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ValOre Metals Corp. — Management Reports 2023
Aug 30, 2023
46350_rns_2023-08-29_d8b0b885-f71c-4c5e-8bec-4835611bff7d.pdf
Management Reports
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Management's Discussion and Analysis
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 Dated August 28, 2023
NOTE TO READER
This management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was prepared by management and approved and authorized for issue on, August 28, 2023 for ValOre Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "ValOre") in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The MD&A supplements but does not form part of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements of ValOre and the notes thereto for the nine months ended June 30, 2023. Consequently, the MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related notes for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and the annual audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2022.
Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the financial statements, including the maintenance of appropriate information systems, procedures and internal controls to ensure that information used internally or disclosed externally, including the MD&A, is complete and reliable.
The Company's management is responsible for presentation and preparation of the financial statements and the MD&A. The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC").
The MD&A has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of securities regulators, including National Instrument 51-102 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified. Additional information is available on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com, and on the Company's website at www.valoremetals.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements relate to future events or ValOre's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions, or the negatives of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this MD&A speak only as of the date of this MD&A or as of the date specified in such statement. Specifically, this MD&A includes, but is not limited to, forward-looking statements regarding: the potential of ValOre's properties to contain economic mineral deposits; ValOre's ability to meet its working capital needs at the current level for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2023; the plans, costs, timing and capital for future exploration and development of ValOre's property interests, including the costs and potential impact of complying with existing and proposed laws and regulations; management's outlook regarding future trends; prices and price volatility for mineral deposits; and general business and economic conditions.
Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond ValOre's ability to predict or control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, mineral deposits, price volatility, changes in debt and equity markets, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms, the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data and confirming title to ValOre's properties, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with ValOre's expectations, increases in costs, environmental compliance, and changes in environmental and other local legislation and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, changes in economic and political conditions and other risks involved in the minerals exploration and development industry, as well as those risk factors listed in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section below. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forwardlooking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially from those
ValOre Metals Corp. Management's Discussion & Analysis June 30, 2023 (Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the MD&A. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions about the following: the availability of financing for ValOre's exploration and development activities; operating and exploration costs; ValOre's ability to attract and retain skilled staff; timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for exploration projects and other operations; market competition; and general business and economic conditions.
Forward-looking statements may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause ValOre's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. ValOre undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If ValOre does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
INTRODUCTION
ValOre Metals Corporation, formerly named Kivalliq Energy Corporation, is an exploration company based in Vancouver, Canada, which currently has interests in exploration projects in northern Canada and Brazil. ValOre's principal exploration and development focus is on the Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements ("PGE") Project in northeastern Brazil that hosts palladium (Pd) + platinum (Pt) + gold (Au) mineralization. In addition to this project, ValOre holds uranium exploration properties in the Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the Baffin Gold Property in Nunavut Territory, as well as the Mangabal Project, which is located in Goiás State, central Brazil that hosts Ni-Cu-(Co) mineralization.
OVERVIEW
Recent Highlights
- On March 13, 2023, ValOre entered into an arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with Labrador Uranium Inc., now renamed Latitude Uranium Inc. ("Latitude") and trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange, trading symbol LUR, whereby ValOre agreed to sell to Latitude (the "Transaction") a 100% interest in ValOre's Angilak uranium project in Nunavut Territory (the "Angilak Property") for consideration comprised of (i) $3,000,000 in cash, and (ii) 100,000,000 common shares of Latitude. The Transaction was completed via plan of arrangement under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
- On April 10, 2023, the Company closed the first tranche, in the amount of $2,918,000 for 14,590,000 units non-brokered private placement of up to 17,500,000 units at a price of $0.20 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $3,500,000. Each unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "warrant"). Each whole warrant is exercisable to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $0.30 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.
- On April 12, 2023, ValOre submitted an application for TSX Venture Exchange approval for the repricing of 11,550,000 options and 11,700,000 warrants granted and up to 8,750,000 warrants to be issued upon closing of the current ValOre private placement. The repricing of the options and warrants would only be completed subsequent to the closing of ValOre's previously announced disposition of the Angilak Property to Latitude Uranium Inc.
- On April 21, 2023, the Company closed the second and final tranche of non-brokered private placement. The second tranche consisted of 3,775,000 units at a price of $0.20 per unit for gross proceeds of $755,000. Each unit consists of one common share ("share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "warrant"). Each warrant will be exercisable into one share for $0.30 per share for a period of two years expiring April 21, 2025. The aggregate of the first
and second tranche consisted of 18,365,000 units at a price of $0.20 per unit for total gross proceeds of $3,673,000.
- On May 9, 2023, the Company announced that in connection with the financial advisory services provided to the Company by Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord") in connection with the transaction with Latitude, the Company has agreed, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, to settle a portion of the fees payable to Canaccord by issuance of 1,793,900 shares of the Company at a price of $0.2231 per Company share. Shares issued to Canaccord are subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance.
- Effective June 19, 2023, the sale of Angilak Property in Nunavut Territory, Canada, to Latitude Uranium Inc. has closed.
- During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, 11,092,599 warrants expired unexercised.
- Subsequent to the period ended June 30, 2023, 1,575,000 options expired unexercised.
Plan of Arrangement
On March 21, 2023, ValOre incorporated a new subsidiary, 5833 Nunavut Ltd., to facilitate a Plan of Arrangement (the "Arrangement") where the Angilak Property would be spun out to Labrador Uranium Inc. now renamed Latitude Uranium Inc. ("Latitude").
On June 19, 2023, ValOre transferred its 100% interest in the Angilak Property and completed the Arrangement to spin out the shares of Latitude to the shareholders of the Company. Pursuant to the Arrangement, holders of ValOre common shares received one new common share of ValOre (each, a " Share") and 0.575 of a Latitude share (each, a "Latitude Share") for each common share held. The carrying value of the net assets transferred to Latitude, pursuant to the Arrangement, consisted of the following:
Consideration received from Latitude:
| Cash | 3,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Latitude shares (100,000,000 units @ $0.28) | 28,000,000 |
| Total consideration | $31,000,000 |
| Carrying value Angilak property: | |
|---|---|
| Equipment | 38,624 |
| Exploration and evaluation asset | 949,439 |
| Less: Decommissioning liability | (1,478,301) |
| Fair value of net assets transferred | 490,238 |
| Gain on arrangement | $31,490,238 |
In accordance with IFRIC 17, Distribution of Non-cash Assets to Owners, the Company recognized the transfer of net assets to ValOre shareholders at fair value with the difference between that value and the carrying amount of the net assets recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. The distribution was valued at $28,000,000 based on the fair value of the common shares of Latitude and the Company recorded a gain on the arrangement totaling $31,490,238. Included in professional fees are $1,500,000 related to transaction costs in relation to the arrangement.
Exploration highlights
For more details on the following highlights, please refer to the news releases available on ValOre's website and on SEDAR+: https://www.sedarplus.ca.
Pedra Branca PGE Project
Mineral Resource Update
- Q2 2022 resource update based on 2020/2021 drilling programs was completed in March 2022;
- Pedra Branca Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate: 2,198 thousand ounces ("Koz") palladium + platinum + gold ("2PGE+Au") in 63.6 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au;
- The updated Pedra Branca mineral resource estimate was completed by independent Brazilian consultancy GE21 Consultoria Mineral ("GE21"), in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards incorporated, by reference, in NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has been reviewed internally by ValOre;
- Final Report filed on May 10, 2022.
Metallurgy and Mineral Processing
- Metallurgical testwork program continues at Blue Coast Research (Parksville, BC), with a primary focus of developing an optimized flowsheet for the Esbarro Deposit. Program scope includes:
- o Testwork performed on both Fresh and Weathered material from Esbarro;
- o Preliminary mineralogical classification, and subsequent application of the Curiu Fresh processing circuit (established at ALS Labs 2021, which returned recoveries of 82.9% for platinum (Pt), 71% for palladium (Pd) and 85.2% for gold (Au) in a locked cycle flotation test);
- o Cyanide and ferricyanide leaching;
- o Gravity concentration testwork.
- SGS Lakefield was engaged in April for Mineralogical Characterization of Metallurgical PGE samples of Esbarro Deposit. The key program deliverables include:
- o Sample preparation including crushing, riffling, and pulverizing up to 2 kg samples
- o TIMA-X analysis of the samples to provide mineral identification, liberation and association of minerals of interest, and by size class, grade-recovery, exposure
- o Whole rock analysis by XRF/ICP, ICP scan, Pt-Pd-Au, and S for each sample
- o Microscopic PGE mineralogy, including preconcentration by gravity, systematic analysis of PGM in gravity products, liberation and association, grain size of the PGM, and mass/PGE balance of the gravity products
- o Mineral chemistry is tentatively including electron microprobe and laser ablation by ICP-MS to determine the submicroscopic PGE in chromites and sulphides
- o Summary report detailing the methodology and results expected by July
- Dundee Sustainable Technologies was also engaged in April to test their CLEVR Process to determine the achievable gold, platinum, and palladium recoveries. Fresh and Weathered materials from the Esbarro Deposit have been sent to the lab. Technical report with the results expected by July
Regional Exploration
-
5000-metre core drilling program: Fully-funded two-rig program commenced in early June, 2023 at Pedra Branca
- o To test four high priority pipeline targets which were advanced through 2022 exploration but not included in the 2022 NI 43-101 Resource Estimate: Galante, Tróia, Nambi and Ipueiras;
- o Goal of program is to add new zones and expand existing deposits which form part of the March 24, 2022 NI 43-101 inferred resource at Pedra Branca of 2.198 Moz 2PGE+Au contained in 63.6 Mt grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au.
-
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
-
Ipueiras Phase 1 10 kilometres south of the Trapia deposit area, (885,000 oz 2PGE+Au grading 0.96 g/t in 28.8 Mt) tested with 35 Trado® auger holes in 105 metres ("m") and 4 trenches (189 m)
- o Target ultramafic rocks ("UM") encountered in 16 Trado® holes (59m of the 105 m augered) and all 4 trenches, over geological trend of approximately 2.5 km in strike length;
- o Two of four trenches returned significant intervals of PGE mineralization, including:
- 64 metres ("m") grading 2.68 g/t 2PGE+Au, including 25 m grading 4.65 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22IP01;
- 38 m grading 2.14 g/t 2PGE+Au, including 15 m grading 4.45 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22IP02
- o Trado® auger drilling returned PGE mineralization in assay results in 11 of 35 holes, including:
- 8 m grading 1.13 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface, including 1 m at 5.48 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- 8 m grading 1.29 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface, including 1 m at 4.22 g/t 2PGE+Au from 7 m;
- 7 m grading 1.37 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- 4 m grading 1.03 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface.
-
Ipueiras Phase 2 The second phase of Trado® auger drilling at Ipueiras was designed to follow-up on PGE high-grade mineralization reported from previous Trado® holes and trenches. 32 follow up Trado® auger holes were drilled, totaling 107 m. Target UM rocks were encountered in 19 Trado® holes (68 m of the 107 m augered) with reported PGE mineralization 17 of 32 holes, including:
- o 8 metres ("m") grading 2.05 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au") from 1 m, including 3 m grading 4.70 g/t 2PGE+Au from 6 m, in Trado® auger hole TR22IP58;
- o 6 m grading 3.60 g/t 2PGE+Au from 2 m, including 4 m grading 5.00 g/t 2PGE+Au from 4 m, in Trado® auger hole TR22IP59;
- o 7.5 m grading 1.34 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface, in Trado® auger hole TR22IP41;
- o 5.5 m grading 1.69 g/t 2PGE+Au from 1 m, including 1 m grading 4.73 g/t 2PGE+Au from 2 m, in Trado® auger hole TR22IP39;
- o 2.5 m grading 1.78 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface, including 1 m grading 3.48 g/t 2PGE+Au from 1 m in Trado® auger hole TR22IP55;
- o 1.5 m grading 1.35 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface, in Trado® auger hole TR22IP61A
-
Galante East Target Phase 1 5 km south of Santo Amaro deposit area (153,000 oz 2PGE+Au grading 1.11 g/t in 4.3 Mt), tested with 92 Trado® auger holes (255 m)
- o 5.0 metres ("m") grading 1.48 grams per tonne 2PGE+Au ("g/t 2PGE+Au") from surface;
- o 2.0 m grading 2.95 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- o 3.8 m grading 1.18 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- o 5.5 m grading 0.80 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- o 6.0 m grading 0.53 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface.
-
Galante East Target Phase 2 Detailed mapping and sampling were performed at seven trenches excavated at the Galante East target (471 metres in total length), with target UM intrusions intercepted in all 7 trenches, and initial PGE assays reported for 6 of 7 trenches:
- o 53 metres ("m") grading 0.59 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au"), including 6 m grading 1.07 g/t 2PGE+Au and 3 m grading 1.44 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22GE01;
- o 31 m grading 0.83 g/t 2PGE+Au, including 16 m grading 1.39 g/t 2PGE+Au and 4 m grading 3.86 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22GE02;
- o 19 m grading 0.54 g/t 2PGE+Au including 2 m grading 1.40 g/t 2PGE+Au in TR22GE05.
-
Troia Target Phase 1 located 5 km north of Massapê, (129,000 oz 2PGE+Au grading 1.21 g/t in 3.3 Mt). Multiple high-grade PGE assay results from outcropping chromitites and mineralized ultramafic ("UM") samples, including:
- o 23.01 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au") SAMPLE 103089;
-
o 12.00 g/t 2PGE+Au SAMPLE 103111;
-
o 8.32 g/t 2PGE+Au SAMPLE 103091;
-
o 8.15 g/t 2PGE+Au SAMPLE 103093;
-
o 7.98 g/t 2PGE+Au SAMPLE 103094;
-
o 3.35 g/t 2PGE+Au SAMPLE 103095.
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Tróia Target Phase 2: Mineralization occurs within a 50- to 100-metre-wide zone, along a 1-kilometre-long trend with compelling geochemical and geophysical anomalies, and rock samples exceeding 23 g/t 2PGE+Au.
- o The Tróia target has been tested with 72 Trado® auger holes (results received for 53), totaling 206 metres ("m") and 7 trenches, totaling 400 m;
- o Target ultramafic rocks ("UM") encountered in 19 Trado® holes (62 m of the 206 m augered) and all 7 trenches, over geological trend of approximately 1 kilometre in strike length;
- o Multiple PGE-mineralized Trado® auger holes, including:
- 8.5 m grading 0.98 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au") from surface, including 4.0 m grading 1.44 g/t 2PGE+Au from 4.0 m depth;
- 2.0 m grading 8.58 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface, including 1.0 m grading 15.93 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- 4.0 m grading 1.55 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- 3.8 m grading 1.64 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface.
- o Six of seven trenches returned significant intervals of PGE mineralization at surface, including:
- 42 metres ("m") grading 0.87 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au"), including 10 m grading 1.72 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22TR04;
- 28 m grading 0.91 g/t 2PGE+Au, including 12 m grading 1.73 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22TR01;
- 26 m grading 0.82 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22TR02;
- 16 m grading 1.30 g/t 2PGE+Au in trench TR22CC01.
Galante Target: Final Trench
- o The final trench at Galante, returned significant intervals of surface PGE mineralization confirming the presence of in-situ PGEs, potential continuity of target chromite-bearing ultramafic rocks, and ensuring follow-up testing in future drill programs;
- o 90 metres ("m") grading 0.55 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au"), including 17 m grading 1.17 g/t 2PGE+Au - Trench TR22GE07 at the Galante target.
Ipueiras Target: Trenches
- o The two trenches at the Southwest Zone at Ipueiras (TR22IP05 and TR22IP06) also confirm the presence of in-situ PGE mineralization, demonstrating potential continuity of chromite-bearing ultramafic rocks, and warranting follow-up testing in future drill programs
- 10 m grading 0.30 g/t 2PGE+Au Trench TR22IP05 at the Ipueiras target;
- 14 m grading 0.97 g/t 2PGE+Au, including 4 m grading 1.56 g/t 2PGE+Au Trench TR22IP06 at the Ipueiras target.
- Sao Francisco Target: The São Francisco target is located approximately 1 kilometre south of the prospective Galante geological corridor, and approximately 8 km north of the Curiu deposit
- o ValOre's exploration program at the São Francisco target commenced with reconnaissance mapping and prospecting. Several previously un-mapped and unknown chromitite and ultramafic ("UM") rock outcroppings were identified, defining a 300-metre-long by 100-metre-wide zone
- o Total of 73 m in 20 Trado® auger holes have been drilled, with UMs encountered in all holes (61 m total). Highlights:
- 2.5 m grading 1.05 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface Trado® hole AD22SF02;
- 5.0 m grading 0.66 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface Trado® hole AD22SF03;
- 1.5 m grading 0.89 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface Trado® hole AD22SF012;
June 30, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
- 2.5 m grading 0.65 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface Trado® hole AD22SF09.
- o Four trenches totaling 182 m all exposed ultramafic ("UM") rocks, establishing an in situ geological trend of approximately 300 m. Highlights:
- 67 metres ("m") @ 0.59 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au"), incl. 2 m @ 8.23 g/t 2PGE+Au, and 1 m @ 13.47 g/t 2PGE+Au – Trench TR22SF01;
- 41 m @ 0.43 g/t 2PGE+Au, incl. 2 m @ 1.70 g/t 2PGE+Au, and 3 m @ 1.20 g/t 2PGE+Au – Trench TR22SF04.
- Nambi target: The Nambi target is located 1 kilometre north of and along trend from the Trapia PGE deposit and 1 km south of the Massapê PGE deposit.
- o ValOre conducted detailed geological mapping and prospecting along the anomalous trend and subsequently followed up with 75 Trado® auger holes totaling 178 m. At-surface, ultramafic ("UM") or UM-derived rocks were intercepted in 30 of 75 Trado® holes, with significant PGE mineralization reported in 12 of the 30 UM-bearing Trado® holes, defining a PGE-mineralized trend of 1.2 km.
- 10 metres ("m") grading 0.46 grams per tonne palladium + platinum + gold ("g/t 2PGE+Au") from surface;
- 11 m grading 0.40 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- 3 m grading 0.92 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- 1.5 m grading 1.83 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface;
- o 1.5 m grading 1.43 g/t 2PGE+Au from surface.4 trenches totaling 108 m all exposed target ultramafic ("UM") rocks, establishing an in situ geological trend of approximately 1.2 km. Highlights:
- 10 m grading 0.84 g/t 2PGE+Au , including 3 m grading 1.65 g/t 2PGE+Au (TR22NB01);
- 6 m grading 1.65 g/t 2PGE+Au, incl. 4 m grading 1.77 g/t 2PGE+Au (TR22BB02);
- 17 m grading 0.80 g/t 2PGE+Au, incl. 6 m grading 1.65 g/t 2PGE+Au (TR22BB03).
- o ValOre conducted detailed geological mapping and prospecting along the anomalous trend and subsequently followed up with 75 Trado® auger holes totaling 178 m. At-surface, ultramafic ("UM") or UM-derived rocks were intercepted in 30 of 75 Trado® holes, with significant PGE mineralization reported in 12 of the 30 UM-bearing Trado® holes, defining a PGE-mineralized trend of 1.2 km.
Work on the regional exploration targets continue, summarized by the following highlights:
| Target | Exploration Totals | Rock PGE AssayHighlights | Trado® PGE AssayHighlights | Follow up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synform | - 1 km of mappedprospective trend- 43 rock samples;- 15 Trado® auger holes(43 m of ultramafics of 55m augered); | 14.95 g/t 2PGE+Au5.02 g/t 2PGE+Au4.95 g/t 2PGE+Au | 10 m @ 2.30 g/t2PGE+Auincl. 2 m @ 9.47 g/t2PGE+Au8 m @ 0.64 g/t 2PGE+Auincl. 2 m @ 1.44 g/t2PGE+Au | - Trenching is inprogress |
| MassapêSouthernExtension | - 1 km of mappedprospective trend- 183 soil samples in3,520 m of soil lines;- 31 rock samples;- 13 Trado® auger holes(46 m of ultramafics of 47m augered); | 2 m @ 0.41 g/t 2PGE+Au1 m @ 0.60 g/t 2PGE+Au3 m @ 0.12 g/t 2PGE+Au | - Soil assays pending;- Additional Trado® andtrenching to be defined | |
| Talhado | - 2 km of mappedprospective trend- 297 soil samples in5,740 m of soil lines- 59 rock samples- 36 Trado® auger holes(187 m of ultramafics of189 m augered);- 219 trench samples | 0.61 g/t 2PGE+Au0.42 g/t 2PGE+Au | 5 m @ 0.21 g/t 2PGE+Au2 m @ 0.37 g/t 2PGE+Au | - Trench assays pending |
ValOre Metals Corp.
Management's Discussion & Analysis June 30, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
| Target | Exploration Totals | Rock PGE AssayHighlights | Trado® PGE AssayHighlights | Follow up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (183 m of ultramafics of219 m excavated) | |||||
| Pitombeiras | - 8 km of mappedprospective trend- 745 soil samples in14,340 m of soil lines;- 148 rock samples;- 43 Trado® auger holes(79 m of ultramafics of153 m augered); | 0.81 g/t 2PGE+Au0.43 g/t 2PGE+Au | - Detailed Trado drillingand mapping in progress- Trado®, rock and soilassays pending |
Angilak Property, Uranium Project, Nunavut Territory
ValOre closes previously announced sale of the Angilak Property to Latitude Uranium
- Transaction closed June 19, 2023
- ValOre received $3,000,000 cash consideration for the Transaction and 100,000,000 common shares of Latitude Uranium Inc. (the "Latitude Shares") issued to ValOre pursuant to the Transaction were distributed (the "Latitude Share Distribution") to the shareholders of ValOre, pro rata, as a return of capital. The Latitude Shares were subject to a hold period that expired on August 6, 2023.
Angilak Property Uranium Project 2022 Exploration Program Highlights:
Spring Program completed on June 16 accomplished:
- RC Drilling: 3,165 meters and a total of 27 holes (17 holes at Dipole; 4 holes at Yat and 6 holes at J4 West)
- Multiple zones of near-surface radioactivity intersected in 14 of 17 holes at Dipole, 4 of 4 holes at Yat and 4 of 6 holes at J4 West, with vertical depths of radioactive intersections ranging from 9 m to 110 m;
- Dipole, Yat and J4 West remain largely open along strike and at depth;
- Ground VLF-EM and magnetics program is complete, totaling 1,547 line-kilometres ("ln-km") and 15,481 hectares ("ha");
- Total of 401 samples (611 m) from 22 holes have been collected for assay.
Summer Program completed on September 13 accomplished:
- DD Drilling: 3,590 m core drilling conducted with 2 diamond drill rigs;
- Dipole target 16 holes (2,664 m);
- J4 West target 10 holes (926 m);
- Total of 172 samples were collected and submitted for assay.
Highlights from RC Drilling and EL Soil Sampling Assays, and Ground VLF-EM:
Dipole Reverse Circulation Drilling
- Drill hole RC22-DP005, intercepted two distinct uranium zones:
- o 7.6 metres ("m") @ 0.594% U3O8 and 5.97 g/t Ag from 47.2 m, incl. 1.52 m @ 2.21% U3O8 and 16.5 g/t Ag from 48.9 m
- o 1.52 m @ 0.519% U3O8 and 7.1 g/t Ag from 30.48 m;
- All 14 of 14 sampled RC drill holes reported elevated near-surface U3O8, ranging from 15 to 160 m vertical depth);
- Broad zones of polymetallic (Ag-Mo-Cu) mineralization were intercepted, including:
- o 21.3 m @ 8.30 g/t Ag, 0.252% Mo, 0.027% Cu, 0.0744% U3O8 from 131.1 m, incl. 10.6 m @ 10.5 g/t Ag, 0.34% Mo, 0.031% Cu, 0.102% U3O8 from 132.6 m – drill hole RC22-DP-007;
J4 West Reverse Circulation Drilling
- All four sampled RC drill holes from J4 West returned near-surface (35 to 65 metres vertical depth) uranium mineralization over a strike length of 200 metres, including the following highlights:
- o 3.1 metres ("m") @ 0.21% U3O8 and 10.6 g/t Ag from 50.3 m in drill hole RC22-J4W-001
- o 1.5 m @ 0.38% U3O8 and 15.1 g/t Ag from 57.9 m in drill hole RC22-J4W-002;
- Mineralization at J4W remains open at depth and along strike to the west, with highlights from the 2013 drilling (located immediately west of 2022 J4W drilling):
- o 0.30 m @ 1.06% U3O8 in drill hole 13-J1-002
- o 0.60 m @ 0.56% U3O8, 0.28% Mo and 15.5 g/t Ag in drill hole 13-J1-003
Yat Reverse Circulation Drilling
- Three of four RC drill holes at Yat returned broad near-surface intervals of copper, silver and local uranium mineralization, including:
- o 63.8 m @ 0.11% Cu and 3.2 g/t Ag from 1.5 m in drill hole RC22-YAT-004
- o 42.6 m @ 0.15% Cu and 4.3 g/t Ag from 1.5 m, including 4.6 m @ 1.1% Cu and 20.8 g/t Ag from 1.5 m in drill hole RC22-YAT-003
- o 33.4 m @, 0.15% Cu and 4.4 g/t Ag from 6.1 m in drill hole RC22-YAT-002;
- 1.5-kilometre-long uranium soil anomaly which is coincident with a strong 6.5-kilometre-long VLF-EM conductor is only drill-tested over 130 m of strike, and remains open to the southwest
- Assays are pending for fourteen Dipole core holes.
Dipole Enzyme Leach Soil Geochemistry
- Assays received for 492 EL soils, with uranium values ranging from 0.5 parts per billion ("ppb") to 245 ppb;
- Multiple undrilled regional uranium-in-soils anomalies delineated, spanning the full 6 kilometres ("km") of surveyed trend;
- Assays pending for 404 soil samples (377 from Lac 50 East target area, and 27 samples from a transect southwest of the Lac 50's Western Extension).
Dipole and RIB Trend Ground VLF-EM and Magnetics
Ground VLF-EM and magnetics coverage extended 15 km along Dipole and RIB trends;
- Strong VLF conductor associated with the high-grade Dipole zone is traceable for 8.5 km along strike to the northeast and southwest, and is only sufficiently drill tested over 650 m;
- Distinct 2.5-km-long EL soil anomaly at RIB target is coincident with a 2022 VLF-EM conductor and remains undrilled, establishing a priority 2023 drill target;
- Strong VLF-EM conductors associated with the high-grade RIB zone extend for 5 km along strike to the northeast and is only drill tested over 1.1 km of trend.
Angilak 2022 Environmental Study:
ValOre engaged Ausenco Sustainability Inc. (former Hemmera Envirochem Inc.) to conduct an environmental data collection focused on:
- Climate;
- Atmospheric contaminants;
- Surface water characterization;
- Water quality and water level;
- Wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Angilak 2022 Archaeological Assessment:
ValOre engaged Golder Associates Ltd to assess proposed spring and summer drilling targets (60 targets), camp locations and revisit the field camp airstrip to obtain update.
Mangabal Ni-Cu-(Co) Project, Goiás State, Brazil – Preliminary 2022 Reconnaissance Exploration:
The Mangabal Project is located in Goiás State, central Brazil, at approximately 80 km west of the state capital, Goiânia, and 280 km from the national capital, Brasilia. It comprises 26 claims (22 exploration licenses, and 3 applications for exploration licences pending) for a total of approximately 42,000 hectares.
Regional reconnaissance exploration (mapping and rock sampling) was conducted by ValOre geologists from September-November 2022. Exploration totals to date include 198 points mapped with 95% of the 26 claims visited, and 96 rock samples collected for assays. Extensive prospective M-UM occurrences were corroborated by ValOre mapping; however, no sampled to date have returned Ni-Cu-Co mineralization or associated PGEs.
Follow up exploration work is under evaluation. Detailed mapping will be carried out in the areas surrounding the Mangabal deposit, and evaluation of drill hole data from the Mangabal deposit will be conducted.
MINERAL PROPERTIES AND EXPLORATION
Pedra Branca, Ceará State, Brazil
On August 14, 2019, ValOre closed the transaction by which ValOre acquired 100% of the Pedra Branca PGE Project in northeastern Brazil from Jangada Mines PLC ("Jangada"). Pursuant to a share purchase agreement among Jangada, ValOre and PBBM Holdings Ltd., a wholly owned, British Columbia incorporated subsidiary of ValOre, ValOre acquired Jangada's interest in the Brazilian holding company Pedra Branca Brasil Mineracao Ltda., which owns the Pedra Branca PGE Project.
Material Terms of the Pedra Branca Agreement:
Through PBBM Holdings Ltd., ValOre acquired a 100% interest in Pedra Branca Brasil Mineracao Ltda.in exchange for the following consideration:
-
- the issuance and allotment to Jangada of:
- a. 22,000,000 common shares in the authorized share capital of ValOre (issued) on closing of the Transaction.
- b. 3,000,000 common shares in the authorized share capital of ValOre in six equal tranches commencing on the date falling six months after Closing and ending on the date falling thirty-six months after Closing, subject to any adjustment as a result of certain specified liabilities; and *
-
- cash payments to Jangada in the aggregate of $3,000,000, as follows:
- a. $250,000 paid in May 2019
- b. $750,000 paid in August 2019
- c. $1,000,000 paid in November 2019
- d. $1,000,000 paid in February 2020
* As at September 30, 2022, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares valued at $705,000 to Jangada pursuant to the purchase agreement then fulfilling 100% of its commitment with Jangada.
The Pedra Branca PGE Project comprises 52 exploration licenses covering a total area of 56,852 hectares (140,484 acres) in northeastern Brazil. At Pedra Branca, 7 distinct PGE+Au deposit areas host, in aggregate, a 2022 NI 43- 101 inferred resource of 2.198 Moz 2PGE+Au contained in 63.6 Mt grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au.
Based on assessment of historical work programs, more than US$35M has been spent on the Pedra Branca to date, with Anglo American Platinum being the primary contributor throughout their 12-year project tenure. A substantial exploration database has been amassed over the Project's history, with >30,000 meters of diamond drilling, extensive ground and airborne geophysics, property-wide geochemistry, and wide-spread geological mapping. In the opinion of management, Pedra Branca remains underexplored, and provides excellent greenfields and brownfields exploration potential, as well as material resource growth potential.
The Pedra Branca property is accessed by a national paved highway from the port city of Fortaleza (population approximately 3 million). The small town of Capitão Mor is situated within the west-central Project area, and provides all necessary basic infrastructure, including energy, water, housing, office space, core storage and logging facilities, telephone access and internet. The Pedra Branca tenements are accessible by a network of dirt roads and jeep tracks. Given the arid local climate and minimal annual rainfall, roadways remain in excellent shape year-round.
ValOre completed an on budget 11,120-metre ("m") drill program in 2021 (108 holes total), comprised of 1,828 m of Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling in 38 holes, and 9,292 m of core drilling in 70 holes. Primary focus of resource expansion (Trapia 1, Trapia 2, Santo Amaro), Target Advancement (Massape, Santo Amaro South, Cana Brava, C-04), and New Discovery (Esbarro NW, Trapia South, Trapia SW). Excellent resource expansion potential was demonstrated all three priority targets (Trapia 1, Trapia 2, Santo Amaro), and multiple new PGE discoveries were made with the RC rig (Trapia South, Esbarro NW).
In addition, exciting potential was established at the pre-resource Massape and Santo Amaro South targets, both of which will be considered in the 2022 resource re-calculation.
In September 2021, ValOre engaged highly experienced metallurgist, Chris Kaye, to oversee the current and future testwork campaigns, which will now be carried out at ALS Metallurgy Kamloops ("ALS"), as it was determined that SGS Lakefield lacked the experience and bandwidth to complete the required testwork. Chris will work with ValOre to develop and optimize a metallurgical flowsheet for Pedra Branca, ultimately working towards a potential PEA in H2, 2022.
Metallurgical testwork program at ALS commenced mid-October, with a primary focus on mineralogy and conventional processing circuits for the Curiu and Esbarro deposits. Recoveries of 82.9% for platinum (Pt), 71% for palladium (Pd) and 85.2% for gold (Au) were achieved by the first locked cycle flotation test on a fresh, unweathered 30-kilogram sample composited from Curiu PGE deposit drill core.
This locked cycle flotation test produced a concentrate grading 78.4 grams per tonne g/t 2PGE+Au, and based on the information available to date, no deleterious element thresholds were exceeded, and a detailed elemental analysis on the concentrate is underway. The focus now shifted to flowsheet development for Weathered Curiu material, and testing samples from the other deposit areas in the 2022 resource estimate.
Additional metallurgical test work on-going at Base Met Lab in Kamloops, including: ferricyanide leaching and reverse flotation. Results to date show a strong improvement of Pt leaching in ferricyanide, on a sample of flotation tails from the Fresh Curiu composite sample: 48h extraction into solution = Pt 72.2%, Pd 90.8%. Follow-up testwork is under way on a full composite sample (not just the tails) and a sample of Weathered material from the Curiu deposit. Reverse flotation test work is on-going with the hopes of removing MgO from the feed, which would have positive implications for Platsol (reduce acid consumption). Results to date suggest the MgO is not suitable to removal via reverse flotation.
An update of the Pedra Branca NI 43-101 Inferred Resource was completed in March 2022, totaling 2.198 Moz palladium + platinum + gold in 63.6 million tonnes grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au. The updated Pedra Branca mineral resource estimate was completed by independent Brazilian consultancy GE21 Consultoria Mineral, in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards incorporated, by reference, in NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has been reviewed internally by ValOre.
On-going field exploration programs continue property wide to advance the target pipeline and make new discoveries. Fieldwork programs include geological mapping and prospecting, soil sampling, Trado auger drilling, and trenching. To aid regional greenfield exploration, ValOre has purchased regional high-res SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) WorldView-3 spectral data in late 2021, to bolster ValOre's existing LWIR (Long Wave Infrared) spectra WorldView-2 spectral data. The SWIR data was 83% captured as of March 2022. Processing and spectral mineral mapping has been followed into regional exploration in early 2022.
A fully-funded and fully-permitted 5,000-metre core drilling program has commenced at Pedra Branca, to test four high priority pipeline targets which were advanced through 2022 exploration but not included in the 2022 NI 43-101 Resource Estimate: Galante, Tróia, Nambi and Ipueiras. Goal of program is to add new zones and expand existing deposits which form part of the March 24, 2022 NI 43-101 inferred resource at Pedra Branca of 2.198 Moz 2PGE+Au contained in 63.6 Mt grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au.
Angilak Property, Nunavut
Transaction with Latitude Uranium Inc.
On March 13, 2023, ValOre entered into an Arrangement Agreement with Latitude Uranium Inc. whereby ValOre agreed to sell to Latitude a 100% interest in ValOre's Angilak Property for consideration comprised of (i) $3,000,000 in cash, and (ii) 100,000,000 common shares of Latitude. The Transaction was completed via plan of arrangement under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
On March 13, 2023, ValOre entered into an earn-in agreement (the "Earn-in Agreement") with Latitude whereby ValOre granted Latitude an exclusive option to earn a 10% interest in the Angilak Property in exchange for Latitude funding the sum of $3,500,000 in expenditures on the Angilak Property which qualify as "Canadian exploration expense" in subsection 66.1(6) of the Tax Act and in paragraphs (a) to (d) of the definition of "flow-through mining expenditure" in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act (the "Expenditures"). As at June 30, 2023, Latitude has advanced $2,500,000 to ValOre.
Contemporaneous with the consummation of the Transaction, ValOre will assign the Earn-in Agreement to Latitude pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement.
Concurrently with the sale transaction, an Exploration Program was proposed for 2023 divided in 2 phases:
- o Spring Program: camp reopening/set up and Airborne Radiometric Survey (April and May)
- o Summer Program: Diamond Drilling (~4,000 metres) and Environmental Base Line study (July to September)
On June 19, 2023, ValOre closed the sale of the Angilak Property to Latitude Uranium. ValOre received $3,000,000 cash consideration for the Transaction and 100,000,000 common shares of Latitude Uranium Inc. (the "Latitude Shares") issued to ValOre pursuant to the Transaction were distributed (the "Latitude Share Distribution") to the shareholders of ValOre, pro rata, as a return of capital. The Latitude Shares were subject to a hold period that expired on August 6, 2023.
The Angilak Property covers a total area of 68,552 hectares. The Property is located approximately 225 kilometres southwest of the community of Baker Lake in the Kivalliq region of southern Nunavut Territory, and subject to a 1% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty granted to Sandstorm Gold Ltd. ("Sandstorm").
Since acquiring the Angilak Property in 2008, the Company has invested approximately $55 million conducting systematic exploration, including: ground and airborne geophysics, geological mapping; prospecting, and over 90,500 metres of diamond and reverse circulation ("RC") drilling.
The Angilak Property hosts the "Lac 50 Trend" uranium deposit, with a NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 2,831,000 tonnes grading 0.69% U3O8, totaling 43.3 million pounds U3O8. ValOre's comprehensive exploration programs, and new discoveries, have demonstrated the district scale potential of the Angilak Property. For disclosure related to the inferred resource for the Lac 50 Trend uranium deposits, please refer to ValOre's news release of March 1, 2013.
The Dipole Trend was discovered in 2015 by drilling approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Lac 50 deposit. Uranium mineralization was encountered in all 9 holes drilled there and clearly demonstrates that Lac 50-type uranium mineralization exists along other trends on the Angilak Property. In 2016, follow-up till, boulder and trench sampling confirmed that high-grade polymetallic U-Cu-Ag-Au (Pt-Pd) mineralization also occurs midway between Lac 50 and Dipole, in the Yat Target Area.
In 2021, ValOre closed a $11M financing for deployment at Angilak in 2022. The technical team has been engaged in a district-wide targeting review in H2, 2021, which includes the acquisition of 466 km2 (46,600 hectares) of new WorldView spectral data and high-spatial resolution imagery covering 100% of the high-priority targets and prospective basin-margin. In addition, the entire geophysical and geochemical datasets have been re-processed. The targeting review has identified multiple high-priority targets to be advanced in a fully funded 2022 exploration program, which will include: core drilling, Enzyme Leach ("EL") soil sampling, ground geophysics including ground magnetics and VLF-EM, and district-wide prospecting, mapping, and sampling.
In March 2022 ValOre announced the commencement of 2022 Exploration at Angilak Property Uranium Project. RC Drilling and Geophysics work started in Mid April.
Hatchet Lake Property, Saskatchewan
The Hatchet Lake Property consists of six mineral dispositions totaling 13,711 hectares, located adjacent to the north-eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan and 3.5 kilometres northwest of ValOre's Genesis Property. This property is subject to a 2% NSR royalty granted to Rio Tinto, with ValOre holding a buyback right of 0.5% for $750,000. ValOre has subsequently transferred its 0.5% NSR buyback right to Sandstorm.
The Hatchet Lake Property was staked for its potential to host significant uranium deposits. It is situated on the Mudjatik-Wollaston Transition Zone, along strike from world class uranium mines such as McArthur River and Cigar Lake. The exploration model for the Hatchet Lake Property targets unconformity related and basement hosted deposits like Roughrider, Millennium, Patterson Lake South and the Eagle Point mine 29 kilometres to the south.
The objective of ValOre programs since 2015 was to follow-up and build upon multiple target areas from previous work by Hathor Exploration Ltd. and Rio Tinto. Exploration by ValOre included ground geophysics, an airborne geophysical survey (ZTEM™), soil sampling, vegetation (biogeochemical) sampling and prospecting. This work by ValOre highlighted two priority target areas, Upper Manson and Scrimes, plus numerous uranium geochemical anomalies coincident with conductive geophysical trends.
ValOre's entered into a definitive property option agreement with Azincourt Energy Corp on November 10, 2021, pursuant to which Azincourt was granted the option to acquire up to a seventy-five percent interest in the Hatchet Lake Uranium Project. Pursuant to the terms of the Option, Azincourt can acquire a seventy-five percent interest in the Project by completing a series of cash payments and share issuances to ValOre, and incurring certain expenditures on the Project, as follows:
| Cashpayments | Commonshares* | Explorationexpenditures | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upon the grant of the option | $100,000 | received | $250,000 | received | Not applicable |
| Within 12 months** | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | ||
| Within 24 months | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | ||
| Within 36 months | $250,000 | $500,000 | $2,000,000 |
* All common shares issuable to ValOre will be calculated and issued at a deemed price equivalent to the volume-weighted average closing price of the common shares of Azincourt on the TSX Venture Exchange in the twenty trading days immediately prior to issuance, subject to a minimum price of $0.05.
** These obligations were not yet fulfilled by Azincourt. The Company is in the process of negotiations to amend the terms of the definitive property option agreement with Azincourt.
Azincourt has the option to extend any of the above dates by an additional 6 months in exchange for additional consideration shares with a value of $100,000.
Following completion of these requirements Azincourt will hold a seventy-five percent interest in the Project. In the event Azincourt does not complete the final cash payment ($250,000) and share issuance ($500,000), and incur the final expenditures ($2,000,000), the Optionee will hold a fifty percent interest in the Project.
All securities issued in connection with the Option will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period. The Option remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
During the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company received $100,000 cash and 2,837,684 shares of Azincourt Energy Corp. ("Azincourt") value at $250,000 at issuance date.
Baffin Gold Property, Nunavut
In 2017, ValOre made a strategic addition to its project portfolio by acquiring a dominant land position over one of the largest undeveloped greenstone-iron formation gold belts in Nunavut, Canada. The Baffin Gold Property totals 352,760.89 hectares and covers over 130 kilometers of the Foxe Fold Belt on central Baffin Island. The land package consists of 13 Prospecting Permits (280,121.89 ha), which allow the Company to prospect in a large area without competition until 2022 (5 year period), and the exclusive rights to stake mineral claims within that area, and two Exploration Agreements with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) on Inuit Owned Land parcel BI-35 (72,639 ha).
The Baffin Gold Property is a district-scale 100% owned land package comprised of consolidated mineral tenure, approximately 230 kilometers southwest of the community of Clyde River on Baffin Island, in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut. The Property includes a Mineral Exploration Agreement ("MEA") held directly with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. ("NTI") on Inuit Owned Lands, 13 prospecting permits from Indigenous Northern Affairs Canada, plus two additional MEA's with NTI and two crown claims obtained through an option agreement with Commander Resources Ltd. In March 2018, the Company granted Sandstorm a 1.75% NSR on the Property.
The Baffin Gold Property covers an entire Proterozoic gold belt having geological and structural similarities to multimillion-ounce gold mines in the north (i.e. Meadowbank, Lupin) as well as the prolific Homestake Mine in South Dakota. BHP-Billiton, Falconbridge, Commander Resources and AngloGold Ashanti have conducted exploration programs on the Property with extensive geoscience databases worth over $25 million. The Property also has an existing camp, tidewater access and two 1,200-meter airstrips.
Rock sample results from ValOre's 2017 exploration program confirmed high-grade gold occurrences in banded iron-formation and metasediment hosted quartz veins. Geochemical till sample results identified a new 10-kilometrelong corridor of anomalous gold at south Kanosak.
Geochemical results also extended the strike length of known high-grade gold occurrences at Brent and expanded anomalies around historic gold in regional till results. Follow-up work in 2018 infilled the 2017 till grids and successfully outlined three, kilometre-scale areas with anomalous gold in underexplored, prospective geology west of the Brent and Ridge occurrences. Rock samples also confirmed high-grade gold at Durette. In addition, 6,984 line kilometres of airborne horizontal gradient magnetic survey now provides geophysical coverage across 110 kilometres of strike on the Property.
Genesis Property, Saskatchewan & Manitoba
ValOre's jointly owned Genesis Uranium Property (50% ValOre, 50% Coast Copper Corp. or "Coast Copper") (formerly Roughrider Exploration Limited) or was initially staked as five claim blocks located 25 kilometres northeast of Cameco Corporation's Eagle Point uranium mine site and these extended 90 kilometres to the Manitoba border.
Exploration by ValOre and Coast Copper since 2014 included several airborne geophysical surveys (magnetic-EM, gravity, ZTEM™), lake sediment sampling, soil sampling, vegetation (biogeochemical) sampling and prospecting.
Programs focussed on systematic and targeted exploration that generated several geochemical and geophysical priority target areas such as Jurgen 1-2, Kingston, Johnston/GAP and Daniels Bay, however during the year ended September 30, 2019, management decided to no longer pursue exploration activities on this project and as a result decided to write it off. Currently there are six active mineral claims in ValOre's name on the Genesis Property in Saskatchewan, totalling 397.31 ha.
Mangabal, Goiás State, Brazil
The Mangabal Project is located in Goiás State, central Brazil, at approximately 80 km west of the state capital, Goiânia, and 280 km from the national capital, Brasilia. It comprises 26 claims (22 exploration licenses, and 3 applications for exploration licences pending) for a total of approximately 42,000 hectares.
Ni-Cu-(Co) mineralization is hosted within the Neoproterozoic Mafic-Ultramafic ("M-UM") of the Americano do Brasil Complex, and is associated with disseminated to massive sulfides, including pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pentlandite. One deposit has been mined historically, from 2006 to 2013, called "Americano do Brasil", and produced approximately 4.2 Mt of Ni-Cu-(Co) ore, at average grade of 0.6% Ni and 0.6% Cu. Another deposit is known in the belt, called "Mangabal" deposit, with total inferred resources of 1 Mt @ 0.6% NiEq, discovered in 2005, and developed by the Canadian junior company Castillian Resources from 2007 to 2009, approximately. Both the Americano do Brasil and the Mangabal deposit mining rights belong to third parties.
Regional (government) data available includes airbone geophysics and regional geological mapping. Additional exploration work conducted by Castillian Resources includes:
-
20,000 metres of drilling;
-
23,000 core assay results;
-
Several kilometres of airbone geophysics, including EM-VTEM, MAG, GEOTEM, TDEM;
-
6,500 soil samples;
-
80 trenches;
-
320 km² of detailed >mapping;
-
800 rock samples;
-
Detailed petrographic, mineralogical, and metallurgical work.
Regional reconnaissance exploration (mapping and rock sampling) was conducted by ValOre geologists from September-November 2022. Exploration totals to date include 198 points mapped with 95% of the 26 claims visited, and 96 rock samples collected for assays. Extensive prospective M-UM occurrences were corroborated by ValOre mapping; however, no sampled to date have returned Ni-Cu-Co mineralization or associated PGEs.
Follow up exploration work is under evaluation. Detailed mapping will be carried out in the areas surrounding the Mangabal deposit, and evaluation of drill hole data from the Mangabal deposit will be conducted.
QUALIFIED PERSON
The scientific and technical data contained in the property descriptions were reviewed by Mr. Colin Smith, P.Geo., ValOre's Vice President of Exploration, He is responsible for ensuring that the geologic information provided in this section of the Management Discussion and Analysis is accurate and acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Project.
Information related to the independent Angilak mineral resource estimate has been approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc. P.Geo., President of Apex Geoscience Ltd., Robert Sim, P.Geo. of SIM Geological Inc. and Bruce Davis, FAusIMM of BD Resources Consulting Inc., who are independent QPs as defined under NI 43‐101.
Information related to the independent Pedra Branca mineral resource estimate has been approved by Fábio Valério, P.Geo., and Porfirio Cabaleiro, P.Eng., of GE21.
SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION
The following table summarizes selected financial data reported by ValOre for the years ended September 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020. The information set forth should be read in conjunction with the audited annual financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and the related notes thereon.
| For the year ended oras at Sept 30, 2022 | For the year ended oras at Sept 30, 2021 | For the year ended oras at Sept 30, 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project operator fees | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Interest and other income | $443,181 | $26,876 | $18,032 |
| Loss | $18,325,582 | $5,636,732 | $3,734,592 |
| Basic and diluted loss per common share | $0.13 | $0.05 | $0.04 |
| Total assets | $12,383,813 | $12,633,895 | $10,668,688 |
| Total long-term debt | $1,450,680 | $1,254,945 | $466,215 |
| Shareholders' equity (deficiency) | $9,152,346 | $11,062,091 | $8,253,818 |
| Share capital | $98,162,956 | $82,992,926 | $74,184,894 |
| Contributed surplus | $14,892,752 | $13,329,901 | $13,455,676 |
| Deficit | $103,771,148 | $85,445,566 | $79,808,834 |
| Cash dividends declared per common share | Nil | Nil | Nil |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
As at June 30, 2023 exploration and evaluation assets totalled $8,918,450 (September 30, 2022 - $9,867,889). For details of the cost break-down, please refer to Note 7 of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Net income before income taxes for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was $25,944,621 or $0.16 per common share (June 30, 2022 – a loss of $13,074,285 or ($0.10) per common share). The variance from the prior year was primarily due to the completion of the transaction between the Company and Latitude resulting in a gain on arrangement of $31,490,238.
- Evaluation and exploration expenditures of $2,322,675 (2022– $11,435,732). The decrease is due to a decrease in field operations as compared to same period last year.
- Investor relations of $207,460 (2022 $341,922). The decrease is due to a decrease in business activity.
- Professional fees of $2,380,765 (2022 $187,058). The significant increase is due to an increase in fees regarding the transaction with Latitude Uranium.
- Share-based compensation, a non-cash expense, of $Nil (2022 $1,268,929) due to the Company grant of options in this same period last year.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
The following table summarizes selected quarterly financial data reported by the Company.
| June 30,2023 | Mar 31,2023 | Dec 31,2022 | Sept 30,2022 | June 30,2022 | Mar 31,2022 | Dec 31,2021 | Sept 30,2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Interest andother income | ||||||||
| (expense) | 79,487 | 22,557 | 5,583 | (336,536) | 22,623 | 23,745 | 366,682 | 13,169 |
| Net income(loss) | 28,685,881 | (1,374,532) | (1,366,728) | (5,251,297) | (8,157,510) | (3,285,944) | (1,630,831) | (2,482,511) |
| Basic anddiluted income | ||||||||
| (loss) percommon share | 0.18 | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.04) | (0.06) | (0.02) | (0.01) | (0.02) |
| Total assets | 12,377,634 | 12,250,985 | 10,449,686 | 12,383,813 | 13,465,413 | 20,205,229 | 21,694,914 | 12,633,895 |
| Shareholders' | ||||||||
| equity | 11,181,184 | 7,477,086 | 7,801,618 | 9,152,346 | 11,125,275 | 17,290,292 | 19,573,183 | 11,062,091 |
| Share capital | 74,223,932 | 98,162,956 | 98,162,956 | 98,162,956 | 94,687,346 | 93,060,241 | 92,658,439 | 82,992,926 |
| Contributedsurplus | 14,895,776 | 14,892,752 | 14,892,752 | 14,892,752 | 14,768,244 | 14,548,047 | 13,857,673 | 13,329,901 |
| Deficit | 77,822,310 | 106,512,408 | 105,137,876 | 103,771,148 | 98,519,851 | 90,362,341 | 87,076,397 | 85,445,566 |
| Cash dividendsdeclared percommon share | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
For the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Net income before income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $28,685,881 or $0.18 per common share (2022 – a loss of $8,157,510 or ($0.06) per common share). The variance from the prior year was primarily due to the completion of the transaction between the Company and Latitude resulting in a gain on arrangement of $31,490,238.
Evaluation and exploration expenditures of $642,745 (2022 – $7,780,214). The decrease is due to a decrease in field operations as compared to same period last year.
- Professional fees of $1,946,913 (2022 $46,313). The significant increase is due to an increase in fees regarding the transaction with Latitude Uranium.
- Investor relations of $29,824 (2022 $154,012). The decrease is due to a decrease in business activity.
- Share-based compensation, a non-cash expense, of $Nil (2022 $371,802) due to the Company grant of options in this same period last year.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As at June 30, 2023, ValOre had a working capital of $2,216,781 (September 30, 2022 - working capital of $618,698). ValOre has sufficient cash to fund its current operating and administration costs for the next twelve months.
At June 30, 2023, ValOre had a cash balance of $2,916,234 (September 30, 2022 - $1,593,793) to settle accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $1,196,450 (September 30, 2022 - $1,780,787). All of the Company's financial liabilities have contractual maturities of less than 30 days and are subject to conventional trade terms.
The net change in cash as at June 30, 2023 was a increase in cash of $1,322,411 (June 30, 2022 – $400,355) due to the following activities:
Cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was $4,757,559 (June 30, 2022- $12,265,140). Cash was mostly spent on exploration and development work, management, consulting, and general and administrative costs.
Cash provided by investing activities
Total cash used by investing activities during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was $3,000,000 (June 30, 2022 – $180,912), resulting from the funds received pursuant to the Transaction with Latitude.
Cash generated by financing activities
Total net cash generated by financing activities during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was $3,080,000 (June 30, 2022 - $12,484,583), resulting from net proceeds received from private placement and repayment of loan.
At June 30, 2023, ValOre's investment in exploration and evaluation assets, aggregated $8,918,450 (September 30, 2022 - $9,867,889), made up of the following:
| Cumulative as at | Cumulative as at | |
|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |
| Angilak, Nunavut | $- | $949,439 |
| Pedra Branca | $8,918,450 | $8,918,450 |
| Total | $8,918,450 | $9,867,889 |
Actual funding requirements may vary from those planned due to several factors, including the results of exploration activity and market conditions. ValOre expects to obtain financing in the future primarily through further equity and/or debt financing, as well as through joint venturing and/or optioning out ValOre's properties to qualified mineral exploration companies. There can be no assurance that ValOre will succeed in obtaining additional financing, now or in the future. Failure to raise additional financing on a timely basis could cause ValOre to suspend its operations and eventually to forfeit or sell its interest in its exploration and evaluation assets.
Risks and Uncertainties
Exploration Stage Company
ValOre is engaged in the business of acquiring and exploring mineral properties with the objective of locating and advancing economic mineral deposits. The Company currently has interests in exploration projects in northern Canada and Brazil. In addition to uranium exploration properties in Nunavut Territory and the Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, ValOre holds the Baffin Gold Property in Nunavut Territory and the Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements ("PGE") Project in northeastern Brazil that hosts palladium (Pd) + platinum (Pt) + gold (Au) mineralization.
Both the Angilak and Pedra Branca projects have benefited from significant exploration campaigns by several different exploration groups over the past 40 years, which included initial metallurgy and engineering work. Additionally, both Angilak and Pedra Branca host deposits with published NI 43-101 inferred resources.
The Baffin Gold Property in Nunavut, Hatchet Lake and Genesis Properties in Saskatchewan (and Manitoba) are currently at an early stage of exploration.
Development of ValOre's properties will only follow upon obtaining satisfactory exploration results. There can be no assurance that ValOre's existing or future exploration programs will result in the discovery of commercially viable mineral deposits. Further, there can be no assurance that even if a mineral deposit is located, that it can be commercially mined.
Mineral Exploration and Development
The exploration and development of minerals is highly speculative in nature and involves a high degree of financial and other risks over a significant period of time which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. While discovery of a mineral deposit or ore body may result in significant rewards, few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Substantial expenses are required to establish ore reserves by drilling, sampling and other techniques and to design and construct mining and processing facilities. Whether a mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including the particular attributes of the deposit (i.e. size, grade, access and proximity to infrastructure), financing costs, the cyclical nature of commodity prices and government regulations (including those relating to prices, taxes, currency controls, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection). The effect of these factors or a combination thereof cannot be accurately predicted but could have an adverse impact on ValOre.
Mining Operations and Insurance
Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk. ValOre's operations are subject to all of the hazards and risks normally encountered in mineral exploration and development. Such risks include unusual and unexpected geological formations, seismic activity, rock bursts, cave-ins, and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, periodic interruptions due to adverse weather conditions, labour disputes, and political unrest.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or interests, production facilities, personal injury, damage to life or property, environmental damage, delays or interruption of operations, increases in costs, monetary losses, legal liability and adverse government action.
ValOre does not currently carry insurance against these risks and there is no assurance that such insurance will be available in the future, or if available, at economically feasible premiums or acceptable terms. The potential costs associated with liabilities not covered by insurance or excess insurance coverage may cause substantial delays and require significant capital outlays.
No Operating History and Financial Resources
ValOre does not have an operating history and has no operating revenues and is unlikely to generate any in the foreseeable future. It anticipates that its existing cash resources, following any proposed private placements, will be sufficient to cover its projected funding requirements for the ensuing year.
If its exploration program is successful, additional funds will be required for further exploration to prove economic deposits and to bring such deposits to production. Additional funds will also be required for ValOre to acquire and explore other mineral interests. ValOre has limited financial resources and there is no assurance that sufficient additional funding will be available to it fulfill its obligations or for further exploration and development, on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to obtain additional funding on a timely basis could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development and could cause ValOre to forfeit its interests in some or all of its properties or to reduce or terminate its operations.
Government Regulation
The current or future operations of ValOre, including exploration and development activities and the commencement and continuation of commercial production, require licenses, permits or other approvals from various federal, provincial and local governmental authorities and such operations are or will be governed by laws and regulations relating to prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health and safety, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, water use, environmental protection, land claims of indigenous people and other matters. There can be no assurance, however, that ValOre will obtain on reasonable terms, or at all, the permits and approvals, and the renewals thereof, which it may require for the conduct of its current or future operations or that compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits and approvals will not have an adverse effect on any mining project which ValOre may undertake. Possible future environmental and mineral tax legislation, regulations and actions could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays to ValOre's planned exploration and operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted.
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 operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
Competition
The mineral exploration and mining business is competitive in all of its phases. ValOre will compete with numerous other companies and individuals, including competitors with greater financial, technical and other resources, in the search for and the acquisition of attractive mineral properties. ValOre's ability to acquire properties in the future will depend not only on its ability to develop its present properties, but also on its ability to select and acquire suitable prospects for mineral exploration or development. There is no assurance that ValOre will be able to compete successfully with others in acquiring such prospects.
Title to Property
ValOre has taken precautions to ensure that legal titles to its property interests are properly recorded. There can be no assurance that ValOre will be able to secure the grant or the renewal of exploration permits or other tenures on terms satisfactory to it, or that governments in the jurisdictions in which the properties are situated will not revoke or significantly alter such permits or other tenures or that such permits and tenures will not be challenged or impugned. Third parties may have valid claims underlying portions of ValOre's interests, and the permits or tenures may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or native land claims and title may be affected by undetected defects. If a title defect exists, it is possible that ValOre may lose all or part of its interest in the properties to which such defects relate.
Permitting and Regulatory Risks
Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of mining companies could have a material adverse impact on the Company. As well, policy changes and political pressures within and on federal, territorial, and First Nation governments having jurisdiction over or dealings with the Company could change the implementation and interpretation of such laws, regulations and permits, also having a material adverse impact on the Company. Such impacts could result in one or more increases in capital expenditures or reduction or delays in further exploration activities.
Environmental Risks and Hazards
All phases of ValOre's operations will be subject to environmental regulation in the jurisdictions in which it intends to operate. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation, and provide for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry activities and operations.
They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. A breach of such regulation may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. In addition, certain types of mining operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for noncompliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has the potential to reduce the viability or profitability of operations. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties in which ValOre holds interests or on properties that will be acquired which are unknown to ValOre at present and which have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties.
COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. To date, there have been limited adverse effects on ValOre's business or ability to raise funds.
Commodity Prices
The price of ValOre's securities, its financial results and exploration, development and mining activities may in the future be significantly adversely affected by declines in the price of base metals & minerals. These prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond ValOre's control such as the sale or purchase of uranium by various dealers, government agencies and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, currency exchange fluctuation, global and regional supply and demand; production and consumption patterns, speculative activities, increased production due to improved mining and production methods, government regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals, environmental protection and international political and economic trends, conditions and events.
These prices fluctuate widely, and future serious price declines could cause continued development of ValOre's properties to be impracticable.
Further, reserve calculations and life-of-mine plans using significantly lower uranium and platinum group elements prices could result in material write-downs of ValOre's investment in mining properties and increased amortization, reclamation and closure charges.
In addition to adversely affecting reserve estimates and its financial condition, declining commodity prices can impact operations by requiring a reassessment of the feasibility of a particular project. Such a reassessment may be the result of a management decision or may be required under financing arrangements related to a particular project. Even if the project is ultimately determined to be economically viable, the need to conduct such a reassessment may cause substantial delays or may interrupt operations until the reassessment can be completed.
Price Volatility
In recent years, the securities markets in Canada and elsewhere have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market prices of securities of many public companies have experienced significant fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. Any quoted market for ValOre's securities will be subject to such market uncertainties and the value of such securities may be affected accordingly.
Key Executives
ValOre is dependent on the services of key executives and a small number of highly skilled and experienced consultants and personnel, whose contributions to the operations of ValOre are likely to be of importance. Locating mineral deposits depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is the technical skill of the exploration personnel involved.
Due to the relatively small size of ValOre, the loss of these persons or ValOre's inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees or consultants may adversely affect its business and future operations. ValOre does not currently carry any key-man life insurance on any of its executives. The directors and officers of ValOre only devote part of their time to the affairs of ValOre.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Certain directors and officers of ValOre are, and may continue to be, involved in the mining and mineral exploration industry through their direct and indirect participation in corporations, partnerships or joint ventures which are potential competitors of ValOre.
Situations may arise in connection with potential acquisitions in investments where the other interests of these directors and officers may conflict with the interests of ValOre. Directors and officers of ValOre with conflicts of interest are subject to and do follow the procedures set out in applicable corporate and securities legislation, regulations, rules and policies.
Dividends
ValOre has no earnings or dividend record and is unlikely to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future as it intends to employ available funds for mineral exploration and development. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of ValOre and will depend on ValOre's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors of ValOre deem relevant.
Nature of the Securities
The purchase of ValOre's securities involves a high degree of risk and should be undertaken only by investors whose financial resources are sufficient to enable them to assume such risks. ValOre's securities should not be purchased by persons who cannot afford the possibility of the loss of their entire investment. Furthermore, an investment in ValOre's securities should not constitute a major portion of an investor's portfolio.
OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
ValOre does not utilize off balance sheet arrangements.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Key management compensation
Key management consists of ValOre's directors and officers. In addition to management and consulting fees paid to these individuals, or companies controlled by these individuals, the Company provides non-cash benefits. The aggregate value of compensation with key management for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was $305,100 (2022 - $747,303) and was comprised of the following:
| Nine months ended | Nine months ended | |
|---|---|---|
| June 30, | June 30, | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Management and consulting fees | $157,500 | $157,500 |
| Directors' fees (included in Management and | 147,600 | 147,600 |
| consulting fees in the Statements of Loss and | ||
| Comprehensive Loss) | ||
| Share-based compensation | - | 442,203 |
| Total remuneration | $305,100 | $747,303 |
The amounts charged to ValOre for the services provided have been determined by negotiation among the parties and, in certain cases, are covered by signed agreements. Related party transactions and balances not disclosed elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements are as follows:
Other related party transactions
During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, ValOre incurred a total of $45,000 (2022 - $45,000) in consulting fees and $10,910 (2022 - $10,910) in rent from a company owned by a close family member of the CFO.
Due to/from related parties
As at June 30, 2023, $21,000 (September 30, 2022 - $nil) was owed to directors of the Company for director fees. This amount is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Amounts due to related parties are unsecured, have no fixed repayments and are non-interest bearing.
Loan payable
During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, the Company owed $Nil in loan payable (September 30, 2022 - $600,000).
PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
There are no proposed transactions that should be disclosed.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
ValOre's accounting policies are presented Note 2 of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and the audited consolidated financial statements for year ended September 30, 2022. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to select accounting policies and make estimates. Such estimates may have a significant impact on the financial statements. Actual amounts could differ materially from the estimates used and, accordingly, affect the results of the operations.
These include:
- the carrying values of exploration and evaluation assets
- the valuation of stock-based compensation expense
Exploration and evaluation assets
The carrying amount of ValOre's exploration and evaluation assets do not necessarily represent present or future values, and the Company's exploration and evaluation assets have been accounted for under the assumption that the carrying amount will be recoverable. Recoverability is dependent on various factors, including the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing to complete the development and upon future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of the mineral properties themselves.
Additionally, there are numerous geological, economic, environmental and regulatory factors and uncertainties that could impact management's assessment as to the overall viability of its properties or to the ability to generate future cash flows necessary to cover or exceed the carrying value of the Company's exploration and evaluation assets.
Stock-based compensation expense
The grant date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognized as an employee expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees unconditionally become entitled to the awards. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized as an expense is based on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date.
The accounting policies in preparation of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 are consistent with those applied and disclosed in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2022.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
Categories of financial assets and liabilities
The fair value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and loan payable approximate carrying value which is the amount recorded on the statement of financial position due to their short-term nature.
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency of ValOre and its subsidiaries is the Canadian dollar. Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the Company using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate in effect at the financial statement date. Exchange gains or losses arising from these translations are recognized in profit or loss for the reporting period.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss associated with a counterparty's inability to fulfil its payment obligations. The Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to cash. Management believes that the credit risk concentration with respect to cash, is remote as they relate to deposits with major financial institutions. The maximum credit risk as at June 30, 2023 was $2,916,234 (September 30, 2022 - $1,593,793).
Liquidity risk
The Company's approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet liabilities when due. At June 30, 2023, ValOre had a cash balance of $2,916,234 (September 30, 2022 - $1,593,793) to settle current liabilities of $1,196,450 (September 30, 2022 - $1,780,787).
Market risk
Market risk is the risk of loss that may arise from changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and commodity and equity prices.
(a) Interest rate risk
The interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. As at June 30, 2023, the Company is not exposed to significant interest rate risk.
(b) Foreign currency risk
ValOre is exposed to foreign currency risk on fluctuations related to cash, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, denominated in Brazilian Real. A 10% fluctuation between the Canadian dollar and the Brazilian real would impact profit or loss by approximately $2,400 (September 30, 2022 - $1,000).
(c) Price risk
The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to commodity and equity prices. Equity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Company's earnings due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market. Commodity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on earnings and economic value due to commodity price movements and volatilities.
The Company closely monitors commodity prices of resources, individual equity movements, and the stock market to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company. The Company maintains certain investments in marketable securities which are measured at fair value, being the closing price of each equity investment at the statement of financial position date. We are exposed to changes in share prices which would result in gains and losses being recognized in total comprehensive loss. During the year ended September 30, 2022 the Company sold its remaining securities.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Additional Disclosure for Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Issuers Without Significant Revenue
Additional disclosure concerning ValOre's general and administrative expenses and exploration and evaluation assets is provided in ValOre's Statement of Loss and Deficit and Schedule of Exploration and Evaluation Assets contained in its condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and its audited annual financial statements for September 30, 2022, available on www.sedar.com .
Commitments
Advance royalty fees to NTI
As part of the agreement pertaining to Angilak Property, ValOre is committed to paying annual advance royalty fees of $50,000 to NTI. NTI allowed the Company to defer the annual advance royalty payments due on March 31, 2015, 2016, and 2018 to December 31, 2019 (paid), 2020 (paid), and 2021 (paid), respectively.
Flow-through premium liability
Flow-through share premium liabilities include the liability portion of the flow-through shares issued.
During November 2021, the Company completed a non‐brokered private placement of 18,333,333 flow-through shares at a price of $0.60 per share for gross proceeds of $11,000,000. A premium of $0.02 per unit was received for the flow-through shares resulting in an initial liability of $366,667.
The flow-through liability is amortized to Other Income in the Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss, based on the percentage of the eligible expenditures incurred during the period. During the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company fulfilled its commitment.
Outstanding Share Data
ValOre's authorized share capital is unlimited common shares without par value. As at the date of this MD&A, the following common shares, options, and share purchase warrants were outstanding:
| # of Shares | ExercisePrice | Expiry Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued and outstanding common shares | 173,840,145 | ||
| Warrants | 9,299,034 | $0.65 | November 17, 2023 |
| 900,000 | $0.60 | November 17, 2023 | |
| 3,729,600 | $0.60 | August 30, 2024 | |
| 7,295,000 | $0.30 | April 10, 2025 | |
| 1,932,500 | $0.30 | April 21, 2025 | |
| Options | 3,525,000 | $0.25 | September 6, 2024 |
| 6,600,000 | $0.45 | December 9, 2024 | |
| Fully Diluted at August 28, 2023 | 207,121,279 |
NOTE: On June 28, 2018 the Company's shares started trading on the basis of ten pre-consolidation shares for one post consolidation share. The outstanding warrants & options were also adjusted on this basis.
APPROVAL
The Board of Directors of ValOre Metals Corp. has approved the disclosure contained in this MD&A. A copy of this MD&A will be provided to anyone who requests it.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information can be obtained on SEDAR www.sedar.com.or by contacting:
ValOre Metals Corp.
Attention: James Paterson, Chairman and CEO Suite 1020 – 800 West Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6 CANADA Tel: (604) 646-4527 Fax: (604) 331-4526 Website: www.valoremetals.com Email: [email protected]
VALORE METALS CORP. VALORE METALS CORP.
/s/ "James Paterson" /s/ "Robert Scott" James R. Paterson Robert Scott Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer