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Atlas Lithium Corp

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Mar 27, 2024.

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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Mar 27, 2024

ATLX$1.69+3.0%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

Compensation of Named Executive Officers

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, for our “named executive officers.” As a smaller reporting company, the SEC defines our named executive officers as (i) our Chief Executive Officer; (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, who were serving as such as of December 31, 2023; and (iii) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to (ii) but for the fact they were not serving as an executive officer at the end of the year. We have identified the following individuals as our named executive officers according to this definition:

●Marc Fogassa, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman;
●Gustavo Aguiar, our Chief Financial Officer;
●Igor Tkachenko, our Vice President of Corporate Strategy; and
●Brian Bernier, our Vice President of Investor Relations.

The primary objectives of our executive compensation programs are to attract and retain talented executives to effectively manage and leadus. The compensation packages for Atlas Lithium’s named executive officers generally include a base salary, an annual cash bonus and equity.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary ($) · Bonus ($) · Stock Awards ($)(1) · Option Awards ($) (1) · Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) · All Other Compensation ($) (2) · Total ($)
Marc Fogassa, Chairman and2023-607,786(3)2,133,410(4)453,752(3)34,6453,229,593
Chief Executive Officer2022-177,751177,751743,414177,75133,6431,310,310
Gustavo Aguiar,2023133,692(5)---47,520(6)3,476184,688
Chief Financial Officer202280,903-464,549(7)-70,000-615,542
Brian Bernier,2023-341,900(8)164,659(98)---506,559
VP, Investor Relations2022100,00024,90030,000---154,900
Igor Tkachenko, VP, Corporate Strategy2023210,000(10)-4,234,498(119)---4,444,498
(1)The amounts in these columns reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards and stock options calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Please see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, contained in this Annual Report for the assumptions used in the calculation of grant date fair values pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2)All Other Compensation includes disability, medical, dental and vision insurance coverage benefits.
(3)Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Fogassa’s amended and restated employment agreement, his performance bonus for each calendar year is earned when the level of achievement is determined by the Board in the calendar year following the corresponding performance year. Such an amount is paid half in cash and half in fully-vested shares of common stock granted after the performance bonus is determined. The amount shown in the Stock Awards column for 2023 represents the grant of fully vested shares of common stock during calendar year 2023 for performance in the calendar year 2022. The grant of the Stock Award for calendar year 2023 performance was approved and granted by Board in calendar 2024 and will be disclosed in the proxy statement for calendar year 2024.
(4)Represents options to purchase 30,000 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. All of the options to purchase Series D Convertible Preferred Stock have been exercised and there are no such options currently outstanding.
(5)Represents Mr. Pereira de Aguiar’s base salary of $9,500 per month through August 31, 2024, and his base salary of $15,000 per month, effective as of September 1, 2023, as described below.
(6)Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Pereira de Aguiar is entitled to a cash bonus tied to certain performance metrics.
(7)Represents 85,019 restricted shares of common stock, in the form of restricted stock units, as described under the “Gustavo Pereira de Aguiar Agreement” discussion below.
(8)Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Bernier is eligible to receive bonuses provided at our discretion.
(9)In 2023, Mr. Bernier received (i) 1,456 fully vested shares of common stock as monthly compensation from January 2023 to May 2023 and (iii) a grant of 5,600 restricted stock units which vest annually over four years beginning June 1, 2024.
(10)Mr. Tkachenko was appointed Vice President, Corporate Strategy in September 2023 and the amount shown represents a pro-ration of his annual base salary of $420,000.
(11)Represents 80,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Tkachenko as a bonus during his consultancy period, prior to becoming an executive officer, and 40,533 shares issued pursuant to Mr. Tkachenko’s employment agreement based on us achieving certain market capitalization milestones.

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table

Marc Fogassa Agreement

On December 31, 2020, our Board approved an amendment and restatement of the employment agreement between us and Marc Fogassa, our Chief Executive Officer (the “A&R Employment Agreement”). Under the A&R Employment agreement, Mr. Fogassa no longer received a salary payable in cash, which under the terms of the prior agreement was for an amount of $250,000 per annum. Instead, he was to be granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 33,333 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.0075 per share. Pursuant to the A&R Employment Agreement, Mr. Fogassa is also entitled to incentive compensation payable half in cash and half in fully vested shares of common stock upon achievement of certain book value metrics, as set forth in the A&R Employment Agreement.

Under the A&R Employment Agreement, Mr. Fogassa is entitled to a housing benefit of up to $5,000 per month for a primary or secondary residence out of the United States. We shall pay all costs of reasonable medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and short-term disability to Mr. Fogassa, and to his spouse or partner and children under the age of 21, at reasonable plans chosen by Mr. Fogassa. Unless declined by Mr. Fogassa, we shall pay the annual premium costs of a life insurance policy for Mr. Fogassa in the amount of $5,000,000 for payment to his designated beneficiaries. In the event of a termination of employment by us, we shall immediately make a payment to Mr. Fogassa equal to $500,000. If upon the completion of a change of control, or other corporate event, Mr. Fogassa is no longer our Chief Executive Officer, or the Chief Executive Officer of our new controlling person, as the case may be, then we shall immediately make a payment to Mr. Fogassa equal to $2,000,000.

In September 2021, the Board determined to allow Mr. Fogassa, as his election, to receive monthly grants of stock options to purchase shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Stock in lieu of the options to purchase common stock as described above, and in 2023, Mr. Fogassa was granted stock options to purchase 2,500 sharesof Series D Convertible Preferred Stock each month. In December 2023, the Board approved Mr. Fogassa receiving such stock option compensation on an annual, rather than monthly, basis. Additionally, Mr. Fogassa elected to begin again receiving options to purchase shares of common stock, and in 2024, Mr. Fogassa was granted an annual award of stock options to purchase 399,966 shares of common stock pursuant to these actions.

Gustavo Pereira de Aguiar Agreement

On March 15, 2022, Gustavo Pereira de Aguiar, our Chief Financial Officer, entered into an agreement with us, effective March 16, 2022 (the “Start Date”), pursuant to with Mr. Aguiar is providing services to us (the “GPA Employment Agreement”).

Under the GPA Employment Agreement, Mr. Pereira de Aguiar received a signing bonus totaling $25,000, and was entitled to base cash compensation of $9,500 per monthand a maximum annual bonus of $45,000, with the amount received conditioned on the filing by us, on an annual basis, of one Form 10-K and three Forms 10-Q with the SEC. Further, on the Start Date, for the purchase price of $1.00, Mr. Pereira de Aguiar wasto be granted 85,019 shares of common stock that would vest over four years in four tranches. In satisfaction of Mr. Pereira de Aguiar’s right to receive such shares, we have granted him an equity award in the form of 85,019 restricted stock units (“RSUs” and the RSU grant, the “GPA RSU Grant”), which vests over four years in four tranches. The first and the second tranche of the GPA RSU Grant vested on March 16, 2023, and [March 15, 2024], respectively and Mr. Pereira de Aguiar was issued 21,255 shares of our common stock on each respective vesting date

The agreement is terminable at any time by mutual agreement of the parties and at any time for any reason or no reason by either party, with prior written notice of thirty days to the other party; provided, that if Mr. Pereira de Aguiar’s employment is terminated for any reason by us other than gross negligence or willful malfeasance, the GPA Grant shall be deemed to be fully vested immediately upon such termination. The agreement provided for a payment of $60,000 if such termination occurred before the first-year anniversary of the Start Date, and a payment of $30,000 if such termination occurred before the second anniversary of the Start Date. If we terminate the GPA Employment Agreement for gross negligence or willful malfeasance, then the portion of the GPA Grant which is not yet vested shall be deemed to be forfeited.

In December 2023, the Board approved certain amendments to Mr. Pereira de Aguiar’s compensation, pursuant to which, (i) effective September 1, 2023, he is entitled to a base salary of $15,000 per month, (ii) for calendar year 2024, Mr. Pereira de Aguiar’s performance-based bonus will entitle him to earn a cash payment equal to five times his then monthly salary upon the achievement of certain goals related to his duties as Chief Financial Officer, and (iii) his GPA Grant was amended to provide for immediate vesting upon a change in control.

Igor Tkachenko Agreement

On September 30, 2023, we entered into an employment agreement with Igor Tkachenko that provides for a term through December 31, 2026, subject to renewal by mutual consent. The agreement provides that Mr. Tkachenko will serve as our Vice President of Corporate Strategy and will be entitled to a base salary of $420,000 per year. Additionally, Mr. Tkachenko will have the right to receive shares of our common stock equal to 0.2% of the shares of common stock then outstanding when and if our market capitalization reaches $200 million, $300 million, $400 million, $500 million, $600 million, $800 million and $1 billion. The agreement further provides that in the event that we undergo a change in control (as defined in our 2023 Stock Incentive Plan) and any of the foregoing performance requirements have not been met, Mr. Tkachenko’s right to receive such shares will be accelerated. The agreement also contains a non-compete provision pursuant to which Mr. Tkachenko has agreed not to engage in competitive activities during his employment period and for a period of one year thereafter.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information regarding equity awards held by the named executive officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2023:

Option awards · Stock awards
Name · Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable · Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable · Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) · Option exercise price ($) · Option expiration date · Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) · Market value of shares of units of stock that have not vested ($) · Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) · Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($)(1)
Marc Fogassa · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · -
Gustavo Aguiar63,764(2)1,994,545
Igor Tkachenko127,635(3)3,992,485
Brian Bernier5,600(4)175,168
(1)All amounts are based on the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2023, of $31.28.
(2)Represents restricted stock units, 21,255 of which vest on each of March 16, 2024, and March 16, 2025, and 21,254 of which vest on March 16, 2026.
(3)Represents the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that Mr. Tkachenko is entitled to receive pursuant to his employment agreement, if and when our market capitalization reaches $400 million, $500 million, $600 million, $800 million, and $1 billion.
(4)Represents restricted stock units which vest over four years in four equal tranches beginning June 1, 2024.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth a summary of compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, that we paid to each director other than our Chief Executive Officer, whose compensation is fully reflected in the Summary Compensation Table set forth above. We do not sponsor a pension benefits plan, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, or a non-equity incentive plan for directors; therefore, these columns have been omitted from the following table. No other or additional compensation for services were paid to any of the directors. In December 2023, the Board of Directors approved a new compensation plan for directors, beginning in 2024, pursuant to which each director shall receive options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock, which will vest monthly in equal increments over a one-year period.

Name · Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) · Stock Compensation ($) (1) · Option Compensation ($) (1) · Total ($)
Ambassador Roger Noriega$374,356(2)$374,356
Cassiopeia Olson, Esq.$6,000(3)$-$$6,000
Stephen R. Petersen, CFA$6,000(3)$-$$6,000

(1) The amounts in these columns reflect the aggregate grant date fair values of shares of common stockand stock options granted in 2023 to each director calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Please see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, contained in this Annual Report for the assumptions used in the calculation of grant date fair value pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718.

(2) Ambassador Noriega was party to a compensation arrangement with the Company pursuant to which he is entitled to receive, on a quarterly basis, ten-year non-qualified stock options to purchase up to 20,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.0075 per share.

On September 15, 2021, our Board approved a change to the arrangement that allows Ambassador Noriega the choice to elect to receive the compensation in either options to purchase our common stock or to an equivalent number of options to purchase Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. In 2023, Ambassador Noriega received options to purchase 6,000 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to this election. All of such options were exercised in 2023, and Ambassador Noriega converted the shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into shares of our common stock. Thecompensation arrangement with Ambassador Noriega wasterminated in connection with the approval of the new compensation plan for directors noted above.

(3) Ms. Olson and Mr. Petersen had the right to receive $6,000 in cash each for services as a director during 2023. Both were given a choice and opted to receive shares of our common stock at the then public market price instead of cash. Beginning in 2024, Ms. Olson and Mr. Petersen will receive the compensation under the new compensation plan for directors noted above.

Equity Compensation Plan

On May 25, 2023, the Board of Directors approved, and our majority stockholder ratified and confirmed the adoption of the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan. The table below sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2023, with respect to the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan.

Plan Category · Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights (a) · Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) · Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column “(a)”) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (2023 Stock Incentive Plan)1,167,652(i)$nil(ii)426,274
Total1,167,652$-426,274

(i) 1,167,652 in restricted stock awards with common stock to be issued upon fulfillment of a variety of time, market and performance vesting conditions.

(ii) Includes only the weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding options, as the restricted stock awards have no associated exercise price.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, our directors, executive officers and any persons holding more than 10% of our common stock are required to report initial ownership of our common stock and any subsequent changes in ownership to the SEC. Specific due dates have been established by the SEC, and we are required to disclose in this Annual Report any failure to file required ownership reports by these dates. Based solely upon a review of forms filed with the SEC and the written representations of such persons, we are aware of the following: (i) Nicholas Rowley filed a late Form 3 after being appointed as our Vice President, Business Development; (ii) each of the following persons, all of whom ceased to be officers subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 in December 2023, failed to file two Forms 4, each of which reported one transaction: Brian Bernier, Joel de Paiva Monteiro, Volodymyr Myadzel, and Areli Nogueira da Silva Júnior; (iii) Marc Fogassa reported five transactions-late, each of which should have been reported on a separate Form 4; (iv) Stephen R. Petersen failed to file three Forms 4, each reporting one transaction; (v) Cassiopeia Olson failed to file one Form 4 reporting one transaction; (vi) Roger Noriega filed three late Forms 4, each reporting one transaction. All of the transactions that should have been reported on a Form 4 have since been reported on a late year-end report on Form 5.

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