20-F 1 form20-f.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

[  ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
OR
   
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
   
OR
   
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
OR
   
[  ] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number: 000-14740

 

North American Nickel Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Province of British Columbia, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6E 2E9
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
     
None   None

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. Common Shares, no par value

 

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common shares as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

 

787,928,500 inclusive of the conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer.

[  ] Yes [X] No

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

[  ] Yes [X] No

 

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.

[X] Yes [  ] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ] Non-accelerated filer [X] Emerging growth company [  ]

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

 

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

[X] Item 17 [  ] Item 18

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

[  ] Yes [X] No

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein are expressed in Canadian dollars and United States currency is stated as “U.S. $             .”

 

THIS SUBMISSION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH PREVIOUSLY FILED FORMS 20-F AND 6-K. THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO ATTACHED ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS SUBMISSION.

 

 

 

 
 

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

Not required

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not required

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

 

A. Selected financial data.

 

The following financial data summarizes selected financial data for our company prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) for the five fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The information presented below for the five year period ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is derived from our financial statements which were examined by our independent auditors. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with our audited annual financial statements and related notes thereto included in this annual report, and with the information appearing under the heading “Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”. Al financial information is expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars and in thousands of Danish Krones (“DKK”), except per share amounts and except as otherwise indicated.

 

North American Nickel Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on September 23, 1983. The Company changed its name from Widescope Resources Inc. to North American Nickel Inc. effective April 19, 2010. The Company’s principal business activity is the exploration of natural resource properties.

 

2
 

 

North American Nickel Inc.

 

Selected Financial Data in accordance with IFRS for the years 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

    Years Ended December 31  
    2018   2017   2016   2015   2014  
Net operating revenues   $ 0   0   0   0   0  
                       
Loss from operations   $ 0   0   0   0   0  
                       
Net loss   $ (3,022)   (2,879 ) (2,877 ) (2,389 ) (3,741 )
Comprehensive loss   $ (3,022 ) (2,879 ) (2,877 ) (2,389 ) (3,741 )
                       
Loss per share from operations   $ (0.00 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.02 )
                       
Share capital   $ 88,538   74,189   62,906   51,165   43,268  
Common shares issued   787,928,500   554,598,167   368,581,886   207,629,506   169,964,679  
Weighted average shares outstanding   718,248,135   465,929,638   269,778,932   188,384,506   157,986,561  
                       
Total assets   $ 67,500   53,697   41,882   32,729   27,050  
                       
Net assets (liabilities)   $ 66,944   52,728   41,700   32,480   26,753  
                       
Cash dividends declared per common share   $ 0   0   0   0   0  
Exchange rates (CAD$ to U.S.$) period average   $ 1.2957   1.2980   1.2785   1.2785   1.1046  

 

Exchange rates (CAD$ to U.S.$) for most recent six months  Period High   Period Low 
October 2018  $0.7805    0.7617 
November 2018  $0.7639    0.7515 
December 2018  $0.7576    0.7271 
January 2019  $0.7608    0.7335 
February 2019  $0.7639    0.7512 
March 2019  $0.7596    0.7438 
Exchange rate (CAD$ to U.S.$) April 24, 2019  $0.7446    0.7400 

 

B. Not required

 

C. Not required

 

D. Risk factors.

 

The business of the Company entails significant risks, and an investment in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. An investment in the securities of the Company should only be undertaken by persons who have sufficient financial resources to enable them to assume such risks. The following is a general description of all material risks, which can adversely affect the business and in turn the financial results, ultimately affecting the value of an investment the Company.

 

The Company has no viable commercial business.

 

Having no viable business it is difficult to determine a price for the common shares. That price must therefore be dependent on the value that each individual buyer and seller place on the future prospects of the company, rather than any objective measurement. This is a very risk position for shareholders, as the majority perception may turn negative and price decline severely.

 

The Company has limited funds.

 

Funds are the fuel needed to drive the company. Should current funds be consumed, and the company not be able to attract more capital, prospects for shareholders would become extremely negative, and shareholder losses will inevitably occur.

 

3
 

 

There is no assurance that the Company can access additional capital.

 

The company will need to demonstrate performance in order to attract additional capital. As the mineral exploration business has a high element of chance associated with it, it is possible that none of the current properties will have any value. The capital markets could perceive this to be a demonstration of poor performance, and be unwilling to provide additional funds. Should this happen, shareholders will incur significant losses.

 

There is no assurance that the transactions disclosed herein will be successful in its quest to find a commercially viable quantity of mineral resources.

 

Unless the Company is able to secure other more viable projects, providing better future prospects, buyer interest for common shares will decline severely, resulting in lower prices and significant shareholder losses.

 

There is no assurance that other prospective mineral properties or other assets can be acquired, and if acquired that the necessary additional capital can be attracted.

 

Either of these is possible. Either occurring will have the same inevitable outcome. Demand for the common shares will decline severely, resulting in a drop in trading price, and significant shareholder losses.

 

The Company has a history of operating losses and may have operating losses and a negative cash flow in the future.

 

This will mean that additional shares will need to be sold to fund operations. Without a concurrent improvement in future prospects, this will result in supply of stock exceeding demand, and much lower prices. This will cause shareholders to lose money.

 

The Company’s auditors have indicated that U.S. reporting standards would require them to raise a concern about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Additional capital will need to be raised. This could result in the perception of lowered future prospects, lower demand for the Company’s common share, lower stock prices, and shareholder losses.

 

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will develop for the Company’s shares and therefore no assurance that shareholders will be able to sell their shares.

 

Lack of liquidity that prevents shareholders from selling, or limits their abilities to sell, will all too likely lead to significant losses for shareholders.

 

Management has little expertise in mining, which may ultimately cause shareholders to lose money.

 

Management may waste the Company’s limited capital on worthless properties, or it may do the wrong things with properties that could have value. Either way, the outcome will be the same. Money will have been wasted without any corresponding creation of value. This will cause shareholders to lose patience and lose interest. This could lead to significantly increased selling of shares, driving down the price, and leading to losses for investors.

 

The Company’s common stock is thinly traded so it is more susceptible to extreme rises or declines in price, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price paid.

 

You may have difficulty reselling shares of our common stock, either at or above the price paid, or even at fair market value. The stock market often experiences significant price and volume changes that are not related to the operating performance of individual companies, and because our common stock is thinly traded it is particularly susceptible to such changes. These broad market changes may cause the market price of our common shares to decline, regardless of how well the company performs. This may be exaggerated by the fact that the shares trade on the over-the-counter bulletin board (“OTCBB”), which is owned and operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Trading on the OTCBB is often extremely sporadic, and subject to manipulation by market-makers, and short sellers. This may cause you to lose money as you may have difficulty selling the shares that you own.

 

The Company’s common stock is subject to the “penny stock” regulations, which are likely to make it more difficult to sell.

 

A “penny stock” is generally a stock trading under $5.00 per share, and not registered on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ national market. The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. These rules, intended to protect investors, generally have the result of reducing trading in such stocks, restricting the pool of potential investors, and making it more difficult for investors to sell their shares once acquired. Since our common shares are subject to the “penny stock” rules, you may find it more difficult to sell your shares.

 

As a foreign issuer, the Company is exempt from certain informational requirements of the Exchange Act to which domestic issuers are subject.

 

As a foreign issuer we are not required to comply with all of the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. As a result, there may be less information concerning our company publicly available than if we were a domestic United States issuer. In addition, our officers, directors, and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short profit provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder. Therefore, our shareholders may not know on a timely basis when our officers, directors, and principal shareholders purchase or sell shares of our common stock.

 

As a Canadian company with most assets and key personnel located outside the United States, you may have difficulty in acquiring United States jurisdiction, or enforcing a United States judgment against us, our key personnel, or assets.

 

As a Canadian company many of our assets and key personnel, including directors and officers, reside outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon us or any of our key personnel or to enforce against us or any of our key personnel judgments obtained in United States’ courts, including judgments relating to United States federal securities laws. Canadian courts may not permit you to bring an original action in Canada, or recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of federal securities laws of the United States, or of any state thereof. Furthermore, because many of our assets are located in Canada, it would be extremely difficult to access these assets to satisfy any award entered against us in a United States court. Accordingly, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors, or our controlling shareholders than you would otherwise as shareholders of a United States public company.

 

The Company does not intend to pay any common stock dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We have never declared or paid a dividend on our common stock, and, because we have very limited resources, we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. It is unlikely that the holders of our common shares will have an opportunity to profit from anything other than potential appreciation in the value of our common shares. If you require dividend income, you should not rely in an investment in our common shares to provide it.

 

4
 

 

Future issuances of common stock may depress stock prices and dilute your interest.

 

We may issue additional shares of our common stock in future financings, or grant stock options to our employees, officers, directors, and consultants under our stock incentive plan. Any such issuances could have the effect of depressing the market price of our common stock, and, in any case, would dilute the percentage ownership interests in our company of our shareholders. In addition we could issue securities having rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common shares. This could depress the value of our common shares.

 

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A. History and development of the Company.

 

North American Nickel Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, by filing of Memorandum and Articles of Association on September 20, 1983, under the name Rainbow Resources Ltd. The company’s name was changed to Widescope Resources Ltd. on May 1, 1984, and to Gemini Technology Inc. on September 17, 1985. In conjunction with a reverse split of its common shares on a five-old for one-new basis, the Company adopted the name International Gemini Technology Inc., effective September 23, 1993. The Company’s name was changed to Widescope Resources Inc., effective July 12, 2006. Effective April 19, 2010, the Company’s shareholders approved a special resolution to reorganize the Company’s capital structure by consolidating in a reverse stock split the existing common shares on the basis of every 2 old shares being equal to 1 new share and concurrently increasing the authorized capital of the Company from 100,000,000 common shares without par value to an unlimited number of common shares without par value. Also effective this date, the Company’s name was changed to North American Nickel Inc. to reflect its new focus. All references to common shares, stock options, warrants and weighted average number of shares outstanding in this discussion and the accompanying consolidated financial statements retroactively reflect the share consolidation unless otherwise noted.

 

In April 2010, the Company initiated a series of actions to realign its focus into the field of nickel exploration in the prolific nickel belts around Sudbury, Ontario and Thompson, Manitoba. Concurrently, the directors of the Company appointed new senior management to oversee the daily operations of the Company.

 

On May 3, 2011, the Company’s listing application was conditionally accepted by the TSX-V Venture Exchange. On May 30, 2011, the common shares of the Company began trading under the symbol “NAN”.

 

On August 15, 2011, the Company was granted an exploration license by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights over an area totalling 4,841 square kilometres located near Sulussugut, Greenland.

 

On March 4, 2012, the Company was granted an additional exploration license by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights over an area covering a total of 142 square kilometres license and located near Ininngui, Greenland.

 

On January 19, 2015, the Company signed an exclusivity agreement with Minelco AS (“Minelco”) to acquire the deep water Seqi Port (the “Port”). A report was prepared summarizing environmental due diligence and preliminary assessment of reindeer by Golder Associates — INUPLAN in and around the Port and upon further review, the decided to not pursue the Seqi Port assignment.

 

On July 13, 2017, the Company announced that it has finalized the details for the acquisition of a watershed (“0.6H”) prospecting licence that overlaps the eastern boundary of its 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel sulphide project in southwest Greenland.

 

On March 1, 2018, the Company announced that it had received the final Hydropower Feasibility Assessment Study within watershed 06.H located on the eastern flank of the Company’s 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel sulphide project in Southwest Greenland.

 

On May 4, 2018, the Company acquired new properties, Ikertoq, mineral licence No. 2018/31 and Carbonatite, mineral licence No. 2018/21 located on the Company’s 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel sulphide project in Southwest Greenland.

 

On September 18, 2018, the Company has completed its 2018 exploration and drilling program with a total of 14,287.6 metres of drilling at the Company’s 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM project in Southwest Greenland.

 

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B. Business overview

 

The Company has been focusing on the development of its camp scale Mannitsoq property in south-western Greenland since it was granted the first exploration license on August 15, 2011. The Maniitsoq property consists of four exploration licenses, No. 2011/54 (the “Sulussugut License”) and No. 2012/28 (the “Ininngui License”) comprising 2,689 and 296 square kilometres, respectively and the recently acquired Carbonatite property No. 2018/21 (63 km2) and the Ikertoq property No. 2018/31 (33 km2). The Maniitsoq property is centred on the 75 kilometre by 15 kilometre Greenland Norite Belt which hosts numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with mafic and ultramafic intrusions.

 

In 2016, the Company completed an exploration program comprising 9,596 metres of drilling in 30 drill holes and two drill hole extensions, borehole electromagnetic surveys, 13 line-kilometres of surface electromagnetic surveying, 53 line-kilometre of surface induced polarization (IP) surveying and ground follow-up of VTEM, geological and remote sensing targets.

 

The company filed a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Maniitsoq property on March 30, 2016 and on April 11, 2016, reported the results of QEMSCAN mineralogical analyses from drill core announcing the potential for high nickel recoveries from Maniitsoq mineralization, similar to results from previous studies.

 

The primary exploration objective in 2017 was step-out drilling at three key locations, the Imiak Hill Complex (IHC), Fossilik and P-013SE, to advance one or more areas to the delineation drilling stage for 2018. Approximately 8,800 metres of diamond drilling were completed for 2017.

 

The 2018 exploration and drilling program at its Maniitsoq project was completed in September with a total 14,287 metres of drilling, representing an increase of 5,520 metres from the previous program in 2017. The drilling was focused on testing the geochemical strategy within several of the main Maniitsoq intrusions and has confirmed the presences of the melanorite as well as re-affirmed the significance of the high magnesium oxide (MgO) control on NiS mineralization.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has spent $55,732 and $5,121 on exploration costs for the Sulussugut License and Ininngui License, respectively.

 

Effective May 4, 2018, the Company was granted an new exploration license (the “Carbonatite License”) by the BMP of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Maniitsoq in West Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of $7 (DKK 31) upon granting of the Carbonatite License. The Carbonatite License is valid for 5 years until December 31, 2022, with December 31, 2018 being the first year. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has spent $1,362 on exploration costs for the Carbonatite License.

 

The Ikertoq License was granted in May 2018 for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Kangeriussaq in West Greenland. As of December 31, 2018, the license was relinquished due to no further plans to carry exploration work.

 

On January 4, 2016, the Company made and entered into a 10 year Metallic Minerals Lease with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for an area covering approximately 320 acres. Under the terms of the lease, an annual rental fee will be required at a rate of US $3.00 per acre per lease for years 1-5 and US $6.00 per acre per lease year for the years 6-10. A minimum royalty of US $10 per acre is due for the eleventh year of the lease and increases by $US 5 per acre through to the twentieth year. For the twentieth year of the lease and thereafter for the life of the lease, the minimum royalty is US $55 per acre per year.

 

On April 28, 2016 the Company issued to Sentient Executive GP IV Limited 952,380 common shares for a fee on the advance of the loan. The shares were booked at a fair value of $95.

 

On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into a term loan with Sentient Executive GP IV Limited (“Sentient”) and received an advance of $4,500. The loan is due on April 30, 2017 and has been made on an interest free basis. Sentient is to be paid 952,380 common shares, which is the equivalent value of 2.2% of the principal amount of the loan, as a fee for advancing the loan. The fee was booked at a fair value of $95. The loan is subject to early pre-payment in the event that, during the term of the loan, the Company completes a private placement of gross proceeds of $2,000 or more. On July 21, 2016, the Company closed its market offering of units of the Company for total gross proceeds of $6,950 and on September 12, 2016, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $5,050 which being the maximum offering amount raised, Sentient was repaid the full loan of $4.5 million.

 

On July 21, 2016 the Company issued 92,668,908 units at a price of $0.075 per unit in a market offering for gross proceeds of $6,950. The Company reported $458 in issuance costs against the raised funds.

 

On July 21, 2016 the Company issued 1,203,695 warrants at a price of $0.075 per unit for an agent fee to Paradigm as per the Company’s amended and restated short form prospectus.

 

On September 12, 2016 the Company closed a non-brokered private placement and issued 67,331,093 units at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $5,050.

 

On August 15, 2017 the Company closed a non-brokered private placement and issued 40,982,448 units at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,074.

 

On June 8, 2017 the Company closed a brokered placement through a prospectus and issued 145,030,833 units at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $10,877. The Company also issued 1,965,093 warrants at a price of $0.075 per unit for an agent fee to Paradigm as per the Company’s prospectus.

 

On April 19, 2018 the Company closed a non-brokered private placement and issued 233,333,333 units at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $17,500.

 

6
 

 

Organizational structure.

 

The Company is part of no other group. During the year ended June 30, 2006 Outback Capital Inc. dba Pinefalls Gold (“PFG”) a private Alberta corporation became a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company. PFG was incorporated under the Alberta Business Corporations Act on February 6, 2001. Effective May 31, 2010, the Company completed an agreement with an arm’s length entity that resulted in it divesting of its interest in Outback Capital Inc. In June 2015 the Company incorporated North American Nickel (US) Inc. to hold a mineral lease in Michigan, which was granted in January 2016.

 

C. Property, plants and equipment.

 

The Company has a large land package in southwest Greenland, collectively known at the Maniitsoq property. In addition, the Company has two properties, Post Creek and Halcyon, in Sudbury nickel district of Ontario and a small property, Section 35, in the Mid-Continental Rift setting of Michigan. A figure showing the locations of all of the company’s properties is displayed below.

 

 

Maniitsoq

 

The Greenland properties currently being explored for nickel-copper-copper-PGM sulphides by North American Nickel are exploration properties without mineral resources or reserves. The Maniitsoq project is centered 100 kilometres north of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland which is a safe, stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction. The centre of the project is located at 65 degrees 18 minutes north and 51 degrees 43 minutes west and has an artic climate. It is accessible year-round either by helicopter or by boat from Nuuk or Maniitsoq, the latter located on the coast approximately 15 kilometres to the west. The deepwater coastline adjacent to Maniitsoq is typical of Greenland’s southwest coast which is free of pack ice with a year-round shipping season. The optimum shipping conditions are due to the Irminger current, a tributary of the warming Gulf Stream flowing continuously past the south west coastline of Greenland. There is no infrastructure on the property; however, the Seqi deepwater pier and a quantified watershed for hydropower are located peripheral to the project. A location map for the property is given below.

 

7
 

 

 

8
 

 

 

The Maniitsoq property consists of four exploration licences, No. 2011/54 (2,689 km2), No. 2012/28 (296 km2), No. 2018/21 (63 km2) and No 2018/31 (33 km2). The property is centered on the 75 kilometre by 15 kilometre Greenland Norite Belt which hosts numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with mafic and ultramafic intrusions.

 

9
 

 

Between 1995 and 2011, various companies carried out exploration over portions of the project area. The most extensive work was carried out by Kryolitselskabet Øresund A/S Company (KØ) who explored the project area from 1959 to 1973. KØ discovered a number of surface and near surface nickel-copper sulphide occurrences and this work was instrumental in proving the nickel prospectivity of the Greenland Norite Belt.

 

The Company acquired the Maniitsoq project because it has potential for the discovery of significant magmatic sulfide discovery in a camp-scale belt. The company believed that modern, time-domain, helicopter-borne electromagnetic (EM) systems would be more effective at detecting nickel sulphide deposits in the rugged terrain of Maniitsoq than previous, older airborne fixed wing geophysical surveys available to previous explorers. In addition, modern, time domain surface and borehole EM systems could be used to target mineralization in the sub-surface.

 

Effective August 15, 2011, the Company was granted an exploration license, No. 2011/54(the “Sulussugut License”), by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (“BMP”) of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Sulussugut, Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of $6 (Danish Krones (“DKK”) 31) upon granting of the Sulussugut License. The Sulussugut License was valid for 5 years until December 31, 2015, with December 31, 2011 being the first year providing the Company meets the terms of the license, which includes that specified eligible exploration expenditures must be made. The application for another 5 year term on the Sulussugut License was submitted to the Greenland Mineral Licence & Safety Authority (MLSA) which was effective on April 11, 2016, with December 31, 2018 being the eighth year.

 

The Greenland MLSA for the years 2018 has adjusted the minimum required exploration expenditures to zero. The accumulated exploration credits held at the end of 2017, DKK 246,507 (approximately $48,513) can be carried forward until 2020 DKK 85,094, until 2019 DKK 61,109 and until 2018 DKK 59,150. There will be an annual licence fee on the Sulussugut License for year 7 and forward of approximately DKK 41. Details of required work expenditures and accrued work credits are tabulated and given below.

 

Sulussugut License — 2011/54 (All amounts in table are expressed in thousands of DKK)

 

Exploration Commitment  2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018 
Fixed amount    310    313    317        650    659 
4841 km2 of DKK 1.460 per km2                               
4841 km2 of DKK 1.490 per km2                               
3336 km2 of DKK 7.760 per km2    25,887                          
2689 km2 of DKK 7.830 per km2         21,055                   
2689 km2 of DKK 7.940 per km2              21,351               
2689 km2 of DKK 16.260 per km2                        43,723    44,369 
                                
Exploration obligation    26,197    21,368    21,668        44,374     
Approved exploration expenditures    37,349    55,509    59,150    61,109    85,094    79,604 
Exploration obligation    (26,198)   (21,368)   (21,668)            
Credit from previous year    17,530    28,681    62,822    100,304    161,413    246,507 
                                
Total Credit DDK    28,681    62,822    100,304    161,413    246,507    326,111 
                                
Average Annual Rate DDK to CAD    0.1834    0.1968    0.1901    0.1969    0.1968    0.2053 

 

The accumulated exploration credits held at the end of 2018, DKK 326,111 (approximately $66,951) can be carried forward as follows:

 

Carry forward period:

 

a)   DKK 246,507    from 2017 until December 31, 2021

 

b)   DKK 79,604    from 2018 until December 31, 2021

 

On the first 5 year license, the Company completed the exploration requirements of an estimated minimum of DKK 83,809 (approximately $15,808) between the years ended December 31, 2011 to 2015 by incurring $26,115,831 on the Sulussugut License.

 

In 2018, there was no exploration commitment. The Company completed approved expenditures for 2018 DKK 79,604, for 2017, DKK 85,094 (approximately, $16,342 and $16,746, respectively). With a credit from 2015 of DKK 59,150 (approximately $11,250) and credit from 2016 of DKK 61,109 (approximately $12,032), and a commitment of $nil left the Company with excess credits of DKK 326,111 (approximately $66,951). The Sulussugut License area was not reduced in 2017 and 2018.

 

Effective March 4, 2012, the Company was granted an additional exploration license, No. 2012/28 (the “Ininngui License”), by the BMP of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights over an area covering a total of 142 square kilometres near Ininngui, Greenland. The Ininngui License is contiguous with the Sulussugut License. The Company paid a license fee of DKK 32 upon granting of the Ininngui License. The Ininngui License was valid for 5 years until December 31, 2016, with December 31, 2012 being the first year. The application for another 5 year term on the Ininngui License was submitted to the Greenland Mineral Licence & Safety Authority (MLSA) which was effective March 3, 2017, with December 31, 2018 being the seventh year.

 

Details of required work expenditures and accrued work credits are tabulated and given below.

 

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Ininngui License - 2012/28 (All amounts in table are expressed in thousands of DKK)

 

Exploration Commitment  2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018 
Fixed amount   155    313    318    323        659 
142 km2 of DKK 1.490 per km2                              
265 km2 of DKK 1.550 per km2   411                          
265 km2 of DKK 7.830 per km2        2,075                     
296 km2 of DKK 7.940 per km2             2,350                
296 km2 of DKK 8.080 per km2                  2,392           
296 km2 of DKK 8.080 per km2                           4,884 
                               
Exploration obligation   566    2,388    2,668    2,715         
Total Credits Available                              
Approved exploration expenditures   2,966    5,470    6,276    6,790    9,367    10,465 
Exploration obligation   (576)   (2,388)   (2,668)   (2,715)        
Credit from previous year   2,512    4,902    7,984    11,592    15,667    25,044 
                               
Total Credit DDK   4,902    7,984    11,592    15,667    25,044    35,509 
                               
Average Annual Rate DDK to CAD   0.1834    0.1968    0.1901    0.1969    0.1968    0.2053 

 

Carry forward period:

 

a)   DKK 25,044    from 2017 until December 31, 2021

 

b)   DKK 10,465    from 2018 until December 31, 2021

 

On the first 5 year license, the Company completed the exploration requirements of an estimated minimum of DKK 8,697 (approximately $1,635) between the years ended December 31, 2012 to 2016 by incurring $2,722 on the Ininngui License.

 

The Greenland MLSA for the year 2017 and 2018 has adjusted the minimum required exploration expenditure to zero. The Company has fulfilled the minimum exploration requirements and the Ininngui License area was not reduced in 2017 and 2018.

 

For both licenses, future required minimum eligible exploration expenses will be adjusted each year on the basis of the change to the Danish Consumer Price Index.

 

For both licenses, at the expiration of the second licence period (years 6-10), the Company may apply for a new 3-year licence for years 11 to 13. Thereafter, the Company may apply 3 times for additional 3-year licenses for a total of 9 additional years. The Company will be required to pay additional license fees and will be obligated to incur minimum eligible exploration expenses for such years.

 

The Company may terminate the licenses at any time; however any unfulfilled obligations according to the licenses will remain in force, regardless of the termination.

 

During the period 2011 to 2018, the Company has carried out extensive exploration drilling programs on the Maniitsoq property to search for Ni-Cu-Co-PGM sulphide deposits. Cumulative exploration expenditures totaled C$62.2 million as of December 31, 2018.

 

A NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report and updated 43-101 compliant Technical Report, both completed by J. F. Ravenelle and L. Weiershäuser, were completed in March 2016 and March 2017, respectively. Both reports were filed on SEDAR.

 

In 2017, the Company implemented an $11.1M exploration program consisting of 8,767 metres of diamond drilling in 23 holes, two regional and four detailed induced polarisation (IP) surveys covering 13km2, surface and borehole electromagnetic (EM) surveys, borehole gyro, optical televiewer and physical properties surveys, a comprehensive review of geochemistry and petrology of the noritic intrusions, a surface geology sampling and mapping program, and 3D modeling of the mineral zones.

 

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Based on field mapping, prospecting and re-examination of exploration results, the high-MgO parts of the larger Norite Province Intrusions with proximal zones of mineralization (e.g. P-004, P-058, Imiak Hill Complex occurrences) were identified as a possible source for the high nickel grade and tenor mineralization. The larger melanorite bdomains have the capacity to host more extensive zones of breccia and semi-massive sulphide mineralization in association with disseminated sulphides. Although the intrusions are extensively modified by deformation and metamorphism, the contacts and keels of the larger bodies provided focus to next phase of exploration work.

 

Exploration work in 2018 focussed on targeting the outer contacts and keels of differentiated intrusions containing significant amounts of melanorite. Work was prioritized intrusions at Fossilik, the Imiak Hill Complex, P-030, P-032, P-008 and Pingo which are believed to have good potential to host economic accumulations of Ni-Cu-Co-PGM sulphide mineralization.

 

The exploration program commenced in June and was completed in September 2018 with 14,288 m of drilling that targeted the roots of large intrusions with thick intervals of melanorite. The total meterage is an increase of 5,520 m from the 2017 program and surpassed the initial planned program of 12,500m.

 

A small but important intrusion comprising melanorite at the P-008 target south of Fossilik was identified. Two holes (MQ-18-162, MQ-18-163) were drilled to test the surface EM target and both intersected significant sulphide mineralization. A third hole, MQ-18-167, followed-up on holes MQ-18-162 and MQ-18-163 and indicate that the zone is more extensive at depth and extends into the footwall at the north wall of the intrusion. A BHEM survey has identified further targets at depth that were tested with DDH MQ-18-177. This hole deviated and was drilled outside of the plunge of the mineralization. Selected Drill and assay results are summarised in Table below.

 

 

Summary of drill and assay results, MQ-18-167.

 

Target   Drill Hole   Location   Intercept
P-008   MQ-18-167   Fossilik   7.50m @ 1.26% nickel, 0.24% copper,
            0.05% Co and 0.47 g/t Pt+Pd+Au
            including
            5.10m @ 1.68% nickel, 0.29% copper,
            0.06% cobalt and 0.63 g/t Pt+Pd+Au

 

Melanorite is the host for the majority of the highest-grade nickel mineralization comprising heavily disseminated, net-textured, breccia and massive sulphide mineralization. Targeting of these holes was accomplished using optimized deep-penetrating surface electromagnetic methods including borehole EM surveys to target the melanorite and keel zones of prioritized intrusions at Fossilik, P-030-31-32, P-008, Pingo and in the footprint of the Imiak Hill Complex. The extensive program of work has generated the data and samples required to add significant value to the Maniitsoq database and provides a basis to refine future exploration strategies.

 

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New Mineral License – Carbonatite and Ikertoq (Greenland Mineral Exploration Licenses 2018/21and 2018/31)

 

On May 4, 2018 the Company was awarded an exploration license (2018/21; “Carbonatite”) over a highly prospective block of ground to the west of the Fossilik Intrusion in an area which has very limited nickel exploration and contains the Qeqertassaq carbonatite complex. The Company paid a license fee of $7 (DKK 31) upon granting of the Carbonatite License. The Carbonatite License is valid for 5 years until December 31, 2022, with December 31, 2018 being the first year.

 

Details of required work expenditures and accrued work credits are tabulated and given below.

 

Carbonatite License 2018/21 (All amounts in table are expressed in thousands of DKK)

 

Exploration Commitment  2017   2018 
Fixed amount   -    165 
63 km2 of DKK 1.650 per km2        104 
           
Exploration obligation   -    269 
           
Approved exploration expenditures   -    10,099 
Exploration obligation        - 
Credit from previous year   -    - 
           
Total Credit DKK   -    9,830 
           
Average Annual Rate DKK to CAD        0.2053 

 

Carry forward period:

 

a)   DKK 9,830     from 2018 until December 31, 2021

 

The Company may terminate the licenses at any time; however, any unfulfilled obligations according to the licenses will remain in force, regardless of the termination.

 

The work program for 2018 has consisted of compilation, field work, surface sampling for geochemistry, surface EM work in areas with possible norite-associated mineralization modified by the carbonatite complex and drilling to evaluate the potential for strategic metals (Nb, Ta, and rare earth elements) in areas outside of the focus areas of historic drilling.

 

Compilation work and re-interpretation of historic data for the 15 km2 Qeqertassaq Carbonatite Complex, part of the Greenland Norite Belt, was commenced on September 10. The purpose was to identify norite-hosted nickel sulphide targets and focus exploration on the potential for rare and strategic metals. Ground EM surveys were undertaken over targets identified from a 1995 GEOTEM airborne survey. Two drill holes for a total of 553 m were drilled to test resultant conductive responses for potential nickel targets intersected stringers of barren pyrrhotite within a carbonate-magnetite host rock in association with a thick interval of magnetite. A surface rock sampling and drilling program was initiated to assess the strategic metal potential for pyrochlore-hosted tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb). A total of 284 rock samples were collected from a zone of elevated Ta and Nb correlated with historic airborne radiometric and magnetic anomalies at the margin of the Qeqertassaq Carbonatite Complex. Four holes were also drilled for a total of 1,305 m to assess this zone. Assay results are pending. A report on the strategic metal potential of the Qeqertassaq carbonatite was commissioned, and emphasis was placed on understanding the upside potential of the light rare earth element vein system, the Nb mineralization, and the potential for Ta mineralization is association with soeviite series rocks.

 

A second new exploration license (2018/31; “Ikertoq”) was awarded to the Company on May 4, 2018 in an area approximately 110 km north of the Maniitsoq project. This area was intermittently explored by Kryolitselskabet Øresund (“KO”), Greenland Gold Resources and Northern Shield Resources. As of December 31, 2018, the license was relinquished due to no further plans to carry exploration work.

 

Sudbury nickel properties:

 

The Sudbury properties currently being explored by North American Nickel are exploration properties without mineral resources or reserves. All properties can be readily accessed by paved and/or all-weather gravel roads and have access to water and diesel-power for exploration purposes. Sudbury is considered a world class nickel district. Multiple Ni-Cu-PGM deposits and past and currently producing mines are associated with the Sudbury Igneous Complex. Global nickel resources have been estimated at 1648 million tonnes at a grade of 1.20% nickel. The Sudbury properties have unique geologic characteristics of the Sudbury Basin. Quart Diorite and Sudbury Breccia, two lithologies that commonly host Sudbury nickel-copper-PGM (platinum group metal) mineralization, have been identified on the Post Creek property. The Sudbury properties are strategically located near the Whistle Offset Dyke structure hosting the past-producing Podolsky Cu-Ni-PGM mine owned by KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. (KGHM). A location map for the properties is given below.

 

 

 

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Post Creek: The Company entered into an option agreement in April 2010, subsequently amended in March 2013, to acquire rights to Post Creek Property located within the Sudbury Mining District of Ontario. On August 1, 2015, the company has completed the required consideration and acquired 100% interest in the property. the Company is obligated to pay advances on the NSR of $10 per annum, which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the NSR.

 

The property is located 35 kilometres east of Sudbury in Norman, Parkin, Alymer and Rathburn townships and consists of 39 unpatented mining claims in two separate blocks, covering a total area of 912 hectares held by the Company. The center of the property occurs at UTM coordinates 513000mE, 5184500mN (WGS84, UTM Zone 17N). The Post Creek property lies adjacent to the Whistle Offset Dyke Structure which hosts the past—producing Whistle Offset and Podolsky Cu-Ni-PGM mines. Post Creek lies along an interpreted northeast extension of the Whistle Offset Dyke trend. Offset Dykes and Footwall deposits account for a significant portion of all ore mined in the Sudbury nickel district and, as such, represent favorable exploration targets. Key lithologies are Quartz Diorite related to Offset Dykes and Sudbury Breccia associated with Footwall deposits.

 

Previous operators completed geological, geophysical and Mobile Metal Ion soil geochemical surveys. Highlights of this work included:

 

  A drill intersection returning 0.48% copper, 0.08% nickel, 0.054 grams/tonne palladium, 0.034 grams/tonne platinum and 0.020 grams/tonne gold over a core length of 0.66 metres; and
  A grab sample from broken outcrop which returned 0.83% nickel, 0.74% copper, 0.07% cobalt, 2.24 grams/tonne Pt and 1.05 grams/tonne Pd.

 

A NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report was completed by Dr. Walter Peredery, formerly of INCO, in 2011 and subsequently accepted by the Securities Commission.

 

During the period 2011 to 2017, the Company carried out exploration programs comprising ground geophysics (magnetics and electromagnetics), diamond drilling (1,533 metres in 7 drillholes), borehole electromagnetic surveys, georeferencing of selected claim posts, prospecting, trenching, geological mapping, sampling and petrographic studies. This work has identified new occurrences of Quartz Diorite (dyke and Sudbury Breccia, both of which are geologically significant lithologies known to host ore deposits associated with the Sudbury structure. Ground traverses, trenching and mapping carried out in 2016 outlined a Sudbury Breccia belt of at least 300 metres by 300 metres in size which lies along the same trend at the Whistle Offset Dyke located on KGHM property to the southwest. These findings support the potential for the Post Creek property to host both Footwall and Offset Dyke type deposits.

 

A two-hole drill program was completed in 2018 with the objectives of assessing magnetic and electromagnetic anomalies within a corridor of breccias and quartz diorite extending radially away from the Whistle Offset and to provide a platform for downhole geophysics. Both drill holes encountered a thick sequence of mafic volcanic rocks however quartz diorite, partially melted country rocks or Footwall-style mineralization were not encountered. DDH PC-18-021 did intersect a thick interval of volcanogenic massive sulphide-type sphalerite mineralization including:

 

7.50m @ 3.55% zinc and 0.82ppm silver including

 

  3.70m @ 4.66% zinc and 0.58ppm silver and
  0.8m @ 10.96% zinc and 3.05ppm silver

 

Multiple BHEM anomalies were detected both north and south of the zinc mineralization and are potential drill targets.

 

Hole PC-18-022 tested the possible strike extension of the Whistle Offset in a broad corridor of Sudbury Breccia and was collared in an area of anomalous copper values in outcrop within a well-defined ground magnetic anomaly. A thick sequence of mafic volcanic rocks overprinted with locally developed shear and breccia zones were intersected. One of the shear zones hosted vein-type chalcopyrite mineralization. A strongly magnetic, highly altered ultramafic unit is responsible for the observed magnetic anomaly.

 

Location of the Post Creek VTEM magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) anomalies, 2018 drill holes and significant assay results.

 

 

 

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Halcyon: The property is located 35 Km NNE of Sudbury in the Parkin and Alymer townships and consists of 53 unpatented mining claims covering an area of approximately 864 hectares. Halcyon is adjacent to the Post Creek property and is located approximately 2 kilometers north of the Whistle Offset Dyke structure and the past-producing Podolsky mine of KGHM. Previous operators on the property defined numerous conductive zones based on induced polarization (IP) surveys with coincident anomalous soil geochemistry. Base and precious metal mineralization have been found in multiple locations on the property but follow-up work was never done. The former producing Milnet Mine (nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum) is situated 1 kilometre north of the property.

 

During the period 2011 to 2017, the Company carried out a small amount of exploration including ground geophysics (magnetics and electromagnetics), diamond drilling (301 metres in 1 drillhole), a borehole electromagnetic survey, georeferencing of selected claim posts, prospecting, geological mapping, sampling and petrographic studies. The single hole located on the southeast corner of the property was drilled with the purpose of providing geological information and to provide a platform for bore hole pulse EM (“BHPEM”). No anomalies were detected although quartz diorite breccia and partial melt material with 2-3% disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite was intersected over short core lengths. The property is strategically located adjacent to the Company’s Post Creek property, located immediately to the south, where new occurrences of both Quartz Diorite and Sudbury Breccia have been identified.

 

As at the date of this MD&A, the company holds 100% interest in Halcyon Property and is obligated to pay advances on the NSR of $8 per annum, which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the NSR.

 

Quetico: During 2018, the Company acquired 757 claims known as Quetico located within the Sudbury Mining District of Ontario. The Company incurred total acquisition and exploration related costs of $64.

 

US Nickel Property

 

Section 35: on January 4, 2016, the Company made and entered into a 10 year Metallic Minerals Lease (the “Lease”) with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for an area covering approximately 320 acres. The terms of the Lease require an annual rental fee at a rate of US $3.00 per acre for years 1-5 and at a rate of US $6.00 per acre for years 6-10. The Company shall pay a minimum royalty at a rate of US $10.00 per acre for the 11th year onwards, with an increase of an additional US $5.00 per acre per year up to a maximum of US $55.00 per acre per year. A production royalty of between 2% - 2.5% is payable from production of minerals and/or mineral products from an established mining operation area. The Company paid the first year rental fee and the required reclamation deposit of $14 (US $10). The Department of Natural Resources shall annually review the level of the reclamation deposit and shall require the amount to be increased or decreased to reflect changes in the cost of future reclamation of the leased premises.

 

The Section 35 property is strategically located 6 kilometres northwest of the Lundin Mining Corporation’s Eagle Ni-Cu-PGM mine. The property was acquired due to its position over a portion of the North Sill which is an ultramafic intrusion interpreted to be of a similar age and geochemical signature to the intrusion hosting the Eagle Mine. The Company has not yet carried out any exploration on the property.

 

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ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included herein (see also “Selected Financial Data”). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

 

Overview

 

North American Nickel is an international mineral exploration and resource development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) as at May 3, 2011 trading under the symbol NAN. The Company’s principal asset is its Maniitsoq Property, in southwestern Greenland, a district scale land position. The Company is focussing its resources on exploration and resource development of its Maniitsoq nickel-copper-cobalt-precious metal sulphide project (“Ni-Co-Co-PM”) but it also has an active program of project generation in North America and exploration projects at Post Creek and Halcyon in the footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex.

 

A. Operating Results

 

The Company is an exploration and development stage entity and has not yet achieved profitable operations. The Company has shown losses for the past several years. These losses result largely from having no revenue and significant exploration and administrative expenses related to operations.

 

The Company will continue in the exploration business and focusing on the development of its camp scale Maniitsoq Project in south-western Greenland and the Post Creek Property in Sudbury, Ontario.

 

Net loss for FY 2018 was $3,022, higher by $143 compared to a loss of $2,879 in FY 2017. The higher loss in FY 2018 was mainly driven by property investigation costs of $216 in FY 2018 compared to $nil in FY 2017 and higher foreign exchange loss in FY 2018 of $209 compared to $7 in FY 2017. The higher costs in FY 2018 were offset by lower administrative costs and higher interest income in FY 2018.

 

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Since the Company is organized in Canada, the Company’s December 31, 2018 financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS”).

 

As at December 31, 2018, the Company had accumulated losses totaling $29,343 and a working capital of $2,416. The continuation of the Company is dependent upon the continued financial support of shareholders as well as obtaining additional financing for the current and subsequent resource projects.

 

As noted, these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might arise from uncertainty. The auditors’ report includes an explanatory paragraph disclosing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

As at December 31, 2018 the Company had cash of $339, short-term investments of $2,500.

 

C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.

 

Not applicable

 

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D. Trend information

 

The major trends impacting the company and its industry are lack of access to capital, caused by the severe global financial contraction, and the corresponding contraction of demand for most commodities. However, the long-term nickel market forecasts indicating a supply deficit developing due to positive developments in the electric vehicle market as well as supply constrains by a protracted low level of investment in mine expansion, exploration and development of new nickel mine. The Company believes that it is a good time to acquire nickel exploration and development projects that could be developed assuming conservative long-term nickel prices.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

The Company believes that inflation had minimal effect on costs related to its exploration activities in the 12 months ending December 31, 2018.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not applicable to the Company.

 

E. Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

Not applicable

 

F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations

 

Not applicable

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Basis of preparation and accounting policies

 

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”).

 

These financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and are based on historical costs, modified where applicable. The financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted, which, is the Company’s functional currency.

 

Significant estimates and assumptions

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The Company’s management reviews these estimates and underlying assumptions on an ongoing basis, based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Revisions to estimates are adjusted for prospectively in the period in which the estimates are revised.

 

Estimates and assumptions where there is significant risk of material adjustments to assets and liabilities in future accounting periods include the useful lives of equipment, the recoverability of the carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets, fair value measurements for financial instruments, the recoverability and measurement of deferred tax assets and provisions for restoration and environmental obligations.

 

Significant judgments

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the Company to make judgments, apart from those involving estimates, in applying accounting policies. The most significant judgments in applying the Company’s financial statements include:

 

the assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether there are events or conditions that may give rise to significant uncertainty;

 

●    the classification / allocation of expenditures as exploration and evaluation expenditures or operating expenses;

●    the classification of financial instruments; and

●    the determination of the functional currency of the Company.

 

Foreign currency translation

 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency monetary items are translated at the period-end exchange rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost continue to be carried at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value are reported at the exchange rate at the date when fair values were determined.

 

Exchange differences arising on the translation of monetary items or on settlement of monetary items are recognized in profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise, except where deferred in equity as a qualifying cash flow or net investment hedge.

 

Exchange differences arising on the translation of non-monetary items are recognized in other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income to the extent that gains and losses arising on those non-monetary items are also recognized in other comprehensive income. Where the non-monetary gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss, the exchange component is also recognized in profit or loss.

 

Exploration and evaluation assets

 

Exploration and evaluation assets include the costs of acquiring licenses, costs associated with exploration and evaluation activity, and the fair value (at acquisition date) of exploration and evaluation assets acquired in a business combination. Exploration and evaluation expenditures are initially capitalized. Costs incurred before the Company has obtained the legal rights to explore an area are recognized in profit or loss.

 

Government tax credits received are recorded as a reduction to the cumulative costs incurred and capitalized on the related property.

 

Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if (i) sufficient data exists to determine technical feasibility and commercial viability, and (ii) facts, events and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

 

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Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the extraction of mineral resources in an area of interest are demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to that area of interest are first tested for impairment and then reclassified to mining property and development assets within equipment.

 

Recoverability of the carrying amount of any exploration and evaluation assets is dependent on successful development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively, sale of the respective areas of interest.

 

The Company may occasionally enter into farm-out arrangements, whereby it will transfer part of the interest, as consideration, for an agreement by the farmee to meet certain exploration and evaluation expenditures which would have otherwise been undertaken by the Company. The Company does not record any expenditures made by the farmee on its behalf. Any cash consideration received from the agreement is credited against the costs previously capitalized to the mineral interest given up by the Company, with any excess consideration accounted for in profit.

 

When a project is deemed to no longer have commercially viable prospects to the Company, exploration and evaluation expenditures in respect of that project are deemed to be impaired. As a result, those exploration and evaluation expenditure costs, in excess of estimated recoveries, are written off to the statement of comprehensive loss/income.

 

Restoration and environmental obligations

 

The Company recognizes liabilities for statutory, contractual, constructive or legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-term assets, when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of the assets. The net present value of future restoration cost estimates is capitalized to exploration and evaluation assets along with a corresponding increase in the restoration provision in the period incurred. Discount rates using a pre-tax rate that reflect the time value of money are used to calculate the net present value. The restoration asset will be depreciated on the same basis as other mining assets.

 

These changes are recorded directly to mining assets with a corresponding entry to the restoration provision. The Company’s estimates are reviewed annually for changes in regulatory requirements, discount rates, effects of inflation and changes in estimates.

 

Changes in the net present value, excluding changes in the Company’s estimates of reclamation costs, are charged to profit and loss for the period.

 

The net present value of restoration costs arising from subsequent site damage that is incurred on an ongoing basis during production are charged to profit or loss in the period incurred.

 

The costs of restoration projects included in the provision are recorded against the provision as incurred. The costs to prevent and control environmental impacts at specific properties are capitalized in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation assets.

 

Impairment of assets

 

Impairment tests on intangible assets with indefinite useful economic lives are undertaken annually at the financial year-end. Other non-financial assets, including exploration and evaluation assets are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell, the asset is written down accordingly.

 

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the asset’s cash-generating unit, which is the lowest group of assets in which the asset belongs for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets.

 

An impairment loss is charged to the profit or loss, except to the extent they reverse gains previously recognized in other comprehensive loss/income.

 

Financial instruments

 

The Company classifies its financial instruments in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments, available-for-sale and financial liabilities. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial instruments at initial recognition.

 

Financial assets are classified at fair value through profit or loss when they are either held for trading for the purpose of short-term profit taking, derivatives not held for hedging purposes, or when they are designated as such to avoid an accounting mismatch or to enable performance evaluation where a group of financial assets is managed by key management personnel on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy. Such assets are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in carrying value being included in profit or loss.

 

The Company has classified cash, short-term investments and receivables as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market and are subsequently measured at amortized cost. They are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the end of the reporting period. These are classified as non-current assets.

 

Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets that have fixed maturities and fixed or determinable payments, and it is the Company’s intention to hold these investments to maturity. They are subsequently measured at amortized cost. Held-to-maturity investments are included in non-current assets, except for those which are expected to mature within 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

 

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are not suitable to be classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables or held-to-maturity investments and are subsequently measured at fair value. These are included in current assets. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income, except for impairment losses and foreign exchange gains and losses.

 

The Company has classified its trade payable as other financial liabilities. Subsequent to initial recognition, trade payable and are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

 

Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized on the trade-date — the date on which the group commits to purchase the asset.

 

Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Company has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

 

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At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether there is objective evidence that a financial instrument has been impaired. In the case of available-for-sale financial instruments, a significant and prolonged decline in the value of the instrument is considered to determine whether an impairment has arisen.

 

Loss per share

 

The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute the dilutive effect of options, warrants and similar instruments. Under this method the dilutive effect on loss per common share is recognized on the use of the proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options, warrants and similar instruments. It assumes that the proceeds would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.

 

Basic loss per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and does not include outstanding options and warrants. Dilutive loss per common share is not presented differently from basic loss per share as the conversion of outstanding stock options and warrants into common shares would be anti-dilutive.

 

Income taxes

 

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in net income except to the extent that it arises in a business combination, or from items recognized directly in equity or other comprehensive loss/income.

 

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current period are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date, in the countries where the Company operates and generates taxable income.

 

Current income tax relating to items recognized directly in other comprehensive income or equity is recognized in other comprehensive income or equity and not in profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.

 

Deferred income tax is provided using the asset and liability method of temporary differences at the reporting date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

 

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and recognized only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilized.

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

 

Deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are offset, only if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current income tax liabilities and the deferred income taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

 

Share-based payments

 

Where equity-settled share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is recognized over the vesting period. Performance vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognized over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Non-vesting conditions and market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted. As long as all other vesting conditions are satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether these non-vesting and market vesting conditions are satisfied. The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition or where a non-vesting condition is not satisfied.

 

Where the terms and conditions of options are modified, the increase in the fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also recognized over the remaining vesting period.

 

Where equity instruments are granted to non-employees, they are recorded at the fair value of the goods or services received. Amounts related to the issuance of shares are recorded as a reduction of share capital.

 

When the value of goods and services received in exchange for the share-based payment cannot be reliably estimated, the fair value is measured by use of a valuation model. The expected life used in the model is adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

 

All equity-settled share-based payments are reflected in share-based payments reserve, until exercised. Upon exercise shares are issued from treasury and the amount reflected in share-based payments reserve is credited to share capital along with any consideration paid.

 

Share capital

 

The Company’s common shares, preferred shares, share warrants and flow-through shares are classified as equity instruments.

 

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

 

Proceeds received on the issuance of units, consisting of common shares and warrants are allocated to share capital.

 

Future Accounting Changes

 

The Company has not early adopted these revised standards and is currently assessing the impact that these standards will have on its financial statements.

 

Other accounting standards or amendments to existing accounting standards that have been issued but have future effective dates are either not applicable or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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New standard IFRS 16 “Leases”

 

IFRS 16 replaces current guidance in IAS 17. Under IAS 17, lessees were required to make a distinction between a finance lease (on the balance sheet) and an operating lease (off balance sheet). IFRS 16 now requires lessees to recognize a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a “right-of-use asset” for virtually all lease contracts. The IASB has included an optional exemption for certain short-term leases and leases of low value assets, however this exemption can only be applied by lessees. The standard applies to annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of this standard will not result in any impact to the Company’s financial statements.

 

IFRIC 23 – “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments”

 

In June 2017, the IFRS Interpretations Committee of the IASB issued IFRIC 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (IFRIC 23). The interpretation provides guidance on the accounting for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets in circumstances in which there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The Interpretation is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Earlier application is permitted. The Interpretation requires: (a) an entity to contemplate whether uncertain tax treatments should be considered separately, or together as a group, based on which approach provides better predictions of the resolution; (b) an entity to determine if it is probable that the tax authorities will accept the uncertain tax treatment; and (c) if it is not probable that the uncertain tax treatment will be accepted, measure the tax uncertainty based on the most likely amount or expected value, depending on whichever method better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty.

 

The adoption of these standards and interpretations is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s future results and financial position.

 

Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards

 

On March 29, 2018 the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued a revised version of its Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (the Framework), that underpins IFRS Standards. The IASB also issued Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards (the Amendments) to update references in IFRS Standards to previous versions of the Conceptual Framework. Both documents are effective from January 1, 2020 with earlier application permitted.

 

Some Standards include references to the 1989 and 2010 versions of the Framework. The IASB has published a separate document which contains consequential amendments to affected Standards so that they refer to the new Framework, with the exception of IFRS 3 Business Combinations which continues to refer to both the 1989 and 2010 Frameworks. The Company does not intend to adopt the Amendments in its financial statements before the annual period beginning on January 1, 2020. The extent of the impact of the change has not yet been determined.

 

IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 - Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors

In October 2018, the IASB issued amendments to International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 1, Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8, Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. The amendments are to clarify the definition of ‘material’ and to align the definition used in the Conceptual Framework and the standards themselves. The amendments are effective January 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of these amendments.

 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

It should be noted that the management discussed below is primarily involved with the Company’s current activities. As the Company concludes an acquisition or merger, or embarks on any other type of project, additional personnel with differing areas of expertise will be utilized. Directors are elected annually by a majority vote of the shareholders and hold office until the next general meeting of the shareholders. Officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the board of directors. The names, place of residence, positions within the Company and the principal occupations of the directors and senior officers of the Company are set out below.

 

A. Directors and senior management.

 

Name, Municipality of Residence
Principal Occupation and Position
and Position with the Corporation
  Age   During the Past Five Years
         
Douglas E. Ford
West Vancouver,
B.C. Director
  55   Director since September 10, 1992; General Manager of Dockside Capital, a private merchant banking and venture capital firm, from 1987 to present.
         
Keith Morrison
Burlington, On
Director, Chief Executive Officer
  59   Director of Era Resources Inc. 2011-2017, Non-Executive Chairman of Security Devices International Inc. 2014-2017, Non-Executive Chairman of Osgood Mountain Gold Ltd. August 2016 — 2017, Non-Executive chairman of ZEN Graphene Solution Ltd. 2018-2018.
         
Mark Fedikow
Winnipeg, MB
President
  66   President of Mount Morgan Resources Ltd. 2001 — present
Director and VP of Exploration Services for VMS Ventures Inc. 2008 — April 2015, Director and VP of Exploration IMetal Resources Inc. 2004-Present.
         

Janet Huang
NingDe, China

Director

  41   Head of Internal Audit for Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) 2018-Present Investment Manager of CATL, 2016-2018
         
Gilbert Clark
Le Rouret, France
Director
  49   Managing Director 2003 - 2014 of European Mining Services, Private Mining Consultancy, Consultant Geologist with The Sentient Group 2010 - 2013, Senior Investment Advisor and Director of Sentient Asset Management Canada September 2013-2016, Director of North American Nickel May 2012 - Present, Private Mining & Mining Finance Consultant January 2017 — Present.
         
John Sabine
Toronto, On
Director, Chairman
  73   Counsel to Bennett Jones LLP 2013-Present, Counsel to Dentons LLP 2001-2013, Director of Lipari Energy Inc. 2011-2013, Uranium One Inc. 2013-2015, Algold Resources 2013-Present, and Seabridge Gold Inc. 2014-Present, Chairman, North American Nickel Inc. 2014-Present.
         
Christopher Messina
New York, NY
Director
  47   Advisor to a number of technology companies in the big data analytics, artificial intelligence, shipping, commodities and cyber security industries.
         
Sarah-Wenjia Zhu
Montreal, QC
Chief Financial Officer
  44   CFO since May 22, 2018, North American Nickel Inc., formerly an investment manager at The Sentient Group 2009-2017; Equity analyst/associate at PE fund and bank 2007-2009; Deloitte China 1998-2003

 

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B. Compensation.

 

Management compensation is determined by the board of directors based on competitive prices for services provided. During the year ended December 31, 2018, directors and officers, including private companies controlled by directors and officers, as a group, paid or accrued a total of $747 in management fees, paid or accrued a total of $181 in salaries. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for more detail on fees paid to members of management or to entities owned by them.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid $131 in compensation to Directors for acting as Directors. The Company does not have any pension or retirement plans, nor does the Company compensate its directors and officers by way of any material bonus or profit sharing plans. Directors, officers, employees and other key personnel of the Company may be compensated by way of stock options.

 

C. Board practices.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Company Act (BC), the Company’s directors are elected annually at the regularly schedules annual general meeting of shareholders. Each elected director is elected for a one-year term unless he resigns prior to the expiry of his term.

 

The Company has no arrangements in place for provision of benefits to its directors or upon their termination.

 

The Board has five committees in place:

 

Audit Committee is made-up of Douglas Ford (Chair), Christopher Messina and Gilbert Clark. The Audit Committee is an operating committee of the board of directors responsible for the oversight of financial reporting and disclosure. On May 2, 2006, the Company’s board of directors adopted a new charter for the Audit Committee.

 

Compensation Committee is made up of Christopher Messina (Chair), Douglas Ford and Gilbert Clark. In addition to salary, the compensation committee determines the level of stock option compensation and stock warrants granted within the corporation.

 

Safety Committee is made up of Keith Morrison (Chair), Doug Ford, Gilbert Clark. The purpose of the Safety Committee is to help prevent injury and illness on the job; increase awareness of health and safety issues among workers, supervisors, and managers; and develop strategies to make the work environment safe and healthy.

 

Technical Oversight Committee is made up of Gilbert Clark (Chair) and Mark Fedikow. The Technical Oversight Committee provides general oversight and support to the Geological team and identifies technical issues and tasks necessary to support the activities of the Company.

 

CSR committee is made of Keith Morrison and Mark Fedikow. The CSR committee is appointed to promote a culture that emphasizes and sets high standards for corporate social responsibility and reviews corporate performance against those standards.

 

D. Employees.

 

Effective at December 31, 2018 the Company had seven salaried employees.

 

E. Share ownership.

 

A total of ten percent (10%) of the common shares of the Company, outstanding from time to time, are reserved for the issuance of stock options pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan. During the year 6,425,000 stock options were granted to directors, consultants and employees. Other information on ownership is contained in the table below.

 

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.

 

A. Major shareholders.

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company’s shares at December 31, 2018 by (i) each person who is known to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company’s directors and executive officers and (iii) all current directors and executive officers as a group. The table does not reflect common shares held of record by depositories but does include currently exercisable options and warrants which are included in the calculation of percentage of class ownership for each individual holder. As of December 31, 2018, there were 787,928,500 common shares issued and outstanding, 590,931 preferred shares outstanding, 25,945,500 exercisable options, 257,972,836 warrants which fully diluted is 1,072,437,767.

 

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Name of Beneficial Owner  Amount of Shares   Percent 
Principal Holders          
Sentient Group GP IV   369,809,820    46.93%
Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL)   200,000,000    25.38%
Officers and Directors          
Douglas Ford   557,600(1)     
Keith Morrison   1,033,333      
Mark Fedikow   2,517,666(2)     
Gilbert Clark   170,046      
John Sabine   1,043,942      
Christopher Messina   260,000      
Sarah-Wenjia Zhu   40,000      
All Officers and Directors as a Group (8 persons)   5,622,587    0.71%

 

 

(1) Includes 422,000 shares held through B.W.N. Oil Technologies Inc., 135,600 shares held through Dockside Capital Group Inc.

(2) Includes 1,910,000 shares held through Lee River Resources Ltd.

 

During 2018, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement equity financing of 233,333,333 units at a price of $0.075 per unit and raised aggregate gross proceeds of $17,500. The Company incurred total share issuance costs of $579, of which $250 is recorded in trade payables at December 31, 2018.

 

B. Related party transactions.

 

Related party transactions were in the normal course of business and have been recorded at the exchange amount which is the fair value agreed to between the parties. Amounts due to related parties are unsecured, non-interest bearing and without specific terms of repayment.

 

Related party balances - The following amounts due to related parties are included in trade payables and accrued liabilities

 

   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2018   2017   2016 
Directors and officers of the Company  $1   $42   $2 
Companies controlled by directors of the Company            
   $1   $42   $2 

 

These amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing and have no fixed terms of repayment.

 

Related party transactions —

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded $174 (2017 - $244), (2016 - $347) in fees charged by a legal firm in which the Company’s chairman is a consultant.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded $Nil (2017 - $Nil) (2016 - $16) in rent and utilities expense to VMS Ventures Inc. a company that was a significant shareholder and related through common directors, which was included in general and administrative expense.

 

(a) Key management personnel are defined as members of the Board of Directors and senior officers.

 

Key management compensation was:

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Geological consulting fees — expensed   104    35    6 
Geological consulting fees — capitalized   18    178    44 
Management fees — expensed   747    749    756 
Salaries - expensed   181    128    103 
Share-based payments   192    358    186 
Total   1,242    1,448    1,095 

 

a) Transactions with Sentient

 

On April 19, 2018, Sentient subscribed for 13,333,333 units of the private placement for a total purchase price of $1,000. As of December 31, 2018, Sentient beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over 369,809,820 common shares constituting approximately 46.93% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

 

On August 15, 2017, Sentient subscribed for a total of 38,666,666 units under the private placement equity financing transaction for a total net proceeds of $2,900. As part of the subscription, Sentient was granted 19,333,333 common share purchase warrants exercisable at $0.12 until August 15, 2019.

 

On June 8, 2017, Sentient acquired 94,666,666 units in the equity financing as described in Note 10 for net proceeds of $7,100. As part of the Offering, Sentient was granted 47,333,333 common share purchase warrants exercisable at $0.12 until June 8, 2019.

 

As of December 31, 2017, Sentient beneficially owns 356,476,487 common shares constituting approximately 64.27% of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares.

 

b) Transaction with CATL

 

Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (“CATL”) subscribed for 200,000,000 units of the private placement for a total purchase price of $15,000. At December 31, 2018, CATL beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over approximately 25.38% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of the Company. As per the subscription agreement, CATL has pre-emptive rights and the right to nominate one director to the board of directors of the Company.

 

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C. Interests of experts and counsel

 

Not required.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

See Item 17 and our financial statements and accompanying notes beginning on page F-1.

 

B. Significant Changes

 

The Company is not aware of any significant change since December 31, 2018 that is not otherwise reported in this filing.

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

Effective December 21, 2006 our common shares became quoted on the United States OTC Bulletin Board, under the symbol “WSCRF”. On May 30, 2011 the common shares of the Company began trading under the symbol “NAN” on the TSX-V Venture Exchange. The table below sets forth the high and low prices expressed in Canadian dollars on the TSX-V and in United States dollars on the OTC in the United States for the Company’s common shares for the past five years, for each quarter for the last two fiscal years, and for the last six months. Note this trading data does not take into effect the 2-old for 1-new reverse split effected on April 20, 2010.

 

   High   Low   High   Low 
   (Canadian Dollars)   (United States Dollars) 
                 
Last Five Fiscal Years                    
2018   0.085    0.030    0.075    0.020 
2017   0.095    0.065    0.076    0.043 
2016   0.145    0.065    0.11    0.05 
2015   0.28    0.08    0.23    0.06 
2014   0.23    0.22    0.209    0.209 
                     
2018                    
Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 2018   0.055    0.030    0.040    0.020 
Third Quarter ended September 30, 2018   0.075    0.050    0.061    0.038 
Second Quarter ended June 30, 2018   0.085    0.060    0.065    0.043 
First Quarter ended March 31, 2018   0.085    0.070    0.075    0.055 
                     
2017                    
Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 2017   0.095    0.065    0.076    0.050 
Third Quarter ended September 30, 2017   0.085    0.065    0.071    0.050 
Second Quarter ended June 30, 2017   0.085    0.065    0.066    0.043 
First Quarter ended March 31, 2017   0.095    0.075    0.071    0.054 
                     
Last Six Months                    
March 2019   0.025    0.020    0.025    0.013 
February 2019   0.045    0.025    0.033    0.020 
January 2019   0.045    0.030    0.037    0.020 
December 2018   0.050    0.030    0.036    0.020 
November 2018   0.050    0.045    0.040    0.031 
October 2018   0.055    0.045    0.040    0.037 

 

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The closing price of the Company’s common shares as reported by the TSX-V on December 31, 2018 was C$0.03. The closing price of the Company’s common shares as reported by the OTCbb on December 31, 2018 was US$0.02.

 

The Company’s common shares are issued in registered form. Computershare Investor Services Inc. is the registrar and transfer agent for the Company’s common shares.

 

The Company has no outstanding securities not listed on a marketplace other than incentive stock options and warrants. Since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, stock options to purchase an aggregate 6,425,000 common shares were granted. The following table outlines the detail of each grant:

 

Number of Options   Exercise Price   Grant Date
      (CDN $)    
           
 5,725,000   $0.12   February 28, 2018
 500,000   $0.12   May 1, 2018
 200,000   $0.12   May 4, 2018

 

Since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, warrants issued to purchase an aggregate 116,666,664 common shares were issued. The following table outlines the detail of each issuance:

 

Number of Warrants   Exercise Price   Grant Date
      (CDN $)    
           
 116,666,664   $0.12   April 19, 2018

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A. Share capital

 

Not required

 

B. Memorandum and articles of association

 

1. The Company was incorporated as Rainbow Resources Ltd. September 20, 1983 under certificate of incorporation no. 268952 in the Province of British Columbia Canada. The name was changed to Widescope Resources Ltd. May 1 1984, to Gemini Technology Inc. September 13 1985, to International Gemini Technology Inc. September 23 1993, and to Widescope Resources Inc., effective July 12, 2006. The name was subsequently changed to North American Nickel Inc., effective April 19, 2010. No objects and purposes are described.
   
2. If a director has a material interest in a matter subject to a vote, he must declare it and abstain from voting, or have his vote not counted, except for certain specific exclusions which include setting director compensation. There are no restrictions on directors issuing debt however shareholder approval may be required in connection with convertible debt or other debt driven requirements to issue shares. There is no retirement age or share ownership requirement for directors.
   
3. Dividends are declared by directors and subject to any special rights, paid to all holders of shares in a class according to the number of shares held. Voting rights are one vote per share. Directors stand for election every year at the annual meeting. Shareholders have no rights to share directly in the company’s profits. Subject to prior claims of creditors and preferred shareholders, common shareholders participate in any surplus in the event of liquidation according to the number of shares held. The Company may redeem shares by directors’ resolution in compliance with applicable law unless the company is insolvent or may become insolvent by doing so. It must make its offer pro rata to every member who holds a class, subject to applicable stock exchange rules or company act provisions. The directors have wide discretion. Shareholders have no liability for further capital calls. No discriminatory provisions, against an existing or prospective shareholder of a substantial number of shares, are imposed by the articles.

 

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4. Rights of holders of any class of shares can only be changed with their consent, and in accordance with the company act. Consent must be in writing by the holders or by a three fourths majority of a vote of the holders, and by the consent of the British Columbia Securities Commission.
   
5. A notice convening an annual general or special meeting must specify the place, date, hour, and in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the special business, and must be given in accordance with the company act. There are no special conditions outlining rights of admission.
   
6. There are no limitations on rights to own securities.
   
7. There are no provisions to delay, defer, or prevent a change in control.
   
8. Nothing in the articles requires ownership disclosure.
   
9. Not applicable.
   
10. Not applicable.

 

C. Material contracts

 

On December 23, 2009, the Company executed a letter of intent whereby the Company has an option to acquire the mineral claim known as the Post Creek Property located within the Sudbury Mining District of Ontario. The Company paid a non-refundable deposit of $8. On April 5, 2010, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire rights to Post Creek Property. On March 12, 2013, the Post Creek Property Option Agreement was amended, in order to acquire 100% working interests in the property, subject to certain net smelter return royalties (“NSR”) and advance royalty payments the Company agreed to the following amended consideration, which has been met, cash payments totalling $138 and the issuance of 1,000,000 common shares. The Company has exercised its option on Post Creek and as of August 1, 2015, the Company is obligated to pay advances on the NSR of $10 per annum, which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the NSR

 

On April 5, 2010, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire rights to Halcyon Property. On March 12, 2013, the Halcyon Property Option Agreement was amended. In order to acquire up to a 100% working interest in the property, subject to certain net smelter return royalties (“NSR”) and advance royalty payments the Company agreed to the following amended consideration, which has been met, cash payments totalling $120 and the issuance of 700,000 common shares. Further, commencing on the amended date of August 1, 2015, if the Company exercises its option, the Company will be obligated to pay advances on the NSR of $8 per annum, which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the NSR.

 

On August 15, 2011, the Company was granted an exploration license (the “Sulussugut License”) by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (“BMP”) of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Sulussugut, Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of $5,742 (Danish Krones (“DKK”) 31) upon granting of the Sulussugut License. The Sulussugut License was valid for 5 years until December 31, 2015, with December 31, 2011 being the first year providing the Company meets the terms of the license, which includes that specified eligible exploration expenditures must be made. The application for another 5-year term on the Sulussugut License was submitted to the Greenland Mineral Licence & Safety Authority (MLSA) which was effective on April 11, 2016, with December 31, 2018 being the eighth year.

 

On March 4, 2012, the Company was granted an additional exploration license (the “Ininngui License”) by the BMP of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights over an area covering a total of 142 square kilometres. The license is located near Ininngui, Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of DKK 32 upon granting of the Ininngui License. The Ininngui License is valid for 5 years until December 31, 2016, with December 31, 2012 being the first year. The Ininngui License is contiguous with the Sulussugut License.The application for another 5-year term on the Ininngui License was submitted to the Greenland Mineral Licence & Safety Authority (MLSA), which was effective March 14, 2017, with December 31, 2018 being the seventh year.

 

In conjunction with the granting of the Sulussugut License, on August 12, 2011, the Company entered into an arm’s length Intellectual Property and Data Acquisition Agreement (the “IP Acquisition Agreement”) with Hunter Minerals Pty Limited (“Hunter”) and Spar Resources Pty Limited (“Spar”). Pursuant to the IP Acquisition Agreement, Hunter and Spar agreed to sell the IP Rights to the Company in consideration for the Company paying $300 in cash ($150 to each of Hunter and Spar which is paid) and the issuing of 12,960,000 share purchase warrants, 6,480,000 to each of Hunter and Spar exercisable for a period of five years expiring on August 30, 2016. The warrants were exercisable at the following prices, 4,750,000 of the warrants are at a price of $0.50 per share, 4,750,000 of the warrants are at a price of $0.70 per share and 3,460,000 of the warrants are at a price of $1.00 per share. The warrants were subject to an accelerated exercise provision in the event the Company relinquished its interests in the Maniitsoq Licenses or any other mineral titles held within a defined area of interest without receiving consideration for such relinquishment. The granted warrants were recorded at a fair value of $1,813 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. As of August 30, 2016 the warrants expired unexercised and the Company has reversed the fair value of $1,813 to deficit. Granting to each of Hunter and Spar or their designates a 1.25% net smelter returns royalty, subject to rights of NAN to reduce both royalties to a 0.5% net smelter returns royalty upon payment to each of Hunter and Spar (or their designates) of $1,000 on or before the 60th day following a decision to commence commercial production on the mineral properties. On August 30, 2011 the Company issued 200,000 common shares at $0.14 per share for a value of $28 as a finder’s fee on the Greenland project.

 

On January 4, 2016, the Company made and entered into a 10 year Metallic Minerals Lease with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for an area covering approximately 320 acres. Under the terms of the lease, an annual rental fee will be required at a rate of US $3.00 per acre per lease for years 1-5 and US $6.00 per acre per lease year for the years 6-10. A minimum royalty of US $10 per acre is due for the eleventh year of the lease and increases by $US 5 per acre through to the twentieth year. For the twentieth year of the lease and thereafter for the life of the lease, the minimum royalty is US $55 per acre per year.

 

The Company paid the first-year rental fee and the required bond of US $10. The Department of Natural Resources shall annually review the level of the performance bond and shall require the amount of the bond to be increased or decreased to reflect changes in the cost of future reclamation of the leased premises.

 

D. Exchange Controls

 

This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, legal advice to any prospective purchaser. Accordingly, prospective purchasers of the Company’s shares should consult with their own advisors with respect to their individual circumstances.

 

25
 

 

There are no laws or governmental decrees or regulations in Canada that restrict the export or import of capital, or which affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to holders of the Company’s securities who are not residents of Canada, other than withholding tax requirements. Reference is made to “Item 7. Taxation”.

 

There are no limitations imposed by the laws of Canada, the laws of Alberta or by the charter or other governing documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares of the Company, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (the “Investment Act”) and the potential requirement for a Competition Act Review.

 

The following summarizes the principal features of the Investment Act and the Competition Act Review for a non-resident who proposes to acquire common shares. This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor is it, a substitute for independent advice from an investor’s own advisor. This summary does not anticipate statutory or regulatory amendments.

 

The Canadian Investment Act

 

The Canadian Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a “Canadian” as defined in the Investment Act (a “non-Canadian”), unless, after review, the minister responsible for the Investment Act (the “Minister”) is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of a net benefit to Canada. Under the Investment Act, a United States citizen qualifies as a “World Trade Organization Investor.” Subject to the restrictions noted below, an investment in a Canadian business by a World Trade Organization Investor would be reviewable under the Investment Act only if it is an investment to acquire control of such Canadian business and the value of the assets of the Canadian business as shown on its financial statements is not less than a specified amount, which for 1999 was $184 million. An investment in the shares of a Canadian business by a non-Canadian other than a “World Trade Organization Investor” when the Company is not controlled by a World Trade Organization Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it is an investment to acquire control of the Canadian business and the value of the assets of the Canadian business as shown on its financial statements is $5 million or more, or if an order for review is made by the federal cabinet on the grounds that the investment relates to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity.

 

The acquisition by a World Trade Organization Investor of control of a Canadian business in any of the following sectors is also subject to review if the value of the assets of the Canadian business exceeds $5 million (as shown on its financial statements): uranium, financial services (except insurance), transportation services and cultural businesses, which include broadcast media (publication, distribution or sale of books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers, music, film and video products and the exhibition of film and video products), television and radio services. As the Company’s business does not fall under any of the aforementioned categories, the acquisition of control of the Company, in excess of the $5 million threshold, by a World Trade Organization Investor would not be subject to such review.

 

A non-Canadian would acquire control of the Company for purposes of the Investment Act if the non-Canadian acquired a majority of the common shares.

 

The acquisition of less than a majority but one-third or more of the common shares would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of the Company unless it could be established that, on acquisition, the Company was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of common shares. Notwithstanding the review provisions, any transaction involving the acquisition of control of a Canadian business or the establishment of a new business in Canada by a non-Canadian is a notifiable transaction and must be reported to Industry Canada by the non-Canadian making the investment either before or within thirty days after the investment.

 

Certain transactions relating to common shares are exempt from the Investment Act, including:

 

  an acquisition of common shares by a person in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities;
     
  an acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act; and
     
  an acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the Company, through the ownership of common shares, remained unchanged.

 

Canadian Competition Act Review

 

Investments giving rise to the acquisition or establishment, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons of control over, or a significant interest in the whole or part of a business of a competitor, supplier, customer or other person are subject to substantive review by Canada’s Competition Law Authority, the Director of Investigation and Research (the “Director”). If or when the Director concludes that a merger, whether by purchase or lease of shares or assets, by amalgamation or by combination, or otherwise, prevents or lessens, or is likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially, he may apply as may be necessary to eliminate the substantial lessening or prevention of competition. Such substantive merger review power applies to all mergers, whether or not they meet limits for pre-notification under the Competition Act.

 

In addition to substantive merger review, the Competition Act provides for a pre-notification regime respecting mergers of a certain size. The regime applies in respect of share acquisitions, asset acquisitions, amalgamations and combinations. For ease of reference, this filing refers specifically to share acquisition, although the pre-notification regime applies, with the appropriate modification, to other types of acquisition of control as well.

 

In order for a share acquisition transaction to be pre-notifiable, the parties to the transaction (being the person or persons who proposed to acquire shares, and the corporation the shares of which are to be acquired), together with their affiliates (being all firms with a 50% or more voting shares linkage up and down the chain) must have:

 

(i) aggregate gross assets in Canada that exceed $400 million in value, as shown on their audited financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year (which must be within the last fifteen (15) months); or
   
(ii) aggregate gross revenue from sales in, from or into Canada that exceed $400 million for the most recently completed fiscal year shown on the said financial statements; and
   
(iii) the party being acquired or corporations controlled by that party must have gross assets in Canada, or gross revenues from sales in or from Canada, exceeding $35 million as shown on the said financial statements. Acquisition of shares carrying up to 20% of the votes of a publicly-traded corporation, or 35% of the votes in a private corporation, will not be subject to pre-notification, regardless of the above thresholds. However, exceeding the 20% or the 35% threshold, and again exceeding the 50% threshold, gives rise to an obligation of notification if the size threshold is met.

 

26
 

 

If a transaction is pre-notifiable, a filing must be made with the Director containing the prescribed information with respect to the parties, and a waiting period (either seven or twenty-one days, depending on whether a long or short form filing is chosen) must expire prior to closing.

 

As an alternative to pre-notification, the Director may grant an Advance Ruling Certificate, which exempts the transaction from pre-notification. Advance Ruling Certificates are granted where the Director concludes, based on the information provided to him, that he would not have sufficient grounds on which to apply to the Competition Tribunal to challenge the Merger.

 

E. Taxation

 

This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, legal or tax advice to any prospective purchaser or holder of the Company’s shares and no representation with respect to the Canadian federal income tax consequences to any such prospective purchaser is made. Accordingly, prospective purchasers of the Company’s shares should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their individual circumstances.

 

The following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a holder of the Company’s shares who, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Canadian Tax Act”) and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980 (the “Convention”) and at all relevant times is resident in the United States and not resident in Canada, deals at arm’s length with the Company, holds the Company’s shares as capital property, and does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the Company’s shares in or in the course of carrying on business in Canada (a “United States Holder”).

 

This following summary is based upon the current provisions of the Canadian Income Tax Act, the regulations thereunder, all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act and the regulations announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and the Company’s understanding of the published administrative practices of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (formerly Revenue Canada, Customs, Excise and Taxation). This summary does not take into account or anticipate any other changes in the governing law, whether by judicial, governmental or legislative decision or action, nor does it take into account the tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or non-Canadian jurisdiction (including the United States), which legislation or considerations may differ significantly from those described herein.

 

Disposition of the Company’s Shares

 

In general, a United States shareholder will not be subject to Canadian income tax on capital gains arising on the disposition of the Company’s shares, unless such shares are “taxable Canadian property” within the meaning of the Canadian Income Tax Act and no relief is afforded under any applicable tax treaty. The shares of the Company would be taxable Canadian property of a non-resident if at any time during the five-year period immediately preceding a disposition by the non-resident of such shares, not less than 25% of the issued shares of any class or series of all classes of shares of the Company belonged to the non-resident, to persons with whom the non-resident did not deal at arm’s length, or to the non-resident and persons with whom the non-resident did not deal at arm’s length for purposes of the Canadian Income Tax Act. For this purpose, issued shares include options to acquire such shares (including conversion rights) held by such persons. Under the Convention, a capital gain realized by a resident of the United States will not be subject to Canadian tax unless the value of the shares of the Company is derived principally from real estate (as defined in the Convention) situated in Canada.

 

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Not required

 

G. Statement by Experts

 

Not required

 

H. Documents on display

 

All documents referenced in this Form 20-F may be viewed at the offices of the Company during business hours 1055 West Hastings, Vancouver BC V6E 2E9, Canada, Telephone 604-770-4334.

 

I. Subsidiary Information

 

In June 2015 the Company incorporated North American Nickel (US) Inc. to hold a mineral lease in Michigan, which was granted in January 2016.

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not required

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Not required

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable

 

27
 

 

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2017. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded as of December 31, 2017 that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of a company’s assets,
   
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that a company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of a company’s management and directors, and
   
(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

 

However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the company.

 

Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, known as COSO, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 

Our management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only our management’s report in this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

ITEM  16.

 

A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Mr. Douglas Ford. Mr. Ford has over thirty-years’ experience as a venture capitalist and merchant banker. In his business background he has operated in senior operations roles and as a Chief Financial Officer of several publicly traded companies and private enterprises. In such roles, he has been responsible for all financial aspects of the entities including, internal financial controls, governance, compliance and financial reporting. He currently is CFO and Secretary of two companies listed on Canadian stock exchanges.”

 

Mr. Messina serves on the Audit Committee as a financial expert. Mr. Messina has worked in the capital markets as an investment banker, asset manager and entrepreneur in financial technology for 22+ years. He has an MBA in finance and strategy from the Australian Graduate School of Management, and over the years has worked on data services involved in corporate governance ratings, derivatives and fixed income markets and has extensive knowledge of valuation norms and accepted pricing conventions for a range of assets from the most liquid to the most illiquid.

 

Mr. Clark also serves on the Audit Committee. He has more than 18 years of industry experience; principally in mining and international resource developments. Since 2010 Mr. Clark has been involved in private equity investments and appraisals primarily in the mining and energy sectors internationally.

 

B. Code of Ethics

 

The Company has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its directors, principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting procedures, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics will be made available to anyone who requests it in writing from the Company’s head office.

 

C. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

(a) Audit Fees

 

28
 

 

Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte, Chartered Accountants (“DMCL”) billed the Corporation $33 in the year ended December 31, 2018 ($30 in the year ended December 31, 2017 and $26 in the year ended December 31, 2016)

 

(b) Audit Related Fees

 

DMCL billed $ nil for audit related services in the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

 

(c) Tax Fees

 

DMCL billed the Company $1 for the tax year 2018, $1 for the tax year 2017 and $1 for the tax year 2016.

 

(d) All Other Fees

 

DMCL billed the Corporation $ nil for services in the year ended December 31, 2018, $15 for services in the year ended December 31, 2017 and $15 for services in the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

(e) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

To ensure continuing auditor objectivity and to safeguard the independence of our auditors, our audit committee has determined a framework for the type and authorization of non-audit services which our auditors may provide. The audit committee has adopted policies for the pre-approval of specific services that may be provided by our auditors. The dual objectives of these policies are to ensure that we benefit in a cost effective manner from the cumulative knowledge and experience of our auditors, while also ensuring that the auditors maintain the necessary degree of independence and objectivity.

 

Our audit committee approved the engagement of Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte to render audit and non-audit services before they were engaged by us.

 

D. Exemption From the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

 

Not Applicable

 

E Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The financial statements and notes thereto as required by Item 17 are attached hereto and found immediately after the text of this Registration Statement. The auditors’ report of Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP, independent registered public accountants, on the audited financial statements and notes thereto is included immediately preceding the audited financial statements.

 

Independent Auditors’ Report.

Statements of financial position as at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Statements of comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Notes to the financial statements.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Not applicable. See “Item 17. Financial Statements” above.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

12.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to s.302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

12.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to s.302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

13.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to s.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

13.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to s.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

19.1 Management Discussion & Analysis as of April 26, 2019.

 

29
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

  NORTH AMERICAN NICKEL INC
     
Date: May 03, 2019 By: /s/ Keith Morrison
  Name: Keith Morrison
  Title: CEO as duly authorized signatory

 

30
 

 

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

INDEX

 

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Reporting

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

● Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

● Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

 

● Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

 

● Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

● Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 31 

 

 

 

Management responsibility for financial reporting

 

The consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, of North American Nickel Inc., and its subsidiary have been prepared by management in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management acknowledges responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements, including responsibility for significant accounting judgments and estimates and the choice of accounting principles and methods that are appropriate to the Company’s circumstances.

 

Management, in discharging these responsibilities, maintains a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded, only valid and authorized transactions are executed and accurate, timely and comprehensive financial information is prepared. However, any system of internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well designed and implemented, has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect all misstatements.

 

The Board of Directors, principally through the Audit and Risk Committee, is responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements together with other financial information of the Company and for ensuring that management fulfils its financial reporting responsibilities.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been audited by Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants, who were appointed by the shareholders to examine the consolidated financial statements and provide an independent auditor’s opinion thereon. The auditor’s report outlines the scope of their examination and their opinion on the consolidated financial statements. Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP has full and free access to the Board of Directors.

 

“signed”   “signed”
     
/s/ Keith Morrison   /s/ Sarah Zhu

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Chief Financial Officer

     
April 26, 2019    

 

 32 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the shareholders and the board of directors of North American Nickel Inc.

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of North American Nickel Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has not generated revenues since inception, has incurred losses in developing its business, and further losses are anticipated. The Company requires additional funds to meet its obligations and the costs of its operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in this regard are described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ DALE MATHESON CARR-HILTON LABONTE LLP

CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2005.

 

Vancouver, Canada

 

April 26, 2019

 

  33 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

   Notes   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
ASSETS              
CURRENT ASSETS              
Cash and cash equivalents       339    398 
Short-term investments  4    2,500    2,500 
Receivables and other current assets  5    133    242 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS       2,972    3,140 
               
NON-CURRENT ASSETS              
Property, plant and equipment  6    35    49 
Exploration and evaluation assets  7    64,479    50,494 
Reclamation of deposit  7    14    14 
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS       64,528    50,557 
TOTAL ASSETS       67,500    53,697 
               
LIABILITIES              
CURRENT LIABILITIES              
Trade payables and accrued liabilities  8, 11    556    969 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES       556    969 
TOTAL LIABILITIES       556    969 
               
EQUITY              
Share capital – preferred  10    591    591 
Share capital – common  10    87,947    73,598 
Reserve  10    7,749    5,089 
Deficit       (29,343)   (26,550)
TOTAL EQUITY       66,944    52,728 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY       67,500    53,697 

 

Nature of Operations (Note 1)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Approved by the Board of Directors on April 26, 2019

 

“signed”   “signed”
     
/s/ Keith Morrison   /s/ Doug Ford

Director

 

Audit Committee Chair

 

  34 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except loss per share)

 

       Year Ended
December 31,
   Year Ended December 31,   Year Ended
December 31,
 
   Notes   2018   2017   2016 
                 
EXPENSES                
General and administrative expenses  11, 18    (2,340)   (2,375)   (2,021)
Property investigation       (216)   -    (15)
Amortization  6    (14)   (25)   (42)
Share-based payments  10    (317)   (504)   (309)
        (2,887)   (2,904)   (2,387)
OTHER ITEMS                   
Interest income       74    32    28 
Finance fee  9    -    -    (95)
Interest on capital contribution loan  9    -    -    (265)
Foreign exchange loss       (209)   (7)   (158)
        (135)   25    (490)
                    
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR       (3,022)   (2,879)   (2,877)
                    
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding       718,248,135    465,929,638    269,778,932 
                    
Basic and diluted loss per share       (0.00)   (0.01)   (0.01)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  35 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

   Notes  

Number

Shares

  

Share

Capital

  

Preferred

Stock

   Reserve   Deficit  

Total

Equity

 
             $    $    $    $    $ 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2015       207,629,506    50,574    591    5,135    (23,820)   32,480 
Net and comprehensive loss       -    -    -    -    (2,877)   (2,877)
Share capital issued through private placement  10    160,000,000    12,000    -    -    -    12,000 
Shares issued for fee on loan  9    952,380    95    -    -    -    95 
Share-based payments  10    -    -    -    309    -    309 
Forfeited/expired options  10    -    -    -    (912)   912    - 
Expired warrants  10    -    -    -    (1,813)   1,813    - 
Capital contribution interest on loan  9    -    -    -    265    -    265 
Capital contribution reallocation on loan settlement  9    -    265    -    (265)   -    - 
Share issue costs  10    -    (619)   -    48    -    (571)
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2016       368,581,886    62,315    591    2,767    (23,972)   41,701 
                                   
Net and comprehensive loss       -    -    -    -    (2,879)   (2,879)
Share capital issued through private prospectus  10    145,030,833    10,877    -    -    -    10,877 
Share capital issued through private placement  10    40,982,448    3,074    -    -    -    3,074 
Value allocated to warrants issued  10    -    (2,080)        2,080    -    - 
Forfeited/expired options  10    -    -    -    (283)   283    - 
Expired warrants  10    -    -    -    (18)   18    - 
Share-based payments  10    -    -    -    504    -    504 
Share issue costs  10    -    (588)   -    39    -    (549)
                                   
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2017       554,595,167    73,598    591    5,089    (26,550)   52,728 
                                   
Net and comprehensive loss       -    -    -    -    (3,022)   (3,022)
Share capital issued through private placement  10    233,333,333    17,500    -    -    -    17,500 
Value allocated to warrants issued  10    -    (2,572)   -    2,572    -    - 
Forfeited/expired stock options  10    -    -    -    (181)   181    - 
Expired warrants  10    -    -    -    (48)   48    - 
Share-based payments  10    -    -    -    317    -    317 
Share issue costs  10    -    (579)   -    -    -    (579)
                                   
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2018       787,928,500    87,947    591    7,749    (29,343)   66,944 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  36 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   Notes   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                   
Loss for the year       (3,022)   (2,879)   (2,877)
Items not affecting cash:                   
Amortization       14    25    42 
Share-based payments       317    504    309 
Interest income       (74)   (16)   (28)
Changes in working capital  12    21    (95)   (52)
Other:                   
Interest received       80    32    30 
Finance fee       -    -    95 
Interest expense on loan       -    -    265 
Net cash used in operating activities       (2,664)   (2,429)   (2,216)
                    
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                   
Expenditures on exploration and evaluation assets       (14,566)   (11,385)   (8,604)
Prior year payables for exploration and evaluation assets       -    -    (87)
Reclamation deposit       -    -    (14)
Short-term investments       -    200    (400)
Purchase of equipment       -    (20)   (3)
Net cash used in investing activities       (14,566)   (11,205)   (9,108)
                    
FINANCING ACTIVITIES                   
Proceeds from issuance of common shares  10    17,500    13,951    12,000 
Direct financing costs       (329)   (549)   (571)
Net cash provided by financing activities       17,171    13,402    11,429 
                    
Change in cash equivalents for the year       (59)   (232)   105 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year       398    630    525 
Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the year       339    398    630 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  37 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

1. NATURE AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS

 

North American Nickel Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on September 23, 1983, under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. The head office and principal address is located at 3400 – 100 King Street West, PO Box 130, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A4 and the records office of the Company is located at Suite 2200, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7P 3P1. The Company’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) under the symbol “NAN”.

 

The Company’s principal business activity is the exploration and development of mineral properties in Greenland, Canada and United States. The Company has not yet determined whether any of these properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The recoverability of carrying amounts shown for exploration and evaluation assets is dependent upon a number of factors including environmental risk, legal and political risk, the existence of economically recoverable mineral reserves, confirmation of the Company’s interests in the underlying mineral claims, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete exploration and development, and to attain sufficient net cash flow from future profitable production or disposition proceeds.

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern, meaning it will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the ordinary course of operations. The ability of the Company to continue operations as a going concern is ultimately dependent upon achieving profitable operations. To date, the Company has not generated profitable operations from its resource activities and will need to invest additional funds in carrying out its planned exploration, development and operational activities. These uncertainties cast substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

The exploration and evaluation properties in which the Company currently has an interest are in the exploration stage. As such, the Company is dependent on external financing to fund its activities. In order to carry out the planned exploration and cover administrative costs, the Company will use its existing working capital and raise additional amounts as needed. Although the Company has been successful in its past fundraising activities, there is no assurance as to the success of future fundraising efforts or as to the sufficiency of funds raised in the future. The Company will continue to assess new properties and seek to acquire interests in additional properties if there is sufficient geologic or economic potential and if adequate financial resources are available to do so.

 

The consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors of the Company on April 26, 2019.

 

2. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a) Statement of Compliance

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

 

(b) Basis of Preparation

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified by the revaluation of any financial assets and financial liabilities where applicable. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. These areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in Note 3.

 

  38 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

(c) Basis of consolidation

 

These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, North American Nickel (US) Inc. which was incorporated in the State of Delaware on May 22, 2015. Consolidation is required when the Company is exposed, or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. All intercompany transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

(d) Foreign currency translation

 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency monetary items are translated at the period-end exchange rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost continue to be carried at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value are reported at the exchange rate at the date when fair values were determined.

 

Exchange differences arising on the translation of monetary items or on settlement of monetary items are recognized in profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive loss in the period in which they arise, except where deferred in equity as a qualifying cash flow or net investment hedge.

 

Exchange differences arising on the translation of non-monetary items are recognized in other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive loss to the extent that gains and losses arising on those non-monetary items are also recognized in other comprehensive income. Where the non-monetary gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss, the exchange component is also recognized in profit or loss.

 

(e) Exploration and evaluation assets

 

Exploration and evaluation assets include the costs of acquiring licenses, costs associated with exploration and evaluation activity, and the fair value (at acquisition date) of exploration and evaluation assets acquired in a business combination. Exploration and evaluation expenditures are initially capitalized. Costs incurred before the Company has obtained the legal rights to explore an area are recognized in profit or loss.

 

Government tax credits received are generally recorded as a reduction to the cumulative costs incurred and capitalized on the related property.

 

Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if (i) sufficient data exists to determine technical feasibility and commercial viability, and (ii) facts, events and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

 

Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the extraction of mineral resources in an area of interest are demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to that area of interest are first tested for impairment and then reclassified to mining property and development assets within equipment.

 

Recoverability of the carrying amount of any exploration and evaluation assets is dependent on successful development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively, sale of the respective areas of interest.

 

The Company may occasionally enter into farm-out arrangements, whereby it will transfer part of an interest, as consideration, for an agreement by the farmee to meet certain exploration and evaluation expenditures which would have otherwise been undertaken by the Company. The Company does not record any expenditures made by the farmee on its behalf. Any cash consideration received from the agreement is credited against the costs previously capitalized to the mineral interest given up by the Company, with any excess consideration accounted for in profit.

 

When a project is deemed to no longer have commercially viable prospects to the Company, exploration and evaluation expenditures in respect of that project are deemed to be impaired. As a result, those exploration and evaluation expenditure costs, in excess of estimated recoveries, are written off to the statement of comprehensive loss/income.

 

  39 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

(f) Restoration and environmental obligations

 

The Company recognizes liabilities for statutory, contractual, constructive or legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-term assets, when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of the assets. The net present value of future restoration cost estimates arising from the decommissioning of plant and other site preparation work is capitalized to exploration and evaluation assets along with a corresponding increase in the restoration provision in the period incurred. Discount rates using a pre-tax rate that reflect the time value of money are used to calculate the net present value. The restoration asset will be depreciated on the same basis as other mining assets.

 

The Company’s estimates of restoration costs could change as a result of changes in regulatory requirements, discount rates and assumptions regarding the amount and timing of the future expenditures. These changes are recorded directly to exploration and evaluation assets with a corresponding entry to the restoration provision. The Company’s estimates are reviewed annually for changes in regulatory requirements, discount rates, effects of inflation and changes in estimates.

 

Changes in the net present value, excluding changes in the Company’s estimates of reclamation costs, are charged to profit and loss for the period.

 

The costs of restoration projects included in the provision are recorded against the provision as incurred. The costs to prevent and control environmental impacts at specific properties are capitalized in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation assets.

 

(g) Impairment of assets

 

Impairment tests on intangible assets with indefinite useful economic lives are undertaken annually at the financial year-end. Other non-financial assets, including exploration and evaluation assets, are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell, the asset is written down accordingly.

 

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the asset’s cash-generating unit, which is the lowest group of assets in which the asset belongs and for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets.

 

An impairment loss is charged to the profit or loss, except to the extent the loss reverses gains previously recognized in other comprehensive loss/income.

 

(h) Financial instruments

 

The Company adopted all of the requirements of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) on a retroactive basis in accordance with the transitional provisions. IFRS 9 replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (“IAS 39”). The standard promulgates a revised model for recognition and measurement of financial instruments and a single, forward-looking “expected loss” impairment model. The adoption of IFRS 9 did not result in any change in the carrying values of any of the Company’s financial assets on the transition date; therefore, comparative figures have not been restated.

 

  40 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

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

 

Classification

 

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

 

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

 

Financial asset/liability

 

Original classification IAS 39

 

New classification IFRS 9

Cash and cash equivalents   FVTPL   FVTPL
Other receivable   Amortized cost   Amortized cost
Trade payables   Amortized cost   Amortized cost

 

Measurement

 

Financial assets and liabilities at amortized cost

 

Financial assets and liabilities at amortized cost are initially recognized at fair value plus or minus transaction costs, respectively, and subsequently carried at amortized cost less any impairment.

 

Financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL

 

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

 

Impairment of financial assets at amortized cost

 

An ‘expected credit loss’ impairment model applies which requires a loss allowance to be recognized based on expected credit losses. The estimated present value of future cash flows associated with the asset is determined and an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between this amount and the carrying amount as follows: the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to estimated present value of the future cash flows associated with the asset, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate, either directly or through the use of an allowance account and the resulting loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period.

 

In a subsequent period, if the amount of the impairment loss related to financial assets measured at amortized cost decreases, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized.

 

Derecognition

 

Financial assets

 

The Company derecognizes financial assets only when the contractual rights to cash flows from the financial assets expire, or when it transfers the financial assets and substantially all of the associated risks and rewards of ownership to another entity. Gains and losses on derecognition are generally recognized in the statements of comprehensive loss.

 

(i) Loss per share

 

The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute the dilutive effect of options, warrants and similar instruments. Under this method, the dilutive effect on loss per common share is recognized on the use of the proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options, warrants and similar instruments. It assumes that the proceeds would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.

 

  41 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Basic loss per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and does not include outstanding options and warrants. Dilutive loss per common share is not presented differently from basic loss per share as the conversion of outstanding stock options and warrants into common shares would be anti-dilutive.

 

(j) Income taxes

 

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in net income except to the extent that it arises in a business combination, or from items recognized directly in equity or other comprehensive loss/income.

 

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current period are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date, in the countries where the Company operates and generates taxable income.

 

Current income tax relating to items recognized directly in other comprehensive income or equity is recognized in other comprehensive income or equity and not in profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.

 

Deferred income tax is provided using the asset and liability method of temporary differences at the reporting date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

 

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and recognized only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilized.

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

 

Deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are offset, only if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current income tax liabilities and the deferred income taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

 

(k) Share-based payments

 

Where equity-settled share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is recognized over the vesting period. Performance vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognized over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Non-vesting conditions and market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted. As long as all other vesting conditions are satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether these non-vesting and market vesting conditions are satisfied. The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition or where a non-vesting condition is not satisfied.

 

Where the terms and conditions of options are modified, the increase in the fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also recognized over the remaining vesting period.

 

Where equity instruments are granted to non-employees, they are recorded at the fair value of the goods or services received. Amounts related to the issuance of shares are recorded as a reduction of share capital.

 

  42 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

When the value of goods and services received in exchange for the share-based payment cannot be reliably estimated, the fair value is measured by use of a valuation model. The expected life used in the model is adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

 

All equity-settled share-based payments are reflected in share-based payments reserve, until exercised. Upon exercise shares are issued from treasury and the amount reflected in share-based payments reserve is credited to share capital along with any consideration paid.

 

(l) Share capital

 

The Company’s common shares, preferred shares and share warrants shares are classified as equity instruments.

 

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

 

Proceeds received on the issuance of units, consisting of common shares and warrants are allocated to share capital.

 

(m) Equipment

 

Equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of a significant replaced part is derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the statement of income and comprehensive income during the financial period in which they are incurred. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognized in profit or loss.

 

Depreciation and amortization are calculated on a straight-line method to charge the cost, less residual value, of the assets to their residual values over their estimated useful lives. The depreciation and amortization rate applicable to each category of equipment is as follows:

 

Equipment  Depreciation rate 
     
Exploration equipment       20%
      
Computer software   50%
      
Computer equipment   55%

 

Standards, Interpretations and Amendments Not Yet Effective:

 

IFRS 16 - “Leases”

 

IFRS 16 replaces current guidance in IAS 17. Under IAS 17, lessees were required to make a distinction between a finance lease (on the balance sheet) and an operating lease (off balance sheet). IFRS 16 now requires lessees to recognize a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a “right-of-use asset” for virtually all lease contracts. The IASB has included an optional exemption for certain short-term leases and leases of low value assets, however this exemption can only be applied by lessees. The standard applies to annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of this standard will not result in any impact to the Company’s financial statements.

 

  43 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

IFRIC 23 – “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments”

 

In June 2017, the IFRS Interpretations Committee of the IASB issued IFRIC 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (IFRIC 23). The interpretation provides guidance on the accounting for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets in circumstances in which there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The Interpretation is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Earlier application is permitted. The Interpretation requires: (a) an entity to contemplate whether uncertain tax treatments should be considered separately, or together as a group, based on which approach provides better predictions of the resolution; (b) an entity to determine if it is probable that the tax authorities will accept the uncertain tax treatment; and (c) if it is not probable that the uncertain tax treatment will be accepted, measure the tax uncertainty based on the most likely amount or expected value, depending on whichever method better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty.

 

The adoption of these standards and interpretations is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s future results and financial position.

 

Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards

 

On March 29, 2018 the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued a revised version of its Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (the Framework), that underpins IFRS Standards. The IASB also issued Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards (the Amendments) to update references in IFRS Standards to previous versions of the Conceptual Framework. Both documents are effective from January 1, 2020 with earlier application permitted.

 

Some Standards include references to the 1989 and 2010 versions of the Framework. The IASB has published a separate document which contains consequential amendments to affected Standards so that they refer to the new Framework, with the exception of IFRS 3 Business Combinations which continues to refer to both the 1989 and 2010 Frameworks. The Company does not intend to adopt the Amendments in its financial statements before the annual period beginning on January 1, 2020. The extent of the impact of the change has not yet been determined.

 

IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 - Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors

 

In October 2018, the IASB issued amendments to International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 1, Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8, Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. The amendments are to clarify the definition of ‘material’ and to align the definition used in the Conceptual Framework and the standards themselves. The amendments are effective January 1, 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of these amendments.

 

3. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that can affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities revenues and expenses and the accompanying disclosures. Estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s historical experience and on other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, different judgments, estimates and assumptions could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.

 

The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are:

 

(a) Recoverability of Exploration and Evaluation Assets

 

The ultimate recoverability of the exploration and evaluation assets of $64,479 carrying value at December 31, 2018, is dependent upon the Company’s ability to obtain the necessary financing and permits to complete the development and commence profitable production at the Manniitsoq Project, or alternatively, upon the Company’s ability to dispose of its interest therein on an advantageous basis. A review of the indicators of potential impairment is carried out at least at each period end.

 

  44 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Management undertakes a periodic review of these assets to determine whether any indication of impairment exists. Where an indicator of impairment exists, a formal estimate of the recoverable amount of the assets is made. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of the assets is higher than the recoverable amount and when mineral license tenements are relinquished or have lapsed. In undertaking this review, management of the Company is required to make significant estimates of, among other things, discount rates, commodity prices, availability of financing, future operating and capital costs and all aspects of project advancement. These estimates are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying values of the assets.

 

(b) Restoration Provisions

 

Management’s best estimates regarding the restoration provisions are based on the current economic environment. Changes in estimates of contamination, restoration standards and restoration activities result in changes to provisions from period to period. Actual restoration provisions will ultimately depend on future market prices for future restoration obligations. Management has determined that the Company does not have any significant restoration obligations as at December 31, 2018.

 

(c) Valuation of Share-Based Compensation

 

The Company estimates the fair value of convertible securities such as warrants and options using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model which requires significant estimation around assumptions and inputs such as expected term to maturity, expected volatility and expected forfeiture rates. The accounting policies in Note 2(k) and Note 10 of the financial statements contain further details of significant assumptions applied to these areas of estimation.

 

(d) Going Concern

 

Financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease trading, or has no realistic alternative to do so. Assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern requires the consideration of all available information about the future, which is at least, but not limited to, twelve months from the end of the reporting period. This information includes estimates of future cash flows and other factors, the outcome of which is uncertain. When management is aware, in making its assessment, of material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast substantial doubt upon the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern those uncertainties are disclosed.

 

4. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

Short-term investments are comprised of a highly liquid Canadian dollar denominated guaranteed investment certificate with an initial term to maturity greater than ninety days, but not more than one year, that is readily convertible to a contracted amount of cash. The counter-party is a Canadian financial institution. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the instrument was yielding an annual interest rate range of 1.55% (December 31, 2017 - 1.10%).

 

5. RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

A summary of the receivables and other current assets as of December 31, 2018 is detailed in the table below:

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

 
Sales taxes receivable   75    143 
Interest receivable   10    16 
Other current assets   48    83 
    133    242 

 

Other current assets is comprised of prepaid expenses.

 

  45 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

The table below sets out costs and accumulated depreciation as at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

   Exploration Equipment   Computer Equipment   Computer Software   Total 
Cost                
Balance – December 31, 2016   47    10    136    193 
Additions   20    -    -    20 
Balance – December 31, 2017 and 2018   67    10    136    213 
                     
Accumulated Depreciation                
Balance – December 31, 2016   32    7    100    139 
Depreciation   6    1    18    25 
Balance – December 31, 2017   38    8    118    164 
Depreciation   5    1    8    14 
Balance – December 31, 2018   43    9    126    178 
                     
Carrying Amount                    
As at December 31, 2016   15    3    36    54 
As at December 31, 2017   29    2    18    49 
As at December 31, 2018   24    1    10    35 

 

  46 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

7. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

 

   Canada   US   Greenland     
   Post Creek Property   Halcyon Property   Quetico Claims   Section 35 Property   Maniitsoq Property   Total 
Acquisition                        
Balance,December31, 2017   278    214    -    6    36    534 
Acquisition costs – cash   10    8    42    2    6    68 
Balance, December 31, 2018   288    222    42    8    42    602 
                                
Exploration                              
Balance, December 31, 2017   1,138    187    -    -    48,635    49,960 
Administration   2    2    1    -    486    491 
Camp operations   -    -    -    -    2,943    2,943 
Corporate social responsibility   1    1    -    -    58    60 
Drilling expenses   219    -    -    -    4,270    4,489 
Environment, health and safety   -    -    -    -    135    135 
Geology   40    17    20    -    662    739 
Geophysics   29    -    1    -    824    854 
Infrastructure   -    -    -    -    31    31 
Helicopter charter aircraft   -    -    -    -    4,138    4,138 
Property maintenance   2    2    -    -    18    22 
Technical studies   -    -    -    -    15    15 
    293    22    22    -    13,580    13,917 
Balance, December 31, 2018   1,431    209    22    -    62,215    63,877 
Total, December 31, 2018   1,719    431    64    8    62,257    64,479 

 

   Canada   US   Greenland     
  

Post Creek

Property

  

Halcyon

Property

   Section 35 Property  

Maniitsoq

Property

  

 

Total

 
Acquisition                    
Balance, December 31, 2016   268    206    3    20    497 
Acquisition costs – cash   10    8    3    16    37 
Balance, December 31, 2017   278    214    6    36    534 
                          
Exploration                         
Balance, December 31, 2016   1,085    173    -    36,587    37,845 
Administration   2    -    -    516    518 
Corporate social responsibility   -    -    -    37    37 
Drilling expenses   -    -    -    3,337    3,337 
Environment, health and safety   -    -    -    99    99 
Camp operations   -    -    -    3,004    3,004 
Helicopter charter aircraft   -    -    -    3,058    3,058 
Geology   48    14    -    691    753 
Geophysics   2    -    -    1,014    1,016 
Infrastructure   -    -    -    255    255 
Property maintenance   -    -    -    7    7 
Technical studies   1    -    -    30    31 
    53    14    -    12,048    12,115 
Balance, December 31,2017   1,138    187    -    48,635    49,960 
Total, December 31, 2017   1,416    401    6    48,671    50,494 

 

  47 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

The following is a description of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets and the related spending commitments:

 

Post Creek

 

On December 23, 2009, the Company executed a letter of intent whereby the Company has an option to acquire a mineral claim known as the Post Creek Property located within the Sudbury Mining District of Ontario.

 

On April 5, 2010 and as amended on March 12, 2013, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Post Creek Property, subject to certain net smelter return royalties (“NSR”) and advance royalty payments. To December 31, 2015, the Company has completed the required consideration and acquired its interest in the Post Creek Property. Commencing August 1, 2015, the Company is obligated to pay advances on the NSR of $10 per annum, totalling $10 during the year ended December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017 - $10), the total of which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the NSR.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred exploration expenditures totalling $293 (December 31, 2017 - $53) on the Post Creek Property.

 

Halcyon

 

On April 5, 2010 and as amended on March 12, 2013, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire rights to Halcyon Property, subject to certain NSR and advance royalty payments. To December 31, 2015, the Company has completed the required consideration and acquired its interest in the Halcyon Property. Commencing August 1, 2015, the Company is obligated to pay advances on the NSR of $8 per annum, totalling $8 during the year ended December 31, 2018, (December 31, 2017 - $8), the total of which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the NSR arrangement.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred $22 (December 31, 2017 - $14) in exploration and license related expenditures on the Halcyon Property.

 

Quetico

 

On April 26, 2018, the Company acquired certain claims known as Quetico located within the Sudbury Mining District of Ontario. During the year ended December 2018, the Company incurred total acquisition and exploration related costs of $64 (December 31, 2017 - $nil).

 

The Company had no minimum required exploration commitment for the year ended December 31, 2018 as it is not required to file any geoscience assessment work between the initial recording of a mining claim and the first anniversary date of the mining claim.

 

By the second anniversary of the recording of a claim and by each anniversary thereafter, a minimum of $400 worth of exploration activity per claim unit must be reported to the Provincial Recording Office. The company could maintain mining claims by filing an Application to Distribute Banked Assessment Work Credits form before any due date. Payments in place of reporting assessment work may also be used to meet yearly assessment work requirements, provided the payments are not used for the first unit of assessment work and consecutively thereafter. Payments cannot be banked to be carried forward for future use. The total annual work requirement for Quetico project after April 26, 2020 is $324 should the Company maintain the current size of the claims.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent a total of $2 (December 31, 2017 - $3) in license related expenditures on the Section 35 Property.

 

Section 35 Property

 

On January 4, 2016, the Company entered into a 10 year Metallic Minerals Lease (the “Lease”) with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for an area comprised of a number of acres. The terms of the Lease require an annual rental fee at a rate of US $3.00 per acre for years 1-5 and at a rate of US $6.00 per acre for years 6-10. The Company shall pay a minimum royalty at a rate of US $10.00 per acre for the 11th year onwards, with an increase of an additional US $5.00 per acre per year up to a maximum of US $55.00 per acre per year. A production royalty of between 2% - 2.5% is payable from production of minerals and/or mineral products from an established mining operation area. The Company paid the first year rental fee and the required reclamation deposit of $14 (US $10). The Department of Natural Resources shall annually review the level of the reclamation deposit and shall require the amount to be increased or decreased to reflect changes in the cost of future reclamation of the leased premises.

 

Maniitsoq

 

The Company has been granted certain exploration licenses, by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (“BMP”) of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area comprising the Maniitsoq Property, located near Ininngui, Greenland. The Property is subject to a 2.5% NSR. The Company can reduce the NSR to 1% by paying $2,000 on or before 60 days from the decision to commence commercial production.

 

At the expiration of the first license period, the Company may apply for a second license period (years 6-10), and the Company may apply for a further 3-year license for years 11 to 13. Thereafter, the Company may apply for additional 3-year licenses for years 14 to 16, 17 to 19 and 20 to 22. The Company will be required to pay additional license fees and will be obligated to incur minimum eligible exploration expenses for such years.

 

  48 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

The Company may terminate the licenses at any time; however any unfulfilled obligations according to the licenses will remain in force, regardless of the termination.

 

Future required minimum exploration expenditures will be adjusted each year on the basis of the change to the Danish Consumer Price Index.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent an aggregate of $13,586 (December 31, 2017 - $12,064) in exploration and license related expenditures on the Maniitsoq Property, which is comprised of the Sulussugut, Ininngui and Carbonatite Licenses. Further details on the licenses and related expenditures are outlined below.

 

Sulussugut License (2011/54)

 

(All references to amounts in Danish Kroners, “DKK” are in thousands of DKK)

 

Effective August 15, 2011, the Company was granted an exploration license (the “Sulussugut License”) by the BMP of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Sulussugut, Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of $6 (DKK 31) upon granting of the Sulussugut License. The application for another 5 year term on the Sulussugut License was submitted to the Greenland Mineral Licence & Safety Authority which was effective on April 11, 2016, with December 31, 2017 being the seventh year. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid a license fee of $8 (DKK 40) which provides for renewal of the Sulussugut License until 2020.

 

To December 31, 2015, under the terms of a preliminary license, the Company completed the exploration requirements of an estimated minimum of DKK 83,809 (approximately $15,808) between the years ended December 31, 2011 to 2015 by incurring $26,116 on the Sulussugut License. The accumulated exploration credits held at the end to December 31, 2015, of DKK 100,304 can be carried forward until 2019. Under the terms of the second license period, the required minimum exploration expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2017 was DKK 44,374 (approximately $8,955). As of December 31, 2018, the Company has spent $55,732 on exploration costs for the Sulussugut License.

 

To December 31, 2018, the Company has completed all obligations with respect to required reduction of the area of the license.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had approved exploration expenditures of DKK 79,604 (approximately $16,342) which results in the total carried credits for the Sulussugut License at DKK 326,111 (approximately $66,951).

 

The Company had no minimum required exploration for the year ended December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent a total of $10,795 (December 31, 2017 - $11,079) in exploration and license related expenditures on the Sulussugut License.

 

Ininngui License (2012/28)

 

Effective March 4, 2012, the Company was granted an exploration license (the “Ininngui License”) by the BMP of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Ininngui, Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of $6 (DKK 32) upon granting of the Ininngui License. The Ininngui License was valid for 5 years until December 31, 2016, with December 31, 2012 being the first year. The Ininngui License is contiguous with the Sulussugut License.

 

To December 31, 2018, the Company’s expenditures exceeded the minimum requirement and the Company has a total cumulative credit of DKK 35,509 (approximately $7,290). The credits may be carried forward until December 31, 2021.

 

The Company had no minimum required exploration for the year ended December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has spent $5,121 on exploration costs for the Ininngui License.

 

  49 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Should the Company not incur the minimum exploration expenditures on the license in any one year from years 2-5, the Company may pay 50% of the difference in cash to BMP as full compensation for that year. This procedure may not be used for more than 2 consecutive calendar years and as at December 31, 2018, the Company has not used the procedure for the license.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent a total of $1,423 (December 31, 2017 - $985) in exploration and license related expenditures on the Ininngui License.

 

Carbonatite License (2018/21)

 

Effective May 4, 2018, the Company was granted an exploration license (the “Carbonatite License”) by the BMP of Greenland for exclusive exploration rights of an area located near Maniitsoq in West Greenland. The Company paid a license fee of $7 (DKK 31) upon granting of the Carbonatite License. The Carbonatite License is valid for 5 years until December 31, 2022, with December 31, 2018 being the first year. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has spent $1,362 on exploration costs for the Carbonatite License.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent a total of $1,369 in exploration and license related expenditures (December 31, 2017 - $Nil) for the Carbonatite License.

 

The Company had a minimum required exploration obligation of DKK 269 (approximately $55) for the year ended December 31, 2018. To December 31, 2018, the Company’s expenditures exceeded the minimum requirement and the Company has a total surplus credit of DKK 9,840 (Approximately $2,018). The credit may be carried forward until December 31, 2021.

 

8. TRADE PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

 
Trade payables   477    813 
Amounts due to related parties (Note 11)   1    42 
Accrued liabilities   78    114 
    556    969 

 

9. LOAN PAYABLE

 

On April 22, 2016, the Company issued a term note to Sentient Executive GP IV Limited (“Sentient”) and received a loan of $4,500 (the “Loan”). The Loan was due on April 30, 2017 and was made on an interest free basis. Sentient is a significant shareholder of the Company.

 

The Company discounted the Loan at an interest rate of 15% per annum, being the estimated market rate. Accordingly, upon issuance, the Company recorded an amount of $265 to reserves, which was to be amortized as interest expense over the term of the Loan.

 

Under the terms of the Loan, Sentient had the right, at its option, to require early pre-payment in the event that, during the term of the Loan, the Company successfully completed an issuance of common shares to third parties for gross proceeds of not less than $2,000. In the event the maximum offering amount is raised, being $12,000, Sentient was required to be repaid the full loan of $4,500. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company closed private placements (Note 10), which triggered full repayment of the Loan. The Company repaid the Loan and, accordingly, the full amount of $265 was reallocated to share capital on settlement and recorded on the statement of comprehensive loss as interest expense.

 

The Company also issued Sentient 952,380 common shares, at a fair value of $95, as a finance fee for advancing the Loan.

 

  50 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

10. SHARE CAPITAL, WARRANTS AND OPTIONS

 

The authorized capital of the Company comprises an unlimited number of common shares without par value and 100,000,000 Series 1 convertible preferred shares without par value.

 

a) Common shares issued and outstanding

 

2018

 

On April 19, 2018, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement equity financing of 233,333,333 units at a price of $0.075 per unit and raised aggregate gross proceeds of $17,500. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.12 for a period of 24 months from its date of issuance. The Company incurred total share issuance costs of $579, of which $250 is recorded in trade payables at December 31, 2018. The Company allocated a $2,572 fair value to the warrants issued in conjunction with the private placement. The fair value of warrants was determined on a pro-rata basis using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions; expected life of 2 years, expected dividend yield of 0%, a risk-free interest rate of 1.91% and an expected volatility of 94.26%.

 

Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (“CATL”) subscribed for 200,000,000 units of the aforementioned private placement for a total purchase price of $15,000. At December 31, 2018, CATL beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over approximately 25.38% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of the Company. As per the subscription agreement, CATL has pre-emptive rights and the right to nominate one director to the board of directors of the Company.

 

Sentient subscribed for 13,333,333 units of the aforementioned private placement for a total purchase price of $1,000. At December 31, 2018, Sentient beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over 369,809,820 common shares constituting approximately 46.93% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

 

As at December 31, 2018, the Company has 787,928,500 common shares issued and outstanding, (December 31, 2017 – 554,595,167).

 

2017

 

On June 8, 2017, the Company closed a brokered placement, through a prospectus, of units for total gross proceeds of $10,877. The Company issued 145,030,833 units at a price of $0.075 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.12 until June 8, 2019. The Company paid share issuance costs of $533 and also issued 1,965,093 agent’s warrants, exercisable at $0.075 per warrant until June 8, 2019. The Company allocated a $1,500 fair value to the warrants issued in conjunction with the private placement and $61 to agent’s warrants. The fair value of warrants was determined on a pro-rata basis using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions; expected life of 2 years, expected dividend yield of 0%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.71% and an expected volatility of 98.60%. The Company also granted the agent an overallotment option for a period of 30 days, which expired unexercised. The fair value of overallotment option of $39 was recorded as a share issuance cost and was determined on a pro-rata basis using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions; expected life of 30 days, expected dividend yield of 0%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.71% and an expected volatility of 66.6%.

 

  51 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

On August 15, 2017, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of units for total proceeds of $3,074. The Company issued 40,982,448 units at a price of $0.075 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.12 until August 15, 2019. The Company allocated a $519 fair value to the warrants issued from the private placement. Direct financing costs totalled $16 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $3,058. The fair value of warrants was determined on a pro-rata basis using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions; expected life of 2 years, expected dividend yield of 0%, a risk-free interest rate of 1.23% and an expected volatility of 98.64%.

 

2016

 

On April 28, 2016, the Company issued 952,380 common shares at a fair value of $95 as a finance fee.

 

On July 21, 2016, the Company closed a private placement of 92,668,907 units at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $6,950. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the purchaser to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.12 per share until July 21, 2018. Share issuance costs of $571 were incurred in connection with the private placement. The Company also issued 1,203,695 agent’s warrants, exercisable at $0.075 per warrant until July 21, 2018. The Company allocated a fair value of $48 to the agent’s warrants using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions: expected life of 2 years, expected dividend yield of 0%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.57% and an expected volatility of 91.06%. The Company also granted the agent an overallotment option, which expired unexercised.

 

On September 12, 2016, the Company closed a private placement and issued 67,331,093 units at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $5,050. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the purchaser to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.12 per share until September 12, 2018.

 

b) Preferred shares issued and outstanding

 

As at December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there are 590,931 series 1 preferred shares outstanding.

 

The rights and restrictions of the preferred shares are as follows:

 

  i) dividends shall be paid at the discretion of the directors;
  ii) the holders of the preferred shares are not entitled to vote except at meetings of the holders of the preferred shares, where they are entitled to one vote for each preferred share held;
  iii) the shares are convertible at any time after 6 months from the date of issuance, upon the holder serving the Company with 10 days written notice; and
  iv) the number of the common shares to be received on conversion of the preferred shares is to be determined by dividing the conversion value of the share, $1 per share, by $0.90.

 

  52 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

c) Warrants

 

A summary of common share purchase warrants activity during the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
   Number Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise Price ($)   Number Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise Price ($)   Number Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) 
Outstanding, beginning of year   176,175,413    0.12    95,982,036    0.15    27,738,344    0.49 
Issued   116,666,664    0.12    94,971,721    0.12    81,203,692    0.12 
Cancelled / Expired   (34,869,241)   0.12    (14,778,344)   0.30    (12,960,000)   0.71 
Outstanding, end of year   257,972,836    0.12    176,175,413    0.12    95,982,036    0.15 

 

At December 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding common share purchase warrants exercisable to acquire common shares of the Company as follows:

 

Warrants Outstanding   Expiry Date 

Exercise

Price ($)

  

Weighted Average

remaining contractual life

(years)

 72,515,414   June 8, 2019   0.12   0.12
 1,965,083   June 8, 2019   0.075   0.00
 46,334,451   July 21, 20191,2   0.12   0.10
 20,491,224   August 15, 2019   0.12   0.05
 116,666,664   April 19, 2020   0.12   0.59
 257,972,836           0.86

 

1 The warrants are subject to an acceleration clause such that if the volume-weighted average trading price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX-V exceeds $0.18 per common share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days at any date before the expiration date of such warrants, the Company may, at its option, accelerate the warrant expiry date to within 30 days. To December 31, 2018, the Company’s common shares have not met the criterion for acceleration.

 

2 On September 1, 2018, the TSXV approved an extension of the term of the warrants from July 21, 2018 to July 21, 2019. All other terms, including the exercise price, remain the same.

 

d) Stock options

 

The Company adopted a Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), providing the authority to grant options to directors, officers, employees and consultants enabling them to acquire up to 10% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. Under the Plan, the exercise price of each option equals the market price or a discounted price of the Company’s stock as calculated on the date of grant. The options can be granted for a maximum term of 10 years.

 

  53 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

A summary of option activity under the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
   Number Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Number Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Number Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise Price 
Outstanding, beginning of year   20,720,500    0.23    12,823,000    0.30    9,872,500    0.37 
Issued   6,425,000    0.12    9,137,500    0.12    6,058,000    0.21 
Cancelled / Expired   (1,200,000)   0.18    (1,240,000)   0.24    (3,107,500)   0.34 
Outstanding, end of year   25,945,500    0.18    20,720,500    0.23    12,823,000    0.30 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company granted 6,425,000 incentive stock options to employees, directors and consultants with a maximum term of 5 years. All stock options vest immediately and are exercisable at $0.12 per common share. The Company calculates the fair value of all stock options using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The fair value of option granted amounted to $317 and was recorded as a share-based payments expense.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company granted 9,137,500 incentive stock options to employees, directors and consultants with a maximum term of 5 years. All stock options vest immediately and are exercisable at $0.12 per common share. The Company calculates the fair value of all stock options using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The fair value of this grant amounted to $504 and was recorded as a share-based payments expense.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company granted 6,058,000 incentive stock options to employees, directors and consultants with a maximum term of 5 years. The granting of these options resulted in a share-based payments expense of $278.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a further $31 in stock-based compensation for previously issued stock options that vested during the year.

 

The fair value of stock options granted and vested during the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was calculated using the following assumptions:

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

  

December 31,

2016

 
Expected dividend yield   0%   0%   0%
Expected share price volatility   96.9% - 101%   66.6% - 100.6%   111% - 113%
Risk free interest rate   2.04% – 2.17%   1.17% – 1.80%   0.68% - 0.79%
Expected life of options   5 years    5 years    5 years

 

  54 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Details of options outstanding as at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

Options

Outstanding

  

Options

Exercisable

  

Expiry

Date

 

Exercise

Price ($)

  

Weighted average

remaining contractual life

(years)

 2,440,000    2,440,000   Jul 9, 2019   0.62   0.05
 200,000    200,000   Aug 27, 2019   0.37   0.01
 100,000    100,000   Sep 26, 2019   0.26   0.00
 350,000    350,000   Nov 5, 2019   0.21   0.01
 1,000,000    1,000,000   Dec 19, 2019   0.22   0.04
 900,000    900,000   Feb 3, 2020   0.275   0.04
 450,000    450,000   Oct 5, 2020   0.20   0.03
 5,443,000    5,443,000   Jan 28, 2021   0.21   0.44
 7,637,500    7,637,500   Feb 21, 2022   0.12   0.93
 1,000,000    1,000,000   Dec 20, 2022   0.12   0.15
 5,725,000    5,725,000   Feb 28, 2023   0.12   0.92
 500,000    500,000   May 1, 2023   0.12   0.08
 200,000    200,000   May 4, 2023   0.12   0.03
 25,945,500    25,945,500           2.73

 

e) Reserve

 

The reserve records items recognized as stock-based compensation expense and other share-based payments until such time that the stock options or warrants are exercised, at which time the corresponding amount will be transferred to share capital. Amounts recorded for forfeited or expired unexercised options and warrants are transferred to deficit. During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company recorded $317 of share-based payments (December 31, 2017 - $504) (December 31, 2016 - $309) to the reserve. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company transferred $229 (December 31, 2017 - $301) (December 31, 2016 - $2,725) to deficit for expired options and warrants.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company initially recorded an amount of $265 to the reserve, which was amortized as interest expense over the term of the Loan and reallocated to share capital upon settlement.

 

11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The following amounts due to related parties are included in trade payables and accrued liabilities (Note 8):

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

 
Directors and officers of the Company   1    42 
           
Total   1    42 

 

These amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing and have no fixed terms of repayment.

 

(a) Related party transactions

 

2018

 

As of December 31, 2018, Sentient beneficially owns 369,809,820 common shares constituting approximately 46.93% of the currently issued and outstanding common shares. Note 10(a).

 

  55 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

As of December 31, 2018, CATL beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over approximately 25.38% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of the Company. CATL has pre-emptive rights and the right to nominate one director to the board of directors of the Company. Note 10(a).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded $174 (2017 - $244), (2016 - $347) in fees charged by a legal firm in which the Company’s chairman is a consultant.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded $Nil (2017 - $Nil) (2016 - $16) in rent and utilities expense to VMS Ventures Inc. a company that was previously a significant shareholder through common directors, which was included in general and administrative expense.

 

2017

 

On August 15, 2017, Sentient subscribed for a total of 38,666,666 units under the private placement equity financing transaction described in Note 10 for a total net proceeds of $2,900. As part of the subscription, Sentient was granted 19,333,333 common share purchase warrants exercisable at $0.12 until August 15, 2019.

 

On June 8, 2017, Sentient acquired 94,666,666 units in the equity financing as described in Note 10 for net proceeds of $7,100. As part of the Offering, Sentient was granted 47,333,333 common share purchase warrants exercisable at $0.12 until June 8, 2019.

 

2016

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 952,380 common shares to Sentient for a fee for advancing the loan of $4,500 at a fair value of $95. The Company discounted the loan with the interest not being charged by Sentient using an interest rate of 15% per annum and an amount of $265 was booked to capital contribution reserve. Note 9.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, Sentient acquired 120,428,939 common shares. The common shares were acquired as to 952,380 common shares at a fair value of $95 as a finance fee and 119,476,559 common shares as part of the private placements at a price of $8,960.

 

(b) Key management personnel are defined as members of the Board of Directors and senior officers.

 

Key management compensation was:

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

  

December 31,

2016

 
Geological consulting fees – expensed   104    35    6 
Geological consulting fees – capitalized   18    178    44 
Management fees – expensed   747    749    756 
Salaries - expensed   181    128    103 
Share-based payments   192    358    186 
Total   1,242    1,448    1,095 

 

  56 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

12. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Changes in working capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

 

  

December 31,

2018

   December 31, 2017  

December 31,

2016

 
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivables and current assets   84    (162)   36 
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses   19    46    (73)
(Decrease) increase in trade payables and accrued liabilities    (82)   21    (15)
Total changes in working capital   21    (95)   (52)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company:

 

  i) transferred $229 from reserve to deficit;
  ii) recorded $250 of share issuance costs in trade payables; and
  iii) recorded $186 in accrued exploration and evaluation expenditures.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company:

 

  i) transferred $301 from reserve to deficit;
  ii) recorded $39 in fair value of options to share issuance costs;
  iii) recorded $61 in fair value of agent’s warrants to share issuance costs; and
  iv) recorded $767 in accrued exploration and evaluation expenditures.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company:

 

  i) recorded $265 to reserves, which was subsequently reallocated to share capital and amortized as interest expense over the term of the Loan;
  ii) transferred $2,725 from reserve to deficit;
  iii) recorded $48 in fair value of agent’s warrants to share issuance costs; and
  iv) recorded $34 in accrued exploration and evaluation expenditures.

 

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company has certain commitments to meet the minimum expenditures requirements on its mineral exploration assets it has interest in.

 

Effective July 1, 2014, the Company had changes to management and entered into the following agreements for services with directors of the Company and a company in which a director has an interest:

 

  i) Directors’ fees: $2 stipend per month for independent directors and $3 stipend per month for the chairman of the board, and $2.5 for committee chairman.
     
  ii) Management fees: $31 per month effective June 2018.
     
    Effectively on June 1, 2018, the Company has changed the terms with Keith Morrison, the CEO, from direct employment to contracted consultant and entered into service agreement with his company.

 

Each of the agreements shall be continuous and may only be terminated by mutual agreement of the parties, subject to the provisions that in the event there is a change of effective control of the Company, the party shall have the right to terminate the agreement, within sixty days from the date of such change of effective control, upon written notice to the Company. Within thirty days from the date of delivery of such notice, the Company shall forward to the party the amount of money due and owing to the party hereunder to the extent accrued to the effective date of termination.

 

  57 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

14. RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Company’s exposure to market risk includes, but is not limited to, the following risks:

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The short term investments are held at highly-rated financial institutions and earn guaranteed fixed interest rate and thus are not subject to significant changes in interest payments.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

Currency risk is risk that the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the value of cash and cash equivalents and other financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies can fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates.

 

The Company operates in Canada and Greenland and undertakes transactions denominated in foreign currencies such as United States dollar, Euros and Danish Krones, and consequently is exposed to exchange rate risks. Exchange risks are managed by matching levels of foreign currency balances and related obligations and by maintaining operating cash accounts in non-Canadian dollar currencies. The rate published by the Bank of Canada at the close of business on December 31, 2018 was 1.3630 USD to CAD, 1.5598 EUR to CAD and 0.2089 DKK to CAD.

 

The Company’s Canadian dollar equivalent of financial assets and liabilities that are denominated in Danish Krones consist of accounts payable of $9 (2017 - $571) and $79 in USD currency (2017 - $56).

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. The credit risk is primarily associated with liquid financial assets. The Company limits exposure to credit risk on liquid financial assets by holding cash and cash equivalents and short term investments at highly-rated financial institutions.

 

Price Risk

 

The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to commodity prices. Commodity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on earnings and economic value due to commodity price movements and volatilities. To mitigate price risk, the Company closely monitors commodity prices of precious metals and the stock market to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Company manages the liquidity risk inherent in these financial obligations by regularly monitoring actual cash flows to annual budget which forecast cash needs and expected cash availability to meet future obligations.

 

The Company will defer discretionary expenditures, as required, in order to manage and conserve cash required for current liabilities.

 

  58 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

The following table shows the Company’s contractual obligations as at December 31, 2018:

 

As at December 31, 2018 

Less than

1 year

   1 - 2 years   2 - 5 years   Total 
Trade and accrued liabilities   556    -    -    556 
    556    -    -    556 

 

Capital Risk Management

 

The Company manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern, so that adequate funds are available or are scheduled to be raised to carry out the Company’s exploration program and to meet its ongoing administrative and operating costs and obligations. This is achieved by the Board of Directors’ review and ultimate approval of budgets that are achievable within existing resources, and the timely matching and release of the next stage of expenditures with the resources made available from capital raisings and debt funding from related or other parties. In doing so, the Company may issue new shares, restructure or issue new debt.

 

The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements imposed by a regulator or a lending institution.

 

In the management of capital, the Company includes the components of equity, loans and borrowings, other current liabilities, net of cash and cash equivalents.

 

   As at December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Equity   66,944    52,728 
Current liabilities   556    969 
    67,500    53,697 
Cash and cash equivalents   (339)   (398)
Short term investments   (2,500)   (2,500)
    64,661    50,799 

 

15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy establishes six levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value.

 

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly

 

Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data

 

16. SEGMENTED INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in one reportable operating segment being that of the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in three geographic segments being Canada, Greenland and United States (Note 7). The Company’s geographic segments are as follows:

 

  59 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

 
Equipment          
Canada   11    19 
Greenland   24    30 
Total   35    49 

 

  

December 31,

2018

   December 31, 2017 
Exploration and evaluation assets          
Canada   2,214    1,817 
Greenland   62,257    48,671 
United States   8    6 
Total   64,479    50,494 

 

17. INCOME TAXES

 

A reconciliation of the expected income tax recovery to the actual income tax recovery is as follows:

 

  

Year ended December 31,

2018

  

Year ended December 31,

2017

 
Net loss  $(3,022)  $(2,879)
Statutory tax rate   27%   26.0%
Expected income tax recovery at the statutory tax rate   (816)   (749)
Permanent differences and other   62   (2)
Effect of change in tax rates   (132)     
Change in valuation allowance   886    751 
Net deferred Income tax recovery  $-   $- 

 

The significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

 
Exploration and evaluation assets  $65  $18 
Loss carry-forwards   3,823    3,048 
Share issuance costs   293    237 
Cumulative eligible capital   34    32 
Equipment   98    93 
    4,313    3,428 
Valuation allowance   (4,313)   (3,428)
Net deferred tax asset  $-   $- 

 

The tax pools relating to these deductible temporary differences expire as follows:

 

   Canadian
non-capital
losses
   Canadian
net-capital losses
   Canadian resource pools  

Canadian

share issue costs

 
2030  $696   $-   $-   $- 
2031   517    -    -    - 
2032   645    -    -    - 
2033   847    -    -    - 
2034   1,484    -    -    - 
2035   2,141    -    -    - 
2036   2,213    -    -    - 
2037   2,637                
2038   2,923                
No expiry   -    57    50,575    912 
   $14,103   $57   $50,575   $912 

 

  60 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2018

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

18. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENESS

 

Details of the general and administrative expenses by nature are presented in the following table:

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Consulting fees   373    343    218 
Professional fees   142    129    128 
Management fees   733    715    756 
Investor relations   187    239    221 
Filing fees   79    106    77 
Salaries and benefits   474    439    290 
General office expenses   352    404    331 
Total   2,340    2,375    2,021 

 

  61 | North American Nickel / YEAR END 2018