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Talon Metals — Management Reports 2024
Apr 3, 2024
44209_rns_2024-04-02_a24d5f05-a27f-4612-9c60-9c3d2298f9a7.pdf
Management Reports
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the year ended December 31, 2023
Dated: April 2, 2024
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 3 GOING CONCERN ......................................................................................................................... 5 COVID-19 ........................................................................................................................................ 5 SUMMARY OF ANNUAL RESULTS .............................................................................................. 6 REVIEW OF ANNUAL RESULTS .................................................................................................. 6 SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS ...................................................................................... 9 COMPANY OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 9 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ON EXPLORATION PROJECTS ................................................... 22 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS ........................................................................................................ 22 FINANCIAL CONDITION, CASH FLOW, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES ................. 25 RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES .................................................................................................... 31 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES ............................................................. 41 UPX OPTION AGREEMENT - MICHIGAN .................................................................................. 42 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES .......... 43 INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING ........................................................... 44 OUTLOOK ..................................................................................................................................... 44
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“ MD&A ”) of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Talon Metals Corp. (“ Talon ” or the “ Company ”) and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023. The MD&A enables readers to assess material changes in financial condition and results of operations in comparison to the corresponding prior– year periods.
Unless otherwise indicated, all monetary statements in this document are in Canadian dollars.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This MD&A contains certain “forward-looking information”. All information, other than information pertaining to historical fact, which addresses activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, among other things, the completion and timing of the Company’s objectives, including exploration plans, drilling plans, geophysical work, mine plans, metallurgical and processing work, environmental studies, permitting, social/community impact and government relations work, engineering and feasibility study work (including, the completion of a feasibility study), mine planning studies, metallurgy studies and engineering studies and the costs and timing thereof; the environmental review process, including timing related to the EAW (defined below) process and the preparation of the EIS (defined below); payments to Kennecott (defined below) pursuant to the 2018 Option Agreement (defined below); the supply of nickel concentrate to Tesla Inc. and copper concentrate to one or more smelters pursuant to the Tesla Supply Agreement (defined below); the estimates in respect of mineral resource quantities, mineral resource qualities; US government support for building a domestic battery supply chain, including the DOE BMPF Grant (defined below) and the amount of funds to be received by the Company in respect thereof; the timing and finalization of the selection of a processing location at a brownfields industrial site in North Dakota; the amount of funds to be received by the Company pursuant to the DOD Exploration Grant (defined below); the Company’s targets, goals, objectives and plans, the Company’s business plans, priorities, milestones and budget, projections in respect of capital expenditures and the Company’s liquidity and capital resources (including, the Company’s expected uses and requirements of working capital and the Company’s plans to raise additional capital, reduce spending by cutting costs or certain activities, sell non-core assets and/or develop the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine) and the earn-in under the UPX Option Agreement (defined below), is forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. With respect to forward-looking information contained in this MD&A, the Company has made assumptions regarding, among other things, future currency and interest rates, the regulatory framework (including tax and trade laws and policies) in the countries in which the Company conducts its business, and the Company’s ability to obtain suitably qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner to meet the Company’s needs.
Forward-looking information is subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the failure of exploration programs to identify mineralization, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources and any reserves; the grade, quality and recovery of
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
mineral resources varying from estimates; risks related to the exploration stage of the Company’s properties; the possibility that future exploration results and metallurgical testing will not be consistent with the Company’s expectations; changes in nickel, copper and/or PGE prices; COVID-19; the wars in Ukraine and Israel; increased global uncertainty; increasing interest rates; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain necessary regulatory permits and approvals from government authorities, including approval of applications for licences/permits required to conduct field based programs; uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results, and the beneficiation process and other geological and product related data; changes in the anticipated demand for nickel, copper, cobalt and/or gold and PGEs; changes in equity and debt markets; inflation; changes in exchange rates; declines in U.S., Canadian and/or global economies; US government funding changes in respect of grants; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed to complete exploration activities and demonstrate the feasibility of the Company’s projects; exploration costs varying significantly from estimates; delays in the exploration, mineral processing and development of, and/or commercial production from the properties Talon has an interest in; equipment failure; unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; political risks; imprecision in preliminary resource estimates; success of future exploration and development initiatives; the existence of undetected or unregistered interests or claims, whether in contract or in tort, over the property of Talon or the Tamarack Project; changes in government regulations and policies; risks relating to labour; other exploration, development and operating risks; liability and other claims asserted against Talon; volatility in prices of publicly traded securities; and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry and risks specific to the Company, including the risks discussed in this MD&A under “Risks and Uncertainties” .
Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forwardlooking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
The mineral resource figures referred to in this MD&A are estimates, and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of minerals will be produced. Such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results, beneficiation tests and industry practices. Valid estimates made at a given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. While the Company believes that the resource estimates included in this MD&A are well established, by their nature, resource estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable. If such estimates are inaccurate or are reduced in the future, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that mineral resources can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Additional information relating to the Company, including the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.
GOING CONCERN
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a going concern basis which presumes that the Company will continue in operations for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to raise financing, reduce spending by cutting costs or certain activities, sell non-core assets and/or develop the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in carrying out any of these activities to meet the Company’s future working capital requirements and commitments and continue operations for the foreseeable future.
The Company has not earned any revenue to date from its operations. The Company, and its joint venture partner, Kennecott Exploration Company (“ Kennecott ”), are in the process of exploring the Tamarack Project (defined below) and the Company has not yet determined whether the Tamarack Project contains ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The recoverability of the Company’s property carrying value and of the related deferred exploration expenditures depends on the Company's ability to maintain an interest in the Tamarack Project, discover economically recoverable reserves and on the Company’s ability to obtain necessary financing to complete the development and to establish profitable production in the future, or the receipt of sufficient proceeds on disposal of its interest in the Tamarack Project.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had working capital of $19.0 million (December 31, 2022 – $39.6 million), has incurred losses and negative cashflows from operations and has an accumulated deficit of $106.9 million (December 31, 2022 – $104.5 million). Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities. The working capital amount does not include government cost-share repayments of amounts incurred by the Company related to the DOE BMPF Grant and the DOD Exploration Grant (defined and discussed below) estimated to be approximately $5 million as of December 31, 2023. Additional amounts will be received from the DOE BMPF Grant and the DOD Exploration Grant throughout 2024 and beyond commensurate with the Company’s level of grant eligible spending.
These circumstances create a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and ultimately on the appropriateness of the use of accounting principles applicable to a going concern.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic had minimal effect on the Tamarack Project during 2023.
On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared that COVID was no longer a global health emergency.
Please see “ Financial Condition, Cash Flow, Liquidity and Capital Resources – Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Financial Instruments – Liquidity Risk” for further important information regarding the potential impact of COVID-19. Please also see “Risks and Uncertainties – COVID19 Coronavirus Outbreak ”.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL RESULTS
| Year ended Dec 31, 2023 (audited) |
Year ended Dec 31, 2022 (audited) |
Year ended Dec 31, 2021 (audited) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest income | $968,518 | $266,278 | $15,342 |
| Net loss | (2,348,516) | (1,498,033) | (5,545,812) |
| Net loss per shares – basic and diluted |
(0.00) | (0.00) | (0.01) |
| Comprehensive income(loss) | (7,236,717) | 7,940,187 | (5,553,650) |
| Total assets | 237,065,859 | 218,194,973 | 125,582,336 |
| Total non-current financial liabilities |
- | - | - |
| Dividends | - | - | - |
REVIEW OF ANNUAL RESULTS
Certain amounts in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation and, as such, the discussion that follows below considers such reclassification.
Interest income
Interest income is earned on the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $968,518 compared to interest income of $266,278 earned during the same period in the prior year. The increase in interest income for the current year compared to the prior year was the result higher interest rates.
Expenses
Salaries, benefits, consulting and board fees were relatively constant at $1,172,951 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $1,164,457 for the year ended December 31, 2022 owing to the relatively steady nature of head office activities.
Professional fees were relatively constant at $469,278 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $465,327 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Office and general expenses were also relatively constant at $64,101 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $67,998 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Marketing and travel expenses decreased to $355,087 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $441,806 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was the result of significantly less use of 3[rd] party investor marketing consultants, offset by an increase in travel for marketing by Talon employees.
Listing, filing and shareholder communications expenses decreased to $261,969 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $394,880 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The reduction was primarily due to lower stock exchange listing fees that are a function of the Company’s market capitalization and the termination of a contract for market making services.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Stock option compensation expense decreased to $258,742 during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $1,315,752 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was the result of fewer options issued in 2023 compared to 2021 and 2022 and at a significantly lower strike price which impacts the value of each stock option granted. Stock options generally have a 12-month vesting period and therefore the associated expense is amortized over the 12 months following the date of grant so certain options issued in 2021 impact the 2022 stock option expense.
Royalty
On March 7, 2019, Talon Nickel (defined below) granted a net smelter returns royalty to TF R&S Canada Ltd. (formerly 10782343 Canada Limited) (the “Royalty Holder” ), a subsidiary of Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp, in consideration of the payment of US$5.0 million. The Company, together with its subsidiaries, Cloudmine Holdings Limited and Talon Metals (USA) Inc., agreed to guarantee the payment and performance obligations under the royalty agreement (the “ Royalty Agreement ”). The royalty granted was 3.5% of net smelter returns and will be based on Talon Nickel’s participating interest in the Tamarack Project, except (i) where Talon Nickel’s interest reduces below 51%, in which case it will be paid assuming Talon Nickel’s interest is unchanged at 51%; or (ii) where Talon Nickel has vested at 60% and Talon Nickel’s interest reduces below 60%, in which case it will be paid assuming Talon Nickel’s interest is unchanged at 60%.
The Royalty Agreement contained a one-time put right pursuant to which the Royalty Holder had an option, exercisable within 10 calendar days of March 7, 2022, to cause Talon Nickel to repurchase the entire net smelter returns royalty for a cash payment of US$8.6 million ( “Royalty Put Option” ). In the event the Royalty Holder did not exercise the one-time put right, Talon Nickel had a one-time option to reduce the percentage of the net smelter returns royalty to 1.85% in exchange for cash in the amount of US$4.5 million. On February 15, 2022, Talon Nickel entered into an amending agreement with the Royalty Holder pursuant to which the Royalty Holder waived the put right and completed the early exercise of Talon Nickel’s right to reduce the royalty on Talon Nickel’s interest in the Tamarack Project from 3.5% to 1.85% in exchange for the payment by Talon Nickel of US$4.5 million to the Royalty Holder.
Talon and its related entities provided security to the Royalty Holder to support the payment and performance obligations related to the royalty and the guarantees. In connection with the royalty agreement, Talon issued the Royalty Holder 5,000,000 warrants ( “Royalty Warrants” ) exercisable to acquire one common share until March 7, 2022 at an exercise price of C$0.0826 per share (which were exercised in December 2021). In connection with the sale of the royalty, the Company paid a 6% commission and issued 4,944,375 warrants to a broker ( “Royalty Broker Warrants” ) with the same terms as the Royalty Warrants.
The Company designated the Royalty Put Option as a financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss. The Royalty Put Option was initially recorded at fair value and revalued at period end with changes in fair value being recorded through profit and loss. Transaction costs were expensed.
On February 15, 2022, the Company paid US$4.5 million to reduce the royalty and extinguished the Royalty Put Option.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign currency translation resulted in a loss of $590,879 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to a gain of $1,663,483 for the year ended December 31, 2022. This balance is highly variable due to the volatility of exchange rates and the changing and relatively high level of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance.
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $2.3 million or $nil per share (basic and diluted) primarily the result of administration expenses[1] offset by interest income. This compares to a net loss of $1.5 million or $nil per share (basic and diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily the result of administration expenses and stock option compensation offset by foreign currency gains.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a comprehensive loss of $7.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized comprehensive income of $7.9 million. Both losses and gains were related to the foreign exchange conversion from United States dollars to Canadian dollars of the assets and liabilities of Talon Nickel, a U.S. subsidiary of the Company. This IFRS accounting requirement manifests itself on the statements of financial position as a change in the value of Resource properties and deferred expenditures where the Talon Nickel US-denominated balance at the end of each reporting period is converted to Canadian dollars at the foreign exchange rate at the end of the reporting period. The foreign exchange rate can vary significantly from period to period so at times comprehensive income (loss) may be very volatile.
1 “Administration expenses” include the following expenses: Office and General; Professional Fees; Salaries, Benefits, Consulting and Board Fees; Insurance; Travel; Listing, Filing and Shareholder Communications.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
The following table provides selected quarterly consolidated financial information for the periods ended as indicated. It is derived from the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Company. All numbers below are unaudited.
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Dec 31 | Sept 30 | June 30 | March 31 | Dec 31 | Sept 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |
| Interest income | 280,575 | 166,393 | 179,063 | 342,487 | 159,846 | 94,447 | 4,693 | 7,292 |
| Net income (loss) | (695,638) | (455,326) | (635,655) | (561,897) | (618,685) | 460,325 | (109,931) | (1,229,742) |
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share* |
(0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) |
(5,417,785) | 3,648,096 | (4,733,918) | (733,110) | (2,563,424) | 9,872,521 | 3,541,582 | (2,910,492) |
*Total of quarterly amounts may not reconcile to annual amount due to rounding
Quarterly trends in interest income reflect for the most part interest received on cash balances. Trends in quarterly expenses are driven primarily by administration expenses (defined above) and stock option compensation. Generally, the most variable component of total expenses over the past eight quarters has been fair value adjustments, foreign currency translation and stock option compensation.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Company is a mineral exploration company currently focused on the exploration and development of the Tamarack nickel-copper-cobalt project (the “ Tamarack Project ”) in Minnesota, USA (which comprises the “ Tamarack North Project ” and the “ Tamarack South Project ”). As of the date hereof, the only material property of the Company is the Tamarack North Project.
Tamarack Project
Tamarack Earn-in Agreement
On June 25, 2014, Talon’s wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Talon Nickel (USA) LLC (“ Talon Nickel ”), entered into an exploration and option agreement (the “ Tamarack Earn-in Agreement ”) with Kennecott, part of the Rio Tinto Group, pursuant to which Talon Nickel received the right to acquire an interest in the Tamarack Project.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
On January 4, 2016, pursuant to the terms of the Tamarack Earn-in Agreement, as amended, Talon Nickel earned an 18.45% interest in the Tamarack Project by making payments totalling US$25,520,800 broken down as follows:
| Option payments Exploration Land purchases |
1,000,000 $ 21,200,000 3,320,800 |
|---|---|
| 25,520,800 $ |
On December 16, 2016, Talon Nickel entered into an amending agreement with Kennecott (the “ Tamarack Earn-in Third Amending Agreement ”) in respect of the Tamarack Earn-in Agreement (as amended). The Tamarack Earn-in Third Amending Agreement provided, among other things, that Kennecott may elect at any time up to and including September 25, 2017 to grant Talon Nickel the option to purchase the Tamarack Project for a total purchase price of US$114 million (the “ Tamarack Purchase Option ”) or proceed with a joint venture (the “ Tamarack Joint Venture ”) in respect of the Tamarack Project (the “ Kennecott Decision Deadline ”).
On the Kennecott Decision Deadline, Talon Nickel received notification from Kennecott that it had decided to grant Talon Nickel the Tamarack Purchase Option on the terms of the Tamarack Earnin Agreement (as amended).
On November 16, 2017, Talon Nickel elected not to exercise the Tamarack Purchase Option. As such, pursuant to the terms of the Tamarack Earn-in Agreement (as amended), Talon Nickel and Kennecott had 90 days to enter into the Mining Venture Agreement (defined below) governing the terms of the Tamarack Joint Venture.
On January 11, 2018, Talon Nickel and Kennecott entered into a fifth amending agreement (the “ Tamarack Earn-in Fifth Amending Agreement ”) in respect of the Tamarack Earn-in Agreement (as amended), pursuant to which they agreed to (i) enter into the Mining Venture Agreement with immediate effect, and (ii) accelerate the timing of the approval process for the 2018 winter exploration program so that the 2018 winter exploration program was approved with immediate effect.
Following the Tamarack Earn-in Fifth Amending Agreement, Talon Nickel elected to not financially participate in any further funding made in respect of the Tamarack Project while Kennecott was the operator/manager of the Tamarack Project. This resulted in dilution of its interest from 18.45% to 17.56% (which was later increased to 51% and may increase further to 60%). Going forward, Talon Nickel is required to fund the Tamarack Project in accordance with the 2018 Option Agreement (defined below).
Tamarack Joint Venture
On January 11, 2018, Talon Nickel and Kennecott entered into the mining venture agreement in respect of the Tamarack Project (the “ Mining Venture Agreement ”).
During the term of the 2018 Option Agreement (defined below), the Mining Venture Agreement is in abeyance and the terms of the 2018 Option Agreement govern the relationship between Talon Nickel and Kennecott in respect of the Tamarack Project.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
2018 Option Agreement
On November 7, 2018, Talon Nickel entered into an exploration and option agreement (the “ 2018 Option Agreement ”) with Kennecott which provides Talon Nickel with the right to acquire up to a 60% interest in the Tamarack Project. The 2018 Option Agreement has an effective date of March 13, 2019.
Pursuant to the terms of the 2018 Option Agreement, Talon Nickel has taken over operatorship of the Tamarack Project and Talon had the right to acquire a 51% interest in the Tamarack Project upon:
-
(1) the payment of US$6 million in cash to Kennecott (the “ Initial Cash Payment ”);
-
(2) the issuance of US$1.5 million worth of common shares of Talon to Kennecott (the “ Share Payment ”);
-
(3) within 3 years of the effective date of the 2018 Option Agreement (March 13, 2022), Talon Nickel either spending US$10 million or completing a pre-feasibility study on the Tamarack Project; and
-
(4) within 3 years of the effective date of the 2018 Option Agreement (March 13, 2022), Talon Nickel paying Kennecott an additional US$5 million in cash.
In late September 2021, approximately 6 months ahead of schedule, Talon completed all of the requirements and earned a 51% interest in the Tamarack Project. Rather than receiving US$5 million in cash, Kennecott agreed to accept 10,543,333 units of Talon (each a “ KEX Earn-in Unit ”) at a deemed issuance price of C$0.60 per KEX Earn-in Unit in full satisfaction of the US$5 million cash obligation. Each KEX Earn-in Unit was comprised of one common share of Talon and onehalf of one purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable to acquire a Talon common share until September 29, 2022 at an exercise price of $0.80 per share.
Talon Nickel has the right to increase its interest in the Tamarack Project by 9% to a total of 60% by:
-
(1) completing a feasibility study on the Tamarack Project within 7 years of the effective date of the 2018 Option Agreement (March 13, 2026); and
-
(2) paying Kennecott US$10 million in cash on or before the seventh anniversary of the effective date of the 2018 Option Agreement (March 13, 2026).
Upon Talon Nickel vesting with its applicable joint venture interest in the Tamarack Project, the parties have agreed to enter into a new joint venture agreement, pursuant to which, so long as Talon Nickel has a majority interest, Talon Nickel will continue to act as operator of the Tamarack Project. In the event Talon Nickel has delivered a feasibility study on the Tamarack Project, upon the completion thereof, the parties have agreed to fund the Tamarack Project in accordance with their respective ownership interests or be subject to dilution.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Tamarack North Project
The Tamarack North Project is located adjacent to the town of Tamarack in north-central Minnesota approximately 100 km west of Duluth and 200 km north of Minneapolis, in Aitkin County.
The Tamarack Igneous Complex (“ TIC ”), which sits within the Tamarack North Project boundaries, is an ultramafic intrusion that is associated with the early evolution of the failed, Midcontinental Rift (dated at 1105ma +/- 1.2). This age is significantly older than the Duluth Complex Intrusions which consistently date at 1099ma and is consistent with other earlier intrusions of the Midcontinental Rift that are often characterised by more primitive melts.
The TIC has intruded into Thomson Formation siltstones and sandstones of the Animikie Group and is preserved beneath shallow Quaternary glacial sediments.
To date, exploration by Kennecott and Talon has included diamond drilling and sampling, as well as a range of geophysical surveys, including, airborne magnetic and electromagnetic (EM, MegaTEM and AeroTEM), ground magnetic and EM, magnetotelluric (MT), gravity, seismic, resistivity/induced polarization and downhole EM. On June 21, 2023, Talon Nickel submitted its Environmental Assessment Worksheet (“ EAW ”) to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“ MDNR ”) to begin the State’s Environmental Impact Statement scoping process for a proposed small-footprint, high-grade underground nickel mine that would be located within the Tamarack North Project. The EAW is the first step in the state environmental review process and is a document that provides a description of the proposed project and a brief analysis and overview of the potential environmental effects, and identifies the permits and approvals required for the proposed project. On September 18, 2023, the MDNR provided its first round of comments on the EAW to which Talon responded on October 10, 2023. A second round of comments on the EAW was received on February 5, 2024 and Talon expects to respond during Q2 2024.
On October 19, 2022, Talon released an updated mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects (“ NI 43-101 ”) (the “ Resource Estimate ”). In support of the Resource Estimate, on November 2, 2022, Talon released an independent technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 in respect of the Tamarack North Project (the “ November 2022 Technical Report ”). The November 2022 Technical Report is entitled “November 2022 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report of the Tamarack North Project – Tamarack, Minnesota” with an effective date of November 2, 2022.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
TALON METALS CORP.
The Resource Estimate has an effective date of October 10, 2022 and was prepared by independent “Qualified Persons” (as that term is defined in NI 43-101) Mr. Brian Thomas and Mr. Roger Jackson of WSP Golder (“ Golder ”) and is summarized below.
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Mineral Resources are in situ and reported at a 0.50% Ni cut-off. Tonnage estimates are rounded down to the nearest 1,000 tonnes. Fe in Sulphides % is based on sulphur concentration associated with sulphide minerals and a calculation of stoichiometric Fe concentration in Pentlandite and Pyrrhotite.
Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the estimates. NiEq grade based on metal prices in U.S. dollars of $9.50/lb Ni, $3.75/lb Cu, $25.00/lb Co, $1,000/oz Pt, $1,000/oz Pd and $1,400/oz Au using the following formula: NiEq% = Ni%+ Cu% x $3.75/$9.50 + Co% x $25.00/$9.50 + Pt[g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$9.50/22.04 + Pd[g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$9.50/22.04 + Au[g/t]/31.103 x $1,400/$9.50/22.04. Fe is not included in the NiEq calculation.
No adjustments were made for recovery or payability.
The Resource Estimate did not apply metallurgical recovery factors, however, there would be no material change to the nickel-equivalent grades reported in the Resource Estimate if reasonable assumptions for those factors were applied.
Please refer to the November 2022 Technical Report for further information, including the QA/QC, analytical and testing procedures employed at the Tamarack North Project. The November 2022 Technical Report is available under Talon’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company’s website at www.talonmetals.com.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Tesla Supply Agreement
In January 2022, Talon Nickel entered into an agreement with Tesla for the supply and purchase of 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (the “ Tesla Supply Agreement ”). Talon Nickel has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve commercial production on or before January 1, 2026, which may be extended by the parties for up to 12 months following which Tesla has the right to terminate the agreement and Talon Nickel may elect to sell to other parties. Given the agreement with Tesla, during 2022, the Company focused its metallurgical testing with the objectives of producing a nickel concentrate for Tesla and a copper concentrate for selling to one or more smelters. The Company intends to continue such objectives in 2023.
Battery Minerals Processing Facility – North Dakota
On October 19, 2022 Talon Nickel was selected as a recipient of the first set of projects funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law . The purpose of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is to expand domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and the electrical grid, with a focus on domestic processing of materials and components currently imported from other countries. Responsible and sustainable domestic sourcing and processing of the critical materials used to make lithium-ion batteries will strengthen American supply chains, accelerate battery production to meet increased demand, and secure the nation’s economic competitiveness, energy independence, and national security.
Under its application for funding, Talon Nickel proposed an ore processing and tailings management facility (the “ Battery Minerals Processing Facility” or the “BMPF” ) located at an existing industrial brownfields site in Mercer County, North Dakota, receiving feedstock from the future underground Tamarack Project mine and other potential sources in North America. The acquisition of the site in North Dakota is actively under negotiations. Removing the processing facilities from the Tamarack mine site in Minnesota significantly reduces land disturbance and the scope of environmental review and permitting. Both facilities will undergo the science based permitting process in both states that include an opportunity for public comment and governmentto-government consultations with tribal sovereign governments.
Effective November 1, 2023, Talon Nickel entered into the definitive agreement with the US Department of Energy setting the terms, conditions, and performance milestones for US$114.85 million in grant funding on a cost-share basis towards project development, construction and execution costs of the Battery Minerals Processing Facility ( “DOE BMPF Grant” ).
US Department of Defense – Support for Talon’s Nickel Exploration
Effective September 11, 2023, Talon Nickel entered into a definitive agreement with the US Department of Defense’s Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization to accelerate and expand the Company’s efforts to discover and secure additional domestic supply of nickel for the growing US battery manufacturing base and defense related supply chains. Utilizing Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III authorities and funds appropriated by the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act , the US Department of Defense will contribute funding on a cost-share basis to Talon’s in-house drilling and geophysics teams to, among other things, accelerate the Company’s efforts to discover and delineate more high-grade nickel deposits within the Midcontinent Rift geology of the United States.
14
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
As part of the agreement, the US Department of Defense will contribute US$20.6 million ( “DOD Exploration Grant” ) and Talon will contribute US$21.8 million in matching funding on a costshare basis (including, use of existing equipment and current employee cost) over a period not to exceed 39 months.
Work Completed/Expenditures – Tamarack North Project and Tamarack South Project
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $44.2 million of expenditures, on resource properties, substantially all on the Tamarack North Project, as detailed in the following table:
| Category | Amount (CS) |
|---|---|
| Exploration, drilling and assays | $11,817,733 |
| Geophysics | 2,066,767 |
| Mining, engineering and geotechnical studies | 9,372,078 |
| Metallurgical testing | 1,384,038 |
| Environmental, permitting, community and government relations |
12,759,218 |
| Economic studies | 258,686 |
| Mineral leases, property tax and land purchases | 1,328,515 |
| Professional fees | 1,810,564 |
| Site costs, travel and general | 3,180,818 |
| Site remediation | 172,481 |
| Total* | $44,150,898 |
*May not total due to rounding
The above spending was in connection with the following: (i) continual drilling to expand the current resource and make new discoveries; (ii) geophysical work to identify new prospective drilling targets at the Tamarack Project; (iii) work towards a feasibility study; (iv) additional metallurgical test work and downstream processing options; and (v) the completion and submission of the EAW and responding to comments on the EAW, and (vi) work undertaken on studies and models to estimate potential environmental impacts and work towards reports that will provide the information needed for development of the Environmental Impact Statement.
Between July 2020 and November 2022, the Company acquired five drill rigs and hired full-time dedicated teams of drillers to operate the drill rigs along with support staff including health and safety, project management and logistics. The primary objective of bringing drilling in-house was to materially increase the number of meters drilled at the Tamarack Project at a substantially reduced cost while maintaining first-in-class health and safety standards. Drill rigs have been deployed to Talon’s exploration of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex to explore for additional highgrade nickel deposits.
Upcoming Work – Tamarack North Project
The Company is focused on the advancement of the Tamarack North Project. The Company intends to achieve the following business objectives during 2024. As of December 31, 2023 and April 2, 2024, the Company had working capital of $19.0 million and approximately $11 million,
15
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
respectively. In order to continue work towards achieving these business objectives, the Company will need to raise additional capital and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in doing so.
Exploration, Drilling, Geophysics and Mineral Resource
The Company intends to continue exploration along the Tamarack North Project portion of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex while focusing on the following areas that show high-grade nickel potential:
-
The initial Raptor Zone drilling has resulted in 6 of 9 drill holes intersecting high-grade massive nickel sulphide mineralization, with an additional 5 holes (15 holes in total) so far disclosed, of which 3 of 5 holes have intersected sulphide mineralization with assays pending. Additional drilling is required within the Raptor Zone to determine if the 1-2 meters of high-grade massive nickel sulphide mineralization thickens similarly to how it increased in the CGO West discovery. This program is expected to require 20,000 meters of drilling and is currently underway with approximately 10,000 meters completed and two drill rigs drilling in the Raptor Zone. A recently published drill intercept shows that the massive nickel sulphide mineralization is increasing in thickness when targeting borehole electromagnetic anomalies;
-
Commence exploration in the Raptor’s Crest area (northern portion of the Raptor Zone) targeting an up dip extension of the mineralized unit. A total of 2000 meters is budgeted for this area split between 5 drill holes;
-
Commence exploration in the 138 Zone (within the Company’s mineral resource area) to evaluate for continuation of the massive nickel sulphide mineralization in the Company’s mineral resource area. Two drill holes are planned with a total of 1500 meters allocated;
-
Determine if the CGO East mineral resources extend to the east into an newly identified surface electromagnetic anomaly; and
-
Commence a drill program testing the deep MT anomaly residing underneath the Tamarack Deposit. The initial test work will total 3000-5000m of drilling followed by geophysical borehole surveys.
The Company also intends to continue collecting surface geophysical data over the Tamarack North Project and Tamarack South Project to identify additional prospective areas. A number of tools will be used by the Company’s in-house team for this, including magnetotellurics, surface electromagnetics, borehole electromagnetics, passive seismic, and cross hole tomography.
The primary objective of the additional exploration along the Tamarack North Project is to enable the Company to identify future mineral resources to support the onshoring of US critical mineral production during the transition from fossil fuels to green energy storage.
Metallurgy and Processing
In connection with mineral processing and metallurgical testing, the Company intends to:
- Conduct kinetics and variability flotation testing to finalize flotation conditions and to support circuit modelling;
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
-
Continue flowsheet development with potential other downstream partners to produce high purity nickel and iron;
-
Perform vendor testing on pilot plant products to facilitate equipment sizing in preparation of basic engineering;
-
Continue to explore other revenue streams of traditional sulphide mining waste streams to work towards a near zero waste mine;
-
Continue to explore carbon sequestration and/or the production of supplementary cementitious material;
-
Identify commercial equipment solutions that could further improve the metallurgical response of the Tamarack North Project mineralization during full-scale operation; and
-
Commence basic engineering for the commercial concentrator using the optimized flowsheet and conditions.
If the above activities are successful, Talon may target the valorizing of up to 100% of each tonne of rock, which means added environmental protection, while deriving significantly higher economic benefits compared to the present nickel supply chain.
Environmental Studies, Permitting, Social or Community Impact
In connection with environmental studies, permitting, and social or community impact, the Company intends to progress studies and models to estimate potential environmental impacts, as well as progress reports that will provide the information needed for future development of the Environmental Impact Statement (“ EIS ”). In particular, the Company plans to:
-
Continue collection of baseline data for groundwater, surface water, wetlands, vegetation, materials characterization (static and kinetic testing), noise, visual, and biological studies; and
-
Use baseline data collected to advance baseline reports to support the future EIS.
The Company also plans to progress the following:
Tamarack North Project:
-
Advance workplans to model potential impacts to the environment from the Tamarack North Project, including air modeling, surface water, groundwater and wetland impact modeling, geochemical modeling as well as visual and noise impact modelling; and
-
Commencing compilation of reports and plans to support the development of the future EIS data submittal.
These documents would be in five categories: the completed EAW data submittal, baseline data reports, modelling reports, resource reports, and management plans. These reports would also support preparation of the future permit applications.
Battery Minerals Processing Facility, North Dakota:
- Once the acquisition of the site in Mercer County is completed, the Federal Environmental Assessment will be finalized.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
In partnership with the community, the Company intends to build upon current community engagement and plans to:
-
Identify potential community impacts and opportunities connected to project operations;
-
Develop community investment plans that align with the community’s long-term development goals;
-
Ensure best in class community engagement and understanding of project operations; and
-
Promote equal opportunities for good-paying, high-quality jobs with involvement of organized labor in the design and establishment of operations.
Engineering and Feasibility Study
The Company has completed significant engineering work for the underground mine and the surface facilities at the underground mine to inform the initial stages of state-level environmental review in Minnesota. The Company also intends to progress a similar package of initial engineering work for the Battery Minerals Processing Facility in North Dakota to support a Federal Environmental Assessment.
The Company believes that there is sufficient resource knowledge, geotechnical data, and environmental baseline data for Talon to continue to advance engineering work towards a feasibility study for the development of a mine and rail loadout facility at the Tamarack North Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility. The engineering work for the feasibility study will consist of four main scope areas:
-
Underground mine;
-
Mine access development; using a tunnel-boring machine (TBM) or alternative mine access methods;
-
Surface facilities (including rail loadout facility) at the underground mine; and
-
Battery Materials Processing Facility (“BMPF”).
Talon has ongoing extensive engagement with construction contractors and engineering firms within these four scope areas.
In addition, environmental and regulatory considerations will be considered during every step of the engineering design, as well as opportunities for innovation and cost savings. Models for capital costs, operating costs, and revenue will be created to develop a definitive economic analysis of the Tamarack North Project and the BMPF.
Anticipated Timing and Costs to take the Tamarack North Project to the Next Milestone
As announced in a news release dated June 21, 2023, the Company achieved the milestone detailed in the Company’s first quarter 2023 MD&A with the filing of the EAW with the MDNR.
The next “milestone” for the Tamarack North Project is the completion of a feasibility study. To achieve this milestone, among other things, the Company is undertaking a large number of tradeoff studies (including, pre-feasibility study level trade-offs studies) in 2024 to optimize the mining project to be located within the Tamarack North Project and support the environmental review
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
process in advance of completing a feasibility study.
Since the submission of the EAW on June 21, 2023, the Company has received two rounds of comments from the MNDNR and Tribal sovereign governments (see also “Company Overview – Tamarack Project – Tamarack North Project”). These comments have resulted in numerous tradeoff studies and associated design improvements. These new design improvements have positively affected the project’s overall environmental signature. The iterative nature of the EAW process and the nature of the feedback allows the Company to respond with factual answers, data, or project changes that avoid, further reduce, or mitigate impacts on the environment. The Company continues to make improvements to the design that aim to reduce land disturbance, reduce wetlands impacts, minimize contact water, and avoid exposure of sulfide bearing rock to the atmosphere outside of enclosed facilitates or containers.
Given that the Company will have studied a large number of alternatives, the Company will arrive at an optimal design before completing its feasibility study, which is planned to be completed in unison with the EIS (expected in 2025).
The estimated cost of completing the feasibility study, including the trade-off studies, is expected to be approximately $7 million. This amount compares to working capital of $19.0 million as of December 31, 2023. This $7 million cost excludes other costs such as environmental review and permitting in Minnesota and North Dakota, acquiring and maintaining land packages, local costs, cost of operations, community and external engagement, overhead, public company costs and all infill drilling and exploration.
There is no assurance the various business objectives, plans or milestone as detailed above will be completed on the timelines outlined (or at all). The exploration, development and construction of mineral projects are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. See section below entitled “Risks and Uncertainties” .
19
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
November 2022 Prospectus Offering
On November 9, 2022, the Company completed the November 2022 Prospectus Offering (defined below). The Company has been using the net proceeds from the November 2022 Prospectus Offering, together with pre-existing available funds, as disclosed in the section titled “Use of Net Proceeds” in the Company’s prospectus supplement dated November 9, 2022 to the 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus (the “ November 2022 Prospectus ”) that has been filed on SEDAR+ for advancing its planned exploration and development program at the Tamarack North Project and for general corporate and working capital purposes. The table below is a comparison of the “Use of Net Proceeds” from the November 2022 Prospectus with the amount spent from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023. The “Use of Net Proceeds” budget was for the period commencing November 1, 2022.
| Category | Budget or “Use of Net Proceeds” from November 2022 Prospectus Actual Expenditures as of October 31, 2023 Balance of Expenditures (Additionally Allocated) as of October 31, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Exploration, drilling, geophysics and mineral resource Metallurgical and processing Environmental studies, permitting, social or community impact and government relations Engineering and feasibility study Tamarack land package Local site costs, legal support, data management and other Michigan Properties exploration and contiguous title expenses Public company costs and investor relations General corporate and working capital Total |
$8,000,000 $13,354,775 ($5,354,775) 2,900,000 986,182 1,913,818 9,000,000 12,635,747 (3,635,747) 16,400,000 9,025,959 7,374,041 1,400,000 1,583,462 (183,462) 3,200,000 4,750,126 (1,550,126) 1,400,000 545,095 854,905 2,200,000 2,006,125 193,875 733,840 19,801 714,039 |
| $45,233,840 $44,907,272 $326,568 |
To October 31, 2023, $44.9 million of the budgeted $45.2 million “Use of Net Proceeds” has been expended. Of the $44.9 million expended, $13.4 million has been incurred on exploration, which includes exploration drilling, geophysics, and infill drilling and some support for the feasibility study in the areas of metallurgical testing and geotechnical engineering. The budget is focused on exploration, environmental/permitting and engineering which are all necessary to move forward with the project to start construction.
The spending on exploration drilling, geophysics, and infill drilling is higher than planned due to the positive exploration results in the new Raptor Zone which resulted in more drilling and a reallocation of the budget from the other categories.
The greater than expected spending on environmental studies, permitting, social or community impact and government relations was because of the Company’s focus on the EAW given that the environmental review process is on the critical path for putting the mine into production.
The less than expected spending on engineering and feasibility study was because the Company decided to transition to engineering teams with specialized and local knowledge with a reduced cost for the reported period.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
The greater than expected spending on local site costs, legal support, data management and other was primarily due to legal costs associated with the DOE BMPF Grant, the DOD Exploration Grant, the Minnesota environmental review process, and legal costs towards the acquisition of land in North Dakota for the BMPF.
Substantially all of the funds from the “Use of Net Proceeds” from the November 2022 Prospectus Financing has been spent as of October 31, 2023 in the manner outlined above.
October 2023 Private Placement
On October 17, 2023, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 80,350,000 common shares of the Company with an investor (the “ October 2023 Private Placement ”). The common shares were issued at a price of approximately $0.27 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $21.7 million.
The Company intends to use the proceeds from the October 2023 Private Placement for further exploration, to progress its feasibility study in respect of the Tamarack North Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility and to progress the environmental review process towards permitting for the Tamarack North Project and the Battery Minerals Processing Facility, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
In connection with the October 2023 Private Placement, the Company entered into an investment agreement with the investor pursuant to which the Company has granted the investor a contractual participation right in respect of future equity financings by the Company to allow the investor the ability to maintain its ownership interest in the Company.
Qualified Persons
Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this MD&A (other than the Resource Estimate), including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.
The Qualified Persons who are responsible for the Resource Estimate in this MD&A are Mr. Brian Thomas and Mr. Roger Jackson, both independent of Talon. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Jackson have reviewed, approved and verified the data disclosed in this MD&A relating to the Resource Estimate including, sampling, analytical and test data underlying the Resource Estimate and have visited the site and reviewed and verified the QA/QC procedures used at the Tamarack North Project and found them to be consistent with industry standards.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ON EXPLORATION PROJECTS
Deferred exploration and development expenditures of the Company are comprised as follows:
| Dec 31, 2022 2023 Additions |
Dec 31, 2022 2023 Additions |
Dec 31, 2022 2023 Additions |
Foreign Exchange Dec 31, 2023 |
Foreign Exchange Dec 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral properties - Resource properties and deferred Canadian dollars) |
expenditures (presented in | |||
| Tamarack Project | $160,470,343 | $44,150,898 | $(4,619,916) | $200,001,325 |
| Michigan Properties | 9,394,861 | 687,297 | (229,060) | 9,853,098 |
| Total | $169,865,204 | $44,838,195 | $(4,848,976) | $209,854,423 |
Total deferred exploration and development expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $44.8 million, with substantially all spent on the Tamarack Project. The spending on the Michigan Properties for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $0.7 million.
As detailed in the table above under “ Tamarack Project - Work Completed/Expenditures – Tamarack North Project and Tamarack South Project ” amounts incurred on the exploration of mineral properties for the year ended December 31, 2023 amounted to $44.2 million in respect of the Tamarack Project.
The foreign exchange loss of $4.8 million is a non-cash item that is the result of fluctuations in the Canadian dollar denominated carrying value of the project which has been converted from United States dollars, as a result of the change in the Canadian dollar/United States dollar exchange rate from 1.3544 at December 31, 2022 to 1.3226 at December 31, 2023. IFRS requires that the yearend or period-end United States dollar balance of Resource properties and deferred expenditures be converted to Canadian dollars at the year-end or period-end exchange rate.
Amounts incurred on the exploration of mineral properties for the year ended December 31, 2022 amounted to $56.1 million and was the result of amounts incurred by Talon in respect of the Tamarack Project in accordance with the 2018 Option Agreement, primarily for exploration, drilling, geophysics and payments required pursuant to mineral leases.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
| December 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Held for trading, measured at fair value: Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 6,986,351 | $ 14,986,420 |
| Treasurybills and term deposits | 15,795,852 | 28,265,218 |
Talon is exposed to various risks related to its financial assets and liabilities. The most significant of these risks are discussed below and are managed on an ongoing basis.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Credit Risk Management
Certain of the Company’s financial assets are exposed to a degree of credit risk. The Company endeavors to mitigate credit risk by holding its cash and cash equivalents as cash deposits, shortterm government treasury bills, money market funds and term deposits with major commercial banks. The cash deposits and term deposits are held with major international banks.
Credit risk relating to accounts receivable arises from the possibility that any counterparty to an instrument fails to perform. The Company does not feel there is significant counterparty risk that could have an impact on the fair value of cash and cash equivalents and receivables.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due or at reasonable cost. The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis and its capital, development and exploration expenditures.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a cash, cash equivalents, treasury bills and term deposits balance of $22.8 million, (December 31, 2022 – $43.3 million) to settle current liabilities of $4.4 million (December 31, 2022 – $4.2 million).
To meet future working capital requirements, the Company will need to raise financing, reduce spending by cutting costs or certain activities, sell non-core assets and/or develop the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in carrying out any of these activities to meet the Company’s future working capital requirements and commitments.
Such material uncertainty may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Failure to continue as a going concern would require that the Company’s assets and liabilities be restated on a liquidation basis, which would differ from the going concern basis.
On January 31, 2022, the Company closed the January 2022 Prospectus Offering and January 2022 Concurrent Private Placement.
On November 16, 2022, the Company closed the November 2022 Prospectus Offering.
On October 17, 2023, the Company closed the October 2023 Private Placement
World events, including the wars in Ukraine and Israel, increases in interest rates, high inflation, capital and stock market volatility and the decrease in global nickel prices have had a negative impact on the Company’s ability to raise capital and/or operations.
See “ Financial Condition, Cash Flow, Liquidity and Capital Resources – Liquidity and Capital Resources”, “Risks and Uncertainties” and “Outlook” for further important information.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, including foreign exchange rates and interest rates will affect the Company’s income or the value of its financial instruments.
23
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
The Company records its investments using the closing price at the end of the reporting period. Changes in the closing price will affect the fair value of these investments.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company held no investments other than cash and cash equivalents, treasury bills and term deposits which management considers to not be materially susceptible to market risks.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company is exposed to movements in the United States dollar. Payments made to Kennecott and substantially all of the costs associated with the operatorship of the Tamarack Project are denominated in United States dollars. Talon’s head-office salaries, administrative costs and fees to Canadian-based consultants are denominated in Canadian dollars. Talon’s financing activities have been primarily in Canadian dollars.
Given the above, the Company maintains funds in both Canadian and U.S. dollars taking into account cash needs over the medium term.
As of December 31, 2023, Talon was exposed to movements in the United States dollar as a result of cash on hand, certain accounts payable and the majority of costs associated with the development of the Tamarack Project.
At December 31, 2023, the Company had net monetary assets in United States dollars of $15.0 million (Canadian dollar equivalent). If foreign exchange rates had changed by 5% on the last day of the period with all other facts/assumptions held constant, there would be a change in the net income or loss of the Company for the three months ended December 31, 2023 of approximately $0.8 million.
The majority of costs associated with the development of the Tamarack Project are denominated in United States dollars. Volatility of the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate, such as due to world events, may increase the Canadian dollar denominated cost of the Company’s operations
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. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk to the extent of its interest income on holding of cash equivalents, government treasury bills, money market funds and term deposits.
The cash equivalents, government treasury bills, money market funds and term deposits typically have a term to maturity of three to nine months. It is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest or credit risks arising from the cash equivalents, government treasury bills, money market funds and term deposits due to their short maturities and high credit ratings of the counterparty. The Company mitigates its risk by holding investments that are low in risk and have a relatively short term to maturity.
The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments approximate their fair values unless otherwise noted.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
The Company’s financial instruments are classified as current assets or liabilities on the statement of financial position of the Company. For receivables/payables with a remaining life of less than one year, the notional amount is deemed to reflect the fair value.
Fair Value Hierarchy
The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly, such as prices, or indirectly (derived from prices). Level 3 inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity), such as non-corroborative indicative prices for a particular instrument provided by a third party.
The Company has classified its financial assets and liabilities as follows at December 31, 2023:
Level 1 Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,986,351 Treasury bills and term deposits 15,795,852
FINANCIAL CONDITION, CASH FLOW, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flow Highlights
| Year ended Dec 31, 2023 |
Year ended Dec 31, 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Operating activities | $(1,745,419) | $(1,483,351) |
| Investing activities | (28,077,429) | (72,692,535) |
| Financing activities | 21,841,518 | 68,041,827 |
| Increase (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents | (7,981,330) | (6,134,059) |
| Effect of foreign exchange on consolidation | (18,739) | 71,214 |
| Beginning cash & cash equivalents | 14,986,420 | 21,049,265 |
| Ending cash & cash equivalents | $6,986,351 | $14,986,420 |
Operating Activities
Operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 consumed $1.7 million of cash primarily due to net operating expenses and a reduction in working capital. This compares to $1.5 million consumed during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in the cash consumed during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to working capital adjustments.
Investing Activities
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 consumed $28.1 million compared to $72.7 million in the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily the result of significant net sales of treasury bills and term deposits. Excluding the investments in treasury bills and term deposits, investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 consumed $40.3 million primarily relating to capitalized exploration costs compared to $49.4 million for the same period in the prior year. For details on the spending during the year ended December 31, 2023, see the section titled “Work Completed/Expenditures – Tamarack North Project and
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Tamarack South Project” , with the difference due to non-cash expenditures, working capital adjustments, and capitalized fixed assets that are being depreciated to Resource properties and deferred expenditures.
Financing Activities
On December 7, 2021, the Company filed a final short form base shelf prospectus (the “2021 Base Shelf Prospectus ”) with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. Pursuant to the 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus, Talon was able to issue common shares, debt securities, subscription receipts or warrants or any combination of such securities as units, in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, for an aggregate offering amount of up to $90 million during the 25-month period that the 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus remains effective. Talon filed the 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus to give it flexibility to take advantage of financing opportunities as they may arise and as the Company deems appropriate, subject to market conditions and other relevant factors. The 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus was withdrawn effective February 17, 2023, the date that the 2023 Base Shelf Prospectus (defined below) became effective.
On January 31, 2022, the Company closed a bought deal public offering of common shares of the Company pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus (the “ January 2022 Prospectus Offering” ). Pursuant to the January 2022 Prospectus Offering, Talon issued 38,200,000 common shares at a price of $0.72 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of $27,504,000. Concurrently with the closing of the January 2022 Prospectus Offering, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 8,953,013 common shares at a price of $0.72 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,446,169 ( “January 2022 Concurrent Private Placement” ).
On November 16, 2022, the Company closed a bought deal public offering of common shares of the Company pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the 2021 Base Shelf Prospectus (the “ November 2022 Prospectus Offering” ). Pursuant to the November 2022 Prospectus Offering, Talon issued an aggregate of 75,231,237 common shares, including 8,831,237 common shares issued upon the partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at a price of $0.49 per Share (the for aggregate gross proceeds of $36,863,306.
On February 17, 2023, the Company filed a final short form base shelf prospectus (the “2023 Base Shelf Prospectus ”) with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. Pursuant to the 2023 Base Shelf Prospectus, Talon may issue common shares, debt securities, subscription receipts or warrants or any combination of such securities as units, in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, for an aggregate offering amount of up to $150 million during the 25-month period that the 2023 Base Shelf Prospectus remains effective. Talon filed the 2023 Base Shelf Prospectus to give it flexibility to take advantage of financing opportunities as they may arise and as the Company deems appropriate, subject to market conditions and other relevant factors.
On October 17, 2023, the Company closed the October 2023 Private Placement.
The Company evaluates possible financing activities on an ongoing basis, the Company’s short and long-term budgets in respect of its projects and working capital requirements, as well as the
26
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
availability and costs associated with raising additional capital.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a cash, cash equivalents, treasury bills and term deposits balance of $22.8 million, (December 31, 2022 – $43.3 million) to settle current liabilities of $4.4 million (December 31, 2022 – $4.2 million). In addition, the Company has access to the DOE BMPF Grant and the DOD Exploration Grant, both on a cost-share basis and under the terms of the respective agreements.
Working capital as of December 31, 2023 is sufficient to meet the next milestone discussed in the section above “Anticipated Timing and Costs to take the Tamarack North Project to the Next Milestone”.
To meet future working capital requirements, the Company will need to raise financing, reduce spending by cutting costs or certain activities, sell non-core assets and/or develop the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in carrying out any of these activities to meet the Company’s future working capital requirements and commitments.
The Company’s monthly cash outflows are dependent on whether and to what extent the Company is pursuing an active exploration program. The Company’s monthly cash outflows are also dependent on the outlook for raising additional capital and the current amount of working capital. As such, the Company can reduce operating and investing spending to adjust for periods when access to financing is constrained.
Pursuant to an investment agreement dated November 7, 2018 between the Company and Resource Capital Fund VI L.P. (“ RCF ”), for as long as RCF and its affiliates, on a partially diluted basis, hold common shares of the Company equal to or exceeding 10% of all common shares issued and outstanding, RCF has the right to participate in any equity financings of the Company (other than certain exempt issuances) at the same price and on the same terms, on a pro rata basis, such that RCF is entitled to maintain its percentage interest in common shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis.
See “ Financial Instruments – Liquidity Risk” (including in respect of the potential impact of the COVID-19) and “Risks and Uncertainties” for further important information.
A summary of Contributed Surplus for the period from January 1, 2022 to December 31 , 2023 is as follows:
| Balance | December 31, 2021 | $30,308,448 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock options | Stock option compensation | 7,006,825 |
| Stock options | Stock options exercised | (595,282) |
| Warrants | Warrants expired | 3,023,498 |
| Balance | December 31, 2022 | 39,743,489 |
| Stock options | Stock option compensation | 3,687,487 |
| Stock options | Stock options exercised | (126,371) |
| Balance | December 31, 2023 | $43,304,605 |
27
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
DISCLOSURE OF OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
As of March 21, 2024, the Company had 934,718,967 common shares issued and outstanding.
The following table details the common shares and convertible securities of the Company which are outstanding as of March 21, 2024:
| Expiry Date | Exercise Price | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Shares | 934,718,967 | ||
| Stock Options | March 22, 2024 | $0.095 | 2,169,150 |
| Stock Options | March 13, 2025 | 0.100 | 3,000,000 |
| Stock Options | August 14, 2025 | 0.260 | 625,000 |
| Stock Options | December 28, 2025 | 0.510 | 550,000 |
| Stock Options | March 19, 2026 | 0.200 | 4,307,736 |
| Stock Options | May 28, 2026 | 0.200 | 450,000 |
| Stock Options | May 28, 2026 | 0.250 | 3,750,000 |
| Stock Options | June 25, 2026 | 0.200 | 11,050,000 |
| Stock Options | October 22, 2026 | 0.200 | 1,600,000 |
| Stock Options | January 13, 2027 | 0.250 | 1,600,000 |
| Stock Options | February 3, 2027 | 0.200 | 5,000,000 |
| Stock Options | February 18, 2027 | 0.200 | 1,300,000 |
| Stock Options | March 9, 2027 | 0.200 | 1,550,000 |
| Stock Options | April 14, 2027 | 0.200 | 1,000,000 |
| Stock Options | May 16, 2027 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | June 29, 2027 | 0.200 | 500,000 |
| Stock Options | July 15, 2027 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | August 15, 2027 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | September 15, 2027 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | September 29, 2027 | 0.200 | 100,000 |
| Stock Options | December 20, 2027 | 0.200 | 5,500,000 |
| Stock Options | December 20, 2027 | 0.250 | 1,500,000 |
| Stock Options | January 16, 2028 | 0.200 | 1,300,000 |
| Stock Options | February 15, 2028 | 0.200 | 300,000 |
| Stock Options | February 15, 2028 | 0.425 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | March 15, 2028 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | May 23, 2028 | 0.200 | 3,950,000 |
| Stock Options | May 23, 2028 | 0.325 | 350,000 |
| Stock Options | June 15, 2028 | 0.200 | 1,250,000 |
| Stock Options | June 15, 2028 | 0.310 | 100,000 |
| Stock Options | August 16, 2028 | 0.200 | 250,000 |
| Stock Options | November 1, 2028 | 0.200 | 1,750,000 |
| Stock Options | December 21, 2028 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | December 21, 2028 | 0.205 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | January 15, 2029 | 0.200 | 1,750,000 |
| Stock Options | March 22, 2029 | 0.095 | 26,218,061 |
| Stock Options | June 6, 2029 | 0.180 | 4,962,735 |
| Stock Options | October 2, 2029 | 0.180 | 1,000,000 |
| Stock Options | October 28, 2029 | 0.165 | 6,000,000 |
| Stock Options | December 12, 2029 | 0.145 | 1,250,000 |
| Stock Options | March 13, 2030 | 0.100 | 2,380,000 |
| Stock Options | July 22, 2030 | 0.145 | 350,000 |
| Stock Options | July 23, 2030 | 0.145 | 500,000 |
| Stock Options | August 7, 2030 | 0.200 | 350,000 |
| Stock Options | August 14, 2030 | 0.200 | 150,000 |
| Stock Options | August 15, 2030 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | October 28, 2030 | 0.200 | 200,000 |
| Stock Options | December 28, 2030 | 0.200 | 10,200,000 |
| Stock Options | December 28, 2030 | 0.250 | 7,915,000 |
28
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the year ended December 31, 2023
| Expiry Date Exercise Price |
Total |
|---|---|
| Stock Options December 28, 2030 0.510 |
190,000 |
| Total number of shares issuable on exercise of convertible securities (i.e., fully-diluted shares outstanding): |
1,054,736,649 |
As the Company and Talon Nickel continue to expand, stock options were issued by the Company during 2023 and 2022 primarily to new employees and consultants.
The following details the change in stock options outstanding of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2023:
| Options | Exercise Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding – beginning of year | 118,448,007 | $0.37 |
| Granted | 1,700,000 | 0.48 |
| Granted | 500,000 | 0.43 |
| Granted | 400,000 | 0.41 |
| Granted | 4,850,000 | 0.325 |
| Granted | 1,450,000 | 0.31 |
| Granted | 250,000 | 0.27 |
| Granted | 2,150,000 | 0.23 |
| Granted | 400,000 | 0.205 |
| Exercised | (300,000) | 0.095 |
| Exercised | (75,000) | 0.145 |
| Exercised | (1,755,325) | 0.095 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.52 |
| Cancelled | (100,000) | 0.78 |
| Cancelled | (100,000) | 0.74 |
| Cancelled | (50,000) | 0.51 |
| Cancelled | (262,500) | 0.52 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.445 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.475 |
| Cancelled | (400,000) | 0.59 |
| Cancelled | (400,000) | 0.59 |
| Cancelled | (87,500) | 0.52 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.41 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.66 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.67 |
| Cancelled | (100,000) | 0.475 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.325 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.51 |
| Cancelled | (200,000) | 0.65 |
| Cancelled | (250,000) | 0.445 |
| Cancelled | (100,000) | 0.445 |
| Cancelled | (100,000) | 0.475 |
| Outstanding– end ofperiod | 124,267,682 | $0.365 |
All of the stock options outstanding have been issued pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan.
29
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Estimated fair value of stock options
The Company determined the fair value of the stock options issued during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:
| Share Price Risk-free interest rate Expected life Expected volatility Dividend yield Forfeiture rate |
Year endedDecember 31, 2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| 2.94% - 4.12% 1.52% - 3.76% 5 years 5 years 60% 60% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
Stock option compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, presented in the table below, was recognized in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss. In addition, amounts related to stock option compensation attributable to work carried out on the Tamarack Project were capitalized to Resource properties and deferred expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, also presented in the table below.
| Year ended Year ended |
|
|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 |
|
| Stock option compensation - expensed Stock option compensation - capitalized Stock option compensation - total |
258,742 $ 1,315,752 $ 3,428,745 5,691,073 |
| 3,687,487 $ 7,006,825 $ |
30
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Talon is subject to a number of risk factors due to the nature of the mineral business in which it is engaged, the limited extent of its assets and its stage of development.
The exploration operations of the Company are speculative due to the high-risk nature of its business which is primarily focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral projects. The Company’s activities in pursuit of its objectives are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
The following is a summary of the most significant of those risks and uncertainties affecting or that could affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. For a further discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company, please refer to the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Risk Factors” available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. These risk factors could materially affect the Company’s future operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company. The Company may face additional risks and uncertainties, including, risks and uncertainties that are unknown to the Company or risks and uncertainties that the Company now believes to be unimportant, which could have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company. If any of the risks actually occur, the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company could be negatively affected.
Working Capital Requirements
In order to meet future working capital requirements, the Company will need to raise additional capital, reduce spending by cutting costs or certain activities, sell non-core assets and/or develop the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine. If the Company seeks to raise additional capital, it may not be available when needed, or if available, the terms of such capital might not be favourable to the Company. Global securities markets continue to experience volatility caused by, among other things, certain world events including the wars in Ukraine and Israel, high inflation, increasing interest rates and fears of recession, which may result in difficulty raising equity capital and market forces may render it difficult or impossible for the Company to secure investors to purchase any new share issuances at prices which will not lead to severe dilution to existing shareholders, or at all. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising additional capital, reducing spending by cutting costs or certain activities, selling non-core assets and/or developing the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine to meet the Company’s future working capital requirements. If the Company is not successful in doing so (or in doing so sufficiently), it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations (including, in certain circumstances, the ability of the Company to continue to operate as a going concern).
Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which presumes that the Company will continue operations for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to raise financing, reduce spending by cutting costs or certain activities, sell non-core assets and/or develop the Tamarack Project into a profitable mine. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
31
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
carrying out any of these activities to meet the Company’s future working capital requirements and commitments and continue operations for the foreseeable future. These circumstances create a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Changes in the Price of Nickel and Influence of Indonesia
The ability to develop the Tamarack Project is directly related to the market price of nickel. Nickel is sold in an active global market and traded on commodity exchanges, such as the LME and the New York Mercantile Exchange. Nickel prices are subject to significant fluctuations (as was seen in March 2022 when the price of nickel spiked and the LME ceased trading of Nickel for a period of time as a consequence of the war in Ukraine) and are affected by many factors, including actual and expected macroeconomic and political conditions, levels of supply and demand, the availability and costs of substitutes, input costs, foreign exchange rates, inventory levels, investments by commodity funds and other actions of participants in the commodity markets. Nickel prices have fluctuated widely, particularly in recent years.
More recently, Indonesia's mined nickel production has jumped to approximately 55% of global output in 2023. This amount of global nickel supply provides Indonesia with the ability to convert market influence into explicit pricing power. The nickel market is already seeing an oversupply of nickel from Indonesia resulting in lower prices which have brought a number of operating nickel mine closures and writedowns in the face of these low prices.
Consequently, the economic viability of the Tamarack Project cannot be accurately predicted and may be adversely affected by fluctuations in nickel prices and the influence of Indonesia on the nickel market and price.
2018 Option Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of the 2018 Option Agreement, Talon Nickel has the further right to acquire a 60% interest in the Tamarack Project, subject to the completion of certain conditions. In the event that Talon Nickel fails to meet the requirements to earn such interest in the Tamarack Project, in certain limited circumstances, Talon Nickel may revert to a minority interest in the Tamarack Project and cease to be the operator of the Tamarack Project. In such case, all future funding requirements for the Tamarack Project would be determined by Kennecott (in its capacity as operator), and any failure by Talon Nickel to fund its proportional share of such funding would result in dilution of its interest in the Tamarack Project.
In order for Talon Nickel to earn a 60% interest in accordance with the 2018 Option Agreement, the Company will be required to raise additional capital and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising such capital. If the Company is successful in raising capital, it could result in substantial dilution to existing shareholders of the Company.
North Dakota Battery Minerals Processing Facility and Related US Government Funding
On October 19, 2022, Talon Nickel was selected as a recipient of the first set of projects funded by the United States Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The application proposed an ore processing and tailings management facility located at an existing industrial brownfields site in Mercer County, North Dakota, receiving feedstock from the Tamarack North Project and other potential sources in North America. Effective November 1, 2023, Talon Nickel entered into the definitive
32
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
agreement with the US Department of Energy setting the terms, conditions and performance milestones for US$114.85 million in grant funding for the Battery Minerals Processing Facility (the “ Grant Agreement ”) . Talon Nickel will be required to arrange financing to pay for its cost-share portion of the grant. If it fails to do so, the US Department of Energy will not provide cost-share dollars and may terminate the grant. If Talon Nickel does not meet the conditions and performance milestones set out in the Grant Agreement, the US Department of Energy may revoke further funding for the Battery Minerals Processing Facility and the Company may be required to arrange financing for the portion of the Battery Minerals Processing Facility that would have been funded by the grant or may no longer be able to continue with the development/construction of the Battery Minerals Processing Facility. In addition, delays in receiving cost-share repayments from the US Department of Energy and/or rejections of expenditures deemed ineligible by the US Department of Energy for spending that Talon Nickel has already incurred may result in cash flow issues for Talon Nickel and the Company.
The acquisition of the site in North Dakota is actively under negotiations and the Company has not entered into any agreements in respect thereof. The Company may not be able to reach any such agreements on favourable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to reach any such agreements, subject to the approval of the US Department of Energy, the Company will need to identify and acquire another site in North Dakota or elsewhere in order to meet its obligations under the Grant Agreement and the Tesla Supply Agreement.
Any such events may have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business and operations (including the market price of the common shares of the Company).
US Department of Defense Funding for Exploration
Talon Nickel will be required to arrange additional financing to pay for its total cost-share portion of the DOD Exploration Grant. If it fails to do so, the US Department of Defense will not provide additional cost-share dollars. If Talon Nickel does not meet the conditions set out in the agreement, the US Department of Defense may revoke further funding. In addition, the US Department of Defense my terminate the agreement at any time.
Delays in receiving cost-share repayments from the US Department of Defense and/or rejections of expenditures deemed ineligible by the US Department of Defense for spending that Talon Nickel has already incurred may result in cash flow issues for Talon Nickel and the Company.
Any such events may have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business and operations (including the market price of the common shares of the Company).
Governmental Regulation; Environmental Risks and Hazards
The mineral exploration activities of the Company and Kennecott (in respect of the Tamarack Project) are subject to various laws governing prospecting, development, production, taxes, labour standards and occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Mining, beneficiation and exploration activities are also subject to various laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Although the Company believes that its and Kennecott’s (in respect of the Tamarack Project) exploration activities are currently carried out in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, no assurance can be given that new rules and regulations will not be enacted, including any limitation, or prohibition, on sulphide mining, or that existing rules and regulations will not be applied in a manner that could limit or curtail
33
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
production or development of the Company’s properties. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing the operations and activities of the Company or more stringent implementation thereof could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and cause increases in exploration expenses, capital expenditures or production costs, reduction in levels of production at producing properties, or abandonment or delays in development of the Company’s existing and/or new properties.
All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates, including, as it relates to the Tamarack Project, the regulations applicable in Minnesota, USA. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that existing or future environmental regulation will not materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties on which the Company holds interests that are unknown to the Company at present and that have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties.
In particular, existing and possible future environmental and social impact legislation, regulations and actions, including the regulation of air and water quality (including, changes to the regulations in Minnesota surrounding the protection of waters in which wild rice inhabits), mining reclamation, solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal, the promotion of occupational health and safety, the protection of wildlife and ecological systems and the protection of the societies and communities of indigenous peoples, could cause significant expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the Company’s activities, the extent of which cannot be predicted and which may well be beyond its capacity to fund. Environmental and social impact studies may be required for some operations, and significant fines and clean-up responsibilities may be imposed for companies causing damage to the environment in the course of their activities.
In addition, the Company could incur substantial losses as a result of loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution and other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties, suspension of operations and repairs to resume operations.
Government approvals and permits are currently, or may in the future be, required in connection with the Company’s operations, including approvals that may be required for the Company to act as operator in respect of the Tamarack Project while the Tamarack Project exploration leases are in the name of Kennecott. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained (or delayed), the Company may be curtailed or prohibited from proceeding with planned exploration or development of its properties, including the Tamarack Project.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining and beneficiation operations, including the Company, may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of such activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations, which may adversely affect the Company.
34
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Exploration, Development and Operating Risks
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. While the discovery of an ore body may result in substantial rewards, few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenses may be required to locate and establish mineral reserves, to develop metallurgical processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. Actual exploration, development and/or other costs and economic returns may differ significantly from those the Company has anticipated. It is impossible to ensure that the exploration programs planned by Talon will result in a profitable commercial mining operation. Talon cannot give any assurance that its current and future exploration activities and/or metallurgical testing will be consistent with the Company’s expectations or result in any additional mineralization and/or a mineral deposit containing mineral reserves. Whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, some of which are: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; commodity prices that are highly cyclical; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. In addition, whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on the quantum of royalties payable, which, in respect of the Tamarack Project, may vary dependent on the interpretation of the royalty calculation under the Tamarack Project state leases. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in Talon not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
Although Talon’s present activities are directed towards the financing, exploration and development of mineral projects, its activities may also ultimately include mining operations. Mining and exploration operations generally involve a high degree of risk. Talon’s operations are subject to all the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development, production and beneficiation of nickel, copper and platinum, including unusual and unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, cave-ins, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, damage to life or property, environmental damage and possible legal liability. Although adequate precautions to minimize risk will be taken, mining and exploration operations are subject to hazards such as equipment failure or failure of retaining dams around tailings disposal areas which may result in environmental pollution and consequential liability.
The economic viability of mineral projects, including projects such as the Tamarack Project, may be affected, in part, by the ability of the operator to mine, beneficiate and, to the extent the Company has not already done so, enter into off-take agreements with potential end users. No assurance can be made that Talon will be successful in entering into off-take agreements in respect of local and/or export sales or, if necessary, in accessing local smelting facilities.
Community Relations and Non-Governmental Organizations
The Company’s relationships with the community in which it operates are critical to the success of the Company’s operations and the exploration, construction and development of the Tamarack Project. At any given time, there may be ongoing and potentially increasing public concern relating to the perceived effect of mining activities on the environment and on communities impacted by such activities. Certain non-governmental organizations (“ NGOs ”), some of which oppose resource development generally, are often vocal critics of the mining industry and its practices, including processing activities. Adverse publicity generated by such NGOs or others related to
35
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
extractive industries generally, or Talon’s operations specifically, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s reputation or financial condition and may impact its relationship with the communities in which it operates. While Talon is committed to operating in a socially responsible and environmentally friendly manner, there is no guarantee that the Company’s efforts in this respect will mitigate this potential risk.
Conditions Relating to the Tesla Supply Agreement
The Tesla Supply Agreement is conditional upon: (i) Talon earning a 60% interest in the Tamarack North Project; (ii) Talon commencing commercial production at the Tamarack North Project; and (iii) the parties completing negotiations and executing detailed supply terms and conditions. Additionally, Talon will use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve commercial production on or before January 1, 2026 at the Tamarack North Project, which may be extended by the agreement of the parties for up to 12 months following which Tesla has a right to terminate the agreement and Talon may elect to sell to other parties. There is no assurance that any such conditions will be met or that Talon will achieve commercial production at the Tamarack North Project. If such conditions are not met or if the Tesla Supply Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business and operations (including the market price of the common shares of the Company).
Recent and Future Global Financial Developments
Global financial markets have experienced increased volatility in the last several years. This has been, in part, the result of the revaluation of assets on the balance sheets of international financial institutions and related securities in 2022 and 2023. This, in turn, has contributed to a reduction in liquidity among financial institutions and has reduced the availability of credit to those institutions and to the companies who borrow from them. While central banks as well as global governments have worked to restore much needed liquidity to the global economies, no assurance can be given that the combined impact of the significant revaluations and constraints on the availability of credit will not continue to materially and adversely affect economies around the world. No assurance can be given that efforts to respond to the crisis will continue or that, if continued, they will be successful or these economies will not be adversely affected by the inflationary pressures resulting from such efforts or central banks’ efforts to slow inflation. These market conditions and further volatility or illiquidity in capital markets may also adversely affect the prospects of the Company and the value of its shares.
Market Price of Common Shares; Impact of Volatility; Litigation resulting from Volatility
Securities of small-cap companies have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. In the past several years with the outbreak of COVID-19, the wars in Ukraine/Israel and an overall economic downturn, worldwide securities markets have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly those considered exploration or development stage companies, have experienced declines in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies.
The price of Talon’s common shares may also be affected by short-term changes in nickel or other relevant mineral prices or in its financial condition or results of operations (see also “Risks
36
TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
and Uncertainties – Changes in the Price of Nickel and Influence of Indonesia ”). Other factors unrelated to the Company’s performance that may have an effect on the price of Talon’s common shares include the following: COVID-19, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, the economy, the fact that RCF and Pallinghurst Nickel International Ltd. own or may sell a large number of common shares of the Company; the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning the Company’s business may be limited if investment banks with research capabilities do not follow the Company’s securities; lessening in trading volume and general market interest in the Company’s securities may affect an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of Talon’s common shares; the size of the Company’s public float may limit the ability of some institutions to invest in the Company’s securities; and a substantial decline in the price of Talon’s common shares that persists for a significant period of time could cause the Company’s securities to be delisted, further reducing market liquidity.
As a result of any of these factors, the market price of Talon’s common shares at any given point in time may not accurately reflect the Company’s long-term value. Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. The Company may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources.
Increased Availability of Alternative Nickel Sources or Substitution of Nickel from End Use Applications
Demand for primary nickel may be negatively affected by the direct substitution of primary nickel with other materials in current and future applications. In response to high nickel prices or other factors, producers of batteries may shift from batteries with high nickel content to batteries with either lower nickel content or no nickel content. In addition, in response to high nickel prices or other factors, producers and consumers of stainless steel may partially shift from stainless steel with high nickel content to stainless steels with either lower nickel content or no nickel content. One or both of these shifts may adversely affect demand for nickel.
COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak
COVID-19 may have a negative effect on the Company and the advancement of the Tamarack Project. In the future, outbreaks of new strains of COVID-19 may result in travel advisories and restrictions, certain restrictions on business operations, social distancing precautions and restrictions on group gatherings which may have direct impacts on businesses in the United States, Canada and around the world and could result in travel bans, closure of assay labs or delays in obtaining results from assay labs, work delays, restrictions on or shutting down of drilling operations, difficulties for contractors and employees getting to site, restrictions related to other mining related business and operations and the diversion of management attention all of which in turn could have a negative impact on development of the Tamarack Project and the Company generally. There can be no assurance that COVID-19 or any other public health crises will not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business and operations.
Wars in Ukraine and Israel
The military conflicts in Ukraine and Israel have led to heightened volatility in the global markets, increased inflation, and turbulence in commodities markets, including nickel. In response to Russian military actions in Ukraine, several countries (including Canada, the United States and
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
certain allies) have imposed economic sanctions and export control measures, and may impose additional sanctions or export control measures in the future, which have and could in the future result in, among other things, severe or complete restrictions on exports and other commerce and business dealings involving Russia, certain regions of Ukraine, and/or particular entities and individuals. While the Company does not have any direct exposure or connection to Russia, Ukraine or Israel, as the military conflict is a rapidly developing situation, it is uncertain as to how such events and any related economic sanctions will continue to impact the global economy and commodities markets. Any negative developments in respect thereof could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations or financial condition.
Litigation
The outcome of outstanding, pending or future proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and may be determined adversely against the Company or may delay the Company from proceeding with the Tamarack Project in a timely manner. Specifically, current litigation proceedings in Brazil, even in cases which the Company’s legal counsel believes have a possible chance of success by the counterparty, may be determined, in whole or in part, against the Company. One or more of such determinations against the Company may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and may have a material adverse impact on the ability of the Company to carry on operations.
Uncertainty Relating to Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources
There is a risk that the inferred and indicated mineral resources currently reported for the Tamarack Project cannot be converted into mineral reserves as the ability to assess geological continuity is not sufficient to demonstrate economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may attach to inferred and indicated mineral resources, there is no assurance that inferred and indicated mineral resources will be upgraded to resources with sufficient geological continuity to constitute proven and probable mineral reserves as a result of continued exploration.
Key Executives and Consultants
The Company is dependent on the services of key executives, including the directors of the Company and a small number of highly skilled and experienced employees and consultants. Due to the relatively small size of the Company, the loss of these persons or the Company’s inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees or consultants may adversely affect its business and future operations.
Exchange Rate Fluctuations
Certain of the Company’s financing activities are completed in Canadian dollars while the majority of the Company’s non-working capital costs are in United States dollars and any payments made under the 2018 Option Agreement and the Royalty Agreement will be made in United States dollars. As such, the Company is exposed to movements in the United States dollar.
A depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the United States dollar may negatively affect the Company’s current or future cash balance and may require the Company to raise additional capital to offset additional costs caused by exchange rate fluctuations. In addition, a depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the United States dollar may require the Company to raise more money than it otherwise would have been required to do. The Company may not be able to
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
complete such a larger financing which may result in the Company not being able to meet its obligations in respect of the Tamarack Project. Such a failure may have a material adverse impact on the Company, including potential dilution of its interest in the Tamarack Project and its ability to continue operating.
Land Title
With respect to the Tamarack Project, the mineral and surface interests are held in Kennecott’s name through various Minnesota state leases, private agreements and fee ownership. Maintenance of all of such rights are subject to ongoing compliance with the terms of such licenses, agreements and contracts. While the Company intends to take all reasonable steps to maintain title to its mineral properties, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in extending or renewing mineral rights on or prior to the expiration of their term. The acquisition of title to mineral properties is a very detailed and time-consuming process. Title to, and the area of, mineral concessions may be disputed. Although the Company believes it has taken reasonable measures to ensure proper title to its properties (including, the Tamarack Project), there is no guarantee that title to any of its properties will not be challenged or impaired. Third parties may have valid claims underlying portions of the Company’s interests, including prior unregistered liens, agreements, transfers or claims (including, native land claims) and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. In addition, the Company may be unable to operate its properties as permitted or to enforce its rights with respect to its properties.
Insurance and Uninsured Risks
Talon’s business is subject to a number of risks and hazards generally, including adverse environmental conditions, industrial accidents, labour disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground or slope failures, cave-ins, changes in the regulatory environment and natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods and earthquakes. Such occurrences could result in damage to mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage to the Company’s properties (including, the Tamarack Project) or the properties of others, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability.
Although Talon maintains insurance to protect against certain risks in such amounts as it considers reasonable, its insurance will not cover all the potential risks associated with the Company’s operations. Talon may also be unable to obtain or maintain insurance to cover risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration and production is not generally available to Talon or to other companies in the mining industry on acceptable terms. Talon might also become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards that may not be insured against or that Talon may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events may cause Talon to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon its financial performance and results of operations.
Political, Judicial, Administrative, Taxation or Other Regulatory Factors
Talon may be adversely affected by changes in political, judicial, administrative, taxation or other regulatory factors in the areas in which Talon operates and/or holds interests. Such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and cause increases in exploration expenses, capital expenditures or production
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TALON METALS CORP.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
costs, or abandonment or delays in development of the Company’s existing and/or new properties, including impacting decisions to continue with the funding of the Tamarack Project.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
Certain of the directors and officers of the Company also serve as directors and/or officers of other companies involved in natural resource exploration and development and consequently there exists the possibility for such directors and officers to be in a position of conflict. The Company expects that any decision made by any of such directors and officers involving the Company will be made in accordance with their duties and obligations to deal fairly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, but there can be no assurance in this regard.
Triple Flag Royalty Financing
Pursuant to the Royalty Agreement, Talon and its related entities have provided security to the Royalty Holder to support the payment and performance obligations related to the royalty and the guarantees. In the event Talon Nickel fails to meet such obligations, the Royalty Holder has the right to exercise its security and may, among other things, acquire Talon Nickel’s entire interest in the Tamarack Project.
The Royalty Agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit the discretion of management with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, the ability of the Company to amend the 2018 Option Agreement, cease to be the operator of the Tamarack Project, sell or dispose of Talon Nickel’s interest in the Tamarack Project, incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to sell or otherwise dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with another entity. A failure to comply with these obligations could result in an event of default (as defined under the Royalty Agreement) which, if not waived, could permit the Royalty Holder to exercise its security and, among other things, acquire Talon Nickel’s entire interest in the Tamarack Project.
Pursuant to the Royalty Agreement, Talon Nickel is required to make payment to the Royalty Holder based on an assumed ownership percentage in the Tamarack Project of 51% or 60%, depending on the particular circumstances. In the event that Talon Nickel dilutes below the assumed ownership percentage, it will nevertheless still be required to make payment to the Royalty Holder at the assumed ownership percentage. Given this unique payment structure under the Royalty Agreement, there is a risk that the Company may not have enough money to make the required payments to the Royalty Holder. In such circumstance, the failure by Talon Nickel to make adequate payment to the Royalty Holder would constitute an event of default under the Royalty Agreement, thereby entitling the Royalty Holder to exercise its security and, among other things, acquire Talon Nickel’s entire interest in the Tamarack Project.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
Related parties include directors and officers of the Company, close family members and enterprises which are controlled by these individuals as well as certain persons performing similar functions.
The spouse of the CEO provided recruiting services relating to new hires for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2022 for total fees of $10,209. No services were provided by the spouse of the CEO during 2023.
The remuneration, including benefits, of directors and officers of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:
1, 2023 and 2022 was as follows: |
|
|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, | |
| 2023 2022 Salaries and benefits of officers $ 4,607,353 $ 3,561,235 Board fees 82,500 81,813 Stock-based compensation 1,489,143 3,998,260 Total Aggregate Compensation $6,178,996$7,641,308 Salaries and benefits of officers $ 3,649,481 $ 3,029,104 Stock-based compensation 1,255,826 2,766,534 Total $4,905,307$5,795,638 Capitalized portion included in Total Aggregate Compensation (capitalized to Resource properties and deferred expenditures): |
2023 2022 |
| $ 4,607,353 $ 3,561,235 | |
| 82,500 81,813 | |
| 1,489,143 3,998,260 | |
| $6,178,996$7,641,308 | |
| $ 3,649,481 $ 3,029,104 |
|
| 1,255,826 2,766,534 | |
| $4,905,307$5,795,638 |
Cash compensation and stock option compensation are recorded on the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss in “Salaries, benefits, consulting and board fees” and on the consolidated statements of financial position in “Resource properties and deferred expenditures”.
Except as otherwise noted herein, all options issued in 2022 and 2023 vest over one year and have an expiration date that is five years from the date of grant.
In January 2022, 1,600,000 options were issued to two new members of the board of directors with an exercise price of $0.72.
In February 2022, 5,000,000 options were issued to officers with an exercise price of $0.66 of which 2,500,000 options vest over one year and 2,500,000 options vest over two years.
In June 2022, 1,000,000 options were issued to an officer with an exercise price of $0.51.
In December 2022, 5,750,000 options were issued to officers with an exercise price of $0.445.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no options issued to directors or officers.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
UPX OPTION AGREEMENT - MICHIGAN
On August 9, 2022, Talon entered into an option and earn-in agreement (the “ UPX Option Agreement ”) with UPX Minerals Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sweetwater Royalties) (“ UPX ”) to acquire up to an 80% ownership interest in the mineral rights over a land package comprised of approximately 400,000 acres located in the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan (the “ Michigan UPX Properties ”). Pursuant to the terms of the UPX Option Agreement, Talon has agreed to a minimum spending obligation of US$5 million in exploration expenditures or drilling of at least 7,500 meters, with any minimum spending deficiency payable to UPX. Talon has five years (until August 2027) to complete these minimum requirements. Talon will earn a 51% undivided interest in the Michigan UPX Properties upon the completion of 25,000 meters of drilling (the “ Stage One Requirement ”). Talon will have five years (until August 2027) to complete the Stage One Requirement, which may be extended in certain circumstances.
Talon will then have the option to earn an additional 29% interest in the Michigan UPX Properties (resulting in an 80% ownership interest) upon delivering a feasibility study prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 over a portion of the Michigan UPX Properties (the “ Stage Two Requirement ”). In the event that Talon does not complete the Stage Two Requirement within eight-years (which may be extended in certain circumstances) of determining a “mineral resource” as specifically defined in the UPX Option Agreement at the Michigan UPX Properties, Talon’s interest in the Michigan UPX Properties will be reduced to 49%.
As partial consideration for entering into the UPX Option Agreement, Talon issued Kennecott 15,321,933 common shares of Talon at a deemed price of $0.51 per share (based on the 5-day VWAP of the Talon shares on the TSX) in satisfaction of US$6 million in payment obligations of UPX to KEX as a previous owner of the Michigan UPX Properties. Upon Talon completing the Stage Two Requirement, UPX will be granted a 2% NSR royalty on the Michigan UPX Properties and have the right to participate in proportion to its participating 20% joint venture interest. In the event UPX does not participate in proportion to its participating 20% joint venture interest, its interest in the joint venture will be subject to dilution, and in the event UPX’s joint venture interest ultimately dilutes below 10%, UPX’s interest in the joint venture will be reduced to 0% and UPX will be entitled to an additional 1% NSR royalty on the Michigan UPX Properties.
In addition to the Michigan UPX properties, on January 30, 2024, the Company received confirmation from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that its Administrative Board approved Talon Michigan LLC’s application for 23,000 acres of additional mineral leases in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the “ State Leases ”). The Company also has rights to explore certain other properties in Michigan that are not subject to the UPX Option Agreement (together with the State Leases, the “ Michigan Talon Properties ”). To the extent the Michigan Talon Properties are within an area of interest defined in the UPX Option Agreement, a royalty of 0.25% is payable to UPX. Collectively, the Michigan UPX Properties and the Michigan Talon Properties are referred to as the “ Michigan Properties ”.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual outcomes could differ from these estimates. The consolidated financial statements include estimates which, by their nature, are uncertain. The impacts of such estimates are pervasive throughout the consolidated financial statements and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and also in future periods when the revision affects both current and future periods.
Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimation uncertainty that management has made at the end of each reporting period and for the periods then ended, that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to, but are not limited to, the valuation of resource properties, the estimation of contingencies and the valuation of the asset retirement obligation.
The uncertainty regarding the valuation of resource properties arises as a result of estimates and judgments such as forecasts of metal prices, operating costs, capital costs and income taxes among numerous other valuation inputs, discount rates, comparability of the Company’s properties to those of other market participants and the selection of market-participant assumptions used to determine recoverable value.
The uncertainty regarding the estimation of contingencies arises as result of the uncertainty as to legal proceedings that are before the courts, as well the amount and probability of a future payment or award.
The uncertainty regarding the valuation of the asset retirement obligation arises as result of certain key inputs such as future estimated costs, future inflation, the possibility of changing laws and requirements, including changes in constructive obligations and the discount rate used to present value the future estimated costs.
Talon considers the following accounting policies to be critical in the preparation of its financial statements:
Resource properties and deferred exploration and evaluation costs
Interests in mineral exploration properties are recorded at cost. Exploration expenditures relating to mineral properties in which an interest is retained are deferred and carried as an asset until the results of the projects are known. If the project is unsuccessful or if exploration has ceased because continuation is not economically feasible, the cost of the property and the related deferred exploration expenditures are written off.
The cost of mineral properties includes the cash consideration paid and the negotiated value of shares issued on the acquisition of properties. Properties acquired under option agreements, whereby option payments are made at the discretion of the company, are recorded in the financial statements at the time payments are made. The proceeds from options granted or royalties sold on properties are credited to the cost of the related property.
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TALON METALS CORP. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS For the year ended December 31, 2023
Deferred exploration costs are amortized over the estimated useful life of the related mineral property as commercial production commences. If the net carrying amount of the deferred exploration expenses is not recoverable, these costs are written down to net recoverable amount of the deferred exploration expense.
The amounts shown for mineral properties and deferred exploration costs represents cost to date, and do not necessarily represent present or future values as they are entirely dependent upon the economic recovery of future reserves.
The Company does not accrue the estimated future costs of maintaining its mineral properties in good standing.
Asset retirement obligations
A provision is recognized on the consolidated statement of financial position when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. The Company’s asset retirement obligations arise from its obligations to undertake site reclamation and remediation in connection with its resource properties. The estimated costs of reclamation are based on current regulatory requirements and the present value of estimated reclamation costs at the future date of purchase. Future changes to those regulations and standards, as well as changes resulting from operations may result in actual reclamation costs differing from the estimate.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The CEO and the CFO, with the assistance of management, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2023. Based on the evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as at December 31, 2023, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective, based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) on Internal Control – Integrated Framework.
No changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
OUTLOOK
Please see the section titled “Upcoming Work – Tamarack North Project” .
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