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ELECTRUM DISCOVERY CORP Management Reports 2024
44108_rns_2024-11-28_9dc50edf-7cbc-4a3e-ac1a-7e0914290a4b.pdf
Management Reports
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ELECTRUM
DISCOVERY
(the "Company")
(formerly Medgold Resources Corp.)
INTERIM MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Highlights
- Completion of the acquisition of Balkan Metals Corp. ("Balkan Metals") (the "Acquisition") and resumption of trading on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V").
- As a part of the acquisition, the name of the Company was changed to "Electrum Discovery Corp." and trading symbol to "ELY".
- Completion of the capital raise of $2,160,000 by way of a private placement of 21,600,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit.
- Following the Acquisition, with close to 1,000 square kilometres, the Company became the largest holder of exploration ground in Serbia, including mineral licences in a vicinity of the renown Bor Mining Complex and world-class operating copper-gold mines.
- The Company welcomed R M Jones, a well-known mining entrepreneur and company builder to the Board of Directors.
- The Company resumed exploration work on the Timok East Project in March 2024, which led to discovery of a cluster of new and consistent copper-gold anomalies, the largest being the Bambino Anomaly.
- Bambino features 1.8 kilometre copper-gold anomaly, with copper in soils ranging from 100 – 8238 ppm copper and rock chip samples returning grades of 2.85% and 0.32% copper.
- The Company expanded its team by welcoming Jacob (Jake) Garland as a Senior Exploration Geologist and Janet O'Donnell as a Corporate Secretary.
- Completion of 300-metre trenching program at Bambino, successfully identifying significant consistent copper grades and potential distinct gold phase in the underlying bedrock at Bambino.
- Mapping at Bambino confirmed high grade copper and gold mineralization in float rock-chip samples to the north and south of Bambino over at least 1.5 strike kilometres.
- Follow-up rock chip sampling of remote sensing targets confirmed high grade copper-gold-silver mineralization within a "killzone" that coincides with the northern anomaly 3 kilometres north of Bambino.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
General
This interim Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“Interim MD&A”) supplements, but does not form part of, the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The following information, prepared as of November 26, 2024, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the related notes contained therein. The Company reports its financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. In addition, the following should be read in conjunction with the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the related MD&A. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. The September 30, 2024 condensed interim consolidated financial statements have not been reviewed by the Company’s auditors.
Additional information relevant to the Company’s activities can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Forward Looking Information
This Interim MD&A contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (“Forward-looking Statements”). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in this Interim MD&A include, without limitation, statements relating to:
- mineral reserves or resources as they involve the implied assessment, based on estimates and assumptions, that the resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future;
- the Company’s planned exploration activities for its mineral properties;
- the intended use of proceeds received from past and possible future financing activities;
- the sufficiency of the Company’s cash position and its ability to raise equity capital or access debt facilities; and
- maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities or other contractual commitments.
Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “scheduled”, “targets”, “possible”, “strategy”, “potential”, “intends”, “advance”, “goal”, “objective”, “projects”, “budget”, “calculates” or statements that events, “will”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.
Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others:
- uncertainty of mineral reserve and resource estimates;
- risks associated with mineral exploration and project development;
- fluctuations in commodity prices;
- fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates;
- credit and liquidity risks;
- changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in countries in which the Company does or may carry on business;
- reliance on key personnel;
- property title matters;
- local community relationships;
- risks associated with potential legal claims generally or with respect to environmental matters;
- adequacy of insurance coverage;
- dilution from further equity financing;
- competition;
- uncertainties relating to general economic conditions; and
- risks relating to pandemics, epidemics and public health crises, and the impact they might have on the Company’s business, operations, financial condition and/or share price;
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
as well as those factors referred to in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section in this Interim MD&A.
Forward-looking Statements contained in this Interim MD&A are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to:
- all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the exploration and development of the Company’s properties;
- there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether relating to labor, supply, power, damage to equipment or other matter;
- permitting, exploration and development activities proceeding on a basis consistent with the Company’s current expectations;
- expected trends and specific assumptions regarding commodity prices and currency exchange rates;
- prices for and availability of fuel, electricity, equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels; and
- the accuracy of the Company’s current mineral resource estimates.
These Forward-looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements.
Business of the Company
The Company is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration entity engaged in the acquisition and exploration of precious and base metals properties. The Company is targeting early- to mid-stage exploration projects in jurisdictions which are mining-friendly, with strong mining codes, and with excellent geological potential. The Company’s exploration activities have been focused in the Republic of Serbia (“Serbia”); however, management has been actively investigating potential business opportunities in other regions.
Acquisition of Balkan Metals Corp.
The Company entered into a non-binding arm’s length letter of intent dated November 23, 2022, and then an amalgamation agreement dated January 27, 2023, and as amended April 30, 2023, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Balkan Metals, a private British Columbia company which held a portfolio of exploration licenses in Serbia, some of which are contiguous to the Company’s existing Serbian exploration permits.
The Acquisition was completed on January 15, 2024, with the following steps conducted concurrently on January 15, 2024:
- The Company completed a consolidation of the issued shares, warrants, stock options, and convertible debentures outstanding at January 15, 2024 on a one new for sixteen old basis. As a result, the Company’s issued shares immediately prior to the Acquisition were reduced to 8,424,301. All references to common shares, warrants, stock options, and per share amounts in this Interim MD&A have been updated to reflect the share consolidation.
- The Company settled $330,000 in accounts payable by issuing 1,650,000 post-consolidation common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.20 per share.
- Balkan Metals settled $250,000 in accounts payable by issuing 1,666,667 common shares of Balkan Metals at a deemed price of $0.15 per share.
- Balkan Metals completed a private placement consisting of the sale of 21,600,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit for gross proceeds of $2,160,000. Each unit consisted of one Balkan Metals share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.20 per share for a period of two years. Balkan Metals paid cash finders’ fees totaling $78,150 and issued 413,000 share purchase warrants having an exercise price of $0.20 per share for a period of twelve months. As a result of the amalgamation, the holders of Balkan Metal common shares and share purchase warrants received pursuant to this financing were exchanged for common shares and share purchase warrants of the Company on a one for one basis.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
- In consideration for the transfer to the Company of 100% of the issued shares of Balkan Metals, the Company issued an aggregate of 53,238,763 post-consolidation common shares to the shareholders of Balkan Metals, being one Company share for each Balkan Metals share.
- The name of the Company was changed to “Electrum Discovery Corp”.
As a result of the Acquisition, the shareholders of Balkan Metals acquired 84.1% of the outstanding shares of the Company and Balkan Metals gained control of the Company’s Board of Directors. For accounting purposes, the Acquisition is considered to be outside the scope of IFRS 3 Business Combinations since the Company’s activities prior to the Acquisition were limited to the management of cash resources and the maintenance of its listing and mineral property licenses and did not constitute a business. The Acquisition is accounted for consistent with IFRS 2 Share-based Payment whereby Balkan Metals is deemed to have issued shares in exchange for the net assets of the Company together with its listing status at the fair value of the consideration received by Balkan Metals. As a result, the acquisition is accounted for as a capital transaction, with Balkan Metals being identified as the accounting acquirer and the equity consideration being measured at fair value. The resulting condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position is presented as a continuance of Balkan Metals and comparative figures presented in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements after the acquisition and in this Interim MD&A are those of Balkan Metals.
See Note 2 of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 for further details on the accounting treatment for the Acquisition.
Upon completion of the Acquisition, Ralph Rushton remained on the Board of Directors and Kevin Bales continued on as CFO of the Resulting Issuer. Dr. Elena Clarici was appointed as Director, Executive Chair and CEO of the Resulting Issuer, and Michael Thomsen and Eric Rasmussen were appointed as directors. Subsequent to the completion of the Acquisition, R. Michael Jones was appointed as a fifth director.
The Company’s Mineral Properties
Following the acquisition, the Company controls over 960 square kilometres of mineral rights spanning two of the most prospective metallogenic provinces in the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt, crossing the Republic of Serbia, so called West Tethyan Belt (the “West Tethyan”): (1) the Timok Magmatic Complex (the “TMC”), host of world class Cu- Au porphyry style deposits; and (2) the Serbo-Macedonian Massif (the “SMM”), located to the west of TMC, and continues to northern Greece (Figure 1).
The Company’s exploration portfolio is composed of 14 mineral permits and 3 mineral permit applications. Certain mineral permits are grouped in two principal projects:
- Timok East Project (Luka, Makovište and Bukova Glava permits) situated on the eastern fringe of Timok Magmatic Complex; and
- Novo Tlamino Project (Radovnica, Ljubata, Crnoštica, Surlica Dukat and Donje Tlamino permits) located in the SMM Tertiary metallogenic province in the southern Serbia.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Page 4 of 41
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 1: Location of Electrum's properties in relation the various metallogenic belts and regions of the Western Tethyan Belt in southern Europe.
Timok East Copper-Gold Project
The Timok East Copper-Gold Project is located on the eastern boundary of the Cretaceous Timok Magmatic Complex, within the Western Tethyan Metallogenic Belt in the Republic of Serbia. The project consists of three mineral exploration permits—Luka, Makovište, and Bukova Glava—spanning a total area of 123 square kilometres (see Figure 2). Current exploration efforts are primarily focused on the contiguous Luka and Makovište licenses, where three significant copper-gold anomalies have been identified in soils, with underlying copper gold and silver mineralization confirmed in rock-chips and trench samples in rocks at the Bambino anomaly. Bambino is located just three kilometres east of the Bor porphyry trend, a region that hosts several world-class mining operations, including Bor, Veliki Krivelj, and Čukari Peki, all operated by Zijin Mining Ltd.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 2: Map showing the Company's and major third-party mineral exploration and mining companies' properties in the Bor region. Third-party resource figures sourced from Jelenkovic, Rade & Milovanovic, Dragan & Koželj, Dejan & Banješević, Miodrag. (2016). The Mineral Resources of the Bor Metallogenic Zone: A Review. Geologia Croatica. 69. 143-155.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
In Q2 of 2024 the company completed a successful surface geochemical sampling campaign at Timok East. This outlined a 1.8-kilometre-long copper anomaly named Bambino and identified two additional anomalies to the north, named the Northwestern and Northern Anomaly. The anomalies occur within a series of Lower Paleozoic-age schists and marbles, which include stockwork style veining in outcrops which assayed up to 2.85% Cu and 1.27 g/t Au (see figure 3). Follow-up remote sensing completed in June 2024, using high resolutions satellite imagery, also identified several ‘Kill zone’ targets across the northern anomaly.
- Bambino Anomaly: 1.8-kilometre-long copper anomaly in soils, bound to the east by a westerly dipping thrust fault. Underlying copper-bearing quartz-limonite stockwork mapped and sampled. Parallel gold anomaly measuring 1 strike kilometre 100 metres to the west of copper trend.
- Northwestern Anomaly: measures approximately 1.2 kilometres long by 400 metres wide and shares a similar NW orientation and geochemical signature with Bambino, with peak assay values in the soil of 622 ppm Cu and 39 ppb Au.
- The Northern Anomaly: located approximately three kilometres to the north of Bambino, across a repeat sequence of fault-bound Paleozoic schists. Copper-gold anomalous zones have been defined within several pods measuring up to 400 x 400 metres each, with peak assay grades of 468 ppm copper and 19 ppb in soils.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Page 7 of 41
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 3: Geology map showing the locations of the three main anomalies and extent of surface geochemical sampling completed from April – June 2024.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
In from the months of July to September of 2024, The Company executed an extensive mapping and rock chip sampling campaign at Timok East, with the aim of further defining mineralization style and the grade of underlying rocks at Bambino and the Northern Anomaly.
In total, 128 rock float and outcrop samples collected across Bambino (see Figures 4 & 5) Rock-chip sampling results, confirmed high grade copper-gold and gold mineralization in rocks across several structurally offset, hydrothermally altered zones north and south of the central Bambino target, aligning with previously announced surface copper-gold anomalous in soils. Mineralized rocks, typified by quartz-limonite stockwork veining and gossan textures, have now been identified over four distinct ridges, extending 1.5 kilometres along the same geological unit and structure (see figure 6).
In addition to the sampling at Bambino, three rock-chip samples were taken from Gossan altered rocks with secondary copper minerals from the Northern Anomaly. Rock-chip assays returned between $10 - 205\mathrm{g / t}$ silver, $1.12 - 2.14\%$ copper, and $0.15 - 0.87\mathrm{g / t}$ gold, confirming high-grade copper-gold mineralization, with previously un-identified silver potential 3 kilometres north of Bambino along same geological structure. Over 1.3 kilometres of on-structure strike remains unexplored between Bambino and the Northern Anomaly (see figure 7).
Table 1: Showing copper categorized results from the 131 rock chip samples from Timok East.
| >5 % Cu | 1-5 % Cu | 0.5-1 % Cu | 0.1-0.5 % Cu | 0 - 0.1 % Cu | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. Samples | 3 | 18 | 52 | 52 | 50 |
Table 2: Showing gold categorized results from the 131 rock chip samples from Timok East.
| >5 g/t Au | 2-5 g/t Au | 0.5-2 g/t Au | 0.1-0.5 g/t Au | 0 - 0.1 g/t Au | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. Samples | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 111 |
Table 3: Showing silver categorized results from the 131 rock chip samples from Timok East.
| >50 g/t Ag | 10-50 g/t Ag | 0 -10 g/t Ag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. Samples | 3 | 30 | 98 |
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 4: Map showing the Bambino gold soil and rock chip assay results on geology map.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 5: Map showing the Bambino copper soil and rock chip assay results on geology map.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 6: Map showing the Bambino copper soil and rock chip assay results on 3D geology map.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 7: Geology map of the Central Timok East target trend, highlighting planned soil sampling grids over un-explored strike extension targets and exploration plans at developed targets.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
In September 2024, the company completed a 300-metre trench program across the Bambino Central target. This trench program aimed to provide further insights into mineralization style, continuity and grade across an extended outcrop exposure. Four trenches of varying lengths and orientations were opened in total. Trenching was successful in providing critical information on the grade, geometry, alteration and mineralization style at Bambino with all encountering copper-bearing quartz-limonite stockwork in hydrothermally altered hostrocks.
Trench TR01 was opened over 40.5 metres striking roughly WSW across the southern portion of the trenched area. Copper bearing limonite stockwork material was encountered from 15-30.5 metres in the trench within hydrothermally altered argillic altered rock with pockets of increasing silicification. The stockwork material was heavily oxidized with no secondary copper present, suggesting sulfide leaching during the weathering process. Copper-bearing Silicified metasedimentary rock with minor quartz limonite stringers was encountered from 9 – 15 metres.
Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR01 include:
24.0 metres @ 0.21% Cu and 4.2 g/t Ag from 12.0 metres.
Significant gold bearing intervals were also intercepted within the broader copper zone, including:
1.5 metres @ 0.13 g/t Au and 18.0 g/t Ag and 0.21% Cu from 24.0 metres.
Trench TR02 was opened over 153.0 metres length, along the NNW striking ridge aligning with the highest-grade copper anomaly in soils. This trench revealed consistent limonite stockwork material in hydrothermally altered rock across the trench ending to the north and south in hydrothermal stockwork. Secondary copper minerals Malachite and Azurite were encountered on the northern slope of the trench, coinciding with a drop in elevation, potentially representing supergene enrichment processes.
Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR02 include:
133.5 metres @ 0.43% Cu and 6.9 g/t Ag from 0.0 metres,
Including 64.5 metres @ 0.76 Cu and 5.3 g/t Ag from 0.0 metres, and
10.5 metres @ 0.21% Cu and 5.3 g/t Ag from 142.5 metres.
Significant gold bearing intervals were also intercepted within the broader copper zones, including:
1.5 metres @ 2.9 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag and 0.06% Cu from 64.5 metres, and
6.0 metres @ 0.18 g/t Au, 13.3 g/t Ag and 0.35% Cu from 96.0 metres.
Trench TR03 was opened over 40 metres striking roughly WSW across the central portion of the trenched area. Copper bearing limonite stockwork material was encountered from 6.0- 33.0 metres in the trench within argillic altered rock with pockets of increasing silicification. The stockwork material was heavily oxidized with no secondary copper present, suggesting sulfide leaching during the weathering process. The trench ended in copper mineralized clay altered metasediments in the east.
Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR03 include:
22.5 metres @ 0.26% Cu and 2.6 g/t Ag from 0.0 metres.
Significant gold bearing intervals were also intercepted within the broader copper zone, including:
4.5 metres @ 1.49 g/t Au and 6.9 g/t Ag and 0.16% Cu from 13.0 metres.
Trench TR04 was opened over 69 metres striking roughly WSW across the northern-most portion of the trenched area. copper bearing limonite – copper oxide stockwork material was encountered from 34.5 – 52.5 metres, within a mixture of hydrothermally altered argillic altered intrusive and silicified metasedimentary rock. Silicified metasedimentary rock with minor quartz limonite and calcite stringers was encountered from 0 – 34.5 metres. Oxidized metasedimentary units were mapped from 52.5 – 69 metres.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Page 14 of 41
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR04 include:
1.5 metres @ 0.51% Cu, 6.3 g/t Ag and 0.16 g/t Au from 30.0 metres, and
13.5 metres @ 1.72% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag from 39.0 metres.
Table 4: Table reporting significant copper, silver and gold intercepts from the recent trench sampling at Central Bambino. *Highlights overprinting gold dominant intervals.
| Trench ID | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Cu % | Ag g/t | Au g/t |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TR01 | 12.0 | 36.0 | 24.0 | 0.21 | 4.2 | - |
| *Including | 24.0 | 25.5 | 1.5 | 0.21 | 18.0 | 0.13 |
| TR02 | 0.0 | 133.5 | 133.5 | 0.43 | 6.9 | - |
| Including | 0.0 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 0.76 | 5.3 | - |
| *Also Including | 64.5 | 66.0 | 1.5 | 0.06 | 20 | 2.90 |
| *Also Including | 73.5 | 75.0 | 1.5 | 0.04 | 14 | 0.93 |
| *Also Including | 96.0 | 102.0 | 6.0 | 0.35 | 13.3 | 0.18 |
| And | 142.5 | 153.0 | 10.5 | 0.21 | 5.3 | - |
| TR03 | 0.0 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 0.26 | 2.6 | - |
| *Including | 13 | 17.5 | 4.5 | 0.16 | 6.9 | 1.49 |
| TR04 | 30.0 | 31.5 | 1.5 | 0.51 | 6.3 | 0.16 |
| And | 39.0 | 52.5 | 13.5 | 1.72 | 1.6 | - |
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 8: Map showing soil, rockchip and trench sample copper assay results from the Bambino Central target.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 9: Plan-view of the trenching copper assay results, with mapped trench stockwork vein density and geological interpretation.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 10: Plan view of the trenching gold assay results, with mapped trench stockwork vein density and geological interpretation.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Information gained through detailed logging and mapping of trenches has provided key information on the style and potential grade of mineralization which will in conjunction with the upcoming HIRIP survey, be used to efficiently plan drill holes ahead of The Companies maiden drill program at Bambino Central.
Following the successful completion of mapping and trenching at the Bambino target, the Company is currently advancing exploration efforts with a High-Resolution Resistivity and Induced Polarization (“HIRIP”) survey. This geophysical program aims to refine the understanding of the subsurface geology, particularly the orientation and depth of potential hypogene mineralization zones.
The HIRIP survey will be executed in two phases:
- Phase 1: Three survey lines, each 900 metres in length, will traverse the Bambino Central target.
- Phase 2: Six additional survey lines, also 900 metres each, will focus on the northern and southern Bambino extensions (Bambino 1, 2, 3 & 4), areas identified through previous mapping and surface geochemical analysis.
Together, these phases will cover approximately 1.6 kilometres of strike length, with an estimated depth penetration of 300 metres.
The IP component of the survey is designed to detect chargeability anomalies, which could indicate zones of elevated sulphide content associated with primary, potentially higher-grade sulphide stockwork mineralization. The integration of resistivity and chargeability data will provide critical insights into the depth and spatial orientation of key targets, aiding in the precise planning of drill holes for the upcoming maiden drill program.
The geophysical survey is expected to be completed by mid-December 2024, with results available shortly thereafter.
Concurrently, the Company has secured a reputable drilling contractor for a 2,000-metre maiden drill program at the Bambino Central target. Logistical preparations are underway, including the construction of drill roads and securing appropriate core-handling facilities.
Drill targets will be prioritized based on a comprehensive analysis of trench mapping and sampling, surface geochemistry (soil and rock-chip data), and the results from the HIRIP survey. This integrated approach will ensure that the initial drill holes are optimally positioned to efficiently test the Bambino Central target defined on surface.
This drill campaign marks a significant milestone for the Company moving into 2025, aiming to validate the potential and advance the Timok East Project.
Quality Control and Assurance
The details of the Company procedures for quality control and assurance are provided in the results press releases and the Company Technical Reports on SEDAR+. Assay results are provided by accredited labs and the company includes quality control samples in its samples submitted in addition to monitoring the lab sample standards.
Novo Tlamino Project
As a result of the Acquisition, the Company expanded its Tlamino Gold Project, located in southern Serbia which is now renamed to the Novo Tlamino Project (“Novo Tlamino”). Originally the Company held two exploration licenses: the Donje Tlamino and Surlica-Dukat licenses which comprised the Tlamino Gold Project. In October 2020, the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy issued exploration licenses for Donje Tlamino and Surlica Dukat for the period of 3 years, which expired in October 2023. In October 2023, the Company submitted progress reports and renewal application for the second three-year exploration cycle for the Donje Tlamino and Surlica Dukat properties. During the period ended September 30, 2024, the Company received the three-year extensions for the Surlica Dukat and Donje Tlamino exploration licenses.
Following the Acquisition, the Company holds an additional 307 square kilometres of exploration ground across four further licences (Radovnica, Ljubata, Crnoštica and Brod), some contiguous with the Tlamino Gold Project that are deemed to be of exploration potential, which together with original Tlamino Gold Project cover an area of 522 square kilometres and form the Novo Tlamino Project.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
In mid-2016, the Company signed a strategic alliance with Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) ("Fortuna"), for the purposes of generating gold and silver exploration projects in Serbia by targeting gold-silver epithermal systems associated with the Oligo-Miocene igneous belt within Serbia. This belt of rocks runs NW-SE across much of the country and is under-explored for gold and silver. Much of the historic and available geological information was generated by the Yugoslav State, during the 1960s and 1970s, through phases of national-scale geological mapping and systematic exploration for lead and zinc.
Exploration drilling programs conducted at the Tlamino Project in 2018 and 2019 led to the drill-definition of a zone of continuous gold mineralization at the Barje Prospect measuring 700 metres by 250 metres. In January 2020, the Company established a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Barje Prospect (see "Mineral Resource Estimate" below). The above programs were fully funded by Fortuna and directed by a joint Fortuna-Medgold technical committee pursuant to the terms of a March 2017 Tlamino option agreement.
In July 2022, the Company and Fortuna entered into two agreements whereby the Fortuna option agreement was terminated, the Company acquired Fortuna's 51% beneficial interest in the Tlamino Project, and Fortuna was granted a 1% net smelter return royalty from any future production from the Tlamino Project. The royalty may be purchased by the Company at any time for a cash consideration of $3 million.
The Tlamino Gold Project
The Tlamino Gold Project includes three prospects: Barje, Liska and Karamanica. Outcropping mineralization was first observed at the Barje Prospect by Yugoslav State agencies in the 1950s and 1960s when a short adit was opened but no drilling was carried out. The prospect was then held by private and public companies between approximately 2005 and 2012 during which time limited drilling failed to intersect significant mineralization.
In a period between May 2018 and October 2019, a total of 33 diamond drill holes were completed at the Barje prospect over 4,991.5 metres, which identified gold and silver mineralization with lesser amounts of lead, zinc and copper. Drilling was conducted jointly with the Company's former option partner Fortuna.
The Novo Tlamino Project: New Exploration Targets
Following extensive data review and filed work, the Company has identified new exploration targets at the Novo Tlamino Project (see Figure 7.), namely Karamanica, Jube Jube and Liska- Barje.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Page 20 of 41
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 11: Geology map highlighting the three main Novo Tlamino targets with surface soil geochemistry.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Karamanica Target
The Karamanica target consists of a large Au-Cu-Ag mineralised alteration cell located approximately 5 kilometres west from Barje. Soil and rockchip sampling has defined a $2.5 \times 2.5$ Au-Cu-Ag anomaly at surface that coincides silica alteration (see Figure 8). Rock-chip samples returned assays up to $7.4 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{t}$ Au, $240 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{t}$ Ag, and $4.7\%$ Cu. Current fieldwork by the Company has identified sulphide-mineralized vuggy silica in historical mine dumps within a broad silicified zone in the south of the anomaly. Sulphide-mineralized vuggy silica is typically associated with high sulphidation epithermal systems, a potential target that was previously unrecognized at Karamanica.
Past exploration focused on the western strike extension of the privately owned Bosilegrad Pb-Zn mine, a subvertical vein-hosted deposit southeast of the main anomalous zone. At Karamanica, eight holes were drilled in the past, totalling 1,996.5 metres targeting the Bosilegrad mine extension and gold anomalous over limestone in the north. This drilling intercepted varying degrees of gold mineralization, including 2.0 metres at $0.9\mathrm{g / t}$ Au from 241 metres in hole KAR002.
In October 2024 the Company completed initial reconnaissance follow-up work and prospecting sampling. The results from this work are pending. The next phase of exploration will focus on detailed mapping of the alteration assemblages across the whole of Karamanica, including delineation and sampling occurrences of vuggy silica, ahead of drill targeting.
Figure 12: Example of vuggy silica material taken from Karamanica.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 13: Surface soil gold anomalies, rockchip samples and silicification mapped zones across the Karamanica exploration target.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Jube Jube Target
The analysis of past exploration data has identified four surface gold anomalies in soil samples over a 3 kilometres strike length in the northwest of the Novo Tlamino Project, named Jube Jube. Three of these anomalies appear to be associated with structures along the same geological contact as the privately owned Grot polymetallic skarn deposit, located approximately 5 kilometres to the northwest. The largest anomaly trends north-south. Prospecting and reconnaissance sampling work by the Company in early October 2024 indicates that the 3 kilometre long gold in soil anomaly is in fact located just west of the Metamorphic complex. Results of a prospective rock sampling program along this soil anomaly are pending.
Figure 14: Surface gold anomalous within the Jube Jube target area in relation to Grot mine in the north.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Liska-Barje Target
The Liska Pb-Zn occurrence is located 1.5 kilometres south of the Company's wholly- owned Barje deposit within the same exploration license. Core, field-outcrop and 3D model review has concluded that both Liska and Barje are likely controlled by the same low angle detachment fault. Core analysis of mineralisation styles between the two deposits suggests they are potentially genetically linked and represent the geochemically zoned upper and lower segments of a singular intermediate sulphidation epithermal deposit. The potential for a fault-offset silver-gold rich mid portion of this system remains underexplored between the two known deposits and has been identified as a high priority exploration target.
Photograph of core from Liska Hole LIS006, from 137 - 138 meters and assaying $0.38\mathrm{g / t}$ Au, $12\mathrm{g / t}$ Ag, $2\%$ Pb and $4.4\%$ Zn
Photograph of core from Barje Hole BAR013, 84 - 85 meters and assaying $13.15\mathrm{g / t}$ Au, $78\mathrm{g / t}$ Ag $1.4\%$ Pb and $2.7\%$ Zn
Figure 15: Cross section through the Barje and Liska deposits, with tagged core photographs showing similarities in mineralisation styles between the two deposits.
Preliminary Economic Assessment
On January 30, 2020, the Company announced a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Barje Prospect and, in January 2021, the Company completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the Barje Prospect. The purpose of this study was to confirm the self-standing economics of the Tlamino Project, and specifically its capacity to yield a marketable metal concentrate. Addison Mining Services Ltd. and Bara Consulting Ltd., both of the United Kingdom, were appointed as leaders of the PEA and metallurgical studies. Reach Partners Limited, also of the United Kingdom, was engaged to provide guidance in the fields of concentrate specification and marketing terms. Unless otherwise stated, all tonnes referenced in the PEA summary set out below are metric, and ounces are troy ounce.
The highlights of the PEA are as follows:
- Based on simple open-pit mining methods and the production of a flotation concentrate via conventional processing techniques, the pre-tax NPV of the Project, at a discount rate of $8\%$ , is US$101M, its IRR $49\%$ , and its operating margin $61\%$ .
- The up-front capital cost of the Project is US$74M (inclusive of a 15% contingency margin and further study and engineering costs) with payback achieved in two years.
- Life of mine C1 cash costs are US$464/oz Au, and life of mine all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) are US$522/ounce Au.
- A gold price of US$1,500/oz and a silver price of US$16.50/oz was used in the study. At an approximate spot gold price of US$1,800/oz, the post-tax NPV of the Project, at a discount rate of 8%, is US$139M, and its IRR 69%.
The key financial metrics of the Project are summarized in Table 5.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Table 5: Barje PEA Key Financial Metrics
| Metric | Value | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 458 | US$M |
| Operating Cost | 181 | US$M |
| Peak Funding Requirement | 37 | US$M |
| Project Capital Cost | 74 | US$M |
| Free Cashflow | 153 | US$M |
| LOM C1 Cash Cost | 464 | US$/oz |
| LOM AISC | 522 | US$/oz |
| Pre-Tax Project NPV8 | 101 | US$M |
| Post-Tax Project NPV8 | 86 | US$M |
| Pre-Tax Project IRR | 49 | % |
| Post-Tax Project IRR | 46 | % |
| Operating Margin | 61 | % |
| Payback Period | 2 | years |
The PEA is preliminary in nature and is based on Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. As such there may be no certainty that the PEA will be realized. The study was undertaken by Addison Mining Services Ltd., Bara Consulting Ltd. and Reach Partners Limited, all of the United Kingdom. A Technical Report for the Project has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Basis of Preliminary Economic Assessment
Scoping-level design and preliminary economic analysis thereof was undertaken for the Barje deposit of the Tlamino Project. The Mineral Resource Estimate for Barje as announced on January 30, 2020 has been updated in accordance with the metallurgical testwork and mining parameters identified during the course of the current study. An updated Inferred Mineral Resource of approximately 7.1 Mt at 2.5 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag, containing approximately 570,000 oz of Au and 8.8 Moz of Ag is herein stated and has been used as a basis for the PEA.
Mining via open pit methods using a conventional truck and shovel fleet is contemplated, delivering approximately 600,000 tpa of two Run of Mine ("ROM") material types - High-Grade Breccia ("HG_BX") and Low-Grade Schist ("LG_Sch") - to stockpile for processing, with a life-of-mine stripping ratio of approximately 4:1. On site mineral processing is via grinding and flotation to a bulk Au-Ag bearing sulphide concentrate for sale to potential offtake customers in Asia. Preliminary economic analysis has been performed in accordance with the preliminary mine design and schedule, metallurgical testing, and concentrate payability analysis developed in the study, and the estimates and analyses therein have been prepared to scoping level (+-30%). Oxidized material from the Mineral Resource was not considered by the PEA, and the nearby prospects at Liska and Karamanica were similarly omitted. A preliminary site layout, subject to further study, permitting and land access is shown in Figure 12. Key project parameters are presented in Table 6.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 16: Preliminary Site Layout, Barje (looking west)
Table 6: Summary of Project Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Units |
|---|---|---|
| LOM Production Rate | 710 | ktpa |
| Waste Mining Rate | 3,310 | ktpa |
| LOM Average Strip Ratio | 4:1 | Waste t:ROM t |
| Average Mined Gold Grade | 2.6 | g/t |
| Total Mined Gold | 390 | koz |
| Total Mined Silver | 4,022 | koz |
| Cut-off Grade - HG_BX | 0.6 | g/t AuEq |
| Cut-off Grade - LG_Sch | 1.14 | g/t AuEq |
| LOM | 8 | years |
| Mining Cost - OPEX | 2.30 | US$/t mined |
| Process Cost - OPEX | 11.50 | US$/t processed |
| Base Case Au Price | 1,500 | US$/oz |
| Base Case Ag Price | 16.50 | US$/oz |
Mining
The Barje deposit is relatively flat-lying and situated beneath shallow to medium-depth overburden. While mining via both open pit and underground techniques were initially considered, an open pit method was ultimately selected for the PEA on account of the overall low volume of waste and the generally low RQD of both waste and ore material. The PEA contemplates application of open pit mining methods using hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders charging articulated dump trucks for haulage of both waste and ROM material. Mining activities will be performed on a contractor basis, and include free-digging of weathered material, and drilling and blasting of fresh rock. Pre-production mining includes removal and stockpiling of topsoil is also assumed.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Mining is expected to be completed over four pit stages with an active life of mine (“LOM”) of approximately eight years, followed by a further two years of production from stockpile reclamation. Pit and schedule optimizations prioritize mining and processing of HG_BX material where possible, with LG_Sch material stockpiled and processed periodically throughout the LOM. Mining parameters are summarized in Table 7.
Table 7: Summary of Mining Parameters
| LOM Summary | Total | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total Rock | 31.7 | Mt |
| Total Waste | 26.0 | Mt |
| Total ROM | 5.69 | Mt |
| LOM Average Strip Ratio | 4:1 | Waste t:ROM t |
| Plant Feed (All) | 5.69 | Mt |
| | 2.62 | g/t Au |
| | 38.9 | g/t Ag |
| Plant Feed (HG_BX) | 3.57 | Mt |
| | 3.43 | Au g/t |
| | 56.1 | Ag g/t |
| Plant Feed (LG_Sch) | 2.11 | Mt |
| | 1.25 | Au g/t |
| | 9.9 | Ag g/t |
| LOM | 8 | years |
| Stockpile Reclaim | 2 | years |
| Total | 10 | years |
| Peak Production Total Rock | 10.6 | Mt/year |
| Peak Production Waste | 10.0 | Mt/year |
| Peak Production ROM | 1.4 | Mt/year |
| Average Production Total Rock | 4.0 | Mt/year |
| Average Production Waste | 3.3 | Mt/year |
| Average Production ROM | 0.7 | Mt/year |
Processing
Test work on Barje samples reported by the Company on October 28, 2020 demonstrated the production of a flotation concentrate at a primary grind of 75 µm grading 48.9 g/t Au and 824 g/t Ag with recoveries to concentrate of 83.4% for gold and 82.4% for silver from a composite sample representing the HG_BX material. A second composite sample representing the LG_Sch material produced a flotation concentrate at a similar grind grading 24.4 g/t Au and 238 g/t Ag with recoveries to concentrate of 71.2% for gold and 79.2% for silver. Laboratory test work shows that the same grind size and flotation parameters are applicable to both rock types and can result in commercially viable concentrates. These results were incorporated into the PEA and were used in re-assessment of the Mineral Resource Estimate.
A flowsheet contemplating crushing, grinding, and rougher plus cleaner flotation to a bulk Au-Ag concentrate has been developed based on the metallurgical test program. It is envisaged that the two ROM material types be processed in the same concentrator but at different times, i.e. on a campaign basis, in order to maximize revenue from the HG material.
The PEA provides that ROM material is hauled by trucks and tipped on a storage and blending stockpile. Ball milling with feed prepared by three-stage crushing and screening is further assumed as it is deemed to represent a robust option for this material type. A rougher flotation stage followed by two stages of cleaner flotation are sufficient to produce acceptable concentrate of the previously reported specification. Concentrates are dewatered by means of a pressure filter, with concentrate filter cake stored and blended before transport by road and sea for processing at toll facilities in Asia.
Tailings are densified in a high-rate thickener before final dewatering by means of a pressure filter before storage in a dry-stack type Tailings Storage Facility (“TSF”), thus improving the geotechnical properties of the TSF and maximizing recycling of process water. Key processing parameters are presented in Table 8.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Page 28 of 41
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Table 8: Summary of Mineral Processing Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Flotation Throughput | 600 | ktpa |
| Au Recovery HG_BX | 85.8 | % |
| Ag Recovery HG_BX | 84.3 | % |
| Au Recovery LG_Sch | 76.5 | % |
| Ag Recovery LG_Sch | 84.3 | % |
| Mass Pull | 5 | % |
| Au grade HG conc | 49 | g/t |
| Ag grade HG conc | 824 | g/t |
| Au grade LG conc | 24 | g/t |
| Ag grade LG conc | 238 | g/t |
| Recovered Au | 390 | koz |
| Recovered Ag | 4,022 | koz |
| Payability – HG conc | 75 | % |
| Payability – LG conc | 60 | % |
| Flotation Process Costs - OPEX | 11.50 | US$/processed t |
| G&A | 5.80 | US$/processed t |
| Concentrate Transport Cost | 3.24 | US$/processed t |
Capital Costs
The Project is well-served by existing infrastructure including sealed roads and a high voltage power line adjacent to the property. Capital costs for mine development, mine infrastructure, processing plant, and surface infrastructure including mine offices, control, plant building, common workshop and stores, changehouse, water, powerline and substation, and earthworks including tailings, roads and platforms were estimated based on current designs and quotes from recent comparable projects by Bara Consulting.
Plant capital provides for the design and construction of a 600,000 tpa flotation plant including crushing, grinding, froth flotation, concentrate and tailings handling facilities including filtration of tailings for dry stacking. Infrastructure includes for mine support infrastructure, plant infrastructure, dry stack tailings storage facility, power (including backup 35 kV line), water and internal roads. A summary is presented in Table 9. Estimates for closure were also assessed during the ESIA review process.
Table 9: Capital Cost Estimates
| Description | Value | Units | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Development | 3.25 | Mt | US$7.5M |
| Process Plant | 600,000 | tpa | US$34.6M |
| Surface Infrastructure | US$14.0M | ||
| Indirect Costs | 15 | % | US$8.4M |
| Contingency | 15 | % | US$9.7M |
| Total | US$74.2M |
Operating Costs
A high-level breakdown of operating costs was developed based on current designs and quotes from recent similar projects by Bara Consulting. Mine operating costs include ore mining and waste mining at US$2.30/t, plus a stockpile reclaim cost for LG material of US$1/t equating to US$0.50/ROM tonne. Process costs include crushing, grinding, flotation, concentrate handling and tailings handling (including filtration) for 600,000 tpa flotation feed. G&A includes on-mine administration and general costs. Concentrate transport is costed for delivery of concentrate CIF to customers in China. Details are presented in Table 10 below.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Page 29 of 41
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Table 10: Operating Cost Estimates
| Description | Units | Cost/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Mining | ||
| Mining Cost - ROM | t | US$2.80 |
| Mining Cost - Waste | t | US$2.30 |
| Processing | ||
| Processing | t | US$11.50 |
| Conc Transport (Per ROM t) | t | US$3.24 |
| G&A | t | US$5.80 |
Economics and Sensitivities
The post-tax NPV of the Project, at a discount rate of 8%, is US$86M, with an IRR of 46%, and an operating margin of 61%. Up-front capital is US$74M with payback achieved in two years. Life of mine C1 cash costs are US$464/oz Au, and life of mine AISC are US$522/oz Au. Sensitivity analysis of key capital and operating cost parameters, and gold price indicates significant upside potential to the project are shown in Figure 8. The Project was demonstrated to be most sensitive to variance in gold price, and least sensitive to variances in capital cost. Specific post-tax NPV and IRR sensitivity ranges are presented in Table 11.
Table 11: NPV and IRR sensitivities, Barje Prospect
| Variance | Gold Price US$/oz | NPV (8%) | IRR | Capital Cost (US$M) | NPV (8%) | IRR | Operating Cost US$/t | NPV (8%) | IRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -30% | 1050 | 10 | 12 | 52 | 102 | 72 | 24 | 118 | 63 |
| -25% | 1125 | 23 | 18 | 56 | 99 | 66 | 26 | 112 | 60 |
| -20% | 1200 | 36 | 23 | 59 | 97 | 61 | 27 | 107 | 57 |
| -15% | 1275 | 48 | 29 | 63 | 94 | 57 | 29 | 102 | 54 |
| -10% | 1350 | 61 | 34 | 67 | 91 | 53 | 31 | 96 | 51 |
| -5% | 1425 | 73 | 40 | 70 | 88 | 49 | 32 | 91 | 49 |
| 0% | 1500 | 86 | 46 | 74 | 86 | 46 | 34 | 86 | 46 |
| 5% | 1575 | 98 | 52 | 78 | 83 | 43 | 36 | 80 | 43 |
| 10% | 1650 | 110 | 57 | 81 | 80 | 40 | 37 | 75 | 40 |
| 15% | 1725 | 123 | 63 | 85 | 77 | 38 | 39 | 69 | 38 |
| 20% | 1800 | 135 | 69 | 89 | 74 | 36 | 41 | 64 | 35 |
| 25% | 1875 | 147 | 76 | 93 | 71 | 34 | 43 | 59 | 32 |
| 30% | 1950 | 160 | 82 | 96 | 69 | 32 | 44 | 53 | 30 |
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 17: Post-Tax NPV and IRR Sensitivity, Barje Deposit
Mineral Resources
Mineral Resources, reported in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards, have been reestimated for the Barje prospect of the Tlamino Project incorporating updated metallurgical testwork and mining parameters identified during the PEA. No Mineral Resources for other prospects within the Tlamino Project (Liska, Karamanica) have as yet been declared.
The estimated Mineral Resource for Barje, using various cut-off grades for their respective material types, is approximately 7.1 Mt at $2.5\mathrm{g / t}$ Au and $38~\mathrm{g / t}$ Ag in the Inferred category, and containing 570,000 oz of Au and 8.8 Moz of Ag. This equates to approximately $2.9\mathrm{g / t}$ AuEq or 670,000 oz AuEq. It is the opinion of the Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate that all elements included in the Au Equivalent calculation (gold and silver) have a reasonable prospect of being recovered and sold.
The updated Mineral Resource Estimate has an effective date of January 7, 2021 and supersedes the previous initial Mineral Resource Estimate announced on January 30, 2020; there has, however, been no material change to the estimate in terms of tonnage, grade and contained metal. See Table 8 for further information relating to the updated Mineral Resource Estimate. A north-south cross-section illustrating the optimized Barje pit and block model is shown in Figure 18.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Figure 18: North-south cross-section illustrating the optimized Barje pit and block model
No estimates of Mineral Reserves have been completed. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
The Mineral Resources extend from surface to a depth of approximately 110 metres, are laterally extensive over an area of approximately 600 metres from east to west and approximately 350 metres north to south. The thickness of resource mineralization ranges from approximately 10 to 40 metres with some isolated thinner areas. It is closed by bounding faults to the north and south and by drilling to the east and west. There remains some possibility of identifying additional mineralization via infill drilling in areas where the model is currently interpreted to pinch and in which data are sparse, and in the northwest corner of the area of mineralization.
Table 12: Mineral Resource Estimate, Barje Prospect
| Tonnes | Density | AuEq | Au | Ag | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| g/t | Contained oz | g/t | Contained oz | g/t | Contained oz | ||
| Total Inferred Resources | |||||||
| 7,100,000 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 670,000 | 2.5 | 570,000 | 38 | 8,800,000 |
| Including | |||||||
| High Grade Breccia | |||||||
| 3,200,000 | 2.8 | 4.7 | 470,000 | 3.9 | 400,000 | 65 | 6,700,000 |
| Low Grade Schist | |||||||
| 2,400,000 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 96,000 | 1.1 | 88,000 | 8.4 | 650,000 |
| Partially Oxidized Material | |||||||
| 1,500,000 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 100,000 | 1.7 | 87,000 | 29 | 1,400,000 |
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Notes to the Mineral Resource Estimate:
- The independent Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as defined by NI 43-101, is Mr. Richard Siddle, MSc, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd since November 2014. The effective date of the Mineral Resource Estimate is January 07 2021.
- These Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this Mineral Resource Estimate are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured, however it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. Additional drilling is however required to increase the confidence in the Mineral Resource; increased levels of information brought about by further drilling may serve to either increase or decrease the Mineral Resources.
- Mineral Resources reported in the above table are presented as undiluted and in-situ for an open-pit scenario and are considered to have reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The Mineral Resources constrained by open pit optimization.
- Break even cut-off grades were estimated for each material type of 0.6 g/t, 0.8 g/t and 0.5 g/t AuEg for the High Grade Breccia, Low Grade Schist and Partially Oxidized materials respectively, these cut-off grades were used in Resource Reporting. The cut-off grades were calculated on the basis of the following assumptions: a gold price of US$1500/oz, a silver price of US$16.5/oz, mining costs of US$2.3/t, processing costs including tailings disposal of US$10/t for sulphide rock and US$12/t for oxide, G&A costs of US$4/ROMt and transport costs of US$2/ROMt.
- Per metallurgical test work completed to date, recovery to concentrate after flotation of 85.8% for gold and 84.3% for silver were used for the High Grade Breccia material with 75% payability. For the Low Grade Schist recoveries used were 76.5% for gold and 82.7% for silver with 60% payability. For the Partially Oxidized material 80% recovery via leaching for gold and silver was assumed with 98% payability. 5% gross royalty was applied to both metals.
- Geological and block models for the Mineral Resource Estimate used data from 33 surface drillholes performed by Medgold in 2018 and 2019; data from four drillholes completed by Avala Resources Ltd., a prior operator, were used to constrain the model though they did not intercept significant mineralization. The drill database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Medgold and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory. No QA/QC was possible on the data relating to the drilling by Avala.
- The geological model as applied to the Mineral Resource Estimate comprises two mineralized domains, a shallowly inclined high-grade hydrothermal breccia unit and a lower-grade schist unit immediately overlying the hydrothermal breccia. Individual wireframes were created for each domain. Weathering domains of fresh and partially oxidized material were defined within the two mineralized domains.
- The block model was prepared using Micromine version 2020, Services Pack 1, A 10 m x 10 m x 4 m block model was created with sub-blocks of minimum 2 m x 2 m x 2 m on domain boundaries. Grade estimation from drillhole data was carried out for Au, Ag, As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, S using Ordinary Kriging and was validated by comparison of input and output statistics, kriging neighborhood analysis and by inspection of the assay data and block model in cross section. A gold equivalent (AuEq) grade was calculated for each block using the formula AuEq = ((Ag g/t) x 0.011)) + (Au g/t) for the High Grade Breccia and Partially Oxidized materials and AuEq = ((Ag g/t) x 0.012)) + (Au g/t) for the Low Grade Schist.
- Bulk density values were calculated for each block of the model based on a broad linear relationship observed between 152 measured bulk density values within the mineralized domains and the assayed values of As, Cu, Fe, S, Pb and Zn. Blocks within the partially oxidized material were assigned a single bulk density value of 2.54 g/cm³.
- Estimates in the above table have been rounded to two significant figures.
- CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources have been followed.
- The independent Qualified Person for Resources is not aware of any additional known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate.
Subsequent to the period end, the Company plans to update the PEA since costs have increased since the report and importantly, the price of gold is more than $1,000 per ounce higher.
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical contents of this Interim MD&A have been reviewed and approved by R. Michael Jones P.Eng. Mr. Jones is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and a director of the Company. He has visited the properties and verified the data gathered by technically competent experienced staff by reviewing, the assay certificates, the geological data and interpretation and reviewing the qualifications of the persons completing and compiling the field work.
The independent Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101 regarding the PEA summary technical information included in this Interim MD&A are Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Quarterly Information
The following table provides information for the eight fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2024:
| Sep. 30, 2024 ($) | June 30, 2024 ($) | Mar. 31, 2024 ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 ($) | Sep. 30, 2023 ($) | June 30, 2023 ($) | Mar. 31, 2023 ($) | Dec. 31, 2022 ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General and administrative expenses | 332,978 | 427,922 | 407,844 | 148,243 | 167,781 | 89,706 | 133,288 | 211,896 |
| Interest income | 3,019 | 5,485 | 26 | 184 | 2 | - | 16 | 24 |
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 2,790 | (4,324) | (7,515) | 7,008 | 1,056 | 2,671 | (1,068) | 17,354 |
| Loss for the period | (297,094) | (426,761) | (332,000) | (274,319) | (395,732) | (739,075) | (149,837) | (194,518) |
| Basic and diluted loss per share | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.03) | (0.01) | (0.01) |
Reported losses for the quarters ended June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2023 were significantly impacted by listing expenses of $669,661, $230,738, and $67,522, respectively that related to the Acquisition that closed in January 2024. Reported losses for the three most recently completed quarters were higher than most previous quarters presented due to an increase in corporate activity after the completion of the Acquisition.
Results of Operations
Quarter ended September 30, 2024
For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company had a net loss of $297,094 compared to a net loss of $395,732 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $98,638. The net loss for the comparative quarter was higher than the current quarter due to a listing expense of $230,738 during that period for legal, audit, and regulatory costs relating to the Acquisition. The net loss for the current quarter was also lessened by a gain from the write-off of debt totaling $30,075. The debt that was written off was related to Medgold Resources legal fees that were incurred before the Acquisition and waived in the current quarter.
General and administrative expenses totaled $332,978 for the current quarter compared to $167,781 for the comparative quarter, an increase of $165,197. The current quarter expenses are significantly higher as there were numerous expenses either not incurred in the comparative period and relating to an increase in corporate activity after the Acquisition. Such notable costs were a share-based payments expense of $69,945, salaries and benefits of $10,742, and transfer agent and regulatory fees of $7,406. The share-based payments expense relates to the fair value of the vested portion of options granted during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The fair value of these options granted are charged to operations over vesting periods of eighteen and twenty-four months. Salaries and benefits include costs for administrative and marketing support personnel, including the Chief Financial Officer. Other notable cost increases for the current quarter included increases of $59,326 in consulting fees, $53,782 in marketing and investor relations fees, $15,782 in travel expenses, $12,839 in office and administration, and $9,000 in management and director fees. Consulting fees includes business development, financial advisory, and Corporate Secretary services. Marketing and investor relations fees include service agreements and promotional activities. Office and administrative costs were higher due to these costs including those for both the Company and Balkan Metals whereas the comparative quarter expense was just that for Balkan Metals before the Acquisition. Management fees between the current and comparative quarters remained the same for the Chief Executive Officer but the current quarter incurred more directors' fees with the restructuring of the Board upon the Acquisition. A notable cost decrease for the current quarter was in audit and accounting fees which were $2,028 in the current quarter compared to $69,122 in the comparative quarter. Audit and accounting fees were higher in the comparative quarter due to the timing of Balkan Metals' auditor requirements and the use of a consultant for accounting services prior to the Acquisition.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, the Company had a net loss of $1,055,855 compared to a net loss of $1,284,644 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $228,789. As with the quarterly comparison, the comparative period incurred a higher net loss due to a listing expense of $900,399 relating to the Acquisition. The net loss for the current period was also less in part to a gain of $83,333 on the extinguish of debt by way of issuing shares. Upon closing of the Acquisition, a total of $250,000 in debt was settled with the issuance of 1,666,667 common shares at a deemed price of $.015. The gain of $83,333 was the difference between the fair value of the common shares on the date of settlement and the deemed price. The current period also recorded the gain of $30,075 from debt being waived as in the quarterly comparison.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
General and administrative expenses totaled $1,168,744 for the current period compared to $390,775 for the comparative period, an increase of $777,969. As with the quarterly comparison, the current period expenses are significantly higher as there was a share-based payments expense of $192,473, salaries and benefits of $62,603, and transfer agent and regulatory fees of $26,585, costs of which were not incurred in the comparative period. The share-based payments expense relates to the fair value of the vested portion of options granted and fair value of deferred share units awarded during the current period. Whereas the fair value of options granted during the current period is being charged to operations over vesting periods of eighteen and twenty-four months, the entire fair value of the deferred shared units was expensed immediately. Other notable cost increases for the current period included increases of $163,459 in marketing and investor relations fees, $110,182 in legal fees, $84,175 in office and administration, $92,784 in consulting fees, $37,500 in management and director fees, and $30,755 in travel expenses. These costs were higher for the same reasons provided in the quarterly comparison, except for legal fees which were higher due to more business activities post-Acquisition that required legal services. The only notable cost decrease for the current period was $25,005 in audit and accounting fees and for the same reason as the quarterly comparison.
Exploration and Evaluation Assets
A summary of the Company’s capitalized acquisition costs and exploration expenditures on its mineral properties during the period ended September 30, 2024 is as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | Additions | September 30, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timok East Project | |||
| Acquisition costs | $ 503,695 | $ - | $ 503,695 |
| Property holding fees and taxes | 13,256 | 59,685 | 72,941 |
| Assaying | - | 53,882 | 53,882 |
| Field work | 267,230 | 148,956 | 416,186 |
| 43-101 report | 33,490 | - | 33,490 |
| Others | 66,297 | 34,360 | 100,657 |
| 883,968 | 296,883 | 1,180,851 | |
| Lece West Project | |||
| Acquisition costs | 88,932 | - | 88,932 |
| Property holding fees and taxes | 12,769 | 10,129 | 22,898 |
| Field work | 12,776 | 7,860 | 20,636 |
| Others | 4,231 | 2,069 | 6,300 |
| 118,708 | 20,058 | 138,766 | |
| Novo Tlamino Project | |||
| Acquisition costs | 100,287 | - | 100,287 |
| Recognition on reverse acquisition | - | 1,520,257 | 1,520,257 |
| Property fees, data acquisition and reporting | 31,594 | 42,535 | 74,129 |
| Assaying | - | 2,067 | 2,067 |
| Field work | - | 31,330 | 31,330 |
| Others | 3,192 | 21,777 | 24,969 |
| 135,073 | 1,617,966 | 1,753,039 | |
| Total exploration and evaluation assets | $ 1,137,749 | $ 1,934,907 | $ 3,072,656 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash as at September 30, 2024 were $572,896 compared to $52,815 as at December 31, 2023. As at September 30, 2024, the Company had current assets totaling $706,803 and current liabilities totaling $703,443, for working capital of $3,360.
Concurrently with the completion of the Acquisition, a private placement financing for gross proceeds of $2,160,000 was closed. Cash finders’ fees and other cash transaction costs for this financing totaled $171,310. The proceeds of this financing were used for exploration activities and general working capital requirements. Subsequently in October 2024, the Company closed a private placement financing for gross proceeds of $2,281,850. The proceeds of this financing are expected to be used for exploration activities and general working capital requirements.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company also settled a total of $514,700 in current and long-term debt, of which $246,700 was settled with the issuance of 3,083,750 common shares of the Company and $268,000 was settled in cash. The Company's current cash position is approximately $1.45 million.
The Company does not expect its current capital resources to be sufficient to cover its corporate operating costs and significant exploration activities through the next twelve months. As such, the Company will continue to seek additional capital in the future and believes it will be able to do so, but recognizes the uncertainty attached thereto. Actual funding requirements may vary from those planned due to a number of factors, including potential property acquisitions and exploration activity.
Related Party Transactions
See Note 11 of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 for details of other related party transactions which occurred in the normal course of business.
Other Data
Additional information related to the Company is available for viewing on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Share Position and Outstanding Share Purchase Unit and Finders' Warrants, Options and Deferred Share Units
As at the date of this Interim MD&A, the Company's outstanding share position is 98,994,668 common shares and the following share purchase warrants, stock options and deferred share units ("DSU's") are outstanding:
| No. of unit warrants | Exercise price | Expiry date |
|---|---|---|
| 1,035,158 | $0.20 | January 16, 2025 |
| 166,667 | $0.20 | January 18, 2025 |
| 833,333 | $0.20 | April 24, 2025 |
| 833,333 | $0.20 | July 12, 2025 |
| 1,760,239 | $0.20 | October 12, 2025 |
| 21,600,000 | $0.20 | January 15, 2026 |
| 10,700,284 | $0.15 | October 1, 2027 |
| 21,897,570 | $0.15 | October 9, 2027 |
| 58,826,584 | ||
| No. of finders' warrants | Exercise price | Expiry date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 413,000 | $0.20 | January 15, 2025 |
| 849,599 | $0.15 | October 9, 2026 |
| 1,262,599 | ||
| No. of options | Exercise price | Expiry date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1,875 | $2.40 | June 28, 2026 |
| 75,000 | $0.20 | February 18, 2029 |
| 3,898,785 | $0.20 | March 18, 2029 |
| 3,610,000 | $0.13 | November 13, 2029 |
| 356,251 | $1.60 | March 1, 2031 |
| 7,941,911 | ||
| No. of DSU's | Exercise price | Award date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 480,000 | $0.09 | March 19, 2024 |
| 300,000 | $0.15 | November 14, 2024 |
| 780,000 |
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
With the exception of a material accounting policy change described below, the Company’s material accounting policies and future changes in accounting policies are presented in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Material Accounting Policy Change - Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Prior to the Acquisition, the Company capitalized the acquisition cost of mineral properties and expensed all other exploration expenditures. Acquisition costs included the cash consideration paid and the fair value of common shares issued on acquisition, based on the date of issuance of the shares if the fair value of the mineral property was not reliably measurable.
Upon completion of the Acquisition, the Company adopted Balkan Metals’ existing accounting policy of capitalizing mineral property acquisition costs and exploration expenditures. Accordingly, once a right to explore an area has been obtained, the Company follows the practice of capitalizing all costs relating to the acquisition of, exploration for, and development of exploration and evaluation assets. Such costs, include, but are not limited to, geological and geophysical studies, exploratory drilling and sampling. At such time as commercial production commences, these costs will be charged to operations on a unit-of-production method based on proven and probable resources. The aggregate costs, related to abandoned exploration and evaluation assets are charged to operations at the time of any abandonment or when it has been determined that there is evidence of a permanent impairment.
In accordance with IAS 8 – Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, a change in accounting policy is to be applied retrospectively. However, with the Acquisition being a reverse asset acquisition and the resulting comparative information being presented in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements being that of Balkan Metals, there are no adjustments to the comparative balances in the Company’s condensed interim consolidation financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2024.
Risks and Uncertainties
Exploration Stage Company
The Company’s mineral properties are in the early stages of exploration and are without a known economic mineral resource reserve. Development of the properties are dependent upon obtaining satisfactory exploration results. The Company has no history of operations and is still in an early stage of development. There can be no assurance that the Company’s existing or future exploration programs will result in the discovery of commercially viable mineral deposits. Further, there can be no assurance that even if a deposit of minerals is located, that it can be commercially mined.
Mineral Exploration and Development
The exploration and development of minerals is highly speculative in nature and involves a high degree of financial and other risks over a significant period of time, during which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. The proposed program on the Company’s properties is an exploratory search for mineral deposits. While discovery of an ore body may result in significant rewards, few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Substantial expenses are required to establish ore reserves by drilling, sampling and other techniques and to design and construct mining and processing facilities. Whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including the particular attributes of the deposit, financing costs, the cyclical nature of commodity prices, and government regulations (including those related to prices, taxes, currency controls, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of mineral products, and environmental protection). The effect of these factors or a combination thereof, cannot be accurately predicted but could have an adverse impact on the Company. The Company’s operations are also subject to all of the hazards and risks normally encountered in mineral exploration and development. These risks include unusual and unexpected geological formations, seismic activity, rock bursts, cave-ins, water inflows and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, periodic interruptions due to adverse weather conditions, labour disputes, political unrest, aboriginal band claims, and theft. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or interests, production facilities, personal injury, damage to life or property, environmental damage, delays or interruption of operations, increases in costs, monetary losses, legal liability and adverse government action.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Operating History and Financial Resources
The Company has no history of operations nor generating revenues and it is unlikely that the Company will generate any revenues from its current operations in the foreseeable future. The Company anticipates that its existing cash resources will not be sufficient to cover the Company’s projected funding requirements for the ensuing year and as such will need to seek additional capital. If the Company’s exploration program is successful, additional funds will be required for further exploration and development to determine if any deposits are economic and, if economic, to possibly bring such deposits to production. Additional funds will also be required for the Company to acquire and explore other mineral interests if it elects to do so. The Company has limited financial resources and there is no assurance that sufficient additional funding will be available to enable it to fulfill the Company’s existing obligations or for further exploration and development on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to obtain additional funding on a timely basis could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development and could cause the Company to forfeit its interests in some or all of the Company’s properties or to reduce or terminate the Company’s operations. Additional funds raised by the Company from treasury share issuances may result in further dilution to its shareholders or result in a change of control.
Possible Loss of Interest in Mineral Properties
The Company’s ability to maintain an interest in its properties will be dependent on its ability to raise additional funds by equity financing. Failure to obtain additional financing may result in the Company being unable to expend certain minimum amounts on the exploration of its properties. If the Company fails to incur such expenditures in a timely fashion, the Company may lose its properties.
Competition
The mineral exploration business is competitive in all of its phases. The Company competes with numerous other companies and individuals, including competitors with greater financial, technical, and other resources, in the search for and the acquisition of attractive mineral properties. The Company’s ability to acquire properties in the future will depend not only on the Company’s ability to develop its properties, but also on the Company’s ability to select and acquire additional suitable prospects for mineral exploration or development if it elects to do so. In addition, the mining industry periodically faces a shortage of equipment and skilled personnel and there can be intense competition for experienced geologists, engineers, field personnel and other contractors. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully with others in acquiring prospective properties, equipment, or personnel.
Dilution
Dilution per common share of the Company represents the amount by which the price per common share to be paid by a new investor will exceed the net tangible book value per common share immediately after an equity financing is completed. As a result, investors may incur a significant and immediate dilution of their investment if the Company completes an equity financing.
Environmental Risks and Hazards
All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to extensive environmental regulations. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation, provide for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry activities and operations. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. A breach of these regulations may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. In addition, certain types of mining operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has the potential to reduce the viability or profitability of operations. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties in which the Company holds its interests or on properties that will be acquired which are unknown to the Company at present and which have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators of those properties.
Environmental and Social Risks
The activities of the Company are subject to environmental regulations issued and enforced by government agencies. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement and involve increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened
Electrum Discovery Corp.
Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There can be no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company’s operations. Environmental hazards may exist on properties in which the Company holds interests which are unknown to the Company at present. Social risks are not considered significant in the Company’s areas of operations.
Government Regulations
The Company’s current or future operations, including exploration and development activities and the commencement and continuation of commercial production, require licenses, permits or other approvals from various federal, provincial, state, territorial and/or local governmental authorities. Such operations are or will be governed by laws and regulations relating to prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health and safety, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, water use, environmental protection, and other matters. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with all material laws and regulations which currently apply to the Company’s activities. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will obtain on reasonable terms or at all the permits and approvals, and the renewals thereof, which the Company may require for the conduct of the Company’s current or future operations or that compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits and approvals will not have an adverse effect on any mining project which the Company may undertake. Possible changes to mineral tax legislation and, regulations could cause additional expenses, capital expenditures, restrictions and delay on the Company’s planned exploration and operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
Title Risks
While the Company has exercised the usual due diligence with respect to determining title to the Company’s properties, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. The Company’s properties have not been surveyed. The Company’s properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers and title may be affected by undetected defects. If title defects do exist, it is possible that the Company may lose all or a portion of its rights, title, estate and interest in and to the properties, when and if earned, to which the title defects relate. In the event that the Company does not fulfill its minimum exploration obligations, as submitted to the Ministry of Mining (Serbia), it will lose its interest in its properties.
Negative Operating Cash Flow
Since inception, the Company has had negative operating cash flow. The negative operating cash flow is expected to continue for the foreseeable future as funds are expended on the exploration program on the Company’s properties and administrative costs. The Company cannot predict when it will reach positive operating cash flow.
Commodity Prices
The price of the Company’s securities, the Company’s financial results and exploration, development and mining activities have previously been, and may in the future be, significantly adversely affected by declines in the price of precious or base metals. Precious or base metal prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control such as the sale or purchase of precious or base metals by various dealers, central banks and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, currency exchange fluctuation, global and regional supply and demand, production and consumption patterns, speculative activities, increased production due to improved mining and production methods, government regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals, environmental protection, the degree to which a dominant producer uses its market strength to bring supply into equilibrium with demand, and international political and economic trends, conditions and events. The prices of precious or base metals have fluctuated widely in recent years, and future price declines could cause continued development of the Company’s properties to be impracticable.
Foreign exchange rate and Currency Risk
Foreign exchange risk refers to the risk that a business’ financial performance or financial position will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between currencies. The three types of foreign exchange risk include transaction risk, economic risk, and translation risk. Foreign exchange risk is a major risk to consider for exporters/importers and businesses
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
that trade in international markets.
The risk occurs when a company engages in financial transactions or maintains consolidated financial statements in a currency other than where it is headquartered. For example, a company based in Canada that does business in Serbia – i.e., incurs financial transactions in the Serbian Dinar and reports the results of operations in Canadian dollars, is exposed to foreign exchange risk.
Foreign exchange risk can be caused by appreciation/depreciation of the base currency, appreciation/depreciation of the foreign currency, or a combination of the two.
In addition, the Company's equity financings are sourced in Canadian dollars but for the most part it incurs its exploration expenditures in Euros and Serbian dinars. At this time there are no currency hedges in place. Therefore, a weakening of the Canadian dollar against the Euro or Serbian dinar could have an adverse impact on the amount of exploration conducted.
Political and Regulatory Risk
The Company's mineral properties are located in economically stressed, but politically stable European countries and consequently may be subject to a higher level of risk compared to less economically stressed countries. Operations, the status of mineral property rights, title to the properties and the recoverability of amounts shown for mineral properties in such nations can be affected by changing economic, regulatory, and political situations.
Potential Increase Cost due to Rising Inflation
Inflation and other economic factors beyond the Company's control may cause an increase in costs and expenses, resulting in the Company being unable to complete its objectives with its currently available funds, if at all, which may have an adverse impact on the Company's operations.
Price Volatility
In recent years, the securities markets in Canada and elsewhere have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market prices of securities of many public companies, particularly resource issuers, have experienced significant fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. It may be anticipated that any quoted market for the Company's securities will be subject to such market trends and that the value of such securities may be affected accordingly.
Reliance on Management and Experts
The Company's success will be largely dependent, in part, on the services of the Company's senior management and directors. The Company has not purchased any "key man" insurance, nor has the Company entered into any non-competition or non-disclosure agreements with any of the Company's directors, officers or key employees and has no current plans to do so. The Company may hire consultants and others for geological and technical expertise but there is no guarantee that the Company will be able to retain personnel with sufficient technical expertise to carry out the future development of the Company's properties.
Conflicts of Interest
Certain of the Company's directors, officers and other members of management do, and may in the future, serve as directors, officers, promoters and members of management of other companies and, therefore, it is possible that a conflict may arise between their duties as a director, officer, promoter or member of the Company's management team and their duties as a director, officer, promoter or member of management of such other companies. The Company's directors and officers are aware of the laws governing the accountability of directors and officers for corporate opportunity and the requirement of directors to disclose conflicts of interest. The Company will rely upon these laws in respect of any directors' and officers' conflicts of interest or in respect of any breaches of duty by any of its directors or officers.
Litigation
The Company and/or its directors may be subject to a variety of civil or other legal proceedings, with or without merit.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis
Period ended September 30, 2024
Insured and Uninsured Risks
In the course of exploration, development and production of mineral properties, the Company is subject to a number of hazards and risks in general, including adverse environmental conditions, operational accidents, labor disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, changes in the regulatory environment and natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods, and earthquakes. Such occurrences could result in damage to the Company’s properties or facilities and equipment, personal injury or death, environmental damage to properties of the Company or others, delays, monetary losses and possible legal liability. The Company does not currently carry insurance against these risks and there is no assurance that such insurance will be available in the future, or if available, at economically feasible premiums or upon acceptable terms. The potential costs associated with losses or liabilities not covered by insurance coverage may have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial condition.
Electrum Discovery Corp.
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