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CORPORATE
Corporate Governance
Share Trading Policy
1. INTRODUCTION
Medusa Mining Limited (Medusa) is a public company
listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and is obliged
to comply with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act)
and the ASX Listing Rules (Listing Rules).
The purpose of this Share Trading Policy (Policy)
is to:
(a) explain the type of conduct in relation to
dealing in securities that is prohibited under the Corporations
Act; and
(b) set out the additional restrictions imposed by Medusa on
dealings in its securities by Designated Persons, which includes
directors and senior managers of Medusa.
The Board of Directors of Medusa (Board) considers
that compliance with this Policy is essential to ensure that the
required standards of conduct are being met by Designated Persons.
If you do not understand any part of this Policy,
the summary of the law or how it applies to you, you should raise
the matter with the Company Secretary before dealing with any
securities covered by this Policy.
It is intended that queries (including requests
for approval) will be responded to within 48 hours of being
received. Communications (including approvals) for the purpose of
this Policy may be by email or facsimile.
2. SUMMARY OF THE INSIDER TRADING PROHIBITION
2.1 Who is subject to the prohibition?
Under the Corporations Act, a person is prohibited
from dealing in securities where:
(a) the person possesses information which is
not generally available and, if the information were generally
available, a reasonable person would expect it to have a
material effect on the price or value of particular securities
(inside information); and
(b) the person knows, or ought reasonably to
know, that the information is not generally available and, if it
were generally available, a reasonable person would expect it to
have a material effect on the price or value of those
securities.
This prohibition applies regardless of how the
person learns the inside information.
2.2 What are the prohibitions?
A person with inside information is prohibited
from doing any of the following (either as principal or agent):
(a) applying for, buying or selling securities;
(b) entering into an agreement to apply for, buy or sell
securities;
(c) procuring any other person to do any of the above; and
(d) directly or indirectly communicating the inside information
to another person who the person knows, or ought reasonably to
know, would or would be likely to deal in, or procure another to
deal in, those securities.
Procuring is a broad concept and includes
inciting, inducing or encouraging another person to do something.
For example, you cannot ask or encourage family members or friends
to deal in securities when you possess inside information, and you
should not communicate inside information to any such people.
2.3 Information that is generally available
For the purposes of the insider trading provisions
of the Corporations Act, information is defined broadly and
includes matters of supposition and other matters which are
insufficiently definite to warrant being made known to the public.
It also includes matters relating to the intentions of a person.
Information is considered to be "generally
available" if:
(a) it consists of a readily observable matter;
(b) it has been made known in a manner likely to
bring it to the attention of investors in securities of
corporations of the relevant kind, and a reasonable period for
dissemination of that information has elapsed; or
(c) it may be deduced, inferred or concluded
from either or both of the above.
Generally speaking, information will be
"generally available" if it has been released to the
ASX, published in an Annual Report or prospectus or otherwise been
made generally available to the investing public and a reasonable
period of time has elapsed after the information has been
disseminated in one of these ways.
2.4 Material effect on the price of securities
Information has a material effect on the price or
value of securities if, and only if, a reasonable person would
expect that information to, or to be likely to, influence persons
who commonly invest in securities in deciding whether or not to
subscribe for, buy or sell those securities.
2.5 Examples of inside information
The following list is illustrative only. Inside
information could include the following:
(a) a material increase or decrease in Medusa's
financial performance from previous results or forecasts;
(b) a proposed material business or asset
acquisition or sale by Medusa;
(c) a successful tender for a material contract;
(d) the damage or destruction of a material
operation of Medusa;
(e) the launch of a material new business by
Medusa;
(f) proposed material legal proceedings to be
initiated by or against Medusa;
(g) regulatory action or investigations
undertaken by a government authority;
(h) a possible change in Medusa's capital
structure, including a proposal to undertake a new issue of
shares;
(i) any new financing or a material change to
the terms of existing financing;
(j) a proposed dividend;
(k) senior management changes; and
(l) information that is being withheld in
accordance with the exception to the continuous disclosure
requirements in ASX Listing Rule 3.1A.
2.6 Dealings in other companies
Dealings in securities of other entities
associated with or connected with Medusa (such as Medusa's
customers or joint venture partners) where a person possesses
inside information in relation to that other company may also be
caught by the insider trading prohibitions. For example, where you
are aware that Medusa is about to sign a major agreement with
another company, you should not buy or sell securities in either
Medusa or the other company.
2.7 Consequences of insider trading
A person who commits a breach of the insider
trading provisions could be subject to criminal liability
(substantial fines and/or imprisonment may be imposed) or civil
liability (substantial pecuniary penalties can be imposed). In
addition, a person who contravenes or is involved in a
contravention of these provisions may be liable to compensate any
person who suffers loss or damage because of the conduct.
Such conduct would also prompt disciplinary action
by Medusa, which may include termination of employment.
3. ADDITIONAL TRADING RESTRICTIONS
This Policy imposes trading restrictions on
Designated Persons in addition to the insider trading prohibitions
imposed by the Corporations Act. At all times, these insider
trading prohibitions continue to apply to Designated Persons;
compliance with these additional trading restrictions in this
paragraph 3 does not necessarily constitute compliance with the
insider trading prohibitions.
3.1 Reasons for additional restrictions
Designated Persons are in positions where it may
be assumed that they may come into possession of inside
information and, as a result, any trading by Designated Persons
may embarrass or reflect badly on them or on Medusa (even if a
Designated Person has no actual inside information at the time).
This Policy is designed to avoid the possibility
that misconceptions, misunderstandings or suspicions might arise.
3.2 Dealings by Designated Persons
(a) At all times, Designated Persons must
receive prior approval for any proposed dealing in Medusa's
securities from the following persons (the Relevant Approver):
(i) in relation to a proposed dealing by the
Chief Executive Officer or the Managing Director (if the roles
are held by different people) - from the Chairman; and
(ii) in relation to a proposed dealing by the Chairman, the
Company Secretary or by all other Designated Persons - from
the Chief Executive Officer or the Managing Director.
(b) Designated Persons must receive prior
written approval for any proposed dealing in Medusa's securities
by:
(i) notifying the Relevant Approver (in
writing) of their intent to deal in Medusa securities;
(ii) confirming that they are not aware of any price sensitive
inside information; and
(iii) receiving written approval from the Relevant Approver
prior to undertaking the proposed dealing.
(c) If approval is given, the Designated Person
must deal as soon as possible and, in any event, within two
business days after receiving approval. Further notification and
approval will be required if the proposed dealing does not occur
within the relevant approval period.
(d) Where a Designated Person has been granted
approval to deal in Medusa securities, they must provide the
Chief Executive Officer or the Company Secretary with the
following information, within three business days of
consummating a trade:
(i) the name of the party who was dealing in
Medusa's securities;
(ii) whether the interest in those securities were held
directly or indirectly;
(iii) the date of the dealing;
(iv) the number of securities that were the subject of the
dealing;
(v) the amount of monies paid or received as a result of the
dealing; and
(vi) the number of securities held directly or indirectly,
before and after the dealing.
3.3 Prohibited periods for Designated Persons
(a) The following periods are Closed Periods for
the purposes of this Policy:
(i) the period of 60 days immediately
preceding announcement of Medusa's annual results (including
preliminary annual results), or if shorter, the period from
the end of the relevant financial year up to and including the
time of the announcement;
(ii) the period from the end of the relevant financial period
up to and including the time of the announcement of Medusa's
half-yearly results; and
(iii) the period of 30 days immediately preceding the
announcement of Medusa's quarterly results or, if shorter, the
period from the relevant financial period up to and including
the time of the announcement.
(b) Unless approval is provided under paragraph
3.4, Designated Persons will not be given prior approval to deal
in Medusa securities during the following periods:
(i) Closed Periods; and
(ii) any additional periods determined by the Board in
circumstances where Medusa is considering matters which are
subject to the exception in ASX Listing Rule 3.1A,
(each a Prohibited Period).
3.4 Approvals during Prohibited Periods
(a) The Relevant Approver may give a Designated
Person approval to deal in Medusa securities during a Prohibited
Period, but only where:
(i) the Designated Person:
(A) advises the Relevant Approver in writing
of their request to deal in Medusa securities and the
reasons for needing to do so during a Prohibited Period; and
(B) confirms in writing that they are not in possession of
price sensitive inside information; and
(ii) the Relevant Approver is satisfied that
the Designated Person is in severe financial hardship or
exceptional circumstances exist, and provides written approval
to the Designated Person.
(b) A Designated Person would be in severe
financial hardship if they had a pressing financial commitment
that cannot be satisfied by other means.
(c) A tax liability would not normally
constitute severe financial hardship unless the person had no
other means of satisfying the liability. A person's need to
satisfy a tax liability arising from equity incentives connected
with Medusa would not normally be considered an exceptional
circumstance.
(d) Exceptional circumstances would exist if:
(i) a Designated Person was required by a
court order, or there were court enforceable undertakings (eg
in a bona fide family settlement) or some other overriding
legal or regulatory requirement, to deal in Medusa securities;
or
(ii) the Board, in its discretion, deems such circumstances to
be exceptional.
(e) If approval is given to deal during a
Prohibited Period, the Designated Person must ordinarily deal as
soon as possible and, in any event, within two business days
after receiving approval (unless otherwise approved by the
Relevant Approver). Further notification and approval will be
required if the proposed dealing does not occur within the
relevant approval period.
(f) Where a Designated Person has been granted
approval to deal in Medusa securities during a Prohibited
Period, they must provide the Chief Executive Officer or the
Company Secretary with the information required under paragraph
3.2(d) of this Policy, within three business days of
consummating a trade.
3.5 Restrictions on margin loans
Margin lending poses special risks to the
compliance of Designated Persons with this Policy, particularly
where the terms of the margin lending arrangements may place the
Designated Person in a position of conflict with their obligations
under this Policy and/or with the insider trading laws (for
example, if a call is made under the arrangements, which results
in Medusa securities being sold while the Designated Person
possesses inside information).
Without prior approval in the manner set out in
paragraph 3.2 or 3.4 (as the case may be), Designated Persons must
not enter into agreements that provide lenders with rights over
their interests in Medusa securities (eg for the disposal of
Medusa shares or options that is the result of a secured lender
exercising their rights under a margin lending arrangement).
3.6 Short term dealings
In addition to the trading restrictions set out in
this Policy, Designated Persons must not:
(a) engage in active trading of Medusa's shares
with a view to deriving profit related income;
(b) enter into any other short term dealings
(for example, forward contracts) or for speculative trading
gain; and
(c) deal in financial products issued or created
over or in respect of Medusa securities (eg hedges or
derivatives) which have the effect of reducing or eliminating
the risk associated with any equity incentives that Medusa may
offer from time to time (for example, a person may be granted an
equity incentive award that vests at a time in the future
subject to achieving certain performance goals; certain
financial institutions offer products which act as an insurance
policy if the performance goals are not met, thereby reducing
the "at-risk" element of the person's incentive
arrangements),
except with the Designated Person's prior written
approval which may only be provided in exceptional circumstances
(as set out in paragraph 3.4).
3.7 Restrictions applicable to Connected Persons
Designated Persons must take steps to ensure that
their Connected Persons (including immediate family members of the
Designated Person and any trusts, companies and other entities
that the Designated Person controls) understand and will act in
accordance with the terms of this Policy in relation to Medusa
securities.
This means that each Designated Person must:
(a) request their Connected Persons to observe
the notification and approval procedure outlined in paragraph
3.2 or 3.4 by giving the Designated Person the information
necessary for the Designated Person to lodge notices and
requests in respect of the Connected Person's dealings in Medusa
securities;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure that their
Connected Persons do not engage in short-term dealings with
Medusa securities; and
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure that their
Connected Persons do not deal in Medusa securities during an
applicable Prohibited Period or at any other time when the
Designated Person would not themselves be permitted to deal in
Medusa securities under this Policy.
4. EXEMPTIONS FROM TRADING RESTRICTIONS
The trading restrictions imposed on Designated
Persons under this Policy (aside from the insider trading
restrictions) do not apply in the following circumstances:
(a) where trading results in no change in
beneficial interest in the securities (such as transfers of
securities of Medusa already held in a superannuation fund or
other saving scheme in which the Designated Person is a
beneficiary);
(b) an investment in, or trading in units of, a
fund or other scheme (other than a scheme only investing in the
securities of Medusa) where the assets of the fund or other
scheme are invested at the discretion of a third party;
(c) where the Designated Person is a trustee,
trading in the securities of Medusa by that trust provided the
Designated Person is not a beneficiary of the trust and any
decision to trade during a prohibited period is taken by the
other trustees or by the investment managers independently of
the Designated Person;
(d) undertakings to accept, or the acceptance
of, a takeover offer;
(e) trading under an offer or invitation made to
all or most of the Medusa security holders, such as, a rights
issue, a security purchase plan, a dividend or distribution
reinvestment plan and an equal access buy-back, where the plan
that determines the timing and structure of the offer has been
approved by the Board. This exemption includes decisions
relating to whether or not to take up the entitlements and the
sale of entitlements required to provide for the take up of the
balance of entitlements under a renounceable pro rata issue;
(f) a disposal of Medusa securities that is the
result of a secured lender exercising their rights, for example,
under a margin lending arrangement, subject to the Designated
Person having received prior written clearance for the original
financing arrangement as set out in paragraph 3.5;
(g) the exercise (but not the sale of securities
following exercise) of an option or a right under an employee
incentive scheme, or the conversion of a convertible security,
where the final date for the exercise of the option or right, or
the conversion of the security, falls during a Prohibited Period
and Medusa has been in a long Prohibited Period or Medusa has
had a number of consecutive Prohibited Periods and the
Designated Person could not reasonably have been expected to
exercise it at a time when free to do so; and
(h) trading under a non-discretionary trading
plan for which prior written clearance has been provided in
accordance with the procedures set out in this Policy and where:
(i) the Designated Person did not enter into
the plan or amend the plan during a Prohibited Period;
(ii) the trading plan does not permit the Designated Person to
exercise any influence or discretion over how, when or whether
to trade.
A Designated Person must not cancel a trading plan
unless clearance has first been given in accordance with paragraph
3.2 for its cancellation. If cancellation is to occur during a
Prohibited Period, approval must be obtained under paragraph 3.4.
5. DISCLOSURE TO ASX
The ASX Listing Rules require this Policy to be
disclosed to ASX. Where Medusa makes a material change to this
Policy, the amended policy must be provided to ASX within five
business days of the material changes taking effect.
In addition, if a change to a notifiable interest of a Medusa
director occurs during a Closed Period, Medusa must tell ASX (in
its Appendix 3Y filing) that this is the case, whether prior
written clearance for the relevant dealing was provided and the
date of such clearance.
6. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Policy:
deal or dealing includes, in relation to
securities:
(a) an acquisition or disposal of the
securities;
(b) the entry into a derivative in relation to the securities;
(c) the grant, acceptance, acquisition, disposal or exercise of
an option to acquire or dispose of the securities;
(d) the use of the securities as security or the grant of any
encumbrance over the securities;
(e) the engagement in any other transaction involving a
beneficial interest or a change in beneficial ownership of the
securities; or
(f) the entry into any agreement to do any of the above things.
Connected Person means, in relation to a
Designated Person:
(a) a family member of that Designated Person
who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that
Designated Person in his or her dealings with Medusa securities
(this may include that Designated Person's partner and children
(under the age of 18 years) or dependants of that Designated
Person);
(b) a business partner of that Designated Person;
(c) a trustee where the beneficiaries of the trust include that
Designated Person or a family member (referred to in
sub-paragraph (a) above); and
(d) any other entity in respect of which that Designated Person
has an ability to control.
Designated Persons means:
(a) the directors of Medusa, and those other
persons having authority and responsibility for planning,
directing and controlling the activities of Medusa, directly or
indirectly; and
(b) any person who is notified in writing by the Board or the
Company Secretary to be a Designated Person for the purposes of
this Policy from time to time (eg persons involved in a special
price sensitive project).
securities means:
(a) ordinary shares;
(b) preference shares;
(c) options;
(d) debentures or debt securities;
(e) convertible notes; and
(f) financial products relating to securities issued by Medusa
(for example, warrant contracts and other derivative products
relating to the securities).
7. BREACHES OF THIS POLICY
Strict compliance with this Policy is a condition
of employment. Breaches of this Policy may result in disciplinary
action, which may include termination of employment in certain
cases.
8. WHO TO CONTACT
If you are in any doubt regarding your proposed
dealing in Medusa securities, or would like further information or
have a question with respect to this Policy, you should contact
the Company Secretary.
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