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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2005.

Registration No. 333–118956

 
 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
CANADA   98-0101955
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

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 only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ

     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(c) 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

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. 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.

PROSPECTUS

Subject to Completion, dated March 24, 2005

$300,000,000

GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

Common Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Convertible Debt Securities


     Golden Star Resources Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, “Golden Star,” “we,” “us,” or “our company”) may offer and sell from time to time up to $300,000,000 of our common shares, without par value, preferred shares, without par value, warrants, or convertible debt securities in one or more transactions.

     This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. The accompanying prospectus supplement sets forth specific information with regard to the particular securities being offered and may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, together with any additional information which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

     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 “$” are to United States dollars. Canadian dollars are indicated by the symbol “Cdn$”.

     This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

     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 7 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 ____________, 2005.

 


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 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.

     We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offering is not permitted.

 


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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-3, 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, as amended on Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 2004;
 
  2.   Reports on Form 8-K filed February 2 and February 4, 2005; and
 
  3.   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 or in documents incorporated herein by reference, we use the terms “total cash cost per ounce” and “cash operating cost per ounce”. Total cash cost per ounce and cash operating cost per ounce 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. There are material limitations associated with the use of such non-GAAP measures. Since these measures do not incorporate revenues, changes in working capital and non-operating cash costs, they are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Changes in numerous factors including, but not limited to, mining rates, milling rates, gold grade, gold recovery, and the costs of labor, consumables and mine site general and administrative activities can cause these measures to increase or decrease. We believe that these measures are the same or similar to the measures of other gold mining companies, but may not be comparable to similarly titled measures in every instance. See Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for an explanation of these measures.

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, our expansion plans for Bogoso/Prestea and our production goals 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;
 
  •   metallurgy, processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies and water;
 
  •   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;
 

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  •   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 2004, 147,875 ounces of gold were sold by Bogoso/Prestea, which has produced essentially 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. The newly constructed ore processing plant at Wassa has achieved full design capacity, processing a mixture of newly mined ore from the open pit mine and heap leach materials left by a former owner. The open pit is expected to become the sole source of mill feed beginning in 2006 after 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. As of December 31, 2004, BGL owned an approximately 90% operating interest in this mine. We are now seeking to determine if the underground mine can be reactivated on a profitable basis.

     We hold interests in exploration joint ventures, managed by joint venture partners, in Mali and Sierra Leone in West Africa and hold active exploration properties in Ghana, Suriname and French Guiana. We hold interests in gold exploration properties in Peru and Chile through our affiliate Goldmin Holdings, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through an investment in Moto Goldmines Limited.

     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 and 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 annual earnings of $2.6 million, $22.0 million and $4.9 million in 2004, 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 December 31, 2004 of $27.8 million, including $3.0 million payable to financial institutions, $16.2 million of current trade payables and accrued current liabilities and an $8.6 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 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 operational cash flow from Wassa by mid-2005. The newly constructed Wassa processing plant has achieved full design capacity, processing through the mill a mixture of ore from the open pit and materials from the prior owner’s heap leach pads. Production at Wassa is expected to range between 100,000 ounces and 120,000 ounces in 2005 and to increase to average

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approximately 140,000 ounces per year after 2005. 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 and Wassa 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 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. 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. A significant portion of the operating costs at Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa 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. The costs of goods and services could increase due to changes in the value of the United States dollar or the Cedi, the South African Rand or other currencies, such as the recent decrease in the value of the United States dollar relative to other currencies. In addition, such changes may increase the salary costs of expatriate employees who are currently paid in United States dollars. Consequently, operation and development of our properties might be more costly 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 are time consuming and expensive and diverts management attention from our existing business and may be unsuccessful, as was our recent bid for IAMGold. As our operations to

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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 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, and $5.0 million was spent on the project in 2004. 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;
 

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  •   difficulty in applying technology such as bio-oxidation processing;
 
  •   unusual or unexpected geological or operating conditions;
 
  •   slope failures;
 
  •   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 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.

     Mining and processing gold from the south end of the Prestea property, 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 that could affect the feasibility or profitability of such projects.

     Mine development projects, including our recent 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.

     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 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 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.

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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
 
  •   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.

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     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;
 
  •   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

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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 may have been removed by the illegal mining activity. The impact of this illegal mining, to the extent known at this time, on our currently reported reserve and non-reserve mineral resources has been included in our year-end 2004 reserve figures. While we are proactively working with local, regional and national governmental authorities to obtain protection of our property rights on a timelier 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.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and share price.

     We are in the process of testing our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent auditor addressing these assessments. Any failure to implement, improve and expand our systems, processes, or controls efficiently could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment. During the course of our testing we may identify deficiencies which we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on our business and share price.

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

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factors unrelated to our performance that could have an effect on the price of our common shares include the following:

  •   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 as our agent for service of process in the Province of British Columbia, 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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The existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares could impair our ability to raise capital.

     As of March 15, 2005 approximately 14.5 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.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered under this prospectus for the exploration and development of our mining properties in Ghana, acquisition, exploration and development of additional properties or interests and working capital and other general corporate purposes such as repayment of debt, if applicable.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     We may offer the securities directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, or through underwriters or dealers designated from time to time. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices (which may be changed from time to time), at market prices prevailing at the times of sale, at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We may offer securities in the same offering, or we may offer securities in separate offerings. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

  •   the offeror(s) of the securities;
 
  •   the terms of the securities to which the prospectus supplement relates;
 
  •   the name or names of any underwriters;
 
  •   the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be received from the sale;
 
  •   any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; and
 
  •   any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

     If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to the conditions precedent agreed to by the parties and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of a class or series if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

     Securities may be sold directly by our company or through agents designated by our company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by our company to any agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

     We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by eligible institutions to purchase securities from our company at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

     Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by our company against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make relating to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, our company in the ordinary course of business.

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     Each class or series of securities other than the common shares will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriter may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. There may be limited liquidity in the trading market for any such securities.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES

     We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par value. As of March 15, 2005, there were 142,385,476 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,

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except as otherwise provided in the rights agreement. The rights agreement may have certain anti-takeover effects.

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 PREFERRED SHARES

     We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares, without par value. As of March 15, 2005, there were no preferred shares outstanding. Preferred shares are issuable in such classes or series as are determined by the board of directors, who have the authority to determine the relative rights and preferences of each such class or series. The board of directors has not designated any class or series of preferred shares.

     The issuance of preferred shares could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common shares, and the likelihood that preferred holders will receive dividend and liquidation preferences may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Golden Star, which could depress the market price of our common shares. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, all preferred shares to be issued from time to time under this prospectus will be fully paid and nonassessable.

     The prospectus supplement relating to the preferred shares offered will contain a description of the specific terms of that series as fixed by our board of directors, including, as applicable:

  •   the number of preferred shares offered and the offering price of the preferred shares;
 
  •   the title and stated value of the preferred shares;
 
  •   the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation of such rates, periods or dates applicable to the preferred shares;
 
  •   the date from which dividends on the preferred shares will accumulate, if applicable;
 
  •   the liquidation rights of the preferred shares;
 
  •   the procedures for auction and remarketing, if any, of the preferred shares;
 
  •   the sinking fund provisions, if applicable, for the preferred shares;

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  •   the redemption provisions, if applicable, for the preferred shares;
 
  •   whether the preferred shares will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio and the conversion or exchange period (or the method of determining the same);
 
  •   whether the preferred shares will have voting rights and the terms of any voting rights, if any;
 
  •   whether the preferred shares will be listed on any securities exchange;
 
  •   whether the preferred shares will be issued with any other securities and, if so, the amount and terms of these securities; and
 
  •   any other specific terms, preferences or rights of, or limitations or restrictions on, the preferred shares.

     The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase and ownership of the preferred shares offered by the prospectus supplement.

     The transfer agent for each series of preferred shares will be described in the prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     At March 15, 2005, there were two series of warrants outstanding to purchase a total of 8,833,334 million common shares as follows:

                                           
 
              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  
 
Equity offering
    February 14, 2003       8,448,334       Cdn$4.60     4 years     February 14, 2007  
 
Total
            8,833,334                          
 


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

     The 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 debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or units consisting of any combination of the foregoing securities. 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;

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  •   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;
 
  •   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.

DESCRIPTION OF CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES

     This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of our convertible debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of convertible debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus.

     The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a duly qualified financial institution, as trustee. Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary may not contain all the terms that are important to you. You should read the form of the indenture that has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indenture.

General

     The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series.

     The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indenture. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount, prices and terms of the debt securities. These terms may include:

  •   the title of the debt securities;

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  •   the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;
 
  •   any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
 
  •   the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities;
 
  •   the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
 
  •   the place or places where principal, premium and interest payments may be made on the debt securities;
 
  •   the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are issued and payable;
 
  •   the conversion or exchange provisions applicable to the debt securities;
 
  •   any mandatory or optional redemption provisions applicable to the debt securities;
 
  •   any sinking fund or analogous provisions applicable to the debt securities;
 
  •   the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
 
  •   whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;
 
  •   the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;
 
  •   any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;
 
  •   any additions or changes to, or deletions from, the events of default, covenants or acceleration provisions applicable to the debt securities;
 
  •   the trustee for the series of debt securities and any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and
 
  •   any other specific terms of the debt securities, which may modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series.

     We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture.

     If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with

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respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

     Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary, or a nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Book-Entry Debt Securities” below, debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

     Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. The depositary has indicated it intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

     Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the related global debt security, which we refer to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

     So long as the depositary for a global debt security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form representing securities and will not be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

     We understand, however, that under existing industry practice, the depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security the persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security for purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the indenture.

     We will make payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related global debt security. Golden Star, the trustee and any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.

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     We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or premium or interest on, a global debt security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

     We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the book-entry debt securities of any series represented by one or more global debt securities and, in that event, will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. Global debt securities will also be exchangeable by the holders for certificated debt securities if an event of default with respect to the book-entry debt securities represented by those global debt securities has occurred and is continuing. Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.

     We have obtained the foregoing information concerning the depositary and the depositary’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

Certificated Debt Securities

     Transfer or Exchange of Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

     You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control

     Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

     We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following covenant will apply to all debt securities.

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     Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

     We may not, unless the terms of debt securities provide otherwise, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:

  •   we are the surviving corporation, or the surviving entity (if other than Golden Star) or the acquiror of our properties and assets is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture;
 
  •   immediately prior to and after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and
 
  •   certain other conditions are met.

Events of Default

     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture defines an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities, as one or more of the following:

  •   default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days;
 
  •   default in the payment of principal of any debt security of that series when due and payable;
 
  •   an event of default occurs and is continuing, or the failure by us to comply with any of the agreements contained in the debt securities of that series or the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of not less than 50% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;
 
  •   certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company; and
 
  •   any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.

     No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

     If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 50% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of

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bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such lesser amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

     Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities if the request conflicts with law or the indenture, is unduly prejudicial to the rights of another holder of debt securities of that series, or may involve the trustee in personal liability.

     No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

  •   that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and
 
  •   the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security’s right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

     The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

     Golden Star and the trustee as to any series of debt securities may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series affected may also waive compliance in a particular instance with any provision of the indenture. Nevertheless, in no event may a modification, amendment or waiver, without the consent of the holders of each series of affected debt security then outstanding:

  •   reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver;

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  •   reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of a sinking fund or analogous provision;
 
  •   reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;
 
  •   reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or waive a redemption payment or alter the redemption provisions with respect thereto;
 
  •   make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in a currency other than that stated in the debt security;
 
  •   reduce the principal amount of original issue discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;
 
  •   make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or
 
  •   waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration).

     Subject to the limitations discussed above, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any existing or past default or event of default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

     Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or United States government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than United States dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

     This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject

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to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

     Covenant Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

  •   we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and
 
  •   any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or an event of covenant defeasance.

     The conditions include:

  •   depositing with the trustee money and/or United States government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than United States dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and
 
  •   delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

     Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities, and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and/or United States government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.

     For purposes of this discussion, “foreign government obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than United States dollars:

  •   direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or
 
  •   obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

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Federal Income Tax Consequences and Other Special Considerations

     We will provide you with information on the federal income tax and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges is as follows for the period indicated:

                             
 
  FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31  
  2000     2001     2002     2003     2004  
 
- (1)
    - (1)     16x     93x     7x  
 


(1)   For fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges.

     We have computed the ratio of fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of income/(loss) from operations before income tax, minority interest adjustments and changes in accounting principles and fixed charges, and “fixed charges” consists of the interest portion of rental expense and interest incurred. Please refer to Exhibit 12 filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part for additional information regarding the ratio of earnings to cover fixed charges.

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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 DuMoulin 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, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2004 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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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

     We will pay all expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. The following is an itemized statement of these expenses (all amounts are estimated except for the SEC fees):

         
SEC Registration Fee
  $ 38,010  
AMEX Listing Fee*
  $    
NASD Filing Fee*
  $    
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses*
  $    
Legal Fees*
  $    
Accountant’s Fees*
  $    
Trustee and Transfer Agent Fees*
  $    
Printing and Engraving*
  $    
Miscellaneous*
  $    
Total*
  $    
 

*To be supplied in a prospectus supplement.
       

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

     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.

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     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.

Item 16. Exhibits.

     
Exhibit    
No.   Description
1.1
  Form of Underwriting Agreement (1)
 
   
1.2
  Form of Placement Agent Agreement (1)
 
   
4.1
  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)
 
   
4.2
  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)

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Exhibit    
No.   Description
4.3
  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 filed on June 3, 2004)
 
   
4.4
  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)
 
   
4.5
  Form of Specimen Certificate for Preferred Shares (1)
 
   
4.6
  Statement of Rights and Preferences of Preferred Shares (1)
 
   
4.7
  Form of Warrant (1)
 
   
4.8
  Form of Indenture (2)
 
   
5
  Opinion of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (2)
 
   
12.1
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (2)
 
   
23.1
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
   
23.2
  Consent of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (included in Exhibit 5) (2)
 
   
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.

    Item 17. 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;

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provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference 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; and
 
  (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)   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.
 
  (d)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of that Act.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing this Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Littleton, Colorado, on March 22, 2005.

         
    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 of 1933, this Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-3 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   March 22, 2005
 
/s/ Peter J. Bradford
Peter J. Bradford
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   March 22, 2005
 
                                  *
James E. Askew
  Director   March 22, 2005
 
 

David L. Bumstead
  Director   March 22, 2005
 
                                  *
David K. Fagin
  Director   March 22, 2005
 
                                  *
Michael P. Martineau
  Director   March 22, 2005
 
/s/ Allan J. Marter
Allan J. Marter
  Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   March 22, 2005
         

*By:
  /s/ Peter J. Bradford    
       
  Peter J. Bradford    
  Attorney-in-fact    

 


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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit    
No.   Description
1.1
  Form of Underwriting Agreement (1)
 
   
1.2
  Form of Placement Agent Agreement (1)
 
   
4.1
  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)
 
   
4.2
  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)
 
   
4.3
  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 filed on June 3, 2004)
 
   
4.4
  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)
 
   
4.5
  Form of Specimen Certificate for Preferred Shares (1)
 
   
4.6
  Statement of Rights and Preferences of Preferred Shares (1)
 
   
4.7
  Form of Warrant (1)
 
   
4.8
  Form of Indenture (2)
 
   
5
  Opinion of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (2)
 
   
12.1
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (2)
 
   
23.1
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
   
23.2
  Consent of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (included in Exhibit 5) (2)
 
   
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.