Announcement PDF Document ID [VG-CORP-POL-0013] Revision No. Rev 0 Issue Date Prepared by Approved by Document Owner Date Rev Details 0 Issued for Use ACN 691 820 532 Securities Trading Policy Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 2 of 11 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose (a) This securities trading policy (Policy) sets out the Valiant Gold Limited’s (Company) policy regarding its directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors (irrespective of location) who Deal or may Deal in Company Securities and should be read in its entirety. (b) The purpose of this Policy is to: (i) provide a summary of the law on insider trading in Australia; (ii) outline the prohibitions on Dealing in Company Securities to prevent the misuse of unpublished information which could materially affect the value of such securities; (iii) ensure that the reputation of the Company, its directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors is not adversely impacted by perceptions of Dealing in securities at inappropriate times; and (iv) achieve high standards of corporate conduct and support market confidence in the integrity of Dealing in Company Securities. 1.2 Source of Legal Obligations The sources of legal obligations underpinning this Policy include: (a) the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), which, among other things, prohibits insider trading by anyone (regardless of geographical location); and (b) the ASX Listing Rules, ASX Guidance Note 27 (Trading Policies) and the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, which set out requirements for responsible trading in listed company shares. 2 Insider trading prohibition – the law It is an offence under the Corporations Act to (among other things) Deal using Inside Information, procure or encourage (when in possession of Inside Information) another person to deal in Company Securities or communicate Inside Information to others who will, or are likely to, Deal on the Inside Information (or procure another person to Deal on the Inside Information). 3 Dealing in Company Securities 3.1 When a Designated Person MAY Deal A Designated Person may Deal in Company Securities unless restricted from doing so under clause 3.2(a) or clause 3.2(b) (When a Designated Person May Not Deal) or under applicable laws. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 3 of 11 3.2 When a Designated Person MAY NOT Deal (a) Subject to clauses 4.1 to 4.2(g) (Exceptions), a Designated Person may not Deal in Company Securities during the following designated Black-out Periods: (i) from the close of the ASX trading day two weeks prior to, and until 10:00am (Sydney time) on the ASX trading day following, the release of the Company's quarterly reports (if applicable); (ii) from the close of the ASX trading day two weeks prior to, and until 10:00am (Sydney time) on the ASX trading day following, the release of the Company's half-year results; (iii) from the close of the ASX trading day two weeks prior to, and until 10:00am (Sydney time) on the ASX trading day following, the release of the Company's Annual Report; and (iv) any other period determined by the Chairperson in consultation with the Company Secretary to be a Black-out Period from time to time. (b) In addition to the restrictions in clause 3.2(a), a Designated Person may not Deal in Company Securities at any time if he or she has: (i) information that he or she knows, or ought reasonably to know, is Inside Information; or (ii) not complied with clauses 5.1(a) to 5.3(b) (Approval and notification requirements). 3.3 When employees, consultants or contractors (other than a Designated Person) MAY Deal An employee, consultant or contractor (who is not a Designated Person) may, at any time, Deal in Company Securities if he or she does not have information that he or she knows, or ought reasonably to know, is Inside Information and provided such Dealing otherwise complies with applicable laws. 3.4 When employees, consultants or contractors (other than a Designated Person) MAY NOT Deal An employee, consultant or contractor (who is not a Designated Person) who has information that he or she knows, or ought reasonably to know, is Inside Information may not: (a) Deal in Company Securities; (b) advise, procure or encourage another person to deal in Company Securities; or (c) pass on information to any person if they know, or ought reasonably to know, that the person may use the information to Deal in (or procure another person to Deal in) Company Securities. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 4 of 11 4 Exceptions 4.1 Permitted dealings Subject to not being in the possession of Inside Information and subject to complying with all applicable laws, a Designated Person may at any time: (a) transfer Company Securities already held into a superannuation fund or other saving scheme in which the Designated Person is a beneficiary; (b) invest in, or trade in units of, a fund or other scheme (other than a scheme only investing in Company Securities) where the assets of the fund or scheme are invested at the discretion of a third party; (c) undertake to accept, or accept, a takeover offer; (d) participate in an offer or invitation made to all or most security holders, including a rights issue, equal access buy-back, security purchase plan or dividend or distribution reinvestment plan, where the timing and structure of the offer or invitation has been approved by the Board. This includes decisions relating to whether or not to take up the entitlements and sale of entitlements required to provide for the take up of the balance of entitlements under a renounceable pro rata issue; (e) exercise (but not Deal with the securities following exercise) an option or right under an employee incentive scheme where the final date for the exercise of the option or right falls during a Black-out Period or the Company has had a number of consecutive Black-out Periods and the Designated Person could not reasonably have been expected to exercise it at a time when free to do so; (f) acquire (but not Deal with the securities following acquisition) Company shares by conversion of financial instruments giving rights to conversion to shares (e.g. options or convertible securities) where the final date for the conversion of the security falls during a Black-out Period or the Company has had a number of consecutive Black-out Periods and the Designated Person could not reasonably have been expected to exercise it at a time when free to do so; (g) acquire Company securities under a bonus issue made to all holders of securities of the same class; (h) acquire Company securities under a dividend reinvestment, or top-up plan that is available to all holders of securities of the same class; (i) acquire, or agree to acquire or exercise options under a Company employee share plan; (j) withdraw ordinary shares in the Company held on behalf of the Designated Person in an employee share plan where the withdrawal is permitted by the rules of that plan; (k) acquire ordinary shares in the Company as a result of the exercise of options held under an employee share scheme; or (l) where the Designated Person is a trustee, trade in the securities of the Company by that trust, provided the Designated Person is not a beneficiary of Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 5 of 11 the trust and any decision to trade during a Black-out Period is taken by the other trustees or by the investment managers independently of the Designated Person. 4.2 Approval to dispose or transfer Company Securities in exceptional circumstances (a) Subject to compliance with applicable laws, in exceptional circumstances a Designated Person may seek written approval from the Chairperson (Approval Officer) to dispose of or transfer (but not acquire or otherwise Deal with) Company Securities during a Black-out Period (Disposal Consent). (b) The Approval Officer will act with caution in determining whether there are exceptional circumstances, which may include, but will not be limited to, where: (i) the Designated Person is in severe financial hardship and a pressing financial commitment cannot be satisfied otherwise than by disposing of Company Securities; or (ii) the Designated Person is required by a court order, or there are court enforceability undertakings, to transfer or dispose of Company Securities or there is some other overriding legal regulatory requirement for them to do so. (c) A Designated Person seeking Disposal Consent based on clause 4.2(b)(i) must provide the Approval Officer with: (i) a written application stating all of the facts; and (ii) copies of relevant supporting documentation, including contact details of the Designated Person's accountant, bank and other such independent institutions (where applicable). (d) A Designated Person seeking Disposal Consent based on clause 4.2(b)(ii) must provide the Approval Officer with a written application accompanied by relevant court and/or supporting legal documentation (where applicable). (e) The Approval Officer may grant Disposal Consent to a Designated Person: (i) only if that Designated Person is not in possession of Inside Information; and (ii) on such terms and conditions (including the duration of the right to dispose or transfer) as considered reasonable in the circumstances by the Approval Officer. (f) The Approval Officer will notify the Board of any Disposal Consent granted to a Designated Person. (g) A Disposal Consent, if granted, will be issued in writing to the Designated Person and will contain a specified time period during which the disposal or transfer can be made. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 6 of 11 5 Approval and notification requirements 5.1 Approval requirements (a) Any Designated Person (other than the Chairperson) wishing to Deal in Company Securities must obtain the prior written approval of the Chairperson or the Board before doing so. (b) If the Chairperson wishes to Deal in Company Securities, the Chairperson must obtain the prior approval of the Board before doing so. 5.2 Approvals to Deal (a) All requests to Deal in Company Securities as referred to in clauses 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) must include the intended volume of securities to be Dealt in and an estimated time frame for the Dealing. (b) Copies of written approvals must be forwarded to the Company Secretary prior to the approved Dealing. 5.3 Notification (a) Subsequent to approval obtained in accordance with clauses 5.2(a) and 5.2(b), any Designated Person who Deals in Company Securities must notify the Company Secretary in writing of the details of the transaction within two business days of the Dealing occurring. (b) The notification obligation in clause 5.3(a) operates at all times but does not apply to acquisitions of shares or options by employees made under employee share or option schemes, nor does it apply to the acquisition of shares as a result of the exercise of options under an employee share scheme. (c) The Company Secretary will ensure that all necessary disclosures regarding Dealings in Company Securities are made to the ASX and other regulatory bodies based on the information provided by Designated Persons. 6 Other restrictions 6.1 Incomplete Buy or Sell Orders (a) Buy or sell orders for Company Securities which are placed but not completed outside of a Black-out Period are subject to the following restrictions once the Black-out Period commences: (i) the order must be completed within five trading days otherwise it will lapse; and (ii) the order cannot be varied. (b) Any order subject to this procedure should be notified in writing to the Company Secretary within 24 hours of the Black-out Period commencing. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 7 of 11 6.2 Derivatives (a) The Company prohibits the use of Derivatives in relation to unvested equity instruments, including performance share rights, and vested Company Securities that are subject to disposal restrictions (such as a 'Holding Lock'). (b) Derivatives may, subject to the approval of the Chairperson (or in relation to the Chairperson, subject to approval of the Board) and subject to compliance with the law and the other provisions of this Policy, be used in relation to vested positions which are not subject to disposal restrictions. 6.3 Prohibition on Margin Loan Arrangements Designated Persons may not: (a) enter into a Margin Loan or similar funding arrangement to acquire any Company Securities; or (b) use Company Securities as security for a Margin Loan or similar funding arrangement. 6.4 Securities of other Companies The prohibitions in the Corporations Act against insider trading applies equally to where Inside Information is being held by a person about another company or entity. This may occur, for example, where the Company is negotiating a transaction with another company or where, in the course of negotiating a transaction with the Company, another entity provides confidential information about itself or another entity. Accordingly, if a person possesses Inside Information in relation to the securities of another entity, they must not Deal in those securities. 7 Penalties (a) Insider trading is a criminal offence. A person who commits a breach of the insider trading provisions could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties for the individual and for the Company. (b) Any person contravening this Policy will be regarded as having been engaged in serious misconduct and will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination of a person's employment or appointment. (c) In addition, the insider trader, and any other persons involved in the contravention, may also be liable to compensate third parties for any resulting loss. 8 Policy compliance (a) During the year the Company may require confirmation from Designated Persons that they have complied with this Policy. The Company may also require confirmation (or declarations) of holdings in securities. All such requested information must be supplied within five business days of the request being made. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 8 of 11 (b) A breach of this Policy will be regarded very seriously and may lead to disciplinary action being taken (including termination of employment). If the Company becomes aware of any breach of this Policy, then the Company may report such breach to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. (c) If an individual is in any doubt regarding their proposed Dealing in securities, they should contact the Company Secretary. 9 Publication This Policy will be made available from the Company website at https://www.valiantgold.com.au/. 10 Review This Policy shall be reviewed annually by the Board to ensure that it is operating effectively and ascertain whether changes are required to this Policy. 11 Definitions In this Policy, the following definitions apply: Company Securities includes shares, options, warrants, derivatives and interests in shares (including vested options and vested performance share rights) linked in any way to the underlying price of shares in the Company. Black-out Periods means a relevant period as defined by the Company when Designated Persons may not Deal in Company Securities. Dealing includes: (a) applying for, acquiring or disposing of securities; (b) entering into an agreement to apply for, acquire or dispose of, securities; and (c) granting, accepting, acquiring, disposing, exercising or discharging an option or other right or obligation to acquire or dispose of securities. Derivatives include: (a) derivatives within the meaning given in section 761D of the Corporations Act (such as options, forward contracts, swaps, futures, warrants, caps and collars); and (b) any other transaction in financial products or hedging arrangement or other arrangement which operates to limit (in any way) the economic risk associated with holding the relevant securities. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 9 of 11 Designated Persons means each of: (a) the Directors of the Company; (b) any person who by their role or otherwise, becomes aware of Inside Information by having access to confidential material which may contain potentially price sensitive information including the Company board papers, periodic disclosure materials or any other relevant document; and (c) in relation to those persons identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, the following people are also deemed to be Designated Persons: (i) their spouse or any of their children (including step children) under the age of 18 years; (ii) a trust of which they, any members of their family, or family-controlled company are a trustee or beneficiary; and (iii) a company which they or their family control. Inside Information means information which is not generally available to the market and, if it were generally available to the market, would be likely to have a material effect on the price or value of securities. Annexure A provides further details about what constitutes Inside Information. Margin Loan means any lending or similar arrangement allowing a person to borrow money to invest in securities using existing investments as security. Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 10 of 11 Annexure A to the Securities Trading Policy Valiant Gold Limited Inside Information 1 'Inside information' means information which is not generally available to the market and, if it were generally available to the market, would be likely to have a material effect on the price or value of securities. 2 Information is considered to be generally available if: (a) it consists of readily observable matter; or (b) it has been made known in a manner likely to bring it to the attention of investors in securities and a reasonable period for dissemination of that information has elapsed; or (c) it may be deduced, inferred or concluded from the above. 3 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. 4 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. Material Effect on the Price of Securities 5 Information is considered by the Corporations Act to be likely to have a material effect on the price or value of securities of a company if the information would, or would be likely to, influence persons who commonly invest in securities in deciding whether or not to subscribe for, buy or sell those securities. 6 It is not possible to list all of information that may be material, however, the following types of information would each be likely to be considered to have a material effect on the Company's share price: (a) information regarding a material increase or decrease in the Company's financial performance from previous results or forecasts, such as changes to profit results; (b) significant exploration drilling results; (c) new or updated JORC ore reserve or mineral resource calculations; (d) a proposed material business or asset acquisition or sale; (e) the damage or destruction of a material operation of the Group; (f) proposed material legal proceedings to be initiated by or against the Company; (g) regulatory action or investigations undertaken by a Government authority; Valiant Gold Limited – Securities Trading Policy Page 11 of 11 (h) the launch of a new business or material new product; or (i) a proposal to undertake a new issue of securities or major change in financing.