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Silver Range Resources Ltd. — Management Reports 2020
Aug 20, 2020
46877_rns_2020-08-20_0eeeb6af-b6c2-4e7a-89e3-d52846bc919e.pdf
Management Reports
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Management Discussion and Analysis for the Three Months and Six Months ended June 30, 2020 (including Subsequent Events to August 20, 2020)
The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of Silver Range Resources Ltd. (“Silver Range”) for the three months and the six months ended June 30, 2020 should be read in conjunction with the Silver Range audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and the unaudited condensed interim financial statements for three months and the six months ended June 30, 2020. All Silver Range financial statements are prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the financial statements, including the maintenance of appropriate information systems, procedures and internal controls. Management is also responsible for ensuring that information disclosed externally, including the financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), is complete and reliable.
The Silver Range financial statements, MD&A and all other continuous disclosure documents are filed with Canadian securities regulators and are available for review under the Silver Range profile at www.sedar.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forwardlooking statements. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by use of certain terminology, including “will”, “believes”, “may”, “expects”, “should”, “seeks”, “anticipates” or “intends” or by discussions of strategy or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from any future results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, and include but are not limited to: estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans; objectives and expectations with respect to the effectiveness of the Silver Range business model; future operations, products and services; the impact of regulatory initiatives on Silver Range operations; the size of and opportunities related to the market for Silver Range products; general industry and macroeconomic growth rates; expectations related to possible joint or strategic ventures; and statements regarding future performance.
Forward-looking statements used in this MD&A are subject to various risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Silver Range. If risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Silver Range undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and future events and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Given these uncertainties, the reader of the information included herein is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Silver Range is a prospect generation mineral exploration company with an explicit focus on generating, acquiring and vending targets hosting high grade gold and silver mineralization. The Company generates prospects through a combination of archival research and basic field investigations including prospecting and geochemical surveys. Prospective targets are acquired by staking and are then explored with geological mapping, sampling, geochemical and geophysical surveys to develop drill targets. In general, Silver Range will not drill the projects in its portfolio. The Company may occasionally drill a wholly-owned project at its own cost where the potential benefits of a mineral discovery appear to significantly outweigh the exploration risk.
Silver Range selects targets with reported or sampled surface mineralization grading better than 5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold or 500 g/t silver, provided such targets fall within geological deposit models hosting deposits with overall grades meeting or exceeding these thresholds. The Silver Range property portfolio currently consists of approximately 40 mineral properties located in Nevada, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon Territory. Future work will be focused on prospective targets in Nevada, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Silver Range creates value and generates revenue by selling interests in its projects to third parties. Silver Range will enter into property transactions at any stage from concept through completion of property exploration. Such property transactions may include outright sales; option to purchase arrangements; joint ventures; the generation and vending of royalties attached to projects; the generation of management fees to oversee exploration; and obtaining reimbursement for exploration expenditures. Intangible value may also be created through the negotiation of carried property interests.
Payments to Silver Range are made in cash or the securities in publicly trading or soon to be trading companies. Proceeds from property transaction are used first to defray the costs of general operation and to recapture the cost of project generation and exploration. Excess proceeds and property interests are retained as investments in the success of Silver Range projects and partner companies.
Silver Range seeks to increase shareholder value on a sustained basis by generating revenue to defray operating and exploration expenses, thereby reducing any requirement to issue its own shares from treasury; by generating and maintaining interests in active exploration projects; and by acquiring significant equity interests in partner companies.
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Silver Range was incorporated in 2010 to explore and develop the Silver Range Project (Keg Property). In March of 2016, Silver Range changed its business model from an exploration company focused on select advanced silver-zinc-lead projects to a precious metals focused project acquisition and early stage exploration project generative company.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the novel coronavirus (“COVID19”) as a global pandemic. Silver Range continues to evaluate the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19, which could create significant uncertainty for Silver Range and its operations. Each of the Canadian jurisdictions in which Silver Range primarily operates, namely Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, have imposed the requirements of self-isolation and social distancing to try to control the spread of the virus. Current measures include limitations on the movement of people and the closure of many non-essential businesses. Silver Range management and contractors are currently working remotely wherever possible and selfmonitoring for signs of infection.
Silver Range also has mineral exploration projects in Nevada, United States of America. On August 14, 2020, the United States and Canada extended restrictions on non-essential travel across the shared international land border until September 21, 2020 in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Non-essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. Essential travel which is currently permitted includes work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security. Trade and business travel has continued to operate across the international border.
All 2020 work carried out by Silver Range on its Nevada projects will be carried out by Nevada based personnel who will remain subject to all COVID-19 related travel restrictions and health advisories in place at the time such work is undertaken. Based on the nature of Silver Range business activities, it does not currently qualify for the various government wage and loan subsidies related to temporary COVID-19 relief measures in Canada.
As of August 20, 2020, Silver Range had no debt and has sufficient funds to meet fixed overhead commitments for the next twelve months. See “Risks and Uncertainties” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information.
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SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION
| December 31, 2019 |
December 31, 2018 |
December 31, 2017 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Net Income (Loss) | ($485,003) | ($2,049,003) | ($968,007) |
| Net Income (Loss) per Share-Basic and Diluted |
($0.01) | ($0.03) | ($0.01) |
| Total Assets | $4,503,829 | $4,619,642 | $5,788,225 |
| Total Long-term Financial Liabilities |
Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Cash Dividends DeclaredperShare |
Nil | Nil | Nil |
Total assets decreased from 2018 to 2019 by approximately $116,000 mainly due to a reduction of cash of approximately $217,000, which was used to fund working capital requirements and property acquisition and exploration, as well as a reduction of prepaid exploration expenditures of approximately $63,000, the majority of which were written off to mineral property examination costs. The decrease in cash was partially offset by an increase in marketable securities of approximately $87,000 (as a result of marketable securities purchased/received during the year) and an increase in equipment of approximately $64,000 due to the Company’s recognition of a right-of-use asset.
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (for the eight financial quarters ended June 30, 2020)
The following table contains a comparison of the results for the last quarter with those of the previous seven quarters.
| Period Ending | Revenues | Net Income (Loss) | Net Income (Loss) per Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 30,2020 | Nil | ($11,155) | ($0.00) |
| March 31,2020 | Nil | ($225,542) | ($0.00) |
| December 31,2019 | Nil | ($171,027) | ($0.00) |
| September 30,2019 | Nil | ($88,579) | ($0.00) |
| June 30,2019 | Nil | ($173,969) | ($0.00) |
| March 31,2019 | Nil | ($51,428) | ($0.00) |
| December 31,2018 | Nil | ($940,025) | ($0.01) |
| September 30,2018 | Nil | ($227,134) | ($0.00) |
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The net loss for the three month period ended June 30, 2020, compared to the net loss for the three month period ended June 30, 2019, decreased by approximately $163,000. This was caused mainly by a change in the value of marketable securities of approximately $144,000 (from a loss of approximately $44,000 in 2019 to a gain of approximately $100,000 in 2020). There was a net decrease in other expenses of approximately $19,000.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Working capital was $551,023 at June 30, 2020 compared to $506,991 at June 30, 2019.
(a) 2020 Financing
(i) May 26, 2020 Closing
On May 26, 2020, Silver Range closed the second of a two tranche private placement. The second tranche consisted of the sale of 5,225,000 units at a price of $0.08 each for proceeds of $418,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.16 at any time on or before May 26, 2022.
All securities issued as part of the May 26, 2020 closing are subject to a hold period in Canada that will expire on September 27, 2020.
(ii) April 6, 2020 Closing
On April 6, 2020, Silver Range closed the first tranche of a two tranche private placement. The first tranche consisted of the sale of 1,300,000 at a price of $0.08 each for proceeds of $104,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.16 at any time on or before April 6, 2022.
The warrants issued as part of each of the first and second tranches of the 2020 placement contain an exercise acceleration clause that may be exercised by Silver Range if the closing price of Silver Range shares is $0.20 or greater for a period of ten consecutive trading days subsequent to the expiry of the applicable four month hold period. Silver Range will have the right to provide all warrant holders with notice of an earlier expiry date for the warrants, in such event, the warrants would expire thirty calendar days from the giving of such notice.
The proceeds from the 2020 private placement are being used for working capital and exploration work in Nevada, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
(b) Equity Portfolio
As of August 20, 2020, Silver Range owned marketable securities of other publicly traded junior resource companies with a total market value of approximately $177,000. These securities were
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acquired by Silver Range pursuant to various property option or sale agreements. See “Risks and Uncertainties” and “Forward Looking Statements” for additional information.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Silver Range does not utilize off-balance sheet arrangements.
ACTIVE PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
Silver Range currently has 12 active property disposition transactions with 7 unrelated companies covering 11 of its properties (claim blocks). A brief summary of the properties and the related transactions is presented below. More comprehensive descriptions of the properties may be found on the Silver Range website (www.silverrangeresources.com).
(a) Up Town Gold Project
The Up Town Gold property is a high grade Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of six claims covering 3,227 hectares and borders the west side of the Giant Mine leases. Silver Range conducted geological mapping, geochemical sampling and airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys on the property in 2016.
By agreement dated September 9, 2016 and amended September 6, 2017, April 6, 2018, September 5, 2018 and February 18, 2020, Silver Range granted Rover Metals Corp. (“Rover”), an option to purchase a seventy-five percent (75%) interest in the Up Town gold property. The option can be exercised on or before March 16, 2021 in consideration of: (i) cash payments totaling $300,000, of which $180,000 has already been received; and (ii) incurring total exploration expenditures of $1.6 million, of which $350,000 has already been incurred.
Upon acquiring a 75% interest in the property, Rover will have the option to purchase the remaining 25% interest in the property by issuing an additional 2,500,000 Rover common shares to Silver Range on or before September 30, 2020.
If Rover acquires a 100% interest in the property, Silver Range will retain a 2% net smelter return royalty, one-half of which may be purchased for $1 million prior to the commencement of commercial production from the property. Advance royalty payments of $50,000 per annum will be paid to Silver Range, commencing on September 9, 2021.
(b) Cabin Lake Project
The Cabin Lake property is located 110 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife and 38 kilometres north of Behchoko in the Tlicho Traditional Territory, central Northwest Territories. The property hosts high-grade gold in iron formation within Archean metasedimentary rocks.
Under the terms of a letter of intent dated November 7, 2017 and amended August 9, 2018, Rover acquired a 100% interest in the Cabin Lake property. Under the agreement, Silver Range has received aggregate payments of $260,000 and will receive advance royalty payments. Silver Range also retained a 2% net smelter return on future precious metal production. Rover has the
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right to purchase up to 1.5% of the 2.0% royalty interest upon the completion of a NI 43-101 compliant measured and indicated resource at the Cabin Lake property.
Rover may purchase each 0.5% interest in the royalty for $250,000 if the resource on the property contains less than 1 million ounces of gold. Rover may purchase each 0.5% interest in the royalty for $500,000 if the resource on the property contains 1 million or more ounces of gold.
(c) Silver Range Project
The Silver Range project consists of 5,342 mineral claims and is located approximately 30 km north of Faro, Yukon and was the initial focus of exploration work by Silver Range.
In late November 2012, Silver Range received an independent resource estimate and metallurgical results for the Keg Deposit. A copy of the National Instrument 43-101 technical report entitled “Geology, Mineralization, Geochemical Surveys, Diamond Drilling, Metallurgical Testing and Mineral Resources at the Keg Property” by G. H. Giroux, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. (Giroux Consultants Ltd.) and L.A. Melis, P.Eng. (Melis Engineering Ltd.), dated effective December 19, 2012 and amended May 27, 2013. A copy of the report as amended can be viewed under the Silver Range profile at www.sedar.com.
Under the terms of an August 31, 2016 letter of intent, a private British Columbia company was granted the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Silver Range project by making a series of timed share issuances to Silver Range as specific milestone events are achieved over a period ending December 31, 2020. Silver Range will also retain net smelter return royalty interests of 2% on all future precious metals production and 1% on all future non-precious metals production from the Silver Range project.
In addition to the timed share issuances outlined above, the transaction is conditional upon the private British Columbia company successfully completing agreements with various third parties on or before December 31, 2020.
(d) Yuge Project
The Yuge property is located in Humboldt County, Nevada, approximately 55 kilometres south of Denio in the Varyville Mining District. The property consists of 56 Federal Lode Claims and covers the Columbia and Juanita Mines which produced on a small scale between 1870 and 1937. Gold on the Yuge property occurs with arsenopyrite in mesothermal quartz veins and the adjacent wall rocks. The highest gold grades were reported from near surface oxidized vein material where documented run-of-mine sorted ore assayed greater than 34 g/t gold and reported sampling of a crown pillar returned 2.4 m at 16.8 g/t gold including 0.6 m at 50.7 g/t gold. Silver Range staked the property in February 2018 and expanded it in April 2018.
By agreement dated July 7, 2020, Silver Range terminated a February 27, 2018 option agreement with Trifecta Gold Ltd. (“Trifecta”). Under the July 7, 2020 agreement Trifecta can earn a 100per-cent interest in the Yuge property by: (i) issuing 9.9 per cent of the issued Trifecta share capital to Silver Range immediately following the closing of a $500,000 financing by Trifecta; and (ii) pay $250,000 to Silver Range on or before July 7, 2021.
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Silver Range will retain a 2% net smelter return royalty in the property. Trifecta will have the right to purchase one-half of the royalty interest by paying Silver Range $1 million. In addition to retaining the royalty interest, Silver Range will also be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to $2 (U.S.) for each ounce of gold (or the gold equivalent) identified in the earlier of a measured or indicated mineral resource, or a proven or a probable mineral reserve, as contained in a NI 43-101 compliant technical report applicable to the property. These payments will made to Silver Range within six months of the date of the report.
Gold on the Yuge property occurs with arsenopyrite in mesothermal quartz veins and adjacent wall rock. These occur in subparallel shear zones up to 60 metres wide and over 1,200 m long. Selected surface grab samples collected on the property by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology returned assays up to 15 grams per tonne gold and similar samples collected by Homestake Mining Co. assayed up to 53 g/t Au. The highest gold grades were reported from near-surface oxidized vein material where documented run-of-mine sorted ore assayed greater than 34 g/t Au and reported sampling of a crown pillar returned 2.4 m at 16.8 g/t Au including 0.6 m at 50.7 g/t Au.
Sulphide mineralization occurs at depths greater than 30 m with arsenopyrite-rich material reportedly assaying greater than 17.4 g/t Au. A reported true-width drill intersection in this material at 49 m depth returned 3.3 m at 9.7 g/t Au. Historical drilling intersected gold mineralization or open stopes in all holes reported but only to a maximum depth of 100 m. Silver Range believes there is considerable potential to discover similar mineralization at depth given the mesothermal character of the veins and shears, and the considerable depth extent of gold mineralization in deposits of this class.
Work on the property by Trifecta to date includes a reconnaissance program completed in the spring of 2018. This work confirmed the presence of high-grade gold at multiple showings on the property. Significant rock samples by zone included:
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Columbia -- 150, 75.4, 34.9, 10.5, 7.4 and 7.13 g/t gold;
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Juanita -- 11.4, 6.35 and 5.85 g/t gold;
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Josie -- 86.1, 45.2, 42.2, 36.2, 25.7, 21.6, 16.7, 13.1 and 5.49 g/t gold.
Trifecta has informed Silver Range that it has initiated permitting with the intention of conducting a drill program at Yuge this fall.
Historical data cited above is based on reports by Homestake Mining, Westamerica Enterprises and Extension Energy Inc. These have not been independently verified by Silver Range or Trifecta, but have been checked for internal consistency and against Nevada Bureau of Mines and U.S. Bureau of Mines public domain data.
(e) Gold Point District
Gold Point is a high-grade gold and silver mining district in Esmerelda County, Nevada, about 26 miles south of the towns of Goldfield and 43 miles northwest of Beatty. The district was discovered in 1868 and became known as Hornsilver following the discovery of bonanza grade chlorargyrite in 1908. As mining progressed to depth, gold predominated and the district was renamed Gold Point in the 1930's.
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Underground mining of higher-grade portions of the veins in the district occurred intermittently between 1882 and 1962. The last operation ceased with the closure of the mill at Silver Peak. Total historic production to date in the district has been estimated at approximately 74,000 oz gold equivalent, silver being included in earlier production records.
Gold occurs in mesothermal orogenic or intrusion related quartz-limonite-hematite veins. The veins occur in a west-northwest striking structural corridor extending at least 4 km from Mount Dunfee to west of the town of Gold Point. The veins are subparallel to the structural trend, dip moderately to steeply northeast and generally rake east in the plane of the controlling structures.
The most significant mining occurred on the Great Western, Welcome Stranger (Townsite) and Orleans veins. These were high grading operations, mining material averaging about 29 g/t Au at a 10 g/t Au cutoff. The higher-grade portions of the veins ranged in width from around 1.5 m to 7 m with stopes up to 13 m on the Great Western and Orleans veins. Stope maps indicate abundant lower grade mineralization was left behind in the ribs and backs. The gold mineralization persists to depth with material averaging 10.7 g/t Au collected in 35 samples from the 900 through 1020 levels of the Orleans veins following mining. There has been no significant modern exploration or drilling in the core of the Gold Point district since mining ceased due to fragmented mineral tenure.
Information concerning historical exploration, development and mining at Gold Point is based on Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology archive material and on historic information provided by Nevada Rand LLC.
Property Consolidation
Silver Range has forged an alliance with Nevada Rand LLC (“Nevada Rand”) to consolidate the major past producing mines and prospects in the Gold Point District. Nevada Rand is a privately owned underground mining contracting firm, well experienced in narrow vein high grading operations. Since the 1990’s, it has acquired historic data and consolidated claim blocks covering the Great Western and Orleans veins and most of the Townsite Vein.
The Silver Range East Gold Point project is southeast of Nevada Rand’s claims and covers the eastern extension of the structural corridor hosting the gold bearing veins at Gold Point. The Lucky Boy shaft on the East Gold Point project was sunk where float containing visible gold was found and the Hornsilver America shaft at the southeastern end of the East Gold Point property hosts gold bearing veins which returned up to 13.8 g/t Au in recent sampling. Silver Range and Nevada Rand staked and jointly own the TOM property, buffer claims between their respective land positions.
GGL Resources Corp. (“GGL”) has entered into three separate option agreements in respect of three contiguous parcels of federal lode mining claims near Gold Point. These three properties are the East Gold Point property, the Gold Point property and the Tom property (collectively, the “Project Area”). As of August 20, 2020 all three property agreements remained subject to GGL obtaining Exchange acceptance.
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(i) East Gold Point Option
By agreement dated July 27, 2020, Silver Range granted GGL an option to acquire a 75% interest in the East Gold Point property, consisting of 39 federal lode mining claims. GGL can exercise the option by making cash payments totaling CAD$180,000 and incurring aggregate expenditures in the Project Area of an aggregate of CAD$1,500,000 on or before July 31, 2023.
Once the option has been exercised, GGL and Silver Range will enter into a 75% / 25% joint venture for the further exploration and development of the property. Silver Range will also be entitled to receive a one-time cash payment of US$4.00 per ounce based on the number of ounces of gold identified in the earlier of a measured or indicated mineral resource, or a proven or a probable mineral reserve, as contained in a NI 43-101 compliant technical report applicable to the EGP property.
(ii) Gold Point Option
By agreement dated July 27, 2020, Nevada Rand granted GGL an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Gold Point property, consisting of 10 federal lode mining claims. GGL can exercise the option by making cash payments totaling US$1,000,000 and incurring expenditures in the Project Area of not less than US$850,000 on or before July 31, 2025. This option agreement also provides that Nevada Rand will retain a 2% net smelter return royalty related to mineral products from commercial production from the Gold Point property. GGL has the right to purchase one-half of the royalty for US$1,000,000.
(iii) Tom Option
By agreement dated July 27, 2020, Silver Range and Nevada Rand jointly granted GGL an option to acquire a 100% interest in the TOM property, consisting of 14 federal lode mining claims. GGL can exercise the option by incurring expenditures in the Project Area of not less than US$1,500,000 on or before July 31, 2023. Upon exercising the option, each of Silver Range and Nevada Rand will be entitled to receive a one-time cash payment of US$1.00 per ounce based on the number of ounces of gold identified in the earlier of a measured or indicated mineral resource, or a proven or a probable mineral reserve, as contained in a NI 43-101 compliant technical report applicable to the TOM property. The option agreement also provides that each of Silver Range and Nevada Rand retain a 1% smelter return royalty related to mineral products from commercial production from the TOM property. GGL has the right to purchase one-half of each of the royalties for a payment of US$1.00 for each ounce of gold contained in any measured or indicated resource, or any proven or probable reserve.
(f) Hannapah Property
The Hannapah property is an epithermal silver and gold prospect consisting of 13 Federal Lode Claims located in Nye County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2017 and subsequently explored with prospecting. On July 16, 2019, the Hannapah Property was optioned to a Nevada-incorporated company for total consideration of US $235,000; a 2% NSR, 1% of which may be bought for US $1,000,000; and success fees of US $2.00 per ounce of gold equivalent resources defined in a National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource or reserve.
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(g) Hard Cash and Nigel Properties
The Hard Cash property hosts Archean lode gold style mineralization and is located in southern Nunavut, approximately 540 kilometers southwest of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and 310 km northeast of Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan. The property consists of two claims covering 2,090 hectares. The property hosts high grade gold in several locations most notably along the 1.4 km long Swamp Trend. At the northeast end of this trend rock samples from the Swamp Showing have returned analyses up to 174 g/t gold and 1,192 g/t silver. The trend is defined by numerous float samples returning assays in excess of 5 g/t gold extending to the southwest from the Swamp Showing. Silver Range has conducted geological mapping, prospecting, total magnetic field and horizontal loop electromagnetic field surveys on the property since 2016.
The Nigel property hosts Archean lode gold style mineralization and is 15 km west of the Hard Cash property in the same belt of favourable metavolcanic rocks that host the mineralization at Hard Cash property. The property consists of one claim (375 hectares) and covers three structurally hosted Archean lode gold occurrences. Silver Range conducted prospecting on the property in 2016 and collected rock samples returning analyses as high as 398 g/t gold.
By agreement dated November 23, 2018, Silver Range granted Canarc Resource Corp. (“Canarc”) an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Hard Cash and Nigel properties, located in Nunavut. In order to exercise the option, Canarc must make staged cash payments to Silver Range of an aggregate $150,000 and make staged shares issuances to Silver Range of an aggregate 1,500,000 over a 4 year period.
Upon Canarc exercising the option, Silver Range will retain a 2% net smelter return royalty interest, one-half (1/2) of which may be purchased by Canarc for $1,000,000. Silver Range will also be entitled to receive:
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(A) a one-time cash payment equal to $1.00 for each ounce of gold (or the value equivalent in other metals), identified in a National Instrument 43-101 compliant measured and indicated resource estimate applicable to either of the Hard Cash or Nigel properties; and
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(B) an additional one-time cash payment equal to $1.00 for each ounce of gold (or the value equivalent in other metals), identified in a NI 43-101 compliant proven or probable reserve estimate applicable to either of the Hard Cash or Nigel properties.
(h) Cold Springs Property
The Cold Springs property is an epithermal gold and silver prospect consisting of 19 Federal Lode Claims located in Churchill County, Nevada. The property was acquired by Silver Range in 2016 and explored briefly at the time of staking. Silver Range has subsequently acquired historic drill data covering the property and adjacent area. Work by Silver Range in 2018 confirmed that the exposed high-grade gold and silver mineralization is on the periphery of a larger epithermal system, down-dropped to the west across a range front fault. Geophysical surveys over this down-faulted block mapped a vertically persistent bedrock resistivity low
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beneath alluvial cover. This feature is interpreted to be an argillic envelope surrounding the basement source of the hydrothermal system.
Under the terms of a binding letter of intent dated August 15, 2020, Silver Range granted Volt Energy Corp. (“Volt”) to option to acquire a 75% interest in the Cold Springs Property. Volt can exercise the option by paying Silver Range an aggregate of $300,000 and completing 2,000 m of drilling on the Property over a three-year period.
Silver Range will retain a 2.5% net smelter return. Volt will have the right to purchase one-half of the royalty interest by paying Silver Range $1,250,000. The letter of intent will be replaced with a definitive agreement on or before August 31, 2020.
PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR OPTION OR SALE
In addition to those properties currently under option to third parties, Silver Range has numerous mineral properties in Nevada, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory available for option, purchase or joint venture. Each of the available properties is briefly summarized below.
(a) Nevada Properties
Silver Range holds a total of 23 mineral projects in Nevada, 16 of which are available for option, purchase or joint venture. These properties consist of nine epithermal, one carbonate-hosted, three intrusion-related and ten orogenic mesothermal precious metal prospects.
(i) Legal Tender Property
The Legal Tender property is an epithermal silver and gold target consisting of 12 Federal Lode Claims located in Nye County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting and geological mapping. Initial grab sampling by Silver Range returned analyses up to 1,875 g/t silver and 3.04 g/t gold from sulphide bearing quartz vein material retrieved from waste dumps from previous workings.
(ii) Lucky Boy Property
The Lucky Boy property is an epithermal silver and gold target consisting of nine Federal Lode Claims located in Pershing County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting and geological mapping. Three of 11 grab samples collected on the property by Silver Range in 2016 returned analyses greater than 200 g/t silver with a best assay of 1,535 g/t silver; 9 of the same samples contained anomalous gold (>0.1 g/t gold) with best results of 2.17 g/t gold.
(iii) Bellehelen Property
The Bellehelen property is an epithermal silver and gold target consisting of eight Federal Lode Claims located in Nye County, Nevada. The property was acquired from Panarc in 2016. Silver Range has conducted no work on this property to date.
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(iv) Strongbox Property
The Strongbox property is a mesothermal gold prospect consisting of 22 Federal Lode Claims in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting, geological mapping, total magnetic field and horizontal loop electromagnetic field surveys.
Sampling at Strongbox during October 2018 identified new, shallow-dipping vein-hosted mineralization on the west side of Tule Canyon about 40 m west of the Dark Secret Mine. A chip sample across a hematitic clay and quartz shear returned 0.7 m at 37.3 g/t Au. Earlier chip sampling across part of the alteration zone including workings at the Dark Secret Mine returned 20 m at 0.923 g/t Au. (Silver Range Press Release dated January 18, 2018). On the east side of Tule Canyon grab samples of quartz vein exposed on the backs of stopes in the Eastside Mine returned from 5.38 g/t Au to 27.6 g/t Au. A chip sample of similar material underground graded 0.30 m at 5.25 g/t gold.
The known mineralization at Strongbox appears to be part of a larger structural system that is outlined by sinuous resistivity highs. The Eastside and Dark Secret Mines occur in the western part of the system, and the eastern portion occurs in an area blanketed by thin overburden.
(v) Stinson Property
The Stinson property is an intrusion-related gold and silver target consisting of 21 Federal Lode Claims located in White Pine County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting and geological mapping. Surface grab sampling returned up to 248 g/t gold with 7 of 27 samples collected at the historic Ben Hur workings returning greater than 1 g/t gold. A chip sample across exposed surface mineralization near the highest grade grab sample returned 1.5 m at 20.6 g/t gold.
(vi) Rand Property
The Rand property is an intrusion related gold and copper prospect consisting of nine Federal Lode Claims located in Mineral County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting and geological mapping. Initial grab sampling by Silver Range in 2016 returned analyses up to 35.50 g/t gold and 19% Cu.
(vii) Krug Property
The Krug property is a mesothermal gold and silver target consisting of 8 Federal Lode Claims located in Churchill County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting. Initial grab sampling in 2016 returned analyses up to 3.54 g/t gold and 340 g/t silver from mineralized veins.
(viii) Enigma Property
The Enigma property is a mesothermal gold and silver target consisting of 21 Federal Lode Claims located in Lyon County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting, geological mapping, total magnetic field and horizontal
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loop electromagnetic field surveys. Eleven of 14 grab samples collected by Silver Range returned anomalous gold (>0.1 g/t gold) with three samples returning 12.30 g/t gold, 15.95 g/t gold and 73.30 g/t gold. The electromagnetic field surveys defined a linear resistivity low coincident with gold mineralization on the property.
(ix) Robot Property
The Robot property is 22 kilometres south of Yerington in Lyon County. The claim block covers gold occurrences in Jurassic-Cretaceous granodiorite along a mile-long trend in the footwall of a prominent north-striking range front fault. Gold mineralization is hosted in sympathetic, antithetic and cross-cutting veins and shears. At the North Showing, best grab sample results from an initial examination by Silver Range in May of 2018 were 54.3 g/t gold and 20.0 g/t gold from separate veins. At the South Showing, best grab sample results from the same program were 5.86 g/t gold.
Six of 21 grab samples collected during the initial examination by Silver Range returned analyses greater than 1 g/t gold. Silver Range found no evidence of modern exploration suggesting this target may have been overlooked. Reconnaissance stream sediment sample results suggest that additional mineralization may be present between the two showings. Silver Range intends to conduct additional prospecting and sampling to follow-up on the stream sediment sampling results.
(x) Bottom Dollar
The Bottom Dollar property is 102 kilometres northwest of Winnemucca in Humboldt County and consists of 6 Federal Lode Claims. The property is underlain by Jurassic-Triassic limestone and Happy Creek volcanics intruded by Cretaceous(?) granodiorite. Gold mineralization is dominantly vein hosted with subordinate skarn developed in carbonate rocks. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology sampling reported assays of 28 g/t gold and 23 g/t gold from selected specimens collected on the property.
Initial sampling by Silver Range in May 2018 returned a best grab sample assay of 15.95 g/t gold with 181 g/t Ag and 1.1% Cu from a set of 24 samples, 5 of which returned gold analyses greater than 1 g/t gold. Anomalous orientation soil sample results up to 132 ppb gold were returned from an area of past trenching but higher responses up to 554 ppb gold were recorded well outside of this zone. Additional prospecting, soil sampling and ground geophysics followed by trenching are required to further assess the property’s potential.
(xi) Posh Property
The Posh property is located in Mineral County, 20 km south of Hawthorne in the Wassuk Range and consists of 4 Federal Lode Claims. The property is underlain by Cretaceous granite and granodiorite cut by west-northwest trending shears and veins. The Main Showing on the property consists of gold and silver bearing quartz in a 1.5 metre wide, steeply north-dipping shear zone. The shear zone is exposed in trenches, an adit and a road cut over a distance of approximately 120 m.
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Initial grab sampling in April of 2018 returned grab samples assaying up to 4.82 g/t gold and 101 g/t Ag with 4 of 8 samples collected returning analyses greater than 1 g/t gold. This confirmed similar results reported by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology which report a historic grab sample assay of 5.30 ppm gold and 120 ppm Ag from dump material.
(xii) Loner Property
In October of 2018 following regional reconnaissance work, Silver Range staked the Loner property is in Pershing County, 35 kilometres south of Winnemucca in the Grass Valley. The claims cover high grade low sulphidation epithermal veins first discovered in 1906 and mined on a small scale through the 1930’s.
Heavily oxidized quartz-adularia veins, individually up to 100 m long and from 0.5 to 2.0 m thick, form a complex more than 500 m long and up to 60 m wide cutting host granodiorite. Silver Range collected 8 grab samples and 4 chip samples during initial sampling, 6 of which returned assays greater than 6 g/t gold. Grab samples assayed up to 16.60 g/t gold and chip samples returned up to 1.83 m at 25.70 g/t gold. There is an association between gold and arsenic, and Silver Range intends to explore the property with soil sampling and trenching to define drill targets.
(xiii) Black Star Property
The Black Star property lies south of the Black Rock Desert, 33 kilometres east-northeast of Gerlach in Pershing County. The showing has been explored since the 1930’s with hand-built road construction, adits, shafts, a load-out dock and the remains of a small crushing and sorting plant. Gold mineralization occurs in an array of north-trending quartz veins and breccias cutting Permo-Triassic metavolcanic rocks, near a flexure in a prominent north-striking shear zone.
Individual veins in the array, some over 1 m wide are intermittently exposed for up to 60 m along strike. Silver Range collected 20 grab samples and two chip samples during initial sampling, four of which returned assays greater than 5 g/t gold. Grab sample assays returned up to 18.95 g/t gold from waste dump material while chip sample results include 0.5 m at 19.60 g/t gold from the brow of an adit.
Gold results from a test soil geochemical survey indicated there may be additional veins between the exposed mineralization and shear zone flexure to the east. Silver Range plans to conduct high frequency electromagnetic field surveys and soil geochemical surveys on the property to define and extend the known mineralization. No work has been done on the property by Silver Range since 2018.
(xiv) Sniper Property
The Sniper property is located on the north flank of Gold Mountain in Esmeralda County and consists of 4 Federal Lode Claims. The property covers one of numerous small mines and prospects in the Tokop Mining District which have produced sporadically or intermittently since 1866. Sniper appears to have been initially explored with small adits and shafts between 1978 and 1983. In initial sampling by Silver Range, seven of 14 samples collected returned assays greater than 5 g/t gold and five of 14 samples returned assays greater than 20 g/t gold with peak
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value of 121 g/t gold. Silver assays ranged from 0.2 to 1,375 g/t silver with three of 14 samples assaying greater than 100 g/t silver.
Silver Range traced mineralized veins for up to 30 m along strike in historical workings. Veins measure up to 40 cm wide in outcrop where they occur with andesite dykes in Jurassic Sylvania Pluton granodiorite. Ribbon-banded quartz veins carrying pyrite, galena, tetrahedrite and secondary chrysocolla and wulfenite are present in the carapace of a Jurassic intrusion, immediately below the contact with overlying Precambrian Wyman formation metasedimentary rocks. The sulphide mineralization occurs in clots and locally amounts to 20% of the vein material. Silver Range intends to conduct geochemical and geophysical surveys on the property to trace out the known mineralization.
Silver Range last worked on the property in 2019.
(xv) Irwin Property
The Irwin property is located in the Troy Mining District, eastern Nye County and covers a small past-producing mine, mill and adjacent exploration prospects. The property consists of 4 Federal Lode Claims and covers three showings developed with shafts, adits and drifting. Historical (Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology) and recent Silver Range sampling of these workings returned up to 7.5 g/t gold from surface grab samples and a 40 cm chip sample of in-place vein material returned 2.22 g/t gold and 96 g/t silver. Material from the No. 1 and No. 2 Veins was processed with a small mill in nearby Irwin Canyon using a crusher and jig. Placer mining has been conducted in Irwin Canyon below the bedrock mineralization. The veins are hosted in Oligocene Troy Pluton granodiorite and overlying Precambrian Prospect Mountain Quartzite metasedimentary rocks, and along a fault contact at the nearby Mayolli Showing. The veins have been traced or developed up to 70 m along strike. Silver Range intends to conduct geochemical and geophysical surveys on the property to define drill targets.
Silver Range last worked on the property in 2019.
(xvi) Kawich Property
The Kawich Property is located in the Bellehelen Mining District, approximately 70 kilometres east of Tonopah. The property covers numerous historical workings including the Ben Hur Mine and is located at the east end of the Kawich – Toiyabe Lineament, a regional structure localizing historic gold mines in the Hannapah, Ellendale and Bellehelen Mining Districts. The property is 3 kilometres southeast of Silver Range’s Bellehelen Property which covers high grade silver mineralization at the Ajax Mine.
At Kawich, low sulphidation epithermal gold mineralization in Tertiary rhyolitic tuff occurs as east-striking en-echelon quartz veins, exposed for up to 160 m along strike and over widths up to 1.2 m in limited outcrop exposure. Initial grab sampling of veins and dumps by Silver Range in 2019 returned up to 10.35 g/t Au and 430 g/t Ag with 7 of 12 samples collected returning greater than 1 g/t Au and 5 of 12 samples returning greater than 100 g/t Ag. Silver Range intends to conduct additional geological mapping, sampling, geophysical and geochemical sampling on the property to identify drill targets.
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(xvii) Skylight Property
The Skylight property is an epithermal gold and silver target consisting of 16 Federal Lode Claims located in Nye County, Nevada. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and subsequently explored with prospecting, geological mapping and IP/resistivity surveys. Historic drill data for this property has also been acquired.
More comprehensive information on the Nevada properties is available on the Silver Range website (www.silverrangeresources.com).
Database Acquisition
By agreement dated April 30, 2019, Silver Range acquired a mineral exploration database related to 456 mineral exploration targets located in the southwestern United States of America. The database was purchased from an arm’s length third party for $10,000 and 400,000 Silver Range shares.
(b) Nunavut Properties
Silver Range holds a total of eleven projects in Nunavut, nine of which are available for option, purchase or joint venture. A brief summary of the nine available properties is presented below.
(i) South Kitikmeot Gold Project
The South Kitikmeot gold belt is located in southwest Nunavut and covers a 200 kilometre long package of Archean Beechey Lake metasedimentary rocks which host the Lupin mine (3.4 million ounces past production) and the Back River project (5.3 million ounces measured and indicated) currently being advanced to production by Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (“Sabina”).
The South Kitikmeot Gold Project is comprised of five claim blocks covering 6,767 hectares.
The five claim bocks comprising the South Kitikmeot gold project are each described briefly below:
(1) Bling Property
The Bling property hosts iron formation gold style mineralization and is located near Thistle Lake in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, approximately 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of a single 1,024 hectare claim, staked in 2011 by Panarc Resources Ltd. (“Panarc”) and subsequently acquired by Silver Range in 2016. Gold is associated with the arsenopyrite in an exhalite horizon, and numerous samples returned assays greater than 10 g/t gold with some chip samples as high as 16.0 g/t gold over 2.0 meters. The mineralization appears to be stratigraphically controlled, is not structurally disrupted and is located along an extensive regional contact. In 2017, Silver Range completed total magnetic field and electromagnetic field surveys on the property.
- (2) Esker Lake Property
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The Esker Lake property hosts iron formation gold style mineralization and is located on the south shore of Esker Lake in the Kitikmeok Region of Nunavut, approximately 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of one claim covering 1,250 hectares and was explored by third parties from 1986 to 1992 with some diamond drilling. The property was restaked by Panarc in 2012 and sold to Silver Range in 2016. Panarc conducted field work on the property in 2015 and grab sample assay results ranged from 7.6 to 26.8 g/t gold and a chip sample ran 2.32 g/t gold over 2.6 meters. No work was conducted by Silver Range prior to the option to Amaroq.
(3) Goldbugs Property
The Goldbugs property hosts iron formation gold style mineralization and is located on the south shores of Ghurka and Migration Lake in the Kitikmeok Region of Nunavut, approximately 390 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of two claims covering approximately 1,520 hectares. The area was first staked by Argus Resources Ltd. in 1986 and was subsequently restaked by Panarc in 2011 and sold to Silver Range in 2016. Sampling by Panarc identified four showings containing greater than 5 g/t gold. No work has been conducted by Silver Range subsequent to its acquisition of the property in 2016.
(4) Uist Property
The Uist property hosts iron formation gold style mineralization and is located 428 km southeast of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, approximately 440 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property adjoins Sabina’s Back River gold project. The Uist property consists of three claims covering 470 hectares. Silver Range has conducted geological mapping, prospecting, total magnetic field surveys and horizontal loop electromagnetic field surveys on the property since staking in 2016. Sampling at two showings returned surface rock grab sample analyses up to 64.3 g/t gold.
(5) Qannituq Property
The Qannituq Property hosts iron formation gold style mineralization and consists of 2 claims covering 2500 hectares. The property is located in Nunavut, 8.2 km northwest of Sabina Gold & Silver’s Llama deposit. The claims are underlain by Beechey Lake metasedimentary rocks intruded by granite. Silver Range completed reconnaissance prospecting on these claims during early August 2017.
(ii) Quartzite Property
The Quartzite property hosts Archean lode gold style mineralization and consists of three claims (650 hectares) near Kaminak Lake, 130 km SW of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Silver Range conducted prospecting on the claims in 2016 with grab sample results up to 27.3 g/t gold.
(iii) Grumpy Property
The Grumpy property hosts Archean lode gold style mineralization and consists of one claim (925 hectares) and is located 190 km southeast of Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Nunavut and 585 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories,. The property was acquired through staking
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and it lies astride the proposed Grays Bay to Contwoyto Lake Road, 23 km south of the planned terminus on Coronation Gulf. No work has been conducted on the property to date by Silver Range.
(iv) Yandle Property
The Yandle property hosts gold in iron formation and is comprised of two claims covering 2,500 hectares, located approximately 153 km west of Arviat, Nunavut. In 2017, Silver Range conducted geological mapping, prospecting, horizontal loop electromagnetic field surveys and total magnetic field surveys on the property. Sampling along the contact between a gabbroic intrusive unit and intermediate volcanic rocks to the south returned analyses up to 15.1 g/t gold.
(v) Noomut Property
The Noomut property hosts gold in iron formation and is comprised of one claim covering 2,500 hectares, located approximately 152 km west of Arviat, Nunavut. The Noomut property is 15 km southwest of the Yandle property and covers a 1.9 km long zone of gold mineralization which has returned historical surface grab samples to 89 g/t gold. Silver Range has not conducted any exploration work on this property to date.
(vi) Tree River Property
The Tree River property consists of three prospecting permits covering 39,250 hectares and is located 155 km southeast of Kugluktuk, Nunavut. The property covers the prospective Witwatersrand-style gold mineralization in Archean conglomerate beds which has returned historic analyses to 142 g/t gold.
In August of 2018, a two-man crew conducted geological mapping and prospecting along an auriferous Archean quartz pebble conglomerate (“QPC”). At the main zone, the site of historic work by BHP Billiton and Strongbow Exploration, grab samples returned up to 114g/t gold and a chip sample returned 0.20 m at 540 g/t gold. A second zone of mineralization, 3.6 km along strike (West Zone), returned grab samples up to 14.05 g/t gold. A total of 88 rock samples were collected during the program, 57 of which were taken from the QPC. Four of the QPC samples assayed greater 9 g/t gold and background gold content in the QPC, estimated by averaging 53 QPC samples grading less than 2.5 g/t Au, is very anomalous at 0.203 g/t gold.
(vii) The Atlantis Project
The Atlantis project consists of two prospecting permits covering 31,778 hectares on the east half of NTS Sheet 66H14. The property covers 21 square kilometres of highly prospective Archean mafic volcanic rocks which were first identified on Geological Survey of Canada maps published in 2002. The property is 55 km north-northwest of Agnico Eagle’s Amaruq Deposit, currently being prepared for production.
Amaruq in turn is 54 km north-northwest of the Third Portage and Vault Deposits.
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The Meadowbank and Vault Deposits at the Meadowbank Mine are hosted in a mixed succession of Archean metavolcanic rocks and metasedimentary rocks whereas the Amaruq Deposit is hosted in Archean mafic and ultramafic rocks. For the complex as a whole, Agnico Eagle declared Proven and Probable Reserves as of December 31, 2017 of 24.771 Mt at 3.40 g/t Au. In the early 1990’s, Comaplex Resources Ltd. discovered by prospecting the showings which became the Meadowbank, Vault and Amaruq Deposits. The volcanic outlier covered by the Atlantis Project was unknown at that time, appearing on a geological map in 2002 (Geological Survey of Canada Open File 4236). Nunavut Mining Recorder records show that the Atlantis Project area was on the eastern edge of a large block of prospecting permits granted to Uranium North from 2011 to 2013; no exploration appears to have been conducted in the immediate project area. Silver Range considers the Atlantis Project to be highly prospective to host economic gold mineralization given the proximity of the project to the Meadowbank Mine Complex and the fact that the target is underlain by the same rock types hosting the Amaruq Deposit.
As of August 20, 2020, Silver Range had no plans to carry out any activities at the Atlantis property during the 2020 summer exploration season.
(c) Northwest Territories Properties
Silver Range holds four mineral projects in the Northwest Territories, three of which are available for option, purchase or joint venture. A brief summary of each the three available properties is presented below.
(i) Hare Property
The Hare property hosts Archean lode-gold mineralization and is located 460 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Historic grab samples from the Hare showing reportedly returned values up to 104 ounces per ton gold from a small area of outcrop about 20 m in diameter. Silver Range staked, mapped and prospected the property in 2016.
(ii) Itchen Property
The Itchen property hosts gold in iron formation and is located approximately 350 km northeast of Yellowknife and 78 km west of the Lupin Mine in Nunavut. The property was staked by Silver Range in 2016 and consists of two claims covering 1,996 hectares. Silver Range conducted prospecting on the property in 2016.
(iii) Sparta Property
The Sparta property hosts Archean lode gold style mineralization and is located 81 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property hosts a historical (non-National Instrument 43-101 compliant) resource of 30,000 tons averaging 0.31 ounces per ton gold over a 250 foot strike length on the Gab vein to a depth of 75 feet.
Silver Range staked, mapped and prospected the property in 2016. In October of 2019, Silver Range carried out a small program of sampling and prospecting.
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(d) Yukon Projects
Silver Range holds four mineral projects in Yukon Territory, three of which are available for option, purchase or joint venture. A brief summary of each of the available properties is presented below.
(i) Barb Property
The Barb property consists of 21 mineral claims and is located in the Watson Lake Mining District in the southeast Yukon Territory, approximately 150 km north of the town of Watson Lake. On June 17, 2014, Silver Range purchased the Mel and the Barb mineral properties from Kobex Minerals Inc. (“Kobex”) for $200,000. The Barb property is subject to a 1% net smelter return royalty payable to Kobex. Silver Range can purchase this royalty interest at any time for $1,000,000.
The Barb property hosts base metal volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization. An historical (non- National Instrument 43-101 compliant) resource estimate reported by Sovereign Metals Corporation in 1977 consisted of an inferred resource of 533,434 tonnes grading 102.86 g/t silver, 6.1% lead and 4.6% zinc. Silver Range has conducted no work on this property since acquisition.
(ii) Mel Project
The Mel Property consists of 257 mineral claims and is located approximately 80 km east of Watson Lake and 40 km north of the Alaska Highway. On June 17, 2014, Silver Range purchased the Mel and the Barb mineral properties from Kobex Minerals Inc. (“Kobex”) for $200,000. The Mel property is subject to an underlying 1% net smelter return royalty payable to Sandstorm Gold Ltd. and a 1% net smelter return royalty payable to Kobex, which can be purchased at any time by Silver Range for $1,000,000.
Prior to its change of business to a prospect generation mineral exploration company, Silver Range commissioned an independent technical report on the Mel property. A copy of the National Instrument 43-101 report entitled “Technical Report on the Mel Zinc-Lead-Barite Property” by H. Leo King, P.Geo. (H. Leo King & Associates Ltd.) and G. H. Giroux, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. (Giroux Consultants Ltd.), dated effective November 12, 2014 can be viewed under the Silver Range profile at www.sedar.com.
Up to October 28, 2019, the Mel property was subject to an option agreement with Benz Mining Corp. (“Benz”). Prior to terminating the option with Benz on October 28, 2019, Silver Range had received cash payments and share issuances from Benz equal in value to $267,500.
(iii) Michelle Property
The Michelle property is an exploration project that consists of 782 mineral claims located 130 km north-northeast of Dawson City in central Yukon. Silver Range holds a 100% interest in the property and there are no underlying third party royalty interests. The property hosts numerous manto or Mississippi Valley, type silver-zinc-lead targets. During 2017, Silver Range conducted
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a program of geological mapping, trenching and sampling on the Michelle Property. No work has been done on the property since 2017.
More comprehensive information on all of the Silver Range properties is available on the company website (www.silverrangeresources.com)
TECHNICAL REVIEW
Technical information disclosed in this MD&A related to the Nevada, Northwest Territories and Nunavut properties has been reviewed by Michael Power, P.Geo. the Silver Range President and Chief Executive Officer, and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.
Technical information disclosed in this MD&A related to the Yukon properties has been reviewed by Matthew R. Dumala, P. Eng., a geological consultant to Silver Range and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
1. Management
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, legal fees and disbursements totalling $20,400 were incurred with a personal law corporation controlled by Glenn R. Yeadon (“Yeadon”), secretary of Silver Range, compared to $7,960 incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, legal fees and disbursements totalling $34,806 were incurred with Yeadon, compared to $22,017 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, $9,200 in accounting fees were incurred with Donaldson Brohman Martin, Chartered Professional Accountants, compared to $9,700 incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, $16,500 in accounting fees were incurred with Donaldson Brohman Martin, compared to $19,200 incurred with Donaldson Grassi for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, consulting fees totalling $3,893 were paid to Ian Talbot (“Talbot”), the Silver Range Chief Operating Officer, compared to $10,500 paid during the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, consulting fees totalling $14,939 were paid to Talbot, compared to $21,000 paid for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, fees for management services totalling $4,095 were paid to Drechsler Consulting Ltd. (“Drechsler”), a private British Columbia corporation controlled by Richard Drechsler, the Vice-President of Communications of Silver Range, compared to $2,700 paid during the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, fees for management services totalling $8,595 were paid to Drechsler, compared to $11,835paid for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, fees for geological and management services totaling $34,355 were incurred by Paladin Geoscience Corp. (“Paladin”), a private Yukon
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corporation controlled by Michael Power, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Range, compared to $35,180 paid during the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, geological and management services totaling $68,885 were paid to Paladin, compared to $70,390 paid for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
2. Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, $22,472 in property location, acquisition, exploration, management, office rent and administration costs were billed by Archer Cathro, compared to $12,133 billed by Archer Cathro for the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, $32,582 in property location, acquisition, exploration, management, office rent and administration costs were billed by Archer Cathro compared to $25,402 billed for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
Archer Cathro is a geological consulting firm with offices in Vancouver and Squamish, British Columbia and Whitehorse, Yukon. Douglas Eaton is a director of Archer Cathro and is a director of Silver Range. Douglas Eaton is not nor has he ever been an employee of Silver Range and does not nor has he ever received any salary, bonuses or benefits directly from Silver Range other than by way of incentive stock options. Douglas Eaton receives indirect compensation from Silver Range through his interest in Archer Cathro. This indirect compensation depends on Archer Cathro’s profitability and is highly variable, because of the cyclical nature of the mineral exploration industry.
Archer Cathro does not: (i) own any Silver Range shares or warrants; or (ii) hold any interests or royalties relating to any of Silver Range’s mineral properties. Some of the Silver Range mineral properties are registered in the name of Archer Cathro and are held by Archer Cathro as bare trustee for Silver Range under the terms of a trust indenture. In addition to holding legal title to Yukon mineral properties for Silver Range, Archer Cathro provides the following services related to the Silver Range mineral properties: (i) mineral tenure management; (ii) the filing of annual assessment reports; and (iii) the management of Yukon land use (exploration) permits.
The exploration and administrative fees paid by Silver Range to Archer Cathro are based on a schedule of fees prepared by Archer Cathro and agreed to in advance by Silver Range. These fees are periodically reviewed by Archer Cathro and independent members of Silver Range management to ensure that the fees are at or below industry standard rates.
Included in the fees paid to Archer Cathro for the period ended June 30, 2020 is rent for furnished space in Archer Cathro’s Vancouver office. Office rental fees are charged on a monthto-month basis with no ongoing contractual obligation on the part of Silver Range to continue to occupy its current office space. The monthly office rental payment also allows Silver Range to use space in Archer Cathro’s Squamish office and its Whitehorse office, warehouse and storage compound, at no additional cost to Silver Range.
Although much of Silver Range’s previous exploration has been conducted by Archer Cathro, the change to a project generative business model in March of 2016 has resulted in Silver Range using third party geological consultants for work in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Nevada, jurisdictions in which Archer Cathro does not normally provide consulting services.
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RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
In conducting its business, Silver Range faces a number of risks and uncertainties related to the mineral exploration industry. Some of these risk factors include risks associated with land title, exploration and development, government and environmental regulations, permits and licenses, competition, fluctuating metal prices, the requirement and ability to raise additional capital through future financings and price volatility of publicly traded securities.
(a) Title Risks
Although Silver Range has exercised due diligence with respect to determining title to the properties in which it has a material interest, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. Third parties may have valid claims underlying portions of Silver Range’s interests. Its claims, permits or tenures may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or to First Nations issues. Title to the claims, permits or tenures comprising Silver Range’s properties may also be affected by undetected defects or ongoing land use management studies. If a title defect exists, it is possible that Silver Range may lose all or part of its interest in the property to which such defect relates.
(b) Exploration and Development
Resource exploration and development is a highly speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, but not limited to, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but also from finding mineral deposits that, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production.
(c) Environmental Regulations, Permits and Licenses
Silver Range’s operations may be subject to environmental regulations promulgated by government agencies from time to time. Environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry operations, such as seepage from tailings disposal areas that would result in environmental pollution. A breach of such legislation may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. In addition, certain types of operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that means standards are stricter, and enforcement, fines and penalties for noncompliance are more stringent.
The Company’s operations are carried out in accordance with various permits including, but not limited to, surface use, surface disturbance and water use. Permits are issued by the various territorial, state or federal governmental or municipal agencies having jurisdiction over the matter for which a permit is sought. The issuance of an applicable permit is not guaranteed and the Company’s operations may be delayed, suspended or prohibited from commencing if the necessary permits cannot be obtained in a timely manner or at all.
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(d) Competition
The mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive in all its phases and Silver Range competes with other companies that have greater financial and technical resources. Competition could adversely affect Silver Range’s ability to acquire suitable properties or prospects in the future.
(e) Impact of Epidemics
All of the Company’s operations are subject to the risk of emerging infectious diseases including COVID-19. Any outbreak or threat of an outbreak of a virus or other contagions or epidemic disease could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.
(e) Fluctuating Metal Prices
Factors beyond the control of Silver Range have a direct effect on global metal prices, which can fluctuate widely. Consequently, the economic viability of any of Silver Range’s exploration projects and Silver Range’s ability to finance the development of its projects cannot be accurately predicted and may be adversely affected by fluctuations in metal prices.
(f) Future Financings
Silver Range’s continued operation will be dependent in part upon its ability to generate operating income and to procure additional financing. To date, Silver Range has done so through equity financing.
Fluctuations of global equity markets can have a direct effect on the ability of exploration companies, including Silver Range, to finance project acquisition and development through the equity markets. There can be no assurance that funds from Silver Range’s current income sources can be generated or that other forms of financing can be obtained at a future date. Failure to obtain additional financing on a timely basis may cause Silver Range to postpone exploration or development plans, forfeit rights in some or all of its properties or joint ventures, or reduce or terminate some or all of its operations.
(g) Price Volatility of Publicly Traded Securities
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a broad equity market collapse and a sharp drop in the price of nearly all metals except gold. Prior to the pandemic, mineral exploration activities were at low levels and global investors were reluctant to make large investments in the securities of junior exploration companies. The uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced this trend. There can be no assurance that market prices for securities of mineral exploration companies will improve significantly in the short, intermediate or long term.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Silver Range prepares its financial statements in conformity with IFRS. Silver Range lists its significant accounting policies and its financial instruments in Notes 2 and 14 to its annual
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audited consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Of the accounting policies, Silver Range considers the following policy to be the most critical to the reader’s full understanding and evaluation of the Silver Range reported financial results.
Deferred Exploration Costs
Silver Range is in the exploration stage with respect to its investments in mineral properties and accordingly follows the practice of capitalizing all costs related to exploration until such time as a project is put into commercial production, sold or abandoned. Management reviews capitalized costs on its mineral properties for signs of impairment both quarterly and annually and will recognize impairment in value based upon current exploration results and upon management’s assessment of the future probability of profitable revenues from production on the mineral properties or proceeds from the sale or option of the mineral properties.
MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
There were no changes to the Silver Range board of directors or management during the three months ended June 30, 2020.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Much of the company’s investor relations activities are performed by Silver Range management. By agreement dated April 15, 2020, Silver Range retained Proactive Canada to carry out certain ongoing investor relations activities on behalf of the company.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
By agreement dated July 7, 2020, Silver Range amended an option on the Yuge property. See “Yuge Property” for additional information.
By agreement dated July 27, 2020, Silver Range granted GGL an option on the East Gold Point property. See “Gold Point District” for additional information.
By agreement dated July 27, 2020, Silver Range and Nevada Rand granted GGL an option on the Tom property. See “Gold Point District” for additional information.
By binding letter of intent dated August 15, 2020, Silver Range granted Volt an option to acquire a 75% interest in the Cold Spring property. See “Cold Spring property” for additional information.
SHARE CAPITAL
The authorized share capital of Silver Range consists of an unlimited number of common shares. As of August 20, 2020, there were 81,686,040 issued and outstanding common shares.
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Stock Options
As of August 20, 2020, Silver Range had outstanding stock options as set out in the following table:
| Number of Options Outstanding |
Price | Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|
| 400,000 | $0.21 | July 11, 2021 |
| 150,000 | $0.15 | January 5, 2022 |
| 1,895,000 | $0.25 | June 19, 2022 |
| 400,000 | $0.15 | February 8, 2023 |
| 500,000 | $0.17 | March 14, 2023 |
| 100,000 | $0.15 | October 26, 2023 |
| 300,000 | $0.11 | January 13, 2025 |
| 3,745,000 |
Warrants
As of August 20, 2020, Silver Range had outstanding common share purchase warrants as set out in the following table:
| Number of Warrants Outstanding |
Price | ExpiryDate |
|---|---|---|
| 1,300,000 | $0.16 | April 6, 2022 |
| 5,225,000 | $0.16 | May 26, 2022 |
| 6,525,000 |
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SILVER RANGE RESOURCES LTD.
1016 – 510 West Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1L8 Tel: 604-687-2522 Trading Symbol: TSX-V: SNG Web Site:www.silverrangeresources.com
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Michael Power, Whitehorse, Y.T.
W. Douglas Eaton, North Vancouver, B.C. Bruce A. Youngman, Powell River, B.C. Bruce J. Kenway, Calgary, Alberta Tim Termuende, Cranbrook, B.C. Glenn R. Yeadon, Vancouver, B.C. Larry B. Donaldson, Port Moody, B.C. Ian J. Talbot, North Vancouver, B.C. Richard M. Drechsler, Squamish, B.C.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Secretary Chief Financial Officer Chief Operating Officer Vice President of Communications
Registered Office 1710 - 1177 West Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2L3
Transfer Agent Computershare Investor Services Inc. 2nd Floor - 510 Burrard Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B9
Auditors Davidson & Company LLP 1200 – 609 Granville Street Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1G6
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