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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2004.

Registration No. 333-118957



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
CANADA   1040   98-0101955
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 300
Littleton, Colorado, 80127-6312
(303) 830-9000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of principal executive offices)

Allan J. Marter, Chief Financial Officer
Golden Star Resources Ltd.
10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 300
Littleton, Colorado, 80127-6312
(303) 830-9000

(Name, address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


With Copies To
Deborah J. Friedman
Michelle H. Shepston
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
1550 Seventeenth Street, Suite 500
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 892-9400

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box: o

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.



 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Golden Star Resources Ltd. may not sell these securities pursuant to this prospectus until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and Golden Star Resources Ltd. is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated December 6, 2004

PROSPECTUS

$300,000,000

GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

Common Shares
Warrants

     This prospectus relates to up to $300,000,000 of common shares and warrants that Golden Star Resources Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, “Golden Star,” “we,” “us,” or “our company”) may offer and sell from time to time in connection with acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities.

     The amount and type of consideration we will offer and the other specific terms of each acquisition will be determined by negotiations with the owners or controlling persons of the businesses, assets or securities to be acquired. We may structure business acquisitions in a variety of ways, including acquiring stock, other equity interests or assets of the acquired business or merging the acquired business with us or one of our subsidiaries. We do not expect to receive any cash proceeds from the sale of securities issued pursuant to this prospectus. We may be required to provide further information by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement or a supplement to the prospectus once we know the actual information concerning a specific acquisition.

     We will pay all the expenses of this offering. We will not pay underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with issuing these shares, although we may pay finder’s fees in specific acquisitions. Any person receiving a finder’s fee may be deemed an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     We may also permit individuals or entities who have received or will receive common shares or warrants in connection with the acquisitions described above to use this prospectus to cover resales of those securities. See “Selling Shareholders” for the identity of such individuals or entities.

     Our common shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSS” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSC.” Warrants issued in conjunction with our February 14, 2003 equity offering are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSC.WT.A.”

     References in this Prospectus to “$” are to United States dollars. Canadian dollars are indicated by the symbol “Cdn$”.

     The securities offered in this prospectus involve a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus in determining whether to purchase our securities.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is __________, 2004.


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 Opinion/Consent of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     You should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated in this prospectus.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and file annual, quarterly and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. The SEC maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) on which our reports, proxy statements and other information are made available. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may also be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.

     We have filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits to the Registration Statement for further information with respect to our company and the securities.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” our publicly filed reports into this prospectus, which means that information included in those reports is considered part of this prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus and in prior reports. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until all of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus have been sold.

     The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference in this prospectus:

  1.   Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003;
 
  2.   Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2004;
 
  3.   Reports on Form 8-K filed February 5, May 4, May 28, June 3, July 7, August 5 and November 4, 2004; and
 
  4.   Our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed June 18, 2002, which contains a description of our capital stock.

     We will furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the above documents, other than exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference therein. You should direct any requests for documents to Investor Relations, Golden Star Resources Ltd., 10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 300, Littleton, Colorado 80127-6312, telephone (303) 830-9000.

     The information relating to us contained in this prospectus is not comprehensive and should be read together with the information contained in the incorporated documents. Descriptions contained in the incorporated documents as to the contents of any contract or other document may not contain all of the information which is of interest to you. You should refer to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to our filings.

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

     In this prospectus, we use the terms “total cash cost per ounce” and “cash operating cost per ounce”. Total cash cost per ounce is equivalent to mining operations expense for the period as found on the Consolidated Statements of Operations found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period. Cash operating cost per ounce is equivalent to mining operations expense for the period less production royalties and production taxes, divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period. We have included total cash cost and cash operating cost information to provide investors with information about the cost structure of our mining operations. We use this information for the same purpose and for monitoring the performance of our operations. We calculate these measures for both individual operating units and on a consolidated basis. Mining operations expense as found on the Consolidated Statements of Operation includes all mine site cash operating costs including the costs of mining, processing, work-in-process inventory changes, maintenance, mine-site overhead, production taxes and royalties. These cost measures do not include depreciation, depletion, amortization, asset retirement obligation accretion, exploration costs, corporate general and administrative charges, mineral property impairment charges, corporate business development costs, gains and losses on sale of assets, interest expense, gains and losses of foreign exchange, gains and losses on marketable equity investments and income tax. The calculations of cash operating cost per ounce and total cash cost per ounce are in compliance with an industry standard for such measures as established by the Gold Institute, a non-profit industry group.

     These measures should be considered as Non-GAAP Financial Measures as defined in SEC regulation S-K Item 10 and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Since these measures do not incorporate revenues, changes in working capital and non-operating cash costs, these measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. In addition these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, capital expenditure, and exploration and development efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be certain that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. These statements include comments regarding: the establishment and estimates of mineral reserves and resources, production, production commencement dates, productions costs, cash operating costs, total cash costs, grade, processing capacity, potential mine life, feasibility studies, development costs, expenditures, exploration, the closing of certain transactions including acquisitions and offerings, our expansion plans for Bogoso/Prestea and the development of and start of production at Wassa.

     The following, in addition to the factors described in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, are among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:

    unexpected changes in business and economic conditions;
 
    significant increases or decreases in gold prices;
 
    changes in interest and currency exchange rates;
 
    timing and amount of production;
 
    unanticipated grade changes;
 
    unanticipated recovery or production problems;
 
    changes in mining and milling costs;

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    metallurgy, processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies and water;
 
    determination of reserves;
 
    changes in project parameters;
 
    costs and timing of development of new reserves;
 
    results of current and future exploration activities;
 
    results of pending and future feasibility studies;
 
    joint venture relationships;
 
    political or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we operate;
 
    local and community impacts and issues;
 
    timing of receipt of government approvals;
 
    accidents and labor disputes;
 
    environmental costs and risks;
 
    competitive factors, including competition for property acquisitions; and
 
    availability of capital at reasonable rates or at all.

     These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that may affect us. We may note additional factors elsewhere in this prospectus, in an accompanying prospectus supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

OUR BUSINESS

     We are a Canadian international gold mining and exploration company headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, Colorado and producing gold in Ghana, West Africa. Through our subsidiaries and joint ventures we own a controlling interest in four significant gold properties in Southern Ghana: the Bogoso property (“Bogoso”), the Prestea property (“Prestea”), the Wassa property (“Wassa”) and the Prestea Underground property (“Prestea Underground”). Bogoso and Prestea are adjoining properties, operating as a single operation and referred to as (“Bogoso/Prestea”). Bogoso/Prestea and the Prestea Underground are owned by our 90% owned subsidiary, Bogoso Gold Limited (“BGL”). In 2003, 174,315 ounces of gold were sold by Bogoso/Prestea, which has produced all of our gold since we became a gold producer in late 1999.

     Through a 90% owned subsidiary, we own the Wassa gold property, located some 35 kilometers east of Bogoso/Prestea. A newly constructed ore processing plant at Wassa is now in its commissioning and testing phase, processing heap leach materials left by a former owner. We expect that the new mill will achieve full design capacity in the fourth quarter of 2004 processing the heap leach material and expect to begin supplementing the heap leach material with higher grade ore from an open pit mine in 2005. The open pit is anticipated to become the sole source of mill feed in 2006 when all of the heap leach material has been processed.

     The Prestea Underground is located on the Prestea property and consists of a currently inactive underground gold mine and associated support facilities. At mid-2004, BGL owned an approximately 90% operating interest in this mine, and we are now seeking to determine if the underground mine can be reactivated on a profitable basis.

     We also hold interests in gold exploration properties in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru and Chile.

     Our corporate headquarters are located at 10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 300, Littleton, Colorado 80127 and our telephone number is (303) 830-9000.

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RISK FACTORS

     An investment in the securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider the following discussion of risks in addition to the other information in this prospectus before purchasing any of the securities. In addition to historical information, the information in this prospectus contains “forward-looking” statements about our future business and performance. Our actual operating results and financial performance may be very different from what we expect as of the date of this prospectus. The risks below address material factors that may affect our future operating results and financial performance.

Financial Risks

A substantial or extended decline in gold prices would have a material adverse effect on our company.

     The price of our common shares, our financial results and our exploration, development and mining activities have previously been, and would in the future be, significantly adversely affected by a substantial or extended decline in the price of gold. The price of gold is volatile and is affected by numerous factors beyond our control such as the sale or purchase of gold by various central banks and financial institutions, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, and the political and economic conditions of major gold-producing countries throughout the world. Any drop in the price of gold adversely impacts our revenues, profits and cash flows. In particular, a sustained low gold price could:

    cause suspension of our mining operations at Bogoso-Prestea or, in the future, at Wassa, if such operations become uneconomic at the then-prevailing gold price, thus further reducing revenues;
 
    cause us to be unable to fulfill our obligations under our agreements with our partners or under our permits and licenses which could cause us to lose our interests in, or be forced to sell, some of our properties;
 
    halt or delay the development of new projects; and
 
    reduce funds available for exploration, with the result that depleted reserves are not replaced.

     Furthermore, the need to reassess the feasibility of any of our projects because of declining gold prices could cause substantial delays or might interrupt operations until the reassessment can be completed. Mineral reserve calculations and life-of-mine plans using significantly lower gold prices could result in reduced estimates of mineral reserves and non-reserve mineral resources and in material write-downs of our investment in mining properties and increased amortization, reclamation and closure charges.

We may incur substantial losses in the future that could make financing our operations and business strategy more difficult.

     We had earnings of $2.1 million in the first nine months of 2004, and annual earnings of $22.0 million and $ 4.9 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. We reported net losses of $20.6 million in 2001, $14.9 million in 2000, and $24.4 million in 1999. Numerous factors, including declining gold prices, lower than expected ore grades or higher than expected operating costs, and impairment write-offs of mine property and/or exploration property costs, could cause us to become unprofitable in the future. Any future operating losses could make financing our operations and our business strategy, or raising additional capital, difficult or impossible and could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

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Our obligations could strain our financial position and impede our business strategy.

     We have total debts and liabilities as of September 30, 2004 of $25.8 million, including $1.5 million payable to financial institutions, $16.0 million of current trade payables and accrued current liabilities and an $8.3 million accrual for environmental rehabilitation liabilities. For additional information on our environmental rehabilitation liabilities, see note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recently completed fiscal year and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our most recently completed fiscal quarter. We expect that our indebtedness and other liabilities will increase as a result of our corporate development activities. These liabilities could have important consequences, including the following:

    increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
    limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, operating and exploration costs and other general corporate requirements;
 
    requiring us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to make debt service payments, which would reduce our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures, operating and exploration costs and other general corporate requirements;
 
    limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry; and
 
    placing us at a disadvantage when compared to our competitors that have less debt relative to their market capitalization.

Our estimates of mineral reserves and non-reserves could be inaccurate which could cause production and costs to differ from estimates.

     There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating proven and probable mineral reserves and measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources, including many factors beyond our control. The accuracy of estimates of mineral reserves and non-reserves is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which could prove to be unreliable. These estimates of mineral reserves and non-reserves may not be accurate, and mineral reserves and non-reserves may not be able to be mined or processed profitably.

     Fluctuation in gold prices, results of drilling, metallurgical testing and production and the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimate could require revision of the estimate. The volume and grade of mineral reserves mined and processed and recovery rates might not be the same as currently anticipated. Any material reductions in estimates of our mineral reserves and non-reserves, or of our ability to extract these mineral reserves and non-reserves, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We currently have only one major source of operational cash flows, which will likely be insufficient to fund our continuing exploration and development activities.

     While we have recently received significant infusions of cash from sales of equity, our only current significant internal source of funds is operational cash flows from Bogoso/Prestea. We expect to have a second source of operational cash flow when our newly constructed Wassa mine and mill comes on line. This new operation is currently in a commissioning phase, and we expect it to achieve full design capacity in the fourth quarter of 2004, processing through the mill material from the prior owner’s heap leach pads. However, our Wassa production goals may not be achieved. The anticipated continuing exploration and development of our properties will require significant expenditures over the next several years. We expect that these expenditures will exceed free cash flows generated by Bogoso/Prestea during that period, and therefore we expect to use our excess cash and in the future to require additional outside capital. Lower gold prices during the five years prior to 2002 adversely affected our ability to obtain financing, and recurring lower

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gold prices could have similar effects in the future. In the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate financing on acceptable terms. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we might need to delay or indefinitely postpone further exploration and development of our properties, and as a result, we could lose our interest in, or could be forced to sell, some of our properties.

Implementation of a hedging program might be unsuccessful and incur losses.

     We continue to review whether or not, in light of the potential for gold prices to fall, it would be appropriate to establish a hedging program. To date, we have not decided to implement a hedging program, although we have purchased and expect to continue to purchase puts from time to time, which give us the right to sell gold in the future at a fixed price. The implementation of a hedging program might not, however, protect adequately against declines in the price of gold.

     In addition, although a hedging program could protect us from a decline in the price of gold, it might also prevent us from benefiting fully from price increases. For example, as part of a hedging program, we could be obligated to sell gold at a price lower than the then-current market price. Finally, if unsuccessful, the costs of any hedging program could further deplete our financial resources.

We are subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.

     Our revenues are in United States dollars, and we maintain most of our working capital in United States dollars or United States dollar-denominated securities. We convert our United States funds to foreign currencies as payment obligations become due. A significant portion of the operating costs at Bogoso/Prestea is based on the Ghanaian currency, the Cedi. We are required to convert into Cedis only 20% of the foreign exchange proceeds that we receive from selling gold, but the Government of Ghana could require us to convert a higher percentage of such sales proceeds into Cedis in the future. In addition, we currently have future obligations that are payable in Euros, and receivables collectible in Euros. We obtain construction and other services and materials and supplies from providers in South Africa and other countries, and the costs of those services could increase due to changes in the value of the South African Rand or other currencies. Accordingly, we are subject to fluctuations in the rates of currency exchange between the United States dollar and these currencies, and such fluctuations could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. Consequently, construction, development and other costs might be higher than we anticipate. We currently do not hedge against currency exchange risks, although we might do so from time to time in the future. Implementation of a currency hedging program may not adequately protect us from the effects of fluctuation in currency exchange rates.

Risks inherent in acquisitions that we might undertake could adversely affect our current business and financial condition and our growth.

     We are actively pursuing the acquisition of producing, development and advanced stage exploration properties and companies, and have recently completed the acquisition and joint venture of exploration and development properties in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Mali. The search for attractive acquisition opportunities and the completion of suitable transactions is time consuming, expensive and diverts management attention from our existing business and such activities may be unsuccessful, as was our recent bid for IAMGold. As our operations to date have focused on a single property in Ghana, any acquisition that we may choose to complete may change the scale of our business and operations, and may expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. Our success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to complete acquisitions on acceptable terms and integrate the acquired operations successfully with those of our company. Any acquisition would be accompanied by risks. For example, there may be a significant change in commodity prices after we have committed to complete a transaction and established the purchase price or exchange ratio, a material orebody may prove to be below expectations or the

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acquired business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. We may lose the services of our key employees or the key employees of any business we acquire or have difficulty integrating our operations and personnel. The integration of an acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, suppliers and contractors. Any one or more of these factors or other risks could cause us not to realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition of properties or companies, and could have a material adverse effect on our current business and financial condition and on our ability to grow.

We are subject to litigation risks.

     All industries, including the mining industry, are subject to legal claims, with and without merit. We are involved in various routine legal proceedings, which include labor matters such as unfair termination claims, supplier matters and property issues incidental to our business. We believe it is unlikely that the final outcome of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operation. However, defense and settlement costs can be substantial, even with respect to claims that have no merit. Due to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, the resolution of any particular legal proceeding could have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Operational Risks

The technology, capital costs and cost of production of refractory mineral reserves and non-reserves at Bogoso/Prestea remain subject to a number of uncertainties, including funding uncertainties.

     Based upon the completion of our Bogoso sulfide project feasibility study in 2001 and its subsequent review by Dave Alexander, a qualified person under Canada’s National Instrument 43-101, the refractory material at Bogoso/Prestea, which is ore that cannot be satisfactorily processed by basic gravity concentration or simple cyanidation, has been included in our proven and probable mineral reserves. While the sulfide project feasibility study indicated that refractory mineral reserves can be profitably mined and processed at current gold prices, the capital cost to upgrade the Bogoso processing plant with a bio-oxidation or BIOX circuit to process refractory ore, together with related mining equipment, and facilities, is significant. While the processing technology envisioned in the feasibility study has been successfully utilized at other mines, and in spite of our testing, engineering and analysis, the technology may not perform successfully at commercial production levels on the Bogoso/Prestea refractory sulfide ores, in which case our production estimates may not be achieved.

We are subject to a number of operational hazards that can delay production or result in liability to us.

     Our activities are subject to a number of risks and hazards including:

    environmental hazards;
 
    discharge of pollutants or hazardous chemicals;
 
    industrial accidents;
 
    labor disputes and shortages;
 
    supply and shipping problems and delays;
 
    shortage of equipment and contractor availability;
 
    difficulty in applying technology such as bio-oxidation processing;
 
    unusual or unexpected geological or operating conditions;
 
    slope failures;

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    cave-ins of underground workings;
 
    failure of pit walls or dams;
 
    fire;
 
    changes in the regulatory environment; and
 
    natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods and earthquakes.

     These or other occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, delayed production, monetary losses and possible legal liability. We could incur liabilities as a result of pollution and other casualties. Satisfying such liabilities could be very costly and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Our mining operations are subject to numerous environmental laws, regulations and permitting requirements that can delay production and adversely affect operating and development costs.

     Compliance with existing regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to environmental protection, in the jurisdictions where we have projects may have a material adverse effect on our exploration activities, results of operations and competitive position. New or expanded regulations, if adopted, could affect the exploration or development of our projects or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our operations.

     A significant portion of our recently acquired Dunkwa property and portions of our Wassa development property as well as some of our exploration properties in Ghana are located within forest reserve areas. Although Dunkwa and Wassa have been identified by the Government of Ghana as eligible for mining permits subject to normal procedures and a site inspection, permits for projects in forest reserve areas may not be issued in a timely fashion, or at all, and such permits may contain special requirements with which it is burdensome or expensive to comply.

     Our plan to reconstruct a processing plant at Bondaye near Prestea, conversion of the existing Bogoso/Prestea processing plant to process refractory sulfides and other activities will require mining and other permits from the Government of Ghana. These permits may not be issued on a timely basis or at all, and such permits, when issued, may be subject to requirements or conditions with which it is burdensome or expensive to comply. We have, for example, experienced delay in obtaining environmental permits at Bondaye. Such permitting issues could adversely affect our projected production commencement dates, production amounts and costs.

     As a result of the foregoing risks, project expenditures, production quantities and rates and cash operating costs, among other things, could be materially and adversely affected and could differ materially from anticipated expenditures, production quantities and rates, and costs. In addition, estimated production dates could be delayed materially. Any such events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The development and operation of our mining projects involve numerous uncertainties, which could affect the feasibility or profitability of such projects.

     Mine development projects, including our ongoing development at Wassa and anticipated expansion at Bogoso/Prestea, typically require a number of years and significant expenditures during the development phase before production is possible.

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     Development projects are subject to the completion of successful feasibility studies and environmental assessments, issuance of necessary governmental permits and receipt of adequate financing. The economic feasibility of development projects is based on many factors such as:

    estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources;
 
    anticipated metallurgical recovery rates;
 
    environmental considerations and permitting;
 
    future gold prices; and
 
    anticipated capital and operating costs of such projects.

     Our mine development projects could have limited relevant operating history upon which to base estimates of future operating costs and capital requirements. Estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves and operating costs determined in feasibility studies are based on geologic and engineering analyses and might not prove to be accurate.

     The management of mine development projects and start-up of new operations are complex, and we do not have a history of simultaneously managing an ongoing operation, the start-up of a new operation and a significant development project. Completion of development and the commencement of production may be subject to delays, as has occurred at Wassa. Any of the following events, among others, could affect the profitability or economic feasibility of a project:

    unanticipated changes in grade and tonnage of ore to be mined and processed;
 
    unanticipated adverse geotechnical conditions;
 
    incorrect data on which engineering assumptions are made;
 
    costs of constructing and operating a mine in a specific environment;
 
    availability and cost of processing and refining facilities;
 
    availability of economic sources of power;
 
    adequacy of water supply;
 
    adequate access to the site including competing land uses (such as agriculture and illegal mining);
 
    unanticipated transportation costs;
 
    government regulations (including regulations relating to prices, royalties, duties, taxes, permitting, restrictions on production, quotas on exportation of minerals, as well as the costs of protection of the environment and agricultural lands);
 
    fluctuations in gold prices; and
 
    accidents, labor actions and force majeure events.

     Adverse effects on the operations or further development of a project could also adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. Because of these uncertainties, and others identified in “Risk Factors”, our production estimates at Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa may not be achieved.

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We need to continually obtain additional mineral reserves for gold production and a failure to do so would adversely affect our business and financial position in the future.

     Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable mineral reserves, we must continually replace and expand our mineral reserves as our mines produce gold. At current average production rates, we estimate that Bogoso/Prestea has over ten years of mine life and Wassa has approximately five years of mine life, but our estimates might not be correct and the mine life would be shortened if we expand production. Our ability to maintain or increase our annual production of gold will be dependent in significant part on our ability to bring new mines into production and to expand or extend the life of existing mines.

Gold exploration is highly speculative, involves substantial expenditures, and is frequently non-productive.

     Gold exploration, including the exploration of the Prestea Underground, involves a high degree of risk and exploration projects are frequently unsuccessful. Few prospects that are explored end up being ultimately developed into producing mines. To the extent that we continue to be involved in gold exploration, the long-term success of our operations will be related to the cost and success of our exploration programs. We cannot assure you that our gold exploration efforts will be successful. The success of gold exploration is determined in part on the following factors:

    the identification of potential gold mineralization based on superficial analysis;
 
    availability of prospective land;
 
    availability of government-granted exploration permits;
 
    the quality of our management and our geological and technical expertise; and
 
    the capital available for exploration and development.

     Substantial expenditures are required to determine if a project has economically mineable mineralization. It could take several years to establish proven and probable mineral reserves and to develop and construct mining and processing facilities. As a result of these uncertainties, we cannot assure you that current and future exploration programs will result in the discovery of mineral reserves, the expansion of our existing mineral reserves and the development of mines.

We face competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties.

     We face strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing, or capable of producing, precious metals. Many of these companies have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities. As a result of this competition, we might be unable to maintain or acquire attractive mining properties on terms we consider acceptable or at all. Consequently, our revenues, operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Title to our mineral properties could be challenged.

     We seek to confirm the validity of our rights to title to, or contract rights with respect to, each mineral property in which we have a material interest. We have mining leases with respect to our Bogoso/ Prestea, Wassa and Prestea Underground properties. However, we cannot guarantee that title to our properties will not be challenged. Title insurance generally is not available, and our ability to ensure that we have obtained secure claim to individual mineral properties or mining concessions could be severely constrained. We generally do not conduct surveys of our properties until they have reached the development stage, and therefore, the precise area and location of such properties could be in doubt. Accordingly, our mineral properties could be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title could be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. In addition, we might be unable to operate our properties as permitted or to enforce our rights with respect to our properties.

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We depend on the services of key executives.

     We are dependent on the services of key executives including our President and Chief Executive Officer and a small number of highly skilled and experienced executives and personnel. Due to the relatively small size of our management team, the loss of these persons or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees could adversely affect the exploration and development of our properties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and future operations. We have obtained key person insurance only with respect to our President and Chief Executive Officer.

     The period of weak gold prices prior to 2002 resulted in the depletion in the number of trained and experienced professionals and managers in our industry. Higher gold prices have resulted in an increased demand for these people, and it could therefore be more difficult to attract or retain such experienced professionals and managers without significantly increasing the cost to Golden Star.

Our insurance coverage could be insufficient.

     Our business is subject to a number of risks and hazards generally, including:

    adverse environmental conditions;
 
    industrial accidents;
 
    labor disputes;
 
    unusual or unexpected geological conditions;
 
    ground or slope failures;
 
    cave-ins;
 
    changes in the regulatory environment;
 
    natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods and earthquakes; and
 
    political risks including expropriation and civil war.

     Such occurrences could result in:

    damage to mineral properties or production facilities;
 
    personal injury or death;
 
    loss of legitimate title to properties;
 
    environmental damage to our properties or the properties of others;
 
    delays in mining;
 
    monetary losses; and
 
    possible legal liability.

     Although we maintain insurance in amounts that we believe to be reasonable, our insurance might not cover all the potential risks associated with our business. We might also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage might not continue to be available or might not

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be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration and production is not generally available to us or to other companies in the mining industry on acceptable terms. We might also become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards which we cannot insure against or which we might elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events might cause us to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon our financial performance and results of operations.

Governmental and Regulatory Risks

As a holding company, limitations on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to make distributions to us could adversely affect the funding of our operations.

     We are a holding company that conducts operations through foreign (principally African) subsidiaries and joint ventures, and substantially all of our assets consist of equity in these entities. Accordingly, any limitation on the transfer of cash or other assets between the parent corporation and these entities, or among these entities, could restrict our ability to fund our operations efficiently. Any such limitations, or the perception that such limitations might exist now or in the future, could have an adverse impact on our valuation and stock price.

We are subject to changes in the regulatory environment where we operate which may increase our costs of compliance.

     Our mining operations and exploration activities are subject to extensive regulation governing various matters, including:

    licensing
 
    production
 
    taxes
 
    water disposal
 
    toxic substances
 
    development and permitting
 
    exports
 
    imports
 
    labor standards
 
    occupational health and safety
 
    mine safety
 
    environmental protections

     Compliance with these regulations increases the costs of the following:

    planning
 
    designing
 
    drilling
 
    operating

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    developing
 
    constructing
 
    closure and reclamation

     We believe that we are in substantial compliance with current laws and regulations in Ghana and elsewhere. However, these laws and regulations are subject to frequent change and reinterpretation. Due to the substantial increase in mining development in Ghana in recent years, the Government of Ghana has been reviewing the adequacy of reclamation bonds and guarantees throughout the country and in some cases has requested higher levels of bonding than previously had been required. Our bonds may be increased. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations and activities of mining companies or more stringent implementation or interpretation of these laws and regulations could have a material adverse impact on us, cause a reduction in levels of production and delay or prevent the development or expansion of our properties in Ghana.

     Government regulations limit the proceeds from gold sales that could be withdrawn from Ghana. Changes in regulations that increase these restrictions could have a material adverse impact on us, as Bogoso/Prestea is currently our only source of internally generated operating cash flows.

The Government of Ghana has the right to increase its ownership and control of certain subsidiaries.

     The Government of Ghana currently has a 10% carried interest in our subsidiaries that own our Bogoso/Prestea mine, Wassa mine and Prestea Underground property. The Government of Ghana also has: (a) the right to acquire up to an additional 20% equity interest in each of these subsidiaries for a price to be determined by agreement or arbitration; (b) the right to acquire a special share or golden share in such subsidiaries at any time for no consideration or such consideration as the Government of Ghana and such subsidiaries might agree; and (c) a pre-emptive right to purchase all gold and other minerals produced by such subsidiaries. The Government of Ghana may seek to exercise one or more of these rights, which could reduce our equity interest. A reduction in our equity interest could reduce our income or cash flows from Bogoso/Prestea and/or reduce our anticipated income or cash flows from Wassa, reducing amounts available to us for reinvestment and adversely affecting our ability to take certain actions.

We are subject to risks relating to exploration, development and operations in foreign countries.

     Certain laws, regulations and statutory provisions in certain countries in which we have mineral rights could, as they are currently written, have a material negative impact on our ability to develop or operate a commercial mine. For countries where we have exploration or development stage projects, we intend to negotiate mineral agreements with the governments of these countries and seek variances or otherwise be exempted from the provisions of these laws, regulations and/or statutory provisions. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be successful in obtaining mineral agreements or variances or exemptions on commercially acceptable terms.

     Our assets and operations are affected by various political and economic uncertainties, including:

    the risks of war, civil unrest, coups or other violent or unexpected changes in government;
 
    political instability and violence;
 
    expropriation and nationalization;
 
    renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits, and contracts;
 
    illegal mining;

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    changes in taxation policies;
 
    restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and
 
    changing political conditions, currency controls, and governmental regulations that favor or require the awarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction.

Illegal mining occurs on our properties, is difficult to control, can disrupt our business and can expose us to liability.

     We have experienced a significant increase in illegal mining activity in recent months on the Prestea property involving an estimated 3,000 or more illegal miners. Most of this activity is in the Beta Boundary area south of Prestea and includes areas where we have established reserves. While it is difficult to quantify the exact impact of this activity on our reserves and non-reserve mineral resources, it now appears, based on a preliminary survey completed in September, that between 40,000 and 50,000 ounces of gold have been removed by the illegal mining activity. The extent of the illegal mining and its impact on our currently reported reserve and non-reserve mineral resources will be further assessed in the fourth quarter of 2004. While we are proactively working with local, regional and national governmental authorities to obtain protection of our property rights on a more timely basis, any action on the part of such authorities may not occur, may not fully address our problems or may be delayed.

     In addition to the impact on our reserve and non reserve resources, the presence of illegal miners could lead to project delays and disputes and delays regarding the development or operation of commercial gold deposits. The work performed by the illegal miners could cause environmental damage or other damage to our properties, or personal injury or death for which we could potentially be held responsible. While illegal miners work on other of our properties from time to time, they may in the future increase their presence and have increased negative impacts such as those described above on such other properties.

Our activities are subject to complex laws, regulations and accounting standards that can adversely affect operating and development costs, the timing of operations, the ability to operate and financial results.

     Our business, mining operations and exploration and development activities are subject to extensive Canadian, United States, Ghanaian and other foreign, federal, state, provincial, territorial and local laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, waste disposal, protection of the environment, reclamation, historic and cultural resource preservation, mine safety and occupational health, toxic substances, reporting and other matters, as well as accounting standards. Compliance with these laws, regulations and standards or the imposition of new such requirements could adversely affect operating and development costs, the timing of operations, the ability to operate and financial results.

Market Risks

The market price of our common shares could experience volatility and could decline significantly.

     Our common shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Securities of small-cap companies have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. Our share price is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in gold prices or in our financial condition or results of operations as reflected in our quarterly earnings reports. Other factors unrelated to our performance that could have an effect on the price of our common shares include the following:

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    the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning our business could be limited if investment banks with research capabilities do not continue to follow our securities;
 
    the trading volume and general market interest in our securities could affect an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of common shares;
 
    the relatively small size of the public float will limit the ability of some institutions to invest in our securities; and
 
    a substantial decline in our stock price that persists for a significant period of time could cause our securities to be delisted from the American Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, further reducing market liquidity.

     As a result of any of these factors, the market price of our common shares at any given point in time might not accurately reflect our long-term value. Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. We could in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources.

You could have difficulty or be unable to enforce certain civil liabilities on us, certain of our directors and our experts.

     We are a Canadian corporation. Substantially all of our assets are located outside of Canada and the United States, and our head office is located in the United States. Additionally, a number of our directors and the experts named in this prospectus are residents of Canada. Although we have appointed Koffman Kalef, Suite 1900, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia and Field LLP, 1900, 350 — 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta as our agents for service of process in the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta respectively, it might not be possible for investors to collect judgments obtained in Canadian courts predicated on the civil liability provisions of securities legislation. It could also be difficult for you to effect service of process in connection with any action brought in the United States upon such directors and experts. Execution by United States courts of any judgment obtained against us or, any of the directors, executive officers or experts named in this prospectus in United States courts would be limited to the assets of Golden Star Resources Ltd. or the assets of such persons or corporations, as the case might be, in the United States. The enforceability in Canada of United States judgments or liabilities in original actions in Canadian courts predicated solely upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States is doubtful.

There may be certain tax risks associated with investments in our company.

     Potential investors that are United States taxpayers should consider that we could be considered to be a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for federal income tax purposes. Although we believe that we currently are not a PFIC and do not expect to become a PFIC in the near future, the tests for determining PFIC status are dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, and we can not assure you that we would not become a PFIC in the future. If we were deemed to be a PFIC, then a United States taxpayer who disposes or is deemed to dispose of our shares at a gain, or who received a so-called “excess distribution” on the shares, generally would be required to treat such gain or excess distribution as ordinary income and pay an interest charge on a portion of the gain or distribution unless the taxpayer makes a timely qualified electing fund election (a “QEF” election). A United States taxpayer who makes a QEF election generally must report on a current basis his or her share of any of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain for any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, whether or not we distribute those earnings. Special estate tax rules could be applicable to our shares if we are classified as a PFIC for income tax purposes.

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Future sales of our common shares by our existing shareholders could decrease the trading price of the common shares.

     Sales of a large number of our common shares in the public markets, or the potential for such sales, could decrease the trading price of our common shares and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of our common shares. We completed sales of units, comprised of common shares and warrants, in January, July and December 2002 and February 2003 and sales of common shares in August, October, and December 2003, all but the October and December 2003 offerings at prices significantly less than the current market price of our common shares. Accordingly, a significant number of our shareholders have an investment profit in our securities that they could seek to liquidate. Substantially all of our common shares not held by affiliates can be resold without material restriction in the United States and Canada.

The existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares could impair our ability to raise capital.

     As of December 1, 2004 approximately 14.4 million common shares are issuable on exercise of warrants, options or other rights to purchase common shares at prices ranging from Cdn$1.02 to Cdn$9.07. During the life of the warrants, options and other rights, the holders are given an opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of our common shares with a resulting dilution in the interest of the other shareholders. Our ability to obtain additional financing during the period such rights are outstanding could be adversely affected, and the existence of the rights could have an adverse effect on the price of our common shares. The holders of the warrants, options and other rights can be expected to exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital by new offering of securities on terms more favorable than those provided by the outstanding rights.

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We will be offering and issuing our common shares and/or warrants from time to time in connection with the acquisition of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. We will not receive any cash proceeds from these offerings.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The $300,000,000 of common shares and warrants covered by this prospectus are available for use in connection with acquisitions by us of other businesses, assets or securities. The consideration offered by us in such acquisitions, in addition to any securities offered by this prospectus, may include cash, certain assets and/or assumption by us of liabilities of the businesses, assets or securities being acquired. The amount and type of consideration we will offer and the other specific terms of each acquisition will be determined by negotiations with the owners or controlling persons of the businesses, assets or securities to be acquired after taking into account the current and anticipated future value of such businesses, assets or securities, along with all other relevant factors. The securities issued to the owners of the businesses, assets or securities to be acquired normally are valued at a price reasonably related to the market value of such common shares either at the time an agreement is reached regarding the terms of the acquisition or upon delivery of the shares.

     We may also permit individuals or entities who have received or will receive our common shares in connection with the acquisitions described above, or their transferees or successors-in-interest, to use this prospectus to cover their resale of such shares. See “Selling Shareholders,” as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, for a list of those individuals or entities who are authorized to use this prospectus to sell their common shares.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES

     We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par value. As of December 1, 2004, there were 142,004,112 common shares outstanding.

Dividend Rights

     Holders of our common shares may receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board on the common shares, subject to the preferential dividend rights of any other classes or series of shares of our company. In no event may a dividend be declared or paid on the common shares if payment of the dividend would cause the realizable value of our company’s assets to be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and the amount required to redeem all of the shares having redemption or retraction rights, which are then outstanding.

Voting and Other Rights

     Holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote per share, and in general, all matters will be determined by a majority of votes cast.

Election of Directors

     All of the directors resign before each annual meeting of shareholders and are eligible for reelection. Directors are elected by a majority of votes cast.

Liquidation

     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Golden Star, holders of the common shares have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining after payment of liabilities and liquidation preferences of any preferred shares or other securities that may then be outstanding.

Redemption

     Golden Star common shares are not redeemable or convertible.

Rights Agreement

     Rights to purchase our common shares have been issued to holders of our common shares under a rights agreement between us and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. One right is attached to each common share. If the rights become exercisable following the occurrence of certain specified events, each right will entitle the holder, within certain limitations, to purchase one common share for three times the market price of the common shares, subject to adjustment. In certain events (including when a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of any class of our voting shares without complying with the “permitted bid” provisions of the rights agreement or without the approval of our board of directors), exercise of the rights would entitle the holders of the rights (other than the acquiring person or group) to acquire our common shares with a market value equal to twice the exercise price, subject to adjustment. Accordingly, exercise of the rights may cause substantial dilution to a person who attempts to acquire us. The rights, which expire at the close of business on the date of our annual meeting of shareholders in 2007 (unless extended as provided in the rights agreement), may be redeemed at a price of Cdn$0.00001 per right at any time until a person or group has acquired 20% of our common shares, except as otherwise provided in the rights agreement. The rights agreement may have certain antitakeover effects.

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Other Provisions

     All outstanding common shares are, and the common shares offered by this prospectus or obtainable on exercise or conversion of other securities offered hereby, if issued in the manner described in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, will be, fully paid and non-assessable.

     You should read the prospectus supplement relating to any offering of common shares, or of securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for common shares, for the terms of the offering, including the number of common shares offered, any initial offering price and market prices relating to the common shares.

     This section is a summary and may not describe every aspect of our common shares that may be important to you. We urge you to read our Articles of Arrangement and our bylaws, because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of our common shares. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

     CIBC Mellon Trust Company, The Oceanic Plaza, 1066 West Hastings Street, Suite 1600, Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1, Canada, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common shares.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     At December 1, 2004, there were three series of warrants outstanding to purchase a total of 9.1 million common shares. Of the total, approximately 8.4 million were issued during 2003 and 0.6 million were issued during 2002:

                                         
            Amount                   Expiration
Issued with:
  Date Issued
  Outstanding
  Exercise Price
  Term
  Date
Broker warrants
  July 24, 2002     385,000     Cdn$2.28   2 years (1) July 24, 2005
Private placement
  December 12, 2002     240,000       $1.50   2 years   December 12, 2004
Equity offering
  February 14, 2003     8,448,334     Cdn$4.60   4 years   February 14, 2007
 
           
 
                         
Total
            9,073,334                          
 
           
 
                         


(1)   The July 24, 2002 broker warrants are exercisable during a two-year period beginning July 24, 2003.

     The investor’s warrants issued in conjunction with the February 14, 2003 equity offering are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol GSC.WT.A. There is no public market for our other warrants.

     We may issue warrants for the purchase of common shares. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants offered, including but not limited to the following:

    the number of warrants offered;
 
    the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
 
    the currency or currencies in which the prices of the warrants may be payable;
 
    the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;
 
    whether the warrants will be issued with any other securities and, if so, the amount and terms of these securities;
 
    the amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities may be purchased upon such exercise, and the events or conditions under which the amount of securities may be subject to adjustment;
 
    the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

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    the circumstances, if any, which will cause the warrants to be deemed to be automatically exercised;
 
    any material risk factors relating to such warrants;
 
    if applicable, the identity of the warrant agent; and
 
    any other terms of such warrants.

     Prior to the exercise of any warrants, holders of such warrants will not have any rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of dividends, or the right to vote such underlying securities.

     Prospective purchasers of warrants should be aware that special United States federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe such considerations, to the extent they are material, as they apply generally to purchasers of such warrants.

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The selling shareholders listed in any supplement to this prospectus, and any transferees or successors-in-interest to those persons, may from time to time offer and sell, pursuant to this prospectus, some or all of the common shares or warrants, or common shares issued on exercise of warrants, covered by this prospectus.

     Resales by selling shareholders may be made directly to investors or through a securities firm acting as an underwriter, broker or dealer. When resales are to be made through a securities firm, such securities firm may be engaged to act as the selling shareholder’s agent in the sale of the shares by such selling shareholder, or the securities firm may purchase shares from the selling shareholders as principal and thereafter resell such shares from time to time. The fees earned by or paid to such securities firm may be the normal stock exchange commission or negotiated commissions or underwriting discounts to the extent permissible. In addition, such securities firm may effect resales through other securities dealers, and customary commissions or concessions to such other dealers may be allowed. Sales of securities may be at negotiated prices, at fixed prices, at market prices or at prices related to market prices then prevailing. Any such sales may be made on the American Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, by block trade, in special or other offerings, directly to investors or through a securities firm acting as agent or principal, or a combination of such methods. Any participating securities firm may be indemnified against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Any participating securities firm may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission earned by such firm may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.

     In connection with resales of the securities sold hereunder, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be filed under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing the name of the selling shareholder, the participating securities firm, if any, the number of shares involved, any material relationship the selling shareholder may have with us or our affiliates, and other details of such resale to the extent appropriate. Information concerning the selling shareholders will be obtained from the selling shareholders.

     Shareholders may also offer common shares issued in past and future acquisitions by means of prospectuses under other available registration statements or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including sales which meet the requirements of Rule 145(d) under that Act, and shareholders should seek the advice of their own counsel with respect to the legal requirements for such sales.

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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

     We have entered into agreements with our directors and officers indemnifying such directors and officers to the extent permitted by the Canada Business Corporations Act, or CBCA, and our by-laws. Our by-laws provide that we will indemnify any such person in such circumstances as the CBCA or law permits or requires.

     Our ability to indemnify our directors and officers is governed by section 124 of the CBCA. Under this provision, we may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or another individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer or in a similar capacity, of another entity (the “individual”) against all costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved by reason of their association with us or such other entity. However, we may not indemnify an individual unless the individual:

     a. acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our or such other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at our request, as the case may be; and

     b. in the case of criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful.

     We may advance funds to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to above. The individual shall repay the amount advanced if the individual does not fulfill the conditions of sections (a) and (b) above.

     With the approval of a court, we may indemnify an individual, or advance funds, in respect of an action by or on our behalf or by or on behalf of another entity to procure a judgment in our favor to which the individual is made a party because of the individual’s association with us or such other entity against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with such action if the individual fulfills the conditions in clauses (a) and (b) above.

     In addition to the right to indemnification set forth in the agreements with our directors and our by-laws, the CBCA provides that an individual is entitled to indemnification from us in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual is subject because of the individual’s association with us or such other entity, if the individual seeking indemnity:

     a. was not judged by the court of other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have done; and

     b. fulfills the conditions set out in clauses (a) and (b) above.

     We maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy which insures directors and officers for losses as a result of claims based upon the acts or omissions of our directors and officers, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, and also reimburses us for payments made pursuant to the indemnity provisions under the CBCA.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

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LEGAL MATTERS

     Fasken Martineau DeMoulin LLP of Toronto, Ontario, has provided its opinion on the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus.

EXPERTS

     The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OR SOLICITING A PURCHASE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT.


$300,000,000

COMMON SHARES
WARRANTS

GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES, LTD.


PROSPECTUS


___________, 2004

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

     
Item 20.
  Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

     Section 124 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”) provides for the indemnification of our directors and officers. Under these provisions, we may indemnify a director or officer of Golden Star, a former director or officer of Golden Star or another individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity (the “individual”) against all costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved by reason of their association with our company or other entity, if he fulfills the following two conditions:

  a.   acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Golden Star, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at our request; and
 
  b.   in the case of criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful.

     We may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to above. The individual shall repay the monies if the individual does not fulfill the conditions of sections (a) and (b) above.

     With the approval of a court, we may indemnify an individual, or advance monies, in respect of an action by or on our behalf or by or on behalf of another entity to procure a judgment in its favor to which the individual is made a party because of the individual’s association with Golden Star or other entity against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with such action if the individual fulfills the conditions in clause (a) and (b) above.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, an individual referred to above is entitled to indemnification from us in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual is subject because of the individual’s association with us or other entity, if the individual seeking indemnity:

  a.   was not judged by the court of other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have done; and
 
  b.   fulfills the conditions set out in clause (a) and (b) referred to above.

     Effective November 24, 2001 the provisions of the CBCA relating to the indemnification of officers, directors and others were significantly amended. Our bylaws were amended and restated to reflect the changes to the CBCA. In addition, our bylaws provide that we also shall indemnify any such person in such other circumstance as the CBCA or law permits or requires. We have entered into agreements with our directors and officers indemnifying such directors and officers to the extent permitted by the CBCA and our bylaws.

     We maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy which insures directors and officers for losses as a result of claims based upon the acts or omissions as directors and officers of us, including liabilities

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arising under the Securities Act of 1933, and also reimburses us for payments made pursuant to the indemnity provisions under the CBCA.

     
Item 21.
  Exhibits.
     
Exhibit No.
  Description
3.1
  Incorporating Documents of the Company, including: Articles of Arrangement dated May 14, 1992, with Plan of Arrangement attached, with Certificate of Amendment with respect thereto dated May 15, 1992; Certificate of Amendment dated May 15, 1992, with Articles of Amendment; Certificate of Amendment dated March 26, 1993, with Articles of Amendment; Articles of Arrangement dated March 7, 1995, with Plan of Arrangement attached, with Certificate of Amendment with respect thereto dated March 14, 1995; Certificate of Amendment dated July 29, 1996, with Articles of Amendment; and Certificate of Amendment dated July 10, 2002, with Articles of Amendment (all incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2003)
 
   
3.2
  Bylaws of the Company, including: Bylaw Number One, amended and restated as of April 3, 2002 (2); Bylaw Number Two, effective May 15, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2003); and Bylaw Number Three, effective May 15, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2003)
 
   
4.1
  Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004 between Golden Star Resources Ltd. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K on June 3, 2004)
 
   
4.2
  Form of Specimen Certificate for Common Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (Reg. No. 333-91666), filed on July 15, 2002)
 
   
4.3
  Form of Warrant (1)
 
   
5
  Opinion of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
 
   
23.1
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
   
23.2
  Consent of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
 
   
24
  Power of Attorney (2)


(1)   To be filed by amendment or by a Current Report on Form 8-K if the registrant enters into any such agreement or issues any such instrument in connection with the offer of any securities registered hereunder.
 
(2)   Previously filed.

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Item 22.
  Undertakings.

  (a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

  (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement

  (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
 
  (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) that, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and
 
  (iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

  (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

  (b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (c)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:

  (1)   That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other Items of the applicable form.
 
  (2)   That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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  (d)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question, whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (e)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registrations statement through the date of responding to the request.
 
  (f)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Littleton, State of Colorado, on December 3, 2004.

         
  GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

 
 
  By:   /s/ Peter J. Bradford  
    Peter J. Bradford   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

         
Signature
  Title
  Date
 
       
*
       
Ian MacGregor
  Chairman of the Board of Directors   December 3, 2004
 
       
 
       
/s/ Peter J. Bradford
Peter J. Bradford
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  December 3, 2004
 
       
 
       
*
       
James E. Askew
  Director   December 3, 2004
 
       
 
       
*
       
David K. Fagin
  Director   December 3, 2004
 
       
 
       
*
       
Lars-Eric Johansson
  Director   December 3, 2004
 
       
 
       
*
       
Michael P. Martineau
  Director   December 3, 2004
 
       
 
       
/s/ Allan J. Marter
Allan J. Marter
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  December 3, 2004
         
     
  * By:   /s/ Peter J. Bradford    
    Peter J. Bradford   
    Attorney-in-fact   
 

 


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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit No.
  Description
3.1
  Incorporating Documents of the Company, including: Articles of Arrangement dated May 14, 1992, with Plan of Arrangement attached, with Certificate of Amendment with respect thereto dated May 15, 1992; Certificate of Amendment dated May 15, 1992, with Articles of Amendment; Certificate of Amendment dated March 26, 1993, with Articles of Amendment; Articles of Arrangement dated March 7, 1995, with Plan of Arrangement attached, with Certificate of Amendment with respect thereto dated March 14, 1995; Certificate of Amendment dated July 29, 1996, with Articles of Amendment; and Certificate of Amendment dated July 10, 2002, with Articles of Amendment (all incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2003)
 
   
3.2
  Bylaws of the Company, including: Bylaw Number One, amended and restated as of April 3, 2002 (2); Bylaw Number Two, effective May 15, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2003); and Bylaw Number Three, effective May 15, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2003)
 
   
4.1
  Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004 between Golden Star Resources Ltd. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K on June 3, 2004)
 
   
4.2
  Form of Specimen Certificate for Common Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (Reg. No. 333-91666), filed on July 15, 2002)
 
   
4.3
  Form of Warrant (1)
 
   
5
  Opinion of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
 
   
23.1
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
   
23.2
  Consent of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
 
   
24
  Power of Attorney (2)


(1)   To be filed by amendment or by a Current Report on Form 8-K if the registrant enters into any such agreement or issues any such instrument in connection with the offer of any securities registered hereunder.
 
(2)   Previously filed.