PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
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14a-6(e)(2)
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
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[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
-------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
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VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 23, 2003
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting (the "Meeting") of the
shareholders (the "Shareholders") of Vega-Atlantic Corporation, a Colorado
corporation (the "Company") will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 23, 2003, at 435
Martin Street, Suite 2000, Blaine, Washington 98320, and any adjournments or
postponements thereof for the following purposes:
1. To approve a proposed amendment (the "Amendment") to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles"), to effectuate
a proposed change in name of the Company (the "Name Change") to such
name as may be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in
its sole and absolute discretion;
2. To approve a proposed stock option plan for key personnel of the
Company (the "Stock Option Plan");
3. To ratify the prior actions by shareholders of the Company taken
pursuant to a written consent dated March 25, 2003 approving a reverse
stock split of one-for-twenty of the Company's issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock effectuated approximately April 2, 2003 (the
"Reverse Stock Split"); and
4. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come
before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 9, 2003 shall
be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
All Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Grant Atkins, President
June 18, 2003
Blaine, Washington
IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND WISH YOUR SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK TO BE VOTED, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED
PROXY WHICH IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
COMPANY. A RETURN ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
435 Martin Street, Suite 2000
Blaine, Washington 98320
PROXY STATEMENT
DATED
JUNE 18, 2003
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 23, 2003
GENERAL
This proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") is being furnished to the
shareholders of Vega-Atlantic Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") from holders (the
"Shareholders") of outstanding shares of common stock, $0.00001 par value, of
the Company (the "Common Stock"), for use at the special meeting of the
Shareholders to be held at 2:00 P.M. on July 23, 2003, at 435 Martin Street,
Suite 2000, Blaine, Washington 98320, and any adjournments or postponements
thereof (the "Meeting"). This Proxy Statement, Notice of Meeting of Shareholders
and the accompanying Proxy Card and Form 10-KSB Annual Report for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2002, are first being mailed to Shareholders on or about
June 30, 2003.
VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTE REQUIRED
Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 9, 2003 (the
"Record Date") are entitled to notice of and to vote the shares of Common Stock,
$0.00001 par value, of the Company held by them on such date at the Meeting or
any and all adjournments thereof. As of the Record Date an aggregate 1,126,606
shares of Common Stock were outstanding. There was no other class of voting
securities outstanding at that date.
Each share of Common Stock held by a Shareholder entitles such Shareholder
to one vote on each matter that is voted upon at the Meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the
Meeting. Assuming that a quorum is present, (i) the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding will be required
to approve the proposed amendment (the "Amendment") to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles ) to effectuate the proposed change in
name of the Company (the "Name Change") to such name as may be approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company in its sole and absolute discretion; (ii) the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding will be required to approve the proposed stock option plan for the
Company (the "Stock Option Plan"); and (iii) the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding will be required to
ratify the prior actions of the shareholders taken pursuant to a written consent
dated March 25, 2002 approving a reverse stock split of one-for-twenty of the
Company's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock effectuated
approximately April 2, 2003 (the "Reverse Stock Split").
Abstentions and broker "non-votes" will be counted toward determining the
presence of a quorum for the transaction of business; however, abstentions will
have the effect of a negative vote on the proposals being submitted at the
Meeting. Abstentions may be specified on all proposals. A broker "non-vote" will
have no effect on the outcome of any of the proposals.
If the accompanying proxy is properly signed and returned to the Company
and not revoked, it will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. Unless contrary instructions are given, the persons designated as
proxyholders in the accompanying Proxy will vote "FOR" approval of the proposed
Amendment to the Company's Articles to effectuate the proposed Name Change of
the Company, "FOR" approval of the proposed Stock Option Plan, and "FOR"
ratification of the prior actions of the shareholders pursuant to the written
conesent approving the Reverse Stock Split, and as recommended by the Board of
Directors with regard to any other matters or if no such recommendation is
given, in their own discretion. Each Proxy granted by a Shareholder may be
revoked by such Shareholder at any time thereafter by writing to the Secretary
of the Company prior to the Meeting, or by execution and delivery of a
subsequent Proxy or by attendance and voting in person at the Meeting, except as
to any matter or matters upon which, prior to such revocation, a vote shall be
been cast pursuant to the authority conferred by such Proxy.
The cost of soliciting these Proxies, consisting of the printing, handling,
and mailing of the Proxy and related material, and the actual expense incurred
by brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries in forwarding proxy
materials to the beneficial owners of the shares of Common Stock, will be paid
by the Company.
In order to assure that there is a quorum it may be necessary for certain
officers, directors, regular employees and other representatives of the Company
to solicit Proxies by telephone or telegraph or in person. These persons will
receive no extra compensation for their services.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS
AND CONTROL PERSONS
CURRENT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement the directors and executive officers
of the Company are as follows:
Name Age Position with the Company
------------------- --- -------------------------------
Grant Atkins 42 Director, President, Secretary
and Treasurer
GRANT ATKINS has been the President, Secretary, Treasurer and a director of
the Company since October 15, 1998. For the past six years Mr. Atkins has been
self-employed and has acted as a financial and project coordination consultant
to clients in government and private industry. Mr. Atkins has extensive
multi-industry experience in the fields of finance, administration and business
development. During 1998 and 1999 Mr. Atkins was a consultant through the
private management consulting companies of TriStar Financial Services Inc. and
Investor Communications International, Inc. Mr. Atkins is also a member of the
Board of Directors of Intergold Corporation, a publicly traded corporation
formerly engaged in the exploration of gold and silver, a member of the Board of
Directors of Petrogen Corp., a publicly traded corporation.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
As of the date of this Proxy Statement the Company has not appointed
members to an Audit Committee. As of the date of this Proxy Statement no Audit
Committee exists. Therefore, the role of an Audit Committee has been conducted
by the Board of Directors of the Company.
The Company intends to establish an Audit Committee with additional
appointments to the Board of Directors of the Company, as the case may be. When
established, the Audit Committee will be comprised of at least two disinterested
members of the Board of Directors of the Company. When established, the Audit
Committee's primary function will be to provide advice with respect to the
Company's financial matters and to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling
its oversight responsibilities regarding finance, accounting, tax and legal
compliance. The Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities will be:
(i) to serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company's
financial reporting process and internal control system; (ii) to review and
appraise the audit efforts of the Company's independent accountants; (iii) to
evaluate the Company's quarterly financial performance as well as its compliance
with laws and regulations; (iv) to oversee management's establishment and
enforcement of financial policies and business practices; and (v) to provide an
open avenue of communication among the independent accountants, management and
the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of the Company has considered whether the provision
of such non-audit services would be compatible with maintaining its principal
independent accountant's independence. The Board of Directors considered whether
the Company's principal independent accountant was independent, and concluded
that its principal independent accountant for the previous fiscal years ended
March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003, was independent.
AUDIT FEES
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, the Company incurred
approximately $13,000 in fees to its principal independent accountant for
professional services rendered in connection with preparation and audit of the
Company's financial statements for fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 and for the
review of the Company's financial statements for the quarters ended June 30,
2001, September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2001.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, the Company did not incur any
fees for professional services rendered by its principal independent accountant
for certain information technology services which may have included, but were
not limited to, operating or supervising or managing the Company's information
or local area network or designing or implementing a hardware or software system
that aggregate source data underlying the financial statements.
ALL OTHER FEES
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, the Company did not incur any
other fees for professional services rendered by its principal independent
accountant for all other non-audit services which have included, but were not
limited to, tax-related services, actuarial services or valuation services.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date
concerning: (i) each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more
than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock; (ii) each of the Company's
executive officers, directors and key employees; and (iii) all executive
officers and directors as a group. Common Stock not outstanding but deemed
beneficially owned by virtue of the right of an individual to acquire shares
within 60 days is treated as outstanding only when determining the amount and
percentage of Common Stock owned by such individual. Except as noted, each
person or entity has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to the
shares of Common Stock shown.
NAME POSITION AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)(2)
Alexander W. Cox Shareholder 216,165 19.19%
428-755 Burrard St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6Z 1X6 Canada
(2)(3)
Pacific Rim Financial Inc. Shareholder 56,665 5.03%
60 Market Square
P.O. Box 364
Belize City, Belize
(1)(2)(4)
Investor Communications Shareholder 303,562 26.94%
International, Inc.
435 Martin Street, Suite 2000
Blaine, Washington 98320
(1)(2)
TriStar Financial Shareholder 60,811 5.40%
Services Inc.
435 Martin Street, Suite 2000
Blaine, Washington 98230
(2)(5)
Brent Pierce Shareholder 70,312 6.24%
16377 Lincoln Woods Court
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada V3S 0J8
(1)(2)
All officers and directors Shareholder 250 .0002%
as a group (1 person)
-------------------------------
(1) These are restricted shares of Common Stock.
(2) Shares held of record have been adjusted to take into account the Reverse
Stock Split effected approximately April 2, 2003.
(3) Of the 56,665 shares of Common Stock held of record by Pacific Rim
Financial Inc., approximately 15,000 are free trading.
(4) The Company and Investor Communications International, Inc. ("ICI") entered
into a two-year consulting services and management agreement dated April 1,
1999 and renewed on April 1, 2001 for an additional two-year period (the
"Consulting Agreement"), pursuant to which ICI performs a wide range of
management, administrative, financial, marketing and public company
services for the Company.
(5) Of the 70,312 shares of Common Stock held of record by Brent Pierce,
approximately 14,512 are free trading.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, none of the officers or directors
of the Company are compensated for their roles as directors or executive
officers of the Company as the Company is only in the development stage and has
not yet realized substantial revenues from business operations. Officers and
directors of the Company, however, are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them on behalf of the Company. None of the Company's directors or
executive officers are party to employment agreements with the Company. The
Company presently has no pension, health, annuity, insurance, stock options,
profit sharing or similar benefit plans.
Grant Atkins, the current President, Secretary, Treasurer and director of
the Company, derives remuneration from the Company indirectly through ICI, which
provides a wide range of financial, consulting, administrative and management
services to the Company on a month-to-month basis as needed.
During the nine-month period ended December 31, 2002, the Company incurred
approximately (i) $320,050 for amounts due and owing for managerial,
administrative, financial and consulting services rendered by ICI; (ii) $22,249
as accrued interest; and (iii) $15,956 as advances payable. During the
nine-month period ended December 31, 2002, the Company repaid $133,200 to ICI.
Furthermore, the Company and ICI entered into a settlement agreement dated
August 22, 2002 (the "Settlement Agreement") pursuant to which: (i) the Company
agreed to settle an aggregate debt of $140,887.31 due and owing to ICI as of
August 22, 2002, including accrued interest, by the issuance of 4,696,244
pre-Reverse Stock Split shares of its restricted Common Stock at the rate of
$0.03 per share (which was the average of the opening and the closing price of
the Company's Common Stock trading on the OTC Bulletin Board from July 1, 2002
through August 22, 2002, discounted by 25%); and (ii) ICI agreed to accept the
issuance of 4,696,244 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares of restricted Common
Stock as settlement and full satisfaction of the aggregate debt due and owing
it.
During the nine-month period ended December 31, 2002, Grant Atkins received
an aggregate of $17,325 from ICI for services provided to the Company.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
With the exception of the current contractual relations between the Company
and ICI, as of the date of this Proxy Statement the Company has not entered
into any other contractual arrangements with related parties. There is not any
other currently proposed transaction, or series of the same, to which the
Company is a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000 and in which,
to the knowledge of the Company, any director, executive officer, nominee, 5%
Shareholder or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, have
or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
The officers and directors of the Company are engaged in other businesses,
either individually or through partnerships and corporations, in which they may
have an interest, hold an office or serve on the Boards of Directors. The
directors of the Company may have other business interests to which they may
devote a major or significant portion of their time. Certain conflicts of
interest, therefore, may arise between the Company and its directors and
officers. Such conflicts are intended to be resolved through the exercise by the
directors and officers of judgment consistent with their fiduciary duties to the
Company. The officers and directors of the Company intend to resolve such
conflicts in the best interests of the Company. The officers and directors will
devote their time to the affairs of the Company as necessary.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the United States Securities and Exchange Act (the
"Exchange Act") requires the Company's directors and officers, and the persons
who beneficially own more than 10% of the Common Stock of the Company, to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Copies of all filed reports are required to be furnished to the
Company pursuant to Rule 16a-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based solely
on the reports received by the Company and on the representations of the
reporting persons, the Company believes that these persons have complied with
all applicable filing requirements during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002
and during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2002.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN OR OPPOSITION TO
MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
With the exception of the current director of the Company, and as of the
date of this Proxy Statement, there are no persons identified by management of
the Company who have an interest in the matters to be acted upon nor who are in
opposition to the matters to be acted upon.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement there are no persons who have been
a director or officer of the Company since the beginning of the last fiscal
year, or are currently a director or officer of the Company, that oppose any
action to be taken by the Company.
PROPOSAL 1
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECTUATE A CHANGE
IN NAME OF THE COMPANY
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES AND NAME CHANGE
In accordance with any decision in the future by the Board of Directors of
the Company to effectuate any change in the nature of the Company's business
operations, the Board of Directors has determined at this time that it may be in
the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to seek approval for a
potential Name Change of the Company, and corresponding Amendment to the
Articles of the Company, to such resulting name as the Board of Directors of the
Company may finally determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, and in the
best interests of the Company.
The objective of the proposed change in corporate name of the Company, or
ability of the Board of Directors to change the corporate name to such other
resulting name is deemed necessary to more accurately reflect the proposed
business activities of the Company in its name. The Company believes that a name
change will better communicate to the public the Company's proposed and future
nature of business operations.
The Board of Directors approved a resolution on June 16, 2003 to amend its
Articles in accordance with its proposed Name Change, or to such other name as
the Board of Directors of the Company may determine, from time to time, in its
sole and absolute discretion, subject to Shareholder approval. By approving this
proposal the Shareholders will authorize the Board of Directors to amend the
Company's Articles name as the Board of Directors may determine, attached as
Exhibit A hereto. The amendment presently embodies Article First changing the
text to:
"The name of the corporation is."
After any Name Change, it is anticipated that the Company's trading symbol
for the OTC Bulletin Board and BBX will be changed from "VGAC". After any Name
Change it is also anticipated that the Company's trading symbol for the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange will be changed from "VGA" (WKN: 936302).
Management expects formal implementation of the proposed Name Change with
the Colorado Secretary of State to be completed as soon as practicable after the
effective date of the approval by the Shareholders and the corresponding
decision by the Board of Directors of the Company to effectuate any such Name
Change.
PRIOR OPERATIONAL HISTORY
Tun Resources, Ltd.
On May 2, 2000, the Company entered into a share purchase and sale
agreement with Golden Thunder Resources Ltd. ("Golden Thunder") to purchase from
Golden Thunder approximately 80% of the issued and outstanding shares of common
stock of Tun Resources Ltd., a Canadian corporation ("Tun Resources"), with an
option to purchase the remaining 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of Tun
Resources (the "Acquisition Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the
Acquisition Agreement, and extensions thereto, the Company issued 1,600,000
(400,000 post-Reverse Stock Split) shares of its restricted Common Stock to
Golden Thunder and provided approximately $604,500 of funds to Tun Resources.
During the prior fiscal year and in accordance with the terms of the
Acquisition Agreement the Company was unable to timely provide the required
aggregate amount of $1,180,000 by February 15, 2001. On February 9, 2001, the
Company provided an amended letter of offer to Golden Thunder that outlined an
offer to: (i) purchase the remaining 20% of Tun Resources; (ii) repurchase all
of the Company's 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock from Golden
Thunder; and (iii) request an extension to the funding commitment requirement
outlined in the Acquisition Agreement until such time as the shareholders of
Golden Thunder voted to accept or reject the offer (the "Letter Offer"). The
Letter Offer was presented to the shareholders of Golden Thunder for their
approval and such approval was not received.
Tun Resources Litigation
On July 8, 2001, the Company filed a Statement of Claim in the Supreme
Court of British Columbia naming Golden Thunder and Tun Resources as defendants
("Action No. 5013872"). The Company alleged in its Statement of Claim that
certain representations were made by such defendants to the Company under the
Acquisition Agreement and otherwise as follows: (i) Tun Resources had good and
marketable title to its assets; (ii) the consideration paid by the Company was
good and valuable consideration for the acquisition of the shares in Tun
Resources; (iii) the intercorporate loan financing, which was to be provided by
financing arranged by private investments and, therefore, the joint ventures,
were marketable; and (iv) the control of Tun Resources would be transferred to
the Company upon closing of the Acquisition Agreement. The Company alleged in
its Statement of Claim that such representations were false and untrue and that
the defendants made the representations fraudulently or negligently knowing them
to be untrue, or recklessly without caring whether they were true or false, and
that: (i) the title Tun Resources had to the assets was not good and marketable
and was considerably lower in value than represented to the Company; (ii) the
consideration paid by the Company to acquire the shares of Tun Resources was
excessive and not good and valuable consideration; (iii) the intercorporate loan
financing could not be raised in the manner agreed upon by the Company and the
defendants; and (iv) the Boards of Directors of Golden Thunder and Tun Resources
refused or neglected to replace the Board of Directors of Tun Resources with the
board of directors of Golden Thunder. The Company further alleged in its
Statement of Claim that: (i) the defendants made such representations to the
Company in order to induce the Company to enter into the Acquisition Agreement;
(ii) the Company reasonably relied upon the representations made to it by the
Defendants; and (iii) such misrepresentations were breaches of material terms of
the Acquisition Agreement and have caused the Company loss and damages. The
Company sought general and special damages in excess of $800,000.00.
On August 2, 2001, Tun Resources and Golden Thunder filed their Statement
of Defense in which they alleged that the Company breached the Acquisition
Agreement by its failure to provide funding in the amount of $1,180,000 and that
such failure to provide the required funding adversely affected the value of
assets to be purchased by the Company.
On November 1, 2002, the Company, Tun Resources and Golden Thunder entered
into a settlement agreement and release of all claims (the "Settlement
Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement: (i) Tun
Resources and Golden Thunder paid to the Company $150,000.00; (ii) the Company
released Tun Resources and Golden Thunder from any and all claims arising
directly or indirectly from Action No. 5013872; and (iii) Golden Thunder
returned to the Company its stock certificate evidencing the 1,600,000 (400,000
post-Reverse Stock Split) shares of restricted Common Stock, which were
cancelled.
The Ailaoshan/Xiaoshuijing Gold Project
On May 4, 2000, the Company entered into a letter agreement with the No. 1
Geological Brigade of the Yunnan Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of
Qujing City, Yunnan Province, China (the "Letter Agreement"), whereby the
Company acquired the right to acquire an approximate 70% interest in the
Ailaoshang gold concession and prospect with claims that include the
Xiaoshuijing gold resource located in the Chuxion Prefecture, Yunnan Province,
China. Management plans to conduct future due diligence on the gold prospect in
order to provide the basis for negotiation of the final terms of a proposed
joint venture agreement; should the due diligence warrant continuing such
negotiations. According to the terms of the Letter Agreement the Company must
contribute and invest up to $2,500,000 to expand the gold prospect and increase
mine production.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement management of the Company does not
believe that a definitive agreement will be consummated nor that any other nor
that any other China-based venues will be pursued.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
Based upon review of a wide variety of factors considered in connection
with its evaluation of the proposed change in corporate name, the Board of
Directors of the Company believes that it would be in the best interests of the
Company and its Shareholders to effectuate a proposed Name Change to such
resulting name as the Board of Directors of the Company may determine, in its
sole and absolute discretion, and in the best interests of the Company. Approval
of the proposed Amendment to the Articles of the Company requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the approval of the proposed
Amendment to the Articles to effectuate a proposed Name Change of the Company.
PROPOSAL II
APPROVAL OF THE STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR
KEY PERSONNEL OF THE COMPANY
STOCK OPTION PLAN
On June 16, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously
approved and adopted a Stock Option Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit B. The purpose of the proposed Stock Option Plan is to advance the
interests of the Company and its Shareholders by affording key personnel of the
Company an opportunity for investment in the Company and the incentive
advantages inherent in stock ownership in the Company. Pursuant to the
provisions of the Stock Option Plan stock options (the "Stock Options") will be
granted only to key personnel of the Company; generally defined as a person
designated by the Board of Directors upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts
the Company may rely including any director, officer, employee or consultant of
the Company.
The Stock Option Plan is to be administered by the Board of Directors of
the Company, which shall determine: (i) the persons to be granted Stock Options
under the Stock Option Plan; (ii) the number of shares subject to each Stock
Option and the exercise price of each Stock Option; and (iii) whether the Stock
Option shall be exercisable at any time during the option period of up to ten
years or whether the Stock Option shall be exercisable in installments or by
vesting only. The Stock Option Plan provides authorization to the Board of
Directors to grant Stock Options to purchase a total number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company, not to presently exceed 4,500,000 shares (post-Reverse
Stock Split), as at the date of adoption by the Board of Directors of the Stock
Option Plan. At the time a Stock Option is granted under the Stock Option Plan
the Board of Directors shall fix and determine the exercise price at which
shares of Common Stock of the Company may be acquired; provided, however, that
any such exercise price shall not be less than that permitted under the rules
and policies of any stock exchange or over-the-counter market which is
applicable to the Company at that time.
In the event that an optionee who is a director or officer of the Company,
ceases to serve in that position, any Stock Option held by such optionee
generally may be exercisable within up to 90 calendar days after the effective
date that such position ceases, and after such 90-day period any unexercised
Stock Option shall expire. In the event that an optionee, who is an employee or
consultant of the Company, ceases to be employed by the Company, any Stock
Option held by such optionee generally may be exercisable within up to 60
calendar days (or up to 30 calendar days where the optionee provided only
investor relations services to the Company) after the effective date that such
employment ceases, and after such 60- or 30-day period any unexercised Stock
Option shall expire.
No Stock Options granted under the Stock Option Plan will be transferable
by an optionee, and each Stock Option will be exercisable during the lifetime of
the optionee subject to the option period of up to 10 years and the limitations
described above. Any Stock Option held by an optionee at the time of his death
may be exercised by his estate within 1 year of his death or such longer period
as the Board of Directors may determine.
The exercise price of a Stock Option granted pursuant to the Stock Option
Plan shall be paid in cash or certified funds upon exercise of the Stock Option.
Incentive Stock Options
The Stock Option Plan further provides that, subject to the provisions of
the Stock Option Plan and prior Shareholder approval, the Board of Directors may
grant to any key personnel of the Company who is an employee eligible to receive
Stock Options one or more incentive Stock Options to purchase the number of
shares of Common Stock allotted by the Board of Directors (the "Incentive Stock
Options"). The option price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon the
exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than fair market value
of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Incentive Stock Option.
In accordance with the terms of the proposed Stock Option Plan, "fair market
value" of an Incentive Stock Option as of any date shall not be less than the
closing price for the shares of Common Stock on the last trading day preceding
the date of grant. The option term of each Incentive Stock Option shall be
determined by the Board of Directors, which shall not commence sooner than from
the date of grant and shall terminate no later than up to 10 years from the date
of grant of the Incentive Stock Option, subject to possible earlier termination
as described above.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement no Stock Options nor Incentive
Stock Options under the Stock Option Plan have been granted (which does not
include those stock options previously granted). See " - Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan" below. In accordance with the Company's proposed Stock Option Plan,
and subject to approval by the Shareholders, the Company anticipates filing with
the Commission registration statements on "Form S-8 - For Registration Under the
Securities Act of 1933 of Securities to Be Offered to Employees Pursuant to
Employee Benefit Plans" (each an "S-8") registering Stock Options and Incentive
Stock Options under its proposed Stock Option Plan in the amount of up to
4,500,000 post-Reverse Stock Split shares at various exercise prices. Upon
approval by the Shareholders of the proposed Stock Option Plan the Board of
Directors will be authorized, without further Shareholder approval, to grant
such Stock Options from time to time to acquire up to an aggregate of up to
4,500,000 shares of the Company's restricted Common Stock.
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
On May 1, 2000, the then Board of Directors of the Company adopted a
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "Non-Qualified SOP"), which provided for
the grant of 500,000 options to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares of
restricted Common Stock at $1.00 per share.
During the prior fiscal years 2001 and 2002, the then Board of Directors
granted 487,500 stock options pursuant to the Non-Qualified SOP to acquire up to
an aggregate of 487,500 shares of restricted Common Stock at $1.00 per share. No
stock options as granted under the Non-Qualified SOP were exercised by the
grantees.
Subsequent to December 31, 2002, and as of the date of this Proxy
Statement, the Board of Directors of the Company voted to terminate the
Non-Qualified SOP and to unilaterally cancel the 487,5000 stock options as
granted. The Board of Directors based its decision regarding cancellation of the
stock options on the fact that the Non-Qualified SOP and subsequent grants of
stock options were done at a time when management anticipated that the Company
would have a viable and ongoing business development venture relating to certain
mining claims. The grantees did not perform the services intended as the gold
mining claims did not contain any gold and associated business operations
failed. The business venture was subject to litigation (as described above) and
is no longer being pursued by the Company.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
Based upon review of a wide variety of factors considered in connection
with its evaluation of the provisions and terms of the proposed Stock Option
Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company believes that it would be in the
best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to adopt the proposed Stock
Option Plan. Approval of the Stock Option Plan requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the approval of the proposed
Stock Option Plan for key personnel of the Company.
PROPOSAL III
RATIFICATION OF THE PRIOR ACTIONS BY SHAREHOLDERS OF
THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO WRITTEN CONSENT APPROVING
A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF ONE-FOR-TWENTY
OF THE COMPANY'S ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
PRIOR SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board of Directors of the Company, at a previous meeting, authorized
and approved, subject to Shareholder approval, a Reverse Stock Split of up to
one-for-twenty of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Therefore, an Information Statement pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Exchange
Act (the "Information Statement") was prepared and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 17, 2002 and amended December 16, 2002.
The Information Statement was circulated to the Shareholders of the Company
in connection with the taking of corporate action without a meeting upon the
written consent of 10 or less shareholders then holding of record a majority of
the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Written Consent"). As
of November 30, 2002 (the "Record Date"), there were 22,532,110 shares of the
Company's Common Stock issued and outstanding. The names of the shareholders who
signed the Written Consent and their respective equity ownership of the Company
were as follows: (i) TriStar Financial Services, Inc., holding of record
1,216,214 shares of Common Stock (5.40%); (ii) Investor Communications
International, Inc., holding of record 6,071,244 shares of Common Stock
(26.94%); (iii) Alexander W. Cox, holding of record 4,323,300 shares of Common
Stock (19.19%); and (iv) Brent Pierce, holding of record 1,406,247 shares of
Common
Stock (6.24%).
The matters upon which action was taken pursuant to the Written Consent by
the shareholders dated March 25, 2003 included the approval and authorization
for the Board of Directors to effect the Reverse Stock Split of one-for-twenty
of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, which was effected by NASDAQ on
approximately April 2, 2003.
Subsequent to the effectuation of the Reverse Stock Split, the Company
deteremined that applicable Colorado law requires the written consent of all
shareholders in the event that written consents are utilized to obtain
shareholder approval in lieu of a shereholder meeting. Therefore, the Board of
Directors has decided that it would be prudent to have the Shareholders of the
Company ratify the prior actions of the Shareholders taken pursuant to the
Written Consent approving the Reverse Stock split and, as a result, has directed
the filing of the Proxy Statement and the Meeting of the Shareholders.
PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board of Directors approved the Reverse Stock Split based upon its
judgment that the Reverse Stock Split was in the best interests of the Company
and its Shareholders, and that the Reverse Stock Split would result in the
greatest marketability and liquidity of the Company's Common Stock. Effectuation
of the Reverse Stock Split reduced the number of issued and outstanding shares
of Common Stock from an aggregate of 22,532,110 shares to approximately
1,126,606 shares of Common Stock. The Common Stock is currently listed for
trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "VGAC" and on the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange under the symbol "VGA".
On the Record Date for the Written Consent, the reported closing price of
the Common Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board was $0.14 per share. The Board of
Directors of the Company has determined to use its best efforts in the future to
cause the Company's shares of Common Stock to be approved for trading on the
NASDAQ SmallCap Market (the "SmallCap Market") or on another more senior
exchange. The Company currently does not qualify for admission to the SmallCap
Market because its per-share price of $0.14 is below the present $3.00 level
required
for admission to the SmallCap Market. Furthermore, the Company's net present
tangible assets and shareholders' equity are below the minimum requirements of
$4,000,000 and $2,000,000, respectively, for inclusion on the SmallCap Market.
Management believes that, based on future generation of revenues and offerings
of Common Stock, the Company may eventually meet the net tangible assets and
shareholder equity requirements imposed by the SmallCap Market. Management
intended to effectuate the Reverse Stock Split at a level of one-to-twenty which
it believed would be sufficient to enable the Company in the future to meet such
requirements for admission for trading on the SmallCap Market or on another more
senior exchange. The Board of Directors further believed that the Reverse Stock
Split would help result in attaining both of its goals of achieving a per-share
price in excess of $3.00 and increasing the marketability and liquidity of the
Company's Common Stock.
Additionally, the Board of Directors believed that the then per-share
price of the Common Stock had limited the effective marketability of the Common
Stock because of the reluctance of many brokerage firms and institutional
investors to recommend lower-priced stocks to their clients or to hold them in
their own portfolios. Certain policies and practices of the securities industry
may tend to discourage individual brokers within those firms from dealing in
lower-priced stocks. Some of those policies and practices involve time-consuming
procedures that make the handling of lower priced stocks economically
unattractive. The brokerage commission on a sale of lower-priced stock may also
represent a higher percentage of the sale price than the brokerage commission on
a higher priced issue. Any reduction in brokerage commissions resulting from the
Reverse Stock Split may be offset, however, in whole or in part, by increased
brokerage commissions required to be paid by stockholders selling "odd lots"
created by such Reverse Stock Split.
The Board of Directors believed that the Reverse Stock Split did not and
will not result in a significant reduction in the number of holders of the
Company's Common Stock, and did not intend to effect any Reverse Stock Split
that would result in a reduction in the number of holders large enough to
jeopardize listing of the Common Stock on the SmallCap Market or the Company
remianing subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The Reverse Stock Split had the following effects upon the number of shares
of Common Stock issued and outstanding (22,532,110 shares as of the Record Date)
and had no effect upon the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. The
Common Stock continues to be $0.00001 par value Common Stock following the
Reverse Stock Split, and the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding has
been be reduced. The following example is intended for illustrative purposes.
Reverse Stock Common Stock Authorized Unissued Stock
Split Outstanding Common Stock Before After
----- ----------- --------------------- --------------------------
1 for 20 1,126,606 100,000,000 77,467,890 98,873,394
At the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split each share of the Common
Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto (the "Old Common Stock")
was reclassified as and changed into the appropriate fraction of a share of the
Company's Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share (the "New Common Stock"),
subject to the treatment of fractional share interests as described below.
Shortly after the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split the Company sent
transmittal forms to the holders of the Old Common Stock to be used in
forwarding their certificates
formerly representing shares of Old Common Stock for surrender and exchange for
certificates representing whole shares of New Common Stock. No certificates
representing fractional share interests in the New Common Stock were issued, and
no such fractional share interest entitled the holder thereof to vote or to
any rights of a shareholder of the Company. In lieu of any such fractional share
interest each holder of Old Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to
receive a fractional share of New Common Stock received in lieu one full share
upon surrender of certificates formerly representing Old Common Stock held by
such holder equal to or greater than 0.5 of a fractional share interest.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following is a summary of the material federal income tax consequences
of the previous Reverse Stock Split. This summary does not purport to be
complete and does not address the tax consequences to holders that are subject
to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, regulated investment
companies, personal holding companies, foreign entities, nonresident alien
individuals, broker-dealers and tax-exempt entities. This summary is based on
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations
and proposed regulations, court decisions and current administrative rulings and
pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), all of which are subject
to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and assumes that the New Common
Stock will be held as a "capital asset" (generally, property held for
investment) as defined in the Code. Holders of Old Common Stock were advised to
consult their own tax advisers regarding the federal income tax consequences of
the Reverse Stock Split in light of their personal circumstances and the
consequences under state, local and foreign tax laws applicable to them.
1. the Reverse Stock Split qualifies as a recapitalization described
in Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code;
2. no gain or loss will be recognized by the Company in connection with
the Reverse Stock Split;
3. no gain or loss will be recognized by a shareholder who exchanged all
of his shares of Old Common Stock solely for shares of New Common
Stock;
4. the aggregate basis of the shares of New Common Stock received in the
Reverse Stock Split (including any whole shares received in lieu of
fractional shares) is the same as the aggregate basis of the shares of
Old Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefore; and
5. the hold period of the shares of New Common Stock received in the
Reverse Stock Split (including any whole shares received in lieu of
fractional shares) includes the hold period of the shares of Old
Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefore.
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. ACCORDINGLY,
EACH HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OWN TAX
ADVISER WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT,
INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, MUNICIPAL,
FOREIGN OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION APPLICABLE TO THEM.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
Based upon review of a wide variety of factors considered in connection
with its evaluation of the Reverse Stock Split, the Board of Directors of the
Company believes that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders that the prior actions by Shareholders pursuant to the Written
Consent approving the Reverse Stock Split be ratified. Ratification of the prior
actions by Shareholders pursuant to the Written Consent approving the Reverse
Stock Split requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the ratification of the
prior actions by Shareholders pursuant to the Written Consent approving the
Reverse Stock Split.
GENERAL
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters that are to be
presented at the Meeting of the Shareholders other than those stated in the
Notice of Meeting and referred to in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters
should properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that the Proxies in the
accompanying form will be voted as the persons named therein may determine in
their discretion.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If any shareholder of the Company intends to present a proposal for
consideration at the Meeting of Shareholders and desires to have such proposal
included in the Proxy Statement and forms of Proxy distributed by the Board of
Directors with respect to such Meeting, such proposal must be received at the
Company's offices, 435 Martin Street, Suite 2000, Blaine, Washington 98320,
Attention: Secretary, not later than July 15, 2003.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Grant Atkins
EXHIBIT A
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Vega-Atlantic Corporation.
SECOND: Immediately upon the effectiveness of this amendment to the
Corporation's Articles of Incorporation pursuant to the Colorado Business
Corporation Act (the "Effective Time"), the name of the Corporation shall be
changed to ".".
This Amendment shall be effectuated by striking in its entirety Article
First by substituting in lieu thereof the following:
"FIRST: The name of the Corporation is .".
THIRD: By special meeting held by the Board of Directors of the Corporation
on June 16, 2003, pursuant to and in accordance with Sections 7-108-202 and
7-110-103 of the Colorado Business Corporation Act, the Board of Directors of
the Corporation duly adopted and recommended the amendment described above to
the Corporation's Shareholders for their approval.
FOURTH: Notice having been properly given to the Shareholders in accordance
with Sections 7-107-105 and 7-110-103, at a meeting of Shareholders held on July
14, 2003, the number of votes cast for the amendment by the each voting group
entitled to vote on the amendment was sufficient for approval by that voting
group.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Vega-Atlantic Corporation has caused these presents to
be signed in its name and on its behalf by Grant Atkins, its President, and its
corporate seal to be hereunder affixed on this __ day of July, 2003, and its
President acknowledges that these Articles of Amendment are the act and deed of
Vega-Atlantic Corporation and, under the penalties of perjury, that the matters
and facts set forth herein with respect to authorization and approval are true
in all material respects to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
By:____________________________
Grant Atkins, President
EXHIBIT B
STOCK OPTION PLAN
OF VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
________________
STOCK OPTION PLAN
For:
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
_________________________
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
435 Martin Street, Suite 2000
Blaine, Washington, U.S.A., 98230
________________
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
_________________________
STOCK OPTION PLAN
=================
This stock option plan (the "PLAN") is adopted in consideration of services
rendered and to be rendered by key personnel to Vega-Atlantic Corporation, its
subsidiaries and affiliates.
1. DEFINITIONS.
The terms used in this Plan shall, unless otherwise indicated or required
by the particular context, have the following meanings:
BOARD: The Board of Directors of Vega-Atlantic Corporation.
COMMON STOCK: The U.S. $0.001 par value common stock of
Vega-Atlantic Corporation.
COMPANY: Vega-Atlantic Corporation, a corporation incorporated
under the laws of the State of Colorado, U.S.A., and
any successors in interest by merger, operation of law,
assignment or purchase of all or substantially all of
the property, assets or business of the Company.
DATE OF GRANT: The date on which an Option (see hereinbelow) is
granted under the Plan.
FAIR MARKET VALUE: The Fair Market Value of the Option Shares. Such Fair
Market Value as of any date shall be reasonably
determined by the Board; provided, however, that if
there is a public market for the Common Stock, the Fair
Market Value of the Option Shares as of any date shall
not be less than the closing price for the Common Stock
on the last trading day preceding the date of grant;
provided, further, that if the Company's shares are not
listed on any exchange the Fair Market Value of such
shares shall not be less than the average of the means
between the bid and asked prices quoted on each such
date by any two independent persons or entities making
a market for the Common Stock, such persons or entities
to be selected by the Board. Fair Market Value shall be
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determined without regard to any restriction other than
a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.
INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION: An Option as described in Section 9 hereinbelow
intended to qualify under section 422 of the United
States INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, as amended.
KEY PERSON: A person designated by the Board upon whose judgment,
initiative and efforts the Company or a Related Company
may rely, who shall include any Director, Officer,
employee or consultant of the Company. A Key Person may
include a corporation that is wholly-owned and
controlled by a Key Person who is eligible for an
Option grant, but in no other case may the Company
grant an option to a legal entity other than an
individual.
OPTION: The rights granted to a Key Person to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Option
Agreement (see hereinbelow).
OPTION AGREEMENT: The written agreement (and any amendment or supplement
thereto) between the Company and a Key Person
designating the terms and conditions of an Option.
OPTION SHARES: The shares of Common Stock underlying an Option granted
to a Key Person.
OPTIONEE: A Key Person who has been granted an Option.
RELATED COMPANY: Any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or of any
subsidiary of the Company. The determination of whether
a corporation is a Related Company shall be made
without regard to whether the entity or the
relationship between the entity and the Company now
exists or comes into existence hereafter.
2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE.
(a) The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the
Company and its stockholders by affording Key Persons, upon
whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company may rely
for the successful conduct of their businesses an
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opportunity for investment in the Company and the incentive
advantages inherent in stock ownership in the Company.
(b) This Plan authorizes the Board to grant Options to purchase
shares of Common Stock to Key Persons selected by the Board
while considering criteria such as employment position or
other relationship with the Company, duties and
responsibilities, ability, productivity, length of service
or association, morale, interest in the Company,
recommendations by supervisors and other matters.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
The Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board shall have the
authority granted to it under this section and under each other section of the
Plan.
In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board is
hereby authorized to provide for the granting, vesting, exercise and method of
exercise of any Options all on such terms (which may vary between Options and
Optionees granted from time to time) as the Board shall determine. In addition,
and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board shall select the
Optionees and shall determine: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock to be
subject to each Option, however, in no event may the maximum number of shares
reserved for any one individual exceed 15% of the issued and outstanding share
capital of the Company; (ii) the time at which each Option is to be granted;
(iii) the purchase price for the Option Shares; (iv) the Option period; and (v)
the manner in which the Option becomes exercisable or terminated. In addition,
the Board shall fix such other terms of each Option as it may deem necessary or
desirable. The Board may determine the form of Option Agreement to evidence each
Option.
The Board from time to time may adopt such rules and regulations for
carrying out the purposes of the Plan as it may deem proper and in the best
interests of the Company subject to the rules and policies of any exchange or
over-the-counter market which is applicable to the Company.
The Board may from time to time make such changes in and additions to the
Plan as it may deem proper, subject to the prior approval of any exchange or
over-the-counter market which is applicable to the Company, and in the best
interests of the Company; provided, however, that no such change or addition
shall impair any Option previously granted under the Plan. If the shares are not
listed on any exchange, then such approval is not necessary.
Each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the
Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including without
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limitation, the Company, the stockholders, directors, officers and employees of
the Company and the Related Companies, and the Optionees and their respective
successors in interest.
4. THE COMMON STOCK.
Save and except as may be determined by the Board at a duly constituted
meeting of the Board as set forth hereinbelow, the Board is presently authorized
to appropriate, grant Options, issue and sell for the purposes of the Plan, a
total number of shares of the Company's Common Stock not to exceed 4,500,000, or
the number and kind of shares of Common Stock or other securities which in
accordance with Section 10 shall be substituted for the shares or into which
such shares shall be adjusted. Save and except as may otherwise be determined by
the disinterested approval of the shareholders of the Company at any duly called
meeting of the shareholders of the Company, at any duly constituted Board
meeting the Board may determine that the total number of shares of the Company's
Common Stock which may be reserved for issuance for Options granted and to be
granted under this Plan, from time to time, may be to the maximum extent of up
to 100% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock as at the date of
any such meeting of the Board. In this regard, and subject to the prior
disinterested approval of the shareholders of the Company at any duly called
meeting of the shareholders of the Company, the total number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock which may be reserved for issuance for Options granted
and to be granted under this Plan, from time to time, may be increased to
greater than 100% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock as at the
date of notice of any such meeting of the shareholders of the Company whereat
such disinterested shareholders' approval is sought and obtained by the Company.
All or any unissued shares subject to an Option that for any reason expires or
otherwise terminates may again be made subject to Options under the Plan.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
Options will be granted only to Key Persons. Key Persons may hold more than
one Option under the Plan and may hold Options under the Plan and options
granted pursuant to other plans or otherwise.
6. OPTION PRICE AND NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES.
The Board shall, at the time an Option is granted under this Plan, fix and
determine the exercise price at which Option Shares may be acquired upon the
exercise of such Option; provided, however, that any such exercise price shall
not be less than that, from time to time, permitted under the rules and policies
of any exchange or over-the-counter market which is applicable to the Company.
The number of Option Shares that may be acquired under an Option granted to
an Optionee under this Plan shall be determined by the Board as at the time the
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Option is granted; provided, however, that the aggregate number of Option Shares
reserved for issuance to any one Optionee under this Plan, or any other plan of
the Company, shall not exceed 15% of the total number of issued and outstanding
Common Stock of the Company.
7. DURATION, VESTING AND EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.
(a) The option period shall commence on the Date of Grant and
shall be up to 10 years in length subject to the limitations
in this Section 7 and the Option Agreement.
(b) During the lifetime of the Optionee the Option shall be
exercisable only by the Optionee. Subject to the limitations
in paragraph (a) hereinabove, any Option held by an Optionee
at the time of his death may be exercised by his estate
within one year of his death or such longer period as the
Board may determine.
(c) The Board may determine whether an Option shall be
exercisable at any time during the option period as provided
in paragraph (a) of this Section 7 or whether the Option
shall be exercisable in installments or by vesting only. If
the Board determines the latter it shall determine the
number of installments or vesting provisions and the
percentage of the Option exercisable at each installment or
vesting date. In addition, all such installments or vesting
shall be cumulative. In this regard the Company will be
subject, at all times, to any rules and policies of any
exchange or over-the-counter market which is applicable to
the Company and respecting any such required installment or
vesting provisions for certain or all Optionees.
(d) In the case of an Optionee who is a director or officer of
the Company or a Related Company, if, for any reason (other
than death or removal by the Company or a Related Company),
the Optionee ceases to serve in that position for either the
Company or a Related Company, any option held by the
Optionee at the time such position ceases or terminates may,
at the sole discretion of the Board, be exercised within up
to 90 calendar days after the effective date that his
position ceases or terminates (subject to the limitations at
paragraph (a) hereinabove), but only to the extent that the
option was exercisable according to its terms on the date
the Optionee's position ceased or terminated. After such
90-day period any unexercised portion of an Option shall
expire.
(e) In the case of an Optionee who is an employee or consultant
of the Company or a Related Company, if, for any reason
(other than death or termination for cause by the Company or
a Related Company), the Optionee ceases to be employed by
either the Company or a Related Company, any option held by
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the Optionee at the time his employment ceases or terminates
may, at the sole discretion of the Board, be exercised
within up to 60 calendar days (or up to 30 calendar days
where the Optionee provided only investor relations services
to the Company or a Related Company) after the effective
date that his employment ceased or terminated (that being up
to 60 calendar days (or up to 30 calendar days) from the
date that, having previously provided to or received from
the Company a notice of such cessation or termination, as
the case may be, the cessation or termination becomes
effective; and subject to the limitations at paragraph (a)
hereinabove), but only to the extent that the option was
exercisable according to its terms on the date the
Optionee's employment ceased or terminated. After such
60-day (or 30-day) period any unexercised portion of an
Option shall expire.
(f) In the case of an Optionee who is an employee or consultant
of the Company or a Related Company, if the Optionee's
employment by the Company or a Related Company ceases due to
the Company's termination of such Optionee's employment for
cause, any unexercised portion of any Option held by the
Optionee shall immediately expire. For this purpose "cause"
shall mean conviction of a felony or continued failure,
after notice, by the Optionee to perform fully and
adequately the Optionee's duties.
(g) Neither the selection of any Key Person as an Optionee nor
the granting of an Option to any Optionee under this Plan
shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue as a
director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or
a Related Company, as the case may be, or be construed as a
guarantee that the Optionee will continue as a director,
officer, employee or consultant of the Company or a Related
Company, as the case may be.
(h) Each Option shall be exercised in whole or in part by
delivering to the office of the Treasurer of the Company
written notice of the number of shares with respect to which
the Option is to be exercised and by paying in full the
purchase price for the Option Shares purchased as set forth
in Section 8.
8. PAYMENT FOR OPTION SHARES.
In the case of all Option exercises, the purchase price shall be paid in
cash or certified funds upon exercise of the Option.
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9. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) The Board may, from time to time, and subject to the
provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions
as the Board may prescribe, grant to any Key Person who is
an employee eligible to receive Options one or more
Incentive Stock Options to purchase the number of shares of
Common Stock allotted by the Board.
(b) The Option price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon
the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall be no less
than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option.
(c) The Option term of each Incentive Stock Option shall be
determined by the Board and shall be set forth in the Option
Agreement, provided that the Option term shall commence no
sooner than from the Date of Grant and shall terminate no
later than 10 years from the Date of Grant and shall be
subject to possible early termination as set forth in
Section 7 hereinabove.
10. CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK, ADJUSTMENTS, ETC.
In the event that each of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other
than shares held by dissenting stockholders which are not changed or exchanged)
should be changed into, or exchanged for, a different number or kind of shares
of stock or other securities of the Company, or, if further changes or exchanges
of any stock or other securities into which the Common Stock shall have been
changed, or for which it shall have been exchanged, shall be made (whether by
reason of merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock
dividends, reclassification, split-up, combination of shares or otherwise), then
there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock that is subject to the
Plan, the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which each
outstanding share of Common Stock (other than shares held by dissenting
stockholders which are not changed or exchanged) shall be so changed or for
which each outstanding share of Common Stock (other than shares held by
dissenting stockholders) shall be so changed or for which each such share shall
be exchanged. Any securities so substituted shall be subject to similar
successive adjustments.
In the event of any such changes or exchanges, the Board shall determine
whether, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights, an adjustment
should be made in the number, kind, or option price of the shares or other
securities then subject to an Option or Options granted pursuant to the Plan and
the Board shall make any such adjustment, and such adjustments shall be made and
shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.
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11. RELATIONSHIP OF EMPLOYMENT.
Nothing contained in the Plan, or in any Option granted pursuant to the
Plan, shall confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to employment by the
Company, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the
Optionee's employment or services at any time.
12. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION.
No Option granted under the Plan shall be transferable by the Optionee,
either voluntarily or involuntarily, except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and any attempt to do so shall be null and void.
13. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.
No person shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any share
covered by an Option until that person shall become the holder of record of such
share and, except as provided in Section 10, no adjustments shall be made for
dividends or other distributions or other rights as to which there is an earlier
record date.
14. SECURITIES LAWS REQUIREMENTS.
No Option Shares shall be issued unless and until, in the opinion of the
Company, any applicable registration requirements of the United States
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, as amended, any applicable listing requirements of any
securities exchange on which stock of the same class is then listed, and any
other requirements of law or of any regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over
such issuance and delivery, have been fully complied with. Each Option and each
Option Share certificate may be imprinted with legends reflecting federal and
state securities laws restrictions and conditions, and the Company may comply
therewith and issue "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent and
registrar in good faith without liability.
15. DISPOSITION OF OPTION SHARES.
Each Optionee, as a condition of exercise, shall represent, warrant and
agree, in a form of written certificate approved by the Company, as follows: (i)
that all Option Shares are being acquired solely for his own account and not on
behalf of any other person or entity; (ii) that no Option Shares will be sold or
otherwise distributed in violation of the United States SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
as amended, or any other applicable federal or state securities laws; (iii) that
if he is subject to reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the United
States SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, as amended, he will (a) furnish the
Company with a copy of each Form 4 filed by him and (b) timely file all reports
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required under the federal securities laws; and (iv) that he will report all
sales of Option Shares to the Company in writing on a form prescribed by the
Company.
16. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN; TERMINATION DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall be deemed effective as of June 19, 2003. The Plan shall
terminate at midnight on June 19, 2013 except as to Options previously granted
and outstanding under the Plan at the time. No Options shall be granted after
the date on which the Plan terminates. The Plan may be abandoned or terminated
at any earlier time by the Board, except with respect to any Options then
outstanding under the Plan.
17. OTHER PROVISIONS.
The following provisions are also in effect under the Plan:
(a) the use of a masculine gender in the Plan shall also include
within its meaning the feminine, and the singular may
include the plural, and the plural may include the singular,
unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary;
(b) any expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the
Company;
(c) this Plan shall be construed to be in addition to any and
all other compensation plans or programs. The adoption of
the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as creating any
limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt
such other additional incentive or other compensation
arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable;
and
(d) the validity, construction, interpretation, administration
and effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, and
the rights of any and all personnel having or claiming to
have an interest therein or thereunder shall be governed by
and determined exclusively and solely in accordance with the
laws of the State of Colorado, U.S.A.
This Plan is dated and made effective on this 19th day of June, 2003.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
Per:
"GRANT ATKINS"
Grant Atkins
____________
A Director
EXHIBIT 1
VEGA-ATLANTIC CORPORATION
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JULY 23, 2003
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned shareholder (the Shareholder") of Vega-Atlantic
Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the "Company"), acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement and associated documents,
dated June 18, 2003, and hereby appoints Grant Atkins with the power of
substitution, as Attorney and Proxy to represent and vote all shares of Common
Stock of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the
Meeting of Shareholders, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, hereby
revoking any Proxy or Proxies heretofore given and ratifying and confirming all
that said Attorney and Proxy may do or cause to be done by virtue thereof with
respect to the following matters:
1. Proposal to approve an Amendment to the Company's Articles which would
effect a proposed Name Change of the Company to such name as the Board
of Directors deems necessary or appropriate in its sole and absolute
discretion.
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
2. Proposal to approve the Stock Option Plan for key personnel of the
Company.
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
3. Proposal to ratify the prior actions by Shareholders of the Company
taken pursuant to Written Consent approving the Reverse Stock Split.
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
4. To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. If no
direction is indicated, the Proxy will be voted FOR each of the above proposals.
Dated:________________________, 2003 ________________________
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full
title as it appears hereon. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the
joint tenancy must sign. When a Proxy is given by a corporation, it should be
signed by an authorized officer and the corporate seal affixed. No postage is
required if returned in the enclosed envelope and mailed in the United States.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY IMMEDIATELY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.