Investment in Ambler Metals LLC

3 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2022

Investment in Ambler Metals LLC

Investment in Ambler Metals LLC

3)    Investment in Ambler Metals LLC

(a) Formation of Ambler Metals LLC

On February 11, 2020, the Company completed the formation of a 50/50 joint venture named Ambler Metals LLC (“Ambler Metals”) with South32 Limited (“South32”). As part of the formation of the joint venture, Trilogy contributed all its assets associated with the UKMP, including the Arctic and Bornite Projects, while South32 contributed cash of US$145 million, resulting in each party’s subsidiaries directly owning a 50% interest in Ambler Metals.

Ambler Metals is an independently operated company jointly controlled by Trilogy and South32 through a four-member board, of which two members are appointed by Trilogy based on its 50% equity interest. All significant decisions related to the UKMP require the approval of both companies. We determined that Ambler Metals is a VIE because it is expected to need additional funding from its owners for its significant activities. However, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of Ambler Metals as the power to direct its activities, through its board, is shared under the Ambler Metals LLC limited liability company agreement. As we have significant influence over Ambler Metals through our representation on its board, we use the equity method of accounting for our investment in Ambler Metals. Our investment in Ambler Metals was initially measured at its fair value of $176 million upon recognition. Our maximum exposure to loss in this entity is limited to the carrying amount of our investment in Ambler Metals, which, as at February 28, 2022, totaled $158 million.

(b) Carrying value of equity method investment

Trilogy recognized, based on its 50% ownership interest in Ambler Metals, an equity loss equivalent to its pro rata share of Ambler Metals’ comprehensive loss of $3.8 million for the three-month period ending February 28, 2022 (2021 - $2.2 million). During the three-month period ended February 28, 2022, Trilogy made a $51,000 equity contribution to Ambler Metals through the issuance of 31,469 common shares of the Company as part of the long-term incentive compensation for an Ambler Metals executive. Likewise, South32 made an equivalent equity contribution to Ambler Metals for $51,000 in cash for their 50% share. The carrying value of Trilogy’s 50% investment in Ambler Metals as at February 28, 2022 is summarized on the following table.

	in thousands of dollars
	$
November 30, 2021, Investment in Ambler Metals	160,063
Joint venture equity contribution	51
Share of loss on equity investment for the three-month period ending February 28, 2022	(1,910)
February 28, 2022, Investment in Ambler Metals	158,204

(c) The following table summarizes Ambler Metals’ Balance Sheet as at February 28, 2022.

	in thousands of dollars
	February 28, 2022	November 30, 2021
	$	$
Total assets	144,127	149,374
Cash	58,164	61,205
Loan receivable from South32 (current and long-term)	53,156	55,355
Mineral properties	30,757	30,757
Total liabilities	(3,514)	(5,043)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(2,673)	(4,148)
Members' equity (total assets less total liabilities)	140,613	144,331

The loan receivable from South32 is repaid through a quarterly demand notice prepared by Ambler Metals, thirty days prior to the beginning of the following calendar quarter. The demand notice amount is based on Ambler Metals’ expected expenditures, pursuant to their approved program and operating budget (South32’s 50% share) for the applicable calendar quarter. During the three-month period ended February 28, 2022, Ambler Metals received $2.4 million in loan repayments from South32, consisting of $0.3 million in interest and $2.1 million in principal.

(d) The following table summarizes Ambler Metals' loss for the three-month period ending February 28, 2022.

	in thousands of dollars
		February 28, 2022	February 28, 2021
		$	$
Depreciation		23	16
Corporate salaries and wages		474	517
General and administrative		232	235
Mineral property expense		3,040	1,439
Professional fees		297	298
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss		2	6
Interest income		(248)	(272)
Comprehensive loss		3,820	2,239