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Stuhini Exploration — Management Reports 2024
Oct 26, 2024
47721_rns_2024-10-25_c38ec731-1c81-4594-aec3-c5ba17a600e9.pdf
Management Reports
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STUHINI EXPLORATION LTD. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2024
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INTRODUCTION
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Stuhini Exploration Ltd. (the “Company” or “Stuhini”), has been prepared by management, in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations , as of October 25, 2024, and should be read in conjunction with condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes contained therein which have been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The information contained herein is not a substitute for detailed investigation or analysis on any particular issue.
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 and functional currency of the Company and its subsidiary, unless specifically noted.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management. When used in this document, the words “ anticipate ”, “ believe ”, “ estimate ”, “ expect ” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, regulatory compliance, the sufficiency of current working capital, and the estimated cost and availability of funding for the continued exploration and development of the Company’s exploration properties. Such statements reflect the current views of management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance, or the Company’s achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Caution Regarding Adjacent or Similar Mineral Properties
This MD&A may contain information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. The Company advises US investors that the mining guidelines of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) set forth in the SEC’s Industry Guide 7 strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties, and any production thereof or economics with respect thereto, are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties or the potential production from, or cost or economics of, any future mining of any of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Background
Stuhini is a Canadian mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia (“BC”) and incorporated on July 7, 2017, under the Business Corporations Act (BC). The Company’s head office and registered records office is located at 1245 West Broadway, Unit 105, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7. The Company’s shares (“Common Shares”) are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange” or “TSX-V”) under the symbol “STU”. As of September 6, 2023, the Company’s Common Shares are also traded on OTCQB under the symbol “STXPF”.
On April 4, 2022, the Company incorporated Arizada Metals Corp. (“Arizada”) under the Arizona Business Corporations Act. Stuhini holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Arizada.
Subsequent to August 31, 2024, on October 23, 2024, the Company incorporated Stuhini Nevada Ltd. (“Stuhini Nevada”) under the Nevada Business Corporations Act. The Company holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Stuhini Nevada.
The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties and, as of the date of this MD&A, the Company's interests in exploration and evaluation assets consist of the following:
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a 100% interest in the Ruby Creek Property including a 100% interest in the Island Property as well as the 619 hectares (“ha”) staked in September 2020, and 848 ha staked in February 2023 (all of which were consolidated into the Ruby Creek Property);
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an option to acquire a 100% interest in 2,246 ha of the Que Property including a 100% interest in an additional 1,996 ha adjacent to the Que Property that was staked by the Company and consolidated into the Que Property in 2020;
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a 100% interest in the 30,336 ha South Thompson Property;
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a 100% interest in the 5,094 ha Big Ledge Property; and
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a 100% interest in 1,036 ha Lindsay Property located in the southeast quadrant of Arizona.
The Company does not have any assets or mineral properties that are in production.
EXPLORATION PROPERTIES
RUBY CREEK PROPERTY
On July 30, 2019, the Company entered into an option agreement with Global Drilling Solutions Inc. (“Global Drilling”) (the “Ruby Creek Option Agreement”) whereby the Company was granted a right to acquire a 100% interest in the Ruby Creek Property (the “Ruby Creek Option”). Based on the Ruby Creek Option Agreement, to fully exercise its Ruby Creek Option, the Company was required to issue a total of 7,300,000 Common Shares and make cash payments of $1,060,000 over a four-year term. The Company fully exercised its Ruby Creek Option on June 5, 2023. Upon exercise of the Ruby Creek Option, Global Drilling continues to hold a 1% net smelter royalty (“NSR”) on portions of the Ruby Creek Property originally optioned by Global Drilling to the Company.
The following table shows the continuity of the Ruby Creek Option payments:
| Date Due | Common Shares | Cash Payments | Cash Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued | Made | ||
| December 31, 2019 | 800,000 | $ | - |
| December 31, 2020 | 1,250,000 | - | |
| December 31, 2021 | 1,750,000 | 120,000 | |
| December 31, 2022 | 1,750,000 | 300,000 | |
| December 31,2023 | 1,750,000 | 640,000 | |
| Total | 7,300,000 | $ | 1,060,000 |
In September of 2020, the Company staked an additional claim covering a total of 619.38 ha contiguous to the Ruby Creek Property and consolidated it into the original claims.
On July 14, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Brixton Metals Corporation (“Brixton”), whereby the Company acquired an additional five (5) mineral claims (the “Island Property”) contiguous with the south-central area of the Ruby Creek Property. The Company paid $60,000 cash to acquire the Island Property, no additional fees or work requirements are payable under the acquisition agreement with Brixton other than a 1% NSR reserved by Brixton, as well as an additional 1% NSR to other arms-length parties from whom Brixton originally acquired these claims. The Island Property claims therefore have a cumulative 2% NSR. The Island Property added approximately 1,277 ha to the Ruby Creek Property increasing the size of the Ruby Creek Property to 55 claims totaling roughly 28,631 ha.
In February of 2023 the Company staked an additional 848 ha in one new claim block contiguous to the north of the Ruby Creek Property. The new claim, (the “Volcanic Creek Molybdenum Target”) which is situated in the headwaters of Volcanic Creek and is referred to as the “Volcanic Creek Moly” showing in BC Minfiles, was similarly consolidated into the Ruby Creek Property.
In September of 2023 the Company staked a further two claims totaling 1,392 ha. The new claims were also consolidated into the Ruby Creek Property. In the fall of 2023, the Company carried out a small-scale ground survey and sampling program, and following the analysis, the Company decided to sell these two new claims. On June 3, 2024, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell these claims for a one-time cash payment of $20,000 and retained a 0.5% NSR.
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Ruby Creek Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
| August 31, | February 29, | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | |
| Balance, beginning of period | $9,024,980 | **$7,528,034 ** |
| Option payments | - | 1,173,750 |
| Acquisition payment | (19,800) | 12,947 |
| Mineral tenure/lease payments | - | 49,320 |
| Sub-total, acquisition costs | (19,800) | 1,236,018 |
| Deferred exploration expenditures | ||
| Assaying | 13,720 | 28,852 |
| Camp and travel | - | 96,976 |
| Equipment use/rental | 5,930 | 84,665 |
| Geology, environmental assessment, and reclamation fees | 3,620 | 148,672 |
| Sub-total, deferred exploration expenditures | 23,270 | 359,165 |
| Exploration tax credit | (46,557) | (98,237) |
| Balance, end of period | $ 8,981,893 | $ 9,024,980 |
Property Location and General Description
The Ruby Creek Property is 29,734 ha in size, is road accessible and located within the Atlin Mining Division, with the western boundary of the project being 14 km from Atlin. The Ruby Creek Property consists of 56 contiguous mineral claims, of which one is a mining lease. There are 49 different documented mineral occurrences on the Ruby Creek Property, of which 16 are gold-related, with seven significant gold placer creeks, three of which were still actively being mined during the summer of 2019[1] . The Company does not own or have an option on the placer rights for these placer streams on the tenures since in BC placer rights are a different tenure than hard rock mineral rights. However, the Company does have the hard rock rights which would be relevant should bedrock lode-gold or other minerals be discovered under the existing placer creeks or elsewhere on the Ruby Creek Property. The Ruby Creek Property also hosts the Ruby Creek Molybdenum Deposit (formerly known as the Adanac Molybdenum Deposit). With the increase in the price of molybdenum (“Mo”) from around US$7 per pound (“lb”) in July 2020 to a price of over US$14 per lb[2] by June 2021, the Company believed that the economic outlook for Mo had improved sufficiently for the Company to update the Mo resource to a current resource in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). Accordingly, the Company retained Mine Development Associates, a division of RESPEC, to update the 2009 Ruby Creek Mo resource estimate. The data review, modelling and resource estimation was conducted in accordance with NI 43-101 standards. The Effective Date of the Ruby Creek Mineral Resource Estimate is March 10, 2022 (the “MRE”).
Recent Exploration Activities
During the 2023 field season, exploration on the Ruby Creek Property consisted of a small prospecting survey that primarily focussed on a Mo porphyry target referred to as the Volcanic Creek Molybdenum Target located approximately 4 km north of the Ruby Creek Deposit. The survey resulted in nine rock grab samples taken ranging from 1.1 % Mo to 0.017 % Mo. Some additional reconnaissance work was also conducted on and proximal to the Ruby Creek tenures. The Company also initiated a desk-based review of existing environmental data for the Ruby Creek Molybdenum Project. The goal of the study is to provide a review of the historic baseline programs that were conducted for the previous Environmental Assessment Certificate and to identify gaps where new data or updates are needed to support further Project advancement.
1 The documented mineral occurrences refer to the Ruby Creek Property as it was initially acquired from Global Drilling and does not include information for the claims acquired subsequent to the initial acquisition from Global Drilling.
2 Prices are taken from daily closing price website of the London Metals Exchange (“LME”) for LME Molybdenum (Platts), for Contracts Month 2 and out. The closing price on October 24, 2024, was US$21.99 per lb. While the Company’s management believes these prices are reliable, the management takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the quoted price.
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During the six months period ended August 31, 2024, the Company incurred $23,270 (February 29, 2024 - $359,165) in deferred exploration costs on the Ruby Creek Property, which were offset by a $46,557 (February 29, 2024 - $98,237) exploration tax refund the Company received from the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) on eligible exploration expenses on the Ruby Creek Property.
Ruby Creek Property Commitments
The Ruby Creek Property consists of 55 mineral claims (excluding the mineral lease that comprises part of the Ruby Creek Property) which were staked at different times resulting in different work commitments for each claim. As of the date of the filing of this MD&A, the mineral claims that comprise the Ruby Creek Property are in good standing. Based on the date the claims were staked and their respective sizes, the total annual work commitment for Ruby Creek Property is approximately $526,455. Based on the most recent assessment reports filed with the BC Ministry of Mines, Energy and Low Carbon Innovation, the Ruby Creek Property, outside of the mine lease, good-till date has been extended to February 18, 2027, with the exception of the 848 ha of new ground staked in February 2023 (Volcanic Creek Molybdenum Target) and an adjoining 1,436 ha claim which has a good-till date of May 18, 2028.
In addition to the work commitments required on the mineral claims, the mineral lease associated with the historical Mo deposit is included as part of the Ruby Creek Property and is subject to an annual flat fee lease payment of $49,320 with no work requirement. As of the date of this MD&A, the mineral lease is good through March 27, 2025.
As at August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024, the Company had a total of $125,000 in reclamation bonds on deposit with the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in connection with the Ruby Creek Property.
QUE PROPERTY
On February 17, 2020, the Company entered into an option agreement (the "Que Option Agreement”) whereby the Company was granted the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Que Property (the "Que Option") located in southcentral Yukon. To fully exercise the Que Option, the Company is required to make the following options payments:
| Date Common Shares Cash Payment |
Date Common Shares Cash Payment |
|---|---|
| Que approval Date (Common Shares issued) | 200,000 $ - |
| 1stAnniversary of approval (Common Shares issued) 50,000 - |
|
2ndAnniversary of approval (Common Shares issued) |
75,000 - |
| 3rdAnniversary of approval (Common Shares issued) 112,500 - |
|
4thAnniversary of approval (Common Shares issued, cash payment made)(1) |
125,000 35,000 |
| 5thAnniversary of approval 375,000 60,000 |
|
| Total | 937,500 $ 95,000 |
(1) The Company issued 125,000 Common Shares representing the 4[th] anniversary option payment on March 19, 2024. The Common Shares were valued at $23,125.
The Que property vendors retained a 1% NSR on the original 2,246 ha of the optioned property.
Que Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
| Que Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| August 31, | February 29, | |
| 2024 | 2024 | |
| Balance, beginning of period | $ 394,058 | $ 320,235 |
| Option payments – cash | 35,000 | - |
| Option payments–shares | 23,125 | 66,375 |
| Sub-total, acquisition costs | 58,125 | 66,375 |
| Deferred exploration expenditures | ||
| Camp and travel | 30,022 | - |
| Geology | 2,597 | 7,448 |
| Other deferred exploration costs | 4,200 | - |
| Sub-total, deferred exploration expenditures | 36,819 | 7,448 |
| Balance, end of period | $ 489,002 | $ 394,058 |
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Property Location and General Description
The Que Property is road accessible and located just off the Canol Road, Yukon Highway #6, 70 km north of Johnson’s Crossing, which is located on the Alaska Highway. The Que Property originally consisted of 108 mineral claims and was 2,246 ha in size. During the fiscal 2021 year, the Company staked an additional 96 claims (1,996 ha) bringing the entire claims package to 204 claims, totaling approximately 4,243 ha.
The Que Property was first staked in the mid 1960’s after the discovery of several large rusty, intensely gossanous zones. The Que Property has been privately held by the Que Vendors since that time. Small-scale exploration programs have been conducted since the original staking during which gold bearing veins and a gold bearing felsic horizon on Kingdome Ridge were discovered. Soil sampling also identified gold anomalies in soil.
Recent Exploration Activities
During the six-month period ended August 31, 2024, the Company carried out a targeted soil sampling and prospecting program at the Que Property. The program's purpose was to ground truth two geophysical anomalies outlined by a previous magnetic and electromagnetic survey by the Company. As a result, the Company incurred $36,819 (February 29, 2024 - $7,448) in deferred exploration costs on the Que Property.
Que Property Commitments
In the Yukon, quartz (hard-rock) claims must be maintained in good standing with the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. Quartz claims expire one year after the recording date. To keep a claim in good standing, the Company is required to carry out an assessment work (also known as “representation work”) for a minimum of $100 per claim. The assessment work must be applied to the quartz claim in the year it is completed by filing the assessment work report before the claim’s anniversary of the recording date. In case where the assessment work will result in more than $100 spent, the remaining value can be applied to the future years (not to exceed five years). If the representation work on a claim is not done, the Company can choose to pay a fee of $105 per claim instead.
The Que Property consists of 204 mineral claims which were staked at different times resulting in different expiry dates for some claims. The total annual work commitment for the Que Property is approximately $20,400.
Based on the exploration work the Company has conducted to date, all the claims on the Que Property are good through March 7, 2026, though some have a slightly later expiry date.
SOUTH THOMPSON PROPERTY
In 2021, the Company acquired through staking seven MELs ("Mineral Exploration Licenses”) covering 47,509 ha along the southern extent of the Thompson Nickel Belt, approximately 35 km northwest of Grand Rapids, Manitoba. The Company paid $2,807 in staking fees and $23,754 as a reclamation bond on the claims. In 2022, the Company applied for a 5-year mineral license for an additional MEL with a goal to consolidate its areas of interest under one MEL. The application was approved on September 13, 2022, and the Company was granted a five-year mineral exploration license on an additional 15,368 ha. The Company paid $401 in staking fees, and $17,745 as a reclamation bond associated with the new claim. Upon approval of the new claim, the Company dropped four of the previous seven MEL’s outside the consolidated area and consolidated the remaining claims under the newly approved 30,336 ha MEL.
On May 23, 2023, the Company entered into a net smelter returns royalty agreement (the “NSR Agreement”) with Mr. Lindsay, the Company’s consultant and the Que Property optionor (“Lindsay”), in recognition of the information Lindsay provided to the Company that enabled the Company to identify the South Thompson Property. As a result, the Company agreed to compensate Lindsay by granting him a 1% NSR royalty (the “Manitoba NSR Royalty”) in respect of all concentrates and ores produced from the South Thompson Property, with an option to repurchase at any time 0.5% of the Manitoba NSR Royalty for a consideration of $50,000.
As at August 31, 2024, the Company had a $41,500 reclamation bond on deposit with the Manitoba Ministry of Innovation, Energy and Mines in connection with the South Thompson Property.
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South Thompson Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
| August 31, | August 31, | February 29, | February 29, | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | |||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 57,552 | $ | 41,762 |
| Acquisition payment | - | 15,790 | ||
| Sub-total, acquisition costs | - | 15,790 | ||
| Deferred exploration expenditures | - | - | ||
| Balance, end of period | $ | 57,552 | $ | 57,552 |
Property Location and General Description
The South Thompson Property covers prospective ground that hosts relatively untested target horizons and covers parts of the Winnipegosis Komatiite Belt. Sporadic drilling in the 1980s and 1990s encountered anomalous nickel (“Ni”) grades such as 0.37% Ni over 45.7m, along with 0.52% Ni over 4 m (diamond drill hole GR-1-83). The South Thompson Property received partial coverage by a VTEM[TM] survey in 2007. The results of the 2007 survey generated coincident electromagnetic/magnetic anomalies referred to as the TEX 1 target. This target has not been drilled. Previously in 1997, Falconbridge had drilled a single hole (DDH WL97-183), which intersected the southern edge of the TEX 1 electromagnetic anomaly, and encountered 27.85 m of 0.32% Ni starting at a depth of 118.15 m.
Recent Exploration Activities
During the six-month period ended August 31, 2024, and for the year ended February 29, 2024, the Company did not have any exploration activities on the South Thompson Property.
South Thompson Property Commitments
In order to maintain the South Thompson Property in good standing, annual exploration expenditures of minimum $15,168 or a fee in lieu of work is required. The Company paid the required cash fee in lieu of work in December of 2023 extending the good standing of the South Thompson Property until December 12, 2024.
As of August 31, 2024, and February 29, 2024, the Company had a total of $41,500 in reclamation bonds on deposit with the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources in connection with the South Thompson Property.
BIG LEDGE PROPERTY
The Company hold a 100% interest in the Big Ledge Property located in southeastern BC, roughly 57 km south of the city of Revelstoke. The Big Ledge Property is roughly 5,094 ha in size. No royalties, finder’s fees or work commitments are associated with the Big Ledge Property.
Big Ledge Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
| August 31, | August 31, | February 29, | February 29, | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | |||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 289,183 | $ | 248,903 |
| Deferred exploration expenditures | ||||
| Assaying | 27,333 | 94 | ||
| Camp and travel | 2,940 | 1,855 | ||
| Equipment use/rental | 600 | 1,881 | ||
| Geology | 36,450 | 58,794 | ||
| Sub-total, deferred exploration expenditures | 67,323 | 62,624 | ||
| Exploration tax credit | (50,226) | (22,344) | ||
| Balance, end of period | $ | 306,280 | $ | 289,183 |
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Property General Description
The Big Ledge Property is a stratiform zinc deposit and is road accessible via a forest service road from Highway 23. The mineralization consists of sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, galena, with lesser chalcopyrite and marcasite hosted in a folded assemblage of marble and quartzite known as the Ledge Unit within the Shuswap metamorphic complex of the Proterozoic Monashee Group. The mineralized zones have been reported up to 18 m in thickness in drilling and have been traced through geophysics and prospecting for distances of over 5 km.
Recent Exploration Activities
In July 2023, a one-day site visit was conducted, and samples were collected from mineralized outcrops to test for a larger suite of metals, which historic work provides almost no data on. Additional work was planned during the 2023 field season; however, plans were impeded by unfavourable weather conditions and forest fires that affected southern British Columbia. Three select grab samples were collected from different zones of a mineralized outcrop assaying 0.25% zinc, 0.38% zinc, and 4.66% zinc.
In July 2024, the Company conducted a nine-day fieldwork program. The work program consisted of geological mapping, prospecting, and soil sampling. The program focused on a less explored 2 km section of the ~14 km mineralized strike length east of Pingston Creek. The resultant zinc soil anomaly coincides with the magnetic and electromagnetic survey previously conducted by the Company and extends through the explored section; however, the overburden is believed to be much deeper, resulting in a less pronounced anomaly.
The summer program resulted in $67,323 deferred exploration costs (February 29, 2024, - $62,624). The deferred exploration costs were in part offset by a $50,226 exploration tax refund the Company received during the six-month period ended August 31, 2024, from the CRA on the past eligible exploration expenses on the Big Ledge Property (February 29, 2024 - $22,344).
Big Ledge Property Commitments
The Big Ledge Property consists of eight mineral claims. As of the date of the filing of this MD&A, the mineral claims that comprise the Big Ledge Property are in good standing. Based on the date the claims were staked and their respective sizes, the total annual required exploration expenditures for Big Ledge Property are approximately $76,398. Based on the most recent assessment reports filed with the BC Ministry of Mines, Energy and Low Carbon Innovation, the Big Ledge Property good-till date has been extended to February 26, 2025.
LINDSAY PROPERTY
During the summer of 2022, the Company, through Arizada, acquired by staking and through the acquisition of Mineral Exploration Permits, four new properties, covering a total of 3,781 ha, in the southeast quadrant of Arizona (the “Arizona Properties”).
The Arizona Properties were identified and acquired by gaining access to a proprietary database of mineral prospects in Arizona, which was provided to the Company by its consultant, Mark Lindsay, who is also one of the Que Property optionors. In recognition of the strategic information’s utility, the Company agreed to enter into a database purchase agreement with Lindsay (the “Purchase Agreement”), for an initial cash payment of $35,000 on signing and four annual cash payments in respect of each Arizona Property payable on the anniversary of the signing date (provided the Company has not abandoned such Property prior thereto). The Company also agreed to a 1% NSR (the “Arizona NSR Royalty”) in respect of all ores and concentrates produced from the Arizona Properties upon achieving commercial production, with an option to repurchase 0.5% Arizona NSR at any time (one-half of the Arizona NSR Royalty) on any of the four Arizona Properties for a consideration of $1,000,000 per Arizona Property.
The Company conducted fieldwork consisting of mapping, sampling and general prospecting during May and June of 2023. As a result of the exploration and assessment work the Company carried out on the Arizona Properties, management decided to allow 3 of the original claims to lapse and reduce the claim portfolio to four claims that comprise the Lindsay Property, reducing the size of its holdings in Arizona to 1,036 ha. On May 24, 2024, the Company made the 1st-anniversary payment for the Lindsay Property, totalling $14,000.
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Should the Company wish to continue with the option agreement, it is committed, solely at the Company’s election, to making the following cash payments for the Lindsay Property:
| Cash | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Payment | |
| Initial payment on signing of the Purchase Agreement (Paid)(1) | $ 35,000 | |
| 1stAnniversary payment (Paid) | 14,000 | |
| 2ndAnniversary payment | 28,000 | |
| 3rdAnniversary payment | 56,000 | |
| 4thAnniversary payment | 112,000 | |
| Total | $ 246,000 |
(1)Initial payment comprised the payment for all four Arizona Properties, which were originally optioned by Arizada.
Lindsay Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
| August 31, | August 31, | February 29, | February 29, | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024(1) | |||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 52,955 | $ | 52,955 |
| Staking and permitting costs | 3,507 | 4,079 | ||
| Acquisition payments | 14,000 | 39,985 | ||
| Write-off | - | (74,065) | ||
| Sub-total, acquisition costs | 17,507 | (30,001) | ||
| Deferred exploration expenditures | ||||
| Camp and travel | - | 26,156 | ||
| Equipment use/rental | - | 15,394 | ||
| Geology | 3,467 | 50,742 | ||
| Write-off | - | (58,952) | ||
| Sub-total, deferred exploration expenditures | 3,467 | 33,340 | ||
| Balance, end of period | $ | 77,268 | $ | 56,294 |
(1)Acquisition and exploration costs incurred up to February 29, 2024, include the costs of all four Arizona Properties.
In addition to the above costs, the Company was required to deposit a reclamation bond of $19,463 (US$15,000) with the State of Arizona.
Property General Description
Based on historical reports and recent fieldwork by the Company, the Lindsay Property is prospective for copper and gold porphyry and related deposits. The Lindsay Property is located within the Laramide Porphyry Belt, which is the host for the famous “Copper Cluster” of world-class porphyry deposits of southern Arizona.
Recent Exploration Activities
In May and June of 2023, the Company carried out a due diligence program on the Arizona Properties, consisting of mapping, sampling and general prospecting. The collected samples were submitted to a laboratory for testing. The due diligence program resulted in $81,174 of deferred exploration costs for the year ended February 29, 2024. During the six-month period ended August 31, 2024, the Company incurred further $3,476 in deferred exploration costs on the Lindsay Property.
Lindsay Property Commitments
As of the date of the filing of this MD&A, the mineral claims that comprise the Lindsay Property are in good standing. Based on the date the claims were staked and their respective sizes, the total annual work commitment for Lindsay Property is approximately US$25,600. In addition, the Company will be required to pay annual State of Arizona maintenance fees of US$2,960 and the Purchase Agreement anniversary payments. The 2[nd] anniversary payment of $28,000 is due on May 25, 2025, solely at the Company’s discretion should it wish to continue with the Purchase Agreement.
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OTHER PROJECT INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES
During the six-month period ended August 31, 2024, the Company continued investigating new project opportunities in Canada and in the United States. Several projects have been reviewed by Company personnel resulting in $44,546 recognized as project investigation costs for the six-month period ended August 31, 2024 (August 31, 2023 - $3,560).
QA/QC PROTOCOL
Rock material from the 2022/23 exploration program on the Ruby Creek Property was collected in poly bags and then transported to the Bureau Veritas sample preparation facility located in Whitehorse, Yukon. Samples were crushed, and then pulps were sent to the Bureau Veritas lab in Vancouver, BC for assay. Rock samples collected from the Company’s 2023 site visit to its Arizona Properties were shipped to Vancouver for sample preparation at Bureau Veritas’s preparation facility in Vancouver, BC. Four acid digestion and either Ultratrace ICP-MS analysis for 45 or 59 elements and fire assay for gold, platinum and palladium were performed on all samples from both the Ruby Creek and Arizona Properties. Over-limit copper, lead, zinc, and silver samples were analyzed by multi-acid digestion and ICP-ES (MA370). Silver samples >1500 g/t were also analyzed by fire assay (FA530) and lead samples >10% with titration (GC817). Over-limit tungsten (“W") was analyzed with lithium borate fusion XRF (XF750). Conversion to WO3% = W% x 1.2616. All results noted in the MD&A have passed the QA/QC screening by the lab.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Ehsan Salmabadi, B.Sc., P.Geo., and VP Exploration and Project Development for the Company, is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43101 and has approved all technical information contained herein.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| Six months | Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ended | ended | ||||
| August 31, 2024 | February 29, | 2024 | |||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | 296,788 |
$ | 1,040,419 | |
| Loss per share–basic and diluted | $ | 0.01 |
$ | 0.02 | |
| Total assets | $ | 11,487,842 |
$ | 11,697,695 |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023
During the three months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $166,216 as compared to net loss before income taxes of $229,785 for the three months ended August 31, 2023. During the three months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded $51,000 recovery of deferred income taxes, resulting in comprehensive loss for the three months ended August 31, 2024, of $115,216, as compared to comprehensive loss of $205,785 for the three months ended August 31, 2023, which resulted from the Company recognizing deferred income taxes of $24,000 for the period then ended.
During the three months ended August 31, 2024, the Company incurred $179,532 in operating expenses, a decrease of $65,253, as compared to $244,785 the Company incurred during the three months ended August 31, 2023. The largest change to the operating expense was associated with $16,574 in professional fees, which decreased by $30,070 as compared to $46,644 the Company incurred during the three months ended August 31, 2023. The second largest change in operating expense was associated with $42,723 in share-based compensation the Company recognized on vesting of options to acquire Common Shares the Company granted to its directors, management, and consultants, which decreased by $29,788 as compared to $72,511 the Company recognized for the three months ended August 31, 2023. The Company’s consulting fees decreased by $24,340 to $37,068 for the three months ended August 31, 2024, from $61,408 the Company incurred during the three months ended August 31, 2023. In addition, the Company’s advertising and promotion fees (including investor relations activities) decreased by $14,469 to $18,878 for the three months ended August 31, 2024, from $33,347 the Company incurred during the three months ended August 31, 2023.
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The above decreases were in part offset by a $26,467 increase in project investigation costs, from $960 the Company incurred during the three months ended August 31, 2023, to $27,427, the Company incurred for the three months ended August 31, 2024; and the $10,652 increase in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which increased from $2,594 the Company incurred during the three months ended August 31, 2023, to $13,246 for the three months ended August 31, 2024, and which resulted from increased travel requirements to conduct due-diligence on the new project opportunities the Company’s management was considering to add to the Company’s portfolio, and to participate in various investor engagement opportunities.
Other items included $13,316 in interest earned, of which $13,315 was accrued on the cash the Company deposited in GICs. During the three months ended August 31, 2023, the Company recorded $15,000 in an unrealized gain on its investment in Brixton shares; as at August 31, 2024, the price of Brixton shares did not change as compared to May 31, 2024, therefore the Company did not recognize any gain or loss on its investment in Brixton Shares.
Six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023
During the six months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $351,788 as compared to net loss before income taxes of $642,131 for the six months ended August 31, 2023. During the six months ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded $55,000 recovery of deferred income taxes, resulting in comprehensive loss for the six months ended August 31, 2024, of $296,788, as compared to comprehensive loss of $592,131 for the six months ended August 31, 2023, which resulted from the Company recognizing deferred income taxes of $50,000 for the period then ended.
During the six months ended August 31, 2024, the Company incurred $386,504 in operating expenses, a decrease of $246,671, as compared to $633,175 the Company incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023. The largest change to the operating expense was associated with $82,706 in consulting fees, which decreased by $123,064 as compared to $205,770, the Company incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023. The second largest change in operating expense was associated with $91,793 in share-based compensation the Company recognized on vesting of options to acquire Common Shares the Company granted to its directors, management, and consultants, which decreased by $120,395 as compared to $212,188 the Company recognized for the six months ended August 31, 2023. In addition, the Company’s professional fees decreased by $41,355 to $39,306 for the six months ended August 31, 2024, from $80,661 the Company incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023.
Other operating expenses included $57,653 in advertising and promotion expenses (including investor relations activities), which decreased by $22,721 as compared to $80,374 the Company incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023.
These above decreases were in part offset by a $40,986 increase in project investigation costs, from $3,560 the Company incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023, to $44,546, the Company incurred for the six months ended August 31, 2024; the $2,050 increase in regulatory and filing fees, which increased from $28,311 the Company incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023, to $30,361 for the six months ended August 31, 2024; and by $903 increase in office expenses, which for the six months ended August 31, 2024, were $14,783, as compared to $13,880 incurred during the six months ended August 31, 2023.
Other items included $34,716 in interest earned, of which $7,037 was associated with interest accrued on the exploration tax credit the Company received from the CRA on the deferred exploration expenses associated with the work done during the Company’s fiscal 2022 on its Ruby Creek and Big Ledge Properties, and $27,642 was accrued on the cash balances the Company deposited in GICs. During the six months ended August 31, 2023, the Company recorded $20,000 in an unrealized loss on its investment in Brixton shares; as at August 31, 2024, the price of Brixton shares did not change as compared to February 29, 2024, therefore the Company did not recognize any gain or loss on its investment in Brixton Shares.
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SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
Results for the most recently completed financial quarters are summarized in the table below:
| Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Income/(loss) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| income/ | per share; basic | ||
| Period ended: | (loss) | and diluted | |
| August 31, 2024 | $ | (115,216) | $ (0.00) |
| May 31, 2024 | $ | (181,572) | $ (0.00) |
| February 29, 2024 | $ | (332,745) | $ (0.01) |
| November 30, 2023 | $ | (115,543) | $ (0.00) |
| August 31, 2023 | $ | (205,785) | $ (0.01) |
| May 31, 2023 | $ | (386,346) | $ (0.01) |
| February 28, 2023 | $ | (607,102) | $ (0.02) |
| November 30, 2022 | $ | 90,178 | $0.00 |
During the quarter ended August 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $166,216. The Company recognized $51,000 as deferred income tax recovery, resulting in a comprehensive loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2024, of $115,216. The Company’s operating expenses included $42,723 in sharebased compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $18,878 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $37,068 in consulting fees; $16,574 in professional fees; $27,427 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties; $16,861 in regulatory and filing fees; $6,681 in office expenses; and $13,246 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with the Company’s participation at various investor conferences, as well as travel to evaluate potential exploration projects. These expenses were in part offset by $13,316 the Company recognized in interest earned, which was earned on funds deposited in GICs.
During the quarter ended May 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $185,572. The Company recognized $4,000 as deferred income tax recovery, resulting in a comprehensive loss for the quarter ended May 31, 2024, of $181,572. The Company’s operating expenses included $49,070 in sharebased compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $38,775 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $45,638 in consulting fees; $22,732 in professional fees; $17,119 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties; $13,500 in regulatory and filing fees; $8,102 in office expenses; and $11,931 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with the Company’s participation at various investor conferences. These expenses were in part offset by $21,400 the Company recognized in interest earned, of which $14,327 were earned on funds deposited in GICs, and $7,037 were associated with the interest accrued on the exploration tax credit the Company received for its exploration activities during its fiscal 2022 year.
During the quarter ended February 29, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $391,745. The Company recognized $59,000 as deferred income tax recovery, resulting in a comprehensive loss for the quarter ended February 29, 2024, of $332,745. As a result of the exploration and assessment work the Company carried out on its Arizona Properties, the management decided to reduce the claim portfolio to four claims that comprise Lindsay Property; this reduction resulted in a write-off of acquisition costs totaling $74,065, and deferred exploration costs of $58,952 which were associated with the dropped claims. Other operating expenses included $34,614 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $54,554 in consulting fees; $37,226 in share-based compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $60,507 in professional fees and $10,166 in regulatory and filing fees, which both increased mainly as a result of the Company listing its shares on OTCQB and applying for DTC eligibility; $8,686 in office expenses; $2,605 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with resumed traveling needs to represent the Company at various investor conferences and for due-diligence on the potential properties the Company considers to acquire, and $4,545 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties. In addition, the Company recognized a $60,000
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unrealized loss on revaluation of its investment in Brixton common shares. These expenses were in part offset by $14,280 the Company recognized in interest on funds deposited in GICs.
During the quarter ended November 30, 2023, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $171,543. The Company recognized $56,000 as deferred income tax recovery, resulting in a comprehensive loss for the quarter ended November 30, 2023, of $115,543. The Company’s operating expenses included $37,422 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $42,401 in consulting fees, of which $3,166 were associated with directors’ fees the Company implemented as of July 1, 2023; $36,677 in share-based compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $13,204 in professional fees and $10,238 in regulatory and filing fees, which both increased mainly as a result of the Company listing its shares on OTCQB and applying for DTC eligibility; $7,310 in office expenses; $18,299 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with resumed traveling needs to represent the Company at various investor conferences and for duediligence on the potential properties the Company considers to acquire, and $7,129 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties. In addition, the Company recognized a $15,000 unrealized loss on revaluation of its investment in Brixton common shares. These expenses were in part offset by $16,242 the Company recognized in interest on GIC and exploration tax credit received during the quarter.
During the quarter ended August 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $229,785. The Company recognized $24,000 as deferred income tax recovery, resulting in a comprehensive loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2023, of $205,785. The Company’s operating expenses included $33,347 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $61,408 in consulting fees, of which $3,500 were associated with directors’ fees the Company implemented as of July 1, 2023; $72,511 in share-based compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $46,644 in professional fees and $19,756 in regulatory and filing fees, which both increased mainly as a result of the Company listing its shares on OTCQB and applying for a DTC eligibility, with professional fees being also affected by increased audit and assurance costs; $7,460 in office expenses; $2,594 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with resumed traveling needs to represent the Company at various investor conferences, and $960 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties. These expenses were in part offset by $15,000 unrealized gain the Company recognized on revaluation of its investment in Brixton common shares.
During the quarter ended May 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net loss before recovery of deferred income taxes of $412,346. The Company recognized $26,000 as deferred income tax recovery, resulting in comprehensive loss for the quarter ended May 31, 2023, of $386,346. The Company’s operating expenses included $47,027 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $144,362 in consulting fees; $139,677 in share-based compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $34,017 in professional fees; $2,600 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties; $8,555 in regulatory and filing fees; $6,420 in office expenses; and $5,617 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with resumed traveling needs to represent the Company at various investor conferences. These expenses were further increased by $35,000 unrealized loss the Company recognized on revaluation of its investment in Brixton common shares. These expenses were in part offset by $11,044 gain the Company recorded on reversal of flow-through share premium liability associated with the August Offering.
During the quarter ended February 28, 2023, the Company recorded a net loss before income taxes of $264,102. The Company recognized $343,000 as deferred income tax expense, resulting in net and comprehensive loss for the quarter ended February 28, 2023, of $607,102. The deferred income taxes were mainly associated with the difference between the book value of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets at February 28, 2023, and their cost base for tax purposes, as it was reduced as a result of flow-through financing which was used to finance the Company’s exploration programs on the Ruby Creek Property. The Company’s operating expenses included $35,948 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $63,131 in consulting fees; $61,359 in share-based compensation associated with vested portion of the options granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and consultants; $36,785 in professional fees; $7,870 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain general exploration expenses not
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associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties; $7,139 in regulatory and filing fees; $11,417 in office expenses; and $5,941 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with resumed traveling needs to represent the Company at various investor conferences. These expenses were further increased by $49,000 unrealized loss the Company recognized on revaluation of its investment in Brixton common shares and by $9,230 loss on sale of 200,000 Brixton shares. These expenses were in part offset by $26,320 gain the Company recorded on reversal of flow-through share premium liability associated with the August Offering.
During the quarter ended November 30, 2022, the Company recorded a net income of $90,178. The Company’s operating expenses included $20,332 in advertising and promotion expenses mainly associated with the Company’s efforts to raise awareness about the Company and its operations; $65,754 in consulting fees; $18,736 in professional fees; $10,522 in project investigation costs, which were associated with certain costs incurred on acquisition of the Arizona Properties and general exploration expenses not associated with the Company’s current exploration and evaluation properties; $2,768 in regulatory and filing fees; $4,425 in office expenses; and $2,861 in travel, meals and entertainment expenses, which were associated with resumed traveling needs to represent the Company at various investor conferences. These expenses were offset by $150,000 unrealized gain the Company recognized on revaluation of its investment in Brixton common shares and by $65,998 gain the Company recorded on reversal of flow-through share premium liability associated with the August Offering. In addition, the Company accrued $404 interest on the $120,000 note payable issued to Global Drilling.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
| August 31, 2024 | February 29, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital | $ | 1,259,461 | $ | 1,585,922 |
| Deficit | $ | 3,732,853 | $ | 3,436,065 |
As at August 31, 2024, the Company had $1,389,007 in current assets (February 29, 2024 - $1,688,609) and $129,546 in current liabilities (February 29, 2024 - $102,687), resulting in a working capital of $1,259,461 (February 29, 2024 –$1,585,922). The current assets consisted of $624,978 in cash, of which $500,000 were held in redeemable GIC (February 29, 2024 - $885,340, with $700,000 held in redeemable GIC), $500,000 in short-term investment represented by the funds in a GIC maturing on September 6, 2024 (February 29, 2024 - $500,000), $48,439 in amounts receivable (February 29, 2024 - $86,145), $115,590 in prepaid expenses (February 29, 2024 - $117,124), and $100,000 in marketable securities (February 29, 2024 – $100,000).
The Company’s current liabilities increased by $26,859, which resulted from the $45,120 increase in accounts payable and $28,648 increase in amounts due to related parties. These increases were in part offset by $46,909 decrease in accrued liabilities.
During the six months ended August 31, 2024, the Company’s operations were supported by $2,342,664 the Company received on closing of its March 2023 private placement offering, with $103,820 exploration credit the Company received from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) (which included $7,037 interest accrued on the exploration credit), and to a smaller extent $20,000 the Company received on the sale of two claims that were included in Rogers’ Creek property.
The Company did not generate sufficient cash flows from its operating activities to satisfy its cash requirements for the six months ended August 31, 2024. The cash that the Company has generated since its inception on July 7, 2017, to August 31, 2024, has been generated mainly from the sales of Common Shares and, to a much smaller extent, from related party loans which were subsequently paid back.
The Company believes that as of the date of the filing of this MD&A, the Company is sufficiently funded to continue the scheduled exploration programs on the Company’s mineral properties and to support the Company’s operations for the next 12-month period. Nevertheless, the Company plans to continue its efforts to raise additional financing, which may be done through private loans, sale of marketable securities, where permissible, sale of additional Common Shares or other equity interests in the Company, and/or through possible joint ventures to fund its operations and exploration programs beyond the 12-month period. Although the Company has succeeded in raising funds as needed, this trend is not guaranteed to continue into the future. Many factors, including, but not limited to, issues related to the past COVID-19 pandemic, downturn of the economy, or a significant decrease in the price of minerals, could affect the willingness of potential investors to invest in grass-roots exploration projects. If the Company is unable to
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generate sufficient cash flow as and when needed, the Company may be required to curtail, or even to cease, its operations.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
During the six months ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had the following transactions with related parties:
| Six | months ended August 31, | months ended August 31, | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Consulting fees paid or accrued to the Company’s CEO | $ | 15,333 | $12,834 |
| Accounting fees paid or accrued to the Company’s CFO | 10,360 | 13,230 | |
| Consulting and investor relations fees paid to the Company’s Corporate | |||
| Secretary | 17,283 | 19,779 | |
| Deferred exploration costs and general business consulting fees paid or | 47,035 | 66,615 | |
| accrued to an entity controlled by the Company’s VP of Exploration and | |||
| Project Development | |||
| Project management fees and deferred exploration costs paid or accrued to | - | 14,253 | |
| an entity controlled by the common-law spouse of the Company’s co- | |||
| founder and major shareholder | |||
| Deferred exploration costs and general business consulting fees paid or | 4,500 | 4,570 | |
| accrued to a director of the Company | |||
| Consulting fees paid or accrued to an entity controlled by a director of the | |||
| Company | 2,500 | 833 | |
| Consulting fees accrued to a director | - | 833 | |
| Share-based compensation for options granted to directors and officers | 78,546 | 167,414 | |
| Total related party transactions | $ | 175,557 | $ 300,361 |
Amounts due to related parties consist of amounts owed directly to the officers and directors of the Company, or to the companies controlled by them, for the professional services provided by them. These amounts are unsecured, noninterest bearing, and due on demand. At August 31, 2024, the Company owed a total of $62,807 (February 29, 2024 - $34,159) to its related parties.
OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
As at the date of this MD&A, the following securities were outstanding:
| Type | Amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Common Shares | 46,480,411 | Issued and outstanding. |
| Warrants | 1,148,750 | Exercisable into 1,148,750 Common Shares at $0.60 per share expiring on |
| August 4, 2026 (extended from initial expire date of August 4, 2024). | ||
| Warrants | 1,111,316 | Exercisable into 1,111,316 Common Shares at $0.60 per share expiring on |
| August 19, 2026 (extended from initial expire date of August 19, 2024). | ||
| Warrants | 1,969,091 | Exercisable into 1,969,091 Common Shares at $0.35 per share expiring on |
| December 20, 2024. | ||
| Warrants | 1,030,908 | Exercisable into 1,030,908 Common Shares at $0.35 per share expiring on |
| January 13, 2025. | ||
| Warrants | 3,000,000 | Exercisable into 3,000,000 Common Shares at $0.50 per share expiring on |
| March 17, 2025. | ||
| Brokers’ warrants | 32,000 | Exercisable into 32,000 Common Shares at $0.35 per share expiring on |
| December 20, 2024. | ||
| Brokers’ warrants | 40,112 | Exercisable into 40,112 Common Shares at $0.35 per share expiring on |
| January 13, 2025. | ||
| Brokers’ warrants | 22,950 | Exercisable into 22,950 Common Shares at $0.50 per share expiring on |
| March 17, 2025. | ||
| Stock options(1) | 345,000 | Exercisable into 345,000 Common Shares at $0.25 per share expiring on |
| February 28, 2025. |
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| Type | Amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Stock options(1) | 1,200,000 | Exercisable into 1,200,000 Common Shares at $0.48 per share expiring on |
| January 26, 2026. | ||
| Stock options(1) | 100,000 | Exercisable into 100,000 Common Shares at $0.50 per share expiring on |
| March 6, 2026. | ||
| Stock options(1) | 970,000 | Exercisable into 970,000 Common Shares at $0.21 per share expiring on |
| July 23, 2026. The options vest quarterly starting on April 23, 2024. As at | ||
| the date of this MD&A 727,500 options have vested, and 242,500 options | ||
| remain to be vested. | ||
| 57,450,538 | Total Common Shares outstanding (fully diluted) |
[(1) ] All vested stock options are exercisable assuming holders remain eligible per the terms of the Company’s rolling stock option plan.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
All material accounting policies adopted by the Company have been described in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended February 29, 2024.
Recent accounting standards and interpretations
Accounting standards, amendments to standards, or interpretations have been issued but have future effective dates are either not applicable or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company’s activity of natural resource exploration is considered to be very high risk. Companies in this industry are subject to many and varied kinds of risks, including, but not limited to, environmental, commodity prices, political and economic, with some of the most significant risks and uncertainties affecting the Company being the following in addition to other risks disclosed in this MD&A:
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Substantial expenditures are required to explore for mineral reserves and the chances of identifying economical reserves are extremely small. Resource exploration and development is a speculative business and involves a high degree of risk, including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in size to return a profit from production. The marketability of natural resources that may be acquired or discovered by the Company will be affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company. These factors include market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets, government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital . The vast majority of exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques, determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to extract metal from the ore, and construct, renovate or expand mining and processing facilities. No assurance can be given that any level of recovery of ore reserves will be realized or that any identified mineral deposit, even if it is established to contain an estimated resource, will ever qualify as a commercial mineable ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. The great majority of exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore.
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The Company expects to continue to incur losses from operations unless and until such time as any of its mineral properties enter into commercial production and generate sufficient revenues to fund its continuing operations.
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The Company has very limited experience in placing mineral resource properties into production, and its ability to do so will be dependent upon using the services of appropriately experienced personnel or entering into agreements with other major resource companies that can provide such expertise. There can be no assurance that
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the Company will have available to it the necessary expertise when and if it places its resource properties into production.
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The Company’s business of the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties is intensely competitive. The Company may be at a competitive disadvantage in acquiring additional mining properties because it must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience, and technical capabilities than the Company. Increased competition could adversely affect the Company’s ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
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The success of the Company’s operations will depend upon numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including (a) the ability to design and carry out appropriate exploration programs on its mineral properties; (b) the ability to produce minerals from any mineral deposits that may be located; (c) the ability to attract and retain additional key personnel in exploration, marketing, mine development and finance; and (d) the ability and the operating resources to develop and maintain the properties held by the Company. These and other factors will require the use of outside suppliers as well as the talents and efforts of the Company and its consultants and employees. There can be no assurance of success with any or all of these factors on which the Company’s operations will depend, or that the Company will be successful in finding and retaining the necessary employees, personnel and/or consultants in order to be able to successfully carry out such activities.
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Uncertainty of Resource Estimates/Reserves: Unless otherwise indicated, mineralization figures presented in the Company’s filings with securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time are based upon estimates made by Company personnel and independent geologists. These estimates are imprecise and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. There can be no assurance that: a) these estimates will be accurate; b) reserves, resource or other mineralization figures will be accurate; or c) this mineralization could be mined or processed profitably. Because the Company has not commenced production at any of its properties and has not defined or delineated any proven or probable reserves on any of its properties, mineralization estimates for the Company’s properties may require adjustments or downward revisions based upon further exploration or development work or actual production experience. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined, if any, may differ from that indicated by drilling results. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small-scale tests will be duplicated in large-scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale. The resource estimates contained in the Company’s filings with securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades and operating costs that may prove to be inaccurate. Extended declines in market prices for gold, silver, molybdenum, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, tungsten, or other metals may render portions of the Company’s mineralization uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralization. Any material reductions in estimates of mineralization, or of the Company’s ability to extract this mineralization, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. The failure to establish additional proven or probable reserves could restrict the Company’s ability to successfully implement its strategies for long-term growth.
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The Company’s mineral exploration programs are weather-dependent and unusual conditions, such as unexpected levels of snow cover, forest fires, rain, extreme heat events, or drought, or other weather events on the Company’s Properties, may lead to delays in all or a portion of the planned exploration programs. The Company may attempt to mitigate this by moving and rescheduling personnel and work, however no guarantee that these measures may be sufficient enough to allow field exploration programs to continue as planned or that additional costs may occur as a result thereof.
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Although the Company acquires the rights to some or all of the minerals in the ground subject to the tenures that it acquires, or has a right to acquire, in most cases it does not thereby acquire any rights to, or ownership of, the surface to the areas covered by its mineral tenures. In such cases, applicable mining laws usually provide for rights of access to the surface for the purpose of carrying on mining activities, however, the enforcement of such rights through the applicable courts can be costly and time consuming. In areas where there are no existing surface rights holders, this does not usually cause a problem, as there are no impediments to surface access. However, in areas where there are local populations, First Nations or landowners, it is necessary, as a practical matter, to negotiate surface access. There can be no guarantee that, despite having the right at law to access the surface and carry on exploration and mining activities, the Company will be able to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with any such existing landowners/occupiers or First Nations for such access, and therefore it may be unable to carry
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out mining activities. In addition, in circumstances where such access is denied, or no agreement can be reached, the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts in such jurisdiction. The Company has not, to date, experienced any problems in gaining access to any of its properties.
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Management anticipates that costs at the Company’s projects will frequently be subject to variation from one year to the next due to a number of factors, such as the results of ongoing exploration activities (positive or negative), changes in the nature of mineralization encountered, and revisions to exploration programs, if any, in response to the foregoing. In addition, exploration program costs are affected by the price of commodities such as fuel, rubber and electricity and the availability (or otherwise) of consultants and drilling contractors. Increases in the prices of such commodities or a scarcity of consultants or drilling contractors could render the costs of exploration programs to increase significantly over those budgeted. A material increase in costs for any significant exploration programs could have a significant effect on the Company’s operating funds and ability to continue its planned exploration programs.
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The junior resource market, where the Company raises funds, is extremely volatile and there is no guarantee that the Company will be able to raise funds as and when required. Changes in tax policy including capital gains and flow through rules and inclusion rates, governmental incentives including tax credits as well as various incentives affecting certain critical minerals will also affect the ability of the Company to raise funds.
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Although the Company has taken steps to verify title to the mineral properties in which it has an interest, there is no guarantee that such properties will not be subject to title or undetected defects, or the rights of indigenous peoples.
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The Company is subject to the laws and regulations relating to environmental matters, including provisions relating to reclamation, discharge of hazardous material and other matters. The Company conducts its exploration activities in compliance with applicable environmental protection legislation and is not aware of any existing environmental problems related to its properties that may cause material liability to the Company.
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As some of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries are located in the United States, it may be difficult or impossible to enforce judgments granted by a court in Canada against the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.
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All of the mineral properties held by the Company are located in Canada or the United States, where mineral exploration and mining activities may be affected in varying degrees by changes in government regulations such as tax laws, business laws, environmental laws and mining laws, affecting the Company’s business. Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect its business, or if significant enough, may make it impossible to continue to operate in the country. Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, foreign exchange restrictions, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety.
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Investors in the Company’s Common Shares that are U.S. taxpayers should be aware that the Company expects it will in the current year be, a “passive foreign investment company” under Section 1297(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (a “PFIC”). If the Company is or becomes a PFIC, generally any gain recognized on the sale of Common Shares and any “excess distributions” (as specifically defined) paid on such Common Shares must be allocated to each day in a U.S. taxpayer’s holding period for the Common Shares. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to prior years of such U.S. taxpayer’s holding period for the common shares generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax applicable to ordinary income in each such prior year, and the U.S. taxpayer will be required to pay interest on the resulting tax liability for each such prior year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such prior year.
Alternatively, a U.S. taxpayer that makes a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF”) election with respect to the Company generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. taxpayer’s pro rata share of the Company’s “net capital gain” and “ordinary earnings” (as specifically defined and calculated under U.S. federal income tax rules), regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed by the Company. U.S. taxpayers should be aware, however, that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy record keeping requirements under the QEF rules or that the Company will supply U.S. taxpayers with required information under the QEF rules, in event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. taxpayer wishes to make a QEF election.
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As a second alternative, a U.S. taxpayer may make a “mark-to-market election” if the Company is a PFIC and the Common Shares are “marketable stock” (as specifically defined). A U.S. taxpayer that makes a mark-to-market election generally will include in gross income, for each taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the Common Shares as of the close of such taxable year over (b) such U.S. taxpayer’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares.
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Due to the extreme complexity of the PFIC rules and the potentially materially adverse consequence to a shareholder that is a U.S. taxpayer of the Company being a PFIC, it is critical that each shareholder that is a U.S. taxpayer consult with that shareholder’s U.S. tax adviser before undertaking any transactions in Common Shares.
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Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In addition, on October 7, 2023, armed conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas. This has created worldwide supply chain issues, market instability and volatility, and increased inflation. The Company cannot predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of these conflicts and their effects on the Company’s business or ability to raise funds.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair Value
Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 — observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 3 — unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The Company measures its cash and marketable securities at fair value using level 1 inputs. Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, due to related parties, and note payable are classified as other liabilities, and their fair values approximate their carrying values due to the short terms to maturity.
Capital Management
The Company manages its capital to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, to ensure future benefits to stakeholders, and to have sufficient funds on hand for business opportunities as they arise.
The Company considers the items included in share capital as capital. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new shares through short-form prospectuses, private placements, sell assets, incur debt, or return capital to shareholders. As at the date of this MD&A, the Company does not have any debt that is subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
The Company is exposed to various financial instrument risks and assesses the impact and likelihood of this exposure. These risks include liquidity risk, credit risk, and market risk. Where material, these risks are reviewed and monitored by the Board of Directors.
a) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient financial resources are available to meet obligations associated with financial liabilities. The Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure. As at August 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $624,978 to settle current financial liabilities of $129,546.
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The following table details the remaining contractual maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities as of August 31, 2024:
| Within 1 year | Within 1 year | 1-5 years | 5+ years | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 66,739 | $ | - | $ | - |
| Amounts due to related parties | 62,807 | - | - | |||
| $ | 129,546 | $ | - | $ | - |
b) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of potential loss to the Company if the counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its liquid financial assets including cash and cash equivalents, which are held with a high-credit quality financial institution, and amounts receivable from the Government of Canada. As such, the Company’s credit risk exposure is minimal.
c) Market risk
Market risk is the risk of loss that may arise from changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices, and commodity prices.
i.Currency risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair values of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because they are denominated in currencies that differ from the respective functional currency. The Company’s main operations currently are in Canada; the Company does not have a permanent presence, other than the required statutory agent, in Arizona. The Company holds its cash in Canadian dollars and pays its US vendors by converting its Canadian dollar cash to the US dollars on as needed basis. A significant change in the currency exchange rates between the Canadian dollar relative to US dollar could have an effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and/or cash flows. At August 31, 2024, the Company had no hedging agreements in place with respect to foreign exchange rates. As the majority of the transactions of the Company are denominated in Canadian dollars movements in the foreign exchange rates are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
ii.Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. As at August 31, 2024, the Company had $1,000,000 deposited in short-term guaranteed investment certificates with varying maturities held at the major Canadian banking institution. Aside from the funds held in GICs, as at August 31, 2024, the Company had no other interest accumulating financial assets that could become susceptible to interest rate fluctuations. The Company believes that the interest rate risk continues to be low.
iii.Price risk
Equity price risk is the risk that the fair value of equities decreases as a result of changes in the levels of equity indices and the value of individual stocks. The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of its investment in common shares of Brixton. The Company closely monitors the commodity markets and the stock market generally as well as individual equity movements in order to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken with respect to its interest in marketable securities.
iv.Commodity price risk
Commodity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Company’s earnings and economic value due to movements in commodity prices and volatilities thereto. The Company closely monitors the commodity prices of precious metals and base metals including molybdenum, nickel, zinc and copper, as well as the financial, currency and stock markets in order to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company.
CONTINGENCIES
The Company has no contingent liabilities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information concerning the Company and its operations is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
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