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Schedule of Mineral Properties and Development Costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2017
Nov. 30, 2016
Nov. 30, 2015
Acquisition costs $ 0    
Mineral properties and development costs 30,586 $ 30,586 $ 30,586
Ambler Propertyss [Member] | Alaska, USA [Member]      
Acquisition costs 0 0 [1]  
Mineral properties and development costs 26,586 26,586 26,586 [1]
Bornite Propertys [Member] | Alaska, USA [Member]      
Acquisition costs 0 0 [2]  
Mineral properties and development costs $ 4,000 $ 4,000 $ 4,000 [2]
[1] Ambler On January 11, 2010, NovaGold Resources Inc. (“NovaGold”), through Alaska Gold Company (“AGC”), at the time a wholly-owned subsidiary, purchased 100% of the Ambler lands in Northwest Alaska, which contains the copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver Arctic Project and other mineralized targets within the volcanogenic massive sulfide belt, through a series of cash and share payments. Total fair value of the consideration was $26.6 million. The vendor retained a 1% net smelter return royalty that the owner of the property can purchase at any time for a one-time payment of $10.0 million. The Ambler lands were acquired on October 17, 2011 by NovaCopper US through a purchase and sale agreement with AGC. On October 24, 2011, NovaGold transferred its ownership of NovaCopper US to the Company, then a wholly owned subsidiary of NovaGold, which was subsequently spun-out to NovaGold shareholders and publicly listed on April 30, 2012 (“NovaGold Arrangement”).
[2] Bornite On October 19, 2011, NovaCopper US acquired the exclusive right to explore and the non-exclusive right to access and enter on the Bornite lands, and lands deeded to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (“NANA”) through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, located adjacent to the Ambler lands in Northwest Alaska. As consideration, NovaCopper US paid $4 million to acquire the right to explore and develop the combined Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects through an Exploration Agreement and Option to Lease with NANA. Upon a decision to proceed with construction of a mine on the lands, NANA maintains the right to purchase between a 16%-25% ownership interest in the mine or retain a 15% net proceeds royalty which is payable after NovaCopper US has recovered certain historical costs, including capital and cost of capital. Should NANA elect to purchase an ownership interest, consideration will be payable equal to all historical costs incurred on the properties at the elected percentage purchased less $40 million, not to be less than zero. The parties would form a joint venture and be responsible for all future costs, including capital costs of the mine based on their pro-rata share. NANA would also be granted a net smelter return royalty of between 1% and 2.5% upon the execution of a mining lease or a surface use agreement, the amount of which is determined by the classification of land from which production originates.