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FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May, 2009

Commission File Number: 001-31819

Gold Reserve Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200
Spokane, Washington 99201
(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 x 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): ¨

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): ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes ¨ No x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
____________


Filed with this Form 6-K are the following, which are incorporated herein by reference:

99.1      Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular
 
99.2      Form of Proxy
 
99.3      Supplemental Mailing List Return Card
 
99.4      Annual Report
 

Forward Looking Statements

     Certain statements included herein constitute forward-looking statements that may state Gold Reserve’s or its management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future. In this report, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. We caution that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risks that may cause the actual financial results, performance, or achievements of Gold Reserve to be materially different from our estimated future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements.

     Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation; the outcome of any potential proceedings under the Venezuelan legal system or before arbitration tribunals as provided in investment treaties entered into between Venezuela, Canada and Barbados to determine the compensation due to Gold Reserve in the event that Gold Reserve and the Venezuelan government do not reach an agreement regarding construction and operation of the Brisas project, or the Brisas project is transferred to the Venezuelan government and the parties do not reach agreement on compensation; concentration of operations and assets in Venezuela; corruption and uncertain legal enforcement; requests for improper payments; competition with companies that are not subject to or do not follow Canadian and U.S. laws and regulations; regulatory, political and economic risks associated with Venezuelan operations (including changes in previously established laws, legal regimes, rules or processes); the ability to obtain, maintain or re-acquire the necessary permits or additional funding for the development of the Brisas project; the result or outcome of the trial regarding Rusoro Mining Ltd.’s enjoined hostile takeover bid; significant differences or changes in any key findings or assumptions previously determined by us or our experts in conjunction with our 2005 bankable feasibility study (as updated or modified from time to time) due to actual results in our expected construction and production at the Brisas Project (including capital and operating cost estimates); the method and manner of our determination of reserves, risk that actual mineral reserves may vary considerably from estimates presently made; impact of currency, metal prices and metal production volatility; fluctuations in energy prices; changes in proposed development plans (including technology used); our dependence upon the abilities and continued participation of certain key employees; the prices, production levels and supply of and demand for gold and copper produced or held by Gold Reserve; the potential volatility of Gold Reserve’s Class A common shares; the price and value of Gold Reserve’s notes, including any conversion of notes into Gold Reserve’s Class A common shares; the prospects for exploration and development of projects by Gold Reserve; and risks normally incident to the operation and development of mining properties.

     This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Gold Reserve’s forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Gold Reserve or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Gold Reserve disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, subject to its disclosure obligations under applicable rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).


     In addition to being subject to a number of assumptions, forward-looking statements contained herein involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risks identified under “Important Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Resource Calculations” as well as the risks identified in the filings by Gold Reserve with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities, including Gold Reserve’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2008, dated March 31, 2009, and Gold Reserve’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009.

(Signature page follows)


SIGNATURES

     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.

Dated: May 14, 2009

GOLD RESERVE INC. 
(Registrant)

  By:    s/Robert A. McGuinness 
  Name:    Robert A. McGuinness 
  Title:    Vice President – Finance & CFO 


Exhibit 99.1 Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular


GOLD RESERVE INC.

926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200,
Spokane, WA 99201

NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Annual and Special Meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares (collectively, the “Shareholders”) of GOLD RESERVE INC. (the “Company”) will be held at the Spokane Club, located at 1002 W. Riverside, Spokane, Washington USA, on Thursday, the 11th day of June, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific daylight time) for the following purposes:

1)      To elect directors of the Company to hold such positions until the next annual meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and have qualified;
 
2)      To appoint auditors of the Company and to authorize the directors of the Company to fix their remuneration;
 
3)      To re-approve the Company’s 1997 Equity Incentive Plan;
 
4)      To approve the continuation of and amendment to the Shareholder Rights Plan;
 
5)      To receive the financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008, together with the report of the auditors thereon; and
 
6)      To conduct any other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 

Shareholders who are unable to attend the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in person and who wish to ensure that their shares will be voted are requested to complete, sign and mail the enclosed form of proxy to Proxy Services, C/O Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078 not later than the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A form of proxy, management proxy circular and a copy of the Company’s Annual Report accompany this notice. The specific details of the matters proposed to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the accompanying management proxy circular.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 1, 2009 as the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

  DATED this 23rd day of April, 2009

BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORS

  Rockne J. Timm
Chief Executive Officer


GOLD RESERVE INC.

MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR
(Containing information as of April 23, 2009)

MANAGEMENT SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

This Management Proxy Circular (“Circular”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of GOLD RESERVE INC. (the “Company”) to be voted at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the “Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, the 11th day of June, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific daylight time), at the Spokane Club located at 1002 W. Riverside, Spokane, Washington and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders. The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail but proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by employees of the Company. Employees will not receive any extra compensation for such activities. The Company may pay brokers, nominees or other persons holding shares of the Company in their name for others for their reasonable charges and expenses in forwarding proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners of such shares, and obtaining their proxies. The Company may also retain independent proxy solicitation agents to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. The cost of all solicitations of proxies will be borne by the Company. Except where otherwise stated, the information contained herein is given as of the 23rd day of April, 2009.

CURRENCY

Unless otherwise indicated, all currency amounts referred to herein are stated in U.S. dollars.

APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES

The individuals named in the enclosed form of proxy are directors or officers of the Company. A Shareholder (as defined below) submitting a proxy has the right to appoint a person or company, who need not be a Shareholder, to represent the Shareholder at the Meeting other than the persons designated in the form of proxy furnished by the Company. To exercise this right, the Shareholder may insert the name of the desired representative in the blank space provided in the proxy or may submit another appropriate form of proxy.

The completed proxy must be deposited at the office of Proxy Services, C/O Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078 not later than the close of business on the business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or with the Chairman of the Meeting immediately prior to the

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commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, otherwise the instrument of proxy will be invalid.

You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Meeting. In the case of Shareholders appearing on the registered shareholder records of the Company, a proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by sending or depositing a written notice of revocation or another signed proxy bearing a later date to the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive office located at 926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200, Spokane, Washington 99201. You may also revoke your proxy by giving notice or by voting in person at the Meeting.

Shareholders appearing in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should follow the instructions provided by their bank, broker or nominee in revoking their previously voted shares.

EXERCISE OF DISCRETION BY PROXIES

The shares represented by the proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and, if the Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted accordingly. In the absence of such choice being specified, such shares will be voted “for” the matters specifically identified in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this Circular.

The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and with respect to other matters which may properly be brought before the Meeting. At the time of printing this Circular, the management of the Company knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders.

VOTING RIGHTS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The Company’s issued and outstanding shares consist of Class A common shares (each, a “Class A Share”) and Class B common shares (each, a “Class B Share”). Unless otherwise noted, references to Common Shares in this Circular include both Class A Shares and Class B Shares. Holders of Common Shares (collectively, the “Shareholders”) are entitled to one vote per share and will vote as a single class on all matters to be considered and voted upon at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. As of April 23, 2009, there were 57,670,555 issued and outstanding Class A Shares and 500,236 issued and outstanding Class B Shares for a total of 58,170,791 Common Shares eligible to vote.

As of April 23, 2009, there were 1,211,500 issued and outstanding unvested restricted shares, all of which were issued under the Company's 1997 Equity Incentive Plan and Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan. All such unvested restricted shares are Class A Shares and carry full voting rights. The terms “restricted stock” and “restricted shares” are used interchangeably in this Circular.

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The Company has set the close of business on May 1, 2009 as the record date for the Meeting. The Company will prepare a list of Shareholders of record at such time. Shareholders will be entitled to vote the Common Shares then registered in their name at the Meeting except to the extent that (a) the holder has transferred the ownership of any of his Common Shares after that date, and (b) the transferee of those shares produces properly endorsed share certificates, or otherwise establishes that he owns the shares, and demands, not later than 10 days before the Meeting, that the transferee’s name be included in the list of persons entitled to vote at the Meeting, in which case the transferee will be entitled to vote his Common Shares at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, as of April 23, 2009, the only person, firm or corporation that beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the Common Shares was:

    Number of    Percentage of Shares 
             Shareholder Name    Common Shares Held (1)    Issued 



 
Steelhead Partners, LLC-    7,251,673    12.5% 

(1) Information based on Schedule 13G filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission

A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Shareholders shall be holders of at least one-third (1/3) of the outstanding Common Shares present in person or represented by proxy. Except as otherwise stated in this Circular, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required to approve all items presented in this Circular.

VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS

Only registered Shareholders at the close of business on May 1, 2009 or the persons they designate as their proxies are permitted to vote at the Meeting. In many cases, however, the Common Shares owned by a person (a “non-registered holder”) are registered either: (a) in the name of an intermediary (an “Intermediary”) that the non-registered holder deals with in respect of the Common Shares (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered registered savings plans, registered retirement income funds, registered education savings plans and similar plans); or (b) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited) of which the Intermediary is a participant.

In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company has distributed copies of this Circular and the accompanying notice of meeting and form of proxy (collectively, the “Meeting Materials”) to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to non-registered holders of Common Shares.

Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to non-registered holders unless a non-registered holder has waived the right to receive them. Very often, Intermediaries will use

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service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to non-registered holders. Generally, non-registered holders who have not waived the right to receive the Meeting Materials will either:

(a)      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 and class of securities beneficially owned by the non-registered holder but which is not otherwise completed. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the non- registered holder when submitting the proxy. In this case, the non-registered holder who wishes to vote by proxy should otherwise properly complete the form of proxy and deliver it as specified above under the heading “Appointment and Revocation of Proxies”; or
 
(b)      be given a form of proxy which is not signed by the Intermediary and which, when properly completed and signed by the non-registered holder 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 non-registered holder will also be given a page of instructions which contains a removable label containing a bar code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a Voting Instruction Form, the non-registered holder must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the Voting Instruction Form, properly complete and sign the Voting Instruction Form and submit it to the Intermediary or its services company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company.
 

In either case, the purpose of this procedure is to permit non-registered holders to direct the voting of the Common Shares they beneficially own. Should a non-registered holder who receives either form of proxy wish to vote at the Meeting in person, the non-registered holder should strike out the persons named in the form of proxy and insert the non-registered holder’s name in the blank space provided. Non-registered holders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the form of proxy or Voting Instruction Form is to be delivered.

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BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

Item 1 – Election of Directors

The articles of the Company provide that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) shall consist of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 15 directors, with the actual number of directors to be determined from time to time by the Board. The Company’s Board presently consists of seven members.

The Board held 19 formal meetings during 2008 at which attendance, in person or by phone, averaged 97%. Various matters were considered and approved by written resolution during the year. The Board also held several informal meetings throughout the year.

The by-laws of the Company provide that each director shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of the Company’s Shareholders or until their qualified successors are elected. All of the current directors’ terms expire the date of the Meeting and it is proposed by management that each of them be re-elected to serve until the next annual meeting of Shareholders unless they resign or are removed from the Board in accordance with the by-laws of the Company.

The following table and notes thereto state the names of each person proposed to be nominated by management for election as a director, the province or state and country in which he is resident, his age, all offices of the Company now held by him, his principal occupation, the period of time for which he has been a director of the Company or a member of a committee of the Board and the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by him, directly or indirectly, or over which he exercises control or direction, as at the date hereof.

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The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote for the election of these nominees unless otherwise directed. Management does not contemplate that the nominees will be unable to serve as directors.

                Number of 
                Common 
                Shares 
Proposed Nominee and    Age        Director    Beneficially 
Position in the Company        Principal Occupation    Since    Owned as of 
                April 23, 
                2009(1) 





Rockne J. Timm (2) (3) (6)    63    Chief Executive Officer of the    March 1984    2,053,917 
Washington, USA        Company. Mr. Timm is also a         
Chief Executive Officer        Director and President of both MGC         
and Director        Ventures, Inc. and Great Basin         
        Energies, Inc.         





A. Douglas Belanger (2)    55    President of the Company. Mr.    August 1988    2,231,414 
(3) (6)        Belanger is also a Director and         
Washington, USA        Executive Vice President of both         
President and Director        Great Basin Energies, Inc. and MGC         
        Ventures, Inc.         





James P. Geyer    57    Senior Vice President of the    June 1997    788,599 
Washington, USA        Company. Mr. Geyer is also a         
Senior Vice-President        Director of Thompson Creek Metals         
and Director        Company Inc.         





James H. Coleman, Q.C.    58    Senior Partner of the law firm of    February    317,494 
(2) (3) (6) (7)        Macleod Dixon LLP of Calgary,    1994     
Alberta, Canada        Alberta. He is also a Director of         
Non-Executive        various public companies including         
Chairman and Director        Great Basin Energies, Inc. and MGC         
        Ventures, Inc.         





Patrick D. McChesney (2)    59    Chief financial officer of Foothills    August 1988    201,601 
(3) (5) (7)        Auto Group. He is also a Director of         
Washington, USA        Great Basin Energies, Inc. and MGC         
Director        Ventures, Inc.         





Chris D. Mikkelsen (2) (3)    57    Principal in McDirmid, Mikkelsen &    June 1997    474,485 
(4) (5) (7)        Secrest, P.S. (a certified public         
Washington, USA        accounting firm). Mr. Mikkelsen is         
Director        also a Director of Great Basin         
Energies, Inc. and MGC Ventures,
        Inc.         





Jean Charles Potvin (4) (5)    55    Director and Chairman of Tiomin    November    291,048 
(7)        Resources Inc.    1993     
Ontario, Canada                 
Director                 






(1)      Includes Common Shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable as of April 23, 2009 or exercisable within 60 days of April 23, 2009 as follows: Mr. Timm, 626,666; Mr. Belanger, 580,278; Mr. Geyer, 394,444; Mr. Coleman, 134,444; Mr. McChesney, 134,444; Mr. Mikkelsen, 134,444; and Mr. Potvin, 134,444. These numbers also include unvested, restricted shares held by each of the directors that carry full voting rights as follows: Mr. Timm 216,000 shares, Mr. Belanger 200,000 shares, Mr. Geyer 152,500 shares, Mr. Coleman 27,000 shares, Mr.
 
  McChesney 27,000 shares, Mr. Mikkelsen 27,000 shares, and Mr. Potvin 27,000 shares.
 
(2)      Messrs. Timm, Belanger, Coleman, McChesney, and Mikkelsen are directors of Great Basin Energies, Inc., which owns 491,192 Common Shares, or 0.8% of the outstanding Common Shares. The foregoing individuals beneficially own 10.3%, 7.3%, 2.9%, 2.0%, and 1.8%, respectively, of the outstanding common shares of Great
 

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  Basin Energies, Inc. and may be deemed indirectly to have an interest in the Company through their respective management positions and/or ownership interests in Great Basin Energies, Inc. Each of the foregoing individuals disclaims any beneficial ownership of the Common Shares owned by Great Basin Energies, Inc.
 
(3)      Messrs. Timm, Belanger, Coleman, McChesney, and Mr. Mikkelsen are directors of MGC Ventures, Inc., which owns 258,083 Common Shares, or 0.4% of the outstanding Common Shares. The foregoing individuals beneficially own 11.5%, 11.7%, 4.8%, 3.8%, and 2.9%, respectively, of the outstanding common shares of MGC
 
  Ventures, Inc. and may be deemed indirectly to have an interest in the Company through their respective management positions and/or ownership interests in MGC Ventures, Inc. Each of the foregoing individuals disclaims any beneficial ownership of the Common Shares owned by MGC Ventures, Inc.
 
(4)      Member of the Compensation Committee.
 
(5)      Member of the Audit Committee.
 
(6)      Member of the Executive Committee.
 
(7)      Member of the Nominating Committee
 

Each of the foregoing nominees has held his present principal occupation with his current employer or other positions with the same firm throughout the last five years, with the exception of Mr. McChesney, who in addition to assuming his current position with Foothills Auto Group, was controller for Remtech, Inc. in 2004 and 2005, and was president of LMO Test Systems, Inc. from March 1996 until December 2005.

If you complete and return the attached form of proxy, your representative at the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, will vote your shares FOR the election of the nominees set out herein unless you specifically direct that your vote be withheld.

Item 2 – Appointment of Auditors

It is proposed that the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be re-appointed by the Shareholders as independent certified public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2009 and that the Board be authorized to fix the auditors’ remuneration. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were first appointed auditors of the Company in 1992.

Unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting of the Company’s Shareholders, or until their successors are duly appointed, at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board.

Item 3 – Re-approval of the Company’s 1997 Equity Incentive Plan

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to pass an ordinary resolution re-approving the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan as amended in 2006 (the “Equity Incentive Plan”). The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of up to 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company on a rolling basis, through the grant of “incentive stock options” and “non-statutory options” to purchase Class A Shares, stock appreciation rights (“SARS”), and restricted stock.

The Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the Shareholders on March 22, 2006 and expires on January 29, 2016. The rules and regulations of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX) require that, due to the 10% rolling provision, the Equity Incentive Plan be re-approved by the Shareholders every three years. As of March 22, 2009, grants were no longer allowed for

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issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan and the Equity Incentive Plan will remain in suspension until it is re-approved by the Shareholders.

Equity Incentive Plan as of April 23, 2009

        Percentage of issued and 
        outstanding 
    Total    Common Shares 



Options available to grant    1,376,400    2.4 
 
Options outstanding    4,440,679    7.6 
 
Total available for issuance    5,817,079    10.0 
under the Equity Incentive         
Plan         
 
Number of participants    23    N/A 

Currently there are 1,151,500 shares of restricted stock issued under the Equity Incentive Plan that remain unvested, representing 1.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and no SARs have been granted.

The Equity Incentive Plan enables the Company to grant stock options, restricted stock, and SARS as a non-cash integral component of compensation, thereby assisting in the preservation of the Company’s cash asset. It also exposes the recipient to the volatility of the market value of the Class A Shares which is representative of the success of the Company.

If the Equity Incentive Plan is not re-approved, the Company will have to consider other means in which it compensates employees, directors and consultants. Stock options and restricted shares that have already been granted can be exercised or issued in accordance with the current Equity Incentive Plan. If the resolution is not approved by the Shareholders, previously issued stock options that are canceled or expire will not become available for re-allocation. For a more detailed description of the Equity Incentive Plan see Equity Incentive Plan, 1997 Equity Incentive Plan.

Re-Approval of the Equity Incentive Plan

Unless authority to do so is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote for the approval of the resolution.

The following is the form of ordinary resolution to be approved by the Shareholders at the Meeting:

  “BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1.      All unallocated stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARS) and restricted stock issuable pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan are hereby ratified, reconfirmed and re-approved until June 11, 2012; and
 
2.      Any officer or director is hereby authorized to execute and deliver any documents, instruments or other writings and to do all other acts as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the foregoing resolution.”
 

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The Board has determined that the re-approval of the Equity Incentive Plan is in the best interest of the Company and recommends that the Shareholders vote in favor of the resolution authorizing such re-approval.

Item 4 - Continuation of and Amendment to the Shareholder Rights Plan

Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement

Introduction

The Company originally implemented a shareholder rights plan agreement on October 5, 1998, which was first approved by Shareholders in 1999. That shareholder rights plan agreement has been amended and/or restated from time to time since then, and was last ratified, confirmed and approved by the Company’s Shareholders on March 22, 2006 (the “2006 Rights Plan”). On December 18, 2008 the Board approved an amendment to the 2006 Rights Plan in response to a take-over bid made by Rusoro Mining Ltd., which is no longer outstanding. The 2006 Rights Plan will expire on June 30, 2009.

The Board has now approved an amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement (the “2009 Rights Plan”) to continue the outstanding rights granted under the predecessor shareholder rights plan on the terms and conditions of the 2009 Rights Plan and to reconfirm the continued issuance of the rights. A summary of the material terms and conditions of the 2009 Rights Plan, followed by the full text of the form of 2009 Rights Plan, is set out in “Appendix C”. Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to vote on a resolution (the “Rights Plan Resolution”) to ratify, confirm and approve the adoption of the 2009 Rights Plan. The Rights Plan Resolution must be passed by a majority of the votes cast by Independent Shareholders (as defined in the 2009 Rights Plan) at the Meeting. The TSX has taken the position that, regardless of a requirement in any shareholders rights plan that amendments to the plan be approved by a majority of Independent Shareholders, the TSX will require that in addition to such approval by Independent Shareholders, the amendment must also be approved by a majority of all votes cast by all Shareholders (including Shareholders that are not Independent Shareholders). At the date of this Circular, the Company believes that all Shareholders are Independent Shareholders.

The 2009 Rights Plan was not adopted or approved in response to or in anticipation of any pending or threatened take-over bid and the Board is not aware of any third party considering or preparing any proposal to acquire control of the Company. However, the amendment to the definition of “Permitted Bid” described below has been proposed as a result of a take-over bid made for the Company in December 2008 by Rusoro Mining Ltd. which is no longer outstanding. The 2009 Rights Plan does not reduce the duty of the Board to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and to consider on that basis any bid made for the Company.

Key Differences between the 2006 Rights Plan and the 2009 Rights Plan

The key difference between the 2006 Rights Plan and the 2009 Rights Plan is the addition of a provision to the definition of a “Permitted Bid” that is not common to shareholder rights plans, but which the Company believes is important to enabling the 2009 Rights Plan to preserve the fair treatment of shareholders. The new provision provides that a take-over bid cannot be a “Permitted Bid” if, at the time the bid is made, the bidder and certain of its representatives possess confidential information regarding the Company unless the bidder and those

9


representatives have entered into a confidentiality agreement containing a standstill provision within the three months preceding the commencement of the bid.

In addition, the exercise price of the rights has been reduced from Cdn. $70 to an amount equal to twice the market price of the Common Shares from time to time or as of the Separation Date (as defined in Appendix C), as applicable.

The Company has also made a small number of minor changes to the 2009 Rights Plan for the purpose of conforming certain provisions to current practices of Canadian companies with respect to shareholder rights plans.

Objectives of the 2009 Rights Plan

The principal purpose of the 2009 Rights Plan continues to be to encourage a bidder either to make a Permitted Bid (as defined in Appendix C) having terms and conditions designed to meet the objectives of the 2009 Rights Plan, or to negotiate the terms of the bid with the Board. If a bidder fails to do so and takes up Common Shares in a bid that is not a “Permitted Bid”, then holders of the rights would be entitled to exercise their rights to purchase additional Common Shares of the Company at a 50% discount to market. If the rights were exercised, this would result in a substantial dilution of the bidder’s holdings of Common Shares.

The 2009 Rights Plan is intended to achieve its purpose by, among other things, addressing the following issues and concerns:

Time

Current Canadian securities law requires that a take-over bid remain open for acceptance for a minimum period of 35 days. The Board believes that 35 days may not be a sufficient amount of time to permit the Board and the shareholders to assess a bid and for the Board to take appropriate actions under the circumstances to maximize shareholder value, whether by negotiating with the bidder, soliciting competing bids or taking other actions determined by the Board to be appropriate. The 2009 Rights Plan provides that a Permitted Bid must be open for at least 60 days and must remain open for a further period of 10 business days after the bidder publicly announces that more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders have been deposited or tendered and not withdrawn. The “Voting Shares” include the Common Shares and any other shares of the Company that at the relevant time are entitled to vote for the election of the Company’s directors. Currently, the Common Shares are the only Voting Shares of the Company.

Pressure to Tender

A shareholder may feel pressure to tender to a take-over bid that the shareholder considers to be inadequate because, in failing to tender, the shareholder may be left with illiquid or minority discounted shares. This is particularly so in the case of a partial bid where the bidder wishes to obtain a control position but does not wish to acquire all of the Common Shares. The 2009 Rights Plan contains a shareholder approval mechanism in the Permitted Bid definition, which provides that no Voting Shares may be taken up and paid for under a bid unless more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders have been deposited or tendered to the bid and not withdrawn.

10


The 2009 Rights Plan also requires a Permitted Bid to remain open for acceptance for a period of 10 business days following a public announcement that more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares have been deposited to the bid. The Company believes that this provision reduces the pressure on a shareholder to tender to a bid.

Unequal Treatment of Shareholders

Under current Canadian securities law, a bidder may obtain control or effective control of the Company without paying full value, without obtaining shareholder approval and without treating all of the shareholders equally. 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, subject to certain limits, but not provide that premium to other shareholders of the Company. Under the 2009 Rights Plan, if a take-over bid is to qualify as a Permitted Bid, all bids to acquire 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding Voting Shares must be made to all shareholders and must satisfy certain other conditions.

The Board should be able to establish a fair and equal bid process

The Board believes that a person should not be permitted to make a take-over bid for the Company at a time when that person possesses confidential information regarding the Company but has not entered into a confidentiality agreement containing a standstill provision with the Company. Without such an agreement it would be difficult for the Board to encourage or seek out alternative transactions to enhance shareholder value because other potential bidders would possess only the information regarding the Company contained in the public record or would be subject to the type of confidentiality agreement and standstill provisions that are customarily signed by potential bidders in connection with an auction process. Those other potential bidders would likely believe that they were at a disadvantage to the bidder that was able to determine a bid price on the basis of confidential information not available to other potential bidders. For this reason, the Board has included in the definition of “Permitted Bid” a requirement that the bid not be made by parties in possession of confidential information unless they and the Company have entered into a confidentiality agreement containing a standstill provision within the three months prior to the commencement of the bid.

Effect of the 2009 Rights Plan

It is not the intention of the Board to entrench itself or avoid a bid for control that is fair and in the best interests of shareholders. For example, shareholders may tender to a bid which meets the Permitted Bid criteria without triggering the 2009 Rights Plan, regardless of whether it is acceptable to the Board. In addition, even if a bid does not meet the Permitted Bid criteria, the Board must act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Generally, Canadian securities regulators do not permit the board of directors of a company confronted with an unsolicited take-over bid to maintain a shareholder rights plan indefinitely in order to keep a bid from the shareholders. However, Canadian securities regulators have indicated that so long as the board is actively and realistically seeking value-maximizing alternatives, shareholder rights plans serve a legitimate purpose. In the event of an unsolicited take-over bid that is not a Permitted Bid, the Board believes that the provisions of the 2009 Rights Plan will provide the Board with additional time to evaluate the bid and to explore and develop alternatives to maximize shareholder value, to provide for equal treatment of all shareholders and lessen the pressure on a shareholder to tender to a bid.

11


Confirmation by Shareholders

If the Rights Plan Resolution is approved at the Meeting, the Company and Computershare Investor Services Inc. (the “Rights Agent”) will enter into the 2009 Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement to take effect at the end of the Meeting. The 2009 Rights Plan has a maximum term of three years unless renewed by Shareholders of the Company. If the Rights Plan Resolution is not approved at the Meeting, the rights and the 2006 Rights Plan will terminate on June 30, 2009, the proposed 2009 Rights Plan will never become effective and the Company will no longer have any form of shareholder rights plan.

The Board reserves the right to alter any terms of or not to proceed with the 2009 Rights Plan at any time prior to the Meeting in the event that the Board determines, in light of subsequent developments, that to do so is in the best interests of the Company. A summary of, and the complete text of, the form of 2009 Rights Plan is appended to this Circular as Appendix C. The complete text of the 2009 Rights Plan is also available upon request. Shareholders wishing to receive a copy of the 2009 Rights Plan should submit their request by telephone, (509) 623-1500, by facsimile, (509) 623-1634, by e-mail, www.info@goldreserveinc.com, or by mail to 926 W. Sprague, Suite 200, Spokane, WA 99201, USA, Attention: Mary E. Smith.

Recommendation of the Board

The Board has concluded that the original reasons for the adoption of a rights plan continue to exist and the continuation of the Company’s rights plan under the terms of the 2009 Rights Plan is in the best interests of the Company. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that the Shareholders ratify, reconfirm and re-approve the 2009 Rights Plan by voting FOR the Rights Plan Resolution at the Meeting. Unless instructed otherwise, management nominees named in our Form of Proxy will vote FOR the Rights Plan Resolution.

Proposed Adoption of Amended and Restated Rights Plan Agreement

Subject to Shareholder ratification, confirmation and approval at the Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized the 2009 Rights Plan on the terms set out in the form of the 2009 Rights Plan appended to this Circular as Appendix C. If the proposed Rights Plan Resolution is passed, the Company expects that it and the Rights Agent will enter into the 2009 Rights Plan shortly after the Meeting.

The following Rights Plan Resolution in respect of the ratification, confirmation and approval of the 2009 Rights Plan will be proposed at the Meeting:

“BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement and the rights plan contained therein originally dated October 5, 1998 and last amended and restated on March 12, 2006, be ratified, reconfirmed and re-approved, and further amended and restated in substantially the form of agreement appended as Appendix C to this Proxy Circular dated April 23, 2009.”

12


In order for the 2009 Rights Plan to be approved, the Rights Plan Resolution must be passed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution by Independent Shareholders, as defined in the 2009 Rights Plan.

Item 5 – Consolidated Financial Statements

A copy of the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the report of the auditors on the consolidated financial statements are included in the Annual Report and will be submitted at the Meeting. Copies of the consolidated financial statements can also be obtained on www.sedar.com.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Compensation Committee

The Company’s compensation program was administered during 2008 by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), composed of Mr. Mikkelsen and Mr. Potvin. The function of the Compensation Committee was to evaluate the Company’s performance and the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and each of the next three most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). The Compensation Committee approves the cash and equity-based compensation of the Named Executive Officers and submits such approvals to the full Board for ratification. The Board has complete discretion over the amount and composition of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation. Compensation matters relating to the directors were administered by the full Board.

Compensation Program Philosophy

The goal of the compensation program is to attract, retain and reward employees and other individuals who contribute to both the immediate and the long-term success of the Company. Contributions are largely measured subjectively, and are rewarded through cash and equity-based compensation vehicles.

The following objectives are considered in setting the compensation programs for the Named Executive Officers:

The Company evaluates the extent to which strategic and business goals are met and measures individual performance, albeit subjectively, against development objectives and the degree to which teamwork and Company objectives are promoted. The Company strives to achieve a balance between the compensation paid to a particular individual and the compensation paid to other employees and executives having similar responsibilities within the Company. The Company also strives to ensure that each employee understands the components of his or her salary, and the basis upon which it is determined and adjusted.

13


Compensation Elements and Rationale for Pay Mix Decisions

To reward both short and long-term performance in the compensation program and in furtherance of the Company’s compensation objectives noted above, the Company’s executive compensation philosophy includes the following two principles.

Compensation levels should be competitive

A competitive compensation program is vital to the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified senior executives. The Company regularly reviews survey data and regularly assesses peer group data to ensure that the compensation program is competitive.

Incentive compensation should balance short and long-term performance

To reinforce the importance of balancing strong short-term annual results and long-term viability and success, Named Executive Officers receive both short and long-term incentives. Short-term incentives focus on the achievement of certain objectives for the upcoming year, while stock options and stock bonus awards create a focus on share price appreciation over the long term.

Compensation Benchmarking

The Company in the past established base salaries by using an extensive internal survey of base salaries paid to officers of mining companies with similar experience, similar size mining projects, small to medium size producing companies and other development stage mining companies with large mining projects. All of the participants of the internally generated survey are listed on the NYSE Amex, TSX or TSX-Venture Exchange. For these reasons the Company believes the survey is a very good representation of appropriate mining companies average salaries and a good basis on which to make comparisons to the Company.

Components of Executive Compensation

The components of executive compensation are as follows:

Base Salary. The administration of the program requires the Compensation Committee to review annually the base salary of each executive officer of the Company and to consider various factors, including individual performance, experience, time in position, future potential, responsibility, and the executive’s current salary in relation to the executive salary range at other mining companies. These factors are considered subjectively and none are accorded a specific weight.

Bonuses. In addition to base salary, the Compensation Committee from time-to-time recommends to the Board payments of discretionary bonuses to executives and selected employees. Such bonuses are based on the same criteria and determined in a similar fashion as described above.

Equity. The Compensation Committee from time-to-time recommends to the Board grants of options and/or restricted stock share awards to executives and selected employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee annually determines the contribution to the KSOP Plan for allocation to individual participants. Participation in the KSOP Plan by individual employees, including officers, is governed by the terms of the KSOP Plan. See “Incentive Plan Awards –KSOP Plan”.

14


Chief Executive Officer’s Compensation

It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to review and recommend the compensation package for the Chief Executive Officer based on the same factors as those used in determining the base salaries for the other Named Executive Officers listed above.

The Compensation Committee has not developed specific quantitative or qualitative performance measures or other specific criteria for determining the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, primarily because the Company does not yet have a producing mine or other operations from which such quantitative data can be derived.

The Company relies on Board discussions without any formal objectives criteria and analysis. As a consequence, the determination of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation in 2008 was based on an internal survey of other companies, was subjective, and based on the advancement of the Brisas project, efforts to restore the Permit to Affect at the Brisas project, acquisition of other permits, compliance of Brisas project rights, advancement of financing goals and the identifying and analyzing of new corporate opportunities.

Other Named Executive Officers’ Compensation

In determining the compensation of the other Named Executive Officers, the compensation in 2008 was also based on an internal survey of other companies, was subjective, and based on the advancement of the Brisas project, efforts to restore the Permit to Affect at the Brisas project, acquisition of other permits, compliance of Brisas project rights, advancement of financing goals and the identifying and analyzing of new corporate opportunities.

Change of Control Agreements

The Company maintains Change of Control Agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers which were implemented by the Board to induce the Named Executive Officers to remain with the Company and continue their involvement in the ongoing development of the Brisas project. A “Change of Control” means one or more of the following: the acquisition by any individual, entity or group, of beneficial ownership of the Company of 25 percent of the voting power of the outstanding Common Shares; a change in the composition of the Board that causes less than a majority of the current directors to be members of the incoming board; reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or any other event the Board reasonably determines constitutes a Change of Control. Change of Control benefits become payable under the terms of the Change of Control agreements if, within 12 months following a Change of Control, the employee’s employment is terminated by the Company or the surviving or successor entity without cause or the employee voluntarily terminates his/her employment for specified reasons. Such reasons include a substantial alteration in the nature or status of employment responsibilities or a reduction in compensation or benefits.

The Board believes these individuals’ familiarity and long-standing involvement with the Brisas project are important assets to the Company and their continued employment is important. The loss of their continued services could have a detrimental impact on future operations of the Company. The Board based the change of control time period of 24 months compared to 36 months primarily on seniority of position and responsibility and length of service with the Company.

15


See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits”.

Performance Graph

The following chart compares the total cumulative shareholder return (assuming re-investment of dividends) for $100 invested in shares of the Company with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Market and the S & P Gold and Precious Metals Mining Index for the period commencing on December 31, 2003 and ending on December 31, 2008.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Gold Reserve Inc, The NASDAQ Composite Index
And The S&P Gold Index

16


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  Summary Compensation Tables

The following table discloses the compensation paid or granted by the Company, in accordance with the provisions of National Instrument 51-102, to the Named Executive Officers.

The Share Based Awards set forth in the table represents the number of restricted shares granted during the year and the value of the share based award is calculated based on the value of the Class A Shares on the date of grant multiplied by the total number of restricted shares granted.

The Option Based Awards set forth in the table represent the number of options granted during the year and the value of the option based award is calculated based on the Black-Scholes model for options granted during the year.

The amount related to Share Based Awards and Option Based Awards does not necessarily represent the value of the shares when vesting occurs, the value of the options when exercised, or value the employee may realize from the sale of the shares.

                                    All Other      Total 
        Salary                    Non-equity incentive    Compensation    compensation 
        $   Share Based Awards    Option Based Awards    plans compensation             






 
                            Annual    Long-             
                            incentive    term    KSOP    Cash     
                            plans    incentive    Contribution    Bonus     
             #      #      ($)    plans    ($) (1)     $ 
                                 









Rockne J. Timm    2008    300,000    150,000    40,500    245,000    48,577    -    -           30,500    43,825    463,401 











Chief Executive Officer    2007    250,000    150,000    708,000    300,000    664,720    -    -           44,995    125,075    1,792,790 











    2006    250,000    20,000    97,600    250,000    596,655    -    -           38,763    80,000    1,063,018 












Robert A. McGuinness    2008    198,000    150,000    64,500    81,668    16,193    -    -           29,407    32,158    340,258 











Vice President Finance    2007    140,000    12,500    59,000    62,500    138,482    -    -           44,995    37,575    420,052 











and CFO    2006    140,000    10,000    48,800    100,000    229,392    -    -           34,880    47,500    500,492 












A. Douglas Belanger    2008    270,000    135,000    36,450    213,336    42,299    -    -           30,500    40,250    419,499 











President    2007    225,000    135,000    637,200    275,000    609,325    -    -           44,995    115,075    1,631,595 











    2006    225,000    20,000    97,600    250,000    652,337    -    -           38,763    75,000    1,088,700 












James P. Geyer    2008    240,000    90,000    24,300    158,336    31,394    -    -           30,500    37,075    363,269 











Senior Vice President    2007    200,000    90,000    424,800    200,000    443,145    -    -           44,995    100,075    1,213,015 











    2006    200,000    15,000    73,200    150,000    411,113    -    -           38,763    55,000    778,076 












Douglas E. Stewart    2008    169,993    60,000    16,200    70,000    13,879    -    -           27,049    17,575    244,703 











Vice President – Project    2007    149,000    60,000    283,200    75,000    166180    -    -           44,995    50,075    693,450 











Development    2006    139,833    7,500    36,600    50,000    117,143    -    -           33,007    40,000    366,583 













(1)      Represents the Company’s contribution in the form of cash allocated to the KSOP Plan for 2008 and the dollar value of the following number of Class A Shares purchased under the Company’s KSOP Plan and allocated to the account of each Named Executive Officer during 2007 and 2006, respectively as follows: Mr. Timm: 9,043 and 18,318; Mr. McGuinness: 9,043 and 16,445; Mr. Belanger: 9,043 and 18,318; Mr. Geyer: 9,043 and 18,318; and Mr. Stewart: 9,043 and 15,598.
 

17


INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS

Outstanding Share Based Awards and Option Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning all outstanding stock options to acquire Class A Shares and unvested restricted shares to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the rules and policies of the TSX and the regulations of the NYSE Amex as of December 31, 2008:

             Option Based Awards        Share Based Awards 





                        Market or 
                        payout 
                    Number of    value of 
    Number of                shares or units    share based 
    securities    Option        Value of    of shares that    awards that 
    underlying    exercise     Option    unexercised in-    have not    have not 
    unexercised    price    expiration    the-money options    vested    vested 
                 Name    options    ($)    date    ($) (1)    (#) (2)    ($) (3) 







Rockne J. Timm    50,000           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 






    45,000           3.390    7/26/2009    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 






    75,000           3.954    10/5/2011    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.085    10/24/2011    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.296    11/7/2011    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.608    11/14/2011    -    -    - 






    25,000           5.073    11/24/2011    -    -    - 






    245,000           0.290    12/5/2013    159,250    -    - 







Total    790,000            159,250    150,000    141,000 







 
Robert A. McGuinness    10,417           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 






    10,000           3.390    7/26/2009    -    -    - 






    10,417           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 






    10,417           4.834    5/17/2010    -    -    - 






    10,416           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 






    10,416           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 






    52,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -    -    - 






    24,000           4.000    10/3/2011    -    -    - 






    24,000           4.024    10/19/2011    -    -    - 






    81,668           0.290    12/5/2013    53,084    -    - 







Total    243,751            53,084    90,000    84,600 







 
A. Douglas Belanger    45,834           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 






    30,000           3.390    7/26/2009    -    -    - 






    45,833           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 






    45,833           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 






    45,833           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 






    45,833           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 






    75,000           4.031    10/27/2011    -    -    - 






    50,000           4.618    11/16/2011    -    -    - 






    75,000           5.074    11/24/2011    -    -    - 






    50,000           5.244    11/29/2011    -    -    - 






    213,336           0.290    12/5/2013    138,668    -    - 







Total    722,502            138,668    135,000    126,900 







 
James P. Geyer    33,334           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 






    25,000           3.390    7/26/2009    -    -    - 






    33,333           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 






    33,333           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 






    33,333           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 






    33,333           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 






    11,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -    -    - 








18


             Option Based Awards        Share Based Awards 





                        Market or 
                        payout 
                    Number of    value of 
    Number of                shares or units    share based 
    securities    Option        Value of    of shares that    awards that 
    underlying    exercise     Option    unexercised in-    have not    have not 
    unexercised    price    expiration    the-money options    vested    vested 
Name    options    ($)    date    ($) (1)    (#) (2)    ($) (3) 







    25,000           3.966    11/1/2011    -    -    - 






    25,000           5.074    11/24/2011    -    -    - 






    50,000           5.363    12/4/2011    -    -    - 






    25,000           5,290    12/7/2011    -    -    - 






    14,000           5.096    12/11/2011    -    -    - 






    158,336           0.290    12/5/2013    102,918        - 







Total    500,002            102,918    90,000    84,600 







 
Douglas E. Stewart    12,500           4.834    5/27/2009    -         






    20,000           3.390    7/26/2009    -         






    12,500           4.834    11/27/2009    -         






    40,000           3.690    3/31/2010    -         






    12,500           4.834    5/27/2010    -         






    12,500           4.834    11/27/2010    -         






    12,500           4.834    5/27/2011    -         






    50,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -         






    70,000           0.290    12/5/2013    45,500         







Total    242,500            45,500    60,000    56,400 








(1)      The “Value of unexercised in-the-money options” was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the option at the end of the financial year and the exercise price of such options. At December 31, 2008, the closing price of the Class A Shares on the NYSE Amex was $0.94.
 
(2)      Represents the number of unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2008.
 
(3)      The “Market or payout value” was calculated by multiplying the total number of unvested restricted shares times $0.94, the closing price of the shares on the NYSE Amex on December 31, 2008.
 

Incentive Plan Awards – Value vested or earned during the year

    Option Based         
    Awards – Value        Non-equity incentive plan 
    vested during the    Share Based Awards – Value    compensation – Value 
Name    year ($) (1)    vested during the year ($) (2)    earned during the year ($) 




Rockne J. Timm             
Chief Executive Officer and    36,408    68,250    - 
Director             




Robert A. McGuinness            - 
Vice President Finance and CFO    10,798    24,600     




A. Douglas Belanger            - 
President and Director    20,035    64,000     




James P. Geyer            - 
Senior Vice President and    6,523    44,925     
Director             




Douglas E. Stewart            - 
Vice President Project    2,375    16,400     
Development             





(1)      Represents the aggregate market value that would have been realized if the options vesting during 2008 had been exercised on the vest date. The value was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the option on the vest date and the exercise price of such options.
 
(2)      Represents the aggregate market value of share based awards that vested during 2008. The market or payout value was calculated by multiplying the total number of restricted shares vesting times the closing price of the Class A Shares on the NYSE
 
  Amex on the vest date.
 

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Equity Incentive Plans

The Company presently has two stock option plans, the Equity Incentive Plan and the Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan summarized as follows:

Equity Incentive Plan

The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of up to a rolling 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company, through the grant of “incentive stock options” and “non–statutory options” to purchase Class A Shares, SARs, and restricted shares. Pursuant to TSX requirements the Plan must be re-approved every three years.

The purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its subsidiaries and promote continuity of management by encouraging and providing employees, directors and consultants with the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company and to participate in shareholder value. It also assists in the Company’s ability to attract and retain the services of employees, directors, and consultants upon whose judgment, interest, skills, and special effort the successful conduct of its operations is largely dependent.

Employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants under the Plan. The Board or a committee of the Board is responsible for the administration of the Plan.

Options, SARs, and restricted shares granted under the Plan are generally granted at the fair market value of the Class A Shares. For purposes of the Plan, the “fair market value” is, subject to any applicable rules of the TSX or the NYSE Amex, the volume weighted average trading price or the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Class A Shares calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of Class A Shares on the exchange where the majority of the trading volume and value of the Class A Shares occurs, for the five trading days immediately preceding the relevant date.

A SAR entitles the holder of the related option, upon exercise of the SAR, to surrender all or any portion of the option to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the fair market value of the Class A Shares immediately preceding the date of exercise of the SAR over the option price under the related option, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such SAR has been exercised. However, the agreement under which the SAR is granted may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any SAR. Payment may be made by the Company in the form of Class A Shares, cash or a combination of Class A Shares and cash.

The maximum number of Class A Shares issuable to insiders:

a) at any time, under all security based compensation arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company on the date of grant; and

b) within any one year period, under all security based compensation arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares on the date of grant.

Each option grant is limited to a maximum duration of 10 years from the time it is granted, except that an incentive stock option granted to a 10% Shareholder shall have a maximum duration of five years from the time it is granted and the vesting period is discretionary.

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Restricted shares issued under the Plan may be subject to restrictions imposed by the Board, including restrictions on the sale, transfer, pledge or assignment of such shares. During the period of restriction, persons holding restricted shares granted pursuant to the Plan may exercise full voting rights and be entitled to all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares.

No option shall be transferable by the optionee except by (i) will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in the Code or Title 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder); or (iii) gift to the optionholder's child(ren) or grandchild(ren), whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust, partnership or otherwise.

All options are exercisable, during the optionholder’s lifetime, only by the optionholder or by the optionholder’s guardian, legal representative, or alternative payee pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. References to “optionholder” in this description include the optionholder’s guardian and legal representative named in the option agreement and any person to whom an option is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or a gift permitted by the Plan. Unlike the transfer provisions governing our other options, incentive stock options are only transferable by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

The Plan also provides the following upon termination of employment with regard to the options outstanding at the date of termination:

Retirement - any then outstanding options under the Plan may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the outstanding options or 12 months after the date of retirement;

For cause - any then outstanding options become null and void;

Involuntary termination of employment - any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 30 days after the date of termination;

Voluntary termination of employment - any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 90 days after the date of termination.

The Board may, at any time and from time to time, modify, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in any respect. Amendments to the Plan are subject to Shareholder approval to the extent required to comply with any rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed. Shareholder approval for the following types of amendments is not required:

(a)      amendments of a “housekeeping” nature;
 
(b)      a change in the vesting provisions of a security issued pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan;
 
(c)      a change in the termination provisions of a security issued pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date; and
 

21


(d)      the addition of a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, which provides for a net deduction of the number of underlying securities from the Equity Incentive Plan reserve.
 

The following table sets forth the information regarding the Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2008:

            Number of securities 
    Number of securities to be    Weighted-average exercise    remaining available for 
    issued upon exercise of    price of outstanding    future issuance under 
    outstanding options,    options, warrants and    equity compensation plans 
Plan Category    warrants and rights    rights     




Equity compensation plans             
approved by Shareholders    3,968,179    $3.20    1,793,750 




Equity compensation plans             
not approved by             
Shareholders    -    -    - 




Total    3,968,179    $3.20    1,793,750 





Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan

The Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan (the “Venezuelan Plan”) provides for the issuance of up to a rolling 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company, through the grant of “incentive stock options” and “non–statutory options” to purchase Class A Shares, SARs and restricted shares. The Venezuelan Plan was approved by the Shareholders on June 10, 2008 and expires on April 10, 2018.

As of April 23, 2009 options for the purchase of 1,039,752 Class A Shares remained outstanding and 4,777,327 Class A Shares remained available for grant under the Venezuelan Plan. The combined total available for issuance under the Venezuelan Plan is 5,817,079. Since inception, 96,000 restricted shares have been granted from the Venezuelan Plan, 60,000 of which remain unvested, and no SARs have been granted.

Employees and consultants of the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants under the Venezuelan Plan. The Board or a committee of the Board is responsible for the administration of the Venezuelan Plan.

Options, SARs, and restricted shares granted under the Plan are generally granted at the fair market value of the Class A Shares. For purposes of the Plan, the “fair market value” is, subject to any applicable rules of the TSX or the NYSE Amex, the volume weighted average trading price or the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Class A Shares calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of Class A Shares on the exchange where the majority of the trading volume and value of the Class A Shares occurs, for the five trading days immediately preceding the relevant date.

A SAR entitles the holder of the related option, upon exercise of the SAR, to surrender all or any portion of the option to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the fair market value of the Class A Shares immediately preceding the date of exercise of the SAR over the option price under the related option, by (ii) the number of shares as to which the SAR has been exercised. However, the agreement under which the SAR is granted may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any SAR.

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Payment may be made by the Company in the form of Class A Shares, cash or a combination of Class A Shares and cash.

Each option grant is limited to a maximum duration of 10 years from the time it is granted and the vesting period is discretionary.

Restricted shares issued under the Venezuelan Plan may be subject to restrictions imposed by the Board, including restrictions on the sale, transfer, pledge or assignment of such shares. During the period of restriction, persons holding restricted shares granted pursuant to the Venezuelan Plan may exercise full voting rights and be entitled to all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares.

No option can be transferable by the optionholder. All options are exercisable during the optionholder’s lifetime, only by the optionholder or by the guardian or legal representative of the optionholder or its alternative payee pursuant to such qualified domestic relations order. For purposes of the description of the Venezuelan Plan the terms “holder” and “optionee” include the guardian and legal representative of the optionholder named in the option agreement.

The Venezuelan Plan provides the following for termination of employment with regard to the options outstanding at the date of termination:

Retirement - any then outstanding options under the Venezuelan Plan may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the outstanding options or 12 months after the date of retirement.

For cause - any then outstanding options become null and void.

Involuntary termination of employment - any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 30 days after the date of termination.

Voluntary termination of employment - any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 90 days after the date of termination.

The Board may, at any time and from time to time, modify, amend, suspend or terminate the Venezuelan Plan without Shareholder approval. Amendments to the Venezuelan Plan are subject to Shareholder approval to the extent required to comply with any rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed. Shareholder approval for the following types of amendments is not required:

(a)      amendments of a “housekeeping” nature;
 
(b)      a change in the vesting provisions of a security issued pursuant to the Venezuelan Plan;
 
(c)      a change in the termination provisions of a security issued pursuant to the Venezuelan Plan, which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date; and
 

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(d)      the addition of a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, which provides for a net deduction of the number of underlying securities from the Venezuelan Plan reserve.
 

The following table sets forth the information regarding the Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2008:

    Number of securities to be    Weighted-average exercise    Number of securities 
    issued upon exercise of    price of outstanding    remaining available for 
    outstanding options,    options, warrants and    future issuance under 
Plan Category    warrants and rights    rights    equity compensation plans 




Equity compensation plans             
approved by             
securityholders    1,039,752    $3.12    4,722,177 




Equity compensation plans             
not approved by             
securityholders    -    -    - 




Total    1,039,752    $3.12    4,722,177 





Report on Re-pricing of Options in Last Ten Completed Fiscal Years (2000 and 2001)

During the last ten years the Shareholders approved two re-pricings of certain options held by the Named Executive Officers. The first re-pricing, dated April 3, 2000 and approved on June 2, 2000, was re-priced at a 25% premium to the market price of the Company’s Class A Shares. The second re-pricing, dated December 20, 2000 and approved June 8, 2001, was re-priced at a 50% premium to the market price of the Company’s Class A Shares and 50% of all vested options, or immediately exercisable options, were unvested for the following twelve-month period. All re-priced options had five-year lives from the date of approval by Shareholders and were exercised or expired by December 31, 2006. The following table details the repricing information for options held by Named Executive Officers for the last ten years:

10-YEAR TABLE OF OPTIONS AND SAR RE-PRICINGS

            Market            Length of 
        Securities    Price of            Original Option 
        Under    Securities at    Exercise Price        Term 
        Options/    Time of Re-    at Time of Re-        Remaining at 
        SARs    pricing or    pricing or    New Exercise    Date of Re- 
    Date of Re-    Re-priced    Amendment    Amendment    Price    pricing or 
Name    pricing    Or Amended (#)    ($/Security)    ($/Security)    ($/Security)    Amendment 







Rockne J. Timm    June 2, 2000    209,833    0.73    3.75    1.00    2.8 years 






    June 8, 2001    27,200    0.47    1.13    0.72    1.7 years 
        40,000    0.47    1.50    0.72    3.1 years 
        50,000    0.47    2.59    0.72    2.2 years 
        125,000    0.47    3.25    0.72    2.3 years 
        244,667    0.47    3.75    0.72    2.2 years 







Robert A. McGuinness    June 2, 2000    92,207    0.73    3.75    1.00    2.8 years 






    June 8, 2001    30,000    0.47    1.50    0.72    3.1 years 
        68,417    0.47    2.59    0.72    2.2 years 
        115,998    0.47    3.75    0.72    2.2 years 







A. Douglas Belanger    June 2, 2000    172,652    0.73    3.75    1.00    2.8 years 






    June 8, 2001    26,000    0.47    1.13    0.72    1.7 years 
        30,000    0.47    1.50    0.72    3.1 years 
        65,000    0.47    2.59    0.72    2.2 years 
        50,000    0.47    3.25    0.72    2.3 years 
        230,303    0.47    3.75    0.72    2.2 years 








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            Market            Length of 
        Securities    Price of            Original Option 
        Under    Securities at    Exercise Price        Term 
        Options/    Time of Re-    at Time of Re-        Remaining at 
        SARs    pricing or    pricing or    New Exercise    Date of Re- 
    Date of Re-    Re-priced    Amendment    Amendment    Price    pricing or 
               Name    pricing    Or Amended (#)    ($/Security)    ($/Security)    ($/Security)    Amendment 







James P. Geyer    June 2, 2000    84,736    0.73    3.75    1.00    2.8 years 






    June 8, 2001    30,000    0.47    1.50    0.72    3.1 years 
        64,209    0.47    2.59    0.72    2.2 years 
        5,000    0.47    2.88    0.72    7.0 years 
        100,264    0.47    3.75    0.72    2.2 years 







Douglas E. Stewart    June 8, 2001    79,367    0.47    1.50    0.72    3.1 years 

KSOP Plan

The Company’s subsidiary, Gold Reserve Corporation, maintains a KSOP Plan for the benefit of eligible employees. The KSOP Plan consists of two components– a salary reduction component (401(k)) and stock ownership component (ESOP). Eligible employees are those who have been employed for a period in excess of one year and who have worked at least 1,000 hours during the year in which any allocation is to be made.

Employee contributions to the 401(k) component of the KSOP Plan are limited in each year to the total amount of salary reduction the employee elects to defer during the year, which is limited in 2009 to $16,500 ($22,000 limit for participants who are 50 or more years of age, or who turn 50 during 2009).

Employer contributions, stated as a percentage of eligible compensation, are determined each year by the Board and allocations are made in the form of Class A Shares or by cash. The number of Class A Shares released for allocation is determined by multiplying the total eligible compensation by the contribution percentage approved by the Board and dividing that number by the average price of the Class A Shares remaining in the KSOP Plan for distribution. Employer contributions do not represent pension compensation. The employer contributions are disclosed under “Executive Compensation – Summary Compensation Tables”, under the column “All Other Compensation – KSOP Contributions”. All contributions, once made to the individual’s account under the KSOP Plan, are thereafter self-directed.

Total employer and employee annual contributions to an employee participating in both the 401(k) and ESOP components of the KSOP Plan are limited (in 2009) to a maximum of $49,000 ($54,500 limit for participants who are 50 or more years of age or who turn 50 during 2009). The annual dollar limit is an aggregate limit which applies to all contributions made under this plan or any other cash or deferral arrangements. For KSOP Plan year 2009 the Company has adopted a “Safe Harbor” contribution of 3% of eligible compensation.

Distributions from the KSOP Plan are not permitted before the participating employee reaches the age of 59, except in the case of death, disability, termination of employment by the Company or financial hardship. The employee stock ownership component of the KSOP Plan is qualified under Sections 421 and 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Allocated contributions to eligible KSOP Plan participants (15 participants for 2008) for plan years 2008, 2007, and 2006 were $269,679 (paid in cash); $386,930 (77,765 Class A Shares at

25


$0.4976 per share), and $272,412 (128,731 Class A Shares at $2.116 per share), respectively. The aggregate number of Class A Shares for the three-year period is 206,496, which represents 0.35% of the current issued and outstanding Common Shares. As of December 31, 2008, 22,246 Class A Shares remained in the KSOP Plan to be allocated to KSOP Plan participants, representing less than 0.01% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company at that time.

Retention Units

The Company maintains the Gold Reserve Director and Employee Retention Plan (the “Retention Plan”). Under the Retention Plan, the Board or a committee thereof may grant retention units (the “Units”) to directors and certain key employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.

Employees become eligible to participate if the Board or a committee thereof determines that the employee may have a significant opportunity to influence the growth of the Company or that the employee’s performance warrants further incentive or reward. Current participants in the Retention Plan include all directors of the Company, the officers and the other participants, all of whom have signed award agreements.

Vesting of the Units is based upon the occurrence of certain major corporate milestones: 50% upon successfully financing the Brisas project and 50% upon placing the Brisas project into production. The Units also become fully vested and payable upon a change of control. Subject to vesting provision, each Unit granted to participating directors and employees entitles such persons to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of one Class A Share (a) on the date the Unit was granted or (b) on the date any such participant becomes entitled to payment, whichever is greater.

No Units were granted to directors, executive officers and affiliates in 2008. As of December 31, 2008, an aggregate of 1,732,500 unvested Units have been granted to directors, executive officers and affiliates of the Company and 315,000 Units have been granted to other Retention Plan participants. The aggregate value of the aggregate awards as of December 31, 2008 was $8,935,200.

TERMINATION AND CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

Termination of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment Contracts

At this time, there are no written contracts of employment between the Company and the Named Executive Officers.

The Company does maintain Change of Control Agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers, which were implemented by the Board to induce the Named Executive Officers to remain with the Company in the event of a change of control. The Board believes these individuals’ familiarity and long-standing involvement with the Brisas project are important assets to the Company and their continued employment is important. The loss of their continued services could have a detrimental impact on future operations of the Company.

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Existing Change of Control Arrangements with Executive Officers

The Company entered into Change of Control Agreements, beginning in 2003, with each of the Named Executive Officers and four other participants. Other than as disclosed herein, no other executive officers, directors or affiliates of the Company have Change of Control Agreements with Gold Reserve.

A Change of Control means one of more of the following: the acquisition by any individual, entity or group, of beneficial ownership of the Company of 25 percent of the voting power of the outstanding Common Shares; a change in the composition of the Board that causes less than a majority of the current directors to be members of the incoming board; reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or any other event the Board reasonably determines constitutes a Change of Control.

Pursuant to the Change of Control Agreements, in the event of a change of control of the Company each participant is entitled to, among other things, continue employment with Gold Reserve Corporation and, if the participant's employment is terminated within 12 months following the change of control for any reason other than termination by the Company for cause, such individual will be entitled to receive, among other things:

As further discussed in the following two paragraphs, the participants are entitled to receive certain "gross-up payments" (that is, an excess parachute gross-up payment and a deferred compensation gross-up payment) if payments that he or she receives are subject to the excise tax

27


under Code Section 4999 on excess parachute payments or the additional tax and interest factor tax under Code Section 409A on deferred compensation. The intent of these gross-up payments is to put the participant in the same position, after tax, that he or she would have been in if the payments that the participant received had not been subject to the excise and additional taxes.

The Change of Control Agreements also provide for a gross-up payment if any payment made to or for the benefit of a participant (“Excess Parachute Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the participant with respect to such excise tax. The Company will pay to the participant an additional payment (Excess Parachute Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the participant of all taxes on the Excess Parachute Gross-Up Payment, the participant retains an amount of the Excess Parachute Gross-Up Payment equal to the excise tax (and any interest or penalties) imposed upon the participants Excess Parachute Payment.

The Change of Control Agreements further provide for a gross-up payment if any payment made to or for the benefit of a participant (“Deferred Compensation Payment”) would be subject to the additional tax or additional interest on any underpayment of tax imposed by Code Section 409A, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the participant with respect to such additional tax or underpayment of tax. The Company will pay to the participant an additional payment (“Deferred Compensation Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the participant of all taxes on the Deferred Compensation Gross-Up Payment, the participant retains an amount of the Deferred Compensation Gross-Up Payment equal to the additional tax and additional interest on any underpayment of tax (and any interest or penalties) imposed upon the participant’s Deferred Compensation Payment.

Payments may be delayed six months under Code Section 409A. In the event of such a delay, the delayed payments are made to a rabbi trust. Upon the completion of the six-month delay period, the payments held in the rabbi trust are paid to the participant plus interest at the prime rate. The Company pays all costs of the rabbi trust.

Participants would have been entitled to collectively receive an aggregate of approximately $14,482,530 should a Change of Control have occurred on December 31, 2008. This amount assumes all persons with Change of Control Agreements elect the buy-out of their options as described above. For purposes of such calculation, Gold Reserve assumed the election was made on December 31, 2008, which resulted in share price of $0.94 per share. This amount was determined exclusive of any gross-up payments, which payments could be substantial depending on the tax position of each individual.

The following table represents the estimated payout for employees (9) holding Change of Control Agreements at December 31, 2008. These amounts were determined exclusive of any gross-up payments, which could be substantial depending on the tax position of each individual.

            Payout of    Payout of     
    Compensation    Payout of Stock    Restricted Shares    Retention Units ($)     
                   Name           ($) (1)    Options ($) (2)    ($) (3)                 (4)    Total 






Rockne J. Timm    1,250,880    159,250    141,000    1,502,000    3,053,130 
Robert A. McGuinness    579,256    53,084    84,600    589,000    1,305,940 
A. Douglas Belanger    1,209,435    168,668    126,900    1,502,000    3,007,003 
James P. Geyer    773,430    102,918    84,600    972,000    1,932,948 
Douglas E. Stewart    612,343    45,500    56,400    711,000    1,425,243 
Other participants    1,540,573    165,753    160,740    1,891,200    3,758,266 





Total    5,965,917    695,173    654,240    7,167,200    14,482,530 

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(1)      Represents the estimated payout as of December 31, 2008 of the associated salary, vacation, KSOP contribution, bonus and insurance.
 
(2)      Represents the payout of stock options.
 
(3)      Represents the payout associated with the immediate vesting of unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2008.
 
(4)      Represents the payment associated with the value of the Retention Unit on December 31, 2008 and does not include 400,000 retention units for non-employee directors equal to $1,768,000.
 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Summary Director Fee Tables

During 2008, the Board agreed to pay $25,000 to each non-employee director and 16,000 Class A Shares, to be issued in installments of 4,000 per quarter, and $98,459 to Mr. Coleman for his role as Chairman.

The following table discloses the compensation paid or granted by the Company, in accordance with the provisions of National Instrument 51-102 to the non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

The Share Based Awards set forth in the table represent the number of restricted shares granted during the year and the value of the share based award is calculated based on the value of the Class A Shares on the date of grant multiplied by the total number of restricted shares granted.

The Option Based Awards set forth in the table represent the number of options granted during the year and the value of the option based award is calculated based on the Black-Scholes model for options granted during the year.

The amount related to Share Based Awards and Option Based Awards does not necessarily represent the value of the shares when vesting occurs, the value of the options when exercised, or value the director may realize from the sale of the shares.

    Fees Earned    Share Based    Option Based    Total 
            Awards    Awards    compensation 






 
 
    Chairman    Director     #          #         $
         $(1)    $ (2)                     








James H. Coleman           98,459    25,000    16,000    65,600    53,336    10,575               199,634 








Patrick D. McChesney        25,000    16,000    65,600    53,336    10,575               101,175 








Chris D. Mikkelsen        25,000    16,000    65,600    53,336    10,575               101,175 








Jean Charles Potvin        25,000    16,000    65,600    53,336    10,575               101,175 









(1)      Represents cash fees earned as Chairman during the year.
 
(2)      Represents cash fees earned as director during the year.
 
(3)      There are no non-equity incentive compensation plans or pension plans for non-employee directors.
 

The non-employee directors each received 4,000 Class A Shares per quarter during 2008 valued at $5.42, $3.99, $1.43 and $.56, respectively totaling $45,600.

Directors of the Company received no additional compensation for serving on Board committees or for attendance at the Board or committee meetings.

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Director’s Outstanding Share –Based Awards and Option-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning all outstanding stock options to acquire Class A Shares and unvested restricted shares to the Directors pursuant to the rules and policies of the TSX and the regulations of the NYSE Amex as of December 31, 2008:

               Option-based awards        Share-based Awards 





                        Market or 
                        payout 
                    Number of    value of 
                    shares or units    share-based 
    Number of                of shares that    awards that 
    securities    Option        Value of    have not    have not 
    underlying    exercise     Option    unexercised in-    vested    vested 
    unexercised    price    expiration    the-money options    (#) (2)    ($) (3) 
                 Name    options    ($)    date    ($) (1)         







James H. Coleman    75,000           4.000    1/21/2009    -    -    - 







    13,334           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 







    50,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -    -    - 







    53,336           0.290    12/5/2013    34,668    -    - 







Total    245,002            34,668    4,000             3,760 







 
Patrick D. McChesney    13,334           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 







    50,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -    -    - 







    53,336           0.290    12/5/2013    34,668    -    - 







Total    170,002            34,668    4,000             3,760 







 
Chris D. Mikkelsen    13,334           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 







    50,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -    -    - 







    53,336           0.290    12/5/2013    34,668    -    - 







Total    170,002            34,668    4,000             3,760 







 
J.C. Potvin    13,334           4.834    5/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2009    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    11/27/2010    -    -    - 







    13,333           4.834    5/27/2011    -    -    - 







    50,000           4.190    9/27/2011    -    -    - 







    53,336           0.290    12/5/2013    34,668    -    - 







Total    170,002            34,668    4,000             3,760 








(1)      The “Value of unexercised in-the-money options” was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the option at the end of the financial year and the exercise price of such options. At December 31, 2008, the closing price of the Class A Shares on the NYSE Amex was $0.94.
 
(2)      Represents the number of unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2008.
 
(3)      The “Market or payout value” was calculated by multiplying the total number of unvested restricted shares times $0.94, the closing price of the Class A Shares on the NYSE Amex on December 31, 2008.
 

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Incentive Plan Awards             




 
 
    Option-based        Non-equity incentive plan 
    awards – Value    Share-based awards – Value    compensation – Value 
    vested during the    vested during the year ($) (2)    earned during the year ($) 
                         Name    year ($) (1)         




 James H. Coleman    -    45,600    - 




 Patrick D. McChesney    -    45,600    - 




 Chris D. Mikkelsen    -    45,600    - 




 Jean Charles Potvin    -    45,600    - 





(1)      Represents the aggregate market value that would have been realized if the options vesting during 2008 had been exercised on the vest date. The value was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the option on the vest date and the exercise price of such options.
 
(2)      Represents the aggregate market value of share-based awards that vested during 2008. The market or payout value was calculated by multiplying the total number of restricted shares vesting times the closing price of the Class A Shares on the NYSE
 
  Amex on the vest date.
 

Directors and Officers Insurance

The Company carries directors and officers liability insurance which is subject to a total aggregate limit of $25,000,000 and deductibles of up to $250,000 for each claim. The premium for the latest policy period is $244,153.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Mikkelsen and Potvin. The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and administering the compensation philosophy, policies, and plans for the Company’s non-employee directors and executive officers.

The Compensation Committee hereby reports as follows:

1.      The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with management; and
 
2.      Based upon such review, the related discussions and such other matters deemed relevant and appropriate by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this Circular to be delivered to Shareholders.
 

Report submitted by Compensation Committee of the Board s/ Chris D. Mikkelsen s/ Jean Charles Potvin

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INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SENIOR OFFICERS OTHER THAN SECURITIES PURCHASE PROGRAMS

No director, executive officer or senior officer, or associate or affiliate of any such director, executive officer or senior officer, is or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year of the Company was indebted to the Company.

INTEREST OF INSIDERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

None of the directors, officers of the Company, nor any person or corporation owning more than 10% or any class of voting securities of the Company, nor any associates or affiliates of any of them, had or has any material interest in any transaction since the commencement of the Company’s last financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION

Audit Committee Charter

The Audit Committee of the Board operates within a written mandate, as approved by the Board, which describes the Committee’s objectives and responsibilities. The full text of the Audit Committee Charter is attached as Appendix A to this Circular.

Composition of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is composed of the following 3 directors:

  Chris D. Mikkelsen (Chair)

Jean Charles Potvin

Patrick D. McChesney

The Board has determined each member of the Audit Committee to be “independent” and “financially literate” as such terms are defined under Canadian securities laws. In addition, the Chair of the Committee, Mr. Mikkelsen, is considered by the Board to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board has made these determinations based on the education and experience of each member of the Committee, as outlined below.

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Relevant Education and Experience

The following is a description of the education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as a member of the Audit Committee:

Mr. Mikkelsen is a Principal in McDirmid, Mikkelsen & Secrest, P.S., a certified public accounting firm. Mr. Mikkelsen has a Professional Accounting degree from Eastern Washington University. After working for a national accounting firm, he left in 1976 to form McDirmid, Mikkelsen and Secrest, P.S. He has extensive technical audit and accounting experience related to a variety of industries. Mr. Mikkelsen has been Chair of, and a member of, this Committee since August 1998.

Mr. Potvin is Director and Chairman of Tiomin Resources Inc., a company involved in the development of the Kwale titanium-bearing mineral sands deposit in Kenya and which holds a 49 percent interest in the Pukaqaqa copper gold deposit in Peru. Mr. Potvin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Carleton University and an MBA from the University of Ottawa. He spent nearly 14 years as a mining investment analyst for a large Canadian investment brokerage firm (Burns Fry Ltd., now BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.). He is also a member of the audit committee of Polaris Energy Corporation, a publicly-listed geothermal-based power producer and of Azimut Exploration Ltd also a publicly listed mineral exploration company. He is also a director of Cadiscor Resources and of Gobimin which operates in China. Mr. Potvin has been a member of this Committee since August 2003.

Mr. McChesney is chief financial officer of Foothills Auto Group, an operator of franchised auto dealerships, where he is responsible for the financial statements. He was President of LMO Test Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of automated test equipment for the semiconductor industry, from March 1996 until December 2005. Mr. McChesney graduated from the University of Portland, with a Bachelor degree in Accounting. For his entire 32 year working career, he has prepared and analyzed financial statements in the mining, public accounting, retail, electronics and construction industries. Mr. McChesney has been a member of this Committee since August 1998.

External Auditor Service Fees

Fees paid to the Company’s independent external auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are detailed in the following table:

     Fee Category    Year Ended 2008    Year Ended 2007 



Audit (1)    $301,560    $219,917 



Audit related (2)    47,641    121,206 



Tax (3)    15,699    13,317 



All other fees    -    - 



Total    $364,900    $354,440 




(1)      Audit fees were for professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements.
 
(2)      Audit-related fees were for the review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements and services provided in respect of other regulatory-required auditor attest functions associated with government audit reports, registration statements, prospectuses, periodic reports and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.
 

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(3)      Tax fees were for services outside of the audit scope and represented consultations for tax compliance and advisory services relating to common forms of domestic and international taxation.
 

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

The Company’s Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of services performed by the Company’s external auditors, with the objective of maintaining the independence of the external auditors. The Company’s policy requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit, audit-related, tax and other permissible non-audit services to be performed by the external auditors, including all engagements of the external auditors with respect to the Company’s subsidiaries. Prior approval of engagements for services other than the annual audit may, as required, be approved by the Chair of the Committee with the provision that such approvals be brought before the full Committee at its next regular meeting. The Company’s policy sets out the details of the permissible non-audit services consistent with the independence requirements of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Canadian independence standards for auditors. The Chief Financial Officer presents the details of any proposed assignments of the external auditor for consideration by the Audit Committee. The procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management of the Company.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The TSX requires listed corporations to disclose their approach to corporate governance. The Company’s disclosure in this regard is set out in Appendix B to this Circular.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Other than as set forth in this Circular, no person who has been a director or senior officer of the Company at any time since the beginning of the last financial year, nor any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has any material interest, directly or indirectly, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon.

ANY OTHER MATTERS

Management of the Company knows of no matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this Circular. However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the form of proxy accompanying this Circular to vote the same in accordance with their best judgment of such matters.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Company may be found on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.goldreserveinc.com. Additional financial information is provided in the Company’s comparative financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for its year ended December 31, 2008, as contained in the 2008 Annual Report. A copy of this document and other public documents of the Company are available upon request to:

Gold Reserve Inc.

Attention: Robert A. McGuinness
926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200
Spokane, Washington 99201
Phone: (509) 623-1500
Fax: (509) 623-1634

APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION

The contents and the sending of this Circular have been approved by the Board.

The forgoing contains no untrue statement of a material fact and does not omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it is made.

Dated at Spokane, Washington, this 23rd day of April, 2009

Rockne J. Timm

Chief Executive Officer

Robert A. McGuinness

Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer


35


APPENDIX A

CHARTER OF THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Purpose

The primary purposes of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) are to oversee on behalf of the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Gold Reserve Inc. (the “Company”):

The Committee also has the purpose of preparing the financial report that rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) require the Company to include in its annual proxy or information statement and Form 20-F filed with the SEC and/or its equivalent filed with the OSC.

The Committee’s function is one of oversight only and does not relieve management of its responsibilities for preparing financial statements that accurately and fairly present the Company’s financial results and condition, nor the independent auditors of their responsibilities relating to the audit or review of financial statements.

Organization

The Committee shall consist of at least three directors. The Board shall designate a Committee member as the chairperson of the Committee, or if the Board does not do so, the Committee members shall appoint a Committee member as chairperson by a majority vote of the authorized number of Committee members.

All Committee members shall be “independent,” as defined and to the extent required in the applicable SEC and OSC rules and NYSE Amex and Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) listing standards and applicable laws and regulations, as they may be amended from time to time (collectively, such SEC, OSC and exchange requirements are referred to as the “listing standards”), for purposes of audit committee membership.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, one director who is not independent as defined by the NYSE Amex listing standards, but who satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is not a current officer or employee or an immediate family member of such officer or employee, may be appointed to the Committee if the Board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that membership on the Committee by the individual is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders, and the Board discloses, in the next periodic filing made with the SEC subsequent to such determination, the nature of the relationship and the reasons for that determination; provided, however, that any such non-independent Committee member may only serve on the Committee for two (2) years and may not serve as the chairperson of the Committee.

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Each Committee member shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company’s balance sheet, income statement, and cashflow statement upon appointment to the Committee. At all times there shall be at least one member of the Committee who, in the Board’s business judgment, is an audit committee “financial expert” as defined in the SEC rules and is “financially sophisticated” as defined in the NYSE Amex listing standards. Subject to the requirements of the listing standards, the Board may appoint and remove Committee members in accordance with the Company’s by-laws. Committee members shall serve for such terms as may be fixed by the Board, and in any case at the will of the Board whether or not a specific term is fixed.

Independent Auditors and Their Services

The Committee shall have the sole authority and direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention, termination, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors engaged by the Company for purposes of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee’s authority includes the resolution of disagreements between management and the auditors regarding financial reporting. The Committee shall pre-approve all audit, review, attest and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Company or its subsidiaries by the independent auditors. The Committee may establish pre-approval policies and procedures in compliance with applicable listing standards. The Committee shall obtain and review, at least annually, a report by the independent auditors describing:

In addition, the Committee’s annual review of the independent auditors’ qualifications shall also include the review and evaluation of the lead partner of the independent auditors for the Company’s account, and evaluation of such other matters as the Committee may consider relevant to the engagement of the auditors, including views of company management and internal finance employees, and whether the lead partner or auditing firm itself should be rotated.

Annual Financial Reporting

As often and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or appropriate, but at least annually in connection with the audit of each fiscal year’s financial statements, the Committee shall:

1.      Review and discuss with appropriate members of management the annual audited financial statements, related accounting and auditing principles and practices, and (when required of management under the applicable listing standards) management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting.
 
2.      Timely request and receive from the independent auditors the report required (along with any required update thereto) pursuant to applicable listing standards prior to the filing of an audit report, concerning:
 
  all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;
 

37


 
  • all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles for policies and practices relating to material items that have been discussed with company management, including ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors; and
     
     
  • other material written communications between the independent auditors and company management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.
     
    3.      Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, including such matters as:
     
     
  • the quality and acceptability of the accounting principles applied in the financial statements;
     
     
  • new or changed accounting policies, and significant estimates, judgments, uncertainties or unusual transactions;
     
     
  • the selection, application and effects of critical accounting policies and estimates applied by the Company;
     
     
  • issues raised by any “management” or “internal control” letter from the auditors, problems or difficulties encountered in the audit (including any restrictions on the scope of the work or on access to requested information) and management’s response to such problems or difficulties, significant disagreements with management, or other significant aspects of the audit; and
     
     
  • any off-balance sheet transactions, and relationships with any unconsolidated entities or any other persons, which may have a material current or future effect on the financial condition or results of the Company and are required to be reported under SEC rules.
     
    4.      Review and discuss with appropriate members of management the Company’s intended disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (or equivalent disclosures) to be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and its equivalent filed with the OSC.
     
    5.      Receive from the independent auditors a formal written statement of all relationships between the auditors and the Company consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1.
     
    6.      Actively discuss with the independent auditors any disclosed relationships or services that may impact their objectivity and independence, and take any other appropriate action to oversee their independence.
     

    Quarterly Financial Reporting

    The Committee’s quarterly review shall normally include:

    1.      Review and discuss the quarterly financial statements of the Company and the results of the independent auditors’ review of these financial statements with appropriate members of management.
     
    2.      Review and discuss with Company management and, if appropriate, the independent auditors, significant matters relating to:
     

    38


     
  • the quality and acceptability of the accounting principles applied in the financial statements;
     
     
  • new or changed accounting policies, and significant estimates, judgments, uncertainties or unusual transactions;
     
     
  • the selection, application and effects of critical accounting policies and estimates applied by the Company; and
     
     
  • any off-balance sheet transactions and relationships with any unconsolidated entities or any other persons which may have a material current or future effect on the financial condition or results of the Company and are required to be reported under SEC rules.
     
    3.      Review and discuss with appropriate members of management the Company’s intended disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (or equivalent disclosures) to be included in the Company’s quarterly reports prepared in accordance with Canadian requirements and filed on Form 6-K with the SEC and its equivalent filed with the OSC.
     

    Other Functions

    The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this charter annually, recommend any proposed changes to the full Board and, to the extent required by the listing standards, certify annually to any NYSE Amex, TSX or other listing market that the Committee reviewed and assessed the adequacy of the charter.

    The Committee shall discuss with management earnings press releases (including the type and presentation of information to be included, paying particular attention to any use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” non-GAAP information), and financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. This may be conducted generally as to types of information and presentations, and need not include advance review of each release or other information or guidance.

    The Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall periodically review with management the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, internal control over financial reporting and systems and procedures to promote compliance with applicable laws.

    The Committee shall periodically:

    The Committee shall conduct any activities relating to the Company’s code(s) of conduct and ethics as may be delegated, from time to time, to the Committee by the Board.

    The Committee shall establish and maintain procedures for:

    39


    If the Committee so determines, the confidential, anonymous submission procedures may also include a method for interested parties to communicate directly with non-management directors. It is the Company’s policy that the Company shall not enter into transactions required to be disclosed under item 404 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K or other applicable Canadian requirements unless the Committee first reviews and approves such transactions.

    The Committee shall review and take appropriate action with respect to any reports to the Committee from internal or external legal counsel engaged by the Company concerning any material violation of securities law or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company, its subsidiaries or any person acting on their behalf.

    The Committee shall, from time to time as necessary, review the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on the financial statements of the Company. In addition, the Committee, as it considers appropriate, may consider and review with the full Board, company management, internal or external legal counsel, the independent auditors or any other appropriate person or any other topics relating to the purposes of the Committee which may come to the Committee’s attention.

    The Committee may perform any other activities consistent with this charter, the Company’s corporate governance documents and applicable listing standards, laws and regulations as the Committee or the Board considers appropriate.

    Meetings, Reports and Resources

    The Committee shall meet as often as it determines is necessary, but not less than quarterly. The Committee shall meet separately with management and independent auditors. In addition, the Committee may meet with any other persons, as it deems necessary.

    The Committee may establish its own procedures, including the formation and delegation of authority to subcommittees, in a manner not inconsistent with this charter, the by-laws or the listing standards. The chairperson or a majority of the Committee members may call meetings of the Committee. A majority of the authorized number of Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Committee business, and the vote of a majority of the Committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee, unless in either case a greater number is required by this charter, the by-laws or the listing standards. The Committee shall keep written minutes of its meetings and deliver copies of the minutes to the corporate secretary for inclusion in the Company’s corporate records.

    The Committee shall prepare any audit committee report required to be included in the Company’s annual meeting proxy or information statement, and report to the Board on the other matters relating to the Committee or its purposes, as required by the listing standards. The Committee shall also report to the Board annually the overall results of its annual review of the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence. The Committee shall also report to the Board on the major items covered by the Committee at each Committee meeting, and provide additional reports to the Board as the Committee may determine to be appropriate, including review with the full Board of any issues that arise from time to time with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the independent auditors.

    The Committee is at all times authorized to have direct, independent and confidential access to

    40


    the independent auditors and to the Company’s other directors, management and personnel to carry out the Committee’s purposes. The Committee is authorized to conduct or authorize investigations into any matters relating to the purposes, duties or responsibilities of the Committee.

    As the Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties, it is authorized to select, engage (including approval of the fees and terms of engagement), oversee, terminate, and obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting, or other advisers or consultants. The company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of:

    Nothing in this charter is intended to preclude or impair the protection provided under corporation law for good faith reliance by members of the Committee on reports or other information provided by others.

    41


    APPENDIX B

    STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

    In this Appendix are the Company’s corporate governance practices in accordance with National Instrument 58-101 “Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices” (“NI 58-101”), and National Policy 58-201 “Corporate Governance Guidelines” (“NP 58-201”), which came into force in Canada on June 30, 2005. The Company’s Board has reviewed this disclosure of the Company’s corporate governance practices.

        Disclosure Requirement under                 
        Form 58-101F1        Company’s Governance Practices 




     
    1. (a)       Disclose  the identity of directors    The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of 
             who are independent.        the Company believes that Messrs. 
                        Coleman, McChesney, Mikkelsen, and 
                        Potvin are “independent” within the 
                        meaning of section 1.4 of Multilateral 
                        instrument 52-110 “Audit Committees” 
                        (“MI 52-110”) and section 1.2 of NI 58- 
                        101, as none of them is, or has been 
                        within the last three years, an executive 
                        officer or employee of the Company or 
                        party to any material contract with the 
                        Company and none of them receive 
                        remuneration from the Company in 
                        excess of directors’ fees and grants of 
                        stock options. The Board believes that 
                        the four Directors are free from any 
                        interest and any business or other 
                        relationship that could, or could 
                        reasonably be perceived to, materially 
                        interfere with their ability to act 
                        independently from management or to 
                        act as a director with a view to the best 
                        interests of the Company, other than 
                        interests and relationships arising from 
                        shareholdings.         
     
       (b)         Disclose the identity of directors    Three Directors,  Messrs.  Timm, 
                     who are  not  independent,  and    Belanger and Geyer, are employees of 
             describe  the  basis for  that    the Company and therefore not 
             determination.            considered independent.     
     
       (c)         Disclose whether or not a majority    Four of seven, approximately 57.1% of 
             of directors are independent. If a    the Company’s current Directors, are 
             majority of directors are not    independent.         
             independent, describe what the             
             board of directors (the board) does             
             to facilitate  its exercise  of             
             independent judgement in carrying             

    42


        Disclosure Requirement under                     
        Form 58-101F1             Company’s Governance Practices 




     
             out its responsibilities.                         
     
    (d)         If a director is presently a director of    Such  other directorships have been 
             any other issuer that is a reporting    disclosed in “Item 1 - Election of 
             issuer (or the equivalent) in a    Directors” section of this Circular. 
             jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction,                     
             identify both the director and the                     
             other issuer.                         
     
    (e)         Disclose  whether or  not the    The Board has not adopted a formal 
             independent directors hold regularly    policy for the independent Directors to 
             scheduled meetings at which non-    meet  without  management  present 
             independent directors and members    before and  after each  regularly 
             of management are  not in    scheduled meeting of the Board. 
             attendance. If the independent    Without management present, the 
             directors  hold such  meetings,    independent Directors met on four 
             disclose  the number of  meetings    occasions, in person or by telephone 
             held since the beginning of the    during 2008 and are expected to 
             issuer's most recently completed    continue to meet on a regular basis. 
             financial  year. If the independent    These sessions are of no fixed duration 
             directors do not hold such meetings,    and participating Directors  are 
             describe what the board does to    encouraged to raise and discuss any 
             facilitate open and candid discussion    issues of concern.         
             among its independent directors.                     
     
    (f)         Disclose whether or not the chair of    The Board has appointed James H. 
             the board is an independent director.    Coleman as its Chairman. Mr. Coleman 
             If the board has a chair or lead    is an  independent director of the 
             director who is an independent    Company. One of his responsibilities is 
             director, disclose the identity of the    to oversee the Board processes so that it 
             independent chair or lead director,    operates efficiently and effectively in 
             and describe his or her role and    carrying out its duties and to act as 
             responsibilities. If the board has    liaison  between the Board and 
             neither a chair that is independent    management.             
             nor a  lead director  that is                     
             independent, describe what the                     
             board does to provide leadership for                     
             its independent directors.                         
     
    (g)         Disclose the attendance record of    The Board held 19 meetings during 
             each director for all board meetings    2008 at which attendance, in person or 
             held since the beginning of the    by phone, averaged 97%.  Various 
             issuer’s most recently  completed    matters were considered and approved 
             financial year.        by written resolution during the year. 
                    Messrs. Geyer, Mikkelsen,  and 
                    McChesney attended all 19 meetings. 
                    Messrs Belanger, Coleman, Potvin and 

    43


        Disclosure Requirement under     
        Form 58-101F1    Company’s Governance Practices 



     
            Timm each attended 18 of the 19 
            meetings. 
     
    2.         Disclose the text of the board’s    The Board is responsible for supervising 
             written mandate. If the board does    the conduct of the Company’s affairs 
             not have a written mandate, describe    and the management of its business. To 
             how the board delineates its role and    assist the Board in implementing key 
             responsibilities.    policies, the Board delegates some of its 
            responsibility to committees. Although 
            the Board has delegated to management 
            responsibility for the day-to-day 
            operations of the Company, the Board 
            has ultimate responsibility for the 
            stewardship of the Company. 
            Strategic planning is at the forefront of 
            deliberations at meetings of the Board. 
            Management is responsible for the 
            development of overall corporate 
            strategies. These strategies are under 
            constant review by the Board and senior 
            management. 
            The Board’s duties include overseeing 
            strategic planning, reviewing and 
            assessing principal risks to the 
            Company’s business and approving risk 
            management strategies. 
            The Board ensures that an appropriate 
            risk assessment process is in place to 
            identify, assess and manage the 
            principal risks of the Company’s 
            business. Management reports regularly 
            to the Board in relation to principal 
            risks, which potentially could affect the 
            Company’s business activities. 
            The Board reviews and approves, for 
            release to Shareholders, quarterly and 
            annual reports on the performance of the 
            Company. It seeks to ensure that the 
            Company communicates effectively 
            with its Shareholders, respective 
            investors and the public, including 
            dissemination of information on a timely 
            basis. Through its officers, the 
            Company responds to questions and 
            provides information to individual 
            Shareholders, institutional investors, 

    44


        Disclosure Requirement under                 
        Form 58-101F1        Company’s Governance Practices 




     
                        financial analysts and the media.     
                        The Board’s duties include supervising 
                        and evaluating management, authorizing 
                        significant expenditures, and overseeing 
                        the Company’s internal controls and 
                        information systems.     
     
    3. (a)         Disclose whether or not the board    The Board has not developed a written 
             has developed written position    position description for the Chair. The 
             descriptions for the chair and the    responsibilities of the Chair include 
             chair of each board committee. If    presiding over Board meetings, 
             the board has not developed written    assuming principal responsibility for the 
             position descriptions for the chair    Board’s operation and functioning, and 
             and/or the chair of each board    ensuring that Board functions are 
             committee, briefly describe how the    effectively carried out.     
             board delineates  the role  and    The Board has not developed written 
             responsibilities of  each  such    position descriptions for the chair of any 
             position.                committee of the Board.     
                        The responsibilities of committee chairs 
                        include presiding over committee 
                        meetings, ensuring that the committee is 
                        properly organized and effectively 
                        discharges its duties, reporting to the 
                        Board with respect to the activities of 
                        the committee, and leading the 
                        committee in reviewing and assessing 
                        on an annual basis, the adequacy of the 
                        committee’s  mandate and  its 
                        effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. 
     
    (b)         Disclose whether or not the board    The board has not developed a written 
             and CEO have developed a written    position description for the CEO.     
             position description for the CEO. If    The CEO reports to the Board and has 
             the board and CEO have not    general supervision and control over the 
             developed  such  a position    business and affairs of the Company. 
             description, briefly describe how the    The CEO’s responsibilities include: 
             board delineates  the role  and             
             responsibilities of the CEO.        (a) fostering a corporate culture that 
                                 promotes  ethical practices, 
                        encourages individual integrity and 
                                 fulfills social responsibility;     
     
                        (b) developing and recommending to 
                        the Board a long-term strategy and 
                        vision for the Company that leads to 
                                 creation of Shareholder value;     

    45


        Disclosure Requirement under         
        Form 58-101F1            Company’s Governance Practices 





     
                        (c) developing and recommending to 
                                 the Board annual business plans 
                                 and budgets that support the 
                                 Company’s long-term strategy; 
                                 and 
     
                        (d) consistently striving to achieve 
                        the Company’s financial and 
                                 operating goals and objectives. 
    4. (a)         Briefly describe what measures the    Due to its current size, the Board does 
             board takes to orient new directors    not currently provide an orientation and 
             regarding the role of the board, its    education program for specifically 
             committees and its directors, and the    training new recruits to the Board. 
             nature and operation of the issuer's     
             business.             
     
    (b)         Briefly describe what measures, if    Due to its current size, the Board does 
             any, the board takes to provide    not provide a continuing education 
             continuing education for  its    program for its Directors. All Directors 
             directors. If the board does not    are given direct access to management, 
             provide  continuing  education,    which is encouraged to provide 
             describe how the board ensures that    information on the Company and its 
             its directors maintain the skill and    business and affairs to Directors. The 
             knowledge necessary to meet their    Board believes that each of its Directors 
             obligations as directors.        maintain the skills and knowledge 
                        necessary to meet their obligations as 
                        Directors. 
     
    5. (a) (i)         Disclose whether or not the board    The Board has adopted the Gold 
             has adopted a written code for the    Reserve Inc. Code of Conduct and 
             directors, officers and employees. If    Ethics (the “Code”), which can be found 
             the board has adopted a written    at www.goldreserveinc.com and is 
             code, disclose how a person or    available in print to any Shareholder 
             company may obtain a copy of the    who requests it. 
             code.                 
     
    (a) (ii)         Describe how the board monitors    The Compliance Officer, as well as 
             compliance with its code, or if the    other officers, Directors and the 
             board does not monitor compliance,    Company’s legal and other advisors, 
             explain whether and how the board    have the full power and authority to 
             satisfies itself regarding compliance    investigate any evidence of improper 
             with its code.            conduct, violations of laws, rules, 
                        regulations or the Code, and to 
                        determine what steps, if any, should be 
                        taken to resolve the problem and avoid 
                        the likelihood of its recurrence. 

    46


        Disclosure Requirement under                     
            Form 58-101F1                 Company’s Governance Practices 






     
    (a) (iii)         Provide a  cross-reference to  any    The Company has not filed any material 
             material change report filed since    change reports since the beginning of 
             the beginning of the issuer's most    the 2008 financial year that pertains to 
             recently completed financial year    any conduct of a Director or executive 
             that pertains to any conduct of a    officer of the Company that constitutes a 
             director or executive officer that    departure from the Code.         
             constitutes a departure from the                 
             code.                             
     
       (b)         Describe any steps the board takes    Each Director must possess and exhibit 
             to ensure directors  exercise    the highest degree  of integrity, 
             independent  judgement  in    professionalism and values, and must 
             considering  transactions  and    never be in a conflict of interest with the 
             agreements in respect of which a    Company. A Director who has a conflict 
             director or executive officer has a    of interest regarding any particular 
             material interest.            matter under consideration must advise 
                            the Board, refrain from debate on the 
                            matter and abstain from any vote 
                            regarding it.             
                            All Company employees, including 
                            officers, and Directors are expected to 
                            use sound judgment to help maintain 
                            appropriate compliance procedures and 
                            to carry out the Company’s business 
                            with honesty and in compliance with 
                            laws and high ethical standards. Each 
                            employee and Director is expected to 
                            read the Code and demonstrate personal 
                            commitment to the standards set forth in 
                            the Code.             
     
       (c)         Describe any other steps the board    The Company will  not tolerate 
             takes to encourage and promote a    retaliation against an  employee or 
             culture of ethical business conduct.    Director for reporting in good faith any 
                            violations of the Code and any such 
                            retaliation is against Company policy. 
                            Employees and Directors who violate 
                            the Code may be subject to disciplinary 
                            action, including  termination  of 
                            employment.             
                            Knowledge of a violation and failure to 
                            promptly report or correct the violation 
                            may also subject an employee or 
                            Director to disciplinary action up to and 
                            including immediate discharge from 
                            employment.             

    47


        Disclosure Requirement under                 
            Form 58-101F1            Company’s Governance Practices 






     
    6. (a)         Describe the process by which the    In considering and identifying new 
             board identifies new candidates for    candidates for Board nomination, the 
             board nomination.            Board, where relevant: 
                            (a) addresses succession and planning 
                            issues;         
                            (b) identifies the mix of expertise and 
                            qualities required for the Board; 
                            (c) assesses the attributes new directors 
                            should have for the appropriate mix to 
                            be maintained;     
                            (d) arranges for each candidate to meet 
                            with the Board Chair and the CEO; 
                            (e) recommends to the Board as a whole 
                            proposed nominee(s) and arranges for 
                            their introduction to as many Board 
                            members as practicable; and 
                            (f) encourages diversity in the 
                            composition of the Board. 
     
    (b)         Disclose whether or not the board    The Nominating Committee, which was 
             has a nominating committee    formed in 2009, consists of Messrs. 
             composed entirely of independent    Coleman, Mikkelsen, McChesney and 
             directors. If the board does not have    J.C. Potvin, all of whom are independent 
             a nominating committee composed    directors.     
             entirely of independent directors,             
             describe what steps the board takes             
             to  encourage  an objective             
             nomination process.                     
     
    (c)         If the board has a nominating    The Nominating Committee assists the 
             committee,  describe  the    Board in fulfilling its responsibilities 
             responsibilities,  powers  and    with respect to the composition of the 
             operation of  the  nominating    Board,  including  recommending 
             committee.                candidates for election or appointment 
                            as director of the Company. 
     
    7. (a)         Describe the process by which the    The Board reviews from time to time the 
             board determines the compensation    compensation paid to directors in order 
             for the issuer's directors  and    to ensure that they are being adequately 
             officers.                compensated for the duties performed 
                            and the obligations they assume. The 
                            Board as a whole is responsible for 
                            determining the compensation paid to 
                            the directors.     

    48


        Disclosure Requirement under             
            Form 58-101F1        Company’s Governance Practices 





     
                        The Board considers evaluations 
                        submitted by the Compensation 
                        Committee evaluating the Company’s 
                        performance and the performance of its 
                        executive officers, and ratifies the cash 
                        and equity-based compensation of such 
                        executive officers approved by the 
                        Compensation Committee. 
                        The Company evaluates the extent to 
                        which strategic and business goals are 
                        met  and measures individual 
                        performance, albeit subjectively, against 
                        development objectives and the degree 
                        to which teamwork and Company 
                        objectives are promoted. The Company 
                        strives to achieve a balance between the 
                        compensation paid to a particular 
                        individual and the compensation paid to 
                        other employees and executives having 
                        similar responsibilities within the 
                        Company. The Company also strives to 
                        ensure that each employee understands 
                        the components of his or her salary, and 
                        the basis upon which it is determined 
                        and adjusted. 
     
    (b)         Disclose whether or not the board    The Compensation Committee, which 
             has a compensation committee    met seven times during 2008 in person 
             composed entirely of independent    and by phone, consists of Messrs. 
             directors. If the board does not have    Mikkelsen (Chair) and Potvin, both of 
             a  compensation committee    whom are independent directors. 
             composed entirely of independent         
             directors, describe what steps the         
             board takes to ensure an objective         
             process for  determining  such         
             compensation.                 
     
    (c)         If the board has a compensation    The function of the Compensation 
             committee,  describe  the    Committee is to evaluate the Company’s 
             responsibilities,  powers  and    performance and the performance of its 
             operation of  the compensation    executive officers, approve the cash and 
             committee.            equity-based compensation of such 
                        executive officers and submit such 
                        approvals to the full Board for 
                        ratification. 
                        The Compensation Committee has not 
                        developed specific quantitative or 

    49


            Disclosure Requirement under                     
                Form 58-101F1    Company’s Governance Practices 





     
                            qualitative performance measures or 
                            other specific criteria for determining 
                            the compensation of the Company’s 
                            CEO, primarily because the Company 
                            does not yet have a producing mine or 
                            other operations from which such 
                            quantitative data can be derived. As a 
                            consequence, the determination of the 
                            CEO’s compensation in 2008 was 
                            largely subjective, and based on the 
                            Company’s progress in addressing its 
                            more immediate concerns, continued 
                            exploration,  and  identifying  and 
                            analyzing new corporate opportunities. 
     
        (d)         If a compensation consultant or    A compensation consultant has not been 
                 advisor has, at any time since the    engaged by the Company since the 
                 beginning of the issuer's most    beginning of the Company’s most recent 
                 recently  completed financial year,    financial year to assist in determining 
                 been  retained to assist in    compensation for the directors or 
                 determining compensation for any    officers of the Company.         
                 of the issuer's directors and officers,                     
                 disclose  the identity of the                     
                 consultant or advisor and briefly                     
                 summarize the mandate for which                     
                 they have been retained. If the                     
                 consultant or advisor has been                     
                 retained to perform any other work                     
                 for the issuer, state that fact and                     
                 briefly describe the nature of the                     
                 work.                             
     
    8.             If  the  board has standing    The Executive Committee, which is 
                 committees other than the audit,    comprised of Messrs. Coleman, Timm 
                 compensation  and nominating    and Belanger, meets in person or by 
                 committees, identify the committees    phone on a regular basis. Mr. Coleman 
                 and describe their function.    is considered an independent director. 
                            Messrs. Timm and Belanger are not 
                            considered independent directors within 
                            the definition in MI 52-110.     
                            The Executive Committee facilitates the 
                            Company’s  activities  from an 
                            administrative perspective, but does not 
                            supplant the full Board in the 
                            consideration of significant issues facing 
                            the Company. The Audit Committee, 
                            the Compensation Committee and the 

    50


        Disclosure Requirement under         
        Form 58-101F1        Company’s Governance Practices 




     
                    Executive Committee are the only 
                    committees of the Board. 
     
    9.         Disclose whether or not the board,    Due to its current size, the Board does 
             its committees  and individual    not currently have a separate committee 
             directors are regularly assessed with    for assessing the effectiveness of the 
             respect to their  effectiveness  and    Board as a whole, the committees of the 
             contribution. If  assessments  are    Board, or the contribution of individual 
             regularly conducted, describe  the    directors. The Board as a whole bears 
             process used for the assessments. If    these responsibilities. 
             assessments are  not regularly    The Board chair meets annually with 
             conducted, describe how the board    each director individually to discuss 
             satisfies itself that the board, its    personal contributions and overall Board 
             committees, and its individual    effectiveness. 
             directors are performing effectively.     

    51


    APPENDIX C

    SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

    This Appendix C contains both a short summary of certain key provisions of the 2009 Rights Plan as well as the full text of the proposed form of the 2009 Rights Plan.

    Summary of the 2009 Rights Plan

    The following is a summary of the principal terms of the 2009 Rights Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2009 Rights Plan, the form of which is attached to this Circular as Appendix C. All capitalized terms that are used but not defined in this summary have the meanings given to them in the 2009 Rights Plan.

    Effective Time: The Rights were first issued under the Company’s rights plan on February 4, 1999, which is defined as the “Effective Time” under the 2009 Rights Plan.

    Term: The term of the 2009 Rights Plan, if ratified, confirmed and approved at the Meeting, will expire on June 30, 2012. This is defined as the “Expiration Time” under the 2009 Rights Plan.

    If Shareholders do not ratify, confirm and approve the 2009 Rights Plan at the Meeting, then the Rights and the 2006 Rights Plan will expire at the close of business on June 30, 2009, and the 2009 Rights Plan will never come into effect.

    Issue of Rights: Immediately following the Effective Time, one right (a "Right") was issued and attached to each outstanding Common Share. One Right has also been issued and attached to each Common Share issued since the Effective Time. Under the terms of the 2009 Rights Plan, the Rights that have been issued under the predecessor shareholder rights plan agreements will remain outstanding. In addition, the Company will continue to issue one Right for each Common Share issued prior to the earlier of the Separation Time (as defined below) and the Expiration Time.

    Exercise Price: Until the Separation Time, the exercise price (“Exercise Price”) of each Right is two times the market price, from time to time, of the Common Shares. From and after the Separation Time, the Exercise Price is two times the market price, as at the Separation Time, per Common Share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment as set out in the 2009 Rights Plan.

    Separation Time: The Rights are not exercisable and do not trade separately from their associated Common Shares until the “Separation Time”. The “Separation Time” is the close of business on the 10th trading day after the earliest of:

    (i)      the Stock Acquisition Date, which is the first date of public announcement of facts indicating that a person has become an Acquiring Person (Subject to certain exceptions that are described in the 2009 Rights Plan, an “Acquiring Person” is any person who is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares);
     
    (ii)      the date of the commencement of, or first public announcement of the current intention of any person (other than the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) to commence, a take-over bid (other than a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid, each as defined in the 2009 Rights Plan); and
     

    52


    (iii)      the date on which a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid ceases to be a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid, as applicable.
     

    The Separation Time can also be such later date as may from time to time be determined by the Board.

    Rights Exercise Privilege: The Rights will separate from the Common Shares to which they are attached and will become exercisable at the Separation Time.

    A “Flip-in Event” occurs when any person becomes an Acquiring Person. On the 10th trading day after a Flip-in Event occurs, all Rights (except those that are held by the Acquiring Person) will permit the holder to purchase a number of Class A Shares of the Company that have a market value equal to twice the Exercise Price of the Rights for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price.

    For example, if Rights are exercised on a date on which the Exercise Price is equal to Cdn. $10, then each Right would permit the holder to purchase the number of Class A Shares with a total market value of Cdn. $20 by paying the Exercise Price of Cdn. $10; i.e., at a 50% discount.

    Dilution: The issue of the Rights is not initially dilutive. However, if a Flip-in Event occurs and the Rights separate from the Common Shares, reported earnings per Common Share on a fully diluted or non-diluted basis may be affected. In addition, holders of Rights who do not exercise their Rights upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event may suffer substantial dilution.

    Certificates and Transferability: Until the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates representing Common Shares and will be transferable only together with the associated Common Shares. From and after the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by Rights certificates which will be transferable and traded separately from the Common Shares.

    Permitted Bid Requirements: In order for a take-over bid to be a permitted bid (a “Permitted Bid”) it must meet the following requirements:

    (i)      the take-over bid must be made by way of a take-over bid circular;
     
    (ii)      the take-over bid must be made to all holders of Common Shares other than the
     

    bidder (the 2009 Rights Plan allows a partial bid to be a Permitted Bid);

    (iii) the take-over bid must not expire, and Common Shares tendered pursuant to the take-over bid must not be taken up, until the take-over bid has been open for tenders for at least 60 days. In addition, no Common Shares can be taken up and paid for under the take-over bid unless, at that time they are taken up, more than 50% of the Common Shares held by Independent Shareholders have been tendered pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn (“Independent Shareholders” are shareholders other than the bidder, its affiliates and persons acting jointly or in concert with the bidder). The take-over bid must also provide that any Common Shares deposited pursuant to the bid may be withdrawn until taken up and paid for;

    (iv) if, on the date that Common Shares may be taken up and paid for, more than 50% of the Common Shares held by Independent Shareholders are tendered to the take-over bid and not withdrawn, the bidder must make a public announcement of that fact and the

    53


    take-over bid must remain open for deposits of Common Shares for not less than 10 business days from the date of such public announcement; and

    (v) the take-over bid must not be made if, at the commencement of the take-over bid the bidder, or any of its affiliates, associates, advisors or any directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives (collectively the “Representatives”) of any of them or any person acting jointly or in concert with the bidder or any of its affiliates, associates, advisors or such Representatives in connection with the take-over bid, possessed confidential information, unless the bidder and those affiliates, associates, advisors or Representatives and any person acting jointly or in concert with any of them shall have entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company within three months prior to the commencement of the take-over bid.

    The 2009 Rights Plan allows a competing Permitted Bid (a "Competing Permitted Bid") to be made while a Permitted Bid is in existence. A Competing Permitted Bid must satisfy all the requirements of a Permitted Bid except that it may expire on the same date as the Permitted Bid as long as the Competing Permitted Bid is outstanding for a minimum period of 21 days.

    Permitted Lock-Up Agreement: A “Permitted Lock-Up Agreement” is an agreement by a Shareholder to deposit or tender Common Shares to a take-over bid and that meets certain requirements. These requirements are essentially that:

    (i)      the terms of the agreement must be publicly disclosed and a copy of the agreement must be publicly available;
     
    (ii)      the Shareholder who agrees to tender Common Shares to a take-over bid made by the other party to the agreement (the “lock-up bid”) must be allowed to terminate its obligations under the agreement in order to tender the Common Shares to another take- over bid or support another transaction where the bid price under the other bid or transaction is equal to or greater than a specified minimum which is not more than 7% higher than the bid price under the lock-up bid; and
     
    (iii)      if the Shareholder fails to tender its Common Shares to the lock-up bid the Shareholder cannot be required to pay break-up fees or other penalties that exceed in the aggregate the greater of 2.5% of the price or value payable under the lock-up bid and 50% of the increase in the consideration resulting from another take-over bid or transaction.
     

    Waiver and Redemption: If a potential bidder does not wish to make a Permitted Bid, it can negotiate with, and obtain the prior approval of, the Board to make a bid by take-over bid circular to all Shareholders on terms which the Board considers fair to all Shareholders. In those circumstances, the Board may, prior to a Flip-in Event, waive the dilutive effects of the 2009 Rights Plan in respect of that transaction and allow the bid to proceed without dilution. Under the terms of the 2009 Rights Plan, that waiver would be deemed also to be a waiver in respect of all other contemporaneous bids made by way of a take-over bid circular. The Board may also waive the 2009 Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event that has occurred unintentionally if the Acquiring Person that inadvertently triggered that Flip-in Event reduces its beneficial holdings to less than 20% of the outstanding Voting Shares of the Company. Other waivers of the 2009 Rights Plan require approval of the holders of Common Shares or Rights. At any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the Board may with the prior consent of the holders of Common Shares or Rights redeem all, but not less than all, of the outstanding Rights, as the case may be, at a price of Cdn. $0.00001 each.

    54


    Exemptions for Investment Advisors: Investment advisors (for client accounts) and trust companies (acting in their capacity as trustees and administrators) acquiring more than 20% of the Common Shares are exempted from triggering a Flip-in Event, provided that they are not making, or are not part of a group making, a take-over bid.

    Supplements and Amendments: The Company is authorized to make amendments to the 2009 Rights Plan to correct any clerical or typographical error or, subject to subsequent reconfirmation by Shareholders or Rights Holders, to maintain the validity of the 2009 Rights Plan as a result of changes in law or regulation. Other amendments or supplements to the 2009 Rights Plan may be made with the prior approval of Shareholders or Rights Holders.

    The TSX has taken the position that, regardless of a requirement in any shareholders rights plan that amendments to the plan be approved by a majority of Independent Shareholders, the TSX will require that in addition to such approval by Independent Shareholders, the amendment must also be approved by a majority of all votes cast by all Shareholders (including Shareholders that are not Independent Shareholders).

    55


    Form of 2009 Rights Plan

         AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT

    Dated as of <*>, 2009 BETWEEN GOLD RESERVE INC.

    - and -

    COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC. as Rights Agent

         (amending and restating the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of October 5, 1998, as amended as of March 20, 2000 and June 2, 2000, and amended and restated as of March 14, 2003, and as further amended and restated as of January 29, 2006)

    FASKEN MARTINEAU DUMOULIN LLP
    Toronto-Dominion Bank Tower
    Box 20, Suite 4200
    Toronto Dominion Centre
    Toronto, Canada M5K 1N6


         AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT

         AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT, dated as of <*>, 2009 between Gold Reserve Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Yukon Territory, and Computershare Investor Services Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Rights Agent”), amending and restating the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of October 5, 1998, amended as of March 20, 2000 and June 2, 2000, and amended and restated as of March 14, 2003, and amended and restated as of January 29, 2006.

         WHEREAS the Corporation and the Rights Agent entered into a shareholder rights plan agreement dated as of October 5, 1998 (the “Original Plan”); and

         WHEREAS the Original Plan was amended by the Corporation and the Rights Agent by amendments dated as of March 20, 2000 and June 2, 2000 (as so amended, the “2000 Rights Plan”); and

         WHEREAS the 2000 Rights Plan was amended and restated by the Corporation and the Rights Agent by agreement as of March 14, 2003 (the “2003 Rights Plan”); and

         WHEREAS the 2003 Rights Plan was further amended and restated by the Corporation and the Rights Agent by agreement dated as of January 29, 2006 (the “2006 Rights Plan”) and the 2006 Rights Plan is effective until June 30, 2009; and

         WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties to the Corporation, has determined that it is advisable for the Corporation to continue the 2006 Rights Plan by adopting an amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement (the “Rights Plan”) to prevent, to the extent possible, a creeping takeover of the Corporation and ensure that any offer to acquire shares of the Corporation is made to all shareholders for all of their shares and cannot be completed unless shareholders holding at least 50 per cent (50%) of the outstanding shares (other than the offeror and related parties) are tendered in favour of the offer, to ensure, to the extent possible, the fair treatment of all shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for the securities of the Corporation, and to ensure that the Board of Directors is provided with sufficient time to evaluate unsolicited take-over bids and to explore and develop alternatives to enhance shareholder value; and

         WHEREAS in order to implement the adoption of the Rights Plan established by this Agreement, the board of directors of the Corporation has:

         (a) authorized the issuance, effective immediately following the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), of one Right (as hereinafter defined) in respect of each Common Share (as hereinafter defined) outstanding immediately following the Effective Time (the “Record Time”); and

         (b) authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each Common Share of the Corporation 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 each Right, when issued, will entitle the holder thereof, after the Separation Time, to purchase securities of the Corporation pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 2



         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 is willing to so act, 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 premises and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and subject to such covenants and agreements, 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” shall mean any Person who is the Beneficial Owner of 20 per cent (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 per cent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Shares as a result of one or any combination of:
     
        (A)      a Voting Share Reduction,
     
        (B)      Permitted Bid Acquisitions,
     
        (C)      an Exempt Acquisition or
     
        (D)      a Pro Rata Acquisition;
     
        provided, however, that if a Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20 per cent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Shares by reason of one or any combination of a Voting Share Reduction, a Permitted Bid Acquisition, an Exempt Acquisition or a Pro Rata Acquisition and thereafter, while such Person is the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Voting Shares then outstanding, such Person’s Beneficial Ownership of Voting Shares increases by more than 1 per cent (1%) of the number of Voting Shares then outstanding (other than pursuant to one or any combination of a Voting Share Reduction, a Permitted Bid Acquisition, an Exempt Acquisition or a Pro Rata Acquisition), then as of the date such Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of such additional Voting Shares, such Person shall become an “Acquiring Person”;
     
       (iii)      for a period of ten days after the Disqualification Date (as defined below), any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20 per cent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Shares as a result of such Person becoming disqualified from relying on Clause 1.1(g)(B) because such Person makes or announces a current intention to make a Take- over Bid, either alone or by acting jointly or in concert with any other Person. For the
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 3



      purposes of this definition, “Disqualification Date” means the first date of public announcement that any Person is making or intends to make a Take-over Bid;
     
      (iv)      an underwriter or member of a banking or selling group that becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20 per cent (20%) or more of the Voting Shares in connection with a distribution to the public of securities of the Corporation; or
     
      (v)      a Grandfathered Person, provided, however, that if after 12:01 a.m. (Toronto time) on the Agreement Date such Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of an additional 1 per cent (1%) or more of the Voting Shares then outstanding (other than pursuant to any one or a combination of a Permitted Bid Acquisition, an Exempt Acquisition, a Voting Share Reduction, or a Pro Rata Acquisition), then as of the date and time that such Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of such additional Voting Shares, such Person shall become an Acquiring Person;
     
    (b)      Affiliate”: when used to indicate a relationship with a specified 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” shall mean this shareholder rights plan agreement dated as of <*>, 2009 between the Corporation and the Rights Agent, as amended or supplemented from time to time; “hereof”, “herein”, “hereto” and similar expressions mean and refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular part of this Agreement;
     
    (d)      Agreement Date” means <*>, 2009;
     
    (e)      Annual 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 per cent (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 per cent (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 per cent (100%) of the aggregate consolidated net income of the Corporation, before extraordinary items, for its immediately preceding fiscal year;
     
    (f)      Associate” means, when used to indicate a relationship with a specified Person, a spouse of that Person, any Person of the same or opposite sex with whom that Person is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage, a child of that Person or a relative of that Person if that relative has the same residence as that Person;
     
    (g)      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;
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 4



    (ii)      any securities as to which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or within a period of 60 days thereafter and whether or not on condition or the happening of any contingency) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, pledge or understanding, whether or not in writing (other than (x) customary agreements with and between underwriters and/or banking group members and/or selling group members with respect to a distribution of securities by the Corporation, and (y) pledges of securities in the ordinary course of business), or upon the exercise of any conversion right, exchange right, share purchase right (other than the Rights), or other exchangeable or convertible security, warrant or option;
     
    (iii)      any securities owned through a trustee, legal representative, agent or other intermediary;
     
    (iv)      any securities which are Beneficially Owned within the meaning of Clauses 1.1(g)(i), (ii) or (iii) 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)      where such security has been deposited or tendered pursuant to any Take-over Bid or where the holder of such security has agreed pursuant to a Permitted Lock-Up Agreement to deposit or tender such security pursuant to a Take-over Bid, in each case made by such Person, made by any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates or made by any other Person acting jointly or in concert with such Person, until such deposited or tendered security has been taken up or paid for, whichever shall first occur;
     
    (B)      where such Person, any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates or any other Person referred to in Clause 1.1(g)(iv), holds such security provided that (1) the ordinary business of any such Person (the “Investment Manager”) includes the management of investment funds for others (which others, for greater certainty, may include or be limited to one or more employee benefit plans or pension plans) 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 or Persons (a “Client”); 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 (each an “Estate Account”) or in relation to other accounts (each an “Other Account”) and holds such security in the ordinary course of such duties for the estate of any such deceased or incompetent Person or for such Other Accounts, (3) such Person is a pension plan or fund (a “Plan”) or is a Person established by statute for purposes that include, and the ordinary business or activity of such Person (the “Statutory Body”) includes, the management of investment funds for employee benefit plans, pension plans, insurance plans of various public bodies; or (4) such Person (the “Administrator”) is the administrator or trustee of one or more Plans; provided, in any of the above cases, that the Investment Manager, the Trust Company, the Statutory Body, the Administrator or the Plan, as the case may be, is not then making or has not then announced an intention to make a
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 5



      Take-over Bid, (other than an Offer to Acquire Voting Shares or other securities by means of a distribution by the Corporation or by means of ordinary market transactions (including prearranged trades) executed through the facilities of a stock exchange or organized over-the-counter market) alone or by acting jointly or in concert with any other Person;
     
      (C)      where such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is (1) a Client of the same Investment Manager as another Person on whose account the Investment Manager holds such security, (2) an Estate Account or an Other Account of the same Trust Company as another Person on whose account the Trust Company holds or exercises voting or dispositive power over such security, or (3) a Plan with the same Administrators as another Plan on whose account the Administrator holds such security;
     
      (D)      where such Person is (1) a Client of an Investment Manager and such security is owned at law or in equity by the Investment Manager, (2) an Estate Account or an Other 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 Administrator of the Plan; or
     
      (E)      where such person is the registered holder of securities as a result of carrying on the business of or acting as a nominee of a securities depository.
     
    (h)      Board Of Directors” shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation or any duly constituted and empowered committee thereof;
     
    (i)      Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in Toronto, Ontario are authorized or obligated by law to close;
     
    (j)      Canadian Dollar Equivalent” of any amount which is expressed in United States Dollars means, on any date, the Canadian dollar equivalent of such amount determined by multiplying such amount by the U.S. - Canadian Exchange Rate in effect on such date;
     
    (k)      Canadian - U.S. Exchange Rate” means, on any date, the inverse of the U.S. - Canadian Exchange Rate in effect on such date;
     
    (l)      Class A Shares” means the class A common shares in the capital of the Corporation;
     
    (m)      Class B Shares” means the class B common shares in the capital of the Corporation;
     
    (n)      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 transfer office of the transfer agent (or co-transfer agent) for the Common Shares in the City of Toronto (or, after the Separation Time, the office of the Rights Agent in the City of Toronto) is closed to the public;
     
    (o)      Common Shares” shall mean the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares in the capital of the Corporation and, for the purposes of this Agreement, except as specifically otherwise provided herein, the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares shall be treated as a single class of common shares;
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 6



    (p)      Competing Permitted Bid” means a Take-over Bid that:
     
      (i)      is made after a Permitted Bid has been made and prior to the expiry of that Permitted Bid;
     
      (ii)      satisfies all of the provisions of a Permitted Bid other than the condition set forth in Clause (ii) of the definition of a Permitted Bid; and
     
      (iii)      contains, and the take-up and payment for securities tendered or deposited is subject to, an irrevocable and unqualified provision 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 no earlier than the later of (A) 35 days after the date of the Take-over Bid constituting the Competing Permitted Bid; and (B) 60 days following the date on which the earliest Permitted Bid which preceded the Competing Permitting Bid was made; and then only if at the date that the Voting Shares are to be taken up more than 50 per cent (50%) of the then outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders shall have been deposited or tendered pursuant to the Competing Permitted Bid and not withdrawn;
     
    (q)      Confidentiality Agreement” means a confidentiality agreement that contains a standstill provision that restricts, for a period of at least 18 months (or such shorter period as may be approved by the Corporation) from the effective date of such confidentiality agreement, the Offeror, its Affiliates, associates, advisors, Representatives and any Person acting jointly or in concert with any of them from: (i) acquiring or agreeing to acquire or making any proposal to acquire, in any manner, any bank or other senior debt, shares or other securities, assets or property of the Corporation or its Affiliates; (ii) assisting, advising or encouraging any other Person to acquire or agree to acquire, in any manner, any bank or other senior debt, shares or other securities, assets or property of the Company or its Affiliates; (iii) soliciting proxies of the Company’s shareholders, or forming, joining or in any way participating in a proxy group; or (iv) making any public announcement with respect to the foregoing, except as may be required by applicable law or regulatory authorities;
     
    (r)      Confidential Information” means any and all information in any form, not publicly disclosed by the Corporation, relating to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or their respective businesses, operations, assets or interests including, without limitation, financial statements, financial data, business plans, financial projections or forecasts, and any and all geological, geophysical, geochemical, metallurgical, sample and valuation data and other technical information, data, plans, reports, records, studies, drawings, maps, charts, models, logs, calculations, compilations, analysis, evaluations and interpretations, and whether or not specifically identified by the Corporation as confidential, and shall include any such information disclosed to the Offeror, or any of its Affiliates, associates, advisors or any of their Representatives or to any Person acting jointly or in concert with any of them, or to which access was permitted or granted to any of them, by any Person that is at the time of such disclosure or access required by contract with, or fiduciary or any other duties to, the Corporation or any of its Affiliates to keep such information confidential;
     
    (s)      Controlled”: a Person shall be deemed to be “controlled” by another Person if:
     
      (i)      in the case of a Person that is a corporation or body corporate, (A) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying more than 50 per cent (50%) of the votes for the election of directors are held, directly or indirectly, by or for the benefit of the other
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 7



      Person; and (B) the votes carried by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation; and
     
      (ii)      in the case of a Person that is not a corporation or a body corporate, more than 50 per cent (50%) of the voting or equity interests of such Person 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;
     
    (t)      Co-Rights Agents” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 4.1(a);
     
    (u)      Dividend Reinvestment Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition of Voting Shares of any class pursuant to a Dividend Reinvestment Plan;
     
    (v)      Dividend Reinvestment Plan” means a regular dividend reinvestment or other plan of the Corporation made available by the Corporation to holders of its securities where such plan permits the holder to direct that some or all of:
     
      (i)      dividends paid in respect of shares of any class of the Corporation;
     
      (ii)      proceeds of redemption of shares of the Corporation;
     
      (iii)      interest paid on evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation; or
     
      (iv)      optional cash payments;
     
      be applied to the purchase from the Corporation of Common Shares;
     
    (w)      Effective Time” means <*>, 2009;
     
    (x)      Election To Exercise” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Clause 2.2(d)(ii);
     
    (y)      Exempt Acquisition” means a share acquisition in respect of which the Board of Directors has waived the application of Section 3.1 pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 5.1(b), (c) or (d);
     
    (z)      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 in accordance with the terms hereof and, subject to adjustment thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, the Exercise Price shall be:
     
      (i)      until the Separation Time, an amount equal to two times the Market Price, from time to time, per Common Share; and
     
      (ii)      from and after the Separation Time, an amount equal to two times the Market Price, as at the Separation Time, per Common Share.;
     
    (aa)      Expansion Factor” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Clause 2.3(a)(x);
     
    (bb)      Expiration Time” shall mean 5:00 p.m. Toronto time on June 30, 2012 unless such time is extended for an additional three-year period pursuant to Section 5.15;
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 8



    (cc)      Flip-In Event” shall mean a transaction in or pursuant to which any Person becomes an Acquiring Person;
     
    (dd)      Grandfathered Person” shall mean any Person who is the Beneficial Owner of 20 per cent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Shares of the Corporation determined as of 12:01 am (Toronto time) on the Agreement Date, provided, however, that a Person shall cease to be a Grandfathered Person if such Person ceases to Beneficially Own 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares at any time after 12:01 am (Toronto time) on the Agreement Date;
     
    (ee)      Holder” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.8;
     
    (ff)      Independent Shareholders” shall mean holders of Voting Shares, other than:
     
      (i)      any Acquiring Person;
     
      (ii)      any Offeror, other than a Person referred to in Clause 1.1(g)(B);
     
      (iii)      any Affiliate or Associate of any Acquiring Person or Offeror;
     
      (iv)      any Person acting jointly or in concert with any Acquiring Person or Offeror; and
     
      (v)      any employee benefit plan, deferred profit sharing plan, stock participation plan and any other 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 Voting Shares are to be voted or direct whether the Voting Shares are to be tendered to a Take-over Bid;
     
    (gg)      Market Price” per share of any securities on any date of determination shall mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of such securities (determined as described below) on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days through and including 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 Trading Days 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 a Trading Day, on the immediately preceding Trading Day. The closing price per share 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 of such securities as reported by the principal Canadian stock exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading;
     
      (ii)      if for any reason none of such prices is available on such day or the securities are not listed or posted for trading on a Canadian stock exchange, the last sale price or, in case no such sale takes place on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for
     

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009 Expiry date: June 30, 2012

    Page 9



      each of such securities as reported by the principal national United States securities exchange or market on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading;
     
      (iii)      if for any reason none of such prices is available on such day or the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a Canadian stock exchange or a national United States securities exchange or market, the last sale price or, in case no sale takes place on such date, the average of the high bid and low asked prices for each of such securities in the over-the-counter market, as quoted by any reporting system then in use; or
     
      (iv)      if for any reason none of such prices is available on such day or the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a Canadian stock exchange or a national United States securities exchange or market or quoted by any such reporting system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the securities;
     
      provided, however, that if for any reason none of such prices is available on such day, the closing price per share of such securities on such date means the fair value per share of such securities on such date as determined by a nationally or internationally recognized investment dealer or investment banker with respect to the fair value per share of such securities. 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.
     
    (hh)      Nominee” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 2.2(c);
     
    (ii)      Offer To Acquire” shall include:
     
      (i)      an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell; and
     
      (ii)      an acceptance of an offer to sell, 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;
     
    (jj)      Offeror” shall mean a Person who has announced an intention to make or who is making a Take-over Bid;
     
    (kk)      Permitted Bid” means a Take-over Bid made by an Offeror by way of take-over bid circular which also complies with the following additional provisions:
     
      (i)      the Take-over Bid is made to all holders of Voting Shares as registered on the books of the Corporation, other than the Offeror;
     
      (ii)      the Take-over Bid 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 which is not less than 60 days following the date of the Take-over Bid and then only if at such date more than 50 per cent (50%) of the Voting Shares held by
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 10 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      Independent Shareholders shall have been deposited or tendered pursuant to the Take- over Bid and not withdrawn;
     
      (iii)      the Take-over Bid contains an irrevocable and unqualified provision that unless the Take- over Bid is withdrawn, Voting Shares may be deposited pursuant to such Take-over Bid at any time during the period of time between the date of the Take-over Bid and the date on which Voting Shares may be taken up and paid for and that any Voting Shares deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid may be withdrawn until taken up and paid for;
     
      (iv)      the Take-over Bid contains an irrevocable and unqualified provision that if, on the date on which Voting Shares may be taken up and paid for, more than 50 per cent (50%) of the Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders shall have been deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid and not withdrawn, 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 ten Business Days from the date of such public announcement; and
     
      (v)      the Take-over Bid shall not have been made if, at the commencement of the Take-over Bid the Offeror, or any of its Affiliates, associates, advisors or any directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives (collectively the “Representatives”) of any of them or any Person acting jointly or in concert with the Offeror or any of its Affiliates, associates, advisors or such Representatives in connection with the Take-over Bid, possessed Confidential Information, unless the Offeror and any such Affiliates, associates, advisors or Representatives and any such Person acting jointly or in concert with any of them shall have entered into a Confidentiality Agreement with the Corporation within three months prior to the commencement of the Take-over Bid;
     
    (ll)      Permitted Bid Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition of Voting Shares made pursuant to a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid;
     
    (mm)      Permitted Lock-Up Agreement” shall mean an agreement between a Person and one or more holders of Voting Shares pursuant to which such holders (each a “Locked-Up Person”) agree to deposit or tender Voting Shares to a Take-over Bid (the “Lock-Up Bid”) made or to be made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates or any other Person with which such Person is acting jointly or in concert, provided that:
     
      (i)      the terms of such agreement are reduced to writing and publicly disclosed and a copy of such agreement is made available to the public (including the Corporation) not later than the date of the Lock-Up Bid or, if the Lock-Up Bid has been made prior to the date on which such agreement is entered into, not later than the date of such agreement;
     
      (ii)      the agreement permits a Locked-Up Person to terminate its obligation to deposit or tender Voting Shares to or not to withdraw such Voting Shares from the Lock-Up Bid, and to terminate any obligation with respect to the voting of such Voting Shares, in order to tender or deposit the Voting Shares to another Take-over Bid or to support another transaction where the price or value of the consideration per Voting Share offered under such other Take-over Bid or transaction is:
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 11 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      (A) greater than the price or value of the consideration per Voting Share at which the
     
       Locked-Up Person has agreed to deposit or tender Voting Shares to the Lock-Up Bid; or
     
       (B)      equal to or greater than a minimum price or value specified in the agreement, which specified minimum is not more than 7 per cent (7%) higher than the price or value of the consideration per Voting Share at which the Locked-Up Person has agreed to deposit or tender Voting Shares to the Lock-Up Bid; and
     
      (iii)      no “break-up” fees, “top-up” fees, penalties, expenses or other amounts that exceed in aggregate the greater of:
     
       (A)      2.5 per cent (2.5%) of the price or value of the consideration payable under the Lock-Up Bid to a Locked-Up Person; and
     
       (B)      50 per cent (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 Voting Shares to the Lock-Up Bid, withdraws Voting Shares previously tendered thereto or supports another transaction;
     
    (nn)      Person” shall include an individual, body corporate, firm, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, syndicate or other form of unincorporated association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator, legal personal representative, group, unincorporated organization, a government and its agencies or instrumentalities, any entity or group whether or not having legal personality;
     
    (oo)      Privacy Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.6;
     
    (pp)      Pro Rata Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by a Person of Voting Shares pursuant to:
     
      (i)      a Dividend Reinvestment Acquisition;
     
      (ii)      a stock dividend, stock split or other event in respect of securities of the Corporation of one or more particular classes or series pursuant to which such Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of Voting Shares on the same pro rata basis as all other holders of securities of the particular class, classes or series;
     
      (iii)      the acquisition or the exercise by the Person of rights to purchase Voting Shares issued by the Corporation to all holders of securities of the Corporation of one or more particular classes or series pursuant to a rights offering or pursuant to a prospectus, provided that such rights are acquired directly from the Corporation and not from any other Person; or
     
      (iv)      a distribution of Voting Shares, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Voting Shares (and the conversion or exchange of such convertible or exchangeable securities),
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 12 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      made pursuant to a prospectus or by way of a private placement by the Corporation provided that the Person does not thereby acquire beneficial ownership of a greater percentage of such Voting Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Voting Shares so offered than the Person’s percentage of Voting Shares beneficially owned immediately prior to such acquisition;
     
    (qq)      Record Time” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto;
     
    (rr)      Right” means a right to purchase a Class A Share of the Corporation, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;
     
    (ss)      Rights Certificate” means the certificates representing the Rights after the Separation Time, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Attachment 1;
     
    (tt)      Rights Register” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 2.6(a);
     
    (uu)      Securities Act (Ontario)” shall mean the Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.S.5, as amended, and the regulations thereunder, and any comparable or successor laws or regulations thereto;
     
    (vv)      Separation Time” shall mean, subject to Subsection 5.1(d), the later of
     
      (i)      the close of business on the tenth Trading Day after the earlier of:
     
       (A)      the Stock Acquisition Date;
     
       (B)      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 commence a Take-over Bid (other than a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid); and
     
       (C)      the date on which a permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid ceases to be a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid, as applicable,
     
       or such later time as may be determined by the Board of Directors, provided that, if any Take-over Bid referred to in clause (B) above expires, is not made, 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 commenced, made or announced; and
     
      (ii)      the Record Time;
     
    (ww)      Stock Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a news release issued or a report filed pursuant to Section 102.1 of the Securities Act (Ontario) or Section 13(d) of the 1934 Exchange Act) by the Corporation or an Acquiring Person of facts indicating that a Person has become an Acquiring Person;
     
    (xx)      Subsidiary”: a corporation shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary of another Person (other than a natural person) if:
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 13 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      (i)      it is controlled by:
     
      (ii)      that other Person; or
     
      (iii)      that other Person and one or more other Persons (other than natural persons) each of which is controlled by that other Person; or
     
      (iv)      two or more other Persons (other than natural persons) each of which is controlled by that other Person; or
     
      (v)      it is a Subsidiary of a Person (other than a natural Person) that is that other Person’s Subsidiary;
     
    (yy)      Take-Over Bid” shall mean an Offer to Acquire Voting Shares or other securities of the Corporation, if (x) the Voting Shares or other securities subject to the Offer to Acquire, together with (y) the aggregate of the Voting Shares and such other securities Beneficially Owned on the date of the Offer to Acquire by the Person making such Offer to Acquire, would constitute in the aggregate 20 per cent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Shares at the date of the Offer to Acquire;
     
    (zz)      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;
     
    (aaa)      U.S.-Canadian Exchange Rate” means, 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; and
     
      (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;
     
    (bbb)      U.S. Dollar Equivalent” of any amount which is expressed in Canadian dollars means, on any date, the United States dollar equivalent of such amount determined by multiplying such amount by the Canadian-U.S. Exchange Rate in effect on such date;
     
    (ccc)      Voting Share Reduction” shall mean an acquisition or redemption by the Corporation of Voting Shares which, by reducing the number of Voting Shares outstanding, increases the percentage of outstanding Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by any Person to 20 per cent (20%) or more of the Voting Shares then outstanding; and
     
    (ddd)      Voting Shares” shall mean the Common Shares of the Corporation and any other shares in the capital of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of all directors.
     
    (eee)      Yukon Business Corporations Act” means the Business Corporations Act (Yukon), R.S.Y. 2002, c. 20, as amended, and the regulations made thereunder and any comparable or successor laws or regulations thereto.
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 14 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    (fff)      1933 Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as now in effect or as the same may from time to time be amended, re-enacted or replaced;
     
    (ggg)      1934 Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as now in effect or as the same may from time to time be amended, re-enacted or replaced;
     

    1.2 Currency

         All sums of money which are referred to in this Agreement are expressed in lawful money of Canada, unless otherwise specified.

    1.3 Headings

         The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections, Subsections, Clauses, Paragraphs, Subparagraphs or other portions hereof 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.

    1.4      Calculation of Number and Percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Outstanding Voting Shares
     
      (a)      For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the percentage of outstanding Voting Shares of the Corporation with respect to which a Person is or is deemed to be the Beneficial Owner, all unissued Voting Shares of the Corporation of which such person is deemed to be the Beneficial Owner shall be deemed to be outstanding.
     
      (b)      For purposes of this Agreement, the percentage of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by any Person shall be and be deemed to be the product (expressed as a percentage) determined by the formula:
     
       100 x 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. 

    The percentage of outstanding Voting Shares represented by any particular group of Voting Shares acquired or held by any Person shall be determined in like manner mutatis mutandis.

    1.5 Acting Jointly or in Concert

         For purposes of this Agreement a Person is acting jointly or in concert with another Person, if such Person has any agreement, commitment, arrangement or understanding, whether formal or informal and whether or not in writing, with such other Person for the purpose of acquiring or Offering to Acquire any Voting Shares (other than (x) customary agreements with and between underwriters and/or banking group members and/or selling group

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 15 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    members with respect to a distribution of securities by the Corporation, (y) pledges of securities in the ordinary course of business, and (z) Permitted Lock-Up Agreements).

    1.6 Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

         Wherever in this Agreement reference is made to generally accepted accounting principles, such reference shall be deemed to be generally accepted accounting principles followed in Canada (which shall include international financial reporting standards if on the relevant date the Corporation is required to, or is permitted to and does, prepare its financial statements in accordance with international financial reporting standards) applicable on a consolidated basis (unless otherwise specifically provided herein to be applicable on an unconsolidated basis) as at the date on which a calculation is made or required to be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of revenue or expense is required to be determined, or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to be made for the purpose of this Agreement or any document, such determination or calculation shall, to the extent applicable and except as otherwise specified herein or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

    1.7 Successor Rights Agent and Restatement

         Effective March 16, 2001, Computershare was appointed as the successor to Montreal Trust Company of Canada as Rights Agent under this Agreement. All references to the “Rights Agent” in this Agreement for any time prior to the effective time of such appointment shall be taken to be references to Montreal Trust and all such references for any time after the effective time of such appointment shall be taken to be references to Computershare. This Agreement has been amended and restated effective <*>, 2009. Notwithstanding such amendment and restatement, this Agreement shall be dated as of October 5, 1998 and shall be considered to speak as of October 5, 1998 except where otherwise specifically provided or where the context otherwise requires.

      ARTICLE 2

    THE RIGHTS

    2.1 Legend on Share Certificates

         Certificates representing Common Shares which are issued after the Record Time but prior to the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time, shall also evidence one Right for each Common Share represented thereby until the earlier of the Separation Time or the Expiration Time and the Corporation shall cause such certificates to have impressed thereon, printed thereon, written thereon or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

    “Until the close of business on the earlier of the Separation Time or the Expiration Time (as both terms are defined in the Shareholder Rights Agreement referred to below), this certificate also evidences rights of the holder described in a Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of <*>, 2009 (the “Shareholder Rights Agreement”) between Gold Reserve Inc. (the “Corporation”) and Computershare Investor Services Inc., as supplemented, amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Corporation. Under certain circumstances set out in the Shareholder Rights Agreement, the rights may be terminated, 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 Shareholder Rights Agreement, whether currently

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 16 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    held by or on behalf of such Person or a subsequent holder) or may be evidenced by separate certificates and no longer evidenced by this certificate. The Corporation will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of the Shareholder Rights Agreement to the holder of this certificate without charge as soon as practicable after the receipt of a written request therefor.”

         Provided that the Record Time occurs prior to the Separation Time, certificates representing Common Shares that are issued and outstanding at the Record Time shall also evidence one Right for each Common Share represented thereby notwithstanding the absence of the foregoing legend, until the close of business on the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time.

    2.2      Initial Exercise Price: Exercise of Rights: Detachment of Rights
     
      (a)      Subject to adjustment as herein set forth, each Right will entitle the holder thereof, from and after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, to purchase one Class A Share for the Exercise Price or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent as at the Business Day immediately preceding the day of exercise of the Right (and the Exercise Price and number of Class A Shares are subject to adjustment as set forth below).
     
      (b)      Until the Separation Time,
     
       (i)      the Rights shall not be exercisable and no Right may be exercised; and
     
       (ii)      each Right, when issued, will be evidenced by the certificate for the associated Common Share of the Corporation registered in the name of the holder thereof (which certificate shall also be deemed to represent a Rights Certificate) and will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, such associated Common Share of the Corporation.
     
      (c)      From and after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time:
     
       (i)      the Rights shall be exercisable; and
     
       (ii)      the registration and transfer of Rights shall be separate from and independent of 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 (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 by the records of the Corporation (the Corporation hereby agreeing to furnish copies of such records to the Rights Agent for this purpose):
     
        (x)      a Rights Certificate 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 or regulation 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 traded, or to conform to usage; and
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 17 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      (y) a disclosure statement describing the Rights, provided that a Nominee shall be
     
       sent the materials provided for in (x) and (y) only in respect of all Common Shares held of record by it which are not Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person.
     
    (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 office in Toronto, Ontario or any other office of the Rights Agent (or any Co-Rights Agent) in cities designated from time to time for that purpose by the Corporation:
     
      (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 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 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 Class A Shares in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being exercised.
     
    (e)      Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate, together with a completed Election to Exercise executed in accordance with Clause 2.2(d)(ii), which does not indicate that such Right is null and void as provided by Subsection 3.1(b), and payment as set forth in Clause 2.2(d)(iii), the Rights Agent (unless otherwise instructed 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 certificates representing the number of such Class A Shares to be purchased (the Corporation hereby irrevocably authorizing its transfer agent to comply with all such requisitions);
     
      (ii)      when appropriate, requisition from the Corporation the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuing fractional Class A Shares;
     
      (iii)      after receipt of the certificates referred to in Clause 2.2(e)(i), deliver the same to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificates, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder;
     

    when appropriate, after receipt, deliver the cash referred to in Clause 2.2(e)(ii) to or to the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate; and

    (iv) remit to the Corporation all payments received on the exercise of 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 (subject
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 18 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      to the provisions of Subsection 5.5(a)) 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 Class A Shares delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Class A Shares (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered as fully paid and non-assessable;
     
      (ii)      take all such action as may reasonably be considered to be necessary and within its power to comply with the requirements of the Yukon Business Corporations Act, the Securities Act (Ontario) and the securities laws or comparable legislation of each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the 1933 Securities Act and the 1934 Exchange Act and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, in connection with the issuance and delivery of the Rights, the Rights Certificates and the issuance of any Class A Shares upon exercise of Rights;
     
      (iii)      use reasonable efforts to cause all Class A Shares issued upon exercise of Rights to be listed on the stock exchanges and markets on which such Class A Shares were traded immediately prior to the Stock Acquisition Date;
     
      (iv)      pay when due and payable, if applicable, any and all federal, provincial, territorial and municipal transfer taxes and charges (not including any income or capital taxes of the holder or exercising holder or any liability of the Corporation to withhold tax) which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates, or certificates for Class A Shares to be issued upon exercise of any Rights, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay 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 Class A Shares in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being transferred or exercised; and
     
      (v)      after the Separation Time, except as permitted by Sections 5.1 and 5.4, not take (or permit any Subsidiary 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.
     

    2.3 Adjustments to Exercise Price: Number of Rights

         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.

    (a)      In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Agreement Date:
     
      (i)      declare or pay a dividend on Common Shares payable in Common Shares (or other securities exchangeable for or convertible into or giving a right to acquire Common Shares or other securities of the Corporation) other than pursuant to any Dividend Reinvestment Plan;
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 19 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    (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 (or other securities exchangeable for or convertible into or giving a right to acquire Common Shares or other securities 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 as of the payment or effective date 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 will 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, consolidation or issuance would hold thereafter as a result thereof; and
     
    (y)      each Right held prior to such adjustment will become that number of Rights equal to the Expansion Factor,
     

    and the adjusted number of Rights will be deemed to be distributed 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, consolidation or issuance, so that each such Common Share (or other capital stock) will have exactly one Right associated with it.

    For greater certainty, 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 securities that a holder of the securities purchasable upon exercise of one Right immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision, change, consolidation or issuance would hold thereafter as a result of such dividend, subdivision, change, consolidation or issuance.

    If, after the Record Time 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(a)(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. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue any Common Shares otherwise than in a transaction referred to in this Subsection 2.3(a), each such Common Share so issued shall automatically have one new Right associated with it, which Right shall be evidenced by the certificate representing such associated Common Share.

    (b)      In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation 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
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 20 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    subscribe for or purchase Common Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying a right to purchase Common Shares) at a price per Common Share (or, if a security convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying a right to purchase or subscribe for 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 the Market Price per Common Share on 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 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 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).
     

    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 then be 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 (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 purposes of this Agreement, the granting of the right to purchase Common Shares from treasury pursuant to the 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 per cent (90%) of the current market price per share (determined as provided in such plans) of the Common Shares.

    (c)      In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation 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 or amalgamation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than an annual cash dividend or a dividend paid in Common Shares, but including any dividend payable in securities other than Common Shares), assets or rights, options or warrants (excluding those referred to in Subsection 2.3(b)) to purchase Common Shares at a price per Common Share that is less than the Market Price per Common Share on such
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 21 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      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 Market Price per Common Share on such record date, less the fair market value (the determination of which 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 cash, assets, evidences of indebtedness, rights, options or warrants so to be distributed; and
     
      (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 adjusted to be the Exercise Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
     
    (d)      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 per cent (1%) in the Exercise Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Subsection 2.3(d) 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 share. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Subsection 2.3(d), any adjustment required by Section 2.3 shall be made no later than the earlier of:
     
      (i)      three years from the date of the transaction which gives rise to such adjustment; or
     
      (ii)      the Expiration Time.
     
    (e)      In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation 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(a)(i) or (iv), if the Board of Directors acting in good faith determines that the adjustments contemplated by Subsections 2.3(a), (b) and (c) in connection with such transaction will not appropriately protect the interests of the holders of Rights, the Board of Directors 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 Subsections 2.3(a), (b) and (c), such adjustments, rather than the adjustments contemplated by Subsections 2.3(a), (b) and (c), shall be made. Subject to Subsection 5.4(b) and (c), the Corporation and the Rights Agent shall have authority without the approval of the holders of the Common Shares or the holders of Rights to amend this Agreement as appropriate to provide for such adjustments.
     
    (f)      Each Right originally issued by the Corporation subsequent to any adjustment made to the Exercise Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of Class A 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.
     
    (g)      Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price or the number of Class A Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 22 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      may continue to express the Exercise Price per Class A Share and the number of Class A Shares which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
     
    (h)      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 the number of Class A Shares and other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of Class A 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 an appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares (fractional or otherwise) or other securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
     
    (i)      Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.3 to the contrary, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such adjustments in the Exercise Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 2.3, as and to the extent that in their 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 or in part for cash) of Common Shares or securities that by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares;
     
      (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, subject to applicable taxation laws, shall not be taxable to such shareholders or shall subject such shareholders to a lesser amount of tax.
     
    (j)      The Rights Agent shall be entitled to rely on any certificate received from the Corporation stating that any of the events giving rise to an adjustment required by this Section 2.3 has occurred.
     
    (k)      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 Class A 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 Class A Shares for which 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 the number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten- thousandth) obtained by dividing 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(k), the Corporation shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights
     
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    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      Certificated 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 so to be 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 or record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
     
    (l)      Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the securities so purchasable which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
     
    (m)      In any case in which this Section 2.3 shall require that an adjustment in the Exercise Price be made effective as of the record date for a specified event, the Corporation may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuance to holders of any Rights exercised after such record date of the number of Class A Shares and other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of Class A Shares and other securities of the Corporation shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional Class A Shares (fractional or otherwise) or other securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
     
    (n)      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) subdivision or consolidation of the Common Shares, (ii) issuance (wholly or in part for cash) of Common Shares at less than the applicable Market Price, (ii) issuance (wholly for cash) of any Common Shares or securities that by their terms are exchangeable for or convertible into or give a right to acquire Common Shares, subject to applicable taxation laws, shall not be taxable to such shareholders.
     
    (o)      After the Separation Time, the Corporation will not, except as permitted by the provisions hereof, 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.
     
    (p)      Whenever an adjustment to the Exercise Price or a change in the securities purchasable upon the exercise of Rights is made pursuant to this Section 2.3, the Corporation shall promptly:
     
      (i)      prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment;
     
      (ii)      file with the Rights Agents and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares, a copy of such certificate; and
     
      (iii)      cause notice of the particulars of such adjustment or change to be given to the holders of the Rights.
     

    Failure to file such certificate or to cause such notice to be given as aforesaid, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any such adjustment or change.

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 24 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    2.4      Date on Which Exercise Is Effective
     
      Each Person in whose name any certificate for Class A Shares or other securities, if applicable, is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Class A Shares or other securities, if applicable, represented thereon, and such certificate shall be dated the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered in accordance with Subsection 2.2(d) (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 Class A 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 Class A Share transfer books of the Corporation are open.
     
    2.5      Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates
     
      (a)      The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by its Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice-President and by its Corporate Secretary or any Assistant Secretary under the corporate seal of the Corporation reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers 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 of the Corporation shall bind the Corporation, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices either before or after 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 of such Separation Time and will deliver Rights Certificates executed by the Corporation to the Rights Agent for countersignature, and the Rights Agent shall manually countersign (in a manner satisfactory to the Corporation) and send such Rights Certificates to the holders of the Rights pursuant to Subsection 2.2(c) 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, Transfer and Exchange
     
      (a)      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, effective from and after the Separation Time, registrar for the Rights (the “Rights Registrar”) for the purpose of maintaining the Rights Register for the Corporation and registering Rights and transfers of Rights as herein provided and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. 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), the Corporation will execute, and the Rights Agent will manually countersign, deliver and register, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 25 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      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.
     
      (b)      All Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Rights Certificates shall be the 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 reasonable 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 satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Rights Certificate; and
     
       (ii)      such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them 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 the Corporation’s 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 reasonable fees and expenses of the Rights Agent) connected therewith.
     
      (d)      Every new Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 2.7 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall evidence the 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 be entitled to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Rights duly issued hereunder.
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 26 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    2.8 Persons Deemed Owners of Rights

         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. As used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the term “holder” of any Right shall mean the registered holder of such Right (or, from and after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time, the registered holder of the associated Common Share).

    2.9 Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates

         All Rights Certificates surrendered upon exercise or for redemption, registration of transfer or 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, subject to applicable laws, destroy all cancelled Rights Certificates and deliver a certificate of destruction to the Corporation.

    2.10 Agreement of Rights Holders

         Every holder of Rights, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Corporation and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of Rights:

    (a)      to 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)      that, provided the Separation Time follows the Record Time, from and after the Record Time and 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)      that after the Separation Time, the Rights Certificates will be transferable only on the Rights Register as provided herein;
     
    (d)      that prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, from and after the Record Time and 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 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)      that such holder of Rights has waived his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares or other securities upon exercise of a Right (except as provided herein);
     
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    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    (f)      that, without the approval of any holder of Rights or Voting Shares 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 to any other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any applicable law, 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 the holder of any Class A 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 or confer upon the holder of any Right or Rights Certificate, as such, any right, title, benefit or privilege of a holder of Class A Shares or any other shares or securities 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 Class A Shares or any other 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 Class A Shares or any other shares of the Corporation except as expressly provided herein, or to receive dividends, distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates shall have been duly exercised in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof.

    ARTICLE 3

    ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS

    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 at the close of business on the later of the Effective Time or the tenth 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 Class A 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 in the event that after such consummation or occurrence, an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.3 shall have occurred).
     
      (b)      Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of any 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, or which thereafter may be Beneficially Owned, by:
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 28 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    (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 any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); or
     
    (ii)      a transferee or other successor in title, directly or indirectly, (a “Transferee”) of Rights or Common Shares 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 any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person), where such Transferee becomes a transferee concurrently with or subsequent to the Acquiring Person becoming such in a transfer that the Board of Directors has determined is part of a plan, arrangement 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 any 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 any Transferee) 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.

    (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 without limitation, all such acts and things as may be required to satisfy the requirements of the Yukon Business Corporations Act, the Securities Act (Ontario) and the securities laws or comparable legislation of each of the provinces of Canada and of the United States and each of the applicable states thereof in respect of the issue of Class A 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 issued to a Person who was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or an Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Shareholder Rights Agreement) or a Person who was acting jointly or in concert with an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person. This Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby are void or shall become void in the circumstances specified in Subsection 3.l(b) of the Shareholder 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 and provided further that the fact that such legend does not appear on a certificate is not determinative of whether any Rights represented thereby are void under this Section.

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 29 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    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 such Co- Rights Agents (“Co-Rights Agents”) as it may deem necessary or desirable. 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. The Corporation agrees to pay all reasonable fees and expenses of the Rights Agent in respect of the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Corporation also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability, which right to indemnification will survive the termination of this Agreement.
     
      (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, Rights Certificate, 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.
     
      (c)      The Rights Agent shall not be responsible for any inaccuracies in the shareholder information provided by the Corporation to the Rights Agent pursuant to Subsection 2.2(c).
     
    4.2      Merger, Amalgamation or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
     
      (a)      Any corporation into which the 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 is a party, or any corporation succeeding to the shareholder or stockholder services business of the 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 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 have not been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates 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.
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 30 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    (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, all of which the Corporation and the holders of certificates for Common Shares and the holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

    (a)      the Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Corporation), at the Corporation’s expense, and 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;
     
    (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 the Chairman of the Board, President, any Vice-President, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary or any Assistant Secretary 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 for its own gross negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct and that of its officers, directors and employees;
     
    (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 certificate for a Common Share 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 describing any such adjustment or any written notice from the Company or any holder that a Person has become an Acquiring Person); nor shall it by any act
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 31 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization of any Class A Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights or as to whether any Class A Shares will, when issued, be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered as 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;
     
    (g)      the Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions in writing with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any individual believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, President, any Vice-President, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, and to apply to such individuals 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 individual;
     
    (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 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; and
     
    (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 the selection and continued employment thereof.
     

    4.4 Change of Rights Agent

         The Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 90 days’ notice (or such lesser notice as is acceptable to the Corporation) in writing mailed to the Corporation and to each transfer agent of Common Shares by registered or certified mail. The Corporation may remove the Rights Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares by registered or certified mail. 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, then by prior written notice to the Corporation the resigning Rights Agent or the holder of any Rights (which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder’s Rights Certificate, if any, for inspection by the Corporation), may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. 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 the Province of Ontario. 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 shall, subject to its right to first require payment of all outstanding fees and other amounts owed to it hereunder, deliver and

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 32 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    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 each transfer agent of the Common Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 4.4, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validly of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of any successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

    4.5 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 might cause it to be in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline. 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 Company, 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 within such 10-day period, then such resignation shall not be effective.

    4.6 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 that would contravene, or cause the other to contravene, applicable Privacy Laws. The Company 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.

    ARTICLE 5

    MISCELLANEOUS

    5.1      Redemption and Waiver
     
      (a)      The Board of Directors may, with the prior consent of the holders of Voting Shares or of the holders of Rights given in accordance with Section 5.1(i) or (j), as the case may be, 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”). The Board of
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 33 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      Directors may, prior to the date of the shareholders’ meeting referred to in Section 5.15, elect to terminate this Agreement. If the Board of Directors elects to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 5.1(a), this Agreement will thereupon terminate and be void and of no further force or effect.
     
    (b)      The Board of Directors may, with the prior consent of the holders of Voting Shares given in accordance with Section 5.1(i), 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 Voting Shares otherwise than pursuant to a Take-over Bid made by means of a take-over bid circular to all holders of record of Voting Shares and otherwise than in the circumstances set forth in Section 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 ten Business Days following the meeting of shareholders called to approve such waiver.
     
    (c)      The Board of Directors may, until the occurrence of a Flip-in Event upon prior written notice delivered to the Rights Agent, determine to waive the application of Section 3.1 to such particular Flip-in Event provided that the Flip-in Event would occur by reason of a Take-over Bid made by way of take-over bid circular sent to all holders of Voting Shares (which for greater certainty shall not include the circumstances described in Subsection 5.1(d)); provided that if the Board of Directors waives the application of Section 3.1 to a particular Flip-in Event pursuant to this Subsection 5.1(c), 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 which is made by means of a take-over bid circular to all holders of Voting Shares (i) prior to the granting of such waiver, (ii) thereafter and prior to the expiry of any Take-over Bid (as the same may be extended from time to time) outstanding at the time of the granting of such waiver or (iii) thereafter and 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)      Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 5.1(b) and (c) hereof, the Board of Directors may waive the application of Section 3.1 in respect of the occurrence of any Flip-in Event, provided that both of the following conditions are satisfied:
     
      (i)      the Board of Directors has determined within ten Trading Days following a Stock Acquisition Date that a Person became an Acquiring Person by inadvertence and without any intention to become, or knowledge that it would become, an Acquiring Person under this Agreement, and
     
      (ii)      such Person has reduced its Beneficial Ownership of Voting Shares such that at the time of granting the waiver pursuant to this Subsection 5.1(d), such Person is no longer an Acquiring Person and in the event that such a waiver is granted by the Board of Directors, such Stock Acquisition Date and Flip-in Event shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Separation Time shall be deemed not to have occurred as a result of such Person having inadvertently become an Acquiring Person.
     
    (e)      The Board of Directors, shall, without further formality, be deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights at the Redemption Price on the date that a Person which has made a Permitted Bid, a Competing Permitted Bid, a Take-Over Bid in respect of which the Board of Directors has
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 34 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      waived, or is deemed to have waived, pursuant to Section 5.1(c) the application of Section 3.1, takes up and pays for Voting Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Permitted Bid, Competing Permitted Bid or Take-over bid, as the case may be.
     
    (f)      Where a Take-over Bid that is not a Permitted Bid Acquisition 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 the Rights being redeemed pursuant to this Subsection 5.1(f), 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.
     
    (g)      If the Board of Directors elects or is deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights, and, in circumstances in which Subsection 5.1(a) is applicable, such redemption is approved by the holders of Voting Shares or the holders of Rights in accordance with Subsection 5.1(i) or (j), as the case may be, 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.
     
    (h)      Within 10 Business Days after the Board of Directors elects or is deemed to elect, to redeem the Rights or if Subsection 5.1(a) is applicable within 10 Business Days after the holders of Common Shares of the holders of Rights have approved a redemption of Rights in accordance with Section 5.1(i) or (j), as the case may be, the Corporation shall give notice of redemption to the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to each such holder at his last address as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Separation Time, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Voting Shares. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed 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 specifically set forth in this Section 5.1 or in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Separation Time.
     
    (i)      If a redemption of Rights pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or a waiver of a Flip-in Event pursuant to Section 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 Voting 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.
     
    (j)      If a redemption of Rights pursuant to Section 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 holders of Rights by 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,
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 35 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    which are provided in the Corporation’s by-laws and the Yukon Business Corporations Act with respect to meetings of shareholders of the Corporation.

    5.2 Expiration

         No Person shall have any rights whatsoever pursuant to this Agreement or in respect of any Right after the Expiration Time, except the Rights Agent as specified in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

    5.3 Issuance of New Rights Certificates

         Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or 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 securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

    5.4      Supplements and Amendments
     
      (a)      The Corporation may make amendments to this Agreement to correct any clerical or typographical error or which are required to maintain the validity of this Agreement as a result of any change in any applicable legislation or regulations thereunder. The Corporation may, prior to the date of the shareholders’ meeting referred to in Section 5.15, 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 the Rights generally) without the approval of any holders of Rights or Voting Shares in order to make any changes which the Board of Directors acting in good faith may deem necessary or desirable.
     
       Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.4 to the contrary, no such supplement or amendment shall be made to the provisions of Article 4 or to the rights, duties, obligations or indemnities of the Rights Agent, except with the written concurrence of the Rights Agent to such supplement or amendment.
     
      (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 before 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 or to the rights, duties, obligations or indemnities of the Rights Agent, except with the written concurrence of the Rights Agent thereto.
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 36 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      (d)      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 Yukon Business Corporations Act with respect to meetings of shareholders of the Corporation.
     
      (e)      Any amendments made by the Corporation to this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 5.4(a) which are required to maintain the validity of this Agreement as a result of any change in any applicable legislation or regulation thereunder 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;
     
        (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 (or any adjournment of such 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.
     
    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 pay to the holders of record of the Rights Certificates (provided the Rights represented by such Rights Certificates are not void pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 3.1(b), at the time such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable), an amount in cash equal to the fraction of the Market Price of one whole Right that the fraction of
     
       a      Right that would otherwise be issuable is of one whole Right.
     
      (b)      The Corporation shall not be required to issue fractions of Class A Shares upon exercise of Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Class A Shares. In lieu of issuing fractional Class A 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 fraction of the Market Price of one Class A Share that the fraction of a Class A Share that would otherwise be
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 37 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    issuable upon the exercise of such Right is of one whole Class A Share at the date of such exercise.

    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 holders of the Rights. Any holder of Rights, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the 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, as the case may be, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Corporation to enforce such holder’s right to exercise such holder’s Rights, or Rights to which he is entitled, 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, as the case may be, 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.

    5.7 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 without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any necessary approvals of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE Alternext US or any other applicable stock exchange or market.

    5.8      Notice of Proposed Actions
     
      In case the Corporation shall propose after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time:
     
      (a)      to effect or permit (in cases where the Corporation’s permission is required) any Flip-in Event; or
     
      (b)      to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, then, in each such case, the Corporation shall give to each holder of a Right, in accordance with Section 5.9 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which such Flip-in Event, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or sale is to take place, and such notice shall be so given at least 10 Business Days prior to the date of taking of such proposed action by the Corporation.
     
    5.9      Notices
     
      (a)      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, sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (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:
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 38 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


      Gold Reserve Inc.
     
      926      W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200
     
      Spokane, Washington 99201 Attention: President Telecopy No.: (509) 623-1634
     
    (b)      Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Corporation or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered, sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (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
     
      8th Floor
     
      Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1 Attention: Manager, Client Services Telecopy No.: (416) 981-9800
     
    (c)      Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Corporation or the Rights Agent to or on the holder of any Rights shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as it appears upon the register of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Separation Time, on the register of the Corporation for its Common Shares. Any notice which is mailed or sent in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.
     
    (d)      Any notice given or made in accordance with this Section 5.9 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.
     

    5.10 Costs of Enforcement

         The Corporation agrees that if the Corporation fails to fulfil any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, then the Corporation will reimburse the holder of any Rights for the costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by such holder to enforce his rights pursuant to any Rights or this Agreement.

    5.11 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.

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 39 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    5.12 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; further, this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.

    5.13 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.

    5.14 Severability

         If any term or provision hereof or the application thereof to any circumstance shall, in any jurisdiction and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such term or provision 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 terms and provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or the application of such term or provision in any other jurisdiction or to circumstances other than those as to which it is specifically held invalid or unenforceable.

    5.15      Date Agreement Becomes Effective; Confirmation and Reconfirmation
     
      (a)      This Agreement is effective and in full force and effect in accordance with its terms from and after the Effective Time. If this Agreement is not ratified and confirmed by a resolution passed by
     
       a      majority of greater than 50 per cent (50%) of the votes cast by holders of Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders who vote in respect of ratification and confirmation of this Agreement at a meeting of the holders of Voting Shares called for such purpose and held within six months
     
       of the Effective Date, then all outstanding Rights and this Agreement shall terminate and be null and void and of no further force and effect from and after the earlier of the date of such meeting or any adjournment thereof and the date that is six months from the Effective Date.
     
      (b)      At or prior to the annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation in the year 2012, provided that a Flip-in Event has not occurred prior to such time, the Board of Directors shall submit a resolution ratifying and reconfirming the continued existence of this Agreement to the Independent Shareholders for their consideration and, if thought desirable, approval. If the continued existence of this Agreement is not ratified and reconfirmed by a resolution passed by a majority of greater than 50 per cent (50%) of the votes cast by holders of Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders who vote in respect of such ratification and reconfirmation at such annual meeting of shareholders, this Agreement and all outstanding Rights shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect on and from the close of business on the date on which the results of the votes on such resolution are confirmed; provided, that termination shall not occur if
     
       a      Flip-in Event has occurred (other than a Flip-in Event which has been waived pursuant to
     
       Subsection 5.1(c) or (d) hereof), prior to the date upon which this Agreement would otherwise terminate pursuant to this Section 5.15. In the event that this Agreement is so ratified and reconfirmed, the Expiration Time shall be extended for an additional three-year period. This Agreement shall be ratified and reconfirmed by the Independent Shareholders every three years thereafter in accordance with the foregoing provisions, mutatis mutandis.
     
    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 40 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    5.16 Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors

         The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors or the Corporation, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement. All such 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, shall not subject the Board of Directors or any director of the Corporation to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

    5.17 Fiduciary Duties of the Directors

         Nothing contained herein shall be construed to suggest or imply that the Board of Directors shall not be entitled to recommend that holders of the Voting Shares and/or securities convertible into or exercisable for Voting Shares reject or accept any Take-over Bid or take any other action including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution, defence or settlement of any litigation and the solicitation of additional or alternative Take-over Bids or other proposals to shareholders that the Board of Directors believes are necessary or appropriate in the exercise of their fiduciary duties.

    5.18 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 shall take such actions as it may deem appropriate to ensure such 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 or the United States, in which such issue or delivery would be unlawful without registration of the relevant Persons or securities for such purposes.

    5.19      Time of the Essence
     
      Time shall be of the essence in this Agreement.
     
    5.20      Execution in Counterparts
     

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and 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.

    [Signature page follows]

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 41 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

    GOLD RESERVE INC.

    By:

    COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.

    By:

    By:

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 42 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    ATTACHMENT 1

         GOLD RESERVE INC. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT

    [Form of Rights Certificate]

    Certificate No.
    ________________________________________________________

    Rights
    ________________________________________________________

         THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO TERMINATION ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES (SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION 3.1(b) OF THE SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AGREEMENT), RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR CERTAIN RELATED PARTIES, OR TRANSFEREES OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR CERTAIN RELATED PARTIES, MAY BECOME VOID.

    Rights Certificate

         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 <*>, 2009, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “
    Shareholder Rights Agreement”), between Gold Reserve Inc., a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of the Yukon Territory (the “Corporation”) and Computershare Investor Services Inc., a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Rights Agent”) (which term shall include any successor Rights Agent under the Shareholder Rights Agreement), to purchase from the Corporation at any time after the Separation Time (as such term is defined in the Shareholder Rights Agreement) and prior to the Expiration Time (as such term is defined in the Shareholder Rights Agreement), one fully paid Class A Share of the Corporation (a “Class A Share”) at the Exercise Price referred to below, upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Exercise (in the form provided hereinafter) duly executed and submitted to the Rights Agent at its principal office in the City of Toronto [insert other cities, if applicable]. The Exercise Price shall be $70.00 or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent and shall be subject to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Shareholder Rights Agreement.

         This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Shareholder Rights Agreement, which terms and provisions are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Shareholder 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 Certificates. Copies of the Shareholder Rights Agreement are on file at the registered office of the Corporation.

         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 equal to the aggregate number of 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 Shareholder 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.

         No fractional Class A Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby, but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Shareholder Rights Agreement. No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of Class A Shares or of any other securities which may at any time be issuable upon the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Shareholder

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 43 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, 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 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 (except as provided in the Shareholder Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Shareholder Rights Agreement.

         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 and its corporate seal.

      Date:
    _________________________


    GOLD RESERVE INC.

    By:    By:     

    [President]        [Corporate Secretary] 
    Countersigned:         
    COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.         
    By:         
    Authorized Signature         
     
    By:         
    Authorized Signature         

    Approved by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009    Page 44 
    Expiry date: June 30, 2012     


    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 constitute and appoint
    ______________________
    , 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 member firm of a recognized stock exchange in Canada, a registered national securities exchange in the United States, a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in Canada or the United States or a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP).

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CERTIFICATE

    (To be completed if true.)

    The undersigned party transferring Rights hereunder, hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and Class A 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 a Person acting jointly or in concert with any of the foregoing. Capitalized terms shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Shareholder Rights Agreement.

    Signature

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (To be attached to each Rights Certificate.)

    Page 45


    FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE

    (To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to exercise the Rights Certificate.)

    TO:

    The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise
    _____________
    whole Rights represented by the attached Rights Certificate to purchase the Class A Shares or other securities, if applicable, issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such securities be issued in the name of:

    (Name) (Address)

    (City and Province)

    Social Insurance Number or other taxpayer identification number.

    If such number of Rights shall not be 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)

    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 member firm of a recognized stock exchange in Canada, a registered national securities exchange in the United States, a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in Canada or the United States or a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP).

    Signature

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (To be attached to each Rights Certificate.)

    Page 46


    CERTIFICATE

    (To be completed if true.)

    The undersigned party exercising Rights hereunder, hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and Class A 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 a Person acting jointly or in concert with any of the foregoing. Capitalized terms shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Shareholder Rights Agreement.

    Signature

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (To be attached to each Rights Certificate.)

    NOTICE

    In the event the certification set forth above in the Forms of Assignment and Election 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. No Rights Certificates shall be issued in exchange for a Rights Certificate owned or deemed to have been owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof, or by a Person acting jointly or in concert with an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.

    Page 47


    Exhibit 99.2

    Form of Proxy


    GOLD RESERVE INC.

    PROXY

    ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

    June 11, 2009

    THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF GOLD RESERVE INC.

    The undersigned shareholder of Gold Reserve Inc. (the “Company”) hereby appoints Rockne J. Timm, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or failing him, Robert A. McGuinness, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or instead of either of them
    ____________________
    , as proxyholder for the undersigned, with power of substitution, to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on June 11, 2009 (the “Meeting”) at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific daylight time) and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, in the same manner, to the same extent and with the same powers as if the undersigned were present at the said Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof and, without limiting the general authorization given, the person above named is specifically directed to vote on behalf of the undersigned in the following manner:

    1)      On the election of directors, for the nominees set forth in the Management Proxy Circular of the Company dated April 23, 2009:
     
        VOTE FOR    or    WITHHOLD VOTE 
        (and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR);     
    2)    On the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company: 
        VOTE FOR    or    WITHHOLD VOTE 
        (and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR);     
    3)    On the re-approval of the Company’s 1997 Equity Incentive Plan: 
        VOTE FOR    or    VOTE AGAINST 
        (and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR);     
     
    4)    On the approval of the continuation of and amendment to the Shareholder Rights Plan: 
        VOTE FOR    or    VOTE AGAINST 
        (and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR);     

    and conferring discretionary authority to vote on amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting relating to the Meeting and on all other matters that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof in such manner as the person above named may see fit. Management is not aware of any such amendments, variations or other matters to be presented at the Meeting.

    THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AND WHERE A CHOICE IS SPECIFIED WILL BE VOTED FOR OR AGAINST AS DIRECTED. WHERE NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL CONFER DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY AND WILL BE VOTED FOR THE MATTERS REFERRED TO ABOVE.

    TO BE VALID AT THE MEETING, COMPLETED FORMS OF PROXY MUST BE DEPOSITED NOT LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRECEDING THE DAY OF THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.


    NOTES:

    A SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON OR COMPANY TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR HIM AND ON HIS BEHALF AT THE MEETING OTHER THAN THE PERSONS DESIGNATED IN THIS FORM OF PROXY. SUCH RIGHT MAY BE EXERCISED BY FILLING THE NAME OF SUCH PERSON IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED AND STRIKING OUT THE NAMES OF MANAGEMENT’S NOMINEES, OR BY COMPLETING ANOTHER PROPER FORM OF PROXY AND, IN EITHER CASE, DEPOSITING THE PROXY AS INSTRUCTED BELOW.

    This proxy should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notice of Meeting and Management Proxy

    Circular.

    If it is desired that the shares represented by this proxy are to be voted for or against on any ballot that may be called for with respect to any matter referred to above, the appropriate box above provided for voting for or against should be marked with an X.

    Please ensure that you date this proxy. If this proxy is not dated in the space below, it shall be deemed to bear the date on which it was mailed by the Company to the shareholder.

    This proxy must be signed by a shareholder or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing. If you are an individual, please sign exactly as your shares are registered. If the shareholder is a corporation, a duly authorized officer or attorney of the corporation must sign this proxy, and if the corporation has a corporate seal, its corporate seal should be affixed.

    Authorized Signature(s) – sign here – This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed.

    The undersigned shareholder(s) authorizes you to act in accordance with the instructions above and hereby revokes any proxy previously given to attend, vote and otherwise act at said Meeting.

    DATED this

    day of

    , 2009.

    Signature of Shareholder

    Name of Shareholder (please print clearly)

    Number of Shares Represented by Proxy


    Exhibit 99.3 Supplemental Mailing List Return Card


    SUPPLEMENTAL MAILING LIST RETURN CARD

    (National Instrument 54-101)

    NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS OF GOLD RESERVE INC.

    National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer and National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (the “Rule”) together establish a framework for communication between issuers and their registered and non-registered shareholders.

    The Rule exempts companies from having to deliver interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) to their registered shareholders if the companies send interim financial statements and MD&A to those shareholders, whether registered or not, who request in writing to receive them.

    If you are a registered or non-registered shareholder, and wish to be placed on a supplemental mailing list for the receipt of these financial statements and MD&A, you must complete and return the Supplemental Return Card below.

    The supplemental mailing list will be updated each year and, therefore, a Supplemental Return Card will be required from you annually in order for you to receive interim financial statements and MD&A. All other shareholder mailings will continue to be mailed to registered shareholders in the normal manner without the completion of a Return Card.

    TO:    Gold Reserve Inc. (the “Company”) 
        Cusip # 38068 N 10 8 

    The undersigned certifies that he/she/it is the owner of securities of the Company, and requests that he/she/it be placed on the Company’s Supplemental Mailing List in respect of its interim financial statements and MD&A.

    Name (please print)

    Address

    City/Province (or State)/Postal Code

    Signature of shareholder, or if shareholder is a Company, signature of authorized signatory

    Dated


    If you are interested in receiving the abovementioned information, please complete and return this document to:

      Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
    P.O. Box 43078
    Providence, RI 02940-3078

    As the supplemental list will be updated each year, a supplemental return card will be required from you annually in order for your name to remain on the list.


    Exhibit 99.4

    Annual Report



    2 0 0 8

    Annual Report to Shareholders


    TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS AND EMPLOYEES

         As I shared with you last year at this time, with the Venezuelan Government’s prior authorization to develop the Brisas Project and even as we faced further challenges that are typical of a project of this magnitude and location, management was optimistic. We believed that our shareholders’ and noteholders’ patience and our employee’s hard work had put us on the path to achieve our long term goal of producing gold and copper from our world-class Brisas Project.

    1

      After the Ministry of Environment revoked
    the previously issued permit or authorization to
    commence development of the Brisas Project in
    May of 2008, we made every effort to convince
    the Venezuelan Government to honor their own
    laws and regulations and allow your Company to
    proceed with the development of the Brisas Project.

    However, as clear as it is to management and
    our stakeholders that the development of the Brisas
    Project would be a significant success story for
    Venezuela, it appears that the social, political and
    economic problems endemic in Venezuela may be
    too enormous to overcome.

    On April 21, 2009, the Company formally
    notified the Venezuelan Government of the
    existence of an investment dispute under both the
    Canadian and Barbados Agreements with the
    Government of the Bolivarian Republic of
    Venezuela for the Promotion and Protection of
    Investments. The Company was forced to take this
    action as a result of the Venezuelan Government’s
    failure to reinstate the permit to develop the Brisas


    Project and the lack of any meaningful discussions    International Corporation (“Endeavour”). Upon 
    to resolve the prolonged obstruction of our rights    notification of the bid, we believed the bid was 
    to the Brisas Project.    “tainted” due to Endeavour’s involvement. As a 
        result, the Company immediately filed an action 
             It is our intent to settle this dispute amicably.    in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against 
    However, if the dispute is not settled amicably, the    Rusoro and Endeavour seeking an injunction 
    delivery of this formal notification allows the    restraining Rusoro and Endeavour from proceeding 
    Company to file for international arbitration at    with Rusoro’s unsolicited offer, significant monetary 
    anytime under the Barbados-Venezuela Treaty or    damages, and various other items. 
    after six months from the date of notification under     
    the Canada-Venezuela Treaty. The Brisas Project             In February 2009 the Court granted an order 
    is a world class gold and copper project. In the    restraining Rusoro from proceeding with any hostile 
    event the Company is compelled to file for    takeover bid to acquire the shares of the Company 
    international arbitration, we would make a claim    until the conclusion and disposition at trial of the 
    for the fair market value of our investment at the    action commenced by the Company. The Court 
    time of the permit revocation which we believe    also restrained Endeavour from having any 
    was in excess of US$5 billion.    involvement with any hostile takeover bid for the 
        Company. As a result, Rusoro withdrew its 
             During our efforts to resolve the impasse with    unsolicited offer to acquire the outstanding shares 
    respect to the Brisas Project, we received on    of the Company. Shortly thereafter, Rusoro and 
    December 15, 2008 an unsolicited hostile take-over    Endeavour both served a motion with the Court 
    bid from Rusoro Mining Ltd. This came as a major    seeking permission to appeal the order that was 
    surprise coupled with extreme disappointment. The    granted against them. Prior to the Court’s ruling 
    Rusoro offer was clearly opportunistic, financially    on the permission to appeal, Rusoro filed a 
    inadequate and significantly undervalued the    counterclaim to our original action for, among 
    Company, its assets and their relative contribution    other things, damages of Cdn. $102.5 million 
    to the proposed combination.    allegedly arising from the Company’s successful 
             We believe the unsolicited bid created problems    motion for an interlocutory injunction restraining 
    for us by interfering with, confusing and    Rusoro from making a hostile take-over bid for the 
    immobilizing the decision makers in Venezuela,    Company. In April 2009, the Court denied Rusoro 
    diverted management’s focus away from the    and Endeavour’s request for permission to appeal 
    resolution of the situation in Venezuela; cost the    the earlier order made by the Court. The April 
    Company, to date, over $6 million in defense of    ruling reaffirmed the previous ruling and confirmed 
    the offer and other significant damages.    a number of compelling reasons for the denial of 
        the permission or leave to appeal. The strength of 
             We were shocked to learn that Rusoro made    the Court’s rulings will guide our execution of our 
    its hostile bid with the support and guidance from    claim against Rusoro and Endeavour in the future. 
    our long-time financial advisor, Endeavour Financial     

    2


             With the unresolved impasse in Venezuela,             Management and the Board of Directors will 
    the defense of your Company against a wholly    remain focused on amicably resolving the dispute 
    inadequate and tainted takeover bid and the    with the Venezuelan Government to the benefit 
    current world-wide economic conditions, many    of the shareholders and noteholders, diligently 
    shareholders and noteholders have inquired as    execute our claim against Rusoro and Endeavour 
    to “what now?” for Gold Reserve.    and thoughtfully assess alternative opportunities 
        in the mining industry. 
             The Company will first and foremost continue     
    its efforts to obtain the maximum value related to             On behalf of management and the Board 
    our investment in the Brisas Project either through    of Directors, I thank all of our shareholders and 
    a settlement with the Venezuelan Government    noteholders for their patience and loyalty and 
    or international arbitration. At the time of this    all of our employees, consultants and advisors 
    letter, the Company has approximately $100 million    for their dedication during these difficult and 
    in cash and over $46 million of equipment that    challenging times. 
    could be sold or deployed for other opportunities.     
    The Company will strive to rationalize its capital     
    structure in the most cost effective manner             On Behalf of the Board of Directors 
    recognizing our obligations to the shareholders     
    and the noteholders, while adhering to our     
    principles of disciplined financial management.     
     
             The current world-wide market conditions     
    are presenting significant challenges but at the             Doug Belanger 
    same time, opportunities within our industry.             President 
    On one hand the availability of new capital has     
    severely declined but on the other, companies     
    with cash resources such as Gold Reserve find     
    themselves in a tremendous situation with     
    considerable opportunities. To that end, we     
    have an experienced group of technical and     
    administrative personnel who have worked     
    together for the better part of over 15 years. We     
    are actively evaluating opportunities available     
    within the industry outside of Venezuela in     
    order to attain our long-term objectives.     

    3


    CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING    due to the Company in the event that the Company 
    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS    and the Venezuelan government do not reach an 
        agreement regarding construction and operation of the 
    The information presented or incorporated by    Brisas Project, or the Brisas Project is transferred to the 
    reference herein contains both historical information    Venezuelan government and the parties do not reach 
    and forward-looking statements (within the meaning    agreement on compensation; concentration of operations 
    of the Securities Act (Ontario), Section 27A of the    and assets in Venezuela; corruption and uncertain legal 
    Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act)    enforcement; requests for improper payments; 
    that may state the Company’s or its management’s    competition with companies that are not subject to or 
    intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions    do not follow Canadian and U.S. laws and regulations; 
    for the future. In this report, forward-looking statements    regulatory, political and economic risks associated with 
    are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and    Venezuelan operations (including changes in previously 
    assumptions that, while considered reasonable by    established laws, legal regimes, rules or processes); the 
    management at this time, are inherently subject to    ability to obtain, maintain or re-acquire the necessary 
    significant business, economic and competitive    permits or additional funding for the development of 
    uncertainties and contingencies. We caution that such    the Brisas Project; the result or outcome of the trial 
    forward-looking statements involve known and unknown    regarding Rusoro Mining Ltd.’s enjoined hostile takeover 
    risks, uncertainties and other risks that may cause the    bid; significant differences or changes in any key findings 
    actual financial results, performance, or achievements    or assumptions previously determined by us or our 
    of the Company to be materially different from our    experts in conjunction with our 2005 bankable feasibility 
    estimated future results, performance, or achievements    study (as updated or modified from time to time) due 
    expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements.    to actual results in our expected construction and 
             These forward-looking statements involve risks and    production at the Brisas Project (including capital and 
    uncertainties, as well as assumptions that may never    operating cost estimates); the method and manner of 
    materialize, prove incorrect or materialize other than as    our determination of reserves, risk that actual mineral 
    currently contemplated which could cause the results of    reserves may vary considerably from estimates presently 
    the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ    made; impact of currency, metal prices and metal 
    materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-    production volatility; fluctuations in energy prices; 
    looking statements. The words “believe,” “anticipate,”    changes in proposed development plans (including 
    “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “could”    technology used); our dependence upon the abilities 
    and other similar expressions that are predictions of or    and continued participation of certain key employees; 
    indicate future events and future trends which do not    the prices, production levels and supply of and demand 
    relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking    for gold and copper produced or held by The Company; 
    statements. Any such forward-looking statements are    the potential volatility of the Company’s Class A 
    not intended to give any assurances as to future results.    common shares; the price and value of the Company’s 
        notes, including any conversion of notes into the 
    Numerous factors could cause actual results to    Company’s Class A common shares; the prospects for 
    differ materially from those in the forward-looking    exploration and development of projects by the 
    statements, including without limitation: the outcome    Company; and risks normally incident to the operation 
    of any potential proceedings under the Venezuelan legal    and development of mining properties. This list is not 
    system or before arbitration tribunals as provided in    exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the 
    investment treaties entered into between Venezuela,    Company’s forward-looking statements. 
    Canada and Barbados to determine the compensation     

    4     
     

             Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on             The Company is engaged in the business of     
    forward-looking statements, and should not infer that there    exploration and development of mining projects and     
    has been no change in the affairs of the Company since    continues to focus the majority of its management and     
    the date of this report that would warrant any modification    financial resources on its most significant asset, the     
    of any forward-looking statement made in this document,    Brisas gold and copper project (“Brisas Project”, “Brisas”     
    other documents filed periodically with securities regulators    or the “Brisas Property”), and to a lesser extent the     
    or documents presented on the Company website. All    exploration of its Choco 5 property, both located in     
    subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements    Bolivar State, Venezuela. Historically we have financed     
    attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf    the Company’s operations through the sale of common     
    are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The    stock, other equity securities and convertible debt.     
    Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update    Management expects Brisas, if constructed, to be similarly     
    publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements    financed along with project and corporate debt financing.     
    or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether         
    as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,             Venezuela continues to experience high levels of     
    subject to its disclosure obligations under applicable rules    inflation, political and civil unrest, government     
    promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange    involvement in strategic industries and during the last     
    Commission (the “SEC”).    several years has proposed changes in regulatory     
        regimens. As discussed in greater depth under “Risk     
             Investors are urged to read the Company’s filings    Factors” in our Annual Information Form, our operations     
    with U.S. and Canadian securities regulatory agencies,    and investments in Venezuela have been adversely     
    which can be viewed on-line at www.sec.gov,    impacted and could continue to be adversely affected     
    www.sedar.com or at the Company’s website,    in the future by Venezuelan regulatory changes and/or     
    www.goldreserveinc.com. Additionally, you can request    domestic and international government policies.     
    a copy of any of these filings directly from the Company.        5 
                 We are dependent on Venezuelan regulatory     
        authorities issuing to us various permits and     
    OVERVIEW    authorizations relating to Brisas that we require prior     
        to completing construction of and subsequently operating     
             The following discussion of the Company’s financial    Brisas. A new mining law has been discussed by the     
    position as of December 31, 2008 and results of    current Venezuelan administration for a number of     
    operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 is to    months and, as a result, the rules and regulations related     
    be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated    to the Venezuelan mining sector are in transition.     
    financial statements and related notes. We prepare our    Although various alternative changes have been     
    consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars in    addressed publicly in the past 12 months, the specific     
    accordance with accounting principles generally accepted    provisions of any new law is still unclear and the     
    in Canada. These financial statements together with    government has not yet announced when any new     
    the following management’s discussion and analysis,    mining law will be approved and enacted.     
    dated March 30, 2009, are intended to provide investors         
    with a reasonable basis for assessing the financial             The Venezuelan Ministry of Mines (“MIBAM”)     
    performance of the Company as well as certain forward-    approved the operating plan for Brisas during 2003     
    looking statements relating to the Company’s potential.    which was a prerequisite for submitting the Brisas     
    Additional information on the Company can be found    Environmental and Social Impact Study for the     
    at www.sedar.com, www.sec.gov or the Company’s web-    Exploitation and Processing of Gold and Copper Ore     
    site www.goldreserveinc.com. The Company has one    (Estudio de Impacto Ambiental y Sociocultural)     
    operating segment, which is the exploration and    (“ESIA”)to the Venezuelan Ministry of Environment     
    development of mineral properties. Segmented financial    (“MinAmb”). MinAmb approved the ESIA in early     
    information by geographic region is shown in Note 12    2007 and in March 2007 issued the Authorization for     
    to the consolidated financial statements.    the Affectation of Natural Resources for the     
        Construction of Infrastructure and Services Phase of     
        the Brisas Project (the “Authorization to Affect”).     


                                       Based on the issuance of the Authorization to Affect        Since we received the revocation notice, 
                             in 2007, we commenced significant pre-construction    management has communicated with members of 
                             procurement efforts with the assistance of SNC-Lavalin    MinAmb, MIBAM and other government officials with 
                             awarding contracts for Brisas site prep and construction    the intention of obtaining a resolution to the impasse. 
                             camp facilities and placing orders for the gyratory crusher,    A number of alternatives have been discussed with 
                             pebble crushers, SAG and ball mills, mill motors and    government officials. Although these discussions appear 
                             other related processing equipment, early-works    to be consistent with the proposed changes to the mining 
                             construction equipment and various other site equipment    law that have been addressed publically in the past 12 
                             totaling approximately $125.3 million, accelerated    months, the final provisions that might be enacted are 
                             detailed project engineering, hired a number of senior    still unclear. 
                             technical staff, completed the sale of approximately         
                             $103.5 million of convertible notes and $74 million in        We believe that (1) through the new Mining Law 
                             new equity, launched a number of environmental and    or another legal instrument the Venezuelan government 
                             social initiatives and commenced preparation of the    may seek to participate in all mining projects through a 
                             Brisas site for construction activities.    state company or joint venture, (2) if the government 
        participates in the mining projects, it may pay its pro rata 
                                       In May 2008, the Company received notification    share of investments to date and its share of future capital 
                             from the MinAmb of its decision to revoke the    costs relating to the projects, and (3) the government 
                             Authorization to Affect. MinAmb referenced in its formal    believes that the Brisas Project and the Las Cristinas 
                             notice the existence of environmental degradation and    project, which is contiguous and to the north, should be 
                             affectation on the Brisas property, the presence of a large    combined into a single project in which the benefits to 
                             number of miners on the property and the Imataca Forest    all participants, including the local communities and the 
                             Reserve as the basis for their decision. Venezuelan legal    government, will be maximized. Until the government 
    6                               counsel has advised management that the Authorization    clearly and unequivocally announces (1) the provisions 
                             to Affect was granted to our Venezuelan subsidiary by    of the new mining law and policies and, (2) its intentions 
                             MinAmb, a competent authority, following the    regarding the Brisas stand alone project or the Brisas/Las 
                             corresponding legal procedure and in accordance with    Cristinas combined project, we can give no assurance as 
                             applicable laws and regulations. At the time the    to what the outcome will be. 
                             Authorization to Affect was issued, there was no legal         
                             norm prohibiting MinAmb from authorizing performance        We believe there are three courses of action available 
                             of mining activities in the area of the Brisas Project.    to us in Venezuela at this time: 
                             Further, in response to the various points contained within           resolve with the Venezuelan government the 
                             the revocation notice, Venezuelan legal counsel has advised        current status of the Brisas Project and proceed 
                             management that the revocation of the Authorization to        with our development with the support of the 
                             Affect is groundless and legally unsupported.        government; 
     
                                       Shortly after the revocation the Company filed an           seek a financial settlement with the Venezuelan 
                             appeal with the Minister of MinAmb outlining the        government if development is not permitted to 
                             factual flaws referenced in the revocation and requested         proceed on terms acceptable to us; or 
                             the Minister to reinstate the Company’s Authorization         
                             to Affect. MinAmb has not yet issued an official decision           seek remedies either under Venezuela’s domestic 
                             regarding our appeal and on advice of counsel and in        legal system or via bilateral investment treaties 
                             order to protect our rights under Venezuelan law, the        that we believe protect investments such as ours 
                             Company filed an appeal with the Political        in Venezuela. 
                             Administrative Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme         
                             Court on March 25, 2009. Although the filing in the        It is possible that the government and the new 
                             Supreme Court is more formal than the appeal filed    mining law, when approved, will permit the Company 
                             with MinAmb, the substance of our arguments and the    to continue construction of and to operate the Brisas 
                             merits of our position remain substantially the same.    Project on a stand-alone basis without the participation 
        of the government or government-sponsored third 
        parties. We are prepared to proceed on that basis. 


             If the government seeks to enter into mixed    expenses. Although the convertible notes have a face     
    enterprise joint ventures with mining companies operating    value of $103.5 million, they are recorded on the balance     
    in Venezuela, we believe it will be possible that the    sheet at approximately $91.8 million as Canadian     
    Company and the Venezuelan government could reach    accounting standards require the Company to allocate     
    an agreement or arrangement on acceptable terms with    the proceeds from the notes between their equity and     
    respect to an enterprise through which the Company    debt component parts based on their respective fair     
    and Venezuela jointly construct and operate the Brisas    values at the time of issuance. The equity portion of     
    Project or a combined Las Cristinas and Brisas Project.    the notes was estimated, using the residual value method,     
        at approximately $29 million net of issuance costs. The     
             If an acceptable agreement or arrangement is not    fair value of the debt component is accreted to the face     
    offered by the government to the Company, we would    value of the notes using the effective interest method     
    seek to negotiate with the Venezuelan government an    over the term of the notes, with the resulting charge     
    acceptable amount of compensation for our investment    recorded as interest expense which has been capitalized.     
    and rights in the Brisas Project.    At December 31, 2008, the Company revised its estimate     
             If we and the Venezuelan government were unable    of the expected life of the notes to June 15, 2012 and     
    to reach an agreement as to a mutually acceptable    adjusted the carrying value accordingly. The adjusted     
    amount of compensation, we would pursue claims under    carrying value was calculated by computing the present     
    Venezuela’s domestic legal system or through arbitration    value of estimated future interest and principal payments     
    under bilateral investment treaties entered into between    at the original effective interest rate. As a result of this     
    Venezuela, Canada and Barbados, for compensation    change, the carrying value of the notes increased by     
    that will reflect our approximately $250 million    approximately $20.5 million with a corresponding     
    investment plus interest over our 17 year investment    increase in capitalized interest and accretion. The     
    period, as well as a claim for lost profits reflecting the    Company does not yet have a project debt facility or     
    economic conditions prevalent at the time of the    other borrowing arrangement in place at this time.    7 
    revocation of the permit.      
                 We have suspended the detailed engineering by     
        SNC Lavalin and terminated further capital expenditures     
    LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES    commitments with respect to Brisas, while we obtain     
        clarification of the Venezuelan government’s intentions.     
    At December 31, 2008 our total financial resources,    Management continues to identify opportunities to     
    which include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash    reduce the Company’s financial risk going forward     
    and marketable securities, were approximately $110.4    including the implementation of a cost reduction and     
    million. Financial resources decreased approximately    containment program to slow down and reduce     
    $41.3 million from December 31, 2007. This decrease    operational expenditures including the sale of certain     
    was primarily due to the purchase of $27.4 million of    equipment as discussed herein. Any decision in this     
    equipment, $17.0 million capitalized development costs,    regard will be influenced by the Company’s intent to     
    $13.9 million cash used by operations and $2.2 million    maintain a strong financial position while maintaining     
    of other items, net of $19.2 million recovery of cash    maximum flexibility. These efforts have been more     
    from sales of equipment. At December 31, 2008 the    recently hindered by the recent unsolicited takeover     
    Company is evaluating the status of $44.7 million dollars    bid by Rusoro Mining Ltd which resulted in unplanned     
    of equipment (net of commitments) to sell, redeploy to    professional fees and other expenses of $5.4 million.     
    an alternative project or wait for clarification regarding         
    the Brisas Project.             While we seek clarification regarding the status of     
        the Brisas Project, we expect, as we have done in the     
             In May 2007 we completed the sale of $103.5    past, to evaluate from time to time other opportunities     
    million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% convertible    outside of Venezuela. We have an experienced senior     
    notes due June 15, 2022 and 13,762,300 Class A    management team with considerable operations, financial     
    common shares at $5.80 per share (Cdn$6.42 per share)    and administrative experience and believe we are     
    for net proceeds to the Company of approximately $173    positioned to capitalize on the current economic     
    million after deducting underwriting fees and offering    environment. However, we do not expect that these     


                             other potential opportunities will soon disappear and             The estimated initial capital cost to construct and 
                             have determined that the best course for the Company    place Brisas into production, if permitted, totals 
                             at this time is to first continue to work with the    approximately $731 million excluding working capital, 
                             Venezuelan government to determine whether we can    critical spares and initial fills of approximately $53 million 
                             proceed with our work on the Brisas Project either on    and ongoing life-of-mine requirements estimated at 
                             a stand-alone basis or with the participation of the    $269 million. Initial capital cost estimates exclude value 
                             Venezuelan government on terms acceptable to us. The    added taxes of approximately $54 million which are 
                             timing of any such investment or transaction, if any, and    subject to exoneration or payment holidays pursuant to 
                             the amounts required cannot be determined at this time.    current Venezuelan tax law. As a result, the cost of such 
      taxes and import duties are not included in the initial 
                             Investing Activities    costs of the project. There can be no assurances that 
        such exonerations will be obtained, the result of which 
                                       Based on the issuance of the Authorization to Affect    would be to increase initial capital and operating costs.
                             in March 2007, we placed orders related to initial capital     
                             costs for Brisas totaling approximately $125.3 million.     
                             As a result of the subsequent revocation of the             The Company retains its concession and contract 
                             Authorization to Affect, the Venezuelan government’s    rights, holds an operating plan approved by the MEM 
                             inability to clearly articulate its intentions related to    in 2003, holds an ESIA approved by MinAmb in early 
                             Brisas and the uncertainty of the future time schedule,    2007, and has received from MIBAM accreditation 
                             the Board of Directors authorized management to    letters of technical compliance for all of the properties 
                             evaluate the sale or a redeployment to an alternative    that comprise Brisas in the third quarter of 2008. In this 
                             project of all or a portion of the equipment that is being    regard, the Company reviewed the amounts recorded 
                             manufactured for Brisas. In late 2008 the Company sold    on its Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the Brisas 
    8                                one SAG mill, two ball mills (35,000 tonne per day    Project for potential impairment and has concluded 
                             through-put) and related motors being manufactured    that there was no impairment of these amounts as of 
                             for the Brisas Project for approximately $41.1 million.    December 31, 2008. 
                             As a result of the sale the Company recovered             It is unclear how future actions by the government 
                             approximately $19.2 million of progress payments and    will effect our operations or impair the carrying value of 
                             the purchaser assumed the Company’s remaining    the capitalized costs associated with Brisas. As noted 
                             payment obligations related to the equipment of    elsewhere in this report, the Company is working with 
                             approximately $21.9 million. The timing of or the value    various government officials to resolve this matter and 
                             realized from any future sale or redeployment, if any, of    the ultimate resolution, if unfavorable, could result in a 
                             the remaining equipment earmarked for Brisas cannot    material impairment in the carrying value of the amounts 
                             be determined at this time.    recorded as property, plant and equipment, which totaled 
                                       We believe that the sale of this equipment will not    approximately $175 million at December 31, 2008. 
                             impact the start-up of the Brisas Project to the extent             Investing activities during the twelve months ended 
                             the current delays in Venezuela are resolved. The    December 31, 2008 included the net investment in 
                             Company continues its commitment for the manufacture    property, plant and equipment of approximately $44.6 
                             of one SAG mill and two ball mills, related motors and    million and net sales of marketable securities of 
                             peripheral equipment, demonstrating our current    approximately $1.2 million. Capitalized development 
                             commitment to the Brisas Project. Initially, the Brisas    costs incurred on Brisas, capitalized interest and 
                             Project would be expected to proceed with reduced    equipment purchases represent the majority of the 
                             capital costs and 35,000 tonnes per day through-put as    amount invested in property, plant and equipment. 
                             a result of this sale. This modification should not impact     
                             the Company’s ability to increase production to 70,000     
                             tonnes per day through-put or greater thereafter.     


    Financing Activities    Operating Activities 
     
             As of March 30, 2009 we held approximately $101             Cash flow used by operating activities for 2008 was 
    million in cash, restricted cash and investments. Of this    approximately $13.9 million, which was an increase 
    amount, approximately $17.5 million is restricted cash    over 2007 of approximately $8.2 million. Although 
    as required by a letter of credit providing security on    management was successful at reducing certain operating 
    the Company’s commitment to purchase certain    expenses as planned, expenses related to the costs of 
    equipment. The Company’s cash and investments are    defending the Company against the hostile take-over 
    held primarily is US dollar denominated accounts.    offer by Rusoro Mining Ltd. approximated $5.4 million. 
        In addition to the unplanned expenditures related to 
             The Company’s convertible notes are trading in    the take-over defense, cash flow used by operations was 
    the gray market often at a significant discount to face    further negatively impacted by reduced levels of interest 
    value. As the terms of the indenture provide that the    income, primarily as a result of lower rates of return and 
    Company may repurchase the convertible notes in open    lower levels of invested cash, as well as diminished gains 
    market purchases or negotiated transactions, the Board    on sale of marketable securities. 
    of Directors has authorized management to repurchase     
    a portion of the outstanding convertible debt. As a     
    result, we may from time to time seek to repurchase our    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
    outstanding convertible notes in open market purchases,    The Company is engaged in the business of exploration 
    privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such    and development of mining projects, presently focusing 
    repurchases will depend on prevailing market conditions,    our management and financial resources on the Brisas 
    our liquidity requirements and other factors. As of March    Project, located in Bolivar State, Venezuela. We have 
    30, 2009, the Company had re-purchased approximately    no commercial production at this time. We have not 
    $1.1 million (face value) of convertible notes.    recorded revenue or cash flows from mining operations 
    In the near-term, we believe that cash and    and have experienced losses from operations for each 
    investment balances are sufficient to enable us to fund    of the last five years, a trend we expect to continue until 
    our activities through 2010 (excluding any substantial    Brisas is fully constructed and put into commercial 
    Brisas construction activities). The timing and extent    production or an alternative project is acquired. The 
    of additional funding or project financing, if any, depends    Company’s overall results of operations are a product 
    on a number of important factors, including, but not    of operating expenses, primarily related to the 
    limited to the resolution of the MinAmb revocation of    development of Brisas, net of income on invested cash. 
    the Authorization to Affect, the clear and unequivocal             Prior to 2007, the Company re-measured its Bolivar 
    approval and support of the Venezuelan government,    denominated transactions at the official exchange rate. 
    the actual timetable of our future work plans, status of    In 2007, based on new guidance from the American 
    the financial markets, the political, regulatory and    Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s (“AICPA”) 
    economic conditions in Venezuela, our share price, the    International Practices Task Force (“IPTF”), the 
    price of gold and copper and new opportunities that    Company concluded that the parallel market rate was 
    may arise in the future.    the most appropriate rate to use to re-measure Bolivar 
        denominated transactions. The IPTF continues to review 
        this issue and may conclude that the parallel rate should 
        be used. In the absence of definitive guidance, in 2008 
        the Company continued to use the parallel rate. If the 
        company were to change the method of re-measuring 
        Bolivar denominated transactions it may have an effect 
        on the Company’s future results of operations. 

    9 


    2008 Compared to 2007.    experienced in Venezuela. As a result of this program, 
        the Company reduced general and administrative 
             Consolidated net loss for the year ended December    expense by a total of $4.8 million, including reductions 
    31, 2008 was approximately $19.7 million or $0.35 per    in compensation expense of approximately $3.0 million, 
    share, an increase of approximately $7.7 million from    fees associated with bank financing efforts of $1.0 million 
    2007. The increase in net loss was primarily due to a    and other general and administrative expenses of 
    $4.1 million decrease in other income, a $3.5 million    approximately $0.8 million. These decreases in general 
    increase in operating expenses and an increase of $0.7    and administrative expenses were offset by approximately 
    million in income tax expense.    $5.4 million of expenses attributable to defending against 
             Other income decreased from $6.5 million in 2007    the unsolicited takeover offer from Rusoro Mining Ltd. 
    to $2.4 million in 2008 primarily as a result of less    In a further effort to conserve cash, in November 2008, 
    interest income due to a lower return on invested cash    the Company sold a portion of the equipment being 
    and lower levels of cash compared to the previous year    manufactured for the Brisas project, recovering $19.2 
    and a $0.2 million loss on sale of marketable securities    million in deposits and reducing future commitments 
    in 2008 compared to a $1.3 million gain on sale of    by $21.9 million while incurring a $1.3 million loss 
    marketable securities reported in 2007.    primarily from the effects of changes in currency rates. 
        Additionally, the Company recorded a $0.06 million 
             Operating expenses in 2008 amounted to $21.4    foreign currency loss in 2008 compared with a $0.9 
    million compared with $18.0 million in 2007. In the    million foreign currency gain in 2007 as a result of 
    third quarter of 2008, the Company implemented a cost    fluctuations in exchange rates between the US dollar 
    reduction program in response to the delays being    and the Canadian and Venezuelan currencies. 

    10

            2007     
        2008    (restated)    Change 




    Other Income:             
    Interest income    $ 2,687,825    $ 5,164,480    $ (2,476,655) 
    Gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities    (243,053)    1,334,604    (1,577,657) 




        2,444,772    6,499,084    (4,054,312) 
    Expenses:             
    General and administrative    7,377,312    12,143,569    (4,766,257) 
    Technical services    5,410,181    5,093,963    316,218 
    Takeover defense and litigation    5,407,230        5,407,230 
    Loss on sale of equipment    1,346,423        1,346,423 
    Corporate communications    941,002    904,157    36,845 
    Legal and accounting    899,195    774,140    125,055 
    Foreign currency (gain) loss    61,212    (926,299)    987,511 




        21,442,555    17,989,530    3,453,025 




    Net loss before tax and minority interest    (18,997,783)    (11,490,446)    (7,507,337) 
     
    Minority interest    8,712    (462,474)    471,186 




    Net loss before tax    (18,989,071)    (11,952,920)    (7,036,151) 




     
    Income tax expense    (737,050)    (26,848)    (710,202) 




    Net loss for the year    $ (19,726,121)    $ (11,979,768)    $ (7,746,353) 






    2007 Compared to 2006.    attributable to an increase in general and administrative 
        costs of approximately $5,500,000, partially offset by a 
    The consolidated net loss for the year ended    net change in foreign currency gain of approximately 
    December 31, 2007 was approximately $11,980,000 or    $2,068,000 over the prior year. The increase in general 
    $0.24 per share, an increase of approximately $5,003,000    and administrative cost primarily relates to: a non-cash 
    from the prior year. Other income for 2007 amounted    compensation expense of approximately $3,300,000 
    to $6,499,000, a decrease of approximately $1,753,000    related to the grant of stock options; an increase in 
    from the previous year. Other income decreased primarily    banking costs of approximately $1,000,000 related to 
    as a result of a non-recurring gain on marketable    the project debt financing and equipment procurement; 
    securities during the year ended December 31, 2006,    with the remaining being attributable to salary 
    partially offset by higher interest income as a result of    adjustments, addition of technical staff, engagement of 
    increased cash balances. Operating expenses for the    consultants and overall increases in costs related to 
    year amounted to approximately $18,452,000, an    corporate management activities associated with the 
    increase from the prior year of approximately $3,745,000.    development and construction of Brisas. 
    The increase in operating expenses is primarily     

    SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS                             
                            RESTATED             






    Quarter ended    12/31/08    9/30/08    6/30/08    3/31/08    12/31/07    9/30/07    6/30/07    3/31/07     









    Other Income    $ 136,549    $ 288,673    $ 768,414    $1,251,136    $ (217,816)    $4,149,659    $1,894,117    $673,124     
    Net (loss) income                                     
    before tax    (8,869,436)    (3,481,153)    (3,970,866)    (2,667,616)    (8,596,566)    767,375    (1,252,054)    (2,871,675)    11 
     Per share    (0.16)    (0.06)    (0.07)    (0.05)    (0.16)    0.01    (0.03)    (0.07)     
     Fully diluted    (0.16)    (0.06)    (0.07)    (0.05)    (0.16)    0.01    (0.03)    (0.07)     
    Net income (loss)    (8,905,698)    (3,788,711)    (4,172,935)    (2,858,777)    (8,735,162)    815,930    (1,112,571)    (2,947,965)     
     Per share    (0.16)    (0.07)    (0.07)    (0.05)    (0.16)    0.01    (0.02)    (0.07)     
     Fully diluted    (0.16)    (0.07)    (0.07)    (0.05)    (0.16)    0.01    (0.02)    (0.07)     

             The downward trend during 2008 related to other    the Company concluded that the parallel market rate 
    income is associated with lower interest rates and levels    was the most appropriate rate to use to re-measure 
    of invested cash which continued in the fourth quarter    Bolivar transactions. Accordingly, the Company used 
    of 2008. In the quarter ended 09/30/07 other income    the average rate in the parallel market to re-measure 
    increased as a result of non-recurring sales of investments.    all 2007 Bolivar transactions and at December 31, 2007 
    The increase in net loss for the quarter ended 12/31/08    used the parallel rate to translate Bolivar denominated 
    is primarily attributable to unplanned expenses of nearly    monetary items which had the effect in the fourth 
    $6 million associated with the defense of the unsolicited    quarter 2007 of reducing the gain previously reported 
    offer by Rusoro Mining Ltd.    as Other Income on the conversion of dollars to Bolivars. 
        The net loss in the fourth quarter 2007 is primarily a 
    The increase in net loss for the quarter ended    product of the currency translation noted above as well 
    12/31/07 is a result of, through the third quarter of 2007,    as a non-cash charge related to stock option 
    the Company re-measured its Bolivar denominated    compensation and salary adjustments. Historically, losses 
    transactions at the official exchange rate of Bs. 2,150/$.    are a result of the Company’s efforts to complete the 
    In the fourth quarter of 2007, based on new guidance    development of Brisas. 
    from the AICPA’s International Practices Task Force,     


      CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

         The following table sets forth information on the Company’s material contractual obligation payments for the periods indicated as of December 31, 2008:

            Payments due by Period     



            Less than            More Than 
    Contractual Obligations    Total    1 Year    1-3 Years    4-5 Years    5 Years 






    Convertible notes 1    $ 123,247,260    $ 5,684,360    $ 11,368,720    $ 106,194,180     
    Equipment Contracts 2    30,448,208    26,204,536    4,243,672         






    Total    $ 153,695,468    $ 31,888,896    $ 15,612,392    $ 106,194,180     







        1 In May 2007, the Company issued $103,500,000 aggregate    2 The Company originally placed orders totaling $125.3 million 
        principal amount of its 5.50% convertible notes. The notes pay interest    for the fabrication of processing equipment, mobile equipment and 
        semi-annually and are due on June 15, 2022. Subject to certain    other mining equipment and related engineering. In November 2008, 
        conditions, the notes may be converted into Class A common shares    the Company sold a portion of this equipment recovering $19.2 
        of the Company, redeemed or repurchased. During 2008, $148,000    million in deposits and reducing our future commitment by $21.9 
        face value of convertible notes were converted for cash or repurchased    million. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has equipment 
        by the Company. The amounts shown above include the interest and    orders totaling $75.1 million and has made payments on these orders 
        principal payments due based on the estimate that the term of the    of $44.7 million. 
        notes will end on June 15, 2012. If the notes were to reach their     
        contractual maturity date of June 15, 2022, additional interest     
        payments would amount to $56.8 million over the additional ten year     
                 term of the notes
    12    .     
     
     
     
        OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS     

         The Company is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

      SHARES ISSUED

         As of March 30, 2009, the Company had the following Class A common shares, equity units and share purchase options issued:

    Class A common shares    57,670,555 
    Equity Units*    500,236 


     Total Issued    58,170,791 
    Class A common share purchase options    5,480,431 


     
     Fully diluted    63,651,222 

    * An equity unit consists of one Class B common share of Gold Reserve Inc. and one Class B common share of Gold Reserve Corporation. Equity units are convertible into Class A common shares of Gold Reserve Inc. on a one-to-one basis and confer no special voting rights.


    CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES    The fair value of the debt component of the     
             Management’s capitalization of exploration and    Company’s convertible notes is accreted to the face     
    development costs and assumptions regarding the future    value of the notes using the effective interest rate method     
    recoverability of such costs are based on, among other    over the expected life of the notes, with the resulting     
    things, the Company’s estimate of current mineral    charge recorded as interest expense. The expected life     
    reserves and resources which are based on engineering    of the notes is an estimate and is subject to change, if     
    and geological estimates, estimated gold and copper    warranted by facts and circumstances related to the     
    prices, estimated plant construction and operating costs    potential early redemption of the notes by either the     
    and the procurement of all necessary regulatory permits    Company or the holders. At December 31, 2008, the     
    or authorizations and approvals. These estimates could    Company revised its estimate of the expected life of the     
    change in the future and this could affect the carrying    notes to June 15, 2012 and adjusted the carrying value     
    value and the ultimate recoverability of the amounts    accordingly. See “Consolidated Balance Sheets -     
    recorded as property and mineral rights and capitalized    Convertible Notes” and “Note 16 to the consolidated     
    exploration and development costs.    financial statements.” The adjusted carrying value was     
        calculated by computing the present value of estimated     
    The Company reviews long-lived assets for    future interest and principal payments at the original     
    impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances    effective interest rate. As a result of this change, the     
    indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not    carrying value of the notes increased by approximately     
    be recoverable. If such expected future net cash flows    $20.5 million with a corresponding increase in capitalized     
    are less than the carrying value an impairment loss is    interest and accretion.     
    recognized and the asset is written down to fair value.         
    Fair value is generally determined by discounting    The Company uses the liability method of     
    estimated cash flows, using quoted market prices where    accounting for income taxes. Future tax assets and    13 
    available or making estimates based on the best    liabilities are determined based on the differences     
    information available.    between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and those     
        amounts reported in the financial statements. The future     
             As part of this process management, in light of the    tax assets or liabilities are calculated using the     
    permitting delays related to the Brisas Project, evaluated    substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply in the     
    the future recovery of the capitalized costs associated with    periods in which the differences are expected to be     
    the development of Brisas. See “Consolidated Balance    settled. Future tax assets are recognized to the extent     
    Sheets - Property, plant and equipment” and “Note 7 to    that they are considered more likely than not to be     
    the consolidated financial statements.” Based on certain    realized. The Company operates and files tax returns     
    probability-weighted alternative outcomes, management    in a number of jurisdictions. The preparation of such     
    considered, the sum of the expected future net cash    tax filings requires considerable judgment and the use     
    flows to be generated from the use or disposition of Brisas    of assumptions. Accordingly, the amounts reported could     
    (undiscounted and without interest charges) and    vary in the future. See “Consolidated Statements of     
    compared that to its carrying value. Based on this analysis,    Operations - Income tax expense” and “Note 11 to the     
    management has concluded that there is no impairment    consolidated financial statements.”     
    of the amounts recorded on the Balance Sheet related         
    to the Brisas Project as of December 31, 2008.    The Company uses the fair value method of     
        accounting for stock options. The fair value is computed     
        using the Black-Scholes method which utilizes estimates     
        that affect the amounts ultimately recorded as stock     
        based compensation. See “Note 9 to the consolidated     
        financial statements.”     


             Through 2006, the Company re-measured its Bolivar    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
    denominated transactions at the official exchange rate.             The Directors, officers and principal shareholders 
    In 2007, based on new guidance from the AICPA’s    of the Company and their associates, affiliates and close 
    International Practices Task Force (IPTF), the Company    family members have had no material interest, direct 
    concluded that the parallel market rate was the most    or indirect, in any transaction in which the Company 
    appropriate rate to use to re-measure Bolivar    has participated during the last three fiscal years other 
    transactions. Accordingly, in 2007 the Company began    than as noted below. No Director or Named Executive 
    to use the average rate received in the parallel market    Officer had any indebtedness to the Company during 
    to re-measure Bolivar transactions and at December    the last fiscal year. 
    31, 2007, used the parallel rate to translate Bolivar     
    denominated monetary items. In June 2008, due to an    The Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice 
    amendment to the Criminal Exchange Law, the IPTF    President-Finance and Vice President-Administration 
    reconsidered the issue of which exchange rate was the    of the Company are also officers and/or directors and 
    most appropriate to use. After consideration of the IPTF    shareholders of MGC Ventures. The Company owned 
    review and in the absence of definitive guidance, the    12,062,953 common shares of MGC Ventures at 
    Company continues to believe that it is most appropriate    December 31, 2008 and 2007, which represented 44.4%, 
    to use the parallel rate to re-measure transactions and    respectively of its outstanding shares. MGC Ventures 
    to translate Bs. denominated monetary items.    owned 258,083 common shares of the Company at 
        December 31, 2008 and 2007. In addition, MGC 
        Ventures owned 280,000 common shares of Great Basin 
    INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING    at December 31, 2008 and 2007. During the last three 
    STANDARDS (“IFRS”)    years, the Company sublet a portion of its office space 
    In 2006, the Canadian Accounting Standards    to MGC Ventures for $6,000 per year. 
    Boards (‘‘AcSB’’) published a new strategic plan that    The Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice 
    will significantly affect financial reporting requirements    President-Finance and Vice President-Administration 
    for Canadian companies. The AcSB strategic plan    of the Company are also officers and/or directors and 
    outlines the convergence of Canadian GAAP with IFRS    shareholders of Great Basin. The Company owned 
    over an expected five year transitional period. In February    15,661,595 common shares of Great Basin at December 
    2008, the AcSB announced that 2011 is the changeover    31, 2008 and 2007, which represented 44.6%, 
    date for publicly-listed companies to use IFRS, replacing    respectively of its outstanding shares. Great Basin owned 
    Canadian GAAP. This date is for interim and annual    491,192 common shares of the Company at December 
    financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning    31, 2008 and 2007. Great Basin also owned 170,800 
    on or after January 1, 2011. The transition date of    common shares of MGC Ventures at December 31, 
    January 1, 2011 will require the restatement for    2008 and 2007. During the last three years, the Company 
    comparative purposes of amounts reported by the    sublet a portion of its office space to Great Basin for 
    Company for the year ended December 31, 2010. In    $6,000 per year. 
    July 2008, AcSB announced that early adoption will be     
    allowed in 2009 subject to seeking exemptive relief. We     
    are currently formulating a project plan for the transition     
    to IFRS and are assessing the impact of IFRS, specifically     
    with respect to the effect on our accounting policies,     
    IT systems, and internal control over financial reporting.     

    14


    MANAGEMENT’S REPORT             The Board of Directors fulfills its responsibilities     
        for the consolidated financial statements primarily     
        through the activities of its Audit Committee, which is     
    To the Shareholders of Gold Reserve Inc.    composed of three directors, none of whom are members     
        of management. This Committee monitors the     
             The accompanying consolidated financial statements    independence and performance of our independent     
    of the Company were prepared by management in    auditors and meets with the auditors to discuss the     
    accordance with accounting principles generally accepted    results of their audit and their audit report prior to     
    in Canada, consistently applied and within the framework    submitting the consolidated financial statements to the     
    of the summary of significant accounting policies in    Board of Directors for approval. This Committee reviews     
    these consolidated financial statements. Management    and discusses with management the consolidated     
    is responsible for all information in the Annual Report.    financial statements, related accounting principles and     
    All financial and operating data in the Annual Report    practices and (when required of management under     
    is consistent, where appropriate, with that contained in    securities commissions or the applicable listing standards)     
    the consolidated financial statements.    management’s assessment of internal control over     
             Management is responsible for establishing and    financial reporting. This Committee also monitors the     
    maintaining an adequate internal control structure and    integrity of our financial reporting process and systems     
    procedures for financial reporting. Management has    of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and     
    established and maintains a system of internal accounting    legal compliance.     
    control designed to provide reasonable assurance that             The consolidated financial statements have been     
    assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use,    audited on behalf of the shareholders by the Company’s     
    financial information is reliable and accurate and    independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.     
    transactions are properly recorded and executed in    The auditors’ report outlines the scope of their    15 
    accordance with management’s authorization. This    examination and their opinion on the consolidated     
    system includes established policies and procedures, the    financial statements. The auditors have full and free     
    selection and training of qualified personnel and an    access to the Audit Committee.     
    organization providing for appropriate delegation of         
    authority and segregation of responsibilities.         
     
     
                 s/ Rockne J. Timm     
                 Chief Executive Officer     
                 March 30, 2009     
     
     
     
                 s/ Robert A. McGuinness     
                 Vice President–Finance and CFO     
                 March 30, 2009     


    AUDITORS’ REPORT    Internal control over financial reporting 
     
                 We have also audited Gold Reserve Inc.’s internal 
    To the Shareholders of Gold Reserve Inc.    control over financial reporting as at December 31, 
        2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
             We have completed integrated audits of Gold    - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
    Reserve Inc.’s 2008 and 2007 consolidated financial    Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
    statements and of its internal control over financial    (“COSO”). The Company’s management is responsible 
    reporting as at December 31, 2008 and an audit of its    for maintaining effective internal control over financial 
    2006 consolidated financial statements. Our opinions,    reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of 
    based on our audits, are presented below.    internal control over financial reporting, included in 
        the Report of Management on Internal Control over 
    Consolidated Financial statements    Financial Reporting in Item 15 of the Annual Report 
        on Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express an opinion 
             We have audited the accompanying consolidated    on the Company’s internal control over financial 
    balance sheets of Gold Reserve Inc. (the “Company”)    reporting based on our audit. 
    as at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and     
    the related consolidated statements of operations,             We conducted our audit of internal control over 
    comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and    financial reporting in accordance with the standards of 
    cash flows each of the years in the three year period    the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
    ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements    (United States). Those standards require that we plan 
    are the responsibility of the Company’s management.    and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
    Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these    about whether effective internal control over financial 
    financial statements based on our audits.    reporting was maintained in all material respects. An 
        audit of internal control over financial reporting includes 
             We conducted our audits of the Company’s financial    obtaining an understanding of internal control over 
    statements in accordance with Canadian generally    financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
    accepted auditing standards and the standards of the    weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and 
    Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United    operating effectiveness of internal control based on the 
    States). Those standards require that we plan and    assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as 
    perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance about    we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe 
    whether the financial statements are free of material    that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 
    misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes     
    examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the    A company’s internal control over financial 
    amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. A    reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable 
    financial statement audit also includes assessing the    assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
    accounting principles used and significant estimates    and the preparation of financial statements for external 
    made by management, and evaluating the overall    purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
    financial statement presentation. We believe that our    accounting principles. A company’s internal control 
    audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.    over financial reporting includes those policies and 
        procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records 
             In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements    that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect 
    referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,    the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the 
    the financial position of the Company as at December 31,    company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that 
    2008 and December 31, 2007, and the results of its    transactions are recorded as necessary to permit 
    operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the    preparation of financial statements in accordance with 
    three year period ended December 31, 2008, in accordance    generally accepted accounting principles, and that 
    with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.     

    16


    receipts and expenditures of the company are being             Comments by Auditor for U.S. Readers     
    made only in accordance with authorizations of    on Canada-U.S. Reporting Difference     
    management and directors of the company; and (iii)             In the United States, reporting standards for auditors     
    provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or    require the addition of an explanatory paragraph     
    timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or    (following the opinion paragraph) when there is a change     
    disposition of the company’s assets that could have a    in accounting principles that has a material effect on     
    material effect on the financial statements.    the comparability of the Company’s financial statements,     
             Because of its inherent limitations, internal control    such as the change in accounting for income tax loss     
    over financial reporting may not prevent or detect    carryforwards described in note 2 to the financial     
    misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of    statements. Our report to the shareholders dated March     
    effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk    30, 2009 is expressed in accordance with Canadian     
    that controls may become inadequate because of changes    reporting standards which do not require a reference to     
    in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with    such a change in accounting principles in the auditors’     
    the policies or procedures may deteriorate.    report when the change is properly accounted for and     
        adequately disclosed in the financial statements.     
             In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all         
    material respects, effective internal control over financial         
    reporting as at December 31, 2008 based on criteria         
    established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework         
    issued by the COSO.             s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP     
                 Chartered Accountants     
                 Vancouver, British Columbia     
                 March 30, 2009    17 
     
             s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP         
             Chartered Accountants         
             Vancouver, British Columbia         
             March 30, 2009         


        GOLD RESERVE INC.                     
        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                 
        December 31, 2008 and 2007 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)         
                                2007 
                            2008    (restated, Note 2) 







        ASSETS                         
        Cash and cash equivalents (Note 3)            $ 91,550,167    $ 94,680,576 
        Marketable securities (Note 6)                1,342,760    4,987,511 
        Deposits, advances and other                1,123,002    652,572 






        Total current assets                    94,015,929    100,320,659 
     
        Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 7)            175,132,478    128,624,670 
        Restricted cash (Note 13)                17,509,672    52,080,603 
        Prepaid and other                    956,435    872,971 







        Total assets                    $ 287,614,514    $ 281,898,903 







     
        LIABILITIES                         
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses            $ 8,134,708    $ 7,719,316 
        Accrued interest                    236,848    237,188 







        Total current liabilities                8,371,556    7,956,504 
     
        Convertible notes (Note 16)                91,829,699    70,306,054 
        Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries            2,306,823    2,315,536 





        Total liabilities                    $ 102,508,078    $ 80,578,094 







    18                             
        Measurement Uncertainty (Note 1)                 
        Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 9, 13)                 
     
     
     
        SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                     
        Serial preferred stock, without par value                 
         Authorized:    Unlimited                     
         Issued:    None                     
        Common shares and equity units: (Note 15)            $ 247,501,272    $ 244,295,503 
        Class A common shares, without par value                 
           Authorized:    Unlimited                     
           Issued:    2008… 57,119,055    2007    55,060,934         
           Outstanding:    2008… 56,869,055    2007    54,810,934         
         Equity Units                         
           Issued:    2008…  500,236    2007…    1,085,099         
           Outstanding:    2008…  961    2007…    585,824         
        Equity component of convertible notes (Note 16)            28,774,221    28,784,710 
        Less, common shares and equity units held by affiliates        (636,267)    (636,267) 
        Stock options (Note 9)                9,428,802    7,662,237 
        Accumulated deficit                    (100,180,541)    (80,454,420) 
        Accumulated other comprehensive income            329,640    1,779,737 
        KSOP debt (Note 8)                    (110,691)    (110,691) 







        Total shareholders’ equity                185,106,436    201,320,809 






        Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity            $ 287,614,514    $ 281,898,903 





     
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.         
     
        Approved by the Board of Directors:                 
     
            s/ Chris D. Mikkelsen            s/ Patrick D. McChesney     


    GOLD RESERVE INC.                         
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                     
    For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)             
                2007             
            2008             (restated, Note 2)    2006     





     
    Other Income:                         
    Interest income    $ 2,687,825    $ 5,164,480    $ 1,088,403     
    Gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities        (243,053)    1,334,604        7,163,655     






            2,444,772    6,499,084        8,252,058     
    Expenses:                         
    General and administrative        7,377,312    12,143,569        6,646,798     
    Technical services        5,410,181    5,093,963        5,015,222     
    Takeover defense and litigation (Note 17)        5,407,230                 
    Loss on sale of equipment        1,346,423                 
    Corporate communications        941,002    904,157        699,922     
    Legal and accounting        899,195    774,140        756,752     
    Foreign currency (gain) loss        61,212    (926,299)        1,141,932     






            21,442,555    17,989,530        14,260,626     






    Net loss before tax and minority interest        (18,997,783)    (11,490,446)        (6,008,568)     
     
    Minority interest        8,712    (462,474)        (446,374)    19 






    Net loss before tax        (18,989,071)    (11,952,920)        (6,454,942)     






     
    Income tax expense (Note 11)        (737,050)    (26,848)        (521,803)     






    Net loss for the year    $ (19,726,121)    $ (11,979,768)    $ (6,976,745)     




     
    Net loss per share–basic and diluted    $ (0.35)    $ (0.24)    $ (0.18)     




     
    Weighted average common shares outstanding        55,988,372    49,703,688        38,123,819     






     
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                     
     
    GOLD RESERVE INC.                         
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS                 
    For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)                 
                         2007     
                         2008    (restated, Note 2)     





    Net loss for the year            $ (19,726,121)           $ (11,979,768) 
     
    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                         
       Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities            (1,693,150)        1,573,743     
       Adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net loss        243,053        (1,334,604)     





     
    Other comprehensive income (loss)            (1,450,097)        239,139     






     
    Comprehensive loss for the year            $ (21,176,218)         $ (11,740,629) 





     
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                     


    GOLD RESERVE INC.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 (restated, Note 2) and 2006 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

                        Equity Com-    Common Shares            Accumulated     
               Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    ponent of Con-    and Equity Units    Stock     Accumulated    Other Compre-    KSOP 


    vertible Notes Held by Affiliates Options  Deficit  hensive income  Debt 
            Common Shares Equity Units           Amount        






     
        Balance, December 31, 2005    35,196,287    1,110,020    $ 140,512,063        $ (674,598)  $ 1,867,537    $ (61,983,016)        $ (84,220) 
        Equity units exchanged for                                     
        common shares    24,921    (24,921)                             
        Net loss                            (6,976,745)         
        Stock option compensation                        1,390,776             
        Fair value of options exercised            153,144            (153,144)             
        Common shares issued for:                                     
        Cash    5,096,109        25,702,673                         
        Services    163,875        747,075                         
        KSOP    100,000        189,063                        (189,063) 
        Allocation to KSOP participants                                    272,412 
        Decrease in shares held                                     
        by affiliates            159,724               38,331                 










     
        Balance, December 31, 2006    40,581,192    1,085,099    167,463,742        (636,267)    3,105,169    (68,959,761)        (871) 
    20    Opening balance on adoption of                                     
        new accounting standard                                $ 2,025,707     
        Retrospective application of                                     
        new accounting standard                            485,109    (485,109)     
        Net loss                            (11,979,768)         
        Other comprehensive income                                239,139     
        Stock option compensation                        4,724,120             
        Equity component of convertible notes                28,784,710                     
        Fair value of options exercised            167,052            (167,052)             
        Common shares issued for:                                     
        Cash    13,985,742        74,349,097                         
        Services    394,000        1,818,012                         
        KSOP    100,000        497,600                        (497,600) 
        Allocation to KSOP participants                                    387,780 










     
        Balance, December 31, 2007    55,060,934    1,085,099    244,295,503    28,784,710    (636,267)    7,662,237    (80,454,420)    1,779,737    (110,691) 
        Equity units exchanged for                                     
        common shares    584,863    (584,863)                             
        Net loss                            (19,726,121)         
        Other comprehensive loss                                (1,450,097)     
        Stock option compensation                        1,958,470             
        Conversions and repurchase of                                     
        convertible notes                (10,489)                     
        Fair value of options exercised            191,905            (191,905)             
        Common shares issued for:                                     
        Cash    162,133        309,205                         
        Services    1,311,125        2,704,659                         










        Balance, December 31, 2008    57,119,055    500,236    $ 247,501,272    $ 28,774,221    $ (636,267) $ 9,428,802   $ (100,180,541)     $ 329,640    $ (110,691) 








     
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                 


    GOLD RESERVE INC.                     
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                     
    For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)         
                           2007         
            2008    (restated, Note 2)    2006     





    Cash Flow from Operating Activities:                     
    Net loss for the year    $ (19,726,121)    $ (11,979,768)    $ (6,976,745)     
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net                     
       cash used by operating activities:                     
    Stock option compensation        1,958,470    4,724,120    1,390,776     
    Depreciation        224,071    179,111    147,798     
    Gain on extinguishment of debt        (76,530)             
    Loss on sale of equipment        1,346,423             
    Amortization of discount on debt investments                (419)     
    Foreign currency loss        6,796    1,131,269         
    Minority interest in net income (loss) of                     
       consolidated subsidiaries        (8,712)    462,474    446,374     
    Net (gain) loss on disposition of marketable securities        243,053    (1,334,604)    (7,163,655)     
    Future income tax expense (benefit) (Note 11)        747,019    (431,725)         
    Shares issued for compensation and KSOP        2,704,659    2,205,792    1,019,487     
    Changes in non-cash working capital:                     
       Increase in deposits, advances and accrued interest        (442,931)    (137,176)    (73,266)     

       Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses        (834,419)    (494,798)    29,880    21 




    Net cash used in operating activities        (13,858,222)    (5,675,305)    (11,179,770)     





     
    Cash Flow from Investing Activities:                     
    Purchase of marketable securities        (3,262,239)    (4,163,941)    (6,539,362)     
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment        (38,699,588)    (44,689,332)    (15,078,403)     
    Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities        4,466,821    6,517,227    13,379,048     
    Proceeds from the sale of equipment        19,184,740             
    Decrease (increase) in restricted cash        34,570,931    (52,080,603)         
    Capitalized interest paid on convertible notes        (5,688,430)    (3,273,187)         
    Other        (117,760)    (108,134)    (279,750)     





    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities        10,454,475    (97,797,970)    (8,518,467)     





     
    Cash Flow from Financing Activities:                     
    Net proceeds from issuance of convertible notes            98,430,066         
    Net proceeds from issuance of common shares        309,205    74,349,097    25,702,673     
    Extinguishment of convertible notes        (35,867)             





    Net cash provided by financing activities        273,338    172,779,163    25,702,673     





     
    Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents:                     
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents        (3,130,409)    69,305,888    6,004,436     
    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year        94,680,576    25,374,688    19,370,252     





    Cash and cash equivalents - end of year    $ 91,550,167    $ 94,680,576    $ 25,374,688     




     
    Supplemental Cash Flow Information                     





     
    Non-cash investing activities:                     
    Issuance of common shares as compensation    $ 2,704,659    $ 1,818,012    $ 747,075     
    Issuance of common shares to KSOP Plan    $ –    $ 497,600    $ 189,063     


     
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                 


    1. The Company and significant accounting             These consolidated financial statements include 
    policies:    the accounts of the Company, Gold Reserve Corporation, 
        two domestic subsidiaries, Great Basin Energies, Inc. 
             The Company. Gold Reserve Inc. (the    (“Great Basin”) and MGC Ventures Inc. (“MGC 
    “Company”) is a mining development company    Ventures”), four Venezuelan subsidiaries, two Barbadian 
    incorporated in 1998 under the laws of the Yukon    subsidiaries and five Aruban subsidiaries which were 
    Territory, Canada, and is the successor issuer to Gold    formed to hold the Company’s interest in its foreign 
    Reserve Corporation which was incorporated in 1956.    subsidiaries or for future transactions. All subsidiaries 
    The Company’s primary mineral asset, the Brisas Project,    are wholly owned with the exception of Great Basin 
    is a gold/copper deposit located in the Km 88 mining    and MGC Ventures which are 45% and 44% owned, 
    district of the State of Bolivar in southeastern Venezuela.    respectively. All intercompany accounts and transactions 
    The Company has no revenue producing mining    have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company’s 
    operations at this time. All amounts shown herein are    policy is to consolidate those subsidiaries where control 
    expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.    exists. See Note 10. 
     
             In February 1999, the shareholders of Gold Reserve             Cash and Cash Equivalents.The Company 
    Corporation approved a plan of reorganization whereby    considers short-term, highly liquid investments purchased 
    Gold Reserve Corporation became a subsidiary of Gold    with an original maturity of three months or less to be 
    Reserve Inc., the successor issuer (the “Reorganization”).    cash equivalents for purposes of reporting cash 
    Generally, each shareholder of Gold Reserve Corporation    equivalents and cash flows. Cash and cash equivalents 
    received one Gold Reserve Inc. Class A common share    are designated as held-for-trading and recorded at fair 
    for each common share owned of Gold Reserve    value. The Company manages the exposure of its cash 
    Corporation. After the Reorganization, a shareholder of    and cash equivalents to credit risk by diversifying its 
    Gold Reserve Inc. continued to own an interest in the    holdings into major Canadian and U.S. financial 
    business, through subsidiary companies, that in aggregate    institutions and corporations 
    was essentially the same as before the Reorganization.     
                 Exploration and Development Costs. 
             Certain U.S. holders of Gold Reserve Corporation    Exploration costs incurred in locating areas of potential 
    elected, for tax reasons, to receive equity units in lieu    mineralization are expensed as incurred. Exploration 
    of Gold Reserve Inc. Class A common shares. An equity    costs of properties or working interests with specific 
    unit is comprised of one Gold Reserve Inc. Class B    areas of potential mineralization are capitalized at cost 
    common share and one Gold Reserve Corporation Class    pending the determination of a property’s economic 
    B common share. Each equity unit is substantially    viability. Development costs of proven mining properties 
    equivalent to a Class A common share and is immediately    not yet producing are capitalized at cost and classified 
    convertible into a Gold Reserve Inc. Class A common    as capitalized exploration costs under property, plant 
    share, upon compliance with certain procedures. Equity    and equipment. The Company capitalizes those costs 
    units are not listed for trading on any stock exchange,    which are directly attributable to the Brisas Project 
    but, subject to compliance with applicable federal,    including engineering, procurement and construction 
    provincial and state securities laws, may be transferred.    management, mine planning, environmental impact 
    Unless otherwise noted, general references to common    studies, drilling, assaying and interest. Costs related to 
    shares of the Company include Class A common shares    staffing and maintenance of offices and facilities in 
    and Class B common shares as a combined group.    Venezuela are charged to operations. Property holding 
             Presentation of Financial Statements    costs are charged to operations during the period if no 
    and Consolidation. The consolidated financial    significant exploration or development activities are 
    statements contained herein have been prepared in    being conducted on the related properties. Upon 
    accordance with accounting principles generally accepted    commencement of production, capitalized exploration 
    in Canada, which as described in Note 18, differ in    and development costs will be amortized based on the 
    certain material respects from accounting principles    estimated proven and probable reserves benefited. 
    generally accepted in the U.S.    Properties determined to be impaired or that are 
        abandoned are written-down to the estimated fair value. 
        Carrying values do not necessarily reflect present or 
        future values. 

    22     
     

             Property, Plant and Equipment. Property,             In 2003, the Venezuelan government implemented     
    plant and equipment are recorded at the lower of cost    foreign exchange controls which fixed the rate of     
    less accumulated depreciation. Replacements and major    exchange between Venezuelan Bolivars (Bs.) and the     
    improvements are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs    US dollar. In March of 2005, the rate was fixed at 2,150     
    are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and    Bs. to US $1.00. In October of 2005, the government     
    accumulated depreciation of assets retired or sold are    enacted the Criminal Exchange Law which imposes     
    removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or    sanctions on the exchange of Bs. with foreign currency     
    loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation is provided    unless the exchange is made by officially designated     
    using straight-line and accelerated methods over the    methods. The exchange regulations do not apply to     
    lesser of the useful life or lease term of the related asset.    transactions with certain securities denominated in Bs.     
    Interest and financing costs incurred during the    which can be swapped for securities denominated in     
    construction and development of qualifying assets are    another currency effectively resulting in a parallel market     
    capitalized on an interest avoidance basis. The amount    for the Bolivar.     
    capitalized during an accounting period is determined         
    by applying an interest rate to the average amount of             Through 2006, the Company re-measured its Bolivar     
    accumulated qualifying assets during the period.    denominated transactions at the official exchange rate     
    Adjustments increasing the carrying value of convertible    of Bs. 2,150/$. In 2007, based on new guidance from     
    notes upon remeasurement due to a change in estimated    the AICPA’s International Practices Task Force (IPTF),     
    life are considered interest costs and are therefore eligible    the Company concluded that the parallel market rate     
    for capitalization. The Company’s qualifying assets    was the most appropriate rate to use to re-measure     
    include its costs of developing mining properties and    Bolivar transactions. Accordingly, in 2007 the Company     
    constructing new facilities.    began to use the average rate received in the parallel     
        market to re-measure Bolivar transactions and at     
             Impairment of Long Lived Assets. The    December 31, 2007, used the parallel rate to translate    23 
    Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment    Bolivar denominated monetary items. On January 1,     
    whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate    2008 the Venezuelan government modified the currency,     
    that the carrying amount of the assets may not be    fixing the official exchange rate at 2.15 Bs. to US $1.00.     
    recoverable. If the sum of the expected future net cash    In June 2008, due to an amendment to the Criminal     
    flows to be generated from the use or disposition of a    Exchange Law, the IPTF reconsidered the issue of which     
    long-lived asset (undiscounted and without interest    exchange rate was the most appropriate to use. After     
    charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset,    consideration of the IPTF review and in the absence of     
    an impairment loss is recognized and the asset is written    definitive guidance, the Company continues to believe     
    down to fair value. Fair value is generally determined    that it is most appropriate to use the parallel rate to re-     
    by discounting estimated cash flows, using quoted market    measure transactions and to translate Bs. denominated     
    prices where available or making estimates based on    monetary items.     
     
    the best information available.             Stock Based Compensation. The Company     
    Foreign Currency. The U.S. dollar is the    uses the fair value method of accounting for stock     
    Company’s functional currency. The Company’s foreign    options. The fair value of options granted to employees     
    subsidiaries are integrated foreign operations and    is computed using the Black-Scholes method as described     
    accordingly foreign currency amounts are translated    in note 9 and is expensed over the vesting period of the     
    into U.S. dollars using the temporal method. Non-    option. For non-employees, the fair value of stock based     
    monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical    compensation is recorded as an expense over the vesting     
    rates, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at    period or, if earlier, upon completion of performance.     
    current rates and revenue and expense items are    Consideration paid for shares on exercise of share options,     
    translated at average exchange rates during the reporting    in addition to the fair value attributable to stock options     
    period, except for depreciation which is translated at    granted, is credited to capital stock. Fair value of     
    historical rates. Translation gains and losses are included    restricted stock issued as compensation is based on the     
    in operating expenses.    grant date market value and expensed over the vesting     


    period. The Company also maintains the Gold Reserve    regarding the development of Brisas. Failure to obtain 
    Director and Employee Retention Plan. Units granted    the Authorization to Affect or any future permit and/or 
    under the plan become fully vested and payable upon    authorization will result in the Company not being able 
    a change of control. Each Unit granted to a participant    to construct and operate Brisas. This issue or one or 
    entitles such person to receive a cash payment equal to    more of the other issues described herein or other factors 
    the fair market value of one Gold Reserve Class A    beyond our control could adversely affect our operations 
    Common Share (1) on the date the Unit was granted    and investment in Venezuela in the future. 
    or (2) on the date any such participant becomes entitled     
    to payment, whichever is greater.             Management’s capitalization of exploration and 
        development costs and assumptions regarding the future 
             Income Taxes. The Company uses the liability    recoverability of such costs are based on, among other 
    method of accounting for income taxes. Future tax assets    things, the Company’s estimate of current mineral 
    and liabilities are determined based on the differences    reserves and resources which are based on engineering 
    between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and those    and geological estimates, estimated gold and copper 
    amounts reported in the financial statements. The    prices, estimated plant construction and operating costs 
    future tax assets or liabilities are calculated using the    and the procurement of all necessary regulatory permits 
    substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply in the    and approvals. In addition, the Company records 
    periods in which the differences are expected to be settled.    amounts paid for value-added tax as a non-current asset 
    Future tax assets are recognized to the extent that they    based on the assumption that these amounts will be 
    are considered more likely than not to be realized.    recoverable when the Brisas Project begins production. 
        These assumptions and estimates could change in the 
             Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial    future and this could affect the carrying value and the 
    statements in conformity with generally accepted    ultimate recoverability of the amounts recorded as 
    accounting principles requires management to make    property and mineral rights, capitalized exploration and 
    estimates and assumptions that affect the reported    development costs and other assets. The Company 
    amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent    operates and files tax returns in a number of jurisdictions. 
    assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements    The preparation of such tax filings requires considerable 
    and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses    judgment and the use of assumptions. Accordingly, the 
    during the reporting period. Actual results could differ    amounts reported could vary in the future. 
    from those estimates.     
        Net Loss Per Share. Net loss per share is 
             Measurement Uncertainty. At December    computed by dividing net loss by the combined weighted 
    31, 2008, nearly all of the Company's non-cash assets,    average number of Class A and B common shares 
    including our primary mining asset, the Brisas Project,    outstanding during each year, which is reduced by the 
    were located in Venezuela. Our operations in Venezuela    common shares owned by Great Basin and MGC 
    are subject to the effects of changes in legal, tax and    Ventures. In periods in which a loss is incurred, the 
    regulatory regimes, national and local political issues,    effect of potential issuances of shares under options and 
    labor and economic developments, unrest, currency and    convertible notes would be anti-dilutive, and therefore 
    exchange controls, import/export restrictions,    basic and diluted losses per share are the same. 
    government bureaucracy, corruption and uncertain legal     
    enforcement. In May 2008, the Company received             Asset Retirement Obligations. The fair 
    notification from the Venezuelan Ministry of    value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is 
    environment of its decision to revoke the Authorization    recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a 
    for the Affectation of Natural Resources for the    reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The 
    Construction of Infrastructure and Services Phase of    associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part 
    the Brisas Project (the “Authorization to Affect”). As    of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and 
    of the date of this report, the Company has not been    amortized over the same period as the underlying asset. 
    able to confirm how the government wishes to proceed     

    24     
     

             Convertible Notes. Convertible notes are    September 30, 2008, EIC 172 was applied retrospectively     
    initially recorded at fair value and subsequently measured    with restatement of prior periods from January 1, 2007     
    at amortized cost. The fair value is allocated between    resulting in a reclassification of $485,109 from the     
    the equity and debt component parts based on their    January 1, 2007 opening balance of accumulated other     
    respective fair values at the time of issuance and recorded    comprehensive income to accumulated deficit.     
    net of transaction costs. The equity portion of the notes    Additionally, $431,725, or $0.01 per share, of income     
    is estimated using the residual value method. The fair    tax benefit was reclassified from other comprehensive     
    value of the debt component is accreted to the face    loss to net loss for the year ended December 31, 2007.     
    value of the notes using the effective interest rate method         
    over the expected life of the notes, with the resulting         
    charge recorded as interest expense. Interest expense             Accounting Policies adopted effective     
    allocable to the qualifying cost of developing mining    January 1, 2008:     
    properties and to constructing new facilities is capitalized             CICA Section 1535, Capital Disclosures. This     
    until assets are ready for their intended use.    Section establishes standards for disclosing information     
             Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive    about an entity’s capital and how it is managed. Under     
    income includes net income or loss and other    this standard the Company is required to disclose     
    comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income    information that enables the users of its financial     
    may include unrealized gains and losses on available-    statements to evaluate the Company’s objectives, policies     
    for-sale securities, gains and losses on certain derivative    and processes for managing capital. Disclosures required     
    instruments and foreign currency gains and losses from    by this standard are included in Note 5.     
    self sustaining foreign operations. The Company presents             CICA Section 3862, Financial Instruments –     
    comprehensive income and its components in the    Disclosures. This Section requires entities to provide    25 
    consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.    disclosures in their financial statements that enable     
             Financial Instruments. The Company’s    users to evaluate (a) the significance of financial     
    financial instruments consist of cash and cash    instruments for the entity’s financial position and     
    equivalents, marketable securities, accounts payable,    performance; and (b) the nature and extent of risks     
    accrued expenses and convertible notes. Cash and cash    arising from financial instruments to which the entity     
    equivalents are classified as held for trading and any    is exposed during the period and at the balance sheet     
    changes in fair value are charged to the statement of    date, and how the entity manages those risks. Disclosures     
    operations. Marketable securities are classified as    required by this standard are included in Note 4.     
    available for sale with any unrealized gain or loss recorded             CICA Section 3863, Financial Instruments –     
    in other comprehensive income. Other financial liabilities    Presentation. This Section replaces existing requirements     
    are accounted for at cost or amortized cost.    for presentation of financial instruments and non-     
    2. Restatement and new accounting policies:    financial derivatives. The purpose of this section is to     
        enhance financial statement users’ understanding of     
             The Company restated its 2007 financial statements    the significance of financial instruments to an entity’s     
    upon the adoption of EIC 172, Income Statement    financial position, performance and cash flows.     
    Presentation of a Tax Loss Carryforward Recognized         
    Following an Unrealized Gain in Other Comprehensive             CICA Section 1400, General Standards of     
    Income. This abstract provides guidance on whether    Financial Statement Presentation. An Amendment     
    the tax benefit of tax loss carryforwards consequent to    to this Section requires that management make an     
    the recording of unrealized gains in other comprehensive    assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a     
    income, such as unrealized gains on available-for-sale    going concern. The Company’s adoption of the     
    securities, should be recognized in net income or in    modifications of this Section had no effect on the     
    other comprehensive income. Upon adoption effective    reported financial results.     


      Future Accounting Policies:

         CICA Section 3064, Goodwill and Intangible Assets. This Section establishes standards for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. This section will apply to the Company’s annual and interim financial statements beginning in 2009 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

         CICA Section 1582, Business Combinations. This Section replaces Section 1581 and applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Section on its financial statements.

         CICA Section 1601, Consolidated Financial Statements. This section establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements and applies to financial reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Section on its financial statements.

         International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In 2006, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) published a new strategic plan that outlines the convergence of Canadian GAAP with IFRS over an expected five year transitional period. In February 2008, the AcSB announced that beginning in 2011 publicly listed companies will be required to use IFRS. The transition will be applied retroactively and will require the restatement of amounts reported during the year ended December 31, 2010. While the Company has begun assessing the adoption of IFRS, the financial impact of the transition to IFRS cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

    26             
        3. Cash and cash equivalents:         
            2008    2007 



        Bank deposits    $ 85,925,019    $ 89,682,777 
        Money market funds    5,625,148    4,997,799 



        Total    $ 91,550,167    $ 94,680,576 




         The above amounts exclude restricted cash of approximately $17.5 million and $52.1 million in 2008 and 2007 respectively. See note 13, Commitments. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had approximately $205,000 and $311,000 respectively, in Venezuela and banks outside Canada and the U.S.

    4.      Financial instruments:
     
      The fair values as at December 31, 2008 and 2007 along with the carrying amounts shown on the consolidated balance sheets for each classification of financial instrument are as follows:
     

     

            December 31, 2008    December 31, 2007 


     
                   Carrying    Fair    Carrying    Fair 
        Classification           Amount    Value    Amount    Value 






     
    Cash and cash equivalents held for trading    $ 91,550,167    $ 91,550,167    $ 94,680,576    $ 94,680,576 
    Restricted cash    held for trading    17,509,672    17,509,672    52,080,603    52,080,603 
    Marketable securities    available for sale    1,342,760    1,342,760    4,987,511    4,987,511 
    Derivative liability    held for trading    1,442,635    1,442,635         
    A/P and accruals    other financial liabilities    6,692,073    6,692,073    7,719,316    7,719,316 
    Accrued interest    other financial liabilities    236,848    236,848    237,188    237,188 
    Convertible notes    other financial liabilities    91,829,699    37,723,480    70,306,054    78,684,000 








         Fair value estimates for marketable securities are made at the balance sheet date by reference to published price quotations in active markets. At December 31, 2008, the fair value of the convertible notes was estimated using an indicative valuation based on recent market information. At December 31, 2007, the fair value of the debt component of the convertible notes was estimated based on the net present value of the remaining future payments of interest and principal, discounted at the prevailing market interest rate.

         The Company is exposed to various risks including credit risk, liquidity risk, currency risk and interest rate risk as described below:

    a)      Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will fail to meet its obligations to the Company. The Company’s primary exposure to credit risk is through its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances. The Company diversifies its cash holdings into major Canadian and U.S. financial institutions and corporations.
     
    b)      Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with its financial liabilities. The Company manages this risk by maintaining adequate cash balances through equity and debt offerings to meet its current and foreseeable obligations. The following table presents the Company’s payments due on accounts payable and accrued expenses and its undiscounted interest and principal payments due on its convertible notes, based on the estimate that the term of the notes will end on June 15, 2012. If the notes were to reach their contractual maturity date of June 15, 2022, additional interest payments would amount to $56.8 million over the additional ten year term of the notes.
     
        Payments due by Period             




     
            Less than            More Than     
        Total    1 Year    1-3 Years    4-5 Years    5 Years    27 






    A/P and accruals    $ 8,134,708    $ 8,134,708                                        
    Interest    19,895,260    5,684,360    $ 11,368,720    $ 2,842,180                                
    Principal    103,352,000            103,352,000                                






    Total    $ 131,381,968    $ 13,819,068    $ 11,368,720    $ 106,194,180                                







    c)      The Company is subject to currency risk mainly due to its operations in Venezuela. Transactions denominated in foreign currency are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations which have an impact on the statement of operations. The Company’s cash, value added tax and other monetary assets and liabilities that are held in Venezuelan and Canadian currency are subject to fluctuations against the US dollar. A 10% weakening of those currencies against the US dollar would have increased (decreased) the Company’s net loss from the translation of foreign currency denominated financial instruments by the amounts shown below.
     
                     2008               2007 



    Venezuelan Bolívar    $ 69,684    $ 70,498 
    Canadian dollar    (67,540)                     (6,868) 



    Total    $ 2,144    $ 63,630 




      The Company limits the amount of currency held in non-U.S dollar accounts, but does not actively use derivative instruments to limit its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates.
     
    d)      The Company is subject to the risk that changes in market interest rates will cause fluctuations in the fair values of its financial instruments. Cash and cash equivalents earn floating market rates of interest. Other current financial assets and liabilities are generally not exposed to this risk because of their immediate or short- term maturity. The interest rate on the Company’s convertible notes is fixed and therefore the interest payments are not subject to changes in market rates of interest.
     
    e)      The Company has certain contracts in which the amount payable is linked to the Company’s share price. A 10% change in the Company’s share price would result in a $211,391 change in the amount payable.
     

      5. Capital management:

         The capital structure of the Company consists of common shares and equity units, convertible notes, stock options, accumulated deficit, accumulated other comprehensive income and KSOP debt. The Company’s objectives when managing its capital are to:

    a)      maintain sufficient liquidity in order to meet financial obligations including the costs of developing mining projects and servicing debt;
     
    b)      safeguard the Company’s assets and its ability to continue as a going concern and
     
    c)      maintain a capital structure that provides the flexibility to access additional sources of capital with minimal dilution to existing shareholders.
     

         The Company manages its capital consistent with the objectives stated above and makes adjustments to its capital structure based on economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. The Company is in compliance with the covenants of its convertible notes. There were no changes to the Company’s capital management during 2008.

        6. Marketable securities:         
     
            2008    2007 



    28             
        Fair value at beginning of year    $ 4,987,511    $ 5,643,862 
        Acquisitions    3,262,239    4,163,941 
        Dispositions, at cost    (4,709,874)    (5,182,623) 
        Realized (gain) loss on sale    243,053    (1,334,604) 
        Unrealized gain (loss)    (2,440,169)    1,696,935 



        Fair value at end of year    $ 1,342,760    $ 4,987,511 




         The Company’s marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at quoted market value with gains and losses recorded within other comprehensive income until realized. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007 marketable securities had a cost basis of $843,305 and $1,342,760, respectively.


    7. Property, plant and equipment:                 
            Accumulated         
        Cost    Depreciation    Net     



    2008                 




    United States                 
    Furniture and office equipment    $ 485,036    $ (355,924)    $ 129,112     
    Leasehold improvements    35,633    (35,633)         




        $ 520,669    $ (391,557)    $ 129,112     




     
    Venezuela                 




    Property and mineral rights    $ 11,252,335        $ 11,252,335     
    Capitalized exploration costs    115,755,503        115,755,503     
    Machinery and equipment deposits    47,081,189        47,081,189     
    Buildings    756,282    (368,600)    387,682     
    Furniture and office equipment    602,476    (519,883)    82,593     
    Transportation equipment    636,187    (425,685)    210,502     
    Machinery and equipment    557,561    (323,999)    233,562     




        176,641,533    (1,638,167)    175,003,366     




    Total    $ 177,162,202    $ (2,029,724)    $ 175,132,478     




     
     
    2007                29 




    United States                 
    Furniture and office equipment    $ 468,976    $ (318,283)    $ 150,693     
    Leasehold improvements    35,633    (35,633)         




        $ 504,609    $ (353,916)    $ 150,693     




     
    Venezuela                 




    Property and mineral rights    $ 11,252,335        $ 11,252,335     
    Capitalized exploration costs    77,225,929        77,225,929     
    Machinery and equipment deposits    38,853,176        38,853,176     
    Buildings    751,791    $ (321,904)    429,887     
    Furniture and office equipment    592,777    (482,038)    110,739     
    Transportation equipment    688,829    (415,443)    273,386     
    Machinery and equipment    646,724    (318,199)    328,525     




        130,011,561    (1,537,584)    128,473,977     




    Total    $ 130,516,170    $ (1,891,500)    $ 128,624,670     





         As a result of the Venezuelan Ministry of Environment’s decision to revoke the Authorization to Affect in May 2008, the Company reviewed the amounts related to the Brisas Project for potential impairment. Based on this analysis, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of these amounts as of December 31, 2008.

         Machinery and equipment deposits include amounts paid for infrastructure and milling equipment either in the manufacturing stage or being stored by the manufacturer pending delivery to the project site.


    8. KSOP plan:

         The KSOP Plan, adopted in 1990 for the benefit of employees, is comprised of two parts, (1) a salary reduction component, or 401(k), and (2) an employee share ownership component, or ESOP. Unallocated shares are recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Allocation of common shares or cash contributions to participants’ accounts is at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors, subject to certain limitations. The value of the shares allocated is recorded in the statement of operations with a reduction of the KSOP debt account. The Company allocated shares or made cash contributions to eligible participants for the Plan years 2008, 2007 and 2006 valued at $269,679, $387,780, and $272,412, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, 22,246 common shares remain unallocated to plan participants.

    9. Stock based compensation:

         The Company has two equity incentive plans; the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (last amended in March 2006, the “1997 Plan”) and the 2008 Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan (approved by the shareholders in June 2008, the “Venezuelan Plan”). Both plans permit the grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock, or any combination thereof, and each shall be 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares, from time to time. The grants will be for terms up to ten years with vesting periods ranging from immediate to up to 3 years. As of December 31, 2008, there were a total of 48 participants in the plans.

         Insiders (officers and directors) of the Company and its subsidiaries are not eligible to participate in the Venezuelan Plan. Subsequent to shareholder approval in June 2008, 1,056,947 options previously granted to Venezuelan employees and consultants under the 1997 Plan were transferred to the Venezuelan Plan. The 1997 Plan remains available for insiders, employees and consultants of the Company.

         Combined share option transactions under both plans for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

    30     
     
                         2008                     2007                         2006 



            Weighted        Weighted        Weighted 
            Average        Average        Average 
            Exercise        Exercise        Exercise 
        Shares    Price    Shares    Price    Shares    Price 







    Options outstanding at                         
       beginning of year    4,445,139    $ 4.14    2,662,716    $ 3.36    3,148,844    $ 1.36 
    Options exercised    (162,133)    1.91    (228,577)    1.56    (1,823,295)    0.77 
    Options expired    (494,427)    4.36    (25,000)    0.82    (3,500)    4.14 
    Options forfeited    (84,000)    4.72    (45,000)    2.97    (50,833)    2.63 
    Options granted    1,303,352    0.29    2,081,000    4.79    1,391,500    4.47 







    Options outstanding at                         
       end of year    5,007,931    $ 3.18    4,445,139    $ 4.14    2,662,716    $ 3.36 







    Options exercisable                         
       at end of year    3,792,324    $ 3.70    3,054,857    $ 3.91    1,369,074    $ 2.52 







     
     
    Options available for                         
       grant at end of year                         
       under 1997 plan    1,793,750        1,169,464        1,503,913     







    Options available for                         
       grant at end of year                         
       under Venezuelan plan    4,722,177                     







     
     
            Price        Price        Price 
            Range        Range        Range 







    Exercise price at end of year    $ 0.29 - $ 5.36    $ 0.72 - $ 5.45    $ 0.69 - $ 5.36 
    Exercise price of exercisable options            $ 0.29 - $ 5.36    $ 0.72 - $ 5.45    $ 0.69 - $ 4.65 


    The following table relates to stock options at December 31, 2008             
     
                        Weighted Average 
            Weighted    Weighted        Exercise Price 
    Price       Number    Average Remaining       Average       Number    of Exercisable 
    Range    Outstanding    Contractual Life    Exercise Price    Exercisable    Options 






    $0.29 - $0.29    1,303,352    4.93       $0.29    434,442    $0.29 
    $0.87 - $1.89    476,500    1.72       $1.78    476,500    $1.78 
    $3.39 - $4.19    956,000    2.13       $3.97    956,000    $3.97 
    $4.29 - $4.62    476,500    2.75       $4.46    436,300    $4.48 
    $4.83 - $4.83    1,516,579    1.40       $4.83    1,210,082    $4.83 
    $5.07 - $5.36    279,000    2.91       $5.19    279,000    $5.19 






    $0.29 - $5.36    5,007,931    2.70       $3.18    3,792,324    $3.70 







    The Company recorded compensation expense of $1,958,470, $4,724,120, and $1,390,776 for stock options granted during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The fair value of the options granted was calculated using the Black-Scholes model based on the following assumptions:

        2008    2007    2006 




    Weighted average risk free interest rate    1.55%    3.09%    4.63% 
    Expected life    4.5 years    2.29 years    3.0 years 
    Expected volatility    92%    81%    82% 
    Dividend yield    nil    nil    nil 





    31

         In addition to the equity incentive plans, the Company also maintains the Gold Reserve Director and Employee Retention Plan. Units granted under the plan become fully vested and payable upon a change of control. Each Unit granted to a participant entitles such person to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of one Gold Reserve Class A Common Share (1) on the date the Unit was granted or (2) on the date any such participant becomes entitled to payment, whichever is greater. As of December 31, 2008, an aggregate of 1,732,500 unvested Units have been granted to directors, executive officers and affiliates of the Company and 315,000 Units have been granted to other participants. The value of these units, based on the grant date value of the Class A shares, was approximately $8.9 million.

    10. Related party transactions:

         MGC Ventures. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President-Finance and Vice President-Administration of the Company are also officers and/or directors and shareholders of MGC Ventures. The Company owned 12,062,953 common shares of MGC Ventures at December 31, 2008 and 2007, which represented 44% and 46%, respectively of its outstanding shares. The Company believes it has control over MGC Ventures due to the combined shareholdings of the Company and its officers and directors. MGC Ventures owned 258,083 common shares of the Company at December 31, 2008 and 2007. In addition, MGC Ventures owned 280,000 common shares of Great Basin at December 31, 2008 and 2007. During the last three years, the Company sublet a portion of its office space to MGC Ventures for $6,000 per year.

         Great Basin. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President-Finance and Vice President-Administration of the Company are also officers and/or directors and shareholders of Great Basin. The Company owned 15,661,595 common shares of Great Basin at December 31, 2008 and 2007, which represented 45% and 46%, respectively of its outstanding shares. The Company believes it has control over Great Basin due to the combined shareholdings of the Company and its officers and directors. Great Basin owned 491,192 common shares of the Company at December 31, 2008 and 2007. Great Basin also owned 170,800 common shares of MGC Ventures at December 31, 2008 and 2007. During the last three years, the Company sublet a portion of its office space to Great Basin for $6,000 per year.


    11. Income tax:    2008    2007    2006 




    Current income tax expense (benefit)    $ (9,969)    $ 458,573    $ 521,803 
    Future income tax expense (benefit)    747,019    (431,725)     




        $ 737,050    $ 26,848    $ 521,803 





         Income tax expense differs from the amount that would result from applying Canadian tax rates to net loss before taxes. These differences result from the items noted below:

        2008    2007    2006 




    Income tax (benefit) based on Canadian tax rates    $ (5,601,776)    $ (4,063,993)    $ (2,194,680) 
    Increase (decrease) due to:             
       Different tax rates on foreign subsidiaries    (544,744)         
       Non-deductible expenses    1,461,477    2,302,523    912,805 
       Change in valuation allowance and other    5,422,093    1,788,318    1,803,678 




        $ 737,050    $ 26,848    $ 521,803 





         No current income tax benefit has been recorded by the parent company for the three years ended December 31, 2008. The Company’s Venezuelan subsidiaries are not subject to Venezuelan income tax during the development stage and accordingly have not paid or accrued any income tax during the three years ended December 31, 2008. Current income tax is related to two of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries which earned net income in 2007 and 2006. Future income tax relates to unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities.

         The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of the future tax assets which may not be realized, principally due to the uncertainty of utilization of net operating losses and other carry forwards prior to expiration. The valuation allowance for future tax assets may be reduced in the near term if the Company’s estimate of future taxable income changes. The components of the Canadian and U.S. future income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

    32     
     
        Future Tax Asset 

                       2008                   2007 


    Accounts payable and accrued expenses    $ 214,995    $ 229,449 
    Property, plant and equipment    (13,635)    (13,730) 



    Total temporary differences    201,360    215,719 
    Net operating loss carry forward    18,953,227    14,823,106 
    Capital loss carry forward    82,638     
    Alternative minimum tax credit    19,871    19,871 



    Total temporary differences, operating losses         
      and tax credit carry forwards    19,257,096    15,058,696 
    Valuation allowance    (19,257,096)    (15,058,696) 



    Net deferred tax asset    $ –    $ – 





    At December 31, 2008, the Company had the following U.S. and Canadian tax loss carry forwards and tax credits:     
     
        U.S.    Canadian    Expires     



    Regular tax net operating loss:    $ 688,808    412,699    2009     
        341,750    927,609    2010     
        645,622        2011     
        1,424,144        2012     
            1,410,783    2014     
            1,758,375    2015     
        1,386,674        2018     
        1,621,230        2019     
        665,664        2020     
        896,833        2021     
        1,435,774        2022     
        1,806,275        2023     
        2,760,522        2024     
        3,680,288        2025     
        4,622,825    2,135,074    2026     
        6,033,603    3,962,420    2027     
                    33 
        4,360,823    14,930,132    2028     




        $ 32,370,835    $ 25,537,092         




     
    Alternative minimum tax net operating loss:    $ 660,271        2009     
        304,472        2010     
        618,845        2011     
        1,399,529        2012     




        $ 2,983,117             






      12. Segmented financial information:

    The Company has one operating segment, which is the exploration and development of mineral properties. Segmented financial information by geographic region is as follows:

        2008    U.S./Canada    Venezuela    Consolidated 




        Other income    $ 2,444,772    $ –    $ 2,444,772 
        Depreciation    50,053    174,018    224,071 
        Net loss after tax    $ 15,075,179    $ 4,650,942    $ 19,726,121 




        Identifiable assets             
        Property, plant and equipment, net    $ 129,112    $ 175,003,366    $ 175,132,478 
        General corporate assets    110,951,216    1,530,820    112,482,036 




        Total identifiable assets    $ 111,080,328    $ 176,534,186    $ 287,614,514 




     
        2007 (restated, Note 2)             




        Other income    $ 6,499,084    $ –    $ 6,499,084 
        Depreciation    39,447    139,664    179,111 
        Net loss after tax    $ 7,222,819    $ 4,756,949    $ 11,979,768 




        Identifiable assets             
        Property, plant and equipment, net    $ 150,693    $ 128,473,977    $ 128,624,670 
        General corporate assets    151,750,970    1,523,263    153,274,233 




        Total identifiable assets    $ 151,901,663    $ 129,997,240    $ 281,898,903 




    34                 
        2006             




        Other income    $ 8,252,058    $ –    $ 8,252,058 
        Depreciation    31,814    115,984    147,798 
        Net loss after tax    $ 3,110,063    $ 3,866,682    $ 6,976,745 




        Identifiable assets             
        Property, plant and equipment, net    $ 126,337    $ 73,517,558    $ 73,643,895 
        General corporate assets    28,054,737    2,917,089    30,971,826 




        Total identifiable assets    $ 28,181,074    $ 76,434,647    $ 104,615,721 





    Net loss and identifiable assets of each segment are those that are directly identified with those geographic locations.

      13. Commitments:

         In mid 2007, we commenced procurement efforts with the assistance of SNC-Lavalin and placed orders for the gyratory crusher, pebble crushers, SAG and ball mills and related processing equipment, mill motors, and other equipment for the Brisas Project. In November 2008, we sold a portion of this equipment recovering $19.2 million in deposits and reducing our future commitment by $21.9 million while incurring a $1.3 million loss. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has equipment commitments totaling $75.1 million and has made payments on these orders of $44.7 million. In connection with a portion of these commitments, the Company opened an irrevocable standby letter of credit with a Canadian chartered bank providing security on the performance of obligations. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had restricted cash of $17.5 million and $52.1 million, respectively as required by this lette r of credit. The $34.6 million reduction of restricted cash during 2008 was the result of $19.7 million of payments on the Company’s obligations and a $14.9 million refund of collateral related to the sale of a portion of the equipment.


    14. Shareholder rights plan:    15. Common shares and equity units: 
     
             The Company instituted a shareholder rights plan             During 2008, the Company issued 162,133 shares 
    (the “Rights Plan”) in 1999. Since the original approval    at an average price of $1.91 per share upon exercise of 
    by the Shareholders, the Rights Plan and the Rights    stock options and 1,311,125 shares at an average price 
    Plan Agreement have been amended and continued    of $2.06 per share as compensation. In addition, 584,863 
    from time to time. In March 2006, the shareholders    equity units were converted to Class A common shares. 
    approved certain amendments to the Plan including     
    continuing the Shareholder Rights Plan until June 30,             In May 2007, the Company closed a public offering 
    2009. In December 2008, the Company’s Board of    of 13,762,300 Class A common shares of the Company, 
    Directors amended the Rights Plan by extending the    representing aggregate net proceeds to the Company of 
    definition of “Permitted Bid” to include a bid by an    approximately $74 million. In addition to the shares 
    entity which has confidential information about the    issued in the public offering, the Company issued 223,442 
    Company that has executed a confidentiality and    shares for $333,966 upon exercise of stock options, 
    standstill agreement within three months prior to the    100,000 shares valued at $497,600 were issued to the 
    commencement of the bid. The Rights Plan is intended    KSOP and 394,000 shares valued at $1,818,012 were 
    to give adequate time for shareholders of the Company    issued as compensation to employees or remuneration 
    to properly assess the merits of a take-over bid without    for services from consultants. 
    pressure and to allow competing bids to emerge. The             In May 2006, the Company closed a public offering 
    Rights Plan is designed to give the board of director’s    of 3,335,000 Class A common shares of the Company, 
    time to consider alternatives to allow shareholders to    representing aggregate net proceeds to the Company of 
    receive full and fair value for their common shares. One    approximately US $24.6 million. In 2006, in addition 
    right is issued in respect of each outstanding share. The    to the shares issued in the public offering, 1,761,109 
    rights become exercisable only when a person, including    shares were issued upon exercise of stock options, 
    any party related to it or acting jointly with it, acquires    100,000 shares were issued to the KSOP and 163,875 
    or announces its intention to acquire 20% or more of    shares were issued as compensation. On November 4, 
    the Company’s outstanding shares without complying    2006 the company amended the terms of 2,680,500 
    with the “permitted bid” provisions of the Rights Plan.    Class A common share purchase warrants which had 
    Each right would, on exercise, entitle the holder, other    been set to expire on November 6, 2006. The 
    than the acquiring person and related persons, to    amendments, which were subject to shareholder 
    purchase common shares of the Company at a 50%    approval, increased the exercise price of the warrants 
    discount to the market price at the time.    from Canadian $6.50 to Canadian $6.55 and extended 
        the expiry date of the warrants to July 31, 2007. None 
        of the warrants were exercised prior to expiration. In 
        addition, 24,921 equity units were converted to Class 
        A common shares. 

    35 


        16. Convertible notes:    present value of estimated future interest and principal 
            payments at the original effective interest rate. As a result 
                 In May 2007, the Company issued $103,500,000    of this change, the carrying value of the notes increased 
        aggregate principal amount of its 5.50% Senior    by approximately $20.5 million with a corresponding 
        subordinated convertible notes. The notes are unsecured,    increase in capitalized interest and accretion. 
        bear interest at a rate of 5.50% annually, pay interest     
        semi-annually in arrears and are due on June 15, 2022.             At any time on or after June 16, 2010, and until 
        The notes are convertible into Class A common shares    June 15, 2012, the Company may redeem the notes, in 
        of the Company at the initial conversion rate, subject    whole or in part, for cash at a redemption price equal 
        to adjustment, of 132.626 shares per $1,000 principal    to 100% of the principal amount being redeemed plus 
        amount (equivalent to a conversion price of $7.54).    accrued and unpaid interest if the closing sale price of 
        Upon conversion, the Company will have the option,    the Common Shares is equal to or greater than 150% 
        unless there has occurred and is then continuing an    of the conversion price then in effect and the closing 
        event of default under the Company’s indenture, to    price for the Company’s Common Shares has remained 
        deliver common shares, cash or a combination of    above that price for at least twenty trading days in the 
        common shares and cash for the notes surrendered.    period of thirty trading days preceding the Company’s 
        Canadian accounting standards require the Company    notice of redemption. Beginning on June 16, 2012, the 
        to allocate the notes between their equity and debt    Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 
        component parts based on their respective fair values    notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of 
        at the time of issuance. The liability component was    the principal amount being redeemed plus accrued and 
        computed by discounting the stream of future payments    unpaid interest. 
        of interest and principal at the prevailing market rate     
        for a similar liability that does not have an associated             The note holders have the option to require the 
    36    equity component. The equity portion of the notes was    Company to repurchase the notes on June 15, 2012, at 
        estimated using the residual value method at    a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 
        approximately $29 million, net of issuance costs. The    notes plus accrued but unpaid interest. The Company 
        fair value of the debt component is accreted to the face    may elect to satisfy its obligation to pay the repurchase 
        value of the notes using the effective interest rate method    price, in whole or in part, by delivering Common Shares. 
        over the expected life of the notes, with the resulting    In the event of a change of control of the Company, 
        charge recorded as interest expense. The expected life    the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the 
        of the notes is an estimate and is subject to change, if    notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal 
        warranted by facts and circumstances related to the    amount of the notes plus accrued but unpaid interest 
        potential early redemption of the notes by either the    unless there has occurred and is continuing certain 
        Company or the holders. Interest and accretion expense    events of default under the Company’s indenture. 
        allocable to the qualifying cost of developing mining             During 2008, $148,000 face value of convertible 
        properties and to constructing new facilities is capitalized    notes were converted for cash or repurchased by the 
        until assets are ready for their intended use. The    Company. At December 31, 2008, the fair value of the 
        Company capitalized interest and accretion expense    convertible notes was estimated at $37.7 million based 
        totaling $27.3 million and $4.2 million during 2008 and    on recent market information. At December 31, 2007, 
        2007, respectively.    the fair value of the debt component of the convertible 
                 At December 31, 2008, the Company revised its    notes was estimated to be $78.7 million based on the 
        estimate of the expected life of the notes to June 15,    net present value of the remaining future payments of 
        2012 and adjusted the carrying value accordingly. The    interest and principal, discounted at the prevailing 
        adjusted carrying value was calculated by computing the    market interest rate. 


    17. Takeover defense and litigation:    Following the issuance of the interlocutory injunctions,     
        Rusoro withdrew its unsolicited offer to acquire the     
    On December 15, 2008, Rusoro Mining Ltd.    outstanding shares and equity units of the Company.     
    (“Rusoro”) commenced an unsolicited offer to acquire         
    all of the outstanding shares and equity units of the             On February 15, 2009, Rusoro and Endeavour both     
    Company in consideration for three shares of Rusoro    served a motion with the Ontario Superior Court of     
    for each Company share or equity unit. On December    Justice seeking permission to appeal to the Divisional     
    16, 2008, the Company filed an action in the Ontario    Court the February 10, 2009 order that was granted     
    Superior Court of Justice against Rusoro and Endeavour    against them. The Company will oppose these motions     
    Financial International Corporation (“Endeavour”)    which are scheduled to be heard in Toronto on April 2,     
    seeking an injunction restraining Rusoro and Endeavour    2009. If the motions for permission to appeal are granted,     
    from proceeding with Rusoro’s unsolicited offer,    then a hearing on the appeal would be held at a later     
    significant monetary damages, and various other items.    time by the Divisional Court. The legal action commenced     
        December 16, 2008 by the Company is ongoing.     
             On February 10, 2009, the Ontario Superior Court         
    of Justice granted an interlocutory injunction restraining             As of December 31, 2008, costs associated with     
    Rusoro from proceeding with any hostile takeover bid    the takeover defense and litigation amounted to $5.4     
    to acquire the shares of the Company until the conclusion    million. A portion of these costs relates to contracts     
    and disposition at trial of the action commenced by the    which require payment based on the consideration paid     
    Company. The injunction was granted by the Court    to the Company in the event of a transaction or, in the     
    following a motion by the Company on the basis that    event of a successful defense, the consideration that     
    Rusoro had access to or benefited from the use of the    would have been paid had a transaction been completed.     
    Company’s confidential information as a result of    These contracts are considered to be derivative     
    Rusoro’s relationship with Endeavour. The Court also    instruments or to contain embedded derivatives because    37 
    issued an interlocutory injunction restraining Endeavour    the amounts payable are linked to the Company’s share     
    from having any involvement with a hostile takeover    price and accordingly they are accounted for at fair     
    bid for the Company. The Court further required that    value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in income     
    Rusoro, Endeavour and their agents return to the    until completion of the terms of the contracts.     
    Company both all the confidential information of the         
    Company and also anything produced from that         
    confidential information and pay the court costs.         


      18. Differences between Canadian and U.S. GAAP:

         The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in Canada, which differ in certain respects from GAAP in the United States. The effect of the principal measurement differences between U.S. and Canadian GAAP are summarized below.

        Consolidated Summarized Balance Sheets             
            Canadian GAAP    Change    U.S. GAAP 



        2008             




        Assets             
        Current assets    $ 94,015,929    $ –    $ 94,015,929 
        Property, plant and equipment, net C,D,E    175,132,478    (63,488,627)    111,643,851 
        Other assets    18,466,107        18,466,107 




            $ 287,614,514    $ (63,488,627)    $ 224,125,887 




     
        Liabilities             
        Convertible notes D    $ 91,829,699    $ 7,931,563    $ 99,761,262 
        Other liabilities    10,678,379        10,678,379 




            $ 102,508,078    $ 7,931,563    $ 110,439,641 




     
        Shareholders’ equity             
    38    Common shares & equity units B    247,501,272    (5,698,031)    241,803,241 
        Equity component of convertible notes D    28,774,221    (28,774,221)     
        Less, common shares & equity units             
          held by affiliates    (636,267)        (636,267) 
        Contributed surplus F        5,171,603    5,171,603 
        Stock options B    9,428,802    4,434,753    13,863,555 
        Accumulated deficit A,B,C,E    (100,180,541)    (46,724,109)    (146,904,650) 
        Accumulated other comprehensive income A    329,640    169,815    499,455 
        KSOP debt    (110,691)        (110,691) 




            185,106,436    (71,420,190)    113,686,246 




            $ 287,614,514    $ (63,488,627)    $ 224,125,887 






        Canadian GAAP             
        (restated, Note 2)    Change    U.S. GAAP     




    2007                 




    Assets                 
    Current assets    $ 100,320,659    $ –    $ 100,320,659     
    Property, plant and equipment, net C, D, E    128,624,670    (42,965,187)    85,659,483     
    Other assets    52,953,574        52,953,574     




        $ 281,898,903    $ (42,965,187)    $ 238,933,716     




     
    Liabilities                 
    Convertible notes D    $ 70,306,054    $ 28,270,191    $ 98,576,245     
    Other liabilities    10,272,040        10,272,040     




        $ 80,578,094    $ 28,270,191    $ 108,848,285     




    Shareholders’ equity                 
    Common shares & equity units B    244,295,503    (5,506,126)    238,789,377     
    Equity component of convertible notes D    28,784,710    (28,784,710)         
    Less, common shares & equity units                 
       held by affiliates    (636,267)        (636,267)     
    Contributed surplus F        5,171,603    5,171,603     
    Stock options B    7,662,237    4,242,848    11,905,085     
    Accumulated deficit A, B, C, E    (80,454,420)    (47,275,827)    (127,730,247)     
    Accumulated other comprehensive income A    1,779,737    916,834    2,696,571     
    KSOP debt    (110,691)        (110,691)     




        201,320,809    (71,235,378)    130,085,431     




        $ 281,898,903    $ (42,965,187)    $ 238,933,716     




     
    Consolidated Summarized Statements of Operations                39 
        2008    2007    2006     
    Net Loss under Canadian GAAP    $ (19,726,121)    $ (11,979,768)    $ (6,976,745)     
       Interest expense E    (224,139)    (1,416,347)         
       Additional gain on settlement of debt D    28,838             
       Income tax A    747,019    (431,725)         




    Net loss under U.S. GAAP    (19,174,403)    (13,827,840)    (6,976,745)     
     
    Other comprehensive income (loss)                 
    Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities: A                 
       Holding gain (loss) arising during period    (2,440,169)    2,005,468    3,378,903     
       Reclassification adjustment for (gain)                 
    loss included in net loss    243,053    (1,334,604)    (5,466,100)     




    Total comprehensive loss under                 
       U.S. GAAP    $ (21,371,519)    $ (13,156,976)    $ (9,063,942)     




     
    Basic and diluted net loss per share                 
       under U.S. GAAP    $ (0.34)    $ (0.28)    $ (0.18)     




     
    Consolidated Summarized Statements of Cash Flows                 
        2008    2007    2006     
    Cash flow used by operating activities                 
       under Canadian GAAP    $ (13,858,222)    $ (5,675,305)    $ (11,179,770)     
       Cash paid for interest E    (214,729)    (1,267,851)         




    Cash flow used in operating activities                 
       under U.S. GAAP    $ (14,072,951)    $ (6,943,156)    $ (11,179,770)     




     
    Cash flow (used) provided by investing                 
       activities under Canadian GAAP    $ 10,454,475    $ (97,797,970)    $ (8,518,467)     
       Cash paid for interest E    214,729    1,267,851         




    Cash flow provided by (used in) investing                 
       activities under U.S. GAAP    $ 10,669,204    $ (96,530,119)    $ (8,518,467)     






                 A Effective September 30, 2008, the Company             C Under Canadian GAAP, the Company     
        adopted EIC 172, which requires that the tax benefit    capitalizes mineral property exploration and development 
        of tax loss carryforwards recognized to offset unrealized    costs after proven and probable reserves have been 
        gains in other comprehensive income, such as unrealized    established. The Company also capitalizes costs on 
        gains on available-for-sale securities, be recognized in    properties where it has found non-reserve material that 
        net income (loss). EIC 172 was applied retrospectively    does not meet all the criteria required for classification 
        with restatement of prior periods from January 1, 2007.    as proven or probable reserves. Under US GAAP,     
        Under US GAAP, the tax benefit is recorded in other    exploration and development costs incurred on properties 
        comprehensive income.    where mineralization has not been classified as a proven 
            and probable reserve under SEC rules are expensed as 
                 B For U.S. GAAP purposes, the Company    incurred. Accordingly, certain costs are capitalized for 
        adopted SFAS 123R, “Accounting for Stock Based    Canadian GAAP purposes but expensed under US    . 
        Compensation” effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R         
        requires the use of the fair value method of accounting           D In 2007, the company issued $103,500,000 
        for stock based compensation. This standard is    aggregate principal amount of convertible notes. As 
        substantially consistent with the revised provisions of    described in note 16, under Canadian GAAP these 
        CICA 3870, which was adopted by the Company for    notes are allocated between their equity and debt     
        Canadian GAAP effective January 1, 2004. For    component parts. The debt component is accreted to 
        U.S.GAAP, the Company applied the modified    the face value of the notes with the resulting interest 
        prospective method of adoption included in SFAS 123R    expense charged to mineral property costs. Under US 
        which requires that the company expense the fair value    GAAP, the notes are classified as a liability net of issuance 
        of all unvested and new grants on a prospective basis    costs and accreted to face value over the term ending 
        beginning January 1, 2006. In 2005, for U.S. GAAP    on the first put date of the notes.     
    40    purposes, the Company accounted for stock-based         
        employee compensation arrangements using the intrinsic          E The Company capitalizes interest on its     
        value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board    convertible notes on an interest avoidance basis. The 
        (APB) Opinion No.25, “Accounting for Stock Issued    amount capitalized during an accounting period is 
        to Employees.” Under Opinion No. 25, when the exercise    determined by applying an interest rate to the average 
        price of certain stock options is amended, these options    amount of accumulated qualifying assets during the 
        are accounted for as variable compensation from the    period. The Company’s qualifying assets include its costs 
        date of the effective Repricing. Under this method,    of developing mining properties and constructing new 
        following the repricing date, compensation expense is    facilities. The amount capitalized under US GAAP differs 
        recognized when the quoted market value of the    from the amount capitalized under Canadian GAAP 
        Company’s common shares exceeds the amended    due to the difference in the amount of qualifying mineral 
        exercise price. Should the quoted market value    property costs which have been accumulated under the 
        subsequently decrease, a recovery of a portion, or all    two sets of accounting principles. (See “C” above) 
        of the previously recognized compensation expense           F In 2003 and 2004, the Company completed 
        will be recognized. The Company has not amended    equity offerings consisting of common shares and common 
        the exercise price of any stock options since 2001.    share purchase warrants. For Canadian GAAP purposes 
            the proceeds from the offerings were recorded as common 
            shares. For US GAAP purposes a value was assigned to 
            the warrants and recorded as a separate element of 
            stockholders’ equity. Warrants that expired unexercised 
            were subsequently recorded as contributed surplus. 


    New accounting standards    its consolidated financial statements by establishing 
             SFAS 159, Fair Value Option.In    accounting and reporting standards related to 
    February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial    noncontrolling or minority interest. SFAS No. 160 is 
    Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 159, “The Fair Value    effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 
    Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—    2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact 
    Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.”    of this standard on its financial statements. 
     
    SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an option to    SFAS 161, Disclosures about 
    measure, at specified election dates, financial instruments    Derivative Instruments and Hedging 
    and certain other items at fair value that are not currently    Activities. In March 2008, the FASB issued 
    measured at fair value. For those items for which the fair     
    value option is elected, unrealized gains and losses will be    SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative 
    recognized in earnings for each subsequent reporting period.    Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement 
    SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure    requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative 
    requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between    and hedging activities, including the objectives for using 
    entities that choose different measurement attributes for    derivative instruments in terms of underlying risk and 
    similar types of assets and liabilities. This standard was    accounting designation, thereby improving the 
    effective beginning January 1, 2008. The Company did    transparency of financial reporting. SFAS No. 161 is 
    not elect to measure any items at fair value that were not    effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 
    already measured at fair value and accordingly, this standard    2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact 
    did not impact our financial statements.    of this standard on its financial statements. 
     
             SFAS 162, Hierarchy of Generally    Other disclosures under U.S. GAAP: 
    Accepted Accounting Principles. The FASB     
    issued this standard in May 2008. SFAS162 identifies the    In June 2006, FASB issued Accounting for 
    sources of accounting principles and the framework for    Uncertain Tax Positions - an Interpretation of FASB 
    selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of    Statement No. 109, FIN 48 which prescribes a 
    financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are    recognition and measurement model for uncertain tax 
    presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting    positions taken or expected to be taken in the Company’s 
    principles in the United States. Adoption of this standard    tax returns. FIN 48 provides guidance on recognition, 
    did not materially impact our financial statements.    classification, presentation and disclosure of unrecognized 
        tax benefits. The Company has not recorded any tax 
             SFAS 141R, Business Combinations.    amount as a result of the adoption of this standard. 
    In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141     
    (revised 2007), “Business Combination”.             In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair 
    SFAS No. 141 (R) establishes principles and    Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes 
    requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures    a framework for measuring fair value and expands fair 
    in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired,    value disclosures. The standard does not require any 
    the liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interest in    new fair value measurements but applies to fair value 
    the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS No. 141(R)    measurements already required. In December 2007, 
    also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the    the FASB issued SFAS 157-b, which provided for a one- 
    evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the    year deferral of the implementation of SFAS 157 for 
    business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective    non-financial assets and liabilities. The Company 
    for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.    adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008 for financial 
    The Company is currently evaluating the impact    assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value. SFAS 
    of this standard on its financial statements.    157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the 
        inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair 
             SFAS 160, Noncontrolling interests in    value into three broad levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted 
    Consolidated Financial Statements. In    prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, 
    December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,    Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices 
    “Noncontrolling interests in Consolidated Financial    included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly 
    Statements”. The objective of this standard is to improve    observable for the asset or liability and Level 3 inputs 
    the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the    are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that 
    financial information that a reporting entity provides in    reflect the entity’s own assumptions. 

    41 


        Fair value             
        December 31, 2008    Level 1    Level 2                 Level 3 





    Available for sale securities    $ 1,342,760    $ 1,342,760         
    Derivative liabilities    1,442,635        $ 1,442,635     
    Convertible notes    $ 37,723,480        $ 37,723,480     





     
     
    Additional Balance Sheet disclosure - U.S. GAAP             


                2008                 2007 
    Accounts payable            $ 7,276,859    $ 6,675,630 
    Accrued expenses            857,849    1,043,686 





    Accounts payable and accrued expenses            $ 8,134,708    $ 7,719,316 






      Development stage enterprise

         In August of 1992, the Company acquired the Brisas Project. Beginning in 1993, the Company decided to focus its efforts on the development of Brisas thereby meeting the definition of a development stage enterprise under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 7 (FAS 7), Accounting and Reporting by Development Stage Enterprises. The following additional information is required under FAS 7:

        Consolidated Summarized Statements of Operations - U.S. GAAP 
    42    For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008     
     
        Other income    $ (32,131,495) 
        Mineral property exploration and development    39,505,080 
        General & administrative expense    58,920,735 
        Other expense    74,685,502 


        Deficit accumulated during the development stage     
        from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008    140,979,822 
     
        Accumulated deficit, December 31, 1992    5,924,828 


        Accumulated deficit, December 31, 2008    $ 146,904,650 


     
     
        Consolidated Summarized Statements of Cash Flows - U.S. GAAP 
        For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008     
     
        Cash used by operating activities    $ (105,268,959) 
        Cash used by investing activities    (106,812,108) 
        Cash provided by financing activities    302,002,382 


     
        Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the period     
        from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008    89,921,315 
        Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 1992    1,628,852 


        Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2008    $ 91,550,167 




    Additional Shareholders’ Equity disclosure - U.S. GAAP                             
    For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008                             
     
                        Shares                    Compre-         
            Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    and units    Contrib-    Value    Value    Accum-    hensive         


        Issue    Common    Equity        held by    uted    assigned    assigned    ulated    income    KSOP     
        Price    Shares    Units         Amount    affiliates    surplus    to options    to warrants    Deficit     (loss)    debt     












    Balance, December 31, 1992        8,875,862        $ 8,290,819    $ (70,944)                $ (5,924,828)        $ (50,000)     
    Stock issued for cash                                                 
     Private placement    4.12    2,530,000        10,413,976                                 
     Exercise of options    1.34    300,000        401,000                                 
     Exercise of warrants    3.52    5,037        17,749                                 
    Stock issued for services    3.89    12,552        48,851                                 
    Net loss                                    (5,495,061)             
    Change in KSOP debt                                            5,000     
    Reduction of shareholders’                                                 
     equity due to change in                                                 
     subsidiaries’ minority interest                (25,050)                                 












    Balance, December 31, 1993        11,723,451        19,147,345    (70,944)                (11,419,889)        (45,000)     
    Stock issued for cash                                                 
     Private placement    9.82    2,000,000        19,630,530                                 
     Exercise of options    2.32    295,967        687,494                                 
     Exercise of warrants    6.07    2,134,250        12,962,750                                 
    Stock issued for services    5.50    6,000        33,000                                 
    Stock issued to KSOP    6.19    20,000        123,760                                 
    Stock issued for                                                 
     litigation settlement    6.15    2,750,000        16,912,500                                 
    Value attributed to warrants                                                 
     issued in litigation settlement                800,000                                 
    Net loss                                    (26,297,415)            43 
    Increase in common stock                                                 
     held by affiliates                    (433,332)                             
    Effect of change in accounting                                                 
     For investments                                        108,425         
    Decrease in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                        (29,408)     
    Change in KSOP debt                                            (103,760)     
    Reduction of shareholders’                                                 
     equity due to change in                                                 
     subsidiaries’ minority interest                (843,986)                                 












    Balance, December 31, 1994        18,929,668        69,453,393    (504,276)                (37,717,304)     79,017    (148,760)     
    Stock issued for cash                                                 
     Exercise of options    2.74    167,835        460,162                                 
    Stock issued to KSOP    5.60    50,000        280,195                                 
    Stock issued for minority                                                 
     interest in subsidiaries    7.43    1,329,185        9,882,028                                 
    Net loss                                    (3,847,605)             
    Increase in common stock                                                 
     held by affiliates                    (924,289)                             
    Increase in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                        6,943         
    Change in KSOP debt                                            (187,949)     
    Reduction of shareholders’                                                 
     equity due to change in                                                 
     subsidiaries’ minority interest                (6,924)                                 












    Balance, December 31, 1995        20,476,688        80,068,854 (1,428,565)                (41,564,909)     85,960    (336,709)     


        Additional Shareholders’ Equity disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued)                 
        For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008                         
     
                            Shares                    Compre-     
                Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    and units    Contrib-    Value    Value    Accum-    hensive     


            Issue    Common    Equity        held by    uted    assigned    assigned    ulated    income    KSOP 
            Price    Shares    Units    Amount    affiliates    surplus    to options    to warrants    Deficit    (loss)    debt 












        Stock issued for cash                                             
         Exercise of options    5.37    497,623        2,673,988                             
         Exercise of warrants    10.52    1,729,500        18,202,500                             
        Net loss                                    (7,908,701)         
        Decrease in unrealized gain on                                             
         available-for-sale securities                                         (83,210)     
        Change in KSOP debt                                            150,001 
        Addition to shareholders’                                             
         equity due to change in                                             
         subsidiaries’ minority interest            7,436                             











        Balance, December 31, 1996        22,703,811        100,952,778    (1,428,565)                (49,473,610)    2,750    (186,708) 
        Stock issued for cash                                             
         Exercise of options    5.75    124,649        716,716                             
        Stock issued to KSOP    5.02    89,683        450,000                             
        Net loss                                    (10,918,111)         
        Increase in unrealized gain on                                             
         available-for-sale securities                                        8,250     
        Change in KSOP debt                                            (436,152) 












        Balance, December 31, 1997        22,918,143        102,119,494    (1,428,565)                (60,391,721)     11,000    (622,860) 
        Stock issued for cash                                             
         Exercise of options    1.90    223,624        425,883                             
    44    Stock issued to KSOP    3.00    50,000        150,000                             
        Net loss                                    (5,147,658)         
        Change in shares held                                             
         by affiliates                (1,034,323)    1,025,234                         
        Decrease in unrealized gain (loss)                                         
         on available-for-sale securities                                    (22,625)     
        Change in KSOP debt                                            208,089 












        Balance, December 31, 1998        23,191,767        101,661,054     (403,331)                (65,539,379)    (11,625)    (414,771) 
        Stock issued for cash                                             
         Exercise of options    1.19    12,500        14,899                             
        Stock issued for services    0.84    70,000        58,760                             
        Stock issued to KSOP    1.13    300,000        337,500                             
        Stock retired    3.02    (1,629)        (4,915)                             
        Net loss                                    (4,499,321)         
        Net common shares exchanged                                             
         for equity units        (1,584,966)    1,584,966                                 
        Decrease in unrealized loss on                                             
         available-for-sale securities                                        (328,618)     
        Change in KSOP debt                                            230,352 












        Balance, December 31, 1999        21,987,672    1,584,966    102,067,298     (403,331)                (70,038,700)    (340,243)    (184,419) 


    Additional Shareholders’ Equity disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued)                     
    For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008                             
     
                        Shares                    Compre-         
            Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    and units    Contrib-    Value    Value    Accum-     hensive         


        Issue    Common    Equity        held by    uted    assigned    assigned    ulated    income    KSOP     
        Price    Shares    Units    Amount    affiliates    surplus    to options    to warrants    Deficit    (loss)    debt     












    Stock issued for services    0.55    70,000        38,688                                 
    Net loss                                    (2,807,648)             
    Equity units exchanged                                                 
     for common shares        138,570    (138,570)                                     
    Increase in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                        437,875         
    Change in KSOP debt                                            99,310     












    Balance, December 31, 2000        22,196,242    1,446,396    102,105,986    (403,331)                (72,846,348)     97,632    (85,109)     
    Stock issued for cash                                                 
     Exercise of options    0.78    5,500        4,285                                 
    Stock issued for services    0.75    20,000        15,000                                 
    Stock issued to KSOP    0.47    300,000        140,640                                 
    Net loss                                    (2,258,191)             
    Change in common stock                                                 
     held by affiliates                    (271,267)                             
    Equity units exchanged                                                 
     for common shares        133,380    (133,380)                                     
    Increase in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                         62,368         
    Change in KSOP debt                                            1,322     












    Balance, December 31, 2001        22,655,122    1,313,016    102,265,911    (674,598)                (75,104,539)    160,000    (83,787)     
    Stock issued for cash                                                45 
     Exercise of options    0.72    18,000        12,960                                 
    Stock issued for services    0.85    100,000        85,200                                 
    Stock issued to KSOP    0.67    200,000        134,000                                 
    Variable plan accounting                                                 
     for options                            1,162,804                     
    Net loss                                    (4,170,926)             
    Equity units exchanged                                                 
     for common shares        23,036    (23,036)                                     
    Decrease in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                        (118,816)         
    Change in KSOP debt                                            19,003     












    Balance, December 31, 2002        22,996,158    1,289,980    102,498,071    (674,598)        1,162,804        (79,275,465)    41,184    (64,784)     


        Additional Shareholders’ Equity disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued)                 
        For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008                         
     
                            Shares                    Compre-     
                Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    and units    Contrib-    Value    Value    Accum-    hensive     


            Issue    Common    Equity        held by    uted    assigned    assigned    ulated    income    KSOP 
            Price    Shares    Units         Amount    affiliates    surplus    to options    to warrants    Deficit    (loss)    debt 












        Stock issued for cash                                             
         Private placement    1.96    4,042,000        7,888,508                             
         Exercise of options    0.74    400,000        294,605                             
        Stock issued for services    5.06    60,000        303,600                             
        Stock issued to KSOP    1.28    200,000        256,000                             
        Value assigned to                                             
         warrants issued                                1,730,641             
        Variable plan accounting                                             
         for options                            7,704,726                 
        Net loss                                    (11,412,062)         
        Equity units exchanged                                             
         for common shares        52,100    (52,100)                                 
        Increase in unrealized gain on                                             
         available-for-sale securities                                        3,072,941     
        Change in KSOP debt                                            (39,568) 












        Balance, December 31, 2003        27,750,258    1,237,880    111,240,784    (674,598)        8,867,530    1,730,641    (90,687,527)    3,114,125    (104,352) 
        Stock issued for cash                                             
         Private placement    3.61    5,361,000        19,337,034                             
         Exercise of warrants    4.28    21,100        90,211                             
         Exercise of options    0.89    373,954        333,310                             
        Stock issued for services    4.13    54,000        223,012                             
    46    Stock issued to KSOP    3.41    75,000        255,750                             
        Value assigned to                                             
         warrants issued                                3,682,447             
        Variable plan accounting                                             
         for options                            (791,643)                 
        Assigned value of                                             
         exercised warrants                18,069                (18,069)             
        Net loss                                    (10,359,891)         
        Equity units exchanged                                             
         for common shares        80,483    (80,483)                                 
        Decrease in unrealized gain on                                             
         available-for-sale securities                                         (70,147)     
        Change in KSOP debt                                            (971) 












        Balance, December 31, 2004        33,715,795    1,157,397    131,498,170    (674,598)        8,075,887    5,395,019    (101,047,418)    3,043,978    (105,323) 


    Additional Shareholders’ Equity disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued)                     
    For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008                             
     
                        Shares                    Compre-         
            Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    and units    Contrib-    Value    Value    Accum-    hensive         


        Issue    Common    Equity        held by    uted    assigned    assigned    ulated    income    KSOP     
        Price    Shares    Units       Amount    affiliates    surplus    to options    to warrants    Deficit    (loss)     debt     












    Stock issued for cash                                                 
     Exercise of warrants    4.33    260,900        1,129,905                                 
     Exercise of underwriter                                                 
    compensation options    3.00    202,100        605,468                                 
     Exercise of underwriter                                                 
    compensation warrants    4.32    70,735        305,645                                 
     Exercise of options    1.00    573,030        571,326                                 
    Stock issued for services    2.92    251,350        733,232                                 
    Stock issued to KSOP    3.45    75,000        258,971                                 
    Net loss                                    (5,878,244)             
    Variable plan accounting                                                 
     for options                            (2,285,698)                     
    Assigned value of                                                 
     exercised warrants                223,416                (223,416)                 
    Assigned value of                                                 
     expired warrants                        1,489,156        (1,489,156)                 
    Equity units exchanged                                                 
     for common shares        47,377    (47,377)                                     
    Increase in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                        1,068,926         
    Change in KSOP debt                                            21,103     












    Balance, December 31, 2005        35,196,287    1,110,020    135,326,133    (674,598)    1,489,156    5,790,189    3,682,447    (106,925,662)    4,112,904    (84,220)    47 
    Stock issued for cash                                                 
     Public offering    7.37    3,335,000        24,574,077                                 
     Exercise of options    0.64    1,761,109        1,128,596                                 
    Stock issued for services    4.56    163,875        747,075                                 
    Stock issued to KSOP    1.89    100,000        189,063                                 
    Net loss                                    (6,976,745)             
    Decrease in shares held                                                 
     by affiliates                159,724     38,331                             
    Fair value of options                            1,390,776                     
    Assigned value of                                                 
     expired warrants                        3,682,447    (3,682,447)                 
    Equity units exchanged                                                 
     for common shares        24,921    (24,921)                                     
    Decrease in unrealized gain on                                                 
     available-for-sale securities                                        (2,087,197)         
    Change in KSOP debt                                            83,349     












    Balance, December 31, 2006        40,581,192    1,085,099    162,124,668    (636,267)    5,171,603    7,180,965        (113,902,407)    2,025,707       (871)     


    Additional Shareholders’ Equity disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued)                 
    For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2008                         
     
                        Shares                    Compre-     
            Common Shares and Equity Units Issued    and units    Contrib-    Value    Value    Accum-    hensive     


        Issue    Common    Equity        held by    uted    assigned    assigned    ulated    income    KSOP 
        Price    Shares    Units    Amount    affiliates    surplus    to options  to warrants    Deficit    (loss)    debt 











    Stock issued for cash                                             
     Public offering    5.38    13,762,300        74,015,131                             
     Exercise of options    1.49    223,442        333,966                             
    Stock issued for services    4.61    394,000        1,818,012                             
    Stock issued to KSOP    4.98    100,000        497,600                             
    Net loss                                    (13,827,840)         
    Fair value of options                            4,724,120                 
    Increase in unrealized gain on                                             
     available-for-sale securities                                        670,864     
    Change in KSOP debt                                            (109,820) 












    Balance, December 31, 2007        55,060,934    1,085,099    238,789,377    (636,267)    5,171,603    11,905,085        (127,730,247)    2,696,571    (110,691) 
    Stock issued for cash                                             
     Exercise of options    1.91    162,133        309,205                             
    Stock issued for services    2.06    1,311,125        2,704,659                             
    Net loss                                    (19,174,403)         
    Fair value of options                            1,958,470                 
    Equity units exchanged                                             
    for common shares        584,863    (584,863)                                 
    Decrease in unrealized gain on                                             
    available-for-sale securities                                        (2,197,116)     












    Balance, December 31, 2008        57,119,055    500,236 $241,803,241    $(636,267)  $5,171,603   $13,863,555          $(146,904,650)    $ 499,455    $(110,691) 









    48


    CORPORATE INFORMATION         
     
    Officers and Directors    Securities Listings (Symbol GRZ)    Bankers 
     
    Rockne J. Timm        Canada - The Toronto Stock Exchange    Bank of America 
    Chief Executive Officer and Director    United States - NYSE - Amex    Spokane, Washington USA 
     
    A. Douglas Belanger        Transfer Agent    Bank of Montreal 
    President and Director             
            Computershare Trust Company, Inc.    Vancouver, British Columbia Canada 
            Toronto, Ontario Canada     
    James P. Geyer             
    Senior Vice President and Director    Lakewood, Colorado USA    Corp Banca Caracas, Venezuela 
     
    Robert A. McGuinness    Registered Agent     
    Vice President of Finance and CFO    Veale, Kilpatrick, Austring, Fendrick &     
            Fairman    Auditors 
    Mary E. Smith        Whitehorse, Yukon Canada     
    Vice President of Administration and Secretary        PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
                Vancouver, B.C. Canada 
    Douglas E. Stewart            Caracas, Venezuela 
    Vice President of Project Development    Offices     
     
    Arturo Rivero        Corporate, USA     
    President, Gold Reserve de Venezuela    926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200    Counsel 
            Spokane,WA 99201     
    James H. Coleman        Ph: (509) 623-1500    Fasken Martineau 
    Non-Executive Chairman and Director    Fx: (509) 623-1634    Toronto, Ontario Canada 
    Jean Charles (JC) Potvin         
    Director        Corporate, Venezuela    Baker & McKenzie 
            Edificio Miranda, Torre A Piso 6, Oficina    Houston, Texas USA 
    Patrick D. McChesney    A-65 Avenida Francisco de Miranda    Caracas,Venezuela 
    Director        Chacao, Caracas, Venezuela     
            Ph: 58 212 264 0185     
    Chris D. Mikkelsen        Fx: 58 212 264 1073     
    Director            Annual Meeting 
            Operations, Venezuela     
            Centro Empresarial Catanaima Primer Piso,    The 2009 Annual Meeting will be held at 
            Final Calle Neveri Zona Industrial - Unare    9:30 a.m. on June 11, 2009 
    Share Information    2 Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela    The Spokane Club, 
                1002 W. Riverside 
            Ph: 58 286 951 5124    Spokane, Washington 
    Number of Shareholders:    Fx: 58 286 951 4635     
    Approximately 11,000             
    Common Shares Issued March 30, 2009         
    Class A common -  57,670,555         
    Equity Units -  500,236         
    Common Share Purchase Options         
    5,480,431             
     
            Additional information regarding the company may be obtained at www.GoldReserveInc.com 



    Gold Reserve Inc.

    926 W. Sprague Ave

    Suite 200

    Spokane, WA 99201

    800.625.9550

    www.goldreserveinc.com