UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
For the month of  April 2018
 
Commission File Number  001-37982
 
 
AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
145 King Street West, Suite 2870
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5H 1J8
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
 
Form 20-F
     
Form 40-F
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):                 
 
 
Note:   Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):                 
 
 
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION
 
 
           /s/ Peter McRae             
 
Date:   April 13, 2018
Peter McRae
Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

99.1              Annual Report 2017
99.2              Form of Proxy
99.3              Management Information Circular
99.4              Notice of Annual and Special Meeting
99.5              Notice of Availability
99.6              Shareholder Rights Plan


Exhibit 99.1
 
 
 




 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
1
39
 
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report that are not current or historical factual statements may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including without limitation, statements regarding any objectives, expectations, intentions, plans, results, levels of activity, goals or achievements, estimates of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, completion of the San Rafael Project, impairment of mining interests and non-producing properties, the timing and amount of estimated future production, production guidance, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of development, success of exploration activities, permitting timelines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, the going concern assumption, and the timing and possible outcomes of pending litigation, negotiations or regulatory investigations are or involve forward- looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report are based on what management considers to be reasonable assumptions based on information currently available to it, there can be no assurances that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward- looking statements, and management’s assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Generally, forward- looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates”, “assumes”, “believes”, “budget”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “guidance”, “indicates”, “intends”, “likely”, “may”, “objective”, “outlook”, “plans”, “potential”, “predicts”, “scheduled”, “should”, “target”, “trends”, “will”, or “would” or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases. This Annual Report, including those set out under “Risk Factors” in the Management Discussion & Analysis and any documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to those relating to the Company. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are forward-looking because they are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions. It is important to know that: (i) unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements in  this Annual Report including any documents incorporated herein by reference describe expectations as at the date hereof; (ii) actual results and events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in  the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, if known or unknown risks affect the respective businesses of the Company, or if their estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the results or events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement will materialize, and accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements; and (iii) the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, except in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company has made a number of assumptions in making forward-looking statements in this Annual Report including any documents incorporated herein by reference.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further in the Annual Report. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward- looking statements.




 
AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017
DATED MARCH 5, 2018
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
Page 1

Americas Silver Corporation
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents
 
3
3
4
5
6
13
16
17
18
19
20
20
20
33
35
35
36
36
 
Unless otherwise indicated, in this Management Discussion and Analysis all reference to “dollar” or the use of the symbol “$” are to the United States of America dollar and all references to “C$” are to the Canadian dollar. Additionally, percentage changes in this Management Discussion and Analysis are based on dollar amounts before rounding.
Page 2

Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements contained in this MD&A that are not current or historical factual statements may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this MD&A that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including without limitation, statements regarding any objectives, expectations, intentions, plans, results, levels of activity, goals or achievements, estimates of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the ramp up of San Rafael mining operations, impairment of mining interests and non-producing properties, the timing and amount of estimated future production, production guidance, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of development, success of exploration and development activities, permitting timelines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, the going concern assumption, and the timing and possible outcomes of pending disputes or litigation, negotiations or regulatory investigations are or involve forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based on what management considers to be reasonable assumptions based on information currently available to it, there can be no assurances that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management’s assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates”, “assumes”, “believes”, “budget”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “guidance”, “indicates”, “intends”, “likely”, “may”, “objective”, “outlook”, “plans”, “potential”, “predicts”, “scheduled”, “should”, “target”, “trends”, “will”, or “would” or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases. This MD&A and its appendices, including those set out under “Risk Factors” in this MD&A, contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to those relating to the Company. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are forward-looking because they are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions. It is important to know that: (i) unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements in this MD&A and its appendices describe expectations as at the date hereof; (ii) actual results and events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward- looking statements in this MD&A and its appendices, if known or unknown risks affect the respective businesses of the Company, or if their estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the results or events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement will materialize, and accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements; and (iii) the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company has made a number of assumptions in making forward-looking statements in this MD&A and its appendices.

The list above is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company’s forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further in the MD&A. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note to Investors in the United States Regarding Resources and Reserves
 
Information concerning the mineral properties of the Company has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ in material respects from the requirements of U.S. securities laws applicable to U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Under SEC standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time of the reserve determination, and the SEC does not recognize the reporting of mineral deposits which do not meet the SEC Industry Guide definition of “Reserve”. In accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“ NI 43-101 ”) of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve”, “probable mineral reserve”, “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” used in this MD&A are defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “ CIM ”) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014. While the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are recognized and required by NI 43-101, the SEC does not recognize them. Shareholders who are U.S. persons are cautioned that, except for that portion of the mineral resources classified as mineral reserves, mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic value. Inferred mineral resources have a high degree of uncertainty as to their existence as to whether they can be economically or legally mined. Under applicable Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of an economic analysis. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Therefore, shareholders who are U.S. persons are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, that it can be economically or legally mined, or that it will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Likewise, shareholders who are U.S. persons are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be upgraded to mineral reserves.
Page 3

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
 
This MD&A of the results of operations, liquidity and capital resources of Americas Silver Corporation (“Americas Silver” or the “Company”) constitutes management’s review of the Company’s financial and operating performance for the year ended December 31, 2017, including the Company’s financial condition and future prospects. Except as otherwise noted, this discussion is dated March 5, 2018 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The Company prepared its latest financial statements in U.S. dollars and all amounts in this MD&A are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated. These documents along with additional information relating to the Company including the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com   and on the Company’s website at www.americassilvercorp.com .
 
In this report, the management of the Company presents operating highlights for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 as well as comments on plans for the future. Throughout this MD&A, references to silver equivalent ounces produced are based on the average silver, zinc, lead and copper realized metal prices during each respective period, except as otherwise noted.

On December 21, 2016, the Company filed articles of amendment to complete an approved share consolidation of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of twelve pre- consolidated common shares for one post-consolidated common share. The share consolidation affects all issued and outstanding common shares, options, warrants, deferred share units, and restricted share units. All information relating to issued and outstanding common shares, options, warrants, deferred share units, restricted share units, and related per share amounts in this MD&A have been adjusted retrospectively to reflect the share consolidation.

Securities regulators encourage companies to disclose forward-looking information to help investors understand a company’s future prospects. This discussion contains statements about the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations and business. See page 1 of this report for more information on forward-looking statements.
The Company was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on May 12, 1998 and conducts mining exploration, development and production in the Americas.
 
Page 4

Overview
 
The Company has operations in two of the world's leading silver areas: the Cosalá Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico and the Galena Complex in Idaho, USA.

In Sinaloa, Mexico, the Company operates the 100%-owned, producing, San Rafael silver-zinc-lead mine (“San Rafael”) after declaring commercial production in December, 2017. Prior to this time, it operated the 100%-owned Nuestra Señora silver-zinc-copper-lead mine after declaring commercial production in January 2009 and commissioning of the Los Braceros processing facility. The Cosalá area land holdings also host several other known deposits, past-producing mines, and prospects including the Zone 120 silver- copper-gold deposit, the La Verde copper-silver mine, and the El Cajón silver-copper deposit (“El Cajón”). These properties are located in close proximity to the Los Braceros processing plant.

In Idaho, USA, the Company operates the 100%-owned producing Galena Complex acquired through the business combination with U.S. Silver & Gold Inc. The Galena Complex’s primary assets are the operating Galena mine, the Coeur mine, and the contiguous Caladay development project in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District of the northern Idaho Silver Valley. The Galena Complex has recorded production of over 230 million ounces of silver along with associated by-product metals of copper and lead over a modern production history of more than sixty years. The Coeur mine has been put on care and maintenance pending an improvement in the silver price.
 
The Company’s mission is to profitably expand its precious metals production through the development of its own projects and consolidation of complementary projects. The Company’s current strategy is focused on extending the mine life of its current assets through exploration, bringing the newly developed San Rafael mine to full production, and advancing technical and economic studies on Zone 120 to consider development options in 2019. Exploration will continue evaluating early stage targets with an emphasis on the Cosalá District, and prospective areas at the Galena Complex.

The Company’s management and Board of Directors (the “Board”) are comprised of senior mining executives who have extensive experience identifying, acquiring, developing, financing, and operating precious metals deposits globally. The head office of the Company is located at 145 King Street West, Suite 2870, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 1J8. The Company is a reporting issuer in the jurisdictions of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec, and is listed on the TSX trading under the symbol “USA” and on the NYSE American trading under the symbol “USAS”.
Page 5

Recent Developments and Operational Discussion
 
Fiscal 2017 Highlights
 
·
Production of 4.7 million consolidated silver equivalent ounces and 2.1 million silver ounces at cost of sales of $10.13/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash cost of $9.45/oz. silver, and all-in sustaining cost of $13.29/oz. silver for the year.
·
Revenue of $54.3 million and net loss of $3.5 million for the year or ($0.09) per share (excluding $4.9 million El Cajón and $4.0 million San Rafael pre-production revenues).
·
Cash flow generated from operating activities before non-cash working capital items of $5.5 million during the year.
·
The San Rafael mine declared commercial production effective December 19, 2017 and was constructed for approximately $16 million, 32% below the initial pre-feasibility estimate.
·
Released significant results from an initial drill program in August, 2017 around Zone 120 and expanded the program by seven additional holes completed in Q4-2017, resulting in a Board approved $4 million exploration program for fiscal 2018.
·
Closed a $15 million concentrate pre-payment facility with a subsidiary of Glencore PLC at U.S. LIBOR rate plus 5% per annum to fund a portion of the San Rafael mine development costs.
·
Repaid outstanding debt of $8 million to the Company’s previous lenders.
·
Purchased an option on the San Felipe property (Ag, Zn, Pb) in Sonora, Mexico for payments totalling $7 million (plus VAT).
·
Completed the Company’s listing of its common shares on the NYSE American to increase the Company’s share liquidity and access to capital.
 
Consolidated Operations
 
Fiscal 2017 was a successful year for Americas Silver. The Company transitioned from its Nuestra Señora mining operations in Cosalá and built the San Rafael mine, the Company’s next-generation mine, declaring commercial production on December 19, 2017. San Rafael is expected to generate significant cash flow from its precious and base metal production and to provide a step change in the Company’s cash cost and all-in sustaining cost profile in 2018 and subsequent years. The generated cash flow is expected to be used to further explore the Company’s significant land position in the Cosalá area and develop future mines. The Company also executed a $2 million exploration program targeting the Zone 120 deposit at its Cosalá Operations; this deposit is contiguous to the San Rafael mine. The drill program yielded meaningful results that are being followed up with further drill programs in 2018 to better delineate the Zone 120 deposit.
Metal prices in fiscal 2017 continued a sustained recovery from multi-year lows in precious and base metals. Year-over-year, the spot silver price recovered from a low of $13.58 per ounce in January 2016 increasing to $16.87 per ounce by the end of 2017. Additionally, the market prices for the Company’s lead, zinc and copper by-product metals significantly increased from lows during 2016. The zinc price increased to $1.50 per pound by the end of 2017 after starting fiscal 2016 at approximately $0.70 per pound while the lead price increased to $1.13 per pound by the end of 2017 after starting fiscal 2016 at approximately $0.80 per pound. As a result, the Company’s liquidity position has improved through increased cash generated from operations. This improvement is expected to continue into 2018 and beyond should precious and base metal prices continue at spot rates or better.

During 2017, the Company produced 4.7 million consolidated silver equivalent ounces and 2.1 million silver ounces, comparable to production of 4.6 million consolidated silver equivalent ounces and 2.4 million silver ounces during 2016. Costs of sales were $10.13/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash costs were $9.45/oz. silver, and all-in sustaining costs were $13.29/oz. silver, representing year-over-year increases of 1%, and 5% in cost of sales per equivalent silver ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce, respectively, and a decrease of 5% in by-product cash cost per ounce. Consolidated silver equivalent production from the Cosalá Operations increased due to the greater than estimated output from Nuestra Señora and El Cajón as those mines continued to outperform expectations, partially offset by a decrease in production at the
Page 6

Galena Complex due to a lower tonnage and grade during the year as the mine progressed through lower grade areas while development progressed towards higher grade areas for 2018 and beyond. Direct operating costs at the Galena Complex were in line with expectations excluding increased employee-related medical premiums during the year; however, the decrease in lead production from budget and year-over- year resulted in lower by-product credits, negatively impacting cash costs. With the San Rafael transition completed, management will be focused on returning Galena to an acceptable level of profitable operating performance in 2018 by advancing several planning-related initiatives, including grade optimization, in order to recapture and build on the gains which were made in 2015 and 2016. Improvements will be realized as grades return to historic norms and new production areas begin to contribute consistently.
 
During the transition at Cosalá, the Company managed ore feeds from the Nuestra Señora and El Cajón mines during San Rafael’s development period. The Company originally planned to operate its Nuestra Señora mine through the end of Q1-2017 then change over to the El Cajón mine through to the commencement of production from San Rafael. As a result, the El Cajón development was completed at the end of the first quarter and pre-production ore of approximately 40,000 tonnes was intermittently processed during Q2-2017 while stockpiling approximately 70,000 tonnes of El Cajón ore.
Production for the Cosalá Operations continued to be primarily sourced from the Nuestra Señora mine during Q2 and Q3-2017 as it became clear that further economic ore was available though at lower grades than in the past. Higher zinc and lead prices prioritized this ore before the stockpiled silver-copper El Cajón ore as the Nuestra Señora ore was mined with lower operating costs and minimal development costs. The remaining El Cajón stockpile was milled in September, 2017 in order to generate cash flow that would otherwise be inaccessible for years due to its lower value relative to San Rafael ore. Nuestra Señora ore was processed during Q4-2017 up to the commencement of San Rafael ore processing in mid-November. A stockpile of approximately 57,000 tonnes remains to enhance production if required.

The San Rafael development was constructed on budget with commercial production declared on December 19, 2017. As at that date, the Company spent approximately $16 million on San Rafael (net of
 
$4.0 million pre-production revenue) compared to the revised $18 million budget, approximately 32% lower than the original pre-feasibility capital estimate. The Company was able to fund the mine development from cash on-hand and cash flow generated from continued operations without further dilution to shareholders.

Under IFRS, pre-production revenues (net of related costs) are capitalized as an offset to development costs and do not impact the income statement directly. This treatment resulted in lower annual revenue, and higher reported cash costs and all-in sustaining costs. During the year, approximately $4.9 million of pre-production revenue was capitalized by processing the El Cajón ore and approximately $4.0 million of pre-production revenue was capitalized by processing the San Rafael ore prior to its declaration of commercial production.

In August 2017, the Company announced results from 2017 exploration drilling on its 100%-owned, Zone 120 deposit, adjacent to the San Rafael development project. Exploration drilling resumed at the Cosalá Operations property in 2017 after being significantly reduced in 2014 due to low metal prices. An initial eight-hole, 4,000-meter diamond drill program at Zone 120 focused on upgrading the existing resource as well as expanding the footprint of mineralization to the southeast. Highlights of the program included:
   
·
Step-out hole SR-396 with 61.41 meters grading 306g/t Ag, 0.23g/t Au and 0.79% Cu (412g/t AgEq2) including 5.9 meters of 932g/t Ag, 0.82g/t Au and 1.94% Cu (1,213g/t AgEq), plus another interval of 9.4 meters grading 479g/t Ag, 0.29g/t Au and 1.07% Cu (622g/t AgEq)
·
Step-out hole SR-401 with 39.6 meters grading 205g/t Ag, 0.28g/t Au and 0.53% Cu (289g/t AgEq) including 11.4 meters of 473g/t Ag, 0.68g/t Au and 1.20% Cu (659g/t AgEq)
·
Infill hole SR-391 with 22.8 meters grading 138g/t Ag, 0.22g/t Au and 0.37% Cu (196g/t AgEq) including 4.0 meters of 460g/t Ag, 0.20g/t Au and 0.88% Cu (575g/t AgEq)
 
¹  True width
²  Silver equivalent (AgEq) grade is calculated using prices of $16.00/oz Ag, $1,200/oz Au and $2.50/lb Cu
Page 7

·
Infill hole SR-392 with 18.1 meters grading 113g/t Ag, 0.08g/t Au and 0.17% Cu (138g/t AgEq)


The holes increased both the indicated and inferred resource substantially as noted in the updated Mineral Reserve and Resource estimate released on September 18, 2017. Following up on the success of the announced results, the Company completed an additional program of seven holes in the fourth quarter of 2017 to further test the extent and continuity of the mineralization. Highlights of the program included:
 
·
Hole SR-402, containing 16.9 meters grading 138g/t Ag, 0.23g/t Au and 0.43% Cu (204g/t AgEq3)
·
Hole SR-409, containing 2.0 meters grading 920g/t Ag, 0.40g/t Au and 2.36% Cu (1,218g/t AgEq)
·
Hole SR-415, containing 23.4 meters grading 259g/t Ag, 0.40g/t Au and 0.5% Cu (345g/t AgEq) and 7.2 meters grading 335 g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au and 0.55% Cu (413g/t AgEq)

 
The Company has budgeted an initial $4 million, 20,000-meter exploration program in 2018 focused on the Zone 120 deposit and its regional land position with the initial focus on Zone 120 and the corridor between Zone 120 and El Cajón. The drilling is expected to be completed by mid-second quarter 2018 with results to be released as they become available for inclusion in the Company’s mid-year resource estimate update. Funding for the program is expected to be provided from internally-generated, operating cash flow from the Company’s San Rafael mine. On February 26, 2018, the Company released the following highlights from this program:
 
·
Hole SR 416 with 12.6 meters grading 119g/t Ag, 0.17g/t Au and 0.29% Cu (165g/t AgEq3)
·
Hole SR 417 with 21.7 meters grading 124g/t Ag, 0.21g/t Au and 0.34% Cu (178g/t AgEq)
·
Hole SR 420 with 29.2 meters grading 115g/t Ag, 0.12g/t Au and 0.42% Cu (173g/t AgEq
 
In September 2017, the Company updated its estimate of its silver inventory which was estimated to contain 28 million ounces of proven and probable reserves, 58 million ounces of measured and indicated resources and 37 million ounces of inferred resources, a decrease of 9%, and increases of 16% and 37%, respectively. San Rafael estimated proven and probable reserves increased by 512,000 tonnes (16%), 650,000 ounces of silver (6%), 12 million pounds of lead (10%), and 34 million pounds of zinc (11%). Zone 120 measured and indicated resource increased by 70% to 12.6 million ounces of contained silver while the inferred resource increased to 9.6 million silver ounces with silver grades increasing by approximately 46% and 98%, respectively.
 
Detailed exploration results from the 2017 and 2018 drill programs can be found on the Company’s website at www.americassilvercorp.com
 
A subsidiary of the Company is party, with the United Steel Workers Union, to a collective bargaining agreement that covers all of the hourly employees at the Galena Complex with a term from June 29, 2014 to June 28, 2017. The parties have been in negotiations since June 2017 and in December, the Company issued its “last, best and final offer”.
 
 
³  Silver equivalent (AgEq) grade is calculated using prices of $18.00/oz Ag, $1,300/oz Au and $3.00/lb Cu
Page 8

Consolidated Results and Developments
 
 
    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,  
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues ($ M)
 
$
54.3
   
$
58.9
 
Silver Produced (oz)
   
2,056,017
     
2,389,808
 
Zinc Produced (lbs)
   
11,623,138
     
10,488,773
 
Lead Produced (lbs)
   
25,392,619
     
29,067,673
 
Copper Produced (lbs)
   
1,167,401
     
1,058,250
 
Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz) 1
   
4,746,387
     
4,579,373
 
Cost of Sales/Ag Eq Oz Produced ($/oz) 3
 
$
10.13
   
$
10.08
 
Cash Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 2,3
 
$
9.45
   
$
10.00
 
All-In Sustaining Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 2,3
 
$
13.29
   
$
12.71
 
Net Income (Loss) ($ M)
 
$
(3.5
)
 
$
(5.2
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) ($ M)
 
$
(4.3
)
 
$
(4.7
)
 
¹  Throughout this MD&A, silver equivalent production was calculated based on average silver, zinc, lead and copper realized prices during each respective period.
²  Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures: Cash Cost per Ounce and All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce” section in this MD&A.
³  Calculation excludes pre-production of 50,490 silver ounces and 435,323 silver equivalent ounces mined from San Rafael during its commissioning period, and excludes pre-production of 245,391 silver ounces and 360,530 silver equivalent ounces mined from El Cajón during its commissioning period. Pre-production revenue and cost of sales from San Rafael and El Cajón are capitalized as an offset to development costs.
 
During 2017, the Company produced 4,746,387 silver equivalent ounces, including 2,056,017 ounces of silver, at cost of sales of $10.13/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash cost of $9.45/oz. silver, and all-in sustaining cost of $13.29/oz. silver. These results compare to 4,579,373 silver equivalent ounces, including 2,389,808 ounces of silver, at cost of sales of $10.08/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash cost of $10.00/oz. silver, and all-in sustaining cost of $12.71/oz. silver during 2016, a 4%, 1% and 5% increase in production of silver equivalent ounces, cost of sales per equivalent silver ounce, and all-in sustaining cost per ounce, respectively, and a 14% and 5% decrease in production of silver ounces and by-product cash cost per ounce, respectively. The decrease in cash costs was due to lower operating costs and lack of capitalized development at Nuestra Señora, improved concentrate off-take terms, and the increase in the realized prices from these by-product metals.

Despite lower year-to-date silver production, production revenues decreased only slightly by $4.6 million or 8% from $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $54.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, while net loss improved to $3.5 million compared to net loss $5.2 million loss during the same year, a $1.7 million improvement. Year-to-date pre-production revenues of approximately $4.9 million from El Cajón and $4.0 million from San Rafael were capitalized as an offset to development costs during their commissioning periods which were excluded from production revenues. Improvement in net loss was mainly attributable to lower cost of sales and lower interest and financing expense, partially offset by lower net revenue on concentrate sales and higher corporate general and administrative expenses related to share-based compensation and the NYSE American listing. The Company also generated cash from operating activities before non-cash working capital items of $5.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. These variances are further discussed in the following sections.

In January, 2017, the Company entered into a $15 million concentrate pre-payment facility with Glencore at U.S. LIBOR rate plus 5% per annum to fund a portion of the development costs for San Rafael. Under the terms of the pre-payment facility, Glencore will provide the Company with a four-year facility of up to $15 million to be used for the development of San Rafael and commercial production of its concentrates. The facility is secured by a promissory note in the amount of up to $15 million issued by the Company, a corporate guarantee in favour of Glencore, and limited asset level security on San Rafael. The pre-payment facility was drawn in full in late March, 2017. The Company has also entered into four-year offtake agreements with Glencore for the zinc and lead concentrates produced from San Rafael. Glencore will pay for the concentrates at the prevailing market prices for silver, lead and zinc, less customary treatment, refining and penalty charges.
Page 9

On February 10, 2017, the Company made a principal repayment in full of $1.6 million towards its outstanding debt facility from February, 2016 at maturity. On March 30, 2017, the Company made an early principal repayment in full of $5.6 million towards its outstanding debt facility from August, 2013 due December, 2017. Total repayments during the first quarter were approximately $8.0 million.

In March, 2017, the Company entered into an option acquisition agreement with Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (“Santacruz”) to acquire an existing option with Minera Hochschild Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“Hochschild”) for the right to acquire a 100% interest of the San Felipe property located in Sonora, Mexico for total consideration of $15 million in cash, payable in two installments. The purchase of the option for $5 million plus an initial option payment for $2 million was paid to Santacruz and Hochschild, respectively, with cash on hand by the Company in March while the final option payment of $8 million was payable to Hochschild on or before December 15, 2017. On December 1, 2017, the final option payment of $8 million plus applicable VAT was amended to become option payments of $0.5 million payable on January 1, 2018, $0.5 million payable on April 1, 2018, $1.0 million payable on July 1, 2018, with the remaining balance of $6.0 million payable on or before December 31, 2018. Upon completion of the final option payment, the Company will have the right to acquire 100% of the San Felipe property, a silver-zinc-lead development project free of any underlying third party royalties.

On September 18, 2017, the Company updated its mineral reserve and resource estimates for the Galena Complex and the Cosalá Operations, including the San Rafael, El Cajón, Nuestra Señora mines, and the Zone 120 deposit. The reserves and resources are estimated to contain 28 million ounces of proven and probable reserves, 58 million ounces of measured and indicated resources and 37 million ounces of inferred resources, a decrease of 9%, and increases of 16% and 37%, respectively. The updated estimates reflect the drilling programs completed between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 as well as production depletion during the period with an effective date of June 30, 2017.

Effective December 19, 2017, the San Rafael mine declared commercial production which the Company defined as operating at an average 80% designed production capacity with saleable concentrate recoveries within 5% of its mining feasibility study over a two week period.
Page 10

Cosalá Operations
 

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,  
   
2017
   
2016
 
Tonnes Milled
   
526,726
     
500,509
 
Silver Grade (g/t)
   
66
     
78
 
Zinc Grade (%) 1
   
1.66
     
1.35
 
Lead Grade (%) 1
   
0.82
     
0.57
 
Copper Grade (%) 1
   
0.17
     
0.20
 
Silver Recovery (%)
   
82.5
     
79.9
 
Zinc Recovery (%)
   
76.6
     
70.9
 
Lead Recovery (%)
   
75.1
     
66.4
 
Copper Recovery (%)
   
68.6
     
47.2
 
Silver Produced (oz)
   
920,806
     
1,006,119
 
Zinc Produced (lbs)
   
11,623,138
     
10,488,773
 
Lead Produced (lbs)
   
5,616,905
     
4,188,539
 
Copper Produced (lbs)
   
1,167,401
     
1,058,250
 
Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz)
   
2,386,135
     
1,960,694
 
Silver Sold (oz)
   
912,983
     
956,939
 
Zinc Sold (lbs)
   
10,919,556
     
10,258,081
 
Lead Sold (lbs)
   
5,351,596
     
4,251,898
 
Copper Sold (lbs)
   
1,144,385
     
1,017,940
 
Realized Silver Price ($/oz)
 
$
17.11
   
$
17.07
 
Realized Zinc Price ($/lb)
 
$
1.33
   
$
0.96
 
Realized Lead Price ($/lb)
 
$
1.07
   
$
0.86
 
Realized Copper Price ($/lb)
 
$
2.79
   
$
2.22
 
Cost of Sales/Ag Eq Oz Produced ($/oz) 3
 
$
6.41
   
$
9.02
 
Cash Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 2,3
 
$
(0.13
)
 
$
7.79
 
All-In Sustaining Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 2,3
 
$
0.57
   
$
9.31
 
 
¹  Zinc and lead grades only refer to grades from silver-zinc-lead-copper and silver-zinc-lead ores, and copper grades only refer to grades from silver-zinc-lead-copper and silver-copper ores.
²   Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures: Cash Cost per Ounce and All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce” section in this MD&A.
³ Calculation excludes pre-production of 50,490 silver ounces and 435,323 silver equivalent ounces mined from San Rafael during its commissioning period, and excludes pre-production of 245,391 silver ounces and 360,530 silver equivalent ounces mined from El Cajón during its commissioning period. Pre-production revenue and cost of sales from San Rafael and El Cajón are capitalized as an offset to development costs.

The Cosalá Operations processed 526,726 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 66 g/t of silver to produce 920,806 ounces of silver at cost of sales of $6.41/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash cost of negative ($0.13/oz.) silver, and all-in sustaining cost of $0.57/oz. silver during 2017. These results compare to 500,509 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 78 g/t of silver to produce 1,006,119 ounces of silver at cost of sales of $9.02/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash cost of $7.79/oz. silver, and all-in sustaining cost of $9.31/oz. silver during 2016, a 5% increase in tonnes of ore milled, and a 8%, 29%, 102% and 94% decrease in ounces of silver produced, cost of sales per equivalent silver ounce, by-product cash cost per ounce, and all-in sustaining cost per ounce, respectively. Silver recovery to concentrate was 82.5% in 2017 (2016 – 79.9%).

During 2017, the Cosalá Operations completed its transition from the Nuestra Señora and El Cajón mines to the newly constructed San Rafael mine. Production was primarily sourced from Nuestra Señora and El Cajón during the first three quarters of 2017. Nuestra Señora was originally planned to cease production in early Q2-2017, but was continued to take advantage of additional material sourced from various areas near existing workings. Nuestra Señora ore was processed during Q4-2017 up to the commencement of San Rafael ore processing in mid-November with declaration of commercial production in mid-December.
Page 11

The significant decrease in cash costs and all-in sustaining costs was due to lower operating costs and lack of development into new working areas at Nuestra Señora, decreased smelter charges, and the increase in the realized prices from by-product metals. As previously stated, production from San Rafael, prior to its declaration of commercial production, and from El Cajón are considered pre-production and is omitted from revenue and cash cost calculations as a result.

Realized silver price of $17.11/oz. for 2017 (2016 – $17.07/oz.) is comparable to the average London silver spot price of $17.04/oz. for 2017 (2016 – $17.14/oz.). The realized silver price is comparable from 2016 to 2017 as silver prices began to improve and stabilize late in the first half of 2016. Realized silver prices is a measurement of gross silver revenues over silver ounces sold during the period, excluding unrealized mark- to-market gains and losses on provisional pricing and treatment and refining charges.

Galena Complex
 
      Fiscal Year Ended December 31,      
   
2017
   
2016
 
Tonnes Milled
   
163,772
     
171,107
 
Silver Grade (g/t)
   
227
     
266
 
Lead Grade (%)
   
6.02
     
7.29
 
Silver Recovery (%)
   
95.0
     
94.4
 
Lead Recovery (%)
   
90.9
     
90.5
 
Silver Produced (oz)
   
1,135,211
     
1,383,689
 
Lead Produced (lbs)
   
19,775,714
     
24,879,134
 
Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz)
   
2,360,252
     
2,618,679
 
Silver Sold (oz)
   
1,143,139
     
1,384,380
 
Lead Sold (lbs)
   
19,792,596
     
24,976,822
 
Realized Silver Price ($/oz)
 
$
17.11
   
$
17.21
 
Realized Lead Price ($/lb)
 
$
1.06
   
$
0.86
 
Cost of Sales/Ag Eq Oz Produced ($/oz)
 
$
12.64
   
$
10.87
 
Cash Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 1
 
$
14.73
   
$
11.60
 
All-In Sustaining Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 1
 
$
20.30
   
$
15.18
 
 
¹    Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures: Cash Cost per Ounce and All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce” section in this MD&A.
 
The Galena Complex processed 163,772 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 227 g/t of silver to produce 1,135,211 ounces of silver at cost of sales of $12.64/oz. equivalent silver, by-product cash cost of $14.73/oz. silver, and all-in sustaining cost of $20.30/oz. silver during 2017, compared to 171,107 tonnes of ore at an average grade of  266 g/t of silver to produce  1,383,689 ounces of silver  at cost  of  sales  of $10.87/oz.  equivalent  silver,  by-product  cash  cost  of  $11.60/oz.  silver,  and  all-in  sustaining  cost of $15.18/oz. silver during 2016, a 4% and 18% decrease in tonnes of ore milled and ounces of silver produced, respectively, and a 16%, 27% and 34% increase in cost of sales per equivalent silver ounce, by- product cash cost per ounce, and all-in sustaining cost per ounce, respectively.

Both silver and lead production at the Company’s Galena Complex were below expectations in 2017 due to lower tonnage and grade. With the San Rafael transition progressing well, management is focused on returning Galena to an acceptable level of operating performance in 2018 by advancing several planning- related initiatives, including grade optimization, in order to recapture and build on the gains which were made in 2015 and 2016.

Realized silver price of $17.11/oz. for 2017 (2016 – $17.21/oz.) is comparable to the average London silver spot price of $17.04/oz. for 2017 (2016 – $17.14/oz.). The realized silver price is comparable from 2016 to 2017 as silver prices began to improve and stabilize late in the first half of 2016. Realized silver prices is a measurement of gross silver revenues over silver ounces sold during the period, excluding unrealized mark- to-market gains and losses on provisional pricing and treatment and refining charges.
Page 12

Guidance
 
The Company’s guidance for 2018 is production of 1.6 - 2.0 million silver ounces and 7.2 - 8.0 million silver equivalent ounces at cost of sales of $7.00 to $8.00 per ounce equivalent silver, cash costs of negative ($10.00) to negative ($5.00) per ounce silver and all-in sustaining costs of negative ($1.00) to $4.00 per ounce silver. The Company assumed $17.00 per ounce silver, $1.35 per pound zinc, $1.05 per pound lead, and an exchange rate of 18.5 Mexican pesos to U.S. dollar for these guidance estimates.
 
Mine production, mill throughput and metal recoveries at the Cosalá Operations are expected to ramp-up to internal targets through the first half of 2018. Capital development is expected to be highest in the first quarter of 2018 as development into the deepest levels of the Main Zone progress and the remainder of the mine’s capital development and equipment purchases are finalized. The Company is expected to invest a consolidated $18-19 million in its operating mines in 2018. The reduction in cash cost and all-in sustaining cost per ounce is primarily due to the estimated consolidated by-product metal production including zinc of approximately 40-45 million lbs. and lead of 30-35 million lbs. in 2018.
 
Silver production is expected to be lower in the first 18 months of the mine’s production due to mine sequencing within San Rafael. The initial development in the San Rafael ore body was into the area closest to the portal where the silver grade is approximately half of the reserve silver grade. The Upper Zones of the ore body are estimated to have higher silver grades. Silver equivalent production is expected to increase significantly, and cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are expected to decrease due to the significant increase in lead and zinc projected to be produced from the San Rafael mine. At current spot prices, the mine is expected to generate significant free cash flow in 2018 with further growth in 2019 and beyond as capital requirements decrease and the silver grade improves.
 
Results of Operations
 
Analysis of the year ended December 31, 2017 vs. the year ended December 31, 2016
 
The Company recorded a net loss of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to net loss of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The improvement in net loss was primarily attributable to lower cost of sales ($6.1 million), lower depletion and amortization ($0.7 million), lower care, maintenance and restructuring costs ($0.3 million), lower interest and financing expense ($1.6 million), and higher income tax recovery ($0.6 million), partially offset by lower net revenue on concentrate sales ($4.6 million), higher corporate general and administrative expenses ($1.3 million), higher exploration costs ($1.0 million), and higher foreign exchange loss (0.5 million), each of which are described in more detail below.
 
Revenues decreased by $4.6 million from $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $54.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease during the year is primarily due to $1.8 million in decreased revenues generated at the Cosalá Operations related to the omission of $4.0 million in San Rafael pre-production revenues and omission of $4.9 million in El Cajón pre-production revenues, and $2.8 million in decreased revenues due to a decrease in silver and lead production and sales at the Galena Complex during the year.
 
Cost of Sales decreased by $6.1 million from $46.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $40.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to a $7.5 million decrease in direct mining costs from the Cosalá Operations as a result of reduced commercial production costs of the Nuestra Señora mine as it moves toward scheduled mine closure this year along with the San Rafael and El Cajón pre-production accounting treatment during the year, offset by a $1.4 million increase in cost of sales from the Galena Complex mainly from higher labour costs incurred due to increases in employee- related medical costs.
Page 13

Depletion and amortization decreased by $0.7 million from $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to lower operating production from the Nuestra Señora mine at the Cosalá Operations as it moves toward its scheduled mine closure this year, as well as from the Galena Complex during the year.

Care, maintenance and restructuring costs decreased by $0.3 million from $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to $0.3 million higher mine restructuring costs incurred at the Galena Complex during fiscal 2016.
 
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased by $1.3 million from $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is primarily due to increases in share-based payments, and marketing, insurance, professional fees and listing costs related to trading on the NYSE American during the year.

Exploration costs increased by $1.0 million from $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The change is primarily due to increased exploration activities and follow-up drilling at Zone 120 at the Cosalá Operations during the year.
 
Interest and financing expense decreased by $1.6 million from $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to reduced interest charges from the repayment of all outstanding credit facilities during 2017 and capitalization of the interest from the new Glencore debt as capital under IFRS.
 
Foreign exchange loss increased by $0.5 million from a $0.3 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2016 to a $0.2 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in loss is primarily due to foreign exchange losses incurred from the Cosalá Operations as the average value of the Mexican peso has decreased in fiscal 2017.

Income tax recovery increased by $0.6 million from a $0.2 million expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 to a $0.4 million recovery for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in income tax recovery is primarily due to recognizing recoverable AMT credits as a result of changes in the U.S. tax reform during fiscal 2017.

Analysis of the three months ended December 31, 2017 vs. the three months ended December 31, 2016

The Company recorded a net loss of $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to net loss of $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The improvement in net loss was primarily attributable to lower cost of sales ($2.2 million), lower depletion and amortization ($1.1 million), lower interest and financing expense ($0.6 million), and higher income tax recovery ($0.8 million), partially offset by lower net revenue on concentrate sales ($2.4 million), higher corporate general and administrative expenses ($0.3 million), higher exploration costs ($0.7 million), and higher foreign exchange loss (0.2 million), each of which are described in more detail below.
 
Revenues decreased by $2.4 million from $14.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $12.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease during the period is primarily due to $1.2 million in decreased revenues generated at the Cosalá Operations related to the omission of $4.0 million in San Rafael pre-production revenues, and $1.2 million in decreased revenues due to a decrease in silver and lead production and sales at the Galena Complex during the period.
 
Cost of Sales decreased by $2.2 million from $11.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $9.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to a $1.9 million decrease in direct mining costs from the Cosalá Operations as a result of reduced commercial production costs of the Nuestra Señora mine as it moves toward scheduled mine closure this year along with the San Rafael pre-production accounting treatment during the period, plus a $0.3 million decrease in cost of sales from the Galena Complex mainly due to the decrease in silver and lead production and quantities sold during the year.
Page 14

Depletion and amortization decreased by $1.1 million from $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $0.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to lower operating production from both the Nuestra Señora mine at the Cosalá Operations as it moves toward its scheduled mine closure this year, as well as from the Galena Complex during the period.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million from $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase is primarily due to increases in share-based payments, and marketing, insurance, professional fees and listing costs related to trading on the NYSE American during the period.

Exploration costs increased by $0.7 million from $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The change is primarily due to increased exploration activities and follow-up drilling at Zone 120 at the Cosalá Operations during the period.

Interest and financing expense decreased by $0.6 million from $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to reduced interest charges from the repayment of all outstanding credit facilities during 2017 and capitalization of the interest from the new Glencore debt as capital under IFRS.
 
Foreign exchange loss increased by $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to foreign exchange losses incurred from the Cosalá Operations as value of the Mexican peso has gone down during period.

Income tax recovery increased by $0.8 million from a $0.3 million expense for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to a $0.5 million recovery for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase in income tax recovery is primarily due to recognizing recoverable AMT credits as a result of changes in the U.S. tax reform during the period.
Page 15

Selected Annual Financial Information

Fiscal Year Ended December 31
 
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Revenues ($ M)
 
$
54.3
   
$
58.9
   
$
53.5
 
Net Loss ($ M)
   
(3.5
)
   
(5.2
)
   
(19.4
)
Comprehensive Loss ($ M)
   
(4.3
)
   
(4.7
)
   
(23.7
)
                         
Net Loss per Common Share - Basic and Diluted
 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.68
)
                         
Silver Produced (oz)
   
2,056,017
     
2,389,808
     
2,652,026
 
Zinc Produced (lbs)
   
11,623,138
     
10,488,773
     
11,647,962
 
Lead Produced (lbs)
   
25,392,619
     
29,067,673
     
22,905,826
 
Copper Produced (lbs)
   
1,167,401
     
1,058,250
     
2,054,896
 
Cost of Sales/Ag Eq Oz Produced ($/oz)
 
$
10.13
   
$
9.86
   
$
10.80
 
Cash Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 1
 
$
9.45
   
$
10.00
   
$
12.75
 
All-In Sustaining Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 1
 
$
13.29
   
$
12.71
   
$
17.16
 
                         
Cash ($ M)
 
$
9.3
   
$
24.1
   
$
1.3
 
Receivables ($ M)
   
6.6
     
4.0
     
4.5
 
Inventories ($ M)
   
9.4
     
6.6
     
8.8
 
                         
Property, Plant and Equipment ($ M)
 
$
100.3
   
$
80.5
   
$
80.9
 
                         
Current Assets ($ M)
 
$
26.2
   
$
36.6
   
$
15.8
 
Current Liabilities ($ M)
   
14.4
     
16.5
     
10.3
 
Working Capital ($ M)
   
11.8
     
20.1
     
5.5
 
                         
Total Assets ($ M)
 
$
126.8
   
$
117.3
   
$
96.9
 
Total Liabilities ($ M)
   
38.8
     
30.1
     
32.0
 
Total Equity ($ M)
   
88.0
     
87.2
     
64.9
 
 
¹    Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures: Cash Cost per Ounce and All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce” section in this MD&A.
Page 16

Summary of Quarterly Results
 
The following table presents a summary of the consolidated operating results for each of the most recent eight quarters ending with December 31, 2017.

   
Q4
     
Q3
     
Q2
     
Q1
     
Q4
     
Q3
     
Q2
     
Q1
 
     
2017
     
2017
     
2017
     
2017
     
2016
     
2016
     
2016
     
2016
 
Revenues ($ M)
 
$
12.1
   
$
9.8
   
$
17.2
   
$
15.2
   
$
14.4
   
$
16.8
   
$
12.8
   
$
14.9
 
Net Income (Loss) ($ M)
   
(1.4
)
   
(2.8
)
   
0.9
     
(0.2
)
   
(2.4
)
   
1.0
     
(2.1
)
   
(1.7
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) ($ M)
   
(1.8
)
   
(2.9
)
   
0.8
     
(0.5
)
   
(1.0
)
   
0.8
     
(2.5
)
   
(2.0
)
                                                                 
Silver Produced (oz)
   
409,545
     
564,833
     
557,892
     
523,747
     
564,475
     
596,855
     
556,404
     
672,074
 
Zinc Produced (lbs)
   
4,895,670
     
1,433,961
     
2,904,374
     
2,389,133
     
2,671,391
     
2,183,814
     
2,081,046
     
3,552,522
 
Lead Produced (lbs)
   
7,427,357
     
5,369,482
     
6,435,048
     
6,160,732
     
7,277,346
     
7,991,507
     
6,677,247
     
7,121,573
 
Copper Produced (lbs)
   
78,541
     
507,285
     
273,475
     
308,100
     
260,018
     
326,639
     
225,785
     
245,808
 
Cost of Sales/Ag Eq Oz Produced ($/oz)
 
$
10.16
   
$
9.17
   
$
11.00
   
$
9.93
   
$
9.91
   
$
10.25
   
$
10.80
   
$
9.52
 
Cash Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 1
 
$
8.75
   
$
12.61
   
$
7.21
   
$
9.89
   
$
8.91
   
$
10.00
   
$
11.33
   
$
9.80
 
All-In Sustaining Cost/Ag Oz Produced ($/oz) 1
 
$
14.20
   
$
15.92
   
$
10.65
   
$
13.37
   
$
11.57
   
$
12.86
   
$
14.57
   
$
12.00
 
                                                                 
Current Assets (qtr. end) ($ M)
 
$
26.2
   
$
27.0
   
$
29.9
   
$
36.0
   
$
36.6
   
$
41.1
   
$
38.9
   
$
17.9
 
Current Liabilities (qtr. end) ($ M)
   
14.4
     
12.1
     
11.6
     
11.1
     
16.5
     
13.1
     
20.8
     
12.5
 
Working Capital (qtr. end) ($ M)
   
11.8
     
14.9
     
18.3
     
24.9
     
20.1
     
28.0
     
18.1
     
5.4
 
                                                                 
Total Assets (qtr. end) ($ M)
 
$
126.8
   
$
126.1
   
$
127.7
   
$
127.1
   
$
117.3
   
$
120.4
   
$
119.3
   
$
98.3
 
Total Liabilities (qtr. end) ($ M)
   
38.8
     
38.6
     
38.6
     
39.1
     
30.1
     
32.4
     
41.4
     
33.6
 
Total Equity (qtr. end) ($ M)
   
88.0
     
87.5
     
89.1
     
88.0
     
87.2
     
88.0
     
77.9
     
64.7
 
 
¹    Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures: Cash Cost per Ounce and All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce” section in this MD&A.
Page 17

 
Liquidity
 
The change in cash since December 31, 2016 can be summarized as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):
 
Opening cash balance as at December 31, 2016
 
$
24.1
 
Cash generated from operations
   
5.5
 
Purchase of San Felipe property option
   
(7.1
)
Net development costs on San Rafael
   
(13.4
)
Net  development costs on El Cajón
   
1.0
 
Other property, plant and equipment spending
   
(7.2
)
Financing from pre-payment facility
   
15.0
 
Repayments to credit facilities
   
(8.0
)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants
   
3.2
 
Proceeds from sale of investments
   
0.2
 
Increase in trade and other receivables
   
(2.6
)
Change in inventories during the year
   
(2.8
)
Increase in prepaid expenses during the year
   
0.3
 
Decrease in payables during the year
   
1.1
 
Closing cash balance as at December 31, 2017
 
$
9.3
 
 
As previously discussed, the Company’s cash balance decreased from $24.1 million to $9.3 million due to several factors which have been previously highlighted in this MD&A, as follows: the repayment of the previous credit facilities existing at December 31, 2016, the closing the $15 million pre-payment facility with Glencore, the acquisition of the San Felipe option from Santacruz, and the development costs of the El Cajón and San Rafael projects at the Cosalá Operations. In addition, the Company’s accounts receivable balance increased by approximately $2.6 million from year-end 2016 due to higher recognition of revenues from production due to increased zinc and lead prices, increased VAT receivables in Mexico arising on expenditures related to the San Felipe option purchase and San Rafael development, and changes to the payment terms in the Company’s offtake agreement at the Cosalá Operations. Current liabilities as at December 31, 2017 were $14.4 million which is $2.1 million lower than at December 31, 2016 mainly due to early principal repayments of current debt facilities.
Page 18

The Company operates in a cyclical industry where cash flow has historically been correlated to market prices for commodities. The Company’s cash flow is dependent upon its ability to achieve profitable operations, obtain adequate equity or debt financing, or, alternatively, dispose its non-core properties on an advantageous basis to fund its near-term operations, development and exploration plans, while meeting production targets at current commodity price levels. Management evaluates viable financing alternatives to ensure sufficient liquidity including debt instruments, concentrate offtake agreements, sales of non-core assets, private equity financing, and the issuance of equity. As previously stated, the Company entered into a financing arrangement to maintain corporate flexibility during the development of San Rafael. The Company believes that it has sufficient cash flow to fund its 2018 operations and development and exploration plans while meeting production targets at current commodity price levels. In the longer term, as the Cosalá Operations and Galena Complex are optimized and if the outlook for silver prices remains positive, the Company believes that cash flows will be sufficient to fund ongoing operations.
 
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, trade receivables, restricted cash, long-term investments, trade and other payables, credit facilities, and other long-term liabilities. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying values, unless otherwise noted. The Company is not exposed to significant interest or credit risk arising from financial instruments. The majority of the funds of the Company are held in accounts at major banks in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Company’s liquidity has been, and will continue to be, impacted by pension funding commitments as required by the terms of the defined benefit pension plans offered to both its hourly and salaried workers (See note 11 in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017). Although both pension plans are under-funded due to actuarial losses incurred from market conditions and changes in discount rates, the Company intends to fund to the minimum levels required by applicable law. The Company currently estimates total annual funding requirements for both Galena Complex pension plans to be approximately $0.9 million per year for each of the next 5 years.
 
Capital Resources
 
The Company’s cash flow is dependent on delivery of its concentrates to market. The Company’s contracts with the concentrate purchasers provide for provisional payments based on timing of concentrate deliveries. The Company has not had any problems collecting payments from concentrate purchasers in a reliable and timely manner and expects no such difficulties in the foreseeable future. However, this cash flow is dependent on continued mine production which can be subject to interruption for various reasons including fluctuations in metal prices and concentrate shipment difficulties. Additionally, unforeseen cessation in the counterparty’s capabilities could severely impact the Company’s capital resources.
 
The Company made capital expenditures of $26.7 million in 2017 and $8.0 million for the same period of 2016, of which $10.8 million was spent towards drilling and underground development costs (net of pre- production revenues), while $15.9 million was spent on purchase of property, plant and equipment. The Company expects funding of fiscal 2018 capital expenditures to be provided from internally-generated, operating cash flow from the San Rafael mine.
Page 19

The following table sets out the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017:

              Less than                       Over 5  
      Total       1 year       2-3 years       4-5years       years  
Trade and other payables
 
$
10,393
   
$
10,393
   
$
-
   
$
- $
     
-
 
Credit facilities
   
15,000
     
4,000
     
11,000
     
-
     
-
 
Interest on credit facilities
   
1,601
     
856
     
745
     
-
     
-
 
Leases
   
1,438
     
290
     
563
     
540
     
45
 
 Other long-term liabilities     564         -       95       -       469  
 Total     $28,996       $15,539       $12,403       $540       $514  
 
¹
- All leases can be cancelled upon proper notice periods by the Company.
²
- Certain of these estimates are dependent on market conditions and assumed rates of return on assets. Therefore, the estimated obligation of the Company may vary over time.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of the date of this filing, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company including, without limitation, such considerations as liquidity and capital resources that have not previously been discussed.
 
Transactions with Related Parties
 
There were no related party transactions for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Risk Factors
 
The business of the Company is subject to a substantial number of risks and uncertainties. In addition to considering the information disclosed in the financial statements and in the other publicly filed documentation regarding the Company available at www.sedar.com , the reader should carefully consider the following information. Any of these risk elements could have material adverse effects on the business of the Company. See “Note 19 – Financial Risk Management” of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Risks Associated with Market Fluctuations in Commodity Prices
 
The majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from the sale of silver, zinc, lead and copper contained in concentrates. Fluctuations in the prices of these commodities represent one of the most significant factors affecting the Company’s results of operations and profitability. If the Company experiences low silver, zinc, lead and copper prices, it may result in decreased revenues and decreased net income, or losses, and may negatively affect the Company’s business.
 
The market price for silver, zinc, lead and copper continues to be volatile and is influenced by a number of factors, including, among others, levels of supply and demand, global or regional consumptive patterns, sales by government holders, metal stock levels maintained by producers and others, increased production due to new mine developments, improved mining and production methods, speculative trading activities, inventory carrying costs, availability and costs of metal substitutes, international economic and political conditions, interest rates and the relative exchange rate of the U.S. dollar with other major currencies. The aggregate effect of such factors (all of which are beyond the control of the Company) is impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy, and as such, the Company can provide no assurances that it can effectively manage such factors. In addition, the price of silver, for example, has on occasion been subject to very rapid short-term changes due to speculative activities. Fluctuations in silver and other commodity prices may materially adversely affect the Company’s financial performance or results of operations. The world market price of commodities has fluctuated during the last several years. Declining market prices for silver and other metals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and profitability. If the market price of silver and other commodities falls significantly from its current levels, the operation of the Company’s properties may be rendered uneconomic and such operation and exploitation may be suspended or delayed.
Page 20

In particular, if applicable commodity prices are depressed for a sustained period and net losses accumulate, the Company may be forced to suspend some or all of its mining until the price increases, and record asset impairment write-downs. Any lost revenues, continued or increased net losses, or asset impairment write-downs would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company is Dependent on the Success of the San Rafael project at its Cosalá Operations and the Galena Complex which are both exposed to Operational Risks
 
The principal mineral projects of the Company are the San Rafael project at its Cosalá Operations and the Galena Complex. The Company is primarily dependent upon the success of these properties as sources of future revenue and profits. Commercial production and operations at San Rafael will require the commitment of resources for operating expenses and capital expenditures, which may increase subsequently as needed, and for consultants, personnel and equipment associated primarily with commercial production. In addition, the Company’s other mining operations, exploration and development will require the commitment of additional resources for operating expenses and capital expenditures, which may increase subsequently as needed, and for consultants, personnel and equipment associated with advancing exploration, development and commercial production. The amounts and timing of expenditures will depend on, among other things, the results of commercial production, the progress of ongoing exploration and development, the results of consultants’ analysis and recommendations and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control.

Substantial risks are associated with mining and milling operations. The Company’s commercial operations are subject to all the usual hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of silver, zinc, lead and copper, including, among other things: unusual and unexpected geologic formations, inclement weather conditions, seismic activity, rock bursts, cave-ins, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, catastrophic damage to property or loss of life, labour disruptions, equipment failure or failure of retaining dams around tailings disposal areas which may result in environmental pollution and legal liability. The Company will take appropriate precautions as are applicable to similar mining operations and in accordance with general industry standards to help mitigate such risks. However, the Company can provide no assurances that its precautions will actually succeed in mitigating, or even reducing the scope of potential exposure to, such operational risks.

Substantial efforts and compliance with regulatory requirements are required to establish mineral reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal and, in the case of development properties, to develop and construct the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Shareholders cannot be assured that any reserves or mineralized material acquired or discovered will be in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations.

There can be no certainty that the Company’s exploration, development and production activities will be commercially successful.
Page 21

Mineral Reserves and Resources, Development and Production
 
The estimation of ore reserves is imprecise and depends upon a number of subjective factors. Estimated ore reserves or production guidance may not be realized in actual production. The Company’s operating results may be negatively affected by inaccurate estimates. Reserve estimates are a function of geological and engineering analyses that require the Company to make assumptions about production costs and the market price of silver and other metals. Reserve estimation is based on available data, which may be incomplete, and subject to engineering and geological interpretation, judgment and experience. Market price fluctuations of metals, as well as increased production costs or reduced recovery rates may render ore reserves containing relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomic and may ultimately result in a restatement of reserves. Moreover, short-term operating factors relating to the ore reserves, such as the need for orderly development of the ore bodies and the processing of new or different ore grades may cause a mining operation to be unprofitable in any particular accounting period. Should the Company encounter mineralization or geologic formations at any of its mines different from those predicted adjustments of reserve estimates might occur, which could alter mining plans. Either of these alternatives may adversely affect the Company’s actual production and operating results.

The mineral reserve and resource estimates contained or incorporated are only estimates and no assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery of minerals will be realized or that an identified reserve or resource will qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) deposit which can be legally and economically exploited. The Company relies on laboratory-based recovery models and historical performance of its processing plant to project estimated ultimate recoveries by ore type at optimal grind sizes. Actual recoveries in a commercial mining operation may exceed or fall short of projected laboratory test results. In addition, the grade of mineralization ultimately mined may differ from the one indicated by the drilling results and the difference may be material. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale operations and there can be no assurance that historical performance of the process plant will continue in the future. Material changes, inaccuracies or reductions in proven and probable reserves or resource estimates, grades, waste-to-ore ratios or recovery rates could have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s future operations, cash flows, earnings, results of operations, financial condition and the economic viability of projects. The estimated proven and probable reserves and resources described herein should not be interpreted as assurances of mine life or of the profitability of future operations.

The Company has engaged internal and expert independent technical consultants to advise it on, among other things, mineral resources and reserves, geotechnical, metallurgy and project engineering. The Company believes that these experts are competent and that they have carried out their work in accordance with all internationally recognized industry standards. If, however, the work conducted by, and the mineral resource and reserve estimates of these experts are ultimately found to be incorrect or inadequate in any material respect, such events could materially and adversely affect the Company’s future operations, cash flows, earnings, results of operations, financial condition and the economic viability of its projects.
 
The Company’s ability to sustain or increase present production levels depends in part on successful exploration and development of new ore bodies and/or expansion of existing mining operations. Forecasts of future production are estimates based on interpretation and assumptions and actual production may be less than estimated. Mineral exploration involves many risks and is frequently unproductive. If mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of positive technical and economic studies, issuance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing, which may be difficult to obtain on terms reasonably acceptable to the Company.
Page 22

The Company’s future silver, zinc, lead and copper production may decline as a result of an exhaustion of reserves and possible closure of work areas. It is the Company’s business strategy to conduct silver exploration activities at the Company’s existing mining operations as well as at new exploration projects, and to acquire other mining properties and businesses or reserves that possess mineable ore reserves and are expected to become operational in the near future. However, the Company can provide no assurance that its future production will not decline. Accordingly, the Company’s revenues from the sale of concentrates may decline, which may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.

Global Financial and Economic Conditions
 
The re-emergence of a global financial crisis or recession or reduced economic activity in the United States, China, India and other industrialized or developing countries, or disruption of key sectors of the economy such as oil and gas, may have a significant effect on the Company’s results of operations or may limit its ability to raise capital through credit and equity markets. The prices of the metals that the Company produces are affected by a number of factors, and it is unknown how these factors may be impacted by a global financial event or developments impacting major industrial or developing countries. Additionally, global economic conditions may cause a long-term decrease in asset values. If such global volatility and market uncertainty were to continue, the Company’s operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.

Government Regulation and Environmental Compliance
 
The Company is subject to significant governmental regulations, and costs and delays related to such regulations may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
 
The Company’s mining activities are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing environmental protection, natural resources, prospecting, development, production, post-closure reclamation, taxes, labour standards and occupational health and safety laws and regulations including mine safety, toxic substances and other matters related to the Company’s business. The costs associated with compliance with such laws and regulations could be substantial. Possible future laws and regulations, or more restrictive interpretations of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of the Company’s operations and delays in the development of the Company’s properties. Moreover, governmental authorities and private parties may bring lawsuits based upon damage to property and injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health and safety impacts of the Company’s past and current operations, which could lead to the imposition of substantial fines, penalties and other civil and criminal sanctions. Substantial costs and liabilities, including for restoring the environment after the closure of mines, are inherent in the Company’s operations. The Company is often required to post surety bonds or cash collateral to secure its reclamation obligations and may be unable to obtain the required surety bonds or may not have the resources to provide cash collateral, and the bonds or collateral may not fully cover the cost of reclamation and any such shortfall could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition. Although the Company believes it is in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company can give no assurance that any such law, regulation, enforcement or private claim will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

In the United States, some of the Company’s mining wastes are currently exempt to a limited extent from the extensive set of federal Environmental Protection Agency (the “ EPA ”) regulations governing hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (the “ RCRA ”). If the exemption is altered and these wastes are designated as hazardous under the RCRA, the Company would be required to expend additional amounts on the handling of such wastes and may be required to make significant expenditures to construct or modify facilities for managing these wastes. In addition, releases of hazardous substances from a mining facility causing contamination in or damage to the environment may result in liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the “ CERCLA ”). Under the CERCLA, the Company may be jointly and severally liable for contamination at or originating from its facilities. Liability under the CERCLA may require the Company to undertake extensive remedial clean-up action or to pay for the government’s clean-up efforts. It can also lead to liability to state and tribal governments for natural resource damages. Additional regulations or requirements are also imposed upon the Company’s operations in Idaho under the federal Clean Water Act (the “ CWA ”). Airborne emissions are subject to controls under air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act in Idaho. Compliance with the CERCLA, the CWA and state environmental laws could entail significant costs, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations.
Page 23

The Company’s mining operations are subject to regulations promulgated by government agencies from time to time. Specifically, the Company’s activities at the Galena Complex are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration and related regulations under applicable legislation and the Company’s activities at the Cosalá Operations projects are subject to regulation by SEMARNAT (defined below), the environmental protection agency of Mexico. Such regulations can result in citations and orders which can entail significant costs or production interruptions and have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations and profitability. SEMARNAT regulations require that an environmental impact statement, known in Mexico as MIA, be prepared by a third-party contractor for submittal to SEMARNAT. Studies required to support the MIA include a detailed analysis of the following areas: soil, water, vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources and socio-economic impacts. The Company must also provide proof of local community support for a project to gain final approval of the MIA.
 
In the context of environmental permits, including the approval of reclamation plans, the Company must comply with standards and regulations, which involve significant costs and can entail significant delays. Such costs and delays could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is required to obtain or renew governmental permits for the operation and expansion of existing mining operations or for the development, construction and commencement of new mining operations. Obtaining or renewing the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions, which often involves public hearings and costly undertakings. The duration and success of the Company’s efforts to obtain or renew permits are contingent upon many variables not within its control including the interpretation of applicable requirements implemented by the permitting authority. The Company’s ability to obtain, maintain and renew permits and approvals and to successfully develop and operate mines may be adversely affected by real or perceived impacts associated with the Company’s activities or those of other mining companies that affect the environment, human health and safety. Interested parties including governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations or civic groups may seek to prevent issuance of permits and intervene in the process or pursue extensive appeal rights. Past or ongoing violations of laws or regulations involving obtaining or complying with permits could provide a basis to revoke existing permits, deny the issuance of additional permits, or commence a regulatory enforcement action, each of which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operations or financial condition. The Company may not be able to obtain or renew permits that are necessary to its operations, or the cost to obtain or renew permits may exceed what the Company believes it can recover from the property once in production. Any unexpected delays or costs associated with the permitting process could delay the development or impede the operation of a mine, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and profitability.

Legislative and regulatory measures to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are in various phases of consideration. If adopted, such measures could increase the Company’s cost of environmental compliance and also delay or otherwise negatively affect efforts to obtain permits and other regulatory approvals with regard to existing and new facilities. Proposed measures could also result in increased cost of fuel and other consumables used at the Company’s operations. Climate change legislation or regulation may affect the Company’s customers and the market for the metals it produces with effects on prices that are not possible to predict. Adoption of these or similar new environmental regulations or more stringent application of existing regulations may materially increase the Company’s costs, threaten certain operating activities and constrain its expansion opportunities.
Page 24

Mining Property and Title Risks
 
Third parties may dispute the Company’s mining claims, which could result in losses affecting the Company’s business. The validity of unpatented mining claims, which constitute a significant portion of the Company’s property holdings in Idaho, is often uncertain and may be contested. Although the Company has attempted to acquire satisfactory title to undeveloped properties, the Company, in accordance with mining industry practice, does not generally obtain title opinions until a decision is made to develop a property. As a result, some titles, particularly titles to undeveloped properties, may be defective. Defective title to any of the Company’s mining claims could result in litigation, insurance claims, and potential losses affecting the Company’s business.
The validity of mining or exploration titles or claims, which constitute most of the Company’s property holdings, can be uncertain and may be contested. No assurance can be given that applicable governments will not revoke or significantly alter the conditions of the applicable exploration and mining titles or claims and that such exploration and mining titles or claims, will not be challenged or impugned by third parties. The Company has not conducted surveys of all the claims in which it holds direct or indirect interests and therefore, the precise area and location of such claims may be in doubt. The Company’s properties may be subject to prior unregistered liens, agreements or transfers, native land claims or undetected title defects.

Surface Rights and Access
 
The Company has reached various agreements for surface rights and access with certain local groups, including ejidos for mining exploitation activities, including open pit mining, in the project area of Cosalá Norte. In addition, the Company currently has formal agreements for surface access with all ejidos on whose land its exploration activities are being performed. These agreements are valid for several years and are regularly reviewed in terms of the appropriate level of compensation for the level of work being carried out. The Nuestra Señora process facility is located on land previously purchased by the Company and is not exposed to disruptions by third party ownership claims
For future activities, the Company will need to negotiate with ejido and non-ejido members, as a group and individually, to reach agreements for additional access and surface rights. Negotiations with ejidos can become time-consuming if demands for compensation become unreasonable. There can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to negotiate satisfactory agreements with any such existing members for such access and surface rights, and therefore it may be unable to carry out planned mining activities. In addition, in circumstances where access is denied, or no agreement can be reached, the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts in such jurisdiction, the outcomes of which cannot be predicted with any certainty. The inability of the Company to secure surface access or purchase required surface rights could materially and adversely affect the timing, cost or overall ability of the Company to develop any mineral deposits it may locate.

Labour Relations, Employee Recruitment, Retention and Pension Funding

The Company may experience labour disputes, work stoppages or other disruptions in production that could adversely affect its operations. The Company is dependent on its workforce at its material producing properties and mills. The Company endeavours to maintain good relations with its workforce in order to minimize the possibility of strikes, lock-outs and other stoppages at the site. Relations between the Company and its employees may be impacted by changes in labour relations which may be introduced by, among other things, employee groups, competing labour unions, and the relevant governmental authorities in whose jurisdictions the Company carries on business. Many of the Company’s employees at its operations are represented by a labour union under a collective labour agreement. The Company may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate the collective labour agreement when it expires. In addition, the existing labour agreement may not prevent a strike or work stoppage at the Company’s facilities in the future, and any such work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on its earnings. A subsidiary of the Company is party, with the United Steel Workers Union, to a collective bargaining agreement that covers all of the hourly employees at the Galena Complex with a term from June 29, 2014 to June 28, 2017. The parties have been in negotiations since June 2017 and in December, the Company issued its “last, best and final offer”. A failure to come to an agreement could impact the operations at the Galena Complex if there was a labour action that results in an interruption of operations.
Page 25

The Company also hires its employees or consultants in Mexico to assist it in conducting its operations   in accordance with Mexican laws. The Company also purchases certain supplies and retains the services of various companies in Mexico to meet its business plans. It may be difficult to find or hire qualified people in the mining industry who are situated in Mexico or to obtain all the necessary services or expertise in Mexico or to conduct operations on its projects at reasonable rates. If qualified people and services or expertise cannot  be obtained in Mexico, the  Company may need to seek  and obtain those services  from people located outside Mexico, which will require work permits  and compliance  with applicable  laws and could result in delays and higher costs to the Company to conduct its operations in Mexico. Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel is critical to the Company’s success. The number of persons skilled in acquisition, exploration and development of mining properties is limited and competition for such persons is intense. As the Company’s business activity grows, the Company will require additional key executive, financial, operational, administrative and mining personnel. Although the Company believes that it will be successful in attracting, training and retaining qualified personnel, there can be no assurance of such success. If the Company is not successful in attracting and training qualified personnel, the efficiency of its operations could be affected, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and profitability. The Company strongly depends on the business and technical expertise of its small group of management and key personnel. There is little possibility that this dependence will decrease in the near term. Key man life insurance is not in place on management and key personnel. If  the services of the Company’s management and key personnel were lost, it could have a material adverse effect on future operations.

The volatility in the equity markets over the last several years and other financial impacts have affected the Company’s costs and liquidity through increased requirements to fund the Company’s defined benefit pension plans for its employees. There can be no assurance that financial markets will sufficiently recover in the future with the effect of causing a corresponding reduction in the Company’s future pension funding requirements. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that unforeseen changes in pensioner longevity, government regulation or other financial market uncertainties will not cause pension funding requirements to differ from the requirements projected by professional actuaries. The Company intends to continue to fund its pension plan for hourly and salary employees of the Company pursuant to all relevant regulatory requirements.
 
Some of the Company’s Material Properties are Located in Mexico and are Subject to Changes in Political and Economic Conditions and Regulations in that Country

In the past, Mexico has been subject to political instability, changes and uncertainties, which may cause changes to existing governmental regulations affecting mineral exploration and mining activities. The Company’s operations and properties are subject to a variety of governmental regulations including, among others: regulations promulgated by the Mexican Department of Economy – Dirección General de Minas, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (“ SEMARNAT ”); the Mexican Mining Law; and the regulations of the Comisión Nacional del Aqua with respect to water rights. Mexican regulators have broad authority to shut down and/or levy fines against facilities that do not comply with regulations or standards. The Company’s mineral exploration and mining activities in Mexico may be adversely affected in varying degrees by changing government regulations relating to the mining industry or shifts in political conditions that increase the costs related to the Company’s activities or maintenance of its properties. Operations may also be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, income taxes, and expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety. Mexico’s status as a developing country may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain any required financing for its projects. The Mexican Government is conducting a highly publicized crackdown on the drug cartels, resulting in a loss of lives. The operation has been unaffected by the conflict and is unlikely to be in the future. However, if  the  government’s actions lead to civil  unrest, the situation could change.
Page 26

The Company is uncertain if all necessary permits will be maintained on acceptable terms or in a timely manner. Future changes in applicable laws and regulations or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could negatively impact current or planned exploration and development activities on its Cosalá District properties, or in any other projects that the Company becomes involved with. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or failure to obtain or maintain permits, even if inadvertent, could result in the interruption of exploration and development operations or material fines, penalties or other liabilities.
 
Community and Social
 
The Company’s relationship with the communities where it operates is critical to ensuring the future success of project development and future operations. Globally, there is an increasing level of public concern relating to the perceived effect of mining activities on the environment and on communities impacted by such activities. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to appropriately manage community relations in a manner that will allow the Company to proceed with its plans to develop and operate its properties.
Certain non-governmental organizations, some of which oppose globalization and resource development, are often vocal critics of the mining industry and its practices. Actions by such organizations could adversely affect the Company’s reputation and financial condition and may impact its relationship with the communities in which it operates. These actions can relate not only to current activities but also historic mining activities by prior owners and could have a material, adverse effect on the Company. They may also file complaints with regulators and others. Such complaints, regardless of whether they have any substance or basis in fact or law, may have the effect of undermining the confidence of the public or a regulator and may adversely affect the Company.

Substantially all of the Company’s Assets are Located Outside of Canada and t h i s c o u ld h a v e a n Impact on Enforcement of Civil Liabilities Obtained in Canadian or U.S. Courts

It may be difficult or impossible to enforce judgements obtained in Canadian or U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of certain provinces of Canada or the United States against the portion of the Company's management and assets located outside of Canada and/or the United States.

The Company is Subject to Currency Fluctuations that may Adversely Affect the Financial Position of the Company
 
One of the Company’s primary operations is located in Mexico and many of its expenditures and obligations are denominated in Mexican pesos. The Company maintains its principal office and raises its equity financings in Canada, maintains cash accounts in both U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars and has monetary assets and liabilities in Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos. As such, the Company’s results of operations are subject to foreign currency fluctuation risks and such fluctuations may adversely affect the financial position and results of the Company. The Company may, from time to time, employ derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
 
Financing Risks
 
Should financing be sought in the future, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain adequate funding or that the terms of such financing will be favourable. In the event that cash flow from operations is insufficient, failure to obtain additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development of its projects and the possible loss of such properties. The Company has a limited history of earnings, has never paid a dividend, and does not anticipate paying dividends in the near future.
Page 27

Risks Associated with Outstanding Debt
 
The Company’s ability to make scheduled payments of interest and principal on its outstanding indebtedness or refinance its debt obligations depends on its financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond its control. There can be no assurance that the Company will generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities to make its scheduled repayments of principal, interest, and any applicable premiums.

The Company may be forced to pursue strategic alternatives such as reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, see additional capital or restructure or refinance its indebtedness. No assurances can be made that the Company would be able to take any of these actions, that these actions would be successful, or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of existing or future debt agreements.

If the Company cannot make scheduled payments on its debt, or comply with its covenants, it will be in default of such indebtedness and, as a result (i) holders of such debt could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, (ii) the lenders under the credit facilities could terminate their commitments to lend the Company money, and (iii) the holders of the Company’s secured debt could realize upon the security to the borrowings.

The Company May Engage in Hedging Activities
 
From time to time, the Company may use certain derivative products to hedge or manage the risks associated with changes in the of prices zinc, lead, copper and the Mexican Peso. The use of derivative instruments involves certain inherent risks including, among other things: (i) credit risk – the risk of an unexpected loss arising if a counterparty with which the Company has entered into transactions fails to meet its contractual obligations; (ii) market liquidity risk – the risk that the Company has entered into a derivative position that cannot be closed out quickly, by either liquidating such derivative instrument or by establishing an offsetting position; (iii) unrealized mark-to-market risk – the risk that, in respect of certain derivative products, an adverse change in market prices for commodities, currencies or interest rates will result in the Company incurring an unrealized mark-to-market loss in respect of such derivative products.

There is no assurance that any hedging program or transactions which may be adopted or utilized by the Company designed to reduce the risk associated with changes price will be successful. Although hedging may protect the Company from an adverse price change, it may also prevent the Company from benefiting fully from a positive price change.

The Company May Require Significant Capital Expenditures
 
Substantial expenditures will be required to maintain, develop and to continue with exploration at the Company properties. In order to explore and develop these projects and properties, the Company may be required to expend significant amounts for, among other things, geological, geochemical and geophysical analysis, drilling, assaying, and, if warranted, mining and infrastructure feasibility studies.

The Company may not benefit from any of these investments if it is unable to identify commercially exploitable mineralized material. If successful in identifying reserves, it will require significant additional capital to construct facilities necessary to extract recoverable metal from those reserves.
 
The ability of the Company to achieve sufficient cash flows from internal sources and obtain necessary funding depends upon a number of factors, including the state of the worldwide economy and the price of silver, zinc, lead and copper. The Company may not be successful in achieving sufficient cash flows from internal sources and obtaining the required financing for these or other purposes on terms that are favourable to it or at all, in which case its ability to continue operating may be adversely affected. Failure to achieve sufficient cash flows and obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration or potential development.
Page 28

 
Risks Associated with the Company’s Business Objectives
 
The Company’s strategy to create shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration, advancement and development of its mineral properties will be subject to substantive risk. While the Company may seek to acquire additional mineral properties that are consistent with its business objectives, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify suitable additional mineral properties or, if it does identify suitable properties, that it will have sufficient financial resources to acquire such properties or that such properties will be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. Any partnership or joint venture agreements with respect to mineral properties that the Company enters into will be subject to the typical risks associated with such agreements, including disagreement on how to develop, operate or finance a property and contractual and legal remedies of the Company’s partners in the event of such disagreement.

Competition in the Mining Industry
 
Competition in the mining sector is intense. Mines have limited lives and as a result, the Company may in the future seek to replace and expand its reserves through the acquisition of new properties. In addition, there is a limited supply of desirable mineral lands available in areas where the Company would consider conducting exploration and/or production activities. Because the Company faces strong competition for new properties from other mining companies, some of which have greater financial resources than it does, the Company may be unable to acquire attractive new mining properties on terms that it considers acceptable. Competition in the mining business for limited sources of capital could adversely affect the Company’s ability to acquire and develop suitable mines, developmental projects, producing companies, or properties having significant exploration potential. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company’s acquisition and exploration plans will yield new mineral reserves to replace or expand current mineral reserves.

Concentrate Sales Risks
 
The Company currently sells its concentrates under offtake contracts with a limited number of counterparties. Based on past practice, and the quality of its concentrates, the Company expects to be able to renew these contracts or find alternative purchasers for its concentrates, however there can be no assurance that the existing contracts will be renewed or replaced on reasonable terms.
The Company frequently sells its concentrates on the basis of receiving a sales advance when the concentrates are delivered, with the advance based on market prices of metals at the time of the advance. Final settlement of the sale is then made later, based on prevailing metals prices at that time. In an environment of volatile metal prices, this can lead to negative cash adjustments, with amounts owing to the purchaser, and such amounts could potentially be substantial. In volatile metal markets, the Company may elect to fix the price of a concentrate sale at the time of initial delivery.
 
Certain Risks Related to the Ownership of the Company’s Common Shares

In recent years, the securities markets in the United States and Canada have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, including mineral resource and mining companies and particularly those considered development stage companies, have experienced wide fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. There can be no assurance that continual severe fluctuations in price will not occur.
Page 29

The Company’s Common Shares are currently listed on the TSX and the NYSE American. There can be no assurance that an active market for the Common Shares will be sustained.

Additionally, the exercise of stock options and warrants already issued by the Company and the issuance of additional equity securities or convertible debt securities in the future could result in dilution in the equity interests of holders of Common Shares.

Absolute Assurance on Financial Statements
 
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting policies and methods prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards. In the preparation of financial statements, management may need to rely upon assumptions, make estimates or use their best judgment in determining the financial condition of the Company. In order to have a reasonable level of assurance that financial transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use and transactions are properly recorded and reported, the Company has implemented and continues to analyze its internal control systems for financial reporting. Although the Company believes that its financial reports and financial statements are prepared with reasonable safeguards to ensure reliability, the Company cannot provide absolute assurance in that regard.

Conflicts of Interest
 
Certain of the Company’s directors and officers also serve as directors and/or officers of other companies involved in natural resource exploration and development, and consequently there exists the possibility for such directors and officers to have interests that conflict with the Company’s interests. Situations may arise in connection with potential investments where the other interests of the Company’s directors conflict with its interests. As such, conflicts of interest may arise that may influence these persons in evaluating possible acquisitions or in generally acting on the Company’s behalf, as they may pursue opportunities that would then be unavailable to the Company. In the event that the Company’s directors are subject to conflicts of interest, there may be a material adverse effect on its business.
 
Uninsured or Uninsurable Risks
 
In the course of exploration, development and production of mineral properties, several risks and, in particular, unexpected or unusual geological or operating conditions, may occur. It is not always possible to fully insure against such risks, and the Company may decide not to take out insurance against such risks as a result of high premiums or other reasons. Should such liabilities arise they could reduce or eliminate any future profitability and result in an increase in costs and a decline in value of the Common Shares.

As of the date of this MD&A, the Company is not insured against environmental risks. Insurance against environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) has not been generally available to companies within the industry. Without such insurance, and if the Company becomes subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities would reduce or eliminate its available funds or could exceed the funds the Company has to pay such liabilities and result in bankruptcy. Should the Company be unable to fund fully the remedial cost of an environmental problem, it might be required to enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy.
Page 30

Tax Considerations
 
Mexico
 
Corporate profits in Mexico are taxed only by the Federal Government. Previously, there were two federal taxes in Mexico that applied to the Company’s operations in Mexico: corporate income tax and a Flat Rate Business Tax (“ IETU ”). Mexican corporate income tax was calculated based on gross revenue less deductions for all refining and smelting charges, direct operating costs, all head office general and administrative costs, and depreciation deductions as applicable at a corporate income tax rate in Mexico of 30%. The IETU was a cash-based minimum tax that applies in addition to the corporate income tax. The tax was applicable to the taxpayer’s net income from the (i) sale of goods; (ii) performance of independent services; and (iii) lease of goods at the rate of 16.5% during 2008, 17% during 2009, 17.5% during 2010,
2011 and 2013.
 
In late 2013, a new income Tax Law was enacted in Mexico (“ Mexican Tax Reform ”) which became effective January 1, 2014. Key provisions of the Mexican Tax Reform that may affect the Company consist of:
 
·
New 7.5% mining royalty. This royalty is deductible for tax purposes and is calculated as 7.5% of a royalty base which is computed as taxable revenues (except interest and inflationary adjustments), less allowable deductions for income tax purposes (except interest, inflationary adjustment, depreciation and mining fees), less prospecting and exploration expenses for the year;
   
·
New environmental duty of 0.5% of gross income arising from the sale of gold and silver;
   
·
Corporate income tax rate to remain at 30%, eliminating the scheduled reduction to 29% in 2014 and to 28% in 2015;
   
·
Elimination of the IETU;
   
·
Elimination of the option for depreciation of capital assets on an accelerated basis;
   
·
Elimination of 100% deduction on exploration expenses for locating and quantifying new deposits in pre-operating periods. These exploration costs will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years; and
   
·
Reduction of deductibility for various employee fringe benefits; and imposes a 10% withholding tax on dividends distributed to resident individuals or foreign residents (including foreign corporations). According to the Mexico-Canada tax treaty, this dividend withholding tax rate may be reduced to 5%.
 
The Company has reviewed the 2014 Tax Reform and is challenging the constitutionality of the 7.5% mining royalty, the 0.5% environmental duty, and other aspects of the Reform. The Company currently believes it is in compliance with the new legislation and there is no guarantee it will be successful in its challenges against the Mexican Government.
 
United States

On December 22, 2017, U.S. tax legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law, significantly reforming the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The TCJA, among other things, includes changes to U.S. federal tax rates, imposes significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest, allows for the expensing of capital expenditures, puts into effect the migration from a “worldwide” system of taxation to a territorial system and modifies or repeals many business deductions and credits. The Company continues to examine the impact the TCJA may have on its business. The Company has evaluated the effect of the TCJA on its projection of minimal cash taxes or to its net operating losses. The estimated impact of the TCJA is based on the Company’s current knowledge and assumptions and recognized impacts could be materially different from current estimates based on the actual results and its further analysis of the new law. The impact of the TCJA on holders of common shares is uncertain and could be adverse. The Company encourages its shareholders to consult with their own legal and tax advisors with respect to such legislation and the potential tax consequences of investing in common shares. While the TCJA legislation reduces the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, it also introduces “base erosion” rules that may effectively limit the tax deductibility of certain payments made by U.S. entities to non-U.S. affiliates and include additional limitations on deductions attributable to interest expense. The impact of the tax reform may differ due to changes in interpretations and assumptions made along with guidance which may subsequently be issued. At this time, it is not possible to predict the full effect of this legislation on the Company’s business and operations.
Page 31

The Company believes that, pursuant to Section 7874 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, even though U.S. Silver is organized as an Ontario corporation, U.S. Silver will be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, U.S. Silver will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as a corporation organized in the U.S. The Company believes that U.S. Silver likely is a United States real property holding corporation, or "USRPHC", as defined for United States federal income tax purposes. If U.S. Silver were classified as a USRPHC, any gain recognized by the Company from the sale or other disposition, including a redemption, of U.S. Silver common shares would be subject to U.S. federal income taxation and the Company would be required to file a United States federal income tax return. In such circumstances, the purchaser of such common shares would be required to withhold from the purchase price paid to the Company an amount equal to 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. In addition, since, as noted above, U.S. Silver is classified as a U.S. domestic corporation, the gross amount of dividends paid by U.S. Silver to the Company will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the current rate of 5% under the Canada-United States Convention with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital. The Company will only be eligible for foreign tax credits under the Canadian Income Tax Act to the extent it has qualifying income from a source in the U.S. in the year any U.S. tax or withholding tax is paid by or on behalf of the Company in respect of a gain on the sale or other disposition of the U.S. Silver common shares or a dividend paid on such shares. Any gain recognized by the Company from the sale or other disposition, including a redemption, of the common shares of U.S. Silver and dividends received on such shares by the Company will likely not be treated as income sourced in the United States for Canadian income tax purposes.

The Company’s Information Technology Systems May Be Vulnerable to Disruption Which Could Place its Systems at Risk from Data Loss, Operational Failure, or Compromise of Confidential Information
 
The Company rely on various information technology systems, and on third party developers and contractors, in connection with operations, including production, equipment operation and financial support systems. While the Company regularly obtains and develops solutions to monitor the security of its systems, it remains vulnerable to disruption, damage or failure from a variety of sources, including errors by employees or contractors, computer viruses, cyber-attacks including phishing, ransomware, and similar malware, misappropriation of data by outside parties, and various other threats. Techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to or sabotage systems are under continuous and rapid evolution, which may deter efforts to detect disruption of data and systems in advance. Breaches and unauthorized access carry the potential to cause losses of production, operational delays, equipment failure that could cause other risks to be realized, inaccurate recordkeeping, or disclosure of confidential information, any of which could result in financial losses and regulatory or legal exposure, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Financial Instruments
 
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, other payables, derivative assets and liabilities, and other financial instruments may be held from time to time. These financial instruments are exposed to numerous risks, including, among others, liquidity risk, currency risk, interest rate risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. Many of these risks are outside the Company’s control. There is no assurance that the Company will realize the carrying value of any of its financial instruments.
 
Accessibility and Reliability of Existing Local Infrastructure
 
The Company’s mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend, to some degree, on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important considerations, which affect capital and operating costs. The lack of availability on acceptable terms or the delay in the availability of any one or more of these items could prevent or delay exploitation or development of the Company’s projects. If adequate infrastructure is not available in a timely manner, the exploitation or development of the Company’s projects may not be commenced or completed on a timely basis, if at all. In addition, the resulting operations may not achieve the anticipated production volume, or the construction costs and ongoing operating costs associated with the exploitation and/or development of the Company’s advanced projects will be higher than anticipated. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect the Company’s operations and profitability.
Page 32

Risks and Uncertainties Related to the Repatriation of Funds from Foreign Subsidiaries

The Company expects to generate cash flow and profits at its foreign subsidiaries, and may need to repatriate funds from those subsidiaries to fulfill its business plans, in particular in relation to ongoing expenditures at its exploration and development assets. The Company may not be able to repatriate funds, or may incur tax payments or other costs when doing so, as a result of a change in applicable law or tax requirements at local subsidiary levels or at the parent level, which costs could be substantial.

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Accounting standards issued but not yet applied
 
Management is evaluating the impact the adoption of the following new and revised standards and amendments will have on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
 
(i)
Financial instruments
 
IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments - The standard was issued in its final version by the IASB in July 2014 bringing together the classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting phases of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39, “Financial instruments: recognition and measurement” (“IAS 39”). The standard retains but simplifies the mixed measurement model and establishes two primary measurement categories for financial assets: amortized cost and fair value. The mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 would be annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company completed assessing the impact of this standard and do not expect the Company’s consolidated financial statements to be significantly affected by IFRS 9.
 
(ii)
Revenue from contracts with customers
 
IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - The final standard on revenue from contracts with customers was issued in May 2014 and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 for public entities with early adoption permitted. The standard covers principles that an entity shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a contract with a customer. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt the guidance. The Company completed assessing the impact of this standard and do not expect the Company’s consolidated financial statements to be significantly affected by IFRS 15.
 
(iii)
Leases
 
IFRS 16 - Leases - The standard on leases was issued in January 2016 and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 for public entities with early adoption permitted, provided IFRS 15 has been applied or is applied at the same date as IFRS 16. The standard requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases. The Company is assessing the impact of this standard, along with timing of adoption of IFRS 16.
Page 33

Significant accounting judgments and estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
The areas which require management to make significant judgments, estimates and assumptions in determining carrying values include, but are not limited to:
 
(i)
Reserves and resources
 
Proven and probable reserves are the economically mineable parts of the Company’s measured and indicated mineral resources. The Company estimates its proven and probable reserves and measured and indicated and inferred mineral resources based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons. The information relating to the geological data on the size, depth and shape of the ore bodies requires complex geological judgments to interpret the data. The estimation of future cash flows related to proven and probable reserves is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating the size, grade and recovery of the ore bodies.
 
Changes in the proven and probable reserves or measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources estimates may impact the carrying value of mining properties and equipment, depletion and amortization, impairment assessments and the timing of decommissioning provisions.

(ii)
Depletion and amortization
 
Mining properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method over a period not to exceed the estimated life of the ore body based on estimated recoverable reserves.
 
Property, plant and equipment are depreciated, net of residual value over their estimated useful life but do not exceed the related estimated life of the mine based on estimated recoverable mineral reserves.

The calculation of the units of production rate, and therefore the annual depletion and amortization expense, could be materially affected by changes in the underlying estimates. Changes in estimates can be the result of actual future production differing from current forecasts of future production and expansion of mineral reserves through exploration activities.
 
Significant judgment is involved in the determination of useful life and residual values for the computation of depletion and amortization. No assurance can be given that actual useful lives and residual values will not differ significantly from current assumptions.

(iii)
Decommissioning provision
 
The Company assesses its decommissioning provision on an annual basis or when new material information becomes available. Mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. In general, these laws and regulations are continually changing and the Company has made, and intends to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. Accounting for decommissioning provision requires management to make estimates of the time and future costs the Company will incur to complete the rehabilitation work required to comply with existing laws and regulations at each mining operation. Also, future changes to environmental laws and regulations could increase the extent of rehabilitation work required to be performed by the Company. Increases in future costs could materially impact the amounts charged to operations for decommissioning provision. The provision represents management’s best estimate of the present value of the future decommissioning provision. The actual future expenditures may differ from the amounts currently provided.
Page 34

 
(iv)
Share-based payments
 
The amount expensed for share-based compensation is based on the  application  of  a  recognized option valuation formula, which  is  highly  dependent  on, amongst other things,  the  expected  volatility of the Company’s registered shares, estimated forfeitures, and the expected life of the options. The Company uses an expected volatility rate for its shares  based  on  past  stock  trading  data,  adjusted  for future expectations, and actual volatility may be significantly different.

The resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value that the holder of the option could receive in an arm’s length transaction, given that there is no market for the options and they are not transferable. It is management’s view that the value derived is highly subjective and dependent entirely upon the input assumptions made.
 
(v)
Income taxes
 
Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires an estimate of income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The process involves an estimate of the Company’s current tax exposure and an assessment of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depletion and amortization, for tax and accounting purposes, and when they might reverse.

These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

An assessment is also made to determine the likelihood that the Company’s future tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent that recovery is not considered likely, the related tax benefits are not recognized.
 
Judgment is required to continually assess changing tax interpretations, regulations and legislation, to ensure liabilities are complete and to ensure assets, net of valuation allowances, are realizable. The impact of different interpretations and applications could be material.

(vi)
Commercial production
 
The determination of timing on which a mining property enters into commercial production is a significant judgment since capitalization of development costs ceases and revenue recognition begins upon declaration of commercial production. As a mining property is constructed, development costs incurred are capitalized while pre-production costs and revenues are capitalized and accumulated into such development costs. Commercial production is declared once the mining property is available for its intended use on a commercial scale as defined by management. Revenue recognition and depletion of the mining property begins when commercial production has been achieved.

Financial Instruments
 
The Company may, from time to time, employ derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. As at December 31, 2017, the Company does not have any outstanding financial instruments in place.
 
Capital Structure
 
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, where each common share provides the holder with one vote. As at December 31, 2017, there were 41,496,950 common shares issued and outstanding.
Page 35

As at March 5, 2018, there were 41,931,449 common shares of the Company issued and outstanding and 3,677,931 options outstanding which are exchangeable in common shares of the Company. The number of common shares issuable on the exercise of warrants is 4,748,895.

Controls and Procedures
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures ("DC&P") and internal controls over financial reporting ("ICFR"), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52 109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings ("NI 52 109").

The Company’s DC&P are designed to ensure that all important information about the Company, including operating and financial activities, is communicated fully, accurately and in a timely way and that they provide the Company with assurance that the financial reporting is accurate.
 
ICFR means a process by or under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.
 
As at December 31, 2017, the Company’s CEO and CFO have certified that the DC&P are effective and that during the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company did not make any material changes in the ICFR during the last quarter that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s ICFR.
 
The internal controls are not expected to prevent and detect all misstatements due to error or fraud.
 
Non-IFRS Measures: Cash Cost per Ounce and All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce
 
The Company reports cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver produced, non- IFRS measures, in accordance with measures widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance measurement. Management uses these measures internally to better assess performance trends and understands that a number of investors, and others who follow the Company’s performance, also assess performance in this manner.
 
These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. The methods do not include depletion, depreciation, exploration or corporate administrative costs and is therefore not directly reconcilable to costs as reported under International Financial Reporting Standards. All-in sustaining cost is the silver mining industry cash cost plus all development, capital expenditures, and exploration spending.
Page 36

Reconciliation of Consolidated Cash Cost per Ounce
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Cost of sales ('000)
 
$
40,038
   
$
46,167
 
Non-cash costs ('000) 1
   
1,306
     
(1,707
)
Direct mining costs ('000)
 
$
41,344
   
$
44,460
 
Smelting, refining and royalty expenses ('000)
   
9,249
     
13,472
 
Less by-product credits ('000)
   
(33,952
)
   
(34,045
)
Total cash costs ('000)
 
$
16,641
   
$
23,887
 
Divided by silver produced (oz) 2
   
1,760,136
     
2,389,808
 
Silver cash costs ($/oz)
 
$
9.45
   
$
10.00
 
 
Reconciliation of Cosalá Operations Cash Cost per Ounce
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Cost of sales ('000)
 
$
10,195
   
$
17,701
 
Non-cash costs ('000) 1
   
1,762
     
(1,649
)
Direct mining costs ('000)
 
$
11,957
   
$
16,052
 
Smelting, refining and royalty expenses ('000)
   
2,431
     
5,502
 
Less by-product credits ('000)
   
(14,466
)
   
(13,712
)
Total cash costs ('000)
 
$
(78
)
 
$
7,842
 
Divided by silver produced (oz) 2
   
624,925
     
1,006,119
 
Silver cash costs ($/oz)
 
$
(0.13
)
 
$
7.79
 
 
Reconciliation of Galena Complex Cash Cost per Ounce
   
2017
   
2016
 
Cost of sales ('000)
 
$
29,843
   
$
28,466
 
Non-cash costs ('000) 1
   
(456
)
   
(58
)
Direct mining costs ('000)
 
$
29,387
   
$
28,408
 
Smelting, refining and royalty expenses ('000)
   
6,818
     
7,970
 
Less by-product credits ('000)
   
(19,486
)
   
(20,333
)
Total cash costs ('000)
 
$
16,719
   
$
16,045
 
Divided by silver produced (oz)
   
1,135,211
     
1,383,689
 
Silver cash costs ($/oz)
 
$
14.73
   
$
11.60
 
Page 37

Reconciliation of Consolidated All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce

   
2017
   
2016
 
Total cash costs ('000)
 
$
16,641
   
$
23,887
 
Capital expenditures ('000)
   
6,565
     
4,870
 
Exploration costs ('000)
   
192
     
1,616
 
Total all-in sustaining costs ('000)
 
$
23,398
   
$
30,373
 
Divided by silver produced (oz) 2
   
1,760,136
     
2,389,808
 
Silver all-in sustaining costs ($/oz)
 
$
13.29
   
$
12.71
 
 
Reconciliation of Cosalá Operations All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Total cash costs ('000)
 
$
(78
)
 
$
7,842
 
Capital expenditures ('000)
   
436
     
831
 
Exploration costs ('000)
   
-
     
690
 
Total all-in sustaining costs ('000)
 
$
358
   
$
9,363
 
Divided by silver produced (oz) 2
   
624,925
     
1,006,119
 
Silver all-in sustaining costs ($/oz)
 
$
0.57
   
$
9.31
 
 
Reconciliation of Galena Complex All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Total cash costs ('000)
 
$
16,719
   
$
16,045
 
Capital expenditures ('000)
   
6,129
     
4,039
 
Exploration costs ('000)
   
192
     
926
 
Total all-in sustaining costs ('000)
 
$
23,040
   
$
21,010
 
Divided by silver produced (oz)
   
1,135,211
     
1,383,689
 
Silver all-in sustaining costs ($/oz)
 
$
20.30
   
$
15.18
 
 
¹
Non-cash costs consist of non-cash related charges to cost of sales including inventory movements and write-downs to net realizable value of concentrates, ore stockpiles, and spare parts and supplies.
²
Calculation excludes pre-production of 50,490 silver ounces and 435,323 silver equivalent ounces mined from San Rafael during its commissioning period, and excludes pre-production of 245,391 silver ounces and 360,530 silver equivalent ounces mined from El Cajón during its commissioning period. Pre-production revenue and cost of sales from San Rafael and El Cajón are capitalized as an offset to development costs.
 
Page 38

 
 
 
 

AMERICAS  SILVER CORPORATION
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 201 7 and 2016
(In  thousands of  U.S.  dollars, unless otherwise stated)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 39

 
Americas Silver Corporation
(In thousands of U.S. d ollars, unless otherwise stated )

December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
CONTENTS

 
Page
41
42
44
45
46
47
48 – 69
Page 40

 
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management and are in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as outlined in Part I of the Chartered Professional Accountants Canada Handbook. Other information contained in this document has also been prepared by management a nd is consistent with the data contained in the consolidated financial statements. A system of internal control has been developed and is maintained by management to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and financial information is accurate and reliable.

The Board of Directors approves the financial statements and ensures that management discharges its financial reporting responsibilities. The Board’s review is accomplished principally through the audit committee, which is composed of non-executive directors. The audit committee meets periodically with management and the auditors to review financial reporting and control matters.
 
The consolidated financial statements have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and their report outlines the scope of their examination and gives their opinion on the consolidated financial statements.

(Signed) Darren Blasutti
 
(Signed) Warren Varga
President & Chief Executive Officer
 
Chief Financial Officer


Toronto, Ontario, Canada
March 5, 2018
Page 41

 
March 5, 2018

Independent Auditor’s Report
 
To the Shareholders of
Americas Silver Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Americas Silver Corporation and its subsidiaries, which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes, which comprise a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
 
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
 
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Page 42

Opinion
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Americas Silver Corporation and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2017 and 2016 and their financial performance and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
 
(Signed) “PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP”
 
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada
Page 43

Americas Silver Corporation
Consolidated statements of financial position
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
           
 
           
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
As at
 
2017
   
2016
 
Assets
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
9,325
   
$
24,055
 
Trade and other receivables (Note 6)
   
6,631
     
4,002
 
Inventories (Note 7)
   
9,366
     
6,618
 
Prepaid expenses
   
869
     
1,385
 
Available-for-sale investment
   
-
     
503
 
 
   
26,191
     
36,563
 
Non-current assets
               
Restricted cash
   
331
     
151
 
Long-term investments
   
4
     
28
 
Property, plant and equipment (Note 8)
   
100,301
     
80,548
 
Total assets
 
$
126,827
   
$
117,290
 
                 
Liabilities
               
Current liabilities
               
Trade and other payables
 
$
10,393
   
$
8,727
 
Credit facilities (Note 9)
   
-
     
7,758
 
Pre-payment facility (Note 10)
   
4,000
     
-
 
 
   
14,393
     
16,485
 
Non-current liabilities
               
Other long-term liabilities
   
564
     
882
 
Pre-payment facility (Note 10)
   
11,000
     
-
 
Post-employment benefit obligations (Note 11)
   
8,618
     
8,116
 
Decommissioning provision (Note 12)
   
3,948
     
3,829
 
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 17)
   
246
     
834
 
Total liabilities
   
38,769
     
30,146
 
                 
Equity
               
Share capital (Note 13)
   
207,012
     
202,191
 
Equity reserve
   
34,760
     
34,400
 
Foreign currency translation reserve
   
6,284
     
6,454
 
Changes in available-for-sale investment
   
-
     
237
 
Deficit
   
(159,998
)
   
(156,138
)
Total equity
   
88,058
     
87,144
 
 
               
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
126,827
   
$
117,290
 
 
 Contingencies (Note 22)
 
APPROVED BY THE BOARD
 
(Signed) Brad Kipp
  (Signed) Gordon Pridham
Director  Director
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
Page 44

Americas Silver Corporation
Consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
 
      2017       2016  
Revenue
 
$
54,280
   
$
58,866
 
                 
                 
Cost of sales (Note 15)
   
(40,038
)
   
(46,145
)
Depletion and amortization (Note 8)
   
(6,709
)
   
(7,388
)
Care, maintenance and restructuring costs
   
(701
)
   
(993
)
Corporate general and administrative (Note 16)
   
(6,651
)
   
(5,355
)
Exploration costs
   
(2,726
)
   
(1,681
)
Accretion on decommissioning provision (Note 12)
   
(185
)
   
(152
)
Interest and financing expense
   
(723
)
   
(2,337
)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
   
(225
)
   
340
 
Loss on disposal of assets (Note 8)
   
-(20
)
       
Loss on available-for-sale investment
   
(11
)
   
(132
)
Write-down of equipment (Note 8)
   
(204
)
   
-
 
Loss before income taxes
   
(3,893
)
   
(4,997
)
Income tax recovery (expense) (Note 17)
   
427
     
(210
)
Net loss
   
(3,466
)
   
(5,207
)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
               
Items that will not be reclassified to net loss
               
Actuarial gain (loss) on post-employment benefit obligations
   
(394
)
   
1,607
 
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to net loss
               
Foreign currency translation reserve
   
(170
)
   
(1,334
)
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities
   
(237
)
   
237
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(801
)
   
510
 
Comprehensive loss
 
$
(4,267
)
 
$
(4,697
)
                 
Loss per share
               
Basic and diluted
   
(0.09
)
   
(0.15
)
                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
               
Basic and diluted (Note 14)
   
40,194,660
     
34,526,435
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
Page 45

Americas Silver Corporation
Consolidated statements of changes in equity
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts)
 
                      Foreign Changes in fair                  
                      currency     value of              
    Share capital         Equity     translation     available-for-           Total  
   
Shares (000s)
   
Amount
   
reserve
    reserve    
sale investment
    Deficit    
equity
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2016
   
28,935
   
$
181,143
   
$
28,452
    $ 7,788    
$
-
   
$
(152,538
)
 
$
64,845
 
Net loss for the year
   
-
     
-
     
--
      -      
-
     
(5,207
)
   
(5,207
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,334
)
   
237
      1,607      
510
 
Share-based payments
   
-
     
-
     
585
      -      
-
      -      
585
 
Shares and warrants issued on private placements
   
8,766
     
17,889
     
5,161
      -      
-
      -      
23,050
 
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants
   
1,839
     
3,159
     
(1,149
)
   
-
     
-
      -      
2,010
 
Warrants issued and amended
   
-
     
-
     
1,351
      -      
-
      -      
1,351
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
   
39,540
   
$
202,191
   
$
34,400
    $ 6,454    
$
237
     $
(156,138
)
   $
87,144
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2017
   
39,540
   
$
202,191
   
$
34,400
    $ 6,454    
$
237
     $
(156,138
)
   $
87,144
 
Net loss for the year
   
-
     
-
     
-
      -      
-
     
(3,466
)    
(3,466
)
Other comprehensive loss for the year
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(170
)
   
(237
)
    (39
)
   
(801
)
Share-based payments
   
-
     
-
     
1,956
      -      
-
      -      
1,956
 
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants
   
1,957
     
4,821
     
(1,596
)
   
-
     
-
      -      
3,225
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
   
41,497
   
$
207,012
   
$
34,760
    $ 6,284    
$
-$
     
(159,998
)
   $
88,058
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
Page 46

Americas Silver Corporation
Consolidated statements of cash flows
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
 
2017
   
2016
 
Cash flow generated from (used in)
           
 
           
 
           
Operating activities
           
Net loss for the year
 
$
(3,466
)
 
$
(5,207
)
Adjustments for the following non-cash items:
               
Depletion and amortization
   
6,709
     
7,388
 
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)
   
(588
)
   
210
 
Accretion and decommissioning costs
   
185
     
152
 
Share-based payments
   
1,930
     
1,237
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on long-term investments
   
24
     
(17
)
Provision on other long-term liabilities
   
185
     
143
 
Deferred costs on credit facilities
   
173
     
1,178
 
Net charges on post-employment benefit obligations
   
108
     
433
 
Loss on disposal of assets
   
-
     
20
 
Loss on available-for-sale investment
   
8
     
132
 
Write-down of equipment
   
204
     
-
 
 
   
5,472
     
5,669
 
Changes in non-cash working capital items:
               
Trade and other receivables
   
(2,629
)
   
542
 
Inventories
   
(2,748
)
   
2,172
 
Prepaid expenses
   
336
     
(648
)
Trade and other payables
   
1,147
     
(2,348
)
Net cash generated from operating activities
   
1,578
     
5,387
 
 
               
Investing activities
               
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment
   
(7,176
)
   
(4,660
)
Net development costs on San Rafael
   
(13,435
)
   
(2,777
)
Net development costs on El Cajón
   
1,054
     
(535
)
Purchase of San Felipe property option
   
(7,108
)
   
-
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(26,665
)
   
(7,972
)
 
               
Financing activities
               
Sale of available-for-sale investment
   
274
     
89
 
Financing from (repayments to) credit facilities
   
(8,005
)
   
600
 
Financing from pre-payment facility
   
15,000
     
-
 
Proceeds from private placement
   
-
     
23,787
 
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants
   
3,225
     
2,010
 
Net cash generated from financing activities
   
10,494
     
26,486
 
 
               
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
   
(137
)
   
(1,165
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(14,730
)
   
22,736
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
   
24,055
     
1,319
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
 
$
9,325
   
$
24,055
 
 
               
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
               
Cash
 
$
9,325
   
$
24,005
 
Term deposits
    -        -  
 
 
$
9,325
     $
24,005
 
 
               
Interest paid during the year
 
$
1,165
   
$
1,122
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
Page 47

 
1.
Corporate information
 
Americas Silver Corporation (the “Company" or "Americas Silver") was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on May 12, 1998 and conducts mining exploration, development and production in the Americas. The address of the Company’s registered office is 145 King Street West, Suite 2870, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 1J8. The Company’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “USA” and on the New York American Stock Exchange under the symbol “USAS”.
 
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017 were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors of the Company on March 5, 2018.
 
2.
Basis of presentation
 
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) which the Canadian Accounting Standards Board has approved for incorporation into Part I of the Chartered Professional Accountants Canada Handbook. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost method, except for certain financial instruments measured at fair value. The Company has consistently applied the accounting policies used in preparation of these consolidated financial statements throughout all the periods presented. Significant accounting judgments and estimates used by management in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are presented in note 4.
 
3.
Summary of significant accounting policies
 
The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are as follows:

a.
Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and the entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries, including special purpose entities). Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. All intercompany transactions and balances, income and expenses have been eliminated.
 
The Company applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Company elects on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis whether to measure non-controlling interest at its fair value, or at its proportionate share of the recognized amount of identifiable net assets. Acquisition- related costs are expensed as incurred. Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the fair value of non-controlling interest over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If this consideration is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Special Purpose Entities (“SPE’s”) as defined by the IASB in SIC 12 Consolidation–Special Purpose Entities are entities which are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective (e.g. to provide services to the operating entity). SPE’s are subject to consolidation when there is an indication that the other entity controls the SPE. The Company has determined that it controls certain SPE’s relating to service companies at its Mexican operations (4246136 Canada Inc., Servicios Especializados en Minas S.A. de C.V., Triturados Mineros del Noroeste S.A. de C.V. and Servicios Generales en Mineria S.A. de C.V.) and the accounts of those SPE’s are consolidated with those of the Company.
 
b.
Segment reporting
 
An operating segment is a component of the Company that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Company’s other components. Determination of operating segments are based on the reports reviewed by the chief operating decision makers that are used to make strategic decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and performance assessment, and for which discrete financial information is available. Unallocated items not directly attributable to a segment comprise mainly of corporate assets and head office expenses.
Page 48

c.
Presentation currency and functional currency
 
The Company’s presentation currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”). The functional currency of the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries is the Canadian dollar (“CAD”), and the functional currency of its U.S., Mexican and British Virgin Island’s subsidiaries and SPE’s is the USD. The consolidated financial statements of the Company are translated into the presentation currency. Assets and liabilities have been translated using the exchange rate at period end, and income, expenses and cash flow items are translated using the rate that approximates the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions (the average rate for the period). All resulting exchange differences are recorded in the foreign currency translation reserve.

d.
Foreign currency translations
 
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the entities’ functional currency at the exchange rate at the date of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are translated at the rate in effect at the statement of financial position date, and non-monetary items at historic exchange rates at each transaction date. Revenue and expense items are translated at average exchange rates of the reporting period. Gains and losses on translation are charged to the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

e.
Revenue recognition
 
The following specific conditions must be met before revenue is recognized:
 
·
the title, specific risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the purchaser;
·
the Company does not retain continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership or effective control over the concentrate sold;
·
the amount of revenue and costs can be measured reliably; and
·
it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Company.
 
The Company’s sales of concentrates are made under provisional pricing arrangements where the final sale prices are determined by quoted market prices in a period subsequent to the date of sale. In these circumstances, revenue from sales is recorded at the time of sale based on forward prices for the expected date of final settlement.
 
Subsequent variations in prices and metal quantities are recognized as revenue adjustments as they occur. Revenue is recognized net of treatment and selling costs if payment of those amounts is enforced at the time of sale.
 
f.
Defined benefit plans

The cost of defined benefit plans is determined using the projected unit credit method. The related pension liability recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets.

Actuarial valuations for defined benefit plans are carried out annually. The discount rate applied in arriving at the present value of the pension liability represents the yield on high quality corporate bonds denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability.

Actuarial gains and losses arise from the difference between the actual long-term rate of return on plan assets for a period and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for that period, or from changes in actuarial assumptions used to determine the accrued benefit obligation. Actuarial gains and losses arising in the year are recognized in full in the period in which they occur, in other comprehensive income (loss) and retained earnings without recycling to the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss in subsequent periods.
Page 49

Current service cost, the recognized element of any past service cost, interest expense arising on the pension liability and the expected return on plan assets are recognized in the same line items in the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss as the related compensation cost.

The values attributed to plan liabilities are assessed in accordance with the advice of independent qualified actuaries. Service costs arising from plan amendments are recognized immediately.

g.
Share-based payments

The Company’s stock option plan allows its employees (including directors and officers) and non-employees to acquire shares of the Company. Accordingly, the fair value of the option is either charged to operations or capitalized to exploration or development expenditures, depending on the accounting for the optionee’s other compensation, with a corresponding increase in equity reserve.

The costs of equity-settled transactions with employees are measured by reference to the fair value at the date on which they are granted using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.
 
The costs of equity-settled transactions are recognized, together with a corresponding increase in equity reserve, over the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (the “vesting date”). The cumulative expense recognized for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date up to the vesting date reflects the Company’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The charge or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognized as at the beginning and end of that period and the corresponding amount is represented in equity reserve. No expense is recognized for awards that do not ultimately vest.
 
Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognized is the expense as if the terms had not been modified. An additional expense is recognized for any modification which increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification.

h.
Income taxes

Income tax comprises of current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in other comprehensive income (loss) or directly in equity, in which case the income tax is also recognized directly in other comprehensive income (loss) or equity, respectively.
 
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period in the countries where the Company’s subsidiaries operate and generate taxable profit. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of  amounts  expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred income tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the consolidated statement of financial position date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.
 
Deferred income tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses to the extent it is probable future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilized.
 
The Company did not recognize any deferred income taxes relating to its investments in subsidiaries.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company has the legal right and intent to offset.
Page 50

 
i.
Earnings/loss per share

Basic earnings/loss per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings/loss for the period attributable to equity owners of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
 
Diluted earnings/loss per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for dilutive instruments. The number of shares included with respect to options, warrants and similar instruments is computed using the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method, which assumes that outstanding stock options and warrants with an average exercise price below the market price of the underlying shares, are exercised and the assumed proceeds are used to repurchase common shares of the Company at the average market price of the common shares for the period. The Company’s potentially dilutive common shares comprise stock options granted to employees, and warrants.

j.
Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in the Company’s net assets that results from transactions, events and circumstances from sources other than the Company’s shareholders and includes items that would not normally be included in net earnings such as foreign currency gains or losses related to the Company’s net investment in foreign operations and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities net of tax. The Company’s comprehensive income (loss), components of other comprehensive income and cumulative translation adjustments are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) and the consolidated statements of changes in equity.
 
k.
Inventories
 
Concentrates, ore stockpile, and spare parts and supplies are valued at the lower of cost and estimated net realizable value. Cost for concentrates and ore stockpile includes all direct costs incurred in production including direct labour and materials, freight, depreciation and amortization and directly attributable overhead costs determined on a weighted average basis for the Mexican operations and first in, first out method for the U.S. operations. Cost for spare parts and supplies are determined using the first in, first out method. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated price at the time of sale based on prevailing and future metal prices less estimated future production costs to convert inventories into saleable form.

Any write-downs of inventory to net realizable value are recorded as cost of sales. If there is a subsequent increase in the value of inventories, the previous write-downs to net realizable value are reversed to the extent that the related inventory has not been sold.
 
Ore stockpile represents ore that has been extracted from the mine and is available for further processing. Costs added to ore stockpile are valued based on current mining cost per tonne incurred up to the point of stockpiling the ore and are removed at the average cost per tonne. Ore stockpile is verified by periodic surveys and physical counts.

Materials and supplies inventory are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, where cost is determined using the first-in-first-out method. Any provision for obsolescence is determined by reference to specific items of stock. A regular review is undertaken to determine the extent of any provision for obsolescence by comparing those items to their net realizable value. If carrying value exceeds net realizable value, a write-down is recognized.

l.
Investments
 
An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies.

Investments in companies over which the Company exercises neither control nor significant influence and are designated as available-for sale financial instruments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale financial instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), unless the decrease in value is significant or prolonged, in which case, the loss is recorded in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
Page 51

 
m.
Property, plant and equipment

(i)
Producing mining interests

Producing mining interests are carried at cost less accumulated depletion and amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Following the completion of commissioning, the costs related to the mining interests are depleted and charged to operations on the unit of production method as a proportion of estimated recoverable mineral reserves.
 
Completion of the commissioning is deemed to have occurred when major mine and processing plant components are completed, operating results are being achieved consistently for a period of time and that there are indicators that these operational results, including mill capacity and recovery, will be sustainable in the future.

Construction in progress is not depreciated until the assets are ready for their intended use.
 
(ii)
Non-producing mining interests

The Company follows the method of accounting for its non-producing mining interests whereby all costs, net of incidental revenues, relating to the acquisition, exploration and development are deferred and capitalized by property until the property to which they directly relate is placed into production, sold, discontinued or subject to a condition of impairment.

In the event that a mining interest is placed into production, capitalization of costs ceases, the costs are transferred to producing mining interests and the mining interest is depleted on a unit of production basis. The recoverability of amounts is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable mineral reserves, the ability of the Company to finance the development of the properties, and on the future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition thereof.
 
(iii)
Plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate assets (major components) of property, plant and equipment.
 
The cost of replacing a part of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognized in the carrying amount of the item if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within that part will flow to the Company, and its cost can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. Repairs and maintenance are charged to the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss during the period in which they are incurred.
 
Depreciation is recorded over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Mining interests – unit of production based upon estimated proven and probable reserves
Plant and equipment – 3 – 30 years over straight line basis
Corporate office equipment – 3 – 10 years over straight line basis
 
Residual values, method of amortization and useful lives of the assets are reviewed annually and adjusted if appropriate.

(iv)
Impairment of mining interests
 
The Company reviews and evaluates the carrying values of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is an indication of impairment. For exploration and evaluation assets, indication includes but is not limited to expiration of the right to explore, substantive expenditure in the specific area is neither budgeted nor planned, and if the entity has decided to discontinue exploration activity in the specific area.
Page 52

When the carrying value of assets exceeds the recoverable amount, the carrying value of the assets is reduced to the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use of the asset. To achieve this, the recoverable amount is the higher of value in use (being the net present value of expected pre-tax future cash flows of the relevant asset) and fair value less costs to sell the asset.

If, after the Company has previously recognized an impairment loss, circumstances indicate that the recoverable amount of the impaired assets is greater than the carrying amount, the Company reverses the impairment loss by the amount the revised fair value exceeds its carrying amount, to a maximum of the previous impairment loss. In no case shall the revised carrying amount exceed the original carrying amount, after depreciation or amortization, that would have been determined if no impairment loss had been recognized.

n.
Decommissioning provision
 
The Company recognizes contractual, statutory and legal obligations associated with retirement of mining properties when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of the assets. Initially, the decommissioning provision is recognized at its fair value in the period in which it is incurred. Upon initial recognition of the liability, the corresponding decommissioning provision is added to the carrying amount of that asset and the cost is amortized as an expense over the economic life of the related asset. Following the initial recognition of the decommissioning provision, the periodic unwinding of the discount is recognized in the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss and adjusted for changes to the amount or timing of the underlying cash flows to settle the obligation.

o.
Financial instruments

The Company classifies its financial instruments into one of the following categories: fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) (assets and liabilities), assets available-for-sale, loans and receivables, assets held-to-maturity and other financial liabilities. All financial instruments are measured at fair value on initial recognition.

Financial assets and liabilities designated as FVTPL are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. Financial assets designated as “available-for-sale” are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Transaction costs for FVTPL financial assets and liabilities are recognized in income when incurred.
 
Financial assets designated as “loans and receivables” or “held-to-maturity”, and financial liabilities designated as “other financial liabilities” are recorded at amortized cost. Transaction costs from loans and receivables and other financial liabilities offset the carrying amount of the related financial assets or liabilities.

The Company has classified cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables as “loans and receivables”, trade and other payables are classified as “other financial liabilities”, and investments in equity instruments as “available-for-sale”.

p.
Borrowing costs
 
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset are capitalized as part of the cost of that asset and amortized over the expected useful life of that asset. Other borrowing costs not directly attributable to a qualifying asset are expensed in the period incurred.
 
q.
Provisions
 
Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) that has arisen as a result of a past event and it is probable that a future outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, provided that a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risk specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognized as interest expense.
Page 53

 
r.
Related party transactions

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence, and related parties may be individuals or corporate entities. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. Related party transactions that are in the normal course of business and have commercial substance are measured at the exchange amount.
 
4.
Significant accounting judgments and estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
The areas which require management to make significant judgments, estimates and assumptions in determining carrying values include, but are not limited to:
 
(i)
Reserves and resources

Proven and probable reserves are the economically mineable parts of the Company’s measured and indicated mineral resources. The Company estimates its proven and probable reserves and measured and indicated and inferred mineral resources based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons. The information relating to the geological data on the size, depth and shape of the ore bodies requires complex geological judgments to interpret the data. The estimation of future cash flows related to proven and probable reserves is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating the size, grade and recovery of the ore bodies.
 
Changes in the proven and probable reserves or measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources estimates may impact the carrying value of mining properties and equipment, depletion and amortization, impairment assessments and the timing of decommissioning provisions.

(ii)
Depletion and amortization
 
Mining properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method over a period not to exceed the estimated life of the ore body based on estimated recoverable reserves.

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated, net of residual value over their estimated useful life but do not exceed the related estimated life of the mine based on estimated recoverable mineral reserves.

The calculation of the units of production rate, and therefore the annual depletion and amortization expense, could be materially affected by changes in the underlying estimates. Changes in estimates can be the result of actual future production differing from current forecasts of future production and expansion of mineral reserves through exploration activities.

Significant judgment is involved in the determination of useful life and residual values for the computation of depletion and amortization. No assurance can be given that actual useful lives and residual values will not differ significantly from current assumptions.

(iii)
Decommissioning provision
 
The Company assesses its decommissioning provision on an annual basis or when new material information becomes available. Mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. In general, these laws and regulations are continually changing and the Company has made, and intends to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. Accounting for decommissioning provision requires management to make estimates of the time and future costs the Company will incur to complete the rehabilitation work required to comply with existing laws and regulations at each mining operation. Also, future changes to environmental laws and regulations could increase the extent of rehabilitation work required to be performed by the Company. Increases in future costs could materially impact the amounts charged to operations for decommissioning provision. The provision represents management’s best estimate of the present value of the future decommissioning provision. The actual future expenditures may differ from the amounts currently provided.
Page 54

(iv)
Share-based payments

The amount expensed for share-based compensation is based on the  application  of  a  recognized option valuation formula, which is highly dependent  on, amongst  other things,  the  expected  volatility  of  the  Company’s registered shares, estimated forfeitures, and the expected life of the options. The Company uses an expected volatility rate for its shares based on past stock trading data,  adjusted  for future  expectations,  and actual volatility may be significantly different.
 
The resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value that the holder of the option could receive in an arm’s length transaction, given that there is no market for the options and they are not transferable. It is management’s view that the value derived is highly subjective and dependent entirely upon the input assumptions made.
 
(v)
Income taxes
 
Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires an estimate of income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The process involves an estimate of the Company’s current tax exposure and an assessment of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depletion and amortization, for tax and accounting purposes, and when they might reverse.

These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

An assessment is also made to determine the likelihood that the Company’s future tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent that recovery is not considered likely, the related tax benefits are not recognized.
 
Judgment is required to continually assess changing tax interpretations, regulations and legislation, to ensure liabilities are complete and to ensure assets, net of valuation allowances, are realizable. The impact of different interpretations and applications could be material.

(vi)
Commercial production
 
The determination of timing on which a mining property enters into commercial production is a significant judgment since capitalization of development costs ceases and revenue recognition begins upon declaration of commercial production. As a mining property is constructed, development costs incurred are capitalized while pre-production costs and revenues are capitalized and accumulated into such development costs. Commercial production is declared once the mining property is available for its intended use on a commercial scale as defined by management. Revenue recognition and depletion of the mining property begins when commercial production has been achieved.
 
5.
Changes in accounting policies and recent accounting pronouncements
 
The following are future changes in accounting policies not yet effective as at December 31, 2017:
 
(i)
Financial instruments

IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments - The standard was issued in its final version by the IASB in July 2014 bringing together the classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting phases of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39, “Financial instruments: recognition and measurement” (“IAS 39”). The standard retains but simplifies the mixed measurement model and establishes two primary measurement categories for financial assets: amortized cost and fair value. The mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 would be annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company completed assessing the impact of this standard and do not expect the Company’s consolidated financial statements to be significantly affected by IFRS 9.
Page 55

 
(ii)
Revenue from contracts with customers
 
IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - The final standard on revenue from contracts with customers was issued in May 2014 and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 for public entities with early adoption permitted. The standard covers principles that an entity shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a contract with a customer. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt the guidance. The Company completed assessing the impact of this standard and do not expect the Company’s consolidated financial statements to be significantly affected by IFRS 15.

(iii)
Leases
 
IFRS 16 - Leases - The standard on leases was issued in January 2016 and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 for public entities with early adoption permitted, provided IFRS 15 has been applied or is applied at the same date as IFRS 16. The standard requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases. The Company is assessing the impact of this standard, along with timing of adoption of IFRS 16.

6.
Trade and other receivables
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
         
         
Trade receivables
 
$
3,779
   
$
2,126
 
Value added taxes receivable
   
2,751
     
1,638
 
Other receivables
   
101
     
238
 
   
$
6,631
   
$
4,002
 
 
7.
Inventories
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
     
2017
     
2016
 
Concentrates
 
$
1,391
   
$
1,266
 
Ore stockpiles
   
2,877
     
161
 
Spare parts and supplies
   
5,098
     
5,191
 
   
$
9,366
   
$
6,618
 

 
The amount of inventories recognized as an expense during the year ended December 31, 2017 was $40.0 million (2016: $46.1 million). During the year ended December 31, 2017, the concentrates and ore stockpiles, and spare parts and supplies write-down to net realizable value included in cost of sales was $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively (2016: $1.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively).
Page 56

8.
Property, plant and equipment

                     
Corporate
       
 
 
Mining
interests
   
Non-producing
properties
   
Plant and
equipment
   
office
equipment
   
Total
 
                               
Cost
                             
Balance at January 1, 2016
 
$
63,954
   
$
75,746
   
$
38,196
   
$
161
   
$
178,057
 
Asset additions
   
4,569
     
1,583
     
1,817
     
3
     
7,972
 
Change in decommissioning provision
   
(952
)
   
61
     
-
     
-
     
(891
)
Disposals
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(83
)
   
(83
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
   
67,571
     
77,390
     
40,013
     
81
     
185,055
 
Asset additions
   
5,233
     
5,526
     
8,795
     
3
     
19,557
 
Property purchase option acquired
   
-
     
7,108
     
-
     
-
     
7,108
 
Change in decommissioning provision
   
(37
)
   
38
     
-
     
-
     
1
 
Reclassification
   
31,595
     
(31,595
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
104,362
   
$
58,467
   
$
48,808
   
$
84
   
$
211,721
 
                                         
Accumulated depreciation
                                       
and depletion
                                       
Balance at January 1, 2016
 
$
28,298
   
$
50,502
   
$
18,305
   
$
77
   
$
97,182
 
Depreciation/depletion for the year
   
3,112
     
-
     
4,261
     
15
     
7,388
 
Disposals
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(63
)
   
(63
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
   
31,410
     
50,502
     
22,566
     
29
     
104,507
 
Depreciation/depletion for the year
   
3,438
     
-
     
3,261
     
10
     
6,709
 
Write-down of equipment
   
-
     
-
     
204
     
-
     
204
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
34,848
   
$
50,502
   
$
26,031
   
$
39
   
$
111,420
 
                                         
Carrying value
                                       
                                         
                                         
at December 31, 2016
 
$
36,161
    $ 26,888     $ 17,447     $ 52     $ 80,548  
at December 31, 2017
 
$
69,514
    $ 7,965     $ 22,777     $ 45     $ 100,301  

On March 2, 2017, the Company entered into an option acquisition agreement with Impulsora Minera Santacruz S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (“Santacruz”), to acquire an existing option with Minera Hochschild Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“Hochschild”) for the right to acquire a 100% interest of the San Felipe property located in Sonora, Mexico for total consideration of $15 million in cash, payable in two installments. The purchase of the option of $5 million to Santacruz plus an initial option payment of $2 million to Hochschild, plus applicable VAT, was paid with cash on hand by the Company in March while the final option payment of $8 million, plus applicable VAT, was payable to Hochschild on or before December 15, 2017. On December 1, 2017, the final option payment of $8 million plus applicable VAT was amended to become option payments of $0.5 million payable on January 1, 2018, $0.5 million payable on April 1, 2018, $1.0 million payable on July 1, 2018, with the remaining balance of $6.0 million payable on or before December 31, 2018.
 
Effective December 19, 2017, the San Rafael mine declared commercial production which the Company defined as operating at an average of 80% designed production capacity with saleable concentrate recoveries within 5% of its mining feasibility study over a two week period. The Company transferred $31.6 million in net book value from non- producing properties to mining interests, net of pre-commercial production revenue of $4.0 million and historical carrying value of $25.2 million.
 
Non-current assets are tested for impairment or impairment reversals when events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. A write-down of $0.2 million related to the U.S. operations was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017 as a result of writing down carrying amounts of equipment to recoverable amounts. No other impairment or impairment reversal indicators were identified for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
The amount of borrowing costs capitalized as property, plant and equipment was $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 (2016: nil).
Page 57

 
9.
Credit facilities
 
On August 7, 2013, the Company signed a credit agreement with Royal Capital Management Corp. as security agent, and certain lenders (the “RCM Credit Agreement”). The RCM Credit Agreement provided for the issuance of notes with an aggregate principal amount of $6.4 million ($8.5 million CAD) maturing in December 2017 at an interest rate of 12% per annum payable on a monthly basis. On March 30, 2017, the remaining principal portion of the RCM Credit Agreement of $5.6 million was repaid in full.
 
On November 10, 2015, the Company closed a subordinated, secured credit agreement with a lender (the “Subordinated Facility”) for principal amount of $1.0 million for a term of one year at an interest rate of 12% per annum payable on a monthly basis beginning on the sixth month following closing. On September 26, 2016, the remaining principal portion of the Subordinated Facility of $0.7 million was repaid in full.

On February 11, 2016, the Company closed a subordinated, secured credit agreement with its two existing lenders (the “New Credit Facility”) for principal amount of $2.9 million for a term of one year at an interest rate of 10% per annum payable on a quarterly basis in cash or shares at the option of the lenders with the full balance due on maturity. On October 3, 2016, the principal portion for one lender of the New Credit Facility of $1.3 million was repaid in full. On February 10, 2017, the remaining principal portion for the other lender of New Credit Facility of $1.6 million was repaid in full on maturity.

10.
Pre-payment facility
 
On January 29, 2017, the Company entered into a pre-payment facility for $15.0 million with Metagri S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Glencore PLC (“Glencore”), to fund a portion of the development costs for the San Rafael project within the Cosalá district of Sinaloa, Mexico (the “Pre-Payment Facility”). The Pre-Payment Facility was drawn in full on March 30, 2017, has a term of four years at an interest of U.S. LIBOR rate plus 5% per annum, and is secured by a promissory note in the amount of up to $15.0 million issued by the Company, a corporate guarantee in favour of Glencore, and limited asset level security on the San Rafael project. The Company has also entered into four-year offtake agreements with Glencore for the zinc and lead concentrates produced from the San Rafael project where Glencore will pay for the concentrates at the prevailing market prices for silver, zinc and lead, less customary treatment, refining and penalty charges. Principal on the Pre-Payment Facility will be repaid beginning in January 2018 as an additional tonnage charge on shipments of concentrate with minimum annual principal repayments of $4.0 million during 2018, $5.5 million during 2019, and $5.5 million during 2020.
 
11.
Post-employment benefit obligations
 
The Company maintains two non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees at its U.S. operating subsidiary, U.S. Silver – Idaho, Inc. One plan covers salaried employees and one plan covers hourly employees. Benefits for the salaried plan are based on salary and years of service. Hourly plan benefits are based on negotiated benefits and years of service. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount prescribed, as specified by applicable regulations. The expected average service life of the active plan participants as at December 31, 2017 is approximately 9 years.

The amounts recognized in the consolidated statements financial position are as follows:
 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2017     2016  
             
Present value of funded obligations
 
$
26,730
    $ 23,910  
Fair value of plan assets
   
18,112
      15,794  
Deficit of funded plans
 
$
8,618
    $ 8,116  
Page 58

 
The movements in the defined benefit obligations are as follows:
 
 
       
 
December 31,
  December 31,  
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
       
Obligations, beginning of year
 
$
23,910
   
$
24,495
 
Current service costs
   
774
     
781
 
Interest costs
   
999
     
1,057
 
Benefits paid
   
(901
)
   
(830
)
Actuarial loss (gain)
   
1,948
     
(1,593
)
Obligations, end of year
 
$
26,730
   
$
23,910
 
The movements in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:
               
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
   
2017
     
2016
 
Assets, beginning of year
 
$
15,794
   
$
15,205
 
Return on assets
   
678
     
648
 
Actuarial gain
   
1,555
     
13
 
Employer contributions
   
986
     
758
 
Benefits paid
   
(901
)
   
(830
)
Assets, end of year
 
$
18,112
   
$
15,794
 
 
The amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss are as follows:
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2017     2016  
Current service costs and interest costs
       
included in cost of sales
 
$
1,773
   
$
1,838
 
                                   
The principal actuarial assumptions are as follows:
           
 
  December 31,     December 31,  
 
  2017     2016  
 
           
Discount rate (expense)
   
4.25
%
   
4.25
%
Discount rate (year end disclosures)
   
3.75
%
   
4.25
%
Future salary increases (salaried plan only)
   
5.00
%
   
5.00
%
 

A 1% decrease in discount rate would have resulted in approximately $4.4 million increase in the defined benefit obligation from $26.7 million to $31.1 million as at December 31, 2017 (2016: $3.8 million increase in the defined benefit obligation from $23.9 million to $27.7 million). A 1% increase in future salary increases would have resulted in approximately $0.1 million increase in the defined benefit obligation from $26.7 million to $26.8 million as at December 31, 2017 (2016: $0.1 million increase in the defined benefit obligation from $23.9 million to $24.0 million).
 
Plan assets are fully comprised of pooled or mutual funds. The expected return on plan assets at 4.3% (2016: 4.2%) is determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying the current investment policy. Expected yield on fixed interest investments is based on gross redemption yields as at the end of the reporting period. Expected returns on equity investments reflect long-term real rates of return in the market.
 
Expected contributions to pension benefit plans for the year ended December 31, 2018 are approximately $0.8 million.
Page 59

 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the actuarial losses charged to other comprehensive loss are $0.4 million (2016: actuarial gains of $1.6 million charged to other comprehensive income).

12.
Decommissioning provision
 
The decommissioning provision consists of land rehabilitation, demolition of buildings and mine facilities, and related costs. Although the ultimate amount of the decommissioning provision is uncertain, the fair value of these obligations is based on information currently available, including closure plans and the Company’s interpretation of current regulatory requirements.
 
Fair value is determined based on the net present value of future cash expenditures upon reclamation and closure. Reclamation and closure costs are capitalized into property, plant and equipment depending on the nature of the asset related to the obligation and amortized over the life of the related asset.

The decommissioning provision relates to reclamation and closure costs of the Company’s Cosalá Operations and Galena Complex. The decommissioning provision is estimated at an undiscounted amount of $5.6 million, over a period of 2 to 12 years, and discounted using a risk free rate varying from 2.3% to 7.6%.

 
  December 31,     December 31,  
 
  2017     2016  
 
           
Provisions, beginning of year
 
$
3,829
    $ 4,568  
Decommissioning costs and change in estimates
   
(66
)
    (89
)
Accretion on decommissioning provision
   
185
      152  
Provisions, end of year
 
$
3,948
    $ 3,829  
 
13.
Share capital
 
On December 21, 2016 the Company completed a share consolidation of issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of twelve pre-consolidated common shares for one post-consolidated common share. The share consolidation affects all issued and outstanding common shares, options, warrants, deferred share units, and restricted share units. All information relating to issued and outstanding common shares, options, warrants, deferred share units, restricted share units, and related per share amounts have been adjusted retrospectively to reflect the share consolidation.

a.
Authorized

Authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares.
 
On June 9, 2016, the Company completed a private placement of 5,555,555 units at a price of $3.60 CAD per unit for total gross proceeds of $15.7 million. Each unit consisted of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $4.68 CAD for a period of five years. As part of the private placement, 388,886 broker warrants were issued to the Company’s brokers where each broker warrant is exercisable for one broker unit at an exercise price of $4.20 CAD for a period of two years. Each broker unit consisted of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $4.68 CAD for a period of five years starting on June 9, 2016.

On June 14, 2016, the Company completed a private placement of 3,210,416 subscription receipts at a price of $3.60 CAD per subscription receipt for total gross proceeds of $9.0 million. The gross proceeds from subscription receipts were held in escrow pending the satisfaction of certain regulatory and shareholder approvals for the exchange of subscription receipts for units.
 
The Company received the necessary approvals on July 20, 2016 and completed the exchange of 3,210,416 subscription receipts for units in connection with the above private placement on June 14, 2016. Each unit consisted of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $4.68 CAD for a period of five years. As part of the private placement, 224,728 broker warrants were issued to the Company’s brokers where each broker warrant is exercisable for one broker unit at an exercise price of $4.20 CAD for a period of two years. Each broker unit consisted of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $4.68 CAD for a period of five years starting on June 14, 2016.
Page 60

 
     
December 31,
     
December 31, 
 
      2017        2016   
Issued                
41,496,950 (2016: 39,540,384) common shares
 
$
207,012
   
$
202,191
 
 
b.
Stock option plan
 
The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plan is limited to 10% of the number of common shares which are issued and outstanding on the date of a particular grant of options. Under the plan, the Board of Directors determines the term of a stock option to a maximum of 10 years, the period of time during which the options may vest and become exercisable as well as the option exercise price which shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s share on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the date immediately preceding the date of grant. The Compensation Committee determines and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to the recipients of, and nature and size of, share-based compensation awards in compliance with applicable securities law, stock exchange and other regulatory requirements.
 
A summary of changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options is presented below:
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
2017
   
2016
 
Weighted
   
Weighted
 
average
   
average
 
exercise
   
exercise
 
 
 
     Number      price      Number      price  
   
(thousands)
   
CAD
   
(thousands)
   
CAD
 
Balance, beginning of year
   
1,771
   
$
4.64
     
1,516
   
$
9.50
 
Granted
   
1,058
     
3.86
     
808
     
2.09
 
Exercised
   
(261
)
   
3.22
     
(93
)
   
3.12
 
Expired
   
(252
)
   
17.31
     
(460
)
   
16.50
 
Balance, end of year
   
2,316
   
$
3.06
     
1,771
   
$
4.64
 
 
The following table summarizes information on stock options outstanding and exercisable as at December 31, 2017:
 
Weighted
             
   
average remaining
         
Weighted average
         
Weighted average
 
Exercise
 
contractual
         
exercise
         
exercise
 
price
 
life
    Outstanding    
price
    Exercisable    
price
 
CAD
 
(years)
    (thousands)    
CAD
    (thousands)    
CAD
 
                               
2.00 to 3.00
   
0.78
      1,163    
$
2.14
      899    
$
2.17
 
3.01 to 4.00
   
2.07
      1,050      
3.85
      350      
3.85
 
4.01 to 5.00
   
1.75
      25      
4.59
      14      
4.63
 
5.01 to 6.00
   
0.41
      78      
5. 65
      78      
5.65
 
              2,316    
$
3.06
      1,341    
$
2.84
 
c. Share-based payments
                                       
 

The weighted average fair value at grant date of the Company’s stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.58 (2016: $1.08).
Page 61

 
The Company used the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to estimate fair value using the following weighted- average assumptions:
 
 
Year ended
December 31,
 
Year ended
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
       
Expected stock price volatility (1)
   
83
%
   
83
%
Risk free interest rate
   
0.87
%
   
0.47
%
Expected life
3 years
 
3 years
 
Expected forfeiture rate
   
4.18
%
   
4.97
%
Expected dividend yield
   
0
%
   
0
%
Share-based payments included in cost of sales
 
$
-
   
$
19
 
Share-based payments included in general and
               
administrative expenses
   
1,491
     
566
 
Total share-based payments
 
$
1,491
   
$
585
 
 
(1)   Expected volatility has been based on historical volatility of the Company’s publicly traded shares.
 
d.
Warrants

The warrants that are issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2017 are as follows:
 

Number of
warrants
Exercise
price (CAD)
Issuance
date
Expiry
date
742,883
4.68
Jul 2016
Jun 14, 2021
224,728
4.20
Jul 2016
Jun 14, 2018
1,350,204
4.68
Jun 2016
Jun 9, 2021
388,886
4.20
Jun 2016
Jun 9, 2018
1,537,355
1.20
Feb 2016
Feb 10, 2019
307,777
1.20
Nov 2015
Nov 10, 2018
29,166
1.56
Aug 2015
Aug 26, 2018
190,906
3.00
Aug 2015
Aug 26, 2018
395,486
1.56
May 2015
May 27, 2018
5,167,391
     
 

The 388,886 warrants issued in June 2016 are broker warrants where each broker warrant is exercisable for one broker unit at an exercise price of $4.20 CAD for a period of two years. Each broker unit consisted of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $4.68 CAD for a period of five years starting on June 9, 2016.

The 224,728 warrants issued in July 2016 are broker warrants where each broker warrant is exercisable for one broker unit at an exercise price of $4.20 CAD for a period of two years. Each broker unit consisted of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $4.68 CAD for a period of five years starting on June 14, 2016.
 
e.
Restricted Share Units:

The Company has a Restricted Share Unit Plan under which eligible directors, officers and key employees of the Company are entitled to receive awards of restricted share units. Each restricted share unit is equivalent in value to the fair market value of a common share of the Company on the date of grant with the value of each cash settled award charged to compensation expense over the period of vesting. At each reporting date, the compensation expense and associated liability (which is included in trade and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position) are adjusted to reflect changes in market value. As at December 31, 2017, 208,722 (2016: 351,856) restricted share units are outstanding at an aggregate value of $0.8 million (2016: $0.9 million).
Page 62

 
f.
Deferred Share Units:

The Company has a Deferred Share Unit Plan under which eligible directors of the Company are entitled to receive awards of deferred share units on a quarterly basis as payment for 20% to 100% of their director fees earned. Deferred share units are settled in either cash or common shares at the Company’s discretion when the director leaves the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company recognizes a cost in director fees and a corresponding increase in equity reserve upon issuance of deferred share units. As at December 31, 2017, 286,920 (2016: 240,313) deferred share units are issued and outstanding.
 
14.
Weighted average basic and diluted number of common shares outstanding
 
 
 
Year ended
December 31,
2017
   
Year ended
December 31,
2016
 
                 
Basic weighted average number of shares
   
40,194,660
     
34,526,435
 
Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants
   
-
     
-
 
Diluted weighted average number of shares
   
40,194,660
     
34,526,435
 
 
Diluted weighted average number of common shares for the year ended December 31, 2017 excludes 2,316,264 (2016: 1,770,765) anti-dilutive stock options and 5,167,391 (2016: 6,862,508) anti-dilutive warrants.
 
15.
Cost of sales
 
    Year ended
December 31,
2017
   
Year ended
December 31,
2016
 
             
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
22,314
   
$
23,430
 
Raw materials and consumables
   
14,252
     
15,065
 
Utilities
   
3,902
     
4,113
 
Other costs
   
2,318
     
1,768
 
 Changes in inventories     (2,748 )     1,769  
    $ 40,038     $ 46,145  
 
16.
Corporate general and administrative expenses
 
    Year ended
December 31,
2017
    Year ended
December 31,
2016
 
             
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
2,173
   
$
2,153
 
Directors’ fees
   
269
     
251
 
Share-based payments
   
1,930
     
1,237
 
Professional fees
   
477
     
639
 
 Office and general     1,802       1,075  
    $ 6,651     $ 5,355  
 
Page 63


17.
Income taxes
 
The components of income tax expense (recovery) are as follows:

    Year ended
December 31,
2017
    Year ended
December 31,
2016
 
             
Current income tax expense
 
$
161
    $ -  
 Deferred income tax expense (recovery)
   
(588
)    
210
 
 Income tax expense (recovery)
 
$
(427
)  
$
210
 
 
The Company’s effective rate of income tax differs from the statutory rate of 26.5% as follows:
 
    Year ended
December 31,
2017
    Year ended
December 31,
2016
 
             
Tax recovery at statutory rates
 
$
(1,032
)
 
$
(1,330
)
Mexican mining royalty
   
199
     
210
 
Impact of foreign tax rates
   
18
     
215
 
Non-deductible expenses
   
535
     
1,477
 
Alternative minimum tax credits
   
(626
)
   
-
 
 Losses not recognized (recognized)     479       (362 )
 Income tax expense (recovery)   $ (427 )   $ 210  
 
On December 22, 2017, the United States government enacted a tax reform with changes to reducing the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and repealing the corporate alternative minimum tax effective January 1, 2018. The Company assessed the impact of the tax reform and recognized a deferred tax asset of $0.6 million as at December 31, 2017 with respect to recoverable alternative minimum tax credits. Impact of the tax reform may differ due to changes in interpretations and assumptions made along with guidance which may subsequently be issued.
 
The Company’s net deferred tax liability relates to the Mexican mining royalty and arises principally from the following:
 
December 31,
    December 31,  
   
2017
    2016  
                 
Property, plant and equipment
 
$
900
    $ 972  
Total deferred tax liabilities
   
900
      972  
                 
Alternative minimum tax credits
   
626
      -  
Other
   
28
      138  
Total deferred tax assets
   
654
      138  
Net deferred tax liabilities
 
$
246
    $ 834  
 

Page 64

Deferred income taxes have not been recognized in respect of the following deductible temporary differences, as management does not consider their utilization to be probable for the foreseeable future:
 
   
December 31,
2017
   
December 31,
2016
 
             
Property, plant and equipment
 
$
4,890
   
$
3,272
 
Mexican tax losses (expiring in 2018 - 2027)
   
42,843
     
52,702
 
Canadian tax losses (expiring in 2029 - 2037)
   
35,173
     
30,268
 
U.S. tax losses (expiring in 2020 - 2037)
   
32,070
     
29,764
 
Provisions and other
   
24,956
     
24,718
 
 Deferred Mexican mining royalty     872       834  
    $ 140,804     $ 141,558  
 
18.
Related party transactions
 
Remuneration to directors and key management who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and continuing the activities of the Company:

    Year ended
December 31,
2017
    Year ended
December 31,
2016
 
             
Salaries and benefits
 
$
888
   
$
860
 
Severance
   
-
     
75
 
Directors’ fees
   
269
     
251
 
Share-based payments
   
1,617
     
968
 
 
19.
Financial risk management
 
a.
Financial risk factors

The Company’s risk exposures and the impact on its financial instruments are summarized below:
 
(i)
Credit Risk
 
Credit risk is the risk of loss associated with a counterparty’s inability to fulfill its payment obligations. The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables. The credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is limited because the Company invests its cash in deposits with well-capitalized financial institutions with strong credit ratings in Canada and the United States. Under current concentrate offtake agreements, risk on trade receivables related to concentrate sales is managed by receiving payments for 85% to 100% of the estimated value of the concentrate within one month following the time of shipment.
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s exposure to credit risk with respect to trade receivables amounts to $3.8 million (December 31, 2016: $2.1 million). The Company believes credit risk for Mexican Value Added Taxes of $2.8 million (December 31, 2016: $1.6 million) is not significant as they relate to current amounts receivable from Mexican taxation authorities. There are no receivables that are past due and the Company has no allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Page 65


(ii)
Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they arise. The Company’s approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet liabilities when due. The Company’s liquidity requirements are met through a variety of sources, including cash, cash generated from operations, existing credit facilities and debt and equity capital markets. The Company’s trade payables have contractual maturities of less than 30 days and are subject to normal trade terms.
 
The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities on an undiscounted basis:
 
          December 31, 2017  
   
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
2-3 years
   
4-5 years
   
Over 5
years
 
 
Trade and other payables
 
$
10,393
   
$
10,393
   
$
-
   
$
-
    $ -  
Pre-payment facility
   
15,000
     
4,000
     
11,000
     
-
      -  
Interest on pre-payment facility
   
1,601
     
856
     
745
     
-
      -  
Leases
   
1,438
     
290
     
563
     
540
      45  
Other long-term liabilities
   
564
     
-
     
95
     
-
      469  
   
$
28,996
   
$
15,539
   
$
12,403
   
$
540
    $ 514  
 
(iii)
Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk comprises three types of risk: interest rate risk, currency risk and price risk.

(1)
Interest rate risk
 
The Company is not subject to significant interest rate risk as the existing credit facilities have a fixed interest rate.
 
(2)
Currency risk

As at December 31, 2017, the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk through financial assets and liabilities denominated in CAD and Mexican pesos (“MXP”):
 
Financial instruments that may impact the Company’s net earnings or other comprehensive income due to currency fluctuations include CAD and MXP denominated assets and liabilities which are included in the following table:
 
    December 31, 2017  
   
CAD
   
MXP
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,436
   
$
1,681
 
Trade and other receivables
   
19
     
2,814
 
Trade and other payables
   
1,831
     
3,418
 
 
As at December 31, 2017, the CAD/USD and MXP/USD exchange rates were 1.25 and 19.74, respectively. The sensitivity of the Company’s net loss and comprehensive loss due to changes in the exchange rates as at December 31, 2017 is included in the following table:
Page 66

 
 
   
CAD/USD
Exchange rate
   
MXP/USD
Exchange rate
 
      +/- 10%     +/- 10%
 Approximate impact on:                
Net loss
 
$
732 $
     
850
 
Other comprehensive loss
   
(93
)
   
110
 
 
The Company may, from time to time, employ derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
 
(3)
Price risk
 
Price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices (other than those arising from interest rate risk or currency risk), whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual financial instrument or its issuer, or factors affecting all similar financial instruments in the market. As at December 31, 2017, the Company had certain amounts related to the sales of concentrates that have only been provisionally priced. A ±10% fluctuation in silver, zinc, lead, and copper prices would affect trade receivables by approximately $0.4 million (2016: $0.2 million). The Company may use derivatives to manage its exposure to price risk.
 
b.
Fair values

The fair value of cash, restricted cash, trade and other payables, credit facilities and other long-term liabilities approximate their carrying amounts. The methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair value of other financial assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
Cash and cash equivalents: The fair value of cash equivalents is valued using quoted market prices in active markets. The Company’s cash equivalents consist of money market accounts held at financial institutions which have original maturities of less than 90 days.
Trade and other receivables: The fair value of trade receivables from silver sales contracts that contain provisional pricing terms is determined using the appropriate quoted forward price from the exchange that is the principal active market for the particular metal. As such, there is an embedded derivative feature within trade receivables.
Available-for-sale investment: Investment in publicly quoted equity securities have been marked to market based on the trading price as at December 31, 2017.
Long-term investments: The fair value of long-term investments is determined based on the closing price of each security at the balance sheet date. The closing price is a quoted market price obtained from the exchange that is the principal active market for the particular security.
Embedded derivatives: Revenues from the sale of metals produced since the commencement of commercial production are based on provisional prices at the time of shipment. Variations between the price recorded at the time of sale and the actual final price received from the customer are caused by changes in market prices for metals sold and result in an embedded derivative in revenues and accounts receivable.
Derivatives: The Company uses derivative and non-derivative instruments to manage financial risks, including commodity, interest rate, and foreign exchange risks. The use of derivative contracts is governed by documented risk management policies and approved limits. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments is based on quoted market prices for similar instruments and at market prices at the valuation date.
 
The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value:
 
·
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·
Level 2 inputs are quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rate and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, forward pricing curves used to value
currency and commodity contracts and volatility measurements used to value option contracts), or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data or other means.
·
Level 3 inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
Page 67

 
    December 31,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 
Level 1
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
9,325
    $ 24,055  
Restricted cash
   
331
      151  
Available-for-sale investment
   
-
      503  
Long-term investments
   
4
      28  
 
Level 2
               
Trade and other receivables
   
6,631
      4,002  
Credit facilities
   
-
      7,758  
Pre-payment facility
   
15,000
      -  
 

20.
Segmented and geographic information, and major customers
 
a.
Segmented information

The Company’s operations comprise of three reporting segments engaged in acquisition, exploration, development and exploration of mineral resource properties in Mexico and the United States. Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the chief operating decision makers that are used to make strategic decisions.

b.
Geographic information
 
All revenues from sale of concentrates for year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were earned in Mexico and the United States. The following segmented information is presented as at and during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
 
 
          As at December 31, 2017                 As at December 31, 2016        
   
Mexican
Operations
   
U.S.
Operations
   
Corporate
and Other
    Total    
Mexican
Operations
   
U.S.
Operations
   
Corporate
and Other
    Total  
                                                 
 Cash and cash equivalents   $ 5,963    
$
1,791
   
$
1,571
   
$
9,325
   
$
1,875
   
$
3,511
   
$
18,669
   
$
24,055
 
Trade and other receivables
   
4,901
     
1,711
     
19
     
6,631
     
2,855
     
1,106
     
41
     
4,002
 
Inventories
   
6,301
     
3,065
     
-
     
9,366
     
3,738
     
2,880
     
-
     
6,618
 
Prepaid expenses
   
346
     
305
     
218
     
869
     
840
     
353
     
192
     
1,385
 
Available-for-sale investment
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
503
     
503
 
Restricted cash
   
160
     
171
     
-
     
331
     
-
     
151
     
-
     
151
 
Long-term investments
   
-
     
-
     
4
     
4
     
-
     
-
     
28
     
28
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
59,686
     
40,570
     
45
     
100,301
     
42,474
     
38,022
     
52
     
80,548
 
Total assets
 
$
77,357
   
$
47,613
   
$
1,857
   
$
126,827
   
$
51,782
   
$
46,023
   
$
19,485
   
$
117,290
 
                                                                 
 Trade and other payables
 
$
5,893
   
$
2,608
   
$
1,892
   
$
10,393
   
$
4,144
   
$
2,422
   
$
2,161
   
$
8,727
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
-
     
469
     
95
     
564
     
-
     
448
     
434
     
882
 
Credit facilities
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
7,758
     
7,758
 
Pre-payment facility
   
15,000
     
-
     
-
     
15,000
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Post-employment benefit obligations
   
-
     
8,618
     
-
     
8,618
     
-
     
8,116
     
-
     
8,116
 
Decommissioning provision
   
1,904
     
2,044
     
-
     
3,948
     
1,834
     
1,995
     
-
     
3,829
 
Deferred tax liabilities (assets)
   
872
     
(626
)
   
-
     
246
     
834
     
-
     
-
     
834
 
Total liabilities
 
$
23,669
   
$
13,113
   
$
1,987
   
$
38,769
   
$
6,812
   
$
12,981
   
$
10,353
   
$
30,146
 
Page 68


 
          As at December 31, 2017                 As at December 31, 2016        
 
  Mexican
Operations
    U.S.
Operations
    Corporate
and Other
     Total     Mexican
Operations
    U.S.
Operations
    Corporate
and Other
     Total  
 
                                               
Revenue
 
21,512
   
32,768
   
-
   
54,280
   
23,322
   
35,544
   
-
   
58,866
 
Cost of sales
   
(10,195
)
   
(29,843
)
   
-
     
(40,038
)
   
(17,679
)
   
(28,466
)
   
-
     
(41,145
)
Depletion and amortization
   
(3,247
)
   
(3,452
)
   
(10
)
   
(6,709
)
   
(3,534
)
   
(3,839
)
   
(15
)
   
(7,388
)
Care, maintenance and restructuring costs
   
(60
)
   
(473
)
   
(168
)
   
(701
)
   
(399
)
   
(495
)
   
(99
)
   
(993
)
Corporate general and administrative
    -       -      
(6,651
)
   
(6,651
)
    -       -      
(5,355
)
   
(5,355
)
Exploration costs
   
(2,407
)
   
(319
)
    -      
(2,726
)
   
(690
)
   
(991
)
    -      
(1,681
)
Accretion on decommissioning provision
   
(144
)
   
(41
)
    -      
(185
)
   
(112
)
   
(40
)
    -      
(152
)
Interest and financing income (expense)
   
(35
)
    -      
(688
)
   
(723
)
    2       -      
(2,339
)
   
(2,337
)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
   
(308
)
    -      
83
     
(225
)
   
384
      -      
(44
)
   
340
 
Loss on disposal of assets
    -       -       -       -       -       -      
(20
)
   
(20
)
Loss on available-for-sale investment
    -       -      
(11
)
   
(11
)
    -       -       -       -  
Write-down of equipment
    -      
(204
)
    -      
(204
)
    -       -      
(132
)
   
(132
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
5,116
     
(1,564
)
   
(7,445
)
   
(3,893
)
   
1,294
     
1,713
     
(8,004
)
   
(4,997
)
Income tax recovery (expense)
    (219 )     646       -       427       (210 )     -       -      
(210
)
Net income (loss) for the year
 
$
4,897
   
$
(918
)
 
$
(7,445
)
 
$
(3,466
)
 
$
1,084
   
$
1,713
   
$
(8,004
)
 
$
(5,207
)
 
c. Major customers
 
The Company sold concentrates to two customers during the year ended December 31, 2017 (2016: four customers), with each customer accounting for 60%, and 40% (2016: 59%, 31%, 9%, and 1%) of revenues, respectively.
 

21.
Capital management
 
Capital is defined as equity. The Company’s objectives when managing its capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern and to maximize the value for its shareholders.

The Company’s activities have been funded so far through debt and equity financing based on cash needs, and through operations. The Company typically sells its shares by way of private placement. There were no changes in these objectives, policies and processes used to manage capital during the year.

The Company manages its capital structure and determines its capital requirements in light of the changing economic conditions and the risk characteristics of its assets. To reach its objectives the Company may have to maintain or adjust its capital structure by issuing new share capital or new debt.

At this stage of its development, it is the policy of the Company to preserve cash to fund its operations and not to pay dividends. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
 
The following summarizes the Company’s capital structure:
 
    December 31,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 
 
           
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company  
$
88,058
   
$
87,144
 


22.
Contingencies
 
Due to the size, complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for such items when a liability is both probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
 
In November 2010, the Company received a reassessment from the Mexican tax authorities related to its Mexican subsidiary, Minera Cosalá, for the year ended December 31, 2007. The tax authorities disallowed the deduction of transactions with certain suppliers for an amount of approximately $10.0 million (MXP 196.8 million), of which $4.3 million (MXP 84.4 million) would be applied against available tax losses. The Company appealed this reassessment and the Mexican tax authorities subsequently reversed $4.8 million (MXP 94.6 million) of their original reassessment. The remaining $5.2 million (MXP 102.2 million) consists of $4.3 million (MXP 84.4 million) related to transactions with certain suppliers and $0.9 million (MXP 17.8 million) of value added taxes thereon. The Company appealed the remaining reassessment with the Mexican Tax Court in December 2011. The Company may be required to post a bond of approximately $0.9 million (MXP 17.8 million) to secure the value added tax portion of the reassessment. The deductions of $4.3 million (MXP 84.4 million), if denied, would be offset by available tax losses. No amount has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements as the Company believes it is not likely that the reassessment will be upheld by the Tax Court. The Company filed an amparo lawsuit against the resolution and it waits for final resolution by the tax authorities currently under motion for review.
Page 69

 
Corporate Information
 
Board of Directors &
Senior Management
 
Annual General Meeting
Conference Rooms C and D
Ontario Bar Association
20 Toronto Street, Suite 300
Toronto, ON, M5C 2B8
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
10:00 a.m. (Toronto time)

Corporate Office
145 King Street West, Suite 2870
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J8
Email: info@americassilvercorp.com  
www.americassilvercorp.com

Cosalá Operations
Carretera a Cosalá Km 1.1 Colonia Sierra
Mojada Cosalá, Sinaloa 80700

Galena Complex
1041 Lake Gulch Road, P.O. Box 440
Wallace, Idaho USA 83873
Auditors
PwC, LLP

T ransfer Agent
Computershare Investor Services Inc.

Share Listings
Toronto Stock Exchange: USA
NYSE American: USAS

Issued & Outstanding Shares
41,391,449

Investor Relations
Andrea Totino
Email: atotino@americassilvercorp.com  
Tel: 416-848-9503
Board of Directors
Alex Davidson
Chairman of the Board
Compensation & Corporate Governance Committee Sustainability & Technical Committee
Peter Hawley
Sustainability & Technical Committee
Darren Blasutti
President & Chief Executive Officer
Alan R. Edwards
Sustainability & Technical Committee (Chair)
Bradley Kipp
Audit Committee (Chair)
Gordon Pridham
Audit Committee
Compensation & Corporate Governance Committee
Lorie Waisberg
Audit Committee
Compensation & Corporate Governance Committee (Chair)

Manuel Rivera
Director

Senior Management
Darren Blasutti
President & Chief Executive Officer
Warren Varga
Chief Financial Officer
Daren Dell
Chief Operating Officer
Peter McRae
Sr. Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer

Shawn Wilson
Vice President, Technical Services

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 70
 
 
Exhibit 99.2
 
 
 

 
 

 
Exhibit 99.3
 


 

Notice of Meeting and
Management Information Circular
 
For the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Americas Silver Corporation
To be held on May 15, 2018



 
americassilvercorp.com
 
 


Dear fellow shareholders,

It is my pleasure to invite you to Americas Silver Corporation’s Annual Shareholder Meeting to be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday May 15th, 2018 at the Ontario Bar Association, Toronto.

Fiscal 2017 was a busy year for the Company. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of the Company over the past year. We transitioned from our historical Nuestra Señora mine in Mexico and declared commercial production at the new San Rafael mine in December 2017. We invested over $16 million in the San Rafael mine which was 32% below the initial pre-feasibility estimate. As San Rafael comes into full production later in H2, 2018, it is expected to generate significant cash flow for the Company to strengthen the balance sheet and fund our next stage of growth.

Secondly, the exploration program in Mexico released significant drill results around the Zone 120 deposit adjacent to San Rafael. These results highlighted the potential of our vast land position and uncovered the next development project for the Company. Both the Galena Complex and Cosalá Operations were improved to prepare for 2018 and beyond in order to ensure that the strategic objectives of the Company are achieved. We made significant investments of over $26.7 million into our consolidated operations including the acquisition of the San Felipe project in Sonora.

Fiscal 2018 will be transformative for Americas Silver with the San Rafael Mine ramping up to full production. Silver equivalent ounces are expected to increase by approximately 65% over 2017 while silver production will increase through 2020. The mines will generate significant free cash flow with a yield that will be among the highest in the Silver industry. The management team has worked diligently to reduce all-in sustaining costs by 90% since the operations were acquired and to become one of the lowest silver cost producers in 2018 and for the foreseeable future.

As a result of the exciting 2017 drilling success, a $4 million exploration budget was approved and immediately started in early January to increase the silver rich resource and high-priority drill regional targets for 2018 and beyond. The Company will have completed its 12,000-meter program by the shareholder meeting date with those results included in an updated reserve and resource report dated June 30, 2018. San Rafael’s free cash flow will allow us to develop the potential high‐ grade, silver‐copper targets at Zone 120 without equity dilution to our shareholders.

We enter 2018 in a strong position and with expectations for improved profitability as we continue to execute our strategic objectives, increase our shareholder base and improve the balance sheet. We are extremely grateful and proud of our workers, their commitment to safe operations, and the support of their families.

As a shareholder, you have the right to vote your shares on all items that come before the meeting. Your vote is important, and I encourage you to exercise your right in the manner that suits you best. This process is facilitated by enabling you to vote by proxy on the Internet, by phone, by fax or by mail. You can also vote in person at the meeting.

This circular provides details about all the items for consideration at the meeting, such as information about nominated directors and their compensation, the auditors and our corporate governance practices including executive compensation. It also contains information about the core values and philosophies that are ingrained in our corporate culture.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to seeing you at this year’s meeting.
 
Sincerely,

Darren Blasutti,
President and CEO
 

 

 
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION (the “Company”)
TO BE HELD ON
May 15, 2018

Meeting Date, Location and Purpose

Notice is hereby given that the annual and special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of shareholders of the Company will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Conference Rooms C and D at the Ontario Bar Association, 20 Toronto Street, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5C 2B8, for the following purposes:

1.
to receive the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the auditors’ report thereon;

2.
to elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;

3.
to reappoint auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the board of directors of the Company to fix their remuneration;

4.
to consider and if deemed appropriate, approve an ordinary resolution to approve the continuation, amendment and restatement of the Company’s Shareholder Rights Plan as more particularly described in the Management Information Circular (the “ Circular ”) ; and

5.
to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

For detailed information with respect to each of the above matters, please refer to the sub-section bearing the corresponding title under “ Business of the Meeting ” in the attached Circular. Any capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this notice have the definitions as set out in the Circular.

Notice and Access

The Company is using the notice-and-access provisions (“ Notice and Access ”) under the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer for the delivery of its Information Circular to its shareholders for the Meeting.

Under Notice and Access, instead of receiving paper copies of the Information Circular, shareholders will be receiving a Notice and Access notification with information on how they may obtain a copy of the Information Circular electronically or request a paper copy. Registered shareholders will still receive a proxy form enabling them to vote at the Meeting. The use of Notice and Access in connection with the Meeting helps reduce paper use, as well as the Company’s printing and mailing costs. The Company will arrange to mail paper copies of the Information Circular to those registered shareholders who have existing instructions on their account to receive paper copies of the Company’s Meeting Materials.
 
Page  
  1


The Company urges shareholders to review the Circular before voting.

Accessing Meeting Materials online

The Meeting Materials can be viewed online under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com or at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting-documents/ .

Requesting Printed Meeting Materials

Shareholders can request that printed copies of the Meeting Materials be sent to them by postal delivery at no cost to them up to one year from the date the Circular was filed on SEDAR by going to the Company’s website at www.americassilvercorp.com .

Reference to our website is included in this notice as an inactive textual reference only. Except for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this notice, information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this notice and should not be considered to be a part of this notice.

To receive the Meeting Materials in advance of the Proxy Deposit Date and Meeting Date, requests for printed copies must be received no later than May 4, 2018.

Shareholders are entitled to vote at the Meeting either in person or by proxy in accordance with the procedures described in the Circular. Registered shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting are requested to read, complete, sign and mail the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the instructions set out in the proxy accompanying this Notice and in the Circular.

Dated at Toronto, Ontario as of April 5, 2018.

 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
 
 
 
Signed: 
Darren Blasutti
 
 
Darren Blasutti
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Page  
  2
 


 
Management Information Circular Summary
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Circular. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider.
Please read the entire Circular carefully before voting.
Voting Recommendations
Proposal
Board Recommendation
Elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year
FOR
Reappoint auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the board of directors of the Company
FOR
Approval of Continuation, Amendment and Restatement of Shareholder Rights Plan
FOR
 
Record Date
You are entitled to vote at the meeting if you were a holder of common shares at the close on April 5th, 2018.

Vote Deadline
To make sure that your vote is counted, please ensure your vote is received by 10:00 am (Toronto time) on May 11, 2018.

Attending the Annual and Special Meeting
If you plan to attend the Meeting, please follow the instructions starting on page 2 of this Circular.
Meeting Information Date: Tuesday May 15, 2018
 
Time: 10:00 a.m. (EDT)
 
Place: Conference Rooms C and D at the Ontario Bar Association, 20 Toronto Street, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5C 2B8

How You Can Access the Meeting Materials Online
Americas Silver Corporation has decided to deliver the Meeting Materials by posting them online at www.americassilvercorp.com/ investors/shareholder-meeting- documents/
The use of this alternative means of delivery is more environmentally friendly as it will help reduce paper use.
The Meeting Materials will be available on the Company’s website as of April 13, 2018, and will remain on the website for one year thereafter.
 
Governance Highlights
 
 
✓ 
87.5% independent Board
✓ 
Annual Board, Committee and director evaluations
✓ 
Annual election of all directors
✓ 
Orientation package for new directors
✓ 
Independent committees
✓ 
Independent executive compensation consultant used in 2018
✓ 
Majority voting policy
 
 
✓ 
Individual director elections
 
 
✓ 
Separate Chair & CEO
 
 
✓ 
In-camera sessions at Board and committee meetings
 
 
 
 
americassilvercorp.com

 

Director Nominees

 
Name
 
Age
 
Independent
Director
since
2017
Committees
2017 Board
attendance
No. of other
public boards
DARREN BLASUTTI
President and Chief Executive Officer
49
 
2011(1)
 
100%
1
ALEX DAVIDSON
Board Chair and Director
66
R
2011(1)
CCG, S&T
100%
4
ALAN R. EDWARDS
Director
60
R
2011(2)
S&T (Chair)
100%
4
PETER J. HAWLEY
Director
61
R
1998
S&T
100%
2
BRADLEY R. KIPP
Director
54
R
2014
AC (Chair)
100%
N/A
GORDON E. PRIDHAM
Director
63
R
2008(3)
AC, CCG
100%
4
MANUEL RIVERA
Director
46
R
2017
 
66.7%(4)
N/A
LORIE WAISBERG
Director
76
R
2011(1)
AC, CCG (Chair)
100%
3
 
(1) Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since 2012 and RX Gold since 2011
(2) Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since 2012 and U.S. Silver Corp. since 2011
(3) Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since 2012 and U.S. Silver Corp. since 2008
(4) Since Mr. Rivera became a Director in August 2, 2017, he was eligible to attend only the remaining three Board meetings for the 2017 fiscal year
   

Director Nominee Qualifications and Experience

 
 
Americas Silver Corporation’s Board is comprised of talented and dedicated directors with a diverse mix of expertise, experience, skills and backgrounds. The skills and backgrounds collectively represented on the Board reflects the diverse nature of the business environment in which Americas Silver Corporation operates. DARREN BLASUTTI ALEX DAVIDSON ALAN R. EDWARDS PETER J. HAWLEY BRADLEY R. KIPP GORDON E. PRIDHAM MANUEL RIVERA LORIE WAISBERG Total 7 8 7 5 6 4 6 6 7
 
 
americassilvercorp.com
 

 
 
ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
37    
37      

 



 
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
 
DATED APRIL 5, 2018
 
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION

This Management Information Circular (the “ Circular ”) is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of Americas Silver Corporation (“ Americas Silver ” or the “ Company ”) for use at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of holders (“ shareholders ”) of common shares (“ Common Shares ”) to be held on May 15, 2018 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.

References in this Circular to the Meeting include any adjournment or postponement thereof. While it is expected that the solicitation will be made by mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Company may also use the services of a proxy advisory firm. The aggregate fees for any advisory proxy firm would be borne by the Company.

The record date for the Meeting is April 5, 2018 (the “ Record Date ”). The Record Date is the date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. Duly completed and executed proxies must be received by the Company’s transfer agent at the address indicated on the enclosed envelope no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on May 11, 2018, or no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting (the “ Proxy Deposit Date ”).

Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in this Circular is as at the date hereof.

Unless otherwise indicated, in this Circular all references to “dollar” or the use of the symbol “$” are to the United States dollar and all references to “C$” are to the Canadian dollar.

Notice and Access
The use of Notice-and-Access reduces paper waste and mailing costs to the Company. In order for the Company to utilize Notice-and-Access to deliver proxy-related materials by posting the Circular, the Company’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2017 and accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis (collectively the “ Meeting Materials ”) electronically on a website that is not SEDAR, the Company must send a notice to shareholders, including non-registered shareholders, indicating that the Meeting Materials have been posted and explaining how a shareholder can access them or obtain from the Company, a paper copy of the Meeting Materials. The Meeting Materials have been posted in full on the Company’s website at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting-documents/ and under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

The Company has determined that those registered and beneficial shareholders with existing instructions on their account to receive printed materials will receive a printed copy of the Meeting Materials together with the Notice of Meeting and form of proxy or voting instruction form.
 
Page 
  1
 


The Company will deliver copies of the applicable proxy-related materials directly to registered shareholders and non-objecting beneficial owners, through the services of its registrar and transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. The Company intends to pay for the intermediaries to deliver these materials to objecting beneficial owners.

Any shareholder who wishes to receive a paper copy of the Meeting Materials must contact the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 100 University Avenue, 8 th Floor, Toronto, ON M5J 2Y1, Fax: 1-866-249-7775 (Canada and U.S.) or 1-416-263-9524 (International), toll-free: 1-866-964-0492. In order to ensure that a paper copy of the Circular can be delivered to a requesting shareholder in time for such shareholder to review the Circular and return a proxy or voting instruction form prior to the deadline to receive proxies, it is strongly suggested that a shareholder ensure their request is received no later than May 4, 2018.

All shareholders may call the toll-free number Computershare Investor Services Inc.  listed above in  order to obtain additional information regarding Notice-and-Access or to obtain a paper copy of the Meeting Materials, up to and including the date of the Meeting, including any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting.

Voting by Registered Shareholders

Appointment of Proxies
The persons named in the enclosed instrument of proxy are officers and/or directors of the Company. A registered shareholder can appoint another person, who need not be a shareholder, to represent him or her at the meeting by inserting such person’s name in the blank space provided in the enclosed form of proxy or by completing another form of proxy.

A registered shareholder appointing a proxy holder may indicate the manner in which the appointed proxy holder can vote with respect to any specific item by checking the space opposite the item on the proxy. If the shareholder giving the proxy wishes to confer a discretionary authority with respect to any item of business, then the space opposite the item should be left blank. The Common Shares represented by the proxy submitted by a shareholder will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the directions, if any, given in the proxy.

Voting Common Shares by Proxy
Registered shareholders at the close of business on April 5, 2018 may vote their proxies as follows:

Online:
Go to the website indicated on the proxy form and follow the instructions on the screen. If you return your proxy via the internet, you can appoint another person, who need not be a shareholder, to represent you at the Meeting by inserting such person’s name in the blank space provided. Complete your voting instructions and submit your vote.
By Mail:
Complete the form of proxy and return it in the envelope provided. If you return your proxy by mail you can appoint another person, who need not be a shareholder, to represent you at the Meeting by inserting such person’s name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy. Complete your voting instructions and date, sign and return the form.
By Facsimile:
Complete the form of proxy and return it by facsimile to 1-866-249-7775 (Canada and U.S.) or 1-416-263-9524 (International). If you return your proxy by facsimile you can appoint another person, who need not be a shareholder, to represent you at the Meeting by inserting such person’s name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy. Complete your voting instructions and date, sign and return the form.
 
 
Page  
  2
 

Deadline for Receipt of Proxies
All duly completed and executed forms of proxy must be received, via mail, facsimile or internet, by the Proxy Deposit Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chair of the Meeting has the sole discretion to accept proxies received after such deadline but is under no obligation to do so. A registered shareholder attending the Meeting has the right to vote in person and if he does so, his proxy is nullified with respect to the matters such person votes upon and any subsequent matters thereafter to be voted upon at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Revocation of Proxies
A proxy submitted pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked in any manner permitted by law and by written notice, signed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing (or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer or attorney), and deposited with the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., 100 University Avenue, 8 th Floor, Toronto, ON M5J 2Y1, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the date of the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, at which the proxy is to be used.

A proxy submitted pursuant to this solicitation may also be revoked prior to the commencement of voting by attending the Meeting in person and registering with the scrutineers as a registered shareholder personally present. The revocation of a proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken before the revocation.

Exercise of Discretion by Proxies
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote the Common Shares in respect of which they are appointed in accordance with the direction of the shareholders appointing them. In the absence of such direction, the relevant Common Shares will be voted in favour of the passing of all the resolutions described below.

The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons named in the proxy with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. At the time of printing of this Circular, management knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting. However, if amendments or variations to any other matters which are not now known to management should properly come before the Meeting, the proxy will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the named proxies.

Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders
Only registered shareholders of the Company or the persons they appoint as their proxies are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Most shareholders of the Company are “non‐registered” shareholders because the Common Shares they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased the Common Shares. Common Shares held by brokers or their agents or nominees can only be voted (for or against resolutions) upon the instructions of the non- registered shareholder. Without specific instructions, a broker and its agents and nominees are prohibited from voting Common Shares for the broker’s clients. Therefore, non-registered shareholders should ensure that instructions respecting the voting of their Common Shares are communicated to the appropriate person or that the Common Shares are duly registered in their name.

Applicable regulatory policy requires intermediaries/brokers to seek voting instructions from non-registered shareholders in advance of shareholders’ meetings. Every intermediary/broker has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return and voting instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by non-registered shareholders in order to ensure that their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. Common Shares beneficially owned by a non‐registered shareholder are registered either:
 
Page 
  3


i.
in the name of an intermediary (“ Intermediary ”) that the non‐registered shareholder deals with in respect of the Common Shares of the Company (Intermediaries include, amongst others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers, and trustees or administrators of self‐administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or

ii.
in the name of a clearing agency (such as CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. in Canada or The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation in the United States) of which the Intermediary is a participant.
 
In accordance with applicable securities law requirements, the Company will distribute copies of the Notice of Meeting and the form of proxy (which includes a place to request copies of the Company’s annual and/or interim financial statements and MD&A or to waive the receipt of the annual and/or interim financial statements and MD&A) together with the Meeting Materials in the case of certain non-registered shareholders to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for distribution to non‐registered shareholders.

Intermediaries are required to forward the applicable proxy-related materials to non‐registered shareholders unless a non‐registered shareholder has waived the right to receive them. Intermediaries often use service companies to forward the proxy-related materials to non‐registered shareholders. Generally, non‐registered shareholders who have not waived the right to receive proxy-related materials will either:

i.
be given a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary and which, when properly completed and signed by the non‐registered shareholder and returned to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called a “ voting instruction form ”) which the Intermediary must follow. Typically, the voting instruction form will consist of a one page pre‐ printed form; or

ii.
be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the non‐registered shareholder but which is otherwise not completed by the Intermediary. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the non‐registered shareholder when submitting the proxy. In this case, the non‐registered shareholder who wishes to submit a proxy should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the completed proxy is to be delivered.

In either case, the purpose of these procedures is to permit non‐registered shareholders to direct the voting of the Common Shares of the Company that they beneficially own. Since only registered shareholders and their proxies may attend and vote at the Meeting, if a non-registered shareholder attends the Meeting the Company will have no record of the non-registered shareholder’s shareholding or of his, her or its entitlement to vote unless the non-registered shareholder’s nominee has appointed the non-registered shareholder as proxyholder. Therefore, a non‐registered shareholder who receives one of the above forms and wishes to vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on behalf of the non‐registered shareholder) should strike out the names of the persons listed and insert the non‐registered shareholder’s or such other person’s name in the blank space provided. In either case, non‐registered shareholders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the proxy or voting instruction form is to be delivered.
 
Page 
  4


A non-registered shareholder who has submitted a proxy may revoke it by contacting the Intermediary through which the non-registered shareholder’s Common Shares are held and following the instructions of the Intermediary respecting the revocation of proxies.

In all cases it is important that the voting instruction form or form of proxy be received by the Intermediary or its agent sufficiently in advance of the deadline set forth in the notice of meeting to enable the Intermediary or its agent to provide voting instructions on your behalf before the deadline.

Voting Shares and Principal Holders Thereof
On December 21, 2016, in connection with its listing on the NYSE American Stock Exchange, the Company filed articles of amendment to complete an approved share consolidation of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of twelve pre-consolidated Common Shares for one post-consolidated Common Share (the “ Share Consolidation ”). All information in this Circular relating to the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares, options, warrants, deferred share units, restricted share units, and related per share amounts in this Circular have been adjusted retrospectively to reflect the Share Consolidation.

As of the Record Date, the Company had 41,931,449 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Each Common Share carries the right to one vote on all matters to be acted on at the Meeting. Each registered shareholder on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement. All such registered shareholders are entitled to attend and vote in person at the Meeting, the Common Shares held by them or, provided a completed and executed proxy has been delivered to the Company’s transfer agent by the Proxy Deposit Date, to attend and vote by proxy at the Meeting the Common Shares held by them.

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, there are no persons or companies who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, securities carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of the Company.
***
Page 
  5
 

BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
Item 1 – Presentation of Audited Financial Statements
Copies of the Company’s audited financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2017, together with the auditors’ report thereon, have been mailed to registered shareholders who have requested a copy and will be submitted to the Meeting. No vote is required nor will be taken on the financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon and receipt of such financial statements will not constitute approval or disapproval of any matters referred to therein. Copies of the audited financial statements may be obtained by contacting the Company’s registered office at 145 King Street West, Suite 2870, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1J8, at the Company’s website https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting-documents/ or by going to the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com .

Item 2 – Election of Directors
The articles of incorporation of the Company (the “ Articles ”), as amended, currently provide that the board of directors of the Company shall consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine directors. The board of directors (the “ Board ”) presently consists of eight directors, comprised of the following persons: Darren Blasutti, Alex Davidson, Alan Edwards, Peter Hawley, Brad Kipp, Gordon Pridham, Lorie Waisberg and Manuel Rivera.

The Board has fixed the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at eight directors. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until such director’s successor is duly elected, unless the office is earlier vacated in accordance with the general by-law of the Company and the Canada Business Corporations Act .   Unless authority to do so is withheld or in the absence of instruction to the contrary, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote FOR the election of each of the individuals nominated for election as a director and named herein (each, a “ Nominee ”). Management does not contemplate that any of the proposed Nominees will be unable to serve as a director, but if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, the Common Shares represented by properly executed proxies given in favour of such Nominee(s) may be voted by the persons designated by management of the Company in the form of proxy, in their discretion, in favour of another nominee.

The following table contains brief biographies for each of the Nominees, including their principal occupations, business or employment within the past five years, name, province or state and country of residence, age, independence status, board and committee attendance record, other public board memberships, date they first became a director of the Company and number of Common Shares, other securities and stock options beneficially owned by each Nominee.

The statement as to the Common Shares, other securities and stock options beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised by the Nominees as at Record Date in each instance has been provided by the respective Nominee.

The Company is engaged in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, development and operation of precious metals and polymetallic mineral properties, primarily those already producing or with the potential for near-term production. The geographic focus is in the Western Hemisphere, particularly Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Company is a growth-oriented precious metals producer. Currently, the Company is in production at its Cosalá Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico and Galena Complex in the United States. The Company also holds an option to purchase the San Felipe development project in Sonora, Mexico. The Company’s strategic objective is to expand its silver production through the development of its own projects and consolidation of complementary projects. The Company’s current management and Board are comprised of senior mining executives who have extensive experience identifying, developing, financing and operating precious metals deposits globally.
 
Page 
  6


Pursuant to the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “ TSX ”), the Board has adopted a policy for majority voting for individual directors (“ Majority Voting Policy ”). Under the Majority Voting Policy, the form of proxy enables each shareholder to vote for, or withhold their shares from voting on, the election of each Nominee separately. If votes “for” the election of a Nominee are fewer than the votes “withheld”, the Nominee is required to tender his or her resignation promptly after the meeting of shareholders for the consideration of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee (the “ CCG Committee ” or the “ Committee ”). Absent exceptional circumstances that would warrant the continued service of the applicable director on the Board, the Committee is expected to accept and recommend acceptance of the resignation by the Board. The Committee will make a recommendation to the Board after reviewing the matter, and the Board will then decide whether to accept or reject the resignation. Such a determination by the Board shall be made, on the Committee’s recommendation, and announced by press release, within ninety (90) days after the applicable Shareholders’ meeting. Absent exceptional circumstances, the Board is expected to accept the resignation. Following the Board’s decision on the resignation, the Board shall promptly issue a news release publicly disclosing their decision whether to accept the applicable director’s resignation including the reasons for rejecting the resignation, if applicable, a copy of which must be provided to the Toronto Stock Exchange. If a resignation is accepted, subject to any corporate law restrictions, the Board may leave the vacancy unfilled or appoint a new director to fill the vacancy. The director whose resignation is being considered will not participate in any CCG Committee or Board deliberations as to whether to accept or reject the resignation. The Majority Voting Policy does not apply in circumstances involving contested director elections (i.e., where the number of Nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected).
 
Page 
  7

 
DARREN BLASUTTI
Director
Ontario, Canada
Age : 49
Status : Non-Independent
Director since : July 6, 2011
(Director of Americas Silver since December 23, 2014; Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since June 6, 2012 and RX Gold since July 6, 2011)
Mr. Blasutti is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was formerly the President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Silver, and prior to that, the President and Chief Executive Officer of RX Gold & Silver Inc. (“ RX Gold ”), and former Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Barrick Gold Corporation (“ Barrick ”) until January 2011. At Barrick, he reported to the Chief Executive Officer and played a lead role in the strategic development of Barrick for over 13 years, during which time he executed over 25 gold mining transactions including the acquisition of Homestake Mining Company and Placer Dome Inc. and the consolidation of the world class Cortez property from Rio Tinto. Mr. Blasutti also led the creation of Barrick Energy Inc. to hedge Barrick’s exposure to energy prices and was integral to the initial public offering of African Barrick Gold. During his tenure at Barrick, he also led the Investor Relations function. Mr. Blasutti is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants Canada and was previously at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he planned, supervised and managed audits for a variety of clients. Mr. Blasutti is currently a director of Chantrell Ventures Corp.
Common Shares Held
75,714
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
RSUs (cash or share settled)*
32,570
DSUs**
N/A
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise
Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
83,333
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
166,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 13, 2020
3.85
200,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
200,000
 
Board and Committee Membership 2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
8 of 8
Chantrell Ventures Corp.

The following notes are applicable to all Director Biography tables:
* The RSUs represent a deferred payment of a cash incentive bonus and are redeemable for cash payment or Common Shares of the Company (in the Company’s discretion) based on the value of the Common Shares at the time of redemption.
** The DSUs represent a deferred payment of the director’s board fees and are redeemable for cash or Common Shares of the Company (in the Company’s discretion) at the time of resignation from the Board based on the value of the Common Shares at the time of redemption.
*** In accordance with the Company’s Option Plan and Corporate Disclosure and Securities Trading Policy, the expiry of these options has been extended as a result of securities trading blackouts that have been applied to the Company’s Directors and Officers.
 
 
Page 
  8
 

 
ALEX DAVIDSON
Chairman of the Board and Director
Ontario, Canada
Age : 66
Status : Independent
Director since : July 6, 2011
(Chairman of the Board of Directors since May 2016; Director of Americas Silver since December 23, 2014; Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since August 13, 2012 and RX Gold since July 6, 2011)
Mr. Davidson was Barrick’s Executive Vice President, Exploration and Corporate Development with responsibility for international exploration programs and corporate development activities. Mr. Davidson was instrumental in Barrick’s acquisition of Lac Minerals, Sutton Resources, Arequipa Resources, Pangea Goldfields, Homestake Mining and Placer Dome Inc. Mr. Davidson joined Barrick in October 1993 as Vice President, Exploration with responsibility for the company’s expanding exploration program. He initiated Barrick’s expansion out of North America and into Latin America and beyond and retired from Barrick in 2009. Prior to joining Barrick, Mr. Davidson was Vice President, Exploration for Metall Mining Corporation. Mr. Davidson has over 40 years of experience in designing, implementing and managing gold and base metal exploration and acquisition programs throughout the world. In April 2005, Mr. Davidson was presented the 2005 A.O. Dufresne Award by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum to recognize exceptional achievement and distinguished contributions to mining exploration in Canada. In 2003, Mr. Davidson was named the Prospector of the Year by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in recognition for his team’s discovery of the Lagunas Norte project in the Alto Chicama District, Peru. Mr. Davidson received his B.Sc. and his M.Sc. in Economic Geology from McGill University. His extensive experience in the mining industry and his background in precious metal exploration and corporate development allows him to provide valuable industry insight and perspective to the Board and management. Mr. Davidson also has extensive board level experience and has sat on or has chaired a number of health, safety & environment, technical, sustainability, audit, and compensation committees.
Common Shares Held
27,706
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
70,588
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
33,333
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
41,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 20, 2020
3.85
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership
2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board (Chair)
CCG Committee
S&T Committee
8 of 8
6 of 6
2 of 2
NuLegacy Gold Corporation Orca Gold Inc.
Capital Drilling Ltd.
Yamana Gold Inc.
 
 
Page 
  9
 

 
ALAN R. EDWARDS
Director
Arizona, United States
Age : 60
Status : Independent
Director since : June 23, 2011
(Director of Americas Silver since December 23, 2014; Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since August 13, 2012 and U.S. Silver Corp. since June 23, 2011)
Mr. Edwards serves on the board of directors and is President of AE Resources Corp. He also serves on the board of directors for Entrée Resources Ltd., Mason Resources Corp., Rise Gold Corp., and Orvana Minerals Corp. From May 2010 to July 2013 he was a director of AuRico Gold Inc. and from July 2013 to July 2015 he was Chairman of the Board; From October 2011 to January 2017, he was Chairman of the Board of AQM Copper Inc.; From August 2013 to February 2015 he was Chairman of the Board of Oracle Mining Corp., from September 2012 to July 2013, he was Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Mining Corp.; From 2009 to May 2011, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Copper One Inc.; From 2007 to 2009, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Frontera Copper Corporation. Mr. Edwards holds an MBA from the University of Arizona and a B.S. Mining Engineering also from the University of Arizona.
Common Shares Held
20,597
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
42,128
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
33,333
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
41,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 13, 2020
3.85
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership 2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
S&T Committee (Chair)
8 of 8
2 of 2
Entrée Resources Ltd.
Mason Resources Corp.
Rise Gold Corp.
Orvana Minerals Corp.
 
 
Page  
  10
 

 
PETER J. HAWLEY
Director
Quebec, Canada
Age : 61
Status : Independent
Director since: May 12, 1998
(Previously Chairman of the Board of Directors until May 2016)
Mr. Hawley is the founder of the Company and is currently the Chairman of Scorpio Gold Corporation. He is also the Executive Chairman of Defiance Silver Corp. Formerly he was President and CEO of the Company from July 20, 2012 to April 21, 2013 and prior to December 2010. Mr. Hawley has over 35 years’ experience in the exploration and mining industry and has worked as a consulting geologist to a large number of intermediate and senior mining companies including Teck Corp, Noranda Inc., Placer Dome Inc. and Barrick.
Common Shares Held
153,619
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
45,115
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
33,333
May 24, 2013
May 24, 2018
5.70
41,666
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
41,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 13, 2020
3.85
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership
2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
S&T Committee
8 of 8
2 of 2
Scorpio Gold Corporation
Defiance Silver Corp.
 
 
Page  
  11
 

 
BRADLEY R. KIPP
Director
Ontario, Canada
Age : 54
Status : Independent
Director since : June 12, 2014
Mr. Kipp is currently the Executive Vice-President and Director of JSF Group Inc., formerly AR3 Capital Partners Inc., (commodity trading and protein distribution) since August 2015; Vice-President Finance of Summit Resource Management Limited (venture capital) since 1997; and Chief Financial Officer and Director of Blackshire Capital Corp. since February 2017. Previously, Mr. Kipp was a director of Equity Financial Holdings Inc from June 2008 to December 2017, when the company was acquired by a private equity firm and delisted from the TSX. Mr. Kipp remains a Director and Audit Committee Chair of the OSFI regulated subsidiary Equity Financial Trust Inc. Mr. Kipp was Chief Financial Officer and Director of African Copper PLC (mining and exploration) from September 2004 to July 2015. Mr. Kipp has over 20 years’ experience specializing in operations, corporate finance and public company reporting in the mining sector. As part of these activities he has been Chief Financial Officer and/or a Director of several public companies listed on the Toronto and London AIM exchanges. Mr. Kipp is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute.
Common Shares Held
Nil
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
62,256
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
33,333
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
41,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 20, 2020
3.85
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership
2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
Audit Committee (Chair)
8 of 8
4 of 4
N/A
 
 
Page  
  12
 

 
GORDON E. PRIDHAM
Director
Ontario, Canada
Age : 63
Status : Independent
Director since : November 10, 2008
(Director of Americas Silver since December 23, 2014; Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since August 13, 2012 and U.S. Silver Corp. since November 10, 2008)
Mr. Pridham is currently Principal of Edgewater Capital and sits on the public company boards of Newalta Corporation (Chairman), CHC Student Housing Inc. (Chairman), Orvana Minerals Inc. (Chairman). Formerly, he served as Chairman of the Board of U.S. Silver. He is on the advisory board for Enertech Capital a Clean Tech Venture Fund. Recent activities include merger of US Silver with RX Gold as Chairman, sale of Norock Realty to Partners REIT as Chairman of the Special Committee, and sale of Western Prospector to CNNC as Chairman of the Special Committee. Mr. Pridham has over 35 years of experience financing and advising public and private companies in a cross section of industries, particularly in the resource sector. He has worked in New York, Calgary, Toronto and Hong Kong for global financial institutions in Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Capital Markets. Mr. Pridham is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the Institute of Corporate Directors program.
Common Shares Held
30,102
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
37,177
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
33,333
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
41,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 20, 2020
3.85
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership
2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
Audit Committee
CCG Committee
8 of 8
4 of 4
6 of 6
Newalta Corporation (Chairman)
CHC Student Housing Inc. (Chairman)
Orvana Minerals Inc.
Enertech Capital (Advisory Board)
 
 
Page  
  13
 

 
MANUEL RIVERA
Director
Mexico, Mexico
Age : 45
Status : Independent
Director since : August 2, 2017
Mr. Rivera is the President & Founder of LATAMFUV, an investment firm focused in enabling, technology transfer from Israel innovation ecosystem into Latin America; With vast experience in media, digital, corporate transformation and M&A Mr. Rivera for more than a decade was the President & CEO of Grupo Expansión, one of Mexico's most influential media companies that under his leadership was taken from a minor magazine player to one of the largest digital publishers in Mexico and Latin America, successfully sold to a major strategic player in 2017. Mr. Rivera is also the current Co-chair of the Global Future Council for Media and Information of the World
Economic Forum and also Chairman of the board for Make-A-Wish Mexico.
Common Shares Held
NIL
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
2,113
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Aug. 2, 2017
Aug. 2, 2020
3.92
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership
2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
2 of 3 (1)
N/A

(1) Since Mr. Rivera became a Director in August 2, 2017, he was eligible to attend only the remaining three Board meetings for the 2017 fiscal year.
 
 
Page  
  14
 

 
LORIE WAISBERG
Director
Ontario, Canada
Age :76
Status : Independent
Director since : July 6, 2011
(Director of Americas Silver since December 23, 2014; Previously Director of U.S. Silver & Gold since August 13, 2012 and RX Gold since July 6, 2011)
Mr. Waisberg is a corporate director currently serving as Chairman and a director of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund and a director of Chantrell Ventures Corp. and Metalex Ventures Ltd. Prior to retirement, Mr. Waisberg served as Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration of Co-Steel Inc., a steel manufacturer. Prior thereto, Mr. Waisberg practiced law with a major Canadian law firm. Mr. Waisberg is accredited as ICD.D by the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Common Shares Held
618
 
Other Securities Held
Type
Securities Held (#)
DSUs**
40,404
 
Options Held
Date Granted
Expiry Date
Exercise
Price
Total Unexercised Options (#)
Jan. 30, 2015
Jan. 30, 2018***
2.34
25,000
Feb. 23, 2016
Feb. 23, 2019
2.04
41,666
Jan. 13, 2017
Jan. 20, 2020
3.85
60,000
Jan. 2, 2018
Jan. 2, 2021
4.58
80,000
 
Board and Committee Membership
2017
Attendance
Other Public Board Memberships
Board
Audit Committee
CCG Committee (Chair)
8 of 8
4 of 4
6 of 6
Chantrell Ventures Corp.
Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (Chairman)
Metalex Ventures Ltd.
 
 
 
Page  
  15
 

Corporate Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies and Insolvencies

Except as disclosed below, as at the date of this Circular and within the 10 years before the date of this Circular, none of the Nominees:

(a)
is, or has been, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company), that while that person was acting in that capacity:

(i)
was the subject of a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities  legislation that was in effect  for a period  of more than 30 consecutive days (an “ Order ”) while the Nominee was serving as a director or chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the relevant company;

(ii)
was the subject of an Order that was issued after the Nominee ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and that resulted from an event that occurred while the Nominee was acting as a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the company;

(iii)
became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets while the Nominee was serving as a director or executive officer of the relevant company or within a year of the Nominee ceasing to act in that capacity; or

(b)
has become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the Nominee.

Mr. Edwards, a director of the Company, was Chairman of the Board of Oracle Mining Corp. (“ Oracle ”) until his resignation effective February 15, 2015. On December 23, 2015, Oracle announced that the Superior Court of Arizona had granted the application of Oracle’s lender to appoint a receiver and manager over the assets, undertaking and property of Oracle Ridge Mining LLC.

Gordon Pridham was the Chairman on the Board of CHC Student Housing Inc. (“ CHC ”) when CHC was subject to a management cease trade order that was in effect for more than 30 consecutive days. On May 5, 2017, the Ontario Securities Commission (“ OSC ”) issued a management cease trade order against the securities of CHC until CHC prepared and filed its annual audited financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and related certifications for the period ended December 31, 2016. On July 4, 2017, the OSC revoked the management cease trade order after CHC filed all required records.

Penalties and Sanctions

To the Company’s knowledge, none of the Nominees has been subject to: (i) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or (ii) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
 
 
Page 
  16
 


Additional Information regarding the Board

For additional information regarding the Company’s Board, including compensation, corporate governance practices, independence and directorships of other public company boards, see “ Statement of Executive & Director Compensation – Director Compensation ” and “ Statement of Corporate Governance Practices ”.

Item 3 – Appointment of Auditor
Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if thought fit, to pass an ordinary resolution to re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC, Chartered Accountants, Toronto, Ontario (“ PwC ”) as auditor of the Company to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of the Company or until the auditor is removed from office or resigns. It is also proposed that shareholders authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor. PwC has been the Company’s auditor since August 17, 2015.

Unless authority to do so is withheld or in the absence of instruction to the contrary, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the re-appointment of PwC as auditor of the Company until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration.

Item 4 – Approval of Continuation, Amendment and Restatement of Shareholder Rights Plan
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider, and if thought advisable, to approve, with or without amendment, a resolution (the “ Rights Plan Resolution ”) approving the continuation, amendment and restatement of the shareholder rights plan of the Company. The text of the Rights Plan Resolution is attached as Schedule “A” hereto.

Background

The Company and Computershare Investor Services Inc. (the “ Rights Agent ”) entered into an agreement dated as of April 14, 2015 (the “ Rights Plan Agreement ”) to implement the Shareholder Rights Plan (the “ Rights   Plan ”). The Rights Plan was confirmed by the shareholders of the Company at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on April 14, 2015. The Board has approved an amended and restated shareholder rights plan (the “ Amended Rights Plan ”) that is to be governed by an agreement to be dated the date of the Meeting (the “ Amended Rights Plan Agreement ”), if the Rights Plan Resolution is approved at the Meeting.

Similar to the existing Rights Plan, the Amended Rights Plan is intended to ensure, to the extent possible, that shareholders and the Board have adequate time to consider and evaluate any unsolicited take-over bid and provide the Board with adequate time to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including competing transactions that might emerge. The Amended Rights Plan discourages the making of certain take-over bids (e.g., that may be structured in such a way as to be coercive or discriminatory in effect) by creating the potential of significant dilution to any offeror who becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares. This potential is created through the issuance to all shareholders of contingent rights to acquire additional Common Shares at a significant discount to the then-prevailing market prices, which could, in certain circumstances, become exercisable by all shareholders other than the offeror and its joint actors. An offeror can avoid that potential by making a “Permitted Bid” (as defined in the Amended Rights Plan Agreement), negotiating with the Board to have the rights plan waived, or by applying to a securities commission to “cease trade” the rights issued under the rights plan if the Company cannot develop an auction. Any of these approaches will give the Board more control over such sale process and increase the likelihood of a better offer to the Company’s shareholders.
 
 
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Objectives of the Amended Rights Plan

Approval of the Amended Rights Plan is not being proposed in response to or in anticipation of any pending or threatened take-over bid, nor to deter take-over bids generally. As of the date of this Circular, the Board is not aware of any third party considering or preparing any proposal to acquire control of the Company. The primary objectives of the Amended Rights Plan are to ensure, in the context of a bid for control of the Company through an acquisition of the Common Shares, that shareholders have an equal opportunity to participate in a bid and lessen the pressure to tender typically encountered by a shareholder of an issuer that is subject to a bid and to ensure the Board is able to explore and develop alternatives for maximizing shareholder value, including implementation of the Company’s long-term strategic plans, as those may be modified by the Company from time to time.

The Amended Rights Plan in no way prohibits a change of control of the Company in a transaction that is fair and in the best interests of the Company. The rights of shareholders to seek a change in the management of the Company or to influence or promote action of management in a particular manner will not be affected by the Amended Rights Plan. The approval of the Amended Rights Plan does not affect the duty of a director to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company.

In approving the Amended Rights Plan, the Board considered that while existing securities legislation has addressed many concerns of unequal treatment, there remains the possibility that control or effective control of an issuer may be acquired pursuant to a private agreement in which a small group of security-holders dispose of their securities at a premium to market price which premium is not shared with other security-holders. For example, a bidder could acquire blocks of shares by private agreement from one or a small group of shareholders at a premium to market price which is not shared with the other shareholders. In addition, a person may slowly accumulate securities through stock exchange acquisitions which may result, over time, in an acquisition of control or effective control without payment of fair value for control or a fair sharing of a control premium among all security-holders. These are generally known as “creeping bids” or “exempt bids”. The Amended Rights Plan addresses these concerns by applying to all acquisitions of greater than 20% of the Common Shares, including those acquisitions that are not subject to the formal take-over bid rules under Canadian securities laws, to better ensure that shareholders receive equal treatment.

Summary of the Amended Rights Plan and Copy of the Amended Rights Plan Agreement

A summary of the key features of the Amended Rights Plan is attached as Schedule “B” hereto. All capitalized terms used in this section of the Circular and Schedule “B” have the meanings set forth in the Amended Rights Plan Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The complete text of the Amended Rights Plan Agreement is available on the Company’s website at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting- documents/. The complete text of the Rights Plan Agreement is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Both the Rights Plan Agreement and the Amended Rights Plan Agreement are also available to any shareholder upon request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company. Shareholders wishing to receive a copy of the Rights Plan Agreement or the Amended Rights Plan Agreement should contact the Company by telephone at 416-848- 9503 or by facsimile at 1-866-401-3069, in both cases to the attention of the Corporate Secretary of the Company. The description of the Rights Plan, the Rights Plan Agreement, the Amended Rights Plan and the Amended Rights Plan Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Rights Plan Agreement and the Amended Rights Plan Agreement, as applicable.
 
 
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General Impact of the Amended Rights Plan

It is not the intention of the Board, in approving the Amended Rights Plan, to secure the continuance of existing directors or management in office or otherwise entrench themselves, nor to avoid a bid for control of the Company in a transaction that is fair and in the best interests of the Company. For example, through the Permitted Bid mechanism, described in more detail in the summary contained in Schedule “B” hereto, shareholders may tender to a bid that meets the Permitted Bid criteria without triggering the Amended Rights Plan, regardless of the acceptability of the bid to the Board. Furthermore, even in the context of a bid that does not meet the Permitted Bid criteria, the Board will continue to be bound to consider fully and fairly any bid for the Common Shares in any exercise of its discretion to waive application of the Amended Rights Plan or redeem the Rights. In all such circumstances, the Board must act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company. One of the purposes of the Amended Rights Plan is to prevent, to the extent possible, a creeping takeover bid of the Company to ensure that (i) every shareholder will have an equal opportunity to participate in such a bid, and (ii) all shareholders are treated fairly in connection with such a bid. The Amended Rights Plan seeks to discourage coercive or unfair creeping takeover bids by creating significant potential dilution of any Common Shares which may be acquired or held by a takeover acquirer if such Common Shares are not acquired in a manner permitted by the Amended Rights Plan.

The Amended Rights Plan does not preclude any shareholder from utilizing the proxy mechanism under the CBCA and securities laws to promote a change in the management or direction of the Company, or its Board, and has no effect on the rights of holders of outstanding Common Shares to requisition a meeting of shareholders in accordance with the provisions of applicable corporate and securities legislation, or to enter into agreements with respect to voting their Common Shares. The definitions of “Acquiring Person” and “Beneficial Ownership” have been developed to minimize concerns that the Amended Rights Plan may be inadvertently triggered or triggered as a result of an overly-broad aggregation of holdings of institutional shareholders and their clients.

The Amended Rights Plan will not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Company. The continuation of the Rights Plan does not in any way alter the financial condition of the Company, impede its business plans or alter its financial statements.

The Board believes that the dominant effect of the Amended Rights Plan will be to maximize the Company’s opportunity to enhance shareholder value, and ensure equal treatment of all shareholders in the context of a take-over bid for the Common Shares.

Differences between the Rights Plan and the Amended Rights Plan
On February 25, 2016, the Canadian Securities Administrators announced amendments (the “ CSA   Amendments ”) effective May 9, 2016, to the minimum period a take-over bid must remain open for deposits of securities thereunder. The CSA Amendments extended the minimum period from 35 days to 105 days, with the ability of the target issuer to voluntarily reduce the period to not less than 35 days. Additionally, the minimum period may be reduced due to the existence of certain competing take-over bids or alternative change in control transactions. As a result, the key proposed substantive amendments to the Rights Plan are to extend the period of time a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid must remain open. To ensure the Permitted Bid and Competing Permitted Bid definitions in the Rights Plan remain aligned with the minimum period a take-over bid must remain open under applicable Canadian securities laws, the Amended Rights Plan contains the following amendments to the Rights Plan:

·
The definition of “Permitted Bid” in the Rights Plan has been amended to require that a Take-over Bid (as defined in the Amended Rights Plan), to be considered a Permitted Bid for purposes of the Amended Rights Plan, must contain, and be subject to, an irrevocable and unqualified condition that no Common Shares will be taken up or paid for pursuant to the Take-over Bid prior to the close of business on the date that is no earlier than the earlier of (i) the date 105 days following the date of the Take-over Bid and (ii) the last day of the initial deposit period that the Offeror must allow securities to be deposited under the Take-over Bid pursuant to National Instrument 62-104.
 
 
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·
The definition of “Competing Permitted Bid” in the Rights Plan has been amended to require that a Take-over Bid, to be considered a Competing Permitted Bid for the purposes of the Amended Rights Plan, must contain, and the take-up and payment for securities tendered or deposited is subject to, an irrevocable and unqualified condition that no Common Shares will be taken up or paid for pursuant to the Take-over Bid prior to the close of business on the date that is the last day of the initial deposit period that the Offeror must allow securities to be deposited under the Take-over Bid pursuant to National Instrument 62-104.

The Amended Rights Plan contains revised definitions of: (i) “Acting Jointly or in Concert” in order to remove references to the voting of securities, which references some commentators view as possibly having a chilling effect on shareholder initiatives relating to the voting of shares on corporate governance matters, and therefore, in the view of such commentators, making the Rights Plan overly broad in application; and (ii) “Control” in order to remove a reference to equity interests, which reference some commentators view as possibly including entities that neither control nor are controlled by an offeror making a takeover bid, and therefore, in the view of such commentators, making the Rights Plan overly broad in application.

The Amended Rights Plan also contains revised definitions and provisions to ensure the Amended Rights Plan contains “new generation” features and is consistent with "new generation" shareholder rights plans recommended by proxy advisory firms. The following summary describes only certain key revisions and highlights certain key features proposed to be adopted in that regard.

·
“Partial Bids” to be allowed as “Permitted Bids” - Under the Shareholder Rights Plan, a take-over bid made for less than all of the Common Shares held by all shareholders other than the bidder (known as a “partial bid”) would not constitute a “Permitted Bid” and could trigger the Shareholder Rights Plan. This restriction on partial bids stemmed from the concern that a partial bid could be coercive to minority shareholders, unduly pressuring them to tender their shares into an inadequate partial bid in order to avoid remaining shareholders in a company that may be less valuable and less liquid post bid. As a result of the CSA amendments which will require first that all non-exempt take-over bids meet a minimum tender requirement of more than 50% of the outstanding securities held by persons other than the bidder, and second that where the minimum tender condition is satisfied the take-over bid must be extended for at least ten days, the coercive pressure on minority shareholders to tender into partial bids is significantly lessened and partial bids will effectively require majority independent shareholder support in order to succeed. As a consequence of this lessening of coercive pressure, the Amended Rights Plan does not require that a take-over bid be made for all of the Common Shares held by all shareholders other than the bidder in order to constitute a “Permitted Bid”.

·
The definitions of “Acquiring Person” and “Beneficial Ownership” in the Amended Rights Plan have been updated to minimize concerns that the Amended  Rights Plan may be inadvertently triggered  or triggered as a result of an overly-broad aggregation of holdings of institutional shareholders and their clients.
 
 
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·
The definitions of “Independent Shareholder” and “Beneficial Ownership” in the Amended Rights Plan has been updated to include a clear exemption for money managers, pension funds, mutual funds, trustees, and custodians who is not making and has not announced a current intention to make a take- over bid.

·
To include the standard exemption for a “permitted lock-up agreement”, including under the definition of “Beneficially Own”.

·
The definition of certain terms, including “Exempt Acquisition” and “Pro Rata Acquisition” have been revised to incorporate standard caps or limits on acquisitions by a Person in a manner that inadvertently permit acquisitions that should otherwise trigger the Amended Rights Plan.

·
The definitions of certain terms, including, “Beneficial Owner” and “Acting Jointly or in Concert”, have been revised to remove certain discretionary language that may be viewed as being open for interpretation by the Board or permitting the Board discretion to determine certain matters based on an interpretation rather than fact.

·
The Amended Rights Plan has been updated, where appropriate, to remove references to similar definitions in regulation

Certain provisions of the Amended Rights Plan have been amended to remove language that may be viewed as providing the Board with discretion to amend material provisions without shareholder approval or to exchange or redeem the rights or waive the Amended Right Plan’s application without shareholder approval.
Further, certain provisions of the Rights Plan have been revised in the Amended Rights Plan to reflect that the continuation of the Amended Rights Plan will be subject to review by holders of Common Shares at or prior to the annual meeting of such shareholders to be held in the 2021 calendar year.
Apart from the above-mentioned amendments and certain other non-substantive amendments of a “housekeeping” nature to permit greater clarity and consistency, the Amended Rights Plan is identical to the Rights Plan in all material respects.

Vote Required

The Company expects that the Amended Rights Plan will be conditionally approved by the TSX, subject to shareholder approval. The TSX and the terms of the Rights Plan Agreement require that the continuation of the Rights Plan, and amendment and restatement of the Rights Plan Agreement, must be approved by (i) a simple majority of the votes cast in favour of the Rights Plan Resolution by all shareholders, whether in person or by proxy, at the Meeting; and (ii) a simple majority of the votes cast in favour of the Rights Plan Resolution by the Independent Shareholders (as defined in the Rights Plan), whether in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. If the Rights Plan Resolution is passed at the Meeting, the Company and the Rights Agent will execute the Amended Rights Plan Agreement as of the date the resolution is passed and the Amended Rights Plan will come into effect. If the Rights Plan Resolution is not passed, the Rights Plan will become void and of no further force and effect, the Amended Rights Plan Agreement will not be executed and the Amended Rights Plan will not become effective and the Company will no longer have any form of shareholder rights plan.
 
 
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Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Company has reviewed the Amended Rights Plan for conformity with current practices of Canadian issuers with respect to shareholder rights plan design. Based on its review, the Board has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company that the Company have in place a shareholder rights plan in the form of the Amended Rights Plan. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the continuation of the Rights Plan as the Amended Rights Plan, and amendment and restatement of the Rights Plan Agreement as the Amended Rights Plan Agreement. On April 2, 2018, the Board resolved to authorize, subject to regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders at the Meeting, the entering into of the Amended Rights Plan Agreement. The Company has been advised that the directors and senior officers of the Company intend to vote all Common Shares held by them FOR the Rights Plan Resolution. In the absence of a contrary instruction, the persons designated by Management in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the Rights Plan Resolution.

***
 
 
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STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE & DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
In accordance with National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“ NI 51-102 ”), the Company is required to disclose all direct and indirect compensation provided to certain executive officers and directors for, or in connection with, services they  provided  to  the  Company  in  the  previous  financial  year. Accordingly, set out below under the heading “ Compensation Discussion and Analysis ” are details of the executive compensation amounts provided to certain current and former executive officers and directors of the Company for services they have provided to the Company during the most recently completed financial year. Included in the disclosure set out below is a discussion and analysis of the significant elements of the compensation awarded to, earned by, paid to, or payable to certain current and former executive officers and directors of the Company. The objective of this disclosure is to provide insight into executive compensation decisions made by the Company during the most recently completed financial year.

In this section, the individuals in the “Summary Compensation Table” are referred to as the “named executive officers” or “ NEOs ”.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Ov e rview of Executive Compensation Program
The Company’s overall strategic objective is to expand its production through the development of its own projects and consolidation of complementary projects. As part of its business strategy the Company is focused on:
(i)
executing operational targets (including safety, costs, production, and environmental);
(ii)
maintaining a strong financial position;
(iii)
enhancing value through project development and continuous improvement of its existing operations; and
(iv)
disciplined growth through additional, value‐enhancing, merger and acquisition opportunities.

The goal of the Company’s compensation program is to support the above strategic objectives by attracting, retaining and inspiring performance by members of senior management to further the future success and growth of the Company through competitive compensation, paying for performance, aligning compensation with the shareholders’ interests, and providing the flexibility necessary to accommodate the needs of the Company in changing business and market conditions.

In particular, the Company’s compensation program aims to support growth by rewarding:
(i)
individual skill and experience of executives;
(ii)
corporate and individual performance objectives; and
(iii)
long‐term appreciation of the Company’s share price.

Compensation Review Process
The Compensation & Corporate Governance Committee (“ CCG Committee ”) assists the Board in overseeing certain compensation and succession planning matters as well as fulfilling the corporate governance and director nominating responsibilities of the Company. The CCG Committee is composed of: Lorie Waisberg (Chair), Gordon Pridham, and Alex Davidson, each of whom is “independent” within the meaning of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“ NI 52-110 ”). Each of the members of the CCG Committee has direct experience in the management and administration of compensation matters in their role as an executive officer or a board member. This experience has involved the planning and development of such programs and an analysis of competitive trends in compensation and pay for performance practices. Collectively, the attributes and experiences of the members ensure that the CCG Committee will function effectively in reviewing, assessing and recommending to the Board appropriate compensation and corporate governance policies and practices for the Company.
 
 
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The CCG Committee has the responsibility of maintaining awareness of competitive compensation practices and of reviewing and reporting to the Board, on at least an annual basis, recommendations on compensation packages for the executive officers and directors of the Company. The CCG Committee generally assumes responsibility for assisting the Board in respect of compensation policies for the Company, and in conjunction with the CEO, assessing the performance of the officers of the Company in fulfilling their responsibilities and meeting business objectives. The CCG Committee, following input from the Board, also annually assesses the performance of the CEO.

CCG Committee business includes a review of the attainment of performance targets established for the payout, if any, of the annual cash bonus awards for the current year as well as the proposed bonus targets for the next following year including selection of the performance criteria, establishment of the performance targets, the participants in the executive incentive bonus programs, the percentage of a participants salary subject to an award and the establishment of individual and corporate objectives. The end-of-year meeting of the CCG Committee may also include a review and recommendation to the Board of proposed changes to base salary as well as the proposed grant of long term incentive awards comprised of time based share unit awards (“ restricted share units ” or “ RSU s”) or stock options to acquire the Company’s Common Shares (“ Options ”) to eligible participants.

In conducting its review, the CCG Committee has regard to current compensation levels and practices including published industry surveys, independent reports and other publicly available data. The CCG Committee has also retained the services of an independent compensation consultant in connection with its review in 2018 to assist in fulfilling its responsibilities, with a view to ensuring that the compensation arrangements are supportive of the Company meeting its business objectives. The compensation arrangements are then reviewed by the CCG Committee having regard to the above mentioned practices and data as well as internal data and recommendations provided by the CEO. The CCG review of proposed compensation matters by the CCG Committee and the approval thereof by the Board (both of which are comprised of a majority of independent directors) provides the independent directors with significant input into such compensation decisions. See “ Board Committees - Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee ” for further details on the responsibilities of the CCG Committee.
 
 
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Elements of Executive Compensation
The Company’s executive compensation program consisted of the following elements: (i) base salary; (ii) annual performance-based incentives; (iii) long-term compensation consisting of equity stock options and restricted share units; and (iv) medical and other benefits.

COMPENSATION ELEMENT
SUMMARY AND PURPOSE OF COMPENSATION ELEMENT
Base Salary
Base salaries form a central element of the Company’s compensation mix and are used as a measure to compare to, and remain competitive with, compensation offered by competitors and as the base to determine other elements of compensation and benefits. Base salaries are generally fixed and therefore not subject to uncertainty.
Annual Performance-Based Incentive
While base salaries are fixed, annual bonuses are tied to performance and are a variable component of compensation designed to reward NEOs for maximizing operating and financial performance of the Company. Annual bonuses are paid at the discretion of the Board and are determined based on a number of factors, including financial and operational performance. These bonuses are intended to capture quantitative and qualitative assessments of performance.
Longer Term Incentives
- Stock Options and Restricted Share Units
The granting of stock options is a variable component of compensation intended to reward the Company’s executive officers and Directors for success in achieving sustained, long-term profitability and increases in stock value, and aligning interests with shareholders. Restricted share units are time based and may be granted to NEOs and other Company personnel. Share unit awards similarly align interests with shareholders and support long term Company objectives.
Other Compensation
The Company’s benefit plans provide financial coverage in the event of illness, disability or death. The Company’s executive employee benefit program includes life, medical, dental and disability insurance. At the Company’s operations, the Company has also paid other benefits to its senior staff including car and housing allowances.
Below is a description of why the Company currently chooses to pay each element of compensation and how the amount to be paid for each element is determined.

Base Salary

To ensure the Company will continue to attract and retain qualified and experienced executives, base salaries are reviewed and, if appropriate, adjusted annually in order to ensure they remain competitive for comparable companies and realities in the market. The CCG Committee reviews the recommendations of the CEO and recommends to the Board base salaries for executive officers taking into consideration the individual’s performance, contributions to the success of the Company, and internal equities among positions. No specific weightings are assigned to each of the above factors; instead a subjective determination is made based on a general assessment of the individual relative to such factors.
 
 
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Annual Performance Based Incentive

An important aspect of the compensation strategy is to encourage and recognize strong levels of performance by linking achievement of more specific short-term (i.e. yearly) goals such as the execution and implementation of the Company’s stated objectives and plans with variable compensation in the form of an annual bonus or short term incentive awards. The bonus can be expressed as a percentage of annual base salary with a maximum amount stipulated and is awarded at the discretion of the Board as recommended by the CCG Committee with input from the CEO. Target bonus awards currently range from 30% to 100% of the base salary of the executive team. The incentive bonus plan for the Company leadership team consists of a split of corporate and individual objectives comprising 60% and 40% of the bonus opportunity respectively.

Any bonuses awarded in early 2018 for 2017 performance were determined by considering a number of factors, including the following corporate performance factors (results in italics ):
(i)
commence commercial production on the San Rafael mine by the end of Q3, 2017 and within budget of US$18 million – (3 months behind schedule but under budget at below US$17 million) ;
 
(ii)
total shareholder return – as measured against nine other comparable companies, excluding the impact of certain corporate events, with bonus opportunity measured on a sliding scale from 0-200% depending on the Company’s relative position at the end of 2017 – (2 nd performer) ; 1
 
(iii)
achieving guidance for silver production and “all-in” cost guidance – (achieved silver production guidance but not all-in sustaining cost guidance) ; 2

(iv)
identify and acquire next phase of growth – (identified Zone 120 addition, increase in life of mine at San Rafael and significant increase in San Felipe resource) ; and
 
(v)
an overall 10% reduction in the company safety incidents as measured by reportable Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate – (achieved but consistency of application requires improvement) .
A summary of bonus opportunity and the assessment for 2017 with respect to the Company’s corporate objectives is set forth below.

OBJECTIVES
CORPORATE
TOTAL
Commence San
Rafael
commercial
production
within budget
Total
Shareholder
Return
Production/
Costs Guidance
Identify and
acquire next
phase of growth
 Safety/
Compliance Metric
Bonus Opportunity
20%
15%
10%
10%
5%
60%
Assessment
10%
27%
5%
10%
3%
55%



1 The comparable companies used for 2017 were as follows: Almaden Minerals, Ltd., Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd., Endeavour Silver Corp., Excellon Resources Inc., Great Panther Silver Ltd., Kootenay Silver Inc., Santa Cruz Silver Mining Ltd., Sierra Metals Inc., Trevali Mining Corporation. These companies were chosen based on their similarities to the Company including size, stage of development, production, and location of operations.
2 The Company’s guidance for 2017 was production of 2.0-2.5 million silver ounces at all-in sustaining costs of less than or equal to $10.0 per ounce. Cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition. For further information and detailed reconciliations, please refer to the Company’s 2017 year-end and quarterly MD&A.
 
 
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Individual objectives (40% of bonus opportunity) are intended to support the operational and strategic goals of the Company and may be subject to subjective determination as to their achievement by the CCG Committee and Board. Performance relative to these objectives is also expected to be qualitatively assessed in the context of circumstances and challenges arising throughout the year.

Actual bonus amounts were determined in reference to the ranges in the employment contracts of the NEOs. A summary of the target award percentages and the actual bonuses paid for 2017 for each NEO is set forth below. Note that, as a cash conserving measure, NEOs elected to receive 25% of awarded cash bonuses in the form of RSUs (which may be settled in either Common Shares or cash). The number of RSUs granted equaled the dollar amount of the bonus payable by way of RSUs divided by the average closing price of the Common Shares for the five-trading days immediately preceding the date of grant and grossed up by a factor of 1.25 to reflect the added risk of deferral exposure to the stock price. The award agreements for deferred payment provide that the RSUs granted thereunder vest immediately but may be redeemed only on a future date but otherwise immediately in the event of a change in control of the Company or the termination or death of the executive officer. In the event of termination, vested, cash-settled RSUs may not be redeemed until the first and second anniversary dates of grant unless otherwise agreed by the CCG Committee. The CCG Committee retains discretion to at any time permit the acceleration of vesting or redemption dates (and resulting cash payment or exchange) as may be authorized by the Board.

TITLE
 
INDIVIDUAL
ASSESSED (1)
   
CORPORATE ACHIEVEMENTS (2)
   
TOTAL
ASSESSED (3)
   
CASH PAY-
OUT (4)
   
DEFERRED
AMOUNT (4)
   
RSUs
GRANTED (5)
 
Total Corporate
                                   
CEO
   
31
%
   
55
%
   
86
%
 
$
161,434
   
$
67,260
     
18,618
 
COO
   
28
%
   
55
%
   
83
%
 
$
81,971
   
$
34,155
     
9,454
 
CFO
   
30
%
   
55
%
   
85
%
 
$
68,728
   
$
28,637
     
7,928
 
SVP/CLO
   
29
%
   
55
%
   
84
%
 
$
63,674
   
$
26,531
     
7,344
 
VP Technical
Services
   
29.5
%
   
55
%
   
84.5
%
 
$
34,162
   
$
14,234
     
3,940
 
 
(1)
Percentage assessed, of maximum 40% individual bonus opportunity.
(2)
Percentage assessed, as disclosed above, of maximum 60% of bonus opportunity.
(3)
Represents percentage of achievement of overall bonus opportunity, corporate (60%) and individual (40%).
(4)
All amounts in U.S. dollars. Amounts that were paid in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of 1.30 for 2017. Cash pay-out paid out in 2018.
(5)
Represents payment of deferred annual incentive bonus for 2017 issued as RSUs. The number of RSUs granted equaled the dollar amount of the bonus payable by way of RSUs multiplied by 1.25 divided by the average closing price of the Common Shares for the five-trading day immediately preceding the date of grant.

Longer Term Incentives – Option Based Awards and Restricted Share Units

The long-term equity portion of executive compensation is designed to align the interests of executive officers with those of shareholders by encouraging equity ownership through awards of Options to purchase the Company’s Common Shares, to motivate executives and other key employees to contribute to an increase in corporate performance and shareholder value, and to encourage the retention of executive officers and other key employees by vesting Options over a period of time and in particular during difficult economic periods when salaries and bonuses are restricted by necessity.

The Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the “ Stock Option Plan ”) dated effective January 30, 2015, was approved by shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 17, 2016. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Stock Option Plan or any portion thereof only in accordance with applicable legislation, and subject to any required stock exchange or shareholder approval. Certain amendments, including those of a clerical or “housekeeping” nature or to reflect changes in applicable law, may be made without further approval by shareholders. No amendment, suspension or termination can impair any outstanding Options without consent of the applicable participant. Options are only assignable upon the Participant’s death. The Company’s Stock Option Plan is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and has been posted onto the Company’s website at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting- documents/.
 
 
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The timing of the grant, and number of Common Shares made subject to option with respect to Options proposed to be granted by the Company to its executive officers is recommended by the CEO, reviewed and recommended (or revised, if thought appropriate) by the CCG Committee, and approved by a resolution of the Board. Consideration in determining option grants is given to, amongst other things, the total number of Options outstanding, current and future expected contribution to the advancement of corporate objectives by such individual, the position of the individual, tenure, and the status of previous option grants to such individuals. No specific weightings are assigned to each factor; instead a subjective determination is made based on an assessment of the individual relative to such factors. Grants of Options also comprise a portion of the compensation package offered to attract and retain new directors and executive officers to the Company. The periodic consideration of such awards typically takes place annually early in the fiscal year. Options granted by the Board are priced at the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the last trading day prior to the date of grant.

Details of the Options granted in 2017 are as follows:
January 13, 2017 – 360,000 Options granted to independent directors (60,000/director) and 630,000 Options granted among officers and certain employees with an exercise price of $3.85; and

February 1, 2017 – 8,500 Options granted to a consultant with an exercise price of $4.42, approved by the Board for investor relations; and

August 2, 2017 – 60,000 Options granted to incoming independent director with an exercise price of $3.92.

The Options vest over a two-year period (1/3 upon grant, 1/3 on the first anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant date) and expiring in three years. All such Options vest immediately upon a change of control of the Company or upon an applicable director ceasing to be on the Board in connection with a transaction involving the Company.

The Board adopted a restricted share unit plan (the “ RSU Plan ”) dated effective January 30, 2015 for cash only redemption of grants. The Board has amended the RSU Plan effective February 23, 2016 to allow for either cash redemption or security based redemption of the Company’s option, and the RSU Plan was approved by shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 17, 2016. The above discussion on rationale and the granting process with respect to Options is generally applicable to RSUs. Currently the Company has granted RSUs in two situations: (i) as a retention measure to employees, particularly at the projects of the Company and its affiliates who may not participate in the Company’s stock option plan, with such grants typically vesting on the third anniversary of the date granted and settled in cash; and (ii) as a cash conservation measure, in lieu of annual incentive cash bonuses awarded to executive officers or corporate staff of the Company, with such grants vesting immediately but not fully redeemable until the first or second anniversary of the date of grant. The Board may amend the RSU Plan at its sole discretion subject to applicable legislation and subject to any required stock exchange or shareholder approval. Certain amendments, including those relating vesting, or of a clerical or “housekeeping” nature or to reflect changes in applicable law, may be made without further approval by shareholders. The Board must seek the approval of the Company’s shareholders certain matters, including: (i), an increase to the plan maximum; (ii), an amendment to the amendment provisions; (iii), extension to termination or expiry of an award; (iv), alteration of insider participation limits; (v), an amendment that would result in the modification of the eligibility requirements of the RSU Plan; and (vi), any amendment that permits the assignment or transfer of a RSU other than for estate planning. No amendment, suspension or termination can impair any outstanding RSUs without consent of the applicable participant. RSUs are only assignable upon the Participant’s death
 
 
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When vested, each RSU entitles the RSU Participant to receive, subject to adjustments as provided for in the RSU Plan, one Common Share or payment in cash for the equivalent thereof based on the weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the five trading days immediately preceding the redemption date. The terms and conditions of vesting (if applicable) of each grant are determined by the CCG Committee at the time of the grant.

The deferred share unit plan (“ DSU Plan ”) dated effective July 1, 2015, was approved by shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 17, 2016. The purpose of the DSU Plan is to promote a greater alignment of the interests between the participants and the shareholders of the Company. Similar to the RSU Plan, the Board has the sole discretion to amend the DSU Plan barring certain limitations, similar to those prescribed in the RSU Plan, which require shareholder approval. The benefits of the DSU Plan are only assignable upon the Participant’s death.

The Company may grant a maximum number of securities convertible into common shares equal to 10% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares. These securities can be issued in the form of Options, RSUs, DSUs, or any combination thereof. As of the date hereof, the Company may grant a maximum number of securities up to 4,193,145 Common Shares, representing 10% of Common Shares outstanding. As of the date hereof, the Company has awarded outstanding securities of 3,677,931 options, 299,780 RSUs, and 128,742 DSUs representing approximately 8.77%, 0.71%, and 0.21% of the Common Shares outstanding respectively. The Company currently has a further 128,742 remaining securities available for grant representing approximately 0.31% of the Common Shares outstanding.

The following table sets forth the annual “burn rate” of the Stock Option Plan, the RSU Plan and the DSU Plan for each of the three most recently completed fiscal years, calculated using the TSX’s prescribed methodology:

 
2017
2016
2015
Burn Rate (1)
Stock Option Plan
2.63%
2.34%
1.84%
RSU Plan
0.23%
0.73%
0.23%
DSU Plan
0.12%
0.30%
0.48%
(1) The above burn rates have been calculated using the new TSX prescribed methodology that became effective in October 2017 for TSX-listed issuers for fiscal years ending on or after October 31, 2017. Under that methodology, the burn rate is the number of awards granted in a fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable fiscal year calculated in accordance with the CPA Canada Handbook.
 
In January 2015 a pool of 200,000 RSUs was approved by the Board for granting to Galena Complex personnel at the discretion of mine management in respect of 2015 performance and as a method of retention. These units vested on the third anniversary of grant. All other grants of RSUs have been in lieu of cash bonuses to be paid to executives and corporate staff. The 2016 grants are described in the section above Annual Performance Based Incentive .

The Board has determined that the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance upon the redemption of RSUs, combined with the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company (including the Company’s Stock Option Plan and deferred share unit plan), will not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at the date of the grant. The maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance at any time and issued within any one-year period to insiders of the Company under all security-based compensation arrangements, including the DSU Plan and the RSU Plan, cannot exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.
 
 
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Other Compensation – Benefits and Perquisites

The Company’s benefits plans provide financial coverage in the event of illness, disability or death. The Company also supports reasonable expenses in order that employees continuously maintain and enhance their skills and health in the interest of the Company. Benefit plans during the applicable period were provided to NEOs on largely the same basis as other employees in the applicable jurisdiction.

Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation awarded, paid to or earned by the Company’s NEOs during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Name and principal position
Year
Salary ($) (1)
Non-equity
discretionary
annual incentive
plan (2)
Share- based awards (3)
Option-based
awards (4)
All other
compensation
Total Compensation
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Darren Blasutti
2017
250,270
161,434
67,260
278,533
582
758,079
President, Chief
2016
246,212
169,886
93,438
216,465
521
726,522
Executive Officer
2015
254,162
Nil
147,583
90,810
357
492,912
and Director
             
Daren Dell
2017
219,467
81,971
34,155
181,937
582
518,112
Chief Operating
2016
211,174
84,529
46,491
121,827
521
464,542
Officer
2015
183,779
Nil
65,405
49,840
357
299,381
Warren Varga
2017
215,617
68,728
28,637
150,127
2,239
465,348
Chief Financial
2016
207,860
70,313
38,672
104,744
1,994
423,583
Officer
2015
215,060
Nil
77,783
51,431
1,370
345,644
Peter McRae
2017
202,141
63,674
26,531
133,847
1,886
428,079
SVP Corporate
2016
191,288
63,750
35,063
97,240
1,679
389,020
Affairs & CLO
2015
183,779
Nil
66,553
49,840
1,154
301,326
Shawn Wilson
2017
154,012
34,162
14,234
75,879
582
278,869
VP Technical
2016
56,818
11,932
4,972
25,158
19,167
118,047
Services
             
(1)
All amounts in U.S. dollars. Amounts that were paid in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of 1.28 for 2015, 1.32 for 2016, and 1.30 for 2017.
(2)
Amounts posted represent cash payment of annual incentive plan for 2017 with amount typically paid early in the following year.
(3)
Amounts posted represent value of RSUs granted in respect of the covered year.
(4)
Granted in respect of the covered year. The fair value  of option-based awards is determined  in accordance with  ‘IFRS 2 Share-based  payment’     of International Financial Reporting Standards (“ IFRS ”). The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to estimate fair value of stock options annually granted and is determined by multiplying the number of  stock  options  granted  by  their  value  following  this  method.  This  value  is  equal  to the accounting value established in accordance with IFRS. Option-pricing models require the use of highly subjective estimates and assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Changes in the underlying assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates and therefore, in management’s opinion, existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s Common Share and option- based awards. Sums in this column are not cash but are fair market value of the Options granted on the date of grant.

Defined Benefit or Actuarial Plan Disclosure
The Company does not provide retirement benefits for its directors or officers at this time.
 
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Outstanding share-based awards and option-based awards
The following table sets forth information concerning all awards outstanding as of December 31, 2017 granted by the Company to NEOS. This includes awards granted in prior years.

OPTION-BASED AWARDS
SHARE-BASED AWARDS
Name
Number of securities underlying unexercised options
Option exercise
price
Option expiration
date
Value of unexercised in-
the- money (1)
options
Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested
Market or payout value of share- based awards that have not vested
Market or payout value of vested share-based awards not paid out or distributed
(#)
C($)
C($)
(#)
C($)
C($) (2)
Darren Blasutti President and Chief Executive
Officer
83,333
2.34
30/01/2018
186,666
Nil
Nil
353,109
166,666
2.04
23/02/2019
423,332
200,000
3.85
13/01/2020
146,000
Daren Dell
Chief Operating
Officer
50,000
2.34
30/01/2018
112,000
Nil
Nil
163,437
83,333
2.04
23/02/2019
211,666
125,000
3.85
13/01/2020
91,250
Warren Varga Chief Financial Officer
50,000
2.34
30/01/2018
112,000
Nil
Nil
171,636
83,333
2.04
23/02/2019
211,666
90,000
3.85
13/01/2020
65,700
Peter McRae SVP Corporate Affairs &
CLO
16,666
2.34
30/01/2018
37,332
Nil
Nil
149,555
83,333
2.04
23/02/2019
211,666
75,000
3.85
13/01/2020
54,750
Shawn Wilson
VP Technical
Services
50,000
3.85
13/01/2020
36,500
Nil
Nil
8,977
(1)
Calculated based on the difference between $4.58, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2017 and the exercise price.
(2)
Amounts represent vested RSUs granted to the NEOs as deferred payment of incentive awards. The RSUs are redeemable for Common Shares of the Company or cash (at the Company’s option). The market payout value is based on the closing price at December 31, 2017.
 
 
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Incentive Plan Awards-Value Vested or Earned During the Year
The following table sets forth, for each NEO, the value of all incentive plan awards  vested  or  earned  during the year ending December 31, 2017.

Name
  Option-based awards-Value vested during the year (1)
Share-based awards-Value vested during the year (2)
Non-equity incentive plan compensation-Value earned
during the year (3)
C($)
C($)
C($)
Darren Blasutti
President and
Chief Executive Officer
200,555
258,171 (cash or share settled)
209,625
Daren Dell
Chief Operating Officer
106,001
119,495 (cash or share settled)
106,448
Warren Varga
Chief Financial Officer
106,001
125,492 (cash or share settled)
89,250
Peter McRae
SVP Corporate Affairs & CLO
106,001
109,349 (cash or share settled)
82,688
Shawn Wilson
VP Technical Services
Nil
6,563 (cash or share settled)
44,363
(1)
Calculated using the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Common Shares of the Company on the TSX immediately before the vesting date. The value shown in this column does not represent the actual value the individual NEO could receive. The actual gain, if any, on exercise will depend on the value of the Common Shares on the date of exercise.
(2)
The amounts posted represent RSUs granted to defer payment of an annual incentive bonus. The RSUs are either cash settled or settled either for cash or for Common Shares in the Company.
(3)
These amounts represent cash bonuses paid to the NEOs, relating to performance as determined at the discretion of the CCG Committee.
 
 
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Performance Graph
The following graph compares the total cumulative shareholder return for $100 invested in Common Shares during the period commencing on December 31, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2017 with the cumulative total return of the S&P/TSX Composite Index during the same period:



 
Dec-13
Dec-14
Dec-15
Dec-16
Dec-17
Mar-18
Company
$21
$22
$9
$28
$36
$33
S&P/TSX Composite Index
$109
$118
$105
$123
$130
$124
Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF
$39
$30
$24
$40
$43
$41

During the period commencing on December 31, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2017, the Company’s cumulative shareholder return under-performed the total return of the S&P/TSX Composite Index during the same period. Other than starting in 2016, the NEOs compensation during the periods reported in this section was not based on the Company’s cumulative shareholder return during the same periods and, accordingly, bears no direct relationship to the trend shown in the above graph.

Termination and Change of Control Benefits
The Company has the following arrangements pursuant to employment agreements that provide for payments to an NEO at, following or in connection with termination and a change in control of the Company as of December 31, 2017.

CEO and other NEOs
If the current CEO, Mr. Blasutti is terminated (without cause) his agreement provides for (i) payment of salary earned to the date of termination plus a pro rata bonus calculation for the period up to the date of termination; (ii) a severance payment equal to two times the then current years base salary and the highest annual incentive bonus amount paid or owing in the three previously completed fiscal years; and (iii) in accordance with applicable policies and the Employment Standards Act , 2000 benefits coverage through the severance period (or payment in lieu thereof). The same payments will be made in the event of termination within 12 months of a change in control of the Company. Assuming the termination as noted above were to have occurred as of December 31, 2017 and a base salary of US$250,270, the total estimated incremental cash payment to be made would be US$727,636. The total estimated incremental cash payment for change of control includes any RSUs granted in place of annual incentive plan cash bonuses which may be redeemed immediately (in accordance with terms of grant). 3 Any unvested Options at the time of the change in control will vest immediately (in accordance with terms of grant) and subject to the discretion of the Board will expire in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Plan (i.e. generally 90 days after the date of termination).
 
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If any of the other NEOs is terminated (without just cause) their agreements provide for (i) payment of salary earned to the date of termination plus a pro rata bonus calculation for the period up to the date of termination;
(ii) a severance payment equal to one times the then current year’s base salary and the highest annual incentive bonus amount paid or owing in respect of the three previously completed fiscal years; and (iii) in accordance with applicable policies and governing law benefits coverage through the severance period (or payment in lieu thereof). The same payments will be made in the event of termination within 12 months of a change in control of the Company except that the severance payment will be based on between 1 to 1.5 times the then current year’s base salary and the highest annual incentive bonus amount paid or owing in respect of the three previously completed fiscal years (if applicable). Any unvested Options at the time of the change in control will vest immediately (in accordance with terms of grant) and subject to the discretion of the Board will expire in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Plan (i.e., generally 90 days after the date of termination). In addition, any RSUs granted in place of annual incentive plan cash bonuses may be redeemed immediately (in accordance with terms of grant). Assuming a termination occurred as of December 31, 2017, the total estimated incremental cash payments to each of the NEOs would be as follows: Warren Varga - $419,415 (termination within 12 months of change in control) and $311,607 (termination without just cause), Daren Dell – $442,488 (termination within 12 months of change in control) and $332,754 (termination without just cause), Peter McRae - $390,097 (termination within 12 months of change in control) and $289,026 (termination without just cause), and Shawn Wilson – $200,143 (termination without just cause) and $200,143 (termination within 12 months of change in control). The incremental cash payment for change of control includes any RSUs granted in place of annual incentive plan cash bonuses which may be redeemed immediately (in accordance with terms of grant). 4

Director Compensation
The CCG Committee considers annually and makes a recommendation to the Board regarding the adequacy and form of directors’ compensation.
·
Currently all non-executive directors receive a monthly retainer of C$3,333 payable quarterly in arrears.
·
Directors asked to perform special assignments at the request of the CEO are to be paid at the rate of C$2,000/day.
·
Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board.
·
Directors submit for reimbursement receipts for expenses that would reasonably be expected to be incurred by such director in carrying out his duties.
·
Effective July 1, 2016, the Board fees (referenced above) are paid quarterly in arrears, in: cash (up to 80% of the amount); and DSUs (at least 20% and up to 100% of the amount) at the discretion of each of the Directors.




3 In the event of termination, vested, cash settled, RSUs may not be redeemed until the anniversary dates referenced in the previous sentence unless agreed by the CCG Committee.
4 See the footnote above.
 
 
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The Company pays the Chairman of the Board an annual retainer of C $20,000. In  addition, the Company  paid annual retainer amounts to its directors for their service as chairs and members of then committees of the Board in such period, in the amounts and as set out below:

COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN C($)
OTHER COMMITTEE C($) C($)MEMBERS C($)
Audit Committee
15,000
7,500
Compensation & Corporate Governance Committee
7,500
5,000
Sustainability and Technical Committee
10,000
7,500
The following table sets forth the compensation awarded, paid to or earned, by the Company’s directors while serving as non-executive directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017:

Director Compensation Table

Name of Director
Fees earned (cash)
   Share- based awards (2)
  Option-based awards (3)
Non-equity incentive plan compensation
All other compensation
Total
 
($) (1)(2)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($) (1)
Alex Davidson
Nil
55,829
91,444
Nil
Nil
147,273
Alan Edwards
30,802
7,701
91,444
Nil
Nil
129,947
Peter Hawley
29,262
7,316
91,444
Nil
Nil
128,022
Bradley Kipp
Nil
42,353
91,444
Nil
Nil
133,797
Gordon Pridham
32,343
8,086
91,444
Nil
Nil
131,873
Lorie Waisberg
31,765
10,588
91,444
Nil
Nil
133,797
Manuel Rivera
8,926
3,825
88,144
Nil
Nil
100,895
(1)
All fees have been converted to U.S. funds using a conversion rate of 1.30.
(2)
Fees earned will be paid in cash or DSUs. The number of DSUs granted on a quarterly basis is calculated based on the fees owed for the applicable quarter, divided by the VWAP price of the Common Shares of the Company for the 5 days preceding the end of each quarter, with an increase to the number of DSUs to be granted at a factor of 1.25 of the fees owed.
(3)
The fair value of option-based awards is determined in accordance with ‘IFRS 2 Share-based payment’ of International Financial Reporting Standards (“ IFRS ”). The Company  uses the  Black-Scholes model  to  estimate fair value of stock options annually granted and is determined  by multiplying the number of stock options granted by their value following this method. This value is equal to the accounting value established in accordance with IFRS. Option-pricing models require the use of highly subjective estimates and assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Changes in the underlying assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates and therefore, in management’s opinion, existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s Common Shares and option-based awards. Sums in this column are not cash but are fair market value of the Options granted and the date of grant.
 
 
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Directors’ Outstanding share-based awards and option-based awards
The following table sets forth information concerning all awards outstanding as of December 31, 2017 to non-executive directors of the Company. This includes awards granted in prior years.

 
Option-based Awards
Share-based Awards
 
Name
Number of securities underlying unexercised option
Option exercise price
Option expiration date
Value of unexercised in-the- money options (1)
Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested
Market or payout value of share-based awards that have not
vested
Market or payout value of
vested share- based awards not paid out or
distributed
(#)
C($)
C($)
(#)
C($)
C($ ) (2)
Alex Davidson
33,333
2.34
30/01/2018
74,666
Nil
Nil
299,990
 
41,666
2.04
23/02/2019
105,832
     
 
60,000
3.85
13/01/2020
43,800
     
Alan Edwards
33,333
2.34
30/01/2018
74,666
Nil
Nil
189,731
 
41,666
2.04
23/02/2019
105,832
     
 
60,000
3.85
13/01/2020
43,800
     
Bradley Kipp
33,333
2.34
30/01/2018
74,666
Nil
Nil
267,454
 
41,666
2.04
23/02/2019
105,832
     
 
60,000
3.85
13/01/2020
43,800
     
Peter Hawley
33,333
2.34
30/01/2018
74,666
Nil
Nil
203,572
 
41,666
5.70
24/05/2018
Nil
     
 
41,666
2.04
23/02/2019
105,832
     
 
60,000
3.85
13/01/2020
43,800
     
Gordon Pridham
33,333
2.34
30/01/2018
74,666
Nil
Nil
166,895
 
41,666
2.04
23/02/2019
105,832
     
 
60,000
3.85
13/01/2020
43,800
     
Lorie Waisberg
25,000
2.34
30/01/2018
56,000
Nil
Nil
180,631
 
41,666
2.04
23/02/2019
105,832
     
 
60,000
3.85
13/01/2020
43,800
     
Manuel Rivera
60,000
3.92
02/08/2020
39,600
Nil
Nil
5,821
(1)
Calculated based on the difference between $4.58, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2017, and the exercise price of the options. The value shown in this column does not represent the actual value the individual NEO could receive. The actual gain, if any, on exercise will depend on the value of the Common Shares on the date of exercise.
(2)
Amounts represent DSUs granted to the directors as deferred payments of the directors’ annual retainer. The DSUs are redeemable for either cash or Common Shares of the Company. The market or payout value is based on closing price at December 31, 2017.
 
 
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Directors’ Incentive Plan Awards-Value Vested or Earned During the Year
The following table sets out the aggregate dollar value that would have been realized by the directors of the Company if the options under the option-based award had been exercised on the vesting date during the most recently completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Name
Option-based awards- Value vested during the year (1)
Share-based awards-Value vested during the year (2)
Non-equity incentive plan compensation-Value earned during the year
 
C($)
C($)
C($)
Alex Davidson
58,722
142,332
Nil
Alan Edwards
58,722
52,608
Nil
Bradley Kipp
58,722
116,618
Nil
Peter J. Hawley
58,722
54,314
Nil
Gordon Pridham
58,722
47,433
Nil
Lorie Waisberg
58,722
53,871
Nil
Manuel Rivera
Nil
5,821
Nil
(1)
Calculated using the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX immediately before the vesting date. The value shown in this column does not represent the actual value the individual NEO could receive. The actual gain, if any, on exercise will depend on the value of the Common Shares on the date of exercise.
(2)
Amounts represent DSUs granted to the directors as deferred payments of the director’s board fees. The DSUs are redeemable for either cash or Common Shares of the Company. The market or payout value is based on closing price at December 31, 2017.
 
Risks Associated with the Company’s Compensation Policies and Practices
The CCG Committee considers the implications and risks of the Company’s compensation policies and practices as a factor in assisting the Board in approving and monitoring guidelines and practices regarding the compensation and benefits of officers, as well as administering the Company’s equity-based compensation plans. In particular, executive compensation packages are intended to maintain an appropriate balance between risk and reward keyed to the Company’s performance. There are a number of elements of the compensation program that are intended to manage risk and discourage excessive risk taking by executives and senior managers including a balance of short, medium and long term incentives and the establishment of appropriate corporate, strategic and individual performance goals for incentive compensation as well as appropriate minimum thresholds and maximum (caps) for achievement if targets are exceeded (which prevents excessive payouts and acts as a disincentive against prudent risk taking). The CCG Committee has not identified any risks in the Company’s existing compensation policies and practices that it believes would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company’s Disclosure and Securities Trading Policy prohibits insiders from short selling calls and puts in respect of the future value of Company’s securities.

Share Ownership Policy for Directors and NEOs
The Company does not currently have a formal minimum share ownership policy for directors and NEOs. However, a minimum of 20% of each director’s remuneration is payable in DSUs thus ensuring that the interests of directors and shareholders are aligned.

***
 
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SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company has adopted the Stock Option Plan for directors, officers, employees and eligible service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries. For further details regarding the Stock Option Plan see under the heading “ Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Elements of Executive Compensation Longer Term Incentives – Option Based Awards and Restricted Share units ”. The Company’s Stock Option Plan is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and has been posted to the Company’s website at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting-documents/ .

The following table provides information on the Company’s Option and share based incentive plans as of December 31, 2017.

 
Number of Common Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options
C($)
Number of Common Shares remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders – Stock Option Plan
2,316,264
3.06
1,833,431
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders – DSUs (1)
286,919
N/A
1,546,512
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders –
RSUs (2)
197,059
N/A
1,349,453
Total
2,800,242
3.06
1,349,453
(1)
DSUs granted as deferred payment of director’s annual retainer payments.
(2) RSUs granted as deferred payment of annual incentive bonus for officers.

***

DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION
The Company carries directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the directors and officers of the Company, to a maximum amount of $40,000,000. This policy is in effect until March 1, 2018 for an annual premium of
$233,670.

The Company’s by-laws provide for the indemnification of each director or officer of the Company, each former director or officer of the Company and each individual who acts at the Company’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the Company or other entity, subject to the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act . The Company has also entered into agreements evidencing its indemnity in favour of the foregoing persons.

***
 
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STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

The following description reflects the current corporate governance policies of the Company, as reviewed by the CCG Committee and approved by the Board.

Corporate governance relates to the activities of the Board, the members of which are elected by and are accountable to the shareholders, and takes into account the role of the individual members of management who are appointed by the Board and who are charged with the day-to-day management of the Company. National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines (“ Governance Guidelines ”) establishes corporate governance guidelines which apply to all public companies. These guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive but to be used by issuers in developing their own corporate governance practices. The Board is committed to sound corporate governance practices, which are both in the interest of its shareholders, and contribute to effective and efficient decision making. Pursuant to National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, the Company is required to disclose its corporate governance practices, as set forth below. The Board will continue to monitor such practices on an ongoing basis and, when necessary, implement such additional practices as it deems appropriate.

Board of Directors and Independence from Management
The Board, in consultation with the CCG Committee, annually reviews the relationship between each director and the Company to determine if each director is or remains independent within the meaning of the Governance Guidelines. In accordance with applicable securities law seven Nominees are considered independent as follows:

NAME
RELATIONSHIP
REASON FOR NON-INDEPENDENT STATUS
Darren Blasutti
Non-Independent
Considered to have a material relationship with the Company
by virtue of being the President and Chief Executive Officer
Alex Davidson 1
Independent
N/A
Alan R. Edwards
Independent
N/A
Peter Hawley
Independent
N/A
Bradley Kipp
Independent
N/A
Gordon Pridham
Independent
N/A
Lorie Waisberg
Independent
N/A
Manuel Rivera 2
Independent
N/A
(1)
Chairman of the Board of Directors since May 2016.
(2)
Mr. Manuel Rivera became a Board member on August 2, 2017.

The Governance Guidelines state that the Board of every listed company should be constituted with a majority of individuals who qualify as “independent” directors under NI 52-110 and also that compensation and nominating committees should be constituted entirely of independent directors. NI 52-110 provides that a director is independent if he or she has no direct or indirect “material relationship” with the Company. “Material relationship” is defined as a relationship that could, in the view of the Company’s Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director’s independent judgment. A “material relationship” is deemed to be present in the case of individuals that is, or has been, within the last three years, an employee or executive officer of the issuer (including subsidiaries). As such, Mr. Blasutti is not considered independent as a result of his position as CEO.
 
 
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The Company has a majority of independent directors and recognizes the importance of providing leadership to its independent directors. Every member, including the chair of each of the Company’s committees is an independent director and every committee charter provides for access to information respecting the Company and to officers, employees, external auditors and legal counsel of the Company. As well, each charter states that the committees may engage separate independent counsel and advisors at the expense of the Company.

The CCG Committee is responsible for identifying whether the Board’s mandate is effectively being carried out. Specifically, this committee reviews with the Board, on a regular basis and at least annually, the role of the Board, the terms of reference of each of the committees of the Board and the methods and processes by which the Board fulfills its duties and responsibilities.

As well, to facilitate the Board operating independently of management, the following processes are in place:
(a)
as appropriate, members of management, including the President and CEO, are not present for the discussion and determination of certain matters;

(b)
the independent directors regularly meet in-camera without management or directors who are not independent being present. All meetings held in 2017 had in-camera sessions without management present;

(c)
under the Company’s Articles any one director may call a Board meeting;

(d)
the compensation of the President and CEO is considered independently by the CCG Committee at least annually; and

(e)
in addition to the standing committees of the Board, independent committees may be appointed from time to time, when appropriate.

Performance Assessment
On a yearly basis, each member of the Board completes a questionnaire which includes, among other items, a careful examination of Board structure (including an assessment as to whether the Board as a whole possesses the right skills and background for the current issues facing the Company), Board meetings and their effectiveness, the quality and timing of information provided to the Board, preparedness for succession planning within the organization, the Board’s relationship with management, committee and Board effectiveness and strategy and metrics. The CCG Committee approves the content of each questionnaire and the Chair of the CCG Committee analyzes the feedback and presents it to the full Board, including the CEO.

Meetings of the Board and Committees of the Board
The Board typically meets formally a minimum a minimum of four times per year, including (i) in order to approve annual statements; (ii) in connection with the annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders; (iii) in order to review the annual budget; and (iv) a general corporate strategy meeting. Each committee of the Board meets at least once each year or more frequently as deemed necessary by the applicable committee. The frequency of the meetings and the nature of the meeting agendas are dependent upon the nature of the business and affairs that the Company faces from time to time. In 2017, the Board was required to meet or have calls on a more frequent basis as reflected below.
 
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The following table provides details regarding director attendance at  Board  and  committee meetings  held during the relevant time period (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017).

 
MEETINGS ATTENDED
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
S&T COMMITTEE
COMPENSATION AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Darren Blasutti
8 of 8
     
Alex Davidson
8 of 8
 
2 of 2
6 of 6
Alan Edwards
8 of 8
 
2 of 2
 
Peter Hawley
8 of 8
 
2 of 2
 
Bradley Kipp
8 of 8
4 of 4
   
Gordon Pridham
8 of 8
4 of 4
 
6 of 6
Manuel Rivera
2 of 3 (1)
     
Lorie Waisberg
8 of 8
4 of 4
 
6 of 6
(1)
Since Mr. Rivera became a Director in August 2, 2017, he was eligible to attend only the remaining 3 Board meetings for the 2017 fiscal year.

Board members are expected to attend all meetings of the Board in person or by phone and to have reviewed in advance Board materials and be prepared to discuss such materials.

Meetings of Independent Directors
Each meeting of the Board includes an in-camera session, whereby independent members may meet in the absence of management. Independent directors are also free to meet separately at any time or to require management to withdraw during certain discussions. Additionally, all Board Committees are composed entirely of independent directors. All meetings held in 2017 had in-camera sessions without management present and there were no other Directors that were not independent.

Board Mandate
A copy of the Board’s written mandate, which was confirmed on December 15, 2016 (“ Board Mandate ”), which sets out the responsibilities and duties of the Directors as well as the Directors expectations of management, is available on the Company’s website at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/corporate/corporate-governance/ and is attached as Schedule “C” to this Circular.

The CCG Committee and the Board shall review and assess the adequacy of this Board Mandate on an annual basis, taking into account all legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to the Board, as well as any best practice guidelines recommended by securities regulatory authorities or the Toronto Stock Exchange or NYSE American Stock Exchange or any stock exchanges on which the Company’s shares are listed.

Position Descriptions
The Board has developed a written position description for the Chairman as detailed in the Board Mandate. The Chair of each Board committee acts within the parameters set by their respective committee charters. The Board in conjunction with the CCG Committee and Mr. Blasutti, have developed a written position description for the President and CEO.
 
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Directorships
The following current and proposed directors of the Company presently serve as directors of other reporting issuers as follows:

DIRECTOR
REPORTING ISSUER
Darren Blasutti
Chantrell Ventures Corp.
Alex Davidson
Nulegacy Gold Corp., Orca Gold Inc., Capital Drilling Limited, and Yamana Gold Inc.
Alan R. Edwards
Entrée Resources Ltd., Mason Resources Corp., Rise Gold Corp. and Orvana Minerals Corp.
Peter Hawley
Scorpio Gold Corporation (Chairman) and Defiance Silver Corp. (Executive Chairman)
Bradley Kipp
N/A
Gordon E. Pridham
Newalta Corporation (Chairman), CHC Student Housing Inc. (Chairman), Orvana Minerals Inc. (Chairman) and Enertech Capital
Manuel Rivera
N/A
Lorie Waisberg
Chantrell Ventures Corp., Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund, and Metalex Ventures Ltd.
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board and the Company’s senior management will conduct orientation programs for new directors as soon as possible after their election or appointment as directors. The orientation programs will include presentations by management to familiarize new directors with the Company’s operations, projects and strategic plans, its significant financial, accounting and risk management issues, its compliance programs, its code of business conduct and other governance policies, its principal officers, its independent auditors and its outside legal advisors. In addition, the orientation programs will include a review of the Company’s expectations of its directors in terms of time and effort, a review of the directors’ duties and visits to Company headquarters and, to the extent practical, the Company’s significant locations of operation. This informal process is considered to be appropriate given the Company’s size, current level of operations, and the ongoing interaction amongst the directors.

The skills and knowledge of the Board as a whole are such that no formal continuing education process is currently deemed required. The Board is comprised of individuals with varying backgrounds, who have, both collectively and individually, extensive experience in running and managing public companies, particularly in the natural resource sector and involving mineral properties. It is the Company’s view that all current members of the Board are well-versed and educated in the factors critical to the success of the Company. Board members are encouraged to communicate with management, auditors and technical and other consultants to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation, with management’s assistance. To enable each director to better perform his or her duties and to recognize and deal appropriately with issues that arise, the Company will provide the directors with suggestions to undertake continuing director education. Reference is made to the table under the heading “ Business of Meeting - Election of Directors ” for a description of the current principal occupations of the members of the Board.
 
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Nomination of Directors
The CCG Committee will generally be responsible for (i) identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, (ii) recommending to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors at any meeting of shareholders, and (iii) recommending to the Board persons to be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies on the Board. When appropriate, the CCG Committee will retain an independent executive search firm to assist it in identifying prospective board candidates, as was done in 2017 prior to the appointment of Mr. Rivera. While no formal nomination procedure is in place to identify new candidates the Board and the CCG Committee does review the experience and performance of Nominees for the election to the Board. When required, the Board and the CCG Committee will meet to consider any vacancies on the Board or the desired size of the Board. Members of the Board are canvassed with respect to the qualifications of a potential candidate and each candidate is evaluated with respect to his or her experience and expertise, with particular attention paid to those areas of expertise that complement and enhance current management and Board composition. The Board also assesses any potential conflicts, independence or time commitment concerns the candidate may present.

Profile and Skills

The CCG Committee periodically reviews the current profile of the Board, including the average age and tenure of individual directors and the representation of various areas of expertise, experience and diversity. The objective is to have a sufficient range of skills, expertise and experience to ensure that the Board can carry out its responsibilities effectively. The succession planning process may also involve the creation of a skills matrix, to help the CCG Committee and the Board identify any gaps in the skills and competencies considered most relevant for the Company. The Board does not have a mandatory term limit or age limit policy. In conjunction with the Board evaluation and as part of the succession planning process, directors are also canvassed on their intention to retire from the Board in order to identify impending vacancies as far in advance as possible.

Diversity

The Board recognizes that diversity leads to better and more informed decision-making and is an important attribute of well-functioning boards and senior management teams by bringing real value to their collective skills, perspective, insight and experience. In furtherance of this goal, in 2017 the Board considered and adopted for 2018 a formal board diversity policy (the “ Diversity Policy ”) to encourage the promotion of diversity. According to the Diversity Policy, in filling Board and executive officer vacancies, a minimum of one candidate considered for each applicable position will be a woman. This was also complied with during the last director search for the Company. No specific targets have been adopted for representation of women and there are currently no women on the Board or in executive officer positions. In considering the composition of the Board or executive management, emphasis will ultimately be based on ensuring the selection of the best qualified candidates given the needs and circumstances of the Board. There are a limited number of people that possess both the management experience and mining industry knowledge required to serve capably as public mining company directors and executive officers, including women.

In considering “diversity”, the Board will also consider any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another, including the respect for and appreciation of differences in gender, age, ethnic origin, religion, education, sexual orientation, political belief or disability. The Board, in consultation with the CCG Committee, will develop, where possible, additional measureable objectives and strategies to meet the objectives of this Diversity Policy, and the Board will be responsible for monitoring the progress of the objectives through evaluation and reporting.
 
 
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Risk Management
The Board has responsibility for oversight of management of the Company to ensure that it is acting in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. This responsibility includes oversight in identifying and understanding the principal risks of the Company’s business (including, without limitation, strategic, operational, financial, compensation and regulatory risks). The Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring financial risks and exposures, including the risk of a material misstatement in the Company’s financial disclosures. The CCG Committee is responsible for monitoring risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and for effectiveness of the Company’s corporate governance policies. The S&T Committee is responsible for monitoring sustainability (including health, safety, environmental and social responsibility) risks and technical/operational risks associated with the Company’s mines and projects. The Board and its committees receive risk management updates from management provided at meetings of the Board or its committees throughout the year as necessary. Periodically, the Company plans to undergo a more extensive risk identification and analysis process, which will involve one-on-one interviews with applicable executive officers as well as other senior management employees and the general managers of certain operations. The Board undertook such a process in 2017. The results of the interviews will be reviewed and analyzed by the Company’s executive management team and Board. Following consideration of the information provided by management, the Board will provide feedback and make recommendations, as needed.

Ethical Business Conduct
The Company has a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as reapproved December 15, 2016 (the “ Code ”) which is designed to provide guidance on the conduct of the Company’s business in accordance with high ethical standards. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethical Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website, www.americassilvercorp.com and on the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com .

All directors, officers and employees are expected to comply with the Code and will sign off annually on the Code, which reaffirms the Company’s high standards of business conduct. The Code is part of the Company’s continuing effort to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws, has an effective program to prevent and detect violations of law, and conducts its business with fairness, honesty and integrity.

Consistent with the provisions of the Code, directors and senior officers are bound by the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act which contains provisions relating to conflicts of interest. In particular, any director who has a material interest in a particular transaction is required to disclose such interest and to refrain from voting with respect to the approval of any such transaction.

In the unlikely event of a waiver, any such waivers of the Code for directors or NEOs must be approved by the Board or the CCG Committee and such waiver will be promptly disclosed as required by law.

Shareholder Engagement
The Company is committed to regular, transparent and active communication with its shareholders. Throughout the year, members of the Company’s management team regularly engage with shareholders to ensure that the Company is addressing their questions or concerns. In 2018, this is to be achieved by the Company through, among other things, holding regular quarterly earnings conference calls that any shareholder may access and which are available on the Company’s website, as well as arranging for one-on- one meetings with its institutional shareholders on a regular basis, with such meetings being conducted in accordance with the Company’s Disclosure Policy. Throughout the year the Company’s NEOs from time to time also meet with representatives of both current institutional shareholders as well as potential investors to discuss, among other things, the Company’s business strategy, financial performance, governance practices, executive compensation, and various other matters. Those members of management also regularly attend and participate in analyst meetings and industry and investment community conferences. Management discusses with the Board any material concerns raised by its shareholders. The Company has had success engaging with its shareholders to understand their questions or concerns, and remains committed to these efforts on an ongoing basis.
 
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Whistleblower Policy
The Board has adopted a Whistleblower Policy, which was confirmed on December 15, 2016 that establishes procedures for (i) the receipt, retention, investigation and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding violations of the Code or accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters; and (ii) submission by company personnel and others of complaints regarding such reportable activities on a confidential basis. A copy of the Company’s Whistleblower Policy is available on the Company’s website: www.americassilvercorp.com .

Corporate Disclosure and Securities Trading Policy
The Board has adopted a Corporate Disclosure and Securities Trading Policy, which was confirmed on December 15, 2016 a copy of which is available on the Company’s website: www.americassilvercorp.com .   The policy is intended to help to ensure that the Company and Company personnel comply with these requirements by setting out procedures and guidelines for:
·
Dealing on a day-to-day basis with the Company’s material non-public and/or confidential information;
·
Communicating with all market participants; and
·
Restricting trading by Company personnel in securities of the Company and other issuers in respect of which Company personnel may receive material, non-public information while representing the Company, if the Company personnel is in possession of material, non-public information.
Strict compliance with the provisions of this policy is required, with a view to enhancing investor confidence in the Company’s securities and contributing to the ethical business conduct of the Company’s personnel.

Board Committees
To assist it in exercising its responsibilities, the Board has established three standing committees of the Board effective January 30, 2015: the Audit Committee, the CCG Committee (compensation & corporate governance committee) and a Sustainability and Technical Committee (the “S&T Committee”). The Board may establish other standing committees from time to time as it considers appropriate.  Each  committee is governed by a written charter as referenced below. At  a  minimum,  each  charter  clearly  establishes the committee’s purpose, responsibilities, member qualifications, member appointment and removal, structure and operations (including any authority to delegate to individual members and subcommittees), and manner of reporting to the Board. Each charter will be reviewed by the Board (or the CCG Committee) annually. The Board is responsible for appointing directors to each of its committees, in accordance with the written charter for each committee.

Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee
The CCG Committee is currently comprised of Lorie Waisberg (Chair), Alex Davidson and Gordon Pridham, all of whom are independent directors. The role of the CCG Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and director nominating responsibilities as well as overseeing certain compensation and succession planning matters. The CCG Committee is governed by its charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s website: www.americassilvercorp.com.
 
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the Company’s accounting and financial reporting practices and procedures, the adequacy of internal accounting controls and procedures, the quality and integrity of financial statements and for directing the auditors’ examination of specific areas. The members of the Audit Committee are Bradley Kipp (Chair), Lorie Waisberg and Gordon Pridham, all of whom are “independent” directors as defined in NI 52-110. Each member of the Audit Committee is considered to be “financially literate” within the meaning of NI 52-110, which includes 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 Company’s financial statements.

Information and disclosure relating to the Company’s audit committee as required under NI 52-110F is available on page 56 to the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 5, 2018 and is available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com. The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website: www.amreicassilvercorp.com.

Sustainability and Technical Committee
The S&T Committee is currently comprised of Alan Edwards (Chair), Alex Davidson and Peter Hawley. All members are “independent” directors as defined in NI 52-110. The role of the S&T Committee is to assist Board in reviewing sustainability matters, including environmental, health, safety and technical and operational matters and programs and overseeing the Company’s performance in such areas. The S&T Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website: www.americassilvercorp.com.

***

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICERS
No director or officer or any associate or affiliate of any such  director or officer is, or at any time during  the recently completed financial year was, indebted to the Company, for other than routine indebtedness.

***

INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Other than as described herein no director, executive officer or 10% shareholder of the Company or any associate or affiliate of any such person or company, has or had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year or any proposed transaction that has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

***
 
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company can be found under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com including the Company’s Annual Information Form. Additional financial information is

provided in the Company’s annual Financial Statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,  the notes appended thereto and in Management’s Discussion  and  Analysis  for the  fiscal  year ended December 31, 2017 which can be obtained upon request to the Company or by going to the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com. The Company may require payment of a reasonable charge if the request is made by a person or company who is not a shareholder of the Company.

Reference to our website is included in this Circular as an inactive textual reference only. Except for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this Circular, information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Circular and should not be considered to be a part of this Circular.

***
 
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BOARD APPROVAL


The contents and sending of this Circular have been approved by the Board. A copy of this Circular has been sent to each director of the Company and made available to each shareholder entitled to notice of the Meeting and to the auditors of the Company.

DATED this 2 nd day of April, 2018.
 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
 
 
 
 
Signed:
“Darren Blasutti”
 
 
Darren Blasutti
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


Statements contained in this Circular that are not current or historical factual statements may constitute forward‐looking information or forward‐looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Circular that address activities, events or developments in the future, including without limitation that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur statements regarding any objectives, expectations, intentions, plans, results, levels of activity, goals or achievements are or involve forward‐looking statements. Although forward‐ looking statements contained in this Circular are based on what management considers to be reasonable assumptions based on information currently available to it, there can be no assurances that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward‐looking statements, and management’s assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Generally, forward‐looking statements can be identified by the use of forward‐looking terminology such as “anticipates”, “assumes”, “believes”, “budget”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “guidance”, “indicates”, “intends”, “likely”, may”, “objective”, “outlook”, “plans”, “potential”, “predicts”, “scheduled”, “should”, “target”, “trends”, “will”, or “would” or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases. All such forward‐ looking statements are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are forward‐looking because they are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions. It is important  to  know  that:  (i)  unless otherwise indicated, forward‐looking statements in this Circular and its appendices describe expectations as at the date hereof; (ii) actual results and events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward‐looking statements in this Circular and its appendices, if known or unknown risks affect the respective businesses of the Company, or if their estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the results or events expressed or implied in any forward‐looking statement will materialize, and accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward‐looking statements; and (iii) the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward‐looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company has made a number of assumptions in making forward‐looking statements in this Circular.

Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, including the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 5, 2018, which filings are available at www.sedar.com .
 
 
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  SCHEDULE “A”
TEXT OF RESOLUTION REGARDING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1.
The shareholder rights plan of the Company be continued and the Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement to be made effective as of May 15, 2018 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services Inc. (the “ Rights Agent ”), which amends and restates the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated April 14, 2015 between the Company and the Rights Agent (the “ Rights Plan Agreement ”) and continues the rights issued under the Rights Plan Agreement, is hereby approved; and

2.
Any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized to do all such things and execute all such agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents and to do all such acts or things as such director or officer may determine to be necessary or desirable in connection with or to otherwise facilitate and give effect to the above resolution, the execution and delivery of such agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents or the doing of such acts or things being conclusive evidence of such determination.

***
 
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  SCHEDULE “B”

SUMMARY OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

The following is a summary of key features of the Amended Rights Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended Rights Plan Agreement, a copy of which is available on www.sedar.com or also on request from the Corporate Secretary of the Company as described in the Circular. All capitalized terms used in this summary without definition have the meanings attributed to them in the Amended Rights Plan unless otherwise indicated.

(a)
Issuance of Rights

One Right will be issued by the Company for each Common Share outstanding at the close of business of the date that the Amended Rights Plan comes into effect, and one Right will be issued and will continue to be issued for each Common Share of the Company after such date and prior to the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time.

Each Right entitles the registered holder thereof to purchase from the Company one Common Share at the exercise price equal to five times the Market Price of the Common Shares, subject to adjustment and certain anti-dilution provisions (the “ Exercise Price ”). The Rights are not exercisable until the Separation Time. If a Flip-in Event occurs, each Right will entitle the registered holder to receive, upon payment of the Exercise Price, Common Shares having an aggregate market price equal to twice the Exercise Price.

The Company is not required to issue or deliver Rights, or securities upon the exercise of Rights, outside Canada where such issuance or delivery would be unlawful without registration of the relevant Persons or securities. If the Amended Rights Plan would require compliance with securities laws or comparable legislation of a jurisdiction outside Canada and the United States, the Board may take such actions as it may deem appropriate to ensure compliance.

(b)
Trading of Rights

Until the Separation Time (or the earlier termination or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates representing the Common Shares and will be transferable only together with the associated Common Shares. From and after the Separation Time, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“ Rights   Certificates ”) will be mailed to holders of record of Common Shares (other than an Acquiring Person) as of the Separation Time. Rights Certificates will also be issued in respect of Common Shares issued prior to the Expiration Time, to each holder (other than an Acquiring Person) converting, after the Separation Time, securities (“ Convertible Securities ”) convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares. The Rights will trade separately from the Common Shares after the Separation Time.

(c)
Separation Time

The Separation Time is the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day after the earlier of (i) (the “ Stock   Acquisition Date ”), which is generally the first date of public announcement of facts indicating that a Person has become an Acquiring Person or such later date as may from time to time be determined by the Board; (ii) the date on which the Company first becomes aware of the facts that indicate that any Person has become an Acquiring Person.
 
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The Separation Time can be such later date as may from time to time be determined by the Board and, if required, approved by shareholders. If a Take-over Bid expires, is cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time, it shall be deemed never to have been made.

(d)
Acquiring Person

In general, an (“ Acquiring Person ”) is a Person who is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares. Excluded from the definition of Acquiring Person are the Company and its Subsidiaries, and any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares as a result of one or more or any combination of an acquisition or redemption by the Company of Voting Shares, a Permitted Bid Acquisition, an Exempt Acquisition, a Convertible Security Acquisition and a Pro Rata Acquisition. The definitions of Permitted Bid Acquisition, Exempt Acquisition, Convertible Security Acquisition and Pro Rata Acquisition are set out in the Amended Rights Plan. However, in general:

(i)
a (“ Permitted Bid Acquisition ”) means an acquisition of Common Shares made pursuant to a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid;

(ii)
an (“ Exempt Acquisition ”) means an acquisition of Voting Shares: (i) in respect of which the Board has waived the application of the Amended Rights Plan; (ii) which was made pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan of the Company; (iii) which was made pursuant to the receipt or exercise of rights issued by the Company to all the holders of Voting Shares (other than holders resident in a jurisdiction where such distribution is restricted or impracticable as a result of applicable law) to subscribe for or purchase Voting Shares or Convertible Securities (provided that such rights are acquired directly from the Company and not from any other Person and provided that the Person does not hereby acquire a greater percentage of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities so offered than the Person’s percentage of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities Beneficially Owned immediately prior to such acquisition); (iv) which was made pursuant to a distribution by the Company of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities made pursuant to a prospectus (provided that the Person does not thereby acquire a greater percentage of the Voting Shares or Convertible Securities so offered than the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately prior to such acquisition); (v) which was made pursuant to a distribution by the Company of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities by way of a private placement or a securities exchange take-over bid circular or upon the exercise by an individual employee of stock options granted under a stock option plan of the Company or rights to purchase securities granted under a share purchase plan of the Company; or
(vi) which is made pursuant to an amalgamation arrangement, merger or other statutory procedure requiring approval of the Company’s shareholders;

(iii)
a (“ Convertible Security Acquisition ”) means an acquisition of Voting Shares upon the exercise of Convertible Securities received by such Person pursuant to a Permitted Bid Acquisition,
Exempt Acquisition or a Pro Rata Acquisition; and

(iv)
a (“ Pro Rata Acquisition ”) means an acquisition as a result of a stock dividend, a stock split or other event pursuant to which such Person receives or acquires Voting Shares or Convertible Securities on the same pro rata basis as all other holders of Voting Shares of the same class.

Also excluded from the definition of Acquiring Person are underwriters or members of a banking or selling group, acting in such capacity, who are acting in connection with a distribution of securities by way of prospectus, registration statement or private placement.
 
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(e)
Beneficial Ownership

General

In general, a Person is deemed to have (“ Beneficial Ownership ”) of securities actually held by others in circumstances where those holdings are or should be grouped together for purposes of the Amended Rights Plan. Included are holdings by the Person’s Affiliates (generally, a Person that controls, is controlled by, or under common control with another Person) and Associates (generally, relatives sharing the same residence). Also included are securities which the Person or any of the Person’s Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire (i) upon exercising Convertible Securities or (ii) within 60 days pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than (1) customary agreements with and between underwriters and banking group or selling group members with respect to a distribution to the public or pursuant to a private placement of securities; or (2) pursuant to a pledge of securities in the ordinary course of business).

A Person is also deemed to Beneficially Own any securities that are Beneficially Owned (as described above) by any other Person with which the Person is acting jointly or in concert (a “ Joint Actor ”). Generally, a Person is a Joint Actor with any Person who (i) is a party to an agreement, arrangement or understanding with the first Person or an Associate or Affiliate thereof to acquire or offer to acquire Common Shares or (ii) is an Associate or Affiliate of the first Person or any Person referred to in (i).

Institutional Shareholder Exemptions from Beneficial Ownership

The definition of Beneficial Ownership contains several exclusions whereby a Person is not considered to Beneficially Own a security. There are exemptions from the deemed Beneficial Ownership provisions for institutional shareholders acting in the ordinary course of business. These exemptions apply to (i) an investment manager (“ Investment Manager ”) which holds securities in the ordinary course of business in the performance of its duties for the account of any other Person, including, the acquisition or holding of securities for non-discretionary accounts held on behalf of a client by a broker or dealer registered under applicable securities laws; (ii) a licensed trust company (“ Trust Company ”) acting as trustee or administrator or in a similar capacity in relation to the estates of deceased or incompetent persons (each an “ Estate Account ”) or in relation to other accounts (each an “ Other Account ”) and which holds such security in the ordinary course of its duties for such accounts; (iii) the administrator or the trustee (a “ Plan Trustee ”) of one or more pension funds or plans (a “ Plan ”) registered under applicable law; (iv) a Person who is a Plan or is a Person established by statute (the “ Statutory Body ”), and its ordinary business or activity includes the management of investment funds for employee benefit plans, pension plans, insurance plans, or various public bodies; (v) a Crown agent or agency; (vi) a manager or trustee (“ Manager ”) of a mutual fund (“ Mutual Fund ”) that is registered or qualified to issue its securities to investors under the securities laws of any province of Canada or the laws of the United States of America or is a Mutual Fund. The foregoing exemptions only apply so long as the Investment Manager, Trust Company, Plan Trustee, Plan, Statutory Body, Crown agent or agency, Manager or Mutual Fund is not then making or has not then announced an intention to make a Take-over Bid, other than an Offer to Acquire Common Shares or other securities pursuant to a distribution by the Company or by means of ordinary market transactions.

A Person will not be deemed to Beneficially Own a security solely because such Person is a client of or has an account with the same Investment Manager as another Person on whose account the Investment Manager holds such security, or solely because such Person is a client of or has an account with the same Trust Company as another Person on whose account the Trust Company holds such security, or solely because such Person is a Plan and has a Plan Trustee who is also a Plan Trustee for another Plan on whose account the Plan Trustee holds such security.
 
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Exemption for Permitted Lock-up Agreement

Under the Amended Rights Plan, a Person will not be deemed to Beneficially Own any security solely because the holder of such security has agreed to deposit or tender such security pursuant to a Permitted Lock-up Agreement to a Take-over Bid made by such Person or such Person’s Affiliates or Associates or a Joint Actor (a “ Lock-Up Bid ”), or such security has been deposited or tendered pursuant to a Take-over Bid made by such Person or such Person’s Affiliates, Associates or Joint Actors until the earliest time at which any such tendered security is accepted unconditionally for payment or is taken up or paid for.

A (“ Permitted Lock-up Agreement ”) is essentially an agreement between a Person and one or more holders of Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities (the terms of which are publicly disclosed and a copy of which is made available to the public within the time frames set forth in the definition of Permitted Lockup Agreement) pursuant to which each Locked-up Person agrees to deposit or tender Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities to the Lock-up Bid and which further (i) permits the Locked-up Person to withdraw its Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities in order to deposit or tender the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities to another Take-over Bid or support another transaction at a price or value that exceeds the price under the Lock-Up Bid; or (ii) permits the Locked-up Person to withdraw its Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities in order to deposit or tender the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities to another Take-over Bid or support another transaction at an offering price that exceeds the offering price in the Lock-up Bid by as much as or more than a specified amount and that does not provide for a specified amount greater than 7% of the offering price in the Lock-up Bid. The Amended Rights Plan therefore requires that a Person making a Take-Over Bid structure any lock-up agreement so as to provide reasonable flexibility to the locked-up shareholder in order to avoid being deemed the Beneficial Owner of the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities subject to the lock-up agreement and potentially triggering the provisions of the Amended Rights Plan.

A Permitted Lock-up Agreement may contain a right of first refusal or require a period of delay to give the Person who made the Lock-up Bid an opportunity to match a higher price in another Take-Over Bid or other similar limitation on a Locked-up Person’s right to withdraw Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities so long as the limitation does not preclude the exercise by the Locked-up Person of the right to withdraw Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities during the period of the other Take-Over Bid or transaction. Finally, under a Permitted Lock-up Agreement, no break up fees, top up fees, penalties, expenses or other amounts that exceed in aggregate the greater of (i) 2.5% of the price or value of the consideration payable under the Lock-up Bid; and (ii) 50% of the amount by which the price or value of the consideration received by a Locked- up Person under another Take-Over Bid or transaction exceeds what such Locked-up Person would have received under the Lock-up Bid can be payable by such Locked-up Person if the Locked-up Person fails to deposit or tender Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities to the Lock-up Bid or withdraws Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities previously tendered thereto in order to deposit such Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities to another Take-Over Bid or support another transaction.

(f)
Flip-in Event

A Flip-in Event occurs when any Person becomes an Acquiring Person. In the event that, prior to the Expiration Time, a Flip-in Event which has not been waived by the Board occurs (see “ Redemption, Waiver and Termination ”), each Right (except for Rights Beneficially Owned or which may thereafter be Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or a Joint Actor (or a transferee of any such Person), which Rights will become null and void) shall constitute the right to purchase from the Company, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of the Amended Rights Plan, that number of Common Shares having an aggregate Market Price on the date of the Flip-in Event equal to twice the Exercise Price, for the Exercise Price (such Right being subject to anti-dilution adjustments). For example, if at the time of the Flip-in Event the Exercise Price is $25 and the Market Price of the Common Shares is $5, the holder of each Right would be entitled to purchase Common Shares having an aggregate Market Price of $50 (that is, ten Common Shares) for $25 (that is, a 50% discount from the Market Price).
 
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(g)
Permitted Bid and Competing Permitted Bid

A “ Permitted Bid ” is a Take-over Bid made by way of a Take-over Bid circular and which complies with the following additional provisions:
(i)
the Take-over Bid is made to all holders of record of Voting Shares, other than the Offeror;

(ii)
the Take-over Bid contains irrevocable and unqualified conditions that:

A.
no Common Shares shall be taken up or paid for pursuant to the Take-over Bid prior to the close of business on the date that is no earlier than the earlier of (1) the date 105 days following the date of the Take-over Bid and (2) the last day of the initial deposit period that the Offeror must allow securities to be deposited under the Take- over Bid pursuant to NI 62-104;

B.
unless the Take-over Bid is withdrawn, Voting Shares may be deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid at any time prior to the close of business on the date of first take- up or payment for Voting Shares and all Voting Shares deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid may be withdrawn at any time prior to the close of business on such date;

C.
more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders must be deposited to the Take-over Bid and not withdrawn at the close of business on the date of first take-up or payment for Voting Shares; and

D.
in the event that more than 50% of the then outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders have been deposited to the Take-over Bid and not withdrawn as at the date of first take-up or payment for Voting Shares under the Take-over Bid, the Offeror will make a public announcement of that fact and the Take- over Bid will remain open for deposits and tenders of Voting Shares for not less than 10 Business Days from the date of such public announcement.

A “ Competing Permitted Bid ” is a Take-over Bid that is made after a Permitted Bid has been made but prior to its expiry, termination or withdrawal and that satisfies all the requirements of a Permitted Bid as described above, except that a Competing Permitted Bid is not necessarily required to remain open for 105 days so long as it is open until the close of business on the date that is the last day of the initial deposit period that the Offeror must allow securities to be deposited under the Take-over Bid pursuant to NI 62-104.

(h)
Redemption, Waiver and Termination

(i)
The Board, acting in good faith, may, with the prior approval of holders of Common Shares or of the Holders of Rights given in accordance, as applicable, at any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the application of Section 3.1 has not been waived pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.1, elect to redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.00001 per Right (subject to certain adjustment for anti-dilution measures) (the “ Redemption Price ”).
 
 
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(ii)
Waiver of Inadvertent Acquisition. The Board acting in good faith may waive or agree to waive the application of the Amended Rights Plan in respect of the occurrence of any Flip-in Event if (i) the Board has determined that a Person became an Acquiring Person under the Amended Rights Plan by inadvertence and without any intent or knowledge that it would become an Acquiring Person; and (ii) the Acquiring Person has reduced its Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares such that at the time of waiver the Person is no longer an Acquiring Person.

(iii)
Deemed Redemption. In the event that a Person who has made a Permitted Bid or a Take- over Bid in respect of which the Board has waived or is deemed to have waived the application of the Amended Rights Plan consummates the acquisition of the Common Shares, the Board shall be deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights at the Redemption Price.

(iv)
Discretionary Waiver with Mandatory Waiver of Concurrent Bids. The Board acting in good faith may, prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the Amended Rights Plan has not been waived under the applicable clause, upon prior written notice to the Rights Agent, waive the application of the Amended Rights Plan to a Flip-in Event that may occur by reason of a Take-over Bid made by means of a Take-over Bid circular sent to all holders of record of Common Shares. However, if the Board waives the application of the Amended Rights Plan, the Board shall be deemed to have waived the application of the Amended Rights Plan in respect of any other Flip-in Event occurring by reason of any Take-over Bid made by means of a Take-over Bid circular sent to all holders of record of Common Shares made prior to the expiry of any Take-over Bid in respect of which a waiver is, or is deemed to have been, granted.

(v)
Discretionary Waiver respecting Acquisition not by Take-over Bid Circular. The Board acting in good faith may, with the prior approval of the holders of Common Shares, determine, at any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the application of the Amended Rights Plan has not been waived, if such Flip-in Event would occur by reason of an acquisition of Common Shares otherwise than pursuant to a Take-over Bid made by means of a Take-over Bid circular to all holders of record of Common Shares and otherwise than by inadvertence when such inadvertent Acquiring Person has then reduced its holdings to below 20%, to waive the application of the Amended Rights Plan to such Flip-in Event. In the event that the Board proposes such a waiver, the Board shall extend the Separation Time to a date subsequent to and not more than 10 Business Days following the meeting of shareholders called to approve such a waiver.

(vi)
Redemption of Rights on Withdrawal or Termination of Bid. Where a Take-over Bid that is not a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid is withdrawn or otherwise terminated after the Separation Time and prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the Board may elect to redeem all the outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price.

If the Board is deemed to have elected or elects to redeem the Rights as described above (and such redemption is approved by shareholders or holders of Rights, as required), the right to exercise the Rights will thereupon, without further action and without notice, terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights is to receive the Redemption Price. Within 10 Business Days of any such election or deemed election to redeem the Rights, the Company will notify the holders of the Common Shares or, after the Separation Time, the holders of the Rights.
 
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(i)
Anti-Dilution Adjustments

The Exercise Price of a Right, the number and kind of securities subject to purchase upon exercise of a Right, and the number of Rights outstanding, will be adjusted in certain events, including:

(a)
if there is a dividend payable in Common Shares or Convertible Securities (other than pursuant to any optional stock dividend program, divided reinvestment plan or a dividend payable in Common Shares in lieu of a regular periodic cash dividend) on the Common Shares,

(b)
a subdivision or consolidation of the Common Shares,

(c)
an issuance of Common Shares or Convertible Securities in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for Common Shares in a reclassification, amalgamation, merger, statutory arrangement or consolidation; or

(d)
if the Company fixes a record date for the distribution to all holders of Common Shares of certain rights or warrants to acquire Common Shares or Convertible Securities, or for the making of a distribution to all holders of Common Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than regular periodic cash dividend or a dividend payable in Common Shares) or rights or warrants.

(j)
Supplements and Amendments

The Company may make amendments to correct any clerical or typographical error or which are necessary to maintain the validity of the Amended Rights Plan Agreement as a result of any change in any applicable legislation, rules or regulation. Any changes made to maintain the validity of the Amended Rights Plan shall be subject to subsequent confirmation by the holders of the Common Shares or, after the Separation Time, the holders of the Rights.

Subject to the above exceptions, any amendment, variation or deletion of or from the Amended Rights Plan Agreement and the Rights is subject to the prior approval of the holders of Common Shares, or, after the Separation Time, the holders of the Rights.

Under the Amended Rights Plan Agreement, such required approval of the holders of Common Shares regarding any such amendment, variation or deletion shall be deemed to have been given if authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Independent Shareholders at a meeting of the holders of Common Shares in compliance with the Amended Rights Plan Agreement.

Under the Amended Rights Plan Agreement, such required approval of the holders of Rights regarding any such amendment, variation or deletion shall be deemed to have been given if authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Rights at a meeting of such holders in compliance with the Amended Rights Plan Agreement.

The Board reserves the right to alter any terms of the Amended Rights Plan Agreement or not proceed with the Amended Rights Plan at any time prior to the Meeting if the Board determines that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to do so, in light of subsequent developments.
 
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(k)
Expiration

If the Rights Plan Resolution is passed at the Meeting, the Company and the Rights Agent will execute the Amended Rights Plan Agreement as of the date the resolution is passed and the Amended Rights Plan will come into effect and remain in force until the earlier of the Termination Time (the time at which the right to exercise Rights shall terminate pursuant to the Amended Rights Plan) and the termination of the annual meeting of the shareholders in the calendar year 2021 unless at or prior to such meeting the Company’s shareholders ratify the continued existence of the Amended Rights Plan on the basis described below, in which case the Amended Rights Plan would expire at the earlier of the Termination Time and the termination of the annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders in the year that is three years after the year in which such ratification occurs.

At or prior to the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company in the calendar year 2021, provided that a Flip-in Event (as defined in the Amended Rights Plan) has not occurred prior to such time, the Board shall submit a resolution ratifying the continued existence of Amended Right Plan to: (a) the Independent Shareholders (as defined in the Amended Rights Plan) for their consideration and, if thought advisable, approval; and (b) if required by the rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed, all holders of Common Shares for their consideration and, if thought advisable, approval. Unless the majority of the votes cast by the Independent Shareholders and, if the approval of all holders of Common Shares is required pursuant clause (b) of the immediately preceding sentence, the majority of the votes cast by all holders of Common Shares who vote in respect of such resolution are voted in favour of the continued existence of the Amended Rights Plan, the Board shall, immediately upon the confirmation by the chair of such shareholders’ meeting of the results of the votes on such resolution and without further formality, be deemed to elect to redeem the Rights issued and outstanding under the Rights Plan.

***
 
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SCHEDULE “C”
BOARD MANDATE

AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION

1.
Role and Objectives

The directors are elected by the shareholders and are responsible for the stewardship of the business and affairs of Americas Silver Corporation (the “ Company ”). The Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) seeks to discharge this responsibility by reviewing, discussing and approving the Company’s strategic planning and organizational structure and supervising management to oversee that the strategic planning and organizational structure enhance and preserve the business and the underlying value of the Company.

2.
Director Responsibilities

(a)
Oversee Management of the Company – The principal responsibility of the Board is to oversee the management of the Company to ensure that it is acting in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. This responsibility requires that the Board attend to the following:
 
(i)
Review and approve on a regular basis, and as the need arises, fundamental operating, financial, and other strategic corporate plans which take into account, among other things, the opportunities and risks of the business;
 
(ii)
Evaluate the performance of the Company, including the appropriate use of corporate resources;
 
(iii)
Evaluate the performance and integrity of, and oversee the progress and development of, senior management and take appropriate action, such as promotion, change in responsibility and termination;
 
(iv)
Implement senior management succession plans;
 
(v)
Establish the Company’s compensation programs and approve compensation matters relating to senior executive officers (i.e. the Chief Executive Officer (the “ CEO ”) and direct reports to the CEO);
 
(vi)
Establish a corporate environment that promotes timely and effective disclosure (including appropriate controls), fiscal accountability, high ethical standards and compliance with applicable laws and industry and community standards;
 
(vii)
Oversee the Company’s communication and disclosure policy;

(viii)
Oversee the Company’s auditing and financial reporting functions;

(ix)
Oversee the Company’s internal control and management information systems;
 
(x)
The identification of the principal risks of the Company’s business, and ensuring the implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks;
 
(xi)
Review and decide upon material transactions and commitments;
 
 
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Americas Silver Corporation
Board Mandate

(xii)
Develop a corporate governance structure that allows and encourages the Board to fulfill its responsibilities including developing a set of corporate governance principles and guidelines that are specifically applicable to the Company;
 
(xiii)
Provide assistance to the Company’s senior management, including guidance on those matters that require Board involvement; and
 
(xiv)
Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Board and its committees.

(b)
Chair of the Board – Responsibilities of the Chair of the Board include but are not limited to:
 
(i)
Providing leadership to the Board with respect to its functions as described in this Mandate;
 
(ii)
Chairing meetings of the Board, including in camera sessions, unless not present;
 
(iii)
Ensuring that the Board meets on a regular basis and at least quarterly;
 
(iv)
Establishing a calendar for holding meetings of the Board;
 
(v)
In conjunction with the CEO, establishing the agenda for each meeting of the Board, with input from other Board members and any other parties as applicable;
 
(vi)
Ensuring that Board materials are available to any director on request;
 
(vii)
Fostering ethical and responsible decision making by the Board and its individual members;
 
(viii)
Ensuring that resources and expertise are available to the Board so that it may conduct its work effectively and efficiently;
 
(ix)
Facilitating effective communication between members of the Board and management; and
 
(x)
Attending each meeting of shareholders to respond to any questions from shareholders as may be put to the Chair.

(c)
Exercise Business Judgment – In discharging their duties directors are expected to exercise their business judgment to act in what they reasonably and honestly believe to be the best interests of the Company and its shareholders free from personal interests. In discharging their duties, the directors normally are entitled to rely on the Company’s senior executives, other employees believed to be responsible, and its outside advisors, auditors and legal counsel, but also should consider second opinions where circumstances warrant. Nothing contained in this Mandate is intended to expand applicable standards of conduct under statutory or regulatory requirements for the directors of the Company.

(d)
Understand the Company and its Business – With the assistance of the management, directors are expected to become and remain informed about the Company and its business, properties, risks and prospects.

(e)
Establish Effective Systems - Directors are responsible for determining that effective systems are in place for the periodic and timely reporting to the Board on important matters concerning the Company and receiving feedback from Company stakeholders.
 
 
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Americas Silver Corporation
Board Mandate

(f)
Protect Confidentiality and Proprietary Information – Directors are responsible for establishing policies that are intended to protect the Company’s confidential and proprietary information from unauthorized or inappropriate disclosure. Likewise, all discussions and proceedings of the Board must be treated as strictly confidential and privileged to preserve open discussions between directors and to protect the confidentiality of Board discussions.

(g)
Board, Committee and Shareholder Meetings – Directors are responsible for adequately preparing for and attending Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they serve. They must devote the time needed, and meet as frequently as necessary, to properly discharge their responsibilities.

    (h)
Indemnification – Directors are entitled to Company-provided indemnification through corporate articles and by-laws, corporate statutes, indemnity agreements and, when available on reasonable terms, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

3.
Director Qualification Standards

(a)
Independence – The Board will ensure that it has at all times at least the minimum number of directors who meet applicable standards of director independence. The Board will determine independence on the basis of (i) applicable legal and stock exchange requirements and (ii) being satisfied that the director does not have, directly or indirectly, a financial, legal or other relationship with the Company that, in the Board’s judgment, would reasonably interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of the director.

(b)
Size, Skills and Diversity of Board – The Board believes that a Board comprised of 3 to 10 members is an appropriate size given the Company’s present circumstances. The Board will consider the competencies and skills that the Board, as a whole, should possess and the competencies and skills of each director. The Board will also consider the level of representation of women on the Board, and in addition to gender diversity may also favorably consider diversity of race, nationality or other attributes in the assessment of Board composition.

(c)
Other Directorships – The Board does not believe that its members should be prohibited or discouraged from serving on boards of other organizations, and the Board does not propose any specific policies limiting such activities, provided they do not reduce a director’s effectiveness, or result in a continuing conflict of interest.

(d)
Tenure – The Board does not believe it should establish director term limits, although the length of service of each director will be considered. Term limits could result in the loss of directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, significant insight into the Company and its operations and an institutional memory that benefits the Board as well as management. As an alternative to term limits, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee will review each director’s continuation on the Board annually. This will allow each director the opportunity to confirm his or her desire to continue as a member of the Board and allow the Company to replace directors where, upon recommendation of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board makes a determination in that regard.
 
 
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Americas Silver Corporation
Board Mandate

 
(e)
Separation of the Offices of Chair and CEO – The Board will select a Chair of the Board in a manner and upon the criteria that the Board deems appropriate at the time of selection. The Board believes the offices of Chair of the Board and the CEO should not be held by the same persons.

(f)
Selection of New Director Candidates – Except where the Company is legally required by contract, law or otherwise to provide third parties with the right to nominate directors, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee will be responsible for (i) identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, (ii) recommending to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors at any meeting of shareholders, and (iii) recommending to the Board persons to be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies on the Board. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendations will be considered by the Board but the recommendations are not binding upon it.

(g)
Extending the Invitation to a New Director Candidate to Join the Board – An invitation to join the Board will be extended by the Chair of the Board when authorized by the Board.

(h)
Majority Voting in Director Elections Policy – If the number of proxy votes withheld for a particular director nominee is greater than the votes in favour of such nominee at any meeting of the Company’s shareholders to elect directors, other than a contested meeting, such director nominee shall submit his or her resignation promptly after the meeting, effective upon acceptance by the Board pursuant to the Company’s Majority Voting in Director Elections Policy.

4.
Director Orientation and Continuing Education

(a)
Director Orientation – The Board and the Company’s senior management will conduct orientation programs for new directors as soon as possible after their appointment as directors. The orientation programs will include presentations by management to familiarize new directors with the Company’s projects and strategic plans, its significant financial, accounting and risk management issues, its compliance programs, its code of business conduct, its principal officers, its independent auditors and its outside legal advisors. In addition, the orientation programs will include a review of the Company’s expectations of its directors in terms of time and effort, a review of the directors’ duties and visits to Company headquarters and, to the extent practical, the Company’s significant locations of operation.

(b)
Continuing Education – To enable each director to better perform his or her duties and to recognize and deal appropriately with issues that arise, the Company will provide the directors with suggestions to undertake continuing director education.

5.
Director’s Access to Management and Independent Advisors

(a)
Access to Officers and Employees – All directors have, at all reasonable times and on reasonable notice, full and free access to officers and employees of the Company as may be required in connection with their duties. Any meetings or contacts that a director wishes to initiate should normally be arranged through the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel. The directors will use their judgment to ensure that any such contact is not disruptive to the business operations of the Company. The directors are normally expected to provide a copy or otherwise inform senior management as applicable of communication with employees of the Company.
 
 
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Americas Silver Corporation
Board Mandate
 

(b)
Access to Independent Advisors – The Board or its board committees may engage outside advisors at the expense of the Company as deemed necessary in the circumstances to carry out their duties. The engagement of the outside advisor should, in most circumstances, be coordinated through the Chair and the CEO, and be subject to Board approval.

6.
Board Meetings

(a)
Powers Exercised by Resolution – The powers of the Board may be exercised at a meeting for which notice has been given and at which a quorum is present or, in appropriate circumstances, by resolution in writing signed by all thedirectors.

(b)
Selection of Agenda Items – In conjunction with the CEO, the Chair of the Board shall propose an agenda for each Board meeting. Each Board member is free to request the inclusion of other agenda items and is generally free to request at any Board meeting the consideration of subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting.

(c)
Frequency and Length of Meetings – The Chair of the Board, in consultation with the members of the Board, will normally determine the frequency and length of Board meetings; however, the ultimate power in this regard rests with the Board. Special meetings may be called from time to time as required to address the needs of the Company’s business.

(d)
Advance Distribution of Materials – Information and data that are important to the Board’s understanding of the business to be conducted at a Board or committee meeting will normally be distributed in writing to the directors reasonably before the meeting and directors should review these materials in advance of the meeting. The Board acknowledges that certain items to be discussed at a Board or committee meeting may be of a very time-sensitive nature and that the distribution of materials on these matters before the meeting may not be practicable.

(e)
Executive Session of Independent Directors – At least one executive session of independent directors will be held on an annual basis.

(f)
Lead Director – A Lead Director may be elected annually at the first meeting of the Board following the shareholders meeting. This role is normally filled by the Chair. At any time when the Chair is an employee of the Company, the non-management directors shall select an independent director to carry out the functions of a Lead Director. This person would chair regular meetings of the non-management directors and assume other responsibilities which the non-management directors as a whole have designated.

(g)
Minutes – A secretary should be named for each Board and committee meeting and minutes should be circulated in due course after such meeting for approval.
 
 
Page  
  63

 

Americas Silver Corporation
Board Mandate

 
7.
Board Committees

(a)
To assist it in exercising its responsibilities, the Board has established three (3) standing committees of the Board: an audit committee, a compensation and corporate governance committee and a sustainability and technical committee. The Board may establish other standing committees, from time to time.

(b)
Each committee shall be governed by a written charter that addresses those matters required by applicable laws and stock exchange rules. At a minimum, each charter shall clearly establish the committee’s purpose, responsibilities, member qualifications, member appointment and removal, structure and operations (including any authority to delegate to individual members and sub-committees), and manner of reporting to the Board. Each charter shall be reviewed by the Board (or the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee) annually.

(c)
The Board is responsible for appointing directors to each of its committees, in accordance with the written charter for each committee.

8.
The Board’s Expectations of Management – The Board expects that management will, among other things:

(a)
Review continuously the Company’s strategies and their implementation in light of evolving conditions;

(b)
Present an annual operating plan and budget and regularly report on the Company’s performance and results relative to that plan and budget;

(c)
Report regularly on the Company’s business and affairs, with a focus on matters of material consequence for the Company;

(d)
Implement systems to identify and manage the principal risks of the Company’s business and provide (at least annually) a report relating thereto; and

(e)
Implement and maintain appropriate (i) systems of internal control and (ii) disclosure controls and procedures.

In addition, the CEO and other executive officers of the Company will use their best efforts to achieve value for all shareholders and conduct themselves with integrity. The Board expects that the CEO and other executive officers will create a culture of integrity throughout the Company.

9.
Annual Review

The Board shall review and assess the adequacy of this Mandate on an annual basis, taking into account all legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to the Board, as well as any best practice guidelines recommended by securities regulatory authorities or the Toronto Stock Exchange or any stock exchanges on which the Company’s shares are listed.

***

Ratified by the Board of Directors on December 15, 2016
 
Page  
  64
 

Americas Silver Corporation
Board Mandate

 
ANNEX A
to SCHEDULE “C”

Matters Requiring Board Approval
This Policy identifies certain items which must be approved by the Board or a committee of the Board and may not be delegated to management without Board approval. A general overriding consideration is that the directors are required under law to manage, or supervise the management of, the business and affairs of the Company. Accordingly, even if an action might fall outside these guidelines, management should consider whether the matter, nevertheless, should be referred to the Board for consideration.

Under these guidelines, except as otherwise complies with internal delegation of authority control protocols as may be in place from time-to-time, an “Out of Budget Transaction” is a transaction that exceeds the budgeted amount by $500,000 or greater and that is not already part of an approved budget. The following is a list of items which officers must refer to the Board, or an appropriate committee thereof, for consideration.

1.
The approval of annual budgets.

2.
The approval of all financial information and other disclosure documents that are required by law to be approved by the Board before they are released to the public.

3.
Allotment of any securities. This includes shares, options, warrants or other convertible or debt securities, and the payment of a commission to any person as consideration for purchasing securities of the Company or providing purchasers for any such securities. Securities may be issued by executive officers where previously allotted by the Board (e.g. exercise of previously allotted options and warrants upon exercise).

4.
Entering into transactions of a fundamental nature such as amalgamations, mergers and material acquisitions or dispositions.

5.
Agreeing to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Company’s shares.

6.
Entering into any agreement or commitment to acquire or dispose of assets that are material to the Company including, but not limited to, those that are an Out of Budget Transaction.

7.
Entering into, or making a material modification of, any agreement or commitment to become liable for any indebtedness, including the granting of a guarantee or similar standby obligation, if (a) the amount of such indebtedness is an Out of Budget Transaction or (b) any assets of the Company are made subject to a security interest in an Out of Budget Transaction.

8.
Committing to making any material capital expenditure which is an Out of Budget Transaction.

9.
Entering into any contract, agreement or commitment out of the ordinary course of business if such agreement involves a material commitment of financial resources.

10.
Adoption of hedging policies.
 
(i)


11.
Entering into any agreement with an officer, director or 10% shareholder of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company outside of the ordinary course of business.

12.
Terminating, suspending or significantly modifying any material business activity or business strategy of the Company.

13.
Undertaking a new business activity that requires an allocation of material resources.

14.
Making any material change to a business or strategic plan that has been approved by the Board.

15.
Initiating or settling any legal proceeding involving a material payment.

16.
Employing or terminating the Company’s independent auditor.

17.
Hiring or terminating the employment, or determining the compensation, of any person who is an executive officer of the Company.

18.
Compensation matters for senior executive officers at the Company (i.e. the CEO and direct reports to the CEO).

19.
Offering any material employment or consulting terms to any individual or entity which are not customary for the Company. This determination is to be made by reference to terms of employment or consultancy that have generally been offered to other employees or consultants in similar positions or with similar status.

20.
The approval of a request by any executive officer of the Company to serve on the board of another entity, other than not-for-profit entities or family businesses that in no material way compete with the Company or do any material business with the Company.

21.
Approval of technical reports and annual mineral resource and mineral resource estimates as required

22.
Any other matter specified by the Board as requiring itsprior approval.

***
 
(ii)
Exhibit 99.4
 
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION (the “Company”)
TO BE HELD ON
May 15, 2018
 

 
Meeting Date, Location and Purpose
 
Notice is hereby given that the annual and special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of shareholders of the Company will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Conference Rooms C and D at the Ontario Bar Association, 20 Toronto Street, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5C 2B8, for the following purposes:
 
1.
to receive the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the auditors’ report thereon;
 
2.
to elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
 
3.
to reappoint auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the board of directors of the Company to fix their remuneration;
 
4.
to consider and if deemed appropriate, approve an ordinary resolution to approve the continuation, amendment and restatement of the Company’s Shareholder Rights Plan as more particularly described in the Management Information Circular (the “ Circular ”) ; and
 
5.
to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
For detailed information with respect to each of the above matters, please refer to the sub-section bearing the corresponding title under “ Business of the Meeting ” in the attached Circular. Any capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this notice have the definitions as set out in the Circular.
Notice and Access
 
The Company is using the notice-and-access provisions (“ Notice and Access ”) under the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer for the delivery of its Information Circular to its shareholders for the Meeting.
 
Under Notice and Access, instead of receiving paper copies of the Information Circular, shareholders will be receiving a Notice and Access notification with information on how they may obtain a copy of the Information Circular electronically or request a paper copy. Registered shareholders will still receive a proxy form enabling them to vote at the Meeting. The use of Notice and Access in connection with the Meeting helps reduce paper use, as well as the Company’s printing and mailing costs. The Company will arrange to mail paper copies of the Information Circular to those registered shareholders who have existing instructions on their account to receive paper copies of the Company’s Meeting Materials.
 
The Company urges shareholders to review the Circular before voting.
Page | 1

Accessing Meeting Materials online
 
The Meeting Materials can be viewed online under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com or at https://www.americassilvercorp.com/investors/shareholder-meeting-documents/ .
 
Requesting Printed Meeting Materials
 
Shareholders can request that printed copies of the Meeting Materials be sent to them by postal delivery at no cost to them up to one year from the date the Circular was filed on SEDAR by going to the Company’s website at www.americassilvercorp.com .
 
Reference to our website is included in this notice as an inactive textual reference only. Except for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this notice, information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this notice and should not be considered to be a part of this notice.
 
To receive the Meeting Materials in advance of the Proxy Deposit Date and Meeting Date, requests for printed copies must be received no later than May 4, 2018.
 
Shareholders are entitled to vote at the Meeting either in person or by proxy in accordance with the procedures described in the Circular. Registered shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting are requested to read, complete, sign and mail the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the instructions set out in the proxy accompanying this Notice and in the Circular.
 
Dated at Toronto, Ontario as of April 5, 2018.

 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
 
 
 
Signed:
Darren Blasutti
 
 
Darren Blasutti
President and Chief Executive Officer
 

 
               
Page | 2
Exhibit 99.5
 
 

 
 

 
Exhibit 99.6
 
 

 
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT
 
Dated as of May 15, 2018
 
Between
 
AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION
 
and
 
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.


as Rights Agent
 
 
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
 
1.1
Certain Definitions
2
1.2
Currency
15
1.3
Headings and Interpretation
16
1.4
Number and Gender
16
1.5
Calculation of Number and Percentage of
 
Beneficial Ownership of Outstanding Voting Shares
16
1.6
Acting Jointly or in Concert
16
1.7
Statutory References
17
     
ARTICLE 2
THE RIGHTS
     
2.1
Legend on Common Share Certificates
17
2.2
Initial Exercise Price, Exercise of Rights and Detachment of Rights
18
2.3
Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights
21
2.4
Date on Which Exercise is Effective
27
2.5
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Right Certificates
27
2.6
Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange
27
2.7
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates
28
2.8
Persons Deemed Owners
29
2.9
Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates
29
2.10
Agreement of Rights Holders
29
2.11
Rights Certificate Holder not Deemed a Shareholder
30
     
ARTICLE 3
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS ON FLIP-IN EVENT
     
3.1
Flip-in Event
31
3.2
Exchange Option
32
     
ARTICLE 4
THE RIGHTS AGENT
4.1
General
33
4.2
Merger or Amalgamation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
34
4.3
Duties of Rights Agent
34
4.4
Liability
36
4.5
Change of Rights Agent
36
4.6
Compliance with Money Laundering Legislation
37
4.7
Privacy Provision
37
 
i

 
ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1
Redemption of Rights
39
5.2
Expiration
41
5.3
Issuance of New Rights Certificates
41
5.4
Supplements and Amendments
41
5.5
Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares
43
5.6
Rights of Action
43
5.7
Notices
44
5.8
Costs of Enforcement
45
5.9
Benefits of this Agreement
45
5.10
Governing Law
45
5.11
Language
45
5.12
Severability
45
5.13
Effective Date and Shareholder Review
46
5.14
Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors
46
5.15
Rights of Board of Directors and the Corporation
46
5.16
Regulatory Approvals
46
5.17
Declaration as to Non-Canadian Holders
47
5.18
Time of the Essence
47
5.19
Successors
47
5.20
Execution in Counterparts
47
 
ii

 

 
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT
 
THIS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT is dated as of May 15, 2018
 
B E T W E E N:
 
AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION
a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (the " Corporation "),
 
- and -
 
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.,
a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the " Rights Agent ").
 
WHEREAS the Board of Directors (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation to adopt a shareholder rights plan (the " Rights Plan ") to (a) ensure, to the extent possible, that all holders of the Common Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation and the Board of Directors have adequate time to consider and evaluate any unsolicited Take-over Bid (as hereinafter defined) for the Common Shares, (b) provide the Board of Directors with adequate time to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives, as considered appropriate, to any unsolicited Take-over Bid; (c) encourage the fair treatment of the Corporation's shareholders in connection with any unsolicited Take-over Bid and (d) generally assist the Board of Directors in enhancing shareholder value;
 
AND WHEREAS a resolution approving the Rights Plan was duly approved at the annual and special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation held in the 2018 calendar year;
 
AND WHEREAS in order to implement the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors has authorized and declared the issuance of:
 
(a)
one right (a " Right ") effective at the Record Time (as hereinafter defined) in respect of each Common Share outstanding at the Record Time; and
 
(b)
one Right in respect of each Common Share issued after the Record Time and prior to the earlier of the Separation Time (as hereinafter defined) and the Expiration Time (as hereinafter defined);
 

AND WHEREAS the foregoing recitals and statements are made by the Corporation and not by the Rights Agent;
 
AND WHEREAS each Right entitles the Holder (as hereinafter defined) thereof, after the Separation Time, to purchase securities of the Corporation pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
 
AND WHEREAS the Corporation desires to appoint the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Corporation and the holders of Rights, and the Rights Agent has agreed to act on behalf of the Corporation and the holders of Rights in connection with the issuance, transfer, exchange and replacement of Rights Certificates (as hereinafter defined), the exercise of Rights and other matters referred to herein;
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
 
 
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
 
1.1
Certain Definitions
 
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
 
(a)
" Acquiring Person " means any Person who is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares; provided, however, that the term "Acquiring Person" shall not include:
 
(i)
the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;
 
(ii)
any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares as a result of one or a combination of:
 
(A)
an acquisition or redemption by the Corporation of Voting Shares which, by reducing the number of Voting Shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person to 20% or more of the Voting Shares then outstanding;
 
(B)
share acquisitions made pursuant to a Permitted Bid (" Permitted   Bid   Acquisitions ");
 
2

(C)
share acquisitions (1) in respect of which the Board of Directors has waived the application of Section 3.1 pursuant to Section 5.2; or (2) which were made pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan of the Corporation; or (3) pursuant to the receipt or exercise of rights issued by the Corporation to all the holders of the Voting Shares (other than holders resident in a jurisdiction where such distribution is restricted or impracticable as a result of applicable law) to subscribe for or purchase Voting Shares or Convertible Securities, provided that such rights are acquired directly from the Corporation and not from any other Person and provided that the Person does not thereby acquire a greater percentage of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities so offered than the Person's percentage of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities Beneficially Owned immediately prior to such acquisition; or (4) pursuant to a distribution by the Corporation of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities made pursuant to a prospectus, provided that the Person does not thereby acquire a greater percentage of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities so offered than the Person's percentage of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities Beneficially Owned immediately prior to such acquisition; or (5) pursuant to a distribution by the Corporation of Voting Shares or Convertible Securities by way of a private placement or a securities exchange take-over bid circular or upon the exercise by an individual employee of stock options granted under a stock option plan of the Corporation or rights to purchase securities granted under a share purchase plan of the Corporation, provided that (i) all necessary stock exchange approvals for such private placement, stock option plan or share purchase plan have been obtained and such private placement, stock option plan or share purchase plan complies with the terms and conditions of such approvals and (ii) such Person does not become the Beneficial Owner of more than 25% of the Voting Shares outstanding immediately prior to the distribution, and in making this determination, the Voting Shares to be issued to such Person in the distribution shall be deemed to be held by such Person but shall not be included in the aggregate number of outstanding Voting Shares immediately prior to the distribution; or (6) amalgamation, arrangement, merger, business combination or other similar transaction (statutory or otherwise, but for greater certainty not including a Take-over Bid) requiring approval by the Corporation’s shareholders (" Exempt   Acquisitions ");
 
(D)
the acquisition of Voting Shares upon the exercise of Convertible Securities received by such Person pursuant to a Permitted Bid Acquisition, Exempt Acquisition or a Pro Rata Acquisition (as defined below) (" Convertible   Security   Acquisitions "); or
 
3

(E)
acquisitions as a result of a stock dividend, a stock split or other event pursuant to which such Person receives or acquires Voting Shares or Convertible Securities on the same pro rata basis as all other holders of Voting Shares of the same class (" Pro   Rata   Acquisitions ");
 
provided, however, that if a Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Voting Shares then outstanding by reason of any one or a combination of (i) share acquisitions or redemptions by the Corporation or (ii) Permitted Bid Acquisitions or (iii) Exempt Acquisitions or (iv) Convertible Security Acquisitions or (v) Pro Rata Acquisitions and, after such share acquisitions or redemptions by the Corporation, Permitted Bid Acquisitions, Exempt Acquisitions, Convertible Security Acquisitions or Pro Rata Acquisitions, such Person subsequently becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than an additional 1% of the number of Voting Shares outstanding (other than pursuant to any one or a combination of share acquisitions or redemptions of shares by the Corporation, Permitted Bid Acquisitions, Exempt Acquisitions, Convertible Security Acquisitions or Pro Rata Acquisitions), then as of the date of any such acquisition such Person shall become an "Acquiring Person";
 
(iii)
for a period of 10 days after the Disqualification Date (as hereinafter defined), any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares as a result of such Person becoming disqualified from relying on clause 1.1(e)(iii)(B) solely because such Person makes or announces an intention to make a Take-over Bid, either alone or by acting jointly or in concert with any other Person.  For the purposes of this definition, " Disqualification   Date " means the first date of public announcement that any Person has made or is making or intends to make a Take-over Bid, either alone or by acting jointly or in concert with any other Person;
 
(iv)
an underwriter or member of a banking or selling group, acting in such capacity, that becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Voting Shares in connection with a distribution of securities by way of prospectus, registration statement or private placement; or
 
(v)
a Person (a “ Grandfathered Person ”) who is the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares determined as at the Record Time; provided, however, that this exemption shall not be, and shall cease to be, applicable to a Grandfathered Person in the event that such Grandfathered Person shall, after the Record Time (A) cease to Beneficially Own 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares or (B) become the Beneficial Owner (other than pursuant to any one or a combination of (1) share acquisitions or redemptions by the Corporation or (2) Permitted Bid Acquisitions or (3) Exempt Acquisitions or (4) Convertible Security Acquisition or (5) Pro Rata Acquisitions) of additional Voting Shares constituting more than 1% of the number of Voting Shares outstanding as at the Record Time.
 
4

(b)
" Affiliate " when used to indicate a relationship with a Person, shall mean a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person;
 
(c)
" Agreement " means this agreement dated as of May 15, 2018, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; " hereof ", " herein ", " hereto " and similar expressions mean and refer to this shareholder rights plan agreement as a whole and not to any particular part of this Agreement;
 
(d)
" Associate ", when used to indicate a relationship with a Person, shall mean a spouse of that Person, any Person who resides in the same home as that Person and to whom that Person is married or with whom that Person is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage, a child of that Person or a relative of that Person if the relative has the same home as that Person;
 
(e)
a Person shall be deemed the " Beneficial Owner " of, and to have " Beneficial   Ownership " of, and to " Beneficially Own ":
 
(i)
any securities as to which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates is the owner at law or in equity;
 
(ii)
securities as to which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire (A) upon the exercise of any Convertible Securities, or (B) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, in either case where such right is exercisable within a period of 60 days and whether or not on condition or the happening of any contingency (other than (1) customary agreements with and between underwriters and banking group or selling group members with respect to a distribution to the public or pursuant to a private placement of securities, or (2) pursuant to a pledge of securities in the ordinary course of business); and
 
(iii)
any securities which are Beneficially Owned within the meaning of clauses 1.1(e)(i) or (ii) above by any other Person with which such Person is acting jointly or in concert;
 
provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to have "Beneficial Ownership" of, or to "Beneficially Own", any security:
 
(A)
solely because (1) the holder of such security has agreed to deposit or tender such security pursuant to a Permitted Lock-up Agreement to a Take-over Bid made by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates or any other Person referred to in clause 1.1(e)(iii), or (2) such security has been deposited or tendered pursuant to a Take-over Bid made by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates or any other Person referred to in clause 1.1(e)(iii), in each case until the earliest time at which any such tendered security is accepted unconditionally for payment or exchange or is taken up and paid for;
 
5

(B)
solely because such Person, any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates or any other Person referred to in clause 1.1(e)(iii), holds such security provided that (1) the ordinary business of any such Person (the " Investment   Manager ") includes the management of investment funds for others and such security is held by the Investment Manager in the ordinary course of such business in the performance of such Investment Manager’s duties for the account of any other Person, including the acquisition or holding of securities for non-discretionary accounts held on behalf of a client by a broker or dealer registered under applicable securities laws, or (2) such Person (the " Trust   Company ") is licensed to carry on the business of a trust company under applicable laws and, as such, acts as trustee or administrator or in a similar capacity in relation to the estates of deceased or incompetent Persons or in relation to other accounts and holds such security in the ordinary course of such duties for the estates of deceased or incompetent Persons or for such other accounts, or (3) such Person (the " Plan   Trustee ") is the administrator or trustee of one or more pension funds or plans (each a " Plan ") registered under applicable laws and holds such security for the purposes of its activity as such, or (4) such Person is a Plan or is a Person established by statute (the " Statutory   Body ") for purposes that include, and the ordinary business or activity of such Person includes the management of investment funds for employee benefit plans, pension plans, insurance plans (other than plans administered by insurance companies) or various public bodies, or (5) such Person is a Crown agent or agency or (6) such Person (the " Manager ") is the manager or trustee of a mutual fund (" Mutual   Fund ") that is registered or qualified to issue its securities to investors under the securities laws of any province of Canada or the laws of the United States of America or is a Mutual Fund; provided in any of the above cases, that the Investment Manager, the Trust Company, the Plan Trustee, the Plan, the Statutory Body, the Crown agent or agency, the Manager or the Mutual Fund, as the case may be, is not then making a Take-over Bid or has not announced a current intention to make a Take-over Bid, other than an Offer to Acquire Common Shares or other securities pursuant to a distribution by the Corporation or by means of ordinary market transactions (including pre-arranged trades entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person) executed through the facilities of a stock exchange, securities quotation system or organized over-the-counter market, alone or by acting jointly or in concert with any other Person;
 
6

(C)
solely because such Person is a client of or has an account with the same Investment Manager as another Person on whose account the Investment Manager holds such security, or solely because such Person is a client of or has an account with the same Trust Company as another Person on whose account the Trust Company holds such security, or solely because such Person is a Plan and has a Plan Trustee who is also a Plan Trustee for another Plan on whose account the Plan Trustee holds such security;
 
(D)
solely because such Person is (1) a client of an Investment Manager and such security is owned at law or in equity by the Investment Manager, or (2) an account of a Trust Company and such security is owned at law or in equity by the Trust Company, or (3) a Plan and such security is owned at law or in equity by the Plan Trustee; or
 
(E)
solely because such Person is the registered holder of such security as a result of carrying on the business of or acting as a nominee of a securities depositary.
 
For the purposes of this Agreement, the percentage of Common Shares Beneficially Owned by any Person, shall be and be deemed to be the product determined by the formula:
 
100 x A/B
 
Where:
 
A  =
the number of votes for the election of all directors generally attaching to the Common Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person; and
 
B  =
the number of votes for the election of all directors generally attaching to all outstanding Common Shares.
 
For the purposes of the foregoing formula, where any Person is deemed to Beneficially Own unissued Common Shares which may be acquired pursuant to Convertible Securities, such Common Shares shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of Common Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person in both the numerator and the denominator, but no other unissued Common Shares which may be acquired pursuant to any other outstanding Convertible Securities shall, for the purposes of that calculation, be deemed to be outstanding;
 
(f)
" Board of Directors " shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation, as validly constituted from time to time;
 
(g)
" Business Day " shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in Toronto are authorized or obligated by law to close;
 
7

(h)
" Canadian Dollar Equivalent " of any amount which is expressed in United States dollars shall mean, on any date, the Canadian dollar equivalent of such amount determined by reference to the U.S. - Canadian Exchange Rate in effect on such date;
 
(i)
" CBCA " shall mean the Canada Business Corporations Act as amended, and the regulations made thereunder and any comparable or successor laws or regulations thereto;
 
(j)
" close of business " on any given date shall mean the time on such date (or, if such date is not a Business Day, the time on the next succeeding Business Day) at which the office of the transfer agent for the Common Shares in Toronto (or, after the Separation Time, the office of the Rights Agent in Toronto) is closed to the public;
 
(k)
" Common Shares " shall mean the Class A common shares in the capital of the Corporation and any other share of the Corporation into which such shares may be sub-divided, consolidated, re-classified or changed;
 
(l)
" Competing Permitted Bid " means a Take-over Bid that:
 
(i)
is made after a Permitted Bid or another Competing Permitted Bid has been made and prior to the expiry, termination or withdrawal of the Permitted Bid or other Competing Permitted Bid;
 
(ii)
satisfies all components of the definition of a Permitted Bid other than the requirements set out in clause (ii) of that definition; and
 
(iii)
contains, and the take-up and payment for securities tendered or deposited is subject to, an irrevocable and unqualified condition that no Voting Shares will be taken up or paid for pursuant to the Take-over Bid prior to the close of business on the date that is the last day of the initial deposit period that the Offeror must allow securities to be deposited under the Take-over Bid pursuant to NI 62-104;
 
(m)
" controlled ": a Person is considered to be "controlled" by another Person or two or more Persons acting jointly or in concert if:
 
(i)
in the case of a body corporate, securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of such body corporate carrying more than 50% of the votes for the election of directors are held, directly or indirectly, by or for the benefit of the other Person or Persons acting jointly or in concert and the votes carried by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of such body corporate;
 
(ii)
in the case of a limited partnership, the other Person is the general partner of the limited partnership; or
 
(iii)
in the case of a Person which is not a body corporate, other than a limited partnership, more than 50% of the voting interests of such entity are held, directly or indirectly, by or for the benefit of the other Person or Persons;
 
and " controls ", " controlling " and " under common control with " shall be interpreted accordingly;
 
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(n)
" Convertible Securities " shall mean at any time any securities issued by the Corporation (including rights, warrants, convertible notes and options but excluding the Rights) carrying any purchase, exercise, conversion or exchange rights, pursuant to which the holder thereof may acquire Voting Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Voting Shares (in each case, whether such right is exercisable immediately or after a specified period and whether or not on conditions or the happening of any contingency or the making of any payment);
 
(o)
" Co-Rights Agents " shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 4.1(a);
 
(p)
" Election to Exercise " shall have the meaning attributed thereto in Subsection 2.2(d)(ii);
 
(q)
" Exercise Price " shall mean, as of any date, the price at which a Holder may purchase the securities issuable upon exercise of one whole Right.  Until adjustment thereof in accordance with the terms set out in Section 2.3, the Exercise Price shall be an amount equal to five times the Market Price per Common Share determined as at the Separation Time;
 
(r)
" Expansion Factor " shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 2.3(b);
 
(s)
" Expiration Time " shall mean the time at which the right to exercise Rights shall terminate pursuant to Subsection 3.2(b), Subsection 5.1(i) or Section 5.13 hereof.
 
(t)
" Flip-in Event " shall mean a transaction or other action in or pursuant to which any Person becomes an Acquiring Person;
 
(u)
" Holder " of any Rights, unless the context otherwise requires, shall mean the registered holder of such Rights (or, prior to the Separation Time, of the associated Common Shares);
 
(v)
" Independent Shareholders " means holders of outstanding Common Shares excluding (i) any Acquiring Person, and (ii) any Person (other than a Person referred to in clause 1.1(e)(iii)(B) who at the relevant time is deemed not to Beneficially Own Common Shares) that is making or has announced a current intention to make a Take-over Bid for Common Shares (including a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid) but excluding any such Person if the Take-over Bid so announced or made by such Person has been withdrawn, terminated or expired, and (iii) any Affiliate or Associate of such Acquiring Person or a Person referred to in clause (ii), and (iv) any Person acting jointly or in concert with such Acquiring Person or a Person referred to in clause (ii), and (v) any Person who is a trustee of any employee benefit plan, share purchase plan, deferred profit sharing plan or any similar plan or trust for the benefit of employees of the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation, unless the beneficiaries of the plan or trust direct the manner in which the Common Shares are to be voted or direct whether the Common Shares are to be tendered to a Take-over Bid;
 
9

(w)
" Market Price " per security of any securities on any date of determination shall mean the average of the daily closing prices per security of such securities (determined as described below) on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such date; provided, however, that if an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.3 hereof shall have caused the closing prices used to determine the Market Price on any such Trading Day not to be fully comparable with the closing price on such date of determination (or, if the date of determination is not a Trading Day, on the immediately preceding Trading Day), each such closing price so used shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner analogous to the applicable adjustment provided for in Section 2.3 hereof in order to make it fully comparable with the closing price on such date of determination (or, if the date of determination is not Trading Day, on the immediately preceding Trading Day).  The closing price per security of any securities on any date shall be:
 
(i)
the closing board lot sale price or, in case no such sale takes place on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for each such security on such date, as reported by the principal stock exchange in Canada on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading;
 
(ii)
if for any reason none of such prices described in (i) above is available for such day or the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a Canadian stock exchange, the last sale price or, if such price is not available, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, for each such security on such date, as reported by such other securities exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading;
 
(iii)
if for any reason none of such prices described in (ii) above is available for such day or the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a Canadian stock exchange or other securities exchange, the last sale price, or if no sale takes place, the average of the high bid and low asked prices for each such security on such date in the over-the-counter market, as quoted by any reporting system then in use (as determined by the Board of Directors); or
 
(iv)
if for any such date none of such prices described in (iii) above is available or the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a Canadian stock exchange or any other securities exchange and are not quoted by any such reporting system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for such date as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the securities selected in good faith by the Board of Directors,
 
provided, however, that if on any such date none of such prices is available, the closing price per security of such securities on such date shall mean the fair value per security of such securities on such date as determined in good faith by a nationally or internationally recognized firm of investment dealers or investment bankers selected by the Board of Directors.  The Market Price shall be expressed in Canadian dollars and, if initially determined in respect of any day forming part of the 20 consecutive Trading Day period in question in United States dollars, such amount shall be translated into Canadian dollars on such date at the Canadian Dollar Equivalent thereof;
 
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(x)
" Nominee " shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 2.2(c);
 
(y)
" Offer to Acquire " shall include:
 
(i)
an offer to purchase, a public announcement of an intention to make an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, Voting Shares, and
 
(ii)
an acceptance of an offer to sell Voting Shares, whether or not such offer to sell has been solicited;
 
or any combination thereof, and the Person accepting an offer to sell shall be deemed to be making an Offer to Acquire to the Person that made the offer to sell;
 
(z)
" Offeror " shall mean a Person who has announced an intention to make or who has made a Take-over Bid;
 
(aa)
" Offeror's Securities " shall mean Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by an Offeror, on the date of an Offer to Acquire;
 
(bb)
" Permitted Bid " means a Take-over Bid made by a Person by means of a Take-over Bid circular and which also complies with the following additional provisions:
 
(i)
the Take-over Bid is made to all holders of record of Voting Shares, other than the Offeror;
 
(ii)
the Take-over Bid shall contain, and the provisions for the take-up and payment for Voting Shares tendered or deposited thereunder shall be subject to, an irrevocable and unqualified condition that no Common Shares shall be taken up or paid for pursuant to the Take-over Bid prior to the close of business on the date that is no earlier than the earlier of (A) the date 105 days following the date of the Take-over Bid and (B) the last day of the initial deposit period that the Offeror must allow securities to be deposited under the Take-over Bid pursuant to NI 62-104;
 
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(iii)
the Take-over Bid shall contain irrevocable and unqualified provisions that (A) unless the Take-over Bid is withdrawn, Voting Shares may be deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid at any time prior to the close of business on the date of first take-up or payment for Voting Shares and (B) all Voting Shares deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid may be withdrawn at any time prior to the close of business on such date;
 
(iv)
the Take-over Bid shall contain an irrevocable and unqualified condition that more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders, determined as at the close of business on the date of first take-up or payment for Voting Shares under the Take-over Bid, must be deposited to the Take-over Bid and not withdrawn at the close of business on the date of first take-up or payment for Voting Shares; and
 
(v)
the Take-over Bid shall contain an irrevocable and unqualified provision that in the event that more than 50% of the then outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders shall have been deposited to the Take-over Bid and not withdrawn as at the close of business on the date of first take-up or payment for Voting Shares under the Take-over Bid, the Offeror will make a public announcement of that fact and the Take-over Bid will remain open for deposits and tenders of Voting Shares for not less than 10 Business Days from the date of such public announcement;
 
(cc)
Permitted  Lock-Up Agreement ” means an agreement (the " Lock - up   Agreement ") between a Person and one or more holders of Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities (each such holder herein referred to as a " Locked - up   Person ") (the terms of which are publicly disclosed and a copy of which is made available to the public (including the Corporation) not later than the date of the Lock-up Bid (as defined below), or if the Lock-up Bid has been made prior to the date of the Lock-up Agreement not later than the first Business Day following the date of the Lock-up Agreement) pursuant to which each Locked-up Person agrees to deposit or tender the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities held by such holder to a Take-over Bid (the " Lock - up   Bid ") made by the Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates or any other Person referred to in clause 1.1(e)(iii), provided that:
 
(i)
the Lock-up Agreement permits the Locked-up Person to withdraw its Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities from the Lock-up Agreement in order to deposit or tender the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities to another Take-over Bid or to support another transaction prior to the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities being taken up and paid for under the Lock-up Bid at a price or value per Voting Share and/or Convertible Securities that exceeds the price or value per Voting Share and/or Convertible Securities offered under the Lock-up Bid; or
 
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(ii)
the Lock-up Agreement permits the Locked-up Person to withdraw its Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities from the Lock-up Agreement in order to deposit or tender the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities to another Take-over Bid or to support another transaction prior to the Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities being taken up and paid for under the Lock-up Bid at an offer price for each Voting Share and/or Convertible Securities that exceeds by as much as or more than a specified amount (the " Specified   Amount ") the offer price for each Voting Share and/or Convertible Securities contained in or proposed to be contained in the Lock-up Bid and that does not by its terms provide for a Specified Amount that is greater than 7% of the offer price contained in or proposed to be contained in the Lock-up Bid;
 
and, for greater clarity, the agreement may contain a right of first refusal or require a period of delay to give the Person who made the Lock-up Bid an opportunity to match a higher price in another Take-over Bid or transaction or other similar limitation on a Locked-up Person's right to withdraw Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities from the agreement, so long as the limitation does not preclude the exercise by the Locked-up Person of the right to withdraw Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities during the period of the other Take-over Bid or transaction; and
 
(i)
no "break-up" fees, "top-up" fees, penalties, expenses or other amounts that exceed in aggregate the greater of:
 
(A)
2.5% of the price or value of the consideration payable under the Lock-up Bid to a Locked-up Person; and
 
(B)
50% of the amount by which the price or value of the consideration received by a Locked-up Person under another Take-over Bid or transaction exceeds the price or value of the consideration that the Locked-up Person would have received under the Lock-up Bid,
 
shall be payable by such Locked-up Person if the Locked-up Person fails to deposit or tender Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities to the Lock-up Bid, or withdraws Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities previously tendered thereto in order to deposit or tender such Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities to another Take-over Bid or support another transaction.
 
(dd)
" Person " shall include any individual, firm, partnership, association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator, legal personal representative, government, governmental entity or authority, body corporate, corporation, incorporated or unincorporated organization, syndicate or other entity whether or not having legal personality;
 
(ee)
" Record Time " shall mean 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the date of this Agreement;
 
(ff)
" Redemption Price " shall have the meaning attributed thereto in Subsection 5.1(a);
 
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(gg)
" regular periodic cash dividend " shall mean cash dividends paid in any fiscal year of the Corporation to the extent that such cash dividends do not exceed, in the aggregate, the greatest of:
 
(i)
200% of the aggregate amount of cash dividends declared payable by the Corporation on its Common Shares in its immediately preceding fiscal year;
 
(ii)
300% of the arithmetic mean of the aggregate amounts of the annual cash dividends declared payable by the Corporation on its Common Shares in its three immediately preceding fiscal years; and
 
(iii)
100% of the aggregate consolidated net income of the Corporation, before extraordinary items, for its immediately preceding fiscal year;
 
(hh)
" Rights " shall mean the herein described rights to purchase securities pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
 
(ii)
" Rights Certificate " shall have the meaning attributed thereto in Clause 2.2(c)(i);
 
(jj)
" Rights Register " shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 2.6(a);
 
(kk)
" Securities Act (Ontario) " shall mean the Securities Act , R.S.O. 1999, c. S.5, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as may be amended from time to time, and any comparable or successor laws, rules, instruments or regulations thereto;
 
(ll)
" Separation Time " shall mean, subject to Section 5.1(b), the close of business on the tenth Trading Day after the earliest of:
 
(i)
the Stock Acquisition Date;
 
(ii)
the date of the commencement of, or first public announcement of the intent of any Person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation) to make, a Take-over Bid (other than a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid); and
 
(iii)
the date upon which a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid ceases to be such;
 
or such later date as may be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and provided further that if any Take-over Bid referred to in Clause 1.1(ll)(ii) of this definition expires, is cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time, such Take-over Bid shall be deemed, for the purposes of this definition, never to have been made;
 
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(mm)
" Stock Acquisition Date " shall mean the earlier of: (i) the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include an early warning report filed pursuant to the Securities Act (Ontario)) by the Corporation or any other Person of facts indicating that any Person has become an Acquiring Person; or (ii) the date that the Corporation first becomes aware of the facts that indicate that any Person has become an Acquiring Person;
 
(nn)
" Subsidiary ": a body corporate is a Subsidiary of another body corporate if:
 
(i)
it is controlled by (A) that other, or (B) that other and one or more bodies corporate, each of which is controlled by that other, or (C) two or more bodies corporate, each of which is controlled by that other, or
 
(ii)
it is a Subsidiary of a body corporate that is that other's Subsidiary;
 
(oo)
" Take-over Bid " shall mean an Offer to Acquire Voting Shares or Convertible Securities (or both) if, assuming that the Voting Shares or Convertible Securities that are the subject of the Offer to Acquire are acquired at the date of such Offer to Acquire by the Person making such Offer to Acquire, the Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by the Person making the Offer to Acquire would constitute, in the aggregate, 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares;
 
(pp)
" Trading Day ", when used with respect to any securities, shall mean a day on which the principal Canadian stock exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any Canadian stock exchange, a Business Day;
 
(qq)
" U.S. - Canadian Exchange Rate " shall mean, on any date:
 
(i)
if, on such date, the Bank of Canada sets an average noon spot rate of  exchange for the conversion of one United States dollar into Canadian dollars, such rate; or
 
(ii)
in any other case, the rate for such date for the conversion of one United States dollar into Canadian dollars calculated in such manner as may be determined by the Board of Directors from time to time acting in good faith; and
 
(rr)
" Voting Shares " shall mean, collectively, the Common Shares of the Corporation and any other shares of capital stock or voting interests of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of all directors of the Corporation.
 
1.2
Currency
 
All sums of money which are referred to in this Agreement are expressed in lawful money of Canada, unless otherwise specified.
 
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1.3
Headings and Interpretation
 
The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections, Subsections, Clauses and Subclauses and the insertion of headings, subheadings and a table of contents are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the words "including" or "include" are deemed to mean "including without limitation" or "include without limitation".
 
1.4
Number and Gender
 
Wherever the context so requires, terms used herein importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice-versa and words importing only one gender shall include all others.
 
1.5
Calculation of Number and Percentage of
Beneficial Ownership of Outstanding Voting Shares
 
For purposes of this Agreement, the percentage of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by any Person shall be and be deemed to be the product determined by the formula:
 
100 × A/B
 
Where:
 
 
A
=    the number of votes for the election of all directors generally attaching to the Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person; and
 
 
B
=    the number of votes for the election of all directors generally attaching to all outstanding Voting Shares.
 
Where any Person is deemed to Beneficially Own unissued Voting Shares which may be acquired pursuant to Convertible Securities, such Voting Shares shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person in both the numerator and the denominator above, but no other unissued Voting Shares which may be acquired pursuant to any other outstanding Convertible Securities shall, for the purposes of that calculation, be deemed to be outstanding.
 
1.6
Acting Jointly or in Concert
 
For purposes of this Agreement, it is a question of fact as to whether a Person is acting jointly or in concert with another Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following shall be deemed to be acting jointly or in concert with a Person (the " First Person "):
 
(a)
every Person who has any agreement, commitment, arrangement or understanding (whether formal or informal and whether or not in writing) with the First Person (or (i) any Person acting jointly or in concert with the First Person or any Affiliate or Associate of the First Person or (ii) any Affiliate or Associate of such Person acting jointly or in concert), to acquire, or Offer to Acquire, any Common Shares and/or Convertible Securities; and
 
16

(b)
any Affiliate or Associate of the First Person or any Person referred to in clause (a) of this Section 1.6;
 
in each case, other than the following agreements, commitments, arrangements or understandings:
 
(c)
customary agreements with and between underwriters and banking group or selling group members with respect to a distribution of securities by way of prospectus or private placement;
 
(d)
a pledge of securities in the ordinary course of business; and
 
(e)
Permitted Lock-Up Agreements.
 
1.7
Statutory References
 
Unless the context otherwise requires or except as expressly provided herein, any reference herein to a specific part, section, subsection, clause or rule of any Act or regulation shall refer to the same as it exists on the date hereof.
 
 
ARTICLE 2
THE RIGHTS
 
2.1
Legend on Common Share Certificates
 
(a)              Certificates issued for Common Shares, including Common Shares issued upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities, after the date hereof but prior to the close of business on the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time shall evidence one Right for each Common Share represented thereby and shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them a legend in substantially the following form:
 
Until the Separation Time (as defined in the Rights Agreement referred to below), this certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement, dated as of the 15 th day of May, 2018, as amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between Americas Silver Corporation (the "Corporation") and Computershare Investor Services Inc., as Rights Agent, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file and may be inspected during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Corporation.  Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be amended, redeemed, may expire, may become null and void (if, in certain cases, they are "Beneficially Owned" by an "Acquiring Person", as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, or a transferee thereof) or may be evidenced by separate certificates and may no longer be evidenced by this certificate.  The Corporation will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of the Rights Agreement to the holder of this certificate without charge as soon as is reasonably practicable after the receipt of a written request therefor.
 
17

Certificates representing Common Shares that are issued and outstanding as at the date hereof shall evidence one Right for each Common Share evidenced thereby notwithstanding the absence of the foregoing legend until the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time.
 
(b)              Registered holders of Common Shares who have not received a share certificate and are entitled to do so on the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time shall be entitled to Rights as if such certificates had been issued and such Rights shall for all purposes hereof be evidenced by the corresponding entries on the Corporation's securities registers for the Common Shares.
 
2.2
Initial Exercise Price, Exercise of Rights and Detachment of Rights
 
(a)              Subject to adjustment as provided herein, each Right will entitle the Holder thereof, after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, to purchase, for the Exercise Price as at the Business Day immediately preceding the date of exercise of the Right, one Common Share (which Exercise Price and number of Common Shares are subject to adjustment as set forth herein).  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Rights Beneficially Owned by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall be void.
 
(b)              Until the Separation Time, (i) the Rights shall not be exercisable and no Right may be exercised, and (ii) for administrative purposes, each Right will be evidenced by the certificates for the associated Common Share registered in the name of the holder thereof (which certificate shall also be deemed to be a Rights Certificate) and will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, such associated Common Share.
 
(c)              From and after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, the Rights shall be exercisable and the registration and transfer of the Rights shall be separate from and independent of the Common Shares.  Promptly following the Separation Time, the Corporation will prepare and the Rights Agent will mail to each holder of record of Common Shares as of the Separation Time and, in respect of each Convertible Security converted into or exchanged or exercised for Common Shares after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, promptly after such conversion, exchange or exercise to the holder so converting, exchanging or exercising (other than an Acquiring Person and, in respect of any Rights Beneficially Owned by such Acquiring Person which are not held of record by such Acquiring Person, the Holder of record of such Rights (a " Nominee ")), at such Holder's address as shown on the records of the Corporation (the Corporation hereby agreeing to furnish copies of such records to the Rights Agent for this purpose),
 
(i)
a certificate (a " Rights Certificate ") in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto appropriately completed, representing the number of Rights held by such Holder at the Separation Time and having such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Corporation may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law, rule, regulation or judicial or administrative order or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization, stock exchange or quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or admitted to trading, or to conform to standard usage; and
 
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(ii)
a disclosure statement prepared by or on behalf of the Corporation describing the Rights;
 
provided that a Nominee shall be sent the materials provided for in Clauses (i) and (ii) in respect of all Common Shares held of record by it which are not Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person.  In order for the Corporation to determine whether any Person is holding Common Shares which are Beneficially Owned by another Person, the Corporation may require such first mentioned Person to furnish it with such information and documentation as the Corporation considers advisable.
 
(d)              Rights may be exercised in whole or in part on any Business Day after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time by submitting to the Rights Agent, at its principal office in the city of Toronto or any other office of the Rights Agent or Co-Rights Agent in the cities designated from time to time for that purpose by the Corporation with the approval of the Rights Agent:
 
(i)
the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights;
 
(ii)
an election to exercise such Rights (an " Election to Exercise ") substantially in the form attached to the Rights Certificate appropriately completed and duly executed by the Holder or his executors or administrators or other personal representatives or his or their legal attorney duly appointed by an instrument in writing in form and executed in a manner satisfactory to the Rights Agent; and
 
(iii)
payment by certified cheque, banker's draft or money order payable to or to the order of the Corporation, of a sum equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Rights being exercised and a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Shares in a name other than that of the Holder of the Rights being exercised.
 
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(e)              Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate, accompanied by an Election to Exercise appropriately completed and duly exercised that does not indicate that such Right is null and void as provided by Subsection 3.1(b) and by payment as set forth in Subsection 2.2(d)(iii), the Rights Agent (unless otherwise instructed in writing by the Corporation in the event that the Corporation is of the opinion that the Rights cannot be exercised in accordance with this Agreement) will thereupon promptly:
 
(i)
requisition from the transfer agent for the Common Shares, certificates representing the number of Common Shares to be purchased (the Corporation hereby irrevocably authorizing its transfer agent to comply with all such requisitions);
 
(ii)
after receipt of any certificates referred to in Clause 2.2(e)(i), deliver such certificates to or upon the order of the registered Holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such Holder;
 
(iii)
when appropriate, requisition from the Corporation a cheque equal to the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuing fractional Common Shares;
 
(iv)
when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash (less any amounts required to be withheld) by way of cheque to or to the order of the registered Holder of the Rights Certificate; and
 
(v)
tender to the Corporation all payments received on exercise of the Rights.
 
(f)              In case the Holder of any Rights shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced by such Holder's Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the Rights remaining unexercised will be issued by the Rights Agent to such Holder or to such Holder's duly authorized assigns.
 
(g)              The Corporation covenants and agrees that it will:
 
(i)
take all such action as may be necessary and within its power to ensure that all Common Shares delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Common Shares (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered and fully paid and non-assessable;
 
(ii)
take all such action as may be necessary and within its power to comply with any applicable requirements of the CBCA, the Securities Act (Ontario), and the comparable securities legislation of each of the provinces and territories of Canada and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, in connection with the issuance and delivery of the Rights Certificates and the issuance of any Common Shares upon exercise of Rights;
 
(iii)
on or before the issuance thereof, use reasonable efforts to cause all Common Shares issued upon exercise of Rights to be listed or admitted to trading upon issuance on the principal exchange or exchanges on which the Common Shares are then listed or admitted to trading at that time;
 
(iv)
cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares the number of Common Shares that, as provided in this Agreement, will from time to time be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights; and
 
(v)
pay when due and payable any and all Canadian federal and provincial transfer taxes (not including any tax in the nature of  income or capital gains taxes of the Holder or exercising Holder or any liability of the Corporation to withhold tax) and charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates or certificates for Common Shares or registration of the Common Shares in the securities register of the Corporation, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any transfer tax or charge which may be payable in respect of the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Shares or registration of the Common Shares in the securities register of the Corporation in a name other than that of the Holder of the Rights being transferred or exercised.
 
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2.3
Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights
 
(a)              The Exercise Price, the number and kind of securities subject to purchase upon exercise of each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 2.3 and in Subsection 3.1(a).
 
(b)              In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Expiration Time:
 
(i)
declare or pay a dividend on Common Shares payable in Common Shares  or Convertible Securities other than pursuant to any regular dividend reinvestment plan of the Corporation providing for the acquisition of Common Shares;
 
(ii)
subdivide or change the then outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of Common Shares;
 
(iii)
consolidate or change the then outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of Common Shares; or
 
(iv)
issue any Common Shares, Convertible Securities or other capital stock of the Corporation in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for existing Common Shares except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.3;
 
the Exercise Price and the number of Rights outstanding, or, if the payment or effective date therefor shall occur after the Separation Time, the securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights, shall be adjusted in the manner set forth below.  If the Exercise Price and number of Rights outstanding are to be adjusted (x) the Exercise Price in effect after such adjustment shall be equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment divided by the number of Common Shares (or other capital stock) (the " Expansion Factor ") that a holder of one Common Share immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision, change, combination or issuance would hold thereafter as a result thereof, and (y) each Right held prior to such adjustment shall become that number of Rights equal to the Expansion Factor, and the adjusted number of Rights will be deemed to be allocated among the Common Shares with respect to which the original Rights were associated (if they remain outstanding) and the shares issued in respect of such dividend, subdivision, change, combination or issuance, so that each such Common Share (or other capital stock) will have exactly one Right associated with it.  If the securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights are to be adjusted, the securities purchasable upon exercise of each Right after such adjustment will be the number of securities that a holder of the securities purchasable upon exercise of one Right immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision, change, combination or issuance would hold thereafter as a result thereof.  If after the Amendment Date and prior to the Expiration Time the Corporation shall issue any shares of capital stock other than Common Shares in a transaction of a type described in clause 2.3(b)(i) or (iv), shares of such capital stock shall be treated herein as nearly equivalent to Common Shares as may be practicable and appropriate under the circumstances and the Corporation and the Rights Agent agree to amend this Agreement in order to effect such treatment.  If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 2.3 and Section 3.1 hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 2.3 shall be in addition to and shall be made prior to any adjustment required pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof.  Adjustments pursuant to Subsection 2.3(a) shall be made successively, whenever an event referred to in Subsection 2.3(a) occurs.
 
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(c)              In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Expiration Time fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Common Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares, shares having the same rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions as Common Shares (" equivalent common shares "), or securities convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying a right to purchase Common Shares or equivalent common shares at a price per Common Share or per equivalent common share (or, if a security convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying a right to purchase or subscribe for Common Shares or equivalent common shares, having a conversion, exchange or exercise price, including the price required to be paid to purchase such convertible or exchangeable security or right per share) less than 90% of the Market Price per Common Share on the second Trading Day immediately preceding such record date, the Exercise Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction:
 
(i)
the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date, plus the number of Common Shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of Common Shares and/or equivalent common shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion, exchange or exercise price of the convertible or exchangeable securities or rights so to be offered, including the price required to be paid to purchase such convertible or exchangeable securities or rights) would purchase at such Market Price per Common Share; and
 
(ii)
the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional Common Shares and/or equivalent common shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible or exchangeable securities or rights so to be offered are initially convertible, exchangeable or exercisable).
 
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In case such subscription price may be paid by delivery of consideration, part or all of which may be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the Holders of Rights.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, or if issued, are not exercised prior to the expiration thereof, the Exercise Price shall be readjusted to the Exercise Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed, or to the Exercise Price which would be in effect based upon the number of Common Shares, equivalent common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares actually issued upon the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, as the case may be.
 
For the purposes of this Agreement, the granting of the right to purchase Common Shares (whether from treasury or otherwise) pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or any employee benefit, stock option or similar plans shall be deemed not to constitute an issue of rights, options or warrants by the Corporation; provided, however, that, in all such cases, the right to purchase Common Shares is at a price per share of not less than 90% of the current market price per share (determined as provided in such plans) of the Common Shares.
 
(d)              In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Expiration Time fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of Common Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a merger in which the Corporation is the continuing corporation or an amalgamation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets, including cash (other than a regular periodic cash dividend or a dividend paid in Common Shares, but including any dividend payable in securities other than Common Shares), or subscription rights, options or warrants (excluding those referred to in Subsection 2.3(c) hereof) at a price per Common Share (including, in the case of a Convertible Security with an exercise or conversion price, the price required to be paid to purchase such Convertible Security) that is less than 90% of the Market Price per Common Share on the second Trading Day immediately preceding such record date, the Exercise Price in respect of the Rights to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in respect of the Rights in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction:
 
(i)
the numerator of which shall be the Market Price per Common Share on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the Holders of Rights), on a per share basis, of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, cash, assets, subscription rights, options or warrants so to be distributed; and
 
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(ii)
the denominator of which shall be such Market Price per Common Share.
 
Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such a distribution is not so made, the Exercise Price shall be readjusted to be the Exercise Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
 
(e)              Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment in the Exercise Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Exercise Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Subsection 2.3(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.  All calculations under Section 2.3 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a Common Share or Right.  Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Subsection 2.3(e), any adjustment required by this Section 2.3 shall be made no later than the Expiration Time.
 
(f)              In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Expiration Time issue any shares of capital stock (other than Common Shares), or rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any such capital stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such capital stock, in a transaction referred to in Clause 2.3(b)(i) or (iv), if the Board of Directors acting in good faith determines that the adjustments contemplated by Subsection 2.3(b) in connection with such transaction are not applicable or will not appropriately protect the interests of the Holders of Rights, the Board of Directors acting in good faith may determine what other adjustments to the Exercise Price, number of Rights and/or securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights would be appropriate and, notwithstanding Subsection 2.3(b), such adjustments, rather than the adjustments contemplated by Subsection 2.3(b), shall be made.  The Corporation and the Rights Agent shall have authority, with such prior approval of the holders of the Common Shares or the Holders of Rights as may be required to amend this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.4 hereof, as appropriate to provide for such adjustments.
 
(g)              Unless the Corporation shall have exercised its election as provided in Subsection 2.3(h), upon each adjustment of an Exercise Price as a result of the calculations made in Subsections 2.3(c) and (d), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, that number of Common Shares, as the case may be (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth), obtained by:
 
(i)
multiplying:
 
(A)
the number of such Common Shares which would have been issuable upon the exercise of a Right immediately prior to this adjustment; by
 
(B)
the relevant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the relevant Exercise Price; and
 
(ii)
dividing the product so obtained by the relevant Exercise Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the relevant Exercise Price.
 
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(h)              The Corporation may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of an Exercise Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment in the number of Common Shares purchasable upon the exercise of a Right.  Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of Common Shares for which such a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment.  Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by multiplying (i) the number of Rights held prior to such adjustment by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing the relevant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the relevant Exercise Price by the relevant Exercise Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the relevant Exercise Price.  The Corporation shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made.  This record date may be the date on which the relevant Exercise Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement.  If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Subsection 2.3(h), the Corporation shall, as promptly as is practicable, cause to be distributed to Holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date, Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 5.5, the additional Rights to which such Holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Corporation, shall cause to be distributed to such Holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such Holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Corporation, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such Holders shall be entitled after such adjustment.  Rights Certificates to be so distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and may bear, at the option of the Corporation, the relevant adjusted Exercise Price and shall be registered in the names of Holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
 
(i)              Each Right originally issued by the Corporation subsequent to any adjustment made to the Exercise Price hereunder shall, subject to section 2.3(h) evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of Common Shares purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of a Right immediately prior to such issue, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
 
(j)              If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 2.3 or an authorization made pursuant to Section 3.2, the Holder of any Right thereafter exercised (in the case of Section 2.3) or surrendered (in the case of Section 3.2) shall become entitled to receive any securities other than Common Shares, thereafter the number of such other securities so receivable upon exercise of any Right and the applicable Exercise Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as is practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Shares contained in this Section 2.3, and the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the Common Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other securities.
 
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(k)              Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price or the number of Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificate theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Exercise Price per Common Share and the number of Common Shares which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
 
(l)              In any case in which this Section 2.3 shall require that an adjustment in the Exercise Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Corporation may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuance to the Holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the number of Common Shares and other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of Common Shares and other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Exercise Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Corporation shall deliver to such Holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such Holder's right to receive such additional Common Shares (fractional or otherwise) or other securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
 
(m)              Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.3 to the contrary, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Exercise Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 2.3, as and to the extent that in its good faith judgment the Board of Directors shall determine to be advisable in order that any: (i) consolidation or subdivision of Common Shares; (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any Common Share or Convertible Securities; (iii) stock dividends; or (iv) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 2.3, hereafter made by the Corporation to holders of its Common Shares, shall not be taxable to such shareholders.
 
(n)              The Corporation covenants and agrees that, after the Separation Time, it will not, except as permitted by Sections 5.1 and 5.4, take (or permit any Subsidiary of the Corporation to take) any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
 
(o)              Whenever an adjustment to the Exercise Price or a change in the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights is made at any time after the Separation Time pursuant to this Section 2.3, the Corporation shall promptly:
 
(i)
file with the Rights Agent and with the transfer agent for the Common Shares a certificate specifying the particulars of such adjustment or change; and
 
(ii)
give, or cause the Rights Agent to give, notice of the particulars of such adjustment or change to Holders of the Rights who request a copy;
 
provided that failure to file such certificate or cause such notice to be given as aforesaid, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any such adjustment or change.
 
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2.4
Date on Which Exercise is Effective
 
Each Person in whose name any certificate for Common Shares is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Common Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered (together with a duly completed Election to Exercise) and payment of the Exercise Price for such Rights (and any applicable transfer taxes and other governmental charges payable by the exercising Holder hereunder) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Common Share transfer books of the Corporation are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Common Share transfer books of the Corporation are open.
 
2.5
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Right Certificates
 
(a)              The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by any two of its officers or directors, provided that at the time of such execution none of such officer or director, any Affiliate or Associate of such officer or director or any person with whom such officer or director or any such Affiliate or Associate is acting jointly or in concert has commenced or publicly announced an intention to commence a Take-over Bid.  The signature of any officers or directors on the Rights Certificates may be manual or facsimile.  Rights Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers or directors of the Corporation shall bind the Corporation, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the countersignature and delivery of such Rights Certificates.
 
(b)              Promptly after the Corporation learns of the Separation Time, the Corporation will notify the Rights Agent in writing of such Separation Time and will deliver Rights Certificates executed by the Corporation to the Rights Agent for countersignature, and the Rights Agent shall countersign (manually or by facsimile signature in a manner satisfactory to the Corporation) and send such Rights Certificates to the Holders of the Rights pursuant to Subsection 2.2(d) hereof.  No Rights Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until countersigned by the Rights Agent as aforesaid.
 
(c)              Each Rights Certificate shall be dated the date of countersignature thereof.
 
2.6
Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange
 
(a)              After the Separation Time, the Corporation will cause to be kept a register (the " Rights Register ") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Corporation will provide for the registration and transfer of Rights.  The Rights Agent is hereby appointed "Rights Registrar" for the purpose of maintaining the Rights Register for the Corporation and registering Rights and transfers of Rights as herein provided.  In the event that the Rights Agent shall cease to be the Rights Registrar, the Rights Agent will have the right to examine the Rights Register at all reasonable times.
 
After the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any Rights Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Subsection 2.6(c) and the other provisions of this Agreement, the Corporation will execute, and the Rights Agent will countersign and deliver, in the name of the Holder or the designated transferee or transferees as required pursuant to the Holder's instructions, one or more new Rights Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number of Rights as did the Rights Certificates so surrendered.
 
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(b)              All Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Rights Certificates shall be valid obligations of the Corporation, and such Rights shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Rights surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
 
(c)              Every Rights Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.  As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.6, the Corporation may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent) connected therewith.
 
(d)              The Corporation shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Rights after the Rights have been terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
 
2.7
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates
 
(a)              If any mutilated Rights Certificate is surrendered to the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time, the Corporation shall execute and the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.
 
(b)              If there shall be delivered to the Corporation and the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time (i) evidence to their reasonable satisfactions of ownership of a Rights Certificate, (ii) evidence to their reasonable satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Rights Certificate and (iii) such surety bond and indemnity as may be required by each of them in their sole discretion to save each of them and any of their agents harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Corporation or the Rights Agent that such Rights Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Corporation shall execute and upon its request the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so destroyed, lost or stolen.
 
(c)              As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.7, the Corporation may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent) connected therewith.
 
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(d)              Every new Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 2.7 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall evidence a contractual obligation of the Corporation, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall entitle the Holder of the Rights to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Rights duly issued by the Corporation hereunder.
 
2.8
Persons Deemed Owners
 
Prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Share certificate) for registration of transfer, the Corporation, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Corporation or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Share certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever.
 
2.9
Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates
 
All Rights Certificates surrendered upon exercise or for redemption or for registration of transfer or for exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Rights Agent, be delivered to the Rights Agent and, in any case, shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent.  The Corporation may at any time deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation any Rights Certificates previously countersigned and delivered hereunder which the Corporation may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Rights Certificates so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent.  No Rights Certificate shall be countersigned in lieu of or in exchange for any Rights Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section 2.9, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement.  The Rights Agent shall destroy all cancelled Rights Certificates and deliver a certificate of destruction to the Corporation on request by the Corporation.
 
2.10
Agreement of Rights Holders
 
Every Holder of Rights, by accepting such Rights, becomes a party to this Agreement and for greater certainty is bound by the provisions herein and consents and agrees with the Corporation and the Rights Agent and with every other Holder of Rights that:
 
(a)
such Holder shall be bound by and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, in respect of all Rights held;
 
(b)
prior to the Separation Time, each Right will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, the associated Common Share certificate representing such Right;
 
(c)
after the Separation Time, the Rights Certificates will be transferable only on the Rights Register as provided herein;
 
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(d)
prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Share certificate) for registration of transfer or exchange, the Corporation, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Corporation or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Share certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on such Rights Certificate or the associated Common Share certificate made by anyone other than the Corporation or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;
 
(e)
such Holder is not entitled and has waived his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional Common Shares upon exercise of a Right (except as provided herein);
 
(f)
subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, without the approval of any Holder of Rights and upon the sole authority of the Board of Directors acting in good faith, this Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time pursuant to and as provided herein; and
 
(g)
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any Holder of a Right or any other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of a preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation.
 
2.11
Rights Certificate Holder not Deemed a Shareholder
 
No Holder, as such, of any Rights or Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose whatsoever to be the holder of any Common Share or any other share or security of the Corporation which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed or deemed to confer upon the Holder of any Right or Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights, title, benefits or privileges of a holder of Common Shares or any other shares or securities or assets of the Corporation or any right to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation whether for the election of directors or otherwise or upon any matter submitted to holders of shares of the Corporation at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any action of the Corporation, or to receive notice of any meeting or other action affecting any holder of Common Shares or any other shares or securities or assets of the Corporation except as expressly provided herein, or to receive dividends, distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until such Rights shall have been duly exercised in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof.
 
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ARTICLE 3
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS ON FLIP-IN EVENT
 
3.1
Flip-in Event
 
(a)              Subject to Subsection 3.1(b) and Section 5.1, in the event that prior to the Expiration Time a Flip-in Event shall occur, each Right shall constitute, effective from and after the later of its date of issue and at the close of business on the second Trading Day after the Stock Acquisition Date, the right to purchase from the Corporation, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, that number of Common Shares having an aggregate Market Price on the date of consummation or occurrence of such Flip-in Event equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in a manner analogous to the applicable adjustment provided for in Section 2.3, without duplication, in the event that after such date of consummation or occurrence, an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.3 shall have occurred with respect to such Common Shares).
 
(b)              Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, any Rights that are or were Beneficially Owned on or after the earlier of the Separation Time or the Stock Acquisition Date by:
 
(i)
an Acquiring Person, (or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any Person acting jointly or in concert with an Acquiring Person or with an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); or
 
(ii)
a transferee or other successor in title, direct or indirect, of Rights held by an Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any Person acting jointly or in concert with an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person), whether or not for consideration, in a transfer that the Board of Directors acting in good faith has determined is part of a plan, arrangement, understanding or scheme of an Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any Person acting jointly or in concert with an Acquiring Person or with an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person), that has the purpose or effect of avoiding Clause 3.1(b)(i),
 
shall become null and void without any further action, and any Holder of such Rights (including transferees or other successors in title) shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights under any provision of this Agreement and further shall thereafter not have any other rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise.  The Holder of any Rights represented by a Rights Certificate which is submitted to the Rights Agent upon exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange which does not contain the necessary certifications set forth in the Rights Certificate establishing that such Rights are not void under this Subsection 3.1(b) shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person for the purposes of this Subsection 3.1(b) and such Rights shall be null and void.
 
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(c)              From and after the Separation Time, the Corporation shall do all such acts and things as shall be necessary and within its power to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Section 3.1, including all such acts and things as may be required to satisfy the requirements of the CBCA, the Securities Act (Ontario) and the securities laws or comparable legislation of each of the provinces of Canada in respect of the issue of Common Shares upon the exercise of Rights in accordance with this Agreement.
 
(d)              Any Rights Certificate that represents Rights Beneficially Owned by a Person described in either Clause 3.1(b)(i) or (ii) or transferred to any nominee of any such Person, and any Rights Certificate issued upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain the following legend:
 
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate were Beneficially Owned by a Person who was an Acquiring Person or who was an Affiliate or an Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) or was acting jointly or in concert with any of them.  This Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby are void or shall become void in the circumstances specified in Subsection 3.1(b) of the Rights Agreement.
 
provided, however, that the Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility to ascertain the existence of facts that would require the imposition of such legend but shall impose such legend only if instructed to do so by the Corporation in writing or if a Holder fails to certify upon transfer or exchange in the space provided on the Rights Certificate that such Holder is not a Person described in such legend.  The issuance of a Rights Certificate without the legend referred to in this Subsection 3.1(d) shall be of no effect on the provisions of Subsection 3.1(b).
 
3.2
Exchange Option
 
(a)              The Board of Directors may, with the prior written consent of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed if required by such exchange, at any time after a Flip-in Event has occurred, authorize the Corporation to issue or deliver in respect of each Right which is not void pursuant to Subsection 3.1(b), either: (i) in return for the applicable Exercise Price and the Right, debt, equity or other securities or assets (or a combination thereof) having a value equal to twice the applicable Exercise Price; or (ii) in return for the Right, subject to any amounts that may be required to be paid under applicable law, debt, equity or other securities or assets (or a combination thereof) having a value equal to the value of the Right, in full and final settlement of all rights attaching to the Rights, where in either case the value of such debt, equity or other securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) and, in the case of clause (ii), the value of the Right, shall be determined by the Board of Directors which may rely upon the advice of a nationally or internationally recognized firm of investment dealers or investment bankers selected by the Board of Directors.
 
(b)              If the Board of Directors authorizes the exchange of debt or equity securities or assets (or a combination thereof) for Rights pursuant to Subsection 3.2(a), without any further action or notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of a Holder of Rights shall be to receive the debt or equity securities or assets (or a combination thereof) in accordance with the exchange formula authorized by the Board of Directors.  Within 10 Business Days after the Board of Directors has authorized the exchange of debt or equity securities or assets (or a combination thereof) for Rights pursuant to Subsection 3.2(a), the Corporation shall give notice of exchange to the Holders of such Rights by mailing such notice to all such Holders at their last addresses as they appear upon the register of Rights Holders maintained by the Rights Agent.  Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of debt or equity securities or assets (or a combination thereof) for Rights will be effected.
 
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ARTICLE 4
THE RIGHTS AGENT
 
4.1
General
 
(a)              The Corporation hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Corporation and the Holders of the Rights in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.  The Corporation may from time to time appoint one or more co-rights agents (" Co-Rights Agents ") as it may deem necessary or desirable, subject to the prior written approval of the Rights Agent.  In the event the Corporation appoints one or more Co-Rights Agents, the respective duties of the Rights Agent and Co-Rights Agents shall be as the Corporation may determine with the written approval of the Rights Agent and the Co-Rights Agents.  The Corporation agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of any expert or advisor retained by the Rights Agent with the prior approval of the Corporation).  The Corporation also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent and its directors, officers, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability, cost, claim, action, damage, suit or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, its officers, directors, employees and agents, for anything done, suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance, execution and administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability, which right to indemnification will survive the termination of this Agreement on the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent.  In the event of any disagreement arising regarding the terms of this Agreement, the Rights Agent shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to comply with any and all demands whatsoever until the dispute is settled either by written agreement between the parties to this Agreement or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
 
(b)              The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any certificate for Common Shares or any Rights Certificate or certificate for other securities of the Corporation, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged by the proper Person or Persons.
 
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(c)              The Corporation will inform the Rights Agent in a reasonably timely manner of events which may materially affect the administration of this Agreement by the Rights Agent, and at any time, upon request, shall provide to the Rights Agent an incumbency certificate with respect to the then current directors and officers of the Corporation, provided that failure to inform the Rights Agent of any such events, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any action taken hereunder in relation to such events.
 
4.2
Merger or Amalgamation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
 
(a)              Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or amalgamated or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, amalgamation, statutory arrangement or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent is a party, or any corporation succeeding to the shareholder or stockholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, will be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof.  In case at the time such successor Rights Agent succeeds to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates have not been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates will have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
 
(b)              In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent is changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
 
4.3
Duties of Rights Agent
 
The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Corporation and the Holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
 
(a)
The Rights Agent may retain and consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Corporation) and the Corporation will reimburse the Rights Agent for one such external counsel for any reasonable and documented expenses. The opinion of such counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion. The Rights Agent may also, with the approval of the Corporation (where such approval may reasonably be obtained and such approval not be unreasonably withheld), retain and consult with such other experts or advisors as the Rights Agent shall consider necessary or appropriate to properly carry out the duties and obligations imposed under this Agreement (at the Corporation's expense) and the Rights Agent shall be entitled to act and rely in good faith on the advice of any such expert or advisor.
 
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(b)
Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent deems it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Corporation prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by a person believed by the Rights Agent to be an officer or a director of the Corporation and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate will be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
 
(c)
The Rights Agent will be liable hereunder only for its own negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct.
 
(d)
The Rights Agent will not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the certificates for Common Shares or the Rights Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and will be deemed to have been made by the Corporation only.
 
(e)
The Rights Agent will not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Common Share certificate or Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor will it be responsible for any breach by the Corporation of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor will it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Subsection 3.1(b) hereof) or any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 2.3 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights after receipt of the certificate contemplated by Section 2.3 hereof describing any such adjustment); nor will it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization of any Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights or as to whether any Common Shares will, when issued, be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered and fully paid and non‑assessable.
 
(f)
The Corporation agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
 
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(g)
The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any person believed by the Rights Agent to be an officer or a director of the Corporation, and to apply to such persons for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such person.  All such instruction shall, except where circumstances make it impracticable or the Rights Agent otherwise agrees, be given in writing and, where not in writing, such instructions will be confirmed in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable after the giving of such instructions.
 
(h)
The Rights Agent and any shareholder or stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in Common Shares, Rights or other securities of the Corporation or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Corporation may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Corporation or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not the Rights Agent under this Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Corporation or for any other legal entity.
 
(i)
The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent will not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Corporation resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in good faith in the selection and continued employment thereof.
 
4.4
Liability
 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and whether such losses or damages are foreseeable or unforeseeable, the Rights Agent shall not be liable under any circumstances whatsoever for any (a) breach by any other party of securities law or other rule of any securities regulatory authority, (b) lost profits or (c) special, indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, aggravated or punitive losses or damages.
 
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4.5
Change of Rights Agent
 
The Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 60 days' notice (or such lesser notice as is acceptable to the Corporation) in writing mailed to the Corporation and to the transfer agent of Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the Holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.7 at the Corporation's expense.  The Corporation may remove the Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent and to the transfer agent of the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the Holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.7.  If the Rights Agent should resign or be removed or otherwise become incapable of acting, the Corporation will appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.  If the Corporation fails to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the Holder of any Rights (which Holder shall, with such notice, submit such Holder's Rights Certificate for inspection by the Corporation), then the outgoing Rights Agent or Holder of any Rights may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent at the Corporation's expense.  Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Corporation or by such a court, shall be a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.  After appointment, the successor Rights Agent will be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent, upon payment by the Corporation to the predecessor Rights Agent of all outstanding fees and expenses, owed by the Corporation to the predecessor Rights Agent pursuant to this Agreement, shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose.  Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Corporation will file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and the transfer agent of the Common Shares, and mail or cause to be mailed a notice thereof in writing to the Holders of the Rights.  Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 4.4, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
 
4.6
Compliance with Money Laundering Legislation
 
The Rights Agent shall retain the right not to act and shall not be liable for refusing to act if, due to a lack of information or for any other reason whatsoever, the Rights Agent reasonably determines that such an act would reasonably be expected to cause it to be in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline, provided that the Rights Agent promptly notifies the Corporation of such determination together with the reasons therefor in accordance with Section 5.7.  Further, should the Rights Agent reasonably determine at any time that its acting under this Agreement has resulted in it being in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline, then it shall have the right to resign on 10 days' written notice to the Corporation, provided: (i) that the Rights Agent's written notice shall describe the circumstances of such non-compliance; and (ii) that if such circumstances are rectified to the Rights Agent's satisfaction, acting reasonably, within such 10-day period, then such resignation shall not be effective.
 
4.7
Privacy Provision
 
The parties acknowledge that federal and/or provincial legislation that addresses the protection of individual's personal information (collectively, " Privacy Laws ") applies to obligations and activities under this Agreement.  Despite any other provision of this Agreement, neither party will take or direct any action in connection with this Agreement that would contravene, or cause the other to contravene, applicable Privacy Laws.  The Corporation will, prior to transferring or causing to be transferred personal information to the Rights Agent, obtain and retain required consents of the relevant individuals to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information, or will have determined that such consents either have previously been given upon which the parties can rely or are not required under the Privacy Laws.  The Rights Agent will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its services hereunder comply with Privacy Laws.
 
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ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS
 
5.1
Redemption of Rights
 
(a)              The Board of Directors acting in good faith may, with the prior approval of holders of Common Shares or of the Holders of Rights given in accordance with Subsection 5.1(f) or 5.1(g) or, as applicable, at any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the application of Section 3.1 has not been waived pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.1, elect to redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.00001 per Right appropriately adjusted in a manner analogous to the applicable adjustment provided for in Section 2.3 in the event that an event of the type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.3 shall have occurred (such redemption price being herein referred to as the " Redemption Price ").
 
(b)              The Board of Directors acting in good faith may, with the prior approval of the holders of Common Shares given in accordance with Subsection 5.1(f), determine, at any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the application of Section 3.1 has not been waived pursuant to this Section 5.1, if such Flip-in Event would occur by reason of an acquisition of Common Shares otherwise than pursuant to a Take-over Bid made by means of a Take-over Bid circular to all holders of record of Common Shares and otherwise than in the circumstances set forth in Subsection 5.1(d), to waive the application of Section 3.1 to such Flip-in Event.  In the event that the Board of Directors proposes such a waiver, the Board of Directors shall extend the Separation Time to a date subsequent to and not more than 10 Business Days following the meeting of shareholders called to approve such waiver.
 
(c)              The Board of Directors acting in good faith may, prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the application of Section 3.1 has not been waived under this clause, determine, upon prior written notice to the Rights Agent, to waive the application of Section 3.1 to that Flip-in Event provided that the Flip-in Event would occur by reason of a Take-over Bid made by means of a Take-over Bid circular sent to all holders of record of Common Shares; further, provided that if the Board waives the application of Section 3.1 to such a Flip-in Event, the Board of Directors shall be deemed to have waived the application of Section 3.1 to any other Flip-in Event occurring by reason of any Take-over Bid made by means of a Take-over Bid circular to all holders of record of Common Shares which is made prior to the expiry of any Take-over Bid in respect of which a waiver is, or is deemed to have been, granted under this Subsection 5.1(c).
 
(d)              The Board of Directors acting in good faith may, in respect of any Flip-in Event, waive or agree to waive the application of Section 3.1 to that Flip-in Event, provided that both of the following conditions are satisfied:
 
(i)
the Board of Directors has determined that the Acquiring Person became an Acquiring Person by inadvertence and without any intent or knowledge that it would become an Acquiring Person; and
 
(ii)
such Acquiring Person has reduced its Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares such  that at the time of waiver pursuant to this Subsection 5.1(d) it is no longer an Acquiring Person.
 
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(e)              Where, pursuant to a Permitted Bid, a Competing Permitted Bid or a Take-over Bid in respect of which the Board of Directors has waived, or is deemed to have waived, pursuant to Subsection 5.1(c), the application of Section 3.1, a Person acquires outstanding Common Shares, then the Board of Directors shall immediately upon the consummation of such acquisition without further formality and without any approval under Subsection 5.4(b) or 5.4(c)be deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights at the Redemption Price
 
(f)              If a redemption of Rights pursuant to Subsection 5.1(a) or a waiver of a Flip-in Event pursuant to Subsection 5.1(b) is proposed at any time prior to the Separation Time, such redemption or waiver shall be submitted for approval to the holders of Common Shares.  Such approval shall be deemed to have been given if the redemption or waiver is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Independent Shareholders represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of such holders duly held in accordance with applicable laws and the Corporation’s by-laws.
 
(g)              If a redemption of Rights pursuant to Subsection 5.1(a) is proposed at any time after the Separation Time, such redemption shall be submitted for approval to the Holders of Rights.  Such approval shall be deemed to have been given if the redemption is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the Holders of Rights represented in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at a meeting of such Holders.  For the purposes hereof, each outstanding Right (other than Rights which are Beneficially Owned by any Person referred to in clauses (i) to (v) inclusive of the definition of Independent Shareholders) shall be entitled to one vote, and the procedures for the calling, holding and conduct of the meeting shall be those, as nearly as may be, which are provided in the Corporation’s by-laws and the Business Corporations Act with respect to meetings of shareholders of the Corporation.
 
(h)              Where a Take-over Bid that is not a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid expires, is withdrawn or otherwise terminated after the Separation Time has occurred and prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the Board of Directors may elect to redeem all the outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price. Upon such redemption, all the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply as if the Separation Time had not occurred and it shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Corporation shall be deemed to have issued replacement Rights to the holders of its then-outstanding Common Shares, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
 
(i)              If the Board of Directors elects or is deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights and, in circumstances where Subsection 5.1(a) is applicable, such redemption is approved by the holders of Common Shares or the Holders of Rights in accordance with Subsection 5.1(f) or 5.1(g), as applicable, (i) the right to exercise the Rights will thereupon, without further action and without notice, terminate and the only right thereafter of the Holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price, and (ii) subject to Subsection 5.1(k) no further Rights shall be issued.
 
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(j)              Within 10 Business Days after the Board of Directors elects or is deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights, the Corporation shall give notice of redemption to the Holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to each such Holder at its last address as it appears upon the Rights Register or, prior to the Separation Time, on the share register maintained by the Corporation's transfer agent or transfer agents for the Common Shares.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.  The Corporation may not redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 5.1, except in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Separation Time.
 
(k)              Upon the Rights being redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.1, Rights may be reissued under this Agreement to holders of record of Common Shares immediately following such redemption, and thereafter, all the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply as if the Separation Time had not occurred and Rights Certificates representing the number of Rights held by each holder of record of Common Shares as of the Separation Time had not been mailed to each such holder and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Separation Time shall be deemed not to have occurred and such reissued Rights shall, without any further formality, be attached to the outstanding Common Shares in the same manner as prior to the occurrence of such Separation Time.
 
5.2
Expiration
 
No Person shall have any rights whatsoever pursuant to or arising out of this Agreement or in respect of any Right after the Expiration Time, except the Rights Agent as specified in Subsection 4.1(a) hereof.
 
5.3
Issuance of New Rights Certificates
 
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Corporation may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by the Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the number or kind or class of shares purchasable upon exercise of Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
 
5.4
Supplements and Amendments
 
(a)              The Corporation may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any Holders of Rights or Voting Shares (i) in order to correct any clerical or typographical error or (ii) as required to maintain the validity or effectiveness of this Agreement as a result of any change in any applicable legislation, rules or regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.4 to the contrary, no such supplement or amendment shall be made to the provisions of Article 4 except with the written concurrence of the Rights Agent to such supplement or amendment.
 
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(b)              Subject to Subsection 5.4(a), the Corporation may, with the prior consent of the holders of Voting Shares, obtained as set forth below, at any time prior to the Separation Time, supplement, amend, vary, rescind or delete any of the provisions of this Agreement and the Rights (whether or not such action would materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Rights generally).  Such consent shall be deemed to have been given if the action requiring such approval is authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Independent Shareholders present or represented at and entitled to be voted at a meeting of the holders of Voting Shares duly called and held in compliance with applicable laws and the articles and by-laws of the Corporation.
 
(c)              Subject to Subsection 5.4(a), the Corporation may, with the prior consent of the Holders of Rights, at any time on or after the Separation Time, supplement, amend, vary, rescind or delete any of the provisions of this Agreement and the Rights (whether or not such action would materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Rights generally), provided that no such amendment, variation or deletion shall be made to the provisions of Article 4 except with the written concurrence of the Rights Agent thereto.  Such consent shall be deemed to have been given if such amendment, variation or deletion is authorized by the affirmative votes of the holders of Rights present or represented at and entitled to be voted at a meeting of the holders held in accordance with Subsection 5.4(d) and representing 50% plus one of the votes cast in respect thereof.
 
(d)              Any amendment made by the Corporation to this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 5.4(a), other than any amendment to correct any clerical or typographical error, shall:
 
(i)
if made before the Separation Time, be submitted to the shareholders of the Corporation at the next meeting of shareholders and the shareholders may, by the majority referred to in Subsection 5.4(b), confirm or reject such amendment; and
 
(ii)
if made after the Separation Time, be submitted to the Holders of Rights at a meeting to be called for on a date not later than immediately following the next meeting of shareholders of the Corporation and the Holders of Rights may, by resolution passed by the majority referred to in Subsection 5.4(d), confirm or reject such amendment.
 
Any such amendment shall be effective from the date of the resolution of the Board of Directors adopting such amendment until it is confirmed or rejected or until it ceases to be effective (as described in the next sentence) and, where such amendment is confirmed, it continues in effect in the form so confirmed.  If such amendment is rejected by the shareholders or the Holders of Rights or is not submitted to the shareholders or Holders of Rights as required, then such amendment shall cease to be effective from and after the termination of the meeting at which it was rejected or to which it should have been but was not submitted or from and after the date of the meeting of Holders of Rights that should have been but was not held, and no subsequent resolution of the Board of Directors to amend this Agreement to substantially the same effect shall be effective until confirmed by the shareholders or Holders of Rights as the case may be.
 
(e)              Any approval of the holders of Rights shall be deemed to have been given if the action requiring such approval is authorized by the affirmative votes of the Holders of Rights present or represented at and entitled to be voted at a meeting of the Holders of Rights and representing a majority of the votes cast in respect thereof.  For the purposes hereof, each outstanding Right (other than Rights which are void pursuant to the provisions hereof) shall be entitled to one vote, and the procedures for the calling, holding and conduct of the meeting shall be those, as nearly as may be, which are provided in the Corporation’s by-laws and the CBCA with respect to meetings of shareholders of the Corporation
 
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(f)              The Corporation shall give notice in writing to the Rights Agent of any supplement, amendment, deletion, variation or rescission to or of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 5.4 within five Business Days of the date of any such supplement, amendment, deletion, variation or rescission, provided that failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any such supplement, amendment, deletion, variation or rescission.
 
(g)              Any amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be subject to the receipt of any requisite approvals or consent from any applicable regulatory authority including any necessary approvals of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed for trading.
 
5.5
Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares
 
(a)              The Corporation shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights.  After the Separation Time, in lieu of issuing fractional Rights, the Corporation shall, subject to Section 3.1(b), deliver Rights Certificates representing the number of Rights to which each Holder is entitled, rounded down to the nearest whole Right and shall not be required to deliver any certificate or cash in lieu thereof in respect of any fractions of Rights.
 
(b)              Share Certificates for Common Shares shall only be issued upon written request to the Corporation and the Corporation shall not be required in any circumstances to issue fractional Common Shares upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares.  In lieu of issuing fractional Common Shares, the Corporation shall pay to the registered Holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the Market Price of one Common Share.
 
(c)              The Rights Agent shall have no obligation to make any payments in lieu of issuing fractions of Rights or Common Shares pursuant to Subsections 5.5(a) or 5.6(b), respectively, unless and until the Corporation shall have provided to the Rights Agent the amount of funds to be paid in lieu of issuing such fractional Rights or Common Shares, as the case may be.
 
5.6
Rights of Action
 
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all rights of action in respect of this Agreement, other than rights of action vested solely in the Rights Agent, are vested in the respective registered Holders of the Rights; and any registered Holder of any Rights, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the registered Holder of any other Rights, may, on such Holder's own behalf and for such Holder's own benefit and the benefit of other Holders of Rights enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Corporation to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such Holder's right to exercise such Holder's Rights in the manner provided in such Holder's Rights Certificate and in this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the Holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the Holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.
 
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5.7
Notices
 
Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the Holder of any Rights to or on the Corporation shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent), or sent by facsimile or other form of recorded electronic communication, charges prepaid and confirmed in writing, as follows:
 
Americas Silver Corporation
145 King Street West, Suite 2870
Toronto, ON M5H 1J8
 
Attention:                      General Counsel
Facsimile:                        416.848.9503
 
Any notice or demand authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Corporation or by a Holder of Rights to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Corporation), or sent by facsimile or other form of recorded electronic communication, charges prepaid and confirmed in writing, as follows:
 
Computershare Investor Services Inc.
100 University Avenue, 8 th Floor
Toronto, ON  M5J 2Y1

Attention:                        Client Services Manager
Facsimile:                          416.981.9679
 
Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Corporation or the Rights Agent to or on any Holder of Rights shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears upon the Rights Register or, prior to the Separation Time, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.
 
Any notice given or made in accordance with this Section 5.7 shall be deemed to have been given and to have been received on the day of delivery, if so delivered; on the third Business Day (excluding each day during which there exists any general interruption of postal service due to strike, lockout or other cause) following the mailing thereof, if so mailed; and on the day of telegraphing, telecopying or sending of the same by other means of recorded electronic communication (provided such sending is during the normal business hours of the addressee on a Business Day and if not, on the first Business Day thereafter).  Each of the Corporation and the Rights Agent may from time to time change its address for notice by notice to the other given in the manner aforesaid.
 
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5.8
Costs of Enforcement
 
The Corporation agrees that if the Corporation or any other Person the securities of which are purchasable upon exercise of Rights fails to fulfil any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, then the Corporation or such Person will reimburse the Holder of any Rights for the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred by such Holder in actions to enforce his rights pursuant to any Rights or this Agreement.
 
5.9
Benefits of this Agreement
 
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Corporation, the Rights Agent and the Holders of the Rights any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation, the Rights Agent and the Holders of the Rights.
 
5.10
Governing Law
 
This Agreement and each Right issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the Province of Ontario   and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such province applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such province.
 
5.11
Language
 
Les parties aux présentes ont exigé que la présente convention ainsi que tous les documents et avis qui s'y rattachent et/ou qui en découleront soient rédigés en langue anglaise.  The parties hereto have required that this Agreement and all documents and notices related thereto and/or resulting therefrom be drawn up in the English language.
 
5.12
Severability
 
If any Section, Subsection, Clause, Subclause, term or provision hereof or the application thereof to any circumstance or any right hereunder shall, in any jurisdiction and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such Section, Subsection, Clause, Subclause, term or provision or such right shall be ineffective only as to such jurisdiction and to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction without invalidating or rendering unenforceable or ineffective the remaining Sections, Subsections, Clauses, Subclauses, terms and provisions hereof or rights hereunder in such jurisdiction or the application of such Section, Subsection, Clause, Subclause, term or provision or rights hereunder in any other jurisdiction or to circumstances other than those as to which it is specifically held invalid or unenforceable.
 
44

5.13
Effective Date and Shareholder Review
 
This Agreement is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms from and after the Record Time.  If this Agreement is not ratified by resolution passed by at least a majority of the votes cast by Independent Shareholders present or represented by proxy at a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation held on or before the date that is six months after the date hereof (the " First Meeting ") then this Agreement and any then outstanding Rights shall, without further formality, be terminated and of no further force or effect as at the earlier of the close of the First Meeting and the date that is six months after the date hereof.  If this Agreement is ratified at the First Meeting, then, at or prior to the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation to be held in the 2021 calendar year, provided that a Flip-In Event has not occurred prior to such time, the Board of Directors, if they consider it advisable, shall submit a resolution ratifying the continued existence of this Agreement to (a) the Independent Shareholders for their considerations and, if thought advisable, approval and (b) if required by the rules and regulations of any  stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed, all holders of Common Shares for their consideration and, if thought advisable, approval. Unless the majority of the votes cast by the Independent Shareholders who vote and, if required pursuant to clause (b) in the precedent sentence, the majority of the votes cast by all holders of Common Shares who vote in respect of such resolution are voted in favour of the continued existence of this Agreement, the Board of Directors shall, immediately upon the confirmation of the results of the votes on such resolution, by the chair of such meeting of shareholders, be deemed to elect to redeem the Rights at the Redemption Price.
 
5.14
Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors
 
All actions, calculations and determinations (including all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board of Directors, in good faith, for the purposes of this Agreement shall not subject the Board of Directors or any director of the Corporation to any liability to the Holders of the Rights.
 
5.15
Rights of Board of Directors and the Corporation
 
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall be construed to suggest or imply that the Board of Directors shall not be entitled to recommend that holders of Voting Shares reject or accept any Take-over Bid or take any other action (including the commencement, prosecution, defence or settlement of any litigation and the submission of additional or alternative Take-over Bids or other proposals to the holders of the Voting Shares with respect to any Take-over Bid or otherwise) that the Board of Directors believes is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its fiduciary duties.
 
5.16
Regulatory Approvals
 
Any obligation of the Corporation or action or event contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the receipt of any requisite approval or consent from any governmental or regulatory authority, including any necessary approvals of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed.
 
45

5.17
Declaration as to Non-Canadian Holders
 
If, in the opinion of the Board of Directors (who may rely upon the advice of counsel), any action or event contemplated by this Agreement would require compliance by the Corporation with the securities laws or comparable legislation of a jurisdiction outside Canada, the Board of Directors acting in good faith may take such actions as it may deem appropriate to ensure compliance.  In no event shall the Corporation or the Rights Agent be required to issue or deliver Rights or securities issuable on exercise of Rights to persons who are citizens, residents or nationals of any jurisdiction other than Canada, in which such issue or delivery would be unlawful without registration of the relevant Persons or securities for such purposes.
 
5.18
Time of the Essence
 
Time shall be of the essence in this Agreement.
 
5.19
Successors
 
All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Corporation or the Rights Agent shall bind and enure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
 
5.20
Execution in Counterparts
 
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts; each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original; and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
 
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
 
 
 
 
 
46

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
 
   
AMERICAS SILVER
CORPORATION
   
     
By:
   
 
Name:              Peter J. McRae
   
 
Title:              Vice President, General Counsel
   
       
       
       

 
   
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR
SERVICES INC.
   
     
By:
   
 
Name:
   
 
Title:
   
     
By:
Name:
   
 
Title:
   

 


 
Exhibit A
 
[FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE]
 
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
 
Certificate No. __________
__________ Rights
 
 
THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE CORPORATION, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES (SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION 3.1(b) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT), RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON, OR TRANSFEREES OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ITS ASSOCIATES OR AFFILIATES (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR ANY PERSON ACTING JOINTLY OR IN CONCERT WITH ANY OF THEM, MAY BECOME VOID WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ACTION.
 
This certifies that ____________________, or registered assigns, is the registered holder of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the registered holder thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of the 15 th day of May, 2018, (the "Rights Agreement") between Americas Silver Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act , (the "Corporation") and Computershare Investor Services Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada, as rights agent (the "Rights Agent", which term shall include any successor Rights Agent under the Rights Agreement) to purchase from the Corporation at any time after the Separation Time (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to the Expiration Time (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement), one fully paid and non-assessable Common Share of the Corporation (a "Common Share") at the Exercise Price referred to below, upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate together with the Form of Election to Exercise duly executed and submitted to the Rights Agent at its principal office in the city of Toronto.  The Exercise Price shall initially be an amount equal to five times the Market Price (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) per Common Share as at the Separation Time and shall be subject to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement.
 
In certain circumstances described in the Rights Agreement, the number of Common Shares which each Right entitles the registered holder thereof to purchase shall be adjusted as provided in the Rights Agreement.
 
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Rights Agent, the Corporation and the holders of the Rights.  Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the registered office of the Corporation and are available upon written request.
 

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at any of the offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing an aggregate number of Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Common Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered.  If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the registered holder shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender hereof, another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
 
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate may be, and under certain circumstances are required to be, redeemed by the Corporation at a redemption price of $0.00001 per Right, rounded down to nearest whole cent for each holder of Rights.
 
No fractional Common Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby, but in lieu thereof, a payment by cheque will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
 
No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of Common Shares or of any other securities of the Corporation which may at any time be issuable upon the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders of the Corporation at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders of the Corporation (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends, distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
 
2

This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
 
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Corporation.
 
Date: ____________________
 
AMERICAS SILVER
CORPORATION 
   
       
By:
 
By:
 
       
 
Countersigned:
 
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.
 
By:
 
By:
 
       
 
3

 
(To be attached to each Rights Certificate)
 
 
FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE
 
 
TO:
AMERICAS SILVER CORPORATION
 
 
AND TO:  
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.
 
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise  _______________ whole Rights represented by the attached Rights Certificate to purchase the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Shares be issued to:
 
   
(Name)
 
   
(Address)
 
   
(City and Province or State)
 
   
(Social Insurance Number or other taxpayer identification number)

If such number of Rights are not all the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
 
   
(Name)
 
   
(Address)
 
   
(City and Province or State)
 
   
(Social Insurance Number or other taxpayer identification number)

Dated:
   
Signature:
 
       
Signature Guaranteed:
 
(Signature must correspond to name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever)

Signature must be guaranteed by a Schedule 1 Canadian chartered bank, a major Canadian trust company or a member of a recognized Medallion Guarantee Program.
 

4

 
CERTIFICATE
 
(To be completed if true)
 
The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and Common Shares, that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or any Person acting jointly or in concert with any of the foregoing (all capitalized terms are used as defined in the Rights Agreement).
 

 
Signature:                                                                                      
 

 
NOTICE
 
In the event the certification set forth in the Form of Election to Exercise is not completed, the Corporation will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (all capitalized terms are used as defined in the Rights Agreement) and accordingly such Rights shall be null and void.
 


 
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
 
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate)
 
FOR VALUE RECEIVED  
 
   
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
 
  (Please print name and address of transferee)
 
 
the Rights represented by this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints                                                  , as attorney, to transfer the within Rights on the books of the Corporation, with full power of substitution.
 
Dated:
   
Signature:
 
       
Signature Guaranteed:
 
(Signature must correspond to name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever)

Signature must be guaranteed by a Schedule 1 Canadian chartered bank, a major Canadian trust company or a member of a recognized Medallion Guarantee Program.
 

 
CERTIFICATE
 
(To be completed if true)
 
The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and Common Shares, that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or any Person acting jointly or in concert with any of the foregoing (all capitalized terms are used as defined in the Rights Agreement).
 
Signature:                                                                        
 

 
NOTICE
 
In the event the certification set forth in the Form of Assignment is not completed, the Corporation will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (all capitalized terms are used as defined in the Rights Agreement) and accordingly such Rights shall be null and void.