SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
F
O R M 6-K
REPORT
OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the month of
No November 2024
Commission
File Number 1-32135
SEABRIDGE
GOLD INC.
(Name
of Registrant)
106
Front Street East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 1E1
(Address
of Principal Executive Office)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F ☐ Form 40-F ☒
SEABRIDGE
GOLD INC.
(the
“Company”)
See the Exhibit
Index hereto for a list of the documents filed herewith and forming a part of this Form 6-K.
Exhibits
99.1 and 99.2 hereto are incorporated by reference (as exhibits) to the Company’s registration statements on Form S-8 (File No.
333-211331) and Form F-10 (File No. 333-268485), as may be amended and supplemented.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
|
Seabridge Gold Inc. |
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Chris Reynolds |
|
Name: |
Chris Reynolds |
|
Title: |
VP Finance and CFO |
Date: November 14, 2024
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
99.1
SEABRIDGE
GOLD INC.
UNAUDITED
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
SEABRIDGE GOLD INC.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
| |
| | |
September 30, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
Note | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
Assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Current assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| | | |
$ | 51,162 | | |
$ | 82,438 | |
Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses | |
| 3 | | |
| 7,863 | | |
| 7,763 | |
Investment in marketable securities | |
| 4 | | |
| 5,069 | | |
| 3,750 | |
| |
| | | |
| 64,094 | | |
| 93,951 | |
Non-current assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investment in associate | |
| 4 | | |
| 972 | | |
| 1,247 | |
Long-term receivables and other assets | |
| 5 | | |
| 119,947 | | |
| 105,947 | |
Mineral interests, property and equipment | |
| 6 | | |
| 1,220,438 | | |
| 1,128,464 | |
Reclamation deposits | |
| 8 | | |
| 22,269 | | |
| 21,350 | |
| |
| | | |
| 1,363,626 | | |
| 1,257,008 | |
Total assets | |
| | | |
$ | 1,427,720 | | |
$ | 1,350,959 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| 7 | | |
$ | 18,383 | | |
$ | 32,734 | |
Flow-through share premium | |
| 10 | | |
| 5,709 | | |
| 5,543 | |
Lease obligations | |
| | | |
| 349 | | |
| 373 | |
Provision for reclamation liabilities | |
| 8 | | |
| 3,629 | | |
| 759 | |
| |
| | | |
| 28,070 | | |
| 39,409 | |
Non-current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Secured note liabilities | |
| 9 | | |
| 506,891 | | |
| 573,888 | |
Deferred income tax liabilities | |
| | | |
| 26,048 | | |
| - | |
Lease obligations | |
| | | |
| 364 | | |
| 1,063 | |
Provision for reclamation liabilities | |
| 8 | | |
| 3,493 | | |
| 6,676 | |
| |
| | | |
| 536,796 | | |
| 581,627 | |
Total liabilities | |
| | | |
| 564,866 | | |
| 621,036 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Shareholders’ equity | |
| 10 | | |
| 862,854 | | |
| 729,923 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | |
| | | |
$ | 1,427,720 | | |
$ | 1,350,959 | |
Subsequent events (Notes 10 and 12), commitments and contingencies
(Note 16)
The
accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
SEABRIDGE GOLD INC.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars except common share and
per common share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| |
| |
Three months
ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
| |
Note | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Remeasurement gain (loss) on secured notes | |
9 | |
$ | (42,035 | ) | |
$ | 11,742 | | |
$ | 40,720 | | |
$ | 10,375 | |
Corporate and administrative expenses | |
13 | |
| (4,000 | ) | |
| (3,729 | ) | |
| (13,446 | ) | |
| (11,598 | ) |
Other income - flow-through shares | |
10 | |
| 3,844 | | |
| 2,596 | | |
| 6,197 | | |
| 4,112 | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| |
| 5,474 | | |
| (11,105 | ) | |
| (13,178 | ) | |
| (5,407 | ) |
Finance costs, interest expense and other losses | |
| |
| (321 | ) | |
| (174 | ) | |
| (485 | ) | |
| (2,318 | ) |
Interest income | |
| |
| 896 | | |
| 1,728 | | |
| 2,521 | | |
| 3,227 | |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | |
| |
| (36,142 | ) | |
| 1,058 | | |
| 22,329 | | |
| (1,609 | ) |
Income tax recovery (expense) | |
| |
| 8,591 | | |
| (6,350 | ) | |
| (12,812 | ) | |
| (5,482 | ) |
Net earnings (loss) for the period | |
| |
$ | (27,551 | ) | |
$ | (5,292 | ) | |
$ | 9,517 | | |
$ | (7,091 | ) |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Items that will not be reclassified to net income or loss | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Remeasurement of secured notes | |
9 | |
$ | 15,521 | | |
$ | (32,063 | ) | |
$ | 49,600 | | |
$ | (30,936 | ) |
Change in fair value of marketable securities | |
4 | |
| 566 | | |
| (65 | ) | |
| 1,319 | | |
| (184 | ) |
Tax impact | |
| |
| (4,267 | ) | |
| 3,665 | | |
| (13,568 | ) | |
| 3,378 | |
Total other comprehensive income
(loss) | |
| |
| 11,820 | | |
| (28,463 | ) | |
| 37,351 | | |
| (27,742 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss) for
the period | |
| |
$ | (15,731 | ) | |
$ | (33,755 | ) | |
$ | 46,868 | | |
$ | (34,833 | ) |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
10 | |
| 89,588,695 | | |
| 83,484,693 | | |
| 87,983,955 | | |
| 82,499,543 | |
Diluted | |
10 | |
| 89,588,695 | | |
| 83,484,693 | | |
| 88,516,410 | | |
| 82,499,543 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Earnings (loss) per common share | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
10 | |
$ | (0.31 | ) | |
$ | (0.06 | ) | |
$ | 0.11 | | |
$ | (0.09 | ) |
Diluted | |
10 | |
$ | (0.31 | ) | |
$ | (0.06 | ) | |
$ | 0.11 | | |
$ | (0.09 | ) |
The
accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
SEABRIDGE GOLD INC.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars except number of shares) (Unaudited)
| |
Number of Shares | | |
Share Capital | | |
Stock-based Compensation | | |
Contributed Surplus | | |
Deficit | | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) | | |
Total Equity | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
As at December 31, 2023 | |
| 86,108,019 | | |
$ | 934,608 | | |
$ | 3,400 | | |
$ | 39,484 | | |
$ | (186,643 | ) | |
$ | (60,926 | ) | |
$ | 729,923 | |
Share issuance - At-The-Market offering | |
| 2,750,609 | | |
| 56,569 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 56,569 | |
Share issuance - Interest expense paid in shares | |
| 776,519 | | |
| 14,921 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 14,921 | |
Share issuance - Private placement | |
| 575,000 | | |
| 11,609 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 11,609 | |
Share issuance - Options exercised | |
| 50,000 | | |
| 1,302 | | |
| (416 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 886 | |
Share issuance - RSUs vested | |
| 126,133 | | |
| 2,060 | | |
| (2,060 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Share issuance - Other | |
| 5,000 | | |
| 105 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 105 | |
Share issuance costs | |
| - | | |
| (1,240 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (1,240 | ) |
Deferred tax on share issuance costs | |
| - | | |
| 333 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 333 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 2,880 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 2,880 | |
Other comprehensive income | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 37,351 | | |
| 37,351 | |
Net earnings for the period | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 9,517 | | |
| - | | |
| 9,517 | |
As at September 30, 2024 | |
| 90,391,280 | | |
$ | 1,020,267 | | |
$ | 3,804 | | |
$ | 39,484 | | |
$ | (177,126 | ) | |
$ | (23,575 | ) | |
$ | 862,854 | |
As at December 31, 2022 | |
| 81,339,012 | | |
$ | 856,462 | | |
$ | 4,655 | | |
$ | 36,160 | | |
$ | (157,377 | ) | |
$ | 633 | | |
$ | 740,533 | |
Share issuance - At-The-Market offering | |
| 1,569,995 | | |
| 28,279 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 28,279 | |
Share issuance - Interest expense paid in shares | |
| 977,745 | | |
| 14,761 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 14,761 | |
Share issuance - RSUs vested | |
| 30,000 | | |
| 630 | | |
| (630 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Share issuance costs | |
| - | | |
| (1,180 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (1,180 | ) |
Deferred tax on share issuance costs | |
| - | | |
| 313 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 313 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 2,493 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 2,493 | |
Other comprehensive loss | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (27,741 | ) | |
| (27,741 | ) |
Net loss for the period | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (7,090 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (7,090 | ) |
As at September 30, 2023 | |
| 83,916,752 | | |
$ | 899,265 | | |
$ | 6,518 | | |
$ | 36,160 | | |
$ | (164,467 | ) | |
$ | (27,108 | ) | |
$ | 750,368 | |
The
accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
SEABRIDGE GOLD INC.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
| |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Operating Activities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) | |
$ | (27,551 | ) | |
$ | (5,292 | ) | |
$ | 9,517 | | |
$ | (7,091 | ) |
Adjustment for non-cash items: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Remeasurement loss (gain) on secured notes | |
| 42,035 | | |
| (11,742 | ) | |
| (40,720 | ) | |
| (10,375 | ) |
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) | |
| (5,974 | ) | |
| 12,018 | | |
| 13,377 | | |
| 5,736 | |
Other income - flow-through shares | |
| (3,844 | ) | |
| (2,596 | ) | |
| (6,197 | ) | |
| (4,112 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 833 | | |
| 766 | | |
| 2,880 | | |
| 2,493 | |
Income tax expense (recovery) | |
| (8,591 | ) | |
| 6,350 | | |
| 12,812 | | |
| 5,482 | |
Other non-cash items (Note 11) | |
| 756 | | |
| (561 | ) | |
| 368 | | |
| (6 | ) |
Adjustment for cash items: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Environmental rehabilitation disbursements | |
| (329 | ) | |
| (1,924 | ) | |
| (499 | ) | |
| (2,794 | ) |
Changes in working capital items: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses | |
| 720 | | |
| (363 | ) | |
| (2,948 | ) | |
| (2,338 | ) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| 551 | | |
| (1,912 | ) | |
| (10 | ) | |
| (1,191 | ) |
Net cash from (used in) operating activities | |
| (1,394 | ) | |
| (5,256 | ) | |
| (11,420 | ) | |
| (14,196 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investing Activities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Mineral interests, property and equipment | |
| (28,046 | ) | |
| (73,742 | ) | |
| (78,598 | ) | |
| (166,495 | ) |
Long-term receivables | |
| (14,000 | ) | |
| (24 | ) | |
| (14,000 | ) | |
| (43,674 | ) |
Redemption of short-term deposits | |
| - | | |
| 60,030 | | |
| - | | |
| 141,762 | |
Investment in short-term deposits | |
| - | | |
| (70,121 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (70,164 | ) |
Investment in reclamation deposits | |
| - | | |
| 201 | | |
| (919 | ) | |
| (339 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | |
| (42,046 | ) | |
| (83,656 | ) | |
| (93,517 | ) | |
| (138,910 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Financing Activities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Secured notes | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 198,825 | |
Share issuance net of costs | |
| 24,100 | | |
| 4,754 | | |
| 73,303 | | |
| 27,099 | |
Exercise of options | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 886 | | |
| - | |
Payment of lease liabilities | |
| (398 | ) | |
| (206 | ) | |
| (723 | ) | |
| (460 | ) |
Net cash from financing activities | |
| 23,702 | | |
| 4548 | | |
| 73,466 | | |
| 225,464 | |
Effects of exchange rate fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents | |
| (409 | ) | |
| 684 | | |
| 195 | | |
| 454 | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period | |
| (20,147 | ) | |
| (83,680 | ) | |
| (31,276 | ) | |
| 72,812 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period | |
| 71,309 | | |
| 202,642 | | |
| 82,438 | | |
| 46,150 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period | |
$ | 51,162 | | |
$ | 118,962 | | |
$ | 51,162 | | |
$ | 118,962 | |
The
accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
SEABRIDGE
GOLD INC.
Notes
to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements
As
at and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
(Amounts
in notes and in tables are in millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated) (Unaudited)
Seabridge
Gold Inc. is comprised of Seabridge Gold Inc. (“Seabridge” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, KSM Mining
ULC, Seabridge Gold (NWT) Inc., Seabridge Gold (Yukon) Inc., Seabridge Gold Corp., SnipGold Corp. and Snowstorm Exploration (LLC), and
is a Company engaged in acquiring, exploring, and advancing mineral properties, with an emphasis on gold resources, located in Canada
and the United States of America. The Company was incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada on September 14, 1979 and continued
under the laws of Canada on October 31, 2002. Its common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol “SEA”
and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SA”. The Company is domiciled in Canada and the address of its registered
office is 10th Floor, 595 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T5 and the address of its corporate office is 106 Front
Street East, 4th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 1E1.
| A. | Statement
of compliance |
These
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (“consolidated interim financial statements”) were prepared in
accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”),
using accounting policies consistent with those used by the Company in preparing the annual consolidated financial statements as at and
for the year ended December 31, 2023 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements
as at and for the year ended December 31, 2023. They do not include all of the information required for a complete set of financial statements
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). However, selected explanatory notes are
included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in the Company’s financial
position and performance since the last annual financial statements. These consolidated interim financial statements were authorized
for issue by the Company’s board of directors on November 13, 2024.
| B. | Amended
IFRS standard effective January 1, 2024 |
| (i) | On
January 23, 2020 and October 31, 2022, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 to clarify that
the classification of liabilities as current or non-current should be based on rights that
exist at the end of the reporting period and that classification is unaffected by expectations
about whether an entity will exercise its right to defer settlement of a liability. For liabilities
with covenants, the amendments clarify that only covenants with which an entity is required
to comply on or before the reporting date affect the classification as current or non-current. |
| (ii) | On
September 22, 2022, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 16 to add subsequent measurement requirements
for sale and leaseback transactions, particularly those with variable lease payments. The
amendments require the seller-lessee to subsequently measure lease liabilities in a way such
that it does not recognize any gain or loss relating to the right of use it retains. |
| (iii) | On
May 25, 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 7 requiring entities to provide qualitative
and quantitative information about their supplier finance arrangements. In connection with
the amendments to IAS 7, the IASB also issued amendments to IFRS 7 requiring entities to
disclose whether they have accessed, or have access to, supplier finance arrangements that
would provide the entity with extended payment terms or the suppliers with early payment
terms. |
The
Company applied the above amendments to its consolidated interim financial statements for the annual reporting period beginning on January
1, 2024. The application of these amendments did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated interim financial statements.
| C. | Recent
Accounting Pronouncements Issued Not Yet Adopted |
| (i) | On
April 9, 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 “Presentation and Disclosure in the Financial Statements” (“IFRS 18”)
replacing IAS 1. IFRS 18 introduces categories and defined subtotals in the statement of profit or loss, disclosures on management-defined
performance measures, and requirements to improve the aggregation and disaggregation of information in the financial statements. As a
result of IFRS 18, amendments to IAS 7 were also issued to require that entities use the operating profit subtotal as the starting point
for the indirect method of reporting cash flows from operating activities and also to remove presentation alternatives for interest and
dividends paid and received. Similarly, amendments to IAS 33 “Earnings per Share” were issued to permit disclosure of additional
earnings per share figures using any other component of the statement of profit or loss, provided the numerator is a total or subtotal
defined under IFRS 18. IFRS 18 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027, and is to be applied
retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standard on its financial statements. |
| (ii) | On
May 30, 2024, the IASB issued narrow scope amendments to IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” and IFRS 7. The amendments include
the clarification of the date of initial recognition or derecognition of financial liabilities, including financial liabilities that
are settled in cash using an electronic payment system. The amendments also introduce additional disclosure requirements to enhance transparency
regarding investments in equity instruments designated at FVOCI and financial instruments with contingent features. The amendments are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing
the impact of the amendments on its financial statements. |
3. | Amounts
receivable and prepaid expenses |
($000s) | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
HST | |
| 1,741 | | |
| 4,493 | |
Prepaid expenses and other receivables | |
| 6,122 | | |
| 3,270 | |
| |
| 7,863 | | |
| 7,763 | |
($000s) | |
| January 1,
2024 | | |
| Fair value through other
comprehensive income (loss) | | |
| Loss of associate | | |
| Additions | | |
| September 30,
2024 | |
Current assets: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investments in marketable securities | |
| 3,750 | | |
| 1,319 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 5,069 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Non-current assets: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investment in associate | |
| 1,247 | | |
| - | | |
| (275 | ) | |
| - | | |
| 972 | |
($000s) | |
| January 1,
2023 | | |
| Fair value through other
comprehensive income (loss) | | |
| Loss of associate | | |
| Additions | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
Current assets: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investments in marketable securities | |
| 3,696 | | |
| 54 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 3,750 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Non-current assets: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investment in associate | |
| 1,389 | | |
| - | | |
| (208 | ) | |
| 66
| 1 | |
| 1,247 | |
1) | In
2023, the Company received 151,855 common shares of Paramount for payment of interest on the secured convertible note receivable accrued
between July 1, 2022 and December 27, 2023 when the note was repaid. |
The
Company holds a 4.2% (December 31, 2023 – 4.7%) interest in Paramount which is classified as investment in associate and accounted
for using the equity method on the basis that the Company has the ability to exert significant influence through its representation on
Paramount’s board of directors. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded its proportionate share of
Paramount’s net loss of $0.3 million (2023 – $0.2 million) within finance costs, interest expense and other income on the
interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). As at September 30 2024, the carrying value
of the Company’s investment in Paramount was $1.0 million (December 31, 2023 - $1.2 million).
5. | Long-term
receivables and prepaid expenses |
($000s) | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
BC Hydro 1 | |
| 106,720 | | |
| 92,720 | |
Canadian Exploration Expenses 2 | |
| 9,361 | | |
| 9,361 | |
British Columbia Mineral Exploration Tax Credit 3 | |
| 3,866 | | |
| 3,866 | |
| |
| 119,947 | | |
| 105,947 | |
1) | In
2022, the Company entered into a Facilities Agreement with British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (“BC Hydro”) covering
the design and construction of facilities by BC Hydro to supply construction phase hydro-sourced electricity to the KSM Project. Pursuant
to signing the Facilities Agreement the Company has made $106.7 million prepayments inclusive of $14.0 million which was accrued during
the second quarter of 2024 and paid during the current quarter. |
| |
2) | As
previously disclosed in the Company’s prior years financial statements, in 2019 the Company received a notice from the Canada Revenue
Agency (“CRA”) that it proposed to reduce the amount of expenditures reported as Canadian Exploration
Expenses (“CEE”) for the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. The Company has funded certain of its exploration expenditures,
from time-to-time, with the proceeds from the issuance of flow-through shares and renounced, to subscribers, the expenditures which
it determined to be CEE. The notice disputes the eligibility of certain types of expenditures previously audited and approved as
CEE by the CRA. The Company strongly disagrees with the notice and responded to the CRA auditors with additional information for their
consideration. In 2020, the CRA auditors responded to the Company’s submission and, although accepting additional expenditures
as CEE, reiterated that their position remains largely unchanged and subsequently issued reassessments to the Company reflecting the
additional CEE expenditures accepted and $2.3 million of Part Xll.6 tax owing. The CRA has reassessed certain investors who subscribed
for the flow-through shares, reducing CEE deductions. Notices of objection to the Company’s and investors’ reassessments
have been filed for all those that have been received and will be appealed to the courts, should the notices of objection be denied.
The Company has indemnified the investors that subscribed for the flow-through shares and that have been reassessed by depositing the
amount of their reassessments, including interest charges, into the accounts of the reassessed investors with the Receiver General in
return for such investors agreement to object to their respective reassessments and to repay the Company any refund of the amount deposited
on their behalf upon resolution of the Company’s appeal. During 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Company deposited $9.4 million into the
accounts of certain investors with the Receiver General. The deposits made have been recorded as long-term receivables on the statement
of financial position as at September 30, 2024. The potential tax indemnification to the investors is estimated to be $10.8 million,
plus $3.5 million potential interest. No provision has been recorded related to the tax, potential interest, nor the potential indemnity
as the Company and its advisors do not consider it probable that there will ultimately be an amount payable. |
| |
3) | During
2016, upon the completion of an audit of the application by tax authorities of the British Columbia Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (“BCMETC”)
program, the Company was reassessed $3.6 million, including accrued interest for expenditures that the tax authority has categorized
as not qualifying for the BCMETC program. The Company recorded a $3.6 million provision within non-trade payables and accrued expenses
on the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2016 with a corresponding increase in mineral interests. In 2017
the Company filed an objection to the reassessment with the appeals division of the tax authorities and paid one-half of the accrued
balance to the Receiver General and reduced the provision by $1.8 million. In 2019, the Company received a decision from the appeals
division that the Company’s objection was denied, and the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the British Columbia Supreme Court.
The Attorney General of Canada replied to the facts and arguments in the Company’s Notice of Appeal and stated its position that
the Company’s expenditures did not qualify for the BCMETC program. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company completed the
discovery process with the Department of Justice that included settling an agreed statement of facts. The Company presented its case
in the BC Supreme Court during the current quarter. Based on the facts and circumstances of the Company’s objection and its arguments
made in court, the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that it will be successful in its objection. As at September 30,
2024, the Company has paid $1.6 million to the Receiver General, and the CRA has withheld $2.3 million of HST credits due to the Company
that would fully cover the residual balance, including interest, should the Company be unsuccessful in its challenge. The amount recorded
in long-term receivables as of September 30, 2024 of $3.9 million includes the initial reassessment of $3.6 million, plus accrued interest. |
6. | Mineral
Interests, Property and Equipment |
($000s) | |
| Mineral
interests | | |
| Construction
in progress | | |
| Property &
equipment | | |
| Right-of-use
assets 1 | | |
| Total | |
Cost | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
As at January 1, 2023 | |
| 687,074 | | |
| 121,201 | | |
| 72,404 | | |
| 2,437 | | |
| 883,116 | |
Additions | |
| 69,732 | | |
| 178,764 | | |
| 1,187 | | |
| 781 | | |
| 250,464 | |
Transfers | |
| - | | |
| (101,899 | ) | |
| 101,899 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
As at December 31, 2023 | |
| 756,806 | | |
| 198,066 | | |
| 175,490 | | |
| 3,218 | | |
| 1,133,580 | |
Additions | |
| 36,883 | | |
| 57,994 | | |
| - | | |
| 90 | | |
| 94,967 | |
Disposals 3 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (1,316 | ) | |
| (1,316 | ) |
As at September 30, 2024 | |
| 793,689 | | |
| 256,060 | | |
| 175,490 | | |
| 1,992 | | |
| 1,227,231 | |
Accumulated Depreciation | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
As at January 1, 2023 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 1,070 | | |
| 549 | | |
| 1,619 | |
Depreciation expense 2 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 2,517 | | |
| 980 | | |
| 3,497 | |
As at December 31, 2023 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 3,587 | | |
| 1,529 | | |
| 5,116 | |
Depreciation expense 2 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 1,948 | | |
| 697 | | |
| 2,645 | |
Disposals 3 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (968 | ) | |
| (968 | ) |
As at September 30, 2024 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 5,535 | | |
| 1,258 | | |
| 6,793 | |
Net Book Value | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
As at December 31, 2023 | |
| 756,806 | | |
| 198,066 | | |
| 171,903 | | |
| 1,689 | | |
| 1,128,464 | |
As at September 30, 2024 | |
| 793,689 | | |
| 256,060 | | |
| 169,955 | | |
| 734 | | |
| 1,220,438 | |
1) | Right-of-use
assets consist of property and equipment related to assets leased and accounted for under
IFRS 16 |
2) | Depreciation
expense related to camps, equipment, and right-of-use assets associated with the KSM construction
is capitalized to construction in progress |
3) | Disposals
relate to equipment lease cancellations at KSM. |
Mineral
interests, property and equipment additions by project are as follows:
| |
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 | |
($000s) | |
Mineral
interests | | |
Construction
in progress | | |
Property &
equipment | | |
Right-of-
use assets | | |
Total
Additions | |
Additions | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
KSM additions 1 | |
| 10,528 | | |
| 57,994 | | |
| - | | |
| 90 | | |
| 68,612 | |
Courageous Lake | |
| 752 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 752 | |
Iskut | |
| 15,294 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 15,294 | |
Snowstorm | |
| 742 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 742 | |
3 Aces | |
| 9,567 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 9,567 | |
| |
| 36,883 | | |
| 57,994 | | |
| - | | |
| 90 | | |
| 94,967 | |
| |
Year ended December 31, 2023 | |
($000s) | |
Mineral
interests | | |
Construction
in progress | | |
Property &
equipment | | |
Right-of-
use assets | | |
Total
Additions | |
Additions | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
KSM additions 1 | |
| 40,490 | | |
| 178,764 | | |
| 1,187 | | |
| 781 | | |
| 221,222 | |
Courageous Lake | |
| 3,520 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 3,520 | |
Iskut | |
| 14,174 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 14,174 | |
Snowstorm | |
| 4,897 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 4,897 | |
3 Aces | |
| 6,651 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 6,651 | |
Total | |
| 69,732 | | |
| 76,865 | | |
| 103,086 | | |
| 781 | | |
| 250,464 | |
1) | The
KSM construction in progress additions includes $24.3 million of capitalized borrowing costs (year ended December 31, 2023 - $19.4 million).
The capitalized costs were net of $0.5 million (2023 - $6.9 million) of interest income earned on the residual balance of the borrowed
funds which is reported within the investment in mineral interests, property and equipment line on the consolidated statements of cash
flows. |
Included
in the capitalized exploration expenditures were certain lease payments and project holding costs.
7. | Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities |
($000s) | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
Trade payables | |
| 11,631 | | |
| 27,302 | |
Non-trade payables and accrued expenses | |
| 6,752 | | |
| 5,432 | |
| |
| 18,383 | | |
| 32,734 | |
8. | Provision
for reclamation liabilities |
($000s) | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
Beginning of the period | |
| 7,435 | | |
| 10,846 | |
Disbursements | |
| (499 | ) | |
| (3,664 | ) |
Accretion | |
| 186 | | |
| 253 | |
End of the period | |
| 7,122 | | |
| 7,435 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Provision for reclamation liabilities – current | |
| 3,629 | | |
| 759 | |
Provision for reclamation liabilities – long-term | |
| 3,493 | | |
| 6,676 | |
| |
| 7,122 | | |
| 7,435 | |
The
estimate of the provision for reclamation obligations as at September 30, 2024 was calculated using the estimated discounted cash flows
of future reclamation costs of $7.2 million (December 31, 2023 - $7.4 million) and the expected timing of cash flow payments required
to settle the obligations between the current year and 2026. As at September 30, 2024, the undiscounted future cash outflows are estimated
at $7.6 million (December 31, 2023 - $8.1 million). The nominal discount rate used to calculate the present value of the reclamation
obligations was 2.9% at September 30, 2024 (December 31, 2023 - 3.9%). During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reclamation disbursements
amounted to $0.5 million (2023 - $3.7 million).
As
at September 30, 2024, the Company has placed a total of $22.3 million (December 31, 2023 - $21.4 million) on deposit with financial
institutions or with government regulators that are pledged as security against reclamation liabilities. The deposits are recorded on
the consolidated statements of financial position as reclamation deposits. As at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company
had $10.0 million of uncollateralized surety bonds, issued pursuant to arrangements with an insurance company, in support of environmental
closure costs obligations, related to the KSM Project.
| 9. | Secured
Note Liabilities |
On
February 25, 2022, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, KSM Mining ULC (“KSMCo”) signed a definitive agreement
to sell a secured note (“2022 Secured Note”) that is to be exchanged at maturity for a silver royalty on its 100% owned KSM
Project (“KSM”) to institutional investors (“Investors”) for US$225 million. The transaction closed on March
24, 2022. The key terms of the 2022 Secured Note include:
| ● | When
the 2022 Secured Note matures, the Investors will use all of the principal amount repaid on maturity to purchase a 60% gross silver royalty
(the “Silver Royalty”). Maturity occurs upon the first to occur of: |
| a) | Commercial
production being achieved at KSM; and |
| b) | Either
on March 24, 2032, the 10-year anniversary, or if the Environmental Assessment Certificate (“EAC”) expires and the Investors
do not exercise their right to put the 2022 Secured Note to the Company, on March 24, 2035, the 13-year anniversary of the issue date
of the 2022 Secured Note. |
| ● | Prior
to its maturity, the 2022 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The Company can elect to satisfy
interest payments in cash or by delivering common shares. |
| ● | The
Company has the option to buyback 50% of the Silver Royalty, once exchanged, on or before 3 years after commercial production has been
achieved, for an amount that provides the Investors a minimum guaranteed annualized return. |
| ● | If
project financing to develop, construct and place KSM into commercial production is not in place by March 24, 2027, the Investors can
put the 2022 Secured Note back to the Company for US$232.5 million, with the Company able to satisfy such amount in cash or by delivering
common shares at its option. This right expires once such project financing is in place. If the Investors exercise this put right, the
Investors’ right to purchase the Silver Royalty terminates. |
| ● | If
KSM’s EAC expires at anytime while the 2022 Secured Note is outstanding, the Investors can put the 2022 Secured Note back to the
Company for US$247.5 million at any time over the following nine months, with the Company able to satisfy such amount in cash or by delivering
common shares at its option. If the Investors exercise this put right, the Investors’ right to purchase the Silver Royalty terminates. |
| ● | If
commercial production is not achieved at KSM prior to March 24, 2032, the Silver Royalty payable to the Investors will increase to a
75% gross silver royalty (if the EAC expires during the term of the 2022 Secured Note and the corresponding put right is not exercised
by the Investors, this uplift will occur at the thirteenth anniversary from closing). |
| ● | No
amount payable shall be paid in common shares if, after the payment, any of the Investors would own more than 9.9% of the Company’s
outstanding shares. |
| ● | The
Company’s obligations under the 2022 Secured Note are secured by a charge over all of the assets of KSMCo and a limited recourse
guarantee from the Company secured by a pledge of the shares of KSMCo. |
On
July 26, 2024, KSM received the “Substantially Started” designation from the BC government. This designation affirms the
validity of the EAC for the life of the KSM Project.
To
satisfy the interest payment on the 2022 Secured Note, during 2024, the Company issued 776,519 common shares in respect of the interest
incurred during nine months ended September 30, 2024 (year ended December 31, 2023 - 1,285,178 common shares).
A
number of the above noted options within the agreement represent embedded derivatives. Management has elected to not separate these embedded
derivatives from the underlying host secured note, and instead account for the entire secured note as a financial liability at fair value
through profit or loss.
The
2022 Secured Note was recognized at its estimated fair value at initial recognition of $282.3 million (US$225 million) using a discounted
cash flow model with a Monte Carlo simulation. This incorporated several scenarios and probabilities of the EAC expiring, achieving commercial
production and securing project financing, silver prices forecast from quoted forward price, and the discount rates. During the nine
months ended September 30, 2024, the fair value of the 2022 Secured Note decreased, and the Company recorded a $28.5 million gain (year
ended December 31, 2023 - $30.8 million loss) on the remeasurement.
During
the second quarter of 2024, the Company re-estimated the timelines for achieving key milestones for commercial production. The following
inputs and assumptions were used in the determination of fair value:
Inputs and assumptions | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
Forecast silver production in thousands of ounces | |
| 166,144 | | |
| 166,144 | |
Long term silver price as at September 30, 2031 | |
US$ | 37.05 | | |
US$ | 28.62 | |
Risk-free rate | |
| 4.1 | % | |
| 4.0 | % |
Credit spread | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| 4.0 | % |
Share price volatility | |
| 60 | % | |
| 60 | % |
Silver royalty discount factor | |
| 10.8 | % | |
| 9.2 | % |
The
carrying amount for the 2022 Secured Note is as follows:
($000s) | |
| September 30, 2024 | | |
| December 31, 2023 | |
Fair value beginning of the period | |
| 294,363 | | |
| 263,541 | |
Change in fair value loss (gain) through profit and loss | |
| (12,972 | ) | |
| 3,096 | |
Change in fair value loss (gain) through other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| (22,222 | ) | |
| 34,830 | |
Foreign currency translation loss (gain) | |
| 6,742 | | |
| (7,104 | ) |
Total change in fair value | |
| (28,452 | ) | |
| 30,822 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Fair value end of the period | |
| 265,911 | | |
| 294,363 | |
Sensitivity
Analysis:
For
the fair value of the 2022 Secured Note, reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the significant inputs, holding
other inputs constant, would have the following effects:
Key Inputs | |
Inter-relationship between significant inputs and fair value measurement | |
Increase (decrease) (millions) | |
Key observable inputs | |
The estimated fair value would increase (decrease) if: | |
| |
● Silver price forward curve | |
● Future silver prices were 10% higher | |
$ | 13.9 | |
| |
● Future silver prices were 10% lower | |
$ | (14.1 | ) |
| |
| |
| | |
● Discount rates | |
● Discount rates were 1% higher | |
$ | (25.0 | ) |
| |
● Discount rates were 1% lower | |
$ | 29.5 | |
Key unobservable inputs | |
| |
| | |
● Forecasted silver production | |
● Silver production indicated silver ounces were 10% higher | |
$ | 13.9 | |
| |
● Silver production indicated silver ounces were 10% lower | |
$ | (14.1 | ) |
On
May 11, 2023, the Company announced that it, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, KSM Mining ULC (“KSMCo”), had agreed to
the principal terms of a royalty agreement under which Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. (“Sprott”) would pay KSMCo
US$150 million and KSMCo would grant Sprott up to 1.2% net smelter royalty (“NSR”) on the KSM Project. Thereafter, the Company
and Sprott agreed to restructure the proposed transaction as the sale of a secured note and, on June 28, 2023, the Company and KSMCo,
signed a definitive agreement to sell a secured note (“2023 Secured Note”) that is to be exchanged at maturity for a net
smelter returns royalty (the “NSR”) on its 100% owned KSM Project (“KSM”) to Sprott for US$150 million. The transaction
closed on June 29, 2023. The key terms of the 2023 Secured Note include:
| ● | When
the 2023 Secured Note matures, Sprott will use all of the principal amount repaid on maturity
to purchase a 1% NSR, subject to adjustment of the amount as described below. Maturity occurs
upon the first to occur of: |
| a) | Commercial
production being achieved at KSM; and |
| b) | Either
on March 24, 2032 or, if the Environmental Assessment Certificate (“EAC”) expires and the Investors do not exercise their
right to put the 2023 Secured Note to the Company, on March 24, 2035. |
| ● | Prior
to its maturity, the 2023 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5% per annum, payable quarterly
in arrears. However, payment of quarterly interest due on or before June 29, 2025 (the “Deferred
Interest”) will be deferred and the Deferred Interest plus interest accrued on it (the
“Interest Deferral Amount”) is payable in a lump sum on or before December 29,
2025. |
| ● | KSMCo
can pay the Interest Deferral Amount (US$21.5M) in cash or Seabridge common shares or KSMCo
can elect to increase the size of the NSR to be sold to Sprott on the Maturity Date from
a 1% NSR to a 1.2% NSR (the “Royalty Increase Election”). |
| ● | The
Company can elect to satisfy quarterly interest payments, including the Deferral Amount due,
by paying in cash or Seabridge common shares. The requirement to make quarterly interest
payments expires on the maturity date. |
| ● | No
amount payable shall be paid in common shares if, after the payment, Sprott would own more
than 9.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares. |
| ● | If
commercial production is not achieved at the KSM Project prior to March 24, 2032, the size
of the NSR to be sold to Sprott on the Maturity Date will increase to 1.25% if KSMCo paid
the Interest Deferral Amount in cash or shares, or to 1.5% if KSMCo made the Royalty Increase
Election (the applicable increase being the “Production Delay Increase”). |
| ● | The
Company has the option to purchase the NSR amount down (after the NSR is sold to Sprott)
to a 0.5% NSR (or to 0.625% if the Production Delay Increase occurred) on or before three
years after commercial production has been achieved, for an amount that provides Sprott a
minimum guaranteed annualized return. |
| ● | If
project financing to develop, construct and place KSM into commercial production is not in
place by March 24, 2027, Sprott can put the 2023 Secured Note back to the Company for: |
| a) | if
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$155 million plus accrued and unpaid interest, or |
| b) | if
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1.2% or 1.5% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$180 million plus accrued and unpaid interest. |
This
Sprott put right expires once such project financing is in place. If Sprott exercises this put right, Sprott’s right to purchase
the NSR terminates.
| ● | If
KSM’s EAC expires at anytime while the 2023 Secured Note is outstanding, Sprott can
put the 2023 Secured Note back to the Company at any time over the following nine months
for: |
| a) | if
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$165
million plus accrued and unpaid interest, or |
| b) | if
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1.2% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$186.5
million plus accrued and unpaid interest. |
If
Sprott exercises this put right, Sprott’s right to purchase the NSR terminates.
| ● | The
Company can elect to satisfy payments due on Sprott’s exercise of either of its put
rights in cash or by delivering common shares. |
| ● | No
amount payable shall be paid in common shares if, after the payment, Sprott would own more
than 9.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares. |
| ● | The
Company’s obligations under the 2023 Secured Note are secured by a charge over all
of the assets of KSMCo and a limited recourse guarantee from the Company secured by a pledge
of the shares of KSMCo. |
On
July 26, 2024, KSM received the Substantially Started designation from the BC government. This designation affirms the validity of the
EAC for the life of the KSM Project.
A
number of the above noted options within the agreement represent embedded derivatives. Management has elected to not separate these embedded
derivatives from the underlying host secured note, and instead account for the entire secured note as a financial liability at fair value
through profit or loss.
The 2023 Secured Note was recognized at its estimated fair value at initial recognition of $198.8 million (US$150 million) using a discounted
cash flow model with a Monte Carlo simulation. This incorporated several scenarios and probabilities of the EAC expiring, achieving commercial production and securing project financing, metal prices forecast and discount rates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
the fair value of the 2023 Secured Note decreased, and the Company recorded a $38.5 million gain (year ended December 31, 2023 - $80.7
million loss) on the remeasurement.
During
the second quarter of 2024, the Company re-estimated the timelines for achieving key milestones for commercial production. The following
inputs and assumptions were used in the determination of fair value:
Inputs and assumptions | |
September 30,
2024 | | |
December
31,
2023 | |
Forecast NSR: | |
| | |
| |
Gold in thousands of ounces | |
| 10,500 | | |
| 10,500 | |
Silver in thousands of ounces | |
| 29,876 | | |
| 29,876 | |
Copper in millions of pounds | |
| 19,322 | | |
| 19,322 | |
Molybdenum in millions of pounds | |
| 152 | | |
| 152 | |
Long term metal price as at September 30, 2031 | |
| | | |
| | |
Gold per ounce | |
US$ | 3,078.09 | | |
US$ | 2,553.60 | |
Silver per ounce | |
US$ | 37.06 | | |
US$ | 28.62 | |
Copper per pound | |
US$ | 4.71 | | |
US$ | 4.08 | |
Molybdenum per pound | |
US$ | 27.63 | | |
US$ | 24.89 | |
Risk-free rate | |
| 4.1 | % | |
| 4.0 | % |
Credit spread | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| 4.0 | % |
Share price volatility | |
| 60 | % | |
| 60 | % |
NSR discount factor | |
| 10.8 | % | |
| 9.2 | % |
The
carrying amount for the 2023 Secured Note is as follows:
($000s) | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
Fair value beginning of the period | |
| 279,525 | | |
| 198,825 | |
Change in fair value loss (gain) through profit and loss | |
| (17,801 | ) | |
| 33,182 | |
Change in fair value loss (gain) through other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| (27,378 | ) | |
| 49,563 | |
Foreign currency translation loss (gain) | |
| 6,633 | | |
| (2,045 | ) |
Total change in fair value | |
| (38,546 | ) | |
| 80,700 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Fair value end of the period | |
| 240,979 | | |
| 279,525 | |
Sensitivity
Analysis:
For
the fair value of the 2023 Secured Note, reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the significant inputs, holding
other inputs constant, would have the following effects:
Key Inputs | |
Inter-relationship between significant inputs and fair value measurement | |
Increase (decrease) (millions) | |
Key observable inputs | |
The estimated fair value would increase (decrease) if: | |
| |
● Metals price forward curve | |
● Future metal prices were 10% higher | |
$ | 16.1 | |
| |
● Future metal prices were 10% lower | |
$ | (16.4 | ) |
| |
| |
| | |
● Discount rates | |
● Discount rates were 1% higher | |
$ | (30.2 | ) |
| |
● Discount rates were 1% lower | |
$ | 36.5 | |
Key unobservable inputs | |
| |
| | |
● Forecasted metal production | |
● Metal production indicated volumes were 10% higher | |
$ | 15.6 | |
| |
● Metal production indicated volumes were 10% lower | |
$ | (15.8 | ) |
The
Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares and common shares with no par value. No preferred shares have
been issued or were outstanding at September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
The
Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, based on the funds available to the Company, in order to support the
acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. The Board of Directors does not establish quantitative return on capital
criteria for management, but rather relies on the expertise of the Company’s management to sustain future development of the business.
The
properties in which the Company currently has an interest are in the pre-operating stage, as such the Company is dependent on external
financing to fund its activities. In order to carry out the planned exploration and pay for administrative costs, the Company will spend
its existing working capital and raise additional amounts as needed.
Management
reviews its capital management approach on an ongoing basis and believes that this approach, given the relative size of the Company,
is reasonable. There were no changes in the Company’s approach to capital management during 2024. The Company considers its capital to
be share capital, stock-based compensation, contributed surplus and deficit. The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital
requirements.
During
the first quarter of 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with two securities dealers, for an At-The-Market (“ATM”)
offering program, entitling the Company, at its discretion, and from time to time, to sell up to US$75 million in value of common shares
of the Company. This program was in effect until the Company’s US$775 million Shelf Registration Statement, that expired in December
2022, was replaced with a new US$750 million Shelf Registration Statement the same month. During the first quarter of 2023, a US$100
million prospectus supplement was filed and the program was renewed. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into a new agreement
with two securities dealers, for an ATM offering program, entitling the Company, at its discretion, and from time to time, to sell up
to US$100 million in value of common shares of the Company. This program can be in effect until the Company’s US$750 million Shelf
Registration Statement expires in 2025.
In
2023, the Company issued 2,516,839 shares, at an average selling price of $17.36 per share, for net proceeds of $42.8 million under the
Company’s At-The-Market offering. During nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 2,750,609 shares, at an average
selling price of $20.57 per share, for net proceeds of $55.4 million under the Company’s At-The-Market offering. As at September
30, 2024, US$26.0 million was available under the ATM. Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company issued
583,940 shares, at an average selling price of $24.87 per share, for net proceeds of $14.2 million under the Company’s At-The-Market
offering.
On
June 5, 2024, the Company issued a total of 575,000 flow-through common shares at an average $31.26 per common share for aggregate gross
proceeds of $18.0 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures for the equivalent
value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the flow-through shares.
The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2024. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares, $6.4 million premium
was recognized as a liability on the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position. During the current quarter, the
Company incurred $1.8 million of qualifying exploration expenditures and $0.7 million of the premium was recognized through other income
on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Subsequent
to the quarter end on October 22, 2024, the Company issued a total of 80,500 flow-through common shares at an average $31.08 per common
share for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.5 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures
for the equivalent value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the
flow-through shares. The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2024. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares,
$0.2 million premium was recognized as a liability on the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
In
December 2023, the Company issued a total of 875,150 flow-through common shares at an average $22.34 per common share for aggregate gross
proceeds of $19.6 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures for the equivalent
value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the flow-through shares.
The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2023. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares, $5.5 million premium
was recognized as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial position. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
the Company incurred $19.6 million of qualifying exploration expenditures and the $5.5 million of the premium was recognized through
other income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
In
December 2022, the Company issued a total of 675,400 flow-through common shares at an average $22.24 per common share for aggregate gross
proceeds of $15.0 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures for the equivalent
value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the flow-through shares.
The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2022. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares, $4.2 million premium
was recognized as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial position. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company
incurred $15.0 million of qualifying exploration expenditures and the $4.2 million premium was recognized through other income on the
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
| b) | Stock
options and restricted share units |
The
Company provides compensation to directors and employees in the form of stock options and RSUs. Pursuant to the Share Option Plan, the
Board of Directors has the authority to grant options, and to establish the exercise price and life of the option at the time each option
is granted, at a price not less than the closing price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the date of the grant of
such option and for a period not exceeding five years. All exercised options are settled in equity. Pursuant to the Company’s RSU
Plan, the Board of Directors has the authority to grant RSUs, and to establish terms of the RSUs including the vesting criteria and the
life of the RSUs.
Stock
option and RSU transactions were as follows:
| |
Options | | |
RSUs | | |
Total | |
| |
Number of Options | | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) | | |
Amortized Value of options ($000s) | | |
Number of RSUs | | |
Amortized Value of RSUs ($000s) | | |
Stock-based Compensation ($000s) | |
Outstanding January 1, 2024 | |
| 50,000 | | |
| 17.72 | | |
| 416 | | |
| 697,726 | | |
| 2,984 | | |
| 3,400 | |
Exercised option or vested RSU | |
| (50,000 | ) | |
| 17.72 | | |
| (416 | ) | |
| (126,133 | ) | |
| (2,060 | ) | |
| (2,476 | ) |
Amortized value of stock-based compensation | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 2,880 | | |
| 2,880 | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 571,593 | | |
| 3,804 | | |
| 3,804 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Exercisable at September 30, 2024 | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
Options | | |
RSUs | | |
Total | |
| |
Number of Options | | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) | | |
Amortized Value of options ($000s) | | |
Number of RSUs | | |
Amortized Value of RSUs ($000s) | | |
Stock-based Compensation ($000s) | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2023 | |
| 477,500 | | |
| 15.85 | | |
| 4,117 | | |
| 345,266 | | |
| 538 | | |
| 4,655 | |
Granted | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 399,300 | | |
| 144 | | |
| 144 | |
Exercised option or vested RSU | |
| (50,000 | ) | |
| 15.46 | | |
| (460 | ) | |
| (41,840 | ) | |
| (823 | ) | |
| (1,283 | ) |
Options surrendered for cash | |
| (273,500 | ) | |
| 15.46 | | |
| (2,355 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (2,355 | ) |
Expired | |
| (104,000 | ) | |
| 16.17 | | |
| (886 | ) | |
| (5,000 | ) | |
| (33 | ) | |
| (919 | ) |
Amortized value of stock-based compensation | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 3,158 | | |
| 3,158 | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | |
| 50,000 | | |
| 17.72 | | |
| 416 | | |
| 697,726 | | |
| 2,984 | | |
| 3,400 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2023 | |
| 50,000 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
In
December 2023, 273,500 options, with exercise price of $15.46 per option, were surrendered for cash at the weighted average rate of $0.18
cash payment per option. During the second quarter of 2024, the remaining 50,000 outstanding share options with an exercise price of
$17.72 were exercised and were exchanged for common shares of the Company.
In
December 2023, 379,300 RSUs were granted to the Board members, members of senior management, and to other employees of the Company. Of
those, 277,500 was granted to senior management, with vesting dependent on certain corporate objectives including the completion of a
bankable feasibility study at KSM, and the Company’s share price outperforming certain market benchmarks. The fair value of RSUs
granted with vesting dependent on market conditions was valued using a Monte-Carlo simulation. The fair value of total RSU grants, of
$4.6 million, was estimated as at the grant date to be amortized over the expected service period of the grants. The expected service
period ranges from one year to three years from the date of the grant and is dependent on the corporate objectives being met.
In
December 2022, 310,266 RSUs were granted to the Board members, members of senior management, and to other employees of the Company. Of
those, 232,266 was granted to senior management, with vesting dependent on certain corporate objectives including the Company submitting
its formal application to the regulator for the KSM Project to be designated as Substantially Started, notification from the regulator
that the KSM Project has been designated as Substantially Started, and announcement of KSM joint venture agreement, or other transformative
transaction affecting the ownership and control of KSM. The fair value of the total RSU grants, of $5.1 million, was estimated as at
the grant date to be amortized over the expected service period of the grants. The expected service period ranges from nine months to
three years from the date of the grant and is dependent on the corporate objectives being met. During first quarter of 2024, upon the
Company submitting its formal application to regulators for the KSM Project to be designated as Substantially Started, 58,066 RSUs vested
and were exchanged for common shares of the Company. During the current quarter, and upon the Company receiving the Substantially Started
designation for the KSM Project, further 58,067 RSUs vested and were exchanged for common shares of the Company.
| c) | Basic
and diluted net income (loss) per common share |
Basic
and diluted net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024
was $27.6 million net loss and $9.5 million net income, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $5.3 million and
$7.1 million net loss, respectively).
Earnings
(loss) per share has been calculated using the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents issued and outstanding
during the period. Stock options are reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury method. The following table
details the weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the purpose of computing basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common
share for the following periods:
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
(Number of common shares) | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | |
| 89,588,695 | | |
| 83,484,693 | | |
| 87,983,955 | | |
| 82,499,543 | |
Weighted average shares dilution adjustments: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Stock options 1 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
RSUs | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 532,455 | | |
| - | |
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | |
| 89,588,695 | | |
| 83,484,693 | | |
| 88,516,410 | | |
| 82,499,543 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Weighted average shares dilution exclusions: 2 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Stock options 1 | |
| - | | |
| 1,574 | | |
| - | | |
| 31,220 | |
RSUs | |
| 537,133 | | |
| 142,679 | | |
| - | | |
| 154,675 | |
1) | Dilutive
stock options were determined using the Company’s average share price for the period. For the three and nine months ended September
30, 2023, the average share price used was $15.9 and $16.96, respectively. |
2) | Excluded
in the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding as their exercise or settlement would be anti-dilutive in the loss
per share calculation. |
Adjustment
for other non-cash items within operating activities:
| |
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
($000s) | |
Notes | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Equity loss of associate | |
4 | |
| 250 | | |
| 45 | | |
| 275 | | |
| 165 | |
Unrealized gain on convertible notes receivable | |
| |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 37 | |
Accrued interest income on convertible notes receivable | |
| |
| - | | |
| (21 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (41 | ) |
Depreciation | |
6 | |
| 34 | | |
| 34 | | |
| 102 | | |
| 99 | |
Finance costs, net | |
| |
| 63 | | |
| 65 | | |
| 186 | | |
| 188 | |
Effects of exchange rate fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents | |
| |
| 409 | | |
| (684 | ) | |
| (195 | ) | |
| (454 | ) |
| |
| |
| 756 | | |
| (561 | ) | |
| 368 | | |
| (6 | ) |
| 12. | Fair
value of financial assets and liabilities |
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 three levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure
fair value.
Level
1: Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level
2: Inputs are quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs
other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rate and yield curves observable at commonly
quoted intervals, forward pricing curves used to value currency and commodity contracts, volatility measurements used to value option
contracts and observable credit default swap spreads to adjust for credit risk where appropriate), or inputs that are derived principally
from or corroborated by observable market data or other means.
Level
3: Inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The
fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
The
Company’s fair values of financial assets and liabilities were as follows:
| |
September 30, 2024 | |
($000s) | |
Carrying Amount | | |
Level
1 | | |
Level
2 | | |
Level
3 | | |
Total
Fair Value | |
Assets | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Investment in marketable securities | |
| 5,069 | | |
| 5,069 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 5,069 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Secured note liabilities | |
| 506,891 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 506,891 | | |
| 506,891 | |
| |
December 31, 2023 | |
($000s) | |
Carrying Amount | | |
Level 1 | | |
Level 2 | | |
Level 3 | | |
Total
Fair Value | |
Assets | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Investment in marketable securities | |
| 3,750 | | |
| 3,750 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 3,750 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Secured note liabilities | |
| 573,888 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 573,888 | | |
| 573,888 | |
The
carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, long-term receivables and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate
their fair values due to their short-term maturities.
The
Company’s financial risk exposures and the impact on the Company’s financial instruments are summarized below:
Credit
Risk
The
Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to receivables included in amounts receivable and prepaid expenses. The Company has no
significant concentration of credit risk arising from operations. Management believes that the risk of loss with respect to financial
instruments included in amounts receivable and prepaid expenses is remote.
Liquidity
Risk
The
Company’s approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet liabilities when due. As discussed
in Note 16, the Company signed an amendment to the Facilities Agreement with BC Hydro for additional payments of $14 million, paid in
July 2024, and $40 million, due in December 2024. As the Company does not generate cash inflows from operations, the Company is dependent
upon external sources of financing to fund its exploration projects and on-going activities, and will exercise discretion as needed with
respect to proceeding with certain planned expenditures, including additional payments pursuant to the Facilities Agreement with BC Hydro
(refer to Note 16). The Company has in place an At-the-Market offering that allows the issuance of up to US$100 million of its common
shares and has been an effective source of funding. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company raised $55.4 million
(year ended December 31, 2023 - $42.8 million). Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company raised additional $14.2 million through its
At-the-Market offering. The Company intends to fully utilize the remaining US$26.0 million of the At-the-Market offering currently in
place. The Company believes that with this additional financing and other options that are within the Company’s control, it will
have sufficient liquidity to continue its operations and meet its obligations for the next twelve months. When required, the Company
will seek additional sources of cash to cover its proposed exploration and development programs at its key projects, in the form of equity
financing or from the sale of non-core assets.
As
at September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $51.2 million (December 31, 2023 - $82.4 million) for settlement
of current financial liabilities of $22.0 million (December 31, 2023 - $33.5 million). Except for the secured note liabilities and the
reclamation obligations, the Company’s financial liabilities primarily have contractual maturities of 30 days and are subject to normal
trade terms. The Company’s ability to fund its operations and capital expenditures and other obligations as they become due is
dependent upon market conditions.
The
following table details the Company’s expected remaining contractual cash flow requirements for its financial liabilities on repayment
or maturity periods. The amounts presented are based on the contractual undiscounted cash flows and may not agree with the carrying amounts
in the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
($000s) | |
| Less than
1 year | | |
| 1-3 years | | |
| 3-5 years | | |
| Greater than 5 years | | |
| Total | |
2022 Secured Note including interest | |
| 19,780 | | |
| 39,560 | | |
| 39,560 | | |
| 167,012 | | |
| 265,912 | |
2023 Secured Note including interest | |
| - | | |
| 48,859 | | |
| 26,374 | | |
| 165,746 | | |
| 240,979 | |
Flow-through share expenditures | |
| - | | |
| 16,125 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 16,125 | |
Lease obligation | |
| 263 | | |
| 1,109 | | |
| 881 | | |
| 454 | | |
| 2,707 | |
| |
| 20,043 | | |
| 105,653 | | |
| 66,815 | | |
| 333,212 | | |
| 525,723 | |
Market
Risk
Interest
rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument or its fair value will fluctuate because of changes in market
interest rates. The secured note liabilities (Note 9) bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.5% per annum. The Company’s current policy is
to invest excess cash in Canadian bank guaranteed notes (short-term deposits). The short-term deposits can be cashed in at any time and
can be reinvested if interest rates rise.
The
Company’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar and major purchases are transacted in Canadian and US dollars. The secure note liability
and the related interest payments are denominated in US dollars. The Company has the option to pay the interest either in cash or in
shares. The Company also funds certain operations, exploration and administrative expenses in the United States on a cash call basis
using US dollar cash on hand or converted from its Canadian dollar cash. Management believes the foreign exchange risk derived from currency
conversions is not significant to its operations and has not entered into any foreign exchange hedges. As at September 30, 2024, the
Company had cash and cash equivalents, investment in associate, reclamation deposits, accounts payable and secured notes that are in
US dollars.
The
Company has investments in other publicly listed exploration companies which are included in investments. These shares were received
as option payments on certain exploration properties the Company owns or has sold. In addition, the Company holds $5.0 million in a gold
exchange traded receipt that is recorded on the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position in investments. The risk
on these investments is significant due to the nature of the investment but the amounts are not significant to the Company.
| 13. | Corporate
and administrative expenses |
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended September 30, | |
($000s) | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Employee compensation | |
| 1,300 | | |
| 1,320 | | |
| 4,658 | | |
| 4,405 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 833 | | |
| 766 | | |
| 2,880 | | |
| 2,493 | |
Professional fees | |
| 1,214 | | |
| 886 | | |
| 3,129 | | |
| 1,822 | |
Other general and administrative | |
| 653 | | |
| 757 | | |
| 2,779 | | |
| 2,878 | |
| |
| 4,000 | | |
| 3,729 | | |
| 13,446 | | |
| 11,598 | |
| 14. | Related
party disclosures |
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no payments to related parties other than compensation paid to key management
personnel. These transactions were in the normal course of operations and were measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of
consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
As
previously disclosed in the Company’s prior years financial statements, in 2019 the Company received a notice from the CRA that
it proposed to reduce the amount of expenditures reported as Canadian Exploration Expenses (CEE) for the three-year
period ended December 31, 2016. The Company has funded certain of its exploration expenditures, from time-to-time,
with the proceeds from the issuance of flow-through shares and renounced, to subscribers, the expenditures which it determined to
be CEE. The notice disputes the eligibility of certain types of expenditures previously audited and approved as CEE by the CRA.
The Company strongly disagrees with the notice and responded to the CRA auditors with additional information for their consideration.
In 2020, the CRA auditors responded to the Company’s submission and, although accepting additional expenditures as CEE, reiterated
that their position remains largely unchanged and subsequently issued reassessments to the Company reflecting the additional CEE expenditures
accepted and $2.3 million of Part Xll.6 tax owing. The Company has been made aware that the CRA has reassessed certain investors who
subscribed for the flow-through shares, reducing CEE deductions. Notice of objections to the Company’s and investors’ reassessments
have been filed for all those that have been received and will be appealed to the courts, should the notice of objections be denied.
The Company has indemnified the investors that subscribed for the flow-through shares and that have been reassessed by depositing the
amount of their reassessments, including interest charges, into the accounts of the reassessed investors with the Receiver General in
return for such investors agreement to object to their respective reassessments and to repay the Company any refund of the amount deposited
on their behalf upon resolution of the Company’s appeal. During 2021 and 2022, the Company deposited $9.3 million into the accounts
of certain investors with the Receiver General. The deposits made have been recorded as long-term receivables on the statement of financial
position. The potential tax indemnification to the investors is estimated to be $10.8 million, plus $3.5 million potential interest.
No provision has been recorded related to the tax, potential interest, nor the potential indemnity as the Company and its advisors do
not consider it probable that there will ultimately be an amount payable.
| 16. | Commitments
and contingencies |
| |
Payments due by years | |
($000s) | |
Total | | |
2024 | | |
2025-26 | | |
2027-28 | | |
2029-30 | |
2022 Secured Note – interest | |
| 123,625 | | |
| 4,945 | | |
| 39,560 | | |
| 39,560 | | |
| 39,560 | |
2023 Secured Note – interest | |
| 101,607 | | |
| - | | |
| 48,859 | | |
| 26,374 | | |
| 26,374 | |
Capital expenditure obligations | |
| 20,210 | | |
| 20,210 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Flow-through share expenditures | |
| 16,125 | | |
| - | | |
| 16,125 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Mineral interests | |
| 7,530 | | |
| - | | |
| 1,634 | | |
| 2,510 | | |
| 3,386 | |
Lease obligation | |
| 2,707 | | |
| 263 | | |
| 1,109 | | |
| 881 | | |
| 454 | |
| |
| 271,804 | | |
| 25,418 | | |
| 107,287 | | |
| 69,325 | | |
| 69,774 | |
In
2022, the Company entered into a Facilities Agreement with BC Hydro covering the design and construction of facilities by BC Hydro to
supply construction phase hydro-sourced electricity to the KSM Project. The Facilities Agreement was amended in first quarter of 2024.
The
cost to complete the construction is estimated to be $32.9 million of which the Company had paid $24.9 million to BC Hydro as at December
31, 2023, and the remaining balance was paid during the first quarter of 2024. In addition, the Facilities Agreement requires $59.8 million
in security or cash from the Company for BC Hydro system reinforcement which is required to make the power available of which the Company
had paid $57.1 million to BC Hydro as at December 31, 2023, and the remaining balance was paid during the first quarter of 2024. The
$59.8 million system reinforcement security will be forgiven annually, typically over a period of less than 8 years, based on project
power consumption. On March 21, 2024, the Company signed an amendment to the Facilities Agreement with BC Hydro for additional payments
scheduled for $14.0 million in July 2024 and $40.0 million in December 2024. As at September 30, 2024, prepayments to complete the design
and construction amounted to $106.7 million inclusive of $14.0 million which was accrued during the second quarter of 2024 and paid during
the current quarter.
Prior
to its maturity, the 2022 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5%, or US$14.6 million per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The Company
can elect to satisfy interest payments in cash or by delivering common shares.
Prior
to its maturity, the 2023 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5% or US$9.8 million per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. Payment of quarterly
interest due from the closing date to the second anniversary is deferred and US$21.5 million must be paid on or before 30 months after
the closing date. Ongoing quarterly interest can be satisfied by way of cash, common shares or increasing the NSR percentage from 1 to
1.2%. Refer to Note 9 for details on the secured note liabilities.
Exhibit
99.2
SEABRIDGE
GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
THIRD
QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER
30, 2024
CONTENTS
COMPANY OVERVIEW |
2 |
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
3 |
SUSTAINABILITY |
4 |
OUTLOOK |
6 |
FINANCIAL RESULTS |
8 |
FINANCIAL CONDITION REVIEW |
13 |
KSM SITE CAPTURE AND EARLY WORKS |
16 |
MINERAL INTERESTS |
18 |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
23 |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
27 |
OTHER CONTINGENCIES |
28 |
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
29 |
SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING |
30 |
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS |
30 |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES |
30 |
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES |
30 |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
30 |
SEABRIDGE
GOLD INC.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This
management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of Seabridge Gold Inc. (“Seabridge” or the “Company”)
and its subsidiary companies, dated November 13, 2024, is intended to supplement and complement the unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements and related notes (“consolidated interim financial statements”) as at and for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2024. It should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements and annual
management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the 2023 Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+
at www.sedarplus.ca. Other corporate documents are also available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR as well as the Company’s website www.seabridgegold.com.
This MD&A contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, as discussed in the “Cautionary Note
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this MD&A. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
As the Company has no operating projects at this time, its ability to carry out its business plan rests on its ability to sell projects
or to secure equity and other financings. All dollar figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Figures in some tables
may not add up due to rounding.
The
consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the comparative period have been
prepared by the Company in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
(“IASB”).
COMPANY
OVERVIEW
Seabridge
Gold Inc. is a company engaged in acquiring, exploring, and advancing of mineral properties, with an emphasis on gold resources, located
in Canada and the United States of America. The Company’s objective is to provide its shareholders with exceptional leverage to
a rising gold price and additional exposure to copper from significant copper resources it has acquired and discovered. The Company’s
business plan is to increase its mineral resources in the ground, through exploration, but not to go into production on its own. The
Company intends to sell projects or participate in joint ventures towards production with major mining companies. Since its inception
in 1999, Seabridge has acquired interests in numerous advanced-stage gold projects situated in North America and its principal projects
include the KSM property located in British Columbia and the Courageous Lake property located in the Northwest Territories. The Company
also holds a 100% interest in the Iskut Project in British Columbia, the 3 Aces Project in Yukon and the Snowstorm Project in Nevada.
Although focused on gold exploration, the Company has made significant copper discoveries, in particular, at KSM. Seabridge’s common
shares trade in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEA” and in the United States on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol “SA”.
OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
OPERATING
HIGHLIGHTS
● | On July 26, 2024, the
company received its Substantially Started designation from the British Columbia Government (“BC Government”). This
designation affirms the validity of the BC Environmental Assessment Certificate (“EAC”) for the life of the KSM
Project |
● | KSM’s
License of Occupation for Mitchell Treaty Tunnels extended for 20 years |
● | Significant
gold-copper drill intersections at Iskut indicating potential nearby porphyry intrusion |
● | Completed
evaluation of Central Core Area and Regional Targets at 3 Aces |
● | In
the first quarter of 2024, the Company filed an updated NI 43-101 Courageous Lake Technical Report showcasing a considerably more profitable
mining operation and incorporating design changes that improve its performance on certain sustainability measures compared to its 2012
predecessor. This update projects a more profitable venture with reduced initial capital requirements and a lower strip ratio. |
| Ø | 38%
increase in estimated measured and indicated gold resources from 8.0 million to 11.0 million ounces (145.2 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.36 grams of gold
per tonne) |
| Ø | The
2024 PFS open pit mine plan produces 2.5 million ounces of gold over 12.6 years with a Base Case after-tax NPV of 5% of US$523 million
using the 3-year trailing average gold price of US$1,850/oz and consensus long-term forecast forex of 0.74 US$/C$ |
| Ø | Sensitivity
of the economic results to the gold price assumption is shown in the table below. |
| |
| |
Lower Case | | |
Base Case | | |
Recent High Spot Case (03 Dec 2023) | | |
High Case | |
Gold Price | |
US$/Oz | |
$ | 1,750 | | |
$ | 1,850 | | |
$ | 2,130 | | |
$ | 2,500 | |
NPV (5%) | |
US$ Millions | |
$ | 410 | | |
$ | 523 | | |
$ | 836 | | |
$ | 1,134 | |
IRR | |
% | |
| 17.5 | % | |
| 20.6 | % | |
| 28.5 | % | |
| 38.2 | % |
Payback | |
years | |
| 3.2 | | |
| 2.8 | | |
| 2.0 | | |
| 1.6 | |
The
Technical Report may be viewed on the Company’s website under the Projects – Courageous Lake tab.
● | At
KSM, in the first quarter of 2024, the Company updated the Mineral Resource Estimates for
the Iron Cap and Kerr deposits. |
| Ø | Inferred
mineral resources increased by 5.9 million ounces of Gold, 3.3 billion pounds of copper,
55.4 million ounces of silver, and 51 million pounds of molybdenum |
| Ø | Indicated
mineral resources increased by 0.3 million ounces of gold, 0.2 billion pounds of copper,
3.5 million ounces of silver, and 2 million pounds of molybdenum. |
● | Published
the Company’s 2023 Sustainability Report |
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share
data) | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Remeasurement gain (loss) on secured note liabilities through profit and loss | |
| (42,035 | ) | |
| 11,742 | | |
| 40,720 | | |
| 10375 | |
Remeasurement gain on secured note liabilities through other comprehensive income | |
| 15,521 | | |
| (32,063 | ) | |
| 49,600 | | |
| (30,936 | ) |
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| 5,974 | | |
| (12,018 | ) | |
| (13,377 | ) | |
| (5,736 | ) |
Corporate and administrative expenses | |
| (4,000 | ) | |
| (3,729 | ) | |
| (13,446 | ) | |
| (11,598 | ) |
Income tax (expense) recovery | |
| 8,591 | | |
| (6,350 | ) | |
| (12,812 | ) | |
| (5,482 | ) |
Cash used in operating activities | |
| (1,394 | ) | |
| (5,256 | ) | |
| (11,420 | ) | |
| (14,196 | ) |
Cash used in investing activities | |
| (42,046 | ) | |
| (83,656 | ) | |
| (93,517 | ) | |
| (138,910 | ) |
Cash from financing activities | |
| 23,702 | | |
| 4,548 | | |
| 73,466 | | |
| 225,464 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Share data | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | |
| (0.31 | ) | |
| (0.06 | ) | |
| 0.11 | | |
| (0.09 | ) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | |
| (0.31 | ) | |
| (0.06 | ) | |
| 0.11 | | |
| (0.09 | ) |
Share price as at September 30 (TSX - Canadian dollars) | |
| 22.74 | | |
| 14.28 | | |
| 22.74 | | |
| 14.28 | |
Weighted average outstanding shares (basic) (millions) | |
| 89.6 | | |
| 83.5 | | |
| 88.0 | | |
| 82.5 | |
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) | |
September 30,
2024 | | |
December 31,
2023 | |
| |
| | |
| |
Balance sheet information | |
| | |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| 51,162 | | |
| 82,438 | |
Mineral interests, property and equipment | |
| 1,220,438 | | |
| 1,128,464 | |
Long-term receivables | |
| 119,947 | | |
| 105,947 | |
Secured note liabilities | |
| 506,891 | | |
| 573,888 | |
SUSTAINABILITY
Management
and the Board of Directors consider more than just environmental, social and governance issues when considering Sustainability. The Company
also takes into account diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to form our overall approach to Sustainability. Thus, the Board of Directors
and management has incorporated Sustainability into the Company’s goals, priorities, and strategies to operate safely, sustainably, and
with the highest governance standards. The Board of Directors has established a Sustainability Committee and granted that Committee oversight
responsibilities with respect to the Company’s Sustainability initiatives. This Committee reviews climate-related risks and opportunities
each time they meet and shares key discussion points with the full Board of Directors. The Company’s Sustainability strategy encompasses
its Sustainability Policy, a strategic framework, and the Company’s Sustainability reporting practice. The Sustainability Policy
guides the decisions and behaviors of the Company’s employees, contractors, and the Board of Directors. The policy also governs
the strategic framework and Sustainability goals. The Company publishes its Sustainability Report annually covering its performance on
measures of Sustainability and approach to participating in the fight against climate change for the preceding year. As the Company operates
in the natural resource extraction industry, the Company strives to achieve high operating standards, assessing and mitigating impacts
on the physical environment and supporting the communities in which the Company operates.
During
the second current quarter, the Company published its 2023 Sustainability Report which covers many aspects of sustainability, from enhancing
the benefits of our exploration activities to our Treaty and First Nation partners to supporting the social and economic infrastructure
essential to the well-being of our surrounding communities. The report provides insights into the sustainability challenges we face and
the measures we are taking to meet those challenges.
The
report also outlines achievements made in the realm of diversity and inclusion at the Board of Directors level and throughout the organization.
The Company has added Indigenous representation on the Board and has increased Indigenous participation in our management team. At the
board level, 36% of our Directors are women and 60% board committees are chaired by women and on the Company’s executive team,
female representation is at 30%. The report also documents the evolution of a safety culture in the Company, detailing the comprehensive
safety practices introduced in 2023 and the procedures for measuring our progress that have been implemented.
The
Sustainability Committee continued the work of assessing our climate and nature-related risks and opportunities. We continue to look
for additional opportunities to decarbonize and optimize our project design.
The
Sustainability report was prepared with select disclosures and guidance from the Sustainability Standards Accounting Board Metals and
Mining Industry Standards and the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, as well as metrics designed for specifically for the Company
relating to culture, communities and local engagement.
The
2023 Sustainability Report includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, compliant with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial
Disclosures and subsequent to the quarter end, made submissions for the Climate Disclosure Project scoring that will provide
feedback to the Company of its disclosure and environmental performance. Although this reporting is in advance of mandatory
reporting, the Company believes the time and resources required to develop the processes, including embedded internal controls over
those processes is considerable and further believes the voluntary disclosures will aid in the evolution of its
reporting.
Management
and the Board of Directors attend workshops to identify, assess and develop plans for relevant climate-related risks and opportunities.
The workshops also act to prioritize identified threats, risks and opportunities for the development of action plans. Threats or risks
are those associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy, and physical impact risks due to climate change. And finally, scenario
analysis is used to assess potential implications to the Company as a whole. The scenarios used by management and the Board of Directors
are those developed by the Network for Greening the Financial System and entail evaluating physical and transition risks and impacts
to the Company under three future climate change outcomes and three-time horizons. Each scenario and time frame illustrates the highest
potential impact and the level of action needed but also common impacts amongst all scenarios. Although potential impacts have been identified
such as supply chain instability, increasing investor expectations, extreme weather events and metals price volatility, there are currently
no near-term material climate-related risks or opportunities identified within all of these approaches and processes completed by the
Company. All risks and uncertainties are discussed within the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca, and the Annual Report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
In
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and to the date of this report, the Company had no significant environmental and safety incidents
or concerns that required reporting to government agencies or other regulators.
In
addition to the Sustainability Policy, the Company has also implemented its Environmental Policy; Health and Safety Policy including
a separate policy on discrimination, bullying, harassment, and violence; a Workplace Employment Policy; and its Policy Statement on Diversity.
The Sustainability Reports, including climate strategy, and all of the Company’s policies related to ESG can be found on the Company’s
website www.seabridgegold.com.
OUTLOOK
KSM
Project
The
Company continues its pursuit of a joint venture agreement on the KSM Project with a suitable partner on terms advantageous to the Company,
since it does not intend to build or operate the project alone. The KSM Project includes multiple deposits and provides a joint venture
partner, or purchaser, flexibility in the design of the project. The 2022 KSM PFS includes recommendations on additional work that could
be completed to advance the project, including budget estimates. The work that a joint venture partner might choose to complete could
include some or all of this recommended work and may include significantly more work, and so the timing and cost for a joint venture
partner to conclude the recommended work or a feasibility study is difficult to predict. The Company plans its work to advance the KSM
Project on an annual basis; when the results of one year’s work have been received and analyzed, planning for the next year begins.
While planning its programs, the Company will consider the recommended work in the PFS, but the Company will decide work based on its
priorities and available financing, the results of its advancement work and the items it believes are best left for a joint venture partner
to decide. Plans and objectives for each year are announced in the second quarter of each year and budgets are established at the beginning
of each year.
On
January 17, 2024, the Company filed its application for the Substantially Started designation for KSM and in July 2024, the Company
received its Substantially Started designation from the BC Government for the project. This designation affirms the validity of
the BC Environmental Assessment Certificate (“EAC”), for the life of the KSM Project, significantly reducing project
risk.
In
order to apply for the Substantially Started designation for KSM, in 2023, the Company completed infrastructure work including the construction
of fish habitat offsetting ponds, powerline installations, road and bridge, and camp construction. In the current year, the Company continues
early works activities, focusing on the continued construction of the power substation but also includes the clearing of additional sites
for the location of the proposed additional infrastructure along with other technical and environmental activities.
The
Company has only prepared preliminary estimates for the cost of additional work at KSM and certain of the work requires further engineering
before reasonable cost estimates can be established. The Company’s budget for 2024 activities is estimated at $113.1 million that
includes a $54 million prepayment to BC Hydro, $46.9 million site capture and early works, and $12.2 million environmental and social,
technical and engineering and other holding or property costs. The budgeted work, to date and for the remainder of 2024, has been and
will be funded with cash on hand as well as funds raised through the Company’s At-The-Market (“ATM”) offering and other
potential financings.
Iskut
Project
At
Iskut, the Company conducted its planned 2024 exploration program, including more than 23,000 meters of diamond drilling for a copper/gold
porphyry deposit at Snip North, and Bronson Slope targets. Drilling has generated broad widths of important gold and copper grades within
a large potassic alteration system at the Snip North target. The scale and character of the mineralization suggest the likelihood of
a nearby porphyry intrusive source. The drill programs were extended from the original plan of 12,500 meters and tested for the source
copper-gold porphyry that has driven the intermediate sulfidation epithermal mineral systems recognized in the 2023 program. The Bronson
Slope mineral resource and the discovery, in 2023, of similar mineralization at Snip North are interpreted to be high-level expressions
of intrusive-related porphyry mineralization. Drilling concentrated on Snip North after identifying a clear relationship between copper
and gold grades that are related to the source intrusive-related mineralization. Three helicopter-portable drill rigs were employed to
complete the 23,000 meters of core drilling this year, at a cost of $13.5 million versus a budgeted cost of $12.0 million.
The
next objective at Snip North is to intersect intrusive rock with the veining and alteration characteristic of a copper and gold porphyry
deposit.
Environmental
work continues on the reclamation and closure plan for the Johnny Mountain mine. Along with other non-reclamation environmental work,
project carrying costs, and payroll cost allocation, an additional $2.9 million is expected to be incurred for a total planned spend
of $14.8 million for all of 2024.
3
Aces Project
In
2024, at the 3 Aces Project, the Company undertook a $8.4 million exploration program on the 357 km2 project which included drill testing
three priority resource expansion targets in the Central Core Area, completing a surface evaluation of three regional targets, reverse
circulation drilling of two priority regional targets and completing a regional exploration model, prioritizing targets throughout the
property for resource definition in 2025. The Company is pursuing an exploration model that predicts gold is localized along second-order
folds. Geological observations so far have documented regional continuity of these phyllite-sandstone contacts.
Additional
environmental, technical work and carrying costs for the project amounted to $2.7 million of spending bringing the project’s total
above the budget of $8.4 million.
Snowstorm
Project
At
Snowstorm, a $1.1 million program was conducted to confirm permits for the Goldstorm target and investigate indirect exploration tools
to enhance opportunities for the discovery of a Getchell-style deposit. A program to deploy new technology for discovery of Getchell-style
mineralization at Snowstorm is under development. A summary report on Goldstorm targets and recommendations is anticipated for year
end.
Courageous
Lake Project
No
significant spending is expected for the Courageous Lake Project as the Company completed and filed the 2024 PFS.
The Company is exploring
various alternatives for raising the funding necessary to fund operations and meeting its established objectives. Financing options include
the sale of shares, including a possible financing under a Prospectus Supplement to its existing Base Shelf Prospectus, share sales through
its ATM program, the sale of a royalty or streaming interest in the KSM Project or other projects, funding from a joint venture partner
as part of earning into an interest in the KSM Project and the sale of all or some of Company’s assets.
FINANCIAL
RESULTS
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
(in thousands
of Canadian dollars except where noted) | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Remeasurement gain (loss) on secured note liabilities through profit and loss | |
| (42,035 | ) | |
| 11,742 | | |
| 40,720 | | |
| 10,375 | |
Corporate and administrative expenses | |
| (4,000 | ) | |
| (3,729 | ) | |
| (13,446 | ) | |
| (11,598 | ) |
Other income - flow-through shares | |
| 3,844 | | |
| 2,596 | | |
| 6,197 | | |
| 4,112 | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| 5,474 | | |
| (11,105 | ) | |
| (13,178 | ) | |
| (5,407 | ) |
Finance costs and other | |
| (321 | ) | |
| (174 | ) | |
| (485 | ) | |
| (2,318 | ) |
Interest income | |
| 896 | | |
| 1,728 | | |
| 2,521 | | |
| 3,227 | |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | |
| (36,142 | ) | |
| 1,058 | | |
| 22,329 | | |
| (1,609 | ) |
Income tax (expense) recovery | |
| 8,591 | | |
| (6,350 | ) | |
| (12,812 | ) | |
| (5,482 | ) |
Net profit (loss) for the period | |
| (27,551 | ) | |
| (5,292 | ) | |
| 9,517 | | |
| (7,091 | ) |
During
the current quarter, the Company recorded net loss of $27.6 million, or $0.31 loss per share, on both a basic and diluted basis. During
the comparative period of 2023, the Company recorded a net loss of $5.3 million, or $0.06 loss per share, on both a basic and diluted
basis.
During
the nine months of 2024, the Company recorded net earnings of $9.5 million, or $0.11 per share, on both a basic and diluted basis. During
the comparative period of 2023, the Company recorded a net loss of $7.1 million, or $0.09 loss per share, on both a basic and diluted
basis.
Re-measurement
gain (loss) on secured note liabilities through profit and loss
During
the three months ended September 30, 2024, the loss recognized on the remeasurement of the secured note liabilities was primarily driven
by a decrease in discount rates, higher metal prices, offset by interest payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the
gain recognized on the remeasurement of the secured note liabilities was the net result of gains due to an increase in discount rates,
re-estimating timelines for achieving key milestones and full development of the project to commercial production, and payment of interest,
offset by higher metal prices, and the change in the valuation date.
During
the third quarter of 2023, the gain recognized on the remeasurement of secured note liabilities was the net result of gains due to
a payment of interest, partially offset by losses due to a decrease in discount rates and the impact of a change in
the valuation date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the gain recognized on the remeasurement of secured note
liabilities was the net result of gain due to an increase in discount, partially offset by rates losses due to an increase
in metal price assumptions and the impact of a change in the valuation date.
Corporate
and administrative expenses
Corporate
and administrative expenses are outlined below:
| |
Three months ended
September 30, | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, | |
($000s) | |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Employee compensation | |
| 1,300 | | |
| 1,320 | | |
| 4,658 | | |
| 4,405 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 833 | | |
| 766 | | |
| 2,880 | | |
| 2,493 | |
Professional fees | |
| 1,214 | | |
| 886 | | |
| 3,129 | | |
| 1,822 | |
Other general and administrative | |
| 653 | | |
| 757 | | |
| 2,779 | | |
| 2,878 | |
| |
| 4,000 | | |
| 3,729 | | |
| 13,446 | | |
| 11,598 | |
Total
corporate and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $4.0 million compared to $3.7 million in the
prior year quarter. The increase was mainly due to higher professional fees. Professional fees increased by $0.3 million mainly due to
the higher legal fees associated with the tax audits (discussed below).
Total
corporate and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $13.4 million compared to $11.6 million in the
prior year. The increase was mainly due to higher professional fees, and higher stock compensation expenses. Professional fees increased
by $1.3 million mainly due to the higher costs associated with external consulting, due diligence costs, and higher legal fees associated
with the tax audits.
Stock-based
compensation expense related to restricted share units (“RSUs”) increased by $0.4 million in the nine months of 2024 compared
to the prior year. The increase was primarily attributed to the higher number of unvested RSUs being amortized in the current period
compared to the comparative period. As of September 30, 2024, 571,593 RSUs were outstanding compared to 335,266 RSUs outstanding on September
30, 2023. The Company’s stock-based compensation expenses and the RSUs are illustrated in the following tables:
| |
| | | |
($000s) | | |
RSUs granted | |
| Number of RSUs | | |
| Grant date fair value | | |
| Expensed prior to 2023 | | |
| Expensed in 2023 | | |
| Expensed in 2024 | | |
| Balance to be expensed | |
June 24, 2021 | |
| 10,000 | | |
| 222 | | |
| 185 | | |
| 37 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
September 1, 2021 | |
| 20,000 | | |
| 454 | | |
| 379 | | |
| 75 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
September 7, 2021 | |
| 10,000 | | |
| 229 | | |
| 191 | | |
| 38 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
October 1, 2021 | |
| 10,000 | | |
| 195 | | |
| 146 | | |
| 49 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
July 4, 2022 | |
| 10,000 | | |
| 159 | | |
| 52 | | |
| 81 | | |
| 26 | | |
| - | |
December 13, 2022 | |
| 305,266 | | |
| 4,991 | | |
| 135 | | |
| 2,820 | | |
| 1,277 | | |
| 759 | |
June 28, 2023 | |
| 20,000 | | |
| 312 | | |
| - | | |
| 52 | | |
| 78 | | |
| 182 | |
December 11, 2023 | |
| 379,300 | | |
| 4,640 | | |
| - | | |
| 117 | | |
| 1,499 | | |
| 3,024 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| 1,088 | | |
| 3,269 | | |
| 2,880 | | |
| 3,965 | |
During
the fourth quarter of 2023, 379,300 RSUs were issued, with 48,300 RSUs granted to Board members, 277,500 RSUs granted to executive members,
and 53,500 RSUs granted to employees. On December 11, 2023, 11,840 RSUs were vested, representing 1/3 of the RSUs granted to employees
in 2022. During Q1 2024 and upon the Company submitting its formal application to BC regulators for the KSM Project to be designated
as Substantially Started, 58,066 RSUs, granted in 2022, vested. During Q3 2024, upon the Company receiving its Substantially Started
designation from the BC Government, 58,067 RSUs, granted in 2022, vested.
Foreign
exchange
| |
Three
months ended
September 30, | | |
| Nine
months ended
September 30, | |
($000s) | |
| 2024 | | |
| 2023 | | |
| 2024 | | |
| 2023 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| 5,974 | | |
| (12,018 | ) | |
| (13,377 | ) | |
| (5,736 | ) |
Realized foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| (500 | ) | |
| 913 | | |
| 199 | | |
| 329 | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| 5,474 | | |
| (11,105 | ) | |
| (13,178 | ) | |
| (5,407 | ) |
Movements
in foreign exchange are primarily due to the revaluation of monetary assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the appreciation
or depreciation of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar in the current period.
The
secured note liabilities are denominated in US dollar. The impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the valuation of the secured
note liabilities is recorded as foreign exchange gain (loss) on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
income (loss). The remaining foreign exchange gains or losses are primarily related to the revaluation of cash and cash equivalents denominated
in US dollars. Appreciation of Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar during the current quarter, resulted in a foreign exchange
gain on the revaluation of secured note liabilities, and conversely a foreign exchange loss on the revaluation cash and cash equivalents
denominated in US dollars.
Other
income - flow-through shares
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized $3.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of other income
related to the flow-through share premium recorded on the financing completed in December 2023 and June 2024 (discussed below). During
the comparative periods, the Company recognized $2.6 million and $4.1 million of other income related to the flow-through share premium
recorded on the financing completed in December 2022.
Finance
costs, interest expense and other losses
Finance
costs and other amounted to $0.3 million and $0.5 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared
to $0.2 million and $2.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The higher finance costs incurred
in 2023 were primarily related to the 2023 Secured Note financing.
Interest
income
Interest
income recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $0.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively,
compared to $1.7 million and $3.2 million for the same periods in the prior year. The interest income resulted from interest earned on
cash and cash equivalents during those periods. Higher interest income earned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023,
was mainly due to higher cash balances during those periods when compared to the same periods in 2024.
Tax
expense
During
the current quarter, the Company recognized income tax recovery of $8.6 million, primarily due to the taxes arising from the losses during
the period, including the loss recognized on remeasurement of the fair value of the secured note liabilities, partially offset by foreign
exchange gain and from the renouncement of expenditures related to the flow-through shares issued, which are capitalized for accounting
purposes.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized income tax expense of $12.8 million, primarily due to the deferred tax
liability arising from the gain recognized on remeasurement of the fair value of the secured note liabilities and renouncement of expenditures
related to the flow-through shares issued, which are capitalized for accounting purposes, partially offset by income tax recovery arising
from the losses, including foreign exchange loss, in the period.
For
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the income tax related to the portion of the revaluation of the secured note liabilities
recorded through other comprehensive income (loss) was $4.2 million and $13.4 million, respectively, and was recorded through other comprehensive
income (loss).
During
the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized income tax expense of $6.4 million, primarily due to the deferred tax
liability arising from the gain recognized on remeasurement of the fair value of the 2022 Secured Note, and the renouncement of expenditures
related to the December 2022 flow-through shares issued which are capitalized for accounting purposes. The income tax expense was partially
offset by income tax recovery arising from the foreign exchange loss and other losses in the period.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized income tax expense of $5.5 million, primarily due to the deferred tax
liability arising from the gain recognized on remeasurement of the fair value of the 2022 Secured Notes, and from the renouncement of
expenditures related to the December 2022 flow-through shares issued which are capitalized for accounting purposes, offset by the foreign
exchange loss and other losses during the period. The income tax impact of the revaluation of the 2022 Secured Note that was recorded
through other comprehensive income (loss) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, of $3.7 million and $3.4 million
respectively, was also recorded through other comprehensive income (loss).
QUARTERLY
INFORMATION
Selected
financial information for the last eight quarters ending September 30, 2024 is as follows:
| |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) | |
Q3 | | |
Q2 | | |
Q1 | | |
Q4 | | |
Q3 | | |
Q2 | | |
Q1 | | |
Q4 | |
Revenue | |
- | | |
- | | |
- | | |
- | | |
- | | |
- | | |
- | | |
- | |
Earnings (loss) for the period | |
| (27,551 | ) | |
| 45,241 | | |
| (8,173 | ) | |
| (22,175 | ) | |
| (5,292 | ) | |
| 8,985 | | |
| (10,784 | ) | |
| (25,246 | ) |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | |
| (0.31 | ) | |
| 0.51 | | |
| (0.09 | ) | |
| (0.26 | ) | |
| (0.06 | ) | |
| 0.11 | | |
| (0.13 | ) | |
| (0.31 | ) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | |
| (0.31 | ) | |
| 0.51 | | |
| (0.09 | ) | |
| (0.26 | ) | |
| (0.06 | ) | |
| 0.11 | | |
| (0.13 | ) | |
| (0.31 | ) |
Change
in the fair value of the secured note liabilities is summarized in the following table:
| |
2024 | | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) | |
Q3 | | |
Q2 | | |
Q1 | | |
Q4 | | |
Q3 | | |
Q2 | | |
Q1 | | |
Q4 | |
Change in fair value through profit or loss: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Remeasurement gain (loss) on secured note liabilities through profit and loss | |
| (42,035 | ) | |
| 68,115 | | |
| 14,640 | | |
| (40,065 | ) | |
| 11,742 | | |
| 10,379 | | |
| (11,746 | ) | |
| (19,496 | ) |
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) | |
| 5,972 | | |
| (5,997 | ) | |
| (13,351 | ) | |
| 14,881 | | |
| (12,013 | ) | |
| 5,723 | | |
| 559 | | |
| (423 | ) |
Total change in fair value gain (loss) through profit or loss | |
| (36,063 | ) | |
| 62,118 | | |
| 1,289 | | |
| (25,184 | ) | |
| (271 | ) | |
| 16,102 | | |
| (11,187 | ) | |
| (19,919 | ) |
Remeasurement gain (loss) on secured note liabilities through other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| 15,521 | | |
| 55,430 | | |
| (21,351 | ) | |
| (53,457 | ) | |
| (32,063 | ) | |
| 8,728 | | |
| (7,601 | ) | |
| (22,961 | ) |
Capitalized deferred interest 1 | |
| (3,325 | ) | |
| (3,335 | ) | |
| (3,287 | ) | |
| (6,588 | ) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Total change in fair value | |
| (23,867 | ) | |
| 114,213 | | |
| (23,349 | ) | |
| (85,229 | ) | |
| (32,334 | ) | |
| 24,830 | | |
| (18,788 | ) | |
| (42,880 | ) |
1) | Deferred
interest expense related to the 2023 Secured Note was classified as capitalized borrowing costs. |
FINANCIAL
CONDITION REVIEW
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) | |
September 30,
2024 | | |
December 31,
2023 | |
| |
| | |
| |
Balance sheet information | |
| | |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| 51,162 | | |
| 82,438 | |
Other current assets | |
| 12,932 | | |
| 11,513 | |
Non-current assets | |
| 1,363,626 | | |
| 1,257,008 | |
Total assets | |
| 1,427,720 | | |
| 1,350,959 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Current liabilities | |
| 28,070 | | |
| 39,409 | |
Non-current liabilities excluding secured note liabilities | |
| 29,905 | | |
| 7,739 | |
Secured note liabilities | |
| 506,891 | | |
| 573,888 | |
Total liabilities | |
| 564,866 | | |
| 621,036 | |
Total equity | |
| 862,854 | | |
| 729,923 | |
Total liabilities and equity | |
| 1,427,720 | | |
| 1,350,959 | |
Cash
and cash equivalents
Cash
and cash equivalents decreased mainly as a result of cash used in investing and operating activities, partially offset by cash raised
under the Company’s ATM program and flow-through financing (discussed below).
Other
current assets
Other
current assets primarily consist of HST and other receivables, prepaids, and investments. The increase in other current assets in 2024
was mainly due to a $4.3 million reclamation deposit refund from the BC government that was received subsequent to the quarter end, and
$1.3 million increase in market value of marketable securities, offset by $2.8 million decrease in HST receivable. The $4.3 million reclamation
deposit was originally made in cash, and it was replaced with a letter of credit in June 2024.
Non-current
assets
Non-current
assets consist primarily of mineral interests, property and equipment, long-term receivables, reclamation deposits, and investment in
associate. The increase relative to the prior-year period was primarily due to investment in mineral interests, property, and equipment
at KSM, Iskut and 3 Aces projects, and a $14.0 million deposit made with BC Hydro.
Current
liabilities
Current
liabilities primarily consist of trade and other payables. The lower current liabilities on September 30, 2024 when compared to December
31, 2023, were mainly due to the payment of $10.6 million to BC Hydro, which was accrued in December 2023 and paid in 2024, partially
offset by the reclassification of reclamation obligations from long-term to short-term.
Non-current
liabilities
Non-current
liabilities excluding secured note liabilities consist primarily of deferred income tax liabilities, provision for reclamation liabilities,
and lease obligations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized deferred income tax liability of $26.0
million (as at December 31, 2023 – nil) primarily due to the liability arising from the gain recognized on the remeasurement of
the fair value of the secured note liabilities.
Secured
notes liabilities
Secured
notes liabilities consist of the U.S. dollar-denominated 2022 and the 2023 secured notes. The fair value of the secured note liabilities
decreased relative to the prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in discount rates, re-estimating timelines for the development
of the project to commercial production, and settlement of interest. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in fair value resulting
from narrower credit spreads, higher metal prices, the appreciation of the U.S. dollar compared to the Canadian dollar, and the impact
of valuing the notes at reporting periods closer to maturity.
The
change in the fair value of the secured note liabilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and the prior-year
period is summarized in the following table:
| |
Three
months ended
September 30, | | |
| Nine
months ended
September 30, | |
($000s) | |
| 2024 | | |
| 2023 | | |
| 2024 | | |
| 2023 | |
2022 Secured Note: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Remeasurement gain (loss) | |
| (11,940 | ) | |
| 19,793 | | |
| 12,972 | | |
| 18,426 | |
Foreign Exchange gain (loss) | |
| 3,167 | | |
| (6,643 | ) | |
| (6,742 | ) | |
| (587 | ) |
Total gain (loss) through profit or loss | |
| (8,773 | ) | |
| 13,150 | | |
| 6,230 | | |
| 17,839 | |
Gain (loss) through other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| 6,245 | | |
| (13,546 | ) | |
| 22,222 | | |
| (12,419 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in fair value during the period | |
| (2,528 | ) | |
| (396 | ) | |
| 28,452 | | |
| 5,420 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2023 Secured Note: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Remeasurement gain (loss) | |
| (33,420 | ) | |
| (8,051 | ) | |
| 17,801 | | |
| (8,051 | ) |
Foreign Exchange gain (loss) | |
| 2,805 | | |
| (5,370 | ) | |
| (6,633 | ) | |
| (5,145 | ) |
Total gain (loss) through profit or loss | |
| (30,615 | ) | |
| (13,421 | ) | |
| 11,168 | | |
| (13,196 | ) |
Gain (loss) through other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| 9,276 | | |
| (18,517 | ) | |
| 27,378 | | |
| (18,517 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in fair value during the period | |
| (21,339 | ) | |
| (31,938 | ) | |
| 38,546 | | |
| (31,713 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2022 and 2023 Secured Notes: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Remeasurement gain (loss) | |
| (45,360 | ) | |
| 11,742 | | |
| 30,773 | | |
| 10,375 | |
Foreign Exchange gain (loss) | |
| 5,972 | | |
| (12,013 | ) | |
| (13,375 | ) | |
| (5,732 | ) |
Total gain (loss) through profit or loss | |
| (39,388 | ) | |
| (271 | ) | |
| 17,398 | | |
| 4,643 | |
Gain (loss) through other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| 15,521 | | |
| (32,063 | ) | |
| 49,600 | | |
| (30,936 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in fair value during the period | |
| (23,867 | ) | |
| (32,334 | ) | |
| 66,998 | | |
| (26,293 | ) |
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the deferred interest related to the 2023 Secured Note, of $3.3 million and $9.9
million, respectively, was classified as capitalized borrowing costs.
The
company measures the fair value of its secured note liabilities using a discounted cash flow model with a Monte Carlo simulation. In
the second fiscal quarter, the Company re-estimated the timelines for achieving key milestones for commercial production. Key assumptions
in this model are summarized in the following tables:
2022
Secured Note:
Inputs and assumptions | |
September 30,
2024 | | |
September 30,
2023 | |
Forecast silver production in thousands of ounces | |
| 166,144 | | |
| 166,144 | |
Quoted future silver price as at June 30, 2031 | |
US$ | 37.05 | | |
US$ | 27.06 | |
Risk-free rate | |
| 4.1 | % | |
| 4.7 | % |
Credit spread | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| 4.7 | % |
Share price volatility | |
| 60 | % | |
| 60 | % |
Silver royalty discount factor | |
| 10.8 | % | |
| 9.6 | % |
2023
Secured Note:
Inputs and assumptions | |
September 30,
2024 | | |
September
30,
2023 | |
Forecast NSR: | |
| | |
| |
Gold in thousands of ounces | |
| 10,500 | | |
| 10,500 | |
Silver in thousands of ounces | |
| 29,876 | | |
| 29,876 | |
Copper in millions of pounds | |
| 19,322 | | |
| 19,322 | |
Molybdenum in millions of pounds | |
| 152 | | |
| 152 | |
Quoted future prices as at June 30, 2031 | |
| | | |
| | |
Gold per ounce | |
US$ | 3,078.09 | | |
US$ | 2,390.17 | |
Silver per ounce | |
US$ | 37.06 | | |
US$ | 27.06 | |
Copper per pound | |
US$ | 4.71 | | |
US$ | 3.96 | |
Molybdenum per pound | |
US$ | 27.63 | | |
US$ | 33.43 | |
Risk-free rate | |
| 4.1 | % | |
| 4.7 | % |
Credit spread | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| 4.7 | % |
Share price volatility | |
| 60 | % | |
| 60 | % |
NSR royalty discount factor | |
| 10.8 | % | |
| 9.6 | % |
The
fair value of the 2022 Secured Note and 2023 Secured Note were estimated using Level 3 inputs and is most sensitive to changes in discount
rates, metal prices, and forecasted production.
It
should be noted that the remeasurement of the secured note liabilities under IFRS leads to significant gains or losses over time due
to changes in the input variables. However, these swings in fair value will have no impact on the actual outcome of the notes at maturity.
Either the notes will be put back to the Company at the prescribed fixed price under the rights of the noteholders, or the notes will
be exchanged for the prescribed royalty and NSR, at maturity.
KSM
SITE CAPTURE AND EARLY WORKS
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024 the Company continued site capture and early infrastructure development activities that focused
on site power for construction and eventual production at KSM. In July 2024, the Company received its Substantially Started designation
from the BC Government for its 100% owned KSM Project. This designation affirms the validity of the BC Environmental Assessment
Certificate (“EAC”) for the life of the KSM Project.
Expenditures
related to site capture and early work program, started in 2021 and continued through 2024, are illustrated below:
($000s) | |
| Capital expenditures | | |
| Prepayments to BC Hydro1 | | |
| Capitalized borrowing costs 2 | | |
| Total | |
Cost | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
As at December 31, 2022 | |
| 178,299 | | |
| 38,500 | | |
| 14,735 | | |
| 231,534 | |
Additions | |
| 158,072 | | |
| 54,220 | | |
| 19,403 | | |
| 231,695 | |
As at December 31, 2023 | |
| 336,371 | | |
| 92,720 | | |
| 34,138 | | |
| 463,229 | |
Additions | |
| 31,727 | | |
| 14,000 | | |
| 24,339 | | |
| 70,066 | |
As at September 30, 2024 | |
| 368,098 | | |
| 106,720 | | |
| 58,477 | | |
| 533,295 | |
1) | In
2022, the Company entered into a Facilities Agreement with British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (“BC Hydro”) covering
the design and construction of facilities by BC Hydro to supply construction phase hydro-sourced electricity to the KSM Project. Pursuant
to signing the Facilities Agreement the Company has made $106.7 million in prepayments inclusive of $14 million which was paid in July
2024. These prepayments secure timelines for the KSM Project to draw power for construction and operating phases. |
2) | During
2024, the Company incurred $24.3 million (2023 - $19.4 million) of interest expense related to the secured note liabilities that are
capitalized at KSM as borrowing costs. The capitalized costs were net of $0.5 million (2023 - $6.9 million) of interest income earned
on temporary investments of the borrowed funds. |
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred $31.7 million on capital and camp operating expenditures, including Camp
11, Treaty Creek Access Road (“TCAR”), Taft Fish Habitat Offsetting Ponds, Bell Irving bridge maintenance, development of
Camp 11 potable water supply, supply of construction aggregates, consolidation of utilities, and completion of water management systems
(discussed below). In 2023, the Company incurred $157.9 million in capital expenditures including road, bridge, and camp construction,
hydro installations, fish habitat offsetting programs, and the acquisition and transport of construction equipment and vehicles (discussed
below).
Camp
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company directed its resources toward sourcing and developing a potable water well at Camp
11 including developing a new water well, procuring the pumping materials and engaged in the design and procurement of a water treatment
system. The company also completed a permanent stormwater discharge system and continued consolidating electrical utilities to reduce
reliance on multiple power generators and lower project fuel use and emissions. Actively pursuing cost savings measures has reduced forecasted
site annual operational costs by approximately $2 million.
Roads
and Bridges
In
2024, TCAR had numerous repairs performed including road and ditch cleaning, culvert rip rap reinforcements, regrading and cut bank erosion
repairs and recertification of temporary bridge infrastructure. Upper TCAR tree clearing commenced to support road design engineering
to Saddle. Upper TCAR tree clearing and path building took place in order to support engineering, and the engineering commenced. TCAR
from Highway 37 to KM 1.5 and the Bell Irving bridge continue to receive regular inspections and maintenance.
Coulter
Creek Access Road
In
2023, the construction of the Coulter Creek Access Road (“CCAR”) was completed to KM 3.2 at a cost of $9.5 million. The project
involved building the road and putting in measures to control water flow and prevent sediment buildup. No additional work on CCAR has
been conducted nor planned for 2024.
Fish
Habitat
The
Glacier Creek Fish Habitat Offsetting Program, including all bulk and final earthworks, fish habitat structures, specialty gravels, woody
debris, mulching, and revegetation, was successfully completed in 2023 at a total cost of $38.2 million. An additional revegetation planting
program was completed in the current quarter. Invasive species investigation and removal planning were completed.
Planning
for the Taft Creek Fish Habitat Offsetting program commenced in the second quarter and the decision has been made to prepare for construction
work in early 2025. Land clearing and earthworks for road and laydown construction commenced in the current quarter.
Land
Clearing for Project Infrastructure
In
order to further site investigation activities and in preparation for future work, in 2023 initial land-clearing activities took place
for many of the permanent infrastructure locations. These locations included Camp 5, the ore processing center, water diversion channel,
Mitchell portal pad, Mitchell temporary water treatment plant and muck pads, a water storage dam, and Mitchell Valley onsite roads. Planning
for additional work in 2025 is being conducted.
Hydro
Installation
In
2024, the Company continued its collaboration with BC Hydro for the extended construction of the Treaty Creek Terminal station. Substantial
progress was made with primary tasks accomplished and the ongoing placement of concrete equipment foundations. Negotiations and study
are currently in progress with BC Hydro to document and finalize costs to completion.
Pursuant
to signing a Facilities Agreement in 2022 and its amendment in March 2024, the Company has made $106.7 million of payments inclusive
of $14 million which was accrued during the second quarter of 2024 and paid in the current quarter. Subject to financing, an additional
$40 million deposit is scheduled to be paid in December 2024. The objective of the payments made to date, and scheduled for the remainder
of the year, is to have the extended transmission lines and the required reinforcement work completed by 2026, years prior to the estimated
time that power that will be required for operations. Should the scheduled payments not be made or should the work not be completed by
2026, we do not expect there to be significant impacts on the project or the critical path to operations.
MINERAL
INTERESTS
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company added an aggregate of $36.9 million (2023 - $69.7 million) of expenditures that
were attributed to mineral interests. The breakdown of the mineral interest expenditures by a project is illustrated in the following
table:
| |
Nine months ended
September 30, 2024 | | |
| Year ended
December 31, 2023 | |
($000s) | |
| Amount | | |
| Percentage | | |
| Amount | | |
| Percentage | |
KSM | |
| 10,528 | | |
| 29 | % | |
| 40,490 | | |
| 58 | % |
Iskut | |
| 15,294 | | |
| 41 | % | |
| 14,174 | | |
| 20 | % |
3 Aces | |
| 9,567 | | |
| 26 | % | |
| 6,651 | | |
| 10 | % |
Snowstorm | |
| 742 | | |
| 2 | % | |
| 4,897 | | |
| 7 | % |
Courageous Lake | |
| 752 | | |
| 2 | % | |
| 3,520 | | |
| 5 | % |
Total expenditures | |
| 36,883 | | |
| 100 | % | |
| 69,732 | | |
| 100 | % |
The
mineral interests’ activities by project are further discussed below.
KSM
Project
At
KSM, the projected economic results of the 2022 PFS with alternate scenarios are illustrated below.
Amounts expressed in US dollars | |
2022 PFS Base Case | | |
2022 PFS Recent Spot Case | | |
2022 PFS Alternate Case | |
Metal Prices: | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Gold ($/ounce) | |
| 1,742 | | |
| 1,850 | | |
| 1,500 | |
Copper ($/pound) | |
| 3.53 | | |
| 4.25 | | |
| 3.00 | |
Silver ($/ounce) | |
| 21.90 | | |
| 22.00 | | |
| 20.00 | |
Molybdenum ($/lb) | |
| 18.00 | | |
| 18.00 | | |
| 18.00 | |
US$/Cdn$ Exchange Rate: | |
| 0.77 | | |
| 0.77 | | |
| 0.77 | |
Cost Summary: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Operating
costs per ounce of gold produced (years 1 to 7) 1 | |
$ | 35 | | |
$ | -83 | | |
$ | 118 | |
Operating
costs per ounce of gold produced (life of mine) 1 | |
$ | 275 | | |
$ | 164 | | |
$ | 351 | |
Total
cost per ounce of gold produced (inclusive of all capital and closure) 1 | |
$ | 601 | | |
$ | 490 | | |
$ | 677 | |
Initial capital (billions) | |
$ | 6.4 | | |
$ | 6.4 | | |
$ | 6.4 | |
Sustaining capital (billions) | |
$ | 3.2 | | |
$ | 3.2 | | |
$ | 3.2 | |
Unit operating cost (US$/tonne) | |
$ | 11.36 | | |
$ | 11.36 | | |
$ | 11.36 | |
Pre-Tax Results: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net Cash Flow (billions) | |
$ | 38.6 | | |
$ | 46.1 | | |
$ | 27.9 | |
NPV @ 5% discount rate (billions) | |
$ | 13.5 | | |
$ | 16.4 | | |
$ | 9.2 | |
Internal rate of return | |
| 20.1 | % | |
| 22.4 | % | |
| 16.5 | % |
Payback period (years) | |
| 3.4 | | |
| 3.1 | | |
| 4.1 | |
Post-Tax Results: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net Cash Flow (billions) | |
$ | 23.9 | | |
$ | 28.6 | | |
$ | 17.1 | |
NPV @ 5% discount rate (billions) | |
$ | 7.9 | | |
$ | 9.8 | | |
$ | 5.2 | |
Internal rate of return | |
| 16.1 | % | |
| 18.0 | % | |
| 13.1 | % |
Payback period (years) | |
| 3.7 | | |
| 3.4 | | |
| 4.3 | |
The
results of the PEA announced in 2022 is a stand-alone mine plan that was undertaken to evaluate a potential future expansion of the KSM
mine to the copper-rich Iron Cap and Kerr deposits after the PFS mine plan has been completed. The PEA is primarily an underground block
cave mining operation supplemented with a small open pit and is planned to operate for 39 years with a peak mill feed production of 170,000
t/d. The PEA demonstrates that KSM is a potential multigenerational mining project with the flexibility to vary the metal output.
In
July 2023, the Company was informed that Tudor Gold Corp (“Tudor”) is requesting that a certain license of occupation (the
“Licence”) and Mines Act permit M-245 (the “Permit”) held by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, KSM
Mining ULC (KSMCo), be cancelled. The rights conveyed by the Licence and the relevant activities authorized by the Permit were initially
conveyed and authorized in September 2014 and include rights and authorizations to engage in certain activities on land to which Tudor
only acquired mineral rights in 2016. Tudor is claiming that, as a matter of law, the B.C. government did not have the power to issue
this License and Permit. Tudor also argues that the License and Permit destroy the value of their own claims.
The
Permit authorizes various activities, including activities on claims held by Tudor, along the route of, what is projected to be, the
tunnels that will connect the east and west sides of the KSM Project. The License provides KSMCo the right to occupy the area in which
it intends to construct the tunnels. This type of authorization is commonly used by the B.C. government to manage activities
that take place on the government-owned land base. The Licence and Permit have been in place for almost a decade and were granted after
a thorough regulatory process that included participation by First Nations as well as Tudor’s joint venture partners, American
Creek Resources Ltd. and Teuton Resources Corp., who were the owners of the claims at the time. In September 2023, the Company made a
submission to both the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (“EMLI”) and the Ministry of Forests arguing
for the dismissal of Tudor’s application. In October 2023, EMLI sent letters to each of the Company and Tudor stating that it affirms
the province of BC’s authority to grant the License and Permits that authorize mining activities on third-party tenures and giving
no indication that either will be cancelled or revoked. On November 17, 2023, Tudor’s submissions prompted a response from the BC Ministry
of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (“WLRS”) regarding the Company’s current License of Occupation. The WLRS Letter
verified that their records show the License of Occupation is in good standing, and there is no justification for canceling it under
the empowering statute or relevant License of Occupation provisions. On September 25, 2024, the B.C. government renewed the License of
Occupation for the Mitchell Treaty Tunnels at the KSM Project for 20 years until September 27, 2044.
In
early 2024, EMLI further clarified their position in a revised letter that states that a Conditional Registration Reserve (CRR) was established
by the Chief Gold Commissioner, for the Mitchell Treaty Tunnels area, in 2012, and the CRR prohibits the obstruction, endangerment, or
interference, with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the tunnel works by any free miner, including Tudor.
In
order to achieve its objectives and milestones, the Company estimates annual costs for each of its mineral interests and tracks costs
against those estimates for payroll, environmental and social, technical engineering, exploration, and other holding or property costs.
The below information describes those planned and actual incurred costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
At
KSM, the Company’s 2024 actual and full-year planned expenditures related to the technical and engineering, and environmental and
social programs are summarized in the following table:
($000s) | |
| Actual | | |
| Plan
(full year) | |
Payroll | |
| 2,019 | | |
| 2,916 | |
Technical and engineering | |
| 3,393 | | |
| 3,664 | |
Environmental and social | |
| 5,200 | | |
| 3,346 | |
Other holding or property | |
| 313 | | |
| 2,322 | |
Total | |
| 10,925 | | |
| 12,248 | |
Technical
and engineering costs include costs related to updating the Mineral Resource Estimate for KSM’s Kerr and Iron Cap deposits. Expenditures
in the environmental and social aspects pertain to conducting baseline studies for environmental monitoring at KSM.
Iskut
Project
At
Iskut, the Company’s 2024 actual and full-year planned expenditures are summarized in the following table:
($000s) | |
| Actual | | |
| Plan
(full year) | |
Payroll | |
| 1,367 | | |
| 1,510 | |
Exploration | |
| 13,465 | | |
| 11,919 | |
Environmental and social | |
| 935 | | |
| 1,130 | |
Technical and engineering | |
| 12 | | |
| 200 | |
Other holding or property | |
| 13 | | |
| 31 | |
Total | |
| 15,792 | | |
| 14,790 | |
At
Iskut, the Company executed its 2024 exploration program, which included over 23,000 meters of diamond drilling targeting a copper/gold
porphyry deposit at Snip North and Bronson Slope. The drilling at Snip North intersected broad zones of significant gold and copper mineralization
within a large potassic alteration system, suggesting the presence of a nearby porphyry intrusive source. This mineralization is localized
by well-mineralized tuffaceous stratigraphy several hundred meters thick. The drill program was extended from the original plan of 12,500
meters to explore the source of the copper-gold porphyry believed to be responsible for the intermediate sulfidation epithermal mineralization
identified in 2023. Drilling focused on Snip North after recognizing a clear correlation between copper and gold grades linked to the
source intrusive-related mineralization. Three helicopter-portable rigs completed 23,000 meters of drilling at a cost of $13.5 million,
exceeding the budgeted $12.0 million.
In
2023 the Company conducted an extensive drilling program at Iskut based on the analysis of the 2022 drilling and geophysical surveying
programs. The work program was designed to test deeper copper-gold porphyry systems and to expand the Bronson Slope mineral resource.
Three helicopter-portable core drills were used for this program which entailed the completion of 17 drill holes exceeding 19,500 meters
of core. Results of 2023 program identified broad zones of sericite-pyrite-carbonate alteration associated with continuous low gold grades.
In addition, the first drill program on the Snip North target has found a new porphyry mineral system. The discovery consists of the
intact, well-preserved upper parts of a copper-gold porphyry which is identified as an intermediate sulfidation epithermal occurrence.
Regional
geophysical surveys and continuous surface geology work on the property point to a distinct structural feature that connects the Quartz
Rise, Bronson Slope and Snip North targets. All the prospective gold-copper intrusions recognized on the property fall along this regional
trend and this observation has led us to envision a cluster of gold-copper deposits. Prior drilling at the lithocap on Quartz Rise and
historical drilling at the Snip North target has encountered gold-copper grades that were followed up in the 2023 exploration program.
In
addition to exploration work at Iskut, the Company continued its planned 2024 reclamation and closure activities at the Johnny Mountain
mine site. During 2024, work included submittal of the 2023 Annual Reclamation Report. Reported within the provision for reclamation
liabilities and in support of the reclamation and closure of the Johnny Mountain Mine, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
the Company incurred $0.52 million of costs compared to the $0.75 million full-year plan in 2024.
Snowstorm
Project
At
Snowstorm, the Company’s 2024 actual and full-year planned expenditures are summarized in the following table:
($000s) | |
| Actual | | |
| Plan
(full year) | |
Payroll | |
| 236 | | |
| 319 | |
Exploration and Environmental | |
| 142 | | |
| 403 | |
Other holding or property | |
| 364 | | |
| 401 | |
Total | |
| 742 | | |
| 1,123 | |
At
Snowstorm, during 2023, the Company evaluated the results of the drilling program that commenced in late 2022 and was completed in early
2023. The 2024 exploration effort was dedicated to understanding the geology encountered in drilling and its relationship to prospective
host gold mineralization. Additional research was conducted to evaluate new technologies that could assist in targeting gold concentrations. Several
indirect targeting systems were reviewed, and we continue to research systems that can improve target identification for deployment in
2025. Access and permit conditions were reviewed for initiating an initial drill program on the Goldstorm target.
3
Aces Project
At
3 Aces, the Company’s 2024 actual and full-year planned expenditures are summarized in the following table:
($000s) | |
| Actual | | |
| Plan
(full year) | |
Payroll | |
| 926 | | |
| 1,344 | |
Exploration | |
| 7,705 | | |
| 5,860 | |
Environmental & technical services | |
| 831 | | |
| 1,312 | |
Other holding or property | |
| 105 | | |
| 45 | |
Total | |
| 9,567 | | |
| 8,561 | |
In
2024, the Company completed a 7,600-meter drill program at 3 Aces and evaluated resource expansion potential at three targets in the
Central Core Area, and completed an initial evaluation on three regional targets. An updated 3-dimensional model has been built that
brings together results from the drilling and historical drill programs to indicate the likelihood of continuous mineralization between
previously isolated historical deposits in the CCA. Additional costs per meter drilled in 2024 accounted for the main overrun in exploration
expenditures in 2024, over plan. The 2023 drill program confirmed these extensions of historical discoveries, including localized high-grade
zones, within the favorable parts of the regional fold architecture.
Courageous
Lake Project
At
Courageous Lake, the Company’s 2024 actual and full-year planned expenditures are summarized in the following table:
($000s) | |
| Actual | | |
| Plan
(full year) | |
Payroll | |
| 290 | | |
| 444 | |
Environmental and social | |
| 47 | | |
| 149 | |
Technical and engineering | |
| 245 | | |
| 200 | |
Other property or holding costs | |
| 170 | | |
| 176 | |
Total | |
| 752 | | |
| 969 | |
As
reported in prior periods, the Company continues to evaluate the best path forward at its Courageous Lake Project in NWT. Options include
securing a joint venture partner, the sale of all or a portion of the project to unlock shareholder value or conducting additional exploration
outside the area of known reserves and resources.
In
2024, the Company filed an updated Preliminary Feasibility Study (the “2024 PFS”) for Courageous Lake. The 2024 PFS all-open
pit mine plan shows a considerably more profitable mining operation and incorporates design changes that improve its performance on certain
sustainability measures compared to its 2012 predecessor, with reduced initial capital, lower strip ratio, higher grade, and smaller
mine footprint. The 2024 PFS outlines the production of 2.5 million ounces of gold over the initial 12.6-year life of mine. A stand-alone
analysis of the potential expansion below the 2024 PFS mine plan was included as a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“2024 PEA”)
forming a separate part of the PFS.
Significant
changes from the 2012 PFS include:
| ● | A
73% increase in after-tax NPV of 5% to US$523 million from US$303 million in 2012 |
| ● | A
50% reduction in initial capital from US$1,522 million to US$747 million |
| ● | Increased
after-tax IRR from 7.3% to 20.6% |
| ● | Reduced
capital payback period from 11.2 years to 2.8 years |
| ● | Average
gold reserve grade increased 19% from 2.2 g/t to 2.6 g/t |
| ● | Life
of mine strip ratio reduced by 39% from 12.5 to 7.58 |
| ● | 38%
increase in estimated measured and indicated gold resources from 8.0 million to 11.0 million
ounces. |
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The
Company’s working capital position at September 30, 2024, was $36.0 million compared to $54.5 million on December 31, 2023 (see
table below). Decreased cash resources resulted from the cash used in early works infrastructure work at KSM, environmental, reclamation,
and exploration projects, and corporate and administrative costs, offset by cash raised through equity issuances (discussed below). Included
in current liabilities at September 30, 2024, is $5.7 million of flow-through premium liability which is a non-cash item (December 31,
2023 - $5.5 million) and will be reduced as flow-through expenditures are incurred.
The
Company's approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet liabilities when due. The
Company signed an amendment to the Facilities Agreement with BC Hydro for additional payments of $14 million, paid in July 2024, and
$40 million, due in December 2024. As the Company does not generate cash inflows from operations, the Company is dependent upon
external sources of financing to fund its exploration projects and on-going activities and will exercise discretion as needed with
respect to proceeding with certain planned expenditures, including additional payments pursuant to the Facilities Agreement with BC
Hydro.The Company has in place an ATM offering that allows for the issuance of up to US$100 million of its common shares and has
been an effective source of funding. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company raised $55.4 million (year ended
December 31, 2023 - $42.8 million). Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company raised an additional $14.2 million through its ATM
offering. The Company intends to fully utilize the remaining $26.0 million of the ATM offering currently in place The Company
believes that with this additional financing and other options that are within the Company’s
control, it will have sufficient liquidity to continue its operations and meet its obligations for the next twelve
months. When required, the Company will seek additional sources of cash to cover its proposed exploration and
development programs at its key projects, in the form of equity financing or from the sale of non-core assets.
($000s) | |
| September 30,
2024 | | |
| December 31,
2023 | |
Assets | |
| | | |
| | |
Current assets | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| 51,162 | | |
| 82,438 | |
Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses | |
| 7,863 | | |
| 7,763 | |
Investment in marketable securities | |
| 5,069 | | |
| 3,750 | |
Total current assets | |
| 64,094 | | |
| 93,951 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | |
| | | |
| | |
Current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| 18,383 | | |
| 32,734 | |
Flow-through share premium | |
| 5,709 | | |
| 5,543 | |
Lease obligations | |
| 349 | | |
| 373 | |
Provision for reclamation liabilities | |
| 3,629 | | |
| 759 | |
Total current liabilities | |
| 28,070 | | |
| 39,409 | |
Working Capital (1) | |
| 36,024 | | |
| 54,542 | |
(1) | This
is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS. |
Secured
Notes
On
June 29, 2023, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, KSM Mining ULC (“KSMCo”) issued a secured note and royalty
arrangement (collectively referred to as the “2023 Secured Note”) on the KSM Project with Sprott Private Resource Streaming
and Royalty (B) Corp. (“Sprott”). The 2023 Secured Note has a principal amount of US$150 million, bears interest at 6.5%
per annum and matures upon the earlier of commercial production and March 24, 2032 or March 24, 2035 if certain events occur, as described
below. The arrangement includes conditions and multiple features that could alter the Company’s obligation to Sprott. The 2023
Secured Note includes options for Sprott to put the royalty back to the Company if KSM’s Environmental Assessment Certificate (the
“EAC”) expires or if project financing for construction is not secured. Unless Sprott exercises its put rights at an earlier
date, the 2023 Secured Note is to be exchanged at maturity for a net smelter returns royalty (the “NSR”) on all metals produced
from the KSM Project and sold, in the range of 1% to 1.5%, to be paid in perpetuity. The Company has the option to reduce the royalty
percentage after commercial production.
The
key terms of the 2023 Secured Note include:
| ● | The
2023 Secured Note matures (“Maturity Date”) at the earlier of: |
| a) | Commercial
production being achieved at KSM; and |
| b) | Either
March 24, 2032, or, if the EAC expires and Sprott does not exercise its right to put the 2023 Secured Note to the Company, March 24,
2035. |
| ● | On
the Maturity Date, the NSR is issued and Sprott may satisfy the obligation to pay the NSR purchase price of US$150 million with cash
or setting-off the amount against the note principal amount due. |
| ● | Prior
to its maturity, the 2023 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. Payment of quarterly interest
due from the closing date to the second anniversary is deferred (“Deferred Interest Payment”) and US$21.5 million must be
paid on or before 30 months after the closing date. Deferred interest can be satisfied by way of cash, common shares or increasing the
NSR percentage from 1% to 1.2%. The Company can elect to satisfy quarterly interest payments in cash or by having Seabridge issue common
shares, with a value equal to a 5% discount on the 5-day volume weighted average trading price (“VWAP”). |
| ● | Project
Financing Repayment Amount: If project financing to develop, construct and place the KSM Project into commercial production is not in
place by March 24, 2027, Sprott can put the 2023 Secured Note back to the Company for: |
| a) | If
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time US$155 million plus accrued and unpaid interest, or |
| b) | If
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1.2% or 1.5% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$180 million plus accrued and unpaid interest. |
| ● | EAC
Repayment Amount: If the KSM Project’s EAC expires at any time while the 2023 Secured Note is outstanding, Sprott can put the note
back to the Company at any time over the following nine months for: |
| a) | If
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$165 million plus accrued and unpaid interest, or |
| b) | If
the Company is obligated to sell Sprott a 1.2% NSR on the Maturity Date at the time, US$186.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest. |
On
July 26, 2024, KSM received the Substantially Started designation from the BC government. This designation affirms the validity of the
EAC for the life of the KSM Project and virtually eliminates the possibility that the investors can put the secured note back to the
Company for the EAC expiry.
If
Sprott exercises its put right, its right to purchase the NSR terminates. The Company can elect to make payment in the form of Seabridge
common shares instead of cash for the Project Financing Repayment Amount, and any interest payments, including the Deferred Interest
Payment.
A
number of the above-noted options within the agreement represent embedded derivatives. Management has elected to not separate these embedded
derivatives from the underlying host secured note, and instead account for the entire secured note as a financial liability at fair value
through profit or loss.
The
2023 Secured Note was recognized at its estimated fair value at initial recognition of $198.8 million (US$150 million) using a discounted
cash flow model with a Monte Carlo simulation. This incorporated several scenarios and probabilities of the EAC expiring, achieving commercial
production and securing project financing, metal prices forecasts and discount rates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
the fair value of the 2023 Secured Note decreased, and the Company recorded a $38.5 million gain (year ended December 31, 2023 - $80.7
million loss) on the remeasurement.
On
March 24, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement selling a secured note (“2022 Secured Note”) that is to be exchanged
at maturity for a 60% gross silver royalty (the “Silver Royalty”) on the KSM Project to Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty
Corp. and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (jointly, the “Investors”) for US$225 million. The proceeds of the financing
were to be used to continue ongoing physical works at KSM and advance the project towards a designation of Substantially Started. The
Substantially Started designation ensures the continuity of the KSM Project’s approved EAC for the life of the project. The key
terms of the 2022 Secured Note include:
| ● | When
the 2022 Secured Note matures, the Investors will use all of the principal amount repaid on maturity to purchase a 60% gross silver royalty
(the “Silver Royalty”). Maturity occurs upon the first to occur of: |
| a) | Commercial
production being achieved at KSM; and |
| b) | Either
on March 24, 2032, the 10-year anniversary, or if the Environmental Assessment Certificate (“EAC”) expires and the Investors
do not exercise their right to put the 2022 Secured Note to the Company, on March 24, 2035, the 13-year anniversary of the issue date
of the 2022 Secured Note. |
| ● | Prior
to its maturity, the 2022 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The Company can elect to satisfy
interest payments in cash or by delivering common shares. |
| ● | The
Company has the option to buyback 50% of the Silver Royalty, once exchanged, on or before 3 years after commercial production has been
achieved, for an amount that provides the Investors a minimum guaranteed annualized return. |
| ● | If
project financing to develop, construct and place KSM into commercial production is not in place by March 24, 2027, the Investors can
put the 2022 Secured Note back to the Company for US$232.5 million, with the Company able to satisfy such amount in cash or by delivering
common shares at its option. This right expires once such project financing is in place. If the Investors exercise this put right, the
Investors’ right to purchase the Silver Royalty terminates. |
| ● | If KSM’s EAC expires
at anytime while the 2022 Secured Note is outstanding, the Investors can put the 2022 Secured Note back to the Company for US$247.5
million at any time over the following nine months, with the Company able to satisfy such amount in cash or by delivering common
shares at its option. If the Investors exercise this put right, the Investors’ right to purchase the Silver Royalty
terminates. On July 26, 2024, KSM received the Substantially Started designation from the BC government. This designation affirms
the validity of the EAC for the life of the KSM Project and virtually eliminates the possibility that the Investors can put the
secured note back to the Company for the EAC expiry. |
| ● | If
commercial production is not achieved at KSM prior to March 24, 2032, the Silver Royalty payable to the Investors will increase to a
75% gross silver royalty (if the EAC expires during the term of the 2022 Secured Note and the corresponding put right is not exercised
by the Investors, this uplift will occur at the thirteenth anniversary from closing). |
| ● | No
amount payable shall be paid in common shares if, after the payment, any of the Investors would own more than 9.9% of the Company’s
outstanding shares. |
| ● | The
Company’s obligations under the 2022 Secured Note are secured by a charge over all of the assets of KSMCo and a limited recourse
guarantee from the Company secured by a pledge of the shares of KSMCo. |
The
2022 Secured Note was recognized at its estimated fair value at initial recognition of $282.3 million (US$225 million) using a discounted
cash flow model with a Monte Carlo simulation. This incorporated several scenarios and probabilities of the EAC expiring, achieving commercial
production and securing project financing, silver prices forecast from five-year quoted forward price, and the discount rates. During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the fair value of the 2022 Secured Note decreased, and the Company recorded a $28.5 million
gain (year ended December 31, 2023 - $30.8 million loss) on the remeasurement.
To
satisfy the interest payment on the 2022 Secured Note, during the current quarter the Company issued 776,519 common shares in
respect of the interest incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (year ended December 31, 2023 - 1,285,178 common
shares).
Other
Financings
During
the first quarter of 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with two securities dealers, for an ATM offering program, entitling
the Company, at its discretion, and from time to time, to sell up to US$75 million in value of common shares of the Company. This
program was in effect until the Company’s US$775 million Shelf Registration Statement, that expired in December 2022, was
replaced with a new US$750 million the same month. During the first quarter of 2023, a US$100 million prospectus supplement was
filed and the program was renewed. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into a new agreement with two securities
dealers, for an ATM offering program, entitling the Company, at its discretion, and from time to time, to sell up to US$100 million
in value of common shares of the Company. This program can be in effect until the Company’s US$750 million Shelf Registration
Statement expires in January 2025. In 2023, the Company issued 2,516,839 shares, at an average selling price of $17.36 per share,
for net proceeds of $42.8 million under the Company’s ATM offering. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the
Company issued 2,750,609 shares, at an average selling price of $20.57 per share, for net proceeds of $55.4 million under the
Company’s ATM offering. As at September 30, 2024, US$26.0 million of its common shares continued to be available under the ATM
offering. Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company issued 583,940 shares, at an average
selling price of $24.87 per share, for net proceeds of $14.2 million under the Company’s ATM offering.
Subsequent
to the quarter end, on October 22, 2024, the Company issued a total of 80,500 flow-through common shares at an average $31.08 per common
share for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.5 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures
for the equivalent value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the
flow-through shares. The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2024. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares,
$0.2 million premium was recognized as a liability on the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
On
June 5, 2024, the Company issued a total of 575,000 flow-through common shares at an average $31.26 per common share for aggregate gross
proceeds of $18.0 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures for the equivalent
value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the flow-through shares.
The effective date of the renouncement is December 31, 2024. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares, $6.4 million premium
was recognized as a liability on the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position. During the current quarter, the
Company incurred $1.8 million of qualifying exploration expenditures and $0.7 million of the premium was recognized through other income
on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
In
December 2023, the Company issued a total of 875,150 flow-through common shares at an average $22.34 per common share for aggregate gross
proceeds of $19.6 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures for the equivalent
value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the flow-through shares.
The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2023. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares, $5.5 million premium
was recognized as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial position. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
the Company incurred $19.6 million of qualifying exploration expenditures and $5.5 million of the premium was recognized through other
income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
In
December 2022, the Company issued a total of 675,400 flow-through common shares at an average $22.24 per common share for aggregate gross
proceeds of $15.0 million. The Company committed to renounce its ability to deduct qualifying exploration expenditures for the equivalent
value of the gross proceeds of the flow-through financing and transfer the deductibility to the purchasers of the flow-through shares.
The effective date of the renouncement was December 31, 2022. At the time of issuance of the flow-through shares, $4.2 million premium
was recognized as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial position. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company
incurred $15.0 million of qualifying exploration expenditures and the $4.2 million premium was recognized through other income on the
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received $0.9 million upon the exercise of 50,000 stock options.
During
2024, operating activities, including working capital adjustments, used $11.4 million cash compared to $14.2 million cash used by operating
activities in the prior-year period. The decrease in cash used in operating activities was mainly due to working capital movement, lower
environmental rehabilitation disbursements, lower financing costs, that was partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses
and lower interest income. Operating activities in the near term are expected to remain stable or increase marginally given the growth
in projects and corporate activity in the Company.
The
Company will continue its objective of advancing its major gold projects, KSM and Courageous Lake, and further explore the Iskut, Snowstorm,
and 3 Aces projects to either sell or enter into joint venture arrangements with major mining companies. The market for metals streams
and royalty interests seems to be growing and the Company will determine the merits of disposing of options it holds on non-core net
profits interests and net smelter returns. Financing future exploration and development may include the selling or entering into new
streaming and royalty arrangements.
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
The
Company has the following commitments as at September 30, 2024:
| |
Payments due by years | |
($000s) | |
Total | | |
2024 | | |
2025-26 | | |
2027-28 | | |
2029-30 | |
2022 Secured Note – interest | |
| 123,625 | | |
| 4,945 | | |
| 39,560 | | |
| 39,560 | | |
| 39,560 | |
2023 Secured Note – interest | |
| 101,607 | | |
| - | | |
| 48,859 | | |
| 26,374 | | |
| 26,374 | |
Capital expenditure obligations | |
| 20,210 | | |
| 20,210 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Flow-through share expenditures | |
| 16,125 | | |
| - | | |
| 16,125 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Mineral interests | |
| 7,530 | | |
| - | | |
| 1,634 | | |
| 2,510 | | |
| 3,386 | |
Lease obligation | |
| 2,707 | | |
| 263 | | |
| 1,109 | | |
| 881 | | |
| 454 | |
| |
| 271,804 | | |
| 25,418 | | |
| 107,287 | | |
| 69,325 | | |
| 69,774 | |
In
2022, the Company entered into a Facilities Agreement with BC Hydro covering the design and construction of facilities by BC Hydro to
supply construction phase hydro-sourced electricity to the KSM Project.
The
cost to complete the construction is estimated to be $32.9 million of which the Company had paid $24.9 million to BC Hydro as at
December 31, 2023, and the remaining balance was paid during the first quarter of 2024. In addition, the Facilities Agreement
requires $59.8 million in security or cash from the Company for BC Hydro system reinforcement which is required to make the power
available of which the Company had paid $57.1 million to BC Hydro as at December 31, 2023, and the remaining balance was paid during
the first quarter of 2024. The $59.8 million system reinforcement security will be forgiven annually, typically over a period of
less than 8 years, based on project power consumption. On March 21, 2024, the Company signed an amendment to the Facilities
Agreement with BC Hydro for additional payments that are scheduled for $14.0 million in July 2024, and $40.0 million, subject to
financing, will be paid in December 2024. As at September 30, 2024, prepayments to complete the design and construction amounted to
$106.7 million inclusive of $14.0 million paid during the current quarter.
Prior
to its maturity, the 2022 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5%, or US$14.6 million per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The Company
can elect to satisfy interest payments in cash or by delivering common shares.
Prior
to its maturity, the 2023 Secured Note bears interest at 6.5% or US$9.8 million per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. Payment of quarterly
interest due from the closing date to the second anniversary is deferred and US$21.5 million must be paid, in cash or by delivering common
shares, on or before 30 months after the closing date. Ongoing quarterly interest can be satisfied by way of cash, common shares or increasing
the NSR percentage from 1 to 1.2%.
OTHER
CONTINGENCIES
As
previously disclosed in the Company’s prior years financial statements and in its unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial
statements for the period ended September 30, 2024, in 2019 the Company received a notice from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”)
that it proposed to reduce the amount of expenditures reported as Canadian Exploration Expenses (“CEE”)
for the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. The Company has funded certain of its exploration expenditures,
from time-to-time, with the proceeds from the issuance of flow-through shares and renounced, to subscribers, the expenditures which
it determined to be CEE. The notice disputes the eligibility of certain types of expenditures previously audited and approved as
CEE by the CRA. The Company strongly disagrees with the notice and responded to the CRA auditors with additional information for their
consideration. In 2020, the CRA auditors responded to the Company’s submission and, although accepting additional expenditures
as CEE, reiterated that their position remains largely unchanged and subsequently issued reassessments to the Company reflecting the
additional CEE expenditures accepted and $2.3 million of Part Xll.6 tax owing. The CRA has reassessed certain investors who subscribed
for the flow-through shares, reducing CEE deductions. Notice of objections to the Company’s and investors’ reassessments
have been filed for all those that have been received and will be appealed to the courts, should the notice of objections be denied.
The Company has indemnified the investors that subscribed for the flow-through shares and that have been reassessed by depositing the
amount of their reassessments, including interest charges, into the accounts of the reassessed investors with the Receiver General in
return for such investors agreement to object to their respective reassessments and to repay the Company any refund of the amount deposited
on their behalf upon resolution of the Company’s appeal. During 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Company deposited $9.4 million into the
accounts of certain investors with the Receiver General. The deposits made have been recorded as long-term receivables on the statement
of financial position as at September 30, 2024. The potential tax indemnification to the investors is estimated to be $10.8 million,
plus $3.5 million potential interest. No provision has been recorded related to the tax, potential interest, nor the potential indemnity
as the Company and its advisors do not consider it probable that there will ultimately be an amount payable. The Company will continue
to defend its position and both parties have agreed to hold the objections and appeal in abeyance, pending the judgement awaited for
the BCMETC trial, discussed below.
During
2016, upon the completion of an audit of the application by tax authorities of the British Columbia Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (“BCMETC”)
program, the Company was reassessed $3.6 million, including accrued interest for expenditures that the tax authority has categorized
as not qualifying for the BCMETC program. The Company recorded a $3.6 million provision within non-trade payables and accrued expenses
on the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2016 with a corresponding increase in mineral interests. In 2017
the Company filed an objection to the reassessment with the appeals division of the tax authorities and paid one-half of the accrued
balance to the Receiver General and reduced the provision by $1.8 million. In 2019, the Company received a decision from the appeals
division that the Company’s objection was denied, and the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the British Columbia Supreme Court.
The Attorney General of Canada replied to the facts and arguments in the Company’s Notice of Appeal and stated its position that
the Company’s expenditures did not qualify for the BCMETC program. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company completed the
discovery process with the Department of Justice that included settling an agreed statement of facts. The Company presented its case
in the BC Supreme Court during the current quarter. Based on the facts and circumstances of the Company’s objection and its arguments
made in court, the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that it will be successful in its objection. As at September 30,
2024, the Company has paid $1.6 million to the Receiver General, and the CRA has withheld $2.3 million of HST credits due to the Company
that would fully cover the residual balance, including interest, should the Company be unsuccessful in its challenge. The amount recorded
in long-term receivables as of September 30, 2024 of $3.9 million includes the initial reassessment of $3.6 million, plus accrued interest.
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
The
Company’s management under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are responsible for designing
adequate internal controls over financial reporting or causing them to be designed under their supervision in order to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with IFRS. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. The control
framework used is Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO).
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Pursuant
to regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, under the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and those of the Canadian
Securities Administrators, management evaluates the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures, and internal control over financial reporting. This evaluation is done under the supervision of, and with the participation
of, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.
Disclosure
controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without
limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company is accumulated and communicated
to management as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the design of the disclosure controls and procedures as of September
30, 2024, that they are appropriately designed.
Limitations
of Controls and Procedures
The
Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes that any internal controls over
financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed, can have inherent limitations. Therefore, even
those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
Changes
to Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There
has been no change in the Company’s design of internal controls and procedures over financial reporting that has materially affected,
or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered
by this MD&A.
Cybersecurity
The
Company’s management is responsible for cybersecurity risks that face the Company, and the Board of Directors has granted the Audit
Committee the authority to oversee management’s assessment of those risks and their prevention and mitigation approaches and to
investigate any material breaches. To date, there have been no material breaches of security measures.
An
independent privacy assessment review and systems penetration test was completed in 2023. The review reported on the vulnerability and
assessed the level of protection from external threats to the Company’s data and information systems. During the fourth quarter
of 2023, a cyber security framework was developed and implemented.
SHARES
ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING
On
November 13, 2024, the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company totaled 90,975,220. In addition, there were 561,261 RSUs.
Assuming the conversion of all of the RSUs, there would be 91,536,481 common shares issued and outstanding.
Related
Party Transactions
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no payments to related parties other than compensation paid to key
management personnel. These transactions were in the normal course of operations and were measured at the exchange amount, which is
the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Refer
to Note 2 in the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2024.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Refer
to Note 4 in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
RISKS
AND UNCERTAINTIES
The
risks and uncertainties are discussed within the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com,
and the Annual Report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The
consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis and any other materials included with them contain certain
forward-looking statements relating but not limited to the Company’s expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs. Forward-looking
information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”,
“goal”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “may” and “will” or similar
words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, estimates, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements
about future events or performance. Forward-looking information may include reserve and resource estimates and expected changes to them,
estimates of future production and related financial analysis, unit costs, costs of capital projects and timing of commencement of operations,
and is based on current expectations that involve several business risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, failure to establish estimated resources and reserves,
the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates,
delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange
rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors. Forward-looking statements are subject
to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results.
Potential
shareholders and prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Shareholders
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous
assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts,
projections and various future events will not occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any
forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information,
except as required by law.
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