UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
Minera Andes Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
602910101
(CUSIP Number)
| Copy to: | ||
| Robert Ross McEwen 3rd Floor 99 George Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5A 2N4 (647) 258-0395 |
Hendrik Jordaan, Esq. Holme Roberts & Owen LLP 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 4100 Denver, CO 80203 (303) 861-7000 |
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
December 21, 2005
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 17 C.F.R. §240.13d-1(e), 17 C.F.R. 240.13d-1(f), or 17 C.F.R. 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ¨
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See 17 C.F.R. §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
| * | The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. |
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
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CUSIP No. 602910101
| 1. | Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
Robert Ross McEwen |
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| 2. | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) ¨ (b) ¨ |
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| 3. | SEC Use Only
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| 4. | Source of Funds (See Instructions)
PF |
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| 5. | Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)
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| 6. | Citizenship or Place of Organization
Canadian citizen |
| Number of Units Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With |
7. Sole Voting Power
23,122,110* 8. Shared Voting Power
0 9. Sole Dispositive Power
23,122,110* 10. Shared Dispositive Power
0 |
| 11. | Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
23,122,110* |
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| 12. | Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)
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| 13. | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
19.9%** |
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| 14. | Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN |
| * | Share amount includes 7,707,370 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants issued pursuant to the First Tranche Subscription Agreement, dated December 20, 2005 (the “First Tranche”), described in Item 4. |
| ** | Percentage calculation assumes the exercise of all First Tranche warrants. |
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Item 1. Security and Issuer
This Schedule 13D relates to the common stock (“Common Stock”) of Minera Andes Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada (“Minera Andes”). Minera Andes’ principal executive offices are located at Suite A, 111 East Magnesium Road, Spokane, Washington 99208.
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) This Schedule 13D is filed by Robert Ross McEwen (“McEwen”).
(b) and (c) McEwen’s business address is 3rd Floor, 99 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 2N4. McEwen’s principal occupation is as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for U.S. Gold Corporation. U.S. Gold Corporation is a gold exploration company with operations in the United States of America.
(d) and (e) McEwen has not during the last five years: (i) been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); or (ii) been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) McEwen is a Canadian citizen.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
The aggregate purchase price for the 15,414,740 shares of Common Stock and the warrants underlying the remaining 7,707,370 shares of Common Stock reported in this Schedule 13D was $5,393,159, paid in cash from McEwen’s personal funds. No funds were borrowed by McEwen in order to complete his acquisition of the Common Stock.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
(a). The purchase of the Common Stock reported in this Schedule 13D was made for the purpose of making an investment in Minera Andes. Pursuant to the First Tranche Subscription Agreement, dated December 20, 2005 (the “First Tranche”), Mr. McEwen acquired 15,414,740 shares of Common Stock and warrants that, if exercised in their entirety, would represent 7,707,370 shares of Common Stock. Consistent with such purpose, McEwen has had, and expects to continue to have, discussions with management of Minera Andes concerning Minera Andes and his investment in Minera Andes. McEwen may also engage in such discussions with other shareholders of Minera Andes.
Pursuant to a Second Tranche Subscription Agreement, dated December 20, 2005 (the “Second Tranche”), upon (i) receipt by Minera Andes of shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, and (ii) Minera Andes terminating its shareholder rights plan (the “Minera Andes Shareholders Rights Plan”) and redeeming all of the rights issued thereunder, McEwen has agreed to acquire an additional 13,156,689 shares of Common Stock and warrants representing 6,578,344 shares of Common Stock. If McEwen acquires the Second Tranche Common Stock and exercises all First Tranche and Second Tranche warrants, McEwen will own approximately 31.5% of the outstanding Common Stock of Minera Andes.
The First Tranche Subscripton Agreement and Second Tranche Agreement provide, among other things, that, for the period commencing on the date that is 61 days after the later of (i) the date upon which the Minera Andes Shareholders Rights Plan is terminated, and (ii) the date upon which all rights issued under the Minera Andes Shareholders Rights Plan are redeemed, and ending on the date that is two years after December 21, 2005 (the closing date of the First Tranche, the “Closing Date”), at any time during such period McEwen will have a right of first refusal (provided McEwen owns not less than 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (assuming the exercise of any warrants held by McEwen)), subject to certain exceptions, to subscribe for up to and including 100% of the value of each financing undertaken by Minera Andes, either by way of private placement or public offering of equity, debt, subscription units or convertible securities, rights offering or project financing (a “Financing”) on the same terms and conditions (including price and timing) as other investors in each such Financing. McEwen’s right to participate in a Financing applies to each Financing and is not affected by McEwen’s exercise or failure to exercise such right in respect of any particular Financing.
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The First Tranche Subscripton Agreement and Second Tranche Agreement also provide, that, for a period of one year from the Closing Date, Minera Andes will not (with certain exceptions set forth therein), without the prior written consent of McEwen, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld: (i) enter into any agreements with respect to any of Minera Andes’ properties that might have the effect of creating an interest, directly or indirectly, in such property to a third party; (ii) enter into any agreements with third parties which would grant such third parties rights, that when exercised, would have the effect of granting an interest, directly or indirectly, in any of Minera Andes’ properties to third parties; (iii) enter into any option, joint venture, royalty, lease, unitization, sale, deed, trust, conveyance, transfer, disposition, mining, cross mining, commingling or agreements of whatever nature with respect to any of Minera Andes’ properties; (iv) enter into any agreements with respect to the financing of any of Minera Andes’ properties that would result in any dilution or reduction of Minera Andes’ present interests in any of such properties; (v) enter into any agreements, relating to an amalgamation, reorganization, plan of arrangement or similar type of transaction, that might have the effect of reducing Minera Andes’ interest in any of its properties or granting a third party an interest, directly or indirectly, in any of Minera Andes’ properties; and (vi) encumber any of Minera Andes’ properties in any manner whatsoever.
McEwen may, in the future, purchase additional shares of Common Stock or other securities of Minera Andes depending on the price of the shares and circumstances at the time such acquisitions, if any, are made. Alternatively, McEwen may at any time determine to realize on his investment in the shares of Common Stock through the sale of all or some of the shares. McEwen may also in the future take an active role in the management of the Company.
The descriptions of the First Tranche Subscription Agreement and the Second Tranche Subscription Agreement contained herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to such agreements, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 7.1 and 7.2, respectively.
(b). Not applicable.
(c). Not applicable.
(d). Pursuant to the terms of the First Tranche Subscription Agreement and the Second Tranche Subscription Agreement, for a period of five years following the closing of the First Tranche, if at any time subsequent to the closing of the First Tranche, McEwen owns not less than 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (assuming the exercise of any warrants held by McEwen), then McEwen shall have the right, from time to time and at any time, to nominate one individual (the “Nominee”) to the board of directors of Minera Andes, and Minera Andes has agreed to use all reasonable efforts to cause its board of directors to pass such resolutions and to take such other actions as may be required in order that the Nominee become a member of the board of directors of Minera Andes. In addition, Minera Andes has agreed to use all reasonable efforts to cause its board of directors to pass such resolutions and to take such other actions as may be required in order to maintain the number of members of the board of directors of Minera Andes at not more than six.
(e). Not applicable.
(f). Not applicable.
(g). Not applicable.
(h). Not applicable.
(i). Not applicable.
(j). Other than as described above, McEwen currently has no plan or proposals that relate to, or may result in, any of the matters listed in Items 4(a)-(j) of Schedule 13D (although McEwen reserves the right to develop such plans).
McEwen disclaims membership in any group with respect to the purchase of Common Stock pursuant to the First Tranche Subscription Agreement or the Second Tranche Subscription Agreement.
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The descriptions of the First Tranche Subscription Agreement and the Second Tranche Subscription Agreement contained herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to such agreements, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 7.1 and 7.2, respectively.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a) McEwen is the beneficial owner of 23,122,110 share of Common Stock (which includes 7,707,370 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the First Tranche warrants described in Item 4 above), which represents approximately 19.9% of the Common Stock (based on the number of shares outstanding as of December 20, 2005, as represented by Minera Andes in connection with the First Tranche Subscription Agreement).
The descriptions of the First Tranche Subscription Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibits 7.1.
(b) McEwen holds the sole power to vote and dispose of the 23,122,110 shares of Common Stock that he beneficially owns.
(c) Other than the transactions described herein, McEwen has not effected any transaction in the Common Stock during the past 60 days.
(d) No other person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the 23,122,110 shares of Common Stock that are beneficially owned by McEwen.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contract, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
The information set forth under Items 4 and 5 above are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits
| Exhibit 7.1: | Subscription Agreement (First Tranche), dated as of December 20, 2005, by and between Minera Andes and McEwen. | |
| Exhibit 7.2: | Subscription Agreement (Second Tranche), dated as of December 20, 2005, by and between Minera Andes and McEwen. | |
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Signature
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
| Date: January 3, 2006 | /s/ Robert Ross McEwen | |
| Robert Ross McEwen |
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