TIDMBCN
RNS Number : 1034P
Bacanora Lithium PLC
24 May 2018
Bacanora Lithium plc / Index: AIM / Epic: BCN / Sector: Natural
Resources
Bacanora Lithium plc ("Bacanora" or the "Company")
Third Quarter Financial Statements
Bacanora Lithium plc, the London listed lithium exploration and
development company, is pleased to announce its unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended
31 March 2018, together with the accompanying notes.
QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS
Operational
Sonora Lithium Project ('Sonora' or 'the Project') in Mexico
-- Summary results of the Feasibility Study ('FS') on Sonora
confirm the positive economics and favourable operating costs of a
35,000 tonnes per annum ("tpa") battery grade lithium carbonate
("Li2CO3") operation at the Company's flagship Sonora Project:
o Pre-tax project Net Present Value ("NPV") of US$1.253 billion
at an 8% discount rate
o Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 26.1%
o Life of Mine ("LOM") operating costs of US$3,910/t Li2CO3
-- The complete Technical Report of the FS, which was prepared
in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), was filed on SEDAR
on 24 January 2018 and is also available on the Company's
website
-- The Company continues to progress with the development of
Sonora based on a planned commissioning of the project in Q1 2020
and lithium carbonate shipments commencing subsequent to
commissioning:
o The Front End Engineering Design ("FEED") of both the
roaster/kiln and the crystalliser/evaporation/IX, which account for
approximately 75% of the total capital cost of the processing
plant, has commenced following the delivery of bulk lithium samples
from Sonora to selected vendors
o Detailed discussions with EPC/EPCM groups for all other parts
of the processing plant are ongoing
o The current FEED schedule is to have designs, cost estimates
and process guarantee scopes completed in Q2 2018 with orders for
long lead items being placed at the end of the FEED process in Q3
2018
o The current timetable for the plant construction is subject to
completing the US$420M project financing strategy and final Board
approvals - schedule will be updated at the end of the FEED
process
-- Water licence permits covering Sonora have been granted by
the ComisiĆ³n Nacional Del Agua ('CONAGUA') - follows the granting
of the 'Manifestacion de Impacto Ambiental' ('MIA') environmental
permits and the completion of the land acquisition agreements for
the purchase of the surface land over the Sonora project area in Q4
2017
-- Detailed quotes for the supply of LNG are currently being
evaluated - it is currently envisaged that LNG gas supplies will be
initially utilised at Sonora during the early stages of
commissioning whilst gas consumption is low
-- Detailed discussions underway with potential Build, Own and
Operate (BOO) energy partners for a gas pipeline development to the
Project along with the finalisation of the proposed natural gas
pipeline routes - currently proposed that natural gas will be
supplied to the Project, via a third party pipeline once energy
consumption reaches steady state
-- The Company continues to operate its lithium carbonate pilot
plant in Hermosillo, Mexico currently focusing on:
o production of battery grade lithium carbonate samples for
distribution to potential customers in Asia
o optimising the metallurgical flow sheet and ongoing FS
testwork
o operator training in preparation for the construction of the
large scale plant
Zinnwald Lithium Project ('Zinnwald') Germany
-- The FS for the Zinnwald Lithium Project in Germany to develop
a strategy to demonstrate the economic viability of producing
higher value downstream lithium products for the European battery
and automotive sectors continues on schedule
-- Following the completion of the infill drilling programme in
December 2017, assay results are currently being collated
-- Work for the purposes of updating the resource estimate in
accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects ('NI 43-101') will commence in Q2
2018 and will be followed by mine design and mine planning
activities
-- Work on the processing flow sheet has progressed through the
crushing, grinding and magnetic separation stages and roasting
testwork is now underway
-- Metallurgical testwork will then focus on the production of
high value downstream lithium products, facilitated by access to
product reagents from the chemical industries located in
Dresden
-- The FS remains on track for completion in Q2 2019
Corporate
-- Admission of and commencement of trading of Bacanora Lithium
plc shares on AIM took place on Monday 26 March 2018, following the
Annual and Special Meeting of Bacanora Minerals Ltd. held in Canada
on 19 March 2018 to approve the plan of arrangement (the
"Arrangement") as set out in the management information circular
sent to shareholders dated 16 February 2018 (the "Circular")
-- The common shares of Bacanora Minerals Ltd. were delisted and
cancelled from trading on the TSX Venture Exchange and AIM market
of the London Stock Exchange as of the close of business on 23
March 2018
-- The appointments of Mr Peter Secker, Chief Executive Officer,
as an Executive Director; Ms Janet Boyce as Chief Financial
Officer; and Ms Eileen Carr as Non-Executive Director of the
Company
-- The Company is financed with approximately CAD$19 million in cash at the date of this report
Lithium Properties Outlook
-- The Company's strategy is to position itself to satisfy
ongoing strong growth in demand for lithium carbonate in the
fast-growing sectors of electric vehicles and energy storage
-- The pricing of lithium carbonate in China remained strong
with reported sales by major producers in the region of US$13,000/t
to US$16,000/t and in most cases, up by 20% from 2017 prices. Spot
sales price for battery grade lithium carbonate reached up to
US$24,450 (source:
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4166868-lithium-miners-news-month-april-2018).
Other
-- As announced on 28 February 2018 and 6 April 2018, in spite
of the Company's best efforts to ensure compliance, NextView
Capital failed to complete the placing of 32,976,635 common shares
in the Company at a price of 94.53 pence for aggregate proceeds of
GBP31,172,813 as contemplated under the binding placing letter.
Accordingly, the Company has terminated the Placing Letter and has
reserved its rights to pursue any available legal remedies against
NextView.
**S**
For further information, please contact:
Bacanora Lithium Peter Secker, CEO info@bacanoraminerals.com
Plc
----------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Cairn Financial
Advisers LLP, Sandy Jamieson / Liam +44 (0) 207
Nomad Murray 213 0880
----------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Canaccord Genuity, Martin Davison / James +44 (0) 20
Broker Asensio 7523 8000
----------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
St Brides Partners, Megan Dennison / Frank +44 (0) 20
Financial PR Adviser Buhagiar 7236 1177
----------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
ABOUT BACANORA:
Bacanora Lithium is a London listed lithium exploration and
development company (AIM: BCN). The Company is exploring for, and
developing a pipeline of international lithium projects, with a
primary focus on its Sonora Lithium Project. The Company's
operations are based in Hermosillo in northern Mexico. The Company
is led by a team with lithium expertise and proven mine
development, construction and operations experience.
The Sonora Lithium Project(1) , which consists of ten mining
concession areas covering approximately 100 thousand hectares in
the northeast of Sonora State. The Company, through drilling and
exploration work to date, has established a Measured plus Indicated
Mineral Resource estimate of over 5 Mt (comprising 1.9Mt of
Measured Resources and 3.1Mt of Indicated Resources) of LCE(2) and
an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.7 Mt of LCE. The
Company's Feasibility Study (which was announced 12 December 2017)
has established Proven Mineral Reserves (in accordance with NI
43-101) of 1.67 MT and Probable Mineral Reserves of 2.85 Mt LCE and
confirmed the economics associated with becoming a 35,000 tpa
lithium carbonate and 30,000 tpa SOP producer in Mexico. In
addition to the Sonora Lithium Project, the Company also has a 50%
interest in the Zinnwald Lithium Project and the Falkenhain Licence
in southern Saxony, Germany. Each of the Zinnwald Lithium Project
and the Falkenhain Licence are located in a granite hosted Sn/W/Li
belt that has been mined historically for tin, tungsten and lithium
at different times over the past 300 years. The strategic location
of the Zinnwald Lithium Project and the Falkenhain Licence provides
close geographical proximity to the German automotive and
downstream lithium chemical industries.
1 The Sonora Lithium Project is comprised of the following
lithium properties: La Ventana lithium concession, which is 100
percent owned by Bacanora and El Sauz and Fleur concessions, which
are held by Mexilit S.A. de C.V. ('Mexilit') which is owned 70
percent by Bacanora and 30 percent by Cadence Minerals Plc.
2 LCE = lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) equivalent; determined by
multiplying Li value in percent by 5.324 to get an equivalent
Li2CO3 value in per cent. Use of LCE is to provide data comparable
with industry reports and assumes complete conversion of lithium in
clays with no recovery or process losses.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial
Position
Expressed in Canadian Dollars
31 March 30 June
2018 2017
------------------------------------- --- ------------- -------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash $ 22,012,039 $ 38,755,184
Other receivables (Note 5(a)) 819,436 676,498
Deferred costs 32,771 23,330
Total current assets 22,864,246 39,455,012
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Non-current assets
Investment in Joint Venture
(Note 7) 10,367,454 10,946,471
Long-term derivative asset
(Note 7) 3,160,644 2,689,639
Property and equipment (Note
8) 4,570,902 2,769,008
Exploration and evaluation
assets (Note 9) 25,035,964 17,828,645
Total non-current assets 43,134,964 34,233,763
Total assets $ 65,999,210 $ 73,688,775
------------------------------------- --- ------------- -------------
Liabilities and shareholders'
equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $ 1,061,796 $ 1,092,806
Joint Venture obligation (Note
7) 1,659,999 4,474,832
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 2,721,795 5,567,638
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Non-current liabilities
Joint Venture obligation (Note
7) - 1,927,626
Deferred tax liability 135,000 135,000
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Total non-current liabilities 135,000 2,062,626
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Total liabilities 2,856,795 7,630,264
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Shareholders' equity
Share capital (Note 10) 95,034,230 91,805,916
Contributed surplus (Note
10(f)) 7,459,056 6,784,655
Foreign currency translation
reserve 2,289,948 2,273,622
Deficit (40,818,141) (34,001,997)
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Attributed to Shareholders
of Bacanora Lithium Plc 63,965,093 66,862,196
Non-controlling interest (822,678) (803,685)
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity 63,142,415 66,058,511
------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $ 65,999,210 $ 73,688,775
------------------------------------- --- ------------- -------------
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive
Loss
Expressed in Canadian Dollars
Three months Nine months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2018 2017 2018 2017
---------------------------- --- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Revenue
Interest income $ 49,450 $ 22,771 $ 145,952 $ 85,009
---------------------------- --- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
49,450 22,771 145,952 85,009
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Expenses
General and administrative
(Note 11) 1,937,486 914,684 4,804,638 3,420,053
Accretion of joint
venture obligation - - 404,694 -
Depreciation (Note
8) 28,142 104,772 135,507 147,603
Stock-based compensation
(Note 10(g)) 896,860 1,658,030 1,855,154 3,039,412
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
2,862,488 2,677,486 7,199,993 6,607,068
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss before other
items (2,813,038) (2,654,715) (7,054,041) (6,522,059)
Foreign exchange
gain (loss) 483,261 1,804,303 797,953 500,111
Warrant liability
valuation - - - 348,964
Joint venture investment
profit (loss) (319,367) 70,235 (579,049) 70,235
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss (2,649,144) (780,177) (6,835,137) (5,602,749)
Foreign currency
translation adjustment (308,872) (1,042,288) 16,326 (91,701)
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total comprehensive
loss (2,958,016) (1,822,465) (6,818,811) (5,694,450)
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss attributable
to shareholders of
Bacanora Lithium
Plc (2,592,454) (117,642) (6,816,144) (4,144,625)
Loss attributable
to non-controlling
interest (56,690) (662,536) (18,993) (1,458,124)
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(2,649,144) (780,178) (6,835,137) (5,602,749)
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total comprehensive
loss attributable
to shareholders of
Bacanora Lithium
Plc (2,901,326) (1,159,930) (6,799,818) (4,236,326)
Total comprehensive
loss attributable
to non-controlling
interest (56,690) (662,536) (18,993) (1,458,124)
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(2,958,016) (1,822,466) (6,818,811) (5,694,450)
Net loss per share
(basic and diluted) $ (0.02) $ (0.01) $ (0.05) $ (0.05)
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in
Shareholders' Equity
Expressed in Canadian Dollars
Share capital
-------------- --------------------------
Accumulated
other
Number Contributed comprehensive Non-controlling
of shares Amount surplus income Deficit interest Total
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------
Balance, 30
June 2016 107,874,353 $57,058,924 $3,528,990 $2,574,478 $(15,150,873) $(805,758) $47,205,761
Shares issued
on exercise
of options 200,000 101,780 (41,780) - - - 60,000
Shares issued
on exercise
of warrants 2,925,000 4,493,502 - - - - 4,493,502
Share issue
costs - (118,910) - - - - (118,910)
Stock-based
compensation
expense - - 3,039,412 - - - 3,039,412
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment - - - (90,701) - - (90,701)
Loss for the
period - - - - (4,144,625) (341,731) (4,486,356)
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------
Balance, 31
March
2017 110,999,353 $61,535,296 $6,526,622 $2,483,777 $(19,295,498) $(1,147,489) $50,102,708
Brokered
placements 20,907,186 30,895,043 - - - - 30,895,043
Share issue
costs - (624,423) - - - - (624,423)
Stock-based
compensation
expense - - 258,033 - - - 258,033
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment - - - (210,155) - - (210,155)
Loss for the
period - - - - (14,706,499) 343,804 (14,362,695)
Balance, 30
June 2017 131,906,539 $91,805,916 $6,784,655 $2,273,622 $(34,001,997) $(803,685) $66,058,511
Shares issued
on exercise
of warrants 833,333 375,000 - - - - 375,000
Shares issued
on exercise
of options 1,300,000 2,679,564 (1,180,753) - - - 1,498,811
Shares to be
issued - 173,750 173,750
Stock-based
compensation
expense - - 1,855,154 - - - 1,855,154
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment - - - 16,326 - - 16,326
Loss for the
period - - - - (6,816,144) (18,993) (6,835,137)
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------
Balance, 31
March
2018 134,039,872 $95,034,230 $7,459,056 $2,289,948 $(40,818,141) $(822,678) $63,142,415
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
Expressed in Canadian Dollars
Three months Nine months ended
ended 31 March
31 March
2018 2017 2018 2017
------------------------------ --- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Cash provided by
(used in)
Operating activities
Net loss $ (2,649,144) $ (780,177) $ (6,835,137) $ (5,602,749)
Depreciation 28,142 104,772 135,507 147,603
Warrant liability
revaluation - - - (348,964)
Accretion of joint
venture obligation - - 404,694 -
Joint venture investment
loss 319,367 - 579,049 -
Stock-based compensation
expense (Note 10(g)) 896,860 1,658,030 1,855,154 3,039,412
----------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
(1,404,775) 982,625 (3,860,733) (2,764,698)
Changes in non-cash
working capital
Other receivables 381,861 (135,112) (142,938) (324,662)
Prepaid 10,147 68,512 (9,441) 23,486
Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities (271,440) (1,264,657) (31,010) (1,662,149)
----------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
(1,284,207) (348,632) (4,044,122) (4,728,023)
---------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Financing activities
Issue of shares,
net of expenses 1,530,561 186,758 1,672,561 101,780
Warrants proceeds,
net of expenses - - 375,000 2,925,616
Repayment of joint
venture obligation (2,183,380) - (4,742,459) -
$ (652,819) $ 186,758 $ (2,694,898) $ 3,027,396
---------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Investing activities
Additions to exploration
and evaluation assets
(Note 9) (1,979,305) (2,430,040) (7,015,866) (6,179,438)
Additions to property
and equipment (Note
8) (178,028) (359,325) (2,055,474) (3,992)
Investment in joint
venture (Note 7) - (7,104,782) - (7,104,779)
----------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
$ (2,157,333) $ (9,894,147) $ (9,071,340) $ (13,288,209)
Decrease in cash
position (4,094,359) (10,056,021) (15,810,360) (14,988,836)
Exchange rate effects (1,327,556) - (932,785) -
Cash, beginning of
period 27,433,954 23,797,353 38,755,184 28,730,168
----------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Cash, end of period $ 22,012,039 $ 13,741,332 $ 22,012,039 $ 13,741,332
------------------------------ --- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial
Statements
As at and for the three and nine months ended 31 March 2018 and
2017
Expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated
1. CORPORATE INFORMATION
Bacanora Lithium Plc (the "Company" or "Bacanora") is a company
registered in England and Wales, with a registration number
11189628 and is quoted on the AIM Market of the London Stock
Exchange, with its ordinary shares of GBP0.10 each traded under the
symbol "BCN". The registered address of the Company is 4 More
London Riverside, London, SE1 2AU.
The Company is an exploration and development company focused on
developing its Sonora Lithium Project ("Sonora" or the "Project")
located in Sonora state in Mexico and its Zinnwald Lithium Project
("Zinnwald"), located in southern Saxony, Germany.
On 23 March 2018, Bacanora Lithium Plc (a company incorporated
in England and Wales), Bacanora Minerals Ltd. (a company formed in
Alberta, Canada), 1976844 Alberta Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary
of Bacanora Lithium Plc formed in Alberta, Canada) and shareholders
of Bacanora Minerals Ltd. completed a re-domicile of Bacanora
Minerals Ltd. to the United Kingdom by way of a plan of arrangement
(the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).
The Arrangement resulted in Bacanora Lithium Plc becoming the
ultimate parent holding company of Bacanora Minerals Ltd. (an
entity formed in Alberta as a result of amalgamation between
Bacanora Minerals Ltd. and 1976844 Alberta Ltd.), and all of its
subsidiaries (the "Group").
Under the Arrangement, all existing common shares in Bacanora
Minerals Ltd. were transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary of
Bacanora Lithium Plc in exchange for ordinary shares in Bacanora
Lithium Plc. The share capital structure (including number of
issued shares on a fully diluted basis) of Bacanora Lithium Plc is
substantially the same as the share capital of Bacanora Minerals
Ltd. prior to the completion of the Arrangement and the rights
attached to the new ordinary shares in Bacanora Lithium Plc are
similar to the common shares of Bacanora Minerals Ltd. prior to the
completion of the Arrangement. Furthermore, the common shares of
Bacanora Minerals Ltd. were delisted from TSX Venture Exchange and
the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. In all other material
respects, the Group remained unchanged as a result of the
Arrangement and the financial statements reflect a continuation of
the results of operations of the Group.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION
a) Statement of compliance
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board ("IASB").
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were
authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 24 May 2018. The
Board of Directors has the power and authority to amend these
financial statements after they have been issued.
b) Basis of measurement
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have
been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain
financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are
presented in Canadian dollars. The functional currency of the
Company is the British pound sterling ("GBP") and US dollar ("USD")
for its subsidiaries.
c) New standards and interpretations not yet adopted
A number of new IFRS standards, and amendments to standards and
interpretations, are not yet effective for the period ended 31
March 2018 and have not been applied in preparing these condensed
consolidated interim financial statements. None of these standards
are expected to have a significant effect on the condensed
consolidated interim financial statements of the Company.
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of condensed consolidated interim financial
statements in compliance with IFRS requires management to make
certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management
to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies.
The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or
areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the
financial statements are disclosed in Note 4.
a) Basis of consolidation
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements comprise
the financial statements of the Company, 70% of its subsidiary,
Mexilit S.A. de C.V. ("Mexilit"), 70% of its subsidiary, Minera
Megalit S.A de C.V. ("Megalit"), 100% of its subsidiary, Operador
Lithium Bacanora S.A de CV ("OLB") and through its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Mineramex Limited, 99.9% of Minera Sonora Borax, S.A.
de C.V. ("MSB"), and 60% of Minerales Industriales Tubutama, S.A.
de C.V. ("MIT"). Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date of
acquisition, being the date on which the Company obtains control,
and continue to be consolidated until the date when such control
ceases. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared
for the same reporting period as the parent company, using
consistent accounting policies. All intercompany balances and
transactions are eliminated in full. Losses within a subsidiary are
proportionately attributed to the non-controlling interest even if
that results in a deficit balance. A change in ownership interest
of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an
equity transaction.
b) Joint arrangements
Certain of the Company's activities are conducted through joint
arrangements in which two or more parties have joint control. A
joint arrangement is classified as either a joint operation or a
joint venture, depending on the rights and obligations of the
parties to the arrangement.
Joint operations arise when the Company has a direct ownership
interest in jointly controlled assets and obligations for
liabilities. The Company does not have this type of
arrangement.
Joint ventures arise when the Company has rights to the net
assets of the arrangement. For these arrangements, the Company uses
the equity method of accounting and recognises initial and
subsequent investments at cost, adjusting for the Company's share
of the joint venture's income or loss, less dividends received
thereafter. When the Company's share of losses in a joint venture
equals or exceeds its interest in a joint venture it does not
recognise further losses. The transactions between the Company and
the joint venture are assessed for recognition in accordance with
IFRS.
Joint ventures are tested for impairment whenever objective
evidence indicates that the carrying amount of the investment may
not be recoverable under the equity method of accounting. The
impairment amount is measured as the difference between the
carrying amount of the investment and the higher of its fair value
less costs of disposal and its value in use. Impairment losses are
reversed in subsequent periods if the amount of the loss decreases
and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring
after the impairment was recognised.
c) Foreign currency
i) Transactions and balances
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the
functional currency at the rate in effect at the date of the
transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are retranslated at the functional currency spot rate of
exchange in effect at the reporting date.
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost
in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate as at
the date of the initial transaction. All exchange differences are
recorded in net income (loss) for the year.
ii) Translation to presentation currency
The results and balance sheet of the subsidiary are translated
to the presentation currency as follows:
Assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate at the
dates of the condensed consolidated interim statements of financial
position;
Share capital is translated using the exchange rate at the date
of the transaction; revenue and expenses for each statement of
comprehensive income (loss) are translated at average exchange
rates; and all resulting exchange differences are recognised in
other comprehensive income (loss) in the condensed consolidated
interim statements of comprehensive loss.
The Company treats specific inter-company loan balances, which
are not intended to be repaid in the foreseeable future, as part of
its net investment in a foreign operation and any resulting
exchange difference on these balances is recorded in other
comprehensive loss. When a foreign entity is sold, such exchange
differences are reclassified to income (loss) in the condensed
consolidated interim statements of comprehensive loss as part of
the gain or loss on sale.
d) Cash
Cash is comprised of cash held on deposit and other short-term,
highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months
or less with a Canadian chartered bank, a British bank and a
Mexican bank. These deposits and investments are readily
convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to an
insignificant risk of change in value.
e) Exploration and evaluation assets
Costs incurred prior to acquiring the right to explore an area
of interest are expensed as incurred.
Exploration and evaluation assets are intangible assets.
Exploration and evaluation assets represent the costs incurred on
the exploration and evaluation of potential mineral resources, and
include costs such as exploratory drilling, sample testing,
activities in relation to the evaluation of technical feasibility
and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource, and
general & administrative costs directly relating to the support
of exploration and evaluation activities. The Company assesses
exploration and evaluation assets for impairment when facts and
circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may exceed its
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the
assets fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Assets are
allocated to cash generating units not larger than operating
segments for impairment testing.
Purchased exploration and evaluation assets are recognised as
assets at their cost of acquisition or at fair value if purchased
as part of a business combination. They are subsequently stated at
cost less accumulated impairment. Exploration and evaluation assets
are not amortised. The excess, if any, is recorded to the condensed
consolidated interim statements of comprehensive loss. Asset swaps
are recognised at the carrying amount of the asset being swapped
when the fair value of the assets cannot be determined.
Once the work completed to date on an area of interest is
sufficient such that the technical feasibility and commercial
viability of extracting the mineral resource has been determined,
the property is considered to be a mine under development.
Exploration and evaluation assets are tested for impairment before
the assets are transferred to development property; capitalised
expenditure is transferred to mine development assets or capital
work in progress.
f) Stock-based payments
i) Stock-based payment transactions
The Company grants stock options and restricted share units to
acquire common shares to directors, officers and employees
("equity-settled transactions"). The board of directors determines
the specific grant terms within the limits set by the Company's
Stock Option Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan.
Equity-settled transactions
The costs of equity-settled transactions are measured by
reference to the fair value at the grant date and are recognised,
together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period
in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled,
ending on the date on which the relevant persons become fully
entitled to the award (the "vesting date"). The cumulative expense
recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date
until the vesting date reflects the Company's best estimate of the
number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The profit
or loss charge or credit for a period represents the movement in
cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that
period and the corresponding amount is represented in share option
reserve. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately
vest.
The Company's Restricted Share Unit Plan provides the Company
with a choice of settling the arrangement in cash or by issuing
common shares. The Company accounts for these transactions in
accordance with the requirements applied to equity-settled
transactions.
Change of Control
Certain stock options granted by the Company have an accelerated
vesting feature whereby the stock option holders are entitled to
cash settlement in the event of a change of control of the Company.
For a change of control that is within the Company's control, the
accounting policy choices are to classify the stock options as
equity unless the choice of equity has no commercial substance, or
the Company has past practice of settling in cash or generally
settles in cash then they are classified as a liability. When the
change of control is outside the Company's control, the options are
classified as a liability and recorded once the change in control
is probable.
4. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS
The preparation of the Company's financial statements in
accordance with IFRS requires management to make certain judgments,
estimates, and assumptions about recognition and measurement of
assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The actual results are
likely to differ from these estimates. Information about the
significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions that have the
most significant effect on the recognition and measurement of
assets, liabilities, income and expenses are discussed below.
a) Exploration and evaluation assets
The Company is in the process of exploring and developing its
mineral properties. The recoverability of carrying values for
mineral properties is dependent upon obtain the financing necessary
to complete the development and the success of future
operations.
The application of the Company's accounting policy for
exploration and evaluation assets requires judgment in determining
whether it is likely that costs incurred will be recovered through
successful exploration and development or sale of the asset under
review when assessing impairment. Furthermore, the assessment as to
whether economically recoverable reserves exist is itself an
estimation process. Estimates and assumptions made may change if
new information becomes available. If, after expenditures are
capitalised, information becomes available suggesting that the
recovery of expenditures is unlikely, the amount capitalised is
written off in the net income (loss) in the period when the new
information becomes available. In situations where indicators of
impairment are present for the Company's exploration and evaluation
assets, estimates of recoverable amount must be determined as the
higher of the estimated value in use or the estimated fair value
less costs to sell.
b) Title to mineral property interests
Although the Company has taken steps to verify the title to the
exploration and evaluation assets in which it has an interest, in
accordance with industry practices for the current stage of
exploration of such properties, these procedures do not guarantee
the Company's title. Title may be subject to unregistered prior
agreements or transfers and title may be affected by undetected
defects.
c) Functional currency
The Company transacts in multiple currencies. The assessment of
the functional currency of each entity within the consolidated
group involves the use of judgment in determining the primary
economic environment each entity operates in. The Company first
considers the currency that mainly influences sales prices for
goods and services, and the currency that mainly influences labour,
material and other costs of providing goods or services. In
determining functional currency the Company also considers the
currency from which funds from financing activities are generated,
and the currency in which receipts from operating activities are
usually retained. When there is a change in functional currency,
the Company exercises judgment in determining the date of
change.
d) Share-based payments
The Company utilises the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to
estimate the fair value of stock options and restricted share units
granted to directors, officers and employees. The use of the
Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model requires management to make
various estimates and assumptions that impact the value assigned to
the stock options and restricted share units including the forecast
future volatility of the stock price, the risk-free interest rate,
dividend yield, and the expected life of the stock options and
restricted share units. Any changes in these assumptions could have
a material impact on the share-based payment calculation value.
The same estimates are required for transactions with
non-employees where the fair value of the goods or services
received cannot be reliably determined.
Judgment is required to determine whether a change of control of
the Company is in the control of the Company and probable. As at 31
March 2018, the Company has assessed a change of control is within
the Company's control and stock options that entitle the holders to
cash settlement only upon a change in control of the Company have
been treated as equity instruments.
e) Joint Venture investment
The Company applies IFRS 11 to all joint arrangements and
classifies them as either joint operations or joint ventures,
depending on the contractual rights and obligations of each
investor. The Company holds 50% of the voting rights of its joint
arrangement with SolarWorld AG. The Company has determined to have
joint control over this arrangement as under the contractual
agreements, unanimous consent is required from all parties to the
agreements for certain key strategic, operating, investing and
financing policies. The Company's joint arrangement is structured
through a limited liability entity - Deutsche Lithium GmbH ("DL")
and provides the Company and SolarWorld AG (parties to the
agreement) with rights to the net assets of DL under the
arrangements. Therefore, this arrangement has been classified as a
joint venture. The joint venture obligation includes assumptions
regarding the expected timing of the expenditures and on the
discount rate used. Any changes in the timing of the expectations
could impact the recorded amount. Refer to Note 7 regarding inputs
used.
f) Long-term derivative asset
The Company's joint venture arrangement with SolarWorld AG
stated above gives it the right, either alone or together with
another party, to purchase the remaining 50% of the voting rights
of DL for EUR30 million (herein referred to as the "Option"). This
Option is available to the Company within 6 months of the earlier
of the completion of the Feasibility Study or the second
anniversary of the agreement. The Company used significant judgment
to determine the fair value of this Option and considered the
enterprise value per measured and indicated resources of comparable
mining entities within the last quarter of fiscal 2017 to determine
an appropriate range. The Company re-assesses its inputs to
determine change in the valuation of the Option at each reporting
period. Any changes in the assumptions could have a material impact
on the Option value.
5. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
This note presents information about the Company's exposure to
credit, liquidity and market risks arising from its use of
financial instruments and the Company's objectives, policies and
processes for measuring and managing such risks.
a) Credit risk
Credit risk arises from the potential that a counter party will
fail to perform its obligations. Financial instruments that
potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
consist of other receivables which relate solely to input tax
receivables in Canada and value added tax receivables in Mexico.
Any changes in management's estimate of the recoverability of the
amount due will be recognised in the period of determination and
any adjustment may be significant. The carrying amount of other
receivables represents the maximum credit exposure.
The Company's cash is held in major Canadian, UK and Mexican
banks, and as such the Company is exposed to the risks of those
financial institutions. Substantially all of the other receivables
represent amounts due from the Canadian and Mexican governments and
accordingly the Company believes them to have minimal credit
risk.
The Board of Directors monitors the exposure to credit risk on
an ongoing basis and does not consider such risk significant at
this time. The Company considers all of its other receivables fully
collectible.
b) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to
meet its obligations as they become due. The Company's approach to
managing liquidity risk is to ensure, as far as possible, that it
will have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due,
under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring
unacceptable losses. Liquidity risk arises primarily from accounts
payable and accrued liabilities, current portion of the joint
venture obligation and commitments, all with maturities of one year
or less.
c) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as
foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates will
affect the value of the Company's financial instruments. The
objective of market risk management is to manage and control market
risk exposures within acceptable limits, while maximizing long-term
returns.
The Company conducts exploration projects in Mexico. As a
result, a portion of the Company's expenditures, other receivables,
accounts payables and accrued liabilities are denominated in USD
and Mexican pesos and are therefore subject to fluctuation in
exchange rates. As at 31 March 2018, a 5% change in the exchange
rate between the Canadian dollar and the GBP would have an
approximate $1,930,000 (2017 - $5,595,000) change to the Company's
total comprehensive loss.
d) Fair values
The fair value of cash, other receivables, accounts payable and
accrued liabilities and current portion of the Joint Venture
obligation approximate their carrying values due to the short term
nature of the instruments.
Fair value measurements recognised in the condensed consolidated
interim statement of financial position subsequent to initial fair
value recognition can be classified into Levels 1 to 3 based on the
degree to which fair value is observable.
Level 1 - Fair value measurements are those derived from quoted
prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 - Fair value measurements are those derived from inputs
other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly, or
indirectly.
Level 3 - Fair value measurements are those derived from
valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability
that are not based on observable market data.
The fair value disclosed for the long-term derivative asset
(Note 7), joint venture obligation (Note 7) and recoverable amount
of certain exploration and evaluation assets (Note 9) are
classified under Level 3.
Each of these items was recognised during the period and there
were no transfers between any levels of the fair value
hierarchy.
6. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Company's objectives in managing capital are to safeguard
its ability to operate as a going concern while pursuing
exploration and development and opportunities for growth through
identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions or businesses.
The Company defines capital as the Company's shareholders' equity
excluding contributed surplus, of $56,506,037 at 31 March, 2018 (30
June 2017 - $60,077,541).
The Company sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk and
corporate growth objectives. The Company manages its capital
structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in
economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying
assets.
7. INVESTMENT IN JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITY
Effective 17 February 2017, the Company acquired a 50% interest
in a jointly controlled entity, Deutsche Lithium GmbH located in
southern Saxony, Germany that is involved in the exploration of a
lithium deposit in the Alterberg-Zinnwald region of the Eastern Ore
Mountains in Germany. The determination of DL as a joint venture
was based on the joint arrangement's structure and has been
discussed in Note 4(e). Accordingly, the investment is accounted
for using the equity method.
The Company acquired its interest for a cash consideration of
EUR5 million (approximately $7.1 million) from SolarWorld AG
("SolarWorld") and an undertaking to contribute up to EUR5 million
toward the costs of completion of a feasibility study.
Additionally, legal fees of $228,679 were paid in connection to
this transaction. The Company, alone or together with any
reasonably acceptable third party, has an option to acquire the
remaining 50% of the jointly controlled entity within this 24 month
period for EUR30 million. In the event that the Company does not
exercise this right within the above stated timeframe, then
SolarWorld has the right but not the obligation to purchase the
Company's 50% interest for EUR1.
The following table summarises the purchase price allocation for
the joint venture acquisition:
Amount
----------------------------------- --- ------------
Working capital $ 178,337
Exploration and evaluation assets 13,692,671
Property and equipment 108,730
Less: deferred tax liability (3,244,919)
Enterprise value $ 10,734,819
----------------------------------- --- ------------
The current value of DL is substantially attributed to the
exploration and evaluation assets, and therefore, contribution paid
in excess of the carrying value of net assets is attributed to the
exploration and evaluation assets.
Consideration for the joint venture acquisition consisted of the
following:
Amount
---------------------------------- --- ------------
Cash $ 7,334,277
Joint venture obligation 6,000,542
Less: Long-term derivative asset (2,600,000)
Total consideration paid $ 10,734,819
---------------------------------- --- ------------
The Company's undertaking to contribute up to EUR5 million
toward the costs of completion of a feasibility study within the
next 18-24 months has been recorded as a liability in the
consolidated statement of financial position, presented in
accordance with its due date, between current and non-current
portions. As at 31 March 2018, the current portion of the
obligation was $1,659,999 (30 June 2017 - $4,474,832) and the
non-current portion was $nil (June 30, 2017 - $1,927,626) which
includes the accretion of $404,694 (year ended 30 June 2017 -
$401,915). The Company used a discount rate of 20% and final
payment to conclude in March 2019 to determine the present value of
the obligation. If the estimated rate increased/decreased by 5% it
would result in an (decrease) increase to the obligation of
($66,700) and $70,500 respectively.
The option to purchase the remaining 50% interest has been
recognised as a derivative asset in the consolidated statement of
financial position as it represents the option to acquire equity
instruments at a future point in time. This derivative asset has
been recorded at the present value of its fair value at $3,160,644
(30 June 2017 - $2,689,639). The fair value was determined by
reviewing the total enterprise value per contained lithium quantity
multiples of comparable hard-rock mining lithium companies. If the
multiple used increased or decreased by 10% it would result in a
fair value increase (decrease) of $1.7 million and $(1.8 million)
respectively. The derivative asset has been classified as long-term
due to its realisation being in line with the completion of a
feasibility study, which is anticipated to take approximately
another 12-16 months.
Reconciliation of the carrying amount of net investment in joint
venture is as follows:
Amount
------------------------ --- -----------
Opening balance $ -
Investment in DL 10,734,819
Share of profit 48,465
Foreign exchange gain 163,187
------------------------------- -----------
Balance, 30 June 2017 10,946,471
Share of loss (441,229)
Foreign exchange loss (137,788)
Balance, 31 March 2018 $ 10,367,454
-------------------------- -----------
Summarised financial information in respect of the Company's
joint venture in DL is set out below. The summarised information
represent amounts shown in DL's financial statements, as adjusted
for differences in accounting policies and fair value adjustments
required related to the Company's investment in the joint venture.
Amounts have been translated in accordance with the Company's
accounting policy on foreign currency translation.
31 March 30 June
2018 2017
--------------------------------- --- ---------- -----------
Current assets $ 2,633,780 $ 509,292
Non-current assets 3,737,695 27,795,666
Current liabilities 110,621 6,093,169
Loss from continuing operations 579,049 271,868
Total comprehensive loss $ 579,049 $ 271,868
--------------------------------- --- ---------- -----------
Subsequent to the transaction, SolarWorld filed for bankruptcy
protection in Germany due to ongoing pricing pressures in its core
solar markets. The Company is confident that the SolarWorld
insolvency process will have no material impact on the Company's
interest in Deutsche Lithium and the Zinnwald project.
On 18 December 2017, Deutsche Lithium GmbH has been granted an
exploration licence covering 295 hectares of the previously mined
Falkenhain Lithium deposit ("Falkenhain") in southern Saxony,
Germany. Falkenhain, which is located within 5 km of Zinnwald, has
the potential to increase the life of mine at Zinnwald. Deutsche
Lithium plans to explore the deposit over the next five years and
to combine its exploration and development with Zinnwald.
8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Office
Building furniture
and and Computer Transportation
Cost equipment equipment equipment equipment Land Total
----------- --- ----------- ------------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ----------
Balance,
30 June
2016 $ 2,773,567 $ 3,147 $ 10,539 $ 188,263 $ - $ 2,975,516
Additions 410,546 - - 149,465 - 560,011
Foreign
exchange 38,917 - - 3,908 - 42,825
---------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ----------
Balance,
30 June
2017 $ 3,223,030 $ 3,147 $ 10,539 $ 341,636 $ - $ 3,578,352
Additions 176,321 1,186 4,666 - 1,873,301 2,055,474
Foreign
exchange (22,549) (1) 1 - (101,598) (124,147)
Balance,
31 March
2018 $ 3,376,802 $ 4,332 $ 15,206 $ 341,636 $ 1,771,703 $ 5,509,679
----------- --- ----------- ------------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ----------
Building Office
Accumulated and furniture Computer Transportation
depreciation equipment and equipment equipment equipment Land Total
--------------- --- ----------- --------------- ----------- --------------- ----- --------
Balance,
30 June
2016 $ 492,627 $ 3,147 $ 10,539 $ 104,832 $ - $ 611,145
Additions 131,300 - - 52,853 - 184,153
Foreign
exchange 11,712 - - 2,334 - 14,046
-------------------- ----------- --------------- ----------- --------------- ----- --------
Balance,
30 June
2017 $ 635,639 $ 3,147 $ 10,539 $ 160,019 $ - $ 809,344
Additions 106,595 406 1,218 27,288 - 135,507
Foreign
exchange (4,565) (25) (74) (1,410) - (6,074)
Balance,
31 March
2018 $ 737,669 $ 3,528 $ 11,683 $ 185,897 $ - $ 938,777
--------------- --- ----------- --------------- ----------- --------------- ----- --------
Office
Building furniture
Carrying and and Computer Transportation
amount equipment equipment equipment equipment Land Total
------------- --- ----------- ----------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ----------
At 30 June,
2017 $ 2,587,391 $ - $ - $ 181,617 $ - $ 2,769,008
At 31 March
2018 $ 2,639,133 $ 804 $ 3,523 $ 155,739 $ 1,771,703 $ 4,570,902
------------- --- ----------- ----------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ----------
9. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
The Company's mining claims consist of mining concessions
located in the State of Sonora, Mexico. The specific descriptions
of such properties are as follows:
a) Magdalena Borate property
The Magdalena Borate project consists of seven concessions, with
a total area of 7,095 hectares. The concessions are 100% owned by
MSB. The Magdalena property is subject to a 3% gross overriding
royalty payable to Minera Santa Margarita S.A. de C.V., a
subsidiary of Rio Tinto PLC, and a 3% gross overriding royalty
payable to the estate of the past Chairman of the Company on sales
of borate produced from this property.
During the year ended 30 June 2017, the Company determined there
to be indicators of impairment on the exploration and evaluation
assets located in the Magdalena Borate property based on the
Company's decision to not further explore borates. As such, the
Company recognised impairment of $8,037,430 on these assets as the
recoverable amount of the property was less than the carrying value
based on fair value less cost to sell. Fair value for the property
has been assessed by the Company on the basis of estimated land
value.
b) Sonora Lithium property
The Sonora Lithium Project consists of ten contiguous mineral
concessions. The Company through its wholly-owned Mexican
subsidiary, MSB, has a 100% interest in two of these concessions:
La Ventana and La Ventana 1, covering 1,820 hectares. Of the
remaining concessions, five are owned 100% by Mexilit - El Sauz, El
Sauz 1, El Sauz 2, Fleur and Fleur 1 covering 6,334 hectares.
Mexilit is owned 70% by Bacanora and 30% by Cadence Minerals Plc
("Cadence") formerly known as Rare Earth Minerals Plc.
The remaining three concessions, Buenavista, Megalit and San
Gabriel, cover 89,235 hectares, and are subject to a separate
agreement between the Company and Cadence. As at 31 March 2018,
Buenavista and San Gabriel concessions are owned by Megalit, while
the Megalit concession was in the process of being transferred to
Megalit. The Megalit concession is currently owned by MSB. Megalit
is owned 70% by Bacanora and 30% by Cadence. As at 31 March 2018,
USD$1,012,444 (2017 - USD$1,048,780) of the Company's cash is
restricted to be spent on Megalit.
The Sonora Lithium Project is purportedly subject to a 3% gross
overriding royalty payable to the Orr-Ewing Estate pursuant to the
Royalty Agreements, on sales of mineral products produced from
certain concessions within the Sonora Lithium Project. However,
Bacanora Minerals Ltd is currently challenging the validity and
enforceability of such royalty and is seeking an order of the Court
declaring such royalty void ab initio. The basis of Bacanora
Minerals Ltd claim is that the Royalty was originally granted based
on a negligent or fraudulent misrepresentation by Mr. Orr-Ewing
that he held a pre-existing royalty granted prior to the
acquisition of the Sonora Lithium Project by Bacanora Minerals
Ltd.
The balance of investment in mining claims as of 31 March 2018
and 30 June 2017 corresponds to concession payments to the federal
government, costs of exploration and paid salaries, and consists of
the following:
Magdalena La Ventana Mexilit Megalit
Borate Lithium Lithium Lithium Total
------------------ --- ------------ ----------- ---------- --------- ------------
Balance, 30
June 2016 $ 8,602,183 $ 5,147,394 $ 3,242,501 $ 824,635 $ 17,816,713
Additions 74,608 8,118,390 24,968 48,214 8,266,180
Reimbursement
expenses from
Cadence - - (301,000) - (301,000)
Impairment
loss (8,037,430) - - - (8,037,430)
Foreign exchange 39,764 25,659 16,056 2,703 84,182
----------------------- ------------ ----------- ---------- --------- ------------
Balance, 30
June 2017 $ 679,125 $ 13,291,443 $ 2,982,525 $ 875,552 $ 17,828,645
Additions - 6,975,807 20,609 19,450 7,015,866
Foreign exchange - 221,546 (23,264) (6,829) 191,453
Balance, 31
March 2018 $ 679,125 $ 20,488,796 $ 2,979,870 $ 888,173 $ 25,035,964
------------------ --- ------------ ----------- ---------- --------- ------------
10. SHARE CAPITAL
a) Authorised
The authorised share capital of the Company consists of ordinary
shares of GBP0.10 each.
b) Common Shares Issued
Shares Amount
------------------------------------ ------------ -----------
Balance, 30 June 2016 107,874,353 $ 57,058,924
Shares issued on exercise of
warrants(1,2) 2,925,000 4,493,502
Shares issued on exercise of
options 200,000 101,780
Shares issued in private placement
for cash(3) 12,333,261 18,057,648
Shares issued in private placement
for cash(4) 8,573,925 12,837,395
Share issue costs - (743,333)
Balance, 30 June 30 2017 131,906,539 $ 91,805,916
Shares issued on exercise of
warrants(5) 833,333 375,000
Shares issued on exercise of
options(6) 1,300,000 2,679,564
Shares to be issued(7) - 173,750
------------------------------------ ------------ -----------
Balance, 31 March 2018 134,039,872 $ 95,034,230
------------------------------------ ------------ -----------
(1) On May 20, 2016, the Company completed a private financing
that raised approximately $14,681,700 (GBP7,702,500) via the
placing of 9,750,000 units (the "Placing Units") at a price of
approximately $1.48 (GBP0.79) per Placing Unit (the "Placing"). The
Company paid commission of $440,500 and other share issue expenses
of $64,893. Each Placing Unit is comprised of one new common share
of the Company (a "Placing Share") and 0.3 of one common share
purchase warrant, with each whole warrant (a "Placing Warrant")
being exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately
$1.48 (GBP0.79) at any time subsequent to July 25, 2016, but on or
before September 30, 2016. Accordingly, an aggregate of 9,750,000
Placing Shares and 2,925,000 Placing Warrants were issued under
this Placing. The Placing Warrants are denominated in a currency
different than the functional currency and were recorded originally
as warrant liability of $453,299 using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. This warrant liability was re-measured as at June
30, 2016 to be $897,323 using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model. On the exercise date of September 30, 2016, the warrant
liability was re-measured to be $548,359 using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model.
The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes option
pricing model to determine the valuation of the warrant
liability:
May 20, June 30, September
Input 2016 2016 30, 2016
------------------------ -------- --------- ----------
Risk-free interest
rate 0.39% 0.25% 0.12%
Expected volatility 38% 44% 32.63%
Expected life (years) 0.33 0.25 0.01
Fair-value per warrant $0.15 $0.31 $0.19
------------------------ -------- --------- ----------
(2) On September 30, 2016, the Company issued 2,925,000 common
shares upon the exercise of its warrants at a price GBP0.79 ($1.35)
per share for aggregate gross proceeds of GBP2,310,750
(approximately $3.9 million). The Company paid commission of
GBP69,323 ($118,355) and recognised a further increase in its share
capital of $548,359 in relation to the previously recorded warrant
liability.
(3) On May 2, 2017, the Company issued 12,333,261 common shares
to Hanwa Co., LTD. The common shares represent 10.0% of the issued
and outstanding share capital of the Company and were issued at a
price of GBP0.83 ($1.46) per share for gross proceeds of
GBP10,175,000 (approximately $18.1 million) for Bacanora pursuant
to the Company's offtake agreement for battery grade lithium
carbonate at its Sonora lithium project in Mexico. The Company paid
other share issue expenses of $74,505.
(4) On May 24, 2017, the Company completed a private financing
of 8,573,925 common shares at price of GBP0.86 ($1.49) per share to
a US based investment company for aggregate gross proceeds of
approximately GBP7.4 million (approximately $12.8 million). The
Company paid commission of GBP294,943 ($513,496) and other share
issue expenses of $36,977.
(5) On 28 September 2017, 833,333 of the Company's warrants were
exercised at $0.45 for aggregate gross proceeds of $375,000.
(6) On 28 September 2017, 50,000 of the Company's common shares
options were exercised at $0.25 for aggregate gross proceeds of
$12,500. On 19 December 2017, 200,000 and 50,000 of the Company's
common shares options were exercised at $0.30 and $1.39 each
respectively for aggregate gross proceeds of $129,500. On 10
January 2018, 1,000,000 of the Company's common share options were
exercised at a price of GBP0.77 (approximately $1.31) per share for
gross proceeds of GBP770,000 (approximately $1.3 million).
(7) During the period ended 31 March 2018, the Company received
notice and funds of $173,750 in order to exercise 125,000 share
options at a price of $1.39 each. The new ordinary shares relating
to the exercise of options were issued post 31 March 2018.
c) Stock options
The following tables summarise the activities and status of the
Company's stock option plan as at and during the period ended 31
March 2018.
Number of Weighted average
options exercise price
------------------------ ------------ -----------------
Balance, 30 June 2016 4,975,000 $ 1.52
Exercised (200,000) 0.30
Expired/cancelled (275,000) 1.45
Issued 2,937,400 1.41
------------------------ ------------ -----------------
Balance, 30 June 2017 7,437,400 $ 1.52
Exercised (1,300,000) 1.32
Issued 2,227,410 1.32
Balance, 31 March 2018 8,364,810 $ 1.49
------------------------ ------------ -----------------
Number Weighted Number
outstanding average exercisable
at 31 remaining at 31
March Exercise contractual Expiry March
Grant date 2018 price life (Years) date 2018
--------------- ------------- --------- -------------- ---------- -------------
September Sept.
11, 2013 300,000 0.30 1.0 11, 2018 300,000
December 2, Dec. 2,
2015 975,000 1.58 3.2 2020 975,000
April 27, May 27,
2016 2,000,000 1.94(1) 1.8 2019 2,000,000
March
March 1, 2017 350,000 1.39(2) 4.5 1, 2022 350,000
March
March 1, 2017 2,012,400 1.39(2) 2.5 1, 2020 1,328,184
May 15,
May 15, 2017 500,000 1.53(3) 2.7 2020 165,000
September Sept.
20, 2017 2,227,410 1.32(4) 2.8 20, 2020 735,045
--------------- ------------- --------- -------------- ---------- -------------
8,364,810 5,853,229
--------------- ------------- --------- -------------- ---------- -------------
(1) Exercise price of GBP0.96 per share (2) Exercise price of
GBP0.85 per share (3) Exercise price of GBP0.87 per share
(4) Exercise price of GBP0.80 per share
d) Warrants
The following table summarises the activities and status of the
Company's warrants as at and during the period ended 31 March
2018.
Weighted
Remaining Average
Number contractual Expiry Exercise
of warrants life (Years) date price
------------------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ----------
Balance, 30 June
2016 3,758,333
Exercised (2,925,000) - - $ 1.51
Balance, 30 June March 26,
2017 833,333 0.8 2018 $ 0.45
Exercised (833,333) - - -
Balance, 31 March
2018 - - - $ 0.00
------------------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ----------
e) Restricted Share Units
On 20 September 2017, the Company implemented a Restricted Share
Unit ("RSU") Plan. The RSU Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee under the supervision of the Board of Directors as
compensation to officers, directors, consultants, and employees.
The Compensation Committee determines the terms and conditions upon
which a grant is made, including any performance criteria or
vesting period.
Upon vesting, each RSU entitles the participant to receive one
common share, provided that the participant is continuously
employed with or providing services to the Company. RSUs track the
value of the underlying common shares, but do not entitle the
recipient to the underlying common shares until such RSUs vest, nor
do they entitle a holder to exercise voting rights or any other
rights attached to ownership or control of the common shares, until
the RSU vests and the RSU participant receives common shares.
The maximum number of RSUs issuable under the RSU Plan is fixed
at 13,190,653, provided however that at no time may the number of
RSUs issuable under the RSU Plan, together with the number of
common shares issuable under options that are outstanding under the
Company's Stock Option Plan, exceed 10% of the issued and
outstanding common shares as at the date of a grant under the RSU
Plan or the Stock Option Plan, as the case may be.
The following table summarises the activities and status of the
Company's restricted share units plan as at and during the period
ended 31 March 2018.
Number of Weighted
units Vesting Date average value
--------------- ---------- -------------- ---------------
Balance, June
30, 2017 - - $ -
September 20,
Issued 1,192,277 2020 1.32
--------------- ---------- -------------- ---------------
Balance, 31
March 2018 1,192,277 - $ 1.32
--------------- ---------- -------------- ---------------
f) Contributed surplus
The following table presents changes in the Company's
contributed surplus.
31 March 30 June
2018 2017
--------------------------- --- ------------ ----------
Balance, beginning of
period $ 6,784,655 $ 3,528,990
Exercise of stock options (1,180,753) (41,780)
Stock-based compensation
expense (Note 10(c)) 1,855,154 3,297,445
Balance, end of period $ 7,459,056 $ 6,784,655
--------------------------- --- ------------ ----------
g) Stock-based compensation expense
During the period ended 31 March 2018, the Company recognised
$1,855,154 (2017 - $3,039,412) of stock-based compensation expense.
The fair value of the stock-based compensation as estimated on the
dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with
the following weighted average assumptions:
31 March
2018 30 June 2017
------------------------- -------------- --------------
Risk-free interest rate 0.77% - 1.15% 0.77% - 1.15%
101.34% - 101.34% -
Expected volatility 127.03% 127.03%
Expected life (years) 3 - 5 3 - 5
Fair value per option $0.77 - $1.18 $0.77 - $1.15
------------------------- -------------- --------------
Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the
Company's stock prices.
h) Per share amounts
Basic loss per share is calculated using the weighted average
number of shares of 133,928,761 for the three month period ended 31
March 2018 (2017 - 110,923,797) and 133,331,843 for the nine months
period ended 31 March 2018 (2017 - 109,858,112). Options and
warrants were excluded from the dilution calculation as they were
anti-dilutive.
11. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
The Company's general and administrative expenses include the
following:
Three months Nine months ended
ended 31 March 31 March
2018 2017 2018 2017
---------------------- --- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
Management fees
(Note 13) $ 534,442 $ 344,443 $ 1,358,318 $ 1,117,806
Legal and accounting
fees 852,112 53,463 1,863,946 1,054,864
Investor relations 225,531 226,172 641,437 509,802
Office expenses 26,884 15,837 77,681 197,538
Travel and other 298,517 274,769 863,256 540,043
--------------------------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 1,937,486 $ 914,684 $ 4,804,638 $ 3,420,053
---------------------- --- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
12. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company currently operates in two operating segments, the
exploration and development of mineral properties in Mexico and the
exploration and development of mineral properties in Germany.
Previously, the Company operated only in one segment in Mexico.
Management of the Company makes decisions about allocating
resources based on two operating segments. Summary of the
identifiable assets, liabilities and net loss by operating segment
are as follows:
31 March 2018 Mexico Germany Corporate Consolidated
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Current assets $ 2,783,140 $ - $ 20,081,106 $ 22,864,246
Long-term derivative
asset - - 3,160,644 3,160,644
Property and
equipment 4,488,719 - 82,183 4,570,902
Investment in
jointly controlled
entity - 10,367,454 - 10,367,454
Exploration and
evaluation assets 25,035,964 - - 25,035,964
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total assets $ 32,307,823 $ 10,367,454 $ 23,323,933 $ 65,999,210
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Current liabilities $ 727,887 $ - $ 333,909 $ 1,061,796
Joint Venture
obligation - - 1,659,999 1,659,999
Deferred tax
liability - - 135,000 135,000
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total liabilities $ 727,887 $ - $ 2,128,908 $ 2,856,795
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
30 June 2017 Mexico Germany Corporate Consolidated
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Current assets $ 2,853,283 $ - $ 36,601,729 $ 39,455,012
Long-term derivative
asset - - 2,689,639 2,689,639
Property and
equipment 2,673,516 - 95,492 2,769,008
Investment in
jointly controlled
entity - 10,946,471 - 10,946,471
Exploration and
evaluation assets 17,828,645 - - 17,828,645
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total assets $ 23,355,444 $ 10,946,471 $ 39,386,860 $ 73,688,775
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Current liabilities $ 672,578 $ - $ 4,895,060 $ 5,567,638
Joint Venture
obligation - - 1,927,626 1,927,626
Deferred tax
liability - - 135,000 135,000
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total liabilities $ 672,578 - $ 6,957,686 $ 7,630,264
---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
For the period
ended
31 March 2018 Mexico Germany Corporate Consolidated
---------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ -------------
Interest income $ 21,112 $ - $ 124,840 $ 145,952
General and administration 388,755 - 4,415,883 4,804,638
Accretion of
Joint Venture
obligation - 404,694 - 404,694
Depreciation 135,507 - - 135,507
Stock-based compensation - - 1,855,154 1,855,154
---------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ -------------
Loss before other
items $ 503,150 $ 404,694 $ 6,146,197 $ 7,054,041
---------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ -------------
For the period
ended
31 March 2017 Mexico Germany Corporate Consolidated
---------------------------- ---------- -------- ------------ -------------
Interest income $ 11,915 $ - $ 73,094 $ 85,009
General and administration 304,159 - 3,115,894 3,420,053
Depreciation 147,603 - - 147,603
Stock-based compensation - - 3,039,412 3,039,412
---------------------------- ---------- -------- ------------ -------------
Loss before other
items $ 439,847 $ - $ 6,082,212 $ 6,522,059
---------------------------- ---------- -------- ------------ -------------
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
a) Related party expenses
The Company's related parties include directors and officers and
companies which have directors in common.
During the three and nine months ended 31 March 2018, directors
and management fees in the amount of $355,692 and $1,034,223
respectively (2017 - $347,989 and $1,013,096 respectively) were
paid to directors and officers of the Company which was expensed as
general and administrative costs. Of the total amount incurred as
directors' and management fees, $67,171 (2017 - $68,069) remains in
accounts payables and accrued liabilities on 31 March 2018.
During the three and nine months ended 31 March 2018, the
Company paid $15,199 and $121,284, respectively (2017 - $84,879 and
$613,357 respectively) to Grupo Ornelas Vidal S.A. de C.V., a
consulting firm of which Martin Vidal is a partner. Martin Vidal
served as a director of the Company and president of MSB until 30
November, 2017. These services were incurred in the normal course
of operations for geological exploration and pilot plant operation.
As of 31 March 2018, $nil (2017 - $nil) remains in accounts payable
and accrued liabilities.
b) Key management personnel compensation
Key management of the Company are directors and officers of the
Company and their remuneration includes the following:
Three months Nine months ended
ended 31 March 31 March
2018 2017 2018 2017
---------------------------- --- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Director's remuneration:
Estate of Colin
Orr-Ewing $ - $ - $ - $ 10,056
James Leahy - 12,000 - 37,263
Shane Shircliff - - - 6,462
Derek Batorowski 10,322 - 10,322 -
Kiran Morzaria - 1,223 - 9,972
Raymond Hodgkinson 13,695 13,558 40,956 18,095
Jamie Strauss 26,699 13,558 76,031 18,673
Andres Antonius 12,501 - 43,783 -
Junichi Tomono - - - -
Eileen Carr 11,483 - 11,483 -
--------------------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total directors'
remuneration $ 74,700 $ 40,339 $ 182,575 $ 100,521
---------------------------- --- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Management's remuneration:
Mark Hohnen $ 106,442 $ 81,679 $ 307,115 $ 254,137
Peter Secker 123,987 98,932 349,536 310,585
Martin Vidal 15,199 84,879 109,362 218,733
Derek Batorowski 53,291 82,499 211,437 229,641
Janet Boyce 56,773 - 56,773 -
--------------------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total management's
remuneration $ 355,692 $ 347,989 $ 1,034,223 $ 1,013,096
Total directors'
and management's
remuneration $ 430,392 $ 388,328 $ 1,216,798 $ 1,113,617
Operational consulting
fees:
Groupo Ornelas
Vidal SA CV $ 15,199 $ 84,879 $ 121,284 $ 613,357
---------------------------- --- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Stock-based compensation
expense to directors
and management $ 736,033 $ 806,177 $ 1,522,483 $ 2,050,290
---------------------------- --- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
As at 31 March 2018, the following options were held by
directors of the Company:
Exercise Number of
Date of grant price options
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
December
2, 2015 $1.58 175,000
March 1,
Martin Vidal 2017 $1.39 125,000
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
September
11, 2013 $0.30 200,000
December
2, 2015 $1.58 175,000
March 1,
Derek Batorowski 2017 $1.39 125,000
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
January 22,
2016 $1.94 2,000,000
March 1,
2017 $1.39 249,900
September
Mark Hohnen 19, 2017 $1.32 224,910
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
March 1,
2017 $1.39 750,000
September
Jamie Strauss 19, 2017 $1.32 750,000
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
March 1,
2017 $1.39 200,000
September
Raymond Hodgkinson 19, 2017 $1.33 100,000
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
May 15, 2017 $1.53 500,000
September
Andres Antonius 19, 2017 $1.32 750,000
-------------------- --------------- --------- ----------
As at 31 March 2018, the following RSU's were held by directors
and officers of the Company:
Weighted Vesting Date
average Number
Date of grant value of RSU's
-------------- --------------- --------- ------------- ----------
September September
Mark Hohnen 20, 2017 $1.32 20, 2020 557,843
September September
Peter Secker 20, 2017 $1.32 20, 2020 634,434
-------------- --------------- --------- ------------- ----------
b) Change of Control
During the period ended 31 March 2018, the Company amended the
employment and consultancy arrangements respectively between the
Company and each of Peter Secker, Chief Executive Officer, and
Fernan Pty Ltd, which provides the services of Mark Hohnen,
Executive Chairman. Peter Secker's service contract has been
amended as follows: (i) the removal of performance bonus provisions
of up to GBP250,000; (ii) the removal of a GBP250,000 change of
control payment; (iii) an increase of GBP50,000 in annual salary;
(iv) the inclusion of new pensions arrangements; and (v) the
inclusion of a cash payment representing an acceleration of
unvested options in the event of a change of control of the Company
at an acquisition price of at least 130 pence per Bacanora share.
Such cash payment will be calculated on the basis of the difference
between the acquisition price per Bacanora share and 102 pence
(being the middle market price of a Bacanora share at close of
business in London on 17 November 2017), multiplied by 2,550,000 in
the event that such change of control is completed prior to the
award of performance based options in relation to the financial
year ended 30 June 2018 and a further 2,550,000 in the event that
such change of control is completed prior to the award of
performance based options in relation to the financial year ended
30 June 2019. In the event the Board has resolved upon Mr. Secker's
award in the relevant financial year (which may be zero) then the
right to the relevant payment terminates for that period.
The consultancy agreement with Fernan Pty Ltd. has been amended
to provide Mark Hohnen also with a cash payment representing an
acceleration of unvested options in the event of a change of
control of the Company on the same terms as Peter Secker, save that
the multiplier for each relevant financial year is 2,124,150.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company has commitments for lease payments for field office
and camp with no specific expiry dates. The total annual financial
commitment resulting from these agreements is $9,156.
The properties in Mexico are subject to spending requirements in
order to maintain title of the concessions. The capital spending
requirement for 2018 is $744,060. The properties are also subject
to semi-annual payments to the Mexican government for concession
taxes, which will be approximately $167,000 in fiscal year
2018.
The Company, as part of land purchase agreements, has committed
to making payment of US$1,500,000 in December 2020.
15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 20, 2018, the Company announced the grant of 312,500
options to acquire ordinary shares in the capital of the Company at
a price of approximately GBP0.895 ($1.60), being the closing share
price on 18 April 2018, to Ms Eileen Carr, a Non-Executive Director
of the Company. Such options vest as to 1/3 on the date of grant
and an additional 1/3 on each of the first and second anniversaries
of the date of grant and are exercisable for a period of three
years.
On 11 May 2018, the Company issued 125,000 ordinary shares
following an exercise of share options at $1.39 each for gross
proceeds of $173,750.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
QRTLFFLIETIVFIT
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 24, 2018 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Bacanora Lithium (LSE:BCN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Bacanora Lithium (LSE:BCN)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024