UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
| For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 | ||
| OR | ||
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from to
| Commission file number: 001-33638 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| British Columbia, Canada | N/A | |||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2300-1177
West Hastings Street (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
|
V6E 2K3 (Zip code) | |
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (604) 683-6332 | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large Accelerated Filer ¨ | Accelerated Filer ¨ |
Non-Accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller Reporting Company x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of May 3, 2016, the registrant had 116,313,638 Common Shares outstanding.
Table of Contents
| Page | ||
| Part I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
| Item 1 | Financial Statements | 4 |
| Item 2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 16 |
| Item 3 | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 20 |
| Item 4 | Controls and Procedures | 20 |
| Part II | OTHER INFORMATION | |
| Item 1 | Legal Proceedings | 21 |
| Item 1A | Risk Factors | 21 |
| Item 2 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 21 |
| Item 3 | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 21 |
| Item 4 | Mine Safety Disclosures | 21 |
| Item 5 | Other Information | 21 |
| Item 6 | Exhibits | 22 |
| SIGNATURES |
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING ESTIMATES OF MEASURED, INDICATED AND INFERRED RESOURCES AND PROVEN AND PROBABLE RESERVES
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “our,” “ITH” or the “Company”) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101—Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”)—CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves, and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.
“Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained in this report and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
The term “mineralized material” as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, although permissible under SEC Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves”. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO ALL INVESTORS CONCERNING ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS THAT INCLUDE INFERRED RESOURCES
The Company currently holds or has the right to acquire interests in an advanced stage exploration project in Alaska referred to as the Livengood Gold Project (the “Livengood Gold Project” or the “Project”). Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. The preliminary assessments on the Project are preliminary in nature and include “inferred mineral resources” that have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies. There is no certainty that such inferred mineral resources at the Project will ever be realized. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning anticipated results and developments in the operations of the Company in future periods, planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company’s financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could” or “should” (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms) occur or be achieved. These forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:
| · | the potential for opportunities to improve the economics of the Livengood Gold Project by reducing certain capital and operating costs; |
| · | the potential for higher head grades at the Project; |
| · | the Company’s ability to potentially include the results of the optimization process in a new or updated feasibility study or any future financial analysis of the Project; |
| · | the Company’s ability to carry forward and incorporate into future engineering studies of the Project updated mine design, production schedule, and recovery concepts identified during the optimization process; |
| · | the potential for the Company to carry out an engineering phase that will evaluate and optimize the Project configuration and capital and operating expenses, including determining the optimum scale for the Project; |
| · | the Company’s future cash requirements, the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they come due (including payment of the derivative liability due in January 2017), and the Company’s ability to be able to raise the necessary funds to continue operations on acceptable terms, if at all; |
| · | the proceeds from any sale of the claims related to the derivative liability being sufficient to satisfy the payment due in January 2017; |
| · | the Company’s strategies and objectives, both generally and specifically in respect of the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the Company’s belief that there are no known environmental issues that are anticipated to materially impact the Company’s ability to conduct mining operations at the Project; |
| · | the potential for the expansion of the estimated resources at the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the potential for a production decision concerning, and any production at, the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the potential for cost savings due to the high gravity gold concentration component of some of the Livengood Gold Project mineralization; |
| · | the sequence of decisions regarding the timing and costs of development programs with respect to, and the issuance of the necessary permits and authorizations required for, the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the Company’s estimates of the quality and quantity of the resources at the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the timing and cost of the planned future exploration programs at the Livengood Gold Project, and the timing of the receipt of results therefrom; and |
| · | future general business and economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and the overall sentiment of the markets for public equity. |
Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others:
| · | the demand for, and level and volatility of the price of, gold; |
| · | general business and economic conditions; |
| · | government regulation and proposed legislation (and changes thereto or interpretations thereof); |
| · | defects in title to claims, or the ability to obtain surface rights, either of which could affect our property rights and claims; |
| · | conditions in the financial markets generally, the overall sentiment of the markets for public equity, interest rates and currency rates; |
| · | the Company’s ability to secure the necessary services and supplies on favorable terms in connection with its programs at the Livengood Gold Project and other activities; |
| · | the Company’s ability to attract and retain key staff, particularly in connection with the permitting and development of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the accuracy of the Company’s resource estimates (including with respect to size and grade) and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these are based; |
| · | the timing of the ability to commence and complete planned work programs at the Livengood Gold Project; |
| · | the timing of the receipt of and the terms of the consents, permits and authorizations necessary to carry out exploration and development programs at the Livengood Gold Project and the Company’s ability to comply with such terms on a safe and cost-effective basis; |
| · | the ongoing relations of the Company with the lessors of its property interests and applicable regulatory agencies; |
| · | the metallurgy and recovery characteristics of samples from certain of the Company’s mineral properties and whether such characteristics are reflective of the deposit as a whole; and |
| · | the continued development of and potential construction of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project property not requiring consents, approvals, authorizations or permits that are materially different from those identified by the Company. |
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other reports filed with the SEC.
The Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this report. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to or place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
| (Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited) |
| Note | March 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||
| Current | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,090,572 | $ | 6,493,486 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 178,390 | 192,226 | ||||||||
| Total current assets | 5,268,962 | 6,685,712 | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | 28,768 | 30,083 | ||||||||
| Capitalized acquisition costs | 4 | 55,204,041 | 55,204,041 | |||||||
| Total assets | $ | 60,501,771 | $ | 61,919,836 | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 218,502 | $ | 122,043 | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities | 307,707 | 394,436 | ||||||||
| Derivative liability | 14,600,000 | - | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 15,126,209 | 516,479 | ||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||
| Derivative liability | 6 | - | 13,900,000 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 15,126,209 | 14,416,479 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||
| Share capital, no par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; 116,313,638 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 | 7 | 243,692,185 | 243,692,185 | |||||||
| Contributed surplus | 34,040,368 | 33,979,717 | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,115,445 | 816,435 | ||||||||
| Deficit | (233,472,436 | ) | (230,984,980 | ) | ||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 45,375,562 | 47,503,357 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 60,501,771 | $ | 61,919,836 | ||||||
General Information, Nature of Operations and Liquidity Risk (Note 1)
Commitments (Note 9)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
| 4 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited) |
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| Note | March 31, 2016 | March 31, 2015 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||
| Consulting fees | $ | 73,190 | $ | 147,370 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 1,315 | 1,769 | ||||||||
| Insurance | 61,749 | 67,377 | ||||||||
| Investor relations | 20,958 | 32,203 | ||||||||
| Mineral property exploration | 4 | 796,505 | 401,330 | |||||||
| Office | 7,837 | 6,988 | ||||||||
| Other | 4,476 | 4,761 | ||||||||
| Professional fees | 42,834 | 50,146 | ||||||||
| Regulatory | 36,738 | 70,852 | ||||||||
| Rent | 35,361 | 40,880 | ||||||||
| Travel | 19,213 | 20,853 | ||||||||
| Wages and benefits | 570,238 | 710,577 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (1,670,414 | ) | (1,555,106 | ) | ||||||
| Other income (expenses) | ||||||||||
| Gain/(loss) on foreign exchange | (123,862 | ) | 702,255 | |||||||
| Interest income | 6,820 | 16,356 | ||||||||
| Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative | 6 | (700,000 | ) | 200,000 | ||||||
| Total other income (expenses) | (817,042 | ) | 918,611 | |||||||
| Net loss for the period | (2,487,456 | ) | (636,495 | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on marketable securities | (473 | ) | (8,379 | ) | ||||||
| Exchange difference on translating foreign operations | 299,483 | (1,027,199 | ) | |||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period | 299,010 | (1,035,578 | ) | |||||||
| Comprehensive loss for the period | $ | (2,188,446 | ) | $ | (1,672,073 | ) | ||||
| Basic and fully diluted loss per share | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 116,313,638 | 116,313,638 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
| 5 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD. (An Exploration Stage Company) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited) |
| Number of shares | Share capital | Contributed surplus | Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2014 | 116,313,638 | $ | 243,692,185 | $ | 33,439,249 | $ | 2,196,252 | $ | (226,172,156 | ) | $ | 53,155,530 | ||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | - | - | 269,712 | - | - | 269,712 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | - | - | - | (8,379 | ) | - | (8,379 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Exchange difference on translating foreign operations | - | - | - | (1,027,199 | ) | - | (1,027,199 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | (636,495 | ) | (636,495 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2015 | 116,313,638 | 243,692,185 | 33,708,961 | 1,160,674 | (226,808,651 | ) | 51,753,169 | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | - | - | 270,756 | - | - | 270,756 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | - | - | - | 2,541 | - | 2,541 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of available-for-sale securities | 219,402 | 219,402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange difference on translating foreign operations | - | - | - | (566,182 | ) | - | (566,182 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | (4,176,329 | ) | (4,176,329 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | 116,313,638 | 243,692,185 | 33,979,717 | 816,435 | (230,984,980 | ) | 47,503,357 | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | - | - | 60,651 | - | - | 60,651 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | - | - | - | (473 | ) | - | (473 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Exchange difference on translating foreign operations | - | - | - | 299,483 | - | 299,483 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | (2,487,456 | ) | (2,487,456 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2016 | 116,313,638 | $ | 243,692,185 | $ | 34,040,368 | $ | 1,115,445 | $ | (233,472,436 | ) | $ | 45,375,562 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
| 6 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited) |
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, 2016 | March 31, 2015 | |||||||
| Operating Activities | ||||||||
| Loss for the period | $ | (2,487,456 | ) | $ | (636,495 | ) | ||
| Add items not affecting cash: | ||||||||
| Depreciation | 1,315 | 1,769 | ||||||
| Stock based compensation | 60,651 | 269,712 | ||||||
| Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative liability | 700,000 | (200,000 | ) | |||||
| Changes in non-cash items: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (10,326 | ) | 54,027 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 28,870 | 21,626 | ||||||
| Advances to contractors | (8,835 | ) | 19,703 | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 6,477 | (680,834 | ) | |||||
| Cash used in operating activities | (1,709,304 | ) | (1,150,492 | ) | ||||
| Effect of foreign exchange on cash | 306,390 | (1,076,553 | ) | |||||
| Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (1,402,914 | ) | (2,227,045 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period | 6,493,486 | 13,521,473 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period | $ | 5,090,572 | $ | 11,294,428 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
| 7 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
| 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION, NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY RISK |
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“ITH” or the "Company") is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The Company’s head office address is 2300-1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. consists of ITH and its wholly owned subsidiaries Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (“TH Alaska”) (an Alaska corporation), Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC (“TH US”) (a Colorado limited liability company), Livengood Placers, Inc. (“LPI”) (a Nevada corporation), and 813034 Alberta Ltd. (an Alberta corporation). The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating mineral properties, and either joint venturing or developing these properties further or disposing of them when the evaluation is completed. At March 31, 2016, the Company was in the exploration stage and controls a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project in Alaska, U.S.A.
These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which presumes the realization of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future.
The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project, to make the Additional Payment due on January 12, 2017 (see Note 6) and for the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s estimate of the amount of the Additional Payment is $14,600,000, which significantly exceeds the Company’s available cash resources, and therefore the Company will be required to obtain significant additional financing on or before January 12, 2017 in order to be able to make this payment.
Should the Company be unable to make the Additional Payment, the Company will have 30 days to remedy the event of default. Should the default not be remedied, the Company may be required to deliver the underlying claims, which are not part of the project’s gold resource but are part of the 75 square mile Livengood land package, into a trust in order for them to be sold. Should the proceeds from sale not be sufficient to satisfy the outstanding amount of the Additional Payment, the beneficiaries will have recourse against the Company for any shortfall. The Company considers it highly likely that the proceeds from any such sale, should it prove necessary, would be sufficient to satisfy the amount of the Additional Payment.
In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs.
Despite the Company’s success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. The amount of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. Specific plans related to the use of proceeds will be devised once financing has been completed and management knows what funds will be available for these purposes. Due to this uncertainty, if the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it may be required to reduce all discretionary activities at the Project to preserve its working capital to fund anticipated non-discretionary expenditures beyond the 2016 fiscal year.
| 2. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information
and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. These
unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 as filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s
management these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present
fairly the Company’s financial position at March 31, 2016 and the results of its operations for the three months then ended.
Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected
for the year ending December 31, 2016. The 2015 year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but
does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
| 8 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These judgments, estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. While management believes the estimates to be reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and could impact future results of operations and cash flows.
On May 5, 2016, the Board approved the condensed consolidated interim financial statements dated March 31, 2016.
Basis of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ITH and its wholly owned subsidiaries TH Alaska, TH US, LPI and 813034 Alberta Ltd. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
| 3. | FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the significance of the inputs used in making the measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
| · | Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; |
| · | Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and |
| · | Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data. |
| Fair value as at March 31, 2016 | ||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |||||||
| Financial assets: | ||||||||
| Marketable securities | $ | 12,028 | $ | - | ||||
| Total | $ | 12,028 | $ | - | ||||
| Financial liabilities: | ||||||||
| Derivative liability (Note 6) | $ | - | $ | 14,600,000 | ||||
| Total | $ | - | $ | 14,600,000 | ||||
| Fair value as at December 31, 2015 | ||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |||||||
| Financial assets: | ||||||||
| Marketable securities | $ | 11,741 | $ | - | ||||
| Total | $ | 11,741 | $ | - | ||||
| Financial liabilities: | ||||||||
| Derivative liability (Note 6) | $ | - | $ | 13,900,000 | ||||
| Total | $ | - | $ | 13,900,000 | ||||
| 9 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
| 4. | CAPITALIZED ACQUISITION COSTS |
The Company had the following activity related to capitalized acquisition costs:
| Capitalized acquisition costs | Amount | |||
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | $ | 55,204,041 | ||
| Acquisition costs | - | |||
| Balance, March 31, 2016 | $ | 55,204,041 | ||
The following table presents costs incurred for exploration and evaluation activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
| March 31, 2016 | March 31, 2015 | |||||||
| Exploration costs: | ||||||||
| Assay | $ | - | $ | 9,984 | ||||
| Environmental | 72,799 | 179,994 | ||||||
| Equipment rental | 11,152 | 11,707 | ||||||
| Field costs | 49,484 | 73,788 | ||||||
| Geological/geophysical | 590,829 | 72,991 | ||||||
| Land maintenance & tenure | 35,760 | 36,492 | ||||||
| Legal | 36,563 | 15,423 | ||||||
| Transportation and travel | (82 | ) | 951 | |||||
| Total expenditures for the period | $ | 796,505 | $ | 401,330 | ||||
Livengood Gold Project Property
The Livengood property is located in the Tintina gold belt approximately 113 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The property consists of land leased from the Alaska Mental Health Trust, a number of smaller private mineral leases, Alaska state mining claims purchased or located by the Company and patented ground held by the Company.
Details of the leases are as follows:
| a) | a lease of the Alaska Mental Health Trust mineral rights having a term beginning July 1, 2004 and extending 19 years until June 30, 2023, subject to further extensions beyond June 30, 2023 by either commercial production or payment of an advance minimum royalty equal to 125% of the amount paid in year 19 and diligent pursuit of development. The lease requires minimum work expenditures and advance minimum royalties (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties) which escalate annually with inflation. A net smelter return (“NSR”) production royalty of between 2.5% and 5.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands subject to this lease. In addition, an NSR production royalty of l% is payable to the lessor with respect to the unpatented federal mining claims subject to the lease described in b) below and an NSR production royalty of between 0.5% and 1.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands acquired by the Company as a result of the purchase of Livengood Placers, Inc. in December 2011. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $0 and $1,975,890, respectively. |
| 10 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
| b) | a lease of federal unpatented lode mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on April 21, 2003 and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $50,000 on or before each anniversary date (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of between 2% and 3% (depending on the price of gold) is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase 1% of the royalty for $1,000,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $0 and $580,000, respectively. |
| c) | a lease of patented lode mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing January 18, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $20,000 on or before each anniversary date through January 18, 2017 and $25,000 on or before each subsequent anniversary (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 3% is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase all interests of the lessors in the leased property (including the production royalty) for $1,000,000 (less all minimum and production royalties paid to the date of purchase), of which $500,000 is payable in cash over four years following the closing of the purchase and the balance of $500,000 is payable by way of the 3% NSR production royalty. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $20,000 and $165,000, respectively. |
| d) | a lease of unpatented federal lode mining and federal unpatented placer claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on March 28, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $15,000 on or before each anniversary date (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). The Company is required to pay the lessor the sum of $250,000 upon making a positive production decision, payable $125,000 within 120 days of the decision and $125,000 within a year of the decision (all of which are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 2% is payable to the lessor. The Company may purchase all of the interest of the lessor in the leased property (including the production royalty) for $1,000,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $15,000 and $113,000, respectively. |
Title to mineral properties
The acquisition of title to mineral properties is a detailed and time-consuming process. The Company has taken steps to verify title to mineral properties in which it has an interest. Although the Company has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure that legal title to its properties is properly recorded in the name of the Company, there can be no assurance that such title will ultimately be secured.
| 5. | ACCRUED LIABILITIES |
The following table presents the accrued liabilities balances at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
| March 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | |||||||
| Accrued liabilities | $ | 249,455 | $ | 247,034 | ||||
| Accrued severance | 17,800 | 19,900 | ||||||
| Accrued salaries and benefits | 40,452 | 127,502 | ||||||
| Total accrued liabilities | $ | 307,707 | $ | 394,436 | ||||
Accrued liabilities at March 31, 2016 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $21,560 and $227,895, respectively. Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2015 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $27,535 and $219,499, respectively.
| 11 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
| 6. | DERIVATIVE LIABILITY |
During 2011, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The aggregate consideration for the claims and rights was $13,500,000 in cash plus an additional payment based on the five-year average daily gold price (“Average Gold Price”) from the date of the acquisition (“Additional Payment”). The Additional Payment will equal $23,148 for every dollar that the Average Gold Price exceeds $720 per troy ounce. If the Average Gold Price is less than $720, there will be no additional consideration due.
At initial recognition on December 13, 2011 the derivative liability was valued at $23,100,000. The key assumption used in the valuation of the derivative is the estimate of the future Average Gold Price. The estimate of the future Average Gold Price was determined using a forward curve on future gold prices as published by the CME Group. Using this forward curve, the Company estimated an Average Gold Price based on actual gold prices to March 31, 2016 and projected gold prices from March 31, 2016 to the end of the five year period in December 2016 of $1,352 per ounce of gold.
The fair value of the derivative liability and the estimated Average Gold Price are as follows:
Total | Average Gold Price ($/oz.) | |||||||
| Derivative value at December 31, 2015 | $ | 13,900,000 | $ | 1,320 | ||||
| Unrealized loss for the period | 700,000 | |||||||
| Derivative value at March 31, 2016 | $ | 14,600,000 | $ | 1,352 | ||||
| 7. | SHARE CAPITAL |
Authorized
500,000,000 common shares without par value. At December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016 there were 116,313,638 shares issued and outstanding.
Share issuances
There were no share issuances during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Stock options
The Company adopted an incentive stock option plan in 2006, as amended September 19, 2012 and reapproved on May 28, 2015 at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (the “2006 Plan”). The essential elements of the 2006 Plan provide that the aggregate number of common shares of the Company’s capital stock that may be made issuable pursuant to options granted under the 2006 Plan may not exceed 10% of the number of issued shares of the Company at the time of the granting of the options. Options granted under the 2006 Plan will have a maximum term of ten years. The exercise price of options granted under the 2006 Plan shall be fixed in compliance with the applicable provisions of the TSX Company Manual in force at the time of grant and, in any event, shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the day on which the option is granted, or such other price as may be agreed to by the Company and accepted by the Toronto Stock Exchange. Options granted under the 2006 Plan vest immediately, unless otherwise determined by the directors at the date of grant.
During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, there were no incentive stock options granted by the Company.
A summary of the status of the stock option plan as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and changes is presented below:
| 12 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price (C$) | Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price (C$) | |||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of the period | 6,066,200 | $ | 1.60 | 5,854,000 | $ | 2.68 | ||||||||||
| Granted | - | $ | - | 2,135,200 | $ | 0.80 | ||||||||||
| Cancelled | - | $ | - | (1,923,000 | ) | $ | 4.01 | |||||||||
| Balance, end of the period | 6,066,200 | $ | 1.60 | 6,066,200 | $ | 1.60 | ||||||||||
The weighted average remaining life of options outstanding at March 31, 2016 was 4.8 years.
Stock options outstanding are as follows:
| March 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expiry Date | Exercise Price (C$) | Number of Options | Exercisable | Exercise Price (C$) | Number of Options | Exercisable | ||||||||||||||||||
| August 24, 2017 | $ | 3.17 | 1,675,000 | 1,675,000 | $ | 3.17 | 1,675,000 | 1,675,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| March 14, 2018 | $ | 2.18 | 319,000 | 319,000 | $ | 2.18 | 319,000 | 319,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| February 25, 2022 | $ | 1.11 | 1,030,000 | 1,030,000 | $ | 1.11 | 1,030,000 | 686,666 | ||||||||||||||||
| February 25, 2022 | $ | 0.73 | 594,000 | 594,000 | $ | 0.73 | 594,000 | 396,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| March 10, 2022 | $ | 1.11 | 430,000 | 430,000 | $ | 1.11 | 430,000 | 286,666 | ||||||||||||||||
| March 16, 2023 | $ | 1.00 | 1,260,000 | 839,999 | $ | 1.00 | 1,260,000 | 419,999 | ||||||||||||||||
| March 16, 2023 | $ | 0.50 | 728,200 | 485,466 | $ | 0.50 | 728,200 | 242,733 | ||||||||||||||||
| June 9, 2023 | $ | 1.00 | 30,000 | 10,000 | $ | 1.00 | 30,000 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6,066,200 | 5,383,465 | 6,066,200 | 4,036,064 | |||||||||||||||||||||
A summary of the non-vested options as of March 31, 2016 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:
| Non-vested options: | Number of options | Weighted average grant- date fair value (C$) | ||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2015 | 2,030,136 | $ | 0.34 | |||||
| Vested | (1,347,401 | ) | $ | 0.38 | ||||
| Outstanding at March 31, 2016 | 682,735 | $ | 0.25 | |||||
At March 31, 2016 there was unrecognized compensation expense of C$81,390 related to non-vested options outstanding. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of approximately 0.96 years.
Share-based payments
During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, there were no incentive stock options granted by the Company. Share-based payment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2016 totaled $60,651.
During the three month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted 2,105,200 stock options with a fair value of $429,359, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share-based payment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 totaled $269,712.
| 13 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
The following weighted average assumptions were used for the Black-Scholes option pricing model calculations:
December 31, 2015 | ||||
| Expected life of options | 6 years | |||
| Risk-free interest rate | 0.97 | % | ||
| Annualized volatility | 80.60 | % | ||
| Dividend rate | 0.00 | % | ||
| Exercise price (C$) | $ | 0.80 | ||
The expected volatility used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s shares.
| 8. | SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION |
The Company operates in a single reportable segment, being the exploration and development of mineral properties. The following tables present selected financial information by geographic location:
| Canada | United States | Total | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized acquisition costs | $ | - | $ | 55,204,041 | $ | 55,204,041 | ||||||
| Property and equipment | 9,414 | 19,354 | 28,768 | |||||||||
| Current assets | 4,767,278 | 501,684 | 5,268,962 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,776,692 | $ | 55,725,079 | $ | 60,501,771 | ||||||
| December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized acquisition costs | $ | - | $ | 55,204,041 | $ | 55,204,041 | ||||||
| Property and equipment | 9,563 | 20,520 | 30,083 | |||||||||
| Current assets | 6,106,135 | 579,577 | 6,685,712 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 6,115,698 | $ | 55,804,138 | $ | 61,919,836 | ||||||
| Three months ended | March 31, 2016 | March 31, 2015 | ||||||
| Net gain/(loss) for the period – Canada | $ | (389,928 | ) | $ | 192,597 | |||
| Net loss for the period - United States | (2,097,528 | ) | (829,092 | ) | ||||
| Net loss for the period | $ | (2,487,456 | ) | $ | (636,495 | ) | ||
| 14 |
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
| (Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited) |
| 9. | COMMITMENTS |
The following table discloses, as of March 31, 2016, the Company’s contractual obligations including anticipated mineral property payments and work commitments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and the terms of the unpatented mineral claims held by it, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures as summarized in the table below in order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:
| Payments Due in Calendar Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 and beyond | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Livengood Property Purchase(1) | $ | - | $ | 14,600,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 14,600,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Mineral Property Leases(2) | 381,872 | 421,850 | 426,903 | 432,032 | 442,237 | 447,521 | 2,552,415 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mining Claim Government Fees | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 686,670 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 496,317 | $ | 15,136,295 | $ | 541,348 | $ | 546,477 | $ | 556,682 | $ | 561,966 | $ | 17,839,085 | ||||||||||||||
| 1. | The amount payable on January 12, 2017 of $14,600,000 represents the fair value of the Company’s derivative liability as at March 31, 2016 and will be revalued at each subsequent reporting period. See Note 6. |
| 2. | Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments). See Note 4. |
| 10. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
In December 2011, in accordance with a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Company, Alaska/Nevada Gold Mines, Ltd. (“AN Gold Mines”) and the Heflinger Group, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The Company’s derivative liability, as described in Note 6 above, represents the remaining consideration for the purchase of these claims and related rights and is payable in January 2017. Under the Agreement, the payment is due 70% to AN Gold Mines and 30% to the Heflinger Group.
Mr. Hanneman was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company on March 26, 2015. Mr. Hanneman is a partner of the general partner, as well as a limited partner, of AN Gold Mines and holds an 11.9% net interest in AN Gold Mines.
| 15 |
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. All currency amounts are stated in US dollars unless noted otherwise.
Current Business Activities
Livengood Gold Project
During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and to the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company progressed on a number of opportunities identified in the September 2013 Study and opportunities subsequently developed by the Company with the potential for optimization and reducing the costs of building and operating a mine at the Project.
The engineering firm of BBA Inc., based in Montreal, is in the process of evaluating engineering and metallurgical results and proceeding with the “Throughput Rationalization Study” that is scheduled to be completed in 2016.
The Company has sufficient funds to complete the test programs and engineering work underway.
Results of Operations
Summary of Quarterly Results
| Description | March 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | September 30, 2015 | June 30, 2015 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (2,487,456 | ) | $ | (1,119,972 | ) | $ | (1,007,489 | ) | $ | (2,048,868 | ) | ||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per common share | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | ||||
| March 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | September 30, 2014 | June 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (636,495 | ) | $ | (1,654,469 | ) | $ | (1,170,906 | ) | $ | (1,431,402 | ) | ||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per common share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
The Company incurred a net loss of $2,487,456 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, compared to a net loss of $636,495 for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
Mineral property expenditures increased $395,175 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $401,330 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to the Company continuing a multi-phase metallurgical test work program, the cost of which was partially offset by limiting field activities to the continuation of critical environmental baseline work.
Consulting and professional fees were $116,024 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $197,516 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease of $81,492 is primarily due to the Company negotiating lower rates for various third party-provided professional fees such as legal and accounting fees.
Share-based payment charges
Share-based payment charges for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were allocated as follows:
| Expense category: | March 31, 2016 | March 31, 2015 | ||||||
| Consulting | $ | 14,566 | $ | 51,885 | ||||
| Investor relations | 3,482 | 13,156 | ||||||
| Wages and benefits | 42,603 | 204,671 | ||||||
| $ | 60,651 | $ | 269,712 | |||||
| 16 |
Share-based payment charges were $60,651 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $269,712 during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease of $209,061 in share-based payment charges during the period was mainly the result of a reduction in the fair value of options granted in 2015 as compared to 2014.
Most other expense categories reflected moderate decreases period over period reflecting the Company’s efforts to reduce spending.
Other items amounted to a loss of $817,042 during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to a gain of $918,611 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. Total other loss resulted from the unrealized loss on the revaluation of the derivative liability of $700,000. This unrealized loss was caused by the increase in the price per ounce of gold during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 and is compared to an unrealized gain of $200,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. In addition to the unrealized loss on the derivative liability, the Company had a foreign exchange loss of $123,862 during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to a gain of $702,255 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 as a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S. dollar cash balances. The average exchange rate during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was C$1 to US$0.7282 compared to C$1 to US$0.8065 for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
Liquidity Risk and Capital Resources
The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company’s ongoing operations have been predominantly financed through sale of its equity securities by way of private placements and the subsequent exercise of share purchase and broker warrants and options issued in connection with such private placements. However, the exercise of warrants/options is dependent primarily on the market price and overall market liquidity of the Company’s securities at or near the expiry date of such warrants/options (over which the Company has no control) and therefore there can be no guarantee that any existing warrants/options will be exercised. There are currently no warrants outstanding.
As at March 31, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5,090,572 compared to $6,493,486 at December 31, 2015. The decrease of approximately $1.4 million resulted mainly from expenditures on the Livengood Gold Project of approximately $1.7 million and a positive foreign currency translation impact of approximately $0.3 million. The Company continues to utilize its cash resources to pursue opportunities identified in the September 2013 Study and subsequently identified by the Company, to fund environmental activities required for preservation of baseline database and future permitting as well as to complete corporate administrative requirements.
The Company had no cash flows from investing activities or financing activities during the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
As at March 31, 2016, the Company had a working capital deficit of $9,857,247 compared to working capital of $6,169,233 at December 31, 2015. The negative working capital is mainly the result of the reclassification of the contingent derivative payment to a current liability. The Company expects that it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future, but believes the current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient for it to complete its anticipated 2016 work plan at the Livengood Gold Project and satisfy its currently anticipated general and administrative costs through the 2016 fiscal year. To advance the Livengood Gold Project towards permitting and development, the Company anticipates maintaining certain essential development activities for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. These essential activities include maintaining environmental baseline data that in its absence could materially delay future permitting of the Livengood Gold Project.
The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project, the contingent payment due in January 2017 and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all. As at March 31, 2016, the Company’s estimate of the amount of the contingent payment is $14,600,000. This contingent payment, which is due in January 2017, significantly exceeds the Company’s available cash resources, and therefore the Company will be required to secure significant additional financing on or before January 2017 in order to be able to make this payment. See Note 1 of the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2016. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs.
| 17 |
Despite the Company’s success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. See “Risk Factors – We will require additional financing to fund exploration and, if warranted, development and production. Failure to obtain additional financing could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation and could cast uncertainty on our ability to continue as a going concern.” The quantity of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. Specific plans related to the use of proceeds will be devised once financing has been completed and management knows what funds will be available for these purposes. Due to this uncertainty, if the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it may be required to reduce all discretionary activities at the Project to preserve its working capital to fund anticipated non-discretionary expenditures beyond the 2016 fiscal year.
Other than cash held by its subsidiaries for their immediate operating needs in the United States, all of the Company’s cash reserves are on deposit with a major Canadian chartered bank. The Company does not believe that the credit, liquidity or market risks with respect thereto have increased as a result of the current market conditions.
Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses, as of March 31, 2016, the Company’s contractual obligations including anticipated mineral property payments and work commitments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and the terms of the unpatented mineral claims held by it, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures as summarized in the table below in order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:
| Payments Due in Calendar Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 and beyond | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Livengood Property Purchase(1) | $ | - | $ | 14,600,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 14,600,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Mineral Property Leases(2) | 381,872 | 421,850 | 426,903 | 432,032 | 442,237 | 447,521 | 2,552,415 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mining Claim Government Fees | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 114,445 | 686,670 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 496,317 | $ | 15,136,295 | $ | 541,348 | $ | 546,477 | $ | 556,682 | $ | 561,966 | $ | 17,839,085 | ||||||||||||||
| 1. | The amount payable on January 12, 2017 of $14,600,000 represents the fair value of the Company’s derivative liability as at March 31, 2016 and will be revalued at each subsequent reporting period. |
| 2. | Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments). |
Other – Related Party Transactions
In December 2011, in accordance with a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Company, Alaska/Nevada Gold Mines, Ltd. (“AN Gold Mines”) and the Heflinger Group, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The Company’s derivative liability, as described in Note 6 of the financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2016, represents the remaining consideration for the purchase of these claims and related rights and is payable in January 2017. Under the Agreement, the payment is due 70% to AN Gold Mines and 30% to the Heflinger Group.
Mr. Hanneman was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company on March 26, 2015. Mr. Hanneman is a partner of the general partner, as well as a limited partner, of AN Gold Mines and holds an 11.9% net interest in AN Gold Mines.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off balance sheet arrangements.
| 18 |
Environmental Regulations
The operations of the Company may in the future be affected from time to time in varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for future removal and site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect upon the Company vary greatly and are not predictable. The Company’s policy is to meet or, if possible, surpass standards set by relevant legislation by application of technically proven and economically feasible measures.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S.
Holders
The Company has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes
in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospective U.S. shareholders should consult
their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional
information on this matter is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,
under “Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities - Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders.”
| 19 |
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2016, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2016, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act: (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the system will be met and is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgement in designing, implementing and evaluating controls and procedures and the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Not applicable.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 under the heading “Risk Factors.”
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose specified information about mine health and safety in their periodic reports. These reporting requirement are based on the safety and health requirements applicable to mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”). During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, the Company and its subsidiaries were not subject to regulation by MSHA under the Mine Act and thus no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Not applicable.
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31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 101 | Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. |
| 22 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| By: | /s/ Thomas E. Irwin | |
| Thomas E. Irwin | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Date: May 6, 2016
|
||
| By: | /s/ David Cross | |
| David Cross | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
| Date: May 6, 2016 | ||