Expert: Steven Taylor - 12/2/2009

Question
I have old share certificates from Western Clay Products Ltd. (of Saskatchewan) and Alchib Developments Limited (of Ontario).

I am told Western Clay became Ceramic Holdings and that Alchib Developments Limited became Cercal Minerals Corporation.

Do these companies still exist? Do the shares have any value?


Answer
Tim, from the information I have available, Alchib did eventually become Cercal after a reverse split and 3 name changes. Cercal ran into serious financial difficulty in 1994 and was suspended, delisted, and cease-traded in 1994/1995. Those cease-trade orders remain in effect today, which suggests they were never able to raise enough money to correct their problems.

For Western Clay, I have no information on its ultimate fate. If there is a transfer agent listed on the certificate, I would contact them first as they will know if your certificate has any value. If not, you could try the Province of Incorporation and see what information they have available. You could also take the certificate to a broker and see if they can perform a more detailed search for you.