SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of accounting policy for foreign currency translation

(i) Foreign currency

The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the Canadian Dollar.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, transactions in currencies other than the Company’s functional currency are recognized at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are re-translated at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items that are measured based on historical cost in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.

Exchange differences are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise and presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

Description of accounting policy for share-based payment transactions

(ii) Share-based payments

The Company maintains a Restricted Share Unit (“RSU”), Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”) and stock option plan for employees, directors, and other qualified individuals.

Equity-settled transactions, which include RSUs, DSUs and stock options, are measured by reference to their fair value at the grant date. The fair value for RSU’s is determined using the market value of the share price, as listed on the TSX, at the close of business at the grant date. The fair value for stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which relies on estimates of the future risk-free interest rate, future dividend payments, future share price volatility and the expected average life of options. The Company believes this model adequately captures the substantive features of the option awards, and is appropriate to calculate their fair values. The fair value determined for both RSUs and stock options at grant date is recognized over the vesting period in accordance with the vesting terms and conditions, with a corresponding increase to share-based payments reserve.

Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and others providing similar services are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date.

The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed in profit or loss over the vesting period, if any, which is the period during which the employee becomes unconditionally entitled to equity instruments. At the end of each reporting period, the Company revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest, if any.

Description of accounting policy for income tax

(iii) Income taxes and deferred taxes

The income tax expense or benefit for the year consists of two components: current and deferred.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year. Current tax is calculated using tax rates and laws that were enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in each of the jurisdictions and includes any adjustments for taxes payable or recovery in respect of prior periods.

Taxable profit or loss differs from profit or loss as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income because of items of income or expenses that are taxable or deductible in other years, and items that are never taxable or deductible.

Deferred tax is recognized on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences, loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilized. To the extent that the Company does not consider it to be probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences, loss carryforwards, and tax credit carryforwards can be utilized, a deferred tax asset is not recognized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, except where the Company is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilize the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset realized, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Current and deferred taxes are recognized in profit or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case, the current and deferred taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Description of accounting policy for mining assets

(iv) Mineral properties and exploration and evaluation costs and development costs

Exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) costs are those costs required to find a mineral property and determine commercial viability and technical feasibility. E&E costs include costs to establish an initial mineral resource and determine whether inferred mineral resources can be upgraded to measured and indicated mineral resources and whether measured and indicated mineral resources can be converted to proven and probable reserves.

Exploration and evaluation costs consist of:

 gathering exploration data through topographical and geological studies;

 exploratory drilling, trenching and sampling;

 determining the volume and grade of the resource;

 test work on geology, metallurgy, mining, geotechnical and environmental; and

 conducting and refining engineering, marketing and financial studies.

Costs in relation to these activities are expensed as incurred until such time that the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting the mineral resource are demonstrable. At such time, mineral properties are assessed for impairment, and an impairment loss, if any, is recognized, and future development costs will be capitalized to assets under construction.

The key factors management used in determining technical feasibility and commercial viability were the following;

 completion of a feasibility study;

 obtaining required permits to construct the mine;

 completion of an evaluation of the financial resources required to construct the mine;

 availability of financial resources necessary to commence development activities to construct the mine; and

 management’s determination that a satisfactory return on investment, in relation to the risks to be assumed, is likely to be obtained.

The Company also recognizes exploration and evaluation costs as assets when acquired as part of a business combination, or asset purchase, or as a result of rights acquired relating to a mineral property.

Description of accounting policy for commencement of commercial production

(v) Commencement of commercial production

There are a number of quantitative and qualitative measures the Company considers when determining if conditions exist for the transition from pre-commercial production to commencement of commercial production of an operating mine, which include:

 all major capital expenditures have been completed to bring the mine to the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management;

 mineral recoveries are at or near expected production levels; 

 the ability to sustain ongoing production of ore; and

 the ability to operate the plant as intended, achieving 30 days at an average of 70% design capacity.

The list of measures is not exhaustive and management takes into account the surrounding circumstances before making any specific decision.

Description of accounting policy for impairment of non-financial assets

(vi) Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying value of the Company’s capitalized property, plant and equipment, and evaluation and exploration assets are assessed for impairment when indicators of potential impairment are identified to exist. If any indication of impairment is identified, an estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount is calculated to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any. The recoverable amount is determined as the higher of the fair value less costs of disposal for the asset and the asset’s value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

Impairment is determined on an asset by asset basis, whenever possible. If it is not possible to determine impairment on an individual asset basis, then impairment is considered on the basis of a cash generating unit (“CGU”). CGUs represent the lowest level for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash flows from other assets or the Company’s other group of assets. The Company has determined that it has two CGUs.

If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is impaired and an impairment loss is charged immediately to profit or loss so as to reduce the carrying amount to its recoverable amount.

Description of accounting policy for borrowing costs

(vii) Capitalized interest

Interest costs for qualifying assets are capitalized. Qualifying assets are assets that require a significant amount of time to prepare for their intended use, including projects that are in development or construction stages. Capitalized interest costs are considered an element of the cost of the qualifying asset. Capitalization ceases when the asset is substantially complete or if active development is suspended or ceases. Where funds borrowed are directly attributable to a qualifying asset, the amount capitalized represents the borrowing costs specific to those borrowings.

Description of accounting policy for provisions

(viii) Provisions

Provisions represent liabilities to the Company for which the amount or timing is uncertain. Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses. Provisions are measured at the present value of the expected expenditures to settle the obligation, applying a pre-tax risk-free discount rate. The increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognized as accretion expense. The Company does not have any provisions as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 other than the provision for decommissioning and restoration associated with the property, plant and equipment.

The Company records as decommissioning and restoration liability the present value of estimated costs of legal and constructive obligations required to restore locations in the period in which the obligation is incurred. The nature of these decommissioning and restoration activities includes dismantling and removing structures, rehabilitating mines and tailings dams, dismantling operating facilities, closure of plant and waste sites, and restoration, reclamation and re-vegetation of affected areas.

The obligation generally arises when the asset is installed or the ground and/or environment is disturbed at the production location. When the liability is initially recognized, the present value of the estimated cost is capitalized if the Company has a related asset on its balance sheet, or expensed. Costs for restoration of subsequent site damage which is created on an ongoing basis during production are provided for at their net present values and is added to inventory, and then in production costs as inventory is sold. Over time, the discounted liability is increased for the change in present value. The periodic unwinding of the discount is recognized in profit or loss as a finance cost called “accretion expense on decommissioning and restoration liability”. Additional disturbances or changes in rehabilitation costs will be recognized as additional capitalized costs (or exploration and evaluation expense depending on whether there was a related asset when the liability was initially recognized) and additional decommissioning and restoration liability when they occur. If it is determined that the expected costs for decommissioning and restoration are reduced, the change in the present value of the reduction is recorded as a reduction in the capitalized costs (expensed), and a reduction of the decommissioning and restoration liability.

Description of accounting policy for earnings per share

(ix) Loss or earnings per share

Basic loss or earnings per share is calculated by dividing loss or earnings attributable to common shares divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted loss or earnings per share is calculated using the denominator of the basic calculation described above adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options. The denominator is increased by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding after adjustment for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares.

Description of accounting policy for recognition of revenue

(x) Revenue recognition

The Company utilizes a sales agent to facilitate the sale of rough and/or fancies and specials diamonds to the end-customer. The Company recognizes revenue when consideration has been received by the Company’s sales agent, which represents the completion of the performance obligation of the Company and when control is passed to the customer.

As outlined in the joint venture agreement between the Company and De Beers Canada, fancies and specials diamonds produced at the GK mine are subject to a bid process. When De Beers is the successful bidder, the Company recognizes 49% of the bid price as revenue at the completion of the bid process, as De Beers receives the fancies and specials diamonds and the Company is paid immediately for its share by De Beers.

Description of accounting policy for property, plant and equipment

(xi) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Cost comprises the fair value of consideration given to acquire an asset and includes the direct charges associated with bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary to put the asset into use, as well as the future cost of dismantling and removing the asset. When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant and equipment. Replacement cost, including major inspection and overhaul expenditures are capitalized for components of property, plant and equipment, which are accounted for separately.

Development costs are capitalized under assets under construction. Expenditures, including engineering to design the size and scope of the project, environmental assessment and permitting and borrowing costs are capitalized to assets under construction.

Amortization is provided on property, plant and equipment. Amortization is calculated so as to allocate the cost of each asset over its expected useful life to its estimated residual value. The estimated useful lives, residual values and amortization method are reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period. Mineral properties are not amortized until the properties to which they relate are placed into commercial production, at which time the costs will be amortized on a unit-of-production method following commencement of commercial production. Assets under construction are not amortized; rather costs are deferred until the asset is ready for use, at which point the deferred amount is transferred to the appropriate asset category and amortized as set out below.

The Company has changed its estimate of the useful life of the earthmoving equipment category within property, plant and equipment to better reflect the pattern of consumption being the straight line over the shorter of remaining life of the mine or life of the asset, rather than estimated hours. This change has been applied prospectively. This change in estimate did not result in a material difference to the depreciation in the current period. It is estimated it will not have a material impact on future periods’ depreciation.

The Company has changed its estimate of the basis for units of production over proven and probable reserves from carats recovered to ore treated. This change has been applied prospectively to better reflect the pattern of consumption over the remaining life of mine. This change only affects the production and related equipment, general infrastructure, mineral properties and deferred stripping categories within property, plant and equipment.

Upon entering commercial production stage, capitalized costs associated with the acquisition of the mineral property or the development of the mine, are amortized using the various methods based in the asset categories as follows:

Corporate assets	two to seven years, straight line
Vehicles	three to five years, straight line
Production and related equipment	units of production over proven and probable reserves
General infrastructure	units of production over proven and probable reserves
Earthmoving equipment	straight line over shorter of life of mine or life of the asset
Mineral properties	units of production over proven and probable reserves
Assets under construction	not depreciated until ready for use

Description of accounting policy for measuring inventories

(xii) Inventories

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable values. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion. An impairment adjustment is made when the carrying amount is higher than the net realizable value.

Rough diamonds classified as finished goods comprise diamonds that have been subject to the sorting process. Cost is determined on a weighted average cost per carat basis including production costs and value-added processing activity. As outlined in the joint venture agreement between the Company and De Beers Canada, fancies and special diamonds produced at the GK Mine are subject to a bid process. Upon a successful bid by the Company, the fancies and specials diamonds will be included in inventories and 51% of the bid amount will be paid to De Beers and capitalized to the cost of inventory. Cost for fancies and specials diamonds is determined on a weighted average cost basis including production costs and value-added processing activity plus the direct cost of acquiring the fancies and specials diamonds from De Beers.

Stockpiled ore represents coarse ore that has been extracted from the mine and is available for future processing. Stockpiled ore value is based on costs incurred in bringing ore to the stockpile. Costs are added to the stockpiled ore based on current mining costs per tonne and are removed at the average cost per tonne of ore in the stockpile.

Supplies inventory are consumable materials which are measured at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value.

Description of accounting policy for stripping costs

(xiii) Capitalized stripping costs

In open pit mining operations, it is necessary to remove overburden and other waste materials to access ore from which minerals can be extracted economically. The process of removing overburden and waste materials is referred to as stripping. Stripping costs incurred in order to provide initial access to the ore body (referred to as pre-production stripping) are capitalized as mine development costs. These amounts were capitalized under assets under construction.

It may be also required to remove waste materials and to incur stripping costs during the production phase of the mine. The Company recognizes a stripping activity asset if all of the below conditions are met:

 It is probable that the future economic benefit (improved access to the component of the ore body) associated with the stripping activity will flow to the Company.

 The Company can identify the component of the ore body for which access has been improved.

 The costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that component can be measured reliably.

The Company measures the stripping activity at cost based on an accumulation of costs incurred to perform the stripping activity that improves access to the identified component of ore, plus an allocation of directly attributable costs. The waste to ore strip ratio projected for the life of the specific orebody must be exceeded for the costs to be capitalized as stripping costs.

After initial recognition, the stripping activity asset is carried at cost less depreciation and impairment losses in the same way as the existing asset of which it is a part.

The stripping activity asset is depreciated over the expected useful life of the identified components of the ore body that becomes more accessible as a result of the stripping activity using the units of production method.

Disclosure of changes in accounting policies

(xiv) New accounting policies adopted in the current year

(a) Financial instruments

The Company has adopted all of the requirements of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”), as of January 1, 2018. IFRS 9 has replaced IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (“IAS 39”). IFRS 9 utilizes a revised model for recognition and measurement of financial instruments and a single, forward-looking “expected loss” impairment model. There are differences between IFRS 9 and IAS 39, however, most of the requirements in IAS 39 for classification and measurement of financial liabilities were carried forward in IFRS 9, so the Company’s accounting policy with respect to financial liabilities, including the accounting for the embedded derivative related to the secured notes payable, is unchanged.

As a result of the adoption of IFRS 9, the Company has changed its accounting policy for financial assets retrospectively, for assets that were recognized at the date of application. The change did not impact the carrying value of any financial assets on transition date. The main area of change is the accounting for cash previously classified as fair value through profit and loss.

The following is the Company’s new accounting policy for financial instruments under IFRS 9.

Classification

The Company classifies its financial instruments in the following categories: at fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”), at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”) or at amortized cost. The Company determines the classification of financial assets at initial recognition. The classification of debt instruments is driven by the Company’s business model for managing the financial assets and their contractual cash flow characteristics. Financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost unless they are required to be measured at FVTPL (such as instruments held for trading or derivatives) or the Company has opted to measure them at FVTPL.

The Company completed a detailed assessment of its financial assets and liabilities as at January 1, 2018. The following table shows the original classification under IAS 39 and the new classification under IFRS 9:

Asset/Liability	Original classifciation IAS 39	New classification IFRS 9
Cash	FVTPL	Amortized cost
Equity securities	Available-for-sale	FVTOCI
Amounts receivable	Loans and receivables	Amortized cost
Derivative assets	FVTPL	FVTPL
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	Other liabilties	Amortized cost
Secured notes payable	Other liabilties	Amortized cost

The Company is not required to restate prior periods. The adoption of IFRS 9 resulted in no change to the opening accumulated deficit on January 1, 2018.

The Company’s cash consists of balances with banks.

The Company had no held-to-maturity financial assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Measurement

Financial assets at FVTOCI

Elected investments in equity instruments at FVTOCI are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs. Subsequently they are measured at fair value, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income.

Financial assets and liabilities at amortized cost

Financial assets and liabilities at amortized cost are initially recognized at fair value, plus transaction costs, and subsequently carried at amortized cost less any impairment. Financial liabilities carried at amortized cost utilize the effective interest method.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the financial liability, or where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL

Financial assets and liabilities carried at FVTPL are initially recorded at fair value and transaction costs are expensed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. Realized and unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities held at FVTPL are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income in the period in which they arise.

Financial assets

The Company derecognizes financial assets only when the contractual rights to cash flows from the financial assets expire, or when it transfers the financial assets and substantially all the associated risks and rewards of ownership to another entity. Gains and losses on derecognition are generally recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. However, gains and losses on derecognition of financial assets classified as FVTOCI are reclassified to retained earnings (deficit) as a reclassification within equity.

Financial liabilities

The Company derecognizes financial liabilities only when its obligations under the financial liabilities are discharged, cancelled, or expired. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognized and the consideration paid and payable, including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed, is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

(b) Foreign currency transactions and advance consideration

In December 2016, the IASB issued IFRIC Interpretation 22 “Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration” (“IFRIC 22”). IFRIC 22 is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and permits early adoption. IFRIC 22 clarifies which date should be used for translation when a foreign currency transaction involves an advance payment or receipt. The interpretation clarifies that the date of the transaction for the purpose of determining the exchange rate to use on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) is the date on which an entity initially recognizes the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the payment or receipt of the advance consideration. The adoption of IFRIC 22 did not have an effect on the consolidated financial statements for the period.

Description of accounting policy for standards and amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not yet been adopted early by the company

(xv) Standards and amendments to existing standards

At the date of authorization of these financial statements, certain new standards and amendments to existing standards have been published but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted early by the Company. The Company anticipates that all of the relevant standards will be adopted by the Company in the first period beginning after the effective date of the standard. Information on new standards and amendments that are expected to be relevant to the Company’s financial statements is provided below.

Leases

On January 13, 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16, Leases (“IFRS 16”). The new standard will replace existing lease guidance in IFRS and related interpretations and requires companies to bring most leases on balance sheet. The significant change will affect the accounting treatment of leases currently classified as operating leases. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The Company has concluded that the adoption of IFRS 16 will have an increase in lease liabilities, representing the present value of future payments under arrangements currently classified as operating leases, along with a corresponding increase in property, plant and equipment. Upon increasing property, plant and equipment, there will be an impact on the statement of comprehensive (loss) income, with an increase to depreciation, depletion and finance costs rather than operating expenses. There will be an impact on the statement of cash flows with an increase to financing activities rather than operating activities. Management believes the quantitative impact of this adoption will not be material.

Uncertainty over income tax treatments

On June 7, 2017, the IASB issued IFRIC Interpretation 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (“IFRIC 23”). IFRIC 23 provides guidance on the accounting for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets in circumstances in which there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. IFRIC 23 is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Earlier application is permitted. Management concludes there will be no material impact on the effect of adopting IFRIC 23 on the consolidated financial statements for annual periods beginning January 1, 2019.