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Graycliff Exploration Limited — Interim / Quarterly Report 2021
May 25, 2021
47586_rns_2021-05-25_e768ad69-0538-46e6-b381-020645ce7047.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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GRAYCLIFF EXPLORATION LIMITED
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
FORM 51-102F1
The following Management Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to assist in the understanding of the trends and significant changes in the financial condition and results of operations of Graycliff Exploration Limited (hereinafter “Graycliff” or the “Company”) for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2021 and audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020. The MD&A has been prepared effective May 20, 2021.
HIGHLIGHT
Since December 31, 2019, the outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus, specifically identified as ‘COVID19”, has resulted in governments worldwide enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. These measures, which include the implementation of travel bans, self-imposing quarantine period and social distancing, have caused material disruption to businesses globally resulting in an economic slowdown. Global equity markets have experienced significant volatility and weakness. Governments and central banks have reacted with significant monetary and fiscal interventions designed to stabilize economic conditions. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown currently, as is the efficacy of the government and central bank interventions. It is not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments and the impact on the financial results and condition of the Corporation and its operating subsidiaries in future period.
SCOPE OF ANALYSIS
The following is a discussion and analysis of Graycliff Exploration Limited. The Company reports its financial results in Canadian dollars and in accordance with IAS 34 – Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. All reported interim financial information includes the financial results of Monterey and its subsidiaries.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information set forth in this MD&A contains statements concerning future results, future performance, intentions, objectives, plans and expectations that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company are preceded by, followed by or include the words ‘believes,’ ‘expects,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘intends,’ ‘plans,’ ‘forecasts,’ or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those identified in the Risks Factors section. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company may not provide updates or revise any forward-looking statements, except those otherwise required under paragraph 5.8(2) of NI 51-102, whether written or oral that may be made by or on the Company's behalf.
TRENDS
Other than as disclosed in this MD&A, the Company is not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events which are reasonably likely to have a material effect upon its revenues, income
from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
GENERAL BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT
The Company is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada and is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and extraction of natural resources, specifically precious metals. Its head office is located at 2702-401 Bay Street Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4. The Company is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”), trading under the symbol “GRAY” and effective December 16, 2020, it began trading on the OTCQB Venture Marketplace (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “GRYCF”
The Company was incorporated on October 19, 2016 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monterey Minerals Inc. (“Monterey”). On August 1, 2018, Monterey completed a plan of arrangement whereby it issued 1,010,549 common shares of the Company to Monterey shareholders (the “spinout”) for $NIL consideration.
All public filings for the Company on the SEDAR website www.sedar.com.
PROPERTIES
Shakespeare Project
The Shakespeare Project (“Shakespeare” or the “Project”) is located in the Sudbury Mining Division of Ontario and is approximately 88 km west of Sudbury, Ontario. The Project originally consisted of 24 mineral claims covering 516.8 ha in two contiguous blocks. The Project surrounds the historic Shakespeare gold mine, which was in operation from 1903 to 1907. A total of 2,959 oz of Au were produced from six underground levels (Gordon et al., 1979). Historic exploration was completed on the property intermittently between 1938 and 2014, including trenching, sampling and limited drilling.
The Project is located at the southern edge of the Superior Province, close to the contact with the Southern Province of the Canadian Shield. A prominent regional fault, the Murray Fault, strikes east-northeast and dips steeply to the south. The mineralized zone of the historic Shakespeare Mine was hosted by quartzrich metasedimentary rocks and chlorite schists. Gold occurs as native metal and is associated with sulfides, including chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pyrite. Sulfides are disseminated but also occur in small quartz veins.
In August 2019, the Company signed an option agreement to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the 24 mining claims associated with the Property from the Optionor, subject to paying 500,000 shares and spending and aggregate total of $300,000 in exploration expenditures over 24 months and an additional 500,000 shares in August 2021. The Optionor retained a 2% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty, with a buyback feature allowing Graycliff to reduce the NSR to 1% in return for a payment of $2 million.
In October 2020, the Company purchased an additional 15 mining claims, comprising 330 hectares, which resulted in the Company having one contiguous block of ground. Graycliff paid the vendor 975,000 common shares for a 100% undivided interest in these new mining claims.
In March 2021, Graycliff purchased a Crown Patented Lease, the two Crown Leases and a Mineral Claim, comprising 98 hectares of ground contiguous with the claims already controlled by the Company. Graycliff paid the vendor 250,000 common shares for a 100% undivided interest in this new ground.
In April 2021, the Company staked an additional 13 claims, comprising roughly 80 hectares that are connected to the Shakespeare Project, bringing the total land package to a Crown Patented Lease, two Crown Leases and 53 Mineral Claims, comprising 1,025 hectares.
Baldwin Project
In May 2021, Graycliff purchased the Baldwin Project (“Baldwin”), which is also located in the Sudbury Mining Division of Ontario and is approximately 88 km west of Sudbury, Ontario. The Baldwin consists of 68 mineral claims covering roughly 1,500 hectares in two contiguous blocks. The property is adjacent to the east of the Shakespeare Project.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As at March 31, 2021, the Company had a cash balance of $572,262 compared to a cash balance of $1,026,220 at December 31, 2020. The Company had working capital $773,878 at March 31, 2021 (December 31, 2020 – working capital of $918,776).
On January 20, 2021, Graycliff completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 400,000 units issued at a price of $0.50 per unit for gross proceeds of $200,000.
On April 14, 2021, the Company completed of a non-brokered private placement offering of 1,246,333 non flow-through units (the “NFT Unit”) at $0.75 per NFT Unit and 1,875,000 flow through shares (“FT Share”) at a price of $0.80 per FT Share of the Company for gross proceeds of $2,434,750.
The continuation of the Company as a going-concern is dependent on its ability to raise additional capital or debt financing, including on reasonable terms, in order to meet business objectives towards achieving profitable business operations.
SHARE CAPITAL AND OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
Common Shares
Authorized – Unlimited Common shares without par value; and
Issued and Outstanding as at March 31, 2021: 19,445,843 (December 31, 2020: 17,889,882)
On December 23, 2020 the Company closed a non-brokered flow-through private placement totaling $780,000 priced at $0.50 per common share, resulting in the issuance of 1,560,000 flow-through common shares. In connection with this financing, the Company paid finder’s fee commissions of $61,200 cash and 113,600 broker warrants.
On January 20, 2021, Graycliff completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 400,000 units issued at a price of $0.50 per unit for gross proceeds of $200,000. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share for a period of 24 months following the closing at an exercise price of $0.60 per common share. The Company paid finder’s fee commissions of $9,200 cash and 18,400 finder’s warrants on the financing. Each finder’s warrant has a strike price of $0.50 per share and an expiry two years from the closing.
On April 14, 2021, the Company completed of a non-brokered private placement offering of 1,246,333 non flow-through units (the “NFT Unit”) at $0.75 per NFT Unit and 1,875,000 flow through shares (“FT Share”) at a price of $0.80 per FT Share of the Company for gross proceeds of $2,434,750. Each NFT Unit consists of one common share which is not a “flow-through” share and one-half purchase warrant (“NFT Warrant”). Each whole NFT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share which is not a “flow-through” share at a price of $1.00 for two years from the closing. The Company paid finder’s fee commissions of $167,808 cash and issued 214,993 finder’s warrants on the Financing. Each finder’s warrant has an exercise price of $0.75 per share and an expiry two years from the closing.
On April 8, 2021 and April 21, 2021, a total of 375,000 options were exercised resulting in $67,750 in proceeds for the Company.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company incurred a net loss of $556,143 (three months ended March 31, 2020 – loss of $92,839). In 2020, with the Company starting the process of being active and seeking to get its shares listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company incurred professional and consulting costs of $30,522, Management fees of $26,750, corporate advisory expenses of $10,205, transfer agent and filing costs of $18,008 and various other general administrative costs of $7,989. Transfer agent fees declined to $2,026 in the first three months of 2021, reflective of expenses now that the Company’s shares are listed and trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange. During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company incurred exploration expenses of $137,161 (first quarter of 2020 -
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$NIL) and promotion and shareholder communications of $155,044 (first quarter 2020 - $NIL). Management fees increased during the first three months of 2021, as Management had agreed to received reduced pay in 2020 until the company’s shares began trading on the CSE. Project acquisition costs of $225,000 are non-cash in nature, representing the issuance of 250,000 common shares to acquire mining claims.
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR EIGHT MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED QUARTERS
The following table summarizes the financial results of operations for the eight most recent fiscal quarters:
| Mar. 31, 2021 $ |
Dec. 31, 2020 $ |
Sep. 30, 2020 $ |
June 30, 2020 $ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenses | (587,135) | (1,453,724) | (322,498) | (27,618) |
| Net loss | (556,143) | (1,449,050) | (322,336) | (26,686) |
| Loss per share - basic & diluted | (0.03) | (0.09) | (0.02) | (0.00) |
| Mar. 31, 2020 $ |
Dec. 31, 2019 $ |
Sep. 30, 2019 $ |
June 30, 2019 $ |
|
| Expenses | (93,519) | (124,766) | (152,346) | (10,010) |
| Net loss | (92,839) | (124,766) | (152,346) | (10,010) |
| Loss per share - basic & diluted | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.02) (0.00) |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related parties include the Board of Directors, close family members, other key management individuals and enterprises that are controlled by these individuals as well as certain persons performing similar functions.
Related party transactions conducted in the normal course of operations are measured at the fair value and approved by the Board of Directors in strict adherence to conflict of interest law and regulations.
The Company incurred the following charges with directors and/or officers of the Company and/or companies controlled by them for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
| March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| ($) | ($) | |
| Consulting – President and CEO | 15,000 | 7,500 |
| Consulting – CFO | 10,500 | 5,250 |
| Consulting – Venex Capital (controlled by a former | --- | 10,250 |
| director) | ||
| 25,500 | 23,000 |
As at March 31, 2021, included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is $NIL (December 31, 2020 - $NIL) due to the Company’s President and CEO, $3,955 (December 31, 2020 - $NIL) due to the Company’s CFO, and $NIL (December 31, 2020 - $4,070) due to a Company Director.
CRITICAL JUDGMENTS AND ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Measurement Uncertainty
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of the accounting policies to financial information presented. Actual results may differ from the estimates, assumptions and judgments made. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes made to estimates are reflected in the period the changes are made.
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The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the amounts recognized in the financial statements are:
Taxes
Provisions for taxes are made using the best estimate of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. The Company reviews the adequacy of these provisions at the end of the reporting period. However, it is possible that at some future date an additional liability could result from audits by taxing authorities. Where the final outcome of these tax-related matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will affect the tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.
Significant accounting judgments
The critical judgments that the Company’s management has made in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies, apart from those involving estimations that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements, are related to the functional currency assessment, related parties, the provision for reclamation and obligation, when and if deferred taxes are recoverable and the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern.
The Company made a determination that its functional currency and that of its subsidiaries is the Canadian dollar. Management considered all of the relevant factors in making this determination.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Set out below is a comparison, by category, of the carrying amounts and fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments that are carried in the financial statements and how the fair value of financial instruments is measured.
Fair values
Fair value represents the price at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in an orderly market, in an arm's length transaction between knowledgeable and willing parties who are under no compulsion to act.
The Company classifies the fair value of the financial instruments according to the following hierarchy based on the amount of observable inputs used to value the instrument.
The following table provides an analysis of the financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:
-
Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in the active market for identical assets or liabilities.
-
Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. prices) or indirectly (derived from prices).
-
Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
As at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company did not have any financial instruments measured at fair value.
| Categories of Financial Instruments | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Assets—other receivables | ||
| Cash | $ 572,262 | $ 1,026,220 |
| Amounts receivable | 41,212 | 61,364 |
| Financial Liabilities—other financial liabilities | ||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | 21,298 | 185,461 |
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The fair values of all the Company's financial instruments approximate the carrying value due to the shortterm nature of the financial instruments. The Company's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk (currency fluctuations, interest rates and commodity prices). The Company's overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Company's financial performance.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of a financial loss to the Company if a customer is unable to meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Company's accounts receivable. The Company’s cash is held with Canadian chartered banks.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due. The Company has established a standard of ensuring that it has enough resources available to withstand any downturn in the industry. As the Company’s industry is very capital intensive, the majority of its spending is related to its capital programs. The Company prepares periodic capital expenditure budgets, which are regularly monitored and updated as considered necessary. Further, the Company utilizes authorizations for expenditures on both operated and non-operated projects to further manage capital expenditures. The Company's goal is to prudently spend its capital while maintaining its credit reputation amongst its suppliers.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity and equity prices will affect the Company's net earnings or the value of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable limits, while maximizing returns.
Interest rate risk
The Company has cash balances and no interest-bearing debt. The Company's current policy is to invest excess cash in certificates of deposit issued by a Canadian chartered bank with which it keeps its bank accounts. The Company periodically monitors the investments it makes and is satisfied with the creditworthiness of the Canadian chartered bank.
Commodity and equity risk
The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to commodity and equity prices. Commodity price risk is the potential adverse impact on earnings and economic value due to commodity price movements and volatilities. Equity price risk is the potential adverse impact on the Company's comprehensive earnings due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market. The Company closely monitors commodity prices to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company. Commodity price risk could adversely affect the Company. In particular, the Company's future profitability and viability of development depend upon the world market price of certain precious and base metals. Precious and base metals have fluctuated widely in recent years. There is no assurance that, even if commercial quantities of precious and base metals are produced in the future, a profitable market will exist for them.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Company's objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns to shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying natural resource properties. The Company's objective is met by retaining adequate equity to guard against the possibility that cash flows from assets will not be sufficient to meet future cash flow requirements. The Company considers its capital structure to include cash and working capital. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may from time to time issue shares and adjust its capital spending to manage current and projected debt levels. To assess capital
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and operating efficiency and financial strength, the Company continually monitors its net cash and working capital.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY
Management is responsible for all information contained in this report. The March 31, 2021 financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and include amounts based on management’s informed judgments and estimates.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
An investment in the securities of the Company is highly speculative and involves numerous and significant risks. Only investors whose financial resources are sufficient to enable them to assume such risks and who have no need for immediate liquidity in their investment should undertake such investment. Prospective investors should carefully consider the risk and uncertainties that have affected, and which in the future are reasonably expected to affect, the Company and its financial position.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this discussion, including information as to future activities, events and financial or operating performance of the Company and its projects, constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to, differ materially from estimated or anticipated activities, events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases. Forward-looking information may also be identified in statements where certain actions, events or results “may”, “could", "would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”.
Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made.
Many factors could cause actual activities and events and the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. These include metal prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions.
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainly therein.
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