COPY OF FINAL PROSPECTUS - Mirabela Nickel
COPY OF FINAL PROSPECTUS - Mirabela Nickel
COPY OF FINAL PROSPECTUS - Mirabela Nickel
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A mining concession may only be granted to a company incorporated under Brazilian law such as <strong>Mirabela</strong><br />
Brazil. Mining concessions can be transferred between parties qualified to hold them, however transfers must be<br />
authorized by the applicable governmental authority.<br />
The holder of a mining concession must (i) commence development within 60 days from the granting of the<br />
concession; (ii) not suspend development and mining operations for more than six months without the prior<br />
approval of the DNPM; (iii) mine in accordance with an approved development and mining plan;<br />
(iv) compensate the landowner for occupation of the property; (v) pay a royalty to the landowner; (vi) pay a<br />
royalty to the local, state and federal governments; (vii) obtain all required environmental licences and<br />
authorizations; (viii) restore the areas degraded by mining and processing operations and infrastructure; and<br />
(ix) report annually to the DNPM on activities, production and sales.<br />
Environmental Licensing<br />
All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulations. In general, environmental<br />
licensing is handled by the environmental agency of the relevant state in Brazil and exceptionally by federal<br />
authorities. The licensing system is divided into preliminary licences, installation licences and operation licences.<br />
A preliminary licence (the Licença de Localizaçâo) is obtained at the planning stage of the project. An EIA<br />
and a plan for the restoration of degraded areas are prepared and submitted and public hearings are called to<br />
present the EIA to the communities and authorities. The Company was issued a preliminary licence on<br />
January 2, 2007.<br />
An installation licence (the Licença de Instalação) is required prior to the commencement of construction<br />
and may only be obtained after an EMP has been presented to and approved by the relevant environmental<br />
agency. The issuance of a mining concession is conditional upon the issuance of an installation licence. At this<br />
stage, the environmental authority will set the Environmental Compensation Amount, which is a minimum of<br />
0.5% of the projected capital investment.<br />
Mining and processing can only occur following the issuance of the operation licence by the relevant<br />
environmental agency. An operation licence will only be issued once the environmental authorities are satisfied<br />
that development and construction were completed in accordance with the conditions of the installation licence<br />
and the EMP has been correctly implemented.<br />
Native Title<br />
According to the Brazilian Constitution, native title areas (reserves) inhabited by indigenous peoples in<br />
Brazil are available to mining activities with Congress approval. Several proposals have been submitted to<br />
Congress but since 1988, none have been approved as yet. Management believes that none of the Company’s<br />
properties currently encroach native title areas.<br />
Taxes<br />
Mining activities are subject to taxation in the same manner as other activities in Brazil. Mining activities<br />
are subject to a range of corporate taxes, charges and duties which are administered at the federal, state and<br />
municipal level. These include income tax, social contributions taxes, sales taxes, service taxes and taxes on<br />
financial transactions. Companies under Brazilian or foreign control are subject to the same income tax, and are<br />
liable for tax on their worldwide income. A variety of fiscal incentives, concessions and exemptions are also<br />
available and are aimed at the selective fostering of industries and advancement or development of certain<br />
economic regions.<br />
Generally, corporations in Brazil are currently subject to a federal income tax at a rate of 25%, plus a social<br />
contribution tax on net profits of 9%, for a theoretical combined tax rate of 34%. The Company’s tenements are<br />
located in the states of Bahia and Tocantins, which are subject to the Authorities for the Development of the<br />
North-east and Northern regions. Tax benefits from participation in exemptions and incentives available in this<br />
region can result in an effective corporate tax rate as low as 15.25%. Dividends, whether paid to resident or<br />
non-resident shareholders, are not subject to withholding tax.<br />
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