AI assistant
REGULUS RESOURCES INC. — Management Reports 2020
Sep 1, 2020
47240_rns_2020-08-31_530017b5-3325-4b3d-817a-853ad3f23369.pdf
Management Reports
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer

Management's Discussion and Analysis
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2020
General
The following Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of Regulus Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Regulus") has been prepared by management, in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") as of August 28, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2019, the related notes contained therein which have been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and all other disclosure documents of the Company. The information contained herein is not a substitute for detailed investigation or analysis on any particular issue. The information provided in this document is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all matters and developments concerning the Company. The Company is presently a "Venture Issuer" as defined in NI 51-102. Additional information relevant to the Company's activities can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at www.regulusresources.com.
All financial information in this MD&A has been prepared in accordance with IFRS and all dollar amounts are quoted in Canadian dollars, the reporting currency of the Company, unless specifically noted.
Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the financial statements, including the maintenance of appropriate information systems, procedures and internal controls and to ensure that information used internally or disclosed externally, including the financial statements and MD&A, is complete and reliable. The Company's Board of Directors follows recommended corporate governance guidelines for public companies to ensure transparency and accountability to shareholders. The board's audit committee meets with management quarterly to review the financial statements including the MD&A and to discuss other financial, operating and internal control matters.
Description of Business and Overview
Regulus was formed in December 2010 in connection with the sale of Antares Minerals Inc. to First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Regulus is managed by the Antares team responsible for the discovery of the Haquira East porphyry copper deposit, which led to the sale of Antares. The goal of the Company is to discover and de-risk a large scale deposit that could ultimately be sold to a major mining company, similar to what was achieved with Antares. Regulus was initially established to continue exploration at its Rio Grande Au-Cu-Mo porphyry project in northern Argentina. The Company put the Rio Grande project on hold in 2012 in response to challenging market conditions and began pursuing opportunities for new mineral projects with good potential for significant discoveries. In September 2014, the Company completed a merger with Southern Legacy Minerals Inc. ("Southern Legacy"). The primary objective of the merger was to acquire the AntaKori Cu-Au-Ag project in northern Peru, which is now the flagship project for Regulus. The AntaKori project is located in a region with several large-scale gold and copper mines and deposits and adjacent to two operating mines (Tantahuatay and Cerro Corona). In March 2019, the Company released an updated NI 43-101 resource for AntaKori containing Indicated Resources of 250 million tonnes with a copper grade of 0.48%, gold grade of 0.29 grams per tonne and silver grade of 7.5 grams per tonne, and Inferred Resources of 267 million tonnes with a copper grade of 0.41%, gold grade of 0.26 grams per tonne and silver grade of 7.8 granms per tonne. Management is confident that further work will expand the current deposit to a size that will be of interest to major mining companies. In November 2018, all of the Company's assets in Argentina, including the Rio Grande project, were transferred to Aldebaran Resources Inc. as part of a "spin-out" transaction by way of a statutory plan of arrangement.
Significant Events from October 1, 2019 to the Date of this Report
- In late July 2020, Company employees of the Cajamarca warehouse returned to work and have been preparing for the resumption of the Phase II drill program at AntaKori. The Company has awarded a drilling contract to AK Drilling amd drilling is anticipated to resume by late September. The drill program will focus on the Anta Norte claims.
- In June 2020, the Company announced the granting of stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants to purchase up to 1,900,000 common shares at a price of $0.86 per share for five years, pursuant to its stock option plan.
- Peru declared a mandatory quarantine in March 2020 due to the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic. The Company immediately ceased all exploration activites and in-country staff were required to stay in their homes.
- In January 2020, the Company announced drill results from six additional drill holes from its Phase II drill program; AK-19-038, AK-19-039, AK-19-040, AK-19-041, AK-19-042 and AK-19-043. The results are discussed under Mineral Property Review below.
- In December 2019, the Company announced the closing of a bought deal financing, including the exercise in full of the underwriter's option. A total of 7,783,875 units of the Company, each comprising one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant ("Units"), were sold at a price of C$1.06 per Unit (the "Offering Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $8.25 million (the "Public Offering"). Pursuant to a concurrent non-brokered private placement, 3,066,375 Units were sold to certain funds managed by Route One Investment Co. LP, the Company's largest shareholder, at the Offering Price, for additional aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $3.25 million. Together with the Public Offering, the Company raised total gross proceeds of approximately $11.5 million (the "Offering"). BMO Capital Markets acted as the sole underwriter for the Offering. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund exploration and development activities at the Company's AntaKori project, for working capital, and general
corporate purposes.
- In December 2019, the TSX Venture Exchange consented to the extension of the expiry date of 4,217,452 common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") that were issued pursuant to a private placement which closed on July 27, 2016 for an additional year to January 27, 2021. The Warrants are exercisable into common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $1.60 per common share. All other terms of the Warrants remain the same.
- In November 2019, the Company announced drill results from four additional drill holes from its Phase II drill program; AK-19-033A, AK-19-035, AK-19-036 and AK-19-037. The results are discussed under Mineral Property Review below.
- In November 2019, the Company announced the receipt of the Declaración de Impacto Ambiental permit ("DIA") which allows up to 40 drill pads for the Anta Norte portion of its AntaKori project. Further information is discussed under Outlook for 2020 below.
- In October 2019, the Company terminated its option on the Golden Brew property and returned the project to Highway 50 Gold Corp. Further information is discussed under Mineral Property Review below.
Outlook for 2020
Exploration activities will continue to focus primarily on the AntaKori project in 2020. An updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate was completed as scheduled in March 2019 including all results from the Phase I drilling program. The Phase II drilling program is anticipated to consist of approximately 25,000 metres of additional drilling and will form the basis for an additional updated mineral resources estimate. A total of 16,368 m of drilling have been completed to date as part of the Phase II drilling program; of which 14,162 m were completed on Regulus claims, 2,014 m on the Colquirrumi joint venture claims and 191 m on Coimolache claims. The Company has released results from all holes from the 2019 portion of the Phase II program.
In November 2019, the Company received the Declaración de Impacto Ambiental permit ("DIA") which allows up to 40 drill pads for the Anta Norte portion of the project. This offers an opportunity to properly drill-test the various geophysical anomalies which the Company believes may represent mineralization related to a porphyry centre (the magnetic low) surrounded by an annular ring of magnetite-bearing skarns (the magnetic highs). To date, the Company has not been able to adequately test the geophysical anomalies and has been drilling along the southern edges of the targets from currently permitted drill pads. The Company has now also received the Authorization to Initiate Exploration Activities ("AIEA") which is required to begin drilling. The Company had anticipated it would mobilize to newly permitted drill setups covered by the DIA at the beginning of Q2 2020, however Covid-19 delayed those plans.
On Augsut 27,, 2020, the Company announced that employees of the Cajamarca warehouse had returned to work in late July and were preparing for the resumption of the Phase II drill program at AntaKori. The Company has awarded a drilling contract to AK Drilling. The drill that will be utilized at AntaKori is currently located in Peru and should arrive on site by early September. It is anticipated drilling will resume by late September and will begin by testing one of multiple promising Anta Norte geophysical targets. The intention is to begin with one drill rig, with the addition of a second rig shortly thereafter .
The Company has also selected 20 samples for metallurgical analysis that have been sent to local laboratories in Peru. It is anticipated that the Company will receive results on metallurgical testing by the end of 2020. Based upon the results from the metallurgical work, the Company will be able to begin developing a flow-sheet for the AntaKori project.
Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Company cannot accurately predict an exploration budget for 2020. Prior to restrictions being put in place, the Company had projected a 2020 exploration budget of $9.3 MM with the majority dedicated to completing approximately 9,000 m of diamond drilling, and the acquisition of surface ground and investments into local communities.
At the date of this MD&A, the Company has approximately $4.56 MM in cash and cash equivalents. The Company anticipates that additional capital will be raised during 2020 by means of an equity financing or a strategic alliance. If additional financing is not completed, the Phase II drilling program budget at AntaKori will be reduced to approximately $4 MM of which approximately $500,000 has already been spent. This would involve reducing the drill program along with reducing expenditures on surface rights and community projects. The only firm commitments for the AntaKori project include 2020 annual concession fees, remediation costs estimated at $50,000 annually and one public works project at an estimated cost of US$300,000.
Longer-term Outlook
Following the completion of the AntaKori Phase II drilling program, the Company plans to prepare an updated mineral resource estimate in Q1 of 2021, with timing subject to when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. If the extent of the deposit is largely defined by the Phase II program, the Company would plan to complete a PEA in 2021. If the extent of the deposit is not defined by the Phase II drilling program, additional drilling (Phase III) would occur prior to the completion of the PEA. Once the PEA is completed, 1-2 years of infill drilling, metallurgy and other pre-feasibility level field investigations would be completed, leading to a Pre-feasibility Study at the earliest possible date of 2022. Completion of all of the Company's objectives is subject to the Risks and Uncertainties listed at the conclusion of this MD&A, including the ability of the Company to raise additional capital in a timely manner.
Mineral Property Review
This review has been prepared by John Black, CEO and Director of the Company. The scientific and technical data contained in the section has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Kevin B. Heather, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, FAusIMM, Chief Geological Officer of the Company, who serves as a qualified person (QP) under the definitions of National Instrument 43-101.
AntaKori Project
The flagship project for Regulus is the AntaKori Cu-Au-Ag project located in northern Peru. A NI 43-101 technical report entitled "AntaKori Project, Cajamarca Province, Peru, NI 43-101 Technical Report", dated February 22, 2019 and prepared by Amec Foster Wheeler (Perú) S. A., a Wood company, was filed on SEDAR and can be viewed at www.sedar.com under the profile "REGULUS RESOURCES INC". The NI 43-101 technical report reports Indicated Resources of 250 million tonnes grading 0.48% Cu, 0.29g/t Au and 7.5g/t Ag, and Inferred Resources of 267 million tonnes grading 0.41% Cu, 0.26g/t Au and 7.8g/t Ag (please refer to Regulus news release of March 1, 2019 and table above). The estimate is based on historical drilling completed by by El Misti Gold (1997-98) and Sinchao Metals (2007-08), as well as new drilling completed through November 2018 by Regulus Resources and drilling data provided through a collaborative agreement established in 2017 with the adjoining property holder (see press release by Regulus dated Jan 24, 2017). The reported resource is only reported for the portion of the mineralization system that is owned or controlled by Regulus and is open for expansion in several directions.
| Table 1 - Summary of AntaKori Mineral Resource Estimate at a 0.3% CuEq Cut-off | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ResourceCategory | MillionTonnes | Cu Grade(%) | Au Grade(g/t) | Ag Grade(g/t) | CuEq Grade(%) | CuB lbs | AuM oz | AgM oz | CuEqB lbs |
| Indicated | 250 | 0.48 | 0.29 | 7.5 | 0.74 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 61 | 4.1 |
| Inferred | 267 | 0.41 | 0.26 | 7.8 | 0.66 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 67 | 3.9 |
Notes to accompany Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource table assuming open pit mining methods for AntaKori Project:
- 1. Mineral Resources have an effective date of 22 February 2019; Douglas Reid, P. Eng., a Wood employee, is the Qualified Person responsible for the Mineral Resource estimate.
- 2. Inputs to costs for cut-off grade assumes a conventional truck and shovel open pit mine handling and feeding a 60,000 t/d concentrator and producing a copper-gold concentrate with arsenic for sale to specialists in concentrate trading, third-party smelters and refineries.
- 3. Mineral Resources are reported based on a CuEq cut-off of 0.30% constrained within a pit shell.
- 4. Mineral Resources are only reported within Regulus concessions.
- 5. CuEq and AuEq grades and metal contents in this table are mutually exclusive and are not additive.
- 6. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- 7. Copper price used is US$6,614/t (US$3.00/lb), gold price is US$1,400/oz, silver price is US$18.00/oz.
- 8. Assumed metallurgical recoveries: copper 85%, gold 55%, silver 50%.
- 9. Assumed pit slope of 45 degrees.
- 10. Assumed open pit mining cost of US$1.85/t plus lift charge to average US$2.00/t, processing cost of US$7.18/t, G&A cost US$1.00/t.
AntaKori Overview
The AntaKori project hosts a large Cu-Au-Ag skarn system with associated breccias and porphyry-style mineralization developed in sedimentary and intrusive rocks, with a later overprint of epithermal, high-sulphidation mineralization associated with the overlying Miocene volcanic rocks. The project is located 60 km north of the city of Cajamarca in the Hualgayoc District, in a world-class Au-Cu province which hosts a number of nearby deposits, as described below.
- ➢ Immediately adjacent to the producing Tantahuatay Gold Mine (Buenaventura-Southern Copper)
- ➢ 7 km to the NW of the Cerro Corona Gold-Copper Mine (Goldfields)
- ➢ 35 km to the NNW of the Yanacocha Gold Mine (Newmont-Buenaventura)
- ➢ 40 km to the SE of the La Granja Porphyry Copper deposit (Rio Tinto)
- ➢ 50 km to the NW of the Michiquillay Porphyry Copper deposit (recently auctioned by the Peruvian Government to Southern Copper)
Highlights of the AntaKori project include the following:
-
➢ The Company owns or controls 20 mineral concessions, for a total of 438 hectares, which cover most, but not all of the currently known AntaKori mineralized system. Further consolidation of mineral tenure is in process.
-
➢ A total of 17,954 m of drilling was completed in 70 drill holes (22 reverse circulation drill holes and 48 diamond drill holes ) by previous operators El Misti Gold (1997-98) and Sinchao Metals (2007-08).
-
➢ A total of 34,477 m of drilling completed in 50 drill holes on AntaKori concessions by Regulus to date.
-
➢ An Independent NI 43-101 report has documented a large Cu-Au-Ag skarn system with associated mineralized breccias and porphyrystyle mineralization hosted in sedimentary and intrusive rocks, and associated epithermal, high-sulphidation mineralization in the overlying volcanic rocks.
-
➢ Zones of mineralization have been intercepted by the previous drilling within large geophysical anomalies, thus confirming the utility of the geophysics used in identifying future exploration targets.
-
➢ Indication that the mineralized system is open in all directions, and has potential for expansion through future exploration programs.
-
➢ Access to infrastructure as property is located adjacent to two operating mines.
The scope of the mineralized system at AntaKori offers significant upside potential but it will require several years and extensive drilling to better define this project.
The project is being explored under definitive agreements with Compañía Minera Coimolache S.A. ("Coimolache") (the "Coimolache DA") and Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A. ("Colquirrumi") (the "Colquirrumi DA"), companies that hold mineral concessions immediately adjacent to, and inter-fingering with Regulus AntaKori mineral concessions. These agreements allow for mutual access, mutual rights of expansion and collaborative exploration of the project area, providing benefit to all three parties. Coimolache is a mining company that owns and operates the Tantahuatay gold-silver mine immediately adjacent to the southern margin of AntaKori. The principal shareholders of Coimolache are Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ("Buenaventura" – 40% and operator) and Southern Peru Copper S.A.A. (44%). The Coimolache DA allows for mutual access, mutual rights of expansion and collaborative exploration with a principal objective of determining the size and nature of the AntaKori copper-gold deposit and a secondary objective of allowing the expansion of Coimolache's Tantahuatay oxide gold mine by way of lay-back onto Regulus' mining concessions. Colquirrumi is a wholly owned subsidiary of Buenaventura. The Colquirrumi DA allows Regulus an option to earn-in to up to a 70% interest in a large area (2,571 hectares) of Colquirrumi mining concessions located immediately to the north and east of Regulus' mining concessions and also providing Colquirrumi with a one time option to claw-back to a 70% interest by making a cash payment to Regulus.
Significant Results During the Current Period to the Date of this Report
The Phase I drill program at AntaKori was completed in October 2018 with a total of 22,140 m drilled through hole AK-18-027 (20,325.72m within Regulus concessions). Drilling continued directly into the Phase II program with an additional seventeen holes completed to date (16,369 m from AK-18-028 through AK-18-043). The Phase I program successfully completed the objective of confirming and extending the previously reported resource at AntaKori and provided the basis for the preparation of an updated mineral Resource Estimate which was completed in Q1-2019.
In November 2019, the Company announced the results from Phase II drill holes AK-19-033A and AK-19-035 to AK-19-037 (see news release dated November 19, 2019).
Highlights from drill holes AK-19-033A, AK-19-035, AK-19-036 and AK-19-037 - AntaKori project:
-
AK-19-033A:
- o 253.90 m of 0.36% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au and 10.15 g/t Ag (0.68% CuEq) from 235.40 m
- Including 46.00 m of 0.52% Cu, 0.43 g/t Au and 9.75 g/t Ag (0.91% CuEq) from 235.90 m
- And 28.25 m of 0.40% Cu, 0.35 g/t Au and 19.54 g/t Ag (0.83% CuEq) from 305.55 m
- And 48.90 m of 0.48% Cu, 0.26 g/t Au and 15.84 g/t Ag (0.81% CuEq) from 342.90 m
- o 113.82 m of 0.27 Cu, 0.17g/t Au and 3.35 g/t Ag (0.42% CuEq) from 502.08 m
- o 253.90 m of 0.36% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au and 10.15 g/t Ag (0.68% CuEq) from 235.40 m
-
AK-19-035:
- o 110.37 m of 0.27% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au and 4.92 g/t Ag (0.43% CuEq) from 238.15 m
- o 151.05 m of 0.28% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au and 4.15 g/t Ag (0.45% CuEq) from 371.80 m
- Including 38.00 m 0.43% Cu, 0.33 g/t Au and 10.08 g/t Ag (0.75% CuEq) from 394.10 m
- o 625.30 m of 0.33% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au and 2.67 g/t Ag (0.48% CuEq) from 570.70 m
- Including 504.15 m of 0.36% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 2.91 g/t Ag (0.53% CuEq)
- Including 28.58 m of 0.33% Cu, 0.51 g/t Au and 3.90 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq) from 734.92
- And 54.15 m of 0.71% Cu, 0.15 g/t Au and 1.81 g/t Ag (0.83% CuEq) from 1046.05 m
- Including 504.15 m of 0.36% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 2.91 g/t Ag (0.53% CuEq)
- o Mineralization hosted primarily in low-As skarn and porphyry material throughout entire hole
- o From 1,200.78 m to a total depth of 1,321.98 m the hole was drilled on claims belonging to the Colquirrumi earn in agreement (see news release of April 3, 2017)
-
AK-19-036:
- o 18.30 m of 0.40% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au and 8.92 g/t Ag (0.62% CuEq) from 312.40 m
- o 10.80 m of 0.50% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au and 10.31 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq) from 390.80 m
- o Defined the eastern most limits of the deposit
-
AK-19-037:
- o 69.60 m of 0.31% Cu, 0.15 g/t Au and 15.6 g/t Ag (0.56% CuEq) from 234.80 m
- o 179.90 m of 0.22% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au and 6.95 g/t Ag (0.44% CuEq) from 360.00 m
- Including 38.20 m of 0.35% Cu, 0.50 g/t Au and 18.14 g/t Ag (0.87% CuEq) from 413.10 m
- o 178.70 m of 0.21% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au and 2.74 g/t Ag (0.45% CuEq) from 570.35 m
- o 63.35 m of 0.36% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au and 2.43 g/t Ag (0.43% CuEq) from 1229.75 m
- o Mineralization hosted primarily in low-As skarn and porphyry material throughout entire hole
- o From 600.13 m to a total depth of 1,489.30 m, the hole was drilled on claims belonging to the Colquirrumi earn in agreement (see news release of April 3, 2017)
In January 2020, the Company announced the results from Phase II drill holes AK-19-038 to AK-19-043 (see news release dated January 16, 2020).
Highlights from drill holes AK-19-038 through AK-19-043 - AntaKori project:
- AK-19-038:
- o 15.38 m of 2.14% Cu, 0.38 g/t Au and 24.96 g/t Ag (2.63% CuEq) from 374.82 m
- AK-19-039:
- o 168.75 m of 0.38% Cu, 0.65 g/t Au and 32.69 g/t Ag (1.15% CuEq) from 111.45 m
- Including 14.10 m of 0.95% Cu, 0.80 g/t Au and 24.92 g/t Ag (1.75% CuEq) from 246.60 m
- o 51.50 m of 0.21% Cu, 0.55 g/t Au and 5.38 g/t Ag (0.65% CuEq) from 383.60 m ▪ Including 12.15 m of 0.38% Cu, 1.02 g/t Au and 10.37 g/t Ag (1.20% CuEq)
- o Represents discovery of multiple wide zones of base metal carbonate style epithermal mineralization with significant precious metal content
- o Provides new targets to follow up with future drilling
- o 168.75 m of 0.38% Cu, 0.65 g/t Au and 32.69 g/t Ag (1.15% CuEq) from 111.45 m
- AK-19-040:
- o 15.30 m of 0.77% Cu, 0.18 g/t Au and 7.89 g/t Ag (0.97% CuEq) from 370.60 m
- AK-19-041:
- o 341.00 m of 0.57% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 9.29 g/t Ag (0.85% CuEq) from 202.00 m
- o Including 64.15 m of 1.71% Cu, 0.79 g/t Au and 13.89 g/t Ag (2.40% CuEq) hosted within a high-sulphidation epithermal zone overprinting skarn
- o 172.13 m of 0.35% Cu, 0.14 g/t Au and 4.11 g/t Ag (0.48% CuEq) from 575.95 m
- Including 52.00 m of 0.51% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au and 8.35 g/t Ag (0.75% CuEq) hosted in a high-sulphidation epithermal overprint
- o 539.43 m of 0.41% Cu, 0.09 g/t Au and 2.59 g/t Ag (0.50% CuEq) from 1040.10 m
- o Intersected mineralization and grades as expected, similar to the results previously reported for AK-19-034 (which was drilled from the same platform)
- AK-19-042:
- o 417.40 m of 0.23% Cu, 0.13 g/t Au and 3.90 g/t Ag (0.35% CuEq) from 470.60 m
- o 87.35 m of 0.21% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au and 3.12 g/t Ag (0.32% CuEq) from 929.35 m
- o Hosted predominantly in low arsenic skarn and porphyry mineralization
- AK-19-043:
- o 22.50 m of 0.93% Cu, 0.33 g/t Au and 11.71 g/t Ag (1.27% CuEq) from 290.80 m
Further details regarding the mineralized intercepts encoumtered in drill holes AK19-033A and AK-19-035 to AK-19-043 together with a discussion of the results can be found on the Regulus website.
Golden Brew Overview
In August 2019, the Company announced the results of its drill program at Golden Brew explored under an option agreement with Highway 50 Gold Corp. ("Highway 50") whereby the Company could earn a 50% interest in the central Nevada project. The Company completed three holes for a total of 2,280 m to test potential for a covered Carlin style system to meet a work commitment of US$750,000 in exploration expenditures that had to be completed by May 28th, 2019 to maintain the option agreement in good standing, for a total of US1,250,000 in expenditures by that date. After reviewing the results of the drill program, the Company terminated the option agreement in October 2019 and returned the project to Highway 50.
Other Projects Overview
Fireweed, British Columbia, Canada
The Fireweed Property is a polymetallic Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu, Au prospect of massive sulphide and sulphide replacement type mineralization located in central British Columbia, approximately 55 km east-northeast of the city of Smithers. The property is 10 km northwest of the former Granisle Mine, 5 km west of the former Bell Copper Mine, and 17 km southwest of the undeveloped Morrison deposit. The Fireweed property is the only property held by Regulus in Canada and management is currently looking to option the project to a third party.
Operations and Financial Condition
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019
During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, loss from operating activities was $5,964,427 compared to income from operating activities of $11,194,937 for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The primary reason for this significant change is that the Company recorded a gain on transfer of spin-out assets of $17,517,997 during the period ended June 30, 2019. Significant variances in other operating items from the same period in the prior year are as follows:
- A decrease of $80,757 in investor relations and shareholder information. Investor relations and shareholder information was $130,409 for the period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $211,166 for the period ended June 30 2019. The variance is due to decreased activity in the current period.
- A decrease of $713,313 in share-based compensation. Share-based compensation was $2,048,431 for the period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $2,761,744 for the period ended June 30, 2019 due to the timing of vesting of stock options issued.
- A loss of $1,183,011 on foreign exchange for the period ended June 30, 2020 compared to a loss of $894,534 for the period ended June 30, 2019. The difference was mainly the result of fluctuations of the US$, the Peruvian Nuevo Sol and the CAD$.
- During the period ended June 30, 2020, the Company wrote-off receivables of $899,928 (2019 $771,983) related to VAT taxes in Peru for which recoverability is uncertain.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, loss from operating activities was $1,994,962 compared to loss from operating activities of $3,373,366 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Significant variances from the same period in the prior year are as follows:
- A decrease of $38,363 in investor relations and shareholder information. Investor relations and shareholder information was $11,668 for the period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $50,031 for the period ended June 30, 2019. The variance is due to decreased activity in the current period.
- A decrease of $142,136 in office and administration. Office and administration was $109,825 for the period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $251,961 for the period ended June 30, 2019. The variance is due to decreased activities in Peru as a result of the declaration of a mandatory quarantine in Peru in March 2020 due to the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic.
- A decrease of $1,229,072 in share-based compensation. Share-based compensation was $486,520 for the period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $1,715,592 for the period ended June 30, 2019 due to the timing of vesting of stock options issued.
Cash Flow
Operating Activities
Cash outflow from operating activities was $2,608,906 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $4,205,716 for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The change was the cumulative result of several variations in the items affecting cash flow from operations as discussed above under "Results from Operations".
Financing Activities
Cash inflow from financing activities was $10,578,615 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 compared to cash outflow of $1,087,823 for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The cash inflow in the current period was a result of proceeds from an equity financing and cash outflows in the prior period were the result of the repayment of loans payable and cash transferred to Aldebaran pursuant to the spin-out of assets.
Investing Activities
Cash outflow from investing activities was $8,129,616 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $7,629,031 for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The cash outflows are primarily from expenditures on exploration and evaluation assets in the current and prior period.
Summary of Quarterly Results
The following is a summary of certain selected financial information for the most recent eight fiscal quarters:
| June 30, | March 31, | December 31, | September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All in $1,000's except loss (gain) per share | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2019 | |
| Working capital (deficiency) | $4,394 | $5,539 | $8,222 | $2,235 | |
| Loss (gain) | $1,995 | $2,736 | $1,238 | $2,325 | |
| Loss (gain) per share | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.01 | $0.04 | |
| Loss (gain) per common share (diluted) | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.01 | $0.04 | |
| Total assets | $56,034 | $56,734 | $59,348 | $49,671 | |
| Total liabilities | $1,115 | $1,531 | $2,458 | $2,503 | |
| Deficit | $69,367 | $66,172 | $64,640 | $63,402 | |
| June 30, | March 31, | December 31, | September 30, | ||
| All in $1,000's except loss (gain) per share | 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | |
| Working capital (deficiency) | $6,269 | $10,342 | $13,470 | $17,387 | |
| Loss (gain) | |||||
| $5,373 | $2,165 | $(16,733) | $2,324 | ||
| Loss (gain) per share | $0.05 | $0.03 | $(0.17) | $0.01 | |
| Loss (gain) per common share (diluted)Total assets | $0.05$50,872 | $0.03$51,758 | $(0.17)$54,438 | $0.01$58,270 | |
| Total liabilities | $1,722 | $1,887 | $2,861 | $3,862 |
During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a gain on transfer of spin-out assets of $16,847,997 and a reduction in share capital of $18,198,920.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash at June 30, 2020 totaled $4,575,361 compared to $3,036,369 at September 30, 2019. Working capital at June 30, 2020 was $4,393,836 compared to $2,235,443 as at September 30, 2019. The Company has no source of operating cash flows and as such the Company's ability to continue as a going concern is contingent on its ability to monetize assets or obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain adequate financing or that the terms of such financing will be favourable. See "Outlook for 2020" above for further details.
On December 27, 2019, the Company closed a public financing comprised of 7,783,875 units of the Company, each comprising one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, at a price of $1.06 per unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $8,250,908. Pursuant to a concurrent private placement, 3,066,375 units were sold to certain funds managed by Route One Investment Co. LP, the Company's largest shareholder, at the same offering price, for additional aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $3,250,358. Together with the public offering, the Company raised total gross proceeds of approximately $11,501,266.
Exploration and evaluation of assets at June 30, 2020 totaled $50,187,512 compared to $44,430,445 as at September 30, 2019.
The ability of the Company to recover the costs it has incurred to date on its exploration and evaluation assets is dependent upon the Company being able to finance its exploration and development expenditures and to resolve any environmental, regulatory or other constraints which may hinder the successful exploitation or disposal of its exploration and evaluation assets. To date, the Company has not earned revenues and is considered to be in the exploration stage.
Share Capital
The Company's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value.
As at the date of this report, the Company had 101,844,844 common shares issued and outstanding and the following stock options and warrants outstanding:
Stock Options
| Exercise Price | Number Outstanding | Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|
| $ 1.50 | 1,950,000 | September 2, 2021 |
| $ 1.84 | 100,000 | December 28, 2022 |
| $ 2.00 | 50,000 | July 11, 2023 |
| $ 1.60 | 5,550,000 | February 4, 2024 |
| $ 1.78 | 200,000 | March 1, 2024 |
| $ 1.40 | 200,000 | June 6, 2024 |
| $ 0.86 | 1,900,000 | June 29, 2025 |
| 9,950,000 |
Warrants
| Exercise Price | Number Outstanding | Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|
| $ 1.90$ 1.60$ 1.70 | 187,3074,217,4525,425,125 | September 27, 2020January 27, 2021December 27, 2021 |
| 9,829,884 |
Related Party Transactions
During the period ended June 30, 2020, the Company entered into the following transactions with key management personnel and related parties.
a) Double Black Diamond Resources LLC. ("DBD Resources") is a private company controlled by Mr. John Black, CEO and a director of the Company. For the period ended June 30, 2020, DBD Resources was paid $177,325 (2019 - $183,746). Amounts paid to DBD Resources are classified as management fees expense in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
At June 30, 2020, the Company owed $Nil (September 30, 2019 – $Nil) to DBD Resources.
b) For the period ended June 30, 2020, Mr. Fernando Pickmann, President, COO and a director of the Company, was paid or accrued $177,301 in consulting fees (2019 – $174,753). Amounts paid to Mr. Pickmann are classified as management fees in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. A law firm at which Mr. Pickmann was a partner was also paid or accrued $101,817 (2019 - $184,385) for legal services. Legal fees paid to Mr. Pickmann's law firm are classified as legal expenses in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
At June 30, 2020, the Company owed $Nil (September 30, 2019 – $Nil) to Mr. Pickmann and owed $Nil (September 30, 2019 – $Nil) to the law firm at which Mr. Pickmann was a partner.
c) Unicus Funds Ltd. ("Unicus") is a private company controlled by Mr. Mark Wayne, CFO and a director of the Company. For the period ended June 30, 2020, Unicus was paid $56,250 (2019 – $50,000). Amounts paid to Unicus are classified as management fees in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
At June 30, 2020, the Company owed $Nil (September 30, 2019 – $Nil) to Unicus.
d) K.B. Heather & Socios Limitada (The Rock Doctor Limitada) ("K.B. Heather") is a private company controlled by Dr. Kevin B. Heather, Chief Geological Officer of the Company. For the period ended June 30, 2020, K.B. Heather was paid $151,973 (2019 – $166,343). Amounts paid to K.B. Heather are classified as management fees in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
At June 30, 2020, the Company owed $Nil (September 30, 2019 – $Nil) to K.B. Heather.
- e) At June 30, 2020, the Company was owed $Nil (September 30, 2019 $67,290) from Aldebaran. This balance is included in receivables at June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019.
- f) The Company holds 2,000,000 common shares (September 30, 2019 2,000,000 common shares) of Highway 50 Gold Corp., a company with a director in common, included within long term investments.
Key Management Personnel:
Key management personnel include those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company as a whole. The Company has determined that key management personnel consist of executive and non-executive members of the Company's Board of Directors.
The remuneration of directors and other members of key management personnel during the period ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
| Fees and Bonus | Share-basedBenefits | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period ended June 30, 2020 | ||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | $ | 177,325 | $ | 317,334 | $ | 494,659 |
| Chief Geological Officer | 151,973 | 317,334 | 469,307 | |||
| Chief Financial Officer | 56,250 | 317,334 | 373,584 | |||
| Chief Operating Officer | 177,301 | 317,334 | 494,635 | |||
| Non-executive directors | - | 221,751 | 221,751 | |||
| $ | 562,849 | $ | 1,491,087 | $ | 2,053,936 | |
| Period ended June 30, 2019 | ||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | $ | 183,746 | $ | 433,522 | $ | 617,268 |
| Chief Geological Officer | 166,343 | 433,522 | 599,865 | |||
| Chief Financial Officer | 50,000 | 433,522 | 483,522 | |||
| Chief Operating Officer | 174,753 | 433,522 | 608,275 | |||
| Non-executive directors | - | 223,490 | 223,490 | |||
| $ | 574,842 | $ | 1,957,578 | $ | 2,532,420 |
Investor Relations
In January 2019, the Company amended an agreement with Ms. Laura Brangwin to provide investor relations services to the Company (the "IR Agreement"). Ms. Brangwin is now paid USD$2,500 per month and has been granted 135,000 stock options at various prices between $0.86-$2.00 under the terms and conditions of the Company's Stock Option Plan. Ms. Brangwin does not own any shares of Regulus.
Financial and Capital Risk Management
Please refer to the June 30, 2020 interim condensed consolidated financial statements on www.sedar.com.
Recent Accounting Policies
Please refer to the June 30, 2020 interim condensed consolidated financial statements on www.sedar.com.
The users of this information, including but not limited to investors and prospective investors, should read it in conjunction with all other disclosure documents provided including but not limited to all documents filed on SEDAR (www.SEDAR.com).
Proposed Transactions
There are no proposed transactions that have not been disclosed herein.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual reports could differ from management's estimates.
Contingencies
There are no contingent liabilities.
Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting ("ICFR")
In connection with National Instrument 52-109, Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings ("NI 52-109") adopted in December 2008 by each of the securities commissions across Canada, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company will file a Venture Issuer Basic Certificate with respect to financial information contained in the unaudited interim financial statements and the audited annual financial statements and respective accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Venture Issue Basic Certification does not include representations relating to the establishment and maintenance of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, as defined in NI52-109.
Other MD&A Requirements
Additional disclosure of the Company's technical reports, material change reports, news releases and other information can be obtained on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Disclosure for Venture Issuers without Significant Revenue
A breakdown of the components of the Company's general and administrative expenses is disclosed in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 to which this MD&A relates. A breakdown of the components of the exploration and evaluation assets of the Company is disclosed in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 to which this MD&A relates.
Risks and Uncertainties
The operations of the Company are speculative due to the high-risk nature of its business which includes the acquisition, financing, exploration, development and operation of mining properties. There are a number of factors that could negatively affect the Company's business and the value of its common shares, including the factors listed below. The following information pertains to the outlook and conditions currently known to the Company that could have a material impact on the financial condition of the Company. Other factors may arise that are not currently foreseen by management of the Company that may present additional risks in the future. Current and prospective security holders of the Company should carefully consider these risk factors, as they could materially affect the Company's future operations and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company.
The more significant risks, as they relate to the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2020 and this MD&A, include the following.
COVID-19
At the time of publication of this MD&A, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve on a global scale. The unprecedented nature and heightened uncertainty surrounding the pandemic mean that the nature and extent of the risks posed by COVID-19 to Regulus cannot be known, quantified or predicted with any certainty. Global phenomena such as COVID-19 increase the risk of significant labour force disruption (including the supply of labour or site/country access) and the potential loss (permanent/temporary) of personnel. Our operations are located in remote locations and represent concentrations of personnel working and sometimes residing in close proximity to one another. COVID-19 has the potential to spread rapidly and place the Company's workforce at risk. The Company believes that it has identified and implemented all reasonable and appropriate steps and precautions to protect its workforce and its operations in Peru from the risks and potential adverse impacts of the pandemic. The Company continues to actively monitor the situation and may take additional measures, if and to the extent warranted, as matters develop. There can be no assurance, however, that such steps and measures will be sufficient to fully mitigate all such risks and potential adverse impacts.
Exploration and Development Risk
The Company's properties are in the exploration stage and are without a known body of commercial ore. Exploration for Mineral Resources involves a high degree of risk and few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. The risks and uncertainties inherent in exploration activities include but are not limited to: legal and political risk arising from operating in certain developing countries, civil unrest, general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events and management's capacity to execute and implement its future plans. Discovery of mineral deposits is dependent upon a number of factors, not the least of which are the technical skills of the exploration personnel involved and the capital required for the programs. The cost of conducting programs may be substantial and the likelihood of success is difficult to assess. There is no assurance that the Company's mineral exploration activities will result in any discoveries of new bodies of commercial ore. There is also no assurance that even if commercial quantities of ore are discovered that a new ore body would be developed and brought into commercial production. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit once discovered is also dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are the particular attributes of the deposit (such as size, grade, metallurgy and proximity to infrastructure and labour), the interpretation of geological data obtained from drilling and sampling, feasibility studies, the cost of water and power; anticipated climatic conditions; cyclical metal prices; fluctuations in inflation and currency exchange rates; higher input commodity and labour costs, commodity prices, government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure and use, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection. Most of the above factors are beyond the control of the Company. Development projects will also be subject to the successful completion of final feasibility studies, issuance of necessary permits and other governmental approvals and receipt of adequate financing. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of any of these factors may adversely affect the Company's business.
Negative Operating Cash Flow
The Company is an exploration stage company and has not generated cash flow from operations. The Company is devoting significant resources to the development and acquisition of its properties; however there can be no assurance that it will generate positive cash flow from operations in the future. The Company expects to continue to incur negative consolidated operating cash flow and losses until such time as it achieves commercial production at a particular project. The Company currently has negative cash flow from operating activities.
Mineral Resource Estimates
The Company's reported Mineral Resources are estimations only. No assurance can be given that the estimated Mineral Resources will be recovered. By their nature, Mineral Resource estimations are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon statistical inferences, which may ultimately prove unreliable because, among other factors, they are based on limited sampling, and, consequently, are uncertain because the samples may not be representative. Mineral Resource estimations may require revision (either up or down). There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating Mineral Resources, including many factors beyond the Company's control. Such estimation is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any Mineral Resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation. There can be no assurance that recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in larger scale tests under on-site conditions. In particular, factors that may affect Mineral Resource estimates include:
- changes in interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of mineralization zones;
- input parameters used in the Whittle shell that constrains the Mineral Resources amenable to open pit mining methods;
- metallurgical and mining recoveries;
- operating and capital cost assumptions;
- metal price and exchange rate assumptions;
- confidence in modifying factors, including assumptions that surface rights to allow infrastructure to be constructed will be forthcoming;
- delays or other issues in reaching agreements with local or regulatory authorities and stakeholders;
- changes in land tenure requirements or permitting requirements from those discussed in the report; and
- changes in the environmental regulations or laws governing the property.
Changes in key assumptions and parameters could result in a restatement of Mineral Resource estimates. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no assurance that they will ever be mined or processed profitably. Due to the uncertainty which may attach to Mineral Resources, there is no assurance that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. Any material reductions in estimates of Mineral Resources could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Title Risk
The Company has investigated its right to explore and exploit its properties and, to the best of its knowledge, those rights are in good standing. The results of the Company's investigations should not be construed as a guarantee of title. Other parties may dispute the title to a property, or the property may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or liens and transfers or land claims by aboriginal, native, or indigenous peoples. The title may be affected by undetected encumbrances or defects or governmental actions. The Company has not conducted surveys of all of its properties, and the precise area and location of claims or the properties may be challenged and no assurances can be given that there are no title defects affecting such properties. Any defects in the title to the Company's properties could have a material and adverse effect on the Company.
No assurance can be given that applicable governments will not revoke or significantly alter the conditions of the applicable exploration and mining authorizations nor that such exploration and mining authorizations will not be challenged or impugned by third parties. Although the Company has not had any problem renewing its licenses in the past there is no guarantee that it will always be able to do so. Inability to renew a license could result in the loss of any project located within that license.
Foreign Operations Risk
The Company conducts exploration activities in Peru. Operating in a foreign country exposes the Company to risks that may not otherwise be experienced if all operations were located in Canada. The risks vary from country to country and for Peru in particular include, but are not limited to, civil unrest or war, terrorism, illegal mining, changing political conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, expropriation or nationalization without adequate compensation, changes to royalty and tax regimes, high rates of inflation, labour unrest and difficulty in understanding and complying with the regulatory and legal framework respecting ownership and maintenance of mineral properties. Changes in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitudes may also adversely affect Corporation's existing assets and operations. Real and perceived political risk may also affect Corporation's ability to finance exploration programs and attract joint venture or option partners, and future mine development opportunities.
Numerous countries have introduced changes to mining regimes that reflect increased government control or participation in the mining sector, including, but not limited to, changes of law affecting foreign ownership, mandatory government participation, taxation and royalties, exploration licensing, export duties, and repatriation of income or return of capital. There can be no assurance that industries, which are deemed of national or strategic importance in countries in which the Company has assets, including mineral exploration, will not be nationalized. There is a risk that further government limitations, restrictions or requirements, not presently foreseen, will be implemented. Changes in policy that alter laws regulating the mining industry could have a material adverse effect on the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company's assets in these countries will not be subject to nationalization, requisition or confiscation, whether legitimate or not, by an authority or body.
In addition, in the event of a dispute arising from foreign operations, the Company may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in Canada. The Company also may be hindered or prevented from enforcing its rights with respect to a governmental instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. It is not possible for the Company to accurately predict such developments or changes in laws or policy or to what extent any such developments or changes may have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Metal Price Risk
The Company's portfolios of properties and investments have exposure to predominantly copper, gold, and silver. Commodity prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, such as the sale or purchase of metals by various central banks and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional supply and demand, and the political and economic conditions of major metals-producing and metals-consuming countries throughout the world. The prices of these metals greatly affect the value of the Company, the price of the common shares of the Company and the potential value of its properties and investments. This, in turn, greatly affects its ability to form joint ventures, option agreements and the structure of any joint ventures formed. This is due, at least in part, to the underlying value of the Company's assets at different metals prices.
Commodity prices, and in particular copper prices, may be significantly affected by both demand and supply-side disruptions as a result of COVID-19 and its continuing impact on economies around the world.
Uncertainty of Funding
The exploration and development of mineral properties requires a substantial amount of capital and may depend on the Company's ability to obtain financing through joint ventures, debt financing, equity financing or other means. General market conditions, volatile metals prices, a claim against the Company, a significant disruption to the Company's business, or other factors may make it difficult to secure the necessary financing. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining required financing as and when needed on acceptable terms. Failure to obtain any necessary additional financing may result in delaying or indefinite postponement of exploration or development or even a loss of property interest. If the Company needs to raise additional funds, such financing may substantially dilute the interests of shareholders of the Company and reduce the value of their investment.
Recent economic events including US-China trade disputes and the COVID-19 global pandemic have created further uncertainty in global financial and equity markets and may adversely impact the Company's share price and ability to raise capital.
Future Offerings of Debt or Equity Securities
The Company will require additional funds to finance further exploration, development and production activities, or to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities. If the Company raises additional funds by issuing additional equity securities, such financing would dilute the economic and voting rights of the Company's shareholders. Since the Company's capital needs depend on market conditions and other factors beyond its control, it cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any such future offering of securities. Thus, holders of common shares of the Company bear the risk of any future offerings reducing the market price of the common shares and diluting their shareholdings in the Company.
Currency Risk
The Company will transact business in a number of currencies including but not limited to the Canadian Dollar, the US Dollar, and the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Fluctuations in exchange rates may have a significant effect on the cash flows of the Company. Future changes in exchange rates could materially affect the Company's results in either a positive or a negative direction. The Company does not currently engage in foreign currency hedging activities.
Internal Controls
Internal controls over financial reporting are procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use, and transactions are properly recorded and reported. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to the reliability of financial reporting and financial statement preparation.
Information Systems and Cyber Security
The Company's operations depend on information technology ("IT") systems. These IT systems could be subject to network disruptions caused by a variety of sources, including computer viruses, security breaches and cyberattacks, as well as disruptions resulting from incidents such as cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, terrorism, fire, power loss, vandalism and theft. The Company's operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company's reputation and results of operations. Although to date the Company has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company's risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain a priority. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.
Corruption and Bribery
The Company is required to comply with anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, including the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act, the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as similar laws in the countries in which the Company conducts its business. If the Company finds itself subject to an enforcement action or is found to be in violation of such laws, this may result in significant penalties, fines and/or sanctions imposed on the Company resulting in a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has adopted a comprehensive Anti-Corruption Policy in order to mitigate this risk.
Competition
There is aggressive competition within the mining industry for the discovery and acquisition of properties considered to have commercial potential, as well as the necessary labour and supplies required to develop such properties. The Company competes with other exploration and mining companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than the Company, for the acquisition of mineral claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel. The Company may not be able to maintain or acquire attractive mining properties on terms it considers acceptable, or at all. Consequently, its financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Uninsurable Risks
Exploration, development and production operations on mineral properties involve numerous risks, including unexpected or unusual geological operating conditions, rock bursts, cave-ins, fires, floods, earthquakes and other environmental occurrences, as well as political and social instability. It is not always possible to obtain insurance against all such risks and the Company may decide not to insure against certain risks because of high premiums or other reasons. Should such liabilities arise, they could reduce or eliminate any further profitability and result in increasing costs and a decline in the value of the securities of the Company. The Company does not maintain insurance against political risks.
Environmental Risks
It is possible that future regulatory developments, such as increasingly strict environmental protection laws, climate change policies, regulations and enforcement policies, and claims for damages to property and persons resulting from the Issuer's operations, could result in additional costs and liabilities, restrictions on or suspension of the Issuer's activities and delays in the exploration of and development of its properties
The physical effects of climate change, which may include extreme weather events, resource shortages, changes in rainfall and storm patterns, water shortages and extreme weather events, may have an adverse effect on our operations. Events or conditions such as flooding or inadequate water supplies could disrupt exploration activities and rehabilitation efforts, could create resource shortages and could damage our property or equipment and increase health and safety risks on our properties. Such events or conditions could also have other adverse effects on our operations, our workforce and on the local communities surrounding our properties, such as an increased risk of food, water scarcity and civil unrest.
Tax
The Company runs its business in different countries and strives to run its business in as tax efficient a manner as possible. The tax systems in certain of these countries are complicated and subject to changes. For this reason, future negative effects on the result of the Company due to changes in tax regulations cannot be excluded. Repatriation of earnings to Canada from other countries may be subject to withholding taxes. The Company has no control over withholding tax rates.
Cautionary Note Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements made and information contained herein in the MD&A constitutes "forward-looking information" and forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements") concerning the business, operations, financial performance and condition of the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this MD&A is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this MD&A. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. Generally, any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance, (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "projects" , "estimates", "budgets", "scheduled", "forecasts", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "will occur" or "will be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, the inherent uncertainties regarding mineral resource estimates, cost estimates, changes in commodity prices, currency fluctuation, financings, unanticipated resource grades, infrastructure, results of exploration activities, cost overruns, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, taxation, political risk and related economic risk and unanticipated environmental impact on operations, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's operations, personnel, ability to finance and outlook, as well as other risks, and uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the MD&A, and elsewhere, which may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information included in this MD&A are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements and information should not be unduly relied upon. This statement and information is as of the date of the MD&A. In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements or information pertaining to the assumptions used in the mineral resources estimates for the AntaKori Project, including, but not limited to, geological interpretation, grades, metal price assumptions, metallurgical and mining recovery rates, geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions, as applicable; ability to develop infrastructure; assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; expectations regarding access and demand for equipment, skilled labour and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties, the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian and worldwide economy, the Company's workforce, world wide demand for commodities and the Company's business generally; and that activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by exploration, development, operating, regulatory, political, community, economic and/or environmental risks. In addition, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements or information pertaining to the anticipated timing or ability to secure additional financing and/or the quantum and terms thereof; exploration and development plans and expenditures; the timing and nature of studies and any potential development scenarios; opportunities to improve project economics; the success of future exploration activities; potential for resource expansion; potential for the discovery of new mineral deposits; ability to build shareholder value; expectations with regard to adding to mineral resources through exploration; expectations with respect to the conversion of inferred resources to an indicated resources classification; ability to execute the planned work programs; estimation of commodity prices, mineral resources, costs, and permitting time lines; ability to obtain surface rights and property interests; currency exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation of mining activities; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the current price of and demand for commodities will be sustained or will improve, the supply of commodities will remain stable, that the general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms and that the Company will not experience any material labour dispute, accident, or failure of plant or equipment. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this document is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.
The users of this information, including but not limited to investors and prospective investors, should read it in conjunction with all other disclosure documents provided including but not limited to all documents filed on SEDAR (www.SEDAR.com).