UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 40-F
oooo
⌧⌧⌧⌧
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
Commission file number: 001-32570
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
British Columbia
(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
1040
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code)
Suite 1201 – 1166 Alberni Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 3Z3
( 604) 687-4777
N/A
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
(Address and Telephone Number of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
National Registered Agents, Inc.
1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20005
(888) 505-5229
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of
agent for service in the United States)
Copies to:
Kenneth G. Sam
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
1400 Wewatta Street, Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 629-3400
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class:
Common Shares, no par value
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered:
NYSE Amex
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: N/A
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: N/A
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this form:
⌧ Annual Information Form ⌧Audited Annual Financial Statements
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: As at
December 31, 2011, 127,016,788 common shares of the Registrant were issued and outstanding.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit and post such files). Yes No
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) is a Canadian issuer eligible to file its annual report pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form 40-F pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system of the Exchange Act. The Company is a “foreign private
issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. The equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of
the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 40-F and the exhibits attached hereto contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern the Company’s anticipated results and developments in the Company’s operations in future periods, planned
exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and
other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future prices of copper, gold and molybdenum, the estimation of mineral
reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production and
capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the potential for the discovery of additional mineralized zones on properties in which
the Company has an interest, the potential for the expansion of existing deposits in which the Company has an interest, plans to prepare a Preliminary Economic
Assessment on the Ann Mason Project, the inclusion of metallurgical test results and assays from historical holes in a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ann
Mason Project, the timing for the release of a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ann Mason Project, the timing of and potential for future resource estimates
on properties in which the Company has an interest, plans for future exploration and/or development programs and budgets, the potential for the Company’s
inclusion in the Investment Agreement, the application of Resolution 175 to the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations,
requirements for additional capital, anticipated business activities, corporate strategies, proposed acquisitions and dispositions of assets, the use of proceeds from
the Company's short form prospectus offering and future financial performance. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words
such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “does not anticipate”
or “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”,
“occur” or “be achieved”. While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such
statements were prepared, the forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of the Company’s future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties,
assumptions and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such factors and assumptions include, amongst others, that the size, grade and continuity of deposits and resource and reserve estimates have been interpreted
correctly from exploration results, that the results of preliminary test work are indicative of what the results of future test work will be, that the prices of copper, gold
and molybdenum will remain relatively stable, the effects of general economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities
including the Government of Mongolia, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-
looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to
be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among
others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk in Mongolia; recent global financial conditions; actual results of current
exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of copper, gold and
molybdenum; possible variations in ore reserves, grade recovery and rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour
disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction
activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”), filed as Exhibit 1 to this
annual report on Form 40-F and incorporated herein by reference.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
NOTE TO UNITED STATES READERS-
DIFFERENCES IN UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN REPORTING PRACTICES
The Company is permitted, under the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), to
prepare this annual report in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which differ from those of the United States.
RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES
The Company’s AIF, filed as Exhibit 1 to this annual report on Form 40-F, has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in
Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. The terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve”
are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM
Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7 under the United States Securities Act of 1993, as amended (the “Securities
Act”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in
any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be
disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration
statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into
reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It
cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral
resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred
mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations;
however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards as in place tonnage
and grade without reference to unit measures.
Accordingly, information contained in this annual report and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our mineral deposits that may
not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
CURRENCY
Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this annual report on Form 40-F are in United States dollars. The exchange rate of Canadian dollars into United
States dollars, on December 31, 2011, based upon the noon rate of exchange as quoted by the Bank of Canada was U.S.$1.00 = Cdn.$1.0170.
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
The Company’s AIF for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 is filed as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
AUDITED ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, including the report of the independent auditor with
respect thereto, are filed as Exhibit 2 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
The Company’s management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) is filed as Exhibit 3 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Purchasing, holding, or disposing of the Company’s securities may have tax consequences under the laws of the United States and Canada that are not described in
this annual report on Form 40-F.
TAX MATTERS
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
At the end of the period covered by this annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of, and with
the participation of, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design
and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s
CEO and CFO have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed
by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the
SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing
similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Exchange Act. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements. It should be noted that a control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can only provide reasonable assurance, not absolute assurance, that
the objectives of the control system are met. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Management, including the CEO and CFO, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making
this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on its assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting was effective and no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting were discovered.
The Company is required to provide an auditor’s attestation report on its internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. In this
annual report, the Company’s independent registered auditor, Davidson & Company LLP, must state its opinion as to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Davidson & Company has audited the Company’s financial statements included in this
annual report on Form 40-F and has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Auditor’s Attestation Report
Davidson & Company’s attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is included in the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Company for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, which are filed as Exhibit 2 and are incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during its fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or
are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is responsible for the Company’s Corporate Governance policies and has a separately designated standing
Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee, and Technical Committee. The Board has determined that all the
members of the Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, and Audit Committee are independent, based on the criteria for independence and unrelatedness prescribed by section 803A of the NYSE Amex Company
Guide.
Compensation Committee
The primary objective of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits of the executive officers and
directors of the Company to ensure that such compensation realistically reflects the responsibilities and risks of such positions. In addition, the Compensation
Committee makes recommendations for grants made under the Company’s Stock Option Plan, determines the recipients of, and the nature and size of share
compensation awards granted from time to time, and determines any bonuses to be awarded from time to time. The Company’s Compensation Committee is comprised
of Michael Howard (chairman), Mark Bailey and Alan Edwards. The Company’s CEO cannot be present during the Committee’s deliberations or vote.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board to: (1) assist the Board, on an annual basis, by identifying individuals qualified to
become Board members, and to recommend to the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders; (2) to assist the Board in the event of any
vacancy on the Board by identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, and to recommend to the Board qualified individuals to fill any such vacancy;
and (3) to recommend to the Board, on an annual basis, director nominees for each Board committee. The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee are James L. Harris (chairman), Michael Howard and Alan Edwards.
Technical Committee
The Technical Committee consists of Alan Edwards (Chairman), Mark Bailey, Lindsay Bottomer and Gregory Crowe. Mr. Edwards is a mining engineer, and Mssrs.
Bailey, Bottomer and Crowe are professional geologists. Neither Mr. Crowe, the President and Chief Executive of the Company, nor Mr. Bottomer, the Vice-President,
Business Development of the Company, is an independent director. The mandate of the Technical Committee is to exercise all the powers of the Board (except those
powers specifically reserved by law to the Board itself) during intervals between meetings of the Board pertaining to the Company’s mining properties, programs,
budgets, and other related activities and the administration thereof.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Company has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s Audit
Committee is comprised of Peter Meredith (chairman), Mark Bailey and Michael Howard.
Peter Meredith:
Mr. Meredith has been a director of the Company since November 24, 2004. Mr. Meredith is a seasoned executive with a strong background in
corporate management and in key facets of the mining industry, including exploration, mine construction, financing and operations. Mr.
Meredith is deputy chairman of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., overseeing the company's business development and corporate relations. Mr. Meredith
joined the Ivanhoe Group in 1996 and was chief financial officer of Ivanhoe Mines prior to his appointment as deputy chairman. He is
Chairman of SouthGobi Resources Ltd. Mr. Meredith is also currently a director of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, Ivanhoe Energy Inc.,
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., and Ivanhoe Australia Ltd. Prior to joining Ivanhoe Mines, Mr. Meredith, a Chartered Accountant, was a partner and
director of Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Meredith has over 35 years of experience as a business advisor, specializing in regulatory compliance and
corporate finance. He is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Mark Bailey: Mr. Bailey has been a director of the Company since June 28, 2002. Mr. Bailey is an exploration geologist with more than 35 years of industry
experience. Since 1995, he has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Minefinders Corporation Ltd. (“Minefinders”), a precious metals
mining company whose shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE Amex. Minefinders operates the multi-million ounce
Dolores gold and silver mine in Mexico. On March 26, 2012, Minefinders announced that its shareholders had approved a plan of arrangement
pursuant to which Pan American Silver Corp. will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Minefinders. The transaction is expected to close
on or about March 30, 2012. Before joining Minefinders, Mr. Bailey held senior positions with Equinox Resources Inc. and Exxon Minerals. Since 1984,
Mr. Bailey has worked as a consulting geologist with Mark H. Bailey & Associates LLC. Mr. Bailey is also currently a director of Minefinders,
Dynasty Metals & Mining Inc. and Northern Lion Gold Corp.
Michael
Howard:
The Rt. Honourable Lord Howard of Lympne has been a director of the Company since May 16, 2007 and was appointed non-executive Deputy
Chairman on the same day. He is the former leader of the Conservative Party in Britain, a distinguished lawyer, and served as a Member of Parliament
in Britain for 27 years. He filled many government posts, including Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Employment and Secretary of State for the
Environment, as well as Shadow Foreign Secretary and then Shadow Chancellor. After his retirement from the House of Commons at the 2010 General
Election, Lord Howard was created a Life Peer. He was created a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 2011. Lord Howard is
currently a director of Orca Exploration Group.
In the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, all members of the Audit Committee are independent (as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and
section 803A of the NYSE Amex Company Guide) and are financially literate. Additionally, the Audit Committee meets the composition requirements set forth by
section 803(B)(2) of the NYSE Amex Company Guide.
The members of the Audit Committee are appointed or reappointed on an annual basis by the Board.
The Audit Committee meets with the President, the CEO, the CFO and the Company’s independent auditors to review and inquire into matters affecting financial
reporting, the system of internal accounting and financial controls, as well as audit procedures and audit plans. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board
which independent registered public auditing firm should be appointed by the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the Board for
approval the annual financial statements and the MD&A, and undertakes other activities required by exchanges on which the Company’s securities are listed and by
regulatory authorities to which the Company is held responsible.
The full text of the Company’s Audit Committee Charter is attached to the Company’s AIF, filed as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on
Form 40-F.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Peter Meredith qualifies as a financial expert (as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K under the
Exchange Act), is financially sophisticated, as determined in accordance with Section 803B(2)(iii) of the NYSE Amex Company Guide, and is independent (as
determined under Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 and section 803A of the NYSE Amex Company Guide).
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES – INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to the Company by Davidson & Company LLP and its affiliates, Chartered Accountants, the Company’s
independent registered public auditing firm, in each of the last two years.
Audit Fees(1)
Audit Related Fees(2)
Tax Fees(3)
All other fees(4)
Total:
2011
2010
$
$
$
$
$
93,412
26,112
38,028
26,949
184,501
$
$
$
$
$
139,718
30,810
13,436
78,578
262,542
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, meetings with the Audit Committee and management with respect to annual filings, consulting
and accounting standards and transactions, issuance of consent in connection with Canadian and US securities filings.
Audit-related fees paid for assurance and related services by the auditors that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the
Company’s quarterly financial statements that are not included in Audit Fees.
Tax compliance, taxation advice and tax planning for international operations.
Audit fees associated with the June 30, 2010 acquisition of PacMag Metals Limited and the review of the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus
supplement.
PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PROVIDED BY
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be provided to the Company by its independent auditors. Non-audit services that are
prohibited to be provided to the Company by its independent auditors may not be pre-approved. In addition, prior to the granting of any pre-approval, the Audit
Committee must be satisfied that the performance of the services in question will not compromise the independence of the independent auditors. All non-audit
services performed by the Company’s auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee of the Company. No non-audit
services were approved pursuant to the de minimis exemption to the pre-approval requirement.
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or relationships with unconsolidated special purpose entities.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller, which was previously
filed with the SEC as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.
A copy of the Code is available to any person, without charge, by written request to the Company at its principal executive office, located at Suite 1201 – 1166 Alberni
Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 3Z3.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Company did not substantively amend, waive or implicitly waive any provision of the Code with respect to any of
the directors, executive officers or employees subject to it.
The following table lists as of December 31, 2011 information with respect to the Company’s known contractual obligations.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Office Leases
Total
Less than
1 Year
$
$
286,412
286,412
1-3 Years
$
$
389,173
389,173
3-5 Years
$
$
413,544
413,544
More than
5 Years
$
$
Total
$
$
86,723
86,723
1,175,852
1,175,852
NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR
There were no notices required by Rule 104 of Regulation BTR that the Registrant sent during the year ended December 31, 2011 concerning any equity security
subject to a blackout period under Rule 101 of Regulation BTR.
NYSE AMEX CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE Amex. Section 110 of the NYSE Amex Company Guide permits the NYSE Amex to consider the laws,
customs and practices of foreign issuers in relaxing certain NYSE Amex listing criteria, and to grant exemptions from NYSE Amex listing criteria based on these
considerations. A company seeking relief under these provisions is required to provide written certification from independent local counsel that the non-
complying practice is not prohibited by home country law. A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those
followed by domestic companies pursuant to NYSE Amex standards is as follows:
Shareholder Meeting Quorum Requirement: The NYSE Amex minimum quorum requirement for a shareholder meeting is one-third of the outstanding
shares of common stock. In addition, a company listed on the NYSE Amex is required to state its quorum requirement in its bylaws. The Company’s quorum
requirement is set forth in its Articles. A quorum for a meeting of members of the Company is two persons who are, or who represent by proxy, shareholders
who, in the aggregate, hold at least 5% of the shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.
Proxy Delivery Requirement: The NYSE Amex requires the solicitation of proxies and delivery of proxy statements for all shareholder meetings, and requires
that these proxies shall be solicited pursuant to a proxy statement that conforms to SEC proxy rules. The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in
Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, and the equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from the proxy rules set forth in Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14
(c) and 14(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company solicits proxies in accordance with applicable rules and regulations in Canada.
Shareholder Approval of Certain Transactions: The NYSE Amex Company Guide requires shareholder approval in connection with the establishment of an
equity compensation arrangement pursuant to which options or stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees, or consultants of a company. The
Company will follow the shareholder approval requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange in connection with the establishment of equity compensation
arrangements pursuant to which its officers, directors, employees, or consultants may acquire options or common shares.
The foregoing are consistent with the laws, customs and practices in Canada.
In addition, the Company may from time-to-time seek relief from NYSE Amex corporate governance requirements on specific transactions under Section 110 of the
NYSE Amex Company Guide by providing written certification from independent local counsel that the non-complying practice is not prohibited by our home country
law, in which case, the Company shall make the disclosure of such transactions available on the Company’s website at www.entreegold.com and/or in its annual
report. Information contained on its website is not part of this annual report.
On May 31, 2011, the NYSE Amex approved for listing 120,000 common shares of the Company, 20,000 of which were issued to (and 100,000 of which are issuable to)
an individual pursuant to a Confidentiality and Finder’s Fee Agreement dated October 2, 2009. Shareholder approval of the issuance of the shares would ordinarily
have been required pursuant to Section 711 of the NYSE Amex Company Guide. Pursuant to Section 110 of the NYSE Company Guide, the Company did not seek
shareholder approval, but provided written certification from independent local counsel that the non-complying practice is not prohibited by home country law.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are
operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC
information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities. During the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, our U.S. exploration properties were not subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”)
under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the "Mine Act").
UNDERTAKING
The Company undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish
promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which
the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
The Company filed an Appointment of Agent for Service of Process and Undertaking on Form F-X with the SEC on Form 10-SB on October 12, 2004, with respect to
the class of securities in relation to which the obligation to file this annual report on Form 40-F arises.
CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
The following exhibits have been filed as part of the annual report on Form 40-F:
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
Annual Information
1.
2.
Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2011
The following audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, are exhibits to and form a part of this annual report:
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Report on Consolidated Financial Statements and Attestation on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and since inception (July
19, 1995 to December 31, 2011);
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity since the Date of Inception, including Balances as of July 19, 1995, April 30, 1996, April
30, 1997, April 30, 1998, April 30, 2000, April 30, 2001, April 30, 2002, April 30, 2003, December 31, 2003, December 31, 2004, December 31,
2005, December 31, 2006, December 2007, December 31, 2008, December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011;
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and since inception (July 19, 1995 to December 31,
2011);
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Management Discussion and Analysis
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Consent of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Accountants
Consent of AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
Consent of Robert Cann, Entrée Gold Inc.
Consent of Robert Cinits, Entrée Gold Inc.
Consent of Quantitative Geoscience Pty Ltd
Consent of AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
Consent of James Foster, Entrée Gold Inc.
Consent of Scott Jackson, Quantitative Geoscience Pty Ltd
Consent of Lyn Jones, AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
Consent of Scott Jackson, Quantitative Geoscience Pty Ltd
3.
Certifications
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5.
6.
7.
Consents
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9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
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17.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused
this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Date: March 29, 2012
Gregory G. Crowe
Gregory G. Crowe
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 1
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
Annual Information Form
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011
DATED March 29, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DATE OF INFORMATION
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
DEFINED TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CANADIAN DISCLOSURE STANDARDS FOR MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINERAL RESERVES
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name, Address and Incorporation
Intercorporate Relationships
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Three Year History
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Mineral Exploration Business
Business of Entrée
Ivanhoe Mines, Rio Tinto and OTLLC
Heads of Agreement
Base Shelf Prospectus and Marketed Offering
Environmental Compliance
Competition
Employees
MATERIAL MINERAL PROPERTIES
MONGOLIA
Lookout Hill Property
History
Property Location and Accessibility
Climate, Local Resources, Physiography
Regional Geology
Recent Exploration – Entree-OTLLC Joint Venture Property
Joint Venture Property – Mineral Resources
Joint Venture Property - Mineral Reserves
OTLLC Integrated Development Operation Plan
IDOP Reserve Case
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Future Work
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Potential for Further Development
Shivee West
Shivee West – Exploration
UNITED STATES
Ann Mason Project
Location, Accessibility, Climate and Local Resources
History
Geological Setting and Mineralization
Exploration
Metallurgical Testwork
Mineral Resource Estimate
Current Exploration Program
NON-MATERIAL PROPERTIES
RISK FACTORS
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DIVIDENDS
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
ESCROWED SECURITIES
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
PROMOTERS
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
INTEREST IN MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
INTEREST OF EXPERTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APPENDIX
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2
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
DATE OF INFORMATION
Unless otherwise specified in this Annual Information Form (the “AIF”), the information herein is presented as at December 31, 2011, the last date of the Company’s
most recently completed financial year.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This AIF contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward looking information” (together the “forward looking statements”) within the meaning of securities
legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this AIF and Entrée
does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future prices of copper, gold and molybdenum, the estimation of mineral
reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production and
capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the potential for the discovery of additional mineralized zones on properties in which
Entrée has an interest, the potential for the expansion of existing deposits in which Entrée has an interest, plans to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the
Ann Mason Project, the inclusion of metallurgical test results and assays from historical holes in a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ann Mason Project, the
timing for the release of a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ann Mason Project, the timing of and potential for future resource estimates on properties in
which Entrée has an interest, plans for future exploration and/or development programs and budgets, the potential for Entrée’s inclusion in the Investment
Agreement, the application of Resolution 175 to the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional
capital, anticipated business activities, corporate strategies, proposed acquisitions and dispositions of assets, the use of proceeds from the Company’s short form
prospectus offering and future financial performance. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”
or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “does not anticipate” or “believes” or variations of
such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. While
Entrée has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not
a guarantee of Entrée’s future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially
from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and assumptions include, amongst others, that the size, grade and
continuity of deposits and resource and reserve estimates have been interpreted correctly from exploration results, that the results of preliminary test work are
indicative of what the results of future test work will be, that the prices of copper, gold and molybdenum will remain relatively stable, the effects of general economic
conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities including the Government of Mongolia, uncertainties associated with legal
proceedings and negotiations and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors
which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Entrée to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk in
Mongolia; recent global financial conditions; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as
plans continue to be refined; future prices of copper, gold and molybdenum; possible variations in ore reserves, grade recovery and rates; failure of plant, equipment
or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals or financing or in
the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this AIF. Although Entrée has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there
may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements
will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
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The Company’s financial statements are stated in United States dollars and are prepared in conformity with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
In this AIF, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise specified. Because Entrée’s principal executive office is located in Canada,
many of its obligations are and will continue to be incurred in Canadian dollars (including, by way of example, salaries, rent and similar expenses). Where the
disclosure is not derived from the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company has not converted Canadian dollars to United
States dollars for purposes of making the disclosure in this AIF.
DEFINED TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
As used in this AIF, the term the “Company” refers only to Entrée Gold Inc. The terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “Entrée” mean Entrée Gold Inc. and/or one or more of
its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
CANADIAN DISCLOSURE STANDARDS FOR MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINERAL RESERVES
Canadian disclosure standards for the terms “mineral reserve,” “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in
accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), which adopts the definitions of the terms ascribed by the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) in the CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, as may be amended from time
to time by the CIM.
The definitions of proven and probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three year historical average price is used
in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be
disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration
statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into
reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” may only be separately disclosed, have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and have great uncertainty as to
their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under
Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases.
Accordingly, descriptions in this AIF of our mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the
reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name, Address and Incorporation
Entrée is an exploration stage company that also has an interest in a development stage project. Entrée is engaged in the exploration of mineral resource properties
located in Mongolia, the United States, Peru and Australia. Entrée Gold Inc.’s executive office is located at:
Suite 1201 - 1166 Alberni Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 3Z3
Phone: (604) 687-4777
Fax: (604) 687-4770
Website: www.entreegold.com.
Information contained on the Company’s website does not form part of this AIF. The Company’s registered and records office is located at 2900-550 Burrard Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 0A3 and its agent for service of process in the United States of America is National Registered Agents, Inc., 1090 Vermont
Avenue NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005.
Entrée maintains an administrative office in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, to support Mongolian operations. The address of the Mongolian office is:
Suite 3A, Temple View Residence
Building #12, Jamyan Gun Street
Sukhbaatar District 1st County
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Phone: 976.11.318562 / 330953
Fax: 976.11.319426
Entrée maintains an administrative office in Golden, Colorado to support United States operations at the following address:
Suite 210, 1111 Washington Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303.954.8752
Fax: 303.953.9401
The Company was incorporated in British Columbia, Canada, on July 19, 1995, under the name “Timpete Mining Corporation”. On February 5, 2001, the Company
changed its name to “Entrée Resources Inc.”. On October 9, 2002 the Company changed its name from “Entrée Resources Inc.” to “Entrée Gold Inc.” and, on January
22, 2003, changed its jurisdiction of domicile from British Columbia to the Yukon Territory by continuing into the Yukon Territory. On May 27, 2005, the Company
changed the governing jurisdiction from the Yukon Territory to British Columbia by continuing into British Columbia under the Business Corporation Act (British
Columbia).
At inception the Company’s Memorandum and Articles authorized it to issue up to 20 million common shares
5
without par value. On September 30, 1997, the Company subdivided its authorized capital on a two new shares for one old share basis, resulting in authorized capital
of 40 million common shares without par value. On February 5, 2001, the Company subdivided its common shares on a four new shares for one old share basis, thus
increasing its authorized capital to 160 million common shares without par value and simultaneously reduced its authorized capital to 100 million common shares
without par value. On October 9, 2002 the Company consolidated its authorized capital, both issued and unissued, on the basis of one new share for each two old
shares, resulting in authorized capital of 50 million common shares without par value and simultaneously increased the authorized capital from 50 million common
shares without par value to 100 million common shares without par value. On May 20, 2004, the Company received approval from its shareholders to increase its
authorized share capital from 100 million common shares without par value to an unlimited number of common shares, all without par value (the “Common
Shares”). This increase became effective June 16, 2004, the date the Company filed the amendment to its Articles.
The Company’s Common Shares traded on the TSX Venture Exchange until April 24, 2006. On April 24, 2006, the Company’s Common Shares began trading on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “ETG”. The Company’s Common Shares also trade on the NYSE Amex under the symbol “EGI” and on the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “EKA”.
6
Intercorporate Relationships
We conduct our business and own our property interests through the 19 subsidiaries set out in our organizational chart below. All of our subsidiaries are 100%
owned.
7
*The remaining 0.01% is held by Entrée Resources International Ltd.
**Entrée LLC holds the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences in Mongolia. A portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence area and all of the Javhlant mining
licence area are subject to a joint venture with Oyu Tolgoi LLC (“OTLLC”). OTLLC is owned as to 66% by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (“Ivanhoe Mines”), and as to 34% by
the Government of Mongolia (through Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC). See “Summary Description of the Business” below.
***M.I.M. (U.S.A.) Inc. and Entrée Gold (US) Inc. hold the Ann Mason Project in Nevada, United States. For details regarding Entrée’s interest in the Ann Mason
Project, see “Material Mineral Properties – United States – Ann Mason Project” below.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Entrée is an exploration stage resource company engaged in exploring mineral resource properties. We have development and exploration properties in Mongolia, the
United States, Australia and Peru. Our two principal assets are our interest in the Lookout Hill property in Mongolia, which hosts a copper-gold porphyry system
with a NI 43-101 compliant probable reserve as well as indicated and inferred resources, and our Ann Mason copper-molybdenum project in Nevada (the “Ann
Mason Project”), which hosts NI 43-101 compliant indicated and inferred resources.
If, from time to time, Entrée becomes aware of properties that are complementary to its existing projects, particularly large tonnage base and precious metal targets (or
smaller, higher grade bodies that may be indicative of concealed larger tonnage mineralized systems) in eastern Asia and the Americas, it may negotiate and enter into
agreements to acquire them. The commodities that Entrée is most likely to pursue include copper, gold and molybdenum, which are often associated with large
tonnage, porphyry related environments. Smaller, higher grade systems will be considered by Entrée if they demonstrate potential for near-term production and cash-
flow.
Three Year History
Over the last three completed financial years, Entrée has continued its exploration work at its Shivee West project, Mongolia, and has assembled a large land package
in the Yerington copper camp, Nevada (the Ann Mason Project). In order to focus its resources on these two principal assets, Entrée has divested its interest in
several non-material properties in China, Canada, Mongolia, Australia and the United States.
The following is a timeline summarizing the general development of Entrée’s business over the last three completed financial years:
January 2009
July 2009
September, 2009
Discovery of porphyry style mineralization at Lordsburg, New Mexico pursuant to the first exploration alliance agreement with Empirical
Discovery, LLC (“Empirical”).
Entrée enters into an agreement with Honey Badger Exploration Inc. (“Honey Badger”) to acquire up to 80% of Honey Badger’s interest
in the Blackjack property, Yerington, Nevada.
Certain rights and obligations of Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“Rio Tinto”) under its equity participation agreement with the
Company expire; however, Rio Tinto retains a pre-emptive right to maintain its ownership percentage in the Company.
Entrée enters into an agreement with Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurasian Minerals Ltd.)
(“Eurasian”) to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Roulette property, Yerington, Nevada.
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October 2009
November 2009
January 2010
March 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011
March 2011
The Investment Agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) is signed in Mongolia (by the Government of Mongolia, Ivanhoe Mines,
OTLLC and Rio Tinto International Holdings Ltd.), subject to 10 conditions precedent to be satisfied before it is finalized.
Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant (Lookout Hill) mining licences are granted to Entrée LLC.
The Company enters into a Scheme Implementation Agreement with PacMag Metals Limited (“PacMag”), to acquire all outstanding
shares and cancel all outstanding options of PacMag through Australian Schemes of Arrangement. PacMag’s principal asset is the
Ann Mason copper-molybdenum deposit, Yerington, Nevada.
The Company announces a NI 43-101 compliant inferred resource estimate on the Ann Mason deposit, Yerington, Nevada of 810.4
million metric tonnes grading 0.40% copper, using a 0.30% copper cut-off containing approximately 7.1 billion pounds of copper.
The Company announces an updated Heruga deposit resource estimate, Lookout Hill property, Mongolia.
The conditions precedent included in the Investment Agreement are satisfied and the Investment Agreement takes legal effect.
The Company announces the first NI 43-101 compliant ore reserves defined on the Hugo North Extension deposit, Lookout Hill
property, Mongolia and the release of the 2010 Integrated Development Plan Technical Report by Ivanhoe Mines.
The Company announces that it has commenced drilling programs on the Blackjack and Roulette copper properties, Yerington, Nevada.
The Company announces the filing of a comprehensive NI 43-101 compliant technical report for Lookout Hill ("LHTR10"), which
includes information from Ivanhoe Mines’ 2010 Integrated Development Plan.
The Company completes its acquisition of PacMag.
The Togoot mining licence, which hosts the Nomkhon Bohr coal discovery, is granted to Entrée.
Entrée acquires 51% of Honey Badger’s interest in the Blackjack property, Yerington, Nevada.
The Company announces an agreement to acquire a majority interest in the Lukkacha project in Peru.
The Company announces an agreement to option the iron ore rights of the Blue Rose joint venture, Australia, to Bonython Metals
Group Pty Ltd.
The Company announces the discovery of a new porphyry system on the Roulette property, Yerington, Nevada.
The Company announces that results of reverse circulation ("RC") drilling on the Blue Hill target, Yerington, Nevada, confirm a zone of
shallow copper oxide mineralization and additional deeper sulphide mineralization.
The Company announces the filing of a short form base shelf prospectus in Canada and shelf registration statement in the United
States.
The Company announces new copper zones and expanded potential on its Blackjack and Roulette copper properties in Nevada.
The Company provides notice to Taiga Consultants Ltd. that it wishes to terminate its option to acquire the Crystal property, an early-
stage copper-molybdenum project in central British Columbia.
After reviewing the data from its drilling programs, Entrée notifies Zhejiang No. 11 Geological Brigade of its intention to terminate the
agreement on three exploration licences in Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China.
Entrée advises Giralia Resources NL that it does not wish to proceed with the Corktree earn-in, Australia.
Entrée enters into a mining lease and option to purchase agreement on the Eagle Flats property, Nevada. The property is comprised of
58 unpatented lode claims, located 65 kilometres east of Yerington, in Mineral County, Nevada.
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April 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
November 2011
December 2011
The Company notifies Empirical that it does not wish to proceed with the second exploration alliance agreement, after holes drilled at
Bisbee, Arizona fail to intercept significant mineralization.
Entrée sells the Rainbow Canyon early stage epithermal gold property, Nevada to Acrex Ventures Ltd., retaining a 3% net smelter
returns royalty.
Entrée advises Minquest Inc. that it is terminating the lease on certain claims comprising the Meadow Valley property, Arizona. Entrée
relinquishes the balance of the claims in September 2011.
Entrée acquires the balance of Honey Badger’s interest in the Blackjack property, Yerington, Nevada.
Entrée, as operator of the Blue Rose joint venture, Australia, completes a soil sampling program over the Golden Sophia shallow gold
target. In September 2011, the joint venture files notice to initiate negotiations with native title parties, as required under the Mining
Act of South Australia before any drilling can be initiated.
Entrée enters into an agreement to sell the Togoot mining licence for approximately $1.6 million, to enable it to better focus its resources
on its two principal assets.
The Company closes a marketed offering of 10,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $1.25 per Common Share. Rio Tinto exercises its
pre-emptive rights in full and purchases an additional 1,482,216 Common Shares at the offering price. Total gross proceeds from the
offering are $14,352,770 and are expected to be used to fund ongoing exploration on the Ann Mason Project, Yerington, Nevada and
Shivee West project, Mongolia, and for general corporate purposes.
The Company announces that the over-allotment option has been exercised and the underwriters will purchase an additional 1,150,000
Common Shares at a price of $1.25 per Common Share. The over-allotment closes on January 4, 2012. Rio Tinto exercises its pre-
emptive rights in full and purchases an additional 170,455 Common Shares at the offering price.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Mineral Exploration Business
Entrée is in the mineral resource business. This business generally consists of three stages: exploration, development and production. Mineral resource companies
that are in the exploration stage have not yet found mineral resources in commercially exploitable quantities, and are engaged in exploring land in an effort to discover
them. Mineral resource companies that have located a mineral resource in commercially exploitable quantities and are preparing to extract that resource are in the
development stage, while those engaged in the extraction of a known mineral resource or reserve are in the production stage. The Company is in the exploration
stage, but has an interest in a development stage property.
Mineral resource exploration can consist of several stages. The earliest stage usually consists of the identification of a potential prospect through either the
discovery of a mineralized showing on that property or as the result of a property being in proximity to another property on which exploitable resources have been
identified, whether or not they are or have in the past been extracted.
After the identification of a property as a potential prospect, the next stage would usually be the acquisition of a right to explore the area for mineral resources. This
can consist of the outright acquisition of the land and mineral rights or the acquisition of specific, but limited mineral rights to the land (e.g., a licence, lease or
concession). After acquisition, exploration typically begins with a surface examination by a professional geologist with the aim of identifying areas of potential
mineralization, followed by detailed sampling and mapping of rock exposures along with possible geophysical and geochemical grid surveys over un-exposed
portions of the property (i.e., underground), and possibly trenching in these covered areas to allow sampling of the underlying rock. Exploration also commonly
includes systematic regularly-spaced drilling in order to determine the extent and grade of the mineralized system at depth and over a given area, and in sufficiently-
advanced properties, gaining underground access by ramping or shafting in order to obtain bulk samples that would allow one to determine the ability to recover
various commodities from the rock.
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A mineral resource may be identified and estimated through exploration and sampling, and supported by a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. A
mineral resource company may then choose to have a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") prepared, based on the mineral resource estimate. A PEA is a study
that includes an economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral resources taken at an early stage of the project.
Once exploration is sufficiently advanced, and if the resource estimate is of sufficient quality (i.e. with mineralization classified in the indicated and/or measured
categories), the next step would be to undertake a prefeasibility study. A prefeasibility study is a more comprehensive study of a range of options for the technical
and economic viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where a preferred mining method or pit configuration is established and an effective method
of mineral processing is determined. The prefeasibility study may demonstrate that part of the measured or indicated mineral resource is economically minable, and
can be classified as a mineral reserve.
The study with the highest level of confidence is the feasibility study, which is a comprehensive technical and economic study of the selected development option
which demonstrates that mining of the minerals would be economic. The results of the study may reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a financial
institution to finance the development of the project.
Business of Entrée
Entrée’s two principal assets are its interests in the Lookout Hill property in Mongolia, which hosts a copper-gold porphyry system and the Ann Mason copper-
molybdenum project in Nevada.
The Lookout Hill property in Mongolia is comprised of two mining licences: Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant. The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences completely
surround OTLLC’s Oyu Tolgoi mining licence, and host the Hugo North Extension of the Hugo Dummett North copper-gold deposit and the Heruga copper-gold-
molybdenum deposit. These deposits are located within a land area subject to a joint venture between Entrée and OTLLC (the “Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture”).
A map that illustrates the areas of Lookout Hill more clearly and further details regarding the Lookout Hill property in Mongolia are provided under “Material Mineral
Properties” below.
The Ann Mason Project in Nevada includes the 100% owned Ann Mason deposit and Blue Hill oxide target, as well as the Blackjack, Minnesota and Roulette
targets. A map which shows the Ann Mason Project location and more information about the Ann Mason Project are provided in the “Material Mineral Properties”
section below.
Aside from its two principal assets, Entrée has interests in exploration properties in the United States, Australia and Peru. Please see the “Non-Material Properties”
section for more information.
Entrée’s exploration activities are under the supervision of Robert Cann, M.Sc., P.Geo., Entrée's Vice President, Exploration. Mr. Cann is a qualified person (“QP”) as
defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Cann has approved the scientific and technical information in this AIF.
All mineral rock samples from our Mongolian properties are prepared and analyzed by SGS Mongolia LLC or Actlabs Asia LLC in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Samples
from Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada are analyzed at ALS Chemex in Sparks, Nevada, at Skyline Assayer and Laboratories, Tucson, Arizona and at Acme
Analytical Laboratories, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Ivanhoe Mines, Rio Tinto and OTLLC
In October 2004, the Company entered into an arm’s-length Equity Participation and Earn-In Agreement (the “Earn-In Agreement”) with Ivanhoe Mines. Under the
Earn-In Agreement, Ivanhoe Mines agreed to purchase equity securities of the Company, and was granted the right to earn an interest in a 39,807 hectare portion of
the Lookout Hill property comprising the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi, and all of the Javhlant mining licence (the “Joint Venture Property”). Most of Ivanhoe
Mines’ rights and obligations under the Earn-In Agreement were subsequently assigned by Ivanhoe Mines to what was then its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ivanhoe
Mines Mongolia Inc. (now known as OTLLC). The Government of Mongolia (through Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC) subsequently acquired from Ivanhoe Mines a 34%
interest in OTLLC, which is also the title holder of the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence located adjacent to, and surrounded by, the Lookout Hill property.
The Joint Venture Property forms part of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex, which is comprised of a series of deposits containing copper, gold, silver and
molybdenum. The deposits stretch over 12 kilometres (“km”), from the Hugo North Extension deposit on the Joint Venture Property in the north, through the
adjacent Hugo Dummett South deposit and Southern Oyu deposits on OTLLC’s Oyu Tolgoi licence, to the Heruga deposit on the Joint Venture Property in the
south (Figure 1). As part of its earn-in obligations under the Earn-In Agreement, OTLLC undertook an exploration program which established the presence of two
significant deposits on the Joint Venture Property: the Hugo North Extension deposit and the Heruga deposit. The Hugo North Extension deposit is an extension of
the Hugo Dummett North deposit into the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence. The Heruga deposit is to the south within the Javhlant mining licence, but mineralization
extends north across the licence boundary towards the Heruga North and the Southwest deposits on the Oyu Tolgoi licence.
Figure 1 - Idealized Profile of Southern Oyu, Hugo Dummett and Heruga Deposits (Section Looking West)
Additional information regarding the Joint Venture Property is discussed under “Material Mineral Properties” below.
12
On June 30, 2008, OTLLC gave notice to Entrée that it had completed its earn-in obligations by expending a total of $35 million on exploration on the Joint Venture
Property. As a consequence, OTLLC earned an 80% interest in all minerals extracted below a sub-surface depth of 560 metres (“m”) from the Joint Venture Property
and a 70% interest in all minerals extracted from surface to a depth of 560 m from the Joint Venture Property. In accordance with the Earn-In Agreement, Entrée and
OTLLC formed the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture on terms annexed to the Earn-In Agreement.
Under the terms of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture, Entrée may be carried through to production, at its election, by debt financing from OTLLC with interest accruing
at OTLLC’s actual cost of capital or prime plus 2%, whichever is less, at the date of the advance. Debt repayment may be made in whole or in part from (and only
from) 90% of monthly available cash flow arising from the sale of Entrée’s share of products. Such amounts will be applied first to payment of accrued interest and
then to repayment of principal. Available cash flow means all net proceeds of sale of Entrée’s share of products in a month less Entrée’s share of costs of operations
for the month. The debt financing and repayment provisions prevent dilution of Entrée’s interest as the project progresses. Since formation, and as of December 31,
2011, the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture has expended $20.5 million to advance the Joint Venture Property. As of December 31, 2011, OTLLC has contributed on
Entrée’s behalf the required cash participation amount of $4.3 million, equal to 20% of the $20.5 million incurred to date, plus interest at prime plus 2%.
In accordance with the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement appended to the Earn-in Agreement, Entrée and OTLLC have established and appointed representatives
to a management committee, to determine overall policies, objectives, procedures, methods and actions of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. The management
committee is required to meet at least quarterly. OTLLC, as manager, prepares proposed programs and budgets and submits them to the management committee for
review and consideration. Either joint venture participant may propose modifications or reject any or all of the components of the proposed program and budget, in
which case the manager will work with the participants to complete a program and budget acceptable to both participants. Entrée and OTLLC have votes on the
management committee in proportion to their respective interests in the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. Decisions are made by a simple majority vote.
At December 31, 2011, Ivanhoe Mines owned approximately 10.9% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares acquired pursuant to the Earn-In
Agreement. Certain of Ivanhoe Mines' rights and obligations under the Earn-In Agreement, including a right to nominate one member of the Company’s Board of
Directors (the “Board”), a pre-emptive right to enable it to preserve its ownership percentage in the Company, and an obligation to vote its shares as the Company’s
Board directs on certain matters, expired with the formation of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. OTLLC’s right of first refusal on the western portion of the Shivee
Tolgoi licence (“Shivee West”) is maintained.
Investment by Rio Tinto in Entrée
In June 2005, following the announcement in May 2005 of the discovery of high grade mineralization at Hugo North Extension, Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc.
(formerly Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc.) (“Rio Tinto”) took part in a private placement in the Company and became its largest shareholder. Certain of Rio Tinto’s
rights and obligations under the equity participation agreement expired in July 2009. Rio Tinto’s pre-emptive right to maintain its ownership percentage in the
Company (unless Rio Tinto’s proportionate share falls below 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares or unless Rio Tinto fails to exercise its pre-emptive
right in full) is still in effect.
At December 31, 2011, Rio Tinto owned approximately 12.9% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares.
Investment by Rio Tinto Holdings in Ivanhoe Mines
Following Rio Tinto’s investment in the Company in June 2005, Rio Tinto plc, through its subsidiary Rio Tinto International Holdings Ltd. (“Rio Tinto Holdings”),
acquired through a series of transactions approximately 49% of Ivanhoe Mines’ issued and outstanding shares as at December 31, 2011. Rio Tinto Holdings’
ownership interest in Ivanhoe Mines was capped at 49% until January 18, 2012, pursuant to a Heads of Agreement dated December 8, 2010 (the “Heads of
Agreement”). On January 24, 2012, Rio Tinto plc announced that Rio Tinto Holdings had purchased an additional 15.1 million shares of Ivanhoe Mines increasing its
ownership interest to 51%.
13
Heads of Agreement
Among other things, the Heads of Agreement between Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto Holdings provides for the management structure of OTLLC and the project
management structure of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Under the Heads of Agreement, Rio Tinto Holdings is entitled to appoint three of the nine directors of
OTLLC (with Ivanhoe Mines appointing three and the Government of Mongolia appointing three) and Rio Tinto Holdings assumes management of the building and
operation of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex, which includes the Heruga and Hugo North Extension deposits on the Joint Venture Property. Ivanhoe Mines will
continue to directly manage ongoing exploration on the licences outside of the projected life-of-mine area, including the balance of the Joint Venture Property. On
March 20, 2012, Ivanhoe Mines announced that overall construction of the first phase of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex was 72.7% complete at the end of February
2012, and that construction remains on track to meet the targeted start of initial production in the third quarter of 2012. Commercial production from the Oyu Tolgoi
mining complex is projected to begin in the first half of 2013.
Investment Agreement and the Mongolian Government
In August 2009, the Mongolian Parliament approved amendments to four laws, including the insertion of a sunset provision to cancel the three-year-old, 68% windfall
profits tax on copper and gold effective January 1, 2011. These amendments allowed the Mongolian Government, Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto Holdings to conclude
the negotiations necessary to finalise an investment agreement (the “Investment Agreement”).
On October 6, 2009, Ivanhoe Mines, OTLLC and Rio Tinto Holdings signed the Investment Agreement with the Mongolian Government. The Investment Agreement
regulates the relationship between these parties and stabilises the long term tax, legal, fiscal, regulatory and operating environment to support the development of the
Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. The Investment Agreement specifies that the Government of Mongolia will own 34% of the shares of OTLLC (and by extension, 34% of
OTLLC’s interest in the Joint Venture Property). Conditions precedent to the Investment Agreement were satisfied within six months of the signing date, and the
Investment Agreement took legal effect on March 31, 2010.
The contract area defined in the Investment Agreement includes the Javhlant and Shivee Tolgoi mining licences, including Shivee West which is 100% owned by
Entrée and not currently subject to the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. However, Entrée is not presently a party to the Investment Agreement. Entrée does not have
any direct rights or benefits under the Investment Agreement, and Entrée’s interest in the Joint Venture Property is not subject to the Investment Agreement. OTLLC
has agreed, under the terms of the Earn-In Agreement, to use its best efforts to cause Entrée to be brought within the ambit of, made subject to and to be entitled to
the benefits of the Investment Agreement. In order to become a party to the Investment Agreement, the Government of Mongolia may require Entrée or the Entrée-
OTLLC Joint Venture to agree to certain concessions, including with respect to the ownership of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture or the scope of the lands to be
covered by the Investment Agreement.
In June 2011, the Government of Mongolia passed Resolution 175, the purpose of which is to authorize the designation of certain land areas for “state special needs”
within certain defined areas in proximity to the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. These state special needs areas are to be used for infrastructure facilities necessary in
order to implement the development and construction of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Portions of the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences are included in the land
area that is subject to Resolution 175.
It is expected but not yet formally confirmed by the Government that to the extent that a consensual access agreement exists or is entered into between OTLLC and
an affected licence holder, the application of Resolution 175 to the land area covered by the access agreement will be unnecessary. OTLLC has existing access and
surface rights to the Joint Venture Property pursuant to the Earn-In Agreement. The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences are also part of the contract area of the
Investment Agreement, which contains certain provisions respecting expropriation. Accordingly, Entrée considers that the application of Resolution 175 to the Joint
Venture Property will likely be considered unnecessary. If Entrée is unable to reach a consensual arrangement with OTLLC with respect to Shivee West, Entrée’s
right to use and access a corridor of land included in the state special needs areas for a proposed power line may be adversely affected by the application of
Resolution 175. While the Mongolian Government would be responsible for compensating Entrée in accordance with the mandate of Resolution 175, the amount of
such compensation is not presently quantifiable.
14
Base Shelf Prospectus and Marketed Offering
In order to provide the Company with flexibility to quickly raise funds should the need or opportunity arise, the Company announced on November 19, 2010 that it
had filed a short form base shelf prospectus with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and a corresponding shelf
registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on Form F-10/A. These filings will allow the Company to make offerings of
Common Shares, warrants, subscription receipts or any combination of such securities up to an aggregate offering price of C$100,000,000 during the 25-month period
that the short form base shelf prospectus remains effective. Net proceeds from the sale of the securities, if any, are expected to be used by the Company for
acquisitions, development of acquired mineral properties, working capital requirements and/or for other general corporate purposes.
On November 23, 2011, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement and filed a final prospectus supplement to its short form base shelf prospectus, in
connection with a marketed offering of its Common Shares (the “Offering”). The underwriters agreed to purchase 10,000,000 Common Shares at a price of C$1.25 per
Common Share (the “Offering Price”) for gross proceeds of C$12,500,000. The Company also granted the underwriters an over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment
Option”) to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 Common Shares at the Offering Price, exercisable for a period of 30 days following closing. Desjardins Securities
Inc. acted as the lead underwriter in a syndicate that included National Bank Financial Inc., TD Securities Inc., Knight Capital Group and Trapeze Capital Corp. The
Offering closed on November 30, 2011. Rio Tinto exercised its pre-emptive rights in full and purchased an additional 1,482,216 Common Shares of the Company at the
Offering Price. Gross proceeds from the Offering (including the exercise of Rio Tinto’s pre-emptive rights) were C$14,352,770. The net proceeds are expected to be
used to fund ongoing exploration on the Ann Mason Project in Nevada and Shivee West project in Mongolia, and for general corporate purposes.
On December 30, 2011, the Company announced that the underwriters had exercised the Over-Allotment Option. On January 4, 2012, the underwriters purchased
1,150,000 Common Shares at the Offering Price pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. Rio Tinto exercised its pre-emptive rights in full and purchased
an additional 170,455 Common Shares at the Offering Price. Gross proceeds from the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option (including the exercise of Rio Tinto’s pre-
emptive rights) were C$1,650,569.
Environmental Compliance
Entrée’s current and future exploration and development activities, as well as future mining and processing operations, if warranted, are subject to various federal,
state and local laws and regulations in the countries in which we conduct our activities. These laws and regulations govern the protection of the environment,
prospecting, development, production, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Entrée management expects to
be able to comply with those laws and does not believe that compliance will have a material adverse effect on our competitive position. Entrée intends to obtain all
licences and permits required by all applicable regulatory agencies in connection with our mining operations and exploration activities. Entrée intends to maintain
standards of compliance consistent with contemporary industry practice.
15
Mongolia
Holders of an exploration or mining licence in Mongolia must comply with environmental protection obligations established in the Environmental Protection Law of
Mongolia, Law of Environmental Impact Assessment and the Minerals Law. These obligations include: preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
for exploration and mining proposals; submitting an annual environmental protection plan; posting an annual bond against completion of the protection plan; and
submitting an annual environmental report.
Environmental bonds have been paid to the local governments, Khanbogd and Bayan-Ovoo Soums, for restoration and environmental management works required
for exploration work undertaken at Shivee West. The environmental bond requirements were changed with the 2006 amendments to the Minerals Law, with the bonds
now required to be paid to the government ministry in charge of environment. Entrée is awaiting the implementation of administrative procedures for the new
bonding requirements prior to transferring the bonds to the government ministry in charge of environment. Entrée pays to the local soums annual fees for water, land
and road usage.
2012 exploration work planned on Shivee West may include drill pad construction which involves surface disturbance and excavation. Bonds remain in place at
Bayan-Ovoo and Khanbogd soums equal to approximately $900 each. These bonds cover environmental reclamation to the end of 2012. These amounts are
refundable to the Company on request once all environmental work has been completed to the satisfaction of the local soum.
Development and exploration on the Joint Venture Property is controlled and managed by OTLLC, which is responsible for all environmental compliance.
Ann Mason Project, Nevada
Exploration permits issued by the Federal Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) and Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) are required for all
exploration operations that include drilling or result in surface disturbance. Reclamation bonds remain in place until all reclamation work is complete and the Nevada
Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (“BMRR”) of the NDEP has signed off on re-vegetation of drill sites and access roads.
On January 21, 2010, Plan of Operations NVN-084570 was approved by the BLM, Sierra Front Field Office and the BMRR. Under the Plan of Operations, M.I.M.
(U.S.A.) Inc. was approved to conduct exploration activities on the Ann Mason deposit and Blue Hill oxide target consisting of drill sites and sumps construction,
road construction, road maintenance, overland travel, exploration drilling and bulk sampling for a total of 50 acres of surface disturbance. A phased bond in the
amount of $84,132 was provided by M.I.M. (U.S.A.) Inc. for exploration surface disturbance totalling 19.11 acres. Following the acquisition of PacMag, a Change of
Operator form was filed with the BLM. Effective August 3, 2010, Entrée Gold (US) Inc. (“Entrée US“) was approved as operator and added as a co-principal on the
bond.
In January 2011, Entrée US submitted an amendment (“Amendment #1”) to the approved Plan of Operations and minor modifications to the Nevada Reclamation
Permit No. 0291 to the BLM and BMRR. In Amendment #1, an increase in the approved work area is proposed, with no change to the approved surface disturbance
of 50 acres, or exploration techniques. Amendment #1 was approved by the BLM Sierra Front Field Office on June 28, 2011 and the amount of the financial guarantee
for surface disturbance totalling 19.11 acres was increased to $147,568. An additional cash bond, in the amount of $63,436 paid by Entrée US, was accepted by the
Nevada State Office of the BLM on July 5, 2011.
The BLM also holds bonds totalling $78,163.70 for reclamation related to exploration activities on the Blackjack and Roulette targets.
16
Competition
The mineral exploration, development, and production industry is largely unintegrated. We compete with other exploration companies looking for mineral resource
properties, the resources that can be produced from them and in hiring skilled professionals to direct related activities. While we compete with other exploration
companies in the effort to locate and licence mineral resource properties, we do not compete with them for the removal or sale of mineral products from our properties,
nor will we do so if we should eventually discover the presence of them in quantities sufficient to make production economically feasible. Readily available markets
exist world-wide for the sale of copper, gold and other mineral products. Therefore, we will likely be able to sell any copper, gold or mineral products that we are able
to identify and produce. Our ability to be competitive in the market over the long term is dependent upon our ability to hire qualified people as well as the quality and
amount of mineralization discovered, cost of production and proximity to our market. Due to the large number of companies and variables involved in the mining
industry, it is not possible to pinpoint our direct competition.
Employees
At December 31, 2011, we had 87 employees working for us in Canada, Mongolia and the United States. 15 employees are based in Vancouver, 8 employees are
based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and 4 employees are based at our field camp in the southern Gobi desert. We also employ 33 seasonal and 10 part-time employees
who support our Mongolian field programs. Our seasonal and part-time employees include geologists, labourers, geophysical helpers, geochemical helpers, cooks,
camp maintenance personnel, drivers and translators in Mongolia. The number of local hires fluctuates throughout the year, depending on the workload.
In the United States, Entrée has 17 full time employees. The field operations are headed by an Exploration Manager who is supported by 6 geologists, 1 core
technician, 3 administrative staff and 6 labourers. None of our employees belong to a union or are subject to a collective agreement. We consider our employee
relations to be good.
MATERIAL MINERAL PROPERTIES
Entrée is a Canadian mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, focused on the worldwide exploration of copper, gold and molybdenum
prospects. Entrée’s expertise is in acquiring prospective ground and exploring for deep and/or concealed porphyry deposits.
Entrée has interests in two material properties. The first, the Lookout Hill property in Mongolia, forms an integral part of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex, part of a
developing copper camp in southern Mongolia.
Entree’s other material property, the Ann Mason Project in Nevada, includes the 100% owned Ann Mason porphyry deposit, which hosts indicated and inferred
mineral resources; the Blue Hill oxide target, which is located approximately 3 km northwest of the Ann Mason deposit; and the Blackjack, Roulette and Minnesota
targets.
MONGOLIA
Lookout Hill Property
Lookout Hill is comprised of two mining licences: Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant. Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant completely surround OTLLC’s Oyu Tolgoi mining licence
and host the Hugo North Extension copper-gold deposit and the Heruga copper-gold-molybdenum deposits respectively. The licences are held by our wholly owned
subsidiary, Entrée LLC.
17
The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences are divided between Entrée and the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture as follows:
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture covers 39,807 hectares (“ha”) consisting of the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi and all of the Javhlant mining
licences. The Joint Venture Property is contiguous with, and on three sides (to the north, east and south) surrounds OTLLC’s Oyu Tolgoi mining licence. The
Joint Venture Property hosts the Hugo North Extension deposit and the Heruga deposit. OTLLC is the manager of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture.
· The portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence outside of the Joint Venture Property (Shivee West) covers an area of 35,173 ha. Shivee West is 100% owned
by Entrée but is subject to a first right of refusal by OTLLC.
The illustration below depicts the different areas of Lookout Hill:
Figure 2 – Shivee West and Joint Venture Property
The Javhlant and Shivee Tolgoi exploration licences were converted to mining licences in October 2009. The total estimated annual fees in order to maintain both the
licences in good standing are approximately $1.1 million, of which OTLLC is responsible for approximately $500,000.
A mining licence may be granted for up to 30 years, plus two subsequent 20 year terms (cumulative total of 70 years). After issuance of a mining licence, holders are
required to pay to the Mongolian Government a licence fee of $15.00 per hectare per year for gold or base metal projects.
18
The following table is a summary of the Lookout Hill mining licences and their renewal status:
Name of Property
Javhlant
Shivee Tolgoi
Licence Number
15225A
15226A
Date Granted
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
Renewal Date
October 27, 2039
October 27, 2039
Expiration Date
TBD
TBD
Ivanhoe Mines announced the release of its IDOP Technical Report ("Ivanhoe TR12") in March 2012. The Ivanhoe TR12 is based on the technical, production and
cost information contained in the OTLLC study titled “Integrated Development and Operations Plan” (“OTIDOP12”). OTIDOP12 was completed by the Rio Tinto
Holdings appointed management of OTLLC in March 2011 as the basis for the proposed Oyu Tolgoi mining complex financing.
On March 30, 2012, the Company filed an updated technical report titled “Technical Report 2012 on the Lookout Hill Property” (“LHTR12”). LHTR12 is dated March
29, 2012 and was prepared by AMC Consultants Pty Ltd (“AMC”) in Adelaide, Australia, a QP as defined in NI 43-101. Unless stated otherwise, information in this
AIF of a scientific or technical nature regarding the Lookout Hill property is summarized, derived or extracted from LHTR12. For a complete description of the
assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with the information in LHTR12, reference should be made to the full text of LHTR12, which is available for
review on SEDAR located at www.sedar.com or on www.entreegold.com.
History
Entrée entered into an option agreement with a private Mongolian mining company, Mongol Gazar Co. Ltd. (“Mongol Gazar”) in 2002, to acquire three exploration
licences.
Mongol Gazar was originally awarded the exploration licences by the Mongolian Government in March and April of 2001. In November 2003, Entrée entered into a
purchase agreement with Mongol Gazar, which replaced the option agreement.
In April 2004, Entrée reached an agreement with Mongol Gazar, whereby Entrée acquired 100% ownership of the title to the exploration licences and was absolved of
any rights of and obligations to Mongol Gazar.
The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant exploration licences, which form the Lookout Hill property, were converted to mining licences in October 2009. The third exploration
licence, Togoot, was converted to a mining licence in June 2010, and was subsequently sold by Entrée in November 2011 to an arm’s length private Mongolian
company.
Property Location and Accessibility
Lookout Hill is located within the Aimag of Omnogovi (also spelled Umnogobi) in the South Gobi region of Mongolia (an “Aimag” is the local equivalent of a state or
province), about 570 km south of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and 80 km north of the border with China.
The city of Ulaanbaatar has the nearest international airport to the property with regularly scheduled commercial flights from various Asian destinations. The flying
times from Seoul, Korea and Beijing, China to Ulaanbaatar are about 2.5 and 1.5 hours, respectively. Access to the project by road is possible year round; however,
the unpaved road is in poor condition. Short periods of no road access can occur, due to frequent heavy winds and dust storms, or more rarely, snowstorms in the
winter. The driving time for the trip from Ulaanbaatar by 4 wheel drive truck to the site is approximately 10 to 12 hours.
Alternatively, access is possible by air, to Oyu Tolgoi’s private landing strip at the adjacent Oyu Tolgoi site. Although the air strip is designated for use by OTLLC,
Entrée personnel are permitted to occasionally use charter aircraft to arrive at the site. Flying time from Ulaanbaatar is approximately 1.5 hours.
There are few inhabitants living within the boundaries of Lookout Hill and no towns or villages of significant size. The people who do live there are mostly nomadic
herders.
19
Entrée periodically engages in small programs of basic infrastructure improvements to assist the nearby communities in the vicinity of the project. In addition, Entrée
maintains close contact with the district officials as part of its community relations efforts.
Climate, Local Resources, Physiography
The property is located in the southern Gobi desert near elevation 1180 masl (above mean sea level). The surrounding topography is very flat with low rising hills up
to elevation 1350 masl within 40 km of the site. The main regional drainage is the Umdai River, approximately 2 km west, which flows southward during periods of
rainfall. The Oyu Tolgoi mining complex area is located within the closed Central Asian drainage basin and has no outflow to the ocean. Most riverbeds in this
drainage basin are ephemeral creeks that remain dry most times of the year.
The southern Gobi region has a continental, semi-desert climate with cool springs and autumns, hot summers, and cold winters. The average annual precipitation is
approximately 80 millimetres (“mm”), 90% of which falls in the form of rain with the remainder as snow. Snowfall accumulations rarely exceed 50 mm. Maximum rainfall
events of up to 43 mm have been recorded for short-term storm events. In an average year, rain falls on only 25 to 28 days and snow falls on 10 to 15 days. Local
records indicate that thunderstorms are likely to occur between 2 and 8 days a year at the property.
Temperatures range from an extreme maximum of about 36°C to an extreme minimum of about -31°C. The air temperature in wintertime fluctuates between -5°C and -
31°C. In the coldest month, January, the average temperature is -12°C.
Wind is usually present at the site. Very high winds are accompanied by sand storms that often severely reduce visibility for several hours at a time. The records
obtained from nine months of monitoring at the Oyu Tolgoi weather station show that the average wind speed in April is 5.5 metres per second (“m/s”). However,
windstorms with gusts of up to 40 m/s occur for short periods. Winter snowstorms and blizzards with winds up to 40 m/s occur in the Gobi region between five and
eight days a year. Spring dust storms are far more frequent, and these can continue through June and July.
The flora in the Oyu Tolgoi project area has been classified as representative of the eastern region of the Gobi Central Zone within the Central Asian Greater
Zone. Vegetation tends to be homogenous across the Eastern Gobi Desert Steppe and consists of drought-tolerant shrubs and thinly distributed low grasses. Four
rare plant species occur within the mining licence area.
Regional Geology
The Lookout Hill property lies within the Palaeozoic age Gurvansayhan Terrane in southern Mongolia, a component of the Altaid orogenic collage, which is a
continental-scale belt dominated by compressional tectonic forces. The Gurvansayhan Terrane consists of highly-deformed accretionary complexes and oceanic
island arc assemblages. The island arc terrane is dominated by basaltic volcanics and intercalated volcanogenic sedimentary rocks (Upper Devonian Alagbayan
Formation), intruded by pluton-sized, hornblende-bearing granitoids of mainly quartz monzodiorite to possibly granitic composition. Carboniferous-age sedimentary
rocks (Sainshandhudag Formation) overlie this assemblage.
Major structures in this area include the Gobi–Tien Shan sinistral strike-slip fault system, which splits eastward into a number of splays in the project area, and the
Gobi–Altai Fault system, which forms a complex zone of sedimentary basins overthrust by basement blocks to the north and northwest.
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Recent Exploration – Entree-OTLLC Joint Venture Property
An overall exploration budget (including geotechnical drilling) of approximately $9.0 million has been proposed for the Joint Venture Property for 2012 but has yet to
be approved by OTLLC.
In 2010, surface work comprising deep penetrating proprietary induced polarization (“IP”) surveying and drilling was completed on both licences comprising the Joint
Venture Property.
On the Shivee Tolgoi licence in 2010, IP surveying was extended north to cover the Ulaan Khud prospect located approximately 7 km northwards of the Hugo North
Extension deposit. Previous shallow drilling in this area outlined a low grade copper occurrence in a geological setting similar to that of the Oyu Tolgoi
mineralization. North of the Hugo North Extension, four deep core holes totalling 6,601 m were completed along the projected extension of the Oyu Tolgoi Trend
between Hugo North Extension deposit and Ulaan Khud, and further north near the new airport. A fifth hole, started in 2010 and completed in 2011, was drilled 650 m
north from Hugo North Extension. None of these holes were successful at reaching the planned target. Condemnation drilling consisting of two 200 m RC holes was
also completed over the International Airport Area at the north boundary of Shivee Tolgoi.
During 2011, a total of 7,660 m of drilling was completed on Shivee Tolgoi in three sections located 350 m, 800 m and 2.4 km north of the Hugo North Extension
deposit. On the two southern sections, most holes failed to intersect significant mineralization or only intersected narrow slivers of weakly-mineralized host rocks
below 2,000 m. The drilling showed that if there is a northern extension of the Hugo North Extension deposit it would be down-dropped by faulting to depths greater
than 2,000 m. On the section 2.4 km to the north of Hugo North Extension, only hornfelsed carboniferous rocks were intersected, despite drilling to 1,450 m.
During 2011, 10 geotechnical holes were completed to test the geotechnical character of Lift 1 at Hugo North and to test the area of a planned shaft to the west of
Hugo North Extension.
On the Javhlant licence in early 2010, two core holes were completed on Heruga Southwest, located approximately 5 km southwest of the Heruga orebody. EJD0035A
intersected 56 m grading 0.6% copper at a depth of approximately 1400 m in Devonian-aged volcanics. The second hole entered a younger Carboniferous-aged
intrusion before intersecting mineralization.
In 2011, approximately 10,490 m of drilling was completed on Javhlant. Two existing holes were deepened on the Heruga deposit but did not intersect significant
mineralization. An additional hole (EJD0038) tested the Heruga Southwest target previously tested by EJD0035A. Within a 220-metre-thick, weakly-mineralized zone,
the best assay interval was four metres of 0.11 g/t of gold and 1.05% copper at 2,110 - 2,114 m. Six other holes tested various IP/gravity and geological targets but did
not locate significant mineralization.
As of December 31, 2011, exploration drilling continued with two drill rigs on the Joint Venture Property. One drill was testing a target to the west of Heruga and the
other drill was testing an IP/geology target to the southwest of Heruga, both located on the Javhlant licence.
Joint Venture Property – Mineral Resources
The following Table 1 summarizes the mineral resources for the Hugo North Extension deposit and the Heruga deposit as reproduced in LHTR12. The resource
estimate for the Hugo North Extension deposit is effective as of February 20, 2007 and is based on drilling completed to November 1, 2006. The Heruga mineral
resource estimate is effective as of March 30, 2010. Scott Jackson, F.AusIMM of Quantitative Group Pty Ltd ("QG") in Perth acts as QP for both the Hugo North
Extension and Heruga resource estimates.
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Table 1 Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Mineral Resources
(0.6% CuEq cut-off), based on Technical Report March 2010
Deposit
Hugo North Extension Deposit
Indicated Shivee Tolgoi
(Hugo North Extension)
Inferred Shivee Tolgoi
(Hugo North Extension)
Heruga Deposit
Inferred Javhlant
(Heruga)
Notes:
Tonnage
(Mt)
Copper
(%)
Gold
(g/t)
CuEq
(%)
Contained Metal
Copper
(000 lb)
Gold
(oz)
CuEq
(000 lb)
117.0
95.5
1.80
1.15
0.61
0.31
2.19
1.35
4 640 000
2 290 000
5 650 000
2 420 000
950 000
2 840 000
910.0
0.48
0.49
0.87
9 570 000
14 300 000
17 390 000
· Copper Equivalent (“CuEq”) has been calculated using assumed metal prices of $1.35/lb for copper, $650/oz for gold, and $10.50 for molybdenum. The
equivalence formula was calculated assuming that gold and molybdenum recovery was 91% and 72% of copper recovery respectively. CuEq was calculated
using the formula: CuEq% = Cu% + ((Au g/t*18.98)+(Mo g/t*.01586))/29.76.
· Mo content in Heruga deposit is 141 ppm and included in calculation of CuEq.
· The contained copper, gold and molybdenum in the tables have not been adjusted for metallurgical recovery.
· The 0.6% CuEq cut-off is highlighted as the base case resource for underground bulk mining.
· Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property comprises the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and all of the Javhlant licence. Title to both licences is
held by Entrée. The Joint Venture Property is managed by OTLLC. OTLLC will receive 80% of cash flows after capital and operating costs for material
originating below 560 m, and 70% above this depth.
Hugo North Extension Deposit
The Hugo North Extension deposit mineral resource estimate was last updated in March 2007 and remains unchanged in LHTR12.
The Hugo North Extension deposit within the Joint Venture Property contains copper–gold porphyry-style mineralization associated with quartz monzodiorite
intrusions, concealed beneath a deformed sequence of Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous sedimentary and volcanic rocks.
The copper sulphides in the high-grade zone at Hugo North Extension comprises relatively coarse bornite impregnating quartz and disseminated in wall rocks of
varying composition, usually intergrown with subordinate chalcopyrite. Bornite is dominant in the highest-grade parts of the deposit (with these zones averaging
around 3% to 5% copper) and is zoned outward to chalcopyrite (to zones averaging around 2% copper for the high–grade chalcopyrite dominant
mineralization). Bornite and chalcopyrite are important copper bearing minerals that contain approximately 63% and 35% copper (respectively) in their crystal
structure. High grade gold values within the Hugo North Extension mineralized system are associated with the presence of bornite.
Geological models were constructed by OTLLC using lithological and structural interpretations completed in late 2006. QG checked the lithological and structural
shapes for interpretational consistency on section and plan, and found them to have been properly constructed.
Resource estimates were undertaken using MineSight® commercial mine planning software. Industry accepted methods were used to create interpolation domains
based on mineralized geology, and grade estimation based on ordinary kriging. The assays were composited into 5 m down-hole composites; block sizes were 20 x 20
x 15 m.
22
The mineral resources were classified using logic consistent with the CIM definitions required by NI 43–101. Inspection of the model and drill hole data on plans and
sections showed geological and grade continuity. When taken together with spatial statistical evaluation and investigation of confidence limits in predicting planned
annual production, blocks were assigned as indicated resources if they fell within the current drill hole spacing, which is on 125 x 70 m centres. Blocks were assigned
to the inferred resource category if they fell within 150 m of a drill hole composite.
The base case copper equivalent cut-off grade assumptions for the Hugo North Extension deposit were determined using operating cost estimates from similar
deposits.
Heruga Deposit
The Heruga mineral resource estimate was updated in March 2010 and remained unchanged in LHTR12. This estimate is in conformance with the CIM mineral
resource and mineral reserve definitions referred to in NI 43-101. The mineral resource estimate was prepared under the supervision of Scott Jackson of QG in
Perth. The Heruga deposit within the Joint Venture Property contains copper–gold-molybdenum porphyry style mineralization hosted in Devonian basalts and
quartz monzodiorite intrusions, concealed beneath a deformed sequence of Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The deposit
is cut by several major brittle fault systems, partitioning the deposit into discrete structural blocks. Internally, these blocks appear relatively undeformed, and consist
of southeast-dipping volcanic and volcaniclastic sequences. The stratiform rocks are intruded by quartz monzodiorite stocks and dykes that are probably broadly
contemporaneous with mineralization. The deposit is shallowest at the south end (approximately 500 m below surface) and plunges gently to the north.
QG reviewed OTLLC’s quality assurance/quality control procedures in 2008 and 2009 and found them to be followed and to exceed industry standards.
The database used to estimate the mineral resources for the Heruga deposit consists of samples and geological information from 43 drill holes, including daughter
holes, totalling 58,276 m.
The alteration at Heruga is typical of porphyry style deposits, with notably stronger potassic alteration at deeper levels. Locally intense quartz-sericite alteration with
disseminated and vein pyrite is characteristic of mineralized quartz monzodiorite. Molybdenite mineralization seems to spatially correlate with stronger quartz-sericite
alteration.
Modelling of mineralization zones for resource estimation purposes revealed that there is an upper copper-driven zone and a deeper gold-driven zone of copper-gold
mineralization at Heruga. In addition, there is a significant carapace-like zone of molybdenum mineralization (100 ppm to 1000 ppm) in the form of molybdenite.
A close-off date of May 31, 2009 for survey (collar and down hole) data was utilized for constructing the geological domains.
OTLLC created three dimensional shapes (wireframes) of the major geological features of the Heruga deposit. To assist in the estimation of grades in the model,
OTLLC also manually created three dimensional grade shells (wireframes) for each of the metals to be estimated. Construction of the grade shells took into account
prominent lithological and structural features, in particular the four major sub-vertical post-mineralisation faults. For copper, a single grade shell at a threshold of
0.3% copper was used. For gold, wireframes were constructed at thresholds of 0.3 grams per tonne (“g/t”) and 0.7 g/t. For molybdenum, a single shell at a threshold
of 100 ppm was constructed. These grade shells took into account known gross geological controls in addition to broadly adhering to the above mentioned
thresholds.
23
QG checked the structural, lithological and mineralized shapes to ensure consistency in the interpretation on section and plan. The wireframes were considered to be
properly constructed and honoured the drill data.
Resource estimates were undertaken by OTLLC using Datamine® commercial mine planning software. The methodology was very similar to that used to estimate the
Hugo North deposits. Interpolation domains were based on mineralized geology, and grade estimation based on ordinary kriging. Bulk density was interpolated
using an inverse distance to the third power methodology. The assays were composited into 5 m down-hole composites; block sizes were 20 x 20 x 15 m.
As an independent check, QG also built a model from scratch using the same wireframes and drill data used in the OTLLC model. Gold, copper and molybdenum were
interpolated using independently generated variograms and search parameters. QG compared the two estimates and consider that they agree well within acceptable
limits thus adding additional support to the estimate built by OTLLC.
The mineral resources for Heruga were classified using logic consistent with the CIM definitions required by NI 43–101. Blocks within 150 m of a drill hole were
initially considered to be inferred. A three dimensional wireframe was constructed inside of which the nominal drill spacing was less than 150 m.
Sampling, Analysis and Security – Joint Venture Property
Currently, split core samples are prepared for analysis at the on-site sample preparation facility operated by SGS Mongolia. The prepared pulps are then shipped by
air under the custody of OTLLC to Ulaanbaatar, where they are assayed at a laboratory (lab) facility operated by SGS Mongolia.
The quality control samples comprise one duplicate split core sample, one uncrushed field blank, a reject or pulp preparation duplicate, and one or two standard
reference material (SRM) samples (one less than 2% copper and one greater than 2% copper if higher-grade mineralization is present based on visual
estimates). These were generally small and not consistent and therefore considered acceptable. QG is of the opinion that OTLLC’s current sample preparation,
analytical and QA/QC procedures and the sample security measures in place are strictly followed and adhere to industry standards and that the drill samples are
acceptable for resource estimation purposes.
QG has also reviewed the current OTLLC systems for sample security and chain of custody to QG. QG is of the opinion that OTLLC’s current sample preparation,
analytical and QA/QC procedures and the sample security measures in place are strictly followed and adhere to industry standards and that the drill samples are
acceptable for resource estimation purposes
Joint Venture Property - Mineral Reserves
In June 2010, Ivanhoe Mines released a technical report titled Oyu Tolgoi Integrated Development Plan 2010 (“Ivanhoe TR10”), which represented the first
opportunity to publically update the previous Oyu Tolgoi Integrated Development Plan 2005 for all aspects of the project within the framework of a signed and
effective Investment Agreement with the Government of Mongolia. The Ivanhoe TR10 included the first mineral reserve on the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture
Property. All resources and reserves identified on the Joint Venture Property have been registered with the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia in accordance
with Mongolian law.
In March 2012, Ivanhoe Mines released its Ivanhoe TR12. The Ivanhoe TR12 updates the current path of development for the initial phases of the Oyu Tolgoi group
of deposits (Southern Oyu Pits and Hugo North Underground Lift 1, which includes the Hugo North Extension deposit). The work of the Ivanhoe TR12 meets the
standards of US Industry Guide 7 requirements for reporting reserves. The qualified persons responsible for the Ivanhoe TR12 are the same qualified persons
responsible for preparing LHTR12 for the Company. LHTR12 considers the conclusions and recommendations raised within the Ivanhoe TR12 in the context of
Entrée’s operations.
24
LHTR12 analyses a reserve case only (OTIDOP Reserve Case) and is based on a prefeasibility quality level study complying with NI 43-101, although some parts of
the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex are further advanced and are at feasibility level. The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property mineral reserve is contained within the
Hugo North Block Cave Lift 1 as defined within the Ivanhoe TR12. The mine design work on Hugo North Lift 1 prepared for Ivanhoe TR10 was reviewed by OTLLC
and accepted as the basis for the underground mine planning in OTIDOP12. AMC also reviewed the work extensively, and it agreed with OTLLC’s conclusions and
used the work as the basis for reporting the 2012 Hugo North underground mineral reserve.
The underground mineral reserves for the Hugo North deposit, including the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture’s Hugo North Extension deposit, were updated in the
LHTR12. The mineral reserves tonnage on the Joint Venture Property remained the same as those that were reported in LHTR10. The probable reserve for Hugo
North Extension totals 27 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 1.91% copper and 0.74 g/t gold.
LHTR12 only considers mineral resources in the indicated category, and engineering that has been carried out to a prefeasibility level or better to state the
underground mineral reserve. There is no measured resource in the Hugo North mineral resource. Copper and gold grades on inferred resources within the block cave
shell were set to zero and such material was assumed to be dilution. The block cave shell was defined by a $20/tonne net smelter return (“NSR”); further mine
planning will examine lower shut-offs. The Hugo North mineral reserve is on both the OTLLC Oyu Tolgoi licence and the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture portion of the
Shivee Tolgoi licence.
The portion of the Hugo North mineral reserve attributable to the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture is outlined in Table 2 below.
Classification
Proven
Probable
Total Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture
Notes:
Table 2
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Mineral Reserve, 29 March 2012
NSR
($/t)
-
79.40
79.40
Cu
(%)
-
1.91
1.91
Ore
(Mt)
-
27
27
Au
(g/t)
-
0.74
0.74
Copper
(Billion lb)
-
1.0
1.0
Gold
(Moz)
-
0.5
0.5
· Table shows only the part of the mineral reserve on the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence.
· Metal prices used for calculating the Hugo North underground NSR are copper $1.80/lb, gold $750/oz, and silver $12.00/oz based on long term metal price
forecasts at the beginning of the mineral reserve work. The analysis indicates that the mineral reserve is still valid at these metal prices.
· The NSR has been calculated with assumptions for smelter refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, concentrate transport,
metallurgical recoveries and royalties.
· For the underground block cave all material within the shell has been converted to mineral reserve; this includes low grade indicated material and inferred
material assigned zero grade treated as dilution.
· Only measured resources were used to report proven reserves and only indicated resources were used to report probable reserves.
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property comprises the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and all of the Javhlant licence. Title to both licences is
held by Entrée. The Joint Venture Property is managed by OTLLC. OTLLC will receive 80% of cash flows after capital and operating costs for material
originating below 560 m, and 70% above this depth.
· The base case financial analysis has been prepared using current long term metal price estimates of copper $2.85/lb, gold $1200/oz, and silver
$16.60/oz. Metal prices are assumed to fall from current prices to the long term average over five years.
· The mineral reserves are not additive to the mineral resources.
25
A reconciliation of the Ivanhoe TR10 and LHTR12 mineral reserves is shown in Table 3. Calculation of the underground mineral reserve by OTLLC resulted in a
rounding up of the Hugo North Lift 1 tonnage on the Oyu Tolgoi licence by 1 Mt to 411 Mt and on the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture portion of the Shivee Tolgoi
licence the same tonnage but increased grades.
Table 3 LHTR12 and Ivanhoe TR10 Probable Mineral Reserve Comparison
Classification
Ivanhoe TR10
LHTR12
Difference
Notes:
Ore
(Mt)
27
27
0
NSR
($/t)
55.57
79.40
23.83
Cu
(%)
1.85
1.91
0.06
Au
(g/t)
0.72
0.74
0.02
Copper
(billion lb)
1.0
1.0
0.0
Gold
(Moz)
0.5
0.5
0.0
· Ivanhoe TR10 mineral reserves have the effective date of May 11, 2010.
· LHTR12 mineral reserves have the effective date of March 29, 2012.
· Metal prices used for calculating the LHTR12 Hugo North underground NSR are copper $1.80/lb, gold $750/oz, and silver $12.00/oz based on long term metal
price forecasts at the beginning of the mineral reserve work.
· Metal prices used for calculating the Ivanhoe TR10 Hugo North underground NSR are copper $1.50/lb, gold $640/oz, and silver $10.50/oz based on long term
metal price forecasts at the beginning of the mineral reserve work.
· The NSR has been calculated with assumptions for smelter refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, concentrate transport,
metallurgical recoveries and royalties.
· For the underground block cave, all material within the shell has been converted to mineral reserve; this includes low grade indicated material and inferred
material assigned zero grade treated as dilution.
· Only measured resources were used to report proven reserves and only indicated resources were used to report probable reserves.
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property comprises the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and all of the Javhlant licence. Title to both licences is
held by Entrée. The Joint Venture Property is managed by OTLLC. OTLLC will receive 80% of cash flows after capital and operating costs for material
originating below 560 m, and 70% above this depth.
· The mineral reserves are not additive to the mineral resources.
OTLLC Integrated Development Operation Plan
OTIDOP uses the same mineral resources as those reported in Ivanhoe TR10 and the mineral reserves of OTIDOP12 are very similar to those in Ivanhoe TR10. The
OTIDOP Reserve Case includes resources from the Oyu Tolgoi deposit (wholly owned by OTLLC) and Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture licence areas. Although the
overall strategy for the development of Oyu Tolgoi remains the same in OTIDOP12 as it did in previous studies, there have been changes to several key areas which
are addressed in the Ivanhoe TR12. Changes to date include:
26
· Updated open pit designs on Southern Oyu Tolgoi and commencement of open pit mining.
· Revised start date for first ore production from third quarter 2013 to third quarter 2012.
· Revision of production schedule to account for changed timing of the underground and plant expansion.
The long term Investment Agreement stabilizes the fiscal regime for the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. OTLLC is undertaking a comprehensive implementation review
in order to develop a final project schedule and budget.
The Oyu Tolgoi mining complex has a large mineral resource providing management with flexibility in studying alternative paths for mine development to match future
economic conditions.
Five deposits have been identified in the mineral resource at Oyu Tolgoi. They are Southwest and Central, Hugo South, Hugo North and Heruga (including the
portion on the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property). Southwest and Central comprise the Southern Oyu deposits. Hugo South and Hugo North (including Hugo
North Extension) comprise the Hugo Dummett deposit. For mine planning purposes, the nine open pit stages at Southern Oyu and one block cave at Hugo North
(including Hugo North Extension) have been identified for the mineral reserve. In addition to these, long term mine planning has identified potential for another block
cave lift at Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension), open pit or block caving at Hugo South and two block caving scenarios at Heruga. The mine planning
work in previous studies, which is confirmed in OTIDOP12 suggests the following relative ranking for overall return from each deposit, from highest value to lowest:
· Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension)
· Southwest
· Central
· Hugo South
· Heruga
The OTIDOP Reserve Case assumes processing of 1.4 billion tonnes ("Bt") of ore over a 27 year period, mined from the Southern Oyu open pit and the first lift in the
Hugo North underground block cave. The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture mineral reserve is 27 Mt within the 1.4 Bt. The mining areas included in the OTIDOP Reserve
Case are shown schematically in Figure 3. The location of the Entree-OTLLC Joint Venture mineral reserve relative to the OTLLC portion of the Hugo North Lift 1
block cave is depicted in Figure 4.
27
Figure.3
OTIDOP Reserve Case Mining Areas
Figure 4
Hugo North Lift 1 Block Cave Plan
28
The predominant source of ore at start up is the Southern Oyu open pit. In parallel to this surface construction, underground infrastructure and mine development is
ongoing for the Hugo North underground block cave deposit. Stockpiling allows the higher grade ore from Hugo North to gradually displace the open pit ore as the
underground production ramps up to reach 85 kilotonnes per day.
The ore is planned to be processed through conventional crushing, grinding and flotation circuits. The concentrate produced will be trucked to smelters in China.
Oyu Tolgoi is a remote greenfields project and therefore requires extensive infrastructure to be constructed in addition to the concentrating facilities. The major initial
infrastructure elements include:
· Water Borefields
· Water Treatment
· Housing
· Airstrip
· Supporting Facilities
· Railroads
· Power
OTIDOP Reserve Case
A summary of the Entrée – OTLLC Joint Venture Property production and financial results for the OTIDOP Reserve Case is shown in Table 4. The after tax Net
Present Value ("NPV") at 8% discount rate attributable to Entrée for the OTIDOP Reserve Case is $129 million.
Table 4 OTIDOP Summary Production and Financial Results
Description
Inventory
Production Rate (after expansion)
Total Processed
Processed
NSR
Cu Grade
Au Grade
Copper Recovered
Gold Recovered
NPV (8%) After Tax (Entrée)
Notes:
Units
Mt/a
Bt
OTIDOP Reserve Case
Mineral Reserve
58
1.4
Joint Venture Property Results
Mt
$/t
%
g/t
billion lb
Moz
$M
27.1
79.40
1.91
0.74
1.0
0.5
129
· Metal prices used for calculating the Hugo North underground NSR are copper $1.80/lb, gold $750/oz, and silver $12.00/oz based on long term metal price
forecasts at the beginning of the mineral reserve work. The analysis indicates that the mineral reserve is still valid at these metal prices.
· The NSR has been calculated with assumptions for smelter refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, concentrate transport,
metallurgical recoveries and royalties.
· For the underground block cave, all material within the shell has been converted to mineral reserve; this includes low grade indicated material and inferred
material assigned zero grade treated as dilution.
· Only measured resources were used to report proven reserves and only indicated resources were used to report probable reserves.
· The base case financial analysis has been prepared using current long term metal price estimates of copper $2.85/lb, gold $1200/oz, and silver $16.60/oz.
Metal prices are assumed to fall from current prices to the long term average over five years.
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property comprises the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and all of the Javhlant licence. Title to both licences is
held by Entrée. The Joint Venture Property is managed by OTLLC. OTLLC will receive 80% of cash flows after capital and operating costs for material
originating below 560 m, and 70% above this depth.
· The mineral reserves are not additive to the mineral resources.
29
The mineral reserve reported for NI 43-101 is also applicable for reporting the ore reserve under the SEC Industry Guide 7. The metal prices for the previous 3 years,
their average and the metal prices used for the mineral reserve estimates are shown in Table 5. The only metal price that is higher than the three year average is the
forecast silver price. The three year average silver price is $13.69 per ounce (“/oz”) silver and the forecast price is $16.60/oz silver. The sensitivity analysis using the 3
year averages shows the Entrée after tax NPV (at an 8% discount) of $150 million compared to the base case $129 million. The results are improved compared to the
base case financial analysis, as the averages for the copper and gold prices are higher.
Table 5 – Metal Price Summary
Year Ended
2009
2010
2011
Average
Reserve NSR
Base Case Financial Analysis
Cu
($/lb)
Au
($/oz)
Ag
($/oz)
2.34
3.42
4.00
3.25
1.80
2.85
972
1,225
1,572
1,256
750
1,200
12.74
15.44
12.89
13.69
12.00
16.60
The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture and OTLLC copper and gold metal production and processing tonnages in the OTIDOP Reserve Case are shown in Tables 5 to
7. The production shown is the total production from the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture of which 20% is attributable to Entrée. Under the terms of the Entrée-OTLLC
Joint Venture, OTLLC is responsible for 80% of all costs incurred on the Joint Venture Property, including capital expenditures, and Entrée for the remaining 20%.
Also under the terms of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture, Entrée may be carried through to production, at its election, by debt financing from OTLLC with interest
accruing at OTLLC’s actual cost of capital or prime +2%, whichever is less, at the date of the advance. Debt repayment may be made in whole or in part from (and
only from) 90% of monthly available cash flow arising from sale of Entrée’s share of products. Such amounts will be applied first to payment of accrued interest and
then to repayment of principal. Available cash flow means all net proceeds of sale of Entrée’s share of products in a month less Entrée’s share of costs of operations
for the month. Therefore, Entrée will not be obliged to contribute cash to the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture for its portion of operating and capital expenditures and
will receive 10% of its share of cash flow from the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture until such time as any loans outstanding are repaid and 100% thereafter. Entrée’s cash
flows from the OTIDOP Reserve Case are shown in Figure 8.
Figure 5
Copper Production – OTIDOP Reserve Case
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture total production values are shown.
30
Figure 6
Gold Production – OTIDOP Reserve Case
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture total production values are shown.
Figure 7
Processing by Source – OTIDOP Reserve Case
Entrée- OTLLC Joint Venture total production values are shown.
31
Figure 8
Entrée Cumulative Cash Flow – OTIDOP Reserve Case (Undiscounted)
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Future Work
Exploration and development of the Joint Venture Property is under the control of manager OTLLC. The future work recommendations in the Ivanhoe TR12, although
focussed on the Oyu Tolgoi licence, will be of benefit to Entrée as they will include examination of the Joint Venture Property.
Detailed Integrated Development and Operating Plan
The next phase in the project planning process by OTLLC on the Oyu Togoi mining complex is the preparation of a Detailed Integrated Development and Operating
Plan (“DIDOP”) that builds on OTIDOP. The DIDOP will integrate a number of detailed capital expansion studies into an overall project report. The key additional
work to be assessed in DIDOP includes: Phase 2 project expansion, power supply, water permitting, concentrate marketing, the underground feasibility study and
further work on mine closure and reclamation plans.
Phase 2 Project Expansion Plan
A detailed execution plan will be developed for Phase 2 that includes lessons learned and incorporates tools and advancements from the Phase 1 project execution.
OTLLC plans to undertake engineering studies of the concentrator expansion. The focus of the study will be the addition of a third grinding line and other
requirements for the Phase 2 plant production.
Power Supply Determination
The supply of power has been recognized as being critical to the execution of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex in the Investment Agreement. OTLLC has been given
the right to import power initially but must secure power from sources within Mongolia from the fourth year of operation.
32
Power is currently assumed in the Ivanhoe TR12 to be initially imported from Inner Mongolia and sourced from a power station constructed by OTLLC by the fourth
year of operation in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement.
OTLLC is currently considering a range of options to ensure a reliable and efficient power supply after Year 4. Central to their considerations are two options:
· Option 1 – Build a coal-fired power plant (four 150 MW units) at the Oyu Tolgoi project site. A feasibility study and detailed drawings for a power plant with
three 150 МW units capacity have already been completed. This study will need to be re-worked to reflect the addition of another generator and auxiliaries.
· Option 2 – Build a coal-fired power plant (four 150 MW units) at the Tavan Tolgoi project site and erect a double-circuit 220 kV transmission line to the Oyu
Tolgoi project site. With the power plant at this location, the feasibility study would need to address changes in capacity, water supply, and other design
issues, as well as the 140 km long 220 kV transmission line.
OTLLC’s preferred option is to pursue the accelerated construction of a power station at Oyu Tolgoi with construction to commence as soon as all stakeholders
agree. OTLLC intends to seek approval from its board of directors for an accelerated program if government permits are approved.
Currently, there is no clear date for the issuing of those permits and the Ivanhoe TR12 assumes that capital is expended by OTLLC to bring a power station into
production by the fourth year of operation.
It is expected that the timing of power station construction would be finalised in the preparation of DIDOP.
Water Permit
The current estimate of average water demand for the concentrator expansion to 160 kilotonnes per day is 918 litres per second (“L/s”), which is marginally above the
rate of 870 L/s that has already been approved by the Government of Mongolia.
OTLLC’s strategy is to obtain approval for increases to the currently approved water reserve ahead of any mine expansion plans. The objective of the study will be to
assess the impact of the concentrator expansion on water demand and to determine the need for obtaining Government of Mongolia approval for any substantial
increase in the approved water demand from the Gunii Hooloi aquifer.
Concentrate Marketing
OTLLC has developed a marketing plan and currently includes consideration of the following factors:
· Location value to customer compared to imported material landed at Chinese ports
· Precious metals recovery and payment
· Length of contract
· Percentage of off-take to smelters versus traders
· Percentage of tonnage on contract versus spot
· Percentage of feed for any one smelter
· Number of smelters for a given scale of operation
· Management of concentrate quality and volume during commissioning and ramp-up
· Alternate off-shore logistics and costs
· Delivery point and terms
· Packaging
A detailed timeline has been developed for marketing, logistics, and contract-to-cash functions. Finalisation of the letters of intents and execution of contracts is
planned to be completed in the near future. Non-binding memoranda of understanding for concentrate sales to two large Chinese smelters were agreed to during the
third quarter of 2011. Contracts are expected to be finalized with these smelters over the coming months. In addition, non-binding agreements on principal sales terms
have been reached with two international trading companies; conversion of these agreements to binding contracts is under discussion. Most of the concentrate
initially produced at Oyu Tolgoi is expected to be delivered to customers in China. OTLLC’s sales and marketing will be supported by Rio Tinto Copper marketing,
led by its Chief Marketing Officer. The marketing team will oversee and execute all sales and marketing activities on behalf of OTLLC.
33
Underground Feasibility Study
As part of DIDOP the underground study work is being brought to feasibility study level, the scope of work includes all activities from extraction to the shaft collars
and will optimise the development and production of Hugo North Lift 1. OTLLC plans to finalise DIDOP in late 2012. OTLLC has reported that there could be a delay
in production due to changes in ventilation design for the Hugo North Lift 1 block cave. Initial analysis by OTLLC suggests that the underground production could
be delayed by around twelve months. A delay in production is less significant to Entrée than to OTLLC. As most of the ore in the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture
mineral reserve is scheduled for production between years 10 and 18 the impact of a one year delay on the return to Entrée would be small. A one year delay would
reduce the NPV at 8% discount rate by $10 million.
In addition possible scope changes have been indicated including:
· Additional development and excavation expenditures
· The addition of a shaft No. 5
· An additional crew underground
· Increased operating cost
Socio-economic Aspects of Mine Closure Plan
The preliminary mine closure and reclamation plan includes provisions to ensure that adverse socio-economic impacts of mine closure are minimized and positive
impacts are maximized. To this end, OTLLC has planned that allowances will be incorporated into the annual mine operations budget starting 10 years before mine
closure to address the costs of:
· Lost employment by the mine workforce
· Adverse effects on supply chain businesses and downstream businesses, affected communities, public services, and infrastructure
· Promoting ongoing sustainability among affected stakeholders and communities
The details of additional socio-economics aspects of a conceptual mine closure plan have not yet been fully developed and are the subject of work to be done in the
near future.
Infrastructure
As part of the preparation of DIDOP, work is continuing on further defining the ongoing infrastructure needs for the Oyu Tolgoi project. OTLLC has advised that
they expect future additions to the project scope which may include:
· Operations camp expansion
· Border facilities upgrade
· Concentrate bagging plant upgrade
· Power substation expansions
· Central maintenance complex
· Central control room
· Borefield expansion
· Operations warehouse expansion
· Core storage warehouse
There may be additions to scope beyond these items and all items and updated cost estimates will be included in DIDOP.
34
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Potential for Further Development
Ivanhoe TR10 and LHTR10 presented two complementary development cases:
· Reserve Case, based strictly on proven and probable mineral reserves for initial phases of the Oyu Tolgoi group of deposits (Southern Oyu Pits
and Hugo North Underground Lift 1, which includes the Hugo North Extension deposit)
· Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case, which considers the potential economic viability of additional deposits and mines at Oyu Tolgoi and adds a large
base of inferred resources to the Reserve Case.
Development of the additional resources (the second lift of Hugo North, Hugo South and Heruga) will require separate decisions in the future based on then
prevailing conditions and the development experience obtained from developing and operating the initial phases of the Oyu Tolgoi group of deposits. The Life of
Mine (Sensitivity) Case considers the potential economic viability of developing the second lift of Hugo North, Hugo South and the Heruga deposit. Accordingly,
the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case is effectively a PEA.
Under NI 43-101, a PEA that includes inferred mineral resources may be disclosed after a feasibility study or pre-feasibility study that establishes mineral reserves has
been completed, provided the disclosure describes the impact of the PEA on the results of the feasibility study or pre-feasibility study on the project. The
development and initial production periods of both the Reserve Case and the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case are common. The Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case is an
extension of the Reserve Case that does not restrict the execution of the Reserve Case. Each additional part of the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case would be subject to
further study and approval by OTLLC before a commitment to capital expenditure and development for each additional mine. Therefore, the Life of Mine (Sensitivity)
Case has a positive not a negative impact on the Reserve Case.
Insofar as the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case includes an economic analysis that is based, in part, on inferred mineral resources, the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case
does not have as high a level of certainty as the reserve case. Inferred mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic
considerations applied to them that would allow them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case will be
realized.
The Reserve Case in LHTR10 has been updated by the OTIDOP Reserve Case and is planned to be updated again by DIDOP. The Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case is
also planned to be updated. The Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case is significant to Entrée because it presents the possible development path that could result in a
substantial increase in the mining inventory from additional mines that might be recovered for the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. The mineral resources in Heruga and
Hugo North Lift 2 are substantially more than the current Entrée-OT LLC Joint Venture mineral reserve. Figure 11 shows the production profile of the Life of Mine
(Sensitivity) Case as it was presented in LHTR10. A plan showing Hugo North Lift 1 & 2 relative to the mining licence boundaries is shown in Figure 12. Figure 13
shows an isometric view of the two lifts.
The LHTR10 which describes the Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case can be found on www.sedar.com or on the Company website www.entreegold.com.
35
Figure 9
Ivanhoe TR10 Processing by Source – Life of Mine (Sensitivity) Case
Figure 10
Hugo North Lift 1 & 2
36
Figure 11
Isometric View of Hugo North Lift 1 & 2
Shivee West
Entrée has a 100% interest in the western portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence.
Shivee West – Exploration
In 2010 exploration work was designed to test for deep Oyu Tolgoi-style copper mineralization, and comprised geological mapping, soil and rock sampling, excavator
trenching, geophysical surveying (46.5 line-kilometres of gravity and 1,831 line-kilometres of IP), and a total of 11,664 m of core drilling. Four major and continuous
chargeability anomalies were interpreted from the IP survey.
In 2010 mapping and geological work was carried out in five selected areas of the Devonian corridor to determine the occurrence and extent of the Oyu Tolgoi
stratigraphy on Shivee West. A total of 4,610 mobile metal ion (“MMI”) soil samples were collected over Shivee West Devonian and Carboniferous stratigraphy
similar to that exposed at Oyu Tolgoi. This technique is used to detect very low concentrations of elements in bedrock buried below think overburden and cover
rocks. Anomalous molybdenum results tend to follow drainages are interpreted as being structure related.
Trenching in 2010 comprised two exploration trenches totalling 107 m dug on the Khoyor Mod target primarily for geological mapping. 131 grab and chip samples
were collected for precious metals and base metals analyses, and 34 samples for whole rock analyses.
Activities in 2011 included 1:2,000 geological mapping on specific targets, 1:10,000 mapping of four areas to fill in and revise existing mapping, rock sampling,
excavator trenching, magnetometer surveying (1,670 line-kilometres) over the “Devonian Corridor”, and RC drilling. Results from the drill program returned significant
gold values on Zone III and further to the north in the newly defined Argo Zone.
37
As part of the 2011 program, mapping was carried out over four selected areas to determine the occurrence and extent of the Oyu Tolgoi stratigraphy on Shivee West.
Nine exploration trenches totalling 1,120 m were dug on Zone III and two trenches totalling 92 m on Zone I. 17 grab and 629 chip samples were collected for precious
metals and base metals analyses, and 14 samples for whole rock analyses. Two chip samples on the newly define Argo Zone, north of Zone III returned high grade
gold mineralization (42.4 g/t gold over 4 m and 19.3 g/t gold over 3 m).
Entrée carried out a total of 2,470 m of RC drilling in 19 holes, targeting near-surface epithermal gold mineralization of Zone III and its interpreted strike extension to
the north. The drilling and chip sampling resulted in a new gold mineralized target, called the Argo Zone, which lies to the north and separate from Zone
III. Mineralization is associated with narrow quartz veinlets hosted in rhyolitic volcaniclastic rocks interpreted to be of Carboniferous age.
Gold intercepts in excess of 0.25 g/t gold were encountered in eleven holes, including: hole EGRC-11-112 returned 14 m of 1.82 g/t gold and hole 11-111 returned 3 m of
2.21 g/t gold. Two separate high-grade surface chip samples averaged 42.4 g/t gold over 4 m and 19.3 g/t gold over 3 m.
Shivee West – Sampling, Analysis and Security
Sampling programs on Shivee West have included soil, rock chip, drill core and RC samples. In 2010 and 2011 sampling was limited to drill core, RC and rock chip
(trench) samples. All of the sampling was carried out by Entrée personnel or contractors.
Routine sample preparation and analyses in 2010 of Entrée’s diamond drill core samples was carried out by SGS Mongolia LLC at the Ulaanbaatar facility, an
ISO9000:2001 accredited lab. SGS Mongolia benchmark testing is restricted to confidential internal-SGS round-robins.
In 2011, Entrée submitted 2470 RC chip samples along with 145 duplicate samples, 146 field blanks and 146 standards. All samples have been submitted to Actlabs
Asia LLC in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for gold and silver analysis by FA/AA methods on a 30 gram sample.
No sample preparation is undertaken in the field. Samples of any type for analytical work are collected in uniquely numbered sample bags with corresponding sample
tag inside and stored in a secure facility in the exploration camp until ready for shipment to the lab. Samples are placed in rice bags and shipped by ground
transportation using a locked box, keys of which are kept in the exploration camp and at the destination laboratory. A chain-of-command document is used to verify
receipt of the samples by the driver and by the analytical laboratory.
UNITED STATES
Ann Mason Project
The Ann Mason Project is Entrée’s most advanced project outside of Mongolia. The project area is currently defined by the mineral rights to 1008 unpatented lode
claims on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and title to 3 patented lode claims. The project covers a total area of approximately 7,570 ha
(18,700 acres). Entrée assembled this package of claims through a combination of staking and a series of transactions undertaken since August 2009, including the
acquisition of PacMag. The project area includes the Ann Mason deposit and the Blue Hill oxide target, as well as several early-stage copper porphyry targets
located within 12 km of the Ann Mason deposit, including the Blackjack, Roulette and Minnesota targets. Unless otherwise described below, Entrée has a 100%
interest in the claims comprising the Ann Mason Project.
227 of the claims, to the west and north of the Ann Mason deposit and the Blue Hill prospect, are subject to a mining lease and option to purchase agreement
(“MLOPA”) with two individuals. The agreement provides for an option to purchase the claims for $500,000, a 3% net smelter returns (“NSR”) royalty (which may be
bought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $2 million) and annual advance minimum royalty payments of $27,500, which commenced in June, 2011 and will continue until
the commencement of sustained commercial production.
38
Entrée entered into an agreement to acquire an interest in the Roulette property in September 2009 with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurasian Minerals Inc.
("Eurasian"). Under the terms of the agreement, Entrée may acquire an 80% interest in 214 unpatented lode claims by: (a) incurring expenditures of $1,000,000, making
cash payments of $140,000 and issuing 85,000 shares of the Company by October 27, 2012; (b) making aggregate advance royalty payments totaling $375,000 between
the fifth and tenth anniversaries; and (c) delivering a bankable feasibility study before the tenth anniversary of the agreement. To date, Entrée has incurred minimum
expenditures of $600,000, made cash payments totaling $140,000 and issued 85,000 shares.
Three of the claims are subject to a purchase and sale agreement which is expected to close by September 2012.
Entrée’s exploration work on the Ann Mason Project has primarily been focused on upgrading and expanding the mineral resources of the Ann Mason deposit,
outlining new copper-oxide and sulphide mineralization at Blue Hill and identifying and drill testing new copper targets on other areas of the Project.
Figure 12 - Ann Mason Project Map
In January 2010, the Company released a resource estimate on the Ann Mason deposit of 810 Mt averaging 0.40% copper (using a 0.30% copper cut-off), estimated to
contain over 7 billion pounds of copper. Since the Company acquired PacMag in June 2010, Entrée has drilled an additional 30,000 metres. The Company released an
updated resource estimate on the Ann Mason copper deposit in March 2012. The Ann Mason deposit is estimated to contain an indicated resource of 640 Mt
averaging 0.41% CuEq (at a 0.3% copper cut-off) estimated to contain 5.38 billion pounds of copper and 100 million pounds of molybdenum, and an inferred resource
of 444 Mt averaging 0.38% CuEq (at a 0.3% copper cut-off) estimated to contain 3.54 billion pounds of copper and 40 million pounds of molybdenum.
39
The following information was taken from “Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, Ann Mason Project, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of
March 26, 2012 (“AMTR12”). This report was prepared by Robert Cinits, P. Geo., the Director, Technical Services for Entrée; Scott Jackson, F.AusIMM, a principal
of QG and Lyn Jones, P. Eng., a senior associate metallurgist for AGP Mining Consultants Inc. A copy of AMTR12 is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. AMTR12
forms the basis for the information in this AIF regarding the Ann Mason Project. Portions of the information are based on assumptions, qualifications and
procedures, which are not fully described herein. Reference should be made to the full text of AMTR12.
Location, Accessibility, Climate and Local Resources
The Ann Mason Project is located in west-central Nevada, approximately 75 km southeast of Reno, 45 km southeast of Carson City, the capital of Nevada, and 7 km
west of the town of Yerington. It is centered at approximately latitude 38°60’ 00” N and longitude 119°18’ 00 W, within both Douglas and Lyon counties.
Both the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum deposit and Blue Hill copper-oxide target are located approximately 2 km apart in the southeast portion of the project,
where topography is mostly rolling mountains, with occasional steep slopes and wide, open valleys. Elevations range from roughly 1,400 to 1,940 masl. Roulette,
Blackjack, Blackjack Northeast and Minnesota are all early-stage targets. Access is very good to all parts of the project and work can be completed all year round in a
desert environment with hot dry summers and cool winters with occasional snow.
Reno is the closest major city, whose international airport has daily flights to various international and domestic destinations. Yerington (population 3,300) is the
closest city to the project, and can be accessed from Reno along 132 km of paved highway (approximately 1.5 hours). Yerington is about 7 km east of the project
boundary and has an economy primarily based on agriculture and ranching. Mining was also significant between the 1950s and early 1980s. Although Yerington has
limited services for an advanced project, basic consumables and accommodations are available there.
Northwest Nevada has a well-developed network of paved highways and secondary roads. Highway 95 links Yerington to the interstate highway system. The
nearest access to the rail network is located at Wabuska, 19 km north of Yerington. There is a small airport in Yerington with a 1.8 km paved runway but no regular
scheduled flights. Yerington is connected to the State power grid and there is a power substation located in Weed Heights, adjacent to the former Yerington mine,
2.5 km east of the project.
The nearest known sources of water are the Walker River, located about 5.5 km east of the project, and the northern portion of Smith Valley, 7 km southwest of Ann
Mason.
History
Anaconda explored the Ann Mason Project area between 1956 and 1975, with the bulk of the work focused on the Ann Mason deposit area. During 1969 and 1970,
approximately 78,000 feet (~23,775 m) of drilling was done, delineating the initial resources for the Ann Mason deposit. Anaconda also completed geophysical
surveys and preliminary metallurgical testwork and the initial drill holes over the Blue Hill oxide target.
40
Other companies, including Phelps Dodge, Mount Isa Mines (MIM), Lincoln Gold, PacMag and Honey Badger completed exploration programs over the project
between 1995 and 2009, including varying amounts of RC and/or core drilling. The historical drilling completed on the project is summarized in the Table 6 below:
Table 6 - Ann Mason Historical Drilling
Date
1967 – 1980
1990
2002
2006 - 2008
Subtotal (Ann Mason)
1968 - 1970
1995
2007 - 2008
Subtotal (Blue Hill)
2008
TOTAL
Geological Setting and Mineralization
Ann Mason
Target
Ann Mason
Ann Mason
Ann Mason
Ann Mason
Blue Hill
Blue Hill
Blue Hill
Minnesota
Company
Anaconda
Arimetco
MIM
PacMag
Anaconda
Phelps Dodge
PacMag
PacMag
All Companies
No. Drill Holes (core
or RC)
103
1
5
12
121
12
4
5
21
3
145
Metres (m)
40,577.2
170.7
914.4
6,972.9
48,635.2
2,546.8
609.6
2,648.3
5,804.7
560
54,999.9
The Ann Mason deposit has the characteristics of a typical, large copper-molybdenum porphyry system. Projected to the surface, the 0.15% copper envelope covers
an area approximately 2.3 km northwest and up to 1.3 km northeast. The known extent of the envelope is more than a kilometre below the surface. The mineralization
remains open in most directions.
The deposit is hosted by lithologies from several phases of the Yerington batholith, including, granodiorite (Jgd), porphyritic quartz monzonite (Jpqm), quartz
monzonite (Jqm) and younger quartz monzonite porphyry dykes (Qmp-a, Qmp-b and Qmp-c). Copper mineralization occurs within two primary mineral assemblages: a
broad zone of main-stage potassic alteration containing chalcopyrite and bornite; and an overprinted assemblage of chalcopyrite-epidote or chalcopyrite-epidote-
quartz.
Within the 0.15% copper envelope the highest grades occur within a 200 to 800 m thick, west-plunging zone that surrounds the intrusive contact between
granodiorite and porphyritic quartz monzonite. Within this zone the highest copper grades are dependent on vein density, sulphide species, frequency and relative
age of quartz monzonite porphyry dykes and the mafic content of the granodiorite. Mineralization is closely associated with Qmp-a and Qmp-b quartz monzonite
porphyry dykes.
Sulphide domains within the deposit include:
· an outer pyrite-dominated shell (less than 0.10% copper),
· varying ratios of pyrite that is greater than chalcopyrite (0.10 to 0.2% copper),
· chalcopyrite that is greater than or equal to pyrite (0.2 to 0.5% copper),
· chalcopyrite (0.2 to 0.5% copper),
· chalcopyrite-bornite (0.3 to 0.6% copper).
41
Of these domains, the chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite-bornite are the most dominant in terms of overall deposit tonnage; however the chalcopyrite "greater than or
equal to" pyrite domain provides significant tonnage in the northwest portion of the deposit, where recent interpretations show this domain to be more than 600 m
thick, grading above 0.30% copper.
Molybdenum occurs in several of the copper domains, primarily as molybdenite in quartz veins and on fracture or shear surfaces as molybdenum paint. Quartz-
chalcopyrite-molybdenite and quartz-molybdenite veins are both present. In quartz veins, molybdenum occurs as disseminations, center-line segregations and
borders or selvages.
Alteration types include a broad, main-stage zone of potassic alteration (secondary biotite, K-feldspar), an outer propylitic zone (chlorite and epidote occurring with
pyrite) and restricted late-stage overprints of chlorite, sodic (albite or albite + chlorite), sericite, zeolite and gypsum.
Late-stage sodic and sericite alteration occur along late, high-angle faults and as local, pervasive alteration of rocks. In areas of strong (greater than 15%) albite or
sericite alteration, the copper grades can locally be greatly reduced, resulting in copper grades less than 0.2% and in places, less than 0.05%. Molybdenum
mineralization is not significantly affected by the late sodic alteration, beyond partial remobilization from veins into nearby fractures and shears.
Within the Yerington district, Mesozoic host rocks and copper-molybdenum porphyry deposits have been rotated 60-90º westward by Miocene age normal faulting
and extension. As a result, mineralized intercepts in vertical drill holes through Ann Mason represent approximately horizontal intervals across the original pre-tilt
geometry of the deposit.
Two prominent structures form structural boundaries to the Ann Mason resource:
· The relatively flat Singatse Fault truncates the upper surface of the 0.15% copper envelope over most of the northern part of the deposit and
juxtaposes sterile, Tertiary volcanic rocks on top of the mineralized intrusives.
· A high-angle, northwest-trending, southwest dipping fault located along the southwest margin of the resource juxtaposes chlorite-altered rocks with
pyrite mineralization in the hanging wall against potassically altered rocks with copper-molybdenum mineralization in the footwall. Copper-
molybdenum mineralization in the footwall remains open at depth along the entire strike length of the fault.
Other late, high-angle faults, either with or without sodic or sericite alteration cross the deposit in various orientations.
Blue Hill Target
The Blue Hill Target is about 2 km northwest of Ann Mason and occurs in a very similar geologic environment. Two main styles of porphyry mineralization have
been identified here:
· near surface, oxide/mixed-copper mineralization,
· underlying copper-molybdenum sulphide mineralization.
Mineralization at both is hosted primarily by granodiorite and quartz monzonite, with lesser amounts of porphyritic quartz monzonite and quartz monzonite
porphyry. The low-angle, southeast dipping Blue Hill fault strikes northeast through the middle of the target, cutting off a portion of the near-surface oxide
mineralization. However, sulphides continue below the fault to the southeast.
42
The oxide zone is exposed on surface and has been traced by drilling as a relatively flat-lying zone covering an area of about 800 by 500 m, and continuing for several
hundred metres further to the west as a thinner zone. Significant copper oxides, encountered in both RC and core drill holes extend from surface to an average depth
of 124 m. Oxide copper mineralization consists of malachite, rare azurite, black copper-manganese oxides, copper sulphates and copper-bearing
limonites. Mineralization occurs primarily on fracture surfaces and in oxidized veins or veinlets. A zone of mixed oxide/sulphide mineralization with minor chalcocite
is present below the oxide mineralization to depths of 185 m. The copper oxide zone remains open to the northwest and southeast.
Oxide copper mineralization at Blue Hill is interpreted to be the result of in-place oxidation of copper sulphides with only minor transport of copper into vugs,
fractures and faults or shear zones. No significant zones of secondary enrichment have been observed.
The copper-mineralized sulphide zone underlies the southern half of the oxide mineralization and continues to depth to the southeast below the Blue Hill
fault. Mineralization consists of varying quantities of chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite and molybdenite. Local, higher grade sulphide mineralization commonly occurs
within zones of sheeted veins containing chalcopyrite, magnetite and secondary biotite. Significant amounts of disseminated molybdenum mineralization have been
observed locally, often in contact with dykes. To the northwest, below the oxides only a few holes have tested the sulphide potential, however in this direction the
sulphides appear to be increasingly pyritic with only minor amounts of copper.
Alteration assemblages are similar to Ann Mason except that original zoning is difficult to discern in areas of pervasive oxidation. Within zones of sulphide
mineralization, propylitic alteration is more widespread and potassic alteration is more restricted to quartz monzonite porphyry dykes and immediately adjacent rocks
of the Yerington batholith. Late stage sodic alteration locally reduces copper grades, similar to what has been observed at Ann Mason.
The sulphide mineralization remains a very early-stage target, with only a few widely-spaced core holes testing it. It remains open to the southeast, towards Ann
Mason.
Exploration
Entrée has been actively exploring the Ann Mason Project continuously since early 2010, focused primarily on drilling at the Ann Mason deposit and Blue Hill target.
At Ann Mason, drilling has concentrated on expanding and upgrading the mineral resources within the 0.15% copper envelope, and defining zones of higher grade
mineralization. At Blue Hill, drilling was primarily by RC, designed to test the extent of shallow oxide copper mineralization, but also to establish the potential for
deeper, sulphide mineralization.
PacMag conducted a soil program over the Blue Hill target in 2010, in-filling the data points from their previous survey. In total, 72 samples were collected resulting
in a 100-metre sample spacing. Combined with the soil geochemical results acquired from Honey Badger, the program outlined a zone of anomalous copper values
that trend about two km northwest (away from the Blue Hill fault) and over a width of approximately 1.3 km.
In August 2010, a dipole-dipole IP and resistivity survey was conducted on the Ann Mason deposit and Blue Hill target of the project. The survey was contracted to
Zonge Engineering and Research Organization (Zonge). A total of 52.2 line-kilometres were surveyed over ten north-south lines. The chargeability results show a
strong 1.5 km wide anomaly extending northwestward from Ann Mason to beyond Blue Hill. The current 0.15% copper envelope occurs at the southeastern limit of
the chargeability anomaly and then continues northwest along the central portion of the anomaly. A large portion of the anomaly remains untested by drilling.
43
The diamond drill program currently ongoing at Ann Mason is designed to increase both the size and confidence of the resource model. To date, 27 holes totalling
approximately 30,000 m have been completed and all have been incorporated into the current mineral resource estimate. All sampling from Entrée’s drilling includes
copper, molybdenum, gold and silver analyses.
A selection of some of the best results from Entree’s drilling at the Ann Mason deposit is provided in Table 7:
Table 7 – Selected Significant Drill Intercepts – Ann Mason Deposit
EG-AM-10-001
including
including
EG-AM-10-003
including
EG-AM-11-005
including
EG-AM-11-009
including
and
EG-AM-11-012
including
EG-AM-11-013
including
and
EG-AM-11-014
including
and
EG-AM-11-015
including
and
and
EG-AM-11-020
EG-AM-11-023
including
and
EG-AM-11-024
including
EG-AM-12-026
including
and
and
EG-AM-12-027
including
and
From
(m)
214
472
608
436
714
139
318
66
268
554
658
696
80
290
680
203
570
910
240
332
644
944
334
132
314
736
244
244
314
542
660
804
484
548
696
To
(m)
1202
812
646
1078
838
496
450
768
396
768
1096
910
764
558
764
1048
784
1010
1138
488
720
1024
1093
1030
408
892
1026.5
528
1032
592
710
1020
1054
658
840
Length
(m)
988
340
38
642
124
357
132
702
128
214
438
214
684
268
84
845
214
100
898
156
76
80
759
898
94
156
782.5
284
718
50
50
216
570
110
144
Cu
%
0.31
0.40
0.60
0.35
0.58
0.39
0.52
0.41
0.52
0.48
0.38
0.47
0.34
0.41
0.40
0.30
0.40
0.37
0.32
0.41
0.41
0.58
0.45
0.33
0.41
0.51
0.35
0.54
0.37
0.56
0.48
0.48
0.38
0.47
0.44
Au
g/t
0.04
0.06
0.12
0.03
0.06
0.05
0.09
0.03
0.02
0.07
0.01
0.01
0.04
0.05
0.09
0.05
0.07
0.07
0.01
0.02
0.00
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.06
0.03
0.04
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.02
Ag
g/t
0.76
1.10
2.09
0.65
1.32
1.01
1.66
0.96
0.74
1.92
0.46
0.58
0.88
1.24
1.69
1.14
2.24
1.31
0.37
0.63
0.45
0.69
0.35
0.44
0.33
1.06
0.49
0.54
0.41
0.70
0.35
0.46
0.48
0.63
0.41
Mo
%
0.010
0.016
0.018
0.012
0.021
0.004
0.002
0.011
0.012
0.017
0.004
0.005
0.016
0.023
0.012
0.004
0.005
0.011
0.004
0.004
0.006
0.002
0.007
0.011
0.006
0.023
0.009
0.003
0.006
0.013
0.007
0.009
0.005
0.007
0.006
CuEq*
%
0.38
0.51
0.75
0.42
0.71
0.44
0.58
0.49
0.59
0.60
0.41
0.50
0.43
0.54
0.50
0.35
0.47
0.46
0.35
0.45
0.45
0.61
0.49
0.39
0.44
0.64
0.41
0.58
0.40
0.63
0.52
0.53
0.41
0.51
0.48
*CuEq is calculated using assumed metal prices of: copper $2.50/lb; molybdenum $15.00/lb; gold $1000/oz; and silver $15.00/oz and assumed metallurgical recoveries
relative to copper of: molybdenum 70%; gold 85%; and silver 85%.
44
Fourteen RC exploration holes were drilled on the Blue Hill copper oxide target in 2010 and an additional 10 RC holes plus 4 core holes were completed in 2011. The
Blue Hill drill program successfully outlined copper oxide mineralization over an area of 800 by 500 m, and has partially defined a sulphide mineralized porphyry target
that partially underlies the oxides and remains open to the southeast.
A selection of some of the best results from Entrée’s drilling at Blue Hill is provided on Table 8:
Table 8 - Selected Significant Drill Intercepts – Blue Hill Target
HOLE NUMBER
EG-BH-10-001*
including
and
and
and
EG-BH-10-003*
including
EG-BH-10-005
including
EG-BH-10-009
including
and
EG-BH-11-015*
EG-BH-11-016*
EG-BH-11-017
including
and
EG-BH-11-018
including
EG-BH-11-019***
including
and
EG-BH-11-020
EG-BH-11-021***
including
and
EG-BH-11-026
EG-BH-11-027*
EG-BH-11-028*
EG-BH-11-030
including
From (m)
18.29
18.29
59.44
105.16
164.59
7.62
56.39
129.54
176.78
85.34
92.96
12.19
12.19
111.25
18.00
184.00
18.00
198.00
8.00
8.00
106.00
4.00
4.00
176.00
238.00
238.00
764.00
51.82
218.00
364.00
532.00
67.06
68.58
179.83
114.30
140.21
54.86
54.86
201.17
22.22
To (m)
182.88
44.20
99.06
109.73
172.21
68.58
64.01
156.97
184.40
106.68
106.68
163.07
39.62
118.87
184.00
191.26
198.00
214.28
144.00
78.00
144.00
108.00
82.00
190.00
882.00
452.00
882.00
57.91
484.00
484.00
588.00
152.40
179.83
188.98
140.21
152.40
198.12
135.64
240.79
33.53
Width (m)
164.59
25.91
39.62
4.57
7.62
60.96
7.62
27.43
7.62
21.34
13.72
150.88
27.43
7.62
166.00
7.26
180.00
16.28
136.00
70.00
38.00
104.00
78.00
14.00
644.00
214.00
118.00
6.09
266.00
120.00
56.00
85.34
111.25
9.15
25.91
12.19
143.26
80.78
39.62
11.31
Cu (%)
0.18
0.26
0.21
0.31
0.38
0.19
0.38
0.28
0.13
0.40
0.48
0.18
0.36
0.15
0.18
0.31
0.18
0.13
0.16
0.21
0.15
0.17
0.19
0.24
0.19
0.24
0.18
0.17
0.18
0.24
0.04
0.21
0.23
0.24
0.24
0.26
0.21
0.25
0.18
0.31
Mo (%)
CuEq** (%)
0.014
0.018
0.019
0.001
0.007
0.008
0.017
0.003
0.003
0.046
0.25
0.22
0.28
0.26
0.19
0.25
0.23
0.001
0.001
0.001
Comment
Oxide/Mixed/Sulphide
Oxide
Oxide
Oxide
Mixed
Oxide
Oxide
Mixed/Sulphide
Sulphide
Mixed
Mixed
Oxide/Mixed
Oxide
Oxide
Oxide/Mixed
Mixed/Sulphide
Oxide/Mixed
Sulphide
Oxide/Mixed
Oxide
Mixed
Oxide
Oxide
Sulphide
Sulphide
Sulphide
Sulphide
Oxide
Sulphide
Sulphide
Sulphide
Oxide/Mixed
Oxide/Mixed
Sulphide
Mixed
Sulphide
Oxide/Mixed
Oxide/Mixed
Sulphide
Oxide
Hole Type
RC
RC
RC
RC
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
RC
Diamond
RC
RC
RC
RC
Diamond
EG-BH-11-031*
* Drill holes ending in copper mineralization
** Copper equivalent is calculated using assumed metal prices of: copper $2.50/lb; molybdenum $15.00/lb; gold $1000/oz; and silver $15.00/oz and assumed
recoveries relative to copper of: molybdenum 70%; gold 85%; and silver 85%.
*** Reported gold and silver values for holes EG-BH-11-019 and 021 are not shown above, however weighted average intervals are in the range of 0.003 to 0.009
g/t gold and 0.08 to 0.35 g/t silver. The copper equivalent calculation includes these gold and silver values.
Drilling conducted by Entrée has been accompanied by a thorough QA/QC program, which currently includes the regular insertion of coarse blanks, core twins,
coarse duplicates, pulp duplicates and standards with each batch. A review of the regular QC data indicates that the copper and molybdenum assays are of
acceptable precision and accuracy to be used in the mineral resource estimate.
45
At the completion of the assaying, a percentage of the pulps are sent to an independent secondary laboratory for check assays. This program was still on-going at
the time of the AMTR12, however initial batches indicate no significant bias between the primary and secondary labs for both copper and molybdenum grades. A
portion of the Anaconda historical core was re-assayed by PacMag and no significant bias was noted for either copper or molybdenum between the two sampling
campaigns. Entrée has initiated a program of re-sampling and assaying an additional 13,700 m of Anaconda core (approximately 5,200 samples) from 41 historical drill
holes. This includes additional core from 19 of the 23 drill holes re-sampled by PacMag and core from 22 holes selected by Entrée to provide more uniform coverage
within the deposit. The purpose of the re-assay work is to increase the database of molybdenum, gold and silver assays and to allow these to be brought into future
estimates.
Metallurgical Testwork
Metallurgical testwork conducted in 2011 at Metcon Research in Tuscon has indicated that the Ann Mason ore is amenable to concentration by conventional
grinding and froth flotation. Locked cycle testing of two composites, representing the chalcopyrite, and chalcopyrite-bornite domains, resulted in copper recovery to
final concentrate in excess of 93%, at saleable concentrate grades, and with no penalty elements identified. Good liberation of sulfide minerals was achieved at a
moderate primary grind P80 of 100 µm. The potential for producing a separate molybdenum concentrate has also been investigated, but larger scale testing is
required in order to generate grade and recovery estimates, as a result of the low sample head grade.
On-going metallurgical testwork on the Ann Mason deposit includes locked-cycle flotation of composite samples from the chalcopyrite-pyrite domain and
grindability testing. In addition, column leaching tests are also in progress on samples from the Blue Hill oxide and oxide-sulfide zones.
Mineral Resource Estimate
The Ann Mason property contains a NI 43-101 compliant indicated resource of 640 Mt at 0.41% CuEq (at a 0.3% copper cut-off) for 5.38 billion pounds of contained
copper and 100 million pounds of contained molybdenum, and an inferred resource of 444 Mt at 0.38% CuEq (at a 0.3% copper cut-off) for 3.54 billion pounds of
contained copper and 40 million pounds of contained molybdenum (Table 8).
The mineral resources at the Ann Mason deposit were estimated by Scott Jackson, of QG. The estimate incorporates most of the historical drilling at Ann Mason and
Entrée drilling to hole EG-AM-12-027. The effective date of the mineral resource estimate is March 6, 2012.
Approximately 30,000 metres of new drilling in 27 holes were analyzed and evaluated in conjunction with 50,200 metres (119 holes) of historic drilling to prepare this
resource estimate. This estimate also includes re-assay results from portions of 23 holes sampled by PacMag Metals in 2006 and portions of two holes sampled by
Entrée in 2011. Deposit geology, structure, alteration and sulphide zoning have been reinterpreted and modelled based on the integration of historic data with current
drilling results.
The basic parameters of the estimate are as follows:
· A single estimation domain for copper was created based on using an approximate 0.15% copper threshold that continues approximately 150 m from
the outermost drill holes. The mineralization is still open in most directions.
· A similar but smaller domain was built for molybdenum using a 0.005% threshold.
· Assays were composited to 5 m in line.
· Copper and molybdenum variograms show that there is not a high degree of anisotropy; there is a moderate nugget effect and ranges up to 300 m
were modelled.
46
· Estimation parameters were chosen based on Quantitative Kriging Neighbourhood Analysis ("QKNA"). For copper, searches were oriented similar to
the faults striking northeast. Inside the copper domain, composites above 2% were given a restricted range of influence (40 m). For molybdenum a
similar strategy was applied at 0.01% molybdenum.
· Estimation of 40 x 40 x 15 m blocks was by Ordinary Kriging.
· A single bulk density value was used inside the copper domain (2.59) and two average density values outside that domain (2.61 in quartz monzonite
and 2.57 in granodiorite).
· The resource was classified using a number of factors, taking into account confidence in the model, data spacing and various complimentary
geostatistical parameters, as follows:
- Indicated: Material inside the 0.15% copper domain, with a spacing of approximately 100 x 75 or less and a slope of regression (a measure of
conditional bias) above 0.7.
- Inferred: Material inside the 0.15% copper domains with a spacing of greater than 100 m but less than 175 m (i.e. the rest of the copper domain).
- Not Classified: all material outside the 0.15% copper domain.
· The Ann Mason mineral resource has not been constrained by an economic pit shell, but QG’s review of the geometry and depth of the deposit, as
well as the grade distribution and cut-off grades and comparison of these to similar-style deposits world-wide demonstrates that the inferred and
indicated material has reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.
The following table summarizes the mineral resource for the Ann Mason deposit produced in the AMTR12. The resource estimate for the Ann Mason deposit is
effective as of March 6, 2012. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Table 9 – Ann Mason Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate
Cut-off
Cu (%)
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Cut-off
Cu (%)
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Tonnes
(million)
1,115
904
640
391
201
Tonnes
(million)
1,131
780
444
215
82
Cu (%)
0.33
0.35
0.38
0.42
0.46
Cu (%)
0.29
0.32
0.36
0.40
0.45
Indicated Resources
Mo (%)
0.007
0.007
0.007
0.007
0.008
lb Cu
(billion)
8.04
6.98
5.38
3.60
2.04
Inferred Resources
Mo (%)
0.004
0.004
0.004
0.004
0.005
lb Cu
(billion)
7.31
5.56
3.54
1.90
0.82
lb Mo
(billion)
0.16
0.13
0.10
0.06
0.03
lb Mo
(billion)
0.11
0.07
0.04
0.02
0.01
CuEq*
(%)
0.35
0.38
0.41
0.45
0.49
CuEq*
(%)
0.31
0.34
0.38
0.42
0.47
*Copper equivalent is calculated using assumed metal prices of: copper $2.50/lb; and molybdenum $15.00/lb and assumed metallurgical recoveries relative to copper
of: molybdenum 70%.
47
Current Exploration Program
Step-out drilling continues on the northern and western margins of the Ann Mason deposit.
Entrée has retained the services AGP Mining Consultants Inc., of Toronto, Canada to begin preparation of a PEA for the Ann Mason deposit and the Blue Hill oxide
target. Re-assaying of portions of the historical Anaconda core is also underway. Entrée plans to incorporate assay results for molybdenum, gold and silver from
these historic drill holes into future mineral resource estimates and the PEA.
Entrée has forwarded two additional composites of core samples from the pyrite-chalcopyrite domain at Ann Mason to METCON Research in Tucson for additional
metallurgical testing. This round of testing will help further refine flotation parameters to be used in the PEA.
NON-MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Entrée has interests in other non-material properties in the United States, Australia and Peru as follows. For additional information regarding these non-material
properties, including Entrée’s ownership interest and obligations, see the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the financial year ended December
31, 2011, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
· Lordsburg and Oak Grove Properties, New Mexico. Work on the 1,435 hectare Oak Grove property to date has consisted of permitting, negotiation of
access agreements, a 17 line-kilometre IP survey and a 50 line-kilometre magnetic survey. The work defined moderate chargeability anomalies
associated with a strong, circular magnetic feature. No work was completed in 2011 but drill testing of the target is planned for 2012.
The Lordsburg claims cover 2,013 ha adjacent to the historic Lordsburg copper-gold-silver district in New Mexico. Drilling at Lordsburg has been
successful in discovering a new porphyry copper-gold occurrence in an area previously known only for vein-style gold mineralization. No work was
completed in 2011. Future drilling will be directed towards expanding the existing drill defined copper and gold zone.
· Shamrock Property, Nevada. The Shamrock property is a copper skarn exploration target located in the Yerington copper porphyry district in western
Nevada, approximately 5 km southeast of the Ann Mason Project.
· Eagle Flats Property, Nevada. The Eagle Flats property consists of 58 unpatented lode claims, 65 kilometres east of Yerington, in Mineral County,
Nevada.
· Sentinel Property, North Dakota. The Sentinel uranium exploration property consists of a mineral lease of approximately 2,100 ha which includes the
Church uranium deposit, and two nearby non-contiguous prospecting permits covering approximately 1,160 ha.
· Blue Rose Joint Venture, Australia. The Blue Rose copper-iron-gold-molybdenum joint venture property covers exploration licence EL 3848 in the
Olary Region of South Australia, 300 kilometres north-northeast of Adelaide. Magnetite iron formations occur in the southern portion of this 1,000
square kilometre tenement, and a zone of copper oxide mineralization and a gold target (Golden Sophia) are located in the north-central area of the
tenement.
A soil sampling program was completed over the Golden Sophia shallow gold target in August 2011. The survey confirmed the previous Battle
Mountain gold in soil anomaly and defined a new, linear gold anomaly located approximately 700 m to the northeast. An RC drill program is planned
for the first quarter of 2012 after completion of all native title requirements. On September 22, 2011, the joint venture filed notice to initiate
negotiations with native title parties, as required under the Mining Act of South Australia. Drilling may not commence until either an ex parte order
has been obtained or a native title and heritage agreement has been concluded.
48
· Mystique Farm-Out, Australia. Mystique is an early stage gold exploration property comprised of exploration licence E28/1915, held by Entrée. The
property is located in the Albany-Fraser Province of West Australia.
· Lukkacha Property, Peru. The Lukkacha property is located in Tacna Province of southeastern Peru. The property consists of seven concessions
totalling 4,400 ha which cover two large areas of surface alteration, iron oxides and quartz veining approximately 50 kilometres along the structural trend
southeast from the giant Toquepala mining operation of Grupo Mexico. The property has never been drilled and represents a unique opportunity for
early stage exploration within an under-explored major copper district. The property is situated within 50 kilometres of the international border with
Chile, and initiation of further exploration (geophysics and drilling) is subject to Entrée obtaining a Supreme Decree allowing it to work on the property.
RISK FACTORS
This AIF contains forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding
the direction of our business. Actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future
performance suggested in this AIF. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the
forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
An investment in the Company’s Common Shares involves a number of very significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties in
addition to other information in this AIF in evaluating Entrée and our business before purchasing the Company’s Common Shares. Our business, operating results
and financial condition could be seriously harmed due to any of the following risks. The risks described below are not the only ones facing Entrée. Additional risks
not presently known to us may also impair our business operations. You could lose all or part of your investment due to any of these risks.
Risks Associated With The Development of the Oyu Tolgoi Mining Complex.
The Joint Venture Property forms part of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. As a result, certain risk factors associated with the development of the Oyu Tolgoi mining
complex are also applicable to Entrée and may adversely affect Entrée, including the following.
There can be no assurance that OTLLC will be capable of raising the additional funding that it needs to complete the development of the Oyu Tolgoi mining
complex, including the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits.
OTLLC’s existing financial resources are insufficient to meet all anticipated development expenditures required to advance the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex to the
commencement of commercial production. There can be no assurance that OTLLC will be capable of raising the additional funding that it needs. Failure to obtain
sufficient additional funding would likely have a material adverse impact on OTLLC’s ability to maintain the current development schedule for the Oyu Tolgoi mining
complex.
Development of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex may involve unexpected problems or delays.
There are a number of uncertainties inherent in the development and construction of any new mine, including the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. These uncertainties
include: the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities; the availability and cost of skilled labour, power and
transportation; the annual usage costs to the local province for sand, aggregate and water; the availability and cost of appropriate smelting and refining
arrangements; the need to obtain necessary environmental and other government permits, and the timing of those permits; and the availability of funds to finance
construction and development activities. The cost, timing and complexities of mine construction and development are increased by the remote location of the Oyu
Tolgoi mining complex. It is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems and delays during development, construction and mine start-
up. In addition, delays in the commencement of mineral production often occur. Accordingly, there is no assurance that future development activities will result in
profitable mining operations.
49
Lack of sufficient sophisticated electrical power and transportation infrastructure in proximity to the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex could adversely affect mining
feasibility.
The Oyu Tolgoi mining complex is located in an extremely remote area in the South Gobi region of Mongolia, which currently lacks basic infrastructure, including
sources of electrical power, housing, food and transport necessary to develop and operate a major mining project. While the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex has
established the limited infrastructure, including diesel-generated power, necessary to conduct its current exploration and development activities, substantially greater
sources of electrical power, physical plant and transportation infrastructure in the area will need to be established before mining operations are conducted. In
addition, satisfactory agreements for the purchase of electrical power will have to be entered into, and any necessary government approvals or licences
obtained. Lack of availability of the means and inputs necessary to establish such infrastructure may adversely affect mining feasibility. Establishing such
infrastructure will, in any event, require significant financing, identification of adequate sources of raw materials and supplies and cooperation from international,
national and regional governments, none of which can be assured.
Development of the Joint Venture Property may be delayed by OTLLC in favour of development of the Oyu Tolgoi licence.
OTLLC has earned either a 70% or 80% interest in the Joint Venture Property, depending on the depth at which minerals are extracted. OTLLC has effective control of
the development of both the Oyu Tolgoi licence, which it owns outright, and the Joint Venture Property, in which Entrée maintains an interest. The development of
the Joint Venture Property may be adversely affected if OTLLC decides to delay or reduce such development in favour of the immediate or complete development of
the Oyu Tolgoi licence.
Legal and Political Risks
Entrée’s ability to carry on business in Mongolia is subject to legal and political risk.
Although the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences in Mongolia are included in the contract area for the Investment Agreement, Entrée’s interest in the Joint Venture
Property and Shivee West are not covered by the Investment Agreement. There can be no assurance that Entrée’s assets will not be subject to nationalization,
requisition or confiscation, whether legitimate or not, by any authority or body. In addition, there can be no assurance that neighbouring countries’ political and
economic policies in relation to Mongolia will not have adverse economic effects on the development of the Lookout Hill property, including the ability to access
power, transport and sell product and access labour, supplies and materials.
There is no assurance that provisions under Mongolian law for compensation and reimbursement of losses to investors under such circumstances would be effective
to restore the full value of Entrée’s original investment or to compensate for the loss of the current value of its interest in the Lookout Hill property. Entrée’s interest
in the Lookout Hill property may be affected in varying degrees by, among other things, government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price
controls, export controls, income taxes, environmental legislation, mine safety and annual fees to maintain mining licences in good standing. There can be no
assurance that Mongolian laws protecting foreign investments will not be amended or abolished or that existing laws will be enforced or interpreted to provide
adequate protection against any or all of the risks described above.
50
The legal framework in Mongolia is, in many instances, based on recent political reforms or newly enacted legislation, which may not be consistent with long-
standing local conventions and customs. Although some legal title risks in respect of Lookout Hill may be mitigated by the fact that the licences are included in the
contract area of the Investment Agreement, there may still be ambiguities, inconsistencies and anomalies in the agreements, licences and title documents through
which Entrée holds its interest in the Lookout Hill property, or the underlying legislation upon which that interest is based, which are atypical of more developed legal
systems and which may affect the interpretation and enforcement of Entrée’s rights and obligations. Local institutions and bureaucracies responsible for
administering laws may lack a proper understanding of the laws or the experience necessary to apply them in a modern business context. Many laws have been
enacted, but in many instances they are neither understood nor enforced and may be applied in an inconsistent, arbitrary and unfair manner, while legal remedies may
be uncertain, delayed or unavailable. For decades, Mongolians have looked to politicians and bureaucrats as the sources of the “law”. This has changed in theory,
but often not in practice. With respect to most day-to-day activities in Mongolia, government civil servants interpret, and often effectively make, the law. This
situation is gradually changing but at a relatively slow pace. Accordingly, while Entrée believes that it has taken the legal steps necessary to obtain and hold its
interest in Mongolia, there can be no guarantee that such steps will be sufficient to preserve that interest.
Entrée’s rights to use and access certain land area could be adversely affected by the application of Mongolia’s Resolution 175.
In June 2011, the Government of Mongolia passed Resolution 175, the purpose of which is to authorize the designation of certain land areas for “state special needs”
within certain defined areas in proximity to the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. These state special needs areas are to be used for infrastructure facilities necessary in
order to implement the development and construction of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Portions of the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences are included in the land
area that is subject to Resolution 175.
It is expected but not yet formally confirmed by the Government that to the extent that a consensual access agreement exists or is entered into between OTLLC and
an affected licence holder, the application of Resolution 175 to the land area covered by the access agreement will be unnecessary. OTLLC has existing access and
surface rights to the Joint Venture Property pursuant to the Earn-In Agreement. The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences are also part of the contract area of the
Investment Agreement, which contains certain provisions respecting expropriation. If Entrée is unable to reach a consensual arrangement with OTLLC with respect
to Shivee West, Entrée’s right to use and access a corridor of land included in the state special needs areas for a proposed power line may be adversely affected by
the application of Resolution 175. While the Mongolian Government would be responsible for compensating Entrée in accordance with the mandate of Resolution
175, the amount of such compensation is not presently quantifiable.
Recent and future amendments to Mongolian laws could adversely affect Entrée’s interest in the Lookout Hill property or make it more difficult or expensive to
develop the property and carry out mining.
The Government of Mongolia has, in the past, expressed its strong desire to foster, and has to date protected the development of, an enabling environment for
foreign investment. Entrée believes that the successful negotiation of the Investment Agreement in respect of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex clearly demonstrates
the level of commitment of the current government to continue to do so. However, there are political constituencies within Mongolia that have espoused ideas that
would not be regarded by the international mining community as conducive to foreign investment if they were to become law or official government policy. This was
evidenced by revisions to the Minerals Law in 2006. At present, Entrée has no reason to believe that the Government of Mongolia intends to sponsor, or that
Parliament intends to enact, amendments to the Minerals Law or other legislation that would be materially adverse to the interests of international investors in
Mongolia’s mining sector, including those of Entrée. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the present government, or a future government, will refrain from
enacting legislation or adopting government policies that are adverse to Entrée’s interests or that impair Entrée’s ability to explore Shivee West and/or OTLLC’s
ability to develop and operate the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex on the basis presently contemplated, which may have a material, adverse impact on Entrée and its share
price.
51
Changes in, or more aggressive enforcement of, laws and regulations could adversely impact Entrée’s business.
Mining operations and exploration activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations. These relate to production, development, exploration, exports, imports,
taxes and royalties, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, mine decommissioning and reclamation,
mine safety, toxic substances, transportation safety and emergency response and other matters.
Compliance with these laws and regulations increases the costs of exploring, drilling, developing, constructing, operating and closing mines and other facilities. It is
possible that the costs, delays and other effects associated with these laws and regulations may impact Entrée’s decision as to whether to continue to operate in a
particular jurisdiction or whether to proceed with exploration or development of properties. Since legal requirements change frequently, are subject to interpretation
and may be enforced to varying degrees in practice, Entrée is unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with these requirements or their effect on
operations. Changes in governments, regulations and policies and practices could have an adverse impact on Entrée’s future cash flows, earnings, results of
operations and financial condition, which may have a material, adverse impact on Entrée and its share price.
Entrée may be unable to enforce its legal rights in certain circumstances.
In the event of a dispute arising at or in respect of Entrée’s foreign operations, Entrée may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be
successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in Canada or other jurisdictions. Entrée may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing its
rights with respect to a governmental entity or instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity.
Entrée is not presently a party to the Investment Agreement, and there can be no assurance that Entrée will be entitled to all of the benefits of the Investment
Agreement.
Entrée is not presently a party to the Investment Agreement. Although OTLLC has agreed under the terms of the Earn-In Agreement to use its best efforts to cause
Entrée to be brought within the ambit of, made subject to and to be entitled to the benefits of the Investment Agreement, unless and until Entrée becomes a party to
the Investment Agreement or otherwise receives confirmation from the Government of Mongolia, there can be no assurance that Entrée will be entitled to all of the
benefits of the Investment Agreement, including stability with respect to taxes payable. Until such time as Entrée becomes a party to the Investment Agreement, it
could be subject to the new surtax royalty which came into effect in Mongolia on January 1, 2011. The rates of the new surtax royalty vary from 1% to 5% for
minerals other than copper. For copper, the surtax royalty rates range between 22% and 30% for ore, between 11% and 15% for concentrates, and between 1% and
5% for final products. No surtax royalty is charged on any minerals below a certain threshold market price, which varies depending on the type of minerals. This is in
addition to the standard royalty rates of 2.5% for coal sold in Mongolia and commonly occurring minerals sold in Mongolia, and 5% for all other minerals. In order to
become a party to the Investment Agreement, the Government of Mongolia may require Entrée or the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture to agree to certain concessions,
including with respect to the ownership of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture or the scope of the lands to be covered by the Investment Agreement.
52
Entrée may experience difficulties with its joint venture partners.
OTLLC has earned an interest in the Joint Venture Property from Entrée. OTLLC and Entrée have formed a joint venture and OTLLC has effective control of the
development of the Joint Venture Property. Entrée is also or may become party to additional joint ventures in respect of other properties with third parties.
Entrée is and will be subject to the risks normally associated with the conduct of joint ventures, which include disagreements as to how to develop, operate and
finance a project and possible litigation between the participants regarding joint venture matters. These matters may have an adverse effect on Entrée’s ability to
realize the full economic benefits of its interest in the property that is the subject of a joint venture, which could affect its results of operations and financial
condition.
Risks Associated With Mining
Resource and reserve estimates, including estimates for the Hugo North Extension, Heruga and Ann Mason deposits, are estimates only, and are subject to
change based on a variety of factors.
The estimates of reserves and resources, including the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be achieved or the indicated level of recovery that will be realized,
are estimates only and no assurances can be given as to their accuracy. Such estimates are, in large part, based on interpretations of geological data obtained from
drill holes and other sampling techniques. Actual mineralization or formations may be different from those predicted. It may also take many years from the initial
phase of drilling before production is possible, and during that time the economic feasibility of exploiting a deposit may change. Reserve and resource estimates are
materially dependent on prevailing market prices and the cost of recovering and processing minerals at the mine site. Market fluctuations in the price of metals or
increases in the costs to recover metals may render the mining of ore reserves uneconomical and materially adversely affect operations. Moreover, various short-term
operating factors may cause a mining operation to be unprofitable in any particular accounting period.
Prolonged declines in the market price of metals may render reserves containing relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomic to exploit and could reduce
materially reserves and resources. Should such reductions occur, the discontinuation of development or production might be required. The estimates of mineral
reserves and resources attributable to a specific property are based on accepted engineering and evaluation principles. The estimated amount of contained metals in
probable mineral reserves does not necessarily represent an estimate of a fair market value of the evaluated property.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of mineral reserves and resources. The estimates in the Company’s disclosure documents are
based on various assumptions relating to commodity prices and exchange rates during the expected life of production, mineralization, the projected cost of mining,
and the results of additional planned development work. Actual future production rates and amounts, revenues, taxes, operating expenses, environmental and
regulatory compliance expenditures, development expenditures, and recovery rates may vary substantially from those assumed in the estimates. Any significant
change in the assumptions underlying the estimates, including changes that result from variances between projected and actual results, could result in material
downward revision to current estimates.
Mineral prices are subject to dramatic and unpredictable fluctuations.
Entrée expects to derive revenues, if any, from the extraction and sale of precious and base metals such as copper, gold, silver and molybdenum. The price of those
commodities has fluctuated widely in recent years, and is affected by numerous factors beyond Entrée’s control, including international economic and political
trends, expectations of inflation, global and regional demand, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates, global or regional consumptive patterns, speculative
activities, increased production due to improved extraction and production methods and economic events, including the performance of Asia’s
economies. Mongolian law requires the sale or export of gold mined in Mongolia to be made through the Central Bank of Mongolia and/or other authorised entities
at world market prices. The effect of these factors on the price of base and precious metals, and, therefore, the economic viability of any of Entrée’s exploration
projects, cannot accurately be predicted. Should prevailing metal prices remain depressed, there may be a curtailment or suspension of mining, development and
exploration activities. Entrée would have to assess the economic impact of any sustained lower metal prices on recoverability and, therefore, the cut-off grade and
level of reserves and resources.
53
Entrée has interests in properties that are in the exploration and development stages. There is no assurance that the existence of any mineral reserves will be
established on any of the exploration properties in commercially exploitable quantities.
Mineral reserves have been established on the Hugo North Extension deposit at Lookout Hill. Mineral resources have been outlined on the Hugo North Extension
and Heruga deposits at Lookout Hill and the Ann Mason deposit in Nevada. Unless and until mineral reserves are established in economically exploitable quantities
on a deposit, and the property is brought into commercial production, Entrée cannot earn any revenues from operations on that deposit or recover all of the funds
that it has expended on exploration.
Development of a mineral property is contingent upon obtaining satisfactory exploration results. Mineral exploration and development involves substantial expenses
and a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to adequately mitigate. There is no assurance
that commercial quantities of ore will be discovered on any of the exploration properties in which Entrée has an interest. There is also no assurance that, even if
commercial quantities of ore are discovered, a mineral property will be brought into commercial production. The discovery of mineral deposits is dependent upon a
number of factors, not the least of which is the technical skill of the exploration personnel involved. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit, once discovered, is
also dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, metal prices
and government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental
protection. Most of the above factors are beyond the control of Entrée.
The probability of an individual prospect ever having mineral reserves that meet the requirements of the definition is extremely remote. In all probability, exploration
properties in which Entrée has an interest do not contain any mineral reserves and any funds that Entrée spends on exploration will be lost.
There can be no assurance that Entrée or its joint venture partners will be able to obtain or maintain any required permits.
Both mineral exploration and extraction require permits from various foreign, federal, state, provincial and local governmental authorities and are governed by laws
and regulations, including those with respect to prospecting, mine development, mineral production, transport, export, taxation, labour standards, water rights,
occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. There can be no assurance that Entrée or
its joint venture partners will be able to obtain or maintain any of the permits required for the continued exploration of mineral properties in which Entrée has an
interest or for the construction and operation of a mine on those properties at economically viable costs. If required permits cannot be obtained or maintained, Entrée
or its joint venture partners may be delayed or prohibited from proceeding with planned exploration or development of the mineral properties in which Entrée has an
interest and Entrée’s business could fail.
Entrée is subject to substantial environmental and other regulatory requirements and such regulations are becoming more stringent. Non-compliance with such
regulations could materially adversely affect Entrée.
Entrée’s operations are subject to environmental regulations in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and
permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be
curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining
operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed
for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
54
Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will likely require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more
stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and
employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect Entrée’s operations. Environmental hazards may
exist on the properties in which Entrée holds interests which are presently unknown to Entrée and which have been caused by previous or existing third-party owners
or operators of the properties. Government approvals and permits are also often required in connection with various aspects of Entrée’s operations. To the extent
that such approvals are required and not obtained, Entrée may be delayed or prevented from proceeding with planned exploration or development of its mineral
properties, which may have a material, adverse impact on Entrée and its share price.
In Mongolia, Entrée is required to deposit 50% of its proposed reclamation budget with the local Soum Governor’s office (a soum is the local Mongolian equivalent of
a township or district) which will be refunded only on acceptable completion of land rehabilitation after mining operations have concluded. Even if Entrée
relinquishes its licences, Entrée will still remain responsible for any required reclamation.
In the United States, exploration companies are required to apply to federal and state authorities for a work permit that specifically details the proposed work
program. A reclamation bond based on the amount of surface disturbance may be requested prior to the issuance of the appropriate permit.
There can be no assurance that the interest held by Entrée in exploration and development properties is free from defects.
Entrée’s title to its resource properties may be challenged by third parties or the licences that permit Entrée to explore its properties may expire if Entrée fails to timely
renew them and pay the required fees.
Entrée has investigated title to the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences and Entrée is satisfied that the title to these licences is properly registered in the name
of Entrée LLC, and that these licences are currently in good standing. Entrée has investigated the title to the claims comprising the Ann Mason Project and is
satisfied that the title to these claims is properly registered in the name of M.I.M. (U.S.A.) Inc., Entrée Gold (US) Inc. or the party from whom Entrée is acquiring its
interest, and that the claims are currently in good standing.
Entrée cannot guarantee that the rights to explore its properties will not be revoked or altered to its detriment as a result of Mongolia’s Resolution 175 or
otherwise. The ownership and validity of mining claims and concessions are often uncertain and may be contested.
In Mongolia, should such a third party challenge to the boundaries or registration of ownership arise, the Government of Mongolia may declare the property in
question a special reserve for up to three years to allow resolution of disputes or to clarify the accuracy of its mining licence register.
Entrée is not aware of any third party challenges to the location or area of any of the mining concessions and mining claims in any of the jurisdictions in which it
operates. There is, however, no guarantee that title to the claims and concessions will not be challenged or impugned in the future. If Entrée fails to pay the
appropriate annual fees or if Entrée fails to timely apply for renewal, then these licences may expire or be forfeit.
55
If mineral reserves in commercially exploitable quantities are established on any of Entrée’s properties (other than the Joint Venture Property), Entrée will
require additional capital and may need to acquire additional lands in order to develop the property into a producing mine. If Entrée cannot raise this
additional capital or acquire additional lands, Entrée will not be able to exploit the resource, and its business could fail.
If mineral reserves in commercially exploitable quantities are established on any of Entrée’s properties (other than the Joint Venture Property, in which Entrée has a
carried interest), Entrée will be required to expend substantial sums of money to establish the extent of the resource, develop processes to extract it and develop
extraction and processing facilities and infrastructure. Although Entrée may derive substantial benefits from the discovery of a major deposit, there can be no
assurance that such a resource will be large enough to justify commercial operations, nor can there be any assurance that Entrée will be able to raise the funds
required for development on a timely basis. If Entrée cannot raise the necessary capital or complete the necessary facilities and infrastructure, its business may fail.
Entrée may be required to acquire rights to additional lands in order to develop a mine if a mine cannot be properly located on Entrée’s properties. There can be no
assurance that Entrée will be able to acquire such additional lands on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
Mineral exploration and development is subject to extraordinary operating risks. Entrée does not currently insure against these risks.
Mineral exploration and development involves many risks which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to
overcome. Entrée’s operations will be subject to all of the hazards and risks inherent in the exploration and development of resources, including liability for pollution
or hazards against which Entrée cannot insure or against which Entrée may elect not to insure. Any such event could result in work stoppages and damage to
property, including damage to the environment. Entrée does not currently maintain any insurance coverage against these operating hazards. The payment of any
liabilities that arise from any such occurrence would have a material, adverse impact on Entrée.
Climatic Conditions can affect operations.
Mongolia's weather varies to the extremes, with summer temperatures ranging up to 35° Celsius or more to winter lows of minus 31° Celsius. Such adverse conditions
often preclude normal work patterns and can severely limit exploration and mining operations, usually making work difficult from November through to
March. Although good project planning can ameliorate these factors, unseasonable weather can upset programs with resultant additional costs and delays.
The mining industry is highly competitive and there is no assurance that Entrée will continue to be successful in acquiring mineral claims. If Entrée cannot
continue to acquire properties to explore for mineral resources, Entrée may be required to reduce or cease operations.
The mineral exploration, development, and production industry is largely unintegrated. Entrée competes with other exploration companies looking for mineral
resource properties and the resources that can be produced from them.
Entrée competes with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities. This competition could adversely affect its ability to acquire
suitable prospects for exploration in the future. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Entrée will acquire any interest in additional mineral resource properties
that might yield reserves or result in commercial mining operations.
56
Risks Related To Our Company
Entrée can provide investors with no assurances that it will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations.
Although Entrée has been in the business of exploring mineral resource properties since 1995, mineral reserves have only recently been established on a deposit in
which Entrée has an interest. As a result, Entrée has never had any revenues from its operations. In addition, its operating history has been restricted to the
acquisition and exploration of its mineral properties. Entrée anticipates that it will continue to incur operating costs without realising any revenues until such time as
the Joint Venture Property is brought into production. Entrée expects to continue to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. Entrée recognises that if it is
unable to generate significant revenues from mining operations and any dispositions of its interests in properties, Entrée will not be able to earn profits or continue
operations. Entrée can provide investors with no assurance that it will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations.
The fact that Entrée has not earned any operating revenues since its incorporation may impact its ability to explore certain of its mineral properties or require
that exploration be scaled back.
Entrée has not generated any revenue from operations since its incorporation. Entrée anticipates that it will continue to incur operating expenses without revenues
unless and until it is able to generate cash flows from the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture or it is able to identify a mineral reserve in a commercially exploitable quantity
on one or more of its mineral properties and it builds and operates a mine. As at December 31, 2011, Entrée had working capital of approximately $19 million. Entrée’s
average monthly operating expenses in 2011 were approximately $1.9 million, including exploration, general and administrative expenses and investor relations
expenses. Entrée has a carried interest on all exploration activity carried out on the Joint Venture Property and, due to the nature of Entrée’s other mineral property
interests, Entrée has the ability to alter its exploration expenditures and, to a lesser extent, its general and administrative expenses. As a result, Entrée believes that it
will not have to raise any additional funds to meet its currently budgeted operating requirements for the next 12 months. If these funds are not sufficient, or if Entrée
does not begin generating revenues from operations sufficient to pay its operating expenses when Entrée has expended them, Entrée will be forced to raise necessary
funds from outside sources. While Entrée may be able to raise funds through strategic alliances, joint ventures, product streaming or other arrangements, it has
traditionally raised its operating capital from sales of equity, but there can be no assurance that Entrée will continue to be able to do so. If Entrée cannot raise the
money that it needs to continue exploration of its mineral properties, there is a risk that Entrée may be forced to delay, scale back, or eliminate certain of its exploration
activities.
Recent global financial conditions may adversely impact operations and the value and price of the Company’s Common Shares.
Recent global financial and market conditions have been subject to increased volatility as a result of, among other things, apprehension over the ongoing debt crisis
in the Eurozone and Japan, and concerns that the Chinese economy is slowing. This increased volatility may impact the ability of Entrée to obtain equity or debt
financing in the future and, if obtained, on terms favourable to Entrée. If these increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue, Entrée’s operations could be
adversely impacted and the value and the price of the Company’s Common Shares could be adversely affected.
As a result of their existing shareholdings and Rio Tinto’s pre-emptive rights, Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto potentially have the ability to influence Entrée’s
business and affairs.
The shareholdings of each of Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto in the Company together with Rio Tinto’s pre-emptive rights, and Rio Tinto Holdings’ 51% interest in
Ivanhoe Mines, potentially give Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto the voting power to influence the policies, business and affairs of Entrée and the outcome of any
significant corporate transaction or other matter, including a merger, business combination or a sale of all, or substantially all, of Entrée’s assets. In addition, OTLLC
has operational control over the Joint Venture Property. OTLLC also has a right of first refusal with respect to any proposed disposition by Entrée of an interest in
Shivee West, which is not subject to the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. The share position in the Company of each of Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto and the other
rights of each may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction involving a change of control of the Company in favour of a third party that
otherwise could result in a premium in the market price of the Company’s Common Shares in the future.
57
The Company’s Articles and indemnity agreements between the Company and its officers and directors indemnify its officers and directors against costs,
charges and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
The Company’s Articles contain provisions requiring the Company to indemnify Entrée’s officers and directors against all judgements, penalties or fines awarded or
imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, a legal proceeding or investigative action in which such party, by reason of being a director or officer of Entrée, is or
may be joined. The Company also has indemnity agreements in place with its officers and directors. Such limitations on liability may reduce the likelihood of
derivative litigation against the Company’s officers and directors and may discourage or deter the Company’s shareholders from suing its officers and directors
based upon breaches of their duties to Entrée, though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit Entrée and the Company’s shareholders.
Investors' interests in the Company will be diluted and investors may suffer dilution in their net book value per Common Share if the Company issues stock
options or if the Company issues additional Common Shares to finance its operations.
Entrée has never generated revenue from operations. Entrée is currently without a source of revenue and the Company will most likely be required to issue additional
Common Shares to finance Entrée’s operations and, depending on the outcome of the exploration programs, may issue additional Common Shares to finance
additional exploration programs on any or all of Entrée’s properties or to acquire additional properties. In order to provide the Company with flexibility to quickly
raise funds should the need or opportunity arise, the Company announced on November 19, 2010 that it had filed a short form base shelf prospectus with the
securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and a corresponding shelf registration statement with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form F-10/A. These filings will allow the Company to make offerings of Common Shares, warrants, subscription receipts or any
combination of such securities up to an aggregate offering price of C$100,000,000 until the short form base shelf prospectus expires in December 2012.
The Company may also in the future grant to some or all of Entrée’s directors, officers, consultants, and employees options to purchase Common Shares as non-cash
incentives to those persons. Such options may be granted at prices equal to market prices, or at prices as allowable under the policies of the TSX and the Company’s
Stock Option Plan, when the public market is depressed. The issuance of any equity securities could, and the issuance of any additional Common Shares will, cause
the Company’s existing shareholders to experience dilution of their ownership interests.
If the Company issues additional Common Shares, investors' interests in the Company will be diluted and investors may suffer dilution in their net book value per
Common Share depending on the price at which such securities are sold. As at December 31, 2011 Entrée had outstanding options exercisable into 9,135,500 Common
Shares which, if exercised as at March 29, 2012 would represent approximately 6.64% of its issued and outstanding Common Shares. If all of these options are
exercised and the underlying Common Shares are issued, such issuance will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other
shareholders. The dilution may result in a decline in the market price of the Company’s Common Shares.
58
Earnings and Dividend Record.
The Company has no earnings or dividend record. The Company has not paid dividends on its Common Shares since incorporation and does not anticipate doing so
in the foreseeable future. The Company’s current intention is to apply any future net earnings to increase its working capital. Prospective investors seeking or
needing dividend income or liquidity should, therefore, not purchase the Company’s Common Shares. The Company currently has no revenue and a history of
losses, so there can be no assurance that the Company will ever have sufficient earnings to declare and pay dividends to the holders of Common Shares.
Conflicts of Interest.
Peter Meredith is an officer and director of Ivanhoe Mines and is also a director of the Company. In addition, certain of Entrée’s officers and directors may be or
become associated with other natural resource companies that acquire interests in mineral properties. Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from
time to time. Entrée’s directors are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to its best interests and to disclose any interest which they may have
in any of its projects or opportunities. In general, if a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the board of directors, any director in a conflict will disclose his interest
and abstain from voting on such matter or, if he does vote, his vote does not count. In determining whether or not Entrée will participate in any project or
opportunity, the directors will primarily consider the degree of risk to which Entrée may be exposed and its financial position at that time.
Dependence on Key Management Employees.
Entrée’s ability to continue its exploration and development activities and to develop a competitive edge in the marketplace depends, in large part, on its ability to
attract and maintain qualified key management personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that Entrée will be able to attract
and retain such personnel. Its development now, and in the future, will depend on the efforts of key management figures. The loss of any of these key people could
have a material adverse effect on Entrée’s business. Entrée does not currently maintain key-man life insurance on any of its key employees.
Fluctuations in Currency Exchange Rates.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly operating costs denominated in currencies other than United States dollars, may significantly impact Entrée’s
financial position and results. Entrée faces risks associated with fluctuations in Canadian, United States, Australian, Peruvian and Mongolian currencies.
The Company is subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The Company is subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), which prohibits Entrée or any officer, director, employee or agent of Entrée or any
shareholder of the Company on its behalf from paying, offering to pay, or authorizing the payment of anything of value to any foreign government official,
government staff member, political party, or political candidate in an attempt to obtain or retain business or to otherwise influence a person working in an official
capacity. The FCPA also requires public companies to make and keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect their transactions and to devise and
maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Entrée’s international activities create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by its
employees, consultants or agents, even though they may not always be subject to its control. Entrée discourages these practices by its employees and
agents. However, Entrée’s existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and its employees, consultants and agents may
engage in conduct for which it might be held responsible. Any failure by Entrée to adopt appropriate compliance procedures and ensure that its employees and
agents comply with the FCPA and applicable laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial penalties or restrictions on Entrée’s ability to
conduct business in certain foreign jurisdictions, which may have a material adverse impact on Entrée and its share price.
The Company believes that it was a passive foreign investment company during 2011, which may have a material effect on U.S. holders.
59
The Company believes it was a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) during the year ended December 31, 2011 and may be a PFIC for subsequent tax
years, which may have a material effect on United States shareholders (“US Holders”). United States income tax legislation contains rules governing PFICs, which
can have significant tax effects on US Holders of foreign corporations. A US Holder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such
corporation qualifies as a PFIC is subject to United States federal income taxation under one of two alternative tax regimes at the election of each such US
Holder. The United States federal income tax consequences to a US Holder of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares will depend on whether
such US Holder makes an election to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF” under Section 1295 of the Code (“QEF Election”) or a mark-to-market
election under Section 1296 of the Code (“Mark-to-Market Election”). Upon written request by a US Holder, the Company will make available the information
necessary for such US Holder to make QEF Elections with respect to the Company. Additional adverse rules would apply to US Holders for any year the Company is
a PFIC and Entrée owns or disposes of shares in another corporation which is a PFIC.
DIVIDENDS
The Company has not declared any dividends on its Common Shares since the inception of our Company on July 19, 1995. There is no restriction in the Company’s
Articles that will limit its ability to pay dividends on its Common Shares. However, the Company does not anticipate declaring and paying dividends to its
shareholders in the near future.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value, of which 127,016,788 were issued and outstanding at December 31,
2011 and 128,377,243 are issued and outstanding at March 29, 2012. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote. All Common Shares of the Company rank equally as
to dividends, voting power and participation in assets. No Common Shares have been issued subject to call or assessment. There are no pre-emptive or conversion
rights and no provision for exchange, exercise, redemption and retraction, purchase for cancellation, surrender or sinking or purchase funds. Provisions as to
modification, amendments or variation of such rights or such provisions are contained in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and the Company’s
Articles.
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
The Company’s Common Shares were traded on the TSX Venture Exchange until April 24, 2006. On April 24, 2006 the Company began trading on the TSX. The
Company’s symbol is “ETG” and its CUSIP number is 29383-100. The Company’s Common Shares are also traded on the NYSE Amex under the symbol “EGI” and on
the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “EKA” (WKN:121411).
60
Trading History
The following tables sets forth, for each month of the most recently completed financial year, the price range and volumes traded or quoted on the TSX (as reported
by the TSX) and the NYSE Amex (as reported by NYSE Amex):
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
TSX
Trading 2011
Low
Cdn$
2.61
2.91
2.69
2.54
2.16
1.82
2.02
1.62
1.39
1.23
1.08
1.05
NYSE Amex
Trading 2011
Low
$
2.70
3.03
2.76
2.69
2.26
1.91
2.11
1.67
1.39
1.32
1.21
1.03
High
Cdn$
3.40
3.35
3.14
3.01
2.62
2.32
2.34
2.40
2.40
1.98
1.93
1.36
High
$
3.41
3.38
3.18
3,07
2.68
2.26
2.43
2.42
2.40
1.94
1.91
1.35
Close
Cdn$
2.94
2.97
3.03
2.62
2.34
2.06
2.16
2.00
1.44
1.89
1.29
1.25
Close
$
2.94
3.05
3.12
2.77
2.42
2.14
2.26
1.98
1.39
1.92
1.33
1.20
Volume
2,966,749
3,480,350
1,951,673
1,367,687
794,723
1,338,741
666,139
1,064,476
1,327,598
973,373
1,959,710
2,366,080
Volume
7,134,748
4,813,059
3,764,935
2,681,895
2,868,560
2,847,885
1,758,777
3,769,605
2,928,949
1,978,010
1,772,089
2,075,730
The closing price of the Company’s Common Shares as reported by the TSX on December 31, 2011 was C$1.25.
The Company’s Common Shares are issued in registered form. Computershare Investor Services Inc. is the registrar and transfer agent for the Company’s Common
Shares.
61
On December 31, 2011, the shareholders' list for the Company’s Common Shares showed 1,225 registered shareholders and 127,016,788 Common Shares outstanding.
The Company has no outstanding securities not listed on a marketplace other than incentive stock options. Since the beginning of the most recently completed
financial year, stock options to purchase an aggregate 2,357,000 Common Shares were granted. The following table outlines the details of each grant:
Number of Options
200,000
125,000
150,000
100,000
1,732,000
50,000
ESCROWED SECURITIES
There were no escrowed securities at December 31, 2011.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Exercise Price
(CDN$)
3.47
2.94
2.05
2.23
1.25
1.27
Grant Date
January 4, 2011
March 8, 2011
July 7, 2011
July 15, 2011
January 6, 2012
February 1, 2012
The Company’s Board consisted of seven directors as at December 31, 2011. The term of office for each director expires at the next annual general meeting following
his or her election or appointment. The following is a brief account of the education and business experience of each director and executive officer, indicating each
person’s principal occupation during the last five years, and the name and principal business of the organization by which he was employed or with which he is/was
involved as an officer, director or beneficial owner of securities with more than a 10% voting position.
Gregory G. Crowe, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Crowe has been a director and President of the Company since July 3, 2002 and has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company since July 16, 2003.
Mr. Crowe was self-employed from 1997 to 2002, providing exploration and management services for junior resource companies.
Mr. Crowe is a professional geologist with more than 25 years of exploration, business and entrepreneurial experience throughout North America, Latin America,
Africa and Southeast Asia. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Crowe was a senior executive with Acrex Ventures Ltd., a junior resource company active in Ontario,
and co-founder and President of Azimuth Geological Inc., a private consulting company specializing in exploration and management services for junior and major
mining companies such as Rio Algom Ltd., the Prime Group and Westmin Resources Limited. Mr. Crowe also worked for Yuma Copper Corp. from 1994 to 1997, where
he was instrumental in transforming Yuma Copper Corp. from a junior exploration company into a copper producer with two mines in Chile.
Mr. Crowe obtained a Bachelor of Geology degree from Carlton University and a Master of Geology degree from the University of Calgary. He is a member of the
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
Mark H. Bailey, Director
Mr. Bailey has been a director of the Company since June 28, 2002.
62
Mr. Bailey is an exploration geologist with more than 35 years of industry experience. Since 1995, he has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Minefinders Corporation Ltd. (“Minefinders”), a precious metals mining company whose shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE
Amex. Minefinders operates the multi-million ounce Dolores gold and silver mine in Mexico. On March 26, 2012, Minefinders announced that its shareholders had
approved a plan of arrangement pursuant to which Pan American Silver Corp. will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Minefinders. The transaction is
expected to close on or about March 30, 2012. Before joining Minefinders, Mr. Bailey held senior positions with Equinox Resources Inc. and Exxon Minerals. Since
1984, Mr. Bailey has worked as a consulting geologist with Mark H. Bailey & Associates LLC. Mr. Bailey is also currently a director of Minefinders, Dynasty Metals
& Mining Inc. and Northern Lion Gold Corp.
Lindsay R. Bottomer, Vice-President, Business Development and Director
Mr. Bottomer has been a director of the Company since June 28, 2002 and became Vice-President, Corporate Development on October 16, 2005.
Mr. Bottomer is a professional geologist with more than 38 years experience in global mineral exploration and development with major and junior mining companies,
the last 23 years based in Vancouver, BC. Currently, he is Vice-President, Business Development with Entrée Gold Inc. He was formerly President and Chief
Executive Officer of Silver Quest Resources Ltd., a public company focused on gold and silver exploration in Canada. Mr. Bottomer has also served as Director of
Canadian Exploration with Echo Bay Mines Ltd., and Vice-President of New Projects with Prime Equities International. Mr. Bottomer is also a director of several other
TSX-V and CSNX listed companies in the resource sector.
Mr. Bottomer obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in geology from the University of Queensland and a Master of Applied Science degree from McGill
University. Mr. Bottomer is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy. He is also Past President of the British Columbia and Yukon Chamber of Mines and served for six years from 2002 to 2008 as an elected
councillor on the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.
James L. Harris, Non-Executive Chairman and Director
Mr. Harris has been a director of the Company since January 29, 2003 and was appointed non-executive Chairman on March 15, 2006.
Mr. Harris is a corporate, securities and business lawyer with over 30 years experience in British Columbia and internationally. He has extensive experience with the
acquisition and disposition of assets, corporate structuring and restructuring, regulatory requirements and corporate filings, and corporate governance. Mr. Harris
was also a Founding Member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the former Vancouver Stock Exchange. Mr. Harris has completed the Directors’ Education Program
of the Institute of Corporate Directors and is an Institute-certified Director. Mr. Harris has also completed a graduate course in business at the London School of
Economics.
Peter G. Meredith, Director
Mr. Meredith has been a director of the Company since November 24, 2004. He was originally nominated by Ivanhoe Mines as its representative on the Company’s
Board, as per the terms of the Earn-in Agreement.
Mr. Meredith is a seasoned executive with a strong background in corporate management and in key facets of the mining industry, including exploration, mine
construction, financing and operations. Mr. Meredith is Ivanhoe Mines' Deputy Chairman, overseeing the company's business development and corporate
relations. Mr. Meredith joined the Ivanhoe group in 1996 and was Chief Financial Officer of Ivanhoe Mines prior to his appointment as Deputy Chairman. He is
Chairman of SouthGobi Resources Ltd. Mr. Meredith is also currently a director of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, Ivanhoe Energy Inc., Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.,
and Ivanhoe Australia Ltd.
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Prior to joining Ivanhoe Mines, Mr. Meredith, a Chartered Accountant, was a partner and director of Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Meredith has over 35 years of
experience as a business advisor, specializing in regulatory compliance and corporate finance. He is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered
Accountants.
The Rt. Honourable Lord Howard of Lympne, Non-Executive Deputy Chairman and Director
The Rt. Honourable Lord Howard of Lympne has been a director of the Company since May 16, 2007 and was appointed non-executive Deputy Chairman on the same
day.
He is the former leader of the Conservative Party in Britain, a distinguished lawyer, and served as a Member of Parliament in Britain for 27 years. He filled many
government posts, including Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Employment and Secretary of State for the Environment, as well as Shadow Foreign Secretary and
Shadow Chancellor. After his retirement from the House of Commons at the 2010 General Election, Mr. Howard was created a Life Peer. He was created a Companion
of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 2011. Lord Howard is currently a director of Orca Exploration Group.
Alan Edwards, Director
Mr Edwards has been a director of the Company since March 8, 2011.
Mr. Edwards has 30 years of diverse mining industry experience. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Mining Engineering and an MBA (Finance). Mr. Edwards is currently the President of AE Consulting, a Colorado based company. He served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Copper One Inc. from 2009 to2011 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Frontera Copper Corporation from 2007 to 2009, and as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Apex Silver Mines Corporation from 2004 to 2007, where he directed the engineering, construction and development of
the San Cristobal project in Bolivia. Mr. Edwards has also worked for Kinross Gold Corporation, P.T. Freeport Indonesia, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company and
Phelps Dodge Mining Company, where he started his career. He currently serves on the boards of several other publicly traded companies.
Bruce Colwill, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Colwill was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer on February 1, 2011.
Mr. Colwill has over 20 years of experience with public and private companies, in a variety of sectors including oil and gas, biotech, financial services and
manufacturing. Most recently, Mr. Colwill served as Chief Financial Officer of Transeuro Energy Corp., a public oil and gas company and acted as a financial
consultant to private and public companies. Between 2001 and 2009, Mr. Colwill served as Chief Financial Officer of Neuromed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Mr. Colwill
began his career with KPMG, first in Canada and then in Poland. Mr. Colwill is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered
Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia. Mr. Colwill holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University.
Robert M. Cann, Vice-President, Exploration
Mr. Cann has been the Company’s Exploration Manager since July, 2002 and was appointed to the position of Vice-President, Exploration on August 11, 2005.
Mr. Cann has been in charge of the start-up and management of all of the Company’s support operations and exploration projects since July, 2002. He has extensive
experience in project management and development, geological consulting and office management. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cann was Exploration Manager
for Spokane/Sand River Resources in Chihuahua, Mexico, from 1999 to 2000. From 1995 through 1999, Mr. Cann worked as an independent consulting geologist for
various companies contemplating property acquisitions in Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Nevada. Mr. Cann holds a Master of Science degree in Economic Geology
from the University of British Columbia and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, the Canadian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy (CIMM) and the Society of Economic Geologists.
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Mona M. Forster, Executive Vice President
Ms. Forster joined the Company as Business Manager in October 2003 and was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President in November 2010.
Ms. Forster has over 20 years of experience in administration and management, primarily in the mining industry. She holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and
is currently an elected director and Past Chair of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia. She is also an appointed member of the BC Mineral
Exploration and Mining Labour Market Task Force, a government-industry task force struck in 2007 to address the need for skilled and qualified workers within the
mining industry in BC.
Susan McLeod, Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary
Ms. McLeod joined the Company as Vice President, Legal Affairs on September 22, 2010 and was appointed Corporate Secretary on November 22, 2010.
Prior to joining Entrée, Ms. McLeod was in private practise in Vancouver, Canada since 1997, most recently with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (from 2008 to 2010)
and P. MacNeill Law Corporation (from 2003 to 2008). She has worked as outside counsel to public companies engaged in international mineral exploration and
mining. She has advised clients with respect to corporate finance activities, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and continuous disclosure matters, and
mining-related commercial agreements. Ms. McLeod holds a B.Sc. and an LLB from the University of British Columbia, and is a member of the Law Society of British
Columbia.
The table below sets out the municipality of residence and securities held by directors and executive officers as at December 31, 2011.
Name and municipality of residence
No. of Common Shares beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, or controlled
(2).
No. of securities held
on a fully-diluted basis(1)
Gregory Crowe
Bowen Island,
British Columbia, Canada
Mark H. Bailey
Bellingham, Washington
U.S.A.
Lindsay Bottomer
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
1,413,320
292,922
554,985
Shares: 1,413,320
Warrants: 0
Stock options:910,000
Total: 2,323,320
Shares: 292,922
Warrants: 0
Stock options:855,000
Total: 1,147,922
Shares: 554,985
Warrants: 0
Stock options:710,000
Total: 1,264,985
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Name and municipality of residence
No. of Common Shares beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, or controlled
(2).
No. of securities held
on a fully-diluted basis(1)
James L. Harris
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
Peter Meredith
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
Rt. Honourable Lord Howard of
Lympne London, UK
Alan Edwards
Morrison, Colorado
U.S.A
Bruce Colwill
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
Robert M. Cann
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Canada
Mona M. Forster
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
Susan McLeod
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
373,062
67,877
128,800
10,000
4,700
129,225
116,374
9,500
Shares: 373,062
Warrants: 0
Stock options:795,000
Total: 1,168,062
Shares: 67,877
Warrants: 0
Stock options:655,000
Total: 722,877
Shares: 128,800
Warrants: 0
Stock options:1,135,000
Total: 1,263,800
Shares: 10,000
Warrants 0
Stock options100,000
Total: 110,000
Shares: 4,700
Warrants 0
Stock options300,000
Total: 304,700
Shares: 129,225
Warrants: 0
Stock options:600,000
Total: 729,225
Shares: 116,374
Warrants: 0
Stock options:570,000
Total: 686,374
Shares: 9,500
Warrants: 0
Stock options:300,000
Total: 309,500
(1)
(2)
As at December 31, 2011.
Meaning an officer of the issuer, or a director or senior officer that has direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, control or direction over, or a combination
of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of and control or direction over securities of the issuer carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all
the issuer’s outstanding securities.
To the best of the Company’s knowledge as at December 31, 2011, directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly
or indirectly, 3,100,765 Common Shares (not including Common Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options) representing 2.44% of the then outstanding Common
Shares.
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Standing Committees of the Board of Directors
The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the
Technical Committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised of three directors, each of whom, in the judgement of the Board, meets the independence requirements of applicable securities
legislation and policies for audit committee members. The members of the Audit Committee are Mark Bailey, Michael Howard and Peter G. Meredith (chairman). All
members of the Audit Committee are financially literate. Relevant education and experience for members of the Audit Committee is listed under their profiles above.
The mandate of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Company’s financial reporting obligations, systems and disclosure, including monitoring the integrity of the
Company’s financial statements, monitoring the independence and performance of the Company’s external auditors and acting as a liaison between the Board and the
Company’s auditors. The activities of the Audit Committee typically include reviewing interim financial statements and annual financial statements, management’s
discussion and analysis and news releases with respect to the Company’s financial performance before they are publicly disclosed, ensuring that internal controls
over accounting and financial systems are maintained and that accurate financial information is disseminated to shareholders. Other responsibilities include reviewing
the results of internal and external audits and any change in accounting procedures or policies, and evaluating the performance of the Company's auditors. The Audit
Committee communicates directly with the Company’s external auditors in order to discuss audit and related matters whenever appropriate.
The full text of the Audit Committee Charter is attached to this AIF as an Appendix.
Audit Fees
The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to the Company by its external auditor in each of the last two years.
Audit Fees(1)
Audit Related Fees(2)
Tax Fees(3)
All other fees(4)
Total:
2011
2010
$93,412
$26,112
$38,028
$26,949
$184,501
$139,718
$30,810
$13,436
$78,578
$262,542
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, meetings with the Audit Committee and management with respect to annual filings, consulting
and accounting standards and transactions, issuance of consent in connection with Canadian and United States securities filings.
Audit-related fees paid for assurance and related services by the auditors that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the
Company’s quarterly financial statements that are not included in Audit Fees.
Tax compliance, taxation advice and tax planning for international operations.
Audit fees associated with the June 30, 2010 acquisition of PacMag and the review of the short form base shelf prospectus supplement.
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Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is comprised of three members of the Board: Michael Howard (chairman), Mark Bailey and Alan Edwards.
The primary objective of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits of the executive officers and
directors of the Company to ensure that such compensation realistically reflects the responsibilities and risks of such positions. In addition, the Compensation
Committee makes recommendations for grants made under the Company’s Stock Option Plan, determines the recipients of, and the nature and size of share
compensation awards granted from time to time, and determines any bonuses to be awarded from time to time.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board to: (1) assist the Board, on an annual basis, by identifying individuals qualified to
become Board members, and to recommend to the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders; (2) to assist the Board in the event of any
vacancy on the Board by identify individuals qualified to become Board members, and to recommend to the Board qualified individuals to fill any such vacancy; and
(3) to recommend to the Board, on an annual basis, director nominees for each Board committee. The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee are Michael Howard, James L. Harris (chairman) and Alan Edwards.
Technical Committee
The members of the Technical Committee consist of Alan Edwards (chairman), Mark Bailey, Lindsay Bottomer and Gregory Crowe. Mr. Edwards is a mining engineer,
and Mssrs. Bailey, Bottomer and Crowe are professional geologists. Neither Mr. Crowe, the President and Chief Executive of the Company, nor Mr. Bottomer, the
Vice-President, Business Development of the Company, is an independent director. The mandate of the Technical Committee is to exercise all the powers of the
Board (except those powers specifically reserved by law to the Board itself) during intervals between meetings of the Board pertaining to the Company’s mining
properties, programs, budgets, and other related activities and the administration thereof.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Peter Meredith is an officer and director of Ivanhoe Mines as well as a director of the Company. In addition, certain of Entrée’s officers and directors may be or
become associated with other natural resource companies that acquire interests in mineral properties. Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from
time to time. Directors are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to Entrée’s best interests and to disclose any interest which they may have in
any of Entrée’s projects or opportunities. In general, if a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Board, any director in a conflict will disclose his interest and
abstain from voting on such matter or, if he does vote, his vote does not count. In determining whether or not Entrée will participate in any project or opportunity,
the directors will primarily consider the degree of risk to which we may be exposed and our financial position at that time.
PROMOTERS
Not applicable.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
Not applicable.
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INTEREST IN MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Not applicable.
TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its offices in Vancouver and Toronto is both the transfer agent and registrar for the Company. Their address is 3rd Floor, 510
Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3G9, Telephone: (604) 689-9853, Facsimile: (604) 689-8144.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
1. Underwriting Agreement dated November 23, 2011 between Entrée Gold Inc. and Desjardins Securities Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., TD Securities
Inc., Knight Capital Group and Trapeze Capital Corp.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the underwriters agreed to purchase 10 million Common Shares at a price of C$1.25 per Common Shares for gross
proceeds of C$12.5 million. The offering closed on November 30, 2011. As consideration, the Company paid the underwriters a cash fee equal to 6% of the
gross proceeds received by the Company for the offering. The Company granted the underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional
1.5 million Common Shares at the offering price, exercisable for a period of 30 days following closing. On December 30, 2011, the underwriters exercised the
over-allotment option and agreed to purchase an additional 1.15 million Common Shares. Closing occurred on January 4, 2012.
2. Joint Venture Agreement deemed effective June 30, 2008 between Entrée Gold Inc. and Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc. XXK (now OTLLC).
Pursuant to Earn-In Agreement, a joint venture was deemed to be formed on June 30, 2008 and the parties were required to enter into a joint venture
agreement in the form attached to the Earn-In Agreement as Appendix A (the “Joint Venture Agreement”). Upon entering into the Joint Venture Agreement,
the Earn-in Agreement terminated, except for certain provisions which expressly survived the termination.
The Joint Venture Agreement governs the parties’ activities on the Joint Venture Property, including exploration, acquisition of additional real property and
other interests, evaluation of, and if justified, engaging in development and other operations, engaging in marketing products, and completing and satisfying
all environmental compliance and other continuing obligations affecting the Joint Venture Property. The term of the Joint Venture Agreement is 20 years
and for so long thereafter as the parties are engaged in activities on the Joint Venture Property.
3. Equity Participation Agreement dated 17th June, 2005, between Entrée Gold Inc. and Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. (now Rio Tinto Exploration
Canada Inc.).
Pursuant to this agreement, Rio Tinto acquired 6,306,921 units of the Company at a price of C$2.20 per unit. Each unit comprised one common share, one
share purchase warrant A (“A Warrant”) and one share purchase warrant B (“B Warrant”). Two A Warrants entitled Rio Tinto to acquire an additional
share for two years at a price of C$2.75. Two B Warrants entitled Rio Tinto to acquire an additional share for two years at a price of C$3.00. The A Warrants
and B Warrants were exercised in full.
The agreement includes a provision pursuant to which Rio Tinto is entitled to maintain its proportional equity interest in future financings by the Company,
unless Rio Tinto’s proportionate share falls below 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares or unless Rio Tinto fails to exercise its pre-emptive
right in full). This provision is still in effect.
69
4. Equity Participation and Earn-in Agreement dated October 15, 2004, between Entrée Gold Inc. and Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., as amended on November 9,
2004 and subsequently assigned to Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc. XXK (OTLLC) on March 1, 2005.
Under the Earn-In Agreement, OTLLC earned a 70% interest in mineralization above a depth of 560 m on the Joint Venture Property, and an 80% interest in
mineralization below that depth, by spending an aggregate $35 million on exploration. OTLLC completed its earn-in on June 30, 2008, at which time a joint
venture was deemed to be formed and the parties were required to enter into the Joint Venture Agreement. The Joint Venture Agreement was intended to
replace the Earn-In Agreement, and the Earn-In Agreement terminated, except for certain provisions that expressly survived the termination. Those parts
include provisions related to the Joint Venture Agreement, title, tenure and related matters and arbitration.
INTEREST OF EXPERTS
Entrée’s auditor is Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Accountants, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements
as at and for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 have been filed under National Instrument 51-102 in reliance on the report of Davidson & Company,
independent registered chartered accountants, given on their authority as experts in auditing and accounting. Davidson & Company LLP have confirmed they are
independent of the Company in accordance with the rules of professional conduct of the Institute of Charted Accountants of British Columbia.
AMC Consultants Pty Ltd prepared LHTR12, which forms the basis of the scientific and technical disclosure regarding the Lookout Hill property, a copy of which is
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To the knowledge of the Company, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd, the principals of AMC Consultants Pty Ltd, the authors of
the report and their respective employers as a group beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than one percent of the outstanding Common Shares. One of the
authors of LHTR12, James Foster, H.B.Sc., P.Geo is the Company’s Exploration Manager, Lookout Hill Property, Mongolia. Mr. Foster owns no Common Shares
of the Company and holds options to purchase 240,000 Common Shares.
Robert Cinits, P. Geo., the Company’s Director, Technical Services, Scott Jackson, F.AusIMM, a principal of Quantitative Group Pty Ltd and Lyn Jones, P. Eng., a
senior associate metallurgist for AGP Mining Consultants Inc. prepared AMTR12, which forms the basis of the scientific and technical disclosure regarding the Ann
Mason Project, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To the knowledge of the Company, Quantitative Group Pty Ltd, AGP Mining Consultants
Inc., their principals and the authors of the report as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than one percent of the outstanding Common Shares. Mr.
Cinits owns no Common Shares of the Company and holds options to purchase 200,000 Common Shares.
Robert Cann, P. Geo, the Company’s Vice President, Exploration approved the technical information in this AIF and the Company’s news releases and other
disclosure documents. Mr. Cann owns 129,225 Common Shares of the Company and holds options to purchase 725,000 Common Shares.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the Company’s securities and securities authorized for
issuance under equity compensation is contained in the management information circular for the annual general meeting of the Company’s held on May 16,
2011. Additional financial information is contained in the Company’s comparative financial statements and MD&A as at and for the years ended December 31, 2011,
2010 and 2009. Copies of the information circular, financial
70
statements and MD&A are available on SEDAR, and may also be obtained upon request from the Company at 1201-1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 3Z3.
Additional information relating to Entrée Gold Inc. may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
71
APPENDIX
TO ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM DATED MARCH 29, 2012
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
As Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 16, 2011
I. Purpose of Audit Committee of Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”)
The purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is to:
1. Assist the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to:
(a) the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, financial reporting process and systems of internal controls and
disclosure controls regarding risk management, finance, accounting, and legal and regulatory compliance;
(b) the appointment, independence, qualifications, and compensation of the Company’s independent accountants and review of the audit
efforts of the Company’s independent accountants; and
(c) the development and implementation of policies and processes regarding corporate governance matters.
2. Provide an open avenue of communication between the independent accountants, the Company’s financial and senior management and the Board.
3. Prepare any reports required to be prepared by the Committee pursuant to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares are
listed and pursuant to the rules of any securities commission or other regulatory authority having jurisdiction, whether for inclusion in the
Company’s annual proxy statement or otherwise.
The Committee will primarily fulfill these responsibilities by carrying out the activities enumerated in Section VII below of this Charter.
While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits, or to determine that
the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate or are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, accounting standards, or
applicable laws and regulations. This is the responsibility of management of the Company and the Company’s independent accountants, as well as any advisors
employed by the Committee. Because the primary function of the Committee is oversight, the Committee shall be entitled to rely on the expertise, skills and
knowledge of management and the Company’s independent accountants and the integrity and accuracy of information provided to the Committee by such persons in
carrying out its oversight responsibilities. Nothing in this Charter is intended to change the responsibilities of management and the independent accountants.
II. Composition
The Committee shall be composed of at least three directors, each of whom the Board determines has no material relationship with the Company, is otherwise
“unrelated” and satisfies the definition of “independent” as set forth by Rule 10A-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)
and any other applicable securities laws, rules or requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Company’s securities are listed as in effect from time to time.
Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 requires that each member of the Audit Committee must serve on the Board and satisfy independence requirements. For the purposes of
satisfying the independence requirement, Audit Committee members may not, other than in their capacity as members of the Committee, the Board, or any other
committee of the Board (i) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee1 from the Company, or of the Company’s subsidiaries; or
(ii) be an affiliate of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Because the Company is currently a foreign private issuer, the Company may seek to take advantage of the following exemptions from the Rule 10A-3 independence
requirements:
1. A non-executive employee of the Company may be exempt from the prohibition of accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees if
that employee is elected or named to the Board or Audit Committee pursuant to the Company’s governing laws or constating documents, an
employee collective bargaining or similar agreement or other home country legal or listing requirement; and
2. An Audit Committee member may be exempt from the prohibition of being an affiliate of the Company if:
(a) The member is an affiliate of the Company or a representative of such an affiliate;
(b) The member has only observer status on, and is not a voting member or the chair of the Audit Committee; and
(c) The member nor the affiliate for which such member is a representative is an executive officer of the Company.
These exemptions are only available to the Company so long as it remains a foreign private issuer as defined by Exchange Act Rule 3b-4(c). If the Company ceases to
fall within the definition of a foreign private issuer, the Company must immediately take steps to cure any independence non-compliance within the Audit Committee.2
All members of the Committee must be financially literate, meaning that such member has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present
a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to
be raised by the Company’s financial statements. One or more members of the Committee shall be, in the judgment of the Board an “audit committee financial expert”
as such term is defined by applicable rules and regulations.
1 Compensatory fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service with the
Company (provided, however, that such compensation is not contingent upon continued service to the Company.) This exception, however, may be overridden by
the NYSE Amex and the Audit Committee should, during its routine evaluation of the effectiveness of this Charter, determine whether this exception still applies.
2 If the Company elects to take advantage of either these exemptions, the Audit Committee should periodically review its status as a foreign private issuer as defined
by Exchange Act Rule 3b-4(c). If the Company ceases to qualify as a foreign private issuer, and the Company’s securities are listed on the NYSE Amex, the Company
may need to adjust its “independence” criteria to reflect the requirements set forth in Rule 803A of the NYSE Amex Company Guide Rule.
2
are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements. One or
more members of the Committee shall be, in the judgment of the Board an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined by applicable rules and
regulations.
If any executive officer of the Company becomes aware of any material non-compliance with the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, the Company must
provide notification to the exchange on which its securities are listed.
If any member of the Committee ceases to be “independent”, as defined by the applicable securities laws and exchange requirements, including Exchange Act Rule
10A-3, for reasons outside that member’s reasonable control, that person, with prompt notice to the exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed, may
remain an audit committee member until the earlier of the next annual meeting of the shareholders or one year from the occurrence of the event that caused the
member to no longer be independent.
III. Authority
The Committee shall have the authority to (i) retain (at the Company’s expense) its own legal counsel, accountants and other consultants that the Committee
believes, in its sole discretion, are needed to carry out its duties and responsibilities; (ii) conduct investigations that it believes, in its sole discretion, are necessary to
carry out its responsibilities; and (iii) take whatever actions that it deems appropriate to foster an internal culture that is committed to maintaining quality financial
reporting, sound business risk practices and ethical behaviour within the Company. In addition, the Committee shall have the authority to request any officer,
director, employee or consultant of the Company, the Company’s outside legal counsel and the independent accountants to meet with the Committee and any of its
advisors and to respond to their inquiries. The Committee shall have full access to the books, records and facilities of the Company in carrying out its
responsibilities. Finally, the Board shall adopt resolutions which provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for (i) services provided by the
independent accountants in rendering or issuing an audit report, (ii) services provided by any adviser employed by the Committee which it believes, in its sole
discretion, are needed to carry out its duties and responsibilities, or (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in
carrying out its duties and responsibilities.
The Committee shall be responsible for establishing procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of the Company regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
The Committee shall review the reports of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (in connection with their required certifications for the Company’s
filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission) regarding any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design of operation of
internal controls and any fraud that involves management or other employees of the Company who have a significant role in managing or implementing the
Company’s internal controls. During this review, the Committee should evaluate whether the internal control structure, as created and as implemented, provides
reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the Company’s external auditors to reconcile the Company’s financial statements in
accordance with applicable securities laws.
The Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the
independent accountants engaged (including resolution of disagreements between the Company’s management and the independent accountants regarding financial
reporting) for the purpose of preparing and issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company.
The independent accountants shall submit to the Audit Committee annually a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent
accountants and the Company and its subsidiaries, addressing the non-audit services provided to the Company or its subsidiaries and the matters set forth in or
required by the rules and regulations of all relevant regulatory authorities.
The independent accountants shall submit to the Audit Committee annually a formal written statement of the fees billed for each of the following categories of
services rendered by the independent accountants: (i) the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the most recent fiscal year and any reviews of the
financial statements; (ii) information technology consulting services for the most recent fiscal year, in the aggregate and by each service (and separately identifying
fees for such services relating to financial information systems design and implementation); and (iii) all other services rendered by the independent accountants for
the most recent fiscal years, in the aggregate and by each service.
3
IV. Appointing Members
The members of the Committee shall be appointed or re-appointed by the Board on an annual basis. Each member of the Committee shall continue to be a member
thereof until such member’s successor is appointed, unless such member shall resign or be removed by the Board or such member shall cease to be a director of the
Company. Where a vacancy occurs at any time in the membership of the Committee, it may be filled by the Board and shall be filled by the Board if the membership of
the Committee is less than three directors as a result of the vacancy or the Committee no longer has a member who is an “audit committee financial expert” as a result
of the vacancy.
V. Chairperson
The Board, or in the event of its failure to do so, the members of the Committee, must appoint a Chairperson from the members of the Committee. If the Chairperson of
the Committee is not present at any meeting of the Committee, an acting Chairperson for the meeting shall be chosen by majority vote of the Committee from among
the members present. In the case of a deadlock on any matter or vote, the Chairperson shall refer the matter to the Board. All requests for information from the
Company or the independent accountants shall be made through the Chairperson.
VI. Meetings
The time and place of meetings of the Committee and the procedure at such meetings shall be determined from time to time by the members thereof provided that:
1. A quorum for meetings shall be two members, present in person or by telephone or other telecommunication device that permit all persons
participating in the meeting to speak and hear each other;
2. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly (or more frequently as circumstances dictate); and
3. Notice of the time and place of every meeting shall be given in writing or facsimile communication to each member of the Committee and the external
auditors of the Company at least 48 hours prior to the time of such meeting.
While the Committee is expected to communicate regularly with management, the Committee shall exercise a high degree of independence in establishing its meeting
agenda and in carrying out its responsibilities. The Committee shall submit the minutes of all meetings of the Committee to, or discuss the matters discussed at each
Committee meeting with, the Board.
4
VII. Specific Duties
In meeting its responsibilities, the Committee is expected to:
1. Select the independent accountants, considering independence and effectiveness, approve all audit and non-audit services in advance of the
provision of such services and the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent accountants, and oversee the services rendered by
the independent accountants (including the resolution of disagreements between management and the independent accountants regarding
preparation of financial statements) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, and the independent accountants shall
report directly to the Committee;
2. To pre-approve any non-audit services to be provided to the Company by the external auditor and the fees for those services;
3. Review the performance of the independent accountants, including the lead partner of the independent accountants, and, in its sole discretion,
approve any proposed discharge of the independent accountants when circumstances warrant, and appoint any new independent accountants;
4. Periodically review and discuss with the independent accountants all significant relationships the independent accountants have with the
Company to determine the independence of the independent accountants, including a review of service fees for audit and non-audit services;
5. Review and approve the issuer’s hiring policies from time to time regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present
and former external auditor of the issuer;
6. Inquire of management and the independent accountants and evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s process for assessing significant risks
or exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control and minimize such risks to the Company. Obtain annually, in writing, the
letters of the independent accountants as to the adequacy of such controls;
7. Consider, in consultation with the independent accountants, the audit scope and plan of the independent accountants;
8. Review with the independent accountants the coordination of audit effort to assure completeness of coverage, and the effective use of audit
resources;
9. Consider and review with the independent accountants, out of the presence of management:
(a) the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and disclosure controls including the adequacy of computerized information systems
and security;
(b) the truthfulness and accuracy of the Company’s financial statements; and
(c) any related significant findings and recommendations of the independent accountants together with management’s responses thereto;
10. Following completion of the annual audit, review with management and the independent accountants:
(a) the Company’s annual financial statements and related footnotes;
5
(b) the independent accountants’ audit of the financial statements and the report thereon;
(c) any significant changes required in the independent accountants’ audit plan; and
(d) other matters related to the conduct of the audit which are to be communicated to the committee under generally accepted auditing
standards;
11. Following completion of the annual audit, review separately with each of management and the independent accountants any significant difficulties
encountered during the course of the audit, including any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information;
12. Establish regular and separate systems of reporting to the Committee by each of management and the independent accountants regarding any
significant judgments made in management’s preparation of the financial statements and the view of each as to appropriateness of such judgments;
13. In consultation with the independent accountants, review any significant disagreement among management and the independent accountants in
connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including management’s responses;
14. Consider and review with management:
(a) significant findings during the year and management’s responses thereto; and
(b) any changes required in the planned scope of their audit plan;
15. Review, prior to publication, all filings with regulatory authorities and any other publicly disclosed information containing the Company’s financial
statements, including Management’s Discussion & Analysis, any certification, report, opinion or review rendered by the independent accountants,
any press releases announcing earnings (especially the use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” information not prepared in compliance with generally
accepted accounting principles) and all financial information and earnings guidance intended to be provided to analysts and the public or to rating
agencies, and consider whether the information contained in these documents is consistent with the information contained in the financial
statements;
16. Facilitate the preparation and inclusion of any report from the Committee or other disclosures as required by applicable laws and regulations in the
Company’s annual proxy statement or other filings of all regulatory authorities having jurisdiction;
17. Review with management the adequacy of the insurance and fidelity bond coverages, reported contingent liabilities, and management’s assessment
of contingency planning. Review management’s plans regarding any changes in accounting practices or policies and the financial impact of such
changes, any major areas in management’s judgment that have a significant effect upon the financial statements of the Company, and any litigation
or claim, including tax assessments, that could have a material effect upon the financial position or operating results of the Company;
18. Review with management and the independent accountants each annual, quarterly and other periodic report prior to its filing with the relevant
regulators or prior to the release of earnings;
19. Review policies and procedures with respect to officers’ expense accounts and perquisites, including their use of corporate assets, and consider
the results of any review of these areas by the independent accountants;
6
20. Review, with the Company’s counsel, any legal, tax or regulatory matter that may have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements,
operations, related Company compliance policies, and programs and reports received from regulators;
21. Evaluate and review with management the Company’s guidelines and policies governing the process of risk assessment and risk management;
22. Meet with the independent accountants and management in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or these groups
believe should be discussed privately with the Committee;
23. Report Committee actions to the Board with such recommendations as the Committee may deem appropriate;
24. Maintain, review and update the procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, as set forth in Annex A attached to this Charter;
25. Review, assess and update this Charter on an annual basis and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval, in accordance with
the requirements of the all applicable laws; and
26. Perform such other functions consistent with this Charter, the Company’s Articles and governing law, as the Committee deems necessary or
appropriate.
7
ANNEX A
PROCEDURES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS REGARDING
ACCOUNTING, INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS OR
AUDITING MATTERS
1. Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”) has designated its Audit Committee of its Board of Directors (the “Committee”) to be responsible for administering these
procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company or the Committee directly regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls, or auditing matters.
2. Any employee or consultant of the Company may on a confidential and anonymous basis submit concerns regarding questionable accounting controls or
auditing matters to the Committee by setting forth such concerns in a letter addressed directly to the Committee with a legend on the envelope such as
“Confidential” or “To be opened by Committee only”. If an employee or consultant would like to discuss the matter directly with a member of the Committee,
the employee or consultant should include a return telephone number in his or her submission to the Committee at which he or she can be contacted. All
submissions by letter to the Committee can be sent to:
Entrée Gold Inc.
c/o Audit Committee
Attn: Chairperson
Suite 1201 - 1166 Alberni St.
Vancouver, BC CANADA V6E 3Z3
Canadian Email Address: etgcanada@entreegold.com
USA Email Address: etgus@entreegold.com
Mongolia Email Address: etgmongolia@entreegold.com
3. Any complaints received by the Company that are submitted as set forth herein will be forwarded directly to the Committee and will be treated as
confidential if so indicated.
4. At each meeting of the Committee, or any special meetings called by the Chairperson of the Committee, the members of the Committee will review and
consider any complaints or concerns submitted by employees as set forth herein and take any action it deems necessary in order to respond thereto.
5. All complaints and concerns submitted as set forth herein will be retained by the Committee for a period of seven (7) years.
8
Exhibit 2
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
December 31, 2011
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
Entrée Gold Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Entrée Gold Inc., and its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statements of
operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and from the date of inception (July 19,
1995) to December 31, 2011. Entrée Gold Inc.'s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Entrée Gold Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and
2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended and for the cumulative period from inception (July 19, 1995) to December 31, 2011, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Entrée Gold Inc.'s internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 29, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion.
Vancouver, Canada
March 29, 2012
“DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP”
Chartered Accountants
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
Entrée Gold Inc.
We have audited Entrée Gold Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Entrée Gold Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Entrée Gold Inc.’s internal control over financial
reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our
audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with
the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Entrée Gold Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheets and the related
statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Entrée Gold Inc., and our report dated March 29, 2012 expressed an
unqualified opinion.
Vancouver, Canada
March 29, 2012
“DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP”
Chartered Accountants
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
ASSETS
Current
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 4)
Short-term investments (Note 4)
Receivables
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets
Long-term investments (Note 5)
Equipment (Note 6)
Mineral property interests (Note 7)
Other assets
Equity investment - joint venture (Notes 5 and 7)
December 31,
2011
December 31,
2010
$
14,512,198
4,916,421
424,522
955,121
$
21,296,169
-
309,079
1,140,253
20,808,262
22,745,501
-
754,846
52,678,763
249,489
98,450
5,564,502
766,309
51,977,982
185,287
119,517
Total assets
$
74,589,810
$
81,359,098
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Loans payable to Oyu Tolgoi LLC (Note 8)
Deferred income tax liabilities (Note 11)
Total liabilities
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, unlimited number authorized, (Note 9)
127,016,788 (December 31, 2010 - 114,354,925) issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 13)
Accumulated deficit during the exploration stage
Total stockholders' equity
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Nature of operations (Note 1)
Commitments (Note 15)
Subsequent events (Note 17)
$
1,804,126
$
1,477,300
4,327,878
9,392,614
1,783,692
14,374,498
15,524,618
17,635,490
165,574,192
149,791,943
17,420,307
1,901,351
(125,830,658)
16,871,401
5,750,714
(108,690,450)
59,065,192
63,723,608
$
74,589,810
$
81,359,098
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
EXPENSES
Exploration (Note 7)
General and administration
Depreciation
Gain on sale of mineral property interests (Note 7)
Impairment of mineral property interests (Note 7)
Foreign exchange loss (gain)
Loss from operations
Gain on sale of investments (Note 5)
Interest income
Loss from equity investee (Note 5)
Fair value adjustment of asset
backed commercial paper (Note 5)
Loss from operations before income taxes
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax recovery
Net loss
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss
Unrealized gain (loss) on available
for sale securities (Note 13)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (Note 13)
Comprehensive loss
Basic and diluted net loss per share
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
$
$
17,679,174
5,766,102
196,221
(1,574,523)
531,005
491,504
(23,089,483)
3,326,275
190,391
(2,397,085)
-
(21,969,902)
(152,190)
4,981,884
(17,140,208)
$
$
12,226,563
7,846,393
203,086
-
-
(403,230)
(19,872,812)
-
243,433
(985,441)
-
(20,614,820)
-
545,412
(20,069,408)
Inception
(July 19, 1995)
to
December 31,
2011
$
84,755,323
48,111,023
1,276,413
(1,574,523)
531,005
269,498
(133,368,739)
3,326,275
5,087,860
(3,918,629)
(2,332,531)
(131,205,764)
(152,190)
5,527,296
$ (125,830,658)
$
(17,140,208)
$
(20,069,408)
$ (125,830,658)
(2,747,997)
(1,101,366)
(20,989,571)
(0.15)
115,978,815
$
$
$
$
2,184,516
3,483,645
(14,401,247)
-
1,901,351
$ (123,929,307)
(0.19)
105,814,724
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Expressed in United States dollars)
Number of
Shares
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Accumulated
Deficit
During the
Exploration
Stage
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Balance, July 19, 1995 (date of inception)
-
$
-
$
Shares issued:
Private placements
Acquisition of mineral property interests
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 1996
Shares issued:
Private placements
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 1997
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 1998
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 1999
Escrow shares compensation
Exercise of stock options
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 2000
4,200,000
3,200,000
-
-
7,400,000
3,880,000
-
-
11,280,000
-
-
11,280,000
-
-
11,280,000
-
1,128,000
-
-
12,408,000
$
$
$
$
$
60,852
147,520
-
-
208,372
274,718
-
-
483,090
-
-
483,090
-
-
483,090
-
113,922
-
-
597,012
$
$
$
$
$
-continued-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
41,593
-
-
-
41,593
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
$
-
$
-
-
-
(756)
-
(756)
-
(8,568)
-
(9,324)
(5,216)
-
(14,540)
(3,425)
-
(17,965)
-
-
(896)
-
(18,861)
$
$
$
$
$
-
-
-
(175,714)
(175,714)
-
-
(56,250)
(231,964)
-
(33,381)
(265,345)
-
(40,341)
(305,686)
-
-
-
(154,218)
(459,904)
$
$
$
$
$
60,852
147,520
(756)
(175,714)
31,902
274,718
(8,568)
(56,250)
241,802
(5,216)
(33,381)
203,205
(3,425)
(40,341)
159,439
41,593
113,922
(896)
(154,218)
159,840
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Expressed in United States dollars)
- continued -
Balance, April 30, 2000
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 2001
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 2002
Shares issued:
Private placements
Exercise of warrants
Agent’s finder fee
Finder’s fee for mineral property interests
Debt settlement
Agent’s warrants
Escrow shares compensation
Stock-based compensation
Share issue costs
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, April 30, 2003
Number of
Shares
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Accumulated
Deficit
During the
Exploration
Stage
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
12,408,000
-
-
12,408,000
-
-
12,408,000
7,500,000
12,500
310,000
100,000
135,416
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,465,916
$
$
$
$
597,012
-
-
597,012
-
-
597,012
1,351,055
3,288
39,178
35,827
45,839
-
-
-
(211,207)
-
-
1,860,992
$
$
$
$
41,593
-
-
41,593
-
-
41,593
-
-
-
-
5,252
16,877
40,205
16,660
-
-
-
120,587
$
$
$
$
(18,861)
(5,627)
-
(24,488)
(2,561)
-
(27,049)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
73,080
-
46,031
$
$
$
$
(459,904)
-
(18,399)
(478,303)
-
(22,490)
(500,793)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,073,320)
(1,574,113)
$
$
$
$
159,840
(5,627)
(18,399)
135,814
(2,561)
(22,490)
110,763
1,351,055
3,288
39,178
35,827
51,091
16,877
40,205
16,660
(211,207)
73,080
(1,073,320)
453,497
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Expressed in United States dollars)
- continued -
Balance, April 30, 2003
Shares issued:
Private placements and offerings
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of stock options
Agent’s corporate finance fee
Mineral property interests
Agent’s warrants
Escrow shares compensation
Stock-based compensation
Share issue costs
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2003
Shares issued:
Private placement
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of stock options
Warrants issued for cancellation
of price guarantee
Escrow shares compensation
Share issue costs
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2004
Shares issued:
Private placement
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of stock options
Escrow shares compensation
Share issue costs
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2005
Number of
Shares
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Accumulated
Deficit
During the
Exploration
Stage
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
20,465,916
$
1,860,992
$
120,587
$
46,031
$
(1,574,113)
$
453,497
16,352,942
3,730,372
35,000
100,000
5,000,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
45,684,230
4,600,000
533,836
50,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
10,891,160
1,316,664
18,730
64,192
3,806,000
-
-
-
(1,302,715)
-
-
16,655,023
3,846,521
186,208
26,180
-
-
(21,026)
-
-
-
$
-
(6,443)
(4,026)
8,384
-
370,741
1,949,878
414,847
-
-
-
2,853,968
-
(13,197)
(8,238)
129,266
405,739
-
1,530,712
-
-
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,950
-
47,981
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
132,501
-
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(12,505,759)
(14,079,872)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(5,528,114)
$
10,891,160
1,310,221
14,704
72,576
3,806,000
370,741
1,949,878
414,847
(1,302,715)
1,950
(12,505,759)
5,477,100
3,846,521
173,011
17,942
129,266
405,739
(21,026)
1,530,712
132,501
(5,528,114)
50,868,066
$
20,692,906
$
4,898,250
$
180,482
$
(19,607,986)
$
6,163,652
7,542,410
10,456,450
772,000
-
-
-
-
-
69,638,926
13,538,097
10,475,291
1,238,581
-
(521,798)
-
-
-
45,423,077
$
$
-
-
(532,908)
(435,583)
-
5,074,100
-
-
9,003,859
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,099,954
-
1,280,436
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(13,691,767)
(33,299,753)
$
13,538,097
10,475,291
705,673
(435,583)
(521,798)
5,074,100
1,099,954
(13,691,767)
22,407,619
$
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
- continued -
Balance, December 31, 2005
Shares issued:
Membership paid in stock
Exercise of stock options
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2006
Shares issued:
Private placement
Mineral property interests
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of stock options
Share issue costs
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2007
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
Mineral property interests
Share issue costs
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2008
Number of
Shares
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Accumulated
Deficit
During the
Exploration
Stage
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
69,638,926
$
45,423,077
$
9,003,859
$
1,280,436
$
(33,299,753)
$
22,407,619
4,167
1,215,000
-
-
-
70,858,093
14,428,640
15,000
7,542,408
728,700
-
-
-
-
93,572,841
958,057
30,000
-
-
-
-
94,560,898
8,870
1,862,345
-
-
-
47,294,292
43,826,994
33,976
20,392,043
926,364
(1,981,360)
-
-
-
110,492,309
1,447,926
60,941
(7,186)
-
-
-
111,993,990
$
$
$
-
(753,628)
1,031,683
-
-
9,281,914
-
-
-
(322,880)
-
1,732,839
-
-
10,691,873
(591,456)
-
-
3,672,358
-
-
13,772,775
$
$
$
-
-
-
252,317
-
1,532,753
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,539,535
-
5,072,288
-
-
-
-
(12,483,218)
-
(7,410,930)
-
-
-
-
(9,655,341)
(42,955,094)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(11,833,416)
(54,788,510)
-
-
-
-
-
(16,730,278)
(71,518,788)
$
$
$
8,870
1,108,717
1,031,683
252,317
(9,655,341)
15,153,865
43,826,994
33,976
20,392,043
603,484
(1,981,360)
1,732,839
3,539,535
(11,833,416)
71,467,960
856,470
60,941
(7,186)
3,672,358
(12,483,218)
(16,730,278)
46,837,047
$
$
$
$
$
$
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
- continued -
Balance, December 31, 2008
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
Mineral property interests
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized gain on available for sale
securities
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2009
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
Mineral property interests
Acquistion of PacMag
Share issue costs
Stock-based compensation
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized gain on available for sale
securities
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2010
Shares issued:
Marketed offering
Exercise of stock options
Mineral property interests
Stock-based compensation
Share issue costs
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized gain on available for sale
securities
Net loss
Balance, December 31, 2011
Number of
Shares
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Accumulated
Deficit
During the
Exploration
Stage
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
94,560,898
$
111,993,990
$
13,772,775
$
(7,410,930)
$
(71,518,788)
$
46,837,047
2,355,948
142,500
-
-
4,330,539
275,122
-
-
(2,050,489)
-
4,183,677
-
-
-
-
6,930,002
-
-
-
-
2,280,050
275,122
4,183,677
6,930,002
-
-
97,059,346
-
-
116,599,651
$
-
-
15,905,963
$
$
563,481
-
82,553
-
(17,102,254)
(88,621,042)
$
563,481
(17,102,254)
43,967,125
$
2,122,278
152,500
15,020,801
-
-
-
4,632,135
382,284
28,325,101
(147,228)
-
-
(1,932,407)
-
-
-
2,897,845
-
-
-
114,354,925
-
-
149,791,943
$
-
-
16,871,401
$
$
11,482,216
427,147
752,500
-
-
-
14,075,483
1,050,721
1,721,110
-
(1,065,065)
-
-
(442,255)
-
991,161
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,483,645
2,184,516
-
5,750,714
-
-
-
-
-
(1,101,366)
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,699,728
382,284
28,325,101
(147,228)
2,897,845
3,483,645
-
(20,069,408)
$ (108,690,450)
2,184,516
(20,069,408)
63,723,608
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,075,483
608,466
1,721,110
991,161
(1,065,065)
(1,101,366)
-
-
127,016,788
-
-
165,574,192
$
-
-
17,420,307
$
$
(2,747,997)
-
1,901,351
-
(17,140,208)
$ (125,830,658)
(2,747,997)
(17,140,208)
59,065,192
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation
Stock-based compensation
Fair value adjustment of asset backed
commercial paper
Escrow shares compensation
Mineral property interest paid in
stock and warrants
Loss from equity investee
Deferred income tax recovery
Gain on sale of mineral property interests
Impairment of mineral property interests
Gain on sale of investments
Other items not affecting cash
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables
Receivables - Oyu Tolgoi LLC
Prepaid expenses
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Net cash used in operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock
Share issue costs
Loan payable to Oyu Tolgoi LLC
Net cash provided by financing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash acquired on acquisition of PacMag Metals Limited
Mineral property interests
Mineral property interests - bond payments
Joint venture - Oyu Tolgoi LLC
Short-term investments
Purchase of asset backed
commercial paper
Acquisition of PacMag Metals Limited
Acquisition of equipment
Proceeds from sale of mineral property interests
Proceeds from sale of investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and
cash equivalents
Change in cash and cash equivalents
during the period
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Cash paid for interest during the period
Cash paid for income taxes during the period
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
Inception
(July 19, 1995)
to December
31, 2011
$
(17,140,208)
$
(20,069,408)
$
(125,830,658)
196,221
991,161
-
-
-
2,397,085
(4,981,884)
(1,574,523)
531,005
(3,326,275)
40,145
(126,216)
-
165,271
438,197
(22,390,021)
14,683,949
(1,065,065)
-
13,618,884
-
(777,517)
(62,127)
-
(5,076,271)
-
-
(223,176)
1,491,391
5,734,895
1,087,195
203,086
2,897,845
-
-
-
985,441
(545,412)
-
-
-
24,604
(108,634)
705,988
(276,413)
212,772
(15,970,131)
2,699,728
(147,228)
-
2,552,500
837,263
(178,874)
(79,493)
-
-
-
(7,388,397)
(180,458)
-
-
(6,989,959)
1,276,413
21,545,882
2,332,531
2,001,832
4,052,698
3,918,629
(5,527,296)
(1,574,523)
531,005
(3,326,275)
260,741
(394,247)
64,194
(850,561)
1,512,494
(100,007,141)
129,375,411
(4,758,213)
376,230
124,993,428
837,263
(994,610)
(211,188)
(366,595)
(5,076,271)
(4,031,122)
(7,465,495)
(2,087,719)
1,491,391
5,734,895
(12,169,451)
899,971
1,343,323
1,695,362
(6,783,971)
21,296,169
(19,064,267)
40,360,436
14,512,198
-
14,512,198
$
21,296,169
$
14,512,198
-
-
$
$
-
-
$
$
-
-
$
$
$
Supplemental disclosure with respect to cash flows (Note 14)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Entrée Gold Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia on July 19, 1995 and continued under the laws of the Yukon Territory
on January 22, 2003. On May 27, 2005, Entrée Gold Inc. changed its governing jurisdiction from the Yukon Territory to British Columbia by continuing into
British Columbia under the Business Corporation Act (British Columbia). The principal business activity of Entrée Gold Inc., together with its subsidiaries
(collectively referred to as “the Company”), is the exploration of mineral property interests. To date, the Company has not generated significant revenues
from its operations and is considered to be in the exploration stage.
All amounts are expressed in United States dollars, except for certain amounts denoted in Canadian dollars ("C$"), and Australian dollars ("A$").
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities
in the normal course of business. The Company currently earns no operating revenues. Continued operations of the Company are dependent upon the
Company’s ability to secure additional equity capital or receive other financial support, and in the longer term to generate profits from business operations.
Management believes that the Company has sufficient working capital to maintain its operations for the next fiscal year.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States of
America and include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated
upon consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and
assumptions related to deferred income tax asset valuations, asset impairment, stock-based compensation, valuation of asset-backed commercial paper and
loss contingencies. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgements about the other sources. The actual results experienced by
the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between estimates and the
actual results, future results of operations will be affected.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in banks, money market funds, and certificates of term deposits with maturities of less than three months from
inception, which are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which, in the opinion of management, are subject to an insignificant risk of loss in
value. The Company had $14,512,198 in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2011.
Short-term investments
Short-term investments consist of money market instruments with maturities of three months or more at date of purchase. The Company had $4,916,421 in
short-term investments as at December 31, 2011.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d...)
Long-term investments
Long-term investments in companies in which the Company has voting interests of 20% to 50% or where the Company has the ability to exercise significant
influence, are accounted for using the equity method. Under this method, the Company’s share of the investees’ earnings and losses is included in
operations and its investments therein are adjusted by a like amount. Dividends received are credited to the long-term investment accounts.
Other long-term investments are classified as "available-for-sale" investments and unrealized gains and losses on these investments are recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, unless the declines in market value are judged to be other than
temporary, in which case the losses are recognized in income in the period. Gains and losses from the sale of these investments are included in income in the
period.
Equipment
Equipment, consisting of office, computer, field equipment and buildings, is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a
declining balance basis at rates ranging from 20% to 30% per annum.
Mineral property interests
Costs of exploration and costs of carrying and retaining unproven properties are expensed as incurred. The Company considers mineral rights to be tangible
assets and accordingly, the Company capitalizes certain costs related to the acquisition of mineral rights.
Asset retirement obligation
The Company records the fair value of the liability for closure and removal costs associated with the legal obligations upon retirement or removal of any
tangible long-lived assets where the initial recognition of any liability will be capitalized as part of the asset cost and depreciated over its estimated useful
life. To date, the Company has not incurred any asset retirement obligations.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets are continually reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may
not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which
the discounted carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
Stock-based compensation
The Company applies the fair value method of accounting for all stock option awards, whereby the Company recognizes a compensation expense for all
stock options awarded to employees, officers and consultants based on the fair value of the options on the date of grant, which is determined using the
Black Scholes option pricing model. The options are expensed over the vesting period of the options.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d…)
Financial instruments
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on GAAP guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Under GAAP, fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most
advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is also
established, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modelling inputs based on assumptions).
Income taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes whereby deferred income taxes are recognized for the deferred income
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying values of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax
bases (temporary differences). Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in
the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is included in income in the period in which the change occurs. The amount of deferred income tax assets recognized is limited to the amount that is
more likely than not to be realized.
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar. Accordingly, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are
translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date while non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated
at historical rates. Revenue and expense items denominated in a foreign currency are translated at exchange rates prevailing when such items are recognized
in the statement of operations. Exchange gains or losses arising on translation of foreign currency items are included in the statement of operations.
The Company follows the current rate method of translation with respect to its presentation of these consolidated financial statements in the reporting
currency, which is the United States dollar. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at the period-end exchange rates
while revenue and expenses are translated at the prevailing exchange rates during the period. Related exchange gains and losses are included in a separate
component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.
Net loss per share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share takes into consideration shares of common stock outstanding (computed under
basic loss per share) and potentially dilutive shares of common stock. Diluted net loss per share is not presented separately from basic net loss per share as
the conversion of outstanding stock options and warrants into common shares would be anti-dilutive. At December 31, 2011, the total number of potentially
dilutive shares of common stock excluded from basic net loss per share was 9,135,500 (December 31, 2010 - 9,292,800).
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d…)
Comparative figures
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-12, Comprehensive Income
(Topic 220), Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 defers the effective date pertaining to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated
other comprehensive income (AOCI) in ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. ASU 2011-12 is
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect its adoption to have a material impact on
the Company’s financial reporting and disclosures.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income, amending ASC 220. ASU 2011-
05 eliminates the current option under U.S. GAAP to present components of other comprehensive income (OCI) as part of the statement of changes in
stockholders’ equity. Entities are required to present components of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive
income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 also requires entities to present reclassification adjustments out of AOCI in the
statements where the components of net income and the components of OCI are presented. Consequently, this requirement is deferred by ASU 2011-12 and
will be reconsidered by the FASB at a future date. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The
Company is currently presenting all components of comprehensive income in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income and accordingly, the
Company does not expect its adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial reporting and disclosures.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and
Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, amending ASC 820. ASU 2011-04 results in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements
in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. Accordingly, the amendments clarify the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about
fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-04, but does not expect its adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial reporting and disclosures.
3.
ACQUISITIONS
The Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of PacMag Metals Limited (now PacMag Metals Pty Ltd) ("PacMag") on June 30, 2010, pursuant to a
Scheme Implementation Deed dated November 28, 2009 and amended by a Deed of Variation dated April 12, 2010 with PacMag, by way of schemes of
arrangement (the "Schemes") under the laws of Australia. The acquisition has been accounted for as an acquisition of the net assets of PacMag, rather than
a business combination, as the net assets acquired did not represent a separate business transaction. For accounting purposes, the Company acquired
control of PacMag on June 30, 2010 and these consolidated financial statements include the results of PacMag from June 30, 2010. All outstanding options
to purchase PacMag shares were cancelled pursuant to the Schemes.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
3. ACQUISITIONS (cont’d...)
As consideration to former shareholders and option holders of PacMag, the Company issued 15,020,801 common shares valued at $28,325,101, paid
$6,160,391 and incurred transaction costs of $1,282,789 for total consideration of $35,768,281.
The Company allocated the consideration to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:
Cash
Receivables and deposits
Investments
Mineral property interests
Equipment
Accounts payables and accrued liabilities
Deferred income tax liability
$
$
837,263
174,440
895,273
47,979,966
1,488
(128,689)
(13,991,460)
35,768,281
For the purposes of these consolidated financial statements, the purchase consideration has been allocated to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities
assumed, based on management’s best estimates and taking into account all available information at the time of acquisition as well as applicable information
at the time these consolidated financial statements were prepared.
4. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consist of the following:
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash equivalent investments
Short-term investments
5. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
Long-term investments are summarized as follows:
Asset Backed Commercial Paper
Australian Listed Equity
December 31, 2011
10,579,061
3,933,137
4,916,421
19,428,619
$
$
December 31, 2011
-
-
-
$
$
$
December 31,
2010
21,296,169
-
-
21,296,169
$
$
December 31,
2010
2,638,185
2,926,317
5,564,502
$
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
5. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS (cont’d...)
Asset Backed Commercial Paper
In September 2011, the Company sold its asset backed notes (“AB Notes”) with a face value of C$4,007,068, and an expected maturity date of December 20,
2016, for gross cash proceeds of $2,560,687, net of taxes. The Company had designated the notes as available for sale and the notes were recorded at fair
value using a discounted cash flow approach (December 31, 2010 – C$2,623,998). The Company recorded a gain on sale of investments of $1,178,254 for the
year ended December 31, 2011.
Australia Listed Equity Securities
In April 2011, the Company sold its Australian listed securities for gross cash proceeds of $3,174,208, net of taxes. The Company recorded a gain on sale of
investments of $2,148,021 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Equity Method Investment
The Company has a 20% interest in a joint venture with Oyu Tolgoi LLC (“OTLLC”), a company owned 66% by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. and 34% by the
Government of Mongolia (Note 7). At December 31, 2011, the Company’s investment in the joint venture was $98,450 (December 31, 2010 - $119,517). The
Company’s share of the loss of the joint venture is $2,397,085 for the year ended December 31, 2011 (December 31, 2010 - $985,441) including accrued interest
expense of $151,952 for the year ended December 31, 2011 (December 31, 2010 - $44,103).
6. EQUIPMENT
Office equipment
Computer equipment
Field equipment
Buildings
7. MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS
December 31, 2011
Accumulated
Depreciation
Cost
Net Book Value
Cost
December 31, 2010
Accumulated
Depreciation
Net Book Value
$
$
125,486
577,249
568,984
422,468
1,694,187
$
$
83,346
322,882
246,363
286,750
939,341
$
$
42,140
254,367
322,621
135,718
754,846
$
$
128,546
582,103
542,662
444,041
1,697,352
$
$
77,718
317,101
255,423
280,801
931,043
$
$
50,828
265,002
287,239
163,240
766,309
Title to mineral property interests 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 mineral property interests. The Company has investigated title
to its mineral property interests and, to the best of its knowledge, title to the mineral property interests is in good standing.
Material Properties
The Company’s two principal assets are its interest in the Lookout Hill copper-gold property in Mongolia, and the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum project
in Nevada.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
7. MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS (cont’d...)
Material Properties (cont’d...)
Lookout Hill, Mongolia
The Lookout Hill property in the South Gobi region of Mongolia is comprised of two mining licences, Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant, granted by the Mineral
Resources Authority of Mongolia in October 2009. Title to the two licences is held by the Company.
In October 2004, the Company entered into an arm’s-length Equity Participation and Earn-In Agreement (the "Earn-In Agreement") with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
("Ivanhoe Mines"). Under the Earn-In Agreement, Ivanhoe Mines agreed to purchase equity securities of the Company, and was granted the right to earn
an interest in what is now the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence and all of the Javhlant mining licence (together the "Joint Venture
Property"). Most of Ivanhoe Mines’ rights and obligations under the Earn-In Agreement were subsequently assigned by Ivanhoe Mines to what was then
its wholly-owned subsidiary, OTLLC. The Government of Mongolia subsequently acquired a 34% interest in OTLLC from Ivanhoe Mines.
On June 30, 2008, OTLLC gave notice that it had completed its earn-in obligations by expending a total of $35 million on exploration of the Joint Venture
Property. OTLLC earned an 80% interest in all minerals extracted below a sub-surface depth of 560 metres from the Joint Venture Property and a 70% interest
in all minerals extracted from surface to a depth of 560 metres from the Joint Venture Property. In accordance with the Earn-In Agreement, the Company and
OTLLC formed a joint venture (the "Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture") on terms annexed to the Earn-In Agreement.
The portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence outside of the Joint Venture Property ("Shivee West") is 100% owned by the Company, but is subject to a
first right of refusal by OTLLC.
The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences were each issued for a 30 year term and have rights of renewal for two further 20 year terms.
As of December 31, 2011, the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture had expended approximately $20.5 million to advance the Joint Venture Property. Under the terms
of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture, OTLLC contributed on behalf of the Company its required participation amount charging interest at prime plus 2%
(Note 8).
Ann Mason, Nevada, United States
The Ann Mason Project is defined by a series of both unpatented lode claims on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and
patented lode claims. The Company assembled this package of claims through a combination of staking and a series of transactions undertaken since
August 2009, including the acquisition of PacMag. The project area includes the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, the Blue Hill oxide
target, and several early-stage copper porphyry targets including the Blackjack, Roulette and Minnesota targets.
On August 26, 2010, the Company acquired 51% of Honey Badger Exploration Inc.’s ("Honey Badger") interest in unpatented lode claims formerly known as
the Blackjack property after incurring expenditures of $900,000 on the property, issuing 37,500 common shares and reimbursing Honey Badger for up to
$206,250 of expenditures previously incurred on the property. On July 27, 2011, the Company acquired Honey Badger’s remaining 49% interest in the
Blackjack property, by issuing 550,000 common shares and paying $650,000 to Honey Badger. Certain of the claims are subject to an underlying mining lease
and option to purchase agreement with two individuals. The underlying agreement provides for an option to purchase the claims for $500,000, a 3% net
smelter returns ("NSR") royalty (which may be brought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $2 million) and annual advance minimum royalty payments of $27,500
which commenced in June 2011 and will continue until the commencement of sustained commercial production. The advance payments will be credited
against future net smelter returns royalty payments.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
7. MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS (cont’d...)
Material Properties (cont’d...)
Ann Mason, Nevada, United States (cont’d...)
In September 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. ("Bronco Creek"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurasian
Minerals Inc. (together, "Eurasian Minerals"), whereby the Company may acquire an 80% interest in unpatented lode claims formerly known as the Roulette
property. In order to acquire its interest, the Company must: (a) incur expenditures of $1,000,000, make cash payments of $140,000 and issue 85,000 common
shares of the Company within three years; (b) make aggregate advance royalty payments totalling $375,000 between the fifth and tenth anniversaries of the
agreement; and (c) deliver a bankable feasibility study before the tenth anniversary of the agreement. In accordance with the agreement, the Company has
completed required exploration expenditures of $600,000, issued 85,000 shares and made payments totalling $140,000.
Other Properties
During the financial year ended December 31, 2011, the Company also had interests in non-material properties in Mongolia, Australia, United States, and
Peru. Non-material properties include the following:
Togoot
In November 2011, the Company sold the Togoot license for $1,365,475, net of taxes and recorded a gain on sale of mineral property interests of
$1,474,640. OTLLC did not exercise its right of first refusal with respect to the sale.
Australia Properties
The Company has a number of mineral property interests in Australia which it acquired in conjunction with the PacMag acquisition, including the Blue Rose
joint venture and the Mystique farm-out. The Company holds a 51% interest in the Blue Rose copper-iron-gold-molybdenum joint venture property, with
Giralia Resources Pty Ltd., now a subsidiary of Atlas Iron Limited (ASX:AGO) ("Atlas"), retaining the remaining 49% interest. The Company has a farm-out
agreement with Black Fire Gold Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Fire Minerals Limited (ASX:BFE – "Black Fire"), pursuant to which Black Fire
can earn a 60% interest in the property by expending $1 million by September 2012 and a 75% interest by expending $2.5 million by September 2014. Black
Fire can earn an additional 10% interest by sole funding a pre-feasibility study on the property.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
7. MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS (cont’d...)
USA
Ann Mason
Empirical
Other
Bisbee
Total USA
AUSTRALIA
Blue Rose JV
Mystique
Total Australia
Total all locations
December
31, 2011
December
31, 2010
$
50,973,368
532,550
199,754
-
51,705,672
$
50,211,120
268,701
458,798
68,796
51,007,415
558,927
414,164
973,091
557,464
413,103
970,567
$
52,678,763
$
51,977,982
The Company recorded an impairment of mineral property interests of $531,005 on certain of its non-material mineral property interests during the year ended
December 31, 2011 (December 31, 2010 - $Nil). The Company recorded a gain on sale of mineral property interests of $1,574,523, including $1,474,640 on the
Togoot property during the year ended December 31, 2011 (December 31, 2010 - $Nil).
Exploration costs expensed are summarized as follows:
US
Mongolia
Other
Total all locations
8. LOANS PAYABLE
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
$
$
$
14,088,428
3,255,588
335,158
3,973,528
6,945,394
1,307,641
17,679,174
$
12,226,563
Under the terms of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture (Note 7), OTLLC will contribute funds to approved joint venture programs and budgets on the
Company’s behalf. Interest on each loan advance shall accrue at an annual rate equal to OTLLC’s actual cost of capital or the prime rate of the Royal Bank of
Canada, plus two percent (2%) per annum, whichever is less, as at the date of the advance. The loans will be repayable by the Company monthly from ninety
percent (90%) of the Company’s share of available cash flow from the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. In the absence of available cash flow, the loans will not
be repayable. The loans are not expected to be repaid within one year.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9. COMMON STOCK
Share issuances
In July 1995, the Company completed a private placement consisting of 4,200,000 common shares issued at a price of C$0.02 per share for gross proceeds of
$60,852.
In July 1995, the Company issued 3,200,000 shares at a value of $147,520 for the acquisition of a mineral property interest in Costa Rica. This mineral
property was abandoned in 2001.
In January 1997, the Company completed a private placement consisting of 1,680,000 common shares issued at a price of C$0.06 per share for gross proceeds
of $77,553.
In April 1997, the Company completed a private placement consisting of 2,200,000 common shares issued at a price of C$0.12 per share for gross proceeds of
$197,165.
In February 2000, the Company issued 1,128,000 common shares for cash proceeds of $113,922 on the exercise of stock options.
In September 2002, the Company completed a brokered private placement consisting of 4,000,000 units issued at a price of C$0.20 per unit for gross proceeds
of $505,520. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole share purchase warrant entitled
the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of C$0.40 per share for a period of one year. As part of this private placement, the Company
issued 310,000 units as a finder's fee to the agent. Each agent's unit consisted of one common share and one-half non-transferable share purchase warrant
whereby each whole share purchase warrant entitled the agent to acquire one additional common share at a price of
C$0.40 per share for a period of one year. Related share issue costs of $112,338 were comprised of cash costs totalling $72,556 and the fair value of 310,000
units estimated at $39,782, of which $39,178 was assigned to the common shares and $604 was assigned to the warrants.
In January 2003, the Company completed a combination brokered and non-brokered private placement consisting of 2,500,000 units issued at a price of
C$0.35 per unit for gross proceeds of $569,975. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each
whole share purchase warrant entitled the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of C$0.40 per share for a period of one year. As part of
this private placement, the Company issued 329,723 agent's warrants whereby each warrant entitled the agent to acquire one additional common share at a
price of C$0.40 per share for a period of one year. Related share issue costs of $94,461 were comprised of cash costs totalling $78,188 and the fair value of the
agents warrants estimated at $16,273.
In January 2003, the Company issued 100,000 common shares at a value of $35,827 as a finder's fee towards the acquisition of mineral property interests.
In February 2003, the Company issued 12,500 common shares for proceeds of $3,288 on the exercise of warrants.
In March 2003, the Company issued 135,416 common shares at a value of $45,839 and 67,708 non-transferable share purchase warrants with a value of $5,252
to settle accounts payable totalling $45,839 resulting in a loss on settlement of $5,252. Each share purchase warrant entitled the holder to acquire one
additional common share at a price of C$0.60 per share for a period of one year.
In April 2003, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement consisting of 1,000,000 units issued at a price of C$0.40 per unit for proceeds of
$275,560. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitled the holder to
acquire one additional common share at a price of C$0.50 per share for the first year and at C$0.60 per share for the second year. The Company incurred
costs of $4,408 with respect to this private placement.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9. COMMON STOCK (cont'd…)
Share issuances (cont'd…)
In August 2003, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement consisting of 2,000,000 common shares issued at a price of C$0.20 per share for
gross proceeds of $288,360. Related share issue costs of $15,270 were charged as a reduction to the gross proceeds raised on the non-brokered private
placement.
In October 2003, the Company completed a short-form offering and issued 2,352,942 units at a price of C$0.85 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,510,400. Each
unit consisted of one common share and one-half of one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole share purchase warrant allowed the holder to
purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of C$1.06 on or before October 22, 2005. The agent for the offering was paid a cash commission
of 8.5% of the gross proceeds received, or $128,384, in respect of units sold and received agent's warrants to acquire common shares equal to 10% of the
number of units sold, or 235,294 warrants. The agent's warrants allowed the agent to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of C$0.95
per share on or before October 22, 2004. The agent was also issued 100,000 units as a corporate finance fee. Each agent's unit consisted of one common
share and one-half of one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole share purchase warrant allowed the agent to purchase one additional
common share at an exercise price of C$0.95 on or before October 22, 2004. Related share issue costs of $296,296 were comprised of cash costs totalling
$164,004 and the fair value of 100,000 agents units estimated at $72,576 and the fair value of 235,294 agent's warrants estimated at $59,716. The fair value of
the agent's units of $72,576 consisted of $64,192 assigned to the common shares and $8,384 assigned to the warrants.
In October 2003, the Company completed a brokered private placement consisting of 12,000,000 units at a price of C$1.00 per unit for gross proceeds of
$9,092,400. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole share purchase warrant
allowed the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of C$1.35 on or before October 31, 2005. The agent for the offering was
paid a cash commission of 6.5% of the gross proceeds received in respect of units sold by the agent up to 11,500,000 units, or $566,381, and received 920,000
agent's warrants. The agent's warrants allowed the agent to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of C$1.35 per share on or before
April 30, 2005. Related share issue costs of $991,149 were comprised of cash costs totalling $680,124 and the fair value of the agents warrants estimated at
$311,025.
In November 2003, the Company issued 5,000,000 shares at a value of $3,806,000 pursuant to the Lookout Hill mineral property purchase agreement.
During the eight month period ended December 31, 2003 the Company issued 3,730,372 common shares for cash proceeds of $1,310,221 on the exercise of
warrants. The warrants exercised had a corresponding fair value of $6,443 when issued which has been transferred from additional paid-in capital to common
stock on the exercise of the warrants.
During the eight month period ended December 31, 2003, the Company issued 35,000 common shares for cash proceeds of $14,704 on the exercise of stock
options. The fair value recorded when the options were granted of $4,026 has been transferred from additional paid-in capital to common stock on the
exercise of the options.
In January 2004, the Company issued 50,000 common shares for cash proceeds of $17,942 on the exercise of stock options. The fair value recorded when the
options were granted of $8,238 has been transferred from additional paid-in capital to common stock on the exercise of the options.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9.
COMMON STOCK (cont'd…)
Share issuances (cont'd…)
In November 2004, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement consisting of 4,600,000 units at a price of C$1.00 per unit for gross proceeds of
$3,846,521. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitles the holder to
purchase one additional common share at a price of C$1.10 on or before November 9, 2006. Pursuant to an agreement with the Company, the placee, being
Ivanhoe Mines, had a pre-emptive right to such percentage of any future offering of securities by the Company to enable it to preserve its pro-rata
ownership interest in the Company after its acquisition of these 4,600,000 units. The pre-emptive right terminated in June 2008. Related share issue costs
were comprised of cash costs totalling $21,026.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company issued 533,836 common shares for cash proceeds of $173,011 on the exercise of warrants. Certain of
the warrants exercised had a corresponding fair value of $13,197 when issued which has been transferred from additional paid-in capital to common stock on
the exercise of the warrants.
In June 2005, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement consisting of 5,665,730 units at a price of C$2.20 per unit for gross proceeds of
$10,170,207. Each unit consisted of one common share, one non-transferable share purchase A warrant and one non-transferable share purchase B warrant.
Two A warrants entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$2.75 for a period of 2 years. Two B warrants entitle the
holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$3.00 for a period of two years. Pursuant to an agreement with the Company, the placee,
Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. (now Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“Rio Tinto”)) (indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc) has the right
to acquire additional securities and participate in future financings by the Company so as to maintain its proportional equity in the Company. Related share
issue costs were comprised of cash costs totalling $521,798.
In July 2005, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement consisting of 1,876,680 units at a price of C$2.20 per unit for gross proceeds of
$3,367,890. Each unit consisted of one common share, one non-transferable share purchase A warrant and one non-transferable share purchase B warrant.
Two A warrants entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$2.75 for a period of 2 years. Two B warrants entitle the
holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$3.00 for a period of two years.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company issued 10,456,450 common shares for cash proceeds of $10,475,291 on the exercise of warrants.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company issued 772,000 common shares for cash proceeds of $705,673 on the exercise of stock options. The
fair value recorded when the options were granted of $532,908 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of the
options.
The year ended December 31, 2006, the Company issued 1,215,000 common shares for cash proceeds of $1,108,717 on the exercise of stock options. The fair
value recorded when the options were granted of $753,628 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of the
options.
In June 2006, the Company issued 4,167 common shares to the University of British Columbia as a donation to become a member of the Mineral Deposit
Research Unit. The fair value recorded when the shares were issued of $8,870 has been recorded as a donation expense.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9.
COMMON STOCK (cont'd…)
Share issuances (cont'd…)
In June 2007, the Company issued 7,542,408 common shares for cash proceeds of $20,392,043 on the exercise of warrants.
In August 2007, the Company issued 15,000 shares at a value of $33,976 to Empirical Discovery, LLC (“Empirical”) pursuant to a mineral property option
agreement.
In November 2007, the Company completed a brokered private placement consisting of 10,000,000 common shares at price of C$3.00 per share for gross
proceeds of C$30,000,000. Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto elected to exercise their respective rights to participate in the private placement. Ivanhoe Mines
acquired 2,128,356 shares at C$3.00 for gross proceeds of C$6,464,881. Rio Tinto acquired 2,300,284 shares at C$3.00 for proceeds of C$6,987,113. Related
share issuance costs were cash costs totalling $1,981,360.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company issued 728,700 common shares for cash proceeds of $603,684 on the exercise of stock options. The
fair value recorded when the options were granted of $322,880 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of the
options.
In February 2008, the Company issued 10,000 shares at a fair value of $20,066 to Empirical pursuant to the January 2008 Bisbee mineral property option
agreement.
In August 2008, the Company issued 20,000 shares at a fair value of $40,875 to Empirical pursuant to the July 2007 mineral property option agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company issued 958,057 common shares for cash proceeds of $856,470 on the exercise of stock options. The
fair value recorded when the options were granted of $591,456 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of the
options. Included in the issued shares were 144,169 common shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of 296,112 options with an exercise price of
C$1.00, with the remaining 151,943 options treated as cancelled.
In February 2009, the Company issued 20,000 shares at a fair value of $22,515 to Empirical pursuant to the January 2008 Bisbee mineral property option
agreement.
In August 2009, the Company issued 35,000 shares at a fair value of $45,545 to Empirical pursuant to the July 2007 mineral property option agreement and
37,500 shares at a fair value of $84,511 to Honey Badger pursuant to the August 2009 mineral property option agreement.
In November 2009, the Company issued 50,000 shares at a fair value of $122,551 to Bronco Creek pursuant to the September 2009 mineral property option
agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 2,355,948 common shares for cash proceeds of $2,280,050 on the exercise of stock options.
The fair value recorded when the options were granted of $2,050,489 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of
the options. Included in the issued shares were 415,448 common shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of 705,000 options with an exercise price of
C$1.15, with the remaining 289,552 options treated as cancelled.
In February 2010, the Company issued 30,000 shares at a fair value of $82,391 to Empirical pursuant to a January 2008 mineral property option agreement
covering the Company’s Bisbee, Arizona property.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9. COMMON STOCK (cont'd…)
Share issuances (cont'd…)
In June 2010, the Company issued 15,020,801 shares at a fair value of $28,325,101 pursuant to the acquisition of PacMag (Note 3) and incurred $147,228 of
share issue costs.
In August 2010, the Company issued 80,000 shares at a fair value of $185,863 to Empirical pursuant to a June 2007 mineral property option agreement
covering the Lordsburg and Oak Grove properties in New Mexico.
In October 2010, the Company issued 20,000 shares at a fair value of $53,797 to Peter Drobeck pursuant to a Confidentiality and Finder’s Fee Agreement as a
finder’s fee in connection with a September 2010 conditional property option agreement between the Company’s wholly-owned Peruvian subsidiary
Exploraciones Apolo Resources S.A.C. and a private Peruvian company.
In October 2010, the Company issued 22,500 shares at a fair value of $60,233 to Bronco Creek pursuant to a mineral property agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company issued 2,122,278 common shares for cash proceeds of $2,699,728 on the exercise of stock options.
The fair value recorded when the options were granted of $1,932,407 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of
the options. Included in the issued shares were 430,078 common shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of 100,000 options with an exercise price of
C$1.32, 1,535,300 options with an exercise price of C$1.75, and 7,500 options with an exercise price of C$2.60, with the remaining 1,212,722 options treated as
cancelled.
In February 2011, the Company issued 40,000 shares at a fair value of $122,189 to Empirical pursuant to a January 2008 mineral property option agreement
covering the Company’s Bisbee, Arizona property.
In July 2011, the Company issued 550,000 shares at a fair value of $1,271,371 to acquire Honey Badger’s remaining 49% interest in the Blackjack property.
In August 2011, the Company issued 150,000 shares at a fair value of $304,793 to Empirical pursuant to a June 2007 mineral property option agreement.
In October 2011, the Company issued 12,500 shares at a fair value of $19,753 to Bronco Creek pursuant to the September 2009 mineral property option
agreement.
In November 2011, the Company completed a marketed offering and issued 10,000,000 shares at a price of C$1.25 per share. Rio Tinto elected to exercise its
pre-emptive rights and purchased an additional 1,482,216 shares at a price of C$1.25 per share. The total gross proceeds from the offering were
$14,075,483. Related share issuance costs were $1,065,065.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued 427,147 common shares for cash proceeds of $608,466 on the exercise of stock options. The
fair value recorded when the options were granted of $442,255 has been transferred from additional paid–in capital to common stock on the exercise of the
options. Included in the issued shares were 87,847 common shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of 245,000 options with an exercise price of
C$1.32, with the remaining 157,153 options treated as cancelled.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9. COMMON STOCK (cont'd…)
Stock options
The Company has adopted a stock option plan (the "Plan") to grant options to directors, officers, employees and consultants. Under the Plan, as amended
in May 2011, the Company may grant options to acquire up to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. Options granted can have a term
of up to ten years and an exercise price typically not less than the Company's closing stock price on the last trading day before the date of grant. Vesting is
determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted. For employees, the compensation expense is
amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period which approximates the vesting period. Compensation expense for stock options granted
to non-employees is recognized over the contract services period or, if none exists, from the date of grant until the options vest. Compensation associated
with unvested options granted to non-employees is re-measured on each balance sheet date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise, forfeiture and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of the
options approximates the full term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected
term of the stock options. The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock; therefore, the expected dividend yield
is assumed to be zero. Companies are required to utilize an estimated forfeiture rate when calculating the expense for the reporting period. Based on the best
estimate, management applied the estimated forfeiture rate of Nil in determining the expense recorded in the accompanying Statements of Operations.
Stock option transactions are summarized as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2009
Granted
Exercised
Cancelled
Expired
Forfeited
Balance at December 31, 2010
Granted
Exercised
Cancelled
Forfeited
Balance at December 31, 2011
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
(C$)
1.86
2.77
1.66
1.74
1.75
1.65
2.09
2.77
1.66
1.32
2.31
2.16
Number of
Options
10,907,800
1,737,500
(2,122,278)
(1,212,722)
(10,000)
(7,500)
9,292,800
575,000
(427,147)
(157,153)
(148,000)
9,135,500
There were 575,000 stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2011 with a weighted average exercise price of C$2.77 and a weighted average
fair value of C$1.64 (December 31, 2010 – C$1.75). The number of stock options exercisable at December 31, 2011 was 8,873,000.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9. COMMON STOCK (cont’d…)
Stock options (cont’d…)
At December 31, 2011, the following stock options were outstanding:
Number of
Options
50,000
200,000
500,000
457,500
1,349,500
12,500
87,500
1,092,000
5,000
1,414,000
1,677,500
300,000
1,415,000
200,000
125,000
150,000
100,000
9,135,500
Exercise
Price
(C$)
1.77
2.16
2.06
2.30
2.00
1.55
2.02
1.55
1.55
1.32
2.60
2.34
2.86
3.47
2.94
2.05
2.23
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(C$)
Expiry Date
Number of
Options
Exercisable
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(C$)
- January 22, 2012
- April 5, 2012
- May 16, 2012
- May 31, 2012
- April 3, 2013
- May 21, 2013
- July 17, 2013
- September 17, 2013
- October 10, 2013
- February 12, 2014
- December 29, 2014
- September 22, 2015
- November 22, 2015
- January 4, 2016
- March 8, 2016
- July 7, 2016
- July 15, 2016
$ -
50,000
200,000
500,000
457,500
1,349,500
12,500
87,500
1,092,000
5,000
1,414,000
1,677,500
300,000
1,415,000
150,000
100,000
37,500
25,000
8,873,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$ -
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of C$1.25 per share as of
December 31, 2011, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The total number of
in-the-money options vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2011 was Nil. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December
31, 2011 was $437,770 (December 31, 2010 - $3,103,315).
Subsequent to December 31, 2011, the Company granted 1,732,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$1.25 and 50,000 stock options with an exercise
price of C$1.27. 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$1.77 expired and 2,500 stock options with an exercise price of C$2.86 were forfeited.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
9. COMMON STOCK (cont’d…)
Stock-based compensation
575,000 stock options were granted during the year ended December 31, 2011. The fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31,
2011 was $944,319 (December 31, 2010 - $3,007,946). 312,500 options were fully vested in 2011 and the remaining 262,500 will fully vest in 2012. Stock-based
compensation recognized during the year ended December 31, 2011 was $991,161 (December 31, 2010 - $2,897,845) which has been recorded in the
consolidated statements of operations as follows with corresponding additional paid-in capital recorded in stockholders' equity:
Exploration
General and administration
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
$ 146,343
844,818
$ 991,161
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
$ 425,791
2,472,054
$ 2,897,845
Cumulative to
December 31,
2011
$ 3,807,401
17,738,481
$ 21,545,882
The following weighted-average assumptions were used for the Black-Scholes valuation of stock options granted:
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life of options (years)
Annualized volatility
Dividend rate
10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates in one business segment being the exploration of mineral property interests.
Geographic information is as follows:
Identifiable assets
USA
Canada
Australia
Mongolia
Other
December 31,
2011
December 31,
2010
2.06%
4.2
74%
0.00%
1.84%
5.0
78%
0.00%
December 31,
2011
December 31,
2010
$
$
52,424,129
18,345,690
1,993,279
1,781,099
45,613
74,589,810
$
$
51,790,144
23,603,838
4,778,311
1,027,622
159,183
81,359,098
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
11. INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of income taxes at statutory rates with the reported taxes is as follows:
Loss for the year
Statutory rate
Expected income tax recovery
Permanent differences
Difference in foreign tax rates
Change in valuation allowance
Change in enacted tax rates
Withholding taxes
Total income tax expense (recovery)
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)
Total income taxes
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
(21,969,902)
$
26.5%
(20,614,820)
28.5%
(5,822,024)
(22,083)
(1,029,337)
2,014,763
(123,203)
152,190
(4,829,694)
152,190
(4,981,884)
(4,829,694)
$
$
(5,875,224)
(60,761)
(18,021)
5,289,044
119,550
-
(545,412)
-
(545,412)
(545,412)
$
$
$
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
11. INCOME TAXES (cont’d...)
The significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Deferred income tax assets:
Non-capital loss carry forward
Investments
Resource expenditures
Equipment
Share issue and legal costs
Other
Valuation allowance
Net deferred income tax assets
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Investments
Mineral property interests
Net deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax liabilities
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
$
$
$
$
$
16,310,423
-
6,717,013
76,811
318,999
255,619
23,678,865
(18,009,043)
5,669,822
-
(15,062,436)
(15,062,436)
(9,392,614)
$
$
$
$
$
8,743,555
173,823
8,042,421
99,668
253,337
12,976
17,325,780
(15,994,280)
1,331,500
(786,088)
(14,919,910)
(15,705,998)
(14,374,498)
The Company has available for deduction against future taxable income non-capital losses of approximately $25,340,000 (2010: $19,260,000) in Canada,
$680,000 (2010: $719,000) in China, $8,570,000 (2010: $2,350,000) in Mongolia, $22,000,000 (2010: $4,600,000) in the United States of America, $400,000 (2010:
$3,100,000) in Australia and $240,000 (2010: $110,000) in Peru. These losses, if not utilized, will expire through 2030. Subject to certain restrictions, the
Company also has foreign resource expenditures available to reduce taxable income in future years. Deferred income tax benefits which may arise as a result
of these losses, resource expenditures, investments, accounts receivable, equipment, share issue and legal costs have been offset in these financial
statements by a valuation allowance.
The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. As of December 31,
2011, there was no accrued interest or accrued penalties.
The Company files income tax returns in Canada and several foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s Canadian income tax returns from 2004 to 2011 are open.
For other foreign jurisdictions, including Mongolia and the U.S., all years remain open.
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables, deposits, long-term investments, accounts
payable and accrued liabilities and loans payable. Unless otherwise noted, it is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant
interest or credit risks arising from these financial instruments. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying values, except as
noted below.
The Company is exposed to currency risk by incurring certain expenditures in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. The Company does not use
derivative instruments to reduce this currency risk.
Fair value measurement is based on a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of
unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value which are:
Level 1 — Quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets that are observable.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
At December 31, 2011, the Company had Level 1 financial instruments, consisting of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, with a fair value of
$19,428,619.
13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (OCI)
Accumulated OCI, beginning of year:
Currency translation adjustment
Available for sale securities
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year:
Currency translation adjustments
Unrealized gain on available for sale investments
Release of OCI on available for sale investments
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year:
Accumulated OCI, end of year:
Currency translation adjustment
Available for sale securities
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
$
$
$
$
$
$
3,002,717
2,747,997
5,750,714
(1,101,366)
715,428
(3,463,425)
(3,849,363)
1,901,351
-
1,901,351
$
$
$
$
$
$
(480,928)
563,481
82,553
3,483,645
2,184,516
-
5,668,161
3,002,717
2,747,997
5,750,714
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2011
(Expressed in United States dollars)
14.
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS
The significant non-cash transactions for the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of the following items:
· issuance of 752,500 common shares (December 31, 2010 – 152,500) in payment of mineral property acquisitions valued at $1,721,110 (December 31,
2010 - $382,284) which have been capitalized as mineral property interests.
· funding by OTLLC of the Company’s investment requirements for the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture of $2,397,085.
15. COMMITMENTS
The Company is committed to make lease payments for the rental of office space as follows:
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
$
$
286,412
187,579
201,594
205,409
208,135
86,135
1,175,852
The Company incurred lease expense of $382,878 (December 31, 2010 – $322,062) for the year ended December 31, 2011.
16. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
On June 13, 2011, the Company sold its 100% interest in the Rainbow Canyon property to Acrex Ventures Ltd. (“Acrex”), for $125,000 and a 3% NSR royalty,
which may be bought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $1 million. At the date of the transaction, Acrex was related to the Company by way of a common
director.
17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to December 31, 2011:
On December 30, 2011, the underwriters for the Company’s November 2011 marketed offering exercised their over allotment option pursuant to which, on
January 4, 2012, the Company issued 1,150,000 common shares at a price of C$1.25 per share. Rio Tinto elected to exercise its pre-emptive rights and
purchased an additional 170,455 shares at a price of C$1.25 per share. The total gross proceeds from the over allotment were $1,628,583.
In addition, the Company granted 1,732,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$1.25 and 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$1.27.50,000
stock options with an exercise price of C$1.77 expired and 2,500 stock options with an exercise price of C$2.86 were forfeited.
Through a combination of staking and purchase agreements, the Company acquired or entered into agreements to acquire a total of 72 unpatented and
patented lode claims within or contiguous to the boundaries of its Ann Mason project, Nevada, for aggregate costs of $3,618,853 and 40,000 common
shares.
The Company entered into an agreement with Vanguard Exploration Ltd. ("Vanguard") pursuant to which Vanguard agreed to purchase the Company’s
interest in the Northling farm-out in Australia for A$100,000. The transaction closed on March 12, 2012.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Exhibit 3
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
INTRODUCTION
This discussion and analysis of financial position, results of operations and cash flows ("MD&A") of Entrée Gold Inc. (the "Company") should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the "Annual Financial
Statements"). Additional information relating to the Company, including the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the "AIF") is available
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The effective date of this MD&A is March 29, 2012. The Company prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP").
In this MD&A, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars, unless otherwise specified as "Cdn $" or "C$" for Canadian dollars or "A$" for
Australian dollars. All references to "common shares" mean common shares in the capital stock of the Company.
As used in this MD&A, the terms "we", "us", "our" and "Entrée" mean Entrée Gold Inc. and/or one or more of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Robert Cann, P.Geo., Entrée’s Vice-President, Exploration and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects ("NI 43-101"), has approved this MD&A.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Our corporate headquarters are located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Field operations are conducted out of local offices in Mongolia and the United
States. Entrée is primarily focused on exploring its principal properties in Nevada and Mongolia.
LISTING OF COMMON STOCK ON OTHER STOCK EXCHANGES
Trading of the Company’s common shares commenced on the NYSE-Amex effective July 18, 2005, under the trading symbol "EGI". On April 24, 2006, the
Company’s common shares began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and discontinued trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. The trading symbol
remained "ETG". The Company is also traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, under the trading symbols "EKA" and "WKN 121411".
OVERVIEW
We are an exploration stage resource company engaged in exploring mineral resource properties. We have interests in development and exploration properties in
Mongolia, the United States, Australia and Peru. Our two principal assets are our interest in the Lookout Hill property in Mongolia, which hosts a copper-gold
porphyry system with a NI 43-101 compliant probable reserve as well as indicated and inferred resources, and our Ann Mason copper-molybdenum project in
Nevada, which hosts NI 43-101 compliant indicated and inferred resources. The following is an overview of our two principal assets.
MONGOLIA – LOOKOUT HILL
The Lookout Hill property in the South Gobi region of Mongolia is comprised of two mining licences, Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant, granted by the Mineral
Resources Authority of Mongolia in October 2009. Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant completely surround Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s ("OTLLC") Oyu Tolgoi licence and host
the Hugo North Extension copper-gold deposit and the Heruga copper-gold-molybdenum deposit, respectively. These deposits are located within a land area
that is subject to a joint venture between Entrée and OTLLC (the "Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture"). OTLLC is owned 66% by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (“Ivanhoe
Mines”) and 34% by the Government of Mongolia (through Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC).
1
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
The Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences are divided between Entrée and the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture as follows:
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture covers 39,807 hectares consisting of the eastern portion of Shivee Tolgoi and all of the Javhlant mining licence (the
"Joint Venture Property"). The Joint Venture Property is contiguous with, and on three sides (to the north, east and south) surrounds OTLLC’s Oyu
Tolgoi mining licence. The Joint Venture Property hosts the Hugo North Extension deposit and the Heruga deposit.
· The portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence outside of the Joint Venture Property ("Shivee West") covers an area of 35,173 hectares. Shivee West
is 100% owned by Entrée but is subject to a first right of refusal by OTLLC.
The illustration below depicts the different areas of Lookout Hill:
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture
In October 2004, the Company entered into an arm’s-length Equity Participation and Earn-In Agreement (the "Earn-In Agreement") with Ivanhoe
Mines. Under the Earn-In Agreement, Ivanhoe Mines agreed to purchase equity securities of the Company, and was granted the right to earn an interest in
the Joint Venture Property. Most of Ivanhoe Mines’ rights and obligations under the Earn-In Agreement were subsequently assigned by Ivanhoe Mines to
what was then its wholly-owned subsidiary, OTLLC. The Government of Mongolia subsequently acquired from Ivanhoe Mines a 34% interest in OTLLC,
which is also the title holder of the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence, illustrated in the map above.
2
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
OTLLC undertook an exploration program which established the presence of two significant resources on the Joint Venture Property: the Hugo North
Extension deposit immediately to the north of the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence and the Heruga deposit immediately to the south of the Oyu Tolgoi mining
licence.
On June 30, 2008, OTLLC gave notice that it had completed its earn-in obligations by expending a total of $35 million on exploration on the Joint Venture
Property. OTLLC earned an 80% interest in all minerals extracted below a sub-surface depth of 560 metres from the Joint Venture Property and a 70% interest
in all minerals extracted from surface to a depth of 560 metres from the Joint Venture Property. In accordance with the Earn-In Agreement, Entrée and OTLLC
formed the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture on terms annexed to the Earn-In Agreement.
Under the terms of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture, Entrée may be carried through to production, at its election, by debt financing from OTLLC with interest
accruing at OTLLC’s actual cost of capital or prime +2%, whichever is less, at the date of the advance. Debt repayment may be made in whole or in part from
(and only from) 90% of monthly available cash flow arising from sale of Entrée’s share of products. Such amounts will be applied first to payment of accrued
interest and then to repayment of principal. Available cash flow means all net proceeds of sale of Entrée’s share of products in a month less Entrée’s share of
costs of operations for the month.
At December 31, 2011, Ivanhoe Mines owned approximately 11% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares, which it acquired pursuant to the Earn-In
Agreement. Certain of Ivanhoe Mines' rights and obligations under the Earn-In Agreement, including a right to nominate one member of the Company’s Board
of Directors, a pre-emptive right to enable it to preserve its ownership percentage in the Company, and an obligation to vote its shares as the Company’s
Board of Directors directs on certain matters, expired with the formation of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. OTLLC’s right of first refusal on Shivee West is
maintained.
Investment by Rio Tinto in Entrée
In June 2005, following the announcement in May 2005 of the discovery of high grade mineralization at Hugo North Extension, Rio Tinto Exploration Canada
Inc. (formerly Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc.) ("Rio Tinto") took part in a private placement in the Company and became its largest shareholder. The terms
of the equity participation agreement provide that in the event the Company undertakes an equity financing, Rio Tinto has a pre-emptive right to maintain its
ownership percentage in the Company.
At December 31, 2011, Rio Tinto owned approximately 12.9% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares.
Investment by Rio Tinto Holdings in Ivanhoe Mines
Following Rio Tinto’s investment in the Company in June 2005, Rio Tinto plc, through its subsidiary Rio Tinto International Holdings Ltd. (“Rio Tinto
Holdings”), acquired through a series of transactions approximately 49% of Ivanhoe Mines’ issued and outstanding shares as at December 31, 2011. Rio Tinto
Holdings’ ownership interest in Ivanhoe Mines was capped at 49% until January 18, 2012, pursuant to a Heads of Agreement dated December 8, 2010 (the
“Heads of Agreement”). On January 24, 2012, Rio Tinto plc announced that Rio Tinto Holdings had purchased an additional 15.1 million shares of Ivanhoe
Mines increasing its ownership interest to 51%.
Heads of Agreement
Among other things, the Heads of Agreement between Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto Holdings provides for the management structure of OTLLC and the
project management structure of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Under the Heads of Agreement, Rio Tinto Holdings is entitled to appoint three of the nine
directors of OTLLC (with Ivanhoe Mines appointing three and the Government of Mongolia appointing three) and Rio Tinto Holdings assumes management of
the building and operation of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex, which includes the Heruga and Hugo North Extension deposits on the Joint Venture
Property. Ivanhoe Mines will continue to directly manage ongoing exploration on the licences outside of the projected life-of-mine area, including the balance
of the Joint Venture Property. On March 20, 2012, Ivanhoe Mines announced that overall construction of the first phase of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex
was 72.7% complete at the end of February 2012, and that construction remains on track to meet the targeted start of initial production in the third quarter of
2012.
3
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Investment Agreement and Integrated Development Plan
In October 2009, Ivanhoe Mines, OTLLC and Rio Tinto Holdings signed an Investment Agreement with the Mongolian Government. The Investment
Agreement took legal effect on March 31, 2010, and specifies that the Government of Mongolia will own 34% of the shares of OTLLC (and by extension, 34%
of OTLLC’s interest in the Joint Venture Property) through its subsidiary Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC. The Investment Agreement regulates the relationship
among these parties and stabilizes the long term tax, legal, fiscal, regulatory and operating environment to support the development of the Oyu Tolgoi mining
complex, which includes the Joint Venture Property.
Entrée is not presently a party to the Investment Agreement. Entrée does not have any direct rights or benefits under the Investment Agreement, and Entrée’s
interest in the Joint Venture Property is not subject to the Investment Agreement. In October 2011, Ivanhoe Mines, Rio Tinto and the Government of
Mongolia released a joint statement reaffirming their continued support for the Investment Agreement and its implementation.
In March 2012, Ivanhoe Mines released a technical report ("Ivanhoe TR12") that reports the results of OTLLC’s updated mine plan or Integrated Development
and Operations Plan ("OTIDOP12"). The Ivanhoe TR12 updates the current path of development for the initial phases of the Oyu Tolgoi group of deposits
(Southern Oyu Pits and Hugo North Underground Lift 1, which includes the Hugo North Extension deposit).
On March 30, 2012, the Company filed an updated technical report titled "Technical Report 2012 on the Lookout Hill Property" ("LHTR12"). LHTR12 is dated
March 29, 2012 and was prepared by AMC Consultants Pty Ltd ("AMC") in Adelaide, Australia, a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101. The following
information is summarized, derived or extracted from LHTR12. For a complete description of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures associated with
the information in LHTR12, reference should be made to the full text of LHTR12, which is available for review on SEDAR located at www.sedar.com or on
www.entreegold.com.
LHTR12 considers the conclusions and recommendations raised within the Ivanhoe TR12 in the context of Entrée’s operations.
LHTR12 analyses a reserve case only. The underground mineral reserves for the Hugo North deposit, including the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture’s Hugo
North Extension deposit, were updated in the LHTR12. While the mineral reserve tonnage on the Joint Venture Property remained the same as those that were
reported by the Company in June 2010, the grades increased. The probable reserve for Hugo North Extension effective as of March 29, 2012 totals 27 million
tonnes ("Mt") grading 1.91% copper and 0.74 g/t gold.
Classification
Proven
Probable
Total Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture
Table 1. Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Mineral Reserve, 29 March 2012
Au
(g/t)
-
0.74
0.74
NSR
($/t)
-
79.40
79.40
Ore
(Mt)
-
27
27
Cu
(%)
-
1.91
1.91
Copper
(Billion lb)
-
1.0
1.0
Gold
(Moz)
-
0.5
0.5
4
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Notes:
· Table shows only the part of the mineral reserve on the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence.
· Metal prices used for calculating the Hugo North underground net smelter returns ("NSR") are copper $1.80/lb, gold $750/oz, and silver $12.00/oz based
on long term metal price forecasts at the beginning of the mineral reserve work. The analysis indicates that the mineral reserve is still valid at these
metal prices.
· The NSR has been calculated with assumptions for smelter refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, concentrate transport,
metallurgical recoveries and royalties.
· For the underground block cave all material within the shell has been converted to mineral reserve; this includes low grade indicated material and
inferred material assigned zero grade treated as dilution.
· Only measured resources were used to report proven reserves and only indicated resources were used to report probable reserves.
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property comprises the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and all of the Javhlant licence. Title to both
licences is held by Entrée. The Joint Venture Property is managed by OTLLC. OTLLC will receive 80% of cash flows after capital and operating costs
for material originating below 560 metres, and 70% above this depth.
· The base case financial analysis has been prepared using current long term metal price estimates of copper $2.85/lb, gold $1200/oz, and silver
$16.60/oz. Metal prices are assumed to fall from current prices to the long term average over five years.
· The mineral reserves are not additive to the mineral resources.
The OTIDOP12 uses the same mineral resource estimates previously reported in the Company’s June 2010 technical report. The following table summarizes the
mineral resources for the Hugo North Extension deposit and the Heruga deposit as reproduced in LHTR12. The resource estimate for the Hugo North Extension
deposit is effective as of February 20, 2007 and is based on drilling completed to November 1, 2006. The Heruga mineral resource estimate is effective as of
March 30, 2010.
Table 2. Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Mineral Resources (0.6% CuEq cut-off),
based on Technical Report March 2010
Deposit
Tonnage
(Mt)
Copper
(%)
Gold
(g/t)
CuEq
(%)
Hugo North Extension Deposit
117.0
95.5
1.80
1.15
0.61
0.31
2.19
1.35
Heruga Deposit
Copper
(000 lb)
4,640,000
2,420,000
Contained Metal
Gold
(oz)
CuEq
(000 lb)
2,290,000
5,650,000
950,000
2,840,000
910.0
0.48
0.49
0.87
9,570,000
14,300,000
17,390,000
Indicated Shivee Tolgoi
(Hugo North)
Inferred Shivee Tolgoi
(Hugo North)
Inferred Javhlant
(Heruga)
Notes:
· Copper Equivalent ("CuEq") has been calculated using assumed metal prices of $1.35/lb for copper, $650/oz for gold, and $10.50 for molybdenum. The
equivalence formula was calculated assuming that gold and molybdenum recovery was 91% and 72% of copper recovery respectively. CuEq was
calculated using the formula: CuEq% = Cu% + ((Au g/t*18.98)+(Mo g/t*.01586))/29.76.
· Mo content in Heruga deposit is 141 ppm and included in calculation of CuEq.
· The contained copper, gold and molybdenum in the tables have not been adjusted for metallurgical recovery.
· The 0.6% CuEq cut-off is highlighted as the base case resource for underground bulk mining.
· Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
· The Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture Property comprises the eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and all of the Javhlant licence. Title to both
licences is held by Entrée. The Joint Venture Property is managed by OTLLC. OTLLC will receive 80% of cash flows after capital and operating costs
for material originating below 560 m, and 70% above this depth.
5
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
UNITED STATES – ANN MASON
Entrée’s other principle asset is the Ann Mason Project in the Yerington District of Nevada.
The Ann Mason Project is currently defined by the mineral rights to 1008 unpatented lode claims on public land administered by the Bureau of Land
Management, and title to 3 patented lode claims. Entrée assembled this package of claims through a combination of staking and a series of transactions
undertaken since August 2009, including the acquisition of PacMag Metals Limited ("PacMag"). The Roulette and Blackjack properties have been folded into
the Ann Mason Project, which now includes the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, the Blue Hill oxide target, and the Blackjack, Roulette and
Minnesota targets. Unless otherwise described below, Entrée has a 100% interest in the claims comprising the Ann Mason Project.
On August 26, 2010, the Entrée acquired 51% of Honey Badger Exploration Inc.’s ("Honey Badger") interest in 466 unpatented lode claims formerly known as
the Blackjack property after incurring expenditures of $900,000 on the property, issuing 37,500 common shares and reimbursing Honey Badger for up to
$206,250 of expenditures previously incurred on the property. On July 27, 2011, Entrée acquired Honey Badger’s remaining 49% interest in the Blackjack
property, by issuing 550,000 common shares and paying $650,000 to Honey Badger. 227 of the claims are subject to an underlying mining lease and option to
purchase agreement with two individuals. The underlying agreement provides for an option to purchase the claims for $500,000, a 3% NSR royalty (which may
be brought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $2 million) and annual advance minimum royalty payments of $27,500 which commenced in June 2011 and will
continue until the commencement of sustained commercial production. The advance payments will be credited against future net smelter returns royalty
payments.
In September 2009, Entrée entered into an agreement with Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. ("Bronco Creek"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurasian Minerals
Inc. (together, "Eurasian"), whereby Entrée may acquire an 80% interest in 214 unpatented lode claims formerly known as the Roulette property. In order to
acquire its interest, Entrée must: (a) incur expenditures of $1,000,000, make cash payments of $140,000 and issue 85,000 common shares of the Company within
three years; (b) make aggregate advance royalty payments totalling $375,000 between the fifth and tenth anniversaries of the agreement; and (c) deliver a
bankable feasibility study before the tenth anniversary of the agreement. In accordance with the agreement, Entrée has completed required exploration
expenditures of $600,000, issued 85,000 shares and made payments totalling $140,000.
Entrée has an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in three of the unpatented lode claims, which is expected to complete on or before September 13, 2012
Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée, through a combination of staking and purchase agreements, acquired or entered into agreements to
acquire a total of 72 unpatented and patented lode claims within or contiguous to the boundaries of its Ann Mason Project for aggregate costs of $3,618,853
and 40,000 common shares.
6
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
The illustration below depicts the location of the Ann Mason Project.
The following information was taken from "Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, Ann Mason Project, Nevada, USA" with an effective
date of March 26, 2012 (the "AMTR12"). This report was prepared by Scott Jackson, F.AusIMM, Robert Cinits, P.Geo, and Lyn Jones, P. Eng. Mr. Cinits is
the Company’s Director, Technical Services. A copy of AMTR12 is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The following information is summarized, derived or
extracted from the AMTR12. Portions of the information are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures, which are not fully described
herein. Reference should be made to the full text of the AMTR12.
Mineral Resource Estimate
The Ann Mason deposit is estimated to contain an indicated resource of 640 Mt averaging 0.41% CuEq (at a 0.3% copper cut-off) estimated to contain over 5.3
billion pounds of copper and 100 million pounds of molybdenum, and an inferred resource of 444 Mt averaging 0.38% CuEq (at a 0.3% copper cut-off)
estimated to contain 3.54 billion pounds of copper and 40 million pounds of molybdenum.
The following table summarizes the mineral resource for the Ann Mason deposit as produced in the AMTR12. The resource estimate for the Ann Mason
deposit is effective as of March 6, 2012:
7
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Cut-off
Cu (%)
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Cut-off
Cu (%)
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Tonnes
(million)
1,115
904
640
391
201
Tonnes
(million)
1,131
780
444
215
82
Cu (%)
0.33
0.35
0.38
0.42
0.46
Cu (%)
0.29
0.32
0.36
0.40
0.45
Indicated Resources
lb Cu
(billion)
8.04
6.98
5.38
3.60
2.04
Mo (%)
0.007
0.007
0.007
0.007
0.008
Inferred Resources
Mo (%)
0.004
0.004
0.004
0.004
0.005
lb Cu
(billion)
7.31
5.56
3.54
1.90
0.82
lb Mo
(billion)
0.16
0.13
0.10
0.06
0.03
lb Mo
(billion)
0.11
0.07
0.04
0.02
0.01
CuEq*
(%)
0.35
0.38
0.41
0.45
0.49
CuEq*
(%)
0.31
0.34
0.38
0.42
0.47
*Copper equivalent is calculated using assumed metal prices of: copper $2.50/lb; and molybdenum $15.00/lb and assumed metallurgical recoveries relative to copper
of: molybdenum 70%.
SELECTED ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Total Revenues
Net Loss
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
Working capital
Total assets
Total long term liabilities
(1) Working Capital is defined as Current Assets less Current Liabilities.
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
$
$
-
(17,140,208)
(0.15)
19,004,136
74,589,810
13,720,492
$
-
(20,069,408)
(0.19)
21,268,201
81,359,098
16,158,190
-
(17,102,254)
(0.18)
40,874,503
45,804,120
676,083
For the year ended December 31, 2011, net loss was $17,140,208 compared to $20,069,408 in the year ended December 31, 2010. During the year ended December 31,
2011 Entrée incurred higher operating expenditures, including increased general and administrative and mineral exploration expenses, further described below, and
increased spending by the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture resulting in increased losses from equity investee relative to the year ended December 31, 2010. These
increases were offset by a recorded deferred income tax recovery in the period, a gain on sale of mineral property interests and the gain on sale of investments. For
the year ended December 31, 2011, working capital was $19,004,136 compared to $21,268,201 during the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in working
capital is primarily the result of cash used in operations during the period partially offset by cash proceeds received from share issuances, the sale of certain
investments and the sale of mineral property interests. For the year ended December 31, 2011, total assets were $74,589,810 compared to $81,359,098 during the year
ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in total assets over the prior year is the net effect of a decrease in working capital described above. For the year ended
December 31, 2011, total long term liabilities were $13,720,492 compared to $16,158,190 during the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in long term liabilities
over the prior year is due primarily to a deferred income tax recovery for the period.
8
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Results of operations are summarized as follows:
Exploration
General and administrative
Loss from equity investee
Stock-based compensation
Impairment of mineral property interests
Depreciation
Current income tax expense
Interest income
Gain on sale of mineral property interest
Gain on sale of investments
Deferred income tax recovery
Net loss
Mineral properties expenditures are summarized as follows:
US
Mongolia
Other
Total costs
Less stock-based compensation
Total expenditures, cash
9
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
$
$
$
$
17,532,831
5,412,788
2,397,085
991,161
531,005
196,221
152,190
(190,391)
(1,574,523)
(3,326,275)
(4,981,884)
17,140,208
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
14,088,428
3,255,588
335,158
17,679,174
(146,343)
17,532,831
$
$
$
$
11,800,772
4,971,109
985,441
2,897,845
-
203,086
-
(243,433)
-
-
(545,412)
20,069,408
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
3,973,528
6,945,394
1,307,641
12,226,563
(425,791)
11,800,772
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
MONGOLIA
Lookout Hill – Joint Venture Property
Since formation, and as of December 31, 2011, the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture had expended $20.5 million to advance the project. Under the terms of the
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture, OTLLC contributed on Entrée’s behalf the required cash participation amount of $4.3 million, equal to 20% of the $20.5 million
incurred to date, plus interest at prime plus 2%.
During 2011, 5 deep exploration holes (including two daughter holes) were completed to the north of the Hugo North Extension deposit but were unsuccessful
in reaching the target or intersecting significant mineralization. During 2011, 10 engineering holes totaling 13,067 metres were completed to test the
geotechnical character of Lift 1 at Hugo North and Hugo North Extension and to test the area of a planned shaft to the west of Hugo North Extension.
On the Javhlant license, two existing holes were deepened on the Heruga deposit but did not intersect significant mineralization. An additional hole (EJD0038)
tested an inducted polarization ("IP") target to the southwest of Heruga and intersected some significant advanced argillic alteration with low copper values
(up to 36 metres of 0.39% copper). Three other holes tested various IP/gravity and geological targets but did not locate significant mineralization.
In the second half of 2011, a detailed magnetotelluric ("MT") survey was completed by OTLLC along the Oyu Tolgoi trend and a detailed ground magnetic
survey was completed on the east side of the Javhlant licence.
As of December 31, 2011, exploration drilling continued with two drill rigs on the Joint Venture Property. One drill was testing a target to the west of the
Heruga deposit and the other drill was testing an IP/geology target to the southwest of Heruga, both located on the Javhlant licence.
Lookout Hill - Shivee West
Entrée has a 100% interest in the western portion of the Shivee Tolgoi mining licence.
For 2011, Entrée’s work program consisted of geological and geophysical surveying, and 23 reverse circulation ("RC") drill holes totalling 2,470 metres. Field
work included a 1,670 line-kilometre detailed magnetic survey completed over a belt of rocks which demonstrate similarities to the Devonian-aged units that
host the Oyu Tolgoi deposits.
RC drilling was conducted over the Zone III near-surface epithermal gold target and expanded north, where a new gold zone ("Argo Zone") was discovered
250 metres beyond the previously known area of gold mineralization. The Argo Zone has been partly defined by six new RC holes (holes EGRC-11-110 to 115),
two trenches and surface chip sampling. Hole EGRC-11-112 returned 14 metres of 1.82 grams/tonne ("g/t") gold and hole EGRC-11-111 returned 3 metres of 2.21
g/t gold. Two separate high-grade surface chip samples averaged 42.4 g/t gold over 4 metres and 19.3 g/t gold over 3 metres. Shallow gold mineralization in
both zones is hosted by quartz veined felsic volcanic rocks.
Togoot
Entrée had a 100% interest in the 14,031 hectare Togoot mining licence, which was issued by the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia on June 24,
2010. During the year ended December 31, 2011 Entrée sold the licence for $1,365,475, net of taxes and recorded a gain on sale of mineral property interests of
$1,474,640. OTLLC did not exercise its right of first refusal with respect to the sale.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, Shivee West and Togoot expenses were $3,255,588 compared to $6,945,394 during the year ended December 31,
2010. The higher expenses in 2010 resulted from a broader drill program on Shivee West compared to 2011 and no drilling activity on Togoot during the year
ended December 31, 2011.
10
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
UNITED STATES
In addition to its Ann Mason Project, the Company has direct and indirect interests in non-material properties in Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota.
Ann Mason Project, Nevada
The Ann Mason Project is Entrée’s most advanced project outside of Mongolia.
To date, Entrée has expended approximately $16.5 million on the Ann Mason Project including $13.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2011. The program
included step out holes to explore the potential for adding mineralization to the west of the previously defined Ann Mason resource, and infill drilling to
increase resource confidence. In addition, Entrée completed detailed geochemical sampling, and RC and diamond drilling to test the extent of shallow oxide
copper mineralization in the Blue Hill oxide target.
Core drilling commenced at Ann Mason in late 2010. At the end of December 2011, Entrée had completed 24 holes (for a total of 26,846 metres) and received
complete assay results for 13 holes. The first hole (EG-AM-10-001) was completed mid-December 2010 and in early February 2011, the Company released
results for this hole which include 988 metres averaging 0.31% copper. During the second half of 2011, the Company released results for 9 Ann Mason drill
holes (EG-AM-11-005 to 013). All of the holes, except EG-AM-11-006, returned long intercepts of significant copper mineralization. Subsequent to year-end
2011, the Company released results for an additional 14 holes.
Drilling continues to significantly expand and to better define the copper distribution within the deposit. In addition, drilling is better defining the
molybdenum, gold and silver content and distribution as these elements were not systematically assayed in historical drill programs. At the end of December
2011, Entrée had two core rigs completing infill and stepout holes at Ann Mason.
In late July, two composite samples of sulphide-bearing core were sent to METCON Research in Tucson, Arizona for preliminary flotation testing. At the end
of December 2011, testing was still ongoing but interim results indicated excellent recoveries of over 90% copper.
In December, work started on additional sampling and assaying of historical core. A total of 5,700 samples from 22 Anaconda holes will be reassayed to check
copper assays and to add molybdenum, gold and silver to the resource database. Work will be completed in the first half of 2012.
On the near-surface Blue Hill oxide target (3 kilometres northwest of the Ann Mason deposit), copper oxide mineralization extends from surface to a depth of
up to 185 metres (average approximately 125 metres), over an area of 650 by 500 metres and remains open to the northwest and southeast. Drilling of the
underlying sulphide target remains very widely spaced, but has identified a target area more than one kilometre in width, which still remains open in most
directions. Significant molybdenum mineralization was also intersected in two of the drill holes targeting the sulphide mineralization.
Since 2010, 24 RC holes totalling 4,266 metres and 7 diamond drill holes totalling 2,590 metres have been completed at Blue Hill. In 2011, Entrée completed 6
diamond drill holes (EG-BH-11-015 to 019 and 021) totalling 2,557 metres. Four holes in the oxide zone provided important geotechnical, structural and assay
data. All 4 holes returned significant oxide copper. Two diamond holes (019 and 021), drilled east of the oxide copper zone, tested deeper sulphide copper
potential and encountered long intervals of sulphide copper mineralization including 644 metres of 0.19% copper (from 238 metres) and 266 metres of 0.18%
copper (from 218 metres). A diamond hole (EG-BH-11-031) located 750 metres east-southeast of EG-BH-11-019 was collared into bedrock but not completed.
This hole was terminated at 33 metres depth, but intersected oxide copper mineralization averaging 0.31% over the final 11.3 metres and ended in
mineralization. Most importantly, this is in an area with no previously documented copper mineralization.
Permitting has been completed to expand the approved area of operations so additional drilling can be completed to the southwest of the Blue Hill area.
11
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
For the year ended December 31, 2011, Ann Mason Project expenditures were $13,202,048 compared to $3,323,750 during the year ended December 31,
2010. The greater exploration expenditures in 2011 reflect a full year drilling program, compared to a more limited drilling program in 2010, the year of the
PacMag acquisition.
Lordsburg and Oak Grove, New Mexico
In June 2007, Entrée entered into an agreement with Empirical Discovery LLC ("Empirical") to explore for and develop porphyry copper targets in southeastern
Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Two targets are currently being explored – the Lordsburg property in New Mexico, and the Oak Grove property,
which is located approximately 45 kilometres northeast of Lordsburg. Under the terms of the agreement, as amended, Entrée has the option to acquire up to a
100% interest in either or both of the properties by incurring exploration expenditures of $1.9 million and issuing 300,000 shares by August 9, 2012. In addition,
for each property that Entrée wishes to acquire an interest in, it must incur all additional exploration expenditures necessary to produce a NI 43-101 compliant
resource estimate and complete a scoping study on that property. If Entrée fulfills all of its obligations on a property, Empirical may elect within 90 days to
retain a 20% participating interest or convert to a 2% NSR royalty, half of which may be purchased by Entrée for $2 million. To date, Entrée has incurred
minimum expenditures of $1.4 million and issued 300,000 shares under the agreement.
The Lordsburg claims cover 2,013 hectares adjacent to the historic Lordsburg copper-gold-silver district in New Mexico. Drilling at Lordsburg has been
successful in discovering a new porphyry copper-gold occurrence in an area previously known only for vein-style gold mineralization. No field work was
completed at Lordsburg in 2010 or in 2011. Future drilling will be directed towards expanding the existing drill defined copper and gold zone.
The Lordsburg Plan of Operations/Environmental Assessment and Application to Conduct Mineral Exploration is currently under review and provides for
drilling on 65 additional sites and 28.2 acres of surface disturbance. The proposed Plan of Operations for Lordsburg has been approved by the Bureau of Land
Management. An Application to Conduct Mineral Exploration filed with the New Mexico Division of Mining and Minerals is currently being
processed. When final, the proposed work will require posting of an additional reclamation bond.
Work on the 1,435 hectare Oak Grove property to date has consisted of permitting, negotiation of access agreements, a 17 line kilometre IP survey and a 50 line
kilometre magnetic survey. The work defined moderate chargeability anomalies associated with a strong, circular magnetic feature. Drill testing on the target is
planned for 2012.
A Minimal Impact Application to Conduct Mineral Exploration, filed with the New Mexico Division of Mining and Minerals, is currently being
processed. When final, the proposed work will require posting of a reclamation bond.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, expenses incurred on the Lordsburg, Oak Grove and other Empirical targets were $142,538 compared to $274,100 during
the year ended December 31, 2010. Little work was completed on the Lordsburg, Oak Grove, and other Empirical targets during 2011.
Bisbee, Arizona
In January 2008, Entrée entered into a second agreement with Empirical on similar terms as the Lordsburg/Oak Grove agreement to explore for buried porphyry
copper targets in an area north of Bisbee, Arizona.
A $610,000 exploration program designed to test the Dixie and Abbot targets commenced in 2010 and continued in the first quarter of 2011. As at the end of
the period ended March 31, 2011, Entrée had completed two planned holes at Bisbee for a total of 2,179 metres. Neither of these holes intersected significant
economic mineralization. In April 2011, Entrée gave notice to Empirical terminating the Bisbee agreement.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, Bisbee expenses were $660,006 compared to $345,124 during the year ended December 31, 2010. The higher expenses in
2011 resulted from an earlier start in drilling.
12
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
For the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée recorded an impairment of mineral property interest of $200,385 on the Bisbee property writing down total
capitalized acquisition costs to $Nil.
Shamrock, Nevada
The Shamrock property was acquired on June 30, 2010 through the acquisition of PacMag. The Shamrock property is a copper skarn exploration target located
in the Yerington copper porphyry district in western Nevada. The property consists of 54 claims covering approximately 362 hectares (895 acres). Entrée has a
100% interest in 18 unpatented lode mining claims (the McConnell Canyon claims). An additional 13 patented and 23 unpatented lode mining claims are subject
to an exploration and option agreement, with an option to purchase 100% interest in the claims for $300,000 payable in three equal $100,000 tranches on
September 12, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Entrée made the initial and second $100,000 payments in September 2010 and September 2011.
Eagle Flats, Nevada
In March 2011, Entrée entered into a mining lease and option to purchase agreement with respect to 58 unpatented lode claims, 65 kilometres east of Yerington,
in Mineral County, Nevada. Under the agreement, as amended, Entrée may lease the claims for combined payments of $125,000 over five years, and must
reimburse $30,000 in property and recording costs. Entrée has an option to purchase the claims for $500,000, subject to a 2% NSR royalty which may be
bought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $500,000. After the fifth anniversary, Entrée must pay $40,000 per year, either as a lease payment or an advanced royalty
payment, depending on whether the option has been exercised. Advanced royalty payments will be credited against future NSR royalty payments.
Sentinel, North Dakota
The Sentinel uranium exploration property is located in southwest North Dakota. The property consists of a mineral lease of approximately 2,100 hectares
which includes the Church uranium deposit, and two nearby non-contiguous prospecting permits covering approximately 1,160 hectares. The lease agreement
is for a twenty year term ending on June 30, 2027. It provides for cumulative payments totaling approximately $180,000 to June 30, 2013 ($5.00 per acre of lands
per year). Thereafter, if paying production has not been established, the agreement provides for payments of $10.00 per acre of lands per year until June 30,
2017, after which the annual payment becomes the greater of $225,000 or a 4% royalty on gross proceeds from molybdenum and uranium sales.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée recorded an impairment of mineral property interest of $309,483 on the Sentinel property writing down total
capitalized acquisition costs to $Nil. No work was completed in 2011 on Sentinel.
Meadow Valley, Arizona
The Meadow Valley property consisted of 44 unpatented mining claims staked by Entrée and a lease agreement with Minquest Inc. on six adjoining
claims. The lease agreement was terminated by Entrée on June 28, 2011 and Entrée relinquished the remaining claims in September 2011. The Meadow Valley
property was an early stage exploration project within the Laramide porphyry copper province in Arizona. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée
recorded an impairment of mineral property interest of $21,137 on the Meadow Valley property writing down total capitalized acquisition costs to $Nil.
Rainbow Canyon, Nevada
The Rainbow Canyon property is an early stage epithermal gold project consisting of 50 unpatented lode mining claims in Nevada. In June 2011, Entrée sold
its 100% interest in the property to Acrex Ventures Ltd. (“Acrex”), for $125,000 and a 3% NSR royalty, which may be bought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $1
million. At the date of the transaction, Acrex was related to the Company by way of a common director.
13
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
AUSTRALIA
Blue Rose Joint Venture
Entrée has a 51% interest in the Blue Rose copper-iron-gold-molybdenum joint venture property, with Giralia Resources Pty Ltd, now a subsidiary of Atlas Iron
Limited (ASX:AGO) ("Atlas"), retaining a 49% interest. The joint venture covers exploration license EL 3848 in the Olary Region of South Australia, 300
kilometres north-northeast of Adelaide. Magnetite iron formations occur in the southern portion of this 1,000 square kilometre tenement, and a zone of copper
oxide mineralization and a gold target (Golden Sophia) are located in the north-central area of the tenement.
In September 2010, the joint venture entered into an agreement with Bonython Metals Group Pty. Ltd. ("BMG"), a private Australian resource company. BMG
purchased 100% of the iron ore rights on the joint venture property in exchange for 6% of BMG’s future issued capital. Should BMG convert to a public
company by September 25, 2012, BMG will exchange the joint venture’s shares in the private company for 6% of the initial public offering on the day of listing.
Should BMG fail to publicly list its shares by that date, it shall, by way of a selective share buy-back, acquire the joint venture’s private shares for A$25
million. On January 31, 2011, BMG issued 3,060 ordinary shares to Entrée representing Entrée’s 51% interest of the joint venture’s 6% ownership of BMG. On
February 27, 2012, the Federal Court of Australia ordered that BMG be wound up and that a liquidator be appointed. A notice of appeal has been filed.
The joint venture also entered into a mineral development agreement with WASCO Mining Company Pty Ltd ("WASCO"), which plans to conduct mining
operations on the Blue Rose copper deposit with Entrée and Atlas retaining a royalty interest. WASCO is a private Australian investment group owned 50%
by a Chinese investment vehicle targeting copper production opportunities in Australia. WASCO can earn 100% of a 12 square kilometre area surrounding the
Blue Rose copper deposit along with the rights to mine and process any mineralization extracted. WASCO will refund the joint venture A$1.95 million in past
expenditures and pay a 1.5% gross revenue royalty on any production from the property to the joint venture. The joint venture retains the rights to
mineralization other than iron ore on the exploration license outside of the 12 square kilometre WASCO agreement area.
A soil sampling program was completed by the joint venture over the Golden Sophia shallow gold target in August 2011. The survey confirmed the previous
Battle Mountain gold in soil anomaly and defined a new, linear gold anomaly located approximately 700 metres to the northeast. An RC drill program is planned
for the first half of 2012 after completion of all native title requirements. On September 22, 2011, the joint venture filed notice to initiate negotiations with native
title parties, as required under the Mining Act of South Australia. Drilling may not commence until either an ex parte order has been obtained or a native title
and heritage agreement has been concluded.
Mystique Farm-Out
Mystique is an early stage gold exploration property comprised of exploration license E28/1915, held by Entrée. Entrée entered into a farm-out agreement with
Black Fire Gold Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Fire Minerals Limited (ASX:BFE – "Black Fire"), pursuant to which Black Fire can earn a 60%
interest in the property by expending A$1 million by September 2012 and a 75% interest by expending A$2.5 million by September 2014. Black Fire can earn an
additional 10% interest by sole funding a pre-feasibility study on the property. The property is located in the Albany-Fraser Province of West
Australia. Black Fire’s 2010 exploration program did not return any significant results and many drill holes failed to reach bedrock. No additional work was
completed in 2011.
14
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Northling Farm-Out
Entrée entered into a farm-out agreement with Quadrio Resources Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Kingsgate Consolidated Limited (ASX:KCN – "Kingsgate"),
whereby Kingsgate could earn up to a 70% interest in exploration licence E52/2314 by spending A$750,000 over five years. The property was explored by
DeBeers for diamonds in the early 1990s, with copper being intersected in one of the drill holes (2.4% over 4 metres). In March 2012, Kinsgate assigned its
interest in the farm-out agreement to a private Australian company, Vanguard Exploration Pty Ltd. ("Vanguard"). Entrée entered into a purchase and sale
agreement with Vanguard pursuant to which Vanguard agreed to purchase Entrée’s interest in the Northling property for A$100,000. The transaction closed
on March 12, 2012.
PERU
In September 2010, Entrée entered into a conditional agreement with a private Peruvian company whereby Entrée may acquire an initial 70% interest in the
Lukkacha property located in Tacna Province of southeastern Peru. The property is situated within 50 kilometres of the international border with Chile, and
initiation of work is subject to Entrée obtaining a Supreme Decree allowing it to work on the property. Subject to obtaining the Supreme Decree, Entrée may
earn a 70% interest by making cash payments totalling $215,000 and expending a minimum of $1.5 million on exploration, to include a minimum 6,000 metres of
diamond drilling, within 24 months. Once Entrée has earned a 70% interest, it may acquire a further 30% interest by paying the vendors $2 million within 24
months. The vendors would retain a 2% NSR royalty, half of which may be purchased at any time for $1 million.
The property consists of seven concessions totalling 4,400 hectares which cover two large areas of surface alteration, iron oxides and quartz veining
approximately 50 kilometres along the structural trend southeast from the giant Toquepala mining operation of Grupo Mexico. The property has never been
drilled and represents a unique opportunity for early stage exploration within an under-explored major copper district. Further exploration (geophysics and
drilling) is dependent on receipt of the Supreme Decree.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, Lukkacha expenses were $60,298 compared to $85,911 during the year ended December 31, 2010.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
For the year ended December 31, 2011, general and administrative expense, before stock-based compensation, was $5,412,788 compared to $4,971,109 during
the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in 2011 was due to a number of factors including increases in personnel expenses and higher accounting,
legal and regulatory fees compared to 2010.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
For the year ended December 31, 2011, stock-based compensation expense was $991,161 compared to $2,897,845 during the year ended December 31,
2010. During the year ended December 31, 2011, 575,000 options were granted with a fair value of $944,319, compared to 1,737,500 options that were granted
with a fair value of $3,007,946 during the year ended December 31, 2010.
INTEREST INCOME
For the year ended December 31, 2011, interest income was $190,391 compared to $243,433 during the year ended December 31, 2010 as set out above. The
Company earns interest income on its invested cash which decreased compared to the equivalent period last year due primarily to cash expenditures on
operations throughout the year and the PacMag acquisition.
15
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
VALUATION OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
Asset Backed Commercial Paper
In September 2011, the Company sold its asset backed notes (“AB Notes”) with a face value of C$4,007,068, and an expected maturity date of December 20,
2016, for gross cash proceeds of $2,560,687, net of taxes. The Company had designated the notes as available for sale and the notes were recorded at fair value
using a discounted cash flow approach (December 31, 2010 – C$2,623,998). The Company recorded a gain on sale of investments of $1,178,254 for the year
ended December 31, 2011.
Australia Listed Equity Securities
In April 2011, Entrée sold its Australian listed equity securities for gross cash proceeds of $3,174,208, net of taxes and recorded a gain on sale of investments
of $2,148,021 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Equity Method Investment
As further described in the notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, Entrée has a 20% interest in a joint venture with OTLLC. As at December
31, 2011, the Company’s investment in the joint venture was $98,450 (December 31, 2010 - $119,517). The Company’s share of the loss of the joint venture is
$2,397,085 for the year ended December 31, 2011 (December 31, 2010 - $985,441) including accrued interest expense of $151,952 for the year ended December 31,
2011 (December 31, 2010 - $44,103).
OUTLOOK
Entrée is primarily focused on exploring its principal properties in Nevada and Mongolia. In addition, Entrée is engaged in evaluating additional acquisition
opportunities which are complementary to its existing projects, particularly large tonnage base and precious metal targets in eastern Asia and the
Americas. These efforts have resulted in the acquisition of PacMag, agreements with Honey Badger and Eurasian’s wholly owned subsidiary Bronco Creek
Exploration Inc. on projects in Nevada and a conditional agreement on the Lukkacha property in Peru. The commodities Entrée is most likely to pursue include
copper, gold and molybdenum, which are often associated with large tonnage, porphyry related environments. Smaller, higher grade systems will be
considered by Entrée if they demonstrate potential for near-term production and cash-flow. If Entrée is able to identify smaller, higher grade bodies that may
be indicative of concealed larger tonnage mineralized systems, it may negotiate and enter into agreements to acquire them.
Entrée has not generated any revenue from operations since its incorporation and Entrée anticipates that it will continue to incur operating expenses without
revenues unless and until the Joint Venture Property is brought into production or it is able to identify a mineral reserve in a commercially exploitable quantity
on one or more of its mineral properties and it builds and operates a mine. As at December 31, 2011, Entrée had working capital of approximately $19.0 million.
Entrée’s average monthly operating expenses in 2011 were approximately $1.9 million, including exploration, general and administrative expenses and investor
relations expenses. Due to the nature of Entrée’s mineral property interests and related exploration expenses, it has the ability to alter the timing of these
expenditures and, to a lesser extent, its general and administrative expenses. In order to advance its existing projects beyond the next twelve months, and to
consider acquiring any additional complementary projects, Entrée will have to raise additional funds. In order to provide the Company with flexibility to raise
funds should the opportunity arise, the Company announced on November 19, 2010 that it had filed a short form base shelf prospectus with the securities
commissions in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and a corresponding shelf registration statement with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form F-10/A. These filings will allow the Company to make offerings of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or any
combination of such securities up to an aggregate offering price of C$100,000,000 during the 25-month period that the short form base shelf prospectus
remains effective. Net proceeds from the sale of the securities, if any, are expected to be used by the Company for acquisitions, development of
acquired/existing mineral properties, working capital requirements and/or for other general corporate purposes. The Company completed a marketed offering in
November 2011, raising gross proceeds of $14,075,483, and subsequent to year end raised addition gross proceeds of $1,628,583 through the exercise of the
related over-allotment option. The foregoing amounts include gross proceeds from the sale of common shares to Rio Tinto pursuant to the exercise of its pre-
emptive rights.
16
SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA
Exploration
General and administrative
Loss (gain) on sale of mineral property interest
Impairment of mineral property interests
Loss from operations
Gain on sale of investments
Interest income
Loss from equity investee
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax recovery
Net loss
Loss per share, basic and diluted
Exploration
General and administrative
Loss from operations
Interest income
Loss from equity investee
Deferred income tax recovery
Net loss
Loss per share, basic and diluted
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2011
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2011
4,671,238
1,444,511
(1,474,640)
309,483
(4,950,592)
-
4,651
(514,390)
(152,190)
938,766
(4,673,755)
$
$
3,662,130
1,185,528
26,033
221,522
(5,095,213)
1,178,254
35,452
(593,087)
-
968,356
(3,506,238)
$
$
5,698,144
1,901,162
(125,916)
-
(7,473,390)
2,148,021
94,921
(645,264)
-
2,257,762
(3,617,950)
$
$
3,647,662
1,922,626
-
-
(5,570,288)
-
55,367
(644,344)
-
817,000
(5,342,265)
(0.04)
$
(0.03)
$
(0.03)
$
(0.05)
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2010
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
2010
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2010
4,109,919
4,041,289
(8,151,208)
51,199
(388,114)
545,412
(7,942,711)
$
$
4,496,968
1,729,714
(6,226,682)
80,251
(401,539)
-
(6,547,970)
$
$
2,511,312
808,638
(3,319,950)
50,564
(153,177)
-
(3,422,563)
$
$
1,108,364
1,066,608
(2,174,972)
61,419
(42,611)
-
(2,156,164)
(0.07)
$
(0.06)
$
(0.04)
$
(0.02)
$
$
$
$
$
$
The 2010 field exploration season did not begin until the end of March resulting in lower explorations costs in the first quarter compared to 2011. Exploration
costs were also much lower in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the current year. This is due in part to increased operational requirements following the
acquisition of PacMag in June 2010. Exploration expenditures during 2011 were relatively more constant than through 2010 due to a continuous drilling
program at the Ann Mason Project with the exception of the quarter ended June 30, 2011 during which Entrée increased drilling activity on the Blue Hill portion
of the Ann Mason Project. General and administrative costs fluctuated throughout 2011 and 2010, primarily due to stock-based compensation
expenses. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, Entrée sold its Australian listed securities and recorded a gain on sale of investments of
$2,148,021. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company sold its asset backed notes and recorded a gain on sale of investments of
$1,178,254. In addition, in the three months ended June 30, 2011, Entrée sold the Rainbow Canyon property, and recorded a gain on sale of mineral property
interest of $125,916. During the three months ended December 31, 2011, Entrée sold the Togoot license and recorded a gain on sale of mineral property
interest of $1,474,640. Deferred income tax recovery was much higher in 2011, due to an increase in deferred tax assets related to expenditures on the Ann
Mason Project.
17
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
LIQUIDITY
To date, Entrée has not generated revenues from its operations and is considered to be in the exploration stage. Working capital on hand at December 31, 2011
was $19,004,136 and is sufficient to fund exploration, general and administrative expense and investor relations for the next twelve months. In order to advance
its existing projects beyond the twelve months, and to consider acquiring any additional complementary projects, Entrée will have to raise additional
funds. Cash and cash equivalents was $14,512,198 and short-term investments was $4,916,421 at December 31, 2011. To date, the Company has been dependent
on equity financing for additional funding.
Under the terms of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture, Entrée may be carried through to production on the Joint Venture Property, at its election, by debt financing
from OTLLC with interest accruing at OTLLC’s actual cost of capital or prime +2%, whichever is less, at the date of the advance.
Operating activities
Cash used in operations was $22,390,021 for the year ended December 31, 2011 (December 31, 2010 - $15,970,131) and represents expenditures primarily on mineral
property exploration and secondarily on general and administrative expense for both periods.
Financing activities
Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and common shares issued for cash were as follows:
Marketed Offering
Exercise of stock options
Share Issue Costs
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Shares
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
Amount
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
Shares
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
Amount
11,482,216
427,147
-
11,909,363
$
$
14,075,483
608,466
(1,065,065)
13,618,884
-
2,122,278
-
2,122,278
$
$
-
2,699,728
(147,228)
2,552,500
18
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Investing activities
During the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée expended $Nil (December 31, 2010 – $7,388,397) related to the PacMag acquisition and cash and bond
payments of $839,644 (December 31, 2010 – $258,367) related to other mineral property interests and recorded in other assets. Entrée also acquired $837,263
cash on the acquisition of PacMag on June 30, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2011, cash provided from short-term investments was $5,076,271
(December 31, 2010 - $Nil). During the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée expended $223,176 on equipment, primarily for exploration activities (December
31, 2010 - $180,458). During the year ended December 31, 2011, Entrée sold its Australian listed securities for gross cash proceeds of $3,174,208 and its asset
backed notes for gross cash proceeds of $2,560,687, net of taxes, sold its interest in the Rainbow Canyon property for gross cash proceeds of $125,916 and
sold its interest in the Togoot property for gross cash proceeds of $1,365,475, net of taxes.
Table of Contractual Commitments
The following table lists as of December 31, 2011 information with respect to the Company’s known contractual obligations.
Office leases
Total
$
$
286,412
286,412
$
$
389,173
389,173
$
$
413,544
413,544
$
$
86,723
86,723
$
$
Less than
1 Year
1-3 Years
3-5 Years
More than
5 Year
Total
1,175,852
1,175,852
Outstanding share data
As at December 31, 2011, there were 127,016,788 common shares outstanding. In addition, there were 9,135,500 stock options outstanding with exercise prices
ranging from C$1.32 to C$3.47 per share. As at March 29, 2012, there were 128,377,243 common shares outstanding. In addition, there were 10,865,000 stock
options outstanding with exercise prices ranging from C$1.25 to C$3.47 per share. There were no warrants outstanding at December 31, 2011 or at March 29,
2012.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Entrée had no commitments for capital assets at December 31, 2011.
At December 31, 2011, Entrée had working capital of $19,004,136 compared to $21,268,201 at December 31, 2010. Entrée believes that in order to advance its
existing projects beyond the next twelve months, and to consider acquiring any additional complementary projects, it will have to raise additional funds.
Entrée is committed to make lease payments totalling $1,175,852 over its six year office lease in Vancouver, four annual office leases in Ulaanbaatar, Colorado,
Arizona, and Yerington, two annual warehouse leases in Yerington, and five leases for accommodations in Yerington.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS
Entrée has no off-balance sheet arrangements except for the contractual obligation noted above.
19
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
On March 25, 2011, Entrée entered into an agreement with Acrex Ventures Ltd. (“Acrex”), a company that was related by way of a common director at the date
of the transaction, pursuant to which Acrex purchased a 100% interest in the Rainbow Canyon property for $125,916 and a 3% NSR royalty, which may be
bought down to a 1% NSR royalty for $1 million.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Company must make estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur
in the calculation of tax credits, benefits, and deductions, and in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities that arise from differences in the timing of
recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. Significant changes in these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to
the tax provision in a subsequent period. The Company must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover any deferred tax assets. If recovery is not
likely, the provision for taxes must be increased by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. However, should there be a change in the
ability to recover any deferred tax assets, the tax provision would increase in the period in which it is determined that the recovery was not likely. Recovery of
a portion of the deferred tax assets is impacted by Company plans with respect to holding or disposing of certain assets. Changes in economic conditions,
exploration results, metal prices and other factors could result in changes to the estimates and judgements used in determining the income tax expense.
The Company capitalizes the cost of acquiring mineral property interests, including undeveloped mineral property interests, until the viability of the mineral
interest is determined. Capitalized acquisition costs are expensed if it is determined that the mineral property has no future economic value. The Company
must make estimates and judgments in determining if any capitalized amounts should be written down by assessing if future cash flows, including potential
sales proceeds, related to the mineral property are estimated to be less than the property's total carrying value. The carrying value of each mineral property is
reviewed periodically, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reductions in the carrying
value of a property would be recorded to the extent that the total carrying value of the mineral property exceeds its estimated fair value.
The Company follows accounting guidelines in determining the value of stock option compensation, as disclosed in Note 9 to the Annual Financial
Statements. Unlike other numbers in the accounts, this is a calculated amount not based on historical cost, but on subjective assumptions introduced to an
option pricing model, in particular: (1) an estimate for the average future hold period of issued stock options before exercise, expiry or cancellation; and (2)
future volatility of the Company’s share price in the expected hold period (using historical volatility as a reference). Given that there is no market for the
options and they are not transferable, the resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value the holder of the option could receive in an arm’s-length
transaction.
The Company’s accounting policy is to expense exploration costs on a project by project basis consistent with US GAAP. The policy is consistent with that of
other exploration companies that have not established mineral reserves. When a mineral reserve has been objectively established further exploration costs
would be deferred. Management is of the view that its current policy is appropriate for the Company.
20
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic
220), Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in
Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 defers the effective date pertaining to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other
comprehensive income (AOCI) in ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. ASU 2011-12 is effective for
interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect its adoption to have a material impact on the
Company’s financial reporting and disclosures.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income, amending ASC 220. ASU 2011-05
eliminates the current option under U.S. GAAP to present components of other comprehensive income (OCI) as part of the statement of changes in
stockholders’ equity. Entities are required to present components of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income
or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 also requires entities to present reclassification adjustments out of AOCI in the statements where
the components of net income and the components of OCI are presented. Consequently, this requirement is deferred by ASU 2011-12 and will be reconsidered
by the FASB at a future date. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently
presenting all components of comprehensive income in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income and accordingly the Company does not
expect its adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial reporting and disclosures.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and
Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, amending ASC 820. ASU 2011-04 results in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements
in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. Accordingly, the amendments clarify the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about
fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-04, but does not expect its adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial reporting and disclosures.
A detailed summary of all of the Company’s significant accounting policies and the estimates derived therefrom is included in Note 2 to the Annual
Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables, deposits, long-term investments,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities and loans payable, some of which are denominated in United States dollars, Mongolian Tugriks, Australian dollars,
Peruvian Nuevo Sol and Chinese Renminbi. The Company is at risk to financial gain or loss as a result of foreign exchange movements against the Canadian
dollar. The Company minimizes its foreign exchange risk by maintaining low account balances in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. The Company does
not currently have major commitments to acquire assets in foreign currencies; but historically it has incurred the majority of its exploration costs in foreign
currencies.
OTHER MD&A REQUIREMENTS
Forward-Looking Statements
This MD&A contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.
21
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future prices of copper, gold and molybdenum, the estimation of
mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of
production and capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the potential for the discovery of additional mineralized zones
on properties in which Entrée has an interest, the timing of and potential for future resource estimates on properties in which Entrée has an interest, plans for
future exploration and/or development programs and budgets, the potential for Entrée’s inclusion in the Investment Agreement, the application of Resolution
175 to the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, anticipated business activities,
corporate strategies, proposed acquisitions and dispositions of assets, the use of proceeds from financing and future financial performance. In certain cases,
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budgeted", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain
actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". While the Company has based these forward-
looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of the
Company’s future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and assumptions include, amongst others, that the size, grade and
continuity of deposits and resource and reserve estimates have been interpreted correctly from exploration results, that the results of preliminary test work are
indicative of what the results of future test work will be, that the prices of copper, gold and molybdenum will remain relatively stable, the effects of general
economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities including the Government of Mongolia, uncertainties associated
with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and
unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international
operations, including legal and political risk in Mongolia; recent global financial conditions; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of
economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of copper, gold and molybdenum; possible variations in ore
reserves, grade recovery and rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining
industry; delays in obtaining government approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors
discussed in the section entitled "Risk" in this MD&A and in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the AIF. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will
prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required under applicable
securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Risk
Entrée is a mineral exploration company and is exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties; some of these risks and uncertainties have been discussed
elsewhere in this MD&A. For a more extensive discussion of risks and uncertainties to which Entrée is exposed, the reader should refer to the section titled
"Risk Factors" contained in the Company’s AIF available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Joint Venture Property forms part of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Development of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex may be subject to unexpected
problems or delays for any number of reasons, including OTLLC’s inability to raise the additional funding that it needs to complete the development of the
Oyu Tolgoi mining complex, and lack of sophisticated electrical power and transportation infrastructure in proximity to the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. In
addition, OTLLC has effective control of the development of both the Oyu Tolgoi licence and the Joint Venture Property. The development of the Joint
Venture Property may be adversely affected if OTLLC decides to delay or reduce development in favour of the immediate or complete development of the Oyu
Tolgoi licence.
22
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Although the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences in Mongolia are included in the contract area for the Investment Agreement, Entrée’s interest in the Joint
Venture Property and Shivee West are not covered by the Investment Agreement. There can be no assurance that Entrée’s assets will not be subject to
nationalization, requisition or confiscation, whether legitimate or not, by any authority or body. There is no assurance that provisions under Mongolian law
for compensation and reimbursement of losses to investors under such circumstances would be effective to restore the full value of Entrée’s original
investment or to compensate for the loss of the current value of its interest in the Lookout Hill property.
In June 2011, the Government of Mongolia passed Resolution 175, the purpose of which is to authorize the designation of certain land areas for "state special
needs" within certain defined areas in proximity to the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. These state special needs areas are to be used for infrastructure facilities
necessary in order to implement the development and construction of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Portions of the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences are
included in the land area that is subject to Resolution 175. It is expected but not yet formally confirmed by the Government that to the extent that a consensual
access agreement exists or is entered into between OTLLC and an affected licence holder, the application of Resolution 175 to the land area covered by the
access agreement will be unnecessary. OTLLC has existing access and surface rights to the Joint Venture Property pursuant to the Earn-In Agreement. The
Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant licences are also part of the contract area of the Investment Agreement, which contains certain provisions respecting
expropriation. If Entrée is unable to reach a consensual arrangement with OTLLC with respect to Shivee West, Entrée’s right to use and access a corridor of
land included in the state special needs areas for a proposed power line may be adversely affected by the application of Resolution 175. While the Mongolian
Government would be responsible for compensating Entrée in accordance with the mandate of Resolution 175, the amount of such compensation is not
presently quantifiable.
The ability of Entrée and its joint venture partner to conduct mining operations or exploration and development activities in Mongolia is subject to changes in
legislation or government regulations or shifts in political attitudes beyond their control. Government policy may change to discourage foreign investment,
nationalisation of mining industries may occur or other government limitations, restrictions or requirements not currently foreseen may be implemented.
Entrée is not presently a party to the Investment Agreement. Although OTLLC has agreed under the terms of the Earn-In Agreement to use its best efforts to
cause Entrée to be brought within the ambit of, made subject to and to be entitled to the benefits of the Investment Agreement, unless and until Entrée
becomes a party of the Investment Agreement or otherwise receives confirmation from the Government of Mongolia, there can be no assurance that Entrée will
be entitled to all of the benefits of the Investment Agreement, including stability with respect to taxes payable. Until such time as Entrée becomes a party to
the Investment Agreement, it could be subject to the new surtax royalty which came into effect in Mongolia on January 1, 2011. The rates of the new surtax
royalty vary from 1% to 5% for minerals other than copper. For copper, the surtax royalty rates range between 22% and 30% for ore, between 11% and 15% for
concentrates, and between 1% and 5% for final products. No surtax royalty is charged on any minerals below a certain threshold market price, which varies
depending on the type of minerals. This is in addition to the standard royalty rates of 2.5% for coal sold in Mongolia and commonly occurring minerals sold in
Mongolia, and 5% for all other minerals. In order to become a party to the Investment Agreement, the Government of Mongolia may require Entrée or the
Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture to agree to certain concessions, including with respect to the ownership of the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture or the scope of the
lands to be covered by the Investment Agreement.
Entrée is and will be subject to the risks normally associated with the conduct of joint ventures, which include disagreements as to how to develop, operate
and finance a project and possible litigation between the participants regarding joint venture matters. These matters may have an adverse effect on Entrée’s
ability to realize the full economic benefits of its interest in the property that is the subject of a joint venture, which could affect its results of operations and
financial condition.
23
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
Recent global financial and market conditions have been subject to increased volatility as a result of, among other things, apprehension over the ongoing debt
crisis in the Eurozone and Japan, and concerns that the Chinese economy is slowing, which may impact the ability of Entrée to obtain equity or debt financing
in the future and, if obtained, on terms favourable to Entrée. If Entrée cannot raise the money that it needs to continue exploration of its mineral properties,
there is a risk that Entrée may be forced to delay, scale back, or eliminate certain of its exploration activities. If these increased levels of volatility and market
turmoil continue, Entrée’s operations could be adversely impacted and the value and the price of the Company’s common shares could be adversely affected.
The estimates of reserves and resources, including the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be achieved or the indicated level of recovery that will be
realized, are estimates only and no assurances can be given as to their accuracy. Such estimates are, in large part, based on interpretations of geological data
obtained from drill holes and other sampling techniques. Actual mineralization or formations may be different from those predicted. Reserve and resource
estimates are materially dependent on prevailing market prices and the cost of recovering and processing minerals at the mine site. Market fluctuations in the
price of metals or increases in the costs to recover metals may render the mining of ore reserves uneconomical and materially adversely affect operations.
There is no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of the exploration properties in which Entrée has an interest. There is also no
assurance that, even if commercial quantities of ore are discovered, a mineral property will be brought into commercial production. The discovery of mineral
deposits is dependent upon a number of factors, not the least of which is the technical skill of the exploration personnel involved. The commercial viability of
a mineral deposit, once discovered, is also dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade
and proximity to infrastructure, metal prices and government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and
exporting of minerals, and environmental protection. Most of the above factors are beyond the control of Entrée. If mineral reserves in commercially
exploitable quantities are established on any of Entrée’s properties (other than the Joint Venture Property, in which Entrée has a carried interest), Entrée will be
required to expend substantial sums of money to establish the extent of the resource, develop processes to extract it and develop extraction and processing
facilities and infrastructure. Although Entrée may derive substantial benefits from the discovery of a major deposit, there can be no assurance that such a
resource will be large enough to justify commercial operations, nor can there be any assurance that Entrée will be able to raise the funds required for
development on a timely basis. Entrée may be required to acquire rights to additional lands in order to develop a mine if a mine cannot be properly located on
Entrée’s properties. There can be no assurance that Entrée will be able to acquire such additional lands on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
The shareholdings of each of Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto in the Company together with Rio Tinto’s pre-emptive rights, and Rio Tinto Holdings’ 51% interest
in Ivanhoe Mines, potentially give Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto the voting power to influence the policies, business and affairs of Entrée and the outcome of
any significant corporate transaction or other matter, including a merger, business combination or a sale of all, or substantially all, of Entrée’s assets. In
addition, OTLLC has operational control over the Joint Venture Property. OTLLC also has a right of first refusal with respect to any proposed disposition by
Entrée of an interest in Shivee West, which is not subject to the Entrée-OTLLC Joint Venture. The share position in the Company of each of Ivanhoe Mines
and Rio Tinto and the other rights of each may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction involving a change of control of the Company
in favour of a third party that otherwise could result in a premium in the market price of the Company’s common shares in the future.
Entrée must comply with licence and permitting requirements. In Mongolia, the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant exploration licences were converted to mining
licences on October 27, 2009. These licences now have a term of 30 years, with two potential extensions of 20 years each. The total estimated annual fees in
order to maintain the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant mining licences in good standing is $1,100,000. Approximately $500,000 of the total is recoverable from
OTLLC.
In Nevada, maintenance fees must be paid to the Bureau of Land Management annually. For the 2011 assessment year, the aggregate fee for the Ann Mason
Project is approximately $138,000.
24
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
In both Mongolia and Nevada, Entrée must comply with environmental regulations that govern air and water quality and land disturbance and provide mine
reclamation and closure costs.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures, which provide reasonable assurance that material information
relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2011 and believes its disclosure controls and
procedures are effective.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for designing internal control over financial reporting, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with US GAAP. Management evaluated the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting at December 31, 2011 and concluded that it is effective and that no material weakness relating to design or operations
exists. No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the period beginning on October 1, 2011 and ended on December
31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors - Canadian Disclosure Standards in Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
The terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101
under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as may be amended from time to time by the CIM.
The definitions of proven and probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7
standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three year history average price is used in any reserve or cash flow
analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and
required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and normally are not permitted to be used in
reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will
ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their
economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under
Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases.
Accordingly, information contained in this MD&A containing descriptions of our mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public
by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
25
ENTRÉE GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In United States dollars unless stated otherwise)
International Financial Reporting Standards
The Company is a "domestic" issuer under Canadian securities law and a "foreign private issuer" under SEC regulations. The Company files its financial
statements with both Canadian and U.S. securities regulators in accordance with US GAAP, as permitted under current regulations. In 2008, the Accounting
Standards Board in Canada and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) confirmed that domestic issuers were required to transition to International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. On June 27, 2008, the CSA Staff issued Staff Notice 52-321 "Early
Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, Use of US GAAP and References to IFRS-IASB" which confirmed that domestic issuers that are also
SEC registrants are able to continue to use US GAAP. Consequently, the Company is not required to convert to IFRS effective January 1, 2011 and has elected
to continue using US GAAP.
26
I, Gregory G. Crowe, certify that:
1 I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of Entrée Gold Inc.;
CERTIFICATION
Exhibit 4
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-5(f) for the issuer and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during
the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual
report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the issuer’s
auditors and the audit committee of the issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the issuer’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Date: March 29, 2012
By:
/s/ Gregory G. Crowe
Gregory G. Crowe
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
I, Bruce Colwill, certify that:
1 I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of Entrée Gold Inc.;
CERTIFICATION
Exhibit 5
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-5(f) for the issuer and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during
the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual
report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the issuer’s
auditors and the audit committee of the issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the issuer’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Date: March 29, 2012
/s/ Bruce Colwill
By:
Bruce Colwill
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 6
In connection with the annual report of Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 40-F for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Gregory G. Crowe, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
March 29, 2012 /s/ Gregory G. Crowe
Gregory G. Crowe
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Entrée Gold Inc. and will be retained by Entrée Gold Inc. and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 7
In connection with the annual report of Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 40-F for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Bruce Colwill, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
March 29, 2012 /s/ Bruce Colwill
Bruce Colwill
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Entrée Gold Inc. and will be retained by Entrée Gold Inc. and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Exhibit 8
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Entrée Gold Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 40-F (the “40-F”) for the year ended December 31, 2011 of our
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Reports dated March 29, 2012 and to the reference to us under the heading “Interests of Experts” in the
Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2011, dated March 29, 2012.
Vancouver, Canada
March 29, 2012
“DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP”
Chartered Accountants
CONSENT
Exhibit 9
We refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report 2012 on the Lookout Hill Property” and dated March 29, 2012 (the “Technical Report”) as referenced in the
Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”) of Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”), which is to be filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
We consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of our firm name and the Technical Report,
including extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of the Company’s Form 40-F, and any amendment thereto, including post-effective amendments and as
part of a post-effective amendment to the Company’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the Form 40-F.
Yours truly,
/s/Lawrie Gillett
Title: Director/Global Practice Leader - Corporate Consulting
Company: AMC Consultants Pty Ltd.
Date: March 29, 2012
Robert Cann
Suite 1201, 1166 Alberni Street
Vancouver, BC, V6E 3Z3
(Tel) +1 604 687 4777
(Fax) +1 604 687 4770
CONSENT
Exhibit 10
I, Robert Cann, refer to scientific and technical information developed by Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”), which I approved, or the preparation of which I
supervised, in my capacity as a “qualified person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, that is contained in the
Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the “AIF”), and in news releases and other disclosure documents of the Company (collectively,
“Technical Information”).
I consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of my name and the Technical Information in and as
part of Entrée’s Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”), and any amendment thereto, including post-effective amendments and as part
of a post-effective amendment to Entrée’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the Form 40-F.
Dated, this 29th day of March, 2012.
/s/Robert Cann
Signature of Qualified Person
Robert Cann
Print name of Qualified Person
CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
I, Robert Cinits, do hereby consent to the public filing of the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the Ann Mason
Project Nevada, USA” with an effective date of March 26, 2012 (the “Technical Report”). I further consent to the publication of the Technical Report by Entrée Gold
Inc. (“Entrée”) on its company website or otherwise.
I have read Entrée’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the “AIF”), which the Technical Report supports. I consent to the use of extracts from, or a
summary of, the Technical Report in the AIF, and I confirm that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report.
I consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of my name and the Technical Report, including
extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of Entrée’s Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”), and any amendment thereto,
including post-effective amendments and as part of a post-effective amendment to Entrée’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the
Form 40-F.
Exhibit 11
Dated, this 29th day of March, 2012.
/s/Robert Cinits
Signature of Qualified Person
Robert Cinits
Print name of Qualified Person
CONSENT
Exhibit 12
We refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the Ann Mason Project Nevada, USA” with an effective date
of March 26, 2012 (the “AMTR12”) as referenced in the Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”) of Entrée Gold Inc. (the “Company”),
which is to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
We also refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report 2012 on the Lookout Hill Property” with an effective date of March 29, 2012 (the “LHTR12”) as
referenced in the Form 40-F of the Company.
We consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of our firm name, the AMTR12 and the LHTR12,
including extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of the Company’s Form 40-F, and any amendment thereto, including post-effective amendments and as
part of a post-effective amendment to the Company’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the Form 40-F.
Yours truly,
/s/Scott Jackson
Scott Jackson, Director
Quantitative Geoscience Pty Ltd
Dated: March 29, 2012
CONSENT
Exhibit 13
We refer to the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the Ann Mason Project Nevada, USA” with an effective date
of March 26, 2012 (the “Technical Report”) as referenced in the Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”) of Entrée Gold Inc. (the
“Company”), which is to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
We consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of our firm name and the Technical Report,
including extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of the Company’s Form 40-F, and any amendment thereto, including post-effective amendments and as
part of a post-effective amendment to the Company’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the Form 40-F.
Dated this 29th day of March, 2012
Yours truly,
/s/Gordon Zurowski
Gordon Zurowski, P.Eng
President and Principal Mine Engineer
AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
Exhibit 14
James Foster
Suite 1201, 1166 Alberni Street
Vancouver, BC, V6E 3Z3
(Tel) +1 604 687 4777
(Fax) +1 604 687 4770
CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
I, James Foster, do hereby consent to the public filing of the technical report entitled “Technical Report 2012 on the Lookout Hill Property” and dated March 29, 2012
(the “Technical Report”). I further consent to the publication of the Technical Report by Entrée Gold Inc. (“Entrée”) on its company website or otherwise.
I have read Entrée’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the “AIF”), which the Technical Report supports. I consent to the use of extracts from, or a
summary of, the Technical Report in the AIF, and I confirm that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report.
I consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of my name and the Technical Report, including
extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of Entrée’s Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”), and any amendment thereto,
including post-effective amendments and as part of a post-effective amendment to Entrée’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the
Form 40-F.
Dated, this 29th day of March, 2012.
/s/James Foster
Signature of Qualified Person
James Foster
Print name of Qualified Person
Exhibit 15
Scott Jackson
Quantitative Geoscience Pty Ltd
Level 2, 25 Cantonment St, Fremantle, WA, 6160, Australia
CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
I, Scott Jackson, do hereby consent to the public filing of the technical report entitled “Technical Report 2012 on the Lookout Hill Property” and dated March 29, 2012
(the “Technical Report”). I further consent to the publication of the Technical Report by Entrée Gold Inc. (“Entrée”) on its company website or otherwise.
I have read Entrée’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the “AIF”), which the Technical Report supports. I consent to the use of extracts from, or a
summary of, the Technical Report in the AIF, and I confirm that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report.
I consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of my name and the Technical Report, including
extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of Entrée’s Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”), and any amendment thereto,
including post-effective amendments and as part of a post-effective amendment to Entrée’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the
Form 40-F.
Dated, this 29th day of March, 2012.
/s/Scott Jackson
Signature of Qualified Person
Scott Jackson
Print name of Qualified Person
Lyn Jones
AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
92 Caplan Ave., Ste. #610, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, L4N 0Z7
CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
Exhibit 16
I, Lyn Jones, do hereby consent to the public filing of the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the Ann Mason
Project Nevada, USA” with an effective date of March 26, 2012 (the “Technical Report”). I further consent to the publication of the Technical Report by Entrée Gold
Inc. (“Entrée”) on its company website or otherwise.
I have read Entrée’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the “AIF”), which the Technical Report supports. I consent to the use of extracts from, or a
summary of, the Technical Report in the AIF, and I confirm that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report.
I consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of my name and the Technical Report, including
extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of Entrée’s Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”), and any amendment thereto,
including post-effective amendments and as part of a post-effective amendment to Entrée’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the
Form 40-F.
Dated, this 29th day of March, 2012.
/s/Lyn Jones
______________________
Signature of Qualified Person
Lyn Jones
Print name of Qualified Person
Exhibit 17
Scott Jackson
Quantitative Geoscience Pty Ltd
Level 2, 25 Cantonment St, Fremantle, WA, 6160, Australia
CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
I, Scott Jackson, do hereby consent to the public filing of the technical report entitled “Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the Ann Mason
Project Nevada, USA” with an effective date of March 26, 2012 (the “Technical Report”). I further consent to the publication of the Technical Report by Entrée Gold
Inc. (“Entrée”) on its company website or otherwise.
I have read Entrée’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2012 (the “AIF”), which the Technical Report supports. I consent to the use of extracts from, or a
summary of, the Technical Report in the AIF, and I confirm that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report.
I consent to the filing of this consent with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and to the use of my name and the Technical Report, including
extracts from or summaries thereof, in and as part of Entrée’s Annual Report on Form 40-F dated March 29, 2012 (the “Form 40-F”), and any amendment thereto,
including post-effective amendments and as part of a post-effective amendment to Entrée’s Form F-10/A Registration Statement (No. 333-170290), to incorporate the
Form 40-F.
Dated, this 29th day of March, 2012.
/s/Scott Jackson
______________________
Signature of Qualified Person
Scott Jackson
Print name of Qualified Person