Table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended August 31, 2022
OR
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from to
Commission File Number: 1-35447
TRILOGY METALS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
British Columbia
98-1006991
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Suite 1150, 609 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
V7Y 1G5
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(604) 638-8088
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares
TMQ
NYSE American
Toronto Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ◻
Accelerated filer ◻
Non-accelerated filer ☒
Smaller reporting company☒
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of October 5, 2022, the registrant had 146,225,035 Common Shares, no par value, outstanding.
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Table of Contents
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
Item 1.
Financial Statements
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
15
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
22
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
23
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
24
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
Item 1. Financial Statements
Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
in thousands of US dollars
August 31, 2022
November 30, 2021
$
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
3,133
6,308
Accounts receivable
11
19
Deposits and prepaid amounts
487
285
3,631
6,612
Investment in Ambler Metals LLC (note 3)
146,819
160,063
Fixed assets
14
29
Mineral properties
—
119
Right of use asset (note 5 (a))
361
482
150,825
167,305
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 4)
502
852
Current portion of lease liability
190
179
692
1,031
Long-term portion of lease liability (note 5 (b))
85
235
777
1,266
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital (note 6) – unlimited common shares authorized, no par value Issued – 145,868,502 (2021 – 144,451,485)
181,945
180,820
Contributed surplus
122
Contributed surplus – options (note 6(a))
27,327
25,990
Contributed surplus – units (note 6(b))
2,294
1,712
Deficit
(61,640)
(42,605)
150,048
166,039
Commitments (note 8)
(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)
/s/ Tony Giardini, President, CEO and Director
/s/ Kalidas Madhavpeddi, Director
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors
Trilogy Metals Inc.For the Quarter Ended August 31, 2022
`
Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss
and Comprehensive Loss
in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts
For the three months ended
For the nine months ended
August 31, 2021
Expenses
Amortization
4
5
16
Exploration expenses
130
Foreign exchange loss (gain)
(11)
(31)
(7)
44
General and administrative
279
425
1,014
1,188
Investor relations
18
170
155
440
Professional fees
131
123
568
627
Salaries
172
365
847
1,210
Salaries and directors expense – stock-based compensation
562
409
3,146
3,081
Total expenses
1,166
1,596
5,749
6,736
Other items
Gain on disposition of mineral property
(84)
Interest and other income
(4)
(15)
(13)
Services agreement income
(22)
Share of loss on equity investment (note 3(b))
8,925
6,072
13,295
8,892
Write off mineral properties
(58)
90
Comprehensive loss for the period
(9,938)
(7,664)
(19,035)
(15,593)
Basic loss per common share
(0.07)
(0.05)
(0.13)
(0.11)
Diluted loss per common share
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
145,865,847
144,447,463
145,555,376
144,347,948
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
in thousands of US dollars, except share amounts
Contributed
Total
surplus –
shareholders’
Number of shares
Share capital
surplus
options
units
equity
outstanding
Balance – November 30, 2020
144,137,850
179,746
23,303
1,585
(20,945)
183,811
Exercise of options
76,635
334
(334)
Stock-based compensation
2,112
36
2,148
Earnings for the period
(4,516)
Balance – February 28, 2021
144,214,485
180,080
25,081
1,621
(25,461)
181,443
232,000
308
(202)
106
488
524
Loss for the period
(3,413)
Balance – May 31, 2021
144,446,485
180,388
25,367
1,657
(28,874)
178,660
5,000
(1)
384
25
Balance - August 31, 2021
144,451,485
180,392
25,750
1,682
(36,538)
171,408
Balance – November 30, 2021
145,009,811
31,674
50
(32)
Restricted Share Units
391,332
650
(650)
Joint venture contribution
31,469
51
864
1,001
1,865
(5,023)
Balance – February 28, 2022
145,464,286
181,571
26,822
2,063
(47,628)
162,950
50,000
26
10
110,000
113
(113)
274
229
503
(4,074)
Balance – May 31, 2022
145,624,286
181,710
27,106
2,179
(51,702)
159,415
244,216
(235)
221
350
571
Balance – August 31, 2022
145,868,502
Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows used in operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows in operating activities
Office lease accounting
(10)
Gain on disposal of mineral property
Loss on equity investment in Ambler Metals LLC (note 3(b))
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss
2,939
Net change in non-cash working capital
Decrease in accounts receivable
8
Increase in deposits and prepaid amounts
(231)
(297)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(350)
(503)
Total cash flows used in operating activities
(3,367)
(4,283)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of options
54
109
Total cash flows from financing activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Mineral claims
(119)
Proceeds from disposition of mineral property
142
Total cash flows from (used in) investing activities
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(3,171)
(4,293)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period
11,125
Cash and cash equivalents – end of the period
6,831
6
Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
1) Nature of operations
Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy” or the “Company”) was incorporated in British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (BC) on April 27, 2011. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties, through our equity investee (see note 4), with a focus on the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“UKMP”), including the Arctic and Bornite Projects located in Northwest Alaska in the United States of America (“US”). The Company also conducts early-stage exploration through a wholly owned subsidiary, 995 Exploration Inc.
At August 31, 2022, we had $3.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $2.9 million. The Company continues to manage its cash expenditures through its working capital including cash preservation efforts related to Director and management compensation. We believe our existing cash resources will provide sufficient funds to carry out our planned operations for the 12-months from the date that our consolidated financial statements are issued.
2) Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Trilogy and its wholly owned subsidiaries, NovaCopper US Inc. (dba “Trilogy Metals US”) and 995 Exploration Inc. All intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation. For variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where Trilogy is not the primary beneficiary, we use the equity method of accounting.
All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. References to CDN$ refer to amounts in Canadian dollars.
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of August 31, 2022 and our results of operations and cash flows for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021. The results of operations for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022.
As these interim consolidated financial statements do not contain all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on February 11, 2022.
These interim consolidated financial statements were approved by the Company’s Audit Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors for issue on October 4, 2022.
Use of estimates and measurement uncertainties
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions of future events that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenditures during the period. Significant judgments include the assessment of potential indicators of impairment of mineral properties and investments in affiliates. Significant estimates include the measurement of the equity method investment, income taxes, and the valuation of stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ materially from those reported.
Management assesses the possibility of impairment in the carrying value of its equity method investment in Ambler Metals whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. Significant judgments are made in assessing the possibility of impairment. Factors that may be indicative of an impairment include a loss in the value of an investment that is not temporary. Management considers several factors in
7
considering if an indicator of impairment has occurred, including but not limited to, sustained losses by the investment, the absence of the ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, significant changes in the legal, business or regulatory environment, significant adverse changes impacting the investee and internal reporting indicating the economic performance of an investment is, or will be, worse than expected.
These factors are subjective and require consideration at each period end. If an indicator of impairment is determined to exist, the fair value of the impaired investment is determined based on the valuation of cohort companies with similar projects or upon the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates and other assumptions believed to be consistent with those used by principal market participants and observed market earnings multiples of comparable companies.
Management calculates the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows relating to the asset or asset group using estimated future prices, proven and probable reserves and other mineral resources, and operating, capital and reclamation costs. When the carrying value of an asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value, which is usually determined using discounted future cash flows. Management’s estimates of mineral prices, mineral resources, foreign exchange rates, production levels operating, capital and reclamation costs are subject to risk and uncertainties that may affect the determination of the recoverability of the long-lived asset. It is possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management’s estimates.
3) Investment in Ambler Metals LLC
(a)
Formation of Ambler Metals LLC
On February 11, 2020, the Company completed the formation of a 50/50 joint venture named Ambler Metals LLC (“Ambler Metals”) with South32 Limited (“South32”). As part of the formation of the joint venture, Trilogy contributed all its assets associated with the UKMP, including the Arctic and Bornite Projects, while South32 contributed cash of US$145 million, resulting in each party’s subsidiaries directly owning a 50% interest in Ambler Metals.
Ambler Metals is an independently operated company jointly controlled by Trilogy and South32 through a four-member board, of which two members are appointed by Trilogy based on its 50% equity interest. All significant decisions related to the UKMP require the approval of both companies. We determined that Ambler Metals is a VIE because it is expected to need additional funding from its owners for its significant activities. However, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of Ambler Metals as the power to direct its activities, through its board, is shared under the Ambler Metals LLC limited liability company agreement. As we have significant influence over Ambler Metals through our representation on its board, we use the equity method of accounting for our investment in Ambler Metals. Our investment in Ambler Metals was initially measured at its fair value of $176 million upon recognition. Our maximum exposure to loss in this entity is limited to the carrying amount of our investment in Ambler Metals, which, as at August 31, 2022, totaled $146.8 million.
(b)
Carrying value of equity method investment
Trilogy recognized, based on its 50% ownership interest in Ambler Metals, an equity loss equivalent to its pro rata share of Ambler Metals’ comprehensive loss of $17.9 million for the three-month period ending August 31, 2022 (2021 - $12.1 million) and $26.6 million for the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022 (2021 - $17.8 million). During the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022, Trilogy made a $51,000 equity contribution to Ambler Metals through the issuance of 31,469 common shares of the Company as part of the long-term incentive compensation for an Ambler Metals executive. Likewise, South32 made an equivalent equity contribution to Ambler Metals for $51,000 in cash for their 50% share. The carrying value of Trilogy’s 50% investment in Ambler Metals as at August 31, 2022 is summarized on the following table.
in thousands of dollars
November 30, 2021, Investment in Ambler Metals
Joint venture equity contribution
Share of loss on equity investment for the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022
(13,295)
August 31, 2022, Investment in Ambler Metals
(c)
The following table summarizes Ambler Metals’ Balance Sheet as at August 31, 2022.
Total assets
126,360
149,374
Cash
93,532
61,205
Loan receivable from South32 (current and long-term)
55,355
30,899
30,757
Total liabilities
(8,517)
(5,043)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(7,789)
(4,148)
Members' equity (total assets less total liabilities)
117,843
144,331
South32 fully repaid the remaining loan balance on June 21, 2022.
(d) The following table summarizes Ambler Metals' loss for the three and nine-month period ending August 31, 2022.
Three months ended
Nine months ended
Depreciation
32
77
55
Corporate salaries and wages
477
655
1,437
1,864
158
397
560
767
Mineral property expense
17,120
11,139
24,527
15,109
125
207
626
791
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss
(16)
Interest income
(72)
(260)
(642)
(807)
Comprehensive loss
17,850
12,144
26,590
17,783
(e)
Related party transactions
During the three-month period ended August 31, 2022, the Company transferred a mineral claim to Ambler Metals and received net proceeds of approximately $140,000.
9
4) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Trade accounts payable
75
205
Accrued liabilities
148
105
Accrued salaries and vacation
542
5) Leases
Balance as at November 30, 2021
Net amortization
(121)
Balance as at August 31, 2022
The Company’s lease arrangements primarily consist of an operating lease for our office space ending in June 2024. There are no extension options.
Total lease expense recorded within general and administrative expenses was comprised of the following components:
Operating lease costs
140
Variable lease costs
108
86
Total lease expense
248
226
Variable lease costs consist primarily of the Company’s portion of operating costs associated with the office space lease as the Company elected to apply the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components.
As of August 31, 2022, the weighted-average remaining lease term is 1.8 years and the weighted-average discount rate is 8%. Significant judgment was used in the determination of the incremental borrowing rate which included estimating the Company’s credit rating.
Supplemental cash and non-cash information relating to our leases during the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022 are as follows:
Future minimum payments relating to the lease recognized in our balance sheet as of August 31, 2022 are as follows:
Fiscal year
2022
2023
2024
34
Total undiscounted lease payments
290
Effect of discounting
Present value of lease payments recognized as lease liability
275
6) Share capital
Authorized:
unlimited common shares, no par value
in thousands of dollars, except share amounts
Ascribed value
81,674
76
745,548
998
Joint venture equity contribution (note 3(b))
August 31, 2022, issued and outstanding
Stock options
During the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022, the Company granted 1,734,500 stock options (2021 - 3,374,150 stock options) at an exercise price of CDN$2.21 (2021 - CDN$2.52) to employees, consultants and directors exercisable for a period of five years with various vesting terms from immediate vesting to vesting over a two-year period. The fair value attributable to options granted in the period was CDN$0.94 (2021 - CDN$0.84). No stock options were granted during the second and third quarters.
For the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $1.4 million (2021 - $2.98 million) for options granted to directors, employees and service providers, net of estimated forfeitures.
The fair value of the stock options recognized in the period has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Assumptions used in the pricing model for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022 are as provided below.
Risk-free interest rates
1.07%
Exercise price
CDN$2.28
Expected life
3 years
Expected volatility
60.6%
Expected dividends
Nil
As of August 31, 2022, there were 1,779,504 non-vested options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of CDN$2.37; the non-vested stock option expense not yet recognized was $0.37 million. This expense is expected to be recognized over the next twelve months.
A summary of the Company’s stock option plan and changes during the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022 is as follows:
Weighted average
exercise price
Number of options
CDN$
Balance – beginning of the fiscal year
10,539,324
2.54
Granted
1,734,500
2.21
Exercised
(81,674)
0.85
Expired
(5,000)
2.52
Balance – end of the period
12,187,150
2.50
During the six-month period ended May 31, 2022, the Company received net proceeds of $54,295 upon the exercise of 81,674 options. There were no stock options exercised during the third quarter.
The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at August 31, 2022.
Outstanding
Exercisable
Unvested
Weighted
Number of
average
average years
exercisable
unvested
Range of exercise price (CDN$)
to expiry
$1.01 to $1.50
870,000
0.27
1.05
$2.01 to $2.50
2,599,500
3.59
2.26
1,676,498
2.29
923,002
$2.51 to $3.00
6,920,150
2.70
2.64
6,063,648
2.66
856,502
$3.01 to $3.41
1,797,500
2.31
3.03
10,407,646
1,779,504
The aggregate intrinsic value of vested stock options (the market value less the exercise price) at August 31, 2022 was $Nil (2021 - $2.2 million) and the aggregate intrinsic value of exercised options for the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022 was $0.05 million (2021 - $0.63 million).
Restricted Share Units and Deferred Share Units
The Company has a Restricted Share Unit Plan (“RSU Plan”) to provide long-term incentives to employees and consultants and a Non-Executive Director Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) to offset cash payments for fees to directors. Awards under the RSU Plan and DSU Plan have been settled in common shares of the Company with each restricted share unit
12
(“RSU”) and deferred share unit (“DSU”) entitling the holder to receive one common share of the Company. All units are accounted for as equity-settled awards.
A summary of the Company’s unit plans and changes during the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022 is as follows:
Number of RSUs
Number of DSUs
1,277,445
1,002,816
230,203
Vested
(745,548)
257,268
1,507,648
For the nine-month period ending August 31 2022, Trilogy recognized a combined RSU and DSU stock-based compensation charge of $1.6 million (2021 - $0.10 million), net of estimated forfeitures.
7) Financial instruments
The Company is exposed to a variety of risks arising from financial instruments. These risks and management’s objectives, policies and procedures for managing these risks are disclosed as follows.
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of their maturity. The Company’s financial instruments initially measured at fair value and then held at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Financial risk management
The Company’s activities expose it to certain financial risks, including currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest risk and price risk.
Currency risk
Currency risk is the risk of a fluctuation in financial asset and liability settlement amounts due to a change in foreign exchange rates. The Company operates in the United States and Canada. The Company’s exposure to currency risk at August 31, 2022 is limited to the Canadian dollar balances consisting of cash of approximately CDN$54,000, accounts receivable of approximately CDN$14,000 and accounts payable of approximately CDN$320,000. Based on a 10% change in the US-Canadian exchange rate, assuming all other variables remain constant, the Company’s net loss would change by approximately $19,000.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents with Canadian Chartered financial institutions. The Company’s accounts receivable consists of Canadian Goods and Services Tax receivable from the Federal Government of Canada and other receivables for recoverable expenses. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is equal to the balance of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable as recorded in the financial statements.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulties raising funds to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company is in the exploration stage and does not have cash inflows from operations; therefore, the Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure and financial leverage.
13
Contractually obligated undiscounted cash flow requirements as at August 31, 2022 are as follows:
< 1 Year
1–2 Years
2–5 Years
Thereafter
Office lease
204
792
706
Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is $207,000 for accrued salaries and director fees that were settled, subsequent to the end of the third quarter, on September 1, 2022 through the issuance of common shares of the Company (note 9).
(d)
Interest rate risk
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. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk with respect to interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Based on balances as at August 31, 2022, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a negligible change in net loss, assuming all other variables remain constant.
As we are currently in the exploration phase none of our financial instruments are exposed to commodity price risk; however, our ability to obtain long-term financing and its economic viability could be affected by commodity price volatility.
8) Commitment
The Company has commitments with respect to an office lease requiring future minimum lease payments as summarized in note 5(b) above.
9) Subsequent event
On September 1, 2022 the Board of Directors and senior management were granted 344,323 RSUs in settlement of approximately $207,000 in accrued salaries and director fees, all vesting immediately. The grants were in support of an effort to preserve cash and increase share ownership by settling the cash component of director fees and a portion of senior management salaries in shares of the Company.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion & Analysis
For the Quarter Ended August 31, 2022
(expressed in US dollars)
Cautionary notes
Forward-looking statements
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the Company’s work programs and budgets, including statements about
the plans and budget for the 2022 field exploration program; perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, the impact of the BLM’s suspension of permits on the right-of-way with AIDEA relating to the Ambler Road Project; the Company and Ambler Metals’ funding requirements, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, statements regarding Ambler Metals’ plans and expectations relating to its Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, sufficiency of the $145 million subscription price to fund the UKMP; impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations; market prices for precious and base metals; statements regarding the Ambler Access Project (also known as the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project); or other statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute “forward-looking statements” to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential”, “possible” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, as well as on a number of material assumptions, which could prove to be significantly incorrect, including about:
We have also assumed that no significant events will occur outside of our normal course of business. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. We believe that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this MD&A. However, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
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This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022, filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the SEC, and other information released by Trilogy and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies.
The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
General
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy”, “Trilogy Metals”, “the Company” or “we”) is dated October 4, 2022 and provides an analysis of our unaudited interim financial results for the quarter ended August 31, 2022 compared to the quarter ended August 31, 2021.
The following information should be read in conjunction with our August 31, 2022 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes which were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The MD&A should also be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended November 30, 2021. A summary of the U.S. GAAP accounting policies is outlined in note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. References to “Canadian dollars” and “CDN$” are to the currency of Canada and references to “U.S. dollars”, “$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States.
Richard Gosse, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of the Company, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), and has approved the scientific and technical information in this MD&A.
Trilogy’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the NYSE American Stock Exchange (“NYSE American”) under the symbol “TMQ”. Additional information related to Trilogy, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Description of business
We are a base metals exploration company focused on the exploration and development of mineral properties, through our equity investee, in the Ambler mining district located in Alaska, U.S.A. We conduct our operations through a wholly owned subsidiary, NovaCopper US Inc. which is doing business as Trilogy Metals US (“Trilogy Metals US”). Our Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, (“UKMP” or “UKMP Projects”) were contributed into a 50/50 joint venture named Ambler Metals LLC (“Ambler Metals”) between Trilogy and South32 Limited (“South32”) on February 11, 2020 (see below). The projects contributed to Ambler Metals consist of: i) the Ambler lands which host the Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project (the “Arctic Project”); and ii) the Bornite lands being explored under a collaborative long-term agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (“NANA”), a regional Alaska Native Corporation, which hosts the Bornite carbonate-hosted copper project (the “Bornite Project”) and related assets. The Company also conducts early-stage exploration through a wholly owned subsidiary, 995 Exploration Inc.
Joint venture project activities
2022 Exploration Season for the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects
Field season activities at the UKMP Projects commenced in late May, with the camp opening on May 20 and drilling was completed on September 16.
The Bornite camp is expected to be fully shut down during the first week of October. The $26.2 million approved budget for Ambler Metals LLC, our 50/50 joint venture with South32 Limited, for this year was mainly spent on the summer field program, which included 10,739 meters of diamond drilling that prioritized advancing the Arctic Project with additional infill drilling to further improve the confidence in the resource and the completion of a geotechnical study to further de-risk the Arctic Project. Exploration outside of the Arctic deposit focused on discovering copper-rich satellite deposits near Arctic in the VMS Belt and the Cosmos Hills. The forecasted spend at Ambler Metals for the fiscal year is estimated to be approximately $28.5 million which is $2.3 million or 8.8% higher than budget.
For the 2022 Arctic field program, Ambler Metals completed 8,376 meters in 47 holes as part of an 8,400-meter infill program to increase confidence of the resource from the Indicated to Measured category. This includes five holes totaling 815 meters completed for the geotechnical assessment of Arctic that was initiated last year and two infill holes instrumented for the ongoing geohydrological assessment.
The 2022 exploration program for the Cosmos Hills and Ambler VMS Belt includes drilling of approximately 7 holes totaling 2,363 meters as well as detailed mapping and soil sampling to build on the work performed during the prior year. In addition, 1,350 meters of trenching was completed around Pardner Hill.
The Company expects to begin announcing drill results during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“AMDIAP” or “Ambler Access Project”)
In a press release dated September 21, 2022, the Company provided an update on the AMDIAP. The BLM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent (“NOI”) that it will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (“SEIS”) for the proposed AMDIAP. The NOI includes a 45-day comment period on the SEIS, which will allow the BLM to determine if any additional impacts and resources related to previously identified deficiencies should be more thoroughly assessed. The NOI also indicated that input by Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations will continue to be of critical importance and that the BLM will continue to consult with these entities under applicable guidance. The BLM anticipates publishing a Draft SEIS during the second quarter of 2023, after which it will accept public comments on the Draft SEIS.
Summary of results
Selected expenses
Share of loss on equity investment
For the three-month period ended August 31, 2022, cash preservation strategies resulted in overall cash savings of $0.5 million in general and administrative expenses, investor relations, professional fees and salaries when compared to the three-month period ended August 31, 2021. The increase in our share of losses of Ambler Metals of $2.9 million was mainly due to an increase in mineral property expenses over the comparative quarter in the prior year from higher drilling and project support costs as well as higher pre-development costs for the Ambler Access Project.
For the nine-month period ended August 31, 2022, cash preservation strategies resulted in overall cash savings of $0.9 million in general and administrative expenses, investor relations, professional fees and salaries when compared to the nine-month period ended August 31, 2021. The increase in our share of losses of Ambler Metals of $4.4 million was mainly due to an increase in mineral property expenses over the comparative period in the prior year from higher drilling and project support costs as well as higher pre-development costs for the Ambler Access Project.
Liquidity and capital resources
We expended $3.4 million on operating activities during the nine-month period ending August 31, 2022 with the majority of cash spent on corporate salaries, professional fees related to our annual regulatory filings, annual insurance renewal, annual fees paid to the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange and with the American and Canadian securities commissions.
At August 31, 2022, we had $3.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $2.9 million. The Company continues to manage its cash expenditures through its working capital. Management continues to review the fiscal 2022 budget for cash preservation opportunities and has reduced cash expenditures where feasible, including but not limited to, reductions in marketing and investor conferences and office expenses. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors have agreed to take all of their fees in shares of the Company in an effort to preserve cash and increase share ownership. The Company’s senior management team are also taking a portion of their base salaries in shares of the Company to preserve cash. Management believes that the combination of these cost reduction efforts results in sufficient cash to fund the Company’s operations for the next twelve months.
All project related costs are funded by the joint venture. Amber Metals is well funded to advance the UKMP with $93.5 million in cash and $85.8 million in working capital as at August 31, 2022. There are sufficient funds at the joint venture to fund this fiscal year’s budget for the UKMP and the Ambler Access Project. Trilogy does not anticipate having to fund the activities of Ambler Metals until the current cash balance $93.5 million is expended.
Future cash requirements may vary materially from current expectations. The Company will need to raise additional funds in the future to support its operations and administration expenses. Future sources of liquidity are likely in the form of an equity financing but may include debt financing, convertible debt, exercise of options, or other means. The continued operations of the Company are dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing or to generate future cash flows.
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Off-balance sheet arrangements
We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.
Outstanding share data
At October 4, 2022, we had 146,225,035 common shares issued and outstanding. At October 4, 2022, we had outstanding, 12,151,150 stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of CDN$2.51, as well as 1,560,737 DSUs, 257,268 RSUs, and 11,927 NovaGold Resources Inc. (“NovaGold”) DSUs for which the holder is entitled to receive one common share for every six NovaGold shares received. Upon exercise of all the foregoing convertible securities, the Company would be required to issue an aggregate of 13,971,142 common shares.
New accounting pronouncements
There are no new accounting pronouncements affecting the Company.
Critical accounting estimates
The most critical accounting estimates upon which our financial status depends are those requiring estimates of the recoverability of our equity method investment in Ambler Metals, income taxes and valuation of stock‐based compensation.
Impairment of Investment in Ambler Metals LLC
Management assesses the possibility of impairment in the carrying value of its equity method investment in Ambler Metals whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. Significant judgments are made in assessing the possibility of impairment. Factors that may be indicative of an impairment include a loss in the value of an investment that is not temporary. Management considers several factors in considering if an indicator of impairment has occurred, including but not limited to, sustained losses by the investment, the absence of the ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, significant changes in the legal, business or regulatory environment, significant adverse changes impacting the investee including the status of the Ambler Access Project and internal reporting indicating the economic performance of an investment is, or will be, worse than expected.
Income taxes
We must make estimates and judgments in determining the provision for income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties. We are subject to income tax law
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in the United States and Canada. The evaluation of tax liabilities involving uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulation is based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new audit activity, and effectively settled issues. The evaluation of an uncertain tax position requires significant judgment, and a change in such recognition would result in an additional charge to the income tax expense and liability.
Compensation expense for options granted to employees, directors and certain service providers is determined based on estimated fair values of the options at the time of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which takes into account, as of the grant date, the fair market value of the shares, expected volatility, expected life, expected forfeiture rate, expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires input estimation of the expected life of the option, volatility, and forfeiture rate which can have a significant impact on the valuation model, and resulting expense recorded.
Additional information
Additional information regarding the Company, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.trilogymetals.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted by the Company under U.S. and Canadian securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in those rules, including providing reasonable assurance that material information is gathered and reported to senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to permit timely decisions regarding public disclosure. Management, including the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules of Canadian Securities Administration, as of August 31, 2022. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal control over financial reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act and National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim filings. Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2022 which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. We continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis to identify improvements.
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are a party to routine litigation and proceedings that are considered part of the ordinary course of its business. We are not aware of any material current, pending, or threatened litigation.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Trilogy and its future business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties due to the nature of its business and the present stage of exploration of its mineral properties and the formation of the joint venture. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are under the heading “Risk Factors” under Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.trilogymetals.com. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed under Item 1A Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022, except for the following:
The Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“AMDIAP” or the “Ambler Access Project”) is critical to the development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, and significant delays in the development of the Ambler Access Project or failure to develop the Ambler Access Project would have a material adverse impact on development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects and the Company.
On July 23, 2020, the BLM issued the Joint Record of Decision (“JROD”) for the Ambler Access Project. The JROD approves the development of the northern or “A” route which is to be a 211-mile-long gravel private access road in the southern Brooks Range foothills to provide industrial access to the Ambler Mining District. Along with the JROD, a Section 404 Permit, which is governed by the Clean Water Act, was issued by the United States Army Corp. of Engineers to AIDEA. On August 3, 2020, a coalition of national and Alaska environmental non-government organizations (“ENGO”) filed the first of two lawsuits against the federal agencies responsible for issuing the JROD. The ENGOs main position is that due process was not carried out during the permitting of the AMDIAP. Subsequently, AIDEA, Ambler Metals, the State of Alaska, and NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., have filed for and received intervenor status in the lawsuit and will be defending the issuance of the JROD and the permits. In mid-March 2022, the BLM and the DOI suspended the right-of-way grant and the right-of-way permit, respectively to AIDEA relating to the Ambler Access Project over federal land while the DOI conducts further analysis and consultation. While the suspension decisions are in place: AIDEA may not conduct any activities that rely on the authority of the ROW permit; the terms and conditions of the ROW permit are tolled; and all rental fee obligations are suspended. The suspension does not preclude AIDEA from applying for special use permits to conduct activities on the lands subject to the ROW permit or grant pursuant to applicable law or authority other than the suspended permit and grant.
Further, construction of the AMDIAP will require significant financing and additional permitting. We cannot provide assurances that the proposed AMDIAP that would provide access to the Ambler mining district will be built, that it will be built in a timely manner, that the cost of accessing the proposed road will be reasonable, that it will be built in the manner contemplated, or that it will sufficiently satisfy the requirements of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects. If not, it would materially and adversely impact the ability to develop the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects.
Risks related to global economic instability, including global supply chain issues, inflation and fuel and energy costs
may affect the Company’s business.
The volatile global economic environment has created market uncertainty and volatility in recent years. This global economic uncertainty has negatively affected the mining and minerals sectors in general, and the Company’s market capitalization has been reduced in periods of market instabilities. Many industries, including the mining industry, are impacted by these market conditions. Global financial conditions remain subject to sudden and rapid destabilizations in
response to economic shocks. A slowdown in the financial markets or other economic conditions including but not limited to global supply chain issues, inflation, fuel and energy costs, business conditions, lack of available credit, the state of the financial markets, interest rates and tax rates, may adversely affect the Company’s growth and profitability. Future economic shocks may be precipitated by a number of causes, including a continued rise in the price of oil and other commodities, the volatility of metal prices, geopolitical instability (including events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine), terrorism, pandemics, the devaluation and volatility of global stock markets and natural disasters. Any sudden or rapid destabilization of global economic conditions could impact the Company’s ability to obtain equity or debt financing in the future on terms favorable to the Company or at all. In such an event, the Company’s operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
Prices and availability of commodities consumed or used in connection with exploration and development and mining, such as natural gas, diesel, oil and electricity, also fluctuate, and these fluctuations affect the costs of operations. These fluctuations can be unpredictable, can occur over short periods of time and may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating costs or the timing and costs of various projects.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
These disclosures are not applicable to us.
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation, dated April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference Exhibit 99.2 to the Registration Statement on Form 40-F as filed on March 1, 2012, File No. 001-35447)
3.2
Articles of Trilogy Metals Inc., effective April 27, 2011, as altered March 20, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 40-F as filed on April 19, 2012, File No. 001-35447)
3.3
Notice of Articles and Certificate of Change of Name, dated September 1, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated September 8, 2016)
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101
Interactive Data Files
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 5, 2022
By:
/s/ Tony Giardini
Tony Giardini
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Elaine M. Sanders
Elaine M. Sanders
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer