You can access the original SEC filing by clicking here.
Ownership Summary Table
Name | Sole Voting Power | Shared Voting Power | Sole Dispositive Power | Shared Dispositive Power | Aggregate Amount Owned Power | Percent of Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SailingStone Capital Partners | 227,684,945 | 0 | 227,684,945 | 0 | 227,684,945 | 11.31% |
SailingStone Holdings | 0 | 227,684,945 | 0 | 227,684,945 | 227,684,945 | 11.31% |
MacKenzie B. Davis | 0 | 227,684,945 | 0 | 227,684,945 | 227,684,945 | 11.31% |
Kenneth L. Settles Jr | 0 | 227,684,945 | 0 | 227,684,945 | 227,684,945 | 11.31% |
Page 1 of 11 – SEC Filing
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. |
(Name of Issuer) |
Common Shares |
(Title of Class of Securities) |
900435108 |
(CUSIP Number) |
Kathlyne Kiaie c/o SailingStone Capital Partners LLC One California Street, 30th Floor San Francisco, California 94111 (415) 429-5178 |
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) |
February 1, 2018 |
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) |
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Page 2 of 11 – SEC Filing
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
SailingStone Capital Partners LLC | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) | ☐ | ||
(b) | ☐ | ||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||
OO | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(D) OR 2(E) | ☐ | |||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||
Delaware | |||||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||
227,684,945 | |||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | ||||
0 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
0 | |||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) | ☐ | |||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||
11.31% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) | ||||
IA | |||||
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Page 3 of 11 – SEC Filing
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
SailingStone Holdings LLC | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) | ☐ | ||
(b) | ☐ | ||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||
OO | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E) | ☐ | |||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||
Delaware | |||||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||
0 | |||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
0 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||
11.31% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
HC | |||||
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Page 4 of 11 – SEC Filing
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
MacKenzie B. Davis | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) | ☐ | ||
(b) | ☐ | ||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||
OO | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(D) OR 2(E) | ☐ | |||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||
United States | |||||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||
0 | |||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
0 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||
11.31% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
HC; IN | |||||
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Page 5 of 11 – SEC Filing
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
Kenneth L. Settles Jr. | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) | ☐ | ||
(b) | ☐ | ||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||
OO | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E) | ☐ | |||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||
United States | |||||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||
0 | |||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
0 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||
227,684,945 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||
11.31% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||
HC; IN | |||||
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Page 6 of 11 – SEC Filing
This Statement on Schedule 13D relates to the Common Shares (the “Shares”) of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 200 Granville Street, Suite 354, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1S4. |
Item 2. Identity and Background.
This Statement on Schedule 13D is being jointly filed by: (i) SailingStone Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SailingStone”); (ii) SailingStone Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SailingStone Holdings”), which is the general partner of SailingStone GP LP, which is a Delaware limited partnership that serves as managing member of SailingStone; (iii) MacKenzie B. Davis, a United States citizen who is a managing member of SailingStone Holdings and a control person of SailingStone and SailingStone Holdings (“Davis”) and (iv) Kenneth L. Settles Jr., a United States citizen who is a managing member of SailingStone Holdings and a control person of SailingStone and SailingStone Holdings (“Settles”). (SailingStone, SailingStone Holdings, Davis and Settles are sometimes also referred to herein individually as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons”). Further information regarding the identity and background of certain of the Reporting Persons is set forth in Exhibit B which is attached hereto. |
During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons, nor, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, any of their respective executive officers, their respective managing members or any persons controlling their respective managing members has: (1) been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (2) been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and, as a result of such proceeding, was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. |
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The Shares herein reported as being beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons were acquired by SailingStone directly acting solely on behalf of its investment advisory clients. SailingStone has purchased a total of 227,684,945 Shares in open-market purchases for an aggregate consideration of $732,938,185 (exclusive of brokerage commissions). To the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, the funds used in such purchases were from SailingStone’s available investment capital and none of the consideration for such Shares was represented by borrowed funds. |
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
The Reporting Persons have acquired the Shares for investment purposes and will continue to analyze their investment in the Issuer on an ongoing basis. As part of this investment analysis process, the Reporting Persons reserve the right to engage in discussions with management of the Issuer and with third parties that may have an interest in the business affairs of the Issuer in order to monitor their investment and consider possible strategic alternatives. |
Depending upon such discussions and consideration of strategic alternatives, the Reporting Persons could support one or more of the actions described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. The Reporting Persons reserve the right to formulate other purposes, plans or proposals regarding the Issuer to the extent deemed advisable by the Reporting Persons in light of current market conditions generally and specifically as they relate to the Issuer. The Reporting Persons further reserve the right to add to or reduce their holdings in the Issuer at any time as circumstances warrant without prior notice. |
Based on the most recently available filing information submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Issuer, there are 2,012,313,965 Shares of the Issuer outstanding. As of January 31, 2018, the Reporting Persons collectively may be deemed to beneficially own 227,684,945 Shares, which represents 11.31% of the outstanding Shares. The number of Shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons are as follows: |
Shares Deemed to be Beneficially Owned By: | Nature of Ownership | Percentage of Class |
(A) SailingStone: | ||
227,684,945 | Sole Voting and Sole Dispositive Power (1) | 11.31% |
(B) SailingStone Holdings: | ||
227,684,945 | Shared Voting and Shared Dispositive Power (2) | 11.31% |
(C) Davis: | ||
227,684,945 | Shared Voting and Shared Dispositive Power (3) | 11.31% |
(D) Settles: | ||
227,684,945 | Shared Voting and Shared Dispositive Power (4) | 11.31% |
(1) | Such Shares are owned by investment advisory clients of SailingStone. By reason of its investment advisory relationship with such clients, SailingStone is deemed to have sole voting and sole dispositive power over such Shares. The economic interest in such Shares is held by such clients. |
(2) | Because SailingStone Holdings is the general partner of SailingStone GP LP which serves as managing member of SailingStone, SailingStone Holdings could be deemed to share the power to vote and dispose or direct the disposition of such Shares. |
(3) | Because Davis is a managing member of SailingStone Holdings and a control person of SailingStone Holdings and SailingStone, he could be deemed to share the power to vote and dispose or direct the disposition of such Shares. |
(4) | Because Settles is a managing member of SailingStone Holdings and a control person of SailingStone Holdings and SailingStone, he could be deemed to share the power to vote and dispose or direct the disposition of such Shares. |
TRANSACTIONS |
Information regarding transactions in the Shares that have been effected by the Reporting Persons during the last sixty days are set forth in Exhibit C which is attached hereto. |
None. |
Item 7. Materials Filed as Exhibits.
Exhibit A – Joint Filing Agreement of the Reporting Persons |
Exhibit B – Executive Officers and Control Persons of the Reporting Persons |
Exhibit C – Transactions in Securities of the Issuer During the Past Sixty Days by the Reporting Persons |
Exhibit D – Letter to the Board of Directors of the Issuer |
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Page 7 of 11 – SEC Filing
SailingStone Capital Partners LLC* | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ Kathlyne Kiaie |
Name: Kathlyne Kiaie | ||
Title: Chief Compliance Officer |
SailingStone Holdings LLC* | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ MacKenzie B. Davis |
Name: MacKenzie B. Davis | ||
Title: Managing Member |
MacKenzie B. Davis* | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ MacKenzie B. Davis |
Name: MacKenzie B. Davis |
Kenneth L. Settles Jr.* | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ Kenneth L. Settles Jr. |
Name: Kenneth L. Settles Jr. | ||
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Page 8 of 11 – SEC Filing
SailingStone Capital Partners LLC | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ Kathlyne K. Kiaie |
Name: Kathlyne K. Kiaie | ||
Title: Chief Compliance Officer |
SailingStone Holdings LLC | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ MacKenzie B. Davis |
Name: MacKenzie B. Davis | ||
Title: Managing Member |
MacKenzie B. Davis | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ MacKenzie B. Davis |
Name: MacKenzie B. Davis |
Kenneth L. Settles Jr. | ||
Date: February 1, 2018 | By: | /s/ Kenneth L. Settles Jr. |
Name: Kenneth L. Settles Jr. | ||
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Page 9 of 11 – SEC Filing
SailingStone Capital Partners LLC is an investment adviser organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware. Its address is: |
One California Street, 30th Floor San Francisco, California 94111 |
The officers of SailingStone Capital Partners LLC are: |
Name | Title |
Kathlyne K. Kiaie | Chief Compliance Officer |
James E. Klescewski | Chief Financial Officer |
San Francisco, California 94111
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Page 10 of 11 – SEC Filing
EXHIBIT C
Reporting Person | Sale/ Purchase | Date | No. of Shares | Average Price Per Share |
SailingStone | Purchase | 12/11/2017 | 180,240 | $3.08 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/11/2017 | 129,100 | $3.07 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/12/2017 | 1,365,700 | $3.04 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/13/2017 | 950,000 | $3.03 |
SailingStone | Purchase | 12/13/2017 | 575,000 | $3.03 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/14/2017 | 2,906,625 | $3.10 |
SailingStone | Purchase | 12/14/2017 | 1,015,869 | $3.10 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/18/2017 | 600,000 | $3.11 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/18/2017 | 2,675,000 | $3.11 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/19/2017 | 700,000 | $3.17 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/20/2017 | 400,000 | $3.28 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/20/2017 | 88,413 | $3.26 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/21/2017 | 423,112 | $3.30 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/28/2017 | 337,000 | $3.45 |
SailingStone | Sale | 12/29/2017 | 50,080 | $3.43 |
SailingStone | Sale | 1/3/2018 | 460 | $3.57 |
SailingStone | Sale | 1/5/2018 | 195,630 | $3.51 |
SailingStone | Purchase | 1/19/2018 | 1,000,832 | $3.32 |
SailingStone | Purchase | 1/22/2018 | 600,000 | $3.37 |
SailingStone | Purchase | 1/23/2018 | 458,188 | $3.30 |
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Page 11 of 11 – SEC Filing
Dear Members of the Board,
SailingStone Capital Partners (“SailingStone”), on behalf of its advisory clients, has been a patient, long-term owner of Turquoise Hill Resources (“TRQ” or “Turquoise Hill”), as we believe that Oyu Tolgoi (“OT”) is one of the most unique development projects in the world due to its size, grade profile and capital efficiency. We are pleased with the progress that has been made over the last few years in terms of the restart of underground development work, the execution of the project finance facility and the remarkable free cash flow stream generated by the open pit operations through the recent downturn in commodity prices. It’s clear that all stakeholders, including the government and citizens of Mongolia, are benefiting from the activity and investments being made at site. However, we remain concerned about corporate governance, given the potential for conflicts of interest which exist between Rio Tinto (“Rio”), your majority shareholder and the operator of Oyu Tolgoi, and the minority shareholders of Turquoise Hill. Specifically, we believe that basic corporate governance standards require an independent and informed management team and board of directors. These requirements are particularly acute given the unique relationship between TRQ and Rio, and yet today neither of these conditions is being met.
1. | Conducting an independent technical report so that we can be certain that existing estimates of capital intensity and the development schedule are reasonable. Given the size and duration of this project, and the obvious potential conflicts of interest that exist between Rio Tinto and the minority shareholders, we believe that this decision is necessary to protect our multi-billion dollar investment. |
2. | Creating a fully-staffed TRQ technical team who will have complete access to the OT project and will report back regularly to TRQ management and the independent directors. This would provide management and directors with the information necessary to determine what and when material updates should be made to the market, and could be the basis for more fruitful engagement with the host government. |
3. | Implementing employment contracts for management and restructuring compensation plans to remove any real or perceived conflicts with Rio Tinto and to significantly improve alignment with TRQ shareholders. This could include increasing available cash compensation opportunities towards industry median levels, an increase in equity grants available to be earned based on specific performance targets and improved disclosure of managements’ and directors’ vested and unvested exposure to TRQ’s and Rio Tinto’s stock price. |
MacKenzie B. Davis James Bruce