UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the Quarterly Period Ended
OR
For the Transition Period from to
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Trilogy Metals Inc.
Table of Contents
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 15 | |
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
|
| in thousands of US dollars | ||||
| May 31, 2022 |
| November 30, 2021 | |||
| $ |
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| $ |
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Assets |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents | |
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Accounts receivable | |
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Deposits and prepaid amounts | |
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Investment in Ambler Metals LLC (note 3) | | | ||||
Fixed assets | |
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Mineral properties | |
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Right of use asset (note 5 (a)) | | | ||||
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Liabilities |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 4) | |
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Current portion of lease liability | | | ||||
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Long-term portion of lease liability (note 5 (b)) | | | ||||
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Shareholders’ equity |
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Share capital (note 6) – unlimited common shares authorized, | |
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Contributed surplus | |
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Contributed surplus – options (note 6(a)) | |
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Contributed surplus – units (note 6(b)) | |
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Deficit | ( |
| ( | |||
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Commitments (note 8)
(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)
/s/ Tony Giardini, President, CEO and Director |
| /s/ Kalidas Madhavpeddi, Director |
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|
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors |
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`
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss
and Comprehensive Loss
(unaudited)
in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts | ||||||||||||||
For the three months ended | For the six months ended | |||||||||||||
| May 31, 2022 |
|
| May 31, 2021 |
|
| May 31, 2022 |
| May 31, 2021 |
| ||||
| $ |
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| $ |
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| $ |
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| $ | ||||
Expenses |
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Amortization | | | |
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Foreign exchange loss | | | |
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General and administrative | | | |
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Investor relations | | | |
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Professional fees | | | |
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Salaries | | | |
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Salaries and directors expense – stock-based compensation | | | |
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Total expenses | |
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Other items |
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Interest and other income | ( | ( | ( |
| ( | |||||||||
Services agreement income | — | — | — |
| ( | |||||||||
Share of loss on equity investment (note 3(b)) | | | | | ||||||||||
Write off mineral properties | | — | | — | ||||||||||
Comprehensive loss for the period | ( |
| ( | ( |
| ( | ||||||||
Basic loss per common share | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Diluted loss per common share | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding | | | | | ||||||||||
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding | | | | | ||||||||||
(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 4 |
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
in thousands of US dollars, except share amounts
| Contributed | Contributed |
| Total |
| ||||||||||||||||
Contributed | surplus – | surplus – | shareholders’ |
| |||||||||||||||||
Number of shares | Share capital | surplus | options | units | Deficit | equity | |||||||||||||||
| outstanding |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
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| $ |
|
| $ |
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| $ |
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| $ |
| |
Balance – November 30, 2020 |
| | |
| |
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| |
| ( | | |||||||||
Exercise of options |
| | |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — | — | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | | | — | | |||||||||||||
Earnings for the period |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance – February 28, 2021 |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | |||||||||
Exercise of options | | | — | ( | — | — | | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | | — | | ||||||||||||||
Loss for the period | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ( | ||||||||||
Balance – May 31, 2021 | | | | | | ( | | ||||||||||||||
Balance – November 30, 2021 | | | | | | ( | | ||||||||||||||
Exercise of options |
| | |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — | | |||||||||
Restricted Share Units |
| | |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — | — | |||||||||
Joint venture contribution | | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | |||||||||
Loss for the period | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
Balance – February 28, 2022 | | | | | | ( | | ||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | | | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||||||
Restricted Share Units | | | — | — | ( | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | | — | | ||||||||||||||
Loss for the period |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance – May 31, 2022 |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | |
(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 5 |
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
in thousands of US dollars | ||||||||
For the six months ended | ||||||||
May 31, 2022 | May 31, 2021 | |||||||
| $ |
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| $ |
| |||
Cash flows used in operating activities |
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Loss for the period | ( |
| ( | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows in operating activities |
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Amortization | |
| | |||||
Office lease accounting | ( | ( | ||||||
Loss on equity investment in Ambler Metals LLC (note 3(b)) | | | ||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange loss | |
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Stock-based compensation | |
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Write off mineral properties | | — | ||||||
Net change in non-cash working capital |
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Decrease in accounts receivable | |
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Increase in deposits and prepaid amounts | ( |
| ( | |||||
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( |
| | |||||
( |
| ( | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
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| |||||
Proceeds from exercise of options | | | ||||||
|
| | ||||||
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | ( |
| ( | |||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents | |
| | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period | |
| | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents – end of the period | |
| | |||||
(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 6 |
1) Nature of operations
Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy” or the “Company”) was incorporated in British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (BC) on April 27, 2011. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties, through our equity investee (see note 4), with a focus on the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“UKMP”), including the Arctic and Bornite Projects located in Northwest Alaska in the United States of America (“US”). The Company also conducts early-stage exploration through a wholly owned subsidiary, 995 Exploration Inc.
At May 31, 2022, we had $
2) Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Trilogy and its wholly owned subsidiaries, NovaCopper US Inc. (dba “Trilogy Metals US”) and 995 Exploration Inc. All intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation. For variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where Trilogy is not the primary beneficiary, we use the equity method of accounting.
All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. References to CDN$ refer to amounts in Canadian dollars.
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of May 31, 2022 and our results of operations and cash flows for the six months ended May 31, 2022 and May 31, 2021. The results of operations for the six months ended May 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022.
As these interim consolidated financial statements do not contain all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on February 11, 2022.
These interim consolidated financial statements were approved by the Company’s Audit Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors for issue on July 5, 2022.
Use of estimates and measurement uncertainties
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions of future events that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenditures during the period. Significant judgments include the assessment of potential indicators of impairment of mineral properties and investments in affiliates. Significant estimates include the measurement of the equity method investment, income taxes, and the valuation of stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ materially from those reported.
Management assesses the possibility of impairment in the carrying value of its equity method investment in Ambler Metals whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. Significant judgments are made in assessing the possibility of impairment. Factors that may be indicative of an impairment include a loss in the value of an investment that is not temporary. Management considers several factors in
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 7 |
considering if an indicator of impairment has occurred, including but not limited to, sustained losses by the investment, the absence of the ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, significant changes in the legal, business or regulatory environment, significant adverse changes impacting the investee and internal reporting indicating the economic performance of an investment is, or will be, worse than expected.
These factors are subjective and require consideration at each period end. If an indicator of impairment is determined to exist, the fair value of the impaired investment is determined based on the valuation of cohort companies with similar projects or upon the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates and other assumptions believed to be consistent with those used by principal market participants and observed market earnings multiples of comparable companies.
Management calculates the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows relating to the asset or asset group using estimated future prices, proven and probable reserves and other mineral resources, and operating, capital and reclamation costs. When the carrying value of an asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value, which is usually determined using discounted future cash flows. Management’s estimates of mineral prices, mineral resources, foreign exchange rates, production levels operating, capital and reclamation costs are subject to risk and uncertainties that may affect the determination of the recoverability of the long-lived asset. It is possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management’s estimates.
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$
Ambler Metals is an independently operated company jointly controlled by Trilogy and South32 through a
(b) | Carrying value of equity method investment |
Trilogy recognized, based on its
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 8 |
| in thousands of dollars | ||
| $ |
| |
November 30, 2021, Investment in Ambler Metals | | ||
Joint venture equity contribution | | ||
Share of loss on equity investment for the six-month period ending May 31, 2022 | ( | ||
May 31, 2022, Investment in Ambler Metals | | ||
(c) | The following table summarizes Ambler Metals’ Balance Sheet as at May 31, 2022. |
| in thousands of dollars | |||||
May 31, 2022 | November 30, 2021 | |||||
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |
Total assets | | | ||||
Cash | | | ||||
Loan receivable from South32 (current and long-term) | | | ||||
Mineral properties | | | ||||
Total liabilities | ( | ( | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ( | ||||
Members' equity (total assets less total liabilities) | | | ||||
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
(d) The following table summarizes Ambler Metals' loss for the three and six-month period ending May 31, 2022.
in thousands of dollars | ||||||||||||
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||
May 31, 2022 | May 31, 2021 | May 31, 2022 | May 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |
Depreciation | | | | |||||||||
Corporate salaries and wages | | | | | ||||||||
General and administrative | | | | |||||||||
Mineral property expense | | | | |||||||||
Professional fees | | | | |||||||||
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss | ( | | ( | | ||||||||
Interest income | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
Comprehensive loss | | | | | ||||||||
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 9 |
4) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
in thousands of dollars | ||||||
May 31, 2022 | November 30, 2021 | |||||
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |
Trade accounts payable | | | ||||
Accrued liabilities |
| |
| | ||
Accrued salaries and vacation |
| |
| | ||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| |
| | ||
5) Leases
| (a) | Right-of-use asset |
in thousands of dollars | |||
| $ |
| |
Balance as at November 30, 2021 | | ||
Net amortization | ( | ||
Balance as at May 31, 2022 | | ||
| (b) | Lease liabilities |
The Company’s lease arrangements primarily consist of an operating lease for our office space ending in June 2024. There are no extension options.
Total lease expense recorded within general and administrative expenses was comprised of the following components:
| in thousands of dollars | |||||
Six months ended | Six months ended | |||||
May 31, 2022 | May 31, 2021 | |||||
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |
Operating lease costs | | | ||||
Variable lease costs | | | ||||
Total lease expense | | | ||||
Variable lease costs consist primarily of the Company’s portion of operating costs associated with the office space lease as the Company elected to apply the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components.
As of May 31, 2022, the weighted-average remaining lease term is
Supplemental cash and non-cash information relating to our leases during the six-month period ending May 31, 2022 are as follows:
| ● | Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $ |
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 10 |
Future minimum payments relating to the lease recognized in our balance sheet as of May 31, 2022 are as follows:
| in thousands of dollars | ||
May 31, 2022 |
| ||
Fiscal year |
| $ |
|
2022 |
| | |
2023 |
| | |
2024 |
| | |
Total undiscounted lease payments |
| | |
Effect of discounting |
| ( | |
Present value of lease payments recognized as lease liability |
| | |
6) Share capital
Authorized:
unlimited common shares,
in thousands of dollars, except share amounts | ||||||
Number of shares | Ascribed value | |||||
|
|
| $ |
| ||
November 30, 2021 |
| | | |||
Exercise of options | | | ||||
Restricted Share Units | | | ||||
Joint venture equity contribution (note 3(b)) | | | ||||
May 31, 2022, issued and outstanding | | | ||||
(a) | Stock options |
During the first quarter, the Company granted
For the six-month period ended May 31, 2022, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $
The fair value of the stock options recognized in the period has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 11 |
Assumptions used in the pricing model for the six-month period ended May 31, 2022 are as provided below.
| May 31, 2022 | |
Risk-free interest rates |
| |
Exercise price |
| CDN$ |
Expected life |
| |
Expected volatility |
| |
Expected dividends |
|
As of May 31, 2022, there were
A summary of the Company’s stock option plan and changes during the six-month period ended May 31, 2022 is as follows:
May 31, 2022 | ||||||
Weighted average | ||||||
exercise price | ||||||
| Number of options |
|
| CDN$ |
| |
Balance – beginning of the period |
| | | |||
Granted |
| | | |||
Exercised |
| ( | | |||
Expired |
| ( | | |||
Balance – end of the period |
| | | |||
During the six-month period ended May 31, 2022, the Company received net proceeds of $
The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at May 31, 2022.
Outstanding | Exercisable | Unvested |
| |||||||||||||||
Weighted | Weighted |
| ||||||||||||||||
Number of | Weighted | average | Number of | average | Number of |
| ||||||||||||
outstanding | average years | exercise price | exercisable | exercise price | unvested | |||||||||||||
Range of exercise price (CDN$) |
| options |
|
| to expiry |
|
| CDN$ |
|
| options |
|
| CDN$ |
|
| options |
|
$ |
| |
| | | | | |||||||||||
$ |
| |
| | | | | |||||||||||
$ | | | | | | |||||||||||||
$ | | | | | | |||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||
The aggregate intrinsic value of vested stock options (the market value less the exercise price) at May 31, 2022 was $
(b) | Restricted Share Units and Deferred Share Units |
The Company has a Restricted Share Unit Plan (“RSU Plan”) to provide long-term incentives to employees and consultants and a Non-Executive Director Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) to offset cash payments for fees to directors. Awards under the RSU Plan and DSU Plan have been settled in common shares of the Company with each restricted share unit
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 12 |
(“RSU”) and deferred share unit (“DSU”) entitling the holder to receive
A summary of the Company’s unit plans and changes during the six-month period ending May 31, 2022 is as follows:
| Number of RSUs |
|
| Number of DSUs |
| |
Balance – beginning of the period | — |
| | |||
Granted |
| |
| | ||
Vested |
| ( |
| — | ||
Balance – end of the period |
| |
| |
For the six-month period ending May 31 2022, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $
7) Financial instruments
The Company is exposed to a variety of risks arising from financial instruments. These risks and management’s objectives, policies and procedures for managing these risks are disclosed as follows.
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of their maturity. The Company’s financial instruments initially measured at fair value and then held at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Financial risk management
The Company’s activities expose it to certain financial risks, including currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest risk and price risk.
(a) | Currency risk |
Currency risk is the risk of a fluctuation in financial asset and liability settlement amounts due to a change in foreign exchange rates. The Company operates in the United States and Canada. The Company’s exposure to currency risk at May 31, 2022 is limited to the Canadian dollar balances consisting of cash of approximately CDN$
(b) | Credit risk |
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents with Canadian Chartered financial institutions. The Company’s accounts receivable consists of Canadian Goods and Services Tax receivable from the Federal Government of Canada and other receivables for recoverable expenses. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is equal to the balance of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable as recorded in the financial statements.
(c) | Liquidity risk |
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulties raising funds to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company is in the exploration stage and does not have cash inflows from operations; therefore, the Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure and financial leverage.
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 13 |
Contractually obligated undiscounted cash flow requirements as at May 31, 2022 are as follows:
in thousands of dollars |
| ||||||||||||||
| Total |
|
| < 1 Year |
|
| 1–2 Years |
|
| 2–5 Years |
|
| Thereafter |
| |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| |
| |
| | | | |||||||
Office lease |
| | | | | |
| ||||||||
| |
| |
| | | | ||||||||
Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is $
(d) | Interest rate risk |
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk with respect to interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Based on balances as at May 31, 2022, a
As we are currently in the exploration phase none of our financial instruments are exposed to commodity price risk; however, our ability to obtain long-term financing and its economic viability could be affected by commodity price volatility.
8) Commitment
The Company has commitments with respect to an office lease requiring future minimum lease payments as summarized in note 5(b) above.
9) Subsequent event
On June 1, 2022 the Board of Directors and senior management were granted
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 14 |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Management’s Discussion & Analysis
For the Quarter Ended May 31, 2022
(expressed in US dollars)
Cautionary notes
Forward-looking statements
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the Company’s work programs and budgets, including statements about
the plans and budget for the 2022 field exploration program; perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, the impact of the BLM’s suspension of permits on the right-of-way with AIDEA relating to the Ambler Road Project; the Company and Ambler Metals’ funding requirements, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, statements regarding Ambler Metals’ plans and expectations relating to its Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, sufficiency of the $145 million subscription price to fund the UKMP; impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations; market prices for precious and base metals; statements regarding the Ambler Access Project (also known as the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project); or other statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute “forward-looking statements” to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential”, “possible” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, as well as on a number of material assumptions, which could prove to be significantly incorrect, including about:
| ● | our ability to achieve production at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects; |
| ● | the accuracy of our mineral resource and reserve estimates; |
| ● | the results, costs and timing of future exploration drilling and engineering; |
| ● | timing and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation; |
| ● | the adequacy of our financial resources; |
| ● | the receipt of third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals for the exploration, development, construction and production of our properties and any litigation or challenges to such approvals; |
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 15 |
| ● | our expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure and that the cost of doing so will be reasonable; |
| ● | continued good relationships with South32, our joint venture partner, as well as local communities and other stakeholders; |
| ● | there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether relating to labor, supply, power damage to equipment or other matter; |
| ● | expected trends and specific assumptions regarding metal prices and currency exchange rates; |
| ● | the potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and |
| ● | prices for and availability of fuel, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels. |
We have also assumed that no significant events will occur outside of our normal course of business. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. We believe that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this MD&A. However, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
| ● | risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| ● | risks related to inability to define proven and probable reserves; |
| ● | risks related to our ability to finance the development of our mineral properties through external financing, strategic alliances, the sale of property interests or otherwise; |
| ● | uncertainty as to whether there will ever be production at the Company’s mineral exploration and development properties; |
| ● | risks related to our ability to commence production and generate material revenues or obtain adequate financing for our planned exploration and development activities; |
| ● | risks related to lack of infrastructure including but not limited to the risk whether or not the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project, or AMDIAP, will receive the requisite permits and, if it does, whether the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority will build the AMDIAP; |
| ● | Risks related to the suspension by the BLM of the right-of-way permits with AIDEA relating to the Ambler access road to permit the Department of the Interior to carry out additional work on the environmental impact statement, and associated delays relating to such suspension; |
| ● | risks related to inclement weather which may delay or hinder exploration activities at our mineral properties; |
| ● | risks related to our dependence on a third party for the development of our projects; |
| ● | none of the Company’s mineral properties are in production or are under development; |
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 16 |
| ● | commodity price fluctuations; |
| ● | uncertainty related to title to our mineral properties; |
| ● | our history of losses and expectation of future losses; |
| ● | risks related to increases in demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties, and related cost increases; |
| ● | risks related to increases in costs of fuel and other required supplies and concerns relating to supply chain and the ability to obtain needed supplies at a reasonable cost, or at all; |
| ● | risks related to global economic instability, including global supply chain issues, inflation and fuel and energy costs may affect the Company’s business; |
| ● | uncertainties relating to the assumptions underlying our resource estimates, such as metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs; |
| ● | uncertainty related to inferred mineral resources; |
| ● | mining and development risks, including risks related to infrastructure, accidents, equipment breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in development, construction or production; |
| ● | risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; |
| ● | risks related to governmental regulation and permits, including environmental regulation, including the risk that more stringent requirements or standards may be adopted or applied due to circumstances unrelated to the Company and outside of our control; |
| ● | the risk that permits and governmental approvals necessary to develop and operate mines at our mineral properties will not be available on a timely basis or at all; |
| ● | risks related to the need for reclamation activities on our properties and uncertainty of cost estimates related thereto; |
| ● | risks related to the acquisition and integration of operations or projects; |
| ● | our need to attract and retain qualified management and technical personnel; |
| ● | risks related to conflicts of interests of some of our directors and officers; |
| ● | risks related to potential future litigation; |
| ● | risks related to market events and general economic conditions; |
| ● | risks related to future sales or issuances of equity securities decreasing the value of existing Trilogy common shares, diluting voting power and reducing future earnings per share; |
| ● | risks related to the voting power of our major shareholders and the impact that a sale by such shareholders may have on our share price; |
| ● | uncertainty as to the volatility in the price of the Company’s common shares; |
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 17 |
| ● | the Company’s expectation of not paying cash dividends; |
| ● | adverse federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders should the Company be a passive foreign investment company; |
| ● | risks related to global climate change; |
| ● | risks related to adverse publicity from non-governmental organizations; |
| ● | uncertainty as to our ability to maintain the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting as per the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and |
| ● | increased regulatory compliance costs, associated with rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Canadian Securities Administrators, the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and the Financial Accounting Standards Boards, and more specifically, our efforts to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. |
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 referred to in Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022, filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the SEC, and other information released by Trilogy and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies.
The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and 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 place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
General
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy”, “Trilogy Metals”, “the Company” or “we”) is dated July 5, 2022 and provides an analysis of our unaudited interim financial results for the quarter ended May 31, 2022 compared to the quarter ended May 31, 2021.
The following information should be read in conjunction with our May 31, 2022 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes which were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The MD&A should also be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended November 30, 2021. A summary of the U.S. GAAP accounting policies is outlined in note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. References to “Canadian dollars” and “CDN$” are to the currency of Canada and references to “U.S. dollars”, “$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States.
Richard Gosse, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of the Company, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), and has approved the scientific and technical information in this MD&A.
Trilogy’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the NYSE American Stock Exchange (“NYSE American”) under the symbol “TMQ”. Additional information related to Trilogy, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 18 |
Description of business
We are a base metals exploration company focused on the exploration and development of mineral properties, through our equity investee, in the Ambler mining district located in Alaska, U.S.A. We conduct our operations through a wholly owned subsidiary, NovaCopper US Inc. which is doing business as Trilogy Metals US (“Trilogy Metals US”). Our Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, (“UKMP” or “UKMP Projects”) were contributed into a 50/50 joint venture named Ambler Metals LLC (“Ambler Metals”) between Trilogy and South32 Limited (“South32”) on February 11, 2020 (see below). The projects contributed to Ambler Metals consist of: i) the Ambler lands which host the Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project (the “Arctic Project”); and ii) the Bornite lands being explored under a collaborative long-term agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (“NANA”), a regional Alaska Native Corporation, which hosts the Bornite carbonate-hosted copper project (the “Bornite Project”) and related assets. The Company also conducts early-stage exploration through a wholly owned subsidiary, 995 Exploration Inc.
Joint venture project activities
Budget for 2022 Field Exploration Program
In a press release dated June 8, 2022, the Company announced that Ambler Metals had commenced mobilization for the summer 2022 field program at the UKMP. The drill program will be helicopter-supported and will be based out of Ambler Metals’ expanded 90-person camp at Bornite. The previously announced $28.5 million fiscal 2022 budget was updated to approximately $26.2 million. The field season is entirely funded by Ambler Metals and consists of a minimum 10,000 meters of diamond drilling with additional meters contingent on drill performance, weather and approval of supplementary budgets. The field season program prioritizes advancing the Arctic Project with additional infill drilling to further improve the confidence in the resource and the completion of a geotechnical study to further de-risk the Project. Exploration outside of the Arctic deposit will focus on discovering copper-rich satellite deposits near Arctic, the Cosmos Hills and the Ambler Lowlands.
The 2022 Arctic program involves a minimum 6,000 meters in 27 holes, as part of an 8,400-meter infill program to increase confidence from the Indicated to Measured category. In addition, three to five holes totaling 500 to 750 meters are planned to complete a geotechnical and hydrogeological assessment of Arctic that was initiated last year.
The 2022 exploration program for the Cosmos Hills and Ambler Lowlands includes drilling of approximately 2,400 meters as well as detailed mapping and soil sampling to build on the work performed during the prior year. In addition, a minimum 2,000 meters of trenching is planned around Pardner Hill and the Bornite East target area.
Arctic Project
In a press release dated April 20, 2022, the Company announced the final set of infill drill results for the remaining 9 infill/metallurgical drill holes from the 2021 summer field season at the Arctic Project. The 2021 Arctic drill program included 4,131 meters of diamond drilling, comprising 18 holes, that were designed to convert part of the resources from the Indicated category to the Measured category, and provide material for metallurgical testing and geotechnical information. Based on a cut-off grade of 0.5% copper equivalent, significant zones of high-grade copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver mineralization were intersected. In addition to providing important geotechnical data and increasing the certainty of future resource estimates, the 2021 drill program results at Arctic found mineralization extending beyond the pit boundary used in the 2020 Arctic Feasibility Study.
Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“AMDIAP” or “Ambler Access Project”)
In a press release dated February 23, 2022, the Company announced that the United States Department of the Interior (“DOI”) filed a motion on February 22, 2022 to remand the Final Environmental Impact Statement (“FEIS”) and suspend the right-of-way permits issued to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (“AIDEA”) for the Ambler Access Project. The DOI stated that the suspension of the road permits will allow it to carry out additional supplemental
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 19 |
work on the FEIS. The motion also indicated that the DOI has requested that the lawsuits filed in 2021 against the DOI by a coalition of national and Alaska environmental non-government organizations be suspended. The lawsuits had been filed in response to the United States Bureau of Land Management’s (“BLM”) issuance of the Joint Record of Decision (“JROD”), that authorized a right-of-way across federally managed lands for AIDEA and the Ambler Access Project.
In mid-March 2022, the BLM and the DOI suspended the right-of-way grant and the right-of-way permit (“ROW permits”) to AIDEA relating to the Ambler Access Project over federal land while the DOI conducts further analysis and consultation. While the suspension decisions are in place: AIDEA may not conduct any activities that rely on the authority of the ROW permits; the terms and conditions of the ROW permits are tolled; and all rental fee obligations are suspended. The suspension does not preclude AIDEA from applying for special use permits to conduct activities on the lands subject to the ROW permits pursuant to applicable law or authority other than the suspended ROW permits.
On March 22, 2022, the Intervenor Defendants (the State of Alaska, NANA, AIDEA, and Ambler Metals filed briefs in opposition to the DOI’s motion for a voluntary remand. In its brief, Ambler Metals stated that it does not oppose the voluntary remand motion subject to the following conditions: (i) no vacatur or termination of the permits; (ii) the remand must be completed within nine months; (iii) that there must be status updates to the court every 60 days during the remand period; and (iv) the federal defendants (DOI) must lodge the administrative record within 30 days of issuing any new decision. Also on March 22, 2022, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to deny the motion for voluntary remand without vacatur of the permits and either allow merits briefing to proceed or simply vacate the Federal Defendants reviews and decisions.
On April 5, 2022, the Federal Defendants responded to the plaintiffs’ arguments against voluntary remand and argued that vacatur of the decisions was not appropriate. Federal Defendants also argued that the court should retain jurisdiction, but disagreed with arguments requesting a court-imposed schedule. The Federal Defendants proposed filing a status report every 90 days.
In press release dated May 18, 2022, the Company provided an update on the AMDIAP. In May 17, 2022, the United States District Court (the “Court”) granted the DOI motion for voluntary remand without vacatur. The DOI had requested the voluntary remand of the previously issued JROD. Judge Gleason also ruled that the Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter, and the Court is requiring that the DOI file a status report with the Court within 60 days from the date of the order and every 60 days thereafter. In addition, any party involved in the action may move for a status conference upon a showing of good cause. The DOI had indicated that the remand was necessary because the DOI had identified deficiencies in their analysis of impacts to subsistence uses under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (“ANILCA”) section 810 and their consultation with Tribes pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”) Section 106.27. They requested a remand in order to supplement the administrative record in these regards. On June 14, 2022, the Court denied the plaintiffs motion to reconsider the Court’s May 17th remand order.
The Company will continue discussions with its partners, including NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., AIDEA, the Northwest Arctic Borough, the State of Alaska and South32 Limited to determine the impact of the above decision on AIDEA’s proposed plan and budget for the 2022 summer field season activities that were previously announced.
Corporate developments
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of shareholders was held on May 13, 2022. All directors nominated by the Company and standing for election were elected by shareholders of the Company. Other items of business included the approval of amendments to, and unallocated entitlements under, the Company’s Restricted Share Unit Plan (“RSU Plan”) and Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”). The Company asked shareholders to approve a change to the RSU Plan to remove the option for the Company to cash settle RSUs granted to Canadian resident directors due to potential Canadian tax
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 20 |
restrictions. The Company also asked shareholders to approve a change to the DSU Plan to allow directors to elect to receive up to 100% of their annual compensation in DSUs.
Summary of results
in thousands of US dollars | ||||||||||||||||
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||||
May 31, 2022 | May 31, 2021 | May 31, 2022 | May 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
Selected expenses |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
|
| $ |
| ||||||
General and administrative | 338 | 351 | 735 | 762 | ||||||||||||
Investor relations | 38 | 116 | 137 | 270 | ||||||||||||
Professional fees | 192 | 275 | 437 | 504 | ||||||||||||
Salaries | 261 | 407 | 675 | 846 | ||||||||||||
Salaries and directors expense – stock-based compensation | 662 | 524 | 2,584 | 2,672 | ||||||||||||
Share of loss on equity investment | 2,460 | 1,700 | 4,370 | 2,820 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss for the period | (4,074) | (3,413) | (9,097) | (7,929) | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted loss per common share | (0.03) | (0.02) | (0.06) | (0.05) | ||||||||||||
For the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, cash preservation strategies resulted in overall cash savings of $0.3 million in general and administrative expenses, investor relations, professional fees and salaries when compared to budget. For the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, Trilogy reported a net loss of $4.1 million (or $0.03 basic and diluted loss per common share). For the comparable period in 2021, we reported a net loss of $3.4 million (or $0.02 basic and diluted loss per common share). This difference is primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in the Company’s equity pick-up of Ambler Metals’ comprehensive loss in the current period. The current quarter includes pre-development costs for the Ambler Access Project for which there are no prior year comparatives. This increase in the equity pick-up is offset by reductions in general and administrative expenses, investor relations and professional fees due to management implemented cost savings strategies during the quarter. The combined total of salaries and stock-based compensation is consistent between the current period quarter and the comparative period.
For the six-month period ended May 31, 2022, Trilogy reported a net a loss of $9.1 million (or $0.06 basic and diluted loss per common share). For the comparable period in 2021, we reported a net loss of $7.9 million (or $0.05 basic and diluted loss per common share). The difference for the six-month period ended May 31, 2022, when compared to the same period in 2021, is primarily due to a $1.6 million increase in the Company’s equity pick up of Ambler Metals comprehensive loss for the six-month period ending May 31, 2022. The current period includes pre-development costs for the Ambler Access Project for which there are no prior year comparatives as well as higher engineering and project related salaries and wages versus the comparative period.
Other variances noted for the comparative six-month period ended May 31, 2022 consist of: i) a decrease of $0.13 million in investor relations activities; ii) a decrease of $0.2 million in salaries as the executive team agreed to receive a portion of their salary in Restricted Share Units; and iii) a decrease of $0.1 million in stock-based compensation, driven by a $0.3 million decrease in the fair value amortization of awards granted during the period (due to a 0.7 million units reduction of overall stock-based awards granted versus the comparative period), and offset by $0.2 million increase from executives and directors taking equity in lieu of cash compensation.
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 21 |
Selected financial data
Quarterly information
in thousands of dollars, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
except per share amounts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Q2 2022 | Q1 2022 | Q4 2021 | Q3 2021 | Q2 2021 | Q1 2021 | Q4 2020 | Q3 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
05/31/22 | 02/28/22 | 11/30/21 | 08/31/21 | 05/31/21 | 02/28/21 | 11/30/20 | 08/31/20 | ||||||||||||||||
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |
Interest and other income | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Mineral properties and feasibility study expenses |
| — |
| — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| 91 |
| 232 | ||||||||
Operating expenses | 1,497 | 3,115 | 1,879 | 1,596 | 1,718 | 3,401 | 2,209 | 2,098 | |||||||||||||||
Share of loss on equity investment | 2,460 | 1,910 | 4,190 | 6,072 | 1,700 | 1,120 | 1,022 | 1,094 | |||||||||||||||
Loss for the period |
| (4,074) |
| (5,023) |
| (6,067) | (7,664) |
| (3,413) |
| (4,516) |
| (3,226) |
| (3,184) | ||||||||
Loss per common share – basic | (0.03) | (0.03) | (0.05) | (0.05) | (0.02) | (0.03) | (0.04) | (0.02) | |||||||||||||||
Loss per common share – diluted | (0.03) | (0.03) | (0.05) | (0.05) | (0.02) | (0.03) | (0.01) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||
Factors that can cause fluctuations in our quarterly results include our general and administrative expenses, stock option vesting and the type of programs conducted and length of the field season at the UKMP. Project related costs may cause fluctuations in our quarterly results through our share of losses on equity investment where we record 50% of the net operating loss of Ambler Metals.
For the second quarter of 2022, we reported a comprehensive loss of $4.1 million, which consisted of $1.5 million in operating expenses, $2.5 million for Trilogy’s 50% share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss and $0.1 million in mineral properties that were written off during the quarter. In the second quarter of 2021, we recognized a comprehensive loss of $3.4 million which consisted of $1.7 million in operating expenses and $1.7 million for Trilogy’s share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss. When compared to the second quarter of 2021, our pro rata share of the joint venture’s operating loss is $0.8 million higher for the second quarter of 2022. The increase is primarily due to increased funding for the AAP, engineering and project related salaries and wages in comparison to the second quarter of 2021. The $0.2 million decrease in operating expenses for the current period versus the comparative is primarily due to cost savings strategies implemented during the period after management review of discretionary items in general and administrative expenses, investor relations and professional fees. Furthermore, during the second quarter of 2022, in an effort to preserve cash, the executive team received stock-based compensation in lieu of salaries, further contributing to the reduction in operating expenses versus the comparative period.
For the first quarter of 2022, we reported a comprehensive loss of $5.0 million, which consisted of $3.1 million in operating expenses and $1.9 million for Trilogy’s 50% share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss. In the first quarter of 2021, we reported a comprehensive loss of $4.5 million which consisted of $3.4 million in operating expenses and $1.1 million for Trilogy’s share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss. When compared to the first quarter of 2021, our pro rata share of the joint venture’s operating loss was $0.8 million higher for the first quarter of 2022 as it included pre-development costs incurred by Ambler Metals for the Ambler Access Project. The $0.3 million decrease in operating expenses for the first quarter of 2022 versus the comparative was primarily due to a decrease of $0.2 million in stock-based compensation during the first quarter of 2022. The remaining $0.1 million in cost reduction was spread over the general and administrative, investor relations, professional fees and salaries cost categories.
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For the fourth quarter of 2021, we reported a comprehensive loss of $6.1 million, which consisted of $1.9 million in operating expense and $4.2 million for Trilogy’s share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we reported a comprehensive loss of $3.2 million which consisted of $3.1 million in operating expenses and $1.0 million for Trilogy’s share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss, all offset by $0.9 million in services agreement income charged to Ambler Metals. When compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, our pro rata share of the joint venture’s operating loss was $3.2 million higher as the fourth quarter results included project activity costs that Ambler Metals incurred to complete the 2021 drill program as well as pre-development costs for the Ambler Access Project for which there were no fourth quarter 2020 comparatives. When compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, the operating expenses were $1.2 million lower. The decrease was primarily due to a $0.9 million reduction in salaries as Trilogy provided technical services to Ambler Metals per the Services Agreement during the comparative period. In addition, there was $0.1 million in cost savings for professional fees as the comparative included additional legal fees for corporate matters and tax consulting charges. Lastly, stock-based compensation was $0.1 million lower in the fourth quarter of 2021 as the comparative included a RSU grant that vested during the fourth quarter of 2020.
For the third quarter of 2021, we reported a comprehensive loss of $7.7 million, which consisted of $1.6 million in operating expenses and $6.1 million for Trilogy’s 50% share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss. In the third quarter of 2020, we reported a comprehensive loss of $3.2 million which consisted of $2.1 million in operating expenses and $1.1 million for Trilogy’s share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss. When compared to the third quarter of 2020, our pro rata share of the joint venture’s operating loss was $5 million higher. The increase was due to the project drilling costs incurred in the 2021 field season. Ambler Metals did not incur these costs during the third quarter of 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 field season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $0.5 million decrease in operating expenses for the third quarter versus the comparative was primarily due to a decrease of $0.7 million in stock-based compensation, offset by a $0.2 million increase in salaries, as in the third quarter, CEO compensation was salary-based verses stock based in the comparative third quarter of 2020.
Liquidity and capital resources
We expended $2.9 million on operating activities during the six-month period ending May 31, 2022 with the majority of cash spent on corporate salaries, annual insurance renewal, annual fees paid to the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange and professional fees related to our annual regulatory filings with the American and Canadian securities commissions.
At May 31, 2022, we had $3.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $3.4 million. The Company continues to manage its cash expenditures through its working capital. Management continues to review the fiscal 2022 budget for cash preservation opportunities and has reduced cash expenditures where feasible, including but not limited to, reductions in marketing and investor conferences and office expenses. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors have agreed to take all of their fees in shares of the Company in an effort to preserve cash and increase share ownership. The Company’s senior management team are also taking a portion of their base salaries in shares of the Company to preserve cash. Management believes that the combination of these cost reduction efforts results in sufficient cash to fund the Company’s operations for the next twelve months.
All project related costs are funded by the joint venture. Amber Metals is well funded to advance the UKMP with $52.8 million in cash and $53.5 million loan receivable from South32 as at May 31, 2022. Subsequent to the quarter end, South32 paid the full balance of the loan, consisting of $53.1 million principal and $0.5 million interest, resulting in Ambler Metals having over $100 million in Cash. There are sufficient funds at the joint venture to fund the updated budgets for the UKMP of $26.2 million and the Ambler Access Project of $15.4 million for fiscal 2022. Trilogy does not anticipate having to fund the activities of Ambler Metals until the current cash balance of approximately $100 million is expended.
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 23 |
Future cash requirements may vary materially from current expectations. The Company will need to raise additional funds in the future to support its operations and administration expenses. Future sources of liquidity may include equity financing, debt financing, convertible debt, exercise of options, or other means. The continued operations of the Company are dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing or to generate future cash flows.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.
Outstanding share data
At July 5, 2022, we had 145,853,395 common shares issued and outstanding. At July 5, 2022, we had outstanding, 12,187,150 stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of CDN$2.50, as well as 1,507,656 DSUs, 257,268 RSUs, and 11,927 NovaGold Resources Inc. (“NovaGold”) DSUs for which the holder is entitled to receive one common share for every six NovaGold shares received. Upon exercise of all the foregoing convertible securities, the Company would be required to issue an aggregate of 13,954,061 common shares.
New accounting pronouncements
There are no new accounting pronouncements affecting the Company.
Critical accounting estimates
The most critical accounting estimates upon which our financial status depends are those requiring estimates of the recoverability of our equity method investment in Ambler Metals, income taxes and valuation of stock‐based compensation.
Impairment of Investment in Ambler Metals LLC
Management assesses the possibility of impairment in the carrying value of its equity method investment in Ambler Metals whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. Significant judgments are made in assessing the possibility of impairment. Factors that may be indicative of an impairment include a loss in the value of an investment that is not temporary. Management considers several factors in considering if an indicator of impairment has occurred, including but not limited to, sustained losses by the investment, the absence of the ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, significant changes in the legal, business or regulatory environment, significant adverse changes impacting the investee including the status of the Ambler Access Project and internal reporting indicating the economic performance of an investment is, or will be, worse than expected.
These factors are subjective and require consideration at each period end. If an indicator of impairment is determined to exist, the fair value of the impaired investment is determined based on the valuation of cohort companies with similar projects or upon the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates and other assumptions believed to be consistent with those used by principal market participants and observed market earnings multiples of comparable companies.
Trilogy Metals Inc. | 24 |
Management calculates the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows relating to the asset or asset group using estimated future prices, proven and probable reserves and other mineral resources, and operating, capital and reclamation costs. When the carrying value of an asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value, which is usually determined using discounted future cash flows. Management’s estimates of mineral prices, mineral resources, foreign exchange rates, production levels operating, capital and reclamation costs are subject to risk and uncertainties that may affect the determination of the recoverability of the long-lived asset. It is possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management’s estimates.
Income taxes
We must make estimates and judgments in determining the provision for income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties. We are subject to income tax law in the United States and Canada. The evaluation of tax liabilities involving uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulation is based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new audit activity, and effectively settled issues. The evaluation of an uncertain tax position requires significant judgment, and a change in such recognition would result in an additional charge to the income tax expense and liability.
Stock-based compensation
Compensation expense for options granted to employees, directors and certain service providers is determined based on estimated fair values of the options at the time of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which takes into account, as of the grant date, the fair market value of the shares, expected volatility, expected life, expected forfeiture rate, expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires input estimation of the expected life of the option, volatility, and forfeiture rate which can have a significant impact on the valuation model, and resulting expense recorded.
Additional information
Additional information regarding the Company, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.trilogymetals.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted by the Company under U.S. and Canadian securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in those rules, including providing reasonable assurance that material information is gathered and reported to senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to permit timely decisions regarding public disclosure. Management, including the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules of Canadian Securities Administration, as of May 31, 2022. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
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Internal control over financial reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act and National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim filings. Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2022 which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. We continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis to identify improvements.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are a party to routine litigation and proceedings that are considered part of the ordinary course of its business. We are not aware of any material current, pending, or threatened litigation.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Trilogy and its future business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties due to the nature of its business and the present stage of exploration of its mineral properties and the formation of the joint venture. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are under the heading “Risk Factors” under Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.trilogymetals.com. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed under Item 1A Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022, except for the following:
The Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“AMDIAP” or the “Ambler Access Project”) is critical to the development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, and significant delays in the development of the Ambler Access Project or failure to develop the Ambler Access Project would have a material adverse impact on development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects and the Company.
On July 23, 2020, the BLM issued the Joint Record of Decision (“JROD”) for the Ambler Access Project. The JROD approves the development of the northern or “A” route which is to be a 211-mile-long gravel private access road in the southern Brooks Range foothills to provide industrial access to the Ambler Mining District. Along with the JROD, a Section 404 Permit, which is governed by the Clean Water Act, was issued by the United States Army Corp. of Engineers to AIDEA. On August 3, 2020, a coalition of national and Alaska environmental non-government organizations (“ENGO”) filed the first of two lawsuits against the federal agencies responsible for issuing the JROD. The ENGOs main position is that due process was not carried out during the permitting of the AMDIAP. Subsequently, AIDEA, Ambler Metals, the State of Alaska, and NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., have filed for and received intervenor status in the lawsuit and will be defending the issuance of the JROD and the permits. In mid-March 2022, the BLM and the DOI suspended the right-of-way grant and the right-of-way permit, respectively to AIDEA relating to the Ambler Access Project over federal land while the DOI conducts further analysis and consultation. While the suspension decisions are in place: AIDEA may not conduct any activities that rely on the authority of the ROW permit; the terms and conditions of the ROW permit are tolled; and all rental fee obligations are suspended. The suspension does not preclude AIDEA from applying for special
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use permits to conduct activities on the lands subject to the ROW permit or grant pursuant to applicable law or authority other than the suspended permit and grant.
Further, construction of the AMDIAP will require significant financing and additional permitting. We cannot provide assurances that the proposed AMDIAP that would provide access to the Ambler mining district will be built, that it will be built in a timely manner, that the cost of accessing the proposed road will be reasonable, that it will be built in the manner contemplated, or that it will sufficiently satisfy the requirements of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects. If not, it would materially and adversely impact the ability to develop the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects.
Risks related to global economic instability, including global supply chain issues, inflation and fuel and energy costs
may affect the Company’s business.
The volatile global economic environment has created market uncertainty and volatility in recent years. This global economic uncertainty has negatively affected the mining and minerals sectors in general, and the Company’s market capitalization has been reduced in periods of market instabilities. Many industries, including the mining industry, are impacted by these market conditions. Global financial conditions remain subject to sudden and rapid destabilizations in response to economic shocks. A slowdown in the financial markets or other economic conditions including but not limited to global supply chain issues, inflation, fuel and energy costs, business conditions, lack of available credit, the state of the financial markets, interest rates and tax rates, may adversely affect the Company’s growth and profitability. Future economic shocks may be precipitated by a number of causes, including a continued rise in the price of oil and other commodities, the volatility of metal prices, geopolitical instability (including events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine), terrorism, pandemics, the devaluation and volatility of global stock markets and natural disasters. Any sudden or rapid destabilization of global economic conditions could impact the Company’s ability to obtain equity or debt financing in the future on terms favorable to the Company or at all. In such an event, the Company’s operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
Prices and availability of commodities consumed or used in connection with exploration and development and mining, such as natural gas, diesel, oil and electricity, also fluctuate, and these fluctuations affect the costs of operations. These fluctuations can be unpredictable, can occur over short periods of time and may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating costs or the timing and costs of various projects.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
These disclosures are not applicable to us.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
3.1 |
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3.2 | ||
3.3 | ||
31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) | |
31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) | |
32.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 | |
32.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 | |
101 | Interactive Data Files | |
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
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SIGNATURES
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.
Date: July 6, 2022 | TRILOGY METALS INC. | |
By: | /s/ Tony Giardini | |
Tony Giardini | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
By: | /s/ Elaine M. Sanders | |
Elaine M. Sanders | ||
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
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