03:49:50 EST Tue 09 Dec 2025
Enter Symbol
or Name
USA
CA



SouthGobi Resources Ltd
Symbol SGQ
Shares Issued 296,704,666
Close 2025-12-05 C$ 0.31
Market Cap C$ 91,978,446
Recent Sedar Documents

SouthGobi provides details for settlement approval

2025-12-08 15:16 ET - News Release

Mr. Ruibin Xu reports

SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

Reference is made to the announcements of SouthGobi Resources Ltd. dated Jan. 8, 2014, Nov. 9, 2015, May 31, 2016, Sept. 22, 2017, and Aug. 13, 2025, in relation to the class action lawsuit in Canada.

The company announces that, pursuant to the decision delivered on Dec. 3, 2025, by Justice Morgan, a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, the previously disclosed settlement of the class action lawsuit filed against the company in relation to the company's restatement of certain financial statements previously disclosed in the company's public fillings has been approved by the Ontario Court.

As previously disclosed in the company's public filings, in January 2014, Siskinds LLP, a Canadian law firm, filed the class action against the company, certain of its former senior officers and directors, and its former auditor in the Ontario Court in relation to the restatement.

To commence and proceed with the class action, the plaintiff was required to seek leave of the court under the Ontario Securities Act (leave motion) and certify the action as a class proceeding under the Ontario Class Proceedings Act. The Ontario Court rendered its decision on the leave motion on Nov. 5, 2015, dismissing the action against the former senior officers and directors and allowing the action to proceed against the company in respect of alleged misrepresentation affecting trades in the secondary market for the company's securities arising from the restatement. The action against the former auditor was settled by the plaintiff on the eve of the leave motion.

Both the plaintiff and the company appealed the leave motion decision to the Ontario Court of Appeal. On Sept. 18, 2017, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the company's appeal of the leave motion to permit the plaintiff to commence and proceed with the class action. Concurrently, the Ontario Court of Appeal granted leave for the plaintiff to proceed with their action against the former senior officers and directors in relation to the restatement.

The company filed an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in November, 2017, but the leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was dismissed in June, 2018.

In December, 2018, the parties agreed to a consent certification order, whereby the action against the former senior officers and directors was withdrawn and the class action would proceed only against the company, creating the class plaintiffs and permitting the class plaintiffs to proceed with the class action against only the company.

Counsel for the plaintiffs and the defendant successfully concluded a mediation process on Aug. 11, 2025, with the participation of the company's insurers and under the guidance of the former Chief Justice of Ontario, George Strathy. A settlement was finalized in a written agreement made as of Oct. 2, 2025, conditional upon final Ontario court approval pursuant to the requirements set out in the Class Proceedings Act (Ontario).

Under the settlement agreement, the class plaintiffs and the company settled the class action for $6.8-million, including all liability and class counsel fees, notice and administrative costs, and fees, costs and expenses related to the litigation and the settlement. The settlement payments are the obligation of the company's insurers and have been paid by the insurers to the solicitors representing the class plaintiffs.

The last remaining issue necessary for final approval of the settlement is the expiration of a 30-day appeal period beginning from the date of the decision approving the settlement. The appeal period expires on Jan. 2, 2026, during which an appeal of the decision may be commenced on or before that date.

The settlement is based on the mutual consideration that, should the litigation proceedings continue, the costs incurred may exceed the amount of the settlement agreed upon between both parties through negotiation. Therefore, the settlement is reached for economic benefits. Upon the settlement ultimately taking effect and in consideration of the settlement payment, the class plaintiffs agree to forever and absolutely discharge, without qualification and limitation, the company and other released parties from any legal claims they may have in relation to the restatement and to take no further actions in respect of the matter.

The settlement, if made effective, is within the company's insured limits. Accordingly, the company has determined that a provision for this matter is not required on its financial statements.

The company cannot provide any assurance that the settlement will satisfy the conditions and requirements necessary for it to become final. The company continues to believe that it has a strong defence on the merits of the said action and the settlement shall not be construed in any way as the company's admission of responsibility and liability to the said action. The settlement was driven by mediation process and the determining factor that the settlement payments are within the insured limits provided by the company's insurers. The company will issue further announcement(s) to update shareholders and potential investors regarding material developments as and when necessary.

About SouthGobi Resources Ltd.

SouthGobi, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, owns and operates its flagship Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine in Mongolia. It also holds the mining licences of its other metallurgical and thermal coal deposits in South Gobi region of Mongolia. SouthGobi produces and sells coal to customers in China.

© 2025 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.