultants or other persons
acting on behalf of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
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(tt)
Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries are in material compliance
with the financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines,
issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entities to which Dolly Varden or the subsidiary is subject, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) (collectively, the “Money
Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit, proceeding, investigation or notice by, before or from any Governmental Entity involving Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending.
(uu)
Indigenous Claims. There are no claims with respect to Indigenous or aboriginal rights currently, or
pending or threatened, with respect to any of the Dolly Varden Projects or in respect of any other properties in which Dolly Varden has a direct or indirect economic interest.
(vv)
NGOs and Community Groups. No material dispute (including any dispute relating to the ownership of
any Dolly Varden’s or its subsidiaries properties) between Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries and any non-governmental organization, community, community group, Indigenous group exists or, to the
knowledge of Dolly Varden, is threatened with respect to any of Dolly Varden’s or any of its subsidiaries’ properties or operations. Dolly Varden has provided Contango and the Acquiror with full and complete access to all material
correspondence received by Dolly Varden, its subsidiaries or their respective Representatives from any non-governmental organization, community, community group or Indigenous group.
(ww)
Foreign Private Issuer. Dolly Varden is a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of
Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Exchange Act.
(xx)
Not an Investment Company. Dolly Varden is not registered or required to be registered as an
“investment company” within the meaning of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(yy)
Ownership of Contango Shares or other Securities. Neither Dolly Varden nor any of its
affiliates own any Contango Shares or any other securities of Contango.
3.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties of Dolly Varden
The representations and warranties of Dolly Varden contained in this Agreement shall not survive the completion of the
Arrangement and shall expire and be terminated on the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CONTANGO
4.1
Representations and Warranties of Contango
Contango hereby represents and warrants to and in favour of Dolly Varden as follows, except to the extent that such
representations and warranties are qualified by the Contango Disclosure Letter and acknowledges that Dolly Varden is relying upon such representations and warranties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement:
(a)
Board Recommendation. The Contango Board, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors,
has determined unanimously that the Arrangement and entry into this Agreement, and all acts and transactions contemplated thereby, are in the best interests of Contango and the Contango Shareholders and has resolved unanimously to recommend to the
Contango Shareholders that they vote in favour of the Contango Arrangement Proposal (such determination and recommendation, the “Contango Board Recommendation”).
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(b)
Fairness Opinion. The Contango Board has received the oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in
writing, of the Contango Financial Advisor, which opinion has not been modified, amended, qualified or withdrawn, to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein,
the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Contango Shareholders (the “Contango Fairness Opinion”).
(c)
Organization and Qualification. Contango, each of its subsidiaries and the Peak Gold JV is a
corporation duly incorporated or an entity duly created and validly existing under all applicable Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance or creation and has all necessary corporate power and capacity to own its property and assets as
now owned and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Contango, each of its subsidiaries and the Peak Gold JV is duly qualified to carry on business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties
and assets owned, leased, licensed or otherwise held, or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so registered or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Contango Material
Adverse Effect.
(d)
Authority Relative to this Agreement. Contango has the requisite corporate power and capacity to
enter into this Agreement and (subject to receipt of the Contango Shareholder Approval) to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Contango and the performance by Contango of its obligations under this
Agreement have been duly authorized by the Contango Board and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Contango are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance by Contango of its obligations under this
Agreement or the completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, other than the Contango Shareholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Contango and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of Contango, enforceable against Contango in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting
rights of creditors and that equitable remedies, including specific performance, may be granted only in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e)
No Violations. Subject to obtaining the Contango Shareholder Approval, the Key Third Party Consents
and Key Regulatory Approvals, none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Contango, the performance by Contango of its obligations hereunder or the completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, or compliance by
Contango or any of its subsidiaries with any of the provisions hereof will:
(i)
violate, conflict with, or result (with or without notice or the passage of time) in a violation or breach
of any provision of, or require any consent, approval or notice under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or
cause any suspension or revocation of, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon, any of the properties or assets of Contango or any of its subsidiaries, or result in any material restriction, hindrance, impairment or
limitation on the ability of Contango or any of its material subsidiaries to conduct their business as and where it is now being conducted, or cause any payment or other obligation to be imposed on Contango or its material subsidiaries, under any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of:
(A)
their respective articles of incorporation and bylaws or other comparable constating documents or the
constating documents of the Peak Gold JV (including the Peak Gold JV Agreement);
(B)
any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, loan agreement or deed of trust to which Contango, any of its material
subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV is a party or any Contango Material Contract;
(C)
any Law applicable to Contango or any of its material subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or
assets; or
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(D)
any Permit currently in effect in respect of Contango or any of its material subsidiaries or the Peak Gold
JV; or
(ii)
give rise to any rights of first refusal or trigger any change in control provisions or any restrictions or
limitation under any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, loan agreement or deed of trust to which Contango or any of its material subsidiaries is a party or under any Contango Material Contract or under any Permit held by Contango, the Peak Gold JV or
any of its material subsidiaries, or
(iii)
result in the imposition of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any property or assets of Contango
or any of its material subsidiaries.
(f)
Capitalization. The authorized share capital of Contango consists of 45,000,000 Contango Shares and
15,000,000 shares of preferred stock of Contango. As of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of this Agreement, there are issued and outstanding 14,964,048 Contango Shares (which includes 452,730 Contango Shares of unvested
restricted stock). Contango has 1,203,875 warrants convertible upon exercise into 1,203,875 Contango Shares. There are 655,738 Contango Shares issuable upon conversion of the QRC Debenture. Except as disclosed above, there are no options, warrants,
conversion privileges or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments (pre-emptive, contingent or otherwise) of any character whatsoever requiring or which may require the issuance, sale or transfer
by Contango of any securities of Contango (including Contango Shares), or any securities or obligations convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or otherwise evidencing a right or obligation to acquire, any securities of Contango
(including Contango Shares) or any of its subsidiaries. All outstanding Contango Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and all Contango Shares issuable upon
the exercise of the Contango warrants or vesting of Contango unvested restricted stock in accordance with their respective terms have been duly authorized and, upon issuance, will be validly issued as fully paid and
non-assessable. Schedule 4.1(f) to the Contango Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date hereof, the holders of all Contango warrants and unvested restricted stock, including the number, exercise prices,
and expiration dates of each grant to such holders, as applicable. There are no securities of Contango or of any of its subsidiaries outstanding which have the right to vote generally (or, other than the Contango warrants, unvested restricted stock
and the QRC Debenture, are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or may vest into, securities having the right to vote generally) with the Contango Shareholders on any matter. There are no outstanding contractual or other obligations
of Contango to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its securities or with respect to the voting or disposition of any outstanding securities of its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV (except pursuant to the Peak Gold JV Agreement). There
are no outstanding bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness of Contango or any of its subsidiaries having the right to vote with the Contango Shareholders on any matters.
(g)
Shareholder and Similar Agreements. Contango is not party to any shareholder, pooling, voting trust
or other similar agreement relating to the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Contango.
(h)
Reporting Status and Securities Laws Matters. Contango is not a “reporting issuer” under
applicable Securities Laws. The Contango Shares are registered under Section 12(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act and Contango is in compliance in all material respects with applicable U.S. Securities Laws. No delisting, suspension of trading in or
cease trading order with respect to any securities of Contango and, to the knowledge of Contango, no inquiry or investigation (formal or informal) of Contango or the Contango Public Disclosure Record by any Securities Authority, is in effect or
ongoing or, to the knowledge of Contango, threatened or expected to be implemented or undertaken. The Contango Shares are listed and posted for trading on the NYSE American. Contango is in compliance with applicable requirements of the NYSE
American, except where non-compliance would not be reasonably expected to result in a Contango Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
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(i)
Ownership of Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.1(i) of the Contango Disclosure Letter includes a complete and
accurate list of all subsidiaries owned, directly or indirectly, by Contango and its ownership in the Peak Gold JV. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock and other ownership interests in each of the subsidiaries of Contango and
Contango’s interest in the Peak Gold JV are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and all such shares and other ownership interests are legally and beneficially owned, directly
or indirectly, by Contango free and clear of all Liens and there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, entitlements, understandings or commitments (contingent or otherwise) regarding the right to purchase or acquire, or securities
convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, any such shares of capital stock or other ownership interests in or material assets or properties of a subsidiary (except in accordance with the Peak Gold JV Agreement). There are no contracts,
commitments, agreements, understandings, arrangements or restrictions which require any of the subsidiaries to issue, sell or deliver any shares in its share capital or other ownership interests, or any securities or obligations convertible into, or
exchangeable or exercisable for, any shares of its share capital or other ownership interests (except as set out in the Peak Gold JV Agreement). There are no outstanding options, rights, entitlements, understandings or commitments (contingent or
otherwise) providing to any third party the right to acquire any shares or other ownership interests in any of the subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV (except as set out in the Peak Gold JV Agreement).
(j)
Regulatory Approvals. Other than the Key Regulatory Approvals, there are no approvals required from,
or notices required to be given to, any Governmental Entity which would prevent or materially delay consummation by Contango of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Arrangement.
(k)
Consents. Other than the Key Third Party Consents, there are no consents or waivers required from any
party under any Contango Material Contract to which Contango or its subsidiaries are a party in order for Contango to proceed with the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of
Arrangement.
(l)
Public Filings. Contango has filed or furnished, as applicable, all documents in the Contango Public
Disclosure Record required to be filed or furnished by it in accordance with applicable U.S. Securities Laws and the requirements of the NYSE American. All such documents and information comprising the Contango Public Disclosure Record, as of their
respective dates (and the dates of any amendments thereto): (i) did not contain any misrepresentation; and (ii) complied in all material respects with the requirements of applicable U.S. Securities Laws and the applicable policies of the NYSE
American relating to continuous disclosure requirements. Contango has not filed any confidential material change report with any Securities Authorities that at the date of this Agreement, remains confidential. Since January 1, 2024, there has
been no change in a material fact or a material change (as those terms are defined under the Securities Act) in relation to Contango, except for: (A) changes in material facts or material changes that are reflected in a document included in the
Dolly Varden Public Disclosure Record and (B) this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(m)
Contango Financial Statements.
(i)
Contango’s audited financial statements as at and for the financial years ended December 31, 2023
and December 31, 2024 (including the notes thereto and the report of the auditors thereon) and Contango’s unaudited financial statements for the interim period ended September 30, 2025 (collectively the “Contango Financial
Statements”) were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP consistently applied and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position of Contango and its
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and for the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal period-end adjustments) and reflect reserves required
by U.S. GAAP in respect of all material contingent liabilities, if any, of Contango and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. There has been no material change in Contango’s accounting policies since December 31, 2024 except as
disclosed in the Contango Public Disclosure Record or as required by U.S. GAAP.
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(ii)
The management of Contango has established and maintained a system of disclosure controls and procedures
designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Contango in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in such Laws imposed by such Governmental Entities. Such disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by Contango in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is accumulated and communicated to Contango’s management, including its chief executive
officer and chief financial officer (or persons performing similar functions), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(iii)
Contango maintains internal control over financial reporting. Such internal control over financial reporting
is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes policies and procedures that:
(A) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Contango and its subsidiaries; (B) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of Contango and its subsidiaries are being made only with authorizations of management and directors of Contango and
its subsidiaries, as applicable; and (C) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of Contango or its subsidiaries that could have a material effect on
its financial statements.
(iv)
To the knowledge of Contango: (A) there are no material weaknesses in the design and implementation or
maintenance of its internal control over financial reporting of Contango that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the ability of Contango to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (B) there is no fraud, whether
or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal control over financial reporting of Contango.
(v)
Since December 31, 2024, neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to Contango’s
knowledge, any Representative of Contango or any of its subsidiaries has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices,
procedures, methodologies or methods of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim that Contango or any of its subsidiaries has engaged in
questionable accounting or auditing practices, which has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the audit committee of the Contango Board.
(vi)
The accountants who reported on the Contango Financial Statements are independent with respect to Contango
within the meaning of U.S. Securities Laws.
(n)
Books and Records. The financial books, records and accounts of Contango and its subsidiaries, in all
material respects: (i) have been maintained, in the case of Contango in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and in the case of its subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of their respective governing jurisdictions;
(ii) are stated in reasonable detail and accurately and fairly reflect the material transactions and dispositions of the assets of Contango and its subsidiaries; and (iii) accurately and fairly reflect the basis for the Contango Financial
Statements. The corporate records and minute books for each of Contango and its subsidiaries contain, in all material respects, complete and accurate minutes of all meetings and resolutions of the directors and shareholders of Contango and each of
its subsidiaries held or passed, as applicable, since their incorporation, merger, amalgamation or acquisition by Contango, as the case may be.
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(o)
No Undisclosed Liabilities. Other than as disclosed in the most recent Contango Financial Statements
filed, or furnished, as applicable, on EDGAR, as incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of such financial statements, as disclosed in this Agreement, or inter-company indebtedness, liabilities and guarantees among Contango and
its subsidiaries, Contango, its subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, have no outstanding material indebtedness or material liabilities and are not party to or bound by any material suretyship, guarantee, indemnification
or assumption agreement, or endorsement of, or any other similar commitment with respect to the material accrued, contingent or other obligations, liabilities or indebtedness of any nature, of any person, either matured or unmatured.
(p)
No Contango Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2024, there has been no Contango
Material Adverse Effect and no effect, change, development, event or occurrence that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Contango Material Adverse Effect.
(q)
No Dividend or Distribution. Since December 31, 2024, there has been no dividend or distribution
of any kind declared, paid or made by Contango on any Contango Shares.
(r)
Contracts. Schedule 4.1(r) of the Contango Disclosure Letter includes a complete and accurate list of
all Contango Material Contracts. Neither Contango or any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract that is material to Contango and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than the Contango Material Contracts. All Contango Material Contracts
are in full force and effect, and Contango or its subsidiaries are entitled to all rights and benefits thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof. Contango has made available to Dolly Varden for inspection true and complete copies of all
Contango Material Contracts. All of the Contango Material Contracts are valid and binding obligations of Contango enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to the qualification that equitable remedies may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction. Contango and its subsidiaries have complied in all material
respects with all terms of such Contango Material Contracts, have paid all amounts due thereunder, have not waived any rights thereunder and no material default or breach exists in respect thereof on the part of Contango or any of its subsidiaries
or, to the knowledge of Contango or any of its subsidiaries, on the part of any other party thereto, and no event has occurred which, after the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default or breach or
trigger a right of termination of any of the Contango Material Contracts. As at the date of this Agreement, neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries has received written notice that any party to a Contango Material Contract intends to cancel,
terminate or otherwise modify or not renew such Contango Material Contract, and to the knowledge of Contango or any of its subsidiaries, no such action has been threatened. Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any Contango
Material Contract that contains any non-competition obligation or otherwise restricts in any material way the business of Contango or any of its subsidiaries.
(s)
Litigation. There are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Contango, threatened affecting
Contango or any of its subsidiaries or affecting any of the Contango Concessions, property or assets at law or in equity, including matters arising under Environmental Laws. Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries nor their respective assets or
properties is subject to any outstanding judgement, order, writ, injunction or decree.
(t)
Taxes.
(i)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has duly and timely filed all material Returns required to be filed by
it with the appropriate Governmental Entity prior to the date hereof and all such material Returns are complete and correct in all material respects.
(ii)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has paid on a timely basis all material Taxes, including all
instalments on account of Taxes for the current year, that are due and payable by it.
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(iii)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has established reserves on its books and records, in the case of
Contango in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and in the case of its subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of their respective governing jurisdictions, adequate for the payment of any Taxes not yet due and payable and
will continue doing so until the Effective Date.
(iv)
Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries is party to or bound by any tax sharing agreement, tax
indemnity obligation in favour of any person or similar agreement in favour of any person with respect to Taxes (including any advance pricing agreement or other similar agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Entity) (excluding Contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business, the primary purpose of which does not relate to Tax).
(v)
Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries will be required to include in a tax period ending after the
Effective Time any amount of net taxable income (after taking into account deductions claimed for such a period that relate to a prior period) attributable to income that accrued, or that was required to be reported for financial accounting purposes
in a prior taxable period but that was not included in taxable income for that or another prior tax period.
(vi)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has maintained and continues to maintain, in the place and manner
prescribed by applicable Law, all records and books of account required to be maintained under applicable Laws with respect to Taxes.
(vii)
No material deficiencies, litigation, proposed adjustments or matters in controversy exist or have been
asserted, in any case in writing, with respect to Taxes of Contango or any of its subsidiaries. Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries is party to any action or proceeding for assessment or collection of Taxes and no such event has been
asserted or, to the knowledge of Contango, threatened, in any case in writing, against Contango or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets.
(viii)
There are no material Liens for unpaid Taxes (other than in respect of Taxes not yet due and payable or
Liens for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings pursuant to applicable Laws) upon any of the assets of Contango or any of its subsidiaries.
(ix)
None of Contango or any of its subsidiaries has requested, offered to enter into or entered into any
agreement or other arrangement, or executed any waiver, providing for any extension of time within which: (i) to file any Return covering any Taxes for which Contango or any of its subsidiaries is or may be liable (other than automatic six-month extensions for U.S. federal and applicable state income Returns); (ii) to file any elections, designations or similar filings relating to Taxes for which Contango or any of its subsidiaries is or may be
liable; (iii) Contango or any of its subsidiaries is required to pay or remit any Taxes or amounts on account of Taxes; or (iv) any Governmental Entity may assess or collect Taxes for which Contango or any of its subsidiaries is or may be
liable.
(x)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has duly and timely withheld all material Taxes and other amounts
required by Law to be withheld by it (including Taxes and other amounts required to be withheld by it in respect of any amount paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by it to or for the account or benefit of any person, including any
employees, officers or directors and any non-resident person), and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity such Taxes and other amounts required by Law to be remitted by it.
(xi)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has duly and timely collected all material amounts on account of any
sales or transfer taxes, including goods and services, harmonized sales and provincial or territorial sales taxes, required by Law to be collected by it and has duly
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and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity any such amounts required by Law to be remitted by it.
(xii)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with the transfer pricing
provisions of each applicable Law relating to Taxes, including the contemporaneous documents and disclosure requirements thereunder.
(xiii)
No jurisdiction or authority in which Contango or a subsidiary, as applicable, does not file a Return has
alleged that Contango or such subsidiary, as applicable, is required to file such a Return.
(xiv)
Contango is, and has been at all times during its existence properly classified as a corporation for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
(xv)
None of Contango or any of its subsidiaries has distributed equity securities of another person, or has had
its equity securities distributed by another person, in the two (2) years preceding the date hereof in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code (or any analogous
provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).
(xvi)
None of Contango or any of its subsidiaries is or has been a party to any “listed transaction”
as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Code and United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(xvii)
None of Contango or any of its subsidiaries (i) has been a member of an affiliated group within the
meaning of Section 1504 of the Code filing a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, or any other affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group (other than a group the common parent of which is or was Contango or any of its
subsidiaries) for purposes of filing Returns or paying Taxes; or (ii) has any material liability for Taxes of any person (other than Contango and its subsidiaries) under United States Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1502-6 (or any analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) or other applicable Law, as a transferee or successor or otherwise;
(xviii)
None of Contango or any of its subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the
Arrangement from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (B) Contango is not aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would prevent the Arrangement from qualifying as
a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(xix)
Contango is currently a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.
(xx)
The Contango Shares are currently, and are reasonably expected to remain, regularly traded on an established
securities market within the meaning of Section 897(c)(3) of the Code.
(u)
Property.
(i)
All of the Contango Concessions are listed in Schedule 4.1(u)(i) of the Contango Disclosure Letter and are,
in all material respects, the only interests required to conduct Contango’s and its subsidiaries’ current activities at the Contango Projects.
(ii)
Each of the Contango Concessions and Contango Lands is in good standing in all material respects and is held
by Contango free and clear of all material Liens other than Permitted Liens or as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(u)(ii) of the Contango Disclosure Letter, and no person has any agreement or right to acquire an interest in such assets.
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(iii)
Contango has possession of, and the right to deal with, the Contango Concessions and Contango Lands.
(iv)
There are no mineral royalty obligations, metals streaming obligations or similar obligations affecting the
Contango Concessions or the Contango Lands or the production or revenues or profits therefrom and no other person has any right to acquire any interest in such obligations.
(v)
Any and all assessment work required to have been performed and filed in respect of the Contango Concessions
as of the date of this Agreement has been performed and filed in all material respects, including, if applicable, timely payment or performance of annual labor, assessment work, and maintenance fees, together with any applicable requirements to file
or record evidence of such performance or payments with applicable Governmental Entities.
(vi)
The Contango Concessions consisting of federal unpatented mining claims, State of Alaska mining claims, and
State of Alaska leasehold locations were, to Contango’s knowledge, properly laid out, staked, located, and monumented and all required location and validation work was properly and timely performed. Location notices and certificates were
properly recorded and filed with appropriate Governmental Entities.
(vii)
All material mining fees, Taxes and other payments required to have been paid by Contango or any of its
subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV in respect of the Contango Concessions as of the date of this Agreement have been paid.
(viii)
No person other than Contango has any material interest in the Contango Concessions or the Contango Lands.
(ix)
There are no back-in rights,
earn-in rights, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer, option rights, royalty rights, rights of participation or similar provisions which would materially affect Contango’s or its
subsidiaries’ interests in the Contango Concessions.
(x)
There are no adverse claims, actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Contango, that
are threatened, affecting the Contango Concessions or the Contango Lands.
(xi)
Neither Contango nor its subsidiaries have received any notice, whether written or oral from any
Governmental Entity or any person with jurisdiction or applicable authority of any revocation or intention to revoke Contango’s or its subsidiaries’ interests in the Contango Concessions.
(xii)
No material dispute exists or, to the knowledge of Contango, is pending or threatened in connection with the
ownership, access to or use of any of the Contango Projects, Contango Concessions or Contango Lands between Contango or any of its subsidiaries and: (A) any surface landowner; (B) other mining companies; (C) a concessionaire of
hydrocarbon rights; or (D) any Governmental Entity.
(xiii)
Contango has provided to Dolly Varden true, correct and complete copies of the most recent title opinions in
its possession related to the Contango Projects, and there have been no changes to the status of the title of each of the Contango Projects since the respective dates of such title opinions.
(xiv)
Contango has provided Dolly Varden with access to full and complete copies of all material production and
exploration information and data within its possession or control including all relevant material geological, geophysical and geochemical information and data (including all drill, sample and assay results and all maps) and all of its technical
reports, feasibility studies and other similar reports and studies concerning the Contango
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Concessions and Contango or any of its subsidiaries has the sole right, title and ownership of all such information, data, reports and studies.
(xv)
Copies of all leases pursuant to which Contango or its subsidiaries holds any portion of the Contango
Projects, Contango Concessions or Contango Lands have been provided to Dolly Varden together with any and all amendments thereto. Neither Contango nor its subsidiaries has released any of the other parties to such leases from the performance of any
of their respective obligations thereunder. To the knowledge of Contango, no event or condition has occurred which, either immediately or after notice or lapse of time or both, could give rise to the cancellation or termination of any such leases.
(v)
Operational Matters.
(i)
All rentals, royalties, overriding royalty interests, production payments, net profits, interest burdens,
payments and obligations due and payable, or performable, as the case may be, on or prior to the date hereof under, with respect to, or on account of, any direct or indirect property or asset of Contango or any of its subsidiaries, including the
Contango Concessions and Contango Lands, have been, in all material respects:
(A)
duly paid;
(B)
duly performed; or
(C)
provided for prior to the date hereof.
(ii)
All costs, expenses and liabilities payable on or prior to the date hereof under the terms of any material
contracts and agreements to which Contango or any of its subsidiaries is directly or indirectly bound, have been properly and timely paid, in all material respects, except for such expenses that are being currently paid prior to delinquency in the
ordinary course of business;
(iii)
Any and all operations of Contango and each of its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Contango, any and
all operations by third parties (including the Peak Gold JV), on or in respect of the assets and properties of Contango or any of its subsidiaries, have been conducted in a good, workmanlike and efficient manner in accordance with sound mining and
other applicable mining industry standards and practices and in material compliance with applicable Laws.
(w)
Mineral Resources and Reserves. Contango is in compliance in all material respects with the
provisions of S-K 1300 and has filed all technical report summaries required thereby. The most recent estimated indicated, measured and inferred mineral resources and proven and probable mineral reserves
disclosed in the Contango Public Disclosure Record prior to the date of this Agreement, have been prepared in accordance with accepted mining, engineering, geoscience and other applicable industry standards and in all material respects in accordance
with all applicable Laws, including S-K 1300. The information provided by Contango to the Qualified Persons in connection with the preparation of the Contango Technical Reports was complete and accurate at the
time such information was furnished and complied in all material respects with the requirements of S-K 1300. There has been no material reduction in the aggregate amount of the most recently estimated mineral
resources or mineral resources of Contango from the amounts disclosed in the Contango Public Disclosure Record. All material information regarding the Contango Projects, including drill results, technical reports and studies, that are required to be
disclosed by U.S. Securities Laws, have been disclosed in the Contango Public Disclosure Record in compliance, in all material respects, with U.S. Securities Laws.
(x)
Technical Reports.
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(i)
The S-K 1300 Technical Report Summaries titled (A) “Technical
Report Summary on the Manh Choh Project, Alaska, USA” dated May 12, 2023, (B) “Technical Report Summary on the Lucky Shot Project, Alaska, USA” dated May 26, 2023, and (C) “SEC Technical Report Summary Initial
Assessment of the Johnson Tract Polymetallic (Gold, Zinc, Copper, Silver, Lead) Project, Alaska” dated May 6, 2025, filed by Contango as part of the Contango Public Disclosure Record (the “Contango Technical Reports”)
represent the most recent technical report summary for each respective project, and at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the SEC, were prepared in accordance with accepted mining, engineering,
geoscience and other applicable industry standards and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
in which they were made, not misleading.
(ii)
Contango made available to the authors of the Contango Technical Reports, prior to the issuance thereof, for
the purpose of preparing such reports, all information requested by them.
(iii)
Other than mineral depletion due to production, there has been no change, to Contango’s knowledge, in
mineral resources or mineral reserves analysis from the Contango Technical Reports that constitutes a material change in relation to Contango or that otherwise would require the filing of a new technical report summary or an amendment to an existing
technical report summary.
(y)
Health and Safety.
(i)
Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries has received any demand or notice with respect to a material
breach of any applicable health and safety Laws, the effect of which would be reasonably expected to materially affect its operations.
(ii)
To Contango’s knowledge, there are no claims, investigations or inquiries pending against Contango or
any of its subsidiaries (or naming Contango or any of its subsidiaries as a potentially responsible party) based on material non-compliance with any applicable health and safety Laws at any of its operations.
(z)
Cultural Heritage. To Contango’s knowledge, none of the areas covered by the Contango
Concessions are considered sacred or culturally significant to any tribe or Indigenous people.
(aa)
Expropriation. No written notice or proceeding in respect of the taking, condemnation or
expropriation by any Governmental Entity of any material part of the property or assets of Contango, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, including the Contango Projects, Contango Concessions and Contango
Lands, has been given or commenced, nor, to the knowledge of Contango, is any such proceeding or notice threatened.
(bb)
Permits. Each of Contango and its subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV
has obtained, and is in compliance with, all material Permits required by applicable Laws, or necessary to conduct their respective current business as is now being conducted. To the knowledge of Contango, there are no facts, events or circumstances
that would reasonably be expected to result in a revocation of, or failure to renew in the ordinary course, such material Permits as are necessary to conduct Contango’s or its subsidiaries’, or to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold
JV’s current business as is now being conducted.
(cc)
Environmental Matters. Except for any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have
or would not reasonably be expected to have a Contango Material Adverse Effect, each of Contango, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, and their respective businesses, operations, and properties:
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(i)
is, and has been since January 1, 2021, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental
Laws and all terms and conditions of all Environmental Permits;
(ii)
has not received any order, request or notice from any person alleging a material violation of any
Environmental Law;
(iii)
(A) Contango or the Peak Gold JV is not a party to any material litigation or administrative proceeding, nor
to Contango’s knowledge is any material litigation or administrative proceeding threatened against it or its property or assets, which in either case: (1) asserts or alleges that it violated any Environmental Laws; (2) asserts or
alleges that it is required to clean up, remove or take remedial or other response action due to the Release of any Hazardous Substances; or (3) asserts or alleges that it is required to pay all or a portion of the cost of any past, present or
future cleanup, removal or remedial or other response action which arises out of or is related to the Release of any Hazardous Substances; (B) has no knowledge of any conditions existing currently which could reasonably be expected to subject
it to material damages, penalties, injunctive relief or cleanup costs under any Environmental Laws or which require or are likely to require cleanup, removal, remedial action or other material response by it pursuant to applicable Environmental
Laws; and (C) is not subject to any material judgment, decree, order or citation related to or arising out of applicable Environmental Law and has not been named or listed as a potentially responsible party by any Governmental Entity in a
material matter arising under any Environmental Laws; and
(iv)
is not involved in operations and does not know of any facts, circumstances or conditions, including the
Release of any Hazardous Substance that would reasonably be expected to result in any material Environmental Liabilities.
(dd)
Employee Benefits.
(i)
Schedule 4.1(dd) of the Contango Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list of all plans,
agreements, programs, policies or practices which provide any employee benefit, fringe benefit, health, life insurance, welfare, supplemental unemployment benefit, bonus, incentive, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock purchase, stock
compensation, stock option, share appreciation rights, disability, pension, supplemental pension or other retirement savings, and any other employee or independent contractor compensation or benefit plans, policies, arrangements, practices or
undertakings, whether oral or written, formal or informal, funded or unfunded, insured or uninsured, in each case which are maintained by or binding upon Contango or any of its subsidiaries or in respect of which Contango or any of its subsidiaries
has any actual or potential liability (collectively, the “Contango Benefit Plans”).
(ii)
Current and complete copies of all written Contango Benefit Plans as amended to date, or where oral, written
summaries of the terms thereof, have been made available for inspection to Dolly Varden and its counsel, together with copies of all material documents relating to each Contango Benefit Plan.
(iii)
Each Contango Benefit Plan has, in all material respects, been established, registered, funded, administered
and invested in compliance with the terms of such Contango Benefit Plan and all applicable Laws and collective bargaining agreements relating thereto. All employer and employee payments, contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or
in respect of each Contango Benefit Plan have, in all material respects, been paid or remitted in a timely fashion in accordance with its terms and all applicable Laws. There is no investigation or audit by a Governmental Entity or claim (other than
routine claims for payment of benefits) pending or, to the knowledge of Contango, threatened involving any Contango Benefit Plan or its assets. Contango does not reasonably expect to incur (whether or not assessed) any material penalty or Tax under
Section 4980B, 4980D, 4980H, 6721 or 6722 of the Code.
- 56 -
(iv)
There have been no material non-exempt “prohibited
transactions” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA) and there have been no material breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Contango Benefit Plan, in each case,
that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Dolly Varden.
(v)
None of the Contango Benefit Plans is a “registered pension plan” or a “retirement
compensation arrangement” as such terms are defined in the Tax Act, or any other plan organized and administered to provide pension or superannuation benefits to any current or former employees of Contango or any of its subsidiaries. None of
the Contango Benefit Plans is, and Contango does not have any current or contingent liability or obligation under or with respect to, any: (i) “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA; (ii) “multiple employer
plan” within the meaning of Section 210 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code; (iii) “multiple employer welfare arrangement” as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA; or (iv) plan that is or was subject to Title IV
of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. None of the Contango Benefit Plans provide health, life insurance or any other welfare benefits beyond retirement or other termination of service to any current or former employees of Contango (or any
spouses, dependents, survivors or beneficiaries of such persons), other than as required by law. None of the Contango Benefit Plans applies to, or permits participation by, employers that are not affiliates of Contango or any of its subsidiaries.
(vi)
Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries has made any promise or commitment to create any additional
benefit plans which would be considered to be a Contango Benefit Plan once created or to improve or change the benefits provided under any Contango Benefit Plan.
(vii)
Each Contango Benefit Plan that constitutes in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation
plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and applicable regulatory guidance thereunder) subject to Section 409A of the Code has been established, operated and administered in all material respects with its terms and in all
respects with the operational and documentary requirements of, Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulatory guidance thereunder, and no amount under any such Contango Benefit Plan is or has been, or is reasonably expected to be, subject
to the interest and additional Tax set forth under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. No current or former service provider of Contango is entitled to any gross-up or otherwise entitled to indemnification
or reimbursement by Contango with respect to any Taxes, including under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.
(viii)
No payment or benefit that could be received (whether in cash, property or the vesting of property) or may
be made by Contango with respect to any “disqualified individual” that is a U.S. person for purposes of the Code (as defined in Section 280G of the Code and the applicable regulatory guidance thereunder) could result in
“excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code. Except as provided in this Agreement or as required by applicable Law, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will, either alone or in combination with any other event, (i) result in an increase in the compensation or benefits payable to any current or former director, officer, employee, service provider
or contractor of Contango or result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any compensation or benefits, in each case, under any Contango Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) entitle any current or former employee, director or
other individual service provider of Contango (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof) to any payment (whether in cash, property or the vesting of property) or benefit or (iii) restrict or limit the rights of Contango to administer, amend or
terminate any Contango Benefit Plan.
(ee)
Labour and Employment.
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(i)
Schedule 4.1(ee) of the Contango Disclosure Letter sets out a complete and accurate list of all employees
and contractors of Contango, as well as their title, date of hire, salary, wage rate, fee, vacation entitlement and total accrual, eligibility for overtime, bonus, and other material compensation. No employee is on leave or otherwise absent from
work. Except for those: (A) employment contracts with salaried employees of Contango or any of its subsidiaries; and (B) contracts with contractors of Contango and any of its subsidiaries identified in Schedule 4.1(ee) of the Contango
Disclosure Letter, there are no written or oral contracts of employment entered into with any such employees or contractors. No employee, contractor, officer or director of Contango or any of its subsidiaries is party to a change of control,
severance, termination, golden parachute or similar agreement or provision or would receive under such agreement or provision as a result of the Arrangement:
(A)
any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, “golden parachute”, bonus or
otherwise) or increase any benefits otherwise payable;
(B)
any increase in the rate of, or acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of, wages, salaries,
commissions, bonuses, incentive compensation or other remuneration, severance entitlement, or benefits otherwise payable; or
(C)
an acceleration in the time of payment or vesting of any benefits or entitlements otherwise available
pursuant to any Contango Benefit Plan.
(ii)
Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any collective agreement, either directly or by
operation of law, with any trade union or association which may qualify as a trade union, nor does any trade union or association which may qualify as a trade union hold bargaining rights relating to Contango or any of its subsidiaries or their
employees. There are no outstanding labour tribunal (administrative or judicial) proceedings of any kind related to any labour or employment obligation under any applicable Laws, including unfair labour practice proceedings or any proceedings which
could result in certification of a trade union as bargaining agent for any employees of Contango or any of its subsidiaries. No material claim relating to termination of employment with Contango or its subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of
Contango, threatened. To the knowledge of Contango, there are no threatened or apparent union organizing activities involving employees of Contango or any of its subsidiaries nor is Contango or any of its subsidiaries currently negotiating any
collective agreement.
(iii)
No labour strike, lock-out, slowdown or work stoppage is pending
against or directly affecting Contango or any of its properties.
(iv)
All amounts due or accrued for all salary, wages, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, other compensation and
benefits under the Contango Benefit Plans to the employees and contractors of Contango and its subsidiaries for the period up to December 31, 2024 have either been paid or are accurately reflected in Contango’s financial books and
records.
(v)
Each of Contango and its subsidiaries is in compliance with all material terms and conditions of employment
and all Laws respecting employment, including pay equity, accessibility, employment standard, wages, hours of work, overtime, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, human rights and privacy. To the knowledge of Contango, neither
Contango nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding or pending grievance, complaint, investigation, order, claim of wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, unfair labour practice, human rights violation or any other similar
dispute relating to employment or termination of employment or relationships with employees, consultants or independent contractors and there is no basis for such grievance, complaint, investigation, order or claim. No event has occurred that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach, violation or default of such terms and conditions of employment and Laws by Contango or any of its subsidiaries.
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(vi)
Contango and its subsidiaries have withheld from each payment made to any of its present or former
employees, contractors, officers or directors, or to other persons, all amounts required by Law to be withheld by it on account of income taxes, pension plan contributions, employment insurance premiums, employer health taxes, workers compensation
and similar taxes and levies, and has remitted such withheld amounts within the required time to the appropriate Governmental Entity.
(vii)
All independent contractors retained or used by Contango have been properly classified and Contango has not
received any notice challenging such classification from any Governmental Entity.
(ff)
Data Privacy and Security.
(i)
Contango has administrative, technical and physical safeguards (including monitoring compliance with such
safeguards) to protect the confidentiality, privacy and security of Personal Information and the systems, technology and networks that process Personal Information (the “Contango Information Security”). Contango has provided true,
correct and complete copies of all written policies and procedures related to the Contango Information Security. Each of Contango’s employees has received appropriate training on the Contango Information Security relevant to each such
employee’s role.
(ii)
Neither Contango nor its subsidiaries has experienced: (i) any unauthorized processing of Personal
Information in the possession, custody or control of any of Contango or its subsidiaries; or (ii) any unauthorized processing by a third party of Personal Information processed for or on behalf of Contango or its subsidiaries. Contango has not
knowingly, acted in a manner, is not aware of any incident or by the exercise or reasonable diligence would not be aware of any incident that would trigger an obligation to notify any person or Governmental Entity under any applicable Laws or
Contract.
(iii)
Contango and its subsidiaries are in compliance with and has complied with, in all material respects, all
Privacy Legal Requirements.
(iv)
Contango and its subsidiaries either transmits Personal Information across jurisdictional borders in
compliance in all material respects with all Privacy Legal Requirements or processes Personal Information exclusively in the same jurisdiction as each data subject to which it relates resides.
(v)
Contango and its subsidiaries have entered into written agreements with Data Related Vendors containing
commercially reasonable provisions for data privacy and security. Contango has taken reasonable steps to select and retain only those Data Related Vendors that are capable of maintaining the confidentiality, privacy and security of the Personal
Information that they process on behalf of Contango or its subsidiaries.
(vi)
No person has commenced or threatened within the past five (5) years any action or other written
complaint, audit, proceeding, claim or investigation arising from or relating to the processing of Personal Information by, for or on behalf of Contango or its subsidiaries.
(vii)
The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein shall not cause, constitute or result in a breach or violation of any Privacy Legal Requirement, any policy, procedure, process, statement or notice of Contango as it currently exists or as it existed at any time during which any
Personal Information was processed by or on behalf of Contango or its subsidiaries.
(gg)
Intellectual Property.
(i)
Schedule 4.1(gg) of the Contango Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct, and complete list of all
Intellectual Property owned by Contango or its subsidiaries. Contango or one of
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its subsidiaries owns (free and clear of any Liens), or possesses valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct the business of Contango as it is currently conducted, and to
lease, own, use and operate its properties and assets as currently leased and operated.
(ii)
To the knowledge of Contango, no third party is currently infringing or misappropriating any material
Intellectual Property owned by Contango or any of its subsidiaries. Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries has infringed or misappropriated any Intellectual Property of any third party or received any material written claim of infringement or
misappropriation of any Intellectual Property of any third party.
(hh)
Compliance with Laws. Contango and its subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold
JV have complied in all material respects with and are not in violation in any material respect of any applicable Laws, other than non-compliance or violations which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Contango Material Adverse Effect.
(ii)
Winding Up. No order has been made, petition presented or meeting convened for the purpose of winding
up of Contango, any of its subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, for the appointment of any provisional liquidator or in relation to any other process whereby the business is terminated and the assets of Contango, any of
its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV are distributed amongst the creditors, shareholders or other contributors, and there are no proceedings under any applicable insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganisation or similar laws in any relevant jurisdiction,
and no events have occurred which, under applicable Laws, would be reasonably likely to justify any such cases or proceedings.
(jj)
Administration and Receivership. To the knowledge of Contango, no person has taken any step, legal
proceeding or other procedure with a view to the appointment of an administrator, whether out of court or otherwise, in relation to the Peak Gold JV, Contango or any of its subsidiaries, and no receiver (including any administrative receiver) has
been appointed in respect of the whole or any part of any of the property, assets or undertaking of the Peak Gold JV, Contango or any of its subsidiaries nor has any such order been made (including, in any relevant jurisdiction, any other order by
which, during the period it is in force, the affairs, business and assets of the company concerned are managed by a person appointed by any Governmental Entity).
(kk)
Voluntary Arrangement, Etc. Neither Contango nor any of its material subsidiaries nor, to the
knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV has made any voluntary arrangement with any of its creditors or is insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they fall due.
(ll)
Related Party Transactions. Other than among Contango and its subsidiaries, pursuant to existing
employment agreements entered into between Contango and its subsidiaries with their respective officers and directors or existing agreements made by Contango pursuant to the Contango Omnibus Plan, there are no Contracts or other transactions
currently in place between Contango or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and, on the other hand: (i)any Contango Shareholder of record or, to the knowledge of Contango, beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Contango Shares; (ii) any
officer or director of Contango or any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) to the knowledge of Contango, any affiliate or associate of any such, officer, director, or Contango Shareholder of record or beneficial owner, that exceed $120,000 and in
which any person in (i), (ii) or (iii) had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
(mm)
Registration Rights. No Contango Shareholder has any right to compel Contango to register or
otherwise qualify the Contango Shares (or any of them) for public sale or distribution.
(nn)
Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no arbitral award, judgment, injunction, order or
decree binding upon Contango or any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting, restricting, or impairing in any material respect: (i) any
business practice; (ii) any acquisition or disposition of property; or (iii) the conduct of the business, as currently conducted.
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(oo)
Shareholder Rights Plan. There is no shareholder rights plan, “poison pill”, anti-
takeover plan, or similar arrangement in effect to which Contango or any of its subsidiaries is subject, party to or otherwise bound.
(pp)
Issuance of Contango Shares. The Contango Shares to be issued as Consideration, and the Contango
Shares to be issued upon the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares, will, when issued pursuant to the Arrangement or upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares, as applicable, be duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of Contango, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created by the holders thereof), freely tradeable under Securities Laws and shall not be subject to resale
restrictions under applicable Securities Laws (other than as applicable to control persons or pursuant to section 2.6 of National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities) and will be freely transferable
securities under U.S. Securities Laws (other than to persons who are, have been within 90 days of the Effective Time, or, at the Effective Time become, “affiliates” of Contango, as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the U.S.
Securities Act) and listed and posted for trading on the NYSE American and are not and will not be subject to or issued in violation of, any pre-emptive rights or
back-in rights. Contango is not and has never been a shell company subject to Rule 144(i) under the U.S. Securities Act.
(qq)
Issuance of Replacement Options. The Replacement Options to be issued will, when issued, be duly and
validly created and issued. The Contango Shares underlying the Replacement Options will, upon issuance of the Replacement Options, be duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance and, upon issuance thereof in accordance with their terms and
receipt by Contango of the exercise price therefor, such Contango Shares will be duly and validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable Contango Shares.
(rr)
Relationships with Suppliers. Neither Contango nor, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV
has received any written notice that any supplier whose services, if discontinued or withheld, would be reasonably expected to materially affect operations of Contango Projects, intends to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify or not renew its
relationship with Contango or its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV.
(ss)
Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other person is entitled to any
broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Contango, other than the Contango Financial Advisor,
the fees and expenses of which are as set forth in their engagement letter (true and complete copies of which have been provided to Dolly Varden).
(tt)
Insurance. Contango, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV have in
place reasonable and prudent insurance policies appropriate for its size, nature and stage of operations. All such policies of insurance as are listed in Schedule 4.1(tt) of the Contango Disclosure Letter. All insurance maintained by or in respect
of Contango or any of its subsidiaries is in full force and effect and in good standing and Contango will use reasonable commercial efforts to keep them in full force and effect or renew them as appropriate through the Effective Date. Neither
Contango nor any of its subsidiaries is in default, whether as to payment of premium or otherwise, under the terms of any such insurance nor has Contango or any of its subsidiaries failed to give any notice or present any material claim under any
such insurance in a due and timely fashion or received notice or otherwise become aware of any intent of an insurer to either claim any default on the part of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or not to renew any policy of insurance on its expiry
or to increase any deductible or cost.
(uu)
Corrupt Practices Legislation.
(i)
Neither Contango nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, or any of
their respective directors, officers, agents, employees, consultants or other persons acting on behalf of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV has offered or given, and Contango is not aware of or does not have any knowledge of
any person that has offered or given on its behalf, anything of value to any official of a
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Governmental Entity, any political party or official thereof or any candidate for political office, any customer or member of any Governmental Entity, or any other person (including any
Indigenous or aboriginal official, candidate or community member), in any such case while knowing or having reason to know that all or a portion of such money or thing of value may be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of any of the following:
(A)
influencing any action or decision of such person, in such person’s official capacity, including a
decision to fail to perform such person’s official function in order to obtain or retain an advantage for Contango, any of its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV in the course of business;
(B)
inducing such person to use such person’s influence with any Governmental Entity to affect or
influence any act or decision of such Governmental Entity to assist Contango, any of its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any person or otherwise to obtain or retain an
advantage in the course of business; or
(C)
where such payment would constitute a bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or illegal or
improper payment to assist Contango or the subsidiary or the Peak Gold JV in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any person.
(ii)
There have been no actions taken by Contango, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the
Peak Gold JV or by any persons on behalf of Contango, any of its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV, that would cause Contango or its subsidiaries or such persons to be in violation of the Corruption Acts or any similar legislation in any jurisdiction
in which Contango or any of its subsidiaries conduct their business and to which Contango or any of its subsidiaries may be subject.
(iii)
The financial records of Contango, its subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV,
have at all times been maintained in compliance with the Corruption Acts, during such times and to the extent Contango, its subsidiaries and the Peak Gold JV were subject to any such Corruption Act.
(iv)
There are no proceedings or investigations under the Corruption Acts or any similar legislation in any
jurisdiction in which Contango, its subsidiaries and the Peak Gold JV conduct their business pending against Contango, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, nor any of their respective directors, officers,
agents, employees, consultants or other persons acting on behalf of Contango or any of its subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Contango, threatened against or affecting, Contango, any of its subsidiaries, the Peak Gold JV or any of their respective
directors, officers, agents, employees, consultants or other persons acting on behalf of Contango or any of its subsidiaries.
(vv)
Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of Contango, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of
Contango, the Peak Gold JV are in material compliance with the financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any
related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entities to which Contango, the subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV are subject, including the Money Laundering Laws, and no action, suit,
proceeding, investigation or notice by, before or from any Governmental Entity involving Contango, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending.
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(ww)
Indigenous Claims. There are no claims with respect to Indigenous or aboriginal rights currently, or
pending or threatened, with respect to any of the Contango Projects or in respect of any other properties in which Contango has a direct or indirect economic interest.
(xx)
NGOs and Community Groups. No material dispute (including any dispute relating to the ownership of
any Dolly Varden’s or its subsidiaries properties) between Contango, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Contango, the Peak Gold JV, and any non-governmental organization, community,
community group, Indigenous group exists or, to the knowledge of Contango, is threatened with respect to any of Contango’s, any of its subsidiaries’ or the Peak Gold JV’s properties or operations. Contango has provided Dolly Varden
with full and complete access to all material correspondence received by Contango, its subsidiaries or their respective Representatives from any non-governmental organization, community, community group or
Indigenous group.
(yy)
Not an Investment Company. Contango is not registered or required to be registered as an
“investment company” within the meaning of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(zz)
Ownership of Dolly Varden Shares or other Securities. Neither Contango nor any of its affiliates own
any Dolly Varden Shares or any other securities of Dolly Varden.
(aaa)
Form Eligibility. Contango is eligible to use Form S-3 to
register the Contango Shares issuable upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares. Contango is eligible to use Form S-8.
4.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties of Contango
The representations and warranties of Contango contained in this Agreement shall not survive the completion of the Arrangement
and shall expire and be terminated on the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ACQUIROR
5.1
Representations and Warranties of the Acquiror
The Acquiror hereby represents and warrants to and in favour of Dolly Varden as follows and acknowledges that Dolly Varden is
relying upon such representations and warranties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement.
(a)
Organization and Qualification. The Acquiror is a corporation duly incorporated or an entity duly
created and validly existing under all applicable Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance or creation and has all necessary corporate power and capacity to own its property and assets as now owned and to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted. The Acquiror is duly qualified to carry on business and is in good standing.
(b)
Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Acquiror has the requisite corporate power and capacity to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Acquiror and the performance by the Acquiror of its obligations under this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Board of
the Acquiror and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Acquiror are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance by the Acquiror of its obligations under this Agreement or the completion of the
Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Acquiror and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Acquiror, enforceable against the Acquiror in accordance with its
terms, subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting rights of creditors and that equitable remedies, including specific
performance, may be granted only in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction.
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(c)
No Violations. Subject to obtaining the Key Third Party Consents and Key Regulatory Approvals, none
of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the completion of the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, or compliance by the Acquiror with any of the provisions hereof will:
(i)
violate, conflict with, or result (with or without notice or the passage of time) in a violation or breach
of any provision of, or require any consent, approval or notice under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or
cause any suspension or revocation of, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon, any of the properties or assets of the Acquiror, or result in any material restriction, hindrance, impairment or limitation on the
ability of the Acquiror to conduct its business as and where it is now being conducted, or cause any payment or other obligation to be imposed on the Acquiror, under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of:
(A)
its notice of articles, articles or other comparable constating documents; or
(B)
any Law applicable to the Acquiror; or
(C)
any Permit currently in effect in respect of the Acquiror;
(ii)
give rise to any rights of first refusal or trigger any change in control provisions or any restrictions or
limitation under any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, loan agreement or deed of trust to which the Acquiror is a party, or
(iii)
result in the imposition of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any property or assets of the
Acquiror.
(d)
Capitalization. The authorized share capital of the Acquiror consists of an unlimited number of
common shares. As of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of this Agreement, there is one (1) common share of the Acquiror issued and outstanding. The outstanding common share of the Acquiror has been duly authorized and
validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by Callco.
(e)
Newly-formed Entity. The Acquiror is a newly-formed entity, has not engaged in business operations of
any nature, has no assets or employees, and has incurred liabilities solely incident to its formation and the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which liabilities are nominal in aggregate amount. The Acquiror has no subsidiaries.
(f)
Tax Status. At the Effective Time, the Acquiror will be a “taxable Canadian corporation”
within the meaning of the Tax Act and will be classified as an “association” taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(g)
Issuance of Exchangeable Shares. The Exchangeable Shares to be issued as Consideration will, when
issued pursuant to the Arrangement, be duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable shares in the capital of the Acquiror, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created by the
holders thereof). The term sheet summarizing the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares is set forth in Schedule E hereto (the “Exchangeable Share Term Sheet”).
5.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties of the Acquiror
The representations and warranties of the Acquiror contained in this Agreement shall not survive the completion of the
Arrangement and shall expire and be terminated on the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
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ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS
6.1
Covenants of Dolly Varden Regarding the Conduct of Business
(a)
Dolly Varden covenants and agrees that, during the period from the date of this Agreement, until the earlier
of the Effective Time and the time at which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as expressly required by this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement; (ii) as expressly set forth in the Dolly Varden
Disclosure Letter (which shall make reference to the applicable section, subsection, paragraph or subparagraph below in respect of which such qualification is being made); (iii) as required by applicable Law; or (iv) with the prior written
consent of Contango, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Dolly Varden shall and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to:
(i)
conduct their respective businesses only in, and not take any action except in, the ordinary course of
business and in accordance with Law;
(ii)
use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization, goodwill,
employees, properties, business relationships and assets in all material respects, keep available the services of its officers, employees and contractors as a group and maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers, customers, Indigenous,
Governmental Entities and others having business relationships with them;
(iii)
refrain from undertaking any development or exploration related activities unless otherwise consulted with
and agreed to in advance by Contango, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned;
(iv)
fully cooperate and consult through meetings with Contango, as Contango may reasonably request, to allow
Contango to monitor, and provide input with respect to the direction and control of, any activities relating to development of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries’ projects or any exploration of any properties; and
(v)
provide Contango and its legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any proposed
public disclosure of exploration results and any other scientific and technical information prior to such disclosure, and give due and reasonable consideration to any comments made by Contango and its legal counsel.
(b)
Without limiting the generality of Section 6.1(a), Dolly Varden covenants and agrees that, during the
period from the date of this Agreement, until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time at which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as expressly required by this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement;
(ii) as expressly set forth in the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter (which shall make reference to the applicable section, subsection, paragraph or subparagraph below in respect of which such qualification is being made); (iii) as required by
applicable Law; or (iv) with the prior written consent of Contango, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Dolly Varden shall not and shall cause each of its subsidiaries not to:
(i)
amend or propose to amend its notice of articles, articles or other comparable organizational or constating
documents;
(ii)
split, combine or reclassify any Dolly Varden Shares or other securities of Dolly Varden or any of its
subsidiaries;
(iii)
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution or payment (whether in cash, securities or
property or any combination thereof) in respect of any shares in the capital of Dolly Varden owned by any person or the securities of any of its subsidiaries, other than
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any dividends payable by a subsidiary to Dolly Varden or any wholly-owned subsidiary of Dolly Varden;
(iv)
issue, grant, award, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber, or agree to issue, grant,
award, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber any Dolly Varden Shares or other equity or voting interests or any options or any options, warrants, calls, appreciation rights, convertible securities or similar rights convertible into
or exchangeable or exercisable for, or otherwise evidencing a right to acquire, Dolly Varden Shares or other equity or voting interests or other securities of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries (including, for certainty, any Dolly Varden
Options or Dolly Varden RSUs), other than pursuant to the valid exercise or vesting of Dolly Varden Options and Dolly Varden RSUs outstanding on the date of this Agreement in accordance with their terms;
(v)
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or offer to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any Dolly Varden
Shares or other securities of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries;
(vi)
amend the terms of any of the Dolly Varden Shares or other securities of Dolly Varden or any of its
subsidiaries, other than to: (i) accelerate the vesting of any unvested Dolly Varden Options; (ii) accelerate the vesting or waive vesting criteria for any unvested Dolly Varden RSUs; or (iii) accelerate the expiry date of any Dolly
Varden Options, in accordance with this Agreement and the terms of the Dolly Varden Equity Incentive Plans, as applicable;
(vii)
reduce the stated capital of any Dolly Varden Shares or other securities of Dolly Varden or any of its
subsidiaries;
(viii)
incorporate, acquire or create any new subsidiary;
(ix)
adopt or propose a plan of liquidation or resolutions providing for the liquidation or dissolution of Dolly
Varden or any of its subsidiaries;
(x)
make any changes in its accounting methods, principles, policies or practices or adopt new accounting
methods, principles, policies or practices, in each case except as required by applicable Laws or IFRS;
(xi)
sell, pledge, hypothecate, lease, license, sell and lease back, mortgage, dispose of or encumber or
otherwise transfer, any assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries;
(xii)
reorganize, amalgamate or merge Dolly Varden or, to the extent prejudicial to the Arrangement or to
Contango, any subsidiary of Dolly Varden;
(xiii)
acquire (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition of shares or assets or otherwise) or agree (in
one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to acquire, directly or indirectly, any securities, interests or business of any person, or make any investment or agree to make an investment, directly or indirectly (in one transaction or in
a series of related transactions), either by the purchase of securities of, or contributions of capital to, any other person (other than wholly-owned subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement), for an amount greater than $100,000;
(xiv)
acquire or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, any assets or properties of any person for an amount
greater than $100,000, other than in the ordinary course of business as currently conducted as of the date of this Agreement;
(xv)
other than intercompany loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, incur, create, assume or
otherwise become liable for, any indebtedness for borrowed money or any other liability or obligation or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee, endorse
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or otherwise become responsible for the obligations of any other person or make any loans, capital contributions, investments or advances;
(xvi)
except as disclosed in Schedule 6.1(b)(xvi) of the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter, make any bonus or profit
sharing distribution or similar payment of any kind;
(xvii)
except as required by this Agreement, applicable Law or as allowed under the terms of the Dolly Varden
Equity Incentive Plans or Dolly Varden Benefit Plans: (A) grant, accelerate, or increase any severance, change of control or termination pay to (or amend any existing arrangement relating to the foregoing with) any director, officer, employee
or individual contractor or consultant of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries; (B) grant, accelerate, or increase any payment, award (equity or otherwise), indemnification or other benefits payable to, or for the benefit of, any director,
officer, employee or individual contractor or consultant of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries; (C) increase the coverage, contributions, funding requirements or benefits available under the Dolly Varden Equity Incentive Plans or Dolly
Varden Benefit Plans or create any new benefit; (D) increase compensation (in any form), bonus levels or other benefits payable to any director, officer, employee or individual contractor or consultant of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries
or grant any general increase in the rate of wages, salaries, bonuses or other remuneration, including under any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan, except in the ordinary course of business; (E) make any material determinations under any Dolly Varden
Benefit Plan that is not in the ordinary course of business, other than determinations in furtherance of acceleration, vesting or similar determinations in connection with the transactions described in this Agreement; or (F) take or propose to
take any action to effect any of the foregoing; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to: (x) guarantee employment for any period of time for, or preclude the ability of Contango to terminate the employment or
engagement of, any director, officer, employee or individual contractor or consultant of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries after the Effective Time; (y) require Contango to continue any benefit plan or to prevent the amendment,
modification or termination of any benefit plan after the Effective Date or prohibit Contango from amending, modifying or terminating any benefit plan or arrangement covering any continuing director, officer, employee or individual contractor or
consultant on or after the Effective Date; or (z) constitute an amendment to any benefit plan;
(xviii)
negotiate, enter into, extend, amend or terminate any employment, severance, consulting, termination or
other similar agreement with any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or individual contractors or consultants, any collective bargaining agreement or any Dolly Varden Benefit Plan, in each case, other than: (A) in connection with
terminating officers, directors, employees, agents or individual contractors or consultants for cause; or (B) amendments required by Law;
(xix)
make or forgive any loans or advances to any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or individual
contractors or consultants;
(xx)
hire any person earning an annualized base salary or wage greater than $150,000 (or its equivalent) or
terminate, except for cause, the employment of any person earning an annualized base salary or wage greater than $150,000 (or its equivalent);
(xxi)
settle, pay, discharge, satisfy, compromise, waive, assign or release: (A) any material action, claim,
liability or proceeding; (B) any claims, liabilities or obligations in an amount in excess of $20,000 (whether individually or in the aggregate), except claims, liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved against in the Dolly Varden
Financial Statements; or (C) any material rights, claims or benefits of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries;
(xxii)
enter into or extend any agreement or arrangement that provides for: (A) any limitation or restriction
on the ability of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or, following the Effective Time, the ability of any of Dolly Varden’s affiliates, to engage in any type of
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activity or business, (B) any limitation or restriction on the manner in which, or the localities in which, all or any portion of the business of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or,
following the Effective Time, all or any portion of the business of any of Dolly Varden’s affiliates, is or would be conducted, or (C) any limitation or restriction on the ability of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries or, following
the Effective Time, the ability of any of Dolly Varden’s affiliates, to solicit suppliers, customers, employees, contractors or consultants;
(xxiii)
waive, release or condition any material non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other restrictive covenant owed to Dolly Varden;
(xxiv)
negotiate, enter into, extend, amend or terminate, any agreement that has the effect of creating a joint
venture, partnership, strategic alliance or similar relationship between Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries and another person, except in the ordinary course of business;
(xxv)
negotiate, enter into, extend, amend or terminate any agreement, commitment or understanding with any
Indigenous or aboriginal peoples or groups;
(xxvi)
other than as is necessary to comply with applicable Laws, any written employment contract in effect on the
date of this Agreement, the Dolly Varden Equity Incentive Plans (including, for certainty, in connection with the valid exercise or vesting of Dolly Varden Options or Dolly Varden RSUs, or the acceleration or waiver of the vesting schedules thereof)
or Dolly Varden Benefit Plans, engage in any transaction with any related parties;
(xxvii)
(A) enter into any agreement that if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, would be a Dolly
Varden Material Contract; (B) modify, amend in any material respect, transfer or terminate any Dolly Varden Material Contract, or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims thereto or thereunder; or (C) fail to enforce any
breach or threatened breach of any Dolly Varden Material Contract;
(xxviii)
initiate any material discussion, negotiations or filings with any Governmental Entity regarding any matter
(including with respect to the Arrangement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);
(xxix)
incur, or commit to, material capital expenditures unless such material capital expenditures have been
approved prior to the date hereof by the Dolly Varden Board in the ordinary course of business;
(xxx)
enter into, extend, amend or terminate any material interest rate, currency, equity or commodity swaps,
hedges, derivatives, forward sales contracts or other similar financial instruments, other than in the ordinary course of business;
(xxxi)
(A) take any action inconsistent with past practice relating to the filing of any Return or the withholding,
collecting, remitting and payment of any Tax; (B) amend any Return or change any of its methods of reporting income, deductions or accounting for income Tax purposes from those employed in the preparation of any Return, except as may be
required pursuant to applicable Law; (C) make or revoke any material election relating to Taxes, other than any election that has yet to be made in respect of any event or circumstance occurring prior to the date of the Agreement;
(D) enter into any Tax sharing, Tax allocation, Tax related waiver or Tax indemnification agreement; (E) settle (or offer to settle) any Tax claim, audit, proceeding or reassessment; (F) make a request for a Tax ruling to any
Governmental Entity; (G) agree to any extension or waiver of the limitation period relating to any material Tax claim or assessment or reassessment; or (H) take any action, or fail to take any action, in either case that would reasonably
be expected to prevent the Arrangement from qualifying for the Intended U.S. Tax Treatment;
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(xxxii)
(A) take any action or fail to take any action which action or failure to act would, or would reasonably be
expected to, result in the loss, expiration or surrender of, or the loss of any material benefit under, or reasonably be expected to cause any Governmental Entities to institute proceedings for the suspension, revocation or limitation of material
rights under, any Permits necessary to conduct its businesses as now conducted; (B) or fail to prosecute in a commercially reasonable manner any pending applications to any Governmental Entities for material Permits;
(xxxiii)
take any action or fail to take any action that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to,
individually or in the aggregate, prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of Dolly Varden to consummate the Arrangement or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(xxxiv)
authorize, agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
For greater certainty, nothing in this Section 6.1 shall give Contango or the Acquiror, directly or indirectly, any right to control or
direct the operations of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
6.2
Additional Covenants of Dolly Varden
(a)
Dolly Varden shall cause the current insurance (or re-insurance)
policies maintained by or for the benefit of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries, including directors’ and officers’ insurance, not to be cancelled or terminated or any of the coverage thereunder to lapse prior to the Effective Time,
unless simultaneously with such termination, cancellation or lapse, replacement policies underwritten by insurance or re-insurance companies of nationally recognized standing having comparable deductions and
providing coverage equal to or greater than the coverage under the cancelled, terminated or lapsed policies for substantially similar premiums are in full force and effect; provided that, subject to Section 8.5(a), none of Dolly Varden
or any of its subsidiaries shall obtain or renew any insurance (or re-insurance) policy for a term exceeding 12 months. Dolly Varden shall consult with Contango on any renewals of insurance (or re-insurance) policies.
(b)
Dolly Varden shall provide Contango with prompt written notice of any change, effect, event or occurrence
that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect.
(c)
Dolly Varden shall promptly notify Contango of: (i) any communications (whether oral or written) from a
Governmental Entity, including a copy of any written communication, and (ii) any opposition, concerns or threats raised or brought by non-governmental organizations, communities, community groups,
Indigenous or aboriginal peoples or groups in respect of Dolly Varden’s or any of its subsidiaries’ current or planned operations that could reasonably be expected to impact such operations or title to any of the Dolly Varden
Concessions.
(d)
The Parties acknowledge and agree that all Dolly Varden Options that are not converted or exercised, whether
conditionally or otherwise, prior to the Effective Time shall be treated in accordance with their terms, and Dolly Varden shall take all such reasonable steps as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the foregoing.
(e)
Dolly Varden shall prepare, or shall cause to be prepared, and shall file prior to the Effective Date all
sales and use Returns of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries that are required by Law to be filed on or before the Effective Date or that have not been timely filed when due, and shall remit all sales and use Taxes that are required to be paid in
respect of such Returns.
(f)
Dolly Varden shall keep Contango reasonably informed, on a current basis, of any events, discussions,
notices or changes with respect to any Tax investigation (other than ordinary course communications which could not reasonably be expected to be material to Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries).
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For greater certainty, nothing in this Section 6.2 shall give Contango, directly or
indirectly, any right to control or direct the operations of Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries.
6.3
Covenants of Contango Regarding the Conduct of Business
(a)
Contango covenants and agrees that, during the period from the date of this Agreement, until the earlier of
the Effective Time and the time at which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as expressly required by this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement; (ii) as expressly set forth in the Contango Disclosure
Letter (which shall make reference to the applicable section, subsection, paragraph or subparagraph below in respect of which such qualification is being made); (iii) as required by applicable Law; or (iv) with the prior written consent of
Dolly Varden, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Contango shall and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to:
(i)
conduct their respective businesses only in, and not take any action except in, the ordinary course of
business and in accordance with Law;
(ii)
use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization, goodwill,
employees, properties, business relationships and assets in all material respects, keep available the services of its officers, employees and contractors as a group and maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers, customers, Indigenous,
Governmental Entities and others having business relationships with them;
(iii)
except as set forth in the Contango Disclosure Letter, refrain from undertaking any development or
exploration related activities unless otherwise consulted with and agreed to in advance by Dolly Varden, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned;
(iv)
except as set forth in the Contango Disclosure Letter, fully cooperate and consult through meetings with
Dolly Varden, as Dolly Varden may reasonably request, to allow Dolly Varden to monitor, and provide input with respect to the direction and control of, any activities relating to development of Contango and its subsidiaries’ projects or any
exploration of any properties; and
(v)
provide Dolly Varden and its legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any
proposed public disclosure of exploration results and any other scientific and technical information prior to such disclosure, and give due and reasonable consideration to any comments made by Dolly Varden and its legal counsel.
(b)
Without limiting the generality of Section 6.3(a), Contango covenants and agrees that, during the
period from the date of this Agreement, until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time at which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as expressly required by this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement;
(ii) as expressly set forth in the Contango Disclosure Letter (which shall make reference to the applicable section, subsection, paragraph or subparagraph below in respect of which such qualification is being made); (iii) as required by
applicable Law; or (iv) with the prior written consent of Dolly Varden, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Contango shall not and shall cause each of its subsidiaries not to:
(i)
other than an amendment to its charter to increase the authorized number of Contango Shares (which, for the
avoidance of doubt, will not adversely affect the value of the Consideration), amend or propose to amend its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other comparable organizational or constating documents in any manner that would adversely affect
the value of the Consideration;
(ii)
split, combine, or reclassify Contango Shares or other securities of Contango or any of its subsidiaries;
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(iii)
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution or payment (whether in cash, securities or
property or any combination thereof) in respect of any shares in the capital of Contango owned by any person or the securities of any of its subsidiaries, other than any dividends payable by a subsidiary to Contango or any wholly-owned subsidiary of
Contango;
(iv)
issue, grant, award, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber, or agree to issue, grant,
award, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber any Contango Shares or other equity or voting interests or any options or any options, warrants, calls, appreciation rights, convertible securities or similar rights convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for, or otherwise evidencing a right to acquire, Contango Shares or other equity or voting interests or other securities of Contango, any of its subsidiaries or the Peak Gold JV, other than pursuant to existing Contracts
or the valid exercise of convertible securities of Contango or vesting of any convertible securities of Contango outstanding on the date of this Agreement in accordance with their terms;
(v)
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or offer to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any Contango
Shares or other securities of Contango or any of its subsidiaries;
(vi)
amend the terms of any of the Contango Shares or other securities of Contango or any of its subsidiaries;
(vii)
reduce the stated capital of any Contango Shares or other securities of Contango or any of its subsidiaries;
(viii)
incorporate, acquire or create any new subsidiary;
(ix)
make any changes in its accounting methods, principles, policies or practices or adopt new accounting
methods, principles, policies or practices, in each case except as required by applicable Laws or U.S. GAAP;
(x)
adopt a plan of liquidation or resolutions providing for the liquidation or dissolution of Contango or any
of its subsidiaries;
(xi)
sell, pledge, hypothecate, lease, license, sell and lease back, mortgage, dispose of or encumber or
otherwise transfer, any assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses of Contango or any of its subsidiaries;
(xii)
reorganize, amalgamate or merge Contango, or, to the extent prejudicial to the Arrangement or to Dolly
Varden, any subsidiary of Contango;
(xiii)
acquire (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition of shares or assets or otherwise) or agree (in
one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to acquire, directly or indirectly, any securities, interests or business of any person, or make any investment or agree to make an investment, directly or indirectly (in one transaction or in
a series of related transactions), either by the purchase of securities of, or contributions of capital to, any other person (other than wholly-owned subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement), for an amount greater than $100,000;
(xiv)
acquire or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, any assets or properties of any person for an amount
greater than $100,000, other than in the ordinary course of business as currently conducted as of the date of this Agreement;
(xv)
other than intercompany loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, incur, create, assume or
otherwise become liable for, any indebtedness for borrowed money or any other liability or obligation or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee, endorse
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or otherwise become responsible for the obligations of any other person or make any loans, capital contributions, investments or advances;
(xvi)
make any bonus or profit sharing distribution or similar payment of any kind;
(xvii)
except as required by this Agreement, applicable Law or as allowed under the terms of the Contango Omnibus
Plan or Contango Benefit Plans: (A) grant, accelerate, or increase any severance, change of control or termination pay to (or amend any existing arrangement relating to the foregoing with) any director, officer, employee or individual
contractor or consultant of Contango or any of its subsidiaries; (B) grant, accelerate, or increase any payment, award (equity or otherwise), indemnification or other benefits payable to, or for the benefit of, any director, officer, employee
or individual contractor or consultant of Contango or any of its subsidiaries; (C) increase the coverage, contributions, funding requirements or benefits available under the Contango Omnibus Plan or Contango Benefit Plans or create any new
benefit; (D) increase compensation (in any form), bonus levels or other benefits payable to any director, officer, employee or individual contractor or consultant of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or grant any general increase in the rate
of wages, salaries, bonuses or other remuneration, including under any Contango Benefit Plan, except in the ordinary course of business; (E) make any material determinations under any Contango Benefit Plan that is not in the ordinary course of
business, other than determinations in furtherance of acceleration, vesting or similar determinations in connection with the transactions described in this Agreement; or (F) take or propose to take any action to effect any of the foregoing.
(xviii)
negotiate, enter into, extend, amend or terminate any employment, severance, consulting, termination or
other similar agreement with any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or individual contractors or consultants, any collective bargaining agreement or any Contango Benefit Plan, in each case, other than: (A) in connection with
terminating officers, directors, employees, agents or individual contractors or consultants for cause; or (B) amendments required by Law;
(xix)
make or forgive any loans or advances to any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or individual
contractors or consultants;
(xx)
hire any person earning an annualized base salary or wage greater than US$150,000 (or its equivalent) or
terminate, except for cause, the employment of any person earning an annualized base salary or wage greater than US$150,000 (or its equivalent);
(xxi)
settle, pay, discharge, satisfy, compromise, waive, assign or release: (A) any material action, claim,
liability or proceeding; (B) any claims, liabilities or obligations in an amount in excess of $20,000 (whether individually or in the aggregate), except claims, liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved against in the Contango Financial
Statements; or (C) any material rights, claims or benefits of Contango or any of its subsidiaries;
(xxii)
enter into or extend any agreement or arrangement that provides for: (A) any limitation or restriction
on the ability of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or, following the Effective Time, the ability of any of Contango’s affiliates, to engage in any type of activity or business, (B) any limitation or restriction on the manner in which,
or the localities in which, all or any portion of the business of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or, following the Effective Time, all or any portion of the business of any of Contango’s affiliates, is or would be conducted, or
(C) any limitation or restriction on the ability of Contango or any of its subsidiaries or, following the Effective Time, the ability of any of Contango’s affiliates, to solicit suppliers, customers, employees, contractors or consultants;
(xxiii)
waive, release or condition any material non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other restrictive covenant owed to Contango;
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(xxiv)
negotiate, enter into, extend, amend or terminate, any agreement that has the effect of creating a joint
venture, partnership, strategic alliance or similar relationship between Contango or any of its subsidiaries and another person, except in the ordinary course of business;
(xxv)
negotiate, enter into, extend, amend or terminate any agreement, commitment or understanding with any
Indigenous or aboriginal peoples or groups;
(xxvi)
other than as is necessary to comply with applicable Laws, any written employment contract in effect on the
date of this Agreement, the Contango Omnibus Plan or Contango Benefit Plans, engage in any transaction with any related parties;
(xxvii)
(A) enter into any agreement that if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, would be a Contango
Material Contract; (B) modify, amend in any material respect, transfer or terminate any Contango Material Contract, or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims thereto or thereunder; or (C) fail to enforce any breach or
threatened breach of any Contango Material Contract;
(xxviii)
initiate any material discussion, negotiations or filings with any Governmental Entity regarding any matter
(including with respect to the Arrangement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);
(xxix)
incur, or commit to, material capital expenditures unless such material capital expenditures have been
approved prior to the date hereof by the Contango Board in the ordinary course of business;
(xxx)
enter into, extend, amend or terminate any material interest rate, currency, equity or commodity swaps,
hedges, derivatives, forward sales contracts or other similar financial instruments, other than in the ordinary course of business;
(xxxi)
(A) take any action inconsistent with past practice relating to the filing of any Return or the withholding,
collecting, remitting and payment of any Tax; (B) amend any Return that has been filed on or before the Effective Date, or change any of its methods of reporting income, deductions or accounting for income Tax purposes from those employed in
the preparation of any Return, except as may be required pursuant to applicable Law; (C) make, change or revoke any material election relating to Taxes, other than any election that has yet to be made in respect of any event or circumstance
occurring prior to the date of the Agreement and which will be made in a manner consistent with the past practices of Contango and its subsidiaries, as applicable; (D) enter into any Tax sharing, Tax allocation, Tax related waiver or Tax
indemnification agreement; (E) settle (or offer to settle) or compromise any Tax claim, audit, proceeding, reassessment or other Tax liability or surrender any right to claim a material Tax refund; (F) make a request for a Tax ruling to
any Governmental Entity; (G) agree to any extension or waiver of the limitation period relating to any material Tax claim or assessment or reassessment; or (H) take any action, or fail to take any action, in either case that would
reasonably be expected to prevent the Arrangement from qualifying for the Intended U.S. Tax Treatment;
(xxxii)
take any action or fail to take any action which action or failure to act would, or would reasonably be
expected to, result in the loss, expiration or surrender of, or the loss of any material benefit under, or reasonably be expected to cause any Governmental Entities to institute proceedings for the suspension, revocation or limitation of material
rights under, any Permits necessary to conduct its businesses as now conducted; (B) or fail to prosecute in a commercially reasonable manner any pending applications to any Governmental Entities for material Permits;
(xxxiii)
take any action or fail to take any action that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to,
individually or in the aggregate, prevent, materially delay or materially impede
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the ability of Contango or the Acquiror to consummate the Arrangement or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(xxxiv)
authorize, agree or resolve to do any of the foregoing.
(c)
Contango shall provide Dolly Varden with prompt written notice of any change, effect, event or occurrence
that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Contango Material Adverse Effect.
(d)
Contango shall promptly notify Dolly Varden of: (i) any communications (whether oral or written) from a
Governmental Entity, including a copy of any written communication, and (ii) any opposition, concerns or threats raised or brought by non-governmental organizations, communities, community groups,
Indigenous or aboriginal peoples or groups in respect of Contango’s, any of its subsidiaries’ or the Peak Gold JV’s current or planned operations that could reasonably be expected to impact such operations or title to any of the
Contango Projects or Contango Concessions.
(e)
Contango shall prepare, or shall cause to be prepared, and shall file prior to the Effective Date all sales
and use Returns of Contango and its subsidiaries that are required by Law to be filed on or before the Effective Date or that have not been timely filed when due, and shall remit all sales and use Taxes that are required to be paid in respect of
such Returns.
(f)
Contango shall keep Dolly Varden reasonably informed, on a current basis, of any events, discussions,
notices or changes with respect to any Tax investigation (other than ordinary course communications which could not reasonably be expected to be material to Dolly Varden or any of its subsidiaries).
(g)
Contango shall ensure that, with effect as and from the Effective Time:
(i)
the Contango Board will consist of seven directors, which will include three directors nominated by Dolly
Varden; and
(ii)
the officers of Contango will include Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse as Chief Executive Officer, Shawn Khunkhun as
President, and Michael Clark as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
For greater
certainty, nothing in this Section 6.3(g) shall give Dolly Varden, directly or indirectly, any right to control or direct the operations of Contango or any of its subsidiaries.
6.4
Covenants of Contango Relating to the Exchangeable Shares, Contango Shares and Replacement Options
Contango shall and, where appropriate, shall cause the Acquiror and Callco to:
(a)
cause the Acquiror to create the Exchangeable Shares and the Special Voting Share prior to the Effective
Time in a manner reasonably acceptable to Dolly Varden and consistent with the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet;
(b)
at or prior to the Effective Time, execute and deliver such agreements and take such other actions as are
necessary to cause the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares to be as set forth in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet;
(c)
prior to the Effective Time, to execute and deliver, in escrow (to be released at the time specified in the
Plan of Arrangement), the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement;
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(d)
apply for and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain conditional approval of the listing on the NYSE
American by the Effective Time of the Contango Shares issuable pursuant to the Arrangement;
(e)
apply for and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain conditional approval of the listing on the NYSE
American of the Contango Shares issuable pursuant to the exchange or exercise of the Exchangeable Shares;
(f)
(i) use reasonable best efforts to (A) file a registration statement on Form S-3 or another applicable form with the SEC to register the Contango Shares issuable upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares under the U.S. Securities Act on or as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date,
and (B) cause such registration statement to become effective as promptly as practicable after such filing and (ii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement (or any appropriate replacement
registration statement) for as long as any Exchangeable Shares remain outstanding;
(g)
(i) use reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement on Form
S-8 or another applicable form with the SEC to register the Contango Shares issuable upon exercise of the Replacement Options under the U.S. Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date,
and (ii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement (or any appropriate replacement registration statement) for as long as any Replacement Options remain outstanding;
(h)
for so long as any Replacement Options remain outstanding, on the due and valid exercise of the Replacement
Options, including payment in full of the exercise price therefor, issue Contango Shares to holders of the Replacement Options, such Contango Shares to be validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable;
(i)
ensure that the Acquiror will be a “taxable Canadian corporation” within the meaning of the Tax
Act and that Callco will be treated as an entity whose separate existing from Contango is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
(j)
ensure that the Exchangeable Shares and other shares issued by the Acquiror or Callco in connection with the
Arrangement will be duly and validly issued by the Acquiror and Callco, as applicable, and fully paid and nonassessable, not subject to or issued in violation of any pre-emptive rights and free and clear any
Liens;
(k)
not take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent the exchange of Dolly Varden Shares for
consideration that includes Exchangeable Shares under the Arrangement to fail to be treated as an exchange for Contango Shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
(l)
not take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent the exchange of Dolly Varden Shares for
consideration that includes Exchangeable Shares under the Arrangement by Eligible Holders who make and file a valid tax election under subsection 85(1) or (2) of the Tax Act as described, and on the terms set forth, in the Plan of Arrangement
from being treated as a tax-deferred transaction for purposes of the Tax Act if such holders are otherwise eligible for such treatment.
6.5
Mutual Covenants of the Parties Relating to the Arrangement
Subject to Section 6.6, which shall govern in relation to Regulatory Approvals, each of the Parties covenants and agrees
that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the period from the date of this Agreement, until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms:
(a)
it shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy (or cause the
satisfaction of) the conditions precedent to its obligations hereunder as set forth in Article 7 to the extent the same is within its control and to take, or cause to be taken, all other action and to do,
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or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or advisable under all applicable Laws to complete the Arrangement, including using its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly:
(i) obtain all Key Third Party Consents and Key Regulatory Approvals; (ii) obtain all other necessary waivers, consents and approvals required to be obtained by it or any of its subsidiaries from parties to the Dolly Varden Material
Contracts; (iii) obtain all necessary any material Permits (including Regulatory Approvals) required to be obtained by it or any of its subsidiaries under applicable Laws; (iv) fulfill all conditions and satisfy all provisions of this
Agreement and the Arrangement required to be satisfied by it; (v) effect or cause to be effected all necessary registrations, filings and submissions of information requested by Governmental Entities required to be effected by it in connection
with the Plan of Arrangement; (vi) oppose, lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order against it or other order or action against it seeking to stop, or otherwise adversely affecting its ability to make and complete, the Plan of
Arrangement; and (vii) co-operate with the other Party in connection with the performance by it and its subsidiaries of their obligations hereunder;
(b)
it shall not take any action, shall refrain from taking any action, and shall not permit any action to be
taken or not taken, which is inconsistent with this Agreement or which would reasonably be expected to materially impede or materially delay the consummation of Arrangement or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Arrangement;
(c)
it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) defend all lawsuits or other legal, regulatory or
other proceedings against itself or any of its subsidiaries challenging or affecting this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) appeal, overturn or have lifted or rescinded any injunction or restraining
order or other order, including Orders, relating to itself or any of its subsidiaries which may materially adversely affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the Arrangement; and (iii) appeal or overturn or otherwise have lifted or
rendered non-applicable in respect of the Arrangement, any Law that makes consummation of the Arrangement illegal or otherwise prohibits or enjoins Dolly Varden or Contango from consummating the Arrangement;
(d)
it shall carry out the terms of the Interim Order and Final Order applicable to it and use commercially
reasonable efforts to comply promptly with all requirements which applicable Laws may impose on it or its subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(e)
promptly notify the other Parties of:
(i)
any communication from any person alleging that the consent of such person (or another person) is or may be
required in connection with the Arrangement (and the response thereto from such Party, its subsidiaries or its Representatives);
(ii)
any material communication from any Governmental Entity in connection with the Arrangement (and the response
thereto from such Party, its subsidiaries or its Representatives); and
(iii)
any litigation threatened or commenced against or otherwise affecting such Party or any of its subsidiaries
that is related to the Arrangement.
6.6
Pre-Acquisition Reorganization
(a)
Subject to Section 6.6(b), each of Dolly Varden and Contango agrees that, upon request of Contango or
Dolly Varden (as applicable, the “Requesting Party”), Dolly Varden or Contango (as applicable, the “Reorganizing Party”) shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to (i) perform such reorganizations
of its corporate structure, capital structure, business, operations and assets or such other transactions as the Requesting Party may request, acting reasonably (each a “Pre-Acquisition
Reorganization”), (ii) cooperate with the Requesting Party and its Representatives to determine the nature of the Pre-Acquisition Reorganizations that might be undertaken and the manner in which they
would most effectively be undertaken; and (iii) cooperate with the Requesting Party and its Representatives to seek to obtain any consents, approvals, waivers or similar authorizations which
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are reasonably required by the Requesting Party (based on the terms of any Contract) in connection with the Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, if any.
(b)
The Reorganizing Party will not be obligated to participate in any
Pre-Acquisition Reorganization under Section 6.6(a) unless such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization:
(i)
is capable of being completed prior to the Effective Date, and if necessary to avoid any adverse consequence
to the Reorganizing Party, can be unwound in the event the Arrangement is not consummated without adversely affecting the Reorganizing Party or any of its securityholders in any material manner;
(ii)
shall not require the Reorganizing Party or any of its subsidiaries to contravene or unreasonably interfere
with any applicable Laws, Key Regulatory Approvals, its organizational documents or any Dolly Varden Material Contract or Contango Material Contract, as applicable;
(iii)
will not result in any Taxes being imposed on, or any adverse Tax or other consequences to, any Reorganizing
Party or any securityholder of the Reorganizing Party incrementally greater than the Taxes or other consequences to such party in connection with the consummation of the Arrangement in the absence of any
Pre-Acquisition Reorganization;
(iv)
is not, in the opinion of the Reorganizing Party and its legal counsel, prejudicial to the Reorganizing
Party, or any of its subsidiaries or its securityholders in any material respect and does not require the approval by any securityholder of the Reorganizing Party or any third party (including any Key Regulatory Approvals);
(v)
does not, in the opinion of the Reorganizing Party, reduce or change the Consideration or impair or prevent
the ability of the Reorganizing Party to consummate, and will not materially delay the consummation of, the Arrangement;
(vi)
does not prevent the Arrangement from qualifying for the Intended U.S. Tax Treatment;
(vii)
does not prevent Eligible Holders from making elections pursuant to section 85 of the Tax Act;
(viii)
does not violate, conflict with, or result (with or without notice or the passage of time) in a violation or
breach of any provision of, or require any consent, approval or notice under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) or result in a right of termination or acceleration of
indebtedness under, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon, any of the properties or assets of the Reorganizing Party or any of its subsidiaries, or cause any indebtedness to come due before its stated maturity or
cause any credit commitment to cease to be available or cause any payment or other obligation to be imposed on the Reorganizing Party or any of its subsidiaries; and
(ix)
does not, in the opinion of the Reorganizing Party, materially interfere with the ongoing operations of the
Reorganizing Party and its subsidiaries.
(c)
Each of Dolly Varden and Contango acknowledges and agrees that the planning for any implementation of any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization shall not be considered a breach of any covenant under this Agreement and shall not be considered in determining whether a representation or warranty of any Party hereunder has been
breached, provided such planning is under the direction of the Requesting Party.
(d)
The Requesting Party must provide written notice to the Reorganizing Party of any proposed Pre-Acquisition Reorganization at least ten Business Days prior to the earlier of the Dolly Varden Meeting and the Contango Meeting. Upon receipt of such notice, the Reorganizing Party and the
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Requesting Party shall work cooperatively and use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare prior to the Effective Time all documentation necessary and do such other acts and things as are
reasonably necessary to give effect to such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, including any amendment to this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, and shall seek to have any such
Pre-Acquisition Reorganization made effective as of 11:59 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the Business Day ending immediately prior to the Effective Date.
(e)
Each of Dolly Varden and Contango agrees that the Requesting Party will be responsible for all reasonable
costs and expenses including professional fees and expenses and Taxes associated with any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization to be carried out at its request and agrees to indemnify and save harmless the
Reorganizing Party and its subsidiaries and their respective Representatives from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses (including actual
out-of-pocket costs and expenses for filing fees and external counsel), interest awards, Taxes or use of Tax attributes, judgements and penalties suffered or incurred by
any of them as a result of any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization requested by the Requesting Party (including in respect of any reversal, unwinding, modification or termination of a
Pre-Acquisition Reorganization). The obligation of the Requesting Party to reimburse the Reorganizing Party and its subsidiaries and Representatives, from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages,
claims, costs, reasonable expenses (including actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses for filing fees and external counsel), interest awards, judgements and penalties
set out in this Section, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
6.7
Regulatory Approvals
(a)
All filing fees (including any Taxes thereon) in respect of any filing made to any Governmental Entity in
respect of any Regulatory Approvals shall be paid by Contango.
(b)
With respect to obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, each of Dolly Varden and Contango shall cooperate with
one another and shall provide such assistance as any other Party may reasonably request in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals. In particular:
(i)
no Party shall extend or consent to any extension of any applicable waiting or review period or enter into
any agreement with a Governmental Entity to not consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except upon the prior written consent of the other Parties;
(ii)
the Parties shall exchange drafts of all submissions, material correspondence, filings, presentations,
applications, plans, consent agreements and other material documents made or submitted to or filed with any Governmental Entity in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will consider in good faith any suggestions made by the
other Parties and their counsel and will provide the other Parties and their counsel with final copies of all such submissions, material correspondence, filings, presentations, applications, plans, consent agreements and other material documents,
and all pre-existing business records or other documents, submitted to or filed with any Governmental Entity in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that this
obligation shall not extend to (a) legally privileged information, or (b) information indicated by any Party to be competitively sensitive, in either case, which information shall be provided on an external counsel-only basis;
(iii)
each Party will keep the other Parties and their respective counsel fully apprised of all substantive
written (including email) and oral communications and all meetings with any Governmental Entity and their staff in respect of the Regulatory Approvals, and will not participate in such material communications or meetings without giving the other
Parties and their respective counsel the opportunity to participate therein; provided, however, that where competitively sensitive information may be discussed or communicated, in either case the other Parties’ external legal counsel shall be
provided with any such communications or information on an external counsel-only basis and shall have the right to participate in any such meetings on an external counsel-only basis.
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(c)
The Parties shall not enter into any transaction, investment, agreement, arrangement or joint venture or
take any other action, the effect of which would reasonably be expected to make obtaining the Regulatory Approvals materially more difficult or challenging, or reasonably be expected to materially delay the obtaining of the Regulatory Approvals.
(d)
Each Party shall use its commercial reasonable efforts to ensure that the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption
and exemptions from applicable securities Laws of any state of the United States are available for the issuance of Contango Shares, Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
6.8
Section 85 Elections
Where an Eligible Holder desires to so elect, the Acquiror shall make a joint election with such Eligible Holder pursuant to
subsection 85(1) of the Tax Act , or subsection 85(2) of the Tax Act if such Eligible Holder is a partnership (and in each case, where applicable, the analogous provisions of provincial income tax Law), in respect of the disposition of the Dolly
Varden Shares designated by such Eligible Holder in accordance with the procedures and within the time limits set out in the Plan of Arrangement. Each such joint election shall specify the details of the number of such Eligible Holder’s Dolly
Varden Shares transferred pursuant to such election and the elected amount in respect of such Dolly Varden Shares, to be determined by such Eligible Holder in their sole discretion, subject to the limitations set forth in the Tax Act and the
corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial Tax statute. The Acquiror, or the Amalco, as successor to the Acquiror, shall sign and return to the applicable Eligible Holder any such joint election within a period of sixty (60) days
after the receipt thereof by the Depositary for filing with the Canada Revenue Agency (or the applicable provincial taxing authority) by such Eligible Holder. Neither the Acquiror nor the Amalco, as successor to the Acquiror, will be responsible for
the proper completion of any election form and, except for the Acquiror’s or the Amalco’s, as successor to the Acquiror, obligation to return duly completed election forms, which are received by the Depositary within sixty (60) days
of the Effective Date. Neither the Acquiror nor the Amalco, as successor to the Acquiror, will be responsible for any Taxes, interests or penalties resulting from the failure by an Eligible Holder to properly complete or file the election forms in
the form and manner and within the time prescribed by the Tax Act (or any applicable provincial Law).
ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS
7.1
Mutual Conditions Precedent
The obligations of the Parties to complete the Arrangement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Effective Time, of
each of the following conditions precedent, each of which may only be waived with the mutual consent of the Parties:
(a)
the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained at the Dolly Varden Meeting in accordance
with the Interim Order;
(b)
the Contango Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained at the Contango Meeting;
(c)
the Key Regulatory Approvals and Key Third Party Consents shall have been obtained;
(d)
the Interim Order and the Final Order shall each have been obtained on terms consistent with this Agreement,
and shall not have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to Dolly Varden and Contango, acting reasonably, on appeal or otherwise;
(e)
no Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Order or Law which
is then in effect and has the effect of making the Arrangement illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Arrangement, and without limiting the foregoing, there shall be no action or proceeding pending or threatened in
writing by a Governmental Entity that is reasonably likely to:
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(i)
enjoin or prohibit Contango or the Acquiror’s ability to acquire, hold, or exercise full rights of
ownership over, any Dolly Varden Shares; or
(ii)
if the Arrangement is consummated, have a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect;
(f)
the Contango Shares, the Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Plan of
Arrangement shall be (i) exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act in reliance upon the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption and exemptions from applicable securities Laws of any state of the United States, and
(ii) shall be freely transferable under applicable U.S. Securities Laws and shall not be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 of the U.S. Securities Act (other than as applicable to persons who are, have been
within 90 days of the Effective Time, or, at the Effective Time become, “affiliates”, as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act), of the issuer of such securities; provided, however, that Dolly Varden shall
not be entitled to rely on the provisions of this Section 7.1(f) in failing to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the event that Dolly Varden fails to advise the Court prior to the hearing in respect of the Final Order,
as required by the terms of the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption; provided, further, that Contango. the Acquiror and Amalco will rely on the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption for the issuance of such securities, based on the Court’s approval of
the Arrangement, and comply with the requirements set forth in Section 2.3; and
(g)
the distribution of the Contango Shares, the Exchangeable Shares and Amalco Exchangeable Shares pursuant to
the Arrangement shall be exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable Securities Laws by virtue of applicable exemptions under Securities Laws and there shall be no resale restrictions on such Contango Shares, Exchangeable
Shares or Amalco Exchangeable Shares under applicable Securities Laws, except in respect of those holders who are subject to restrictions on resale as a result of being a “control person” under applicable Securities Laws.
7.2
Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Contango and the Acquiror
The obligation of Contango and the Acquiror to complete the Arrangement is subject to the fulfillment of
each of the following conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time (each of which is for the exclusive benefit of Contango and the Acquiror and may be waived by Contango and the Acquiror at any time, in whole or in part, in its sole
discretion and without prejudice to any other rights that Contango and the Acquiror may have):
(a)
the representations and warranties of Dolly Varden set forth in Section 3.1 shall be true and correct
in all respects (without regard to any materiality or Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect qualifications contained therein) as of the Effective Date as if made on and as of such date (except for such representations and warranties which refer to or
are made as of another specified date, in which case such representations and warranties will have been true and correct as of that date) except for breaches of representations and warranties which have not had and would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect and which would not prevent or delay beyond the Outside Date the completion of the Arrangement, and Dolly Varden shall have provided to Contango and the Acquiror a
certificate of two senior officers of Dolly Varden certifying (on Dolly Varden’s behalf and without personal liability) the foregoing as of and dated the Effective Date;
(b)
Dolly Varden shall have complied in all material respects with each of its covenants herein required to be
complied with by it prior to the Effective Time, and Dolly Varden shall have provided to Contango and the Acquiror a certificate of two senior officers of Dolly Varden certifying (on Dolly Varden’s behalf and without personal liability) the
foregoing dated the Effective Date;
(c)
since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect;
and
(d)
Dissent Rights shall not have been validly exercised by holders of more than 5% of the Dolly Varden Shares.
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7.3
Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Dolly Varden
The obligation of Dolly Varden to complete the Arrangement is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions
precedent on or before the Effective Time (each of which is for the exclusive benefit of Dolly Varden and may be waived by Dolly Varden at any time, in whole or in part, in its sole discretion and without prejudice to any other rights that Dolly
Varden may have):
(a)
the representations and warranties of each of Contango and the Acquiror set forth in Section 4.1 and
Section 5.1, respectively, shall be true and correct in all respects (without regard to any materiality or Contango Material Adverse Effect qualifications contained therein) as of the Effective Date as if made on and as of such date (except for
such representations and warranties which refer to or are made as of another specified date, in which case such representations and warranties will have been true and correct as of that date) except for breaches of representations and warranties
which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Contango Material Adverse Effect and which would not prevent or delay beyond the Outside Date the completion of the Arrangement, and Contango shall
have provided to Dolly Varden a certificate of two senior officers of Contango and the Acquiror certifying (on Contango’s and the Acquiror’s behalf and without personal liability) the foregoing as of and dated the Effective Date;
(b)
Each of Contango and the Acquiror shall have complied in all material respects with each of its covenants
herein required to be complied with by it prior to the Effective Time, and Contango shall have provided to Dolly Varden a certificate of two senior officers of Contango certifying (on Contango’s behalf and without personal liability)
compliance with such covenants dated the Effective Date;
(c)
since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Contango Material Adverse Effect;
(d)
Contango shall have delivered evidence to Dolly Varden of the approval of the listing and posting for
trading on the NYSE American of the Contango Shares to be issued as Consideration pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement and the Contango Shares to be issued upon the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares;
(e)
Contango shall have executed and delivered such agreements, including the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement, 9-month transition services agreements for nominal consideration with directors of Dolly Varden and the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and taken such other actions as are necessary to cause
the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares; and
(f)
Contango shall have taken all necessary steps pursuant to Section 6.3(g) to ensure that the Contango
Board following the Effective Date will consist of seven (7) directors and include three (3) directors nominated by Dolly Varden and that Shawn Khunkhun is appointed President of Contango as of the Effective Date.
7.4
Satisfaction of Conditions
The conditions precedent set out in Section 7.1, Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 shall be conclusively deemed to
have been satisfied, waived or released upon delivery by the Parties of written confirmation of the Effective Date. For greater certainty and notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the conditions set forth in this Article 7 for the benefit
of a Party are the only conditions to such Party’s obligations to complete the Arrangement.
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ARTICLE 8
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
8.1
Notice of Breach
(a)
Each Party shall give prompt notice to the other of the occurrence, or failure to occur, at any time from
the date of this Agreement, until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement and the Effective Time of any event or state of facts which occurrence or failure would, or would be likely to:
(i)
cause any of the representations or warranties of such Party contained herein to be untrue or inaccurate in
any respect on the date of this Agreement, or at the Effective Time;
(ii)
result in the failure to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or
satisfied by any Party hereunder prior to the Effective Time; or
(iii)
result in the failure to satisfy any of the conditions precedent in favour of the other Parties contained in
Section 7.1, Section 7.2 or Section 7.3, as the case may be;
provided, however, that the
delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise modify the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties (or remedies available hereunder to the Party receiving that notice)
or the conditions to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement.
(b)
No Party may terminate this Agreement under Section 9.2(a)(iii)(C) or Section 9.2(a)(iv)(C), as
applicable, unless, prior to the Effective Date, the Party seeking to so terminate has delivered a written notice to the other Party indicating its intention to so terminate, specifying in reasonable detail the breach or breaches that serve as the
basis for such termination. After delivering such notice, provided that the notified Party is proceeding diligently to cure such breach or breaches, and such breaches are capable of being cured prior to the Outside Date, the notifying Party may not
so terminate this Agreement until the earlier of the Outside Date and the expiration of a period of 20 Business Days from the date of such notice. If such notice is delivered prior to the date of the Dolly Varden Meeting, Dolly Varden may postpone
or adjourn the Dolly Varden Meeting to the earlier of a date that is five Business Days prior to the Outside Date and the date that is 20 Business Days following the delivery of such notice. If such notice is delivered prior to the date of the
Contango Meeting, Contango may postpone or adjourn the Contango Meeting to the earlier of a date that is five Business Days prior to the Outside Date and the date that is 20 Business Days following the delivery of such notice.
8.2
Non-Solicitation
(a)
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 8.2, neither Dolly Varden nor Contango shall,
and each shall cause their subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, through any of its Representatives:
(i)
solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage or otherwise knowingly facilitate (including by way of furnishing or
providing copies of, access to, or disclosure of, any confidential information, properties, facilities, books or records of such Party or any of its subsidiaries) any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to
constitute or lead to an Acquisition Proposal;
(ii)
enter into, engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations with any person
(other than another Party and its subsidiaries or affiliates) in respect of any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to an Acquisition Proposal; provided that such Party shall be permitted
to communicate with any person who has made an Acquisition Proposal (i) for the purpose of clarifying the terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal, and (ii) to advise such
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person that the Board of such Party has determined that such Acquisition Proposal does not constitute, or is not reasonably expected to result in, a Superior Proposal;
(iii)
make a Change in Recommendation; or
(iv)
accept or enter into, or publicly propose to accept or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in
principle, agreement, arrangement or understanding relating to any Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement permitted pursuant to Section 8.2(e)).
(b)
Each of Dolly Varden and Contango shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries and Representatives to immediately
cease any existing solicitation, encouragement, discussions, negotiations or other activities commenced prior to the date of this Agreement with any person (other than another Party and its subsidiaries or affiliates) conducted by such Party or any
of its subsidiaries or Representatives with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, and, in connection therewith, such Party shall:
(i)
promptly discontinue access to and disclosure of its and its subsidiaries’ confidential information
(and not allow access to or disclosure of any such confidential information, or any data room, virtual or otherwise); and
(ii)
as soon as possible (and in any case within two Business Days) request, to the extent that it is entitled to
do so, and use commercially reasonable efforts to exercise all rights it has (or cause its subsidiaries to exercise any rights that they have) to require, the return or destruction of all confidential information (including derivative information)
regarding such Party and its subsidiaries previously provided to any person (other than another Party and its subsidiaries or affiliates) in connection with a possible Acquisition Proposal to the extent such information has not already been returned
or destroyed, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such requests are fully complied with to the extent such Party is entitled.
(c)
Each of Dolly Varden and Contango represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries has
waived any standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party in connection with any potential Acquisition
Proposal. Subject to Section 8.2(e), each of Dolly Varden and Contango covenants and agrees that (i) it shall take all necessary action to enforce each standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure,
business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party, and (ii) neither it nor any of its subsidiaries nor any of their respective Representatives will, without the prior written consent of
the other Parties, release any person from, or waive, amend, suspend or otherwise modify such person’s obligations respecting such Party, or any of its subsidiaries, under any standstill, confidentiality,
non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which it or any of its subsidiary is a party (it being acknowledged that the automatic termination or automatic release, in each
case pursuant to the terms thereof, of any standstill restrictions of any such agreements as a result of the entering into and announcement of this Agreement shall not be a violation of this Section 8.2(c)).
(d)
If either Dolly Varden or Contango or any of their respective subsidiaries or any of the foregoing’s
respective Representatives receives or is notified of:
(i)
any inquiry, proposal or offer made after the date of this Agreement that constitutes or could reasonably be
expected to constitute or lead to an Acquisition Proposal; or
(ii)
any request for copies of, access to, or disclosure of, confidential information relating to such Party or
any of its subsidiaries in connection with any proposal that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to an Acquisition Proposal, including information, access or disclosure relating to the properties, facilities, books or
records of such Party or any of its subsidiaries, in each case made after the date of this Agreement;
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then, such Party shall promptly notify the other Parties orally, with
written notice to follow within 24 hours of such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal, offer or request, including the identity of the person making such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal, offer or request and the material terms and
conditions thereof and copies of all written documents, correspondence or other materials received from or on behalf of any such person. The Party receiving such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal, offer or request shall keep the other Parties
promptly and reasonably informed of the status of discussions and negotiations (in each case, to the extent permitted to occur under Section 8.2(e)) with respect to such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal, offer or request, including any
material developments, changes, modifications or other amendments thereto.
(e)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.2, if at any time following the date of this
Agreement and prior to obtaining the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval, with respect to Dolly Varden, or the Contango Shareholder Approval, with respect to Contango, either Dolly Varden or Contango, as applicable, receives an unsolicited bona
fide written Acquisition Proposal, such Party (A) may engage in or participate in discussions or negotiations with such person regarding such Acquisition Proposal, and (B) may provide copies of, access to or disclosure of information,
properties, facilities, books or records of such Party or its subsidiaries, if and only if:
(i)
the Board of such Party determines, in good faith after consultation with its outside financial and legal
advisors, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Superior Proposal;
(ii)
such person is not restricted from making an Acquisition Proposal pursuant to an existing standstill,
confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar restriction with such Party or any of its subsidiaries;
(iii)
such Party has been, and continues to be, in compliance with its obligations under this Section 8.2;
and
(iv)
prior to providing any such copies, access or disclosures, such Party enters into a confidentiality and
standstill agreement with such person, or confirms it has previously entered into such an agreement which remains in effect, in either case on terms that are not less favourable in the aggregate to such Party than the Confidentiality Agreement and
which does not contain a restriction on the ability of such Party to disclose information to the other Parties relating to the agreement or the status of material developments and negotiations with respect to such Acquisition Proposal with such
person and any such copies, access or disclosure provided to such person shall have already been (or simultaneously be) provided to the other Parties.
(f)
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Dolly Varden Board or Contango Board, as applicable,
(acting in good faith and upon advice of its outside legal and financial advisors) from making any disclosure to its shareholders as required by applicable Laws (including, without limitation, its fiduciary duties under applicable Law), including
complying with section 2.17 of Multilateral Instrument 62-104 – Takeover Bids and Issuer Bids and similar provisions under Securities Laws relating to the provision of a directors’ circular
in respect of an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that neither Dolly Varden nor Contango, nor the Dolly Varden Board nor the Contango Board, shall be permitted to recommend that its shareholders tender any securities in connection with any
take-over bid that is an Acquisition Proposal or effect a Change in Recommendation with respect thereto, except as permitted by Section 8.2(g);
(g)
If Dolly Varden or Contango receives an Acquisition Proposal that constitutes a Superior Proposal prior to
obtaining the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval, with respect to Dolly Varden, or the Contango Shareholder Approval, with respect to Contango, the Board of the Party receiving such Acquisition Proposal may, (1) make a Change in Recommendation
in response to such Superior Proposal or (2) cause such Party to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii)(B) or Section 9.2(a)(iv)(B) respectively, as applicable, and concurrently enter into a definitive agreement
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with respect to Superior Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement permitted by Section 8.2(e), a “Proposed Agreement”), if and only if:
(i)
the person making such Superior Proposal is not restricted from making an Acquisition Proposal pursuant to
an existing standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar restriction;
(ii)
such Party has been, and continues to be, in compliance with its obligations under this Section 8.2;
(iii)
such Party or its Representatives have delivered to the other Parties the information required to be
delivered by Section 8.2(d) and a written notice of the determination of the Board of such Party that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal and of the intention of the Board to make a Change in Recommendation or terminate
this Agreement pursuant to 9.2(a)(iii)(B) or Section 9.2(a)(iv)(B) respectively, as applicable, to concurrently enter into a Proposed Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal, as applicable, together with a written notice from the Board
of such Party regarding the value that the Board, in consultation with its outside financial advisors, has determined should be ascribed to any non-cash consideration offered under such Acquisition Proposal
(collectively, the “Superior Proposal Notice”);
(iv)
in the case of the Board of such Party complying with clause (iii) of this Section 8.2(g), such
Party or its Representatives have provided the other Parties a copy of the Proposed Agreement and all supporting materials, including any financing documents with customary redactions supplied to such Party in connection therewith;
(v)
five Business Days (the “Response Period”) shall have elapsed from the date on which the
other Parties have received the Superior Proposal Notice and all documentation referred to in Section 8.2(g)(iii) and Section 8.2(g)(iv);
(vi)
during any Response Period, the Party receiving the Superior Proposal Notice has had the opportunity (but
not the obligation) in accordance with Section 8.2(h), to offer to amend this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement in order for such Acquisition Proposal to cease to be a Superior Proposal;
(vii)
after the Response Period, the Board of the Party receiving the Acquisition Proposal (A) has determined
in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that such Acquisition Proposal continues to constitute a Superior Proposal (if applicable, compared to the terms of the Arrangement as proposed to be amended by
the other Party under Section 8.2(h)), and (B) has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure by the Board of such Party to make a Change in Recommendation or to cause such Party to
terminate this Agreement to enter into the Proposed Agreement, as applicable, would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; and
(viii)
in the case of the Board of the Party receiving an Acquisition Proposal exercising its rights under this
Section 8.2(g), prior to or concurrently with terminating this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.2(g), such Party enters into such Proposed Agreement and concurrently pays to the other Party the amounts required to be paid pursuant to
Section 8.3.
(h)
During the Response Period, or such longer period as the Party receiving an Acquisition Proposal may approve
in writing for such purpose: (i) the Board of such Party shall review any offer made by the other Party under Section 8.2(g)(vi) to amend the terms of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement in good faith in order to determine whether
such proposal would, upon acceptance, result in Acquisition Proposal previously constituting a Superior Proposal ceasing to be a Superior Proposal; and (ii) if the Board of such Party determines that an Acquisition Proposal previously
constituting a Superior Proposal would cease to be a Superior Proposal, such Party shall promptly
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notify and negotiate in good faith with the other Party to make such amendments to the terms of this Agreement and the Arrangement as would enable the other Party to proceed with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement on such amended terms. If the Board of the Party receiving an Acquisition Proposal determines that such Acquisition Proposal would cease to be a Superior Proposal, such Party shall immediately so advise the other
Party, and the Parties shall thereafter amend this Agreement to reflect such offer made by the other Party, and shall take and cause to be taken all such actions as are necessary to give effect to the foregoing.
(i)
Each successive amendment or modification to any Acquisition Proposal or Proposed Agreement that results in
any modification to the consideration, or the value thereof or the other material terms or conditions relating thereto, shall constitute a new Acquisition Proposal for the purposes of this Section 8.2, and the other Party shall be afforded a
new five Business Day Response Period from the date on which such Party has received the notice and all documentation referred to in Section 8.2(g)(iii) and Section 8.2(g)(iv) with respect to the new Superior Proposal from the other Party.
(j)
The Board of the Party receiving an Acquisition Proposal shall promptly reaffirm its Board Recommendation by
press release after the Board of such Party determines that any Acquisition Proposal that is publicly announced is not a Superior Proposal or such Board determines that a proposed amendment to the terms of this Agreement as contemplated under
Section 8.2(h) would result in an Acquisition Proposal that has been previously announced no longer being a Superior Proposal, and this Agreement has been so amended. The Party receiving an Acquisition Proposal shall provide the other Party and
its outside legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review the form and content of any such press release and shall make all reasonable amendments to such press release as requested by the other Party and its counsel.
(k)
In circumstances where a Party provides the other Party with a Superior Proposal Notice and all
documentation contemplated by Section 8.2(g)(iii) and Section 8.2(g)(iv) on a date that is less than seven Business Days prior to the scheduled date of the Dolly Varden Meeting or the Contango Meeting, as applicable, the Party responding
to the Superior Proposal Notice may either proceed with or postpone its meeting to a date that is not more than ten Business Days after the scheduled date of such meeting (provided that such Party shall postpone such meeting to a date that is not
more than ten Business Days after the scheduled date of such meeting if so directed by the other Party). If such meeting is so postponed, the Party responding to the notice of Superior Proposal shall be entitled to require the Party providing the
notice of Superior Proposal to postpone its meeting to the same day and time as the postponed meeting.
(l)
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party shall advise its subsidiaries and
Representatives of the prohibitions set out in this Section 8.2 and any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 8.2 by a Party or its subsidiaries or Representatives shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section by such
Party.
8.3
Expenses and Termination Fees
(a)
Except as otherwise provided herein, all fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the Plan of Arrangement shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees, costs or expenses.
(b)
If a Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event occurs, Dolly Varden shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Contango or
as Contango shall direct (by wire transfer of immediately available funds) the Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(f). If a Contango Termination Fee Event occurs, Contango shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Dolly Varden or as Dolly
Varden shall direct (by wire transfer of immediately available funds) the Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(g).
(c)
For the purposes of this Agreement, “Termination Fee” means US$15,000,000.
(d)
For the purposes of this Agreement, “Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event” means the
termination of this Agreement:
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(i)
by Contango pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii)(A) [Dolly Varden Change in Recommendation], except
where the Change in Recommendation by Dolly Varden which has led to the termination pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii)(A) was made solely because the Dolly Varden Board, acting in good faith, in consultation with its outside legal counsel and
financial advisors, determined that a change, effect, event or occurrence (in any case that was unknown by the Dolly Varden Board as of the date hereof) has taken place that constitutes a Contango Material Adverse Effect and that, as a consequence,
it would be inconsistent with the Dolly Varden Board’s fiduciary obligations to continue to recommend that Dolly Varden Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement or pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii)(D) [Dolly Varden Breach of
Non-Solicitation];
(ii)
by Dolly Varden pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iv)(B) [Dolly Varden Accepts Superior
Proposal]; or
(iii)
by either Dolly Varden or Contango pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(ii)(A) [Effective Time has not
occurred before Outside Date], Section 9.2(a)(ii)(C) [Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval not obtained at the Dolly Varden Meeting] or Section 9.2(a)(ii)(D) [Contango Shareholder Approval not obtained at the Contango
Meeting] or by Contango pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii)(C) (due to wilful breach or actual fraud) [Breach of Dolly Varden Representations, Warranties or Covenants] but only if, in the case of this section (iii), prior to the
termination of this Agreement, an Acquisition Proposal, or the intention to make an Acquisition Proposal, with respect to Dolly Varden shall have been made or publicly announced by any person (other than Contango or any of its affiliates) and has
not expired or been withdrawn prior to the Dolly Varden Meeting; and:
(A)
within 12 months following the date of such termination Dolly Varden enters into a definitive agreement in
respect of an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition Proposal referred to above) and such Acquisition Proposal is later consummated (whether or not within such 12 month period); or
(B)
within 12 months following the date of such termination an Acquisition Proposal is consummated (whether or
not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition Proposal referred to above),
provided that for
purposes of this Section 8.3(d), the term “Acquisition Proposal” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 except that each reference to “20%” therein shall be deemed to be a reference to
“50%”.
(e)
For the purposes of this Agreement, “Contango Termination Fee Event” means the
termination of this Agreement:
(i)
by Dolly Varden pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iv)(A) [Contango Change in Recommendation], except
where the Change in Recommendation by Contango which has led to the termination pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iv)(A) was made solely because the Contango Board, acting in good faith, in consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial
advisors, determined that a change, effect, event or occurrence (in any case that was unknown by the Contango Board as of the date hereof) has taken place that constitutes a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect and that, as a consequence, it would
be inconsistent with the Contango Board’s fiduciary obligations to continue to recommend that Contango Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement or pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iv)(D) [Contango Breach of Non-Solicitation];
(ii)
by Contango pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii)(B) [Contango Accepts Superior Proposal]; or
(iii)
by either Dolly Varden or Contango pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(ii)(A) [Effective Time has not
occurred before Outside Date], Section 9.2(a)(ii)(C) [Dolly Varden Shareholder
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Approval not obtained at the Dolly Varden Meeting] or Section 9.2(a)(ii)(D) [Contango Shareholder Approval not obtained at the Contango Meeting] or by Dolly Varden pursuant to
Section 9.2(a)(iv)(C) (due to a wilful breach or actual fraud) [Breach of Contango Representations, Warranties or Covenants], but only if, in the case of this section (iii), prior to the termination of this Agreement, an Acquisition
Proposal, or the intention to make an Acquisition Proposal, with respect to Contango shall have been made or publicly announced by any person (other than Dolly Varden or any of its affiliates) and has not expired or been withdrawn prior to the
Contango Meeting; and:
(A)
within 12 months following the date of such termination Contango enters into a definitive agreement in
respect of an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition Proposal referred to above) and such Acquisition Proposal is later consummated (whether or not within such 12 month period); or
(B)
within 12 months following the date of such termination an Acquisition Proposal is consummated (whether or
not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition Proposal referred to above),
provided that for
purposes of this Section 8.3(e), the term “Acquisition Proposal” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 except that each reference to “20%” therein shall be deemed to be a reference to
“50%”.
(f)
If a Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event occurs pursuant to Section 8.3(d)(i), the Termination Fee shall
be payable by Dolly Varden to Contango within two Business Days following such Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event. If a Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event occurs pursuant to Section 8.3(d)(ii), the Termination Fee shall be paid by Dolly Varden
to Contango prior to or concurrently with such termination. If a Dolly Varden Termination Fee Event occurs in the circumstances set out in Section 8.3(d)(iii), the Termination Fee shall be payable by Dolly Varden to Contango upon the closing of
the applicable transaction referred to therein. Any Termination Fee payable pursuant to this Section 8.3(f) shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
(g)
If a Contango Termination Fee Event occurs pursuant to Section 8.3(e)(i), the Termination Fee shall be
payable by Contango to Dolly Varden within two Business Days following such Contango Termination Fee Event. If a Contango Termination Fee Event occurs pursuant to Section 8.3(e)(ii), the Termination Fee shall be paid by Contango to Dolly Varden
prior to or concurrently with such termination. If a Contango Termination Fee Event occurs in the circumstances set out in Section 8.3(e)(iii), the Termination Fee shall be payable by Contango to Dolly Varden upon the closing of the applicable
transaction referred to therein. Any Termination Fee payable pursuant to this Section 8.3(g) shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
(h)
Each of the Parties acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 8.3 are an integral part
of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and that, without those agreements, the Parties would not enter into this Agreement. Each Party acknowledges that all of the payment amounts set out in this Section 8.3 are payments of
liquidated damages which are a genuine pre-estimate of the damages which the Party entitled to such damages will suffer or incur as a result of the event giving rise to such damages and the resultant
termination of this Agreement and are not penalties. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any right it may have to raise as a defense that any such liquidated damages are excessive or punitive. For greater certainty, each Party agrees that, upon
any termination of this Agreement under circumstances where a Party is entitled to a Termination Fee and such Termination Fee is paid in full, the Party receiving the Termination Fee shall be precluded from any other remedy against the other Parties
at law or in equity or otherwise (including an order for specific performance), and shall not seek to obtain any recovery, judgment, or damages of any kind, including consequential, indirect, or punitive damages, against the other Parties or any of
its subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, managers, members, shareholders or affiliates in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(i)
Nothing in this Section 8.3 shall relieve or have the effect of relieving any Party in any way from
liability for damages incurred or suffered by a Party as a result of an intentional or wilful breach of this Agreement.
(j)
Nothing in this Section 8.3 shall preclude a Party from seeking injunctive relief to restrain any
breach or threatened breach of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or otherwise to obtain specific performance of any such covenants or agreements, without the necessity of posting bond or security in connection therewith.
(k)
For greater certainty, except as provided in Section 8.3(i), a Party shall not be obligated to make
more than one payment of the Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 8.3.
8.4
Access to Information; Confidentiality
(a)
From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to its terms, subject to compliance with applicable Laws and the terms of any existing Contracts, Dolly Varden shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, afford to Contango and its Representatives, upon reasonable notice, such access as Contango
may reasonably require at all reasonable times, including, for the purpose of facilitating integration business planning, to its officers, employees, agents, properties, books, records, payroll, bank accounts and Contracts, and shall furnish
Contango on a timely basis with all data and information relating to ongoing activities and programs at the Dolly Varden Projects or as Contango may reasonably request from time to time, including, if so requested by Contango and at the expense of
Contango, allowing Representatives of Contango to be present at the Dolly Varden Projects.
(b)
From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to its terms, subject to compliance with applicable Laws and the terms of any existing Contracts, Contango shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, afford to Dolly Varden and its Representatives, upon reasonable notice, such access as Dolly
Varden may reasonably require at all reasonable times to its officers, employees, agents, properties, books, records, payroll, bank accounts and Contracts, and shall furnish Dolly Varden on a timely basis with all data and information relating to
ongoing activities and programs at the Contango Projects or as Dolly Varden may reasonably request from time to time, including, if so requested by Dolly Varden and at the expense of Dolly Varden, allowing Representatives of Dolly Varden to be
present at the Contango Projects.
(c)
Contango and Dolly Varden acknowledge and agree that information furnished pursuant to this Section 8.4
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement. Any such investigation by the Parties and its Representatives under this Section 8.4 or otherwise shall not mitigate, diminish or affect the representations and
warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement or any document or certificate delivered pursuant hereto.
8.5
Insurance and Indemnification
(a)
Prior to the Effective Time, Dolly Varden may purchase customary “tail” policies of
directors’ and officers’ liability, products and completed operations liability and employment practices liability insurance from a reputable and financially sound insurance carrier and containing terms and conditions no less favourable
in the aggregate to the protection provided by the policies maintained by Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries which are in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date and, providing protection in respect of claims arising from facts or events which
occurred on or prior to the Effective Time and Contango will, and will cause Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries to, maintain such tail policies in effect, without any reduction in scope or coverage for six years from the Effective Time; provided, that
Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries shall not be required to pay any amounts in respect of such coverage prior to the Effective Time and provided further that the cost of such policies shall not exceed 300% of the current annual aggregate premium for
policies currently maintained by Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries.
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(b)
Contango will cause Dolly Varden and its other subsidiaries to, honour all rights to indemnification or
exculpation now existing in favour of present and former employees, officers and directors of Dolly Varden and its subsidiaries under Law and under the articles or other constating documents of Dolly Varden or its subsidiaries or, to the extent that
they are disclosed in Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter, under any agreement or contract of any indemnified person with Dolly Varden or with any of its subsidiaries, and acknowledges that such rights shall survive the completion of the Plan of
Arrangement. To the extent within the control of Contango, Contango shall ensure that the same shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect any right thereunder of any such indemnified person and
shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms for a period of not less than six years from the Effective Date.
(c)
From and following the Effective Time, Contango and the Acquiror will cause Dolly Varden to comply with its
obligations under Section 8.5(a) and Section 8.5(b).
(d)
If Dolly Varden, Contango, the Acquiror or any of their direct or indirect parent companies or successors or
assigns shall (i) amalgamate, consolidate with or merge or wind-up into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity; or (ii) transfer all or substantially all
of its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns and transferees of Dolly Varden or Contango, as the case may be, shall assume all of the obligations of Dolly
Varden, Contango or Acquiror, as applicable, set forth in this Section 8.5.
(e)
The provisions of this Section 8.5 are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each
insured or indemnified person, his or her heirs and his or her legal representatives and, for such purpose, Dolly Varden hereby confirms that it is acting as trustee on their behalf, and agrees to enforce the provisions of this Section 8.5 on
their behalf. Furthermore, this Section 8.5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of the Effective Date for a period of six years.
ARTICLE 9
TERM,
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
9.1
Term
This Agreement shall be effective from the date of this Agreement, until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination
of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
9.2
Termination
(a)
This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time:
(i)
by mutual written agreement of Dolly Varden and Contango; or
(ii)
by either Dolly Varden or Contango, if:
(A)
the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or before the Outside Date, except that the right to terminate
this Agreement under this Section 9.2(a)(ii)(A) shall not be available to any Party whose failure to fulfill any of its covenants or agreements or breach of any of its representations and warranties under this Agreement has been the cause of,
or resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur by such Outside Date;
(B)
after the date of this Agreement, there shall be enacted or made any applicable Law or Order that makes
consummation of the Arrangement illegal or otherwise prohibits or enjoins Dolly Varden, Contango or the Acquiror from consummating the Arrangement and such applicable Law, Order or enjoinment shall have become final and non-appealable; provided that the Party seeking to terminate this
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Agreement under this Section 9.2(a)(ii)(B) has complied with Section 6.5(c) in all material respects;
(C)
the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval shall have not been obtained at the Dolly Varden Meeting (including
any adjournment or postponement thereof) in accordance with the Interim Order, provided that a Party may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.2(a)(ii)(C) if the failure to obtain the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval has been
caused by, or is a result of, a breach by such Party of any of its representations or warranties or the failure of such Party to perform any of its covenants or agreements under this Agreement;
(D)
the Contango Shareholder Approval shall have not been obtained at the Contango Meeting (including any
adjournment or postponement thereof), provided that a Party may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.2(a)(ii)(D) if the failure to obtain the Contango Shareholder Approval has been caused by, or is a result of, a breach by
such Party of any of its representations or warranties or the failure of such Party to perform any of its covenants or agreements under this Agreement; or
(iii)
by Contango, if:
(A)
the Dolly Varden Board makes a Change in Recommendation;
(B)
prior to obtaining the Contango Shareholder Approval, the Contango Board authorizes Contango, subject to
complying with the terms of this Agreement, to enter into a binding written agreement relating to a Superior Proposal; provided that concurrent with such termination, Contango pays, or causes to be paid, the Termination Fee payable pursuant
to Section 8.3;
(C)
a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of
Dolly Varden set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred that would cause the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 not to be satisfied, and such breach or failure is incapable of being cured on or prior to the Outside
date or is not cured in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1(b); provided that Contango is not then in breach of this Agreement so as to cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 not to be
satisfied;
(D)
without limiting the provisions of subparagraph (C) above, Dolly Varden wilfully or materially breaches
any of its obligations or covenants set forth in Section 8.2; or
(E)
there has occurred a Dolly Varden Material Adverse Effect following the date hereof.
(iv)
by Dolly Varden, if:
(A)
the Contango Board makes a Change in Recommendation;
(B)
prior to obtaining the Dolly Varden Shareholder Approval, the Dolly Varden Board authorizes Dolly Varden,
subject to complying with the terms of this Agreement, to enter into a binding written agreement relating to a Superior Proposal; provided that concurrent with such termination, Dolly Varden pays, or causes to be paid, the Termination Fee
payable pursuant to Section 8.3;
(C)
a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of
Contango set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred
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that would cause the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.3 not to be satisfied, and such breach or failure is incapable of being cured on or prior to the Outside date or is
not cured in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1(b); provided that Dolly Varden is not then in breach of this Agreement so as to cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.3 not to be satisfied;
(D)
without limiting the provisions of subparagraph (C) above, Contango wilfully or materially breaches any
of its obligations or covenants set forth in Section 8.2; or
(E)
there has occurred a Contango Material Adverse Effect following the date hereof.
(b)
The Party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.2 (other than pursuant to
Section 9.2(a)(i)) shall give written notice of such termination to the other Parties, specifying in reasonable detail the basis for such Party’s exercise of its termination right.
(c)
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9.2, this Agreement shall become void and of
no effect without liability of any Party (or any shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of such Party) to any other Parties hereto, except as otherwise expressly contemplated hereby, and provided that the
provisions of this Section 9.2(c) and Sections 8.3, 10.2, 10.4, 10.6, 10.7, as well as the confidentiality provisions of Section 8.4 and the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (other than any standstill provisions contained
therein) and the indemnification obligations of Contango in Section 8.5, shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to Section 9.2(a); provided further that neither the termination of this Agreement nor anything contained in this
Section 9.2 shall relieve a Party from any liability arising prior to such termination.
9.3
Amendment
This Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement may, at any time and from time to time before or after the holding of the Dolly
Varden Meeting or the Contango Meeting but not later than the Effective Time, be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties and any such amendment may, subject to the Interim Order and the Final Order and applicable Law, without limitation:
(a)
change the time for performance of any of the obligations or acts of the Parties;
(b)
waive any inaccuracies or modify any representation or warranty contained herein or in any document
delivered pursuant hereto;
(c)
waive compliance with or modify any of the covenants herein contained and waive or modify performance of any
of the obligations of the Parties; or
(d)
waive compliance with or modify any mutual conditions precedent herein contained.
9.4
Waiver
Any Party may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other Parties,
(b) waive compliance, except as provided herein, with any of the other Parties’ agreements, covenants or obligations, or the fulfilment of any conditions to its own obligations contained herein, or (c) waive inaccuracies in any of
the other Parties’ representations or warranties contained herein or in any document delivered by the other Parties; provided, however, that any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of such Party and, unless otherwise provided in the written waiver, will be limited to the specific breach or condition waived. A Party’s failure or delay in exercising any right under this Agreement will not operate as a
waiver of that right. A single or partial exercise of any right will not preclude a Party from any other or further exercise of that right or the exercise of any other right.
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ARTICLE 10
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1
Notices
All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given and received on the day it is delivered, provided that it is delivered on a Business Day prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of delivery or receipt. However, if notice is delivered after 5:00 p.m. local time or if such day is
not a Business Day then the notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next Business Day. Notice shall be sufficiently given if delivered (either in person or by courier), or if transmitted by email (with confirmation of
transmission) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by any Party by notice to the other given in accordance with these provisions):
(a)
if to Contango:
Contango ORE, Inc.
516 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Attention: Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President & Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [personal information redacted]
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Suite 3500, 1133 Melville Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E 4E5
Attention: Steven McKoen and Michelle Noorani
E-mail: steven.mckoen@blakes.com and
michelle.noorani@blakes.com
(b)
if to Acquiror:
1566004 B.C. Ltd.
516 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Attention: Mike Clark, President, Secretary & Treasurer
E-mail: [personal information redacted]
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Suite 3500, 1133 Melville Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E 4E5
Attention: Steven McKoen and Michelle Noorani
E-mail: steven.mckoen@blakes.com and
michelle.noorani@blakes.com
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(c)
if to Dolly Varden:
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Suite 3123 – 595 Burrard Street
PO Box 49139
Three Bentall Centre
Vancouver, BC V7X 1J1
Attention: Shawn Khunkhun
E-mail: [personal information redacted]
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Suite 1700, 666 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8
Attention: Victor Gerchikov
E-mail: vgerchikov@stikeman.com
10.2
Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the Province of British
Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably attorns to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of British Columbia in respect of all matters arising under and in relation to this
Agreement and the Arrangement and waives any defences to the maintenance of an action in the Courts of the Province of British Columbia.
10.3
Injunctive Relief
Subject to Section 8.3, the Parties agree that irreparable harm would occur for which money damages would not be an
adequate remedy at Law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the Parties agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened
breach of this Agreement by a Party, the non-breaching Party will be entitled, without the requirement of posting a bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific
performance, and the Parties shall not object to the granting of injunctive or other equitable relief on the basis that there exists an adequate remedy at law. Subject to Section 8.3, such remedies will not be the exclusive remedies for any
breach of this Agreement but will be in addition to all other remedies available at Law or equity to each of the Parties.
10.4
Time of Essence
Time shall be of the essence in this Agreement.
10.5
Entire Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment
Contango may assign all or any part of its rights under this Agreement to, and its obligations under this Agreement may be
assumed by, an affiliate of Contango, provided that if such assignment or assumption takes place, Contango shall continue to be liable jointly and severally with such affiliate for all of its obligations hereunder. Contango shall provide Dolly
Varden with written notice of such assignment on or before 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the Business Day following such assignment. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall enure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
This Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules hereto, the Dolly Varden Disclosure Letter and
the Contango Disclosure Letter) and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject
matter hereof and thereof and, except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement is not intended to
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and shall not confer upon any person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. Except as expressly permitted by the terms hereof, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties.
10.6
Severability
If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or Law or
public policy, that provision will be severed from this Agreement and all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions
contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this
Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
10.7
Further Assurances
Each Party shall use all commercially reasonable efforts do all such things and provide all such reasonable assurances as may
be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each Party shall provide such further documents or instruments as reasonably required by any other Parties as necessary or desirable to effect the purpose of this
Agreement and carry out its provisions, whether before or after the Effective Date.
10.8
No Third Party Beneficiaries
Except as provided in Section 8.5(e) this Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other
than the Parties to this Agreement.
10.9
Mutual Interest
Notwithstanding the fact that any part of this Agreement has been drafted or prepared by or on behalf of one of the Parties,
the Parties confirm that they and their respective counsel have reviewed and negotiated this Agreement and that the Parties have adopted this Agreement as the joint agreement and understanding of the Parties, and the language used in this Agreement
will be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and the Parties waive the application of any Laws or rule or construction providing that ambiguities in any agreement or other document will be construed against
the Party drafting such agreement or other document and agree that no rule of construction providing that a provision is to be interpreted in favour of the person who contracted the obligation and against the person who stipulated it will be applied
against any Party.
10.10
Counterparts, Execution
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The Parties shall be entitled to rely upon delivery of an executed electronic copy of this Agreement, and such executed electronic copy shall be legally effective to create a valid and binding
agreement between the Parties.
[The next page is the signature page.]
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SCHEDULE A
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
PLAN
OF ARRANGEMENT UNDER DIVISION 5 OF PART 9 OF THE
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (BRITISH COLUMBIA)
(see attached)
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
Under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
concerning
Dolly Varden Silver
Corporation
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1
Definitions
For the purposes of this Plan of Arrangement, the following have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Acquiror” means 1566004 B.C. Ltd., a company directly and wholly-owned by Callco immediately prior to the
Effective Time, existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia;
“Acquiror Shares” means
the common shares in the authorized share structure of Acquiror;
“Affiliate” means, with respect to
any Person, any other Person who directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlled” and
“controlling” have meanings correlative thereto;
“Amalco” has the meaning set forth
in Section 4.1(e)(i).
“Amalco Common Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(d);
“Amalco Exchangeable Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(d);
“Amalgamation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(e)(i);
“Arrangement” means the arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the BCBCA on the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in this Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with Section 9.3 of the Arrangement Agreement, this Plan of Arrangement or at the direction of the Court in the Interim Order or
Final Order with the consent of Contango, Acquiror and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably;
“Arrangement
Agreement” means the Arrangement Agreement dated December 7, 2025, as amended and restated on February 11, 2026, among Dolly Varden, Acquiror and Contango as same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in
accordance therewith prior to the Effective Time, providing for, among other things, the Arrangement;
“BCBCA” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia);
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which the banks located
in Vancouver, British Columbia are closed or authorized to be closed;
“Callco” means 1566002 B.C.
Unlimited Liability Company, an unlimited liability company, directly and wholly-owned by Contango, existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia;
“Callco Share” means a common share in the capital of Callco;
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
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“Consideration” means (i) in the case of an Eligible
Holder who validly elected to receive Exchangeable Shares prior to the Election Deadline in accordance with this Plan of Arrangement, for each Dolly Varden Share, 0.1652 of an Exchangeable Share, and (ii) in the case of each other Dolly Varden
Shareholder, for each Dolly Varden Share, 0.1652 of a Contango Consideration Share;
“Consideration
Shares” means Contango Consideration Shares and Exchangeable Shares to be issued as Consideration pursuant to the Arrangement;
“Contango” means Contango, a Delaware corporation;
“Contango Consideration Shares” means Contango Shares to be issued as Consideration pursuant to the
Arrangement;
“Contango Share” means a share of voting common stock in the authorized share structure
of Contango;
“Court” means the Supreme Court of British Columbia;
“Depositary” means Computershare Investor Services Inc., in its capacity as depositary for the Arrangement;
“Dissent Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1;
“Dissenting Shareholder” means a registered Dolly Varden Shareholder as of the record date of the Dolly
Varden Meeting that duly and validly exercises the Dissent Rights in strict compliance with Sections 237 to 247 of the BCBCA, as modified by the Interim Order, the Final Order, Section 6.1, or any other order of the Court and that has not
withdrawn or been deemed to have withdrawn such exercise of Dissent Rights;
“Dolly Varden” means Dolly
Varden Silver Corporation, a British Columbia company;
“Dolly Varden Circular” has the meaning set
forth in the Arrangement Agreement;
“Dolly Varden Meeting” has the meaning set forth in the
Arrangement Agreement;
“Dolly Varden Option” means an option to purchase a Dolly Varden Share granted
pursuant to the Dolly Varden Option Plans;
“Dolly Varden Option In-The-Money Amount” in respect of a Dolly Varden Option means the amount, if any, by which the total fair market value (determined immediately before the Effective Time) of the Dolly Varden Share
that a Holder of a Dolly Varden Option is entitled to acquire on exercise of such Dolly Varden Option immediately before the Effective Time exceeds the aggregate exercise price to acquire such Dolly Varden Share;
“Dolly Varden 2017 Option Plan” means the Dolly Varden Share Option Plan as amended and restated on
May 18, 2017;
“Dolly Varden 2022 Option Plan” means the Dolly Varden Stock Option Plan dated
May 20, 2022;
“Dolly Varden Option Plans” means, together, the Dolly Varden 2017 Option Plan and
the Dolly Varden 2022 Option Plan, each being a “Dolly Varden Option Plan”;
“Dolly Varden
Resolution” means the special resolution to be considered by the Dolly Varden Shareholders at the Dolly Varden Meeting, substantially in the form attached as Schedule B to the Arrangement Agreement;
“Dolly Varden RSU” means a restricted share unit awarded pursuant to the Dolly Varden RSU Plan;
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“Dolly Varden RSU Net Exercise Agreements” means,
collectively, the agreements to be entered into by Dolly Varden and each Holder of Dolly Varden RSUs prior to the Effective Time providing for the net exercise of the Dolly Varden RSUs in connection with the surrender and cancellation or redemption
of the Dolly Varden RSUs pursuant to the terms of the Dolly Varden RSU Plan and in connection with the Arrangement, in a form to be agreed to by Dolly Varden and Contango, each acting reasonably;
“Dolly Varden RSU Plan” means the Dolly Varden Restricted Share Unit Plan dated May 20, 2022;
“Dolly Varden Security” means a Dolly Varden Share, Dolly Varden Option or Dolly Varden RSU;
“Dolly Varden Securityholder” means a holder of one or more Dolly Varden Securities;
“Dolly Varden Share” means a common share in the authorized share structure of Dolly Varden;
“Dolly Varden Shareholder” means a registered or beneficial holder of one or more Dolly Varden Shares and,
where the context so provides, includes joint holders of such Dolly Varden Shares;
“Effective Date”
has the meaning set forth in the Arrangement Agreement;
“Effective Time” means 12:01 a.m. (Vancouver
time) on the Effective Date, or such other time as the parties to the Arrangement Agreement agree to in writing before the Effective Date;
“Electing Dolly Varden Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c);
“Election Deadline” means the date and time as agreed by Dolly Varden and Contango (each acting reasonably)
and set in accordance with Section 4.2(b) as the deadline for Eligible Holders to make the election in Section 4.2(a); provided that, for greater certainty, the Election Deadline shall be prior to the Effective Date;
“Eligible Holder” means a Dolly Varden Shareholder that is a beneficial owner of Dolly Varden Shares and
is: (a) a resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and not exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act; or (b) a “Canadian partnership” within the meaning of the Tax Act, other than a Canadian partnership all the members
of which are exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act;
“Exchange Ratio” means 0.1652 of a Contango
Share for each Dolly Varden Share;
“Exchangeable Share Provisions” means the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares, which rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions shall be consistent with the terms set out in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;
“Exchangeable Share Support
Agreement” means an agreement to be made among Contango, Callco and Acquiror on the Effective Date and in connection with this Plan of Arrangement consistent with the terms set out in the Exchangeable Share Term Sheet, as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;
“Exchangeable Share Term Sheet” means the term sheet summarizing the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares as set forth in Schedule F to the Arrangement Agreement;
“Exchangeable Shares” means the exchangeable shares in the capital of Acquiror having the rights,
privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Final Order”
means the final order of the Court pursuant to Section 291 of the BCBCA, in form and substance acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably, after a hearing upon the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and
conditions of the Arrangement, approving the Arrangement, as such order may
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be affirmed, amended, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court (with the consent of Contango and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably) at any time prior to the Effective Date or, if
appealed, then, as affirmed or as amended on appeal (provided that any such amendment is acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably) unless such appeal is withdrawn, abandoned or denied;
“Governmental Entity” means (a) any multinational, federal, national, provincial, state, regional,
municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, commissioner, board, minister, ministry, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, (b) any
subdivision, agent, commission, board or authority of any of the foregoing, (c) any quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization, exercising any regulatory,
expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing, or (d) any stock exchange, including the NYSE American and TSXV;
“Holders” means (a) when used with reference to Dolly Varden Shares, the holders thereof shown from
time to time in the central securities registers of Dolly Varden and, where the context so provides, includes joint holders of such Dolly Varden Shares, (b) when used with reference to Dolly Varden Options, the holders thereof shown from time
to time in the register maintained by or on behalf of Dolly Varden in respect of Dolly Varden Options, and (c) when used with reference to Dolly Varden RSUs, the holders thereof shown from time to time in the register maintained by or on behalf
of Dolly Varden in respect of Dolly Varden RSUs;
“Interim Order” means the interim order of the Court
contemplated by Section 2.2 of the Arrangement Agreement and made pursuant to Section 291 of the BCBCA in form acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably, providing for, among other things, declaration and direction in
respect of the notice to be given in respect of, and the calling and holding of the Dolly Varden Meeting, as the same may be affirmed, amended, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court (provided that any such amendment, modification, supplement
or variation is acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden, each acting reasonably);
“Law” or
“Laws” means all laws (including common law), by-laws, statutes, rules, regulations, principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, ordinances, judgements, injunctions, determinations,
awards, decrees or other requirements, whether domestic or foreign, and the terms and conditions of any grant of approval, permission, authority or license of any Governmental Entity or self-regulatory authority (including, where applicable, the
TSXV and the NYSE American), and the term “applicable” with respect to such Laws and in a context that refers to one or more persons, means such Laws as are applicable to such person or its business, undertaking, assets, property
or securities and emanate from a person having jurisdiction over the person or persons or its or their business, undertaking, assets, property or securities;
“Letter of Transmittal and Election Form” means the letter of transmittal and election form(s) for use by
registered Dolly Varden Shareholders, in the form accompanying the Dolly Varden Circular (which shall be reasonably acceptable to Contango) or in any other form reasonably acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden, providing for Dolly Varden
Shareholder’s election with respect to the Consideration and which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the share certificates representing the applicable Dolly Varden Shares, if any, shall pass, only
upon proper delivery of such share certificates (or effective affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) to the Depositary and which shall be in such form and have such other customary provisions as Dolly Varden may specify (which shall be reasonably
acceptable to Contango);
“Lien” has the meaning set forth in the Arrangement Agreement;
“Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1(b);
“NYSE American” means the NYSE American Stock Exchange LLC;
“Person” means an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, association, body corporate, trust, natural
person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative, Governmental Entity or any other entity, whether or not having legal status;
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“Plan of Arrangement”, “hereof”,
“herein”, “hereunder”, and similar expressions refer to this Plan of Arrangement and not to any particular Article, Section or other portion hereof and includes any agreement or instrument supplementary or
ancillary hereto;
“Replacement Option
In-The-Money Amount” in respect of a Replacement Option means the amount, if any, by which the total fair market value (determined immediately after the
Effective Time) of the Contango Shares that a holder is entitled to acquire on exercise of the Replacement Option at and from the Effective Time exceeds the aggregate exercise price to acquire such Contango Shares;
“Replacement Options” means options to purchase Contango Shares granted in exchange for the Dolly Varden
Options pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement;
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other legal entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, or (b) if a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof and for this purpose, a Person or Persons own a majority ownership interest in such a business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of such
business entity’s gains or losses or shall be a, or control any, managing director or general partner of such business entity (other than a corporation). The term “Subsidiary” shall include all Subsidiaries of such
Subsidiary;
“Tax” has the meanings set forth in the Arrangement Agreement;
“Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada);
“Trustee” means a trustee to be mutually chosen by Contango and Dolly Varden, acting reasonably, to act as
trustee under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and any successor trustee appointed under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement;
“TSXV” means the TSX Venture Exchange;
“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount expressed in Canadian dollars
(the “Canadian Dollar Amount”), the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Canadian Dollar Amount by (ii) the “US Dollar” daily exchange rate published by the Bank of Canada on the Business Day immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, in the event such daily exchange rate is not available, the Canadian dollar-U.S. dollar exchange rate on the Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date, expressed in
U.S. dollars, as may be determined by Contango (which shall be reasonably acceptable to Dolly Varden); and
“Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement” means an agreement entered into between Contango, Callco, Acquiror
and the Trustee on the Effective Date in connection with this Plan of Arrangement.
1.2
Headings and References
The division of this Plan of Arrangement into Articles and sections and the insertion of headings are for convenience of
reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation of this Plan of Arrangement. Unless otherwise specified, references to Articles and sections are to Articles and sections of this Plan of Arrangement.
1.3
Time Periods
Unless otherwise specified, time periods within, or following, which any payment is to be made, or act is to be done, shall be
calculated by excluding the day on which the period commences and including the day on which the
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period ends and by extending the period to the next Business Day following if the last day of the period is not a Business Day.
1.4
Currency
Unless otherwise stated, all references in this Plan of Arrangement to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of Canada.
1.5
Time
Unless otherwise indicated, all times expressed herein or in any Letter of Transmittal and Election Form are to local time,
Vancouver, British Columbia.
1.6
Construction
In this Plan of Arrangement:
(a)
unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and
words denoting any gender include all genders;
(b)
the word “including” or “includes” shall mean “including (or
includes) without limitation”;
(c)
“or” is intended to be inclusive and is deemed to mean “and/or”; and
(d)
any reference to a statute includes all rules and regulations made pursuant to such statute and, unless
otherwise specified, the provisions of any statute or regulation or rule which amends, supplements or supersedes any such statute or any such regulation or rule.
1.7
Governing Law
This Plan of Arrangement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the BCBCA, and the Laws of the Province of
British Columbia and other federal Laws of Canada applicable therein.
ARTICLE 2
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
2.1
Plan of Arrangement
This Plan of Arrangement is made pursuant to, is subject to the provisions of and forms part of, the Arrangement Agreement.
2.2
Effectiveness
This Plan of Arrangement and the Arrangement will become effective, and will be binding, at and after the times referred to in
Section 4.1 on: (a) Dolly Varden, (b) Acquiror, (c) Callco, (d) Contango, (e) all Dolly Varden Securityholders (including Dissenting Shareholders), (f) all holders of Exchangeable Shares, (g) the Depositary, (h) Amalco
(upon and following the Amalgamation), and (i) all other Persons, in each case without any further authorization, act or formality on the part of the Court or any Person from and after the Effective Time.
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ARTICLE 3
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
3.1
Restricted Share Units
On the Effective Date, immediately prior to the Effective Time, not as part of the Arrangement, all of the Dolly Varden Shares
to be issued in connection with the surrender and cancellation or redemption of the Dolly Varden RSUs in accordance with the terms of the Dolly Varden RSU Plan, the Dolly Varden RSU Net Exercise Agreements and the Arrangement Agreement shall be
issued and the name of each such former holder of a surrendered and cancelled or redeemed Dolly Varden RSU shall be entered into the central securities register of Dolly Varden, but no such former holder shall be entitled to a certificate or other
evidence representing the Dolly Varden Shares issued upon the surrender and cancellation or redemption of such holder’s Dolly Varden RSU, such that each former holder of a Dolly Varden RSU prior to the Effective Time participates in the
Arrangement as a Dolly Varden Shareholder. All agreements relating to Dolly Varden RSUs issued under the Dolly Varden RSU Plan shall, on completion of the foregoing surrender and cancellations or redemptions, be terminated and be of no further force
and effect.
3.2
Stock Options
On the Effective Date, but not as part of the Arrangement, each Dolly Varden Option outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall be deemed to be vested to the fullest extent, and following completion of the step set out in Section 4.1(d), but for greater certainty prior to the completion of the step set out in
Section 4.1(e), shall be exchanged for a Replacement Option to purchase from Contango the number of Contango Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) equal to: (A) the Exchange Ratio, multiplied by (B) the number of Dolly
Varden Shares subject to such Dolly Varden Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, at an exercise price per Dolly Varden Share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (M) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the exercise price per
Dolly Varden Share otherwise subject to such Dolly Varden Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by (N) the Exchange Ratio. Except as set out above, all other terms and conditions of such Replacement Option, including the
conditions to and manner of exercising, will be the same as the Dolly Varden Option so exchanged, and shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Dolly Varden Option Plan, and any document evidencing a Dolly Varden Option shall thereafter
evidence and be deemed to evidence such Replacement Option and no certificates evidencing the Replacement Options will be issued and the Replacement Options shall be governed by and be subject to such certificates, other than as amended hereby. It
is intended that the provisions of subsection 7(1.4) of the Tax Act apply to the exchange of a Dolly Varden Option for a Replacement Option. Therefore, in the event that the Replacement Option In-The-Money Amount in respect of a Replacement Option would, but for this sentence, exceed the Dolly Varden Option In-The-Money
Amount in respect of the Dolly Varden Option for which it is exchanged, the number of Contango Shares which may be acquired on exercise of the Replacement Option at and after the Effective Time will be automatically adjusted accordingly with effect
at and from the Effective Time to ensure that the Replacement Option In-The-Money Amount in respect of the Replacement Option does not exceed the Dolly Varden Option In-The-Money Amount in respect of the Dolly Varden Option. Additionally, to the extent the exchange of a Dolly Varden Option for a Replacement Option is subject to
Section 409A of the Code, the exercise price, the number of Contango Shares which may be acquired on exercise of the Replacement Option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
ARTICLE 4
THE ARRANGEMENT
4.1
Arrangement
Commencing immediately following the Effective Time, pursuant to the Arrangement, the following transactions shall occur and
shall be deemed to occur in the order in which they appear without any further act or formality, effective as at five (5) minute intervals (in each case, unless otherwise specified) starting at the Effective Time:
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(a)
Dissenting Shareholders. The outstanding Dolly Varden Shares held by Dissenting Shareholders shall be
deemed to be transferred by the Holders thereof to Dolly Varden without any further authorization, act or formality by such Holders, in consideration for the right to receive an amount determined and payable in accordance with Article 6, and
(i)
such Dissenting Shareholders shall cease to be the holders of such Dolly Varden Shares and to have any
rights as holders of such Dolly Varden Shares other than the right to be paid fair value by Dolly Varden (using its own funds and not funds provided directly or indirectly by Contango, Acquiror or any of their respective Affiliates) for such Dolly
Varden Shares as set out in Article 6;
(ii)
the names of such Dissenting Shareholders shall be removed from the central securities register of Dolly
Varden Shares; and
(iii)
Dolly Varden shall be deemed to be the legal and beneficial owner of such Dolly Varden Shares so
transferred, free and clear of all Liens and shall be recorded as the registered holder thereof on the central securities register of Dolly Varden Shares;
(b)
Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares. Subject to
Section 4.4, each outstanding Dolly Varden Share held by Holders, other than those Dolly Varden Shares held by Holders that are Dissenting Shareholders described in Section 4.1(a) or the Electing Dolly Varden Shares (collectively, the
“Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares”) will be transferred by the Holders thereof to Acquiror without any further authorization, act or formality by such Holders, in exchange for
the Consideration in the form of Contango Consideration Shares, and
(i)
contemporaneously with the step set forth in Section 4.1(b) and 4.1(b)(ii), Callco shall issue to
Contango, as consideration for the issue by Contango of Contango Consideration Shares pursuant to Section 4.1(b), one fully paid and non-assessable Callco Share for each such Contango Consideration Share,
and the capital account maintained by Callco in respect of Callco Shares shall be increased, in respect of each Callco Share issued pursuant to this Section 4.1(b)(i), by an amount equal to $●, and Contango shall be entered in
Callco’s central securities register of Callco Shares;
(ii)
contemporaneously with the steps set forth in Section 4.1(b) and Section 4.1(b)(i), Acquiror shall
issue to Callco, as consideration for the issue of the Callco Shares by Callco pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(i), one fully paid and non-assessable Acquiror Share for each Callco Share, and the capital
account maintained by Acquiror in respect of Acquiror Shares shall be increased, in respect of each Acquiror Share issued pursuant to this Section 4.1(b)(ii), by an amount equal to $●, and Callco shall be entered in Acquiror’s
central securities register of Acquiror Shares as the holder thereof;
(iii)
the Holders of such Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares shall cease to
be the holders of such Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares and to have any rights as holders of such Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares other than the right to receive the
Consideration in the form of Contango Consideration Shares in accordance with this Plan of Arrangement;
(iv)
the names of such Holders will be removed from the central securities register of Dolly Varden Shares; and
(v)
Acquiror shall be deemed to be the legal and beneficial owner of such
Non-Electing Dolly Varden Shares so transferred, free and clear of all Liens and shall be recorded as the registered holder thereof on the central securities register of Dolly Varden Shares;
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(c)
Electing Dolly Varden Shares. Subject to Section 4.4, those outstanding Dolly
Varden Shares held by Eligible Holders (or if applicable, registered Holders on such Eligible Holder’s behalf), other than those Eligible Holders that are Dissenting Shareholders described in Section 4.1(a), who have (A) submitted a
Letter of Transmittal and Election Form in accordance with Section 4.2 with respect to such Dolly Varden Shares or (B) otherwise made an election to receive Exchangeable Shares for such Dolly Varden Shares in a manner that is reasonably
acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the “Electing Dolly Varden Shares”) will be transferred by Eligible Holders thereof to Acquiror without any further
authorization, act or formality by such Eligible Holders, in exchange for the Consideration in the form of Exchangeable Shares, and
(i)
Eligible Holders of such Electing Dolly Varden Shares shall cease to be the holders of such Electing Dolly
Varden Shares and to have any rights as holders of such Electing Dolly Varden Shares other than the right to receive the Consideration in the form of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with this Plan of Arrangement; and
(ii)
the names of such Eligible Holders (or if applicable, the registered Holders of such Dolly Varden shares on
such Eligible Holder’s behalf) will be removed from the central securities register of Dolly Varden Shares in respect of such Electing Dolly Varden Shares; and
(iii)
Acquiror shall be deemed to be the legal and beneficial owner of such Electing Dolly Varden Shares so
transferred, free and clear of all Liens and shall be recorded as the registered holder thereof on the central securities register for Dolly Varden Shares, such that following the transactions contemplated by Section 4.1(a), Section 4.1(b)
and Section 4.1(c), Acquiror shall be the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the Dolly Varden Shares;
(d)
Documents in Support of Exchangeable Share Structure. Contemporaneously with the step contemplated in
Section 4.1(c), (i) Contango, Callco and Acquiror shall execute the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and (ii) Contango, Callco, Acquiror and the Trustee shall execute the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement;
(e)
Amalgamation. On the date that is two (2) Business Days after Dolly Varden files a valid T2067
election under subsection 89(1) of the Tax Act to cease to be a “public corporation” for purposes of the Tax Act (which filing shall occur no later than five (5) Business Days following the Effective Date, subject to extension, as
applicable, to the day following the date that the Dolly Varden Shares are officially delisted from each and every “designated stock exchange” within the meaning of the Tax Act):
(i)
Acquiror and Dolly Varden shall amalgamate (the “Amalgamation”) to form one corporate
entity with the same effect as if they were amalgamated under Division 3 of Part 9 of the BCBCA, except that the separate legal existence of Dolly Varden will not cease and Dolly Varden will survive the Amalgamation (Dolly Varden, as such surviving
entity, “Amalco”) and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Amalgamation together with the transactions described in Sections 4.1(a) through 4.1(e) are intended to constitute a single, integrated transaction qualifying as a tax
deferred reorganization within the meaning of section 368(a)(l)(B) of the Code and/or section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code by reason of section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code for all United States federal income tax purposes, and the Amalgamation is intended
to qualify as an amalgamation as defined in subsection 87(1) of the Tax Act;
(ii)
effective immediately prior to the Amalgamation, the capital account maintained in respect of the Dolly
Varden Shares shall be reduced to CAD$1.00 and the amount by which the capital of Dolly Varden is reduced shall not be distributed to Acquiror;
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(iii)
pursuant to the Amalgamation, the separate legal existence of Acquiror shall cease without Acquiror being
liquidated or wound up and Acquiror and Dolly Varden shall continue as Amalco, and the properties, rights, interests and obligations of Acquiror and Dolly Varden shall become the properties, rights, interests and obligations of Amalco, as more fully
described in Section 4.5;
(iv)
effective on the Amalgamation, each Dolly Varden Share shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital
in respect of those shares; and
(v)
effective on the Amalgamation, each Acquiror Share will be exchanged for an Amalco Common Share and each
Exchangeable Share will be exchanged for an Amalco Exchangeable Share, as more fully described in Section 4.5(e).
4.2
Consideration Elections
With respect to the transfer and assignment of Dolly Varden Shares pursuant to Sections 4.1(b) and 4.1(c):
(a)
each beneficial owner of Dolly Varden Shares who, as at the Effective Time, is an Eligible Holder entitled
to receive Consideration Shares under this Plan of Arrangement is entitled to elect to receive in respect of their Dolly Varden Shares, such Consideration Shares in the form of Exchangeable Shares as are designated in accordance with
Section 4.2(c);
(b)
the deadline for making the election provided for in Section 4.2(a) shall be set by Dolly Varden
providing at least two (2) Business Days’ notice of the Election Deadline to Dolly Varden Shareholders by means of a news release disseminated on a recognized newswire; provided that, the Election Deadline, once set, may be extended by
Dolly Varden to a subsequent date prior to the Effective Date and Dolly Varden shall promptly announce any such extension and, when determined, the rescheduled Election Deadline, which rescheduled deadline if necessary shall be as agreed by Contango
and Dolly Varden (each acting reasonably), provided that at least one (1) Business Day of advance notice thereof shall have been provided by Dolly Varden to Dolly Varden Shareholders by means of a news release disseminated on a newswire;
(c)
the election provided for in Section 4.2(a) shall be made by an Eligible Holder (or if applicable, by
the registered holder of Dolly Varden Shares on such Eligible Holder’s behalf), or their duly authorized representative as applicable, by depositing with the Depositary, prior to the Election Deadline, a duly completed Letter of Transmittal
and Election Form indicating such Dolly Varden Shareholder’s election to receive Consideration Shares in the form of Exchangeable Shares and designating the number of Exchangeable Shares elected to be received, together with certificates (if
any) representing such Dolly Varden Shareholder’s Electing Dolly Varden Shares;
(d)
any Letter of Transmittal and Election Form, once deposited with the Depositary, shall be irrevocable and
may not be withdrawn by a Dolly Varden Shareholder; and
(e)
any Dolly Varden Shareholder who does not deposit with the Depositary a duly completed Letter of Transmittal
and Election Form together with certificates (if any) representing the Electing Dolly Varden Shares prior to the Election Deadline, otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Section 4.2 or of the Letter of Transmittal and Election
Form or who have not otherwise made an election to receive Exchangeable Shares in a manner that is reasonably acceptable to Contango and Dolly Varden prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to have elected to receive only Contango Consideration
Shares in respect of their Dolly Varden Shares pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement.
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4.3
Tax Election
Each beneficial owner of Dolly Varden Shares who, as at the Effective Time, is an Eligible Holder, and who has validly elected
(or for whom the registered holder has validly elected on such beneficial owner’s behalf) to receive Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled to make an income tax election pursuant to subsection 85(1) of the Tax Act, or subsection 85(2) of the
Tax Act if such beneficial owner is a partnership (and in each case, where applicable, the analogous provisions of provincial income tax Law), with respect to the transfer of its Electing Dolly Varden Shares to Acquiror and the receipt of
Consideration in respect thereof by providing two signed copies of the necessary prescribed election form(s) (or equivalent information through an alternative document or platform, at Acquiror’s or, as applicable, Amalco’s as successor
to Acquiror, discretion) to the Depositary within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date, duly completed with the details of the number of Electing Dolly Varden Shares transferred and the applicable agreed amounts for the purposes of such
elections. Thereafter, subject to the election forms being correct and complete and complying with the provisions of the Tax Act (and applicable provincial income tax Law), the forms will be signed by Acquiror or, as applicable, Amalco as successor
to Acquiror, and returned to such former beneficial owner of Dolly Varden Shares within sixty (60) days after the receipt thereof by the Depositary for filing with the Canada Revenue Agency (or the applicable provincial taxing authority) by
such former beneficial owner. Neither Acquiror, nor Amalco, as successor to Acquiror, will be responsible for the proper completion of any election form and, except for Acquiror’s and Amalco’s obligation to return (within sixty
(60) days after the receipt thereof by the Depositary) duly completed election forms which are received by the Depositary within sixty (60) days of the Effective Date, neither Acquiror nor Amalco, as successor to Acquiror, will be
responsible for any taxes, interest or penalties resulting from the failure by a former beneficial owner of Electing Dolly Varden Shares that was an Eligible Holder to properly complete or file the election forms in the form and manner and within
the time prescribed by the Tax Act (or any applicable provincial legislation) or to qualify for such applicable income tax elections.
4.4
No Fractional Shares
No fractional Contango Consideration Shares or Exchangeable Shares, or certificates representing fractional Contango
Consideration Shares or Exchangeable Shares, as applicable, shall be issued to Dolly Varden Shareholders, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to the rights of a stockholder of Contango or shareholder of Acquiror,
as applicable. Any fractional Contango Consideration Shares or Exchangeable Shares issuable in connection with the Arrangement will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Contango Consideration Shares or Exchangeable Shares, as applicable,
and no payment or other adjustment shall be made with respect to the fractional interest so disregarded.
4.5
Amalgamation of Acquiror and Dolly Varden
Pursuant to Section 4.1(e), Acquiror and Dolly Varden shall amalgamate to form Amalco under the BCBCA, with the effect
described below, and, unless and until otherwise determined in the manner required by Law, the following shall apply:
(a)
Name. The name of Amalco shall be Dolly Varden;
(b)
Registered Office. The registered office of Amalco shall be located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The address of the registered office shall be Suite 3500 - 1133 Melville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4E5;
(c)
Business and Powers. There shall be no restrictions on the business that Amalco may carry on or on
the powers it may exercise;
(d)
Authorized Share Capital. Amalco shall be authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares
(“Amalco Common Shares”) and unlimited number of exchangeable shares (“Amalco Exchangeable Shares”);
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(e)
Share Provisions. Amalco Common Shares shall have the same terms as Acquiror Shares and Amalco
Exchangeable Shares shall have the same terms as Exchangeable Shares. Upon the Amalgamation becoming effective, Exchangeable Shares shall become Amalco Exchangeable Shares with identical rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, and that all
related agreements, including the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement to which Acquiror is a party shall remain in full force with references updated to Amalco;
(f)
Number of Directors. The number of directors of Amalco shall not be less than 1 and not more than 10,
and otherwise as the shareholders of Amalco may from time to time determine by special resolution;
(g)
First Directors. The first director(s) of Amalco shall be ●;
(h)
Notice of Articles and Articles. The notice of articles and articles of Amalco shall be the same as
the notice of articles and articles of Acquiror;
(i)
First Annual General Meeting. The first annual general meeting of Amalco shall be held within 18
months from the Effective Date;
(j)
Capital. The capital of the issued and outstanding Amalco Common Shares shall be equal to the capital
of the issued and outstanding Acquiror Shares immediately before the Amalgamation. The capital of the issued and outstanding Amalco Exchangeable Shares shall be equal to the capital of the issued and outstanding Exchangeable Shares of Acquiror
immediately before the Amalgamation; and
(k)
Effect of Amalgamation. Upon the Amalgamation becoming effective:
(i)
the properties, rights and interests of Acquiror and Dolly Varden shall continue to be the properties,
rights and interests of Amalco;
(ii)
Amalco shall continue to be liable for the obligations of Acquiror and Dolly Varden;
(iii)
all existing causes of action, claims or liabilities to prosecution with respect to Acquiror and Dolly
Varden shall be unaffected;
(iv)
all civil, criminal or administrative actions or proceedings pending by or against Acquiror and Dolly Varden
may be continued to be prosecuted by or against Amalco; and
(v)
all convictions against, or rulings, orders or judgments in favour of or against Acquiror and Dolly Varden
may be enforced by or against Amalco.
ARTICLE 5
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES AND DELIVERY OF CONSIDERATION
5.1
Delivery of Consideration
(a)
At or prior to the Effective Time, Contango or Acquiror shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the
Depositary, for the benefit of each Dolly Varden Shareholder (other than the Dissenting Shareholders in respect of their applicable Dolly Varden Shares), Contango Consideration Shares and Exchangeable Shares to which each such Dolly Varden
Shareholder is entitled pursuant to Section 4.1(b) andSection 4.1(c), as applicable, upon the transfer of Dolly Varden Shares in accordance with those Sections, which Contango Consideration Shares and Exchangeable Shares shall be held by the
Depositary, following the Effective Time, as agent and nominee for such former Dolly Varden
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Shareholders for distribution to such former holders in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5.
(b)
Upon surrender by a Dolly Varden Shareholder (other than a Dissenting Shareholder) to the Depositary of a
certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more Dolly Varden Shares, together with a duly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form and any other documents reasonably requested by Contango,
Callco, Acquiror or the Depositary (or, if such Dolly Varden Shares are held in book-entry or other uncertificated form, upon the entry through a book-entry transfer agent of the surrender of such Dolly Varden Shares on a book-entry account
statement, it being understood that any reference herein to “certificates” shall be deemed to include references to book-entry account statements relating to the ownership of Dolly Varden Shares), the registered Holder of such
surrendered certificate(s) of Dolly Varden Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Depositary shall deliver to such Dolly Varden Shareholder, as soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Consideration Shares that
such Dolly Varden Shareholder has the right to receive pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c) or those Amalco Exchangeable Shares which such Dolly Varden Shareholder has the right to receive pursuant to Section 4.1(e), less any
amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.5, and any certificate of Dolly Varden Shares so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled.
(c)
Until surrendered for cancellation as contemplated by this Section 5.1, each certificate that
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more Dolly Varden Shares (other than Dolly Varden Shares held by Contango, Callco, Acquiror, any of their respective Subsidiaries or a Dissenting Shareholder) shall be deemed at all times
after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Consideration Shares or Amalco Exchangeable Shares that the holder of such certificate is entitled to receive in the manner contemplated by this
Section 5.1, less any amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.5.
(d)
In the event of the surrender of a certificate of Dolly Varden Shares that is not registered in the transfer
records of Dolly Varden under the name of the Person surrendering such certificate, the Consideration to which the registered Holder is entitled pursuant to Section 4.1 or Amalco Exchangeable Shares in respect thereof following the completion
of Section 4.1(e) shall be delivered to such a transferee if such certificate is presented to the Depositary and such certificate is duly endorsed or is accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence
to the satisfaction of Acquiror that (i) any applicable stock transfer Taxes or any other Taxes required by reason of such payments being made in a name other than the registered Holder have been paid or (ii) no such Taxes are payable.
(e)
Any portion of the Consideration Shares deposited with the Depositary that remains unclaimed by the Holders
and other eligible Persons in accordance with this Article 5 following one year after the Effective Time (i) if those Consideration Shares are Contango Consideration Shares, shall be delivered to Contango and (ii) if such Consideration
Shares have, in accordance with Section 4.1(e), become Amalco Exchangeable Shares, shall be delivered to Amalco; and any Holder who has not previously complied with this Article 5 shall thereafter look only to Contango, for any such
Consideration Shares that are Contango Consideration Shares and Amalco, and if applicable, Callco, for any such Consideration Shares that are Amalco Exchangeable Shares, and, subject to Section 5.4, Contango, Amalco, and Callco, as applicable,
shall remain liable for, satisfaction of such Holder’s claim for delivery under this Section 5.1 of any Consideration Shares.
5.2
Distributions with respect to Unsurrendered Certificates
(a)
No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to Dolly Varden
Shares with a record date after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Holder of any unsurrendered certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Dolly Varden Shares that were transferred pursuant to
Section 4.1.
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(b)
No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to Contango
Consideration Shares or Exchangeable Shares with a record date after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any unsurrendered certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented outstanding Dolly Varden Shares that
were transferred pursuant to Section 4.1 unless and until the holder of such certificate shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.3. Subject to applicable Law and to Section 5.5, at the time of such
compliance, there shall, in addition to the delivery of Consideration or, following the completion of the transactions in Section 4.1(e), the Amalco Exchangeable Shares, as applicable, to which the holder is entitled in respect of such
Consideration, be delivered to such holder, without interest, the amount of the dividend or other distribution with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such Contango Consideration Shares, Exchangeable Shares or
Amalco Exchangeable Shares.
5.3
Lost Certificates
In the event any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Dolly Varden
Shares that were transferred pursuant to Section 4.1 is lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Depositary will issue in exchange for
such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Consideration that such Holder has the right to receive in accordance with Section 4.1 or, following the completion of the transactions in Section 4.1(e), Amalco Exchangeable Shares, as
applicable, to which the Holder is entitled in respect of such Consideration, deliverable in accordance with such Holder’s Letter of Transmittal and Election Form. When authorizing such exchange for any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate,
the Person to whom such Consideration or Amalco Exchangeable Share is to be delivered shall, as a condition precedent to the delivery of such Consideration or Amalco Exchangeable Share, give a bond satisfactory to Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco,
Callco and the Depositary (each acting reasonably) or otherwise indemnify Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco, Callco and their respective Affiliates in a manner satisfactory to Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco and Callco (each acting reasonably) against
any claim that may be made against Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco and Callco or their respective Affiliates with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
5.4
Extinction of Rights
Any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Dolly Varden Shares that were transferred
pursuant to Section 4.1, and not duly surrendered, with all other instruments required by Section 5.1, on or prior to the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Effective Date shall cease to represent a claim or interest of any former Dolly Varden
Shareholder of any kind or nature against Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco, Callco and Contango or any of their respective Affiliates. On such date, all Consideration or Amalco Exchangeable Shares to which the former Holder of the certificate referred
to in the preceding sentence was ultimately entitled shall be deemed to have been surrendered for no consideration to Acquiror, Amalco or Contango, as applicable, by the Depositary and Contango Consideration Shares and Exchangeable Shares forming
part of the Consideration or Amalco Exchangeable Shares, as applicable, shall be deemed to be cancelled for nil consideration.
5.5
Withholding Rights
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each of Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco, Callco, Contango, the
Depositary and their respective agents, as applicable (in this section, the “payor”), shall each be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration or other amount payable (whether in cash or in kind, and including for
avoidance of doubt the Consideration Shares) or otherwise deliverable to any Person hereunder (including any payment to Dissenting Shareholders) such amounts that are required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under any applicable Law in respect
of Taxes. For the purposes hereof, all such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated as having been paid to the Person of which such deduction or withholding was made on account of the obligation to make payment to such Person thereunder,
provided that such deducted or withheld amounts are actually remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity when required by Law by, or on behalf of, the payor.
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5.6
No Liens
Any exchange or transfer of securities pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall be free and clear of any and all Liens or
other claims of third parties of any kind.
5.7
Paramountcy
From and after the Effective Time: (a) this Plan of Arrangement shall take precedence and priority over any and all
securities of Dolly Varden issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time, including Dolly Varden Shares, Dolly Varden Options and Dolly Varden RSUs; (b) the rights and obligations of the holders (registered or beneficial) of such
securities, Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco, Callco, Contango and their respective Affiliates, the Depositary and any transfer agent or other depositary therefor in relation to this Plan of Arrangement shall be solely as provided for in this Plan of
Arrangement; and (c) all actions, causes of action, claims or proceedings (actual or contingent and whether or not previously asserted) based on or in any way relating to any securities of Dolly Varden are deemed to have been settled,
compromised, released and determined without liability except as set forth herein and in the Arrangement Agreement.
5.8
Shares Fully Paid
All Consideration Shares issued pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall be fully paid and
non-assessable, and Contango and Acquiror, respectively, shall be deemed to have received the full consideration therefor.
ARTICLE 6
RIGHTS
OF DISSENT
6.1
Rights of Dissent
Pursuant to the Interim Order, registered Holders of Dolly Varden Shares as of the record date for Dolly Varden Meeting may
exercise rights of dissent with respect to all Dolly Varden Shares held by such registered Holder (“Dissent Rights”) in connection with the Arrangement pursuant to and in strict compliance with the procedures forth in Sections 237
to 247 of the BCBCA as modified by this Article 6, as the same may be modified by the Interim Order and the Final Order; provided that, notwithstanding Subsection 242(1)(a) of the BCBCA, the written objection to the Dolly Varden Resolution
referred to in Subsection 242(1)(a) of the BCBCA must be received by Dolly Varden c/o Stikeman Elliott LLP, Suite 1700 – 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2X8, Attention: Victor Gerchikov, not later than 11:00 a.m. (Vancouver Time) on the
date that is two (2) Business Days immediately prior to Dolly Varden Meeting (as it may be adjourned or postponed from time to time). Holders of Dolly Varden Shares who duly exercise Dissent Rights and who:
(a)
are ultimately determined to be entitled to be paid by Dolly Varden (using its own funds and not funds
provided directly or indirectly by Contango, Acquiror or any of their respective Affiliates) the fair value for their Dolly Varden Shares shall: (i) be deemed to have transferred such Dolly Varden Shares (free and clear of all Liens) to Dolly
Varden in accordance with, and as of the time stipulated in, Section 4.1(a); (ii) in respect of such Dolly Varden Shares, be deemed to not have participated in the transactions in Article 4 (other than Section 4.1(a)); (iii) be entitled to
be paid, subject to Section 5.5, the fair value of such Dolly Varden Shares by Dolly Varden which fair value, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the BCBCA, shall be determined as of the close of business on the day before the
Dolly Varden Resolution was adopted at Dolly Varden Meeting; and (iv) not be entitled to any other payment or consideration, including any payment or consideration that would be payable under the Arrangement had such Holders not exercised their
Dissent Rights in respect of such Dolly Varden Shares; or
(b)
are ultimately determined not to be entitled, for any reason, to be paid by Dolly Varden or Amalco as
successor to Dolly Varden fair value for their Dolly Varden Shares, shall be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement, as of the Effective Time, in respect of such Dolly Varden Shares
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on the same basis and at the same time as a Holder of Dolly Varden Shares that is not a Dissenting Shareholder and who did not deposit with the Depositary a duly completed Letter of Transmittal
and Election Form prior to the Election Deadline (and shall be entitled to receive the Contango Consideration Shares in the same manner as such Holders).
6.2
Recognition of Dissenting Shareholders
(a)
In no case shall Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco, Callco, Contango, the Depositary or any other Person be
required to recognize such Dissenting Shareholders as registered or beneficial Holders of Dolly Varden Shares in respect of which Dissent Rights are sought to be exercised after the time stipulated in Section 4.1(a), and the names of such
Dissenting Shareholders shall be deleted from the register of Holders of Dolly Varden Shares at the time stipulated in Section 4.1(a) and Dolly Varden, or Amalco as successor to Dolly Varden shall be the holder of Dolly Varden Shares so
transferred and shall be deemed the legal and beneficial owner thereof free and clear of any Liens immediately following the completion of the transactions contemplated by Section 4.1.
(b)
In no circumstances shall Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Amalco, Callco, Contango, the Depositary or any other
Person be required to recognize a Person exercising Dissent Rights:
(i)
unless, as of record date of the Dolly Varden Meeting and the deadline for exercising Dissent Rights (as set
forth in Section 6.1), such Person is the registered Holder of those Dolly Varden Shares in respect of which such Dissent Rights are sought to be exercised;
(ii)
if such Person has voted or instructed a proxy holder to vote such Dolly Varden Shares in favor of the Dolly
Varden Resolution; or
(iii)
unless such Person has strictly complied with the procedures for exercising Dissent Rights and does not
withdraw such exercise of Dissent Rights prior to the Effective Time.
(c)
Holders of Dolly Varden Shares who withdraw, or are deemed to withdraw, their right to exercise Dissent
Rights shall be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement, as of the Effective Time, in respect of such Dolly Varden Shares on the same basis and at the same time as a Holder of Dolly Varden Shares who is not a Dissenting Shareholder, who did
not deposit with the Depositary a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form prior to the Election Deadline or who have not otherwise made an election to receive Exchangeable Shares in a manner that is reasonably acceptable to Contango
and Dolly Varden prior to the Effective Time (and shall be entitled to receive the Contango Consideration Shares in the same manner as such Holders).
(d)
In addition to any other restrictions in the Interim Order or the BCBCA, none of the following shall be
entitled to exercise Dissent Rights: (i) holders of Dolly Varden Options, or (ii) holders of Dolly Varden RSUs (in each case, in their capacity as holders of Dolly Varden Options or Dolly Varden RSUs, as applicable).
ARTICLE 7
AMENDMENTS
7.1
Amendments
(a)
Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Callco and Contango reserve the right to amend, modify and/or supplement this Plan
of Arrangement at any time and from time to time prior to the Effective Time provided that any such amendment, modification, and/or supplement must be (i) set out in writing, (ii) approved by Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Callco and Contango (in
each case, acting reasonably), (iii) filed with the Court and, if made after Dolly Varden Meeting, approved by the Court subject to such
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conditions as the Court may impose, and (iv) communicated to Dolly Varden Shareholders if and as required by the Court.
(b)
Any amendment, modification and/or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be proposed by Dolly Varden,
Acquiror, Callco, or Contango at any time prior to or at Dolly Varden Meeting (provided that, in the case of any proposed amendment, modification and/or supplement proposed by Acquiror, Callco, or Contango, Dolly Varden (subject to the Arrangement
Agreement) shall have consented thereto and, in the case of any proposed amendment, modification and/or supplement proposed by Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Callco, and Contango (subject to the Arrangement Agreement) shall have consented thereto) with or
without any other prior notice or communication and, if so proposed and accepted by the Persons voting at Dolly Varden Meeting, shall become part of this Plan of Arrangement for all purposes.
(c)
Any amendment, modification and/or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement that is approved or directed by
the Court following Dolly Varden Meeting shall be effective only if (i) it is consented to by each of Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Callco, and Contango (in each case, acting reasonably) and (ii) if such consent is required by the Court, it is
consented to by Dolly Varden Shareholders voting in the manner directed by the Court.
(d)
Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be made following Dolly Varden
Meeting without filing such amendment, modification or supplement with the Court or seeking Court approval, provided that it concerns a matter which, in the reasonable opinion of Dolly Varden, Acquiror, Callco, and Contango, is of an administrative
nature required to better give effect to the implementation of this Plan of Arrangement and is not adverse to the interest of any holder of Dolly Varden Shares, Dolly Varden Options or Dolly Varden RSUs.
7.2
Termination
This Plan of Arrangement may be withdrawn prior to the Effective Time in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement
Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
FURTHER ASSURANCES
8.1
Assurances
Notwithstanding that the transactions and events set out herein shall occur and be deemed to occur in the order set out in this
Plan of Arrangement without any further authorization, act or formality, each of the parties to the Arrangement Agreement shall make, do and execute, or cause to be made, done and executed, all such further acts, deeds, agreements, transfers,
assurances, instruments or documents as may reasonably be required by any of them in order to further document or evidence any of the transactions or events set out herein.
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SCHEDULE B
DOLLY VARDEN RESOLUTION
ARRANGEMENT RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
OF Dolly Varden
BE IT RESOLVED AS A
SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT:
(1)
The arrangement (as it may be modified or amended, the “Arrangement”) under Division 5 of
Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) involving Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to the arrangement agreement between the Company, Contango ORE, Inc.
(“Contango”), and 1566004 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Contango, dated December 7, 2025, as amended and restated on February 11, 2026, as it may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to
time in accordance with its terms (the “Arrangement Agreement”), as more particularly described and set forth in the management information circular of the Company dated February 11, 2026 (the “Circular”),
and all transactions contemplated thereby, are hereby authorized, approved and adopted.
(2)
The plan of arrangement of the Company, as it has been or may be modified, supplemented or amended in
accordance with the Arrangement Agreement and its terms (the “Plan of Arrangement”), the full text of which is set out as Appendix “A” to the Circular, is hereby authorized, approved and adopted.
(3)
The: (i) Arrangement Agreement and all the transactions contemplated therein; (ii) actions of the
directors of the Company in approving the Arrangement and the Arrangement Agreement; and (iii) actions of the directors and officers of the Company in executing and delivering the Arrangement Agreement and any modifications, supplements or
amendments thereto, and causing the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, are hereby confirmed, ratified, authorized and approved.
(4)
The Company is hereby authorized to apply for a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the
“Court”) to approve the Arrangement on the terms set forth in the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement (as they may be, or may have been, modified, supplemented or amended).
(5)
Notwithstanding that this resolution has been passed (and the Arrangement approved and agreed to) by
securityholders of the Company or that the Arrangement has been approved by the Court, the directors of the Company are hereby authorized and empowered without further notice to or approval of any securityholders of the Company (i) to amend the
Arrangement Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement to the extent permitted by the Arrangement Agreement or Plan of Arrangement and (ii) not to proceed with the Arrangement at any time prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Arrangement
Agreement).
(6)
Any one director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized, empowered and instructed, acting for, in
the name and on behalf of the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, under the seal of the Company or otherwise, and to deliver or to cause to be delivered, all such other documents and to do or to cause to be done all such other acts and
things as in such person’s opinion may be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the intent of the foregoing paragraphs of these resolutions and the matters authorized thereby, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the
execution and delivery of such document or the doing of such act or thing.
SCHEDULE C
KEY REGULATORY APPROVALS
1.
Approval of the TSXV
2.
Approval of the NYSE American
SCHEDULE D
KEY THIRD PARTY CONSENTS
1.
Contango lender’s consent from Macquarie Bank Limited and ING Capital LLC with respect to the Credit
and Guarantee Agreement.
SCHEDULE E
EXCHANGEABLE SHARE TERM SHEET
(see attached)
Exchangeable Shares - Term Sheet
Issuer
1566004 B.C. Ltd., a British Columbia corporation, and its successors or assigns (“Acquiror”), is an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Contango ORE, Inc. (“Parent”) and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Callco.
Callco
1566002 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company (“Callco”), a British Columbia unlimited liability company, is
a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent.
Exchangeable Shares
The exchangeable shares of Acquiror (the “Exchangeable Shares”) will at all times carry, as nearly as
possible, equivalent economic entitlements to those of the Parent common stock (“Parent Shares”), for which they are exchangeable on a one-for-one
basis (subject to adjustment) and will be retractable or redeemable on the terms described herein.
Holders
Former eligible shareholders of Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (“Company”) who elect and are permitted
to receive Exchangeable Shares in lieu of shares of the Parent Shares pursuant to the arrangement (“Holders”).
Eligible shareholders of the Company will be limited to a shareholder that is (i) a resident of Canada for purposes of
the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) and not exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act or (ii) a “Canadian partnership” within the meaning of the Tax Act, other than a Canadian partnership all the
members of which are exempt from tax under Part I of the Tax Act.
Ranking
The Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled to a preference over the common shares of Acquiror and any other shares ranking
junior to the Exchangeable Shares with respect to (i) the payment of dividends or other distributions, and (ii) the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of Acquiror, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of Acquiror among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, in each case, as and to the extent provided therefor in the terms attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares.
Dividends
If and when Parent declares and pays any dividend or distribution in respect of Parent Shares, Acquiror shall, subject to
applicable law, contemporaneously declare and pay an equivalent dividend or distribution on Exchangeable Shares, determined on an ‘as-exchanged’ basis.
Retraction (Holders)
Subject to the overriding call rights described under ‘Call Rights’ below, each Holder will be entitled to have
Acquiror redeem such Holder’s Exchangeable Shares, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time (including at a time immediately prior to an insolvency event of Parent, liquidation event of Parent, or certain fundamental transactions
involving Parent), for the Exchange Price. Customary overriding put rights to put the Exchangeable Shares to Parent (or its designee) to avoid redemption will be granted to the Holders.
The “Exchange Price” for each Exchangeable Share will be (i) that number of Parent Shares equal to
the Exchange Ratio (subject to adjustment), plus (ii) the declared and unpaid dividends on such Exchangeable Share, if any.
The “Exchange Ratio” shall be equal to 1.00000 at the time of the execution of the arrangement agreement
and shall be cumulatively adjusted from time to time thereafter as described under “Anti-Dilution” below.
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Redemption (Issuer)
Subject to the overriding call rights described under ‘Call Rights’ below, Acquiror will have a right to redeem
Exchangeable Shares upon proper notice to the Holders and payment of the Exchange Price per share, upon the following events:
•
Equity threshold – where the number of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding is less than 5% of the number of Exchangeable Shares issued
and outstanding on the effective date of the arrangement.
•
Parent Extraordinary Transaction – upon certain fundamental transactions involving Parent, including specified change of control transactions,
a sale of all or substantially all the assets of Parent, a liquidation of Parent and similar transactions.
•
Sunset date – 5 years from the effective date of the arrangement.
Liquidation
Acquiror will not initiate the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Acquiror without the approval of Holders
of Exchangeable Shares by way of a special resolution.
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Acquiror or any other
distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs (voluntary or involuntary) the Holders will be entitled to receive the Exchange Price, in priority to any liquidating
distributions made by Acquiror on its common shares.
Prior to the relevant Acquiror liquidation event, the Holders will be entitled to exercise their retraction
right.
Liquidation rights shall be subject to the overriding call rights described under ‘Call Rights’
below.
Call Rights
Parent will hold certain overriding call rights (including in connection with a retraction, redemption, liquidation or
change in law), which it will exercise directly or indirectly through Callco. Parent and Callco will have the overriding ability to acquire the Exchangeable Shares that are the subject of a retraction, a redemption, or any liquidating distribution,
prior to the completion of the retraction, redemption, or liquidating distribution. Where such call rights are exercised, Parent or Callco will acquire the relevant Exchangeable Shares from the relevant Holder in exchange for the Exchange
Price.
Voting
Holders shall not be entitled to receive notice of and attend any meeting of the shareholders of Acquiror or vote at any
such meeting, other than as required by law.
Parent, Callco, Acquiror and an independent trust company (the “Trustee”) will enter into a Voting and Exchange
Trust Agreement. Parent will issue a share of special, preferred voting stock (“Special Voting Share”) to the Trustee, to be held by the Trustee for and on behalf of the Holders.
The aggregate voting rights attached to the Special Voting Share at a meeting of stockholders of Parent shall be equivalent
to the votes attributable to the Parent Shares underlying the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares on an ‘as-exchanged’ basis. The Trustee will exercise each vote attached to the Special Voting
Share only as directed by the relevant Holder and, in the absence of
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instructions from a Holder, the Trustee will not have or exercise voting rights with respect to such Holder’s
Exchangeable Shares.
The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares may be amended, added to, changed
or removed only with the approval of the Holders of two-thirds of the Exchangeable Shares (excluding Exchangeable Shares held by Parent or any of its subsidiaries).
Anti-Dilution
Exchangeable Share terms will have provisions to ensure the economic equivalency of the exchange rights which will be
adjusted for stock splits; consolidations; reclassifications; mergers; reorganizations and similar events affecting Parent Shares.
Stock Exchange Listing
Exchangeable Shares will not be listed.
Support Agreement
Parent, Callco and Acquiror will be party to an Exchangeable Share Support Agreement (the “Support
Agreement”).
The Support Agreement will include support covenants from Parent, Callco and Acquiror (i) to ensure the various rights
and obligations can be performed in respect of the Exchangeable Shares and (ii) to maintain the economic equivalence of the Exchangeable Shares with Parent Shares at all times.
Parent will also agree that, at all times when there are Exchangeable Shares outstanding, Parent will (i) cause there
to be an effective registration statement registering the issuance of the Parent Shares issuable upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and (ii) cause there to be a sufficient number of Parent Shares
reserved for issuance pursuant to the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares.
Documentation Principles
The Exchangeable Share documentation will be materially consistent with comparable precedent exchangeable share
transactions in Canada, except as set out in this Term Sheet.
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EX-3.1
EX-3.1
Filename: d124597dex31.htm · Sequence: 3
EX-3.1
Exhibit 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
OF
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
Contango ORE, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows pursuant to Section 242 of the DGCL:
FIRST: This Certificate of Amendment (this “Certificate of Amendment”) amends the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, which was originally filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 1, 2010, as previously amended by that certain Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware on or about December 14, 2020 (as so amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
SECOND: The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), acting in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL, duly adopted resolutions setting forth an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation to (i) change the name of the Corporation to “Contango Silver & Gold
Inc.” and (ii) increase the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock of the Corporation. The resolutions declared said amendment to be advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and directed that
the proposed amendment to Article IV be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval.
THIRD: that the text of Article I of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation hereby is amended by deleting
the text of Article I in its entirety and substituting the following new sentence in its place:
“The name of the
Corporation is “Contango Silver & Gold Inc.””
FOURTH: The amendment to Article I was
approved by the Board by unanimous written consent on March 25, 2026 in accordance with Section 242 of the DGCL.
FIFTH: that the second sentence of Article IV of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, be, and hereby
is amended by deleting the second sentence thereof in its entirety and substituting the following new second sentence in its place:
“The number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is two hundred
sixty-five million (265,000,000) shares, consisting of (i) two hundred fifty million (250,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).”
SIXTH: The amendment
to Article IV was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval at the Special Meeting of Stockholders held on March 17, 2026 (the “Special Meeting”). Such amendment was duly approved by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Special Meeting in accordance with Section 242 of the DGCL.
SEVENTH: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective as of 3:02 a.m., Eastern Time, on March 26,
2026.
EIGHTH: Except as amended hereby, the Certificate of Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment
to be executed by its duly authorized officer this 25th day of March, 2026.
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
By:
/s/ Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
Name:
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-3.2
EX-3.2
Filename: d124597dex32.htm · Sequence: 4
EX-3.2
Exhibit 3.2
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
OF
PREFERENCES, RIGHTS
AND LIMITATIONS
OF
SERIES A SPECIAL VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
OF
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Contango ORE, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows pursuant to Section 151 of the DGCL and in accordance with Section 103 of the DGCL:
WHEREAS, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”),
authorizes the issuance of up to 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”) in one or more series, which Preferred Stock shall consist of such number of shares and have
such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in a
resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) from time to time prior to the issuance of any shares thereof;
AND WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors to establish and fix the number of shares to be included in a new series of
Preferred Stock and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of such new series.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors does hereby provide for the issue of a series of Preferred Stock and does
hereby in this Certificate of Designation (this “Certificate of Designation”) establish and fix and herein state and express the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock as follows:
TERMS OF SPECIAL VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Section 1. Designation, Amount and Par Value. The series of Preferred Stock shall be designated as Series A Special
Voting Preferred Stock (the “Special Voting Share”) and the number of shares so designated shall be one (1). The outstanding Special Voting Share shall have a par value of $0.01 per share.
Section 2. Dividends. The holder of record of the Special Voting Share shall not be entitled to receive any dividends declared and
paid by the Corporation.
Section 3. Voting Rights.
(a) The holder of record of the Special Voting Share, except as otherwise required under applicable law or as set forth in
subparagraph (b) below, shall not be entitled to vote on any matter required or permitted to be voted upon by the stockholders of the Corporation.
(b) With respect to all meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation at which the holders of the Corporation’s common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, are entitled to vote (each, a “Stockholder Meeting”) and with respect to any action by written consent by the holders of such common stock (each, a “Stockholder Consent”), the
holder of the Special Voting Share shall vote together with the holders of such common stock as a single class except as otherwise required under applicable law, and the holder of the Special Voting Share shall be entitled to cast on such matter a
number of votes equal to the number of Exchangeable Shares (the “Exchangeable Shares”) of 1566004 B.C. Ltd., a company existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, or any successor thereto by amalgamation or
otherwise (the “Acquiror”), outstanding as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at such Stockholder Meeting or in connection with the applicable Stockholder Consent (i) that are not owned by the
Corporation or its affiliates and (ii) as to which the holder of the Special Voting Share has received
voting instructions from the holders of such Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) to be entered into among
the Corporation, 1566002 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, Acquiror and the Trustee agent thereunder (the “Trustee”).
Section 4. Liquidation. Subject to the rights of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holder of record of the Special Voting Share, as such, shall be entitled to receive $0.01 (payable out of funds legally available therefor) before any
distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Section 5.
Other Provisions.
(a) The holder of record of the Special Voting Share shall not have any rights hereunder to
convert such share into, or exchange such share for, shares of any other series or class of capital stock of the Corporation.
(b) The Trustee shall exercise the voting rights attached to the Special Voting Share pursuant to and in accordance with the
Exchange Agreement. The voting rights attached to the Special Voting Share shall terminate pursuant to and in accordance with the Exchange Agreement.
(c) At such time as the Special Voting Share has no votes attached to it, the Special Voting Share shall be automatically
cancelled and shall not be reissued as a Special Voting Share. Any Special Voting Share so cancelled shall, upon its cancellation, and upon the taking of any action required by law, become an authorized but unissued share of Preferred Stock
undesignated as to series and may be reissued a part of a new series of Preferred Stock, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or imposed by the DGCL.
(d) This Certificate of Designation shall be effective upon filing.
Section 6. No Other Rights or Privileges. Except as specifically set forth herein, the holder of the Special Voting Share shall
have no other rights, privileges or preferences with respect to the Special Voting Share.
RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the Chairman,
the president or any vice-president, and the secretary or any assistant secretary, of the Corporation be and they hereby are authorized and directed to prepare and file this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations in
accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of the DGCL.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this
Certificate of Designation to be signed and attested by its duly authorized officer this 25th day of March, 2026.
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
By:
/s/ Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
Name:
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-4.1
EX-4.1
Filename: d124597dex41.htm · Sequence: 5
EX-4.1
Exhibit 4.1
EXCHANGEABLE SHARE SUPPORT AGREEMENT
THIS EXCHANGEABLE SHARE SUPPORT AGREEMENT made as of March 26, 2026 among Contango ORE, Inc., a corporation
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Contango”), 1566002 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, an unlimited liability company existing under the laws British Columbia (“CallCo”) and 1566004 B.C. Ltd.,
a company existing under the laws of British Columbia (the “Acquiror”).
RECITALS:
A.
In connection with an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) dated
December 7, 2025 between Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (the “Company”), the Acquiror is to issue exchangeable shares (the “Exchangeable Shares”) to certain holders of common
shares of the Company pursuant to an arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the BCBCA (the “Arrangement”) on the terms and conditions set out in the Plan of Arrangement.
B.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, and as a step in the Plan of Arrangement, Contango, CallCo and the
Acquiror are required to enter into an exchangeable share support agreement (this “Agreement”).
C.
In connection with the Plan of Arrangement, it is necessary and advisable to provide Contango and CallCo
with the rights herein with respect to the Exchangeable Shares.
In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged), the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 Defined Terms. In this Agreement, each capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (collectively, the “Exchangeable Share Provisions”) attaching to the Exchangeable Shares as set out in the articles of the
Acquiror.
1.2 Interpretation Not Affected by Headings. The division of this Agreement into Articles,
Sections, subsections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the contrary intention appears, references in this
Agreement to an Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule by number or letter or both refer to the Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule, respectively, bearing that designation in this Agreement.
1.3 Number and Gender. In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, words importing the singular include the plural
and vice versa, and words importing gender shall include all genders.
1.4 Date of any Action. If the date on which any
action is required to be taken hereunder by any Person is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day. References to time are to local time, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,
unless otherwise specified.
1.5 Statutes. Any reference to a statute refers to such statute and all rules
and regulations made under it, as it or they may have been or may from time to time be amended or re-enacted, unless stated otherwise.
1.6 Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions.
(1)
References in this Agreement to the words “include”, “includes” or
“including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import.
(2)
References in this Agreement to any contract or agreement are to that contract or agreement as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.
(3)
References in this Agreement to a Person includes the heirs, administrators, executors, legal personal
representatives, predecessors, successors and permitted assigns of that Person, as applicable.
ARTICLE 2
COVENANTS OF CONTANGO AND EXCHANGECO
2.1 Covenants Regarding Exchangeable Shares. So long as any Exchangeable Shares not owned by Contango or its affiliates
are outstanding, Contango shall:
(a)
not take any action that will result in the declaration or payment of any dividend or make any other
distribution on the Contango Shares unless the Acquiror shall (A) simultaneously declare or pay, as the case may be, an equivalent dividend or other distribution economically equivalent thereto (as determined in accordance with the Exchangeable
Share Provisions) on the Exchangeable Shares (an “Equivalent Dividend”), (B) in the case of a cash dividend or other distribution, receive sufficient money or other assets from Contango (through any intermediary entities) to
enable the due declaration and the due and punctual payment, in accordance with applicable law and the Exchangeable Share Provisions, of any such Equivalent Dividend, and (C) in the case of a dividend or other distribution that is a stock or
share dividend or a distribution of stock or shares, have sufficient authorized but unissued securities available to enable the due declaration and the due and punctual payment, in accordance with applicable law and the Exchangeable Share
Provisions, of any such Equivalent Dividend; provided however, for the avoidance of doubt, that in no event may the Acquiror elect to effect a dividend or other distribution that is a stock or share dividend or a distribution of stock or shares in
the form of cash or property other than stock or shares;
(b)
advise the Acquiror sufficiently in advance of the declaration by Contango of any dividend or other
distribution on the Contango Shares and take all such other actions as are reasonably necessary or desirable, in co-operation with the Acquiror, to ensure that (A) the respective declaration date, record
date and payment date for an Equivalent Dividend shall be the same as the declaration date, record date and payment date for the corresponding dividend or other distribution on the Contango Shares; and (B) the record date for any dividend or
other distribution declared on the Contango Shares is not less than 10 Business Days
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after the declaration date of such dividend or declaration in each case provided that, if the record date for the dividend or other distribution declared on or in respect of the Contango Shares
is more than two (2) months from the date such dividend or other distribution is paid, then the record date in connection with the payment of the dividend or other distribution declared on the Exchangeable Shares shall be two (2) months
prior to the payment of such dividend or other distribution;
(c)
take all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit
the Acquiror, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the Liquidation Amount, the Retraction Price or the Redemption Price in respect of each issued and outstanding
Exchangeable Share upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Acquiror, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Acquiror among its shareholders for the
purpose of winding up its affairs, the delivery of a Retraction Request by a holder of Exchangeable Shares or a redemption of Exchangeable Shares by the Acquiror, as the case may be, including, without limitation, all such actions and all such
things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Acquiror to deliver or cause to be delivered Contango Shares or other property to the holders of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of Sections 27.5, 27.6 or 27.7, as
the case may be, of the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(d)
take all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit
the Trustee, in accordance with applicable law, to perform its obligations under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, including, without limitation, all such actions and all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and
permit the Trustee in its capacity as trustee under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement to exercise voting rights in respect of a Contango Meeting (as such term is defined in the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement) as provided for therein;
(e)
take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit Contango or
CallCo, as the case may be, in accordance with applicable law, to perform its obligations arising upon the exercise by it of the Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right, the Change of Law Call Right or the Redemption Call Right, including,
without limitation, all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, to deliver or cause to be delivered Contango Shares or other property to the holders of Exchangeable
Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right, the Change of Law Call Right or the Redemption Call Right, as the case may be;
(f)
take all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit
Contango, in accordance with applicable law, to perform its obligations in connection with a Retraction Request pursuant to Section 27.6 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions and the redemption by the Acquiror pursuant to Section 27.7 of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions, including, without limitation, all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit Contango to deliver or cause to be delivered Contango Shares or other property to the holders
of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of Sections 27.6 or 27.7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
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(g)
not and shall ensure that it and its affiliates do not exercise any voting rights as a shareholder of the
Acquiror to initiate the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Acquiror or any other distribution of the assets of the Acquiror among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, nor take any action or omit to take
any action that is designed to result in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Acquiror or any other distribution of the assets of the Acquiror among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, without the prior approval
of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions as long as any Exchangeable Shares are outstanding.
2.2 Segregation of Funds. Contango will cause the Acquiror to deposit a sufficient amount of funds in a separate account of the
Acquiror and segregate a sufficient amount of such other assets and property as is necessary to enable the Acquiror to pay or otherwise satisfy its obligations with respect to the Equivalent Dividend, Liquidation Amount, Retraction Price or
Redemption Price, in each case once such amounts become payable under the terms of this Agreement, the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement or the Exchangeable Share Provisions. Once such amounts become payable, Contango will transfer such funds to
the Acquiror (through any intermediary entities) and the Acquiror will use such funds, assets and property so segregated exclusively for the payment or other satisfaction of the Equivalent Dividend and the payment or other satisfaction of the
Liquidation Amount, the Retraction Price or the Redemption Price, as applicable, net of any corresponding withholding tax obligations and for the remittance of such withholding tax obligations.
2.3 Reservation of Contango Shares. Contango hereby represents, warrants and covenants in favour of the Acquiror and CallCo that
Contango has reserved for issuance and shall, at all times while any Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, keep available, free from pre-emptive and other rights, out of its authorized and unissued capital
stock such number of Contango Shares (or other shares or securities into which Contango Shares may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7):
(a)
as is equal to the sum of (i) the number of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding from time to
time, and (ii) the number of Exchangeable Shares issuable upon the exercise of all rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares outstanding from time to time; and
(b)
as are now and may hereafter be required to enable and permit each of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror to
meet its obligations under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, the Exchangeable Share Provisions and any other security or commitment relating to the Arrangement pursuant to which Contango may now or hereafter be required to issue or cause to
be issued Contango Shares.
2.4 Notification of Certain Events. In order to assist Contango to comply with
its obligations hereunder and to permit Contango or CallCo to exercise, as the case may be, the Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right, the Change of Law Call Right or the Redemption Call Right, as applicable, the Acquiror shall notify
Contango and CallCo of each of the following events at the time set forth below:
(a)
in the event of any determination by the board of directors of the Acquiror to institute voluntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to the Acquiror or to effect any other distribution of the assets of the Acquiror
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among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up or other distribution;
(b)
promptly upon the earlier of (i) receipt by the Acquiror of notice of, and (ii) the Acquiror
otherwise becoming aware of, any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Acquiror or to effect any
other distribution of the assets of the Acquiror among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs;
(c)
immediately, upon receipt by the Acquiror of a Retraction Request;
(d)
on the same date on which notice of redemption is given to holders of Exchangeable Shares, upon the
determination of a Redemption Date in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(e)
as soon as practicable upon the issuance by the Acquiror of any Exchangeable Shares or rights to acquire
Exchangeable Shares (other than the issuance of Exchangeable Shares and rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement); and
(f)
promptly, upon receiving notice of a Change of Law.
2.5 Delivery of Contango Shares. Upon notice from CallCo or the Acquiror of any event that requires CallCo or the Acquiror to
deliver or cause to be delivered Contango Shares to any holder of Exchangeable Shares, Contango shall forthwith issue and deliver or cause to be delivered the requisite number of Contango Shares for the benefit of CallCo or the Acquiror, as
appropriate, and CallCo or the Acquiror, as the case may be, shall forthwith cause to be delivered the requisite number of Contango Shares to be received by or for the benefit of the former holder of the surrendered Exchangeable Shares. All such
Contango Shares shall be duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid, non-assessable, free of preemptive rights and shall be free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance.
2.6 Qualification of Contango Shares.
(1)
Contango covenants and agrees that it will use reasonable best efforts to (A) file a registration
statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-3 (or any successor or other applicable form) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) to
register the Contango Shares to be issued or delivered to holders of the Exchangeable Shares by Contango or CallCo (including, for greater certainty, pursuant to the Exchange Right, as that term is defined in the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement,
or the Automatic Exchange Right) by or as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, and (B) cause such registration statement to become effective as promptly as practicable after such filing and to maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statement (or any appropriate replacement registration statement) for so long as any Exchangeable Shares remain outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Contango and CallCo each covenant and agree that it will take
all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to make such filings and seek such regulatory consents and approvals as are necessary so that the Contango Shares to be issued or delivered to holders of Exchangeable
Shares pursuant to the terms of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and this Agreement will be offered,
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sold, issued and delivered in compliance with the 1933 Act and all applicable state securities laws, and applicable securities laws in Canada and will not be subject to any hold period as
contemplated by Rule 144 under the 1933 Act or subject to any “hold period” resale restriction under National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities. Contango will use its reasonable best
efforts to cause all Contango Shares to be delivered to holders of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the terms of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and this Agreement to be listed, quoted and posted for trading
on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on which outstanding Contango Shares have been listed by Contango and remain listed and are quoted or posted for trading at such time.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or any term of this Agreement, the
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, no Contango Shares shall be issued (and Contango will not be required to issue any Contango Shares) in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of the Acquiror, or any retraction, redemption or any other exchange, direct or indirect, of Exchangeable Shares, if such issuance of Contango Shares would not be permitted by applicable laws.
2.7 Economic Equivalence.
(1)
So long as any Exchangeable Shares not owned by Contango or its affiliates are outstanding:
(a)
Contango shall not without the prior approval of the Acquiror and the prior approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions:
(i)
issue or distribute Contango Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights
to acquire Contango Shares) to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Contango Shares by way of stock or share dividend or other distribution, other than an issue of Contango Shares (or securities exchangeable for or
convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Contango Shares) to holders of Contango Shares (A) who exercise an option to receive dividends in Contango Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire
Contango Shares) in lieu of receiving cash dividends, or (B) pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan or scrip dividend or similar arrangement; or
(ii)
issue or distribute rights, options or warrants to the holders of all or substantially all of the then
outstanding Contango Shares entitling them to subscribe for or to purchase Contango Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Contango Shares); or
(iii)
issue or distribute to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Contango Shares
(A) shares or securities of Contango of any class other than Contango Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to acquire Contango Shares), (B) rights, options, warrants or other assets other than those
referred to in Section 2.7(1)(a)(ii), (C) evidence of indebtedness of Contango or (D) assets of Contango;
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unless, in each case, the Acquiror issues or distributes the economic equivalent of such rights, options,
warrants, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets simultaneously to holders of the Exchangeable Shares; provided, however, that, for greater certainty, the above restrictions shall not apply to any securities issued or
distributed by Contango in order to give effect to and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, and in accordance with, the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement.
(b)
Contango shall not without the prior approval of the Acquiror and the prior approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions:
(i)
subdivide, redivide or change the then outstanding Contango Shares into a greater number of Contango Shares;
or
(ii)
reduce, combine, consolidate or change the then outstanding Contango Shares into a lesser number of Contango
Shares; or
(iii)
reclassify or otherwise change the Contango Shares or effect an amalgamation, merger, reorganization or
other transaction affecting the Contango Shares;
unless, in each case, the same subdivision, redivision,
reduction, combination or consolidation, as applicable or a change that provides economic equivalence and equivalent voting rights is made simultaneously to, or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable Shares; provided, however, that, for
greater certainty, the above restrictions shall not apply to any securities issued or distributed by Contango in order to give effect to and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, and in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement and the
Plan of Arrangement.
(c)
Contango shall ensure that the record date for any event referred to in Section 2.7(1)(a) or
Section 2.7(1)(b), or (if no record date is applicable for such event) the effective date for any such event, is not less than five Business Days after the date on which such event is declared or announced by Contango (with contemporaneous
notification thereof by Contango to the Acquiror).
(2)
The board of directors of the Acquiror shall determine, in good faith and in its sole discretion (with the
assistance of such financial or other advisors as the board of directors may determine), “economic equivalence” for the purposes of any event referred to in Section 2.7(1)(a) or Section 2.7(1)(b) and each such determination
shall be conclusive and binding on Contango, absent manifest error. In making each such determination, the following factors shall, without excluding other factors determined by the board of directors of the Acquiror to be relevant, be considered by
the board of directors of the Acquiror:
(a)
in the case of any stock or share dividend or other distribution payable in Contango Shares, the number of
such shares issued as a result of such stock or share dividend or other distribution in proportion to the number of Contango Shares previously outstanding;
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(b)
in the case of the issuance or distribution of any rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase
Contango Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Contango Shares), the relationship between the exercise price of each such right, option or warrant, the number of such rights, options or warrants to
be issued or distributed in respect of each Contango Share and the Current Market Price of a Contango Share, the price volatility of the Contango Shares and the terms of any such instrument;
(c)
in the case of the issuance or distribution of any other form of property (including, without limitation,
any shares or securities of Contango of any class other than Contango Shares, any rights, options or warrants other than those referred to in Section 2.7(2)(b), any evidences of indebtedness of Contango or any assets of Contango), the
relationship between the fair market value (as determined by the board of directors of the Acquiror in the manner above contemplated) of such property to be issued or distributed with respect to each outstanding Contango Share and the Current Market
Price of a Contango Share;
(d)
in the case of any subdivision, redivision or change of the then outstanding Contango Shares into a greater
number of Contango Shares or the reduction, combination, consolidation or change of the then outstanding Contango Shares into a lesser number of Contango Shares or any amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization or other transaction affecting
Contango Shares, the effect thereof upon the then outstanding Contango Shares; and
(e)
in all such cases, the general taxation consequences of the relevant event to holders of Exchangeable Shares
to the extent that such consequences may differ from the taxation consequences to holders of Contango Shares as a result of differences between taxation laws of Canada and the United States (except for any differing consequences arising as a result
of differing marginal taxation rates and without regard to the individual circumstances of holders of Exchangeable Shares).
(3)
The Acquiror agrees that, to the extent required, upon due notice from Contango, the Acquiror shall take or
cause to be taken such steps as may be necessary for the purposes of ensuring that appropriate dividends are paid or other distributions are made by the Acquiror, or subdivisions, redivisions or changes are made to the Exchangeable Shares, in order
to implement the required economic equivalence with respect to the Contango Shares and Exchangeable Shares as provided for in this Section 2.7.
2.8 Preferred Share Taxation. The Acquiror agrees that it shall make such elections, in the manner and within the time
provided under subsection 191.2(1) of the Tax Act, or any successor or replacement provision of similar effect, and take all other necessary actions under the Tax Act to pay tax at a rate such that no holder of Exchangeable Shares will be required
to pay tax under section 187.2 of Part IV.1 of the Tax Act or any successor or replacement provision of similar effect with respect to any dividends paid or payable or deemed paid or payable on the Exchangeable Shares at any time, and Contango
agrees to cause the Acquiror to undertake such actions and do such things in accordance with the foregoing.
2.9 Tender
Offers. In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid or similar transaction with respect to Contango Shares (an “Offer”) is proposed by Contango or is proposed to Contango or its
shareholders and is recommended by the board of
- 8 -
directors of Contango, or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the board of directors of Contango, and the Exchangeable Shares are not redeemed by the Acquiror
or purchased by Contango or CallCo pursuant to the Redemption Call Right, Contango and the Acquiror will use reasonable efforts (in the case of the Acquiror, best efforts) to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable
to enable and permit holders of Exchangeable Shares (other than Contango and its affiliates) to participate in such Offer to the same extent and on an economically equivalent basis as the holders of Contango Shares, without discrimination. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Contango and the Acquiror will use reasonable efforts in good faith (in the case of the Acquiror, best efforts) to ensure that holders of Exchangeable Shares may participate in each such Offer without being
required to retract Exchangeable Shares as against the Acquiror (or, if so required, to ensure that any such retraction shall be effective only upon, and shall be conditional upon, the closing of such Offer and only to the extent necessary to tender
or deposit to the Offer). Nothing herein shall affect the rights of the Acquiror to redeem, or Contango or CallCo to purchase pursuant to the Redemption Call Right, Exchangeable Shares in the event of a Contango Extraordinary Transaction.
2.10 Contango and Affiliates Not to Vote Exchangeable Shares. Each of Contango and CallCo covenants and agrees that it
shall appoint and cause to be appointed proxyholders with respect to all Exchangeable Shares held by it and its affiliates for the sole purpose of attending each meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares in order to be counted as part of the quorum
for each such meeting. Each of Contango and CallCo further covenants and agrees that it shall not, and shall cause its affiliates not to, exercise any voting rights which may be exercisable by holders of Exchangeable Shares from time to time
pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions or pursuant to the provisions of the BCBCA (or any successor or other corporate statute by which the Acquiror may in the future be governed) with respect to any Exchangeable Shares held by it or by its
affiliates in respect of any matter considered at any meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares; provided however, for further clarity, that this Section 2.10 shall not in any way restrict the right of Contango or any of its affiliates to vote
their common shares of the Acquiror in accordance with the articles of the Acquiror.
2.11 Ordinary Market Purchases. For
greater certainty, nothing contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the obligations of Contango contained in Section 2.8, shall limit the ability of Contango (or any of its affiliates) to make ordinary market or other
voluntary purchases of Contango Shares, including by private agreement, in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory or stock exchange requirements.
2.12 Ownership of Outstanding Shares. Without the prior approval of the Acquiror and the prior approval of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, Contango covenants and agrees in favour of the Acquiror that, as long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares not owned by Contango or its
affiliates are outstanding, Contango will be and remain the direct or indirect beneficial owner of all issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of the Acquiror and CallCo. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Contango shall not be in violation
of this Section 2.12 if any Person or group of Persons acting jointly or in concert acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Contango or the Contango Shares pursuant to any merger or similar transaction involving Contango pursuant to
which Contango is not the surviving corporation.
2.13 Reimbursement by Contango. Contango shall reimburse the Acquiror for,
and indemnify and hold the Acquiror harmless against, any expense or liability incurred by the Acquiror with respect to the Exchangeable Shares.
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2.14 U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment. The Exchangeable Shares shall be
treated as shares of Contango for all U.S. federal income tax purposes, and each of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror agree to file all U.S. tax returns consistently therewith, except as otherwise required by a “determination” within the
meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code.
ARTICLE 3
CONTANGO SUCCESSORS
3.1 Certain Requirements in Respect of Combination, etc. Subject to Section 27.7 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions and Article 4 hereof with respect to a Contango Extraordinary Transaction, so long as any Exchangeable Shares not owned by Contango or its affiliates are outstanding, Contango shall not enter into any transaction (whether by way of
reorganization, consolidation, arrangement, amalgamation, merger, business combination, transfer, sale, lease or otherwise) whereby all or substantially all of its undertaking, property and assets would become the property of any other Person or, in
the case of an amalgamation or merger or combination, of the continuing corporation resulting therefrom, provided that it may do so if:
(a)
such other Person or continuing corporation (the “Contango Successor”) by operation of
law, becomes, without more, bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement or, if not so bound, executes, prior to or contemporaneously with the consummation of such transaction, an agreement supplemental hereto and such other instruments (if
any) as are necessary or advisable to evidence the assumption by the Contango Successor of liability for all moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder and the covenant of such Contango Successor to pay and deliver or cause to be paid and
delivered the same and its agreement to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations of Contango under this Agreement; and
(b)
such transaction shall be upon such terms and conditions as to preserve and not to impair any of the rights,
duties, powers and authorities of the other parties hereunder or the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
3.2
Vesting of Powers in Successor. Whenever the conditions of Section 3.1 have been duly observed and performed, the parties, if required by Section 3.1, shall execute and deliver the supplemental agreement provided for in
Section 3.1(a) and thereupon the Contango Successor and such other Person that may then be the issuer of the Contango Shares shall possess and from time to time may exercise each and every right and power of Contango under this Agreement in the
name of Contango or otherwise and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Agreement required to be done or performed by the board of directors of Contango or any officers of Contango may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
directors or officers of such Contango Successor.
3.3 Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. Nothing herein shall be construed
as preventing (a) the amalgamation, merger or combination of any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Contango (other than the Acquiror or CallCo) with or into Contango, (b) the winding-up,
liquidation or dissolution of any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Contango (other than the Acquiror or CallCo), provided that all of the assets of such subsidiary are transferred to Contango or another wholly-owned direct or indirect
subsidiary of Contango, (c) any other distribution of the assets of any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Contango (other than the Acquiror or
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CallCo) among the shareholders of such subsidiary for the purpose of winding up its affairs, and (d) any such transactions are expressly permitted by this Article 3.
3.4 Successorship Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 3, in the event of a Contango
Extraordinary Transaction:
(a)
in which Contango merges, combines or amalgamates with, or in which all or substantially all of the then
outstanding Contango Shares are acquired by, one or more other corporations to which Contango is, immediately before such merger, combination, amalgamation or acquisition, “related” within the meaning of the Tax Act (otherwise than by
virtue of a right referred to in paragraph 251(5)(b) thereof) or any analogous provision under the Code;
(b)
which does not result in an acceleration of the Redemption Date in accordance with paragraph (ii) of
the definition of Redemption Date in the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
(c)
in which all or substantially all of the then outstanding Contango Shares are converted into or exchanged
for shares or rights to receive such shares (the “Other Shares”) of another corporation (the “Other Corporation”) that, immediately after such Contango Extraordinary Transaction, owns or controls, directly or
indirectly, Contango;
then all references herein to “Contango” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be
references to “Other Corporation” and all references herein to “Contango Shares” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be references to “Other Shares” (with appropriate adjustments if any, as are required to result
in a holder of Exchangeable Shares on the exchange, redemption or retraction of such shares pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions or the exchange of such shares pursuant to the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement immediately subsequent to
the Contango Extraordinary Transaction being entitled to receive that number of Other Shares equal to the number of Other Shares such holder of Exchangeable Shares would have received if the exchange, redemption or retraction of such shares pursuant
to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or the exchange of such shares pursuant to the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement had occurred immediately prior to the Contango Extraordinary Transaction and the Contango Extraordinary Transaction was
completed) but subject to subsequent adjustments to reflect any subsequent changes in the share capital of the issuer of the Other Shares, including, without limitation, any subdivision, consolidation or reduction of share capital, without any need
to amend the terms and conditions of the Exchangeable Shares and without any further action required.
ARTICLE 4
CERTAIN RIGHTS OF CONTANGO AND CALLCO TO ACQUIRE EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
4.1 Liquidation Call Right
The parties hereto hereby acknowledge the rights and obligations of Contango and CallCo in respect of the Exchangeable Shares
as contained in Section 27.17 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
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4.2 Redemption Call Right
The parties hereto hereby acknowledge the rights and obligations of Contango and CallCo in respect of the Exchangeable Shares
as contained in Section 27.18 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
4.3 Change of Law Call Right
The parties hereto hereby acknowledge the rights and obligations of Contango and CallCo in respect of the Exchangeable Shares
as contained in Section 27.19 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
4.4 Retraction Call Right
The parties hereto hereby acknowledge the rights and obligations in respect of the Exchangeable Shares contained in
Section 27.6(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
ARTICLE 5
GENERAL
5.1
Term. This Agreement shall come into force and be effective as of the date hereof and shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at such time as no Exchangeable Shares (or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for
or carrying rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares) are held by any Person other than Contango and any of its affiliates.
5.2
Changes in Capital of Contango and the Acquiror. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.4, at all times after the occurrence of any event contemplated pursuant to Section 2.7 and Section 2.8 or otherwise, as a result of
which either Contango Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any way changed, this Agreement shall forthwith be amended and modified as necessary in order that it shall apply with full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new
securities into which Contango Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are so changed and the parties hereto shall execute and deliver an agreement in writing giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications.
5.3 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any
rule or law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
5.4 Amendments, Modifications. Subject to Section 5.2, Section 5.3 and Section 5.5, this Agreement may not be
amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror and approved by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. No amendment or
modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto.
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5.5 Ministerial Amendments. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 5.4, the parties to this Agreement may in writing at any time and from time to time, without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares, amend or modify this Agreement for the purposes of:
(a)
adding to the covenants of any or all of the parties hereto if the board of directors of each of Contango,
CallCo and the Acquiror shall be of the good faith opinion that such additions will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares;
(b)
evidencing the succession of Contango Successors and the covenants of and obligations assumed by each such
Contango Successor in accordance with the provisions of Article 3;
(c)
making such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this Agreement as may be necessary or
desirable with respect to matters or questions arising hereunder which, in the good faith opinion of the board of directors of each of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror, it may be expedient to make, provided that each such board of directors shall
be of the good faith opinion, after consultation with counsel, that such amendments or modifications will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; or
(d)
making such changes or corrections hereto which, on the advice of counsel to Contango, CallCo and the
Acquiror, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error contained herein, provided that the boards of directors of each of Contango, CallCo
and the Acquiror shall be of the good faith opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
5.6 Meeting to Consider Amendments. The Acquiror, at the request of Contango, shall call a meeting or meetings of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or modification requiring approval pursuant to Section 5.4. Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance with the articles of the Acquiror, the
Exchangeable Share Provisions and all applicable laws.
5.7 Enurement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
5.8 Notices to Parties. Any notice and other
communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficiently given if delivered in person or if sent by electronic transmission to the parties at the following address:
(a)
In the case of Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror at the following address:
Contango ORE, Inc.
516 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [***]
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with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Suite 3500, 1133 Melville Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E 4E5
Attention: Steven McKoen, K.C. and Emma Costante
E-mail: [***] and [***]
and such notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been given and received (x) if delivered on a Business Day prior to 5:00
p.m. (local time in the place where the notice or other communication is received), on the date of delivery, or (y) if notice is delivered after 5:00 p.m. or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the next Business Day. Either party may
change its address for notice by giving notice to the other parties in accordance with the foregoing provisions.
5.9
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each party agrees that this Agreement may be delivered by
electronic means and that electronic signatures shall be binding in the same manner as original signatures.
5.10
Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Each party hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of the Province of British Columbia with respect to any matter arising hereunder or related hereto.
[Remainder of this page left
intentionally blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the date first above written.
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
By:
/s/ Michael Clark
Name:
Michael Clark
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
1566002 B.C. UNLIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
By:
/s/ Michael Clark
Name:
Michael Clark
Title:
President and Corporate Secretary
1566004 B.C. LTD.
By:
/s/ Michael Clark
Name:
Michael Clark
Title:
President and Corporate Secretary
EX-4.2
EX-4.2
Filename: d124597dex42.htm · Sequence: 6
EX-4.2
Exhibit 4.2
VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
THIS VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT made as of March 26, 2026 among Contango ORE, Inc., a corporation
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Contango”), 1566002 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, an unlimited liability company existing under the laws of British Columbia (“CallCo”), 1566004 B.C. Ltd.,
a company existing under the laws of British Columbia (the “Acquiror”) and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS:
A.
In connection with an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) dated
December 7, 2025 between Contango, the Acquiror and Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (the “Company”), the Acquiror is to issue exchangeable shares (the “Exchangeable Shares”) to certain holders of common
shares of the Company pursuant to an arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the BCBCA on the terms and conditions set out in the Plan of Arrangement.
B.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the Trustee are required to enter
into a voting and exchange trust agreement (this “Agreement”).
C.
These recitals and any statements of fact in this Agreement are made by Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror
and not by the Trustee.
In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements contained herein and for other good
and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement, each capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (collectively, the “Exchangeable Share Provisions”) attaching to the Exchangeable Shares as set out in the articles of the Acquiror and the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
“1933 Act” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.10;
“Acquiror” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the introductory paragraph;
“Agreement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Recital B;
“Arrangement Agreement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Recital A;
“Automatic Exchange Right” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.12(2);
“Beneficiaries” means the registered holders from time to time of Exchangeable Shares, other than Contango,
CallCo and their affiliates;
“Beneficiary Votes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“CallCo” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the
introductory paragraph;
“Commission” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.10;
“Contango” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the introductory paragraph;
“Contango Certificate of Incorporation” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.11;
“Contango Meeting” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Contango Successor” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 11.1(a);
“Equivalent Vote Amount” means, with respect to any matter, proposition, proposal or question on which
holders of Contango Shares are entitled to vote, consent or otherwise act, the number of votes to which a holder of one Contango Share (subject to any applicable change as contemplated by Section 2.7 of the Support Agreement) is entitled with
respect to such matter, proposition or question;
“Exchange Right” has the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 5.1;
“Exchangeable Shares” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Recital A;
“Indemnified Parties” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 9.1;
“Insolvency Event” means (i) the institution by the Acquiror of any proceeding to be adjudicated a
bankrupt or insolvent or to be dissolved or wound up, or the consent of the Acquiror to the institution of bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or winding-up proceedings against it, (ii) the filing by the
Acquiror of a petition, answer or consent seeking dissolution or winding-up under any bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, including the Companies Creditors’ Arrangement Act (Canada) and the
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), or the failure by the Acquiror to contest in good faith any such proceedings commenced in respect of the Acquiror within 30 days of becoming aware thereof, or the consent by the Acquiror to the
filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, (iii) the making by the Acquiror of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission in writing by the Acquiror of its inability to pay its debts generally as
they become due, or (iv) the Acquiror not being permitted, pursuant to solvency requirements of applicable law, to redeem any Retracted Shares pursuant to Section 27.6(a)(iii) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions specified in a retraction
request delivered to the Acquiror in accordance with Section 27.6 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions; provided that for greater clarity, no actions taken pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement shall constitute an Insolvency Event;
“Liquidation Event” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.12(1)(a);
“Liquidation Event Effective Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.12(2);
“List” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.6;
2
“Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect
to Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror, a certificate signed by any one of the respective directors or officers of Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror, as applicable;
“Privacy Laws” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.18;
“Registration Statement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.10;
“Special Voting Share” means the special voting share in the capital of Contango, issued by Contango to and
deposited with the Trustee, which, at any time, entitles the holder of record to that number of votes at meetings of holders of Contango Shares equal to the number of Exchangeable Shares outstanding at such time (excluding Exchangeable Shares held
by Contango, CallCo and their affiliates);
“Trust” means the trust created by this Agreement under the
laws of the Province of British Columbia;
“Trust Estate” means the rights of the Trustee granted to it
by Contango hereunder in respect of the Special Voting Share, any other securities, the Exchange Right, the Automatic Exchange Right and any money or other property which may be held by the Trustee from time to time pursuant to this Agreement;
“Trustee” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement; and
“Voting Rights” means any and all the voting rights attached to the Special Voting Share from time to time.
1.2 Interpretation Not Affected by Headings. The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections, subsections and
paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the contrary intention appears, references in this Agreement to an Article,
Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule by number or letter or both refer to the Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule, respectively, bearing that designation in this Agreement.
1.3 Number, Gender, etc. In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, words importing the singular include the
plural and vice versa, and words importing gender shall include all genders.
1.4 Date for any Action. If the date on which
any action is required to be taken hereunder by any Person is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day.
1.5 Currency. Unless otherwise stated, all references in this Agreement to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of
Canadian dollars and “$” refers to Canadian dollars.
1.6 Statutes. Any reference to a statute refers to such
statute and all rules and regulations made under it, as it or they may have been or may from time to time be amended or re-enacted, unless stated otherwise.
1.7 Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions.
3
(1)
References in this Agreement to the words “include”, “includes” or
“including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import.
(2)
References in this Agreement to any contract or agreement are to that contract or agreement as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.
(3)
References in this Agreement to a Person includes the heirs, administrators, executors, legal personal
representatives, predecessors, successors and permitted assigns of that Person, as applicable.
ARTICLE 2
PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
2.1 Establishment of Trust. The purpose of this Agreement is to create the Trust for the benefit of the Beneficiaries as herein
provided. Contango, as the settlor of the Trust, hereby appoints the Trustee as trustee of the Trust. The Trustee shall hold the Special Voting Share in order to enable the Trustee to exercise the Voting Rights and shall hold the Exchange Right and
the Automatic Exchange Right in order to enable the Trustee to exercise or enforce such rights, in each case as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries as provided in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
SPECIAL
VOTING SHARE
3.1 Issue and Ownership of the Special Voting Share. Immediately following execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Contango shall issue to and deposit with the Trustee the Special Voting Share to be hereafter held of record by the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of, and for the use and benefit of, the Beneficiaries and in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. Contango hereby acknowledges receipt from the Trustee, as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries, of USD$1.00 and other good and valuable consideration (and the adequacy thereof) for the issuance of the Special
Voting Share by Contango to the Trustee. During the term of the Trust, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall possess and be vested with full legal ownership of the Special Voting Share and shall be entitled to
exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner with respect to the Special Voting Share; provided, however, that:
(a)
the Trustee shall hold the Special Voting Share and the legal title thereto as trustee solely for the use
and benefit of the Beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; and
(b)
except as specifically authorized by this Agreement, the Trustee shall have no power or authority to sell,
transfer, vote or otherwise deal in or with the Special Voting Share and the Special Voting Share shall not be used or disposed of by the Trustee for any purpose (including for exercising dissent or appraisal rights relating to the Special Voting
Share) other than the purposes for which this Trust is created pursuant to this Agreement.
3.2 Legended
Certificates. The Acquiror shall cause each certificate (if any) representing Exchangeable Shares to bear a legend notifying the Beneficiary of such shares of their or its right to instruct the Trustee with respect to the exercise of that
portion of the Voting
4
Rights which corresponds to the number of Exchangeable Shares held by each such Beneficiary.
3.3 Safe Keeping of Certificate. Any certificate representing the Special Voting Share delivered to the Trustee shall at all
times be held in safe keeping by the Trustee or its duly authorized agent.
ARTICLE 4
EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
4.1 Voting Rights. The Trustee, as the holder of record of the Special Voting Share, shall be entitled to exercise all of the
Voting Rights, including the right to consent to or vote in person or by proxy the Special Voting Share, on any matter, question, proposal or proposition whatsoever that may properly come before the shareholders of Contango at a Contango Meeting.
The Voting Rights shall be and remain vested in and exercisable by the Trustee on behalf of the Beneficiaries as provided in this Agreement. Subject to Section 7.15:
(a)
the Trustee shall exercise the Voting Rights only on the basis of instructions received pursuant to this
Article 4 from Beneficiaries on the record date established by Contango or by applicable law for such Contango Meeting who are entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the voting thereof;
(b)
to the extent that no instructions are received from a Beneficiary with respect to the Voting Rights in
respect of which such Beneficiary is entitled to instruct the Trustee by the date established by the Trustee for the receipt of such instructions pursuant to Section 4.3(1)(f), the Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of such
Voting Rights; and
(c)
without prejudice to paragraph (b) above, under no circumstances shall the Trustee exercise or permit
the exercise of a number of Voting Rights which is greater than the number of Exchangeable Shares outstanding at the relevant time (excluding those Exchangeable Shares held by Contango or its affiliates).
4.2 Number of Votes. With respect to all meetings of shareholders of Contango at which holders of Contango Shares are entitled
to vote (each, a “Contango Meeting”), each Beneficiary shall be entitled to instruct the Trustee to cast and exercise, in the manner instructed, that number of votes equal to the Equivalent Vote Amount for each Exchangeable Share
owned of record by such Beneficiary at the close of business on the record date established by Contango or by applicable law for such Contango Meeting (collectively, the “Beneficiary Votes”), in respect of each matter, question,
proposal or proposition to be voted on at such Contango Meeting.
4.3 Mailings to Shareholders.
(1)
With respect to each Contango Meeting, the Trustee will mail or cause to be mailed (or otherwise communicate
in the same manner as Contango utilizes in communications to holders of Contango Shares, subject to applicable regulatory requirements and to the Trustee being advised in writing of such manner of communications and provided that such manner of
communications is reasonably available to the Trustee) to each Beneficiary named in the applicable List on the same day as the mailing (or other communication) with respect thereto is commenced by Contango to its shareholders:
5
(a)
a copy of such mailing, together with any related materials, including, without limitation, any proxy
circular or information statement or listing particulars, to be provided to shareholders of Contango;
(b)
a statement that such Beneficiary is entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the exercise of the Beneficiary
Votes with respect to such Contango Meeting or, pursuant to Section 4.7, to attend such Contango Meeting and to exercise personally the Beneficiary Votes thereat, as the proxy of the Trustee;
(c)
a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the Trustee, including an express
indication that instructions may be given to the Trustee to give (i) a proxy to such Beneficiary or their or its designee to exercise personally such holder’s Beneficiary Votes, or (ii) a proxy to a designated agent or other
representative of Contango to exercise such holder’s Beneficiary Votes;
(d)
a statement that if no such instructions are received from such Beneficiary, the Beneficiary Votes to which
the Beneficiary is entitled will not be exercised;
(e)
a form of direction such Beneficiary may use to direct and instruct the Trustee as contemplated herein; and
(f)
a statement of (i) the time and date by which such instructions must be received by the Trustee in
order for such instructions to be binding upon the Trustee, which in the case of a Contango Meeting shall not be earlier than the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the date by which Contango has required proxies to be
deposited for such meeting, and (ii) of the method for revoking or amending such instructions.
(2)
The materials referred to in this Section 4.3 shall be provided to the Trustee by Contango, and the
materials referred to in Sections 4.3(1)(b), 4.3(1)(c), 4.3(1)(d), 4.3(1)(e) and 4.3(1)(f) shall be subject to reasonable comment by the Trustee in a timely manner. Subject to the foregoing, Contango shall ensure that the materials to be provided to
the Trustee are provided in sufficient time to permit the Trustee to comment as aforesaid and to send all materials to each Beneficiary at the same time as such materials are first sent to holders of Contango Shares. Contango agrees not to
communicate with holders of Contango Shares with respect to the materials referred to in this Section 4.3 otherwise than by mail unless such method of communication is also reasonably available to the Trustee for communication with the
Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Contango may, at its option, exercise the duties of the Trustee to deliver copies of all materials to all Beneficiaries as required by this Section 4.3 so long as, in each case, Contango delivers a
certificate to the Trustee stating that Contango has undertaken to perform the obligations of the Trustee set forth in this Section 4.3.
(3)
For the purpose of determining the number of Beneficiary Votes to which a Beneficiary is entitled in respect
of any Contango Meeting, the number of Exchangeable Shares owned of record by the Beneficiary shall be determined at the close of business on the record date established by Contango or by applicable law for purposes of determining shareholders
entitled to vote at such Contango Meeting. Contango shall notify the Trustee of any decision of the board of directors of Contango with respect to the calling of any Contango Meeting and shall provide all necessary information and materials to the
Trustee
6
in each case promptly and, in any event, in reasonably sufficient time to enable the Trustee to perform the obligations of the Trustee set forth in this Section 4.3.
4.4 Copies of Shareholder Information. Contango shall deliver to the Trustee copies of all proxy materials (including, without
limitation, notices of Contango Meetings but excluding proxies to vote Contango Shares), information statements, reports (including, without limitation, all interim and annual financial statements) and other written communications that, in each
case, are to be distributed by Contango from time to time to holders of Contango Shares in sufficient quantities and in sufficient time so as to enable the Trustee to send or cause to send those materials to each Beneficiary at the same time as such
materials are first sent to holders of Contango Shares. The Trustee shall mail or otherwise send to each Beneficiary, at the expense of Contango, copies of all such materials (and all materials specifically directed to the Beneficiaries or to the
Trustee for the benefit of the Beneficiaries by Contango) received by the Trustee from Contango contemporaneously with the sending of such materials to holders of Contango Shares. The Trustee shall also make available for inspection during regular
business hours by any Beneficiary at the Trustee’s principal office in Vancouver, British Columbia all proxy materials, information statements, reports and other written communications that are:
(a)
received by the Trustee as the registered holder of the Special Voting Share and made available by Contango
generally to the holders of Contango Shares; or
(b)
specifically directed to the Beneficiaries or to the Trustee for the benefit of the Beneficiaries by
Contango.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Contango may, at its option, exercise the duties of the Trustee to deliver
copies of all such materials to all Beneficiaries as required by this Section 4.4 so long as, in each case, Contango delivers a certificate to the Trustee stating that Contango has undertaken to perform the obligations of the Trustee set forth
in this Section 4.4.
4.5 Other Materials. As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by Contango or shareholders
of Contango (if such receipt is known by Contango) of any material sent or given by or on behalf of a third party to holders of Contango Shares generally, including dissident proxy and information circulars (and related information and material) and
take-over bid and securities exchange take-over bid circulars (and related information and material), provided such material has not been sent to the Beneficiaries by or on behalf of such third party, Contango shall use its reasonable efforts to
obtain and deliver to the Trustee copies thereof in sufficient quantities so as to enable the Trustee to forward such material (unless the same has been provided directly to Beneficiaries by such third party) to each Beneficiary as soon as possible
thereafter. As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt thereof, the Trustee shall mail or otherwise send to each Beneficiary, at the expense of Contango, copies of all such materials received by the Trustee from Contango. The Trustee shall also
make available for inspection during regular business hours by any Beneficiary at the Trustee’s principal office in Vancouver, British Columbia copies of all such materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Contango may, at its option,
exercise the duties of the Trustee to deliver copies of all such materials to all Beneficiaries as required by this Section 4.5 so long as, in each case, Contango delivers a certificate to the Trustee stating that Contango has undertaken to
perform the obligations of the Trustee set forth in this Section 4.5.
4.6 List of Persons Entitled to Vote. The
Acquiror shall (a) prior to each annual or other Contango Meeting, and (b) forthwith upon each request made at any time by the Trustee in writing, prepare or cause to be prepared a list (a “List”) of the names and
addresses of the Beneficiaries arranged in alphabetical order and showing the number of Exchangeable Shares
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held of record by each such Beneficiary, in each case at the close of business on the date specified by the Trustee in such request or, in the case of a List prepared in connection with a
Contango Meeting, at the close of business on the record date established by Contango or pursuant to applicable law for determining the holders of Contango Shares entitled to receive notice of and/or to vote at such Contango Meeting. Each such List
shall be delivered to the Trustee promptly after receipt by the Acquiror of such request or the record date for such meeting and, in any event, within sufficient time as to permit the Trustee to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Contango
agrees to give the Acquiror notice (with a copy to the Trustee) of the calling of any Contango Meeting together with the record date therefor, sufficiently prior to the date of the calling of such meeting or seeking of such consent, so as to enable
the Acquiror to perform its obligations under this Section 4.6.
4.7 Entitlement to Direct Votes.
Subject to Section 4.8 and Section 4.11, any Beneficiary named in a List prepared in connection with any Contango Meeting shall be entitled to (a) instruct the Trustee in the manner described in Section 4.2 with respect to
the exercise of the Beneficiary Votes to which such Beneficiary is entitled, (b) attend such meeting and personally exercise thereat (or to exercise with respect to any written consent), as the proxy of the Trustee, the Beneficiary Votes to
which such Beneficiary is entitled, or (c) appoint a third party as the proxy of the Trustee to attend such meeting and exercise thereat the Beneficiary Votes to which such Beneficiary is entitled except, in each case, to the extent that such
Beneficiary has transferred the ownership of any Exchangeable Shares in respect of which such Beneficiary is entitled to Beneficiary Votes after the close of business on the record date for such meeting or seeking of consent.
4.8 Voting by Trustee and Attendance of Trustee Representative at Meeting.
(1)
In connection with each Contango Meeting, the Trustee shall exercise, either in Person or by proxy, in
accordance with the instructions received from a Beneficiary pursuant to Section 4.2, the Beneficiary Votes as to which such Beneficiary is entitled to direct the vote (or any lesser number thereof as may be set forth in the instructions) other
than any Beneficiary Votes that are the subject of Section 4.8(2); provided, however, that such written instructions are received by the Trustee from the Beneficiary prior to the time and date fixed by the Trustee for receipt of such
instruction in the notice given by the Trustee to the Beneficiary pursuant to Section 4.3.
(2)
To the extent so instructed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall cause a
representative who is empowered by it to sign and deliver, on behalf of the Trustee, proxies for Voting Rights enabling a Beneficiary to attend a Contango Meeting. Upon submission by a Beneficiary (or its designee) named in the List prepared in
connection with the relevant meeting of identification satisfactory to the Trustee’s representative, and at the Beneficiary’s request, such representative shall sign and deliver to such Beneficiary (or its designee) a proxy to exercise
personally the Beneficiary Votes as to which such Beneficiary is otherwise entitled hereunder to direct the vote, if such Beneficiary either (i) has not previously given the Trustee instructions pursuant to Section 4.3 in respect of such
meeting or (ii) submits to such representative written revocation of any such previous instructions. At such meeting, the Beneficiary (or its designee) exercising such Beneficiary Votes in accordance with such proxy shall have the same rights
in respect of such Beneficiary Votes as the Trustee to speak at the meeting in respect of any matter, question, proposal or proposition, to vote by way of ballot at the meeting in respect of any matter, question, proposal or proposition, and to vote
at such
8
meeting by way of a show of hands in respect of any matter, question, proposal or proposition.
4.9 Distribution of Written Materials. Any written materials distributed by the Trustee to the Beneficiaries pursuant to this
Agreement shall be sent by mail (or otherwise communicated in the same manner as Contango utilizes in communications to holders of Contango Shares, subject to applicable regulatory requirements and to the Trustee being advised in writing of such
manner of communications and provided that such manner of communications is reasonably available to the Trustee) to each Beneficiary at its address as shown on the register of holders of Exchangeable Shares maintained by the registrar of
Exchangeable Shares. In connection with each such distribution, the Acquiror shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee for purposes of communication, on a timely basis and without charge or other expense, a current List, and upon the
request of the Trustee, mailing labels to enable the Trustee to carry out its duties under this Agreement. The Acquiror’s obligations under this Section 4.9 shall be deemed satisfied to the extent Contango exercises its option to perform
the duties of the Trustee to deliver copies of materials to each Beneficiary and the Acquiror provides the required information and materials to Contango.
4.10 Termination of Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions, all of the rights of a
Beneficiary with respect to the Beneficiary Votes exercisable in respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary, including the right to instruct the Trustee as to the voting of or to vote personally such Beneficiary Votes, shall lapse
and be deemed to be surrendered by the Beneficiary to Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, and such Beneficiary Votes and the Voting Rights represented thereby shall cease immediately upon:
(a)
the delivery by such holder to the Trustee of the certificates (if any) representing such Exchangeable
Shares and other required documentation in connection with the exercise by the Beneficiary of the Exchange Right;
(b)
the occurrence of the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Contango Shares, as specified in Article
5 (unless Contango shall not have delivered the requisite Contango Shares deliverable in exchange therefor to the Trustee pending delivery to the Beneficiaries);
(c)
the retraction or redemption of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Section 27.6 or 27.7 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(d)
the effective date of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
the Acquiror or any other distribution of the assets of the Acquiror among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs pursuant to Section 27.5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions; or
(e)
upon the purchase of Exchangeable Shares from the holder thereof by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be,
pursuant to the exercise by Contango or CallCo of the Liquidation Call Right, the Redemption Call Right, the Change of Law Call Right or the Retraction Call Right (unless, in any case, Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, shall not have delivered
the requisite consideration deliverable in exchange therefor).
4.11 Disclosure of Interest in Exchangeable
Shares. The Trustee or the Acquiror shall be entitled to require any Beneficiary or any Person whom the Trustee or the Acquiror, as
9
the case may be, knows or has reasonable cause to believe holds any interest whatsoever in an Exchangeable Share to (a) confirm that fact, or (b) give such details as to whom has an
interest in such Exchangeable Share, in each case as would be required (if the Exchangeable Shares were a class of “equity securities” of the Acquiror) under Section 5.2 of National Instrument
62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids or as would be required under the certificate of incorporation of Contango, as amended, and as may be further amended from time to time (the “Contango
Certificate of Incorporation”) or any laws or regulations, or pursuant to the rules or regulations of any regulatory agency, if and only to the extent that the Exchangeable Shares were Contango Shares. If a Beneficiary does not provide the
information required to be provided by such Beneficiary pursuant to this Section 4.11, the board of directors of Contango may take any action permitted under the Contango Certificate of Incorporation or any laws or regulations, or pursuant to
the rules or regulations of any regulatory agency, with respect to the Voting Rights relating to the Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary as if, and only to that the extent that, the Exchangeable Shares were Contango Shares.
ARTICLE 5
EXCHANGE AND
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
5.1 Grant and Ownership of the Exchange Right and Automatic Exchange Right.
(1)
Contango and, in the case of the Exchange Right, CallCo hereby grant to the Trustee as trustee for and on
behalf of, and for the use and benefit of, the Beneficiaries (i) the right (the “Exchange Right”), upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, to require CallCo or Contango (provided that Contango
may, in its sole discretion, cause CallCo to purchase in its stead to the extent permitted by applicable law) to purchase from each or any Beneficiary all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary, all in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) the Automatic Exchange Right. Each of Contango and CallCo hereby acknowledge receipt from the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries of good and valuable consideration (and the adequacy
thereof) for the grant of the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, to the Trustee.
(2)
During the term of the Trust, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall
possess and be vested with full legal ownership of the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right and shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner with respect to the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right,
provided that the Trustee shall:
(a)
hold the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right and the legal title thereto as trustee solely for
the use and benefit of the Beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; and
(b)
except as specifically authorized by this Agreement, have no power or authority to exercise or otherwise
deal in or with the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Right, and the Trustee shall not exercise any such rights for any purpose other than the purposes for which the Trust is created pursuant to this Agreement.
5.2 Legended Certificates. The Acquiror shall cause each certificate (if any) representing Exchangeable Shares to bear
the following legend notifying the Beneficiary in respect of the Exchangeable Shares represented by such certificate of (a) their or its right to
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instruct the Trustee with respect to the exercise of the Exchange Right in respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary and (b) the Automatic Exchange Right:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
WHICH PROVIDES FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (A) THE RIGHT OF THE HOLDER TO INSTRUCT THE TRUSTEE IN RESPECT OF THE EXERCISE OF THE EXCHANGE RIGHT, AND (B) AN AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE RIGHT.
5.3 General Exercise of Exchange Right. The Exchange Right shall be and remain vested in and exercisable by the Trustee. Subject
to Section 7.15, the Trustee shall exercise the Exchange Right only on the basis of instructions received pursuant to this Article 5 from Beneficiaries entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the exercise thereof. To the extent that no
instructions are received from any Beneficiary with respect to the Exchange Right, the Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of the Exchange Right.
5.4 Purchase Price. The purchase price payable by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, for each Exchangeable Share to be
purchased by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, pursuant to the exercise of the Exchange Right shall be an amount per share equal to the Exchangeable Share Price on the last Business Day prior to the day of the closing of the purchase and sale
of such Exchangeable Share pursuant to such exercise of the Exchange Right, which price may be satisfied only by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, delivering or causing to be delivered to the Trustee, on behalf of the relevant Beneficiary, the
Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such Exchangeable Share Price. Upon payment by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, of the Exchangeable Share Price, the relevant Beneficiary shall cease to have any right to be paid any amount in
respect of declared and unpaid dividends or other distributions on each such Exchangeable Share by the Acquiror and the Acquiror shall cease to be obligated to pay any amount in respect of such dividends or other distributions.
5.5 Exercise Instructions. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, a Beneficiary shall be entitled upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, to instruct the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right with respect to all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of such Beneficiary. In order to cause the Trustee
to exercise the Exchange Right with respect to all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of a Beneficiary, such Beneficiary shall deliver to the Trustee, in person or by certified or registered mail, at its principal office
in Vancouver, British Columbia or at such other place as the Trustee may from time to time designate by written notice to the Beneficiaries, the certificates (if any) representing the Exchangeable Shares which such Beneficiary desires Contango or
CallCo to purchase, duly endorsed in blank for transfer, and accompanied by such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of the Exchangeable Shares under the BCBCA, the articles of the Acquiror and such additional
documents and instruments as Contango, the Acquiror or the Trustee may reasonably require together with:
(a)
a duly completed form of notice of exercise of the Exchange Right, contained on the reverse of or attached
to the Exchangeable Share certificates, stating (i) that the Beneficiary thereby instructs the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right so as to require Contango or CallCo to purchase from the Beneficiary the number of Exchangeable Shares
specified therein, (ii) that such Beneficiary has good title to and owns all such Exchangeable Shares to be acquired by Contango or CallCo free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances, and (iii) the
11
names in which the Contango Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of the Exchange Right are to be issued; and
(b)
payment (or evidence satisfactory to Contango, the Acquiror and the Trustee of payment) of the taxes (if
any) payable as contemplated by Section 5.8 of this Agreement;
provided that if only a part of the Exchangeable
Shares represented by any certificate or certificates are to be purchased by Contango or CallCo pursuant to the exercise of the Exchange Right, a new certificate for the balance of such Exchangeable Shares shall be issued to the holder at the
expense of the Acquiror.
5.6 Delivery of Contango Shares; Effect of Exercise. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of
the certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares (if any) which a Beneficiary desires Contango or CallCo to purchase pursuant to the exercise of the Exchange Right, together with a notice of exercise and such other documents and instruments
specified by Section 5.5, the Trustee shall notify Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror of its receipt of the same, which notice to Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror shall constitute exercise of the Exchange Right by the Trustee on behalf of such
Beneficiary in respect of such Exchangeable Shares, and Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, shall promptly thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee, for delivery to such Beneficiary (or to such other Persons, if any, properly
designated by such Beneficiary) the Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable in connection with such exercise of the Exchange Right; provided, however, that no such delivery shall be made unless and until the Beneficiary requesting the same
shall have paid (or provided evidence satisfactory to Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the Trustee of the payment of) the taxes (if any) payable as contemplated by Section 5.8 of this Agreement. Immediately upon the giving of notice by the
Trustee to Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror of any exercise of the Exchange Right, as provided in this Section 5.6, the closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by the Exchange Right shall be deemed to have occurred, and
the Beneficiary in respect of such Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have transferred to Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, all of such Beneficiary’s right, title and interest in and to such Exchangeable Shares and in the related
interest in the Trust Estate and shall cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive the total Exchangeable Share
Consideration in respect of such Exchangeable Shares, unless such Exchangeable Share Consideration is not delivered by Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, to the Trustee for delivery to such Beneficiary (or to such other Person, if any, properly
designated by such Beneficiary) within five Business Days of the date of the giving of such notice by the Trustee, in which case the rights of the Beneficiary shall remain unaffected until such Exchangeable Share Consideration is so delivered. Upon
delivery of such Exchangeable Share Consideration to the Trustee, the Trustee shall promptly deliver such Exchangeable Share Consideration to such Beneficiary (or to such other Person, if any, properly designated by such Beneficiary). Concurrently
with the closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by such exercise of the Exchange Right, the Beneficiary shall be considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holder of the Contango Shares delivered to it pursuant to such
exercise of the Exchange Right.
5.7 Exercise of Exchange Right Subsequent to Retraction. In the event that a Beneficiary
has exercised its retraction right under Section 27.6(a) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions to require the Acquiror to redeem any or all of the Retracted Shares and is notified by the Acquiror pursuant to Section 27.6(a)(iii) of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions that the Acquiror will not be permitted as a result of solvency requirements of applicable law to redeem all
12
such Retracted Shares, subject to receipt by the Trustee of written notice to that effect from the Acquiror, and provided that neither Contango nor CallCo shall have exercised its Retraction Call
Right with respect to the Retracted Shares and that the Beneficiary shall not have revoked the retraction request delivered by the Beneficiary to the Acquiror pursuant to Section 27.6(a)(iv) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, the retraction
request will constitute and will be deemed to constitute notice from the Beneficiary to the Trustee instructing the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right with respect to those Retracted Shares that the Acquiror is unable to redeem. In any such
event, the Acquiror hereby agrees with the Trustee, and in favour of the Beneficiary, promptly to notify the Trustee of such prohibition against the Acquiror and to forward or cause to be forwarded to the Trustee all relevant materials delivered by
the Beneficiary to the Acquiror or to the Transfer Agent in connection with such proposed redemption of the Retracted Shares and the Trustee will thereupon exercise the Exchange Right with respect to the Retracted Shares that the Acquiror is not
permitted to redeem and will require Contango or, at the option of Contango, CallCo, to purchase such shares in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5.
5.8 Stamp or Other Transfer Taxes. Upon any sale or transfer of Exchangeable Shares to Contango or CallCo pursuant to the
exercise of the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Right, the Contango Shares to be delivered in connection with the payment of the purchase price therefor shall be issued in the name of the Beneficiary in respect of the Exchangeable Shares so
sold or transferred or in such names as such Beneficiary may otherwise direct in writing without charge to the holder of the Exchangeable Shares so sold or transferred; provided, however, that such Beneficiary (a) shall pay (and none of
Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror or the Trustee shall be required to pay or otherwise bear) any documentary, stamp, transfer or other taxes or duties that may be payable in respect of any sale or transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of such
shares to a Person other than such Beneficiary including, without limitation, in the event that Exchangeable Shares are being delivered, sold or transferred in the name of a clearing service or depositary or a nominee thereof, or (b) shall have
evidenced to the satisfaction of Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the Trustee that such taxes or duties (if any) have been paid.
5.9 Notice of Insolvency Event. As soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Insolvency Event or any event
that with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would be an Insolvency Event, Contango and the Acquiror shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee. As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving notice from Contango or the
Acquiror of the occurrence of an Insolvency Event, or upon the Trustee otherwise becoming aware of an Insolvency Event, the Trustee shall mail to each Beneficiary, at the expense of Contango (such funds to be received in advance), a notice of such
Insolvency Event in the form provided by Contango, which notice shall contain a brief statement of the rights of the Beneficiaries with respect to the Exchange Right.
5.10 U.S. Securities Law Compliance and Listing of Contango Shares. Contango covenants and agrees that it will use reasonable
best efforts to (A) file a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-3 (or any successor or other applicable form) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “1933 Act”) to register the Contango Shares to be issued or delivered to holders of the Exchangeable Shares by Contango or CallCo (including, for greater certainty, pursuant to the Exchange Right or the Automatic
Exchange Right) by or as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, and (B) cause such registration statement to become effective as promptly as practicable after such filing and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration
statement (or any appropriate replacement registration statement) for so long as any Exchangeable Shares remain outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Contango and CallCo each covenant and agree that it will take all such
actions and do all such
13
things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to make such filings and seek such regulatory consents and approvals as are necessary so that the Contango Shares to be issued or delivered to
holders of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the terms of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, the Support Agreement and this Agreement will be offered, sold, issued and delivered in compliance with the 1933 Act and all applicable state securities laws,
and applicable securities laws in Canada and will not be subject to any hold period as contemplated by Rule 144 under the 1933 Act or subject to any “hold period” resale restriction under National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities. Contango will use its reasonable best efforts to cause all Contango Shares to be delivered to holders of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the terms of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions, the Support Agreement and this Agreement to be listed, quoted and posted for trading on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on which outstanding Contango Shares have been listed by Contango and remain listed and are quoted or
posted for trading at such time.
5.11 Contango Shares. Contango hereby represents, warrants and covenants that the Contango
Shares deliverable as described herein will be duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance.
5.12 Automatic Exchange on Liquidation of Contango
(1)
Contango shall give the Trustee written notice of each of the following events (each, a
“Liquidation Event”) at the time set forth below:
(a)
in the event of any determination by the board of directors of Contango to institute voluntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to Contango or to effect any other distribution of assets of Contango among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, at least 30 days prior
to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution; and
(b)
as soon as practicable following the earlier of (i) receipt by Contango of notice of, and
(ii) Contango otherwise becoming aware of any instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Contango or to effect any
other distribution of assets of Contango among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, in each case where Contango has failed to contest in good faith any such proceeding commenced in respect of Contango within 30 days of
becoming aware thereof.
(2)
As soon as practicable following receipt by the Trustee from Contango of notice of a Liquidation Event, the
Trustee shall give notice thereof to the Beneficiaries. Such notice shall be provided by Contango to the Trustee and shall include a brief description of the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Contango Shares provided for in
Section 5.12(3) (the “Automatic Exchange Right”).
(3)
In order that the Beneficiaries will be able to participate on a pro rata basis with the holders of Contango
Shares in the distribution of assets of Contango in connection with a Liquidation Event, immediately prior to the effective date (the “Liquidation Event Effective Date”) of a Liquidation Event, each of the then outstanding
Exchangeable Shares (other than Exchangeable Shares held by Contango, CallCo and their affiliates) shall be automatically exchanged for one Contango Share. To effect such automatic exchange, Contango (or, if Contango so decides, in its sole
discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, CallCo) shall purchase each such Exchangeable Share
14
outstanding immediately prior to the Liquidation Event Effective Date, and each Beneficiary shall sell each Exchangeable Share held by it at such time, free and clear of any lien, claim or
encumbrance, for a purchase price per share equal to the Exchangeable Share Price immediately prior to the Liquidation Event Effective Date, which price shall be satisfied in full by Contango or CallCo, as applicable, delivering to such holder the
Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such Exchangeable Share Price. For greater certainty, the Beneficiary shall upon delivery of the Exchangeable Share Consideration cease to have any rights to be paid by the Acquiror any amount in respect
of declared and unpaid dividends or other distributions on the Exchangeable Shares.
(4)
The closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by any exercise of the Automatic Exchange
Right shall be deemed to have occurred at the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the Liquidation Event Effective Date, and each Beneficiary shall be deemed to have transferred to Contango or CallCo, as applicable, all of such
Beneficiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance and the related interest in the Trust Estate, any right of each such Beneficiary to receive
declared and unpaid dividends from the Acquiror shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged, and each such Beneficiary shall cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable Shares and Contango or CallCo, as applicable, shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Trustee, for delivery to such Beneficiary, the Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable to such Beneficiary upon such exercise of the Automatic Exchange Right. Concurrently with each such Beneficiary ceasing to be a holder of
Exchangeable Shares, such Beneficiary shall be considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holder of the Contango Shares included in the Exchangeable Share Consideration to be delivered to such Beneficiary and the certificates held by such
Beneficiary previously representing the Exchangeable Shares exchanged by the Beneficiary with Contango or CallCo, as applicable, pursuant to the exercise of the Automatic Exchange Right shall thereafter be deemed to represent the Contango Shares
issued to such Beneficiary by Contango or CallCo, as applicable, pursuant to the exercise of the Automatic Exchange Right.
5.13 Withholding Rights. Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee and any other Person that has any withholding obligation
with respect to any amount paid, deemed paid or otherwise deliverable under this Agreement to any holder of Exchangeable Shares or Contango Shares (any such Person, an “Other Withholding Agent”) shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold or direct Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee or any Other Withholding Agent to deduct or withhold on their behalf, from any such amounts as Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee or Other Withholding Agent is required to
deduct and withhold with respect to such payment or deemed payment under the Tax Act or United States tax laws or any provision of federal, provincial, territorial, state, local, foreign or other tax law, in each case as amended or succeeded.
Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee and any Other Withholding Agent may act and rely on the advice of counsel with respect to such matters. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld, such deducted or withheld amounts shall be
treated for all purposes as having been paid to the holder of the shares to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid or deemed paid and such deducted or withheld amounts shall be timely remitted to the appropriate governmental authority as
required by applicable law. To the extent that the amount so required to be deducted or withheld from any payment or deemed payment to a holder exceeds the cash portion of the consideration otherwise payable to the holder (such difference, a
“Withholding Shortfall”), Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee and any Other Withholding Agent are hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of, or direct Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee or any Other
Withholding Agent to sell or otherwise dispose of, on their account or through
15
a broker (the “Broker”) and on behalf of the relevant holder, or require such holder to irrevocably direct the sale through a Broker and irrevocably direct the Broker to pay
the proceeds of such sale to Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee and any Other Withholding Agent, as appropriate (and, in the absence of such irrevocable direction, the holder shall be deemed to have provided such irrevocable direction) such
portion of the consideration as is necessary to provide sufficient funds (after deducting commissions payable to the Broker and other costs and expenses) to Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee or the Other Withholding Agent, as the case may
be, to enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding requirement and Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee or the Other Withholding Agent, as the case may be, shall notify the holder thereof and remit to such holder any unapplied
balance of the net proceeds of such sale. Each of Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee and any Other Withholding Agent, as applicable, shall act in a commercially reasonable manner in respect of any withholding obligation; however, none of
Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee and any Other Withholding Agent, as applicable, will be liable for any loss arising out of any sale or other disposal of such consideration, including any loss relating to the manner or timing of such sale
or other disposal, the prices at which the consideration is sold or otherwise disposed of or otherwise.
5.14 No Fractional
Shares. A holder of an Exchangeable Share shall not be entitled to any fraction of a Contango Share upon the exercise of the Exchange Right or Automatic Exchange Right hereunder and such holder otherwise entitled to a fractional interest shall
be entitled to receive for such fractional interest from the Company, Contango or CallCo, as the case may be, a cash payment equal to such fractional interest multiplied by the Current Market Price.
ARTICLE 6
RESTRICTIONS
ON ISSUE OF SPECIAL VOTING SHARES
6.1 Issue of Additional Special Voting Shares. During the term of this Agreement,
Contango shall not, without the consent of the holders at the relevant time of Exchangeable Shares, given in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, issue any Special Voting Shares other than the Special Voting
Share issued pursuant to Section 3.1.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
7.1 Powers and
Duties of the Trustee
(1)
The rights, powers, duties and authorities of the Trustee under this Agreement, in its capacity as Trustee
of the Trust, shall include:
(a)
receipt and deposit of the Special Voting Share from Contango as trustee for and on behalf of the
Beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
(b)
granting proxies and distributing materials to Beneficiaries as provided in this Agreement;
(c)
voting the Beneficiary Votes on the direction and behalf of the Beneficiaries in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement;
(d)
receiving the grant of the Exchange Right from Contango and CallCo, and the Automatic Exchange Right from
Contango, as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
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(e)
exercising the Exchange Right and enforcing the benefit of the Automatic Exchange Right, in each case in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and in connection therewith receiving from Beneficiaries any requisite documents and distributing to such Beneficiaries the Exchangeable Share Consideration to which such Beneficiaries are entitled
pursuant to the exercise of the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Right, as the case may be;
(f)
holding title to the Trust Estate;
(g)
investing any moneys forming, from time to time, a part of the Trust Estate as provided in this Agreement;
(h)
taking action at the direction of a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to enforce the obligations of Contango,
CallCo and the Acquiror under this Agreement; and
(i)
taking such other actions and doing such other things as are specifically provided in this Agreement to be
carried out by the Trustee.
(2)
In the exercise of such rights, powers, duties and authorities, the Trustee shall have (and is granted) such
incidental and additional rights, powers, duties and authority not in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement as the Trustee, acting in good faith and in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, may deem necessary, appropriate or
desirable to effect the purpose of the Trust. Any exercise of such discretionary rights, powers, duties and authorities by the Trustee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons. For greater certainty, the Trustee shall have only those
duties as are set out specifically in this Agreement.
(3)
The Trustee, in exercising its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder, shall act honestly and in
good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Beneficiaries and shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent trustee would exercise in comparable circumstances.
(4)
The Trustee shall not be bound to give notice or do or take any act, action or proceeding by virtue of the
powers conferred on it hereby unless and until it shall be specifically required to do so under the terms hereof; nor shall the Trustee be required to take any notice of, or to do, or to take any act, action or proceeding as a result of any default
or breach of any provision hereunder, unless and until notified in writing of such default or breach, which notices shall distinctly specify the default or breach desired to be brought to the attention of the Trustee, and in the absence of such
notice the Trustee may for all purposes of this Agreement conclusively assume that no default or breach has been made in the observance or performance of any of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or conditions contained herein.
7.2 Conflict of Interest. The Trustee represents to Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror that, at the date
of execution and delivery of this Agreement and to the best of its knowledge, there exists no material conflict of interest in the role of the Trustee as a fiduciary hereunder and the role of the Trustee in any other capacity. The Trustee shall,
within 90 days after it becomes aware that such material conflict of interest exists, either eliminate such material conflict of interest or resign in the manner and with the effect specified in Article 10. If the Trustee has a material
conflict of interest in the role of the Trustee as a fiduciary hereunder and the role of the Trustee in any other capacity, the validity and enforceability of this Agreement shall not be affected in any
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manner whatsoever by reason only of the existence of such material conflict of interest. If the Trustee contravenes the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.2, any interested party may
apply to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for an order that the Trustee be replaced as Trustee hereunder.
7.3 Dealings
with Transfer Agents, Registrars, etc.
(1)
Each of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror irrevocably authorizes the Trustee, from time to time, to:
(a)
consult, communicate and otherwise deal with the respective registrars and transfer agents, and with any
such subsequent registrar or transfer agent, of the Exchangeable Shares and Contango Shares; and
(b)
requisition, from time to time, from any such registrar or transfer agent, any information readily available
from the records maintained by it which the Trustee may reasonably require for the discharge of its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
(2)
Each of Contango and CallCo shall forthwith irrevocably authorize its respective registrar and transfer
agent to comply with all such requests and covenants that it shall supply the Trustee or its transfer agent, as the case may be, in a timely manner with duly executed certificates, if the Exchangeable Shares are certificated, for the purpose of
completing the exercise from time to time of all rights to acquire Contango Shares hereunder, under the Exchangeable Share Provisions and under any other security or commitment given to the Beneficiaries pursuant thereto, in each case pursuant to
the provisions hereof or of the Exchangeable Share Provisions or otherwise.
7.4 Books and Records. The
Trustee shall keep available for inspection during regular business hours by Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror at the Trustee’s principal office in Vancouver, British Columbia correct and complete books and records of account relating to the
Trust created by, and Trustee’s actions under, this Agreement, including all relevant data relating to mailings and instructions to and from Beneficiaries and all transactions pursuant to the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right. On
or before March 31, 2027, and on or before March 31 in every year thereafter, so long as the Special Voting Share is registered in the name of the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror a brief report upon
request, dated as of the preceding December 31, with respect to:
(a)
the property and funds comprising the Trust Estate as of that date;
(b)
the number of exercises of the Exchange Right, if any, and the aggregate number of Exchangeable Shares
received by the Trustee on behalf of Beneficiaries in consideration of the issuance and delivery by Contango or CallCo of Contango Shares in connection with the Exchange Right, during the calendar year ended on such December 31; and
(c)
any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Agreement which it had not
previously reported.
7.5 Income Tax Returns and Reports. The Trustee shall, to the extent necessary,
prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, on behalf of the Trust appropriate Canadian
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or other income tax returns and any other returns or reports as may be required by applicable law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any U.S. federal income tax or other returns or reports),
by any court, tribunal, government, governmental or regulatory agency or public official, or pursuant to the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or other trading system through which the Exchangeable Shares are traded. In connection
therewith, the Trustee may obtain the advice and assistance of such experts or advisors (who may be experts or advisors to Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror) as the Trustee considers necessary or advisable. If requested by the Trustee, Contango
shall retain or caused to be retained qualified experts or advisors for the purpose of providing such tax advice or assistance.
7.6 Indemnification
Prior to Certain Actions by Trustee
(1)
The Trustee shall exercise any or all of the rights, duties, powers or authorities vested in it by this
Agreement at the request, order or direction of any Beneficiary upon such Beneficiary furnishing to the Trustee reasonable funding, security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the Trustee therein or
thereby, provided that no Beneficiary shall be obligated to furnish to the Trustee any such funding, security or indemnity in connection with the exercise by the Trustee of any of its rights, duties, powers and authorities with respect to the
Special Voting Share pursuant to Article 4, subject to Section 7.15, and with respect to the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right pursuant to Article 5.
(2)
None of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds
or otherwise incur financial liability in the exercise of any of its rights, powers, duties, or authorities unless funded, given security and indemnified as aforesaid.
7.7 Action of Beneficiaries. No Beneficiary shall have the right to institute any action, suit or proceeding or to exercise any
other remedy authorized by this Agreement for the purpose of enforcing any of its rights or for the execution of any trust or power hereunder unless the Beneficiary has requested the Trustee to take or institute such action, suit or proceeding and
furnished the Trustee with the funding, security or indemnity referred to in Section 7.6 and the Trustee shall have failed to act within a reasonable time thereafter. In such case, but not otherwise, the Beneficiary shall be entitled to take
proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction such as the Trustee might have taken; it being understood and intended that no one or more Beneficiaries shall have any right in any manner whatsoever to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights
hereby created by any such action, or to enforce any right hereunder or the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Right except subject to the conditions and in the manner herein provided, and that all powers and trusts
hereunder shall be exercised and all proceedings at law shall be instituted, had and maintained by the Trustee, except only as herein provided, and in any event for the equal benefit of all Beneficiaries.
7.8 Reliance Upon Declarations. The Trustee shall not be considered to be in contravention of any of its rights, powers, duties
and authorities hereunder if, when required, it acts and relies in good faith upon statutory declarations, certificates, opinions or reports furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or required by the Trustee to be furnished to it in the exercise
of its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder if such statutory declarations, certificates, opinions or reports comply with the provisions of Section 7.9, if applicable, and with any other applicable provisions of this Agreement.
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7.9 Evidence and Authority to Trustee
(1)
Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror shall furnish to the Trustee evidence of compliance with the conditions
provided for in this Agreement relating to any action or step required or permitted to be taken by Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror or the Trustee under this Agreement or as a result of any obligation imposed under this Agreement, including in
respect of the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Right and the taking of any other action to be taken by the Trustee at the request of or on the application of Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror promptly if and when:
(a)
such evidence is required by any other Section of this Agreement to be furnished to the Trustee in
accordance with the terms of this Section 7.9; or
(b)
the Trustee, in the exercise of its rights, powers, duties and authorities under this Agreement, gives
Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror written notice requiring it to furnish such evidence in relation to any particular action or obligation specified in such notice.
(2)
Such evidence shall consist of an Officer’s Certificate of Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror or a
statutory declaration or a certificate made by Persons entitled to sign an Officer’s Certificate stating that any such condition has been complied with in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(3)
Whenever such evidence relates to a matter other than the Voting Rights or the Exchange Right or the
Automatic Exchange Right or the taking of any other action to be taken by the Trustee at the request or on the application of Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, such evidence may consist of a
report or opinion of any solicitor, attorney, auditor, accountant, appraiser, valuer or other expert or any other Person whose qualifications give authority to a statement made by such Person; provided, however, that if such report or opinion is
furnished by a director, officer or employee of Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror it shall be in the form of an Officer’s Certificate or a statutory declaration.
(4)
Each statutory declaration, Officer’s Certificate, opinion or report furnished to the Trustee as
evidence of compliance with a condition provided for in this Agreement shall include a statement by the Person giving the evidence:
(a)
declaring that such Person has read and understands the provisions of this Agreement relating to the
condition in question;
(b)
describing the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which such Person based the
statutory declaration, certificate, statement or opinion; and
(c)
declaring that such Person has made such examination or investigation as such Person believes is necessary
to enable such Person to make the statements or give the opinions contained or expressed therein.
7.10
Experts, Advisers and Agents. The Trustee may:
(a)
in relation to these presents act and rely on the opinion or advice of or information obtained from any
solicitor, attorney, auditor, accountant, appraiser, valuer or other
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expert, whether retained by the Trustee or by Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror or otherwise, and may retain or employ such assistants as may be necessary to the proper discharge of its powers
and duties and determination of its rights hereunder and may pay proper and reasonable compensation for all such legal and other advice or assistance as aforesaid;
(b)
employ such agents and other assistants as it may reasonably require for the proper determination and
discharge of its powers and duties hereunder; and
(c)
pay reasonable remuneration for all services performed for it (and shall be entitled to receive reasonable
remuneration for all services performed by it) in the discharge of the trusts hereof and compensation for all reasonable disbursements, costs and expenses made or incurred by it in the discharge of its duties hereunder and in the management of the
Trust.
7.11 Investment of Moneys Held by Trustee. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, any moneys
held by or on behalf of the Trustee which under the terms of this Agreement may or ought to be invested or which may be on deposit with the Trustee or which may be in the hands of the Trustee may be invested or reinvested in the name or under the
control of the Trustee in securities in which, under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, trustees are authorized to invest trust moneys or as otherwise agreed upon in writing by the Trustee and the Acquiror, provided that such securities
are stated to mature within two years after their purchase by the Trustee and in any event prior to the Sunset Date, and the Trustee shall so invest such money on the written direction of the Acquiror. Pending the investment of any money as herein
provided, such moneys may be deposited in the name of the Trustee in any chartered bank in Canada or, with the consent of the Acquiror, in the deposit department of the Trustee or any other specified loan or trust company authorized to accept
deposits under the laws of Canada or any province thereof at the rate of interest then current on similar deposits. The Trustee shall not be held liable for any losses incurred in the investment of any funds as herein provided and all interest on
monies held by or on behalf of the Trustee shall be for the account of the Acquiror and held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Acquiror.
7.12 Trustee Not Required to Give Security. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the
execution of the trusts, rights, duties, powers and authorities of this Agreement or otherwise in respect of the premises.
7.13
Trustee Not Bound to Act on Request. Except as in this Agreement otherwise specifically provided, the Trustee shall not be bound to act in accordance with any direction or request of Contango, CallCo and/or the Acquiror or of the respective
directors thereof until a duly authenticated copy of the instrument or resolution containing such direction or request shall have been delivered to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be empowered to act upon any such copy purporting to be
authenticated and believed by the Trustee, acting reasonably, to be genuine. The Trustee shall have the right not to act and shall not be liable for refusing to act if, due to a lack of information or for any other reason whatsoever, the Trustee, in
its sole judgment, determines that such act might cause it to be in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist or economic sanctions legislation or regulation or guideline.
Further, should the Trustee, in its sole judgment, determine at any time that its acting under this Agreement has resulted in its being in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or
anti-terrorist legislation or regulation, then it shall have the right to resign on fifteen days written notice to the other parties to this Agreement, provided that (a) the Trustee’s written notice shall describe the circumstances
21
of such non-compliance and (b) if such circumstances are rectified to the Trustee’s satisfaction within such fifteen day period, such
resignation shall not be effective.
7.14 Authority to Carry on Business. The Trustee represents to Contango, CallCo and the
Acquiror that, at the date of execution and delivery by it of this Agreement, it is authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in each of the provinces and territories of Canada but if, notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7.14, it ceases to be so authorized to carry on business, the validity and enforceability of this Agreement and the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Right and the other rights granted in or resulting from the
Trustee being a party to this Agreement shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason only of such event but the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ceasing to be authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in any province or
territory of Canada, either become so authorized or resign in the manner and with the effect specified in Article 10.
7.15 Conflicting Claims
(1)
If conflicting claims or demands are made or asserted with respect to any interest of any Beneficiary in any
Exchangeable Shares, including any disagreement between the heirs, representatives, successors or assigns succeeding to all or any part of the interest of any Beneficiary in any Exchangeable Shares, resulting in conflicting claims or demands being
made in connection with such interest, then the Trustee shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to refuse to recognize or to comply with any such claims or demands. In so refusing, the Trustee may elect not to exercise any Voting Rights, Exchange
Right, Automatic Exchange Right or other rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands and, in so doing, the Trustee shall not be or become liable to any Person on account of such election or its failure or refusal to comply with any such
conflicting claims or demands. The Trustee shall be entitled to continue to refrain from acting and to refuse to act until:
(a)
the rights of all adverse claimants with respect to the Voting Rights, Exchange Right, Automatic Exchange
Right or other rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands have been adjudicated by a final judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction and all rights of appeal have expired; or
(b)
all differences with respect to the Voting Rights, Exchange Right, Automatic Exchange Right or other rights
subject to such conflicting claims or demands have been conclusively settled by a valid written agreement binding on all such adverse claimants, and the Trustee shall have been furnished with an executed copy of such agreement certified to be in
full force and effect.
(2)
If the Trustee elects to recognize any claim or comply with any demand made by any such adverse claimant, it
may in its discretion require such claimant to furnish such surety bond or other security satisfactory to the Trustee as it shall deem appropriate to fully indemnify it as between all conflicting claims or demands.
7.16 Acceptance of Trust. The Trustee hereby accepts the Trust created and provided for, by and in this Agreement and agrees to
perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and to hold all rights, privileges and benefits conferred hereby and by law in trust for the various Persons who shall from time to time be Beneficiaries, subject to all the terms and
conditions herein set forth.
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7.17 Third Party Interests. Each party to this Agreement hereby represents to
the Trustee that any account to be opened by, or interest to be held by the Trustee in connection with this Agreement, for or to the credit of such party, either (a) is not intended to be used by or on behalf of any third party, or (b) is
intended to be used by or on behalf of a third party, in which case such party hereto agrees to complete and execute forthwith a declaration in the Trustee’s prescribed form as to the particulars of such third party.
7.18 Privacy. The parties acknowledge that Canadian federal, territorial and/or provincial legislation that addresses the
protection of individuals’ personal information (collectively, “Privacy Laws”) applies to obligations and activities under this Agreement. Despite any other provision of this Agreement, no party shall take or direct any
action that would contravene, or cause the others to contravene, applicable Privacy Laws. The parties shall, prior to transferring or causing to be transferred personal information to the Trustee, obtain and retain required consents of the relevant
individuals to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information, or shall have determined that such consents either have previously been given upon which the parties can rely or are not required under the Privacy Laws. Specifically,
the Trustee agrees (a) to have a designated chief privacy officer, (b) to maintain policies and procedures to protect personal information and to receive and respond to any privacy complaint or inquiry, (c) to use personal information
solely for the purposes of providing its services under or ancillary to this Agreement and not to use it for any purpose except with the consent of or direction from the other parties or the individual involved, (d) not to sell or otherwise
improperly disclose personal information to any third party, and (e) to employ administrative, physical and technological safeguards to reasonably secure and protect personal information against loss, theft, or unauthorized access, use or
modification. The Trustee may transfer personal information to other companies in or outside of Canada for the sole purpose of receiving data processing, storage or other support services in order to facilitate the services provided under this
Agreement. Further, each party agrees that it shall not provide, or cause to be provided to the Trustee, any personal information of any third party to this Agreement other than such personal information as is reasonably necessary to permit the
Trustee to complete its duties hereunder.
ARTICLE 8
COMPENSATION
8.1
Fees and Expenses of the Trustee. Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror jointly and severally agree to pay the Trustee reasonable compensation for all of the services rendered by it under this Agreement and shall reimburse the Trustee for all
reasonable and documented expenses (including, but not limited to, taxes (other than taxes based on the net income or capital of the Trustee), fees paid to legal counsel and other experts and advisors and agents and travel expenses) and
disbursements, including the reasonable cost and expense of any suit or litigation of any character and any proceedings before any governmental agency, in each case reasonably incurred by the Trustee in connection with its duties under this
Agreement; provided, however, that none of Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror shall have any obligation to reimburse the Trustee for any expenses or disbursements paid, incurred or suffered by the Trustee in any suit or litigation or any such
proceedings in which the Trustee is determined to have acted in bad faith or with fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
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ARTICLE 9
INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
9.1 Indemnification of the Trustee.
(1)
Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee and
each of its directors, officers, employees and agents appointed and acting in accordance with this Agreement (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) against all claims, losses, damages, reasonable costs, penalties, fines and
reasonable and documented expenses (including reasonable and documented expenses of the Trustee’s legal counsel) which, without bad faith, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Indemnified Party, may be paid,
incurred or suffered by the Indemnified Party by reason or as a result of the Trustee’s acceptance or administration of the Trust, its compliance with its duties set forth in this Agreement, or any written or oral instruction delivered to the
Trustee by Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror pursuant hereto.
(2)
The Trustee shall promptly notify Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror of a claim or of any action commenced
against any Indemnified Parties promptly after the Trustee or any of the Indemnified Parties shall have received written assertion of such a claim or action or have been served with a summons or other first legal process giving information as to the
nature and basis of the claim or action; provided, however, that the omission to so notify Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror shall not relieve Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror of any liability which any of them may have to any Indemnified Party
except to the extent that any such delay prejudices the defence of any such claim or action or results in any increase in the liability which Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror have under this indemnity. Subject to (ii) below, Contango, CallCo
and the Acquiror shall be entitled to participate at their own expense in the defence and, if Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror so elect at any time after receipt of such notice, any of them may assume the defence of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim. The Trustee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such suit and participate in the defence thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Trustee unless (i) the employment of such
counsel has been authorized by Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror, or (ii) the named parties to any such suit include both the Trustee and Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror and the Trustee shall have been advised by counsel acceptable to Contango,
CallCo and the Acquiror that there may be one or more legal defences available to the Trustee that are different from or in addition to those available to Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror and that, in the judgement of such counsel, would present a
conflict of interest were a joint representation to be undertaken (in which case Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror shall not have the right to assume the defence of such suit on behalf of the Trustee but shall be liable to pay the reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel for the Trustee). This indemnity shall survive the termination of the Trust and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
(3)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any liability of the Trustee shall be limited to:
(i) direct damages; and (ii) in the aggregate, the amount of annual fees collected by the Trustee under this Agreement in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the first notice of the claim.
(4)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and whether such losses or damages are foreseeable or
unforeseeable, the Trustee shall not be liable under any circumstances whatsoever for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, aggravated or punitive losses or damages of any other Person.
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9.2 Limitation of Liability. The Trustee shall not be held liable for any loss
which may occur by reason of depreciation of the value of any part of the Trust Estate or any loss incurred on any investment of funds pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 10
CHANGE OF
TRUSTEE
10.1 Resignation. The Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written
notice of such resignation to Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror specifying the date on which it desires to resign, provided that such notice shall not be given less than 30 days before such desired resignation date unless Contango, CallCo and the
Acquiror otherwise agree and provided further that such resignation shall not take effect until the date of the appointment of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by the successor trustee. Upon receiving such notice of
resignation, Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror shall promptly appoint a successor trustee, which successor trustee shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Canada and authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in
all provinces and territories of Canada, by written instrument in duplicate, one copy of which shall be delivered to the resigning trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. Failing the appointment and acceptance of a successor trustee, a
successor trustee may be appointed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction upon application of one or more of the parties to this Agreement. If the retiring trustee is the party initiating an application for the appointment of a successor
trustee by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror shall be jointly and severally liable to reimburse the retiring trustee for its reasonable and documented legal costs and expenses in connection with same.
10.2 Removal. The Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may (provided a successor trustee is appointed) be removed at any
time on not less than 30 days’ prior notice by written instrument executed by Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror, in duplicate, one copy of which shall be delivered to the trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, provided that
such removal shall not take effect until the date of acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee.
10.3 Successor
Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided under this Agreement shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment. Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor under this
Agreement, with the like effect as if originally named as trustee in this Agreement. However, on the written request of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then
due to it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon the request of any such successor trustee, Contango,
CallCo, the Acquiror and such predecessor trustee shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers.
10.4 Notice of Successor Trustee. Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided herein, Contango, CallCo and
the Acquiror shall cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to each Beneficiary specified in a then-current List. If Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror shall fail to cause such notice to be mailed within ten Business
25
Days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed promptly at the expense of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror.
ARTICLE 11
CONTANGO
SUCCESSORS
11.1 Certain Requirements in Respect of Combination, etc. So long as any Exchangeable Shares not
owned by Contango or its affiliates are outstanding, Contango shall not enter into any transaction (whether by way of reorganization, consolidation, arrangement, amalgamation, merger, transfer, sale for otherwise) whereby all or substantially all of
its undertaking, property and assets would become the property of any other Person or, in the case of an amalgamation or merger, of the continuing corporation resulting therefrom, provided that it may do so if:
(a)
such other Person or continuing corporation (the “Contango Successor”), by operation of
law, becomes, without more, bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement or, if not so bound, executes, prior to or contemporaneously with the consummation of such transaction, a trust agreement supplemental hereto and such other instruments
(if any) as are necessary or advisable to evidence the assumption by the Contango Successor of liability for all moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder and the covenant of such Contango Successor to pay and deliver or cause to be paid and
delivered the same and its agreement to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations of Contango under this Agreement; and
(b)
such transaction shall be upon such terms and conditions as to substantially preserve and not impair any of
the rights, duties, powers and authorities of the Trustee or the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
11.2
Vesting of Powers in Successor. Whenever the conditions of Section 11.1 have been duly observed and performed, the parties, if required by Section 11.1, shall execute and deliver the supplemental trust agreement provided for in
Section 11.1(a) and thereupon the Contango Successor and such other Person that may then be the issuer of the Contango Shares shall possess and from time to time may exercise each and every right and power of Contango under this Agreement in
the name of Contango or otherwise and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Agreement required to be done or performed by the board of directors of Contango or any officers of Contango may be done and performed with like force and effect by
the directors or officers of such Contango Successor.
11.3 Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. Nothing herein shall be construed as
preventing (a) the amalgamation or merger of any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Contango (other than the Acquiror or CallCo) with or into Contango, (b) the winding-up, liquidation or
dissolution of any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Contango (other than the Acquiror or CallCo), provided that all of the assets of such subsidiary are transferred to Contango or another wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of
Contango, (c) any other distribution of the assets of any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Contango among the shareholders of such subsidiary for the purpose of winding up its affairs, and (d) any such transactions which are
expressly permitted by this Article 11.
11.4 Successor Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Article 11, in the event of a Contango Extraordinary Transaction:
26
(a)
in which Contango merges, combines or amalgamates with, or in which all or substantially all of the then
outstanding Contango Shares are acquired by, one or more other corporations to which Contango is, immediately before such merger, combination, amalgamation or acquisition, “related” within the meaning of the Tax Act (otherwise than by
virtue of a right referred to in paragraph 251(5)(b) thereof) or any analogous provision under the Code;
(b)
which does not result in an acceleration of the Redemption Date in accordance with paragraph (ii) of
the definition of Redemption Date in the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
(c)
in which all or substantially all of the then outstanding Contango Shares are converted into or exchanged
for the Other Shares of the Other Corporation that, immediately after such Contango Extraordinary Transaction, owns or controls, directly or indirectly, Contango;
then, (i) all references herein to “Contango” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be references to “Other
Corporation” and all references herein to “Contango Shares” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be references to “Other Shares” (with appropriate adjustments, if any, as are required to result in a holder of
Exchangeable Shares on the exchange, redemption or retraction of such shares pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions or the exchange of such shares pursuant to this Agreement immediately subsequent to the Contango Extraordinary Transaction
being entitled to receive that number of Other Shares equal to the number of Other Shares such holder of Exchangeable Shares would have received if the exchange, redemption or retraction of such shares pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions
or the exchange of such shares pursuant to this Agreement had occurred immediately prior to the Contango Extraordinary Transaction and the Contango Extraordinary Transaction was completed) but subject to subsequent adjustments to reflect any
subsequent changes in the share capital of the issuer of the Other Shares, including without limitation, any subdivision, consolidation or reduction of share capital, without any need to amend the terms and conditions of this Agreement and without
any further action required, and (ii) Contango shall cause the Other Corporation to deposit one or more voting securities of such Other Corporation to allow Beneficiaries to exercise voting rights in respect of the Other Corporation
substantially similar to those provided for in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 12
AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST AGREEMENTS
12.1 Amendments, Modifications, etc. Subject to Section 12.2, 12.4 and 14.1 this Agreement may not be amended
or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the Trustee and approved by the Beneficiaries in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. No amendment or modification or
waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto.
12.2 Ministerial Amendments. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.1, the parties to this Agreement may in writing,
at any time and from time to time, without the approval of the Beneficiaries, amend or modify this Agreement for the purposes of:
(a)
adding to the covenants of any or all parties hereto for the protection of the Beneficiaries hereunder
provided that the board of directors of each of Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the Trustee, acting on the advice of counsel, shall be of
27
the good faith opinion that such additions will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Beneficiaries;
(b)
evidencing the succession of Contango Successors and the covenants of and obligations assumed by each such
Contango Successor in accordance with the provisions of Article 11;
(c)
making such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this Agreement as may be necessary or
desirable with respect to matters or questions arising hereunder which, in the good faith opinion of the board of directors of each of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror and in the opinion of the Trustee, acting on the advice of counsel, it may be
expedient to make, provided that each such board of directors and the Trustee shall be of the good faith opinion, after consultation with counsel, that such amendments or modifications will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the
Beneficiaries; or
(d)
making such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the
Trustee, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error, provided that each such board of directors and the Trustee shall be of the good faith
opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Beneficiaries.
12.3 Meeting to Consider Amendments. The Acquiror, at the request of Contango, shall call a meeting or meetings of the
Beneficiaries for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or modification requiring approval pursuant hereto. Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance with the articles of the Acquiror, the Exchangeable Share
Provisions and all applicable laws.
12.4 Changes in Capital of Contango and the Acquiror. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 12.1, at all times after the occurrence of any event contemplated pursuant to Section 2.7 or 2.8 of the Support Agreement or otherwise, as a result of which either Contango Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any way
changed, this Agreement shall forthwith be amended and modified as necessary in order that it shall apply with full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new securities into which Contango Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are so
changed and the parties hereto shall execute and deliver a supplemental trust agreement giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications.
12.5 Execution of Supplemental Trust Agreements. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.1, from time to time
Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror (in each case, when authorized by a resolution of its board of directors) and the Trustee may, subject to the provisions of these presents, and they shall, when so directed by these presents, execute and deliver by
their proper officers, trust agreements or other instruments supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form part hereof, for any one or more of the following purposes:
(a)
evidencing the succession of Contango Successors and the covenants of and obligations assumed by each such
Contango Successor in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 and the successors of the Trustee or any successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of Article 10;
28
(b)
making any additions to, deletions from or alterations of the provisions of this Agreement or the Voting
Rights, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Right which, in the opinion of the Trustee, acting on the advice of counsel, will not be prejudicial to the interests of the Beneficiaries or are, in the opinion of counsel to the Trustee,
necessary or advisable in order to incorporate, reflect or comply with any legislation the provisions of which apply to Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror, the Trustee or this Agreement; and
(c)
for any other purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation
to make or evidence any amendment or modification to this Agreement as contemplated hereby; provided that, in the opinion of the Trustee, acting on the advice of counsel, the rights of the Trustee and Beneficiaries will not be prejudiced thereby.
ARTICLE 13
TERMINATION
13.1
Term. The Trust created by this Agreement shall continue until the earliest to occur of the following events:
(a)
no outstanding Exchangeable Shares are held by a Beneficiary; and
(b)
each of Contango, CallCo and the Acquiror elects in writing to terminate the Trust and such termination is
approved by the Beneficiaries in accordance with Section 27.10(b) of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
13.2 Survival of Agreement. This Agreement shall survive any termination of the Trust and shall continue until there are no
Exchangeable Shares outstanding held by a Beneficiary; provided, however, that the provisions of Article 8 and Article 9 shall survive any such termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 14
GENERAL
14.1 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced
by any rule or law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
14.2 Enurement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns and, subject to the terms hereof, to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
14.3 Notices to Parties. Any
notice and other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficiently given if delivered in person or if sent by electronic transmission to the parties at the following addresses:
29
(a)
In the case of Contango, CallCo or the Acquiror at the following address:
Contango ORE, Inc.
516 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [***]
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Suite 3500, 1133 Melville Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E 4E5
Attention: Steven McKoen, K.C. and Emma Costante
E-mail: [***] and [***]
(b)
In the case of Trustee, at the following address:
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
510 Burrard Street, 3rd Floor
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B9
Attention: General Manager, Corporate Trust
Email: [***]
and such notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been given and received (x) if delivered on a Business Day prior to 5:00
p.m. (local time in the place where the notice or other communication is received), on the date of delivery, or (y) ) if notice is delivered after 5:00 p.m. or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the next Business Day. Either party may change
its address for notice by giving notice to the other parties in accordance with the foregoing provisions.
14.4 Notice to
Beneficiaries. Any notice, request or other communication to be given to a Beneficiary shall be given or sent to the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Acquiror or, in the event of the address of any such holder not
being so recorded, then at the last known address of such holder, in any manner permitted by the articles of the Acquiror, and shall be deemed received at the time specified by such articles. Accidental failure or omission to give any notice,
request or other communication to one or more holders of Exchangeable Shares, or any defect in such notice, shall not invalidate or otherwise alter or affect any action or proceeding to be taken pursuant thereto.
14.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each party agrees that this Agreement may be delivered by electronic means and that electronic signatures shall be binding in the same manner as original signatures.
14.6 Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of British
Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
30
14.7 Attornment. Each of Contango, CallCo, the Acquiror and the Trustee agrees
that any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be instituted in the courts of British Columbia, waives any objection which it may have now or hereafter to the venue of any such action or proceeding, irrevocably
submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the said courts in any such action or proceeding, agrees to be bound by any judgement of the said courts and not to seek, and hereby waives, any review of the merits of any such judgement by the courts of
any other jurisdiction, and Contango hereby appoints the Acquiror at its registered office in the Province of British Columbia as attorney for service of process.
14.8 Communications Methods. The Trustee shall be entitled to treat a facsimile, pdf or
e-mail communication or communication by other similar electronic means in a form satisfactory to the Trustee (“Electronic Methods”) from a Person purporting to be (and whom the Trustee,
acting reasonably, believes in good faith to be) the authorized representative of a party, as sufficient instructions and authority of the party for the Trustee to act and shall have no duty to verify or confirm that such Person is so authorized.
The parties hereto acknowledge that they are fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting instructions than
Electronic Methods.
14.9 Force Majeure. No party shall be liable to the other, or held in breach of this Agreement,
if prevented, hindered, or delayed in the performance or observance of any provision contained herein by reason of act of God, riots, terrorism, acts of war, epidemics, governmental action or judicial order, earthquakes or any other similar causes
(including, but not limited to, mechanical, electronic or communication interruptions, disruptions or failures). Performance times under this Agreement shall be extended for a period of time equivalent to the time lost because of any delay that is
excusable under this Section 14.9.
[Remainder of this page left intentionally blank]
31
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the date first above written.
CONTANGO ORE, INC.
By:
/s/ Michael Clark
Name:
Michael Clark
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
1566002 B.C. UNLIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
By:
/s/ Michael Clark
Name:
Michael Clark
Title:
President and Corporate Secretary
1566004 B.C. LTD.
By:
/s/ Michael Clark
Name:
Michael Clark
Title:
President and Corporate Secretary
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
By:
/s/ Ruby Ni
Name:
Ruibo (Ruby) Ni
Title:
Corporate Trust Officer
By:
/s/ Winny Lee
Name:
Winny Lee
Title:
Professional Corporate Trust
EX-99.1
EX-99.1
Filename: d124597dex991.htm · Sequence: 7
EX-99.1
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
CONTANGO SILVER & GOLD INC.
Contango Completes Merger with Dolly Varden
FAIRBANKS, AK / VANCOUVER, BC — (March 26, 2026) — Contango Silver & Gold Inc. (“Contango” or the
“Company”) (NYSE American: CTGO) and Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (“Dolly Varden”) are pleased to announce they have completed their previously announced merger (the “Arrangement”), following receipt of all
required shareholder and court approvals. An application has been submitted to the Toronto Stock Exchange to list the Contango Shares (as defined below) and it is expected that the Contango Shares will be listed shortly, subject to satisfaction of
applicable listing requirements and approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
With the completion of the transaction, all issued and outstanding
Dolly Varden common shares have been acquired by 1566004 B.C. Ltd. (“Acquireco”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Contango, under a statutory plan of arrangement. Each Dolly Varden common share has been exchanged for 0.1652 of a
share of voting common stock in Contango (each whole share being, a “Contango Share”), or, for Eligible Holders (as such term is defined in the Arrangement Agreement, as defined below) who validly elected, 0.1652 of an exchangeable share
in the capital of Acquireco (each whole share being, an “Exchangeable Share”), in each case subject to the terms and conditions of the arrangement agreement dated December 7, 2025, as amended February 11, 2026, between the
Company, Dolly Varden and Acquireco (the “Arrangement Agreement”). The Exchangeable Shares are exchangeable for Contango Shares on a one-for-one basis
subject to adjustment. All Dolly Varden stock options outstanding at closing were deemed to be exchanged for equivalent securities to acquire Contango Shares, adjusted in accordance with the exchange ratio noted above. Pursuant to the Arrangement,
Contango issued 13,686,278 Contango Shares and replacement options to purchase 417,048 Contango Shares, and Acquireco issued 1,597,301 Exchangeable Shares. After completion of the transaction, there are 30,507,599 outstanding Contango Shares,
excluding the Exchangeable Shares. For further information on the Arrangement, please refer to the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated February 13, 2026, which can be accessed online on Contango’s website at www.contangoore.com/investors/special-meeting and under the Company’s EDGAR profile, and Dolly Varden’s management information circular prepared in
respect of the arrangement, which can be accessed online under Dolly Varden’s SEDAR+ profile.
The combined entity, renamed Contango
Silver & Gold Inc., brings together Contango’s cash-flowing Manh Choh Gold Mine and advanced high-grade exploration projects in Alaska with Dolly Varden’s high-grade Kitsault Valley silver-gold project in British
Columbia’s Golden Triangle – one of the most prolific mineral belts in the world.
The merger creates a powerful North American mid-tier precious metals producer with:
•
A portfolio of high-grade precious metals assets spanning advanced exploration to production stage projects in Alaska
and British Columbia.
•
More than US$100 million in combined cash and minimal debt, providing a robust platform for growth.
•
A balanced 50/50 ownership split between Contango and former Dolly Varden shareholders.
Contango is being led by Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, Chief Executive Officer, Shawn Khunkhun, President and Mike Clark, Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer. The Board of Directors includes Clynt Nauman (Chairman), Brad Juneau, Darren Devine, Mike Cinnamond, Tim Clark, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, and Shawn Khunkhun, reflecting balanced representation and deep industry expertise.
“This merger marks the start of an exciting new chapter,” said Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, CEO of Contango Silver & Gold. “By
combining Contango’s cash-flowing Manh Choh mine, the advanced stage exploration Lucky Shot and Johnson Tract projects, and the district scale exploration of high-grade silver in the Kitsault Valley, we are building a uniquely positioned gold
and silver focused company with a strong balance sheet and production base, significant growth potential, and exceptional exploration upside.”
Shawn Khunkhun, President of Contango Silver & Gold remarked, “Contango Silver & Gold offers investors exposure to an emerging
North American mid-tier producer focused on high-grade silver and gold assets. Our current value proposition is compelling on a cash flow basis, supported by strong production potential and disciplined capital
management. Beyond near-term cash flow, the most significant upside may lie in the optionality embedded within our portfolio. Our unique pipeline of high-grade primary silver and gold projects provides meaningful leverage to rising metal prices, as
well as long-term growth potential through exploration and development success.”
With completion of the acquisition, the Dolly Varden
common shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange at the close of trading on March 27, 2026 and from the NYSE American on April 6, 2026. Dolly Varden will make an application to cease to be a reporting issuer in
Canada shortly thereafter. Contango has applied to list Contango Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange, subject to satisfaction of applicable listing requirements and approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Contango will host a
conference call and webcast to discuss the new company on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST. Participants may join the webcast using the following call-in details: https://6ix.com/event/introducing-contango-silver-and-gold.
ABOUT CONTANGO
Contango is a NYSE American listed
company that engages in the exploration for and development and production of gold and associated minerals in Alaska and in the Golden Triangle in British Columbia. Contango holds a 30% interest in the Peak Gold JV, which leases approximately
675,000 acres of land for exploration and development on the Manh Choh project, with the remaining 70% owned by KG Mining (Alaska), Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation, operator of the Peak Gold JV. The Company and its
subsidiaries also have (i) a lease on the Johnson Tract project, which consists of mineral rights to approximately 21,000 acres located near tidewater, 125 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, from the underlying owner, CIRI, (ii) a lease
on the Lucky Shot project, which consists of mineral rights to approximately 8,600 acres of State of Alaska and patented mining claims located in the Willow Mining District about 75 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, from the underlying owner, Alaska
Hardrock Inc., (iii) mineral rights to approximately 145,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims, (iv) mineral rights to approximately 11,700 acres of State of Alaska mining claims and upland mining leases, all of which give Contango the
exclusive right to explore and develop minerals on these lands, and (v) mineral tenures of approximately 247,000 acres (100,000 ha) located in and around the Kitsault Valley in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Colombia.
Additional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities
(“Forward-looking Statements”). These include statements regarding any anticipated benefits of the transaction, Contango’s plans and expectations for its properties and operations, operations in respect of Contango mineral
properties, terms and conditions relating to the Exchangeable Shares, the anticipated timing of the delisting of the Dolly Varden shares from the TSX-V and NYSE American and the listing of the Contango Shares
on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Forward-looking Statements regarding Contango are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on
Contango’s current expectations and includes statements regarding future results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the assumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives,
assumptions, strategies or statements about future events or performance (often, but not always, using words such as “expects”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “estimates”,
“intends”, “believes”, “ensures”, “forecasts”, “predicts”, “proposes”, “contemplates”, “aims”, “seeks”, “continues”,
“potential”, “positioned”, “strategy”, “outlook”, “future”, “going forward”, “designed to”, and similar expressions or other words of similar meaning, and the
negatives thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “would”, or “could” be taken, or that they are “possible”,
“probable”, or “likely” to occur or be achieved). However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Forward-looking Statements are based on current expectations, estimates and
projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining
industry (for example, operational risks in exploring for and developing mineral reserves; risks and uncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining industry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future
production, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices, including prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of commercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by Contango or the Peak Gold JV;
ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Peak Gold JV; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of exploration results and the estimation of
mineral resources; the loss of key employees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather and other natural disasters); uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; Contango’s inability to
retain or maintain its relative ownership interest in the Peak Gold JV; inability to realize expected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute its plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by an outbreak
of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and the possibility that government policies may change, political developments may occur or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result
of presidential and congressional elections in the U.S. or the inability to obtain mining permits. Additional information on these and other factors which could affect Contango’s operations or financial results are included in Contango’s
other reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any Forward-looking Statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the
projections in the Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Contango does not assume any obligation to update Forward-looking Statements should
circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.
CONTACTS:
Contango Silver & Gold Inc.
Rick Van
Nieuwenhuyse
(907) 388-7770
www.contangoore.com
EX-99.2
EX-99.2
Filename: d124597dex992.htm · Sequence: 8
EX-99.2
Exhibit 99.2
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Shareholders and Directors of Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related
consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial
statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, in conformity with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS Accounting Standards). Basis for Opinion These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free
of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included
performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatements of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011. /s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP Vancouver, Canada Chartered Professional
Accountants March 12, 2026
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
As at
Notes
December 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
ASSETS
Current
Cash and cash equivalent
4
$
61,082,045
$
32,057,647
Short term investments
-
2,119,952
Prepaid expenses
5
499,955
328,093
Goods and Services Tax and other receivable
6
1,136,156
67,552
62,718,156
34,573,244
Non-current
Property and equipment
7
156,041
191,715
Reclamation deposits
8
208,000
159,000
Exploration and evaluation assets
8
80,356,492
71,329,535
$
143,438,689
$
106,253,494
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current
Accounts payable
11
$
1,633,612
$
118,521
Accrued liabilities
11
2,372,171
802,656
Liability on flow-through share issuances
9
7,004,953
3,478,712
11,010,736
4,399,889
Shareholders’ Equity
Share capital
9
285,981,680
224,362,471
Reserves
9
13,207,452
12,513,816
Deficit
(166,761,179
)
(135,022,682
)
132,427,953
101,853,605
$
143,438,689
$
106,253,494
Nature of Operations (Note 1)
Subsequent Event (Note 15)
These consolidated
financial statements were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on March 12, 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
“Shawn Khunkhun”
“James Sabala”
Director
Director
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
3
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Notes
Year Ended
December 31,
2025
Year Ended
December 31,
2024
EXPENSES
Consulting fees
11
$
2,585,354
$
1,275,026
Directors’ fees
11
263,000
228,400
Exploration and evaluation
8, 11
25,198,442
17,875,317
Management fees
11
1,108,100
1,536,737
Marketing and communications
2,166,118
1,477,450
Office and administration
1,026,328
250,708
Professional fees
1,893,341
236,947
Rent and maintenance
11
156,135
129,262
Share-based payments
9, 11
2,181,824
2,600,955
Transfer agent and filing fees
362,978
137,690
Travel and accommodation
229,507
207,161
Operating loss
(37,171,127
)
(25,955,653
)
Recovery on flow through share premium
9
4,561,159
4,301,284
Part XII.6 tax recovery (expense)
(306,457
)
2,933
Interest and other income
1,177,928
1,002,289
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year
$
(31,738,497
)
$
(20,649,147
)
Basic and diluted loss per common share
$
(0.38
)
$
(0.28
)
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding– basic and diluted
84,499,539
72,938,587
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
4
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
As at
Common
Shares
Share Capital
Reserves
Deficit
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2023
67,516,696
$
184,751,037
$
11,568,202
$
(114,373,535
)
$
81,945,704
Exercise of stock options
908,584
2,310,602
(990,995
)
-
1,319,607
Issuance of common shares for
acquisition of property
68,750
222,750
-
-
222,750
Issuance of flow-through shares
7,711,425
35,699,985
-
-
35,699,985
Issuance of common shares
2,875,000
11,500,000
-
-
11,500,000
Share issuance costs – cash
-
(3,006,253
)
-
-
(3,006,253
)
Flow-through share premium liability
-
(7,779,996
)
-
-
(7,779,996
)
Share-based payments
-
-
1,461,500
-
1,461,500
Restricted share compensation
-
-
1,139,455
-
1,139,455
Restricted share units converted to
common shares
171,223
664,346
(664,346
)
-
-
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year
-
-
-
(20,649,147
)
(20,649,147
)
Balance, December 31, 2024
79,251,678
224,362,471
12,513,816
(135,022,682
)
101,853,605
Exercise of stock options
252,062
1,153,747
(468,942
)
-
684,805
Issuance of common shares for
acquisition of mineral property
2,172,675
8,794,384
-
-
8,794,384
Issuance of flow-through shares
4,608,000
32,590,200
-
-
32,590,200
Issuance of common shares
5,351,500
30,138,300
-
-
30,138,300
Share issuance costs – cash
-
(3,989,268
)
-
-
(3,989,268
)
Flow-through share premium liability
-
(8,087,400
)
-
-
(8,087,400
)
Share-based payments
-
-
1,085,228
-
1,085,228
Restricted share unit compensation
-
-
1,096,596
-
1,096,596
Restricted share units converted to
common shares
269,806
1,019,246
(1,019,246
)
-
-
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year
-
-
-
(31,738,497
)
(31,738,497
)
Balance, December 31, 2025
91,905,721
$
285,981,680
$
13,207,452
$
(166,761,179
)
$
132,427,953
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
5
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed
in Canadian Dollars)
Year
ended
December 31,
2025
Year
ended
December 31,
2024
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Loss for the year
$
(31,738,497
)
$
(20,649,147
)
Items not affecting cash:
Share-based payments
1,085,228
1,461,500
Restricted share unit compensation
1,096,596
1,139,455
Recovery on flow-through share premium
(4,561,159
)
(4,301,284
)
Depreciation of property and equipment
36,564
48,057
Accrued Part XII.6 tax
306,457
-
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
5,091
-
Changes in non-cash working capital items:
Prepaid expenses
(171,862
)
140,169
Goods and Services Tax receivable
(1,068,604
)
899,712
Reclamation deposits
(49,000
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
2,778,149
117,125
Cash used in operating activities
(32,281,037
)
(21,144,413
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of equipment
(5,981
)
(23,716
)
Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets
(232,573
)
(150,000
)
Short term investment
2,119,952
(2,119,952
)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
1,881,398
(2,293,668
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Private placement, net of share issuance costs
58,739,232
44,193,732
Exercise of stock options
684,805
1,319,607
Cash provided by financing activities
59,424,037
45,513,339
Change in cash and cash equivalent during the year
29,024,398
22,075,258
Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of year
32,057,647
9,982,389
Cash and cash equivalent, end of year
$
61,082,045
$
32,057,647
Supplemental disclosure with respect to cash flows:
Interest income received in cash
$
1,177,928
$
1,002,270
Non-cash transactions:
Fair value of options exercised
$
468,942
$
990,995
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets
$
8,794,384
$
222,750
Reclassification of acquisition costs from prepaid expenses to exploration and evaluation assets
$
-
$
50,000
Restricted share units converted to common shares
$
1,019,246
$
664,346
Premium liability on flow-through shares
$
8,087,400
$
7,779,996
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
6
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
1
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden”) was incorporated under the Business
Corporations Act (British Columbia) on March 4, 2011 and is a public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) under the symbol “DV”. In addition, the Company trades on the NYSE American, LLC under
the symbol “DVS” and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the trading symbol “DVQ “. The Company’s primary business is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada. The Company’s head office is Suite
3123, 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7X 1J1. The registered address and records office of the Company is located at Suite 1700 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2X8.
The Company owns interests in multiple mineral titles and claims in British Columbia, Canada. On February 25, 2022, the Company
acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Homestake Resource Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Homestake Royalty Corporation (collectively, “Homestake”) in exchange for common shares of the Company. The recoverability of
amounts shown for exploration and evaluation assets is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, confirmation of the Company’s interest in the underlying mineral claims, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary
financing to satisfy the expenditure requirements and to complete the development of properties, as well as upon future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition thereof. Management believes that the Company has sufficient working
capital to maintain its operations and activities for the next fiscal year.
On April 7, 2025, the Company completed a
consolidation of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at a ratio of four pre-consolidation common shares for one post-consolidation common share. All share figures and per share figures in these
consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the share consolidation.
On December 7, 2025,
Dolly Varden and Contango ORE, Inc (“Contango”) entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) to combine Contango and Dolly Varden on a
merger-of-equals basis pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“BCBCA”). Pursuant to the terms
and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement, Contango will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Dolly Varden at an exchange ratio of 0.1652 of a share of voting common stock of Contango for each Dolly Varden share held.
2
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
(a)
Statement of Compliance
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) effective for the year ended December 31, 2025.
(b)
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for certain financial instruments that
are measured at fair value. In addition, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, except for cash flow information.
7
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION
(a)
Basis of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The financial
statements of the subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. All intercompany transactions, balances, revenue and expenses are eliminated in full upon
consolidation.
The legal subsidiaries of the Company are as follows:
Name of Subsidiary
Place of
Beneficial Ownership Interest
Incorporation
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Homestake Resource Corporation
British Columbia, Canada
100%
100%
Homestake Royalty Corporation
British Columbia, Canada
100%
100%
(b)
Functional and Foreign Currency
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s and its subsidiaries’
functional currency. Foreign currency transactions are translated into Canadian dollars using the exchange rates at the date of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation
at year-end rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in profit or loss.
(c)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and other short term, highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
(d)
Related Party Transactions
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise
significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or
obligations between related parties.
(e)
Equipment
The Company records equipment using the cost method, whereby equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated
impairment losses. Depreciation is recorded over the useful lives of the assets on a declining balance basis at the following annual rates.
Dock
5
%
Gas tank
10
%
Boat
15
%
Tents and trailers
30
%
General equipment
20
%
Vehicles
30
%
8
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLIICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(e)
Equipment (cont’d)
An item of equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no
future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on disposal of the asset, determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, is recognized
in profit or loss.
Where an item of equipment is composed of major components with different useful lives, the components are
accounted for as separate items of equipment. Expenditures incurred to replace a component of an item of equipment that is accounted for separately including major inspection and overhaul expenditures, are capitalized.
(f)
Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Upon acquiring the legal right to explore a mineral property (exploration and evaluation assets), all direct costs related to the
acquisition of a mineral property are capitalized. Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred prior to the determination of the feasibility of mining operations and the decision to proceed with development are recognized in profit or loss as
incurred, net of recoveries. Costs incurred before the Company has obtained the legal rights to explore an area are charged to profit or loss. Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if (i) sufficient data exists to
determine technical feasibility and commercial viability, and (ii) facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the extraction of mineral resources in an area of interest are
demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to that area of interest are first tested for impairment and then reclassified to mining property and development assets within equipment. Recoverability of the carrying amount of any
exploration and evaluation assets is dependent on successful development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively, sale of the respective areas of interest.
(g)
Impairment of Non-Financial Assets
Non-financial assets are evaluated at least annually by management for indicators that the
carrying value is impaired and may not be recoverable. The Company’s non-financial assets are equipment and exploration and evaluation assets. When indicators of impairment are present, the recoverable
amount of an asset is evaluated at the level of a cash generating unit (CGU), the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The
recoverable amount of a CGU is the greater of the CGU’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value. Estimated future cash flows are
calculated using estimated recoverable reserves, estimated future commodity prices and the expected future operating and capital costs. The pre-tax discount rate applied to the estimated future cash flows
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the future cash flow estimates have not been adjusted.
Additionally, the reviews consider factors such as political, social and legal and environmental regulations. These factors may change
due to changing economic conditions or the accuracy of certain assumptions and, hence, affect the recoverable amount. The Company uses its best efforts to fully understand all of the aforementioned to make an informed decision based upon historical
and current facts surrounding the projects. Discounted cash flow techniques often require management to make estimates and assumptions concerning reserves and resources and expected future production revenues and expenses.
9
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLIICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(g)
Impairment of Non-Financial Assets (cont’d)
Assets that have been impaired are tested for possible reversal
of the impairment whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the impairment may have reversed. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or cash generating unit (“CGU”) is increased to
the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset or CGU in prior periods. A reversal of
an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
(h)
Decommissioning Liabilities
The Company recognizes a provision for statutory, contractual, constructive or legal obligations associated with decommissioning of
mining operations and reclamation and rehabilitation costs arising when environmental disturbance is caused by the exploration or evaluation of exploration and evaluation assets, and equipment. Provisions for site closure and decommissioning are
recognized in the period in which the obligation is incurred or acquired and are measured based on expected future cash flows to settle the obligation, discounted to their present value. The discount rate used is a
pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability including risks specific to the countries in which the related operation is located.
When an obligation is initially recognized, the corresponding cost is capitalized to the carrying amount of the related asset in
exploration and evaluation assets and equipment. These costs are depreciated using either the unit of production or straight-line method depending on the asset to which the obligation relates.
The obligation is increased for the accretion and the corresponding amount is recognized as a finance expense. The obligation is also
adjusted for changes in the estimated timing, amount of expected future cash flows, and changes in the discount rate. Such changes in estimates are added to or deducted from the related asset except where deductions are greater than the carrying
value of the related asset in which case, the amount of the excess is recognized in profit or loss.
Due to uncertainties
concerning environmental remediation, the ultimate cost to the Company of future site restoration could differ from the amounts provided. The estimate of the total provision for future site closure and decommissioning costs is subject to change
based on amendments to laws and regulations, changes in technology, price increases and changes in interest rates, and as new information concerning the Company’s closure and decommissioning liabilities becomes available.
(i)
Use of Estimates and Judgments
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.
These and other estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and the effect on the consolidated financial statements of changes in these estimates could be material. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized during the year in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
10
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(i)
Use of Estimates and Judgments (cont’d)
Significant Accounting Judgments
Significant accounting judgments that management has made in the process of applying accounting policies and that have the most
significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
i)
Recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets
Recorded costs of exploration and evaluation assets are not intended to reflect present or future values of
these properties. The recorded costs are subject to measurement uncertainty and it is reasonably possible, based on existing knowledge, that a change in future conditions could require a material change in the recognized amount.
ii)
Going concern
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Company will be able to
realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. If the going concern assumptions were not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements, then adjustments would be necessary in
the carrying value of assets and liabilities, the reported expenses and the consolidated statements of financial position.
iii)
Stage of development
Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of an exploration property has been determined, it is then considered to be a
mine under development and is reclassified to mineral property. The carrying value of capitalized exploration and evaluation costs are tested for impairment before they are transferred to mineral property. All costs relating to the construction,
installation, or completion of a mine that are incurred subsequent to the exploration and evaluation stage are capitalized to mineral property. The Company assesses the stage of each mine under development to determine when a property reaches the
stage when it is in the condition for it to be capable of operating in a manner intended by management (“commercial production”). Determining when a mine has achieved commercial production is a matter of judgement.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of resulting in a
material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
i)
Share-based payments
The fair value of share-based payments is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Such option pricing models require
the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility, option life, dividend yield, risk-free rate and estimated forfeitures at the initial grant date.
ii)
Estimating useful life of property and equipment
Depreciation of property and equipment is charged to write-down the value of those assets to their residual value over their
respective estimated useful lives. Management is required to assess the useful economic lives and residual values of the assets such that depreciation is charged on a systematic basis to the current carrying amount. The useful lives are estimated
having regard to such factors as asset maintenance, rate of technical and commercial obsolescence, and asset usage. The useful lives of key assets are reviewed annually.
11
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLIICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(i)
Use of Estimates and Judgments (cont’d)
(iii)
Deferred income taxes
Judgment is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position.
Deferred tax assets, including those arising from unutilized tax losses require management to assess the likelihood that the Company will generate taxable earnings in future periods, in order to utilize recognized deferred tax assets. Estimates of
future taxable income are based on forecast cash flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the
Company to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded at the date of the consolidated statements of financial position could be impacted.
(iv)
Accrual of British Columbia Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (“BC METC”)
The provincial government of British Columbia provides for a refundable tax on net qualified mining exploration expenditures incurred
in British Columbia. The credit is calculated as 20% of qualified mining exploration expenses less the amount of any assistance received or receivable. The determination of the expenditures that would qualify as mining exploration expenses was based
on the previous years’ tax filings and subsequent reviews by government auditors. BC METC will be recorded in profit or loss upon cash receipt or when reasonable assurance exists that the tax filings are assessed and the expenditures are
qualified as mining exploration expenses.
(v)
Decommissioning liabilities
The Company estimates future site closure and decommissioning costs when environmental disturbances are caused by the exploration and
evaluation of exploration and evaluation assets, and equipment. The estimate of the total provision for future site closure and decommissioning costs is subject to change based on laws and regulations, changes in technology, price increases and
changes in interest rates, and expected plans for remediation. As at December 31, 2025, management has determined that the Company did not incur any such obligations. The Company will recognize a provision in the period in which a present
obligation arises.
(j)
Financial Instruments
(i)
Classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities
Under IFRS 9, Financial assets, on initial recognition, are recognized at fair value and subsequently classified and measured at:
amortized cost; fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) or fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). The classification of financial assets depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. The Company’s
financial assets which consist of cash and cash equivalents, short term investment, deposits and amounts receivable, are classified as amortized cost.
Under IFRS 9, financial liabilities, on initial recognition, are measured at fair value and subsequently measured at FVTPL or
amortized cost. The Company’s financial liabilities which consist of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are classified as amortized cost.
12
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(j)
Financial Instruments (cont’d)
(ii)
Impairment of financial assets
An ‘expected credit loss’ (ECL) model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, contract assets and debt
investments at FVOCI, but not to investments in equity instruments. The ECL model requires a loss allowance to be recognized based on expected credit losses. The estimated present value of future cash flows associated with the asset is determined
and an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between this amount and the carrying amount as follows: the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to estimated present value of the future cash flows associated with the asset, discounted at
the financial asset’s original effective interest rate, either directly or through the use of an allowance account and the resulting loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period. In a subsequent period, if the amount of the impairment
loss related to financial assets measured at amortized cost decreases, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through the statement of loss and comprehensive loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date
the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized. The Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost are subject to the ECL model.
(k)
Share capital
Common shares are classified as equity. Transaction costs directly attributable to the issue of common shares are recognized as a
deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.
Flow-through common shares are a type of common share and are securities permitted
by Canadian Income Tax Legislation whereby the investor can claim the tax deductions arising from the renunciation of the related resource expenditures. The Company accounts for flow-through shares whereby any premium paid for the flow-through
shares in excess of the market value of the common shares without flow-through features at the time of issue is credited to flow-through premium liability. The flow-through premium liability is included in profit or loss as the qualifying
expenditures are incurred on a pro-rata basis.
The Company may issue units consisting of
common shares and common share purchase warrants. The Company estimates the fair value of the common shares based on their market price on the share issuance date. The residual difference, if any, between the unit price and the fair value of each
common share represents the fair value attributable to each warrant.
13
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(l)
Income taxes
Current income taxes
Income tax assets and liabilities for the current period are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the
taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date. Current income tax relating to items recognized directly in other comprehensive income or equity
is recognized in other comprehensive income or equity and not in profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and
establishes provisions where appropriate.
Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is recognized as the temporary differences at the reporting date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities
and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and recognized only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable profit will
be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilized. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realized, or the liability is
settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. Deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are offset, if a legally enforceable right exists to set
off current tax assets against current income tax liabilities and the deferred income taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.
(m)
Foreign currency translation
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date or at an
average rate. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange in effect at the statement of financial position date. Non-monetary items are translated
using the historical rate on the date of the transaction. Revenue and expenses are translated at the exchange rates approximating those in effect on the date of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses are included in profit or loss.
(n)
Loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share amounts are calculated assuming that the proceeds received from the exercise of stock options and warrants would be used to repurchase shares at the prevailing market
rate. When a loss is incurred during the period, this calculation is considered to be anti-dilutive.
(o)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in the Company’s net assets that results from transactions, events and circumstances
from sources other than the Company’s shareholders and includes items that are not included in profit or loss. The Company currently has incurred no comprehensive income or loss.
14
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
3
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (cont’d)
(p)
Share-based payments
The Company grants share-based awards to employees, directors and consultants as an element of compensation. The fair value of the
awards is recognized over the vesting period as share-based compensation expense offset by reserves. The fair value of share-based compensation is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. At each reporting date prior to vesting, the
cumulative expense representing the extent to which the vesting period has expired and management’s best estimate of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest is computed. No expense is recognized for awards that do not ultimately vest.
When stock options are exercised, the proceeds received, together with any related amount in the reserves, are credited to share capital.
In situations where equity instruments are issued to non-employees and some or all of the
goods or services received by the entity as consideration cannot be specifically identified, they are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments. Otherwise, share based compensation are measured at the fair value of the goods or the
services received.
(q)
Application of New and Revised Accounting Standards
Future standards not yet adopted
IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
In April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements (“IFRS 18”) which replaces IAS
1 Presentation of Financial Statements. This standard aims to improve how companies communicate in their financial statements, with a focus on information about financial performance in the statement of profit or loss, in particular additional
defined subtotals, disclosures about management-defined performance measures and new principles for aggregation and disaggregation of information. IFRS 18 is accompanied by limited amendments to the requirements in IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
IFRS 18 is effective from January 1, 2027. Companies are permitted to apply IFRS 18 before that date. The Company is currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
4
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Cash
$
26,496,922
$
32,057,647
Cash equivalent (Guaranteed investment certificates)
34,585,123
-
$
61,082,045
$
32,057,647
As at December 31, 2025, the Company’s cash includes Guaranteed Investment
Certificates bearing interest at rates ranging from 2.5% – 3.3% (December 31, 2024 – 4.00%).
5
PREPAID EXPENSES
Prepaid expenses consist of:
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Advances for exploration expenditures
$
100,135
$
59,942
Insurance and other administrative expenses
399,820
268,151
$
499,955
$
328,093
15
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
6
GOODS AND SERVICES TAX AND OTHER RECEIVABLE
Goods and services tax and other receivable consist of:
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Goods and Services Tax receivable
$
644,046
$
67,332
BCMETC receivables
481,500
-
Other
10,610
220
$
1,136,156
$
67,552
7
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consists of:
Dock
Tents and
Trailers
Equipment
Vehicles
Gas Tank
Boat
Office
Furniture
Total
Cost:
At December 31, 2023
$
15,571
$
203,315
$
189,301
$
39,936
$
40,000
$
91,755
$
-
$
579,878
Additions
-
-
18,778
-
-
-
4,938
23,716
At December 31, 2024
15,571
203,315
208,079
39,936
40,000
91,755
4,938
603,594
Additions
-
-
3,764
-
-
-
2,217
5,981
Disposals
-
-
(8,862
)
-
-
-
-
(8,862
)
At December 31, 2025
$
15,571
$
203,315
$
202,981
$
39,936
$
40,000
$
91,755
$
7,155
$
600,713
Accumulated Depreciation:
At December 31, 2023
$
8,627
$
169,528
$
89,364
28,837
$
29,199
$
38,267
$
-
$
363,822
Depreciation
347
10,135
23,759
3,330
1,080
8,023
1,383
48,057
At December 31, 2024
8,974
179,663
113,123
32,167
30,279
46,290
1,383
411,879
Depreciation
330
7,095
17,972
2,332
972
6,819
1,044
36,564
Disposal
-
-
(3,771
)
(3,771
)
At December 31, 2025
$
9,304
$
186,758
$
127,324
$
34,499
$
31,251
$
53,109
$
2,427
$
444,672
Net Book Value:
At December 31, 2024
$
6,597
$
23,652
$
94,956
$
7,769
$
9,721
$
45,465
$
3,555
$
191,715
At December 31, 2025
$
6,267
$
16,557
$
75,657
$
5,437
$
8,749
$
38,646
$
4,728
$
156,041
16
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
8
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
Title to exploration and evaluation assets involves certain inherent risks due to the difficulties of determining the validity of
certain claims, as well as the potential for problems arising from the frequently ambiguous conveyancing history characteristic of many exploration and evaluation assets. The Company has investigated title to all of its exploration and evaluation
assets and, to the best of its knowledge, title to all of its properties is in good standing.
Exploration and evaluation asset
acquisition costs are set out below:
Property
Balance,
December 31,
2023
$
Acquisition
$
Balance,
December 31,
2024
$
Acquisition
$
Balance,
December 31
2025
$
KV Project
70,906,785
-
70,906,785
-
70,906,785
Big Bulk
-
422,750
422,750
264,798
687,548
Kinskuch
-
-
-
5,213,815
5,213,815
Porter
-
-
-
1,159,404
1,159,404
American Creek
-
-
-
368,315
368,315
Theia
-
-
-
897,116
897,116
BA property
-
-
-
1,114,225
1,114,225
Red Cliff
-
-
-
9,284
9,284
70,906,785
422,750
71,329,535
9,026,957
80,356,492
Kitsault Valley (“KV”) Project
During the years ended December 31, 2011 to 2018, the Company purchased the Dolly Varden (or “DV”)
property, consisting of fee simple titles, mineral claims and mineral tenures in respect of certain lands located in the Kitsault area of British Columbia. The property is subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) of which one-half (or 1%) of the NSR can be repurchased by the Company for $2,750,000 at any time.
On
February 25, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Homestake Ridge property pursuant to a purchase agreement with Fury Gold Mines Ltd. (“Fury”). The Homestake Ridge property is located adjacent to the
Company’s DV property. The Homestake Ridge property is subject to a 2% NSR applicable to certain claims (the “Crown Grants”). The 2% NSR on the Crown Grants includes an annual advanced minimum royalty of $50,000 payment
obligations. Ten business days after commencement of commercial production, approximately 17,300 shares of the Company are to be issued to the NSR holders. Additionally, a small area of the Homestake Ridge property is subject to a 3% royalty. The
Company refers to the combination of its Homestake Ridge and DV properties as the KV Project. As of December 31, 2025, the Company has deposits totalling $208,000 (December 31, 2024 - $159,000) as reclamation bonds related to permits
for the KV Project.
Big Bulk Property
On December 19, 2023, the Company entered into an assignment and assumption agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”)
with Libero Copper & Gold Corporation (“Libero”) pursuant to which the Company was assigned the rights to an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) to earn a 100% interest in certain claims known as the Big Bulk
property. As consideration for the Assignment Agreement the Company issued Libero 68,750 common shares of the Company valued at $222,750, on January 9, 2024 (Note 9).
17
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
8
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (cont’d)
In connection with this acquisition, the Company also entered into an amended
agreement with LCT Holdings Inc., the owner of the Big Bulk property and optionor under the Option Agreement. The amended Option Agreement provides that the Company may earn-in a 100% undivided interest in the
Big Bulk property by completing the following payments:
a) $50,000 in cash on or before December 31, 2023 (cash paid);
b) $150,000 in cash on or before December 31, 2024 (cash paid);
c) $250,000 in cash or common shares on or before December 31, 2025 (shares issued);
d) $500,000 in cash or common shares on or before December 31, 2026; and
e) $500,000 in cash or common shares on or before December 31, 2027.
The Company has the right to elect to issue common shares instead of a cash payment only when the market price of the common shares at
the time is equal or greater than to the ten day volume weighted average price of the common shares of the Company, subject to such exchange’s minimum pricing rules and further provided that the common shares may only be issued by the Company
if the deemed price is equal to or greater than $0.64 per common share, otherwise the Company may only satisfy such payment in cash.
Kinskuch
Property
On May 23, 2025, the Company acquired 100% interest in the Kinskuch Property, in British Columbia, from Hecla
Mining Company (“Hecla”) with the issuance of 1,351,963 common shares having a fair value of $5,178,018 (Note 9). The Company incurred $35,000 in legal fees related to the acquisition. Hecla will also retain a 2% NSR on the Kinskuch
Property. The NSR will include a 50% buyback right, for $5,000,000, that will allow Dolly Varden to reduce the royalty to 1% at any time.
Porter Project
On
May 23, 2025, the Company acquired 100% interest in the Porter Project, in British Columbia, from Strikepoint Gold Inc. (“Strikepoint”) with the issuance of 295,699 common shares of the Company having a fair value of $1,105,914
(Note 9). The Company incurred $53,000 in legal fees related to the acquisition.
American Creek Property, Theia Property, BA Property,
and Red Cliff Property
On June 26, 2025, the Company acquired an interest in four properties in British Columbia
totaling over 20,000 hectares (collectively, the “Properties”) from MTB Metals Corp. by issuance of 486,072 common shares of the Company valued at $2,245,653 (Note 9) plus the assumption of an outstanding property payment obligations of
$50,000. The Company incurred $93,280 in legal fees related to the acquisition. The Properties include the American Creek Property (consisting of Mountain Boy Property, Silver Crown Property, and Dorothy Property), the Theia Property, the BA
Property, and the Red Cliff Property. MTB Metals Corp. retained a 1% NSR on each of the Properties, pursuant to the terms of separate royalty agreements for each property.
In connection with the acquisition, the Company also entered into an amended joint venture (“JV”) agreement with Decade
Resources Ltd. (“Decade”). As of June 26, 2025 the parties have been deemed to have entered into a joint operation agreement, whereby Decade owns 65% interest and Dolly Varden owns 35% interest in the Red Cliff Property. In
addition, the Company entered into an amended option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with Kenneth Gin and Kirpaul Siddoo (the “Optionors”) to acquire 100% interest in the American Creek Property, the Theia Property, and
the BA Property. To maintain good standing of the Option Agreement, and to earn a 100% ownership interest in the three properties, the Company paid the Optionors $50,000 in cash. Upon exercise of the Option Agreement, the Dorothy Property is subject
to a 2.5% NSR payable to the Optionors, commencing upon the achievement of commercial production. Commercial production is defined as either (i) achieving 70% of rated capacity for 30 consecutive days, or (ii) direct shipping of ore for
profit. The Company retains the right to purchase 0.5% of the NSR for $1,000,000 within 90 days following the commencement of commercial production.
18
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
8
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (cont’d)
Exploration And Evaluation Expenses
The following table summarizes the exploration and evaluation expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Analytical and sample related
$
1,448,473
$
1,127,904
Camp, food, supplies and related
2,303,348
1,988,143
Claim maintenance
19,875
80,012
Community relations and related
231,871
82,385
Depreciation
36,564
48,057
Drilling and related
15,582,423
9,800,110
Equipment and warehouse rental
874,274
822,228
Fuel
789,482
738,856
Geological and geoscience
2,735,879
1,619,939
Mapping and modelling
180,640
165,618
Project supervision
467,340
602,500
Resource and metallurgy
22,133
-
Road and drill pad preparation
904,888
830,720
Transport, travel and related
82,752
87,057
Cost recovery: BC METC
(481,500
)
(118,212
)
Total
$
25,198,442
$
17,875,317
19
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
9
SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized: Unlimited number of common shares without par value.
Issued:
During
the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company issued 269,806 common shares (2024-171,223) pursuant to conversion of restricted share units (“RSUs”). The value of the settled units adjusted the share capital reserve account by
$1,019,246 (2024 -$664,346).
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company issued 252,062 common shares
(2024-908,584) pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $684,805 (2024-$1,319,607).
On December 22, 2025,
the Company issued to Libero 38,941 common shares of the Company valued at $264,799 in relation to the Assignment Agreement (Note 8).
On October 23, 2025, the Company closed a bought deal financing for total gross proceeds of $33,973,000 by issuing 4,646,000
shares. The financing comprised 2,906,000 common shares at $6.50 per share for $18,889,000 under the LIFE exemption, 750,000 charity flow-through shares at $9.42 per share for $7,065,000, and 990,000 flow-through shares at $8.10 per share for
$8,019,000. In connection with the closing of the financing, a finders’ fee of $1,698,650 was paid representing 5% of the gross proceeds.
On June 26, 2025, the Company closed a bought deal financing for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $28,755,500 through
two offerings. Under the listed issuer financing exemption (“LIFE Offering”), the Company sold 2,445,500 common shares of the Company at a price of $4.60 per common share for gross proceeds of $11,249,300 and also sold 1,128,000
flow-through common shares at a price of $6.65 per FT common share for gross proceeds of $7,501,200. Under the Private Placement Offering, the Company sold 1,740,000 FT common shares of the Company at a price of $5.75 per flow through common share
for gross proceeds of $10,005,000. In connection with the closing of the two financings, a finders’ fee of $1,437,775 was paid representing 5% of the gross proceeds.
On June 26, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of interests in four mineral properties from MTB Metals Corp., which
included the assumption of existing option and joint venture agreements. As consideration, the Company issued 486,072 common shares having a fair value of $2,245,653 (Note 8).
On May 23, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of the Porter Project from Strikepoint. As consideration for the
acquisition, the Company issued 295,699 common having a fair value of $1,105,914 (Note 8).
On May 23, 2025, the Company
completed the acquisition of the Kinskuch Property from Hecla. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company issued 1,351,963 common shares to Hecla at a fair value of $5,178,018. (Note 8).
On September 27, 2024, the Company closed the second and final tranche of a bought deal financing for additional gross proceeds
of $4,500,000 from the issuance of 900,000 flow through common shares at price of $5.00 per flow through common share. In connection with the closing of the first tranche of the offering, a finders’ fee of $225,000 was paid representing 5.0%
of the gross proceeds.
20
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
9
SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d)
On September 4, 2024, the Company closed the first tranche of a bought deal
financing for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $27,700,000. Pursuant to the close of the first tranche of this financing, the Company sold 2,875,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $4.00 per common share for gross proceeds of
$11,500,000 and also sold 3,240,000 FT common shares at a price of $5.00 per FT common share for gross proceeds of $16,200,000. In connection with the closing of the first tranche of this financing, a finders’ fee of $1,385,000 was paid
representing 5.0% of the gross proceeds.
On March 26, 2024, the Company closed a bought deal financing for gross proceeds to
the Company of $14,999,985. Pursuant to this financing, the Company sold 3,571,425 FT common shares on a charitable basis at a price of $4.20 per FT common share. Underwriter fees of $749,999 were paid in relation to this financing.
On January 9, 2024, the Company issued to Libero 68,750 common shares of the Company valued at $222,750 in relation to the
Assignment Agreement (Note 8).
Restricted Share Units
Under the Company’s Omnibus Plan, the maximum number of common shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs granted pursuant to the
Omnibus Plan combined with other share-based compensation arrangements is set at 10% of the total issued common shares. The Omnibus Plan is an evergreen plan meaning any vesting of an RSU will, subject to the overall limit described above, allow new
grants available under the Omnibus Plan resulting in a reloading of the number of RSUs available for grant.
On February 28,
2025, the Company granted 237,244 RSUs to various directors with vesting equally spread over three years with the first vesting occurring on March 15, 2026. On April 2, 2024, the Company granted 295,750 RSUs to various directors with
vesting equally spread over three years with the first vesting occurring after one year. The Company expensed $1,096,596 included in share-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2025 (2024 - $1,139,455).
Number of RSUs
Balance, December 31, 2023
513,671
Granted
295,750
Settlement upon vesting
(171,223
)
Balance, December 31, 2024
638,198
Granted
237,244
Settlement upon vesting
(269,806
)
Balance, December 31, 2025
605,636
21
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
9
SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d)
Stock Options
The Company has an Omnibus Plan under which it is authorized to grant share purchase options to executive officers, directors,
employees and consultants enabling the holder to acquire up to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. Under the plan, the exercise price of each option shall be no less than the discounted market price of the Company’s
shares prior to the grant in accordance with Exchange policies. Options are granted for a maximum term of 10 years.
Vesting is at
the discretion of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a vesting schedule, such options shall vest immediately.
Number of
Options
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
$
Balance, December 31, 2023
2,717,689
2.48
Granted
706,000
3.40
Exercised
(908,584
)
1.44
Forfeited/expired
(116,667
)
2.56
Balance, December 31, 2024
2,398,438
3.14
Granted
548,500
4.00
Exercised
(252,062
)
2.72
Balance,
December 31, 2025
2,694,876
3.36
As at December 31, 2025, the Company had outstanding stock options enabling the holders to
acquire common shares as follows:
Date of
Expiry
Exercise Price
$
Number of Stock
Options
Outstanding as at
December
31, 2025
March 25, 2026
2.84
431,250
February 25, 2027
3.16
877,500
August 19, 2027
2.84
81,250
February 24, 2028
3.88
100,000
March 28, 2029
3.36
620,751
May 22, 2029
4.24
25,000
June 24, 2029
4.00
10,625
February 28, 2030
4.00
548,500
Total
Outstanding
3.36
2,694,876
Total Exercisable
3.17
1,925,626
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized a total of $1,085,228
(2024 - $1,461,500) in share-based payments expense for the options granted and vested during the year. The fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2025 was $2.38 (2024 - $2.48) per option. The weighted average
remaining life of the stock options as of December 31, 2025 is 1.49 years (December 31, 2024 – 2.60 years).
22
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
9
SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d)
The following weighted average assumptions were used for the Black-Scholes valuation
of stock options granted:
For the year
ended
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Risk-free interest rate
2.60%
3.68%
Expected dividend yield
0%
0%
Annualized stock price volatility
77%
83%
Expected life of options
5 years
5 years
Expected forfeiture rate
0
%
0
%
Flow-through Premium Liability
The following is a continuity of the liability portion of the flow-through share issuances:
Balance, December 31, 2023
$
-
Flow-through premium liability additions
7,779,996
Settlement of flow-through share premium liability
pursuant to qualifying expenditures
(4,301,284)
Balance, December 31, 2024
3,478,712
Flow-through premium liability additions
8,087,400
Settlement of flow-through share premium liability pursuant to qualifying expenditures
(4,561,159)
Balance,
December 31, 2025
$
7,004,953
Anti-dilution rights agreements
In September 2012, the Company entered into an ancillary rights agreement with Hecla, whereby as long as Hecla holds a pro-rata interest of 10%, it reserves the right to maintain its ownership interest in the event the Company issues any equity securities. In February 2022, the Company entered into an investor rights agreement in
relation to the acquisition of Homestake with Fury whereby as long as Fury holds a pro-rata interest of 10%, it reserves the right to maintain its ownership interest in the event the Company issues any equity
securities for cash. At December 31, 2025 each of Hecla and Fury owned greater than 10% of the Company.
10
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern to pursue other
business opportunities and to maintain a flexible capital structure that optimizes the cost of capital within a framework of acceptable risk. The capital of the Company consists of items within shareholders’ equity.
The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk
characteristics of the underlying assets. To maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Company may issue new shares, issue new debt, or acquire or dispose of assets.
The Company is dependent on the capital markets as its main source of operating capital. The Company’s capital resources are
largely determined by the strength of the junior public markets, by the status of the Company’s projects in relation to these markets and its ability to compete for investor support of its projects. There have been no changes to the
Company’s approach to capital management During the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company has no capital restrictions other than an anti-dilution right in favour of Hecla and Fury whereby both parties have the right to maintain their
equity holdings in the Company.
23
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
11
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company incurred the following amounts charged by officers and directors
(being key management personnel) and companies controlled and/or owned by officers and directors of the Company in addition to the related party transactions disclosed elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements:
Year ended
December 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Directors’ fees
$
233,000
$
228,400
Consulting fees
25,000
-
Exploration and evaluation (3,4)
498,750
722,500
Management fees (1)(2)
1,107,500
1,442,200
Share-based payments
(1)(2)
1,842,089
2,026,036
Total
$
3,706,339
$
4,419,136
(1)
The Company entered into a consulting service agreement with S2K Capital Corp. and Shawn Khunkhun, Chief Executive
Officer and director of the Company. Pursuant to this consulting agreement, Mr. Khunkhun is compensated at a rate of $34,167 (2024 - $30,000) per month, where the increase was effective April 1, 2025. The Company is required to pay an
equivalent to 24 months’ pay plus an average of any cash performance bonus paid in the previous two completed financial years if the consulting agreement is terminated by either party absent an event of default during the twelve-month period
following the date of a change in control of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company paid a $360,000 bonus related to the year ended December 31, 2024 and made an allowance of $400,000 for amounts expected to be
paid in 2026 that relate to the year ended December 31 2025. If the agreement is terminated for reasons other than event of default, the Company is required to pay a sum equal to 12 months’ pay.
(2)
The Company entered into a consulting service agreement with Fehr & Associates and Ann Fehr, Chief Financial
Officer (“CFO”) for full outsourced accounting and corporate secretary services. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company paid $16,667 (2024 - $16,667) per month for CFO services. During the year ended December 31,
2025, the Company paid a $100,000 bonus related to the year ended December 31, 2024, and made a bonus allowance of $110,000 for amounts estimated to be payable in 2026 that relate to the year to end December 31, 2025. The Company is
required to pay an equivalent to 12 months’ pay if the consulting agreement is terminated by either party absent an event of default during the twelve-month period following the date of a change in control of the Company.
(3)
The Company entered into a consulting service agreement with Robert van Egmond, VP Exploration of the Company.
Pursuant to this consulting agreement, Mr. van Egmond is compensated at a rate of $23,333 (2024 - $22,500) per month effective April 1, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company paid a $135,000 bonus related to the
year ended December 31, 2024, and made a bonus allowance of $135,000 for amounts expected to be paid in 2026 that relate to the year to end December 31, 2025. The Company is required to pay the equivalent to 12 months’ pay if the
consulting agreement is terminated by either party, absent an event of default, during the twelve-month period following the date of a change in control of the Company.
(4)
The Company paid $120,000 (2024- $120,000) in exploration and evaluation expenses to a company controlled by a
director.
(5)
The Company recognized consulting expenses of $25,000 (2024-$nil) to a company controlled by a director.
Other related party transactions are as follows:
At December 31, 2025, included in accounts payable is $20,533 (December 31, 2024 - $10,640) owed to officers of the
Company.
At December 31, 2025 included in accrued liabilities is $675,000 (December 31, 2024 – $686,750) accrued to
officers and directors of the Company.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, $151,025 (2024 - $94,537) of accounting
and administration fees were paid to Fehr & Associates, a corporation controlled by the CFO, that were attributable to costs directly associated with office space, accounting services and administration staff used by the Company.
24
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
11
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont’d)
The Porter Property acquisition (Note 8) was a related party transaction on account
that Shawn Khunkhun, Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Dolly Varden is also the Executive Chairman and a director of Strikepoint.
The Kinskuch Property acquisition (Note 8) is a related party transaction as Hecla is considered an insider on account of Hecla being
a significant shareholder with over 10% interest ownership.
12
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company’s financial instruments recorded at fair value require disclosure as to how the fair value was determined based on
significant levels of input described in the following hierarchy:
•
Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•
Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or
liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices); and
•
Level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable
inputs).
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short term investment,
amounts receivable, deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, all of which are measured at amortized cost.
Financial Instruments
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities
approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments or market rates of interest. The Company’s risk exposures and the impact on the Company’s financial instruments are summarized below.
Credit Risk
The
Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to cash and cash equivalents, deposits and Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) receivable. The Company has no significant concentration of credit risk arising from operations. Cash
consists of bank balances and demand guaranteed investment certificates at reputable financial institutions, from which management believes the risk of loss to be remote. GST receivable and deposits are due from government agencies. The Company
limits its exposure to credit risk for cash by placing it with high quality financial institutions.
Liquidity Risk
The Company’s ability to remain liquid over the long term depends on its ability to obtain additional financing through the
issuance of additional securities, entering into credit facilities, or entering into joint ventures, partnerships or other similar arrangements. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to continue to
raise adequate financing in the future to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. As at December 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $61,082,045 to settle
current liabilities of $4,005,783 (excluding liability on flow-through share issuances).
25
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
12
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT (cont’d)
Interest Rate Risk
The Company has cash and cash equivalent balances subject to fluctuations in the prime rate. The Company periodically monitors the
investments it makes and is satisfied with the credit ratings of its banks. Management believes that interest rate risk is remote, as investments are redeemable at any time and interest can be earned up to the date of redemption.
Price Risk
The Company is
exposed to price risk with respect to commodity prices. The Company’s future mining operations will be significantly affected by changes in the market price for silver. Precious metal prices fluctuate daily and are affected by numerous factors
beyond the Company’s control. The supply and demand for commodities, level of interest rates, rate of inflation, investment decisions by large holders of commodities and stability of exchange rates can all cause significant fluctuations in
commodity prices.
13
SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company operates in one reportable segment, the exploration and development of unproven exploration and evaluation assets. The
Company’s primary exploration and evaluation assets are located in British Columbia, and its corporate assets, comprising mainly of cash, are located in Canada. The Company is in the exploration stage and has no reportable segment revenues or
operating results. All corporate expenses are incurred in Canada.
14
INCOME TAX
A reconciliation of income taxes at statutory rates with the reported taxes is as follows:
Year ended
Year ended
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Loss for the year
$
(31,738,497)
$
(20,649,147)
Expected income tax recovery
(8,569,000)
(5,575,000)
Change in statutory rates and other
28,000
-
Permanent difference
(633,000)
(407,000)
Impact of flow through share issuance
6,470,000
4,355,000
Share issuance costs
(1,077,000)
(812,000)
Adjustment to prior years provision versus statutory tax returns and expiry of
non-capital losses
95,000
196,000
Change in unrecognized deductible temporary differences
3,686,000
2,243,000
Total income tax expense (recovery)
$
-
$
-
26
DOLLY VARDEN SILVER CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
14
INCOME TAX (cont’d)
The significant components of the Company’s unrecorded deferred tax assets and
liabilities are as follows:
Year ended
Year ended
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Deferred tax assets:
Exploration and evaluation assets
$
8,709,000
$
8,451,000
Property and equipment
296,000
245,000
Share issuance costs
1,493,000
933,000
Non-capital losses available for future
periods
16,329,000
13,622,000
$
26,937,000
$
23,251,000
Unrecognized deferred tax assets
(26,937,000)
(23,251,000)
Net deferred tax assets
$
-
$
-
The Company’s unrecognized deductible temporary differences, tax credits and tax losses
are as follows:
As at
As at
December 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Temporary Differences:
Investment tax credit
$
711,000
2031 -2033
$
711,000
Property and equipment
$
1,096,000
No expiry date
$
905,000
Exploration and evaluation assets
$
30,330,000
No expiry date
$
29,378,000
Share issuance costs
$
5,529,000
2046 to 2049
$
3,454,000
Non-capital losses available for future
periods
$
60,886,000
2027 to 2045
$
50,453,000
15
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Company issued 93,750 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of
$300,250.
27
EX-99.3
EX-99.3
Filename: d124597dex993.htm · Sequence: 9
EX-99.3
Exhibit 99.3
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (“Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information”) has been
prepared based on the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Contango Ore, Inc. (“Contango”) and Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (“Dolly Varden”), as indicated below, and is intended to provide
information about how the Arrangement might have affected Contango’s historical financial statements.
The unaudited pro forma
condensed combined statements of operations (“Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations”) for the year ended December 31, 2025, combines the historical audited consolidated statement of operations of Contango for the year, with
the respective historical audited consolidated statement of operations of Dolly Varden, as if the Arrangement had occurred on January 1, 2025. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet (“Unaudited Pro Forma Balance
Sheet”) as of December 31, 2025, combines the historical audited consolidated balance sheet of Contango and the historical audited consolidated statement of financial position of Dolly Varden each as of December 31, 2025, as if the
Arrangement had occurred on December 31, 2025.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information has been developed from and should be
read in conjunction with:
●
the accompanying notes to the unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information;
●
the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Contango for the year ended December 31,
2025, included in Contango’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 16, 2026;
●
the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Dolly Varden for the years ended December 31,
2025 and 2024, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K; and
●
other information relating to Contango and Dolly Varden contained in or incorporated by reference into
Contango’s definitive proxy statement on Form DEFM14A, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2026 (the “Merger Proxy Statement”).
The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information is presented applying guidance for an asset acquisition as Contango concluded that the acquired
set of assets did not meet the U.S. GAAP definition of a business. An acquisition accounted as an asset acquisition requires an acquiring entity to allocate the cost of an asset acquisition to the net assets acquired generally based on their
relative fair values. Goodwill is not recognized in an asset acquisition.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information is presented for
informational purposes only. The information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the SEC as amended by the final rule, Release
No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses,” using the assumptions set forth in the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information. The
information has been adjusted to include estimated transaction accounting adjustments, which reflect the application of the accounting required by U.S. GAAP.
The information is not necessarily indicative of the financial position and results of operations that actually would have been achieved had
the Arrangement occurred as of the dates indicated herein, nor do they purport to project the future financial position and operating results of the combined company. The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information also does not reflect the costs of
any integration activities or cost savings or synergies expected to be achieved as a result of the Arrangement, which are described in the section of the Merger Proxy Statement entitled “The Arrangement-Contango’s Reasons for the
Arrangement,” and, accordingly, do not attempt to predict or suggest future results.
Contango ORE, Inc. (to be named “Contango Silver & Gold Inc.”)
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2025
(Expressed in United States dollars, except number of shares)
Contango
Historical
Dolly Varden
Historical
As at
December 31,
2025
As at
December 31,
2025
Note
Transaction
accounting
adjustments
Pro forma
December 31,
2025
$
$
$
$
ASSETS
Current
Cash
64,837,617
44,565,916
-
109,403,533
Restricted cash
106,365
-
-
106,365
Prepaid expenses and other
3,290,962
364,771
5(c)
(2,200,000
)
1,455,733
Income tax and GST receivable
106,244
828,948
-
935,192
68,341,188
45,759,635
(2,200,000
)
111,900,823
Investment in Peak Gold, LLC
47,108,733
-
-
47,108,733
Property & equipment, net
52,065,293
113,849
5(c)
391,717,265
443,896,407
Marketable securities
4,436,013
-
-
4,436,013
Reclamation deposits
-
151,758
-
151,758
Exploration and evaluation assets
-
58,628,697
5(c)
(58,628,697
)
-
Total assets
171,951,227
104,653,939
330,888,568
607,493,734
LIABILITIES
Current
Accounts payable
1,014,233
1,191,895
5(c)
7,834,129
10,040,257
Accrued liabilities
4,336,813
1,730,754
5(c)
1,000,000
7,067,567
Liability on flow-through share issuance
-
5,110,866
-
5,110,866
Royalty reimbursement advance
488,045
-
-
488,045
Derivative contract liability
66,465,622
-
-
66,465,622
Debt, current portion
4,000,000
-
-
4,000,000
76,304,713
8,033,515
8,834,129
93,172,357
Asset retirement obligation
123,444
-
-
123,444
Contingent consideration liability
2,757,952
-
-
2,757,952
Derivative contract liability
37,191,718
-
-
37,191,718
Debt, non-current portion
29,857,758
-
-
29,857,758
Deferred tax liability
617,353
-
5(c)
89,933,913
90,551,266
Total liabilities
146,852,938
8,033,515
98,768,042
253,654,495
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock
-
-
-
-
Common stock
149,687
208,654,370
5(c), 5(d), 6
(208,501,541
)
302,516
Additional paid-in capital
238,155,692
-
5(c), 5(f) 6
328,588,121
566,743,813
Treasury stock at cost
(48,308
)
-
6
-
(48,308
)
Reserves
-
9,636,256
5(c), 5(d) 5(f),
6
(9,636,256
)
-
Accumulated deficit
(213,158,782
)
(121,670,202
)
5(c), 5(d), 6
121,670,202
(213,158,782
)
Total stockholders’ equity
25,098,289
96,620,424
232,120,526
353,839,239
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
171,951,227
104,653,939
330,888,568
607,493,734
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements.
2
Contango ORE, Inc. (to be named “Contango Silver & Gold Inc.”)
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
For the year Ended December 31, 2025
(Expressed in United States dollars, except number of shares)
Contango
Historical
Dolly Varden
Historical
Year ended
December 31,
2025
Year ended
December 31,
2025
Note
Transaction
accounting
adjustments
Pro forma
December 31,
2025
$
$
$
$
Claim rental expense
463,949
-
-
463,949
Exploration expense
5,820,896
18,027,703
-
23,848,599
Depreciation expense
140,729
-
-
140,729
General and administrative
13,082,874
8,565,610
5
(g)
649,720
22,298,204
Income from equity investment in Peak Gold,
LLC
(88,585,112
)
-
-
(88,585,112
)
(Income)/loss from
operations
(69,076,664
)
26,593,313
649,720
(41,833,631
)
Interest and other income
(1,772,675
)
(4,105,911
)
-
(5,878,586
)
Interest and finance expense
7,598,562
-
-
7,598,562
Loss on derivative contracts
109,108,194
-
-
109,108,194
Gain on metal sales
(5,324,700
)
-
-
(5,324,700
)
Unrealized gain on marketable
securities
(4,749,312
)
-
-
(4,749,312
)
Loss before income tax
35,783,405
22,487,402
649,720
58,920,527
Income tax expense
303,240
219,248
5
(g)
-
522,488
Net loss
36,086,645
22,706,650
649,720
59,443,015
Basic and diluted loss per share
2.80
0.27
2.11
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding – basic and diluted
12,902,668
84,499,539
5
(h)
(69,216,661
)
28,185,546
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
3
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
These
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements as at December 31, 2025 and for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “financial statements”) of Contango ORE, Inc. (to be named “Contango Silver & Gold
Inc.”) have been prepared for purposes of inclusion in the Merger Proxy Statement.
Contango was formed on September 1, 2010 as
a Delaware corporation for the purpose of engaging in the exploration for and development of gold ore and associated minerals in the State of Alaska.
CORE Alaska, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contango has a 30.0% membership interest in the Peak Gold JV. Kinross Gold Corporation
(“Kinross”) holds the remaining 70.0% membership interest in the Peak Gold JV and Kinross serves as the manager of the Peak Gold JV and operator of the Manh Choh (as defined below) mines.
Contango conducts its business through the below primary means:
●
its 30.0% membership interest in the Peak Gold JV, which leases approximately 675,000 acres from the Tetlin
Tribal Council and holds approximately 13,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims (collectively, the “Peak Gold JV Property”), including the Main and North Manh Choh deposits (“Manh Choh” or the “Manh Choh
Project”);
●
its wholly-owned subsidiary Contango Mining Canada Inc. (British Columbia), which holds 100% equity in
HighGold Mining Inc., which in turn owns J T Mining, Inc., leasing approximately 21,000 acres (“Johnson Tract” or the “Johnson Tract Project”) from Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (“CIRI”), 125 miles southwest of
Anchorage, Alaska;
●
its wholly-owned subsidiary Contango Lucky Shot Alaska, LLC (“LSA”), leasing approximately 8,600
acres of State and patented mining claims (“Lucky Shot” or the “Lucky Shot Property”) in the Willow Mining District, approximately 75 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska;
●
its wholly-owned subsidiary Contango Minerals Alaska, LLC, controlling approximately 145,330 acres of State
mining claims, including: (i) approximately 69,780 acres northwest of Peak Gold JV (“Eagle/Hona Property”), (ii) approximately 14,850 acres northeast of Peak Gold JV (“Triple Z Property”), (iii) approximately 52,700
acres in the Richardson district (“Shamrock Property”), and (iv) approximately 8,000 acres near Lucky Shot (“Willow Property”) (collectively, the “Minerals Property”); and
●
its wholly-owned subsidiary Avidian Gold Alaska Inc., controlling approximately 15,260 acres of State mining
claims and leases, including: (i) approximately 1,030 acres near Fort Knox Gold Mine (“Amanita NE Property”), (ii) approximately 10,850 acres in Valdez Creek Mining District (“Golden Zone Property”), and
(iii) leasing approximately 3,380 acres near Fort Knox (“Amanita Property”) (collectively, the “Avidian Properties”).
Contango’s Manh Choh Project is in the production stage, while all other projects are in the exploration stage.
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (“Dolly Varden”) was amalgamated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on
January 30, 2012. Dolly Varden’s primary activity is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada.
Dolly
Varden is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration and advancing its 100% owned Kitsault Valley project (the “Kitsault Valley Project”), which includes the Dolly Varden property and the Homestake Ridge property located in the
Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25 kilometers (“km”) by road to tide water. The 163-square km Kitsault Valley Project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and
Homestake Ridge along with the past-producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines.
In addition to the Kitsault Valley Project, Dolly
Varden has consolidated a land package of six other properties in the same region as the Kitsault Valley Project. These six properties have historically been explored for gold, copper, silver, lead and zinc. Including the Kitsault Valley Project and
the recent acquisitions, Dolly Varden now holds a combined area of 100,000 hectares within the region. For additional information regarding Dolly Varden’s business description, management’s discussion and analysis, results of operations,
and historical financial statements (including
4
Dolly Varden’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025), see Annex E to the Merger Proxy Statement and Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report
on Form 8-K.
The Arrangement
On December 7, 2025, Contango and Dolly Varden entered into the Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement”). Further details
regarding the Arrangement are provided in Note 4.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION
(a)
Basis of presentation
These pro forma financial statements give effect to the Arrangement. These pro forma financial statements are provided for illustrative
purposes only, and do not represent the financial position that would have resulted had the Arrangement actually occurred on the dates indicated below. In addition, these financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the future financial
position of Contango as a result of the Arrangement and do not reflect additional potential savings or costs arising from the Arrangement.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2025 reflects assumptions and adjustments to give effect to
the Arrangement as if it had occurred on December 31, 2025. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 reflects assumptions and adjustments to give effect to the Arrangement as
if it had occurred on January 1, 2025.
The unaudited pro forma information and adjustments, including the preliminary allocation of
purchase price, are based upon preliminary estimates of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, current available information and certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable in the circumstances. The actual fair
values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Dolly Varden will be determined as of the Closing and may differ materially from the amounts disclosed in the assumed pro forma consideration allocation in Note 5(c) because of changes in fair
value of the assets and liabilities up to the Closing, and as further analysis is completed.
Consequently, the actual allocation of the
consideration may result in different adjustments than those in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet. Similarly, the calculation and allocation of the consideration has been prepared on a preliminary basis and is subject to
change between the time such preliminary estimations were made and the Closing of the Arrangement as a result of a number of factors.
These financial statements have been prepared by management using the following:
●
The audited consolidated financial statements of Contango for the year ended December 31, 2025
(“Contango Annual Financial Statements”), contained on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2026;
●
The audited consolidated financial statements of Dolly Varden for the year ended December 31, 2025 and
2024 (“Dolly Varden Annual Financial Statements”), included in Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K; and
The accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Contango Annual Financial
Statements, all of which are filed with the SEC. Since Dolly Varden’s historical consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS
Accounting Standards”), the historical financial information of Dolly Varden used in the pro forma statements has been converted to U.S. GAAP (Note 5(c)).
(b)
Functional and presentation currency
These unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“USD”), which is also the
functional currency of Contango.
Since Dolly Varden’s historical consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian
dollars (“CAD”), the historical financial information of Dolly Varden used in the pro forma statements has been translated into USD, which is the functional currency of Contango (Note 5(a)).
5
3. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies used in the preparation of these financial statements are those set out in Contango Annual Financial Statements, with
exception of the following:
Flow-through shares are a type of shares of common stock and are securities permitted by the Income Tax Act
(Canada) (the “ITA”) whereby the investor can claim the tax deductions arising from the renunciation of the related qualifying resource expenditures. Contango accounts for flow-through shares whereby any premium paid for the flow-through
shares in excess of the market value of the common shares without flow-through features at the time of issue as a credit to liability on flow-through share issuance. The liability on flow-through share issuance is amortized into income as the
qualifying expenditures are incurred on a pro-rata basis.
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSACTION
On December 7, 2025, Contango and Dolly Varden entered into the Arrangement Agreement in respect of the Arrangement. Under the terms of
the Arrangement Agreement, Contango will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Dolly Varden Shares at the Exchange Ratio of 0.1652.
Immediately prior to Closing, all Dolly Varden Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) will vest and be settled for Dolly Varden Shares.
Pursuant to the Arrangement, all outstanding Dolly Varden Options will be exchanged for stock options to acquire Contango Shares, adjusted to reflect the Exchange Ratio. Eligible Canadian stockholders of Dolly Varden will be able to elect to receive
exchangeable shares in a Canadian subsidiary of Contango, which will be exchangeable into Contango Shares, instead of the Contango Shares to which they would otherwise be entitled.
Upon completion of the Arrangement, existing Contango Stockholders and former Dolly Varden Shareholders will own approximately 50.297% and
49.703% each of the combined company (see Note 6), respectively, using the fully diluted in-the-money treasury-stock-method (based on the number of Dolly Varden and
Contango securities outstanding as of December 31, 2025). The ownership percentages will be determined once the Arrangement closes on March 26, 2026, considering outstanding common stock, options, RSUs and other instruments.
The Arrangement will be effected pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under the BCBCA and was approved by (i) the Supreme
Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) on March 23, 2026, (ii) 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Dolly Varden Shareholders at a special meeting of Dolly Varden Shareholders on March 17, 2026, and (iii) the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Contango Shares present in person or by proxy at the special meeting of Contango Stockholders on March 17, 2026.
In addition to the approval of the Court and the Dolly Varden and Contango stockholders, the Arrangement is subject to the receipt of
applicable regulatory and exchange approvals (including approval of the NYSE American and TSXV), and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature. Subject to the satisfaction of such conditions, the
Arrangement is expected to close on March 26, 2026. The Arrangement Agreement includes customary deal protections, including reciprocal fiduciary-out provisions,
non-solicitation covenants and the right to match any superior proposals. A reciprocal Termination Fee in the amount of $15 million is payable by either party in certain circumstances as set out in the
Arrangement Agreement.
5. PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AND ASSUMPTIONS
The fair value of Contango Shares issued as consideration in the Arrangement was estimated using the market price of Contango Shares as at
March 17, 2026.
Contango evaluated the Arrangement under ASC 805, Business Combinations. ASC 805 requires that an acquirer
determine whether it has acquired a business. If Contango obtained control over a business, the transaction would be accounted pursuant to the acquisition method of accounting and, as such, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed would
generally be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and could result in recognition of goodwill or a bargain purchase gain. In evaluating the criteria outlined by this standard, Contango concluded that the acquired set of assets did not meet
the U.S. GAAP definition of a business. Therefore, Contango accounted for the Arrangement as an asset acquisition. An acquisition accounted as an asset acquisition requires an acquiring entity to allocate the cost of an asset acquisition to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed generally based on their relative fair values.
6
Goodwill is not recognized in an asset acquisition. Transaction costs and fees incurred by Contango are capitalized as part of the cost of the acquisition.
An assessment was performed to determine whether Dolly Varden, in its current state, meets the definition of a business under U.S. GAAP. The
analysis considered whether Dolly Varden has inputs, processes, and outputs. Based on this assessment, Dolly Varden has inputs, represented by the mineral interests to which it holds claims; however, it does not have outputs, as it remains in the
exploration stage. Further consideration was given to whether Dolly Varden has an assembled workforce that performs a substantive process. It was concluded that no such workforce exists, as Dolly Varden would require additional technical personnel
to advance its operations from exploration to development.
The definition of a business for SEC reporting purposes differs from that
under ASC 805. SEC registrants must evaluate whether an acquisition constitutes a business under both definitions. The SEC definition focuses on whether the nature of the acquired entity’s revenue-producing activities or other attributes will
remain the same after the acquisition. If there is sufficient continuity of the acquired entity’s operations before and after the acquisition such that disclosure of prior financial information is material to understanding future operations,
the acquired entity qualifies as a business for SEC reporting—even if it does not meet the definition under ASC 805. Given that Dolly Varden is currently a separate entity and will maintain continuity of its operations upon closing of the
transaction, we conclude that Dolly Varden qualifies as a business for SEC reporting purposes. However, this does not imply that Dolly Varden meets the definition of a business under U.S. GAAP, as noted above.
The following describe transaction accounting and other adjustments:
(a)
Dolly Varden – CAD to USD translation
The historical financial information was translated from CAD to USD, the functional and presentation currency of Contango, using the following
historical CAD to USD exchange rates:
Period end exchange rate as at December 31,
2025
0.73
Average exchange rate for the year ended
December 31, 2025
0.72
The effects of the translation of Dolly Varden’s historical financial information from CAD to USD are
shown below:
Balance sheet as of December 31, 2025
CAD
(see Ex. 99.2)
USD
$
$
ASSETS
Current
Cash
61,082,045
44,565,916
Prepaid expenses and other
499,955
364,771
Income tax and GST receivable
1,136,156
828,948
62,718,156
45,759,635
Property & equipment, net
156,041
113,849
Reclamation deposits
208,000
151,758
Exploration and evaluation assets
80,356,492
58,628,697
Total assets
143,438,689
104,653,939
LIABILITIES
Current
Accounts payable
1,633,612
1,191,895
Accrued liabilities
2,372,171
1,730,754
7
Liability on flow-through share issuance
7,004,953
5,110,866
Total liabilities
11,010,736
8,033,515
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock
285,981,680
208,654,370
Reserves
13,207,452
9,636,256
Accumulated deficit
(166,761,179
)
(121,670,202
)
Total stockholders’
equity
132,427,953
96,620,424
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
143,438,689
104,653,939
Condensed statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025
CAD
(see Ex. 99.2)
USD
$
$
Exploration expense
25,198,442
18,027,703
General and administrative (1)
11,972,685
8,565,610
Loss from operations
37,171,127
26,593,313
Interest and other income (1)
(5,739,087
)
(4,105,911
)
Loss before income tax
31,432,040
22,487,402
Income tax expense
306,457
219,248
Net loss
31,738,497
22,706,650
(1)
Dolly Varden’s statement of operations presentation has been aligned with Contango’s naming
conventions. Certain line items have been consolidated into general and administrative and interest and other income categories for presentation purposes. These reclassifications do not affect loss from operations or loss before income tax.
(b)
Dolly Varden - IFRS Accounting Standards to U.S. GAAP conversion
The effects of converting Dolly Varden’s historical financial information from IFRS Accounting Standards to U.S. GAAP are considered
immaterial; therefore, no adjustments have been made to the pro forma financial statements. A known difference between IFRS Accounting Standards and U.S. GAAP relates to the treatment of exploration and evaluation assets, as IFRS permits an entity
to elect either expensing or capitalizing such costs. However, Dolly Varden’s accounting policy - expensing exploration costs as incurred - is consistent with Contango’s policy. Accordingly, there is no GAAP difference in this regard.
(c)
Fair value adjustments and consideration
Contango has performed a preliminary allocation of the estimated purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their
relative fair values and reflects assumptions and adjustments to give effect to the Arrangement as if it had occurred on December 31, 2025. There may be adjustments to the estimated fair values as the purchase price allocation is finalized. The
final purchase price allocation may be materially different than the preliminary allocation reflected in the pro forma allocation.
8
A summary of the preliminary fair value of the consideration and the preliminary allocation
to the net assets acquired is as follows:
$
Consideration:
Fair value of shares of common stock issued, calculated as 15,282,878 shares of common
stock issued at a fair value of $21.25/share, (using share price as of March 17, 2026) (1)
324,761,158
Fair value of replacement options granted allocated to consideration (Note 5(f))
3,979,792
Arrangement costs
4,149,129
Professional fees
2,200,000
335,090,079
Net assets acquired:
Cash
44,565,916
Prepaid expenses
364,771
Goods and services tax receivable
828,948
Property and equipment
113,849
Reclamation deposits
151,758
Exploration and evaluation assets
(2)
391,717,265
Accounts payable
4,876,895
Accrued liabilities
2,730,754
Liability on flow-through share issuances
5,110,866
Deferred tax liability
89,933,913
Total
335,090,079
(1)
Contango maintains greater-than-50% ownership with a decrease or
increase of 10% in stock price of Contango or Dolly Varden. Resulting change in ownership is less than 1%.
(2)
Exploration and evaluation assets have been reclassified to Property and Equipment, net to align with
Contango’s presentation.
Contango estimates transaction costs of $4,149,129, calculated as 1% of the five-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the fully diluted in-the-money shares, plus $2,200,000 related to
professional fees incurred in connection with the transaction. Since the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition, the transaction costs are included in the cost of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Consideration transferred less the carrying value of financial assets and liabilities and other current assets (carrying value approximates
fair value) was allocated to Property and equipment and Exploration and evaluation assets based on their relative fair values.
As part of
the acquisition, Contango measured and recorded an estimated net deferred tax liability related to taxable temporary differences between U.S. GAAP book basis and tax basis of the acquired net assets at a statutory rate of 27%.
Dolly Varden expects to incur acquisition-related transaction costs of approximately $3,685,000, comprised of professional and legal fees, and
an additional $1,000,000 in professional fees related to the Arrangement. As these costs pertain solely to Dolly Varden, they are not included in the capitalized transaction costs. The assumption of Dolly Varden’s liabilities related to these
transaction costs and fees is reflected in the purchase price allocation.
(d)
Consolidation
Dolly Varden’s Shareholders’ equity, which consists of Dolly Varden Shares, reserves and accumulated deficit will be eliminated
upon consolidation.
9
(e)
Dolly Varden RSUs converted into Dolly Varden Shares
As at December 31, 2025, a total of 605,636 Dolly Varden RSUs were issued and outstanding. The Dolly Varden RSUs will vest immediately
prior to the effective time of the arrangement, and will be surrendered and redeemed for 605,636 Dolly Varden Shares. The unvested value of the Dolly Varden RSUs was $502,941 which is included as part of Dolly Varden’s reserves prior to
Closing.
(f)
Dolly Varden options converted into Replacement Options
As at December 31, 2025, a total of 2,694,876 Dolly Varden Options were issued and outstanding. The Dolly Varden Options are deemed to be
vested on the date of Closing, and exchanged for Replacement Options. As a result, Contango will issue a total of 445,194 Replacement Options to the Dolly Varden Option holders.
The fair value of the options has been determined to be $4,629,512 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and relevant guidance in ASC
805 to allocate between acquisition costs and post-combination expenses. Of this amount, $3,979,792 represents the fair-value-measure of the vested portion of Dolly Varden replaced options and is considered part of the acquisition cost. The
remaining $649,720 is treated as post-combination expense and is reflected in the pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025.
(g)
Assumptions and adjustments to the pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 2025
Contango is recognizing an estimated $649,720 in incremental stock-based compensation
related to the portion of Replacement Options deemed to be a post-combination expense (Note 5(f)).
Income tax effects are considered
immaterial; therefore, no adjustments have been reflected in the pro forma financial statements
(h)
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share
The following table presents the reconciliation of the pro forma fully diluted number of shares, determined using the treasury stock method:
#
Common shares of Contango as at December 31, 2025 (1)
14,966,449
Warrants of Contango at December 31,
2025
524,753
15,491,202
Issuance of common shares as consideration to acquire Dolly Varden
15,282,878
Outstanding replacement options issued to former
Dolly Varden option holders (2)
25,340
15,308,218
Fully diluted issued shares
Contango
30,799,420
Combined
Total number of shares (1)
30,249,327
Warrants
524,753
Options (2)
25,340
Total fully diluted in-the-money shares
30,799,420
(1)
Includes 2,480 shares of treasury stock held by Contango as of December 31, 2025 and excludes 2,401
shares of common stock issued by Contango on December 31, 2025 which were not considered in the treasury stock method calculation.
(2)
Corresponds to the 445,194 Replacement Options after applying the treasury stock method.
A summary of the pro forma basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding is as follows:
10
December 31,
2025
#
Historical Contango basic weighted average shares
12,902,668
Issuance of common shares as consideration to
acquire Dolly Varden
15,282,878
Pro forma combined basic weighted average shares
28,185,546
Impact of dilutive instruments
-
Pro forma combined diluted weighted average
shares
28,185,546
Basic and diluted loss per share were calculated assuming all common shares outstanding following the
Arrangement had been outstanding throughout all the year ended December 31, 2025. Potentially dilutive securities have an anti-dilutive impact due to net loss reported for the year ended December 31, 2025.
6.
PRO FORMA EQUITY
A summary of the ownership allocation, reflecting the pro forma adjustments and assumptions, is presented below:
Ownership allocation
Contango
Stockholders
Dolly Varden
Shareholders
Total
#
#
#
Total shares outstanding (1)
14,966,449
15,282,878
30,249,327
Warrants -
in-the-money
524,753
-
524,753
Options - in-the-money (2)
-
25,340
25,340
Total fully diluted in-the-money shares
15,491,202
15,308,218
30,799,420
Ownership percentage
50.297%
49.703%
(1)
Includes 2,480 shares of treasury stock held by Contango as of December 31, 2025.
(2)
Corresponds to the 445,194 Replacement Options after applying the treasury stock method.
11
A summary of Contango’s pro forma equity is as follows:
Common stock
Note
Shares
Amount
Additional
paid-in
capital
Treasury
stock
Reserves
Accumulated
deficit
Total
#
$
$
$
$
$
$
Contango’s equity (historical)
14,968,929
149,687
238,155,692
(48,308
)
-
(213,158,782
)
25,098,289
Shares of common stock issued as consideration and replacement options
5(c), 5(f)
15,282,878
152,829
328,588,121
-
-
-
328,740,950
Dolly Varden’s equity (historical)
91,905,721
208,654,370
-
-
9,636,256
(121,670,202
)
96,620,424
Shares issued on vesting of Dolly Varden’s RSU
5(e)
605,636
502,941
-
-
(502,941
)
-
-
Elimination of Dolly Varden’s equity upon
consolidation
5(d)
(92,511,357
)
(209,157,311
)
-
-
(9,133,315
)
121,670,202
(96,620,424
)
Balance, December 31,
2025
30,251,807
302,516
566,743,813
(48,308
)
-
(213,158,782
)
353,839,239
12
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v3.26.1
Document and Entity Information
Mar. 25, 2026
Cover [Abstract]
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Entity Tax Identification Number
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