Lion Copper Corp 20-F/A for FY2021
Lion Copper Corp. (LCGMF)
About this 20-F/A
Lion Copper Corp filed this 20-F/A on May 31, 2022, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (FY2021).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net loss
- $3.02M
- compared with a net loss of $983K a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
or
[
For the fiscal year ended
or
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Commission file number
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Phone (
(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Shares, no par value
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [ ] [ X ]
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] [ X ]
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.
[ X ] 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 and post such files).
[ X ] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer [ ] |
Accelerated filer [ ] |
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Emerging growth company [ |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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.
† The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 USC. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Yes [ ] No [ X ]
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registration has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP [ ]
Other [ ]
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 [ ]
Item 18 [ ]
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [
Former Auditor Firm Id:
Current Auditor Firm Id:
EXPLANATORY NOTE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
References to the "Company", "Lion CG", "we", "us", "our" and words of similar meaning used in this annual report refer to Lion Copper and Gold Corp.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report of Lion CG contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislations ("Forward-Looking Statements"). Forward-Looking Statements reflect the expectations of management and consist of statements that are not only historical fact but also relate to predictions, expectations, belief, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events, or future performance. Forward-Looking Statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan" or similar words. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any Forward-Looking Statements provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in Forward-Looking Statements as a result of various estimates, risks, and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements in this annual report and in documents incorporated by reference herein include, but are not limited to, statements with regard to:
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planned exploration activity including both expected drilling and geological and geophysical related activities; |
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future foreign exchange rates; |
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future sources of liquidity, cash flows and their uses; |
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realization of anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; |
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expected levels of operating costs, general and administrative costs, costs of services and others; |
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treatment under government regulation and taxation regimes. |
Forward-Looking Statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Statements, including, without limitation:
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risks related to exploration and development of natural resource properties; |
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the uncertain nature of estimating mineral resources and mineral reserves; |
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uncertainty in the Company's ability to obtain funding; |
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copper price fluctuations; |
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recent market events and conditions; |
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risks related to governmental regulations; |
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risks related to the Company's business being subject to environmental laws and regulations; |
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risks related to the Company's inability to meet its financial obligations under agreements to which it is a party; |
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risks related to the Company's ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel. |
These Forward-Looking Statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as on assumptions made by and information currently available to us at the time such statements were made. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or estimates or opinions change.
2
DIFFERENCES IN UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN REPORTING PRACTICES
Financial Information
All financial information in this annual report is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). IFRS differs in some respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, ("U.S. GAAP"), and thus our financial statements may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.
Resource and Reserve Estimates
The SEC has adopted final rules, that become effective on February 25, 2019, to replace SEC Industry Guide 7 with new mining disclosure rules under Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act (the "SEC Modernization Rules"). The new rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" to be substantially similar to international standards. The SEC Modernization Rules are mandatory for U.S. reporting companies beginning with the first fiscal year commencing on or after January 1, 2021.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Readers concerning estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources: This Annual Report on Form 20-F may use the term "Inferred Mineral Resource." The Company advises U.S. investors that while such a term is recognized and permitted under Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of all of the Inferred Mineral Resources exist or is economically or legally mineable.
EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY STATUS
The Company is an "emerging growth company" as defined in section 3(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended by the U.S. Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the "JOBS Act"), enacted on April 5, 2012), and the Company will continue to qualify as an "emerging growth company" until the earliest to occur of: (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which the Company has total annual gross revenues of $1,000,000,000 (as such amount is indexed for inflation every five years by the SEC) or more; (b) the last day of the fiscal year of the Company following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (c) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a 'large accelerated filer', as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company expects that it will continue to qualify as an emerging growth company for the foreseeable future.
GLOSSARY OF GEOLOGIC AND MINING TERMS
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Anomaly: |
A geological feature distinguished by geological, geochemical or geophysical means, which is detectably different than the general surroundings and is sometimes of potential economic value. |
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Breccia: |
Rock consisting of more or less angular fragments in a matrix of finer-grained material or cementing material. |
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Diamond drill: |
A type of drill in which the cutting is done by abrasion using diamonds embedded in a matrix rather than by percussion. The drill cuts a core of rock which is recovered in long cylindrical sections. |
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Dilution: |
Process whereby unwanted gangue or waste rock is mixed with ore during mining. |
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Fracture: |
Breaks in a rock, usually due to intensive folding or faulting. |
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Gangue: |
Term used to describe worthless minerals or rock waste mixed in with the valuable minerals. |
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Gouge: |
The finely ground rock that results from the abrasion along a fault surface. |
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Grade: |
The concentration of each ore metal in a rock sample, usually given as weight percent. Where extremely low concentrations are involved, the concentration may be given in grams per tonne (g/t) or ounces per ton (oz/t). The grade of an ore deposit is calculated, often using sophisticated statistical procedures, as an average of the grades of a very large number of samples collected from throughout the deposit. |
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Indicated Mineral |
An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as out-crops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed. |
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Inferred Mineral |
An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. |
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Lithology: |
The physical characteristics of a rock or a rock formation. |
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Mafic: |
A term used to describe ferromagnesian minerals. Rocks composed mainly of ferromagnesian minerals are correctly termed melanocratic. |
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Massive: |
A term used to describe sulfide ores containing more than 50% volume of sulphide. |
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Measured Mineral |
A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity. |
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Mineral Deposit or |
A mineralized body which has been intersected by sufficient closely spaced drill holes and or underground sampling to support sufficient tonnage and average grade of metal(s) to warrant further exploration-development work. This deposit does not qualify as a commercially mineable ore body (Reserves), as prescribed under SEC standards, until a final and comprehensive economic, technical, and legal feasibility study based upon the test results is concluded. |
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Mineral |
A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. |
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Mineral Reserve: |
A Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A Mineral Reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined. |
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Mineralization: |
Usually implies minerals of value occurring in rocks. |
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Ore: |
A natural aggregate of one or more minerals which may be mined and sold at a profit, or from which some part may be profitably separated. |
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Probable Mineral |
A Probable Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of an Indicated, and in some circumstances a Measured Mineral Resource, demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. |
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Proven Mineral Reserve: |
A Proven Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction is justified. |
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Reserve(s): |
A natural aggregate of one or more minerals which, at a specified time and place, may be mined and sold at a profit, or from which some part may be profitably separated. |
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Reverse |
A rotary percussion drill in which the drilling mud and cuttings return to the surface through the drill pipe. |
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Tailings: |
Material rejected from a mill after recoverable valuable minerals have been extracted. |
5
GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
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Ag: |
Silver |
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Ag g/t: |
Silver grade measured in grams per metric tonne |
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Au: |
Gold |
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Au g/t: |
Gold grade measured in grams per metric tonne |
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Cu: |
Copper |
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g/t or gpt: |
grams per tonne |
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IP: |
Induced Polarization geophysical survey |
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NI 43-101: |
Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects |
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NSR: |
Net smelter return royalty |
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Oz: |
Troy ounce |
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oz/t or opt: |
Ounces per ton. |
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PEA: |
Preliminary Economic Assessment |
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ppb: |
Parts per billion |
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ppm: |
Parts per million |
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RC: |
Reverse Circulation |
CONVERSION TABLES
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Conversion Table |
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Imperial |
Metric |
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1 Acre |
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0.404686 |
Hectares |
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1 Foot |
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0.304800 |
Metres |
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1 Mile |
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1.609344 |
Kilometres |
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1 Ton |
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0.907185 |
Tonnes |
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1 Ounce (troy)/ton |
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34.285700 |
Grams/Tonne |
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Precious metal units and conversion factors |
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ppb |
- Part per billion |
1 |
ppb |
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0.0010 |
ppm |
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0.000030 |
oz/t |
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ppm |
- Part per million |
100 |
ppb |
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0.1000 |
ppm |
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0.002920 |
oz/t |
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oz |
- Ounce (troy) |
10,000 |
ppb |
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10.0000 |
ppm |
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0.291670 |
oz/t |
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oz/t |
- Ounce per ton (avdp.) |
1 |
ppm |
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1.0000 |
ug/g |
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1.000000 |
g/tonne |
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g |
- Gram |
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g/tonne |
- gram per metric ton |
1 |
oz/t |
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34.2857 |
ppm |
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mg |
- milligram |
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Carat |
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41.6660 |
mg/g |
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kg |
- kilogram |
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ton (avdp.) |
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907.1848 |
kg |
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ug |
- microgram |
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oz (troy) |
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31.1035 |
g |
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6
PART I
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ITEM 1. |
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 2. |
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 3. |
KEY INFORMATION |
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B. |
Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
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C. |
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
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D. |
Risk Factors |
The Company's securities should be considered a highly speculative investment and investors should carefully consider all of the information disclosed in the Company's Canadian and U.S. regulatory filings prior to making an investment in the Company.
Resource exploration and development is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but also from finding mineral deposits, which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and/or quality to return a profit from production. Without limiting the foregoing, the following risk factors should be given special consideration when evaluating an investment in the Company's securities. Additional risks not currently known to the Company, or that the Company currently deems immaterial, may also impair the Company's operations.
7
The Company may require additional funding to complete further exploration programs.
The Company does not generate operating revenue and must finance exploration activity by other means, such as selling assets, raising funds through optioning certain property interests, and the issuance of debt and/or equity. The Company cannot provide any assurance that additional funding will be available for further exploration of the Company's projects or to fulfill anticipated obligations under existing property agreements.
Failure to obtain necessary financing could result in delay or postponement of further exploration and development, and the property interests of the Company with the possible dilution or loss of such interests. Further, financing will depend upon the success of exploration programs and general market conditions for natural resources.
The Company has a history of losses and anticipates incurring losses for the foreseeable future.
The Company has had a history of losses. None of the Company's properties are currently in production, and there is no certainty that the Company will succeed in placing any of its properties into production in the near future, if at all.
Lion CG anticipates continued losses for the foreseeable future until one or more of the properties enters into commercial production and generates sufficient revenues to fund the Company's continuing operations.
Future equity transactions could cause dilution of present and prospective shareholders.
Historically, the Company has financed operations through the sale of equity securities including convertible debt being converted into equity securities or through the sale of its mineral interests. The Company may issue additional equity securities in order to finance future operations and development efforts. The Company cannot predict the size and terms of future issuances of equity securities or debt instruments. Any transaction involving the issue of equity securities or securities convertible into common shares, could result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective security holders. Similarly, the Company cannot predict the value of any asset sale nor its effect on the market price of its common shares.
The Company's exploration programs may not result in a commercial mining operation.
Mineral exploration involves significant risk because few properties that are explored contain bodies of ore that would be commercially economic to develop into producing mines. Lion CG's mineral properties are without a known body of commercial ore and the proposed programs are an exploratory search for ore. The Company cannot provide any assurance that current exploration programs will result in any commercial mining operation. If the exploration programs do not result in the discovery of commercial ore, the Company will be required to acquire additional properties and write-off all investments in existing properties.
The Company does not have Proven Mineral Reserves or Probable Mineral Reserves.
The Company has not established the presence of any Proven Mineral Reserves or Probable Mineral Reserves (as such terms are defined in NI 43-101) at any of Lion CG's mineral properties. The Company cannot provide any assurance that future feasibility studies will establish Proven Mineral Reserves or Probable Mineral Reserves at Lion CG's properties. The failure to establish Proven Mineral Reserves or Probable Mineral Reserves could restrict the Company's ability to successfully implement its strategies for long-term growth.
Mineral resource estimates are subject to updates which may differ from prior estimates and adversely affect the value of the Company's properties.
The estimating of mineralization is a subjective process, and the accuracy of estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, the accuracy of statistical computations, and the assumptions used and judgments made in interpreting engineering and geological information. There is significant uncertainty in these Mineral Resource estimates, and the actual deposits encountered and the economic viability of mining a deposit may differ significantly from our estimates. From time to time, Lion CG obtains updated resource estimates and technical reports related to the Company's mineral properties.
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The Company's future business and financial condition are dependent upon resource prices.
Resource prices have fluctuated widely, particularly in recent years, and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control. These include international economic and political trends, inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates, global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities and increased production due to new and improved extraction and production methods. These factors may negatively affect the marketability of any ore or minerals discovered at, and extracted from, Lion CG's properties. If, because of a sustained decline in prices, financing was not available to meet cash operating costs, the feasibility of continuing operations would be evaluated and if warranted, would be discontinued.
The Company's common share price has been and may continue to be subject to volatility.
U.S. and Canadian securities markets in recent years have experienced high levels of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies have experienced wide fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance for underlying assets values or prospects of such companies. Factors unrelated to Lion CG's financial performance or prospects include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally, and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. The Company's share price, financial condition, and results of operations are all also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in copper prices. Continual fluctuations in metal prices may occur. As a result of any of these factors, the market price of the Company's shares at any given point in time may be subject to wide swings unrelated to any direct action by Lion CG's operations.
Some of the Company's directors and officers may have conflicts of interest due to their involvement with other natural resource companies.
Some of the Company's directors and officers may also be directors or officers of other natural resource or mining-related companies and these associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time. As a result of these conflicts of interest, Lion CG may miss the opportunity to participate in certain transactions, which may have a material, adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
The Company may experience difficulty attracting and retaining qualified management to grow Lion CG's business.
The Company is dependent on the services of key executives including the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer and other highly skilled and experienced executives and personnel focused on advancing corporate objectives as well as the identification of new opportunities for growth and funding. Due to the Company's relatively small size, the loss of these persons or Lion CG's inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees required for activities may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition.
The Company may be limited in its ability to manage growth.
Should the Company be successful in its efforts to develop mineral properties or to raise capital for such development or for the development of other mining ventures, it may experience significant growth in operations. Any expansion of the Company's business would place demands on management, operational capacity, and financial resources. The Company anticipates that it will need to recruit qualified personnel in all areas of operations. There can be no assurance that Lion CG will be effective in retaining current personnel or attracting and retaining additional qualified personnel, expanding operational capacity or otherwise managing growth. The failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Environmental and other regulatory requirements may limit the Company's operations and increase expenses.
The Company's operations are subject to environmental regulations promulgated by U.S. government agencies. Claims and current and future operations will be governed by laws and regulations governing mineral concession acquisition, prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. Companies such as ours that engage in exploration activities often experience increased costs and delays in schedules as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. Issuance of permits for Lion CG's exploration activities is subject to the discretion of government authorities, and the Company may be unable to obtain or maintain such permits. Permits required for future exploration or development may not be obtainable on reasonable terms or on a timely basis. Existing and possible future laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of exploration companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact and cause increases in capital expenditures or require abandonment or delays in exploration.
Operating hazards associated with mining may expose the Company to liability.
Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk, including hazards such as fire, explosion, floods, structural collapses, industry accidents, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, power outages, cave-ins, inclement weather, and mechanical equipment failure in the Company's operations. These and others may result in work stoppages, damage to or destruction of mines and other producing facilities, damage to or loss of life and property, environmental damage and possible legal liability for any or all damage or loss.
Safety measures implemented by the Company may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums or at all. Insurance against certain environmental risks is not generally available to the Company or to other companies within the mining industry.
The Company's properties may be subject to uncertain title
The acquisition of title to resource properties or interest therein is a very detailed and time-consuming process. Title to and the area of resource concessions may be disputed. The Company has investigated title to all of its mineral properties and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, title to all of Lion CG's properties are in good standing.
The properties may be subject to prior, and in some cases, not fully ascertainable unregistered agreements or transfers, and title may be affected by undetected defects. Title may be based upon interpretation of a country's laws, which may be ambiguous, inconsistently applied and subject to reinterpretation or change.
Enforcement of judgments or bringing actions outside the United States against the Company and its directors and officers may be difficult.
Lion CG is organized under the laws of, and headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, and several of the Company's directors and officers are citizens or residents of the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for one to (a) enforce in courts outside the U.S. judgments against the Company and a majority of Lion CG's directors and officers, obtained in U.S. courts based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws or (b) bring in courts outside the U.S. an original action against the Company and its directors and officers to enforce liabilities based upon such U.S. securities laws.
Climate change-related risks may have a negative impact on the Company's operations, financial position and market performance.
Many governments and regulatory bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes in response to the potential impacts of climate change. These changes may create more stringent regulatory obligations, which may result in increased costs for the Company's operations. Further, these changes could also lead to new and/or more extensive monitoring and reporting requirements.
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In addition, the physical risks of the physical climate change, including temperature and precipitation shifts and more frequent and severe extreme weather events, may affect the stability and effectiveness of infrastructure and equipment, environmental protection and site closure practices, and the availability of transportation routes. Climate change may also impact the stability and cost of water and energy supplies.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, including the timeliness and effectiveness of actions taken or not taken to contain and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 internationally by governments, central banks, healthcare providers, health system participants, other businesses and individuals, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict. In particular, a number of governments and organizations have revised GDP growth forecasts for 2021 downward in response to the economic slowdown caused by the spread of COVID-19, and it is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic will cause a prolonged global economic crisis or recession. Even in countries that succeed in significantly reducing the number of the cases from the current outbreak, the level of economic activity may not fully recover in the short term or at all due to concerns of future waves of COVID-19, the distribution and effectiveness of vaccines or changes in lifestyle and business practices. Therefore, the global economy may remain volatile or continue to deteriorate. To the extent that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prolongs and adversely affects our business, results of operations and financial conditions, it may also have the effect of increasing the likelihood and magnitude of the other risks described in this annual report.
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ITEM 4. |
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
Lion CG was incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) on May 11, 1993, originally under the name Acquaterre Mineral Development Ltd. On November 30, 1993, the Company changed its name to Aquaterre Mineral Development Ltd. and became Quaterra Resources Inc. on November 13, 1997.
On November 22, 2021, the Company changed of its name from Quaterra Resources Inc. to Lion Copper and Gold Corp. The shares of the Company commenced trading under the new name at the open of trading on November 23, 2021. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") under the symbol "LEO" and trade on the OTCQB Market under the symbol "LCGMF". Additional information about Lion CG, including the Company's press releases, quarterly and annual reports, is available through the Company's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com or the United States Securities Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Lion CG's domicile is British Columbia, Canada and the Company operates under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
The Company's registered and records offices are located at 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2T8, Telephone: (604) 681-1194. The Company's head office is located at 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2T8. Telephone: (604) 681-1194, Facsimile: (604) 681-9652. The Company's website is www.lioncg.com.
Since our incorporation, substantially all of our capital has been deployed to the development of our exploration stage business. We have not undertaken any material mergers or acquisitions other than in the ordinary course of business. There have been no public takeover offers by third parties with respect to our shares and we have made no public takeover offers with respect to another company's shares.
Business Overview
The Company is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of copper projects currently in Nevada, Alaska and Montana in the United States and British Columbia, Canada. The amounts shown as mineral properties represent acquisition and exploration costs incurred to date, less amounts recovered and/or written off, and do not necessarily represent present or future values. The underlying value of mineral properties and related capitalized costs are dependent on the existence of economically recoverable reserves, securing and maintaining title and beneficial interest in the properties, and obtaining necessary financing.
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Environment
We are committed to an approach we call "Conservation by Design," applying best practices, sound science, and state-of-the-art technology to the design and operation of our mining projects for minimal emissions and water conservation.
Social
We are committed to creating opportunities and value for the communities in which we work by engaging with them early and often in the mining process.
Financing
The Company ensures that sufficient funds are raised from equity offerings or debt financings to meet its operating requirements, after considering existing cash and expected exercise of stock options and share purchase warrants. During the year ended as of December 31, 2021 the Company raised $4.1 million from private placements.
For more information about our business, please refer to "Principal property interests" below.
Organizational Structure
Inter-corporate Relationships
The flow chart below presents the Company's legal corporate structure and the jurisdictions of the incorporation.
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| Note 1: | Quaterra Alaska, Inc. is 100% owned by Lion Copper and Gold Corp. On April 5, 2022, the Company completed the assignment of the two option agreements for the Butte Valley Property to 1301666 B.C. Ltd, ("BC Co."), a private British Columbia company established to acquire mineral resource properties. |
| Note 2: | On October 4, 2021, Blue Copper LLC (a Company's 100% owned subsidiary) was incorporated in the state of Montana, USA. Blue Copper LLC acquired and staked a district scale exploration and resource discovery opportunity (the "Blue Copper Prospect"), comprising more than 7,430 acres in Powell County and Lewis & Clark County in Montana, USA. |
| Note 3: | Singatse Peak Services LLC holds the MacArthur, Bear, Yerington and Wassuk properties. |
| Note 4: |
On March 30, 2022, Six Mile Mining Company, a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of the Company was dissolved and its assets were transferred to Quaterra Alaska Inc. which is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. |
Three Year History
During the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, the Company carried out exploration and development programs at its Mason Valley, Nevada copper properties; completed a ZTEM survey and filed an independent technical report on its Groundhog copper-gold property in Southwest Alaska; acquired the Butte Valley porphyry copper-gold prospect in White Pine County, Nevada; and acquired and staked the Blue Copper Prospect in Montana. Subsequent to the year end, the Company completed an updated mineral resource estimate for the MacArthur Copper Project in Nevada; entered into an option agreement and funded an initial work program of $200,000 in consideration for the grant of an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Chaco Bear Property and the Ashton Property in British Columbia; and completed the assignment of two option agreements for the Butte Valley Property. In addition, Six Mile Mining Company, a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of the Company was dissolved and its assets were transferred to Quaterra Alaska Inc. which is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Details of relevant agreements and operations are set out hereunder.
PRINCIPAL PROPERTY INTERESTS
Yerington Copper Projects - Nevada
Lion CG's Mason Valley Projects - located in the historic Yerington Copper District, about 70 miles southeast of Reno, Nevada, consist of the MacArthur oxide and sulfide resources, the Yerington pit oxide and sulfide resources previously mined by the Anaconda Mining Company; the Bear porphyry copper deposit; and the Wassuk exploration target area. These assets include a number of untested exploration targets. Lion CG's 51-square-mile land package is situated in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with a history of copper production and good infrastructure.
The location of the Company's Yerington copper projects is provided on the following map.
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Lion CG Property Map showing MacArthur Copper Project and Yerington Mine Locations
The Yerington deposit refers to the former Anaconda mine site, a large partially mined porphyry copper system that includes the Yerington mine and a portion of the Bear copper deposits. The Anaconda Company conducted open pit mining from 1953 to 1978, producing 1.75 billion pounds of copper from first oxide, and later, sulfide ores. The Atlantic Richfield Company bought the Anaconda Company in 1977 and terminated mining at the site shortly thereafter.
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Acquisition and Staking of Claims
The Yerington Mine property totals approximately 11 square miles. The project mineral rights consist of 2,768 acres of fee simple mineral properties and patented mining claims as well as 208 unpatented lode and placer claims totaling 4,298 acres on lands administered by the BLM.
On May 1, 2007, Singatse Peak Services, LLC ("SPS"). received approval from the bankruptcy court for the acquisition of certain assets of Arimetco Inc. ("Arimetco") in the Yerington Mining District, subject to completion of due diligence. The purchase price comprised $500,000 cash, 250,000 of the Company's common shares and a 2% net smelter return royalty capped at $7.5 million dollars on production from any claims owned by the Company in the Yerington Pit and MacArthur Deposit mine areas.
SPS purchased the Yerington Mine properties along with the appurtenant ground water rights from the Arimetco bankruptcy court in April 2011. This included private land, patented claims, and 23 unpatented mining claims related to the Yerington Mine. The acquisition followed three years of due-diligence studies and negotiations with state and federal agencies and the receipt of Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser ("BFPP") letters from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection ("NDEP") and the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") to protect SPS from liability emanating from activities of the former mine owners and operations.
SPS owns approximately 6,014 ac-ft of primary ground water rights with various priority dates.. In addition to these primary ground water rights, SPS also has decree, supplemental and storage water rights associated with options it holds on to private land over the Bear deposit.
Private properties related to the Arimetco acquisition are located in Township 13 North, Range 25 East in Sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, and 21, and patented claims are located within Township 13 North, Range 25 East in Sections 16, 17, 19-21, 31-33 and in Township 13 North, Range 24 East in Sections 22-27 and 36. An additional 441 unpatented claims in Sections 1, 2, 11-13, 23-26, 35, and 36 Township 13 North, Range 24 East and in Sections 4-9, 16-21, 28, and 30 Township 13 North, Range 25 East, and in Sections 1, 2 Township 12 North, Range 24 East Mount Diablo Base & Meridian were staked prior to or subsequent to the acquisition by SPS.
Expenditures to Date
Acquisition and exploration costs incurred as of December 31, 2021 were $3.8 million (2020 - $3.6 million) net of recovery from water rights sales and option payments made by Freeport Nevada.
Water rights
Included in the asset purchase from the Arimetco bankruptcy court, the Company acquired approximately 8,700 ac-ft of primary ground water rights that are permitted for Mining and Milling. Since acquisition, the Company has filed annual Extensions of Time to Prevent Forfeiture (EOTs) with the Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) to keep the water rights in good standing.
Between March 2019 and July 2020, the company sold 2,614.3 ac-ft of primary ground water rights under three separate transactions. The combined sale price for the three sales was $7.9 million. Following the sale of these water rights, the Company retained approximately 6,014.5 ac-ft of primary water rights, although certain of these remaining water rights are subject to a forfeiture notice from the State, as discussed below. The Company also controls decree, supplemental and storage water rights associated under the terms of various option agreements it holds to private lands associated with the Bear deposit.
On February 24, 2021, the Company announced a fourth purchase and sale agreement to sell certain primary groundwater rights to Desert Pearl Farms LLC ("Desert Pearl"), a Yerington-based company involved in agriculture, for $2,910,000 (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement"). In early March, 2021, the Company filed an application with the State of Nevada Division of Water Resources ("NDWR") to change the manner of use of the water rights from Mining and Milling to Irrigation, and their place of use to certain agricultural wells in Mason Valley ("Change Application"). Under the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, Desert Pearl made a $1,000,000 initial payment to the Company on March 5, 2021. The Change Application is subject to the NDWR's final approval of the Change Application. The primary water rights covered under the Purchase and Sale Agreement are one of the water rights that are the subject of forfeiture, as discussed in the next paragraph.
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On July 23, 2021, the Company received a Notice of Forfeiture from the State of Nevada that three of the remaining water rights permits had been forfeited. Further, that the application for an Extension of Time to Prevent Forfeiture (EOT) of a fourth certificate was denied. The permits affected by the Forfeiture Notice include those water rights that are part of the Purchase and Sale Agreement announced on February 24, 2021.
On August 20, 2021, the Company filed a Petition for Judicial Review of the Forfeiture Notice and has retained legal counsel to initiate and vigorously undertake the appeal process. Should the appeal be unsuccessful or Desert Pearl elects to terminate the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company will be obligated to refund the $1,000,000 initial payment to Desert Pearl. Therefore, the initial payment has been treated as an accrued liability on the balance sheet and the $1,910,000 balance of the water rights proceeds would be forfeited.
Option Agreement
On March 18, 2022, the Company entered into an option to earn-in agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Rio Tinto America Inc. ("Rio Tinto") to advance studies and exploration at Lion CG's copper assets in Mason Valley, Nevada. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto has the option to earn a 65% interest in the assets, comprising 34,494 acres of land, including the historic Yerington mine, greenfield MacArthur project, Wassuk property, the Bear deposit and associated water rights. In addition, Rio Tinto will evaluate the potential commercial deployment of its Nuton technologies at the site.
The Option Agreement sets out the following stages:
Stage 1: Rio Tinto will pay up to US$4-million for an exclusive earn-in option and agreed-upon Mason Valley study and evaluation works to be completed by the Company no later than December 31, 2022.
Stage 2: Within 45 days of the completion of Stage 1, Rio Tinto will provide notice to the Company whether Rio Tinto elects to proceed with Stage 2, upon which Rio Tinto will pay up to US$5-million for agreed-upon Mason Valley study and evaluation works to be completed by the Company within 12 months from the date that the parties agree upon the scope of Stage 2 work. Stages 1 and 2 may be accelerated at Rio Tinto's option.
Stage 3: Within 60 days of the completion of Stage 2, Rio Tinto shall provide notice to the Company whether Rio Tinto will exercise its option and finance a feasibility study based on the results of the stage 1 and stage 2 work programs. Rio Tinto will fully finance the feasibility study and ancillary work completed the Company in amount not to exceed US$50-million.
Upon completion of the feasibility study, Rio Tinto and the Company will decide whether to create an investment vehicle into which the mining assets will be transferred, with Rio Tinto holding not less than a 65% interest in the investment vehicle. If Rio Tinto elects to not create the investment vehicle, then the Company shall grant to Rio Tinto a 1.5% NSR on the mining assets. If Rio Tinto elects to create the investment vehicle but the Company elects not to create the investment vehicle, then, at Rio Tinto's option, the Company shall create the investment vehicle and Rio Tinto will purchase the Company's interest in the investment vehicle for fair market value.
Following the formation of the investment vehicle, any project financing costs incurred will be financed by Rio Tinto and the Company in proportion to their respective ownership interest in the investment vehicle. Rio Tinto may elect to finance up to US$60-million of the Company's project financing costs in exchange for a 10% increase in Rio Tinto's ownership percentage. In addition, upon mutual agreement of Rio Tinto and the Company, Rio Tinto may finance an additional US$40-million of the Company's project financing costs in exchange for an additional 5% increase in Rio Tinto's ownership percentage. If the Company's ownership percentage in the investment vehicle is diluted to 10% or less, then the Company's ownership interest will be converted into a 1% uncapped NSR.
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a. MacArthur Copper Project, Nevada
Acquisition and Staking of Mineral Claims
The MacArthur Deposit consists of 897 unpatented lode claims totaling approximately 18,533 acres on lands administered by the BLM. A significant number of the claims were held by means of a mineral lease with an option to purchase, executed with North Exploration LLC ("North Exploration") on August 27, 2005, and subsequently amended. The option was exercised and the final payment of $212,000 plus interest to North Exploration was made on February 10, 2015. Lion CG's purchase is subject to a 2% NSR, 1% of which may be purchased for $1,000,000, leaving a perpetual 1% NSR. The agreement is in good standing.
MacArthur Project - Summary of Mineral Resource
| Classification | Ktons | Total Cu, % | Contained Cu Pounds x 1000 |
| Measured | 116,666 | 0.180 | 420,929 |
| Indicated | 183,665 | 0.158 | 579,479 |
| Sum M&I | 300,331 | 0.167 | 1,000,408 |
| Inferred | 156,450 | 0.151 | 471,714 |
Expenditures to Date
Acquisition and exploration costs incurred by the Company for the MacArthur Deposit to December 31, 2021 were $20.5 million (2020 - $18.8 million) net of option payments made.
Location, Access and Infrastructure
The MacArthur Deposit is located near the geographic center of Lyon County, Nevada, USA, along the northeastern flank of the Singatse Range approximately seven miles northwest of the town of Yerington, Nevada. The project is accessible from Yerington by approximately five miles of paved roads and two miles of maintained gravel road. A 100-foot wide gravel haul road that accessed the MacArthur open pit copper mine during the 1990s leads 3.5 miles south to the Yerington Mine Site. Beyond the MacArthur Deposit pit area are several existing historic two-track dirt roads that provide access throughout the property. Topographic coverage is on US Geological Survey "Mason Butte" and "Lincoln Flat" 7.5' topographic quadrangles. The nearest major city is Reno, Nevada approximately 80 miles to the northwest. The following map provides information on the location of the MacArthur Deposit.
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History
Following the early 1860s bonanza silver discoveries along the Comstock Lode in the Virginia City Mining District, prospectors stepped out 30 miles to the southeast to investigate the colorful oxide copper showings along the Singatse Range within the present-day Yerington Mining District. A majority of the early work (earliest recorded date of 1883) concentrated on contact-metamorphic replacement copper deposits hosted in limestone or limey sedimentary rocks clustered from four to six miles south-southwest of the MacArthur Property (Moore, 1969) (Figure 6-1). These contact copper deposits were mined on a small scale, shipping 2,000 to 1.7 million tons of copper ore. Most of this early activity took place before and during World War I. Copper production from the Yerington Mining District is estimated at over 85 million pounds from the period of 1905 through 1920 (Tingley, et al 1993).
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After the 1920s, only minor copper production is recorded from the contact replacement prospects and mines (Moore, 1969). The largest nearby operation, located in the Buckskin Mining District approximately five miles northwest of the MacArthur Property, was the Minnesota Mine where copper was mined in the early 1920s, but sizeable production of skarn (contact) magnetite iron ore only began in 1952 with approximately four million tons of ore produced by the end of 1966.
During the 1940s, Anaconda geologists investigated copper showings over the MacArthur Property and conducted pre-development drilling over the present-day Yerington mine. U.S. Government-funded strategic minerals exploration in the early 1950s supported Anaconda's initial development of the Yerington mine (fully funded by Anaconda following expiration of strategic minerals funding in the late 1950s). During 1953 to 1978, Anaconda produced 162 million tons of 0.55% Cu ore amounting to over 1.75 billion pounds of copper from the Yerington mine (Tingley, et al, 1993). Oxide and sulphide copper mineralized material, hosted in a Middle Jurassic porphyry system of granodiorite, quartz monzonite, and quartz monzonite porphyry dike swarms, were extracted from the Yerington mine.
Anaconda, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Bear Creek Mining Company, Superior Oil, and others conducted mineral exploration campaigns at the MacArthur Property from the mid-1940s through the early 1970s. The most significant program was conducted from 1972 to 1973 by Anaconda following an extensive trenching and drilling program (Heatwole, 1978).
During the late 1980s, Arimetco permitted heap leaching sites at the Yerington mine site with feed sourced from Yerington mine dumps, oxide stockpiles, and vat leach tailings. Arimetco expanded their operations to include approximately 5.0 million tons grading about 0.30% Cu mined from 1995 to 1997 from what is now the present-day MacArthur pit.
Geology
The MacArthur Project is located within the western Basin and Range Province in Nevada on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Within the Basin and Range, north trending normal faults have down-dropped basins on either side of upland ranges. In a similar setting in western Nevada, the Singatse Range and Wassuk Range form the western and eastern boundaries, respectively, of the Mason Valley. The MacArthur Project, in the Yerington Mining District, is located in the west-central portion of Mason Valley along the eastern slopes of the Singatse Range.
The regional geology is displayed in Figure 7-1 (Proffett and Dilles, 1984). The oldest rocks in the Yerington area of Mason Valley consist of an approximate 4,000-foot thick section of Late Triassic, intermediate and felsic metavolcanics and lesser sedimentary rocks, the McConnell Canyon Formation, associated with volcanic arc development along the North American continent during the Mesozoic.
This sequence is disconformably overlain by a series of Upper Triassic carbonates, clastic sediments, and volcaniclastics that are in turn overlain by the Norian (aka Mason Valley) Limestone, a massive limestone nearly 1,000 feet thick. During the Upper Triassic - Lower Jurassic, a section of limestones, clastic sediments, tuffs, and argillites, in part correlative with the Gardnerville Formation, were deposited. The Ludwig Limestone, containing gypsum, sandstone, and arkose, overlies the Gardnerville Formation.
Mesozoic plutonism, possibly related to the igneous activity that formed the Sierra Nevada Mountains, followed during the Middle Jurassic with emplacement of the Yerington batholith of granodiorite (field name) composition and the Bear quartz monzonite. Mesozoic plutonism, emplaced approximately 169 Ma (Proffett and Dilles, 1984), was closely followed by Middle Jurassic quartz monzonite porphyry dikes and dike swarms related to the Luhr Hill granite porphyry. Andesite and rhyolite dikes represent the final phase of Mesozoic igneous activity.
Mesozoic rocks were deeply eroded and then overlain by Mid-Tertiary tuffs and lesser sedimentary rocks. Coarser grained andesite dikes are tabbed as Tertiary. The entire package was subsequently faulted along north-trending, down-to-the-east dipping faults that resulted in extension and major westerly tilting.
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The MacArthur Project is one of several copper deposits and occurrences hosted in or related to Middle Jurassic intrusive rocks within the Yerington Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada. The Yerington area is underlain by early Mesozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks now exposed along uplands in the Singatse Range to the west and the Wassuk Range to the east. These Mesozoic rocks were intruded by three Middle Jurassic batholiths, the oldest known as the McLeod Hill Quartz Monzodiorite (field map name granodiorite), followed by the Bear Quartz Monzonite that comprise the majority of outcropping rocks on the MacArthur Property. A finer grained phase of the Bear Quartz Monzonite, known as the Border Phase Quartz Monzonite, occurs at the contact between the McLeod Hill Quartz Monzonite and the Bear Quartz Monzonite. These batholiths were subsequently intruded during the Middle Jurassic by the Luhr Hill Granite, the source of quartz monzonitic (or granite) porphyries, consisting of moderately to steeply north dipping quartz-biotite-hornblende porphyry dike swarms, responsible for copper mineralization, striking west-northwesterly across the MacArthur Property as well as across the entire Mining District.
The geologic record is absent until the middle Tertiary when basalt and voluminous ash flow tuffs were deposited over the Mesozoic rocks.
During advent of Basin and Range normal faulting, ca 18-17 Ma, this entire package of rocks was down-dropped to the east along northerly striking, east dipping, low-angle faults that flatten at depth creating an estimated 2.5 miles of west to east dilation-displacement (Proffett and Dilles, 1984). Such extension rotated the section such that the near vertically-emplaced batholiths were tilted westerly to an almost horizontal position. Pre-tilt, flat-lying younger volcanics now crop out as steeply west dipping units in the Singatse Range west of the MacArthur Property. Easterly extension thus created a present-day surface that in plan view actually represents a cross-section of the geology.
The MacArthur Property is underlain by two Middle Jurassic batholiths, granodiorite (McLeod Hill Quartz Monzodiorite) intruded by quartz monzonite, (Bear Quartz Monzonite) both of which are intruded by Middle Jurassic quartz porphyry hornblende and quartz porphyry biotite (hornblende) dikes. The north dipping porphyry dike swarms follow penetrative west-northwest and east-west structural fabrics. Narrow (<10 feet) fine grained andesite and rhyolite dikes, post porphyry diking, also occur with variable structural orientations.
The McLeod Hill Quartz Monzodiorite, aka granodiorite, weathers as an irregularly orange stained, medium olive green, fine to medium grained rock underlying most of the northern and western parts of Lion CG's claim block. Greenish epidote and minor orange limonite staining are present to common. Megascopic rock constituents include ~50% plagioclase, ~20% orthoclase, <20% quartz, 5 to 20% mafics (hornblende and biotite), 1 to 10% epidote, and minor magnetite and other opaques.
The quartz monzonite, formal designation as Bear Quartz Monzonite, cropping out along the east part of the claim block and underlying the MacArthur pit as shown in Figure 7-2 is beige to light gray to off white, fine to medium grained, hard but well-fractured, with minor textural variants. Megascopic constituents include ~30% orthoclase, ~30% plagioclase, ~20% quartz, and 5- to 10-percent hornblende. In bench walls at the MacArthur pit, quartz monzonite hosts conspicuous light brown limonite banding (averaging 4 to 6 per foot) sub-parallel to the steeply north dipping, west-northwest trending quartz porphyry dikes. Along the eastern portions of the Property, including the eastern third of the MacArthur pit, quartz monzonite assumes a light gray color due to widespread sodic-calcic alteration.
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MacArthur Area Geology Map
A phase known as the "border-phase quartz monzonite" is found at the top of the Bear Quartz Monzonite pluton (Proffett and Dilles, 1984) and is often mapped at the contact between the granodiorite and the quartz monzonite. The border-phase is finer-grained than the quartz monzonite and contains more abundant potassium feldspar.
Quartz-hornblende / biotite porphyry dikes, originating from the Jurassic Luhr Hill Granite intrude both the granodiorite and quartz monzonite at the MacArthur Property and are recognized in dike swarms regionally throughout the Yerington Mining District. Porphyry dikes hosted a large portion of the primary copper mineralization at Anaconda's Yerington mine and are associated with all copper occurrences in the district. Not all porphyry dikes host copper mineralization, be it sulphide or oxide. Porphyry dikes strike west-northwesterly, dipping moderate to steeply north, typically as ridge-formers with widths to 50 feet or more. Porphyry dikes at MacArthur are classified by dominant mafic minerals as quartz biotite porphyry and quartz hornblende porphyry, each subdivided further based on composition and alteration. Dikes contain feldspar crystals and either hornblende or biotite crystals set in an aphanitic matrix. MacArthur pit walls offer excellent exposures of the dikes that host (fracture-controlled) oxide copper mineralization. The following descriptions originate from Lion CG's surface mapping and from core and chip logging:
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Quartz biotite porphyry: contains 2 to 4 mm, generally euhedral, blackish biotite "books" (5 to 10%) and 2 to 8 mm cloudy quartz phenocrysts ("quartz eyes") 2 to 5%. Hornblende is rare to absent. Feldspars commonly 3 to 5 mm. May host sulphide or oxide copper. May or may not have indigenous limonite. If hornblende is present and altered to secondary biotite, the dike is mapped as QMpb-2, otherwise mapped as QMpb-1. |
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Quartz hornblende porphyry: contains acicular hornblende crystals, typically thin, "needle-like" to 5 mm long; feldspars vary from 2 to 5 mm. Variety QMph-1 contains 1-5% sulphide(mostly pyrite) with or without indigenous limonite and 3-5% quartz phenocrysts (2 to 5 mm). Variety QMph-2 contains 2-3% sulphides (common) and always has indigenous glass (resinous) limonite derived from primary oxidized chalcopyrite, it also contains oxide copper, and quartz phenocrysts (2-5 mm) present to 2-5%. Variety QMph-3 commonly contains large (to 10 mm) epidote "splotches" (phenocrysts or "epidotization") with 0% to trace fine grained (~1 mm) quartz phenocrysts, 0% to trace sulphides. Any oxide copper is transported from nearby copper-bearing rocks and not oxidized from the porphyry itself. |
The best exposures of Jurassic age andesite dikes are found in the walls of the MacArthur pit where the typically soft- to medium-hard, recessive, olive-greenish dikes can be traced from bench to bench and in some cases followed across the pit floors. Andesite dikes are commonly very fine grained, plagioclase-bearing porphyries that pinch and swell as they fill fractures. Fist-sized pillows may be a weathering product. Andesite dikes intrude the hornblende and biotite quartz porphyry dikes, again best exposed in MacArthur pit walls. Andesite dikes commonly contain oxide copper derived from nearby copper-bearing rocks rather than from the andesite dikes themselves.
Jurassic age rhyolite dikes are also well exposed within the MacArthur pit walls. The rhyolite is a white to gray, dense, siliceous rock. Rhyolite dikes contain approximately 5% mafic minerals (hornblende and biotite) and rare (1-2%) quartz phenocrysts. Within the MacArthur pit the rhyolite can contain oxide copper mineralization; elsewhere on the Property it is barren.
Tertiary hornblende andesite dikes have also been identified on the MacArthur Property. These dikes are similar, but coarser grained than the Jurassic andesite dikes, containing abundant, acicular, black hornblende phenocrysts and occasionally plagioclase phenocrysts up to 5-10 mm in long dimension. Tertiary hornblende andesite dikes are frequently observed intruding Basin & Range fault structures. These dikes occasionally contain exotic oxide copper mineralization.
The Mesozoic intrusive rocks are unconformably overlain by a series of nine, moderate to steeply west dipping Mid-Tertiary ash flow tuff units with minor mafic flows and tuffaceous sediments dated at 27.1 to 25.1 Ma (Proffett and Proffett, 1976). The volcanic units make up the uplands in this part and throughout the Singatse Range and cover alteration and structure in the Jurassic igneous rocks.
The dominant west-northwest (N60°W to N80°W) structural fabric recognized throughout the Yerington District is manifested at the MacArthur Property as porphyry dike swarms and as high angle shears, faults, and joints along which andesite dikes developed. Structure played a key role in localizing copper oxide mineralization around the historic pit area, principally along the west-northwest fabric and, secondarily, along generally orthogonal northeast structure bearing N20°E to N40°E.
The MacArthur fault, a low angle, easterly striking, north dipping, normal fault is the largest structure recognized on Lion CG's claims. The hanging wall of the fault displaces the basal unit of the Tertiary ash flow tuff sequence approximately 2,000 feet to the east. The displacement of Jurassic intrusive as defined by the offset of the contact of the border quartz monzonite with granodiorite is on the order of 4,000 feet to the east. The MacArthur fault is one of few faults in the Yerington district known to have been active in both Jurassic and Tertiary time.
Chalcocite/oxide mineralization has a close spatial relation to the trace of the MacArthur fault north and west of the MacArthur pit. Gouge in the fault frequently contains chalcocite and/or copper oxide suggesting a structural mineralizing trap.
Alteration Types
Alteration types recognized at the MacArthur Property represent those found in mineralized porphyry copper systems. A generalized distribution of the MacArthur alteration types is displayed in Figure 7-3. The following descriptions are derived from field observation and from drill core and chip logging.
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Propylitic Alteration
Propylitic alteration is common throughout the MacArthur Property in the granodiorite, quartz monzonite, quartz monzonite porphyries, and in the Jurassic andesite. This alteration type occurs as chlorite replacing hornblende, and especially epidotization as veining, coatings, and or flooding on the granodiorite. Calcite veining is present but not common, observed largely in core or drill cuttings. Feldspars are commonly unaltered. Propylitic alteration frequently overprints or occurs with the alteration types described below.
Quartz-Sericite-Pyrite (QSP) or Phyllic Alteration
Phyllic alteration is most frequently characterized by tan or light green sericite partially or completely replacing hornblende and/or biotite sites. When phyllic alteration becomes more intense, plagioclase and/or K-feldspar sites are also replaced by sericite. Maroon limonite, hematite, and trace sulphide (chalcocite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite) accompany sericite. However, these minerals do not replace mafic or felsic sites. Sericitic altered zones are often quite siliceous; however, it is unclear if it is due to quartz addition or simply the destruction of other primary minerals.
Phyllic alteration is most pervasive and intense in the Gallagher area and in the northeastern part of the deposit, around hole QM-072. Weak and less pervasive phyllic alteration is found just west of the MacArthur pit and in limited areas around the MacArthur fault. The alteration type does not show preference with rock type and has been described in the granodiorite, quartz monzonite, and quartz monzonite porphyries.
Potassic Alteration
Potassic alteration occurs as shredded, fine-grained biotite replacing hornblende and rarely as pinkish potassium feldspar flooding or in vein haloes, along with disseminated magnetite.
Potassic alteration occurs as shredded secondary biotite on the northwestern and western portions of the property, but is most prevalent in the western and central areas of the MacArthur pit. Potassic alteration of some degree has been identified in the granodiorite, quartz monzonite, and quartz monzonite porphyries.
Sodic-Calcic Alteration
Pervasive sodic-calcic alteration has been identified within the eastern portions of the MacArthur pit and as broad zones in the far northeastern portion of the district and south of the MacArthur pit. This type of alteration most frequently occurs as albite replacing K-feldspar and as chlorite replacing hornblende in the quartz monzonite; sodic-calcic alteration has also been identified in the granodiorite and quartz monzonite porphyries. Epidote staining and phenocrysts as well as sphene crystals are ubiquitous. Actinolite replaces hornblende in the more intense zones of sodic-calcic alteration occurring most commonly in the Albite Hills east of the MacArthur pit.
Silicification
Silicification occurs as a wholesale replacement of the rock, but only occurs as small and irregular zones that are less than 200 feet across. Typically, silicification is confined as a narrow halo (less than five feet) along structure and quartz veining. Silicification is present in the western portion of the district, around the Gallagher area and as isolated occurrences within the MacArthur pit.
Multiple Alteration Types
Multiple alteration types are common throughout the area and tend to occur together. Shreddy chlorite has been identified in the MacArthur pit, which likely represents propylitic alteration overprinting potassic alteration. Zones of QSP and propylitic alteration have been identified between the Gallagher area and the MacArthur pit.
23
Supergene Alteration
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), formed by the oxidation of sulphides, has altered feldspars and mafic minerals to clay and sericite. At the Gallagher area and north of the MacArthur pit, supergene alteration has formed leached capping which is underlain by chalcocite mineralization.
Geologic Model
The main characteristics for the geological model of the Company in MacArthur project is as follows:
• An oxidized portion of a porphyry copper deposit that has been subjected to several weathering, oxidation, and enrichment cycles;
• Hosted in Jurassic aged granodiorite and quartz monzonite that has been intruded by multiple northnorthwest trending quartz monzonite porphyry dikes;
• The lithology & multiple oxidation cycles have been incorporated into the block model to create four different oxidation zones:
1. Leach Cap - a zone with copper-bearing iron-oxide minerals and pods of copper silicates
2. Oxide Zone - a zone with multiple copper silicates minerals, predominantly chrysocolla & neotocite
3. Transition Zone - a zone predominantly consisting of chalcocite with pods of copper silicates and minor chalcopyrite
4. Sulphide Zone - a zone of predominantly chalcopyrite; and
• 25ft x 25ft x 25ft blocks were appropriately coded using an inverse distance cubed estimation.
Mineralization
Copper mineralization has been identified across nearly the entire area investigated by Lion CG's drilling programs at the MacArthur Project area. Copper mineralization covers an area of approximately two square miles defined by drill holes on 500 feet to 250 feet spacing north of the MacArthur pit to approximately 150 feet spacing within the pit.
Oxide, chalcocite, and primary copper mineralization is hosted in granodiorite, quartz monzonite, and in quartz biotite-hornblende (quartz monzonite) porphyry dikes all of middle Jurassic age. An insignificant percentage of oxide copper is also hosted in northwest striking andesite dikes that make up less than approximately one to two percent of the host rocks on the Property. Fracturing and favorable ground preparation supplied the passageways for the copper to migrate.
Copper oxide minerals are exposed throughout the MacArthur Deposit, evidenced in the pit walls as primarily green and greenish-blue chrysocolla CuSiO3·2H20 along with black neotocite, aka copper wad (Cu, Fe, Mn) SiO2, with very minor azurite Cu3(OH2)(CO3) and malachite Cu2(OH2)CO3, while tenorite (CuO) was identified with the electron microprobe (Schmidt, 1996). Copper-enriched limonite was identified by Anaconda as the mineral delafossite (CuFeO2). Chalcocite has been identified in drill holes below and north of the MacArthur pit and in drilling throughout the Property. The sulphides digenite (Cu9S5) and covellite (CuS) have been identified petrographically in drill cuttings. Bornite (Cu5FeS4) has also been identified petrographically in the Gallagher area. The oxide copper mineralization is fracture controlled, coating joint and fracture surfaces and within shears and faults. Both green and black copper oxides are frequently found on 1 to 5 millimeter fractures, as coatings and selvages and may be mixed with limonite. The fractures trend overall N60°W to N80°W (bearing 300° to 280° azimuth) and generally dip to the north. Limited turquoise is found on the Property, mainly in small veinlets. On a minor scale, oxide copper mineralization replaces feldspar phenocrysts in the igneous host units, favoring andesite.
A significant amount of chalcocite has been intersected in drill holes. Chalcocite is seen on drill chips or drill core coating pyrite and replacing chalcopyrite as tiny, blackish "dustings" and thin to thick coatings, strongest when occurring on and near the MacArthur fault. Chalcopyrite is present as disseminations and veinlets, with or without chalcocite. As much of the historic and current drilling was stopped at shallow (less than 400 to 500 foot) depths, the scope and extent of chalcopyrite mineralization has not been fully defined.
24
Both copper oxide and chalcocite mineralization occur over approximately 10,000 feet east-west by 5,000 feet north-south. Copper oxides are structurally controlled coating fractures, joint surfaces, and developed as green or black "streaks" within shears and faults over several feet. Oxide mineralization occurs as tabular, flat-lying shapes extending with good continuity 150 feet below surface and less continuously up to 600 feet below surface. Chalcocite mineralization in tabular geometry ranges to 50 feet or more in thickness, mixed with or below oxide mineralization.
Primary chalcopyrite mineralization occurs as porphyry style disseminations or as veinlets in quartz monzonite associated with potassic alteration below both the oxide and chalcocite mineralization. Significant chalcopyrite mineralization was intersected from 4,500 feet to 5,500 feet north of the MacArthur pit in core holes QM-100 (0.58% Cu over 65 feet) and QM-164 (1.32% Cu over 64 feet) respectively. Both intercepts represent veinlet and disseminated primary mineralization, open to the north. Lion CG's drilling program in the Gallagher area has delineated a zone of chalcopyrite mineralization that extends over a north-south distance of 2,500 feet. The primary sulphide zone has a defined width of 500 feet and extends to a depth of approximately 650 feet. Lion CG's drilling within the MacArthur pit has just touched upon primary copper mineralization, generally occurring in wispy quartz chalcopyrite veinlets. This mineralization remains open at depth.
Petrographic study of drill core from holes QM-100 and QM-164 describes veinlet and disseminated copper mineralization as well as copper-bearing sheared, milled quartz veining underlain by potassic feldspar flooding.
Deposit Types
The MacArthur Deposit is a supergene enriched, oxidized porphyry copper system. Although the porphyry system likely developed in near-vertical geometry, regional studies (Proffett and Dilles, 1984) suggest the deposits in the Yerington area are tilted westerly approximately 60 to 90 degrees from its original vertical position and extended to the east so that the map view is actually a structural cross-section. The original northwest strike of the near vertical porphyry dikes resulted in a northerly dip of the structures with the post mineral tilting.
The alteration visible in outcrops and drill samples is consistent with the west tilted, near horizontal orientation of the porphyry system. Phyllic alteration from the upper portion of the porphyry system dominates to the west. The alteration grades to potassic in the central MacArthur pit area and pervasive sodic-calcic alteration dominates in the eastern portions of the MacArthur pit and in the far northeastern portion of the Property.
Copper occurrences in the MacArthur pit area are related to primary copper sulphides associated with a porphyry copper center. The primary chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) was enriched by supergene chalcocite (Cu2S) and later exposed to oxidation forming chrysocolla (CuSiO3) and black copper wad (Cu, Fe, Mn, SiO2) (Figure 8-1). In the North Ridge area the chalcocite blanket shows only minor oxidation. The supergene blanket follows current topography except to the north of 14,189,500E (approximately) where it has a shallow dip to the north (Figure 8-2).
Primary porphyry copper sulphides have also been intersected north of the North Ridge area in drill thicknesses up to 100 feet, and also in the Gallagher area. These intercepts may be related to the MacArthur porphyry center or a new, yet-to-be discovered porphyry copper deposit.
25
Figure 8-1. East-West Cross-Section
Figure 8-2. North-South Cross-Section
26
Exploration and Drilling Results
From April 2007 to November 2011, the Company completed 414 drill holes. In 2021, ten additional exploration diamond core holes were completed. The ten-hole program was designed to assess the likelihood that further drilling would upgrade portions of the resource from Inferred to Indicated and expand the overall size of the current resource.
There are three different mineralization zones encountered at MacArthur. All three mineralization zones - oxide, mixed chalcocite/oxide, and primary sulphide - have grown with additional drilling and none are yet entirely closed off.
Oxide Zone Exploration
The extents of the oxide mineralization on the Property remain open to the south-southeast.
Five thousand feet west of the MacArthur pit, holes QM-133 and QM-153 intersected 0.27% Cu over 235 feet and 0.16% Cu over 125 feet, respectively, of oxide and acid soluble copper. The mineralization is open 1,000 feet further to the west.
Southeast of the MacArthur pit, holes spaced from 500 to 1,000 feet apart contain 0.1 to 0.3% Cu intercepts. Holes QM-142, QM-108, and QM-140 encountered 0.21% Cu over 50 feet to 0.31% Cu over 10 feet in an area that remains untested for 3,000 feet to the Shuman area (3,500 feet south of the MacArthur pit) where oxide intercepts of 0.24% Cu over 45 feet and 0.39% Cu over 30 feet were encountered from surface. Mineralization in these holes (referred to as the Shuman drill holes) is open in all directions, but obscured to the south by Tertiary volcanic cover.
Holes QM-326 and QM-327, drilled on the southern edge of the current oxide resource, each intersected near surface oxide mineralization. Significant intercepts include 0.27% Cu over 22 feet and 0.70% Cu over 24 feet from QM-326 and QM-327, respectively. Both holes also indicate the potential for additional oxide resource expansion to the south and southeast.
Holes QM-321 and QM-322 were drilled on the south/southeastern edge of the current oxide resource. Both holes intersected near surface oxide mineralization; QM-321 intersected 0.17% Cu over 45 feet and QM-322 intersected 0.11% Cu over 102 feet. Both holes also indicate the potential for an additional oxide resource to the south.
Chalcocite - Oxide Zone Exploration
Three holes (QM-319, QM-320, and QM-328) were drilled on the north to northwestern edge of the current resource. Each hole intersected oxide and chalcocite mineralization. Significant chalcocite intercepts include hole QM-320 (0.58% Cu over 102 feet, including 0.70% Cu over 74 feet); QM-328 (0.44% Cu over 77 feet); and QM-319 (0.13% Cu over 48 feet). Each hole contains additional acid soluble copper intercepts.
Additionally, hole QM-324 (which was testing for infill oxide mineralization) identified chalcocite coating pyrite and chalcopyrite, including 0.39% Cu over 32 feet.
Primary Sulphide Zone Exploration
Primary, porphyry - style copper mineralization has been encountered in the Gallagher area and in the north porphyry target area. In the Gallagher area, primary copper mineralization occurs from 450 feet depth in QM-010, with 0.43% Cu over 155 feet to 0.74% over 76 feet in QM-046 from 1,279 feet depth as chalcopyrite disseminations and veinlets. Additional drilling to target primary sulphide mineralization is warranted for as there are only eight holes exceeding 800 feet depth over an approximate one-half square mile area.
Lion CG's drilling program at the north porphyry target, some 3,000 feet north of the MacArthur pit, encountered 115 feet of mineralization (partially enriched with chalcocite) averaging 1.15% Cu at a depth of 470 feet in drill hole QM-068. A similar section of mineralization in QM-070 (500 feet east of QM-068) averaged 1.02% Cu over a thickness of 45 feet at a depth of 435 feet. Together with mineralized intercepts in QM-072, (500 feet east of QM-070) which cut 15 feet of 1.2% Cu; the results indicated a possible porphyry center in the foot wall of the MacArthur fault. In 2010 this concept was favorably tested 1,500 feet north of QM-068 where hole QM-100 intersected 0.58% Cu over 65 feet from 1,203.5 feet. During 2011, QM-100 was offset 1,000 feet north by QM-164 returning 1.32% Cu over 64 feet from 1,673 feet depth. These primary sulphide intercepts define a 6,000 foot mineralized zone (corridor), including the oxide mineralization at the MacArthur pit north to the sulphide intercepts in QM-164, untested 500 feet east and west of QM-100 and QM-164 and open to the north.
27
Holes QM-319 and QM-320 were drilled to depths of 800 feet and 1,188.5 feet, respectively, to test under-drilled induced polarization geophysical anomalies. Both holes intersected zones of primary mineralization, occurring as wispy quartz-sericite-biotite-sulphide veinlets/vein haloes, which are commonly associated with porphyry-style mineralization in the Yerington District. These two holes provide important guidance for primary sulphide drilling in future programs. Hole QM-323 (also designed to infill oxide mineralization) identified 0.20% Cu over 80 feet and additional shorter zones of chalcopyrite mineralization. Multiple untested induced polarization and geologic targets remain untested, mainly on the northeastern portion of the Property.
Geophysics
Two major datasets exist for the geophysical work undertaken in the Yerington District. The first is magnetic data which includes historical and more recent studies undertaken by Lion CG.
The historical data includes an Anaconda Company 1966 fixed wing survey running 400 m N-S lines. The goal was to identify magnetic lows which could indicate magnetite-destructive alteration similar to the Yerington deposit. Additionally, two HeliMag surveys were undertaken by Lion CG in 2007 and 2012 over the Yerington District. These surveys confirmed many of the magnetic lows identified in the Anaconda survey and further identified additional magnetic lows, some of which include the MacArthur Project.
The second major dataset includes Induced Polarization/Resistivity (IPR) surveys run over MacArthur Project. Historically, Bear Creek ran 11 N-S oriented lines in 1963 and McPhar Geophysics ran an additional 26 lines N-S lines. The two surveys covered over four kilometers in the east-west direction and five kilometers in the north-south direction. The nominal depth of investigation was limited, looking less than 1,000 feet of depth. The data was inverted using Zonge International 2d inversion software and found to be of good quality.
Lion CG followed up with multiple IPR surveys in 2009 (7 N-S lines), 2011 (4 N-S lines, and 2016 (4 N-S lines) with the goal expanding the depth and lateral extent of the previous surveys. Investigation depths of these surveys range from ~1,200 feet to greater than 4,500 feet.
The surveys undertaken by Lion CG has identified multiple IPR targets. As expected, the targets are below the oxidized portion of the Project remain untested. Lion CG is evaluating and prioritizing which geophysical targets are of the most interest for future exploration.
Exploration and Drilling History
Despite the numerous shallow pits and prospects across the MacArthur Property, there is little available published production information. Over the history of the Project, several operators have contributed to the pre-Lion CG drill hole database of more than 300 holes. Table 10-1 summarizes the exploration history of the MacArthur area prior to Lion CG's entry. Figure 10-1 shows the location of all historical drill holes.
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Table 10-1. Historic Exploration Drilling
|
MacArthur Project |
|||
|
Operator |
Drill Program |
Number of |
Feet Drilled |
|
U.S. Bureau of Mines |
1947-1950 |
8 |
3,414 |
|
Anaconda Company |
1955-1957 |
14 |
3,690 |
|
Bear Creek Mining Company |
1963-19?? |
~14 |
Unknown |
|
Superior Oil Company |
1967-1968 |
11 |
13,116 |
|
Anaconda Company |
1972-1973 |
280 |
55,809 |
|
Pangea Explorations, Inc. |
1987-1991 |
15 |
2,110 |
|
Arimetco International, Inc. |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Total |
|
~342 |
~78,139 |
During the late 1940s, Consolidated Copper Mines consolidated various claims into a single package that became known as MacArthur, and then attracted the interest of the U.S. Bureau of Mines during their investigation and development of domestic mineral resources. The Bureau of Mines completed 7,680 feet of trenching in 1948 and followed up with eight diamond drill holes for 3,414 feet in 1950 (Matson, 1952). Five of the U.S. Bureau of Mines' holes (1-5) fall within the northern segment of the present-day MacArthur open pit (Table 10-2). Holes number 6 through 8 were collared in an area of widespread iron oxide staining approximately 2,000 feet north of the MacArthur pit within Lion CG's mineral resource mine plan footprint. Oxide copper was intersected in the southern drill holes 1 through 5 while secondary, sooty, chalcocite enrichment was found in the northern drill holes 6 through 8. Following the U.S. Bureau of Mines exploration and drilling programs, Consolidated Copper abandoned their claims.
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29
Table 10-2. U.S. Bureau of Mines 1947-1950 Drillings Highlights
|
MacArthur Project |
|||
|
Hole ID |
Total |
Key Intercepts (interval or |
Notes |
|
Hole 1 |
220 |
110+: 0.2% |
Bottomed in +0.2% Cu |
|
Hole 2 |
556 (-45º) |
509-556: 0.55% |
Bottomed in 0.55% Cu |
|
Hole 3 |
428 |
245-286: 0.40% |
|
|
Hole 4 |
469 (-45º) |
79-114: 0.82%, av. 0.2+/-% |
Lost hole |
|
Hole 5 |
510 |
291+: 0.25%; av. 0.2+/-% |
Bottomed in 0.25% Cu |
|
Hole 6 |
409 |
241-303: 0.61%. 303+: 0.15% |
Bottomed in 0.2% Cu |
|
Hole 7 |
428 |
262-297: 0.51% |
|
|
Hole 8 |
394 |
250-299: 0.36% |
Lost hole |
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30
During the middle 1950s, Anaconda, by then operating the Yerington mine, acquired leases and began investigations at MacArthur including 33 shallow drill holes (only 11 of which exceeded 100 feet in depth) during 1955, 1956, and 1957. Six Anaconda holes ( Mc-12, Mc-14-17, and Mc-19) fall within the current MacArthur pit limits. Key interval assay results from the holes exceeding 100 feet in depth are shown in Table 10-3 (Anaconda Collection-American Heritage Center). Anaconda, likely searching for shallow oxide feed for their Yerington mine, abandoned the claims sometime after 1957.
Table 10-3. Anaconda Company 1955-1957 Drilling Highlights
|
MacArthur Project |
|||
|
Hole ID |
Total Depth (feet) |
Key Intercepts (Interval in |
Notes |
|
Mc 9 |
388 |
153-188: 0.52% Cu |
Bottomed in <0.1% Cu |
|
Mc 10 |
350 |
139-161: 0.44% Cu |
Bottomed in 0.09% Cu |
|
Mc 11 |
299 |
144-178: 0.32% Cu |
Bottomed in 0.2% Cu |
|
Mc 12 |
471 |
267-273: 1.0% Cu |
|
|
Mc 13 |
292 |
|
Bottomed in <0.1% Cu |
|
Mc 17 |
152 |
|
Bottomed in 0.12% Cu |
|
Mc 18 |
493 |
306-380: 0.35% Cu |
Bottomed in 0.13% Cu |
|
Mc 19 |
347 |
65-150: 0.22% Cu |
Bottomed in 0.08% Cu |
|
Mc 20 |
292 |
|
Bottomed in 0.06% Cu |
|
Mc 21 |
252 |
|
Bottomed in 0.05% Cu |
|
Mc 22 |
263 |
235-245 1.02% Cu |
Bottomed in 0.15% Cu |
In 1963, Bear Creek Mining Company (Bear Creek) optioned claims on the MacArthur Property that included leases on the Gallagher area to the west (within Lion CG's current claim position) as well as staking additional claims. Bear Creek completed large-scale geologic mapping, rock chip (and float) grid sampling, alteration mapping, Induced Polarization/Resistivity (IPR) and audio magneto-telluric geophysical surveys, and drilled at least fourteen air rotary holes, the deepest to 663 feet. Exploration drilling was targeted on limonite cappings and on IP anomalies. Bear Creek drilled north and west of the MacArthur pit boundaries (within Lion CG's current claim position), focusing most of their attention and drilling in the Gallagher area.
During 1967 to 1968, The Superior Oil Company (Superior) optioned the claims formerly held by Bear Creek and drilled 13,116 feet in eleven holes as rotary pre-collar, core finish, to test the concept that a deep primary sulphide-bearing porphyry copper material shell might underlie the MacArthur oxide mineralization that had previously been tested no deeper than 663 feet. Two of Superior's holes were collared along the current north margin of the MacArthur pit while the remainder fall within Lion CG's claim boundaries.
During the early 1970s, with mining of the Yerington mine oxide material nearly complete, Anaconda acquired a land position and launched an extensive trenching and rotary drilling program (more than 225 rotary holes for approximately 46,000 feet in 1972 and 55 rotary holes for approximately 9,809 feet in 1973) over and adjacent to the present-day MacArthur pit. The result was an oxide resource approaching 13 million tons of plus 0.4% Cu (1972 data only and not CIM-compliant), described as an oxidized low-grade copper deposit which has been locally enriched by exotic copper (Heatwole, 1978). Anaconda's resource calculations were developed into the mine plan supporting the 5.0 million tons at 0.30% Cu mined from the MacArthur pit by Arimetco during 1995-1997.
31
During 1987 to 1991, Pangea Explorations, Inc. (Pangea) located 304 unpatented lode claims and conducted a gold evaluation of the MacArthur area from the present-day MacArthur pit westerly to the Gallagher area. Pangea's program included over 549 rock chip samples, geologic and alteration mapping, followed by trenching two target areas (Adams, 1987). Eight trenches totaling over 1,420 feet were cut and sampled in the Gallagher area and four additional trenches totaling over 720 feet located in an undefined "north target." Table 10-4 details some of Pangea's exploration drilling results. Anomalous gold values from the rock chip program (41 samples exceeding 0.015 Au oz/ton) led to a 15-hole / 2,110-foot RC drilling program with 1,310 feet in seven holes testing the Gallagher area. Pangea found the drilling results discouraging (best assay value of 0.026 Au oz/ton over 5 feet) and abandoned the Property.
Table 10-4. Pangea 1987-1991 Drilling Highlights
|
MacArthur Project |
|||
|
Hole ID |
Interval |
Interval Length |
Gold Grade |
|
(feet) |
(feet) |
(Au oz/ton) |
|
|
MAC 91-1 |
20-45 |
25 |
0.012 |
|
165-175 |
10 |
0.013 |
|
|
MAC 91-2 |
100-110 |
10 |
0.012 |
|
130-145 |
15 |
0.016 |
|
|
MAC 91-3 |
75-90 |
15 |
0.013 |
|
MAC 91-4 |
45-55 |
10 |
0.011 |
|
145-155 |
10 |
0.015 |
|
|
MAC 91-5 |
90-100 |
10 |
0.011 |
|
MAC 91-6 |
85-95 |
10 |
0.021 |
|
100-110 |
10 |
0.014 |
|
|
85-110 |
25 |
0.014 |
|
|
MAC 91-7 |
5-15 |
10 |
0.015 |
|
55-75 |
20 |
0.016 |
|
|
MAC 91-8 |
105-115 |
10 |
0.016 |
|
MAC 91-9 |
75-85 |
10 |
0.015 |
|
MAC 91-10 |
60-80 |
20 |
0.014 |
|
MAC 91-11 |
20-30 |
10 |
0.011 |
During the late 1980s through the late 1990s, Arimetco consolidated a major land position in the Yerington mining district consisting of over 8,500 acres including 85 patented claims. Arimetco entered the district to extract copper by heap leaching methods, with initial production from the Anaconda Yerington mine dumps, oxide stockpiles and Yerington mine vat leach tailings. Arimetco's leach pads were located on the Yerington mine property approximately five miles south of the MacArthur Project. During evaluation and mining of the MacArthur mine, Arimetco drilled an unknown number of holes as a check on Anaconda's 1972 to 1973 drilling. Anaconda's drilling and resource calculations provided the mine planning data for Arimetco's MacArthur mine. Due to depressed copper prices at the time, Arimetco abandoned their claim position and filed for bankruptcy in 1999.
32
Figure 10-1. Location of Historic Drill Holes in Nevada State Plane Coordinates
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33
Current Drilling
In 2011, drilling centered on an approximate one-half square mile area from the North Ridge area to the present-day MacArthur pit, and the Gallagher area located west of the existing MacArthur pit. Drill spacing was reduced to 250-foot centers on several drill fences. South-bearing angle holes tested the WNW, north dipping structural / mineralized grain and east- and west-bearing angle holes tested orthogonal structure. In 2021, a focus was made to continue upgrading the resource calculation in the main portion of the MacArthur Project as well as to step out to the east-southeast to test for additional acid soluble copper mineralization. Holes were drilled both vertically and south bearing to test for the structure grain.
Also during 2011, 3,275 feet of PQ size core was drilled at 26 sites for the purpose of metallurgical test work. PQ holes twinned existing Lion CG RC and core holes. PQ holes were prefixed by "PQ-11" followed by the ID of the twinned hole.
In 2021, 5,147 feet of exploration drilling in ten holes was completed, and 4,445 feet of PQ size core was drilled in thirteen holes for metallurgical sampling. (See Figure 10-2). The PQ holes twinned existing Lion CG RC and core holes. PQ holes were prefixed by "PQ-21" followed by the ID of the twinned hole. These samples are currently at McClelland Laboratories, Inc., Sparks, Nevada for assay and column testwork.
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Figure 10-2. Drill Hole Location Map - Lion CG Drilling1
_____________________________________
1 2021 exploration drill holes are highlighted with a white circle
35
Downhole Surveys
During 2011 five holes were downhole surveyed by International Directional Services, Elko, Nevada operating a surface recording Gyroscope. Downhole surveyed holes included: QM-163, 164, 165, 166, and 177. To date, downhole surveys have been completed on 57 of the Lion CG holes, and are now commonly done for holes greater than 1,000 feet deep.
Current Drilling Methods
Lion CG has explored the MacArthur Project with both RC) and diamond core drilling methods. RC holes have been drilled by Diversified Drilling LLC, Missoula, Montana, DeLong Construction Inc., Winnemucca, Nevada, and by Leach Drilling Inc., Silver Springs, Nevada. During 2007-2008 the core drilling was contracted to Kirkness Diamond Drilling of Dayton, Nevada, and Kirkness Brothers Diamond Drilling (aka KB Drilling Co, Inc.) of Carson City, Nevada. Major Drilling America, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, conducted core drilling during 2009-2010. Core drilling during 2011 was contracted to Ruen Drilling Inc., Clark Fork, Idaho. In 2021, core drilling was contracted to National EWP, Elko, Nevada.
Lion CG has completed 220,241 feet of drilling in 424 drill holes since 2007. Core drilling accounts for 51,758 feet in 81 holes and RC drilling accounts for 168,483 feet in 343 drill holes. Table 10-5 shows Lion CG's yearly exploration drilling footage.
The total area covered by MacArthur Project drilling is approximately 12,500 feet east-west by 6,000 feet north-south at approximate drill spacing of 500 feet. Drill spacing reduces to approximately 250 feet within an approximate 1,500 feet east-west by 1,000 feet north-south within the northeast portion of the MacArthur pit and reduces to 250 foot spacing over portions of a 5,000 foot square area north of the MacArthur pit. Historic Anaconda drill spacing is approximately 125 feet in the MacArthur pit.
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36
Figure 10-3. Lion CG Exploration Drilling by Year
Reverse Circulation ("RC") Drilling Sampling Method
All RC drilling is conducted with water added to eliminate dust. A percussion hammer with interchange sampling system has been used by the RC drill. Samples are collected in a conventional manner via a cyclone and standard wet splitter in 17-inch by 26-inch cloth bags placed in five-gallon buckets to avoid spillage of material. Sample bags are pre-marked by Lion CG personnel at five-foot intervals and also include a numbered tag bearing the hole number and footage interval. Collected samples, weighing approximately 15 to 20 pounds each, are wire tied, and then loaded onto a ten-foot trailer with wood bed allowing initial draining and drying. Each day, Lion CG personnel, or the drillers at end of their shift, haul the sample trailer from drill site to Lion CG's secure sample preparation warehouse in Yerington, Nevada. Geologic logging samples are collected at the drill site in a mesh strainer, washed, and placed in standard plastic chip trays collected daily by Lion CG personnel.
Core Drilling Sampling Method
For exploration drilling core diameter was HQ (approximately 2.75-inch). Following convention, at the drill site core was placed in wax-impregnated, ten-foot capacity cardboard boxes. Sample intervals vary from less than one foot to six feet, dependent upon rock consistency. Sample boxes were delivered to Lion CGs secure sample warehouse in Yerington, Nevada by the drill crew following each 12-hour shift.
PQ core drilling for metallurgical testwork followed similar protocol as exploration drilling. PQ core was placed in wax-impregnated, five-foot capacity cardboard boxes and delivered to Lion CG's secure sample warehouse by the drill crew following each 12-hour shift. After logging, PQ core was wrapped in airtight plastic bags to prevent oxidization.
Core boxes were stacked on pallets, secured with plastic wrap and steel banding for shipment. For the metallurgical studies, samples were sent to METCON Research Laboratories in Tucson, Arizona via UPS Freight. The samples currently undergoing assay and column testwork were shipped to McClelland Laboratories, Inc. in Sparks, Nevada via UPS Freight.
37
Drilling, Sampling and Recovery Factors
No factors were shown that could materially impact the accuracy and reliability of the above results. With few exceptions, core recovery exceeded 80% while RC recovery is estimated to be greater than 95%.
Sample Quality
It is IMC's opinion that Lion CG's samples of the MacArthur Project are of high quality and are representative of the Property. This statement applies to samples used for the determination of grades, lithologies, densities, and for planned metallurgical studies.
It is the opinion of the author that during the period in 1972 to 1973 when Anaconda explored and drill tested the MacArthur Property, the drill samples taken by Anaconda were representative of the deposit and the methodologies commonly used by the industry at that time. This statement applies to samples used for the determination of grades, lithology, and densities, as well as metallurgical performance, supported by similar determinations and conditions being carried out at that time at Anaconda's Yerington mine operation and as referenced below in an internal Anaconda report (Heatwole, 1972), portions of which follow:
"From March to November, 1972, over 225 holes were drilled... Approximately 33,000 feet of vertical hole and 13,000 feet of angle hole were drilled using percussion and rotary methods."
The majority (62%) of the drilling, which was supervised by Anaconda's Mining Research Department, was accomplished using Gardner-Denver PR123J percussion drills. The percussion drill was fitted with a sampling system designed by the Mining Research Department, which collected the entire sample discharged from the hole. The remainder of the drilling was done by Boyles Brothers Drilling Company using rotary and down-the-hole percussion equipment.
While no details are available regarding Anaconda's exact assaying protocol and quality control during drilling at the MacArthur Property, an interview conducted by Lion CG personnel in October 2008 with Mr. Henry Koehler, Anaconda's Chief Chemist during the 1960s and 1970s, confirmed that the techniques and procedures implemented conformed to industry standards for that era. Mr. Koehler was employed in Anaconda's analytical laboratory from 1952 to mine closure in 1978. He currently resides in Yerington, Nevada.
Sample Preparation, Analysis and Security of Samples
IMC has reviewed all of the Lion CG sample preparation, handling, analyses, and security procedures during its site visit on February 14 and 15, 2022. No drilling was in progress at the time, but all procedures were reviewed and meet accepted industry protocol. It is IMC's opinion that the current practices meet NI 43-101 and CIM-defined requirements. During an earlier review by Tetra Tech, it was recommended that standards be stored in a locked and secured area, which is the current practice.
Reverse Circulation Sample Preparation and Security
RC sample bags, having been transported on a ten-foot trailer by Lion CG personnel from the drill site to the secure sample warehouse, are unloaded onto suspended wire mesh frames for further drying. Diesel-charged space heaters assist in drying during winter months. Once dry, sets of three samples are combined in a 24- by 36-inch woven polypropylene transport ("rice") bag, wire tied, and carefully loaded on plastic lined pallets. Each pallet, holding approximately 13 to 15 rice bags, is shrink-wrapped and further secured with wire bands. Lion CG's samples were shipped via UPS Freight to Skyline Assayers & Laboratories (Skyline), Tucson, Arizona through 2008. During the 2009-2010 drill campaign, Skyline dispatched a transport truck from Tucson to collect samples. In 2011, Skyline established a sample preparation facility in Battle Mountain, Nevada, from which trucks were dispatched to pick up Lion CG's drill samples under a chain of custody protocol. Following sample preparation in the Battle Mountain facility, Skyline ships a representative pulp sample to the Skyline laboratory in Tucson, Arizona for analysis.
38
Complying with earlier recommendations from Tetra Tech, Lion CG now weighs each shrink-wrapped pallet of samples prior to departure from Yerington. Rejects and pulps are returned to Lion CG and stored under cover in a secure location.
Core Sample Preparation and Security
Drill core, having been transported at end of each shift by the drill crew to Lion CG's secure sample warehouse, is logged by a Lion CG geologist who marks appropriate sample intervals (approximately 5 feet) with colored flagging tape and marks the core with a wax pencil to indicate appropriate location for sawing or splitting. Each core box, bearing a label tag showing drill hole number, box number, and box footage interval, is then photographed. Rock quality designations (RQD), magnetic susceptibility, and recovery measurements are taken. Core preceding drill hole QMCC-20 was sawed in half by Lion CG personnel; core holes QM-026, QM-036, QM-041, QM-046, and QM-049 were split in half using a hydraulic powered blade at the warehouse by Lion CG personnel. From 2010-2011 core holes were sawed by ALS Minerals Laboratory, Reno, Nevada (ALS). In 2021, SPS personnel sawed and/or split the core samples. Samples with a large percentage of clay were split to preserve the fines.
When on-site sawing and or splitting was done, one half of the split was bagged in 11- by 17-inch cloth bags marked with drill hole number, footage interval, and sample number for assay while the other half was returned to the appropriate core box for storage in the sample warehouse. From 2007-2011, approximately five to six cloth sample bags were combined in a larger 24- by 36-inch transport polypropylene ("rice") bag, wire tied, and carefully loaded on plastic lined pallets. Each pallet, holding approximately 13 to 15 rice bags, was shrink-wrapped and further secured with wire bands for shipment to Skyline in Tucson. In 2021, the cloth sample bags were placed in plastic storage bins provided by the assay lab. The sample bins are covered, loaded onto a flat- bed truck, and transported to Skyline in Tucson, Arizona by laboratory staff. The same chain of custody protocol is used for both RC and core samples.
Following geologic logging and RQD measurements, the core portions of holes QM-099, QM-100, and QM-109 (2009-2010) and QM-163, QM-164, QM-165, QM-177 and QM-185 (2011 program) were strapped and shrink wrapped on pallets for shipment to ALS. Core samples were picked up from the warehouse by a Reno, Nevada-based ALS Minerals driver, and sample pallets were weighed upon receipt by the laboratory. ALS personnel sawed the core in half, one half for assay at the ALS laboratory, storing the other half in the core box for return to Lion CG. Chain of custody procedures for ALS Minerals follow the format described for Skyline.
Following geologic logging, magnetic susceptibility and RQD measurements, and photography, PQ core for metallurgical testing was shrink-wrapped in its cardboard core box, stacked on pallets, shrink-wrapped together, wire banded, and weighed. In 2011, pallets were shipped to METCON Research Laboratories, Tucson, Arizona via UPS Freight. Chain of Custody was signed upon departure from Yerington and receipt in Tucson. In 2021, PQ samples were shipped to McClelland Laboratories, Sparks, Nevada via UPS Freight with the sample chain of custody procedures.
Sample Analysis
During 2007, 12 core holes were analyzed at American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Sparks, Nevada. AAL is ISO/UEC 17025 certified as well as a Certificate of Laboratory Proficiency PTP-MAL from the Standards Council of Canada.
Lion CG elected to use Skyline Assayers & Laboratories (Skyline) an ISO certified assay lab in Tucson, Arizona for all further analytical work. Samples submitted to AAL were re-assayed (pulps or rejects) by Skyline for consistency of the data set. Lion CG samples arrived at Skyline via UPS freight from 2007-2008.
Core from holes QM-099, QM-100, and QM-109 (2009-2010) and QM-163, QM-164, QM-165, QM-166, QM-177 and QM-185 (2011 program) were submitted to ALS Minerals, Sparks, Nevada. ALS Minerals is an ISO registered and accredited laboratory in North America. From 2009-2011 samples were picked up by a transport truck dispatched by Skyline from its temporary facility in Battle Mountain, Nevada and 2021 by a transport truck dispatched from Tucson by Skyline. A quality assurance and quality control assay protocol (QA/QC) has been implemented by Lion CG where one blank and one standard are inserted with every 18 drill hole samples going into the assay stream. The Skyline assay procedures are as follows:
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| • |
For Total Copper: a 0.2000 to 0.2199 gram (g) sample is weighed into a 200-milliliter (ml) flask in batches of 20 samples plus two checks (duplicates) and two standards per rack. A three-acid mix, 14.5 ml total is added and heated to about 250°C for digestion. The sample is made to volume and read on an ICP/AAS using standards and blanks for calibration. |
| • |
For Acid Soluble Copper: a 1.00 to 1.0199 g sample is weighed into a 200 ml flask in batches of 20 samples plus two checks (duplicates) and two standards per rack. Sulfuric acid (2.174 l) in water and sodium sulfite in water are mixed and added to the flask and allowed to leach for an hour. The sample is made to volume and read on an ICP/AAS using standards and blanks for calibration. |
| • |
For Ferric Soluble Copper (QLT): a 0.500 to 0.5099 g sample is weighted into a 200 ml flask in batch of 20 samples plus two checks (duplicates) and standards per rack. Sulfuric acid ferric sulfate mixed with deionized water are mixed and added to the flask and allowed to leach for an hour. . The filtrate is cooled, made up to a standard volume, and the copper determined by AA with appropriate standards and blanks for calibration. |
| • |
For Sequential Copper Leach: consists of four analyses: Total Copper, Acid Soluble Copper, Cyanide Soluble Copper, and the difference, or Residual. Following analysis for Total Copper and Acid Soluble Copper, the residue from the acid soluble test is leached (shake test) in a sodium cyanide solution to determine percent cyanide soluble minerals. The Sequential Copper Leach is a different approach to the Ferric Soluble Copper (QLT) leach, with possible greater leaching of certain sulphides (e.g. chalcocite or bornite) during the cyanide leach step. |
| • |
For Acid Consumption of Pulps: a 2.00 to 2.10 grams is weighted into a 50 ml screw cap centrifuge in batches of 24 with two checks (duplicates) and two standards per rack. Sulfuric acid is added to the sample and the shaken for an hour. The sample is decanted into a 50 ml screw cap centrifuge tube where titration is undergone and acid consumption calculated with the Tiamo software program. |
From 2009-2011, Lion CG requested 34-element trace element geochemistry from Skyline on selected samples which were analyzed by ICP.OES Aqua Regia Leach.
During 2009-2010 Lion CG core samples were picked up at Lion CG's warehouse facility by ALS Minerals personnel and transported to ALS Minerals laboratory in Sparks, Nevada. ALS Minerals personnel sawed the core, saving one-half for return to Lion CG. ALS assayed core for trace element geochemistry with 48-element Four Acid "Near-Total" Digestion.
In keeping with Tetra Tech recommendations, beginning in 2009, Lion CG began a program to re-assay selected samples when blanks, standards, or repeat assays exceeded or were below the expected values by 15%, or blanks returned an assay of >.015% Cu. The QC program now re-assays standards outside +/- 2 standard deviations of the expected value, repeat assays +/- 15% of the original assay, and blanks greater than .015% Cu.
In 2020, to better understand acid consumption of the acid soluble mineralized zones, 111 pulps were analyzed by Skyline Laboratories.
Mineral Resources
The Mineral Resource Estimate for the MacArthur Project was presented in a Lion CG press release dated January 13, 2022. Subsequent to that news release, the domain boundaries between North Ridge and Gallagher were updated slightly, resulting a minor increase to the total mineral resource. A summary of the pit shell contained mineral resource is in shown in Table 14-1.
Table 14-1. MacArthur Project Area - Summary of Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource2
| Classification | Ktons | Total Cu, % | Contained Cu Pounds x 1000 |
| Measured | 116,666 | 0.180 | 420,929 |
| Indicated | 183,665 | 0.158 | 579,479 |
| Sum M&I | 300,331 | 0.167 | 1,000,408 |
| Inferred | 156,450 | 0.151 | 471,714 |
2 Cutoff grade: 0.06% TCu for Leach Cap, Oxide & Transition; cutoff grade for Sulphide: 0.06% for MacArthur & North Ridge, 0.08% for Gallagher.
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The MacArthur Project Mineral Resources meet the current CIM definitions for classified resources. It should be noted that:
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued exploration. Confidence in the estimate is insufficient to allow the meaningful application of technical and economic parameters or to enable an evaluation of economic viability worthy of public disclosure. Inferred Mineral Resources must be excluded from estimates forming the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.
The qualified person for the mineral resource is Herbert E. Welhener of IMC. The geologic interpretation was updated in late October 2021 by Lion CG and IMC and includes all drilling completed at site including the 2021 step out drilling.
The model covers 3.43 miles in the east-west direction, and 2.77 miles in the north-south direction. Block grades were estimated for total copper as the assay work for asCu, CnCu and QLT are limited to only the Lion CG drilling. Economic value to define the mineral resources at the MacArthur Project was applied to copper only. No detailed economic analysis has been applied to the current mineral resource of the MacArthur Project and the economic values discussed here have been assigned to establish the component of mineralization with reasonable prospects of economic extraction. The mineral resource was established using open pit optimization software. All the deposits are contained within one large block model. The purpose of the single model is to accommodate future infill drilling and/or additional exploration data to be incorporated into a single model framework. The largest components of mineral resources are in the MacArthur pit area and North Ridge domains followed by the Gallagher area.
The Mineral Resources for the MacArthur Project are contained within a pit shell defined by the current understanding of costs and recovery of copper based on the intended recovery method of heap leaching using sulphuric acid. The MacArthur Project Mineral Resources meet the current CIM definitions for classified resources. It should be noted that:
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued exploration. Confidence in the estimate is insufficient to allow the meaningful application of technical and economic parameters or to enable an evaluation of economic viability worthy of public disclosure. Inferred Mineral Resources must be excluded from estimates forming the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.
The copper price used to define the mineral resource pit shell is $3.75 per pound.. The copper price and all costs are in U.S. dollars. The recoveries and costs are based on recent reviews and adjustments to the 2012 PEA and subsequent work on the MacArthur Project. The sulphuric acid cost assumes an onsite acid plant. The mining costs were determined by an internal review of IMC and are felt to be valid as of the date of this report. The input parameters for the definition of the pit shell using a floating cone algorithm are given in Table 14-11 and Table 14-12. The resulting resource is summarized in Table 14-13 and the details are given in Table 14-14 and Table 14-15. The cutoff grades are 0.06% TCu for all material types in the MacArthur pit area and North Ridge, and the Leach Cap, Oxide and Mixed zones in Gallagher This cutoff is at or above an internal cutoff by material type (due to variable recovery) and was selected to have a consistent cutoff for all material types. The cutoff for the Sulphide in Gallagher is 0.08% TCu due to the higher acid consumption and low recovery. A plot of the pit shells is shown in Table 14-18. Table 14-16 shows the details of the resource within the pit shell with increasing cutoff grades.
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Table 14-11. Inputs to Definition of Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource - Recoveries
|
Mineralization |
Recovery of Total |
|
Leach Cap |
60.0% |
|
Oxide |
71.0% |
|
Transition |
65.0% |
|
Sulphide |
40.0% |
Table 14-12. Inputs to Definition of Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource - Costs
|
Cost Center |
Unit |
Cost |
|
SX/EW (no sulphuric acid) |
Per Cu lb |
$0.31 |
|
General & Administrative |
Per Cu lb |
$0.11 |
|
Cathode Transport |
Per Cu lb |
$0.05 |
|
Total per Cu pound cost |
Per Cu lb |
$0.47 |
|
Sulphuric Acid, cost |
Per short ton |
$63.50 |
|
Acid Consumption: |
|
|
|
MacArthur - North Ridge |
Per short ton |
30 lbs/st |
|
Gallagher |
Per short ton |
50 lbs/st |
|
MacArthur - North Ridge |
Cost/st |
$0.95/st |
|
Gallagher |
Cost/st |
$1.59/st |
|
Cost per heap ton |
|
|
|
Heap management (doze, rip) |
Per short ton |
$0.30 |
|
Heap foundation and liner |
Per short ton |
$0.67 |
|
Mining Cost |
Per total st |
$1.92 |
Table 14-13. MacArthur Project - Summary of Mineral Resource3
|
Classification |
Ktons |
Total Cu, % |
Contained Cu |
|
Measured |
116,666 |
0.180 |
420,929 |
|
Indicated |
183,665 |
0.158 |
579,479 |
|
Sum M&I |
300,331 |
0.167 |
1,000,408 |
|
Inferred |
156,450 |
0.151 |
471,714 |
3 Cutoff Grade: 0.06% TCu for Leach Cap, Oxide & Transition; Cutoff Grade for Sulphide: 0.06% for MacArthur & North Ridge, 0.08% for Gallagher
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Metallurgical Testing
The MacArthur Project generally consists of a Leach cap that grades into an oxidized copper zone ,transitioning through a mixed oxide/secondary copper zone and) into primary sulphides at depth. Essentially all metallurgical testwork to date has been conducted on the copper oxide resources with a few tests having been performed on secondary sulphide material.
The MacArthur Project has a long testing history of metallurgical bottle roll and column testwork from 1976 through 2011. Historical testwork by Anaconda in 1976 included bottle roll and column leach tests on samples collected from surface trenches. Arimetco performed a number of bottle and column leach tests on surface samples between 1992 and 1995 using several different metallurgical laboratories. Lion CG performed bottle roll and column tests between 2010 and 2011 through METCON Research ("METCON") in Tucson, Arizona (Carneiro, R.R.).
Of significance, Anaconda operated a vat leach facility processing oxide material from the Yerington Pit, the results from which were documented over the many years of operation. Arimetco also operated a number of leach pads between 1989 and 1995 treating oxide and transition material mined from the Yerington Pit. However, between 1994 and 1997, approximately 5.0 million tons of ore was mined from the MacArthur pit and hauled Run of Mine ("ROM") to the Arimetco pads for processing. This commercial operational database for both the vat and heap leach operations was significant since both Yerington and MacArthur deposits are very similar in origin, geology and mineralization. A summary of several years of data from the vat leach operation is available for review.
A review of the METCON metallurgical testwork shows good copper extraction but variable acid consumption spatially throughout the deposit. METCON column testwork (32 columns) conducted in 2011 using material from 32 different PQ core holes (rather than material taken during surface sampling) was completed in 2011.
Combined, the 2011 METCON study, the Anaconda vat leaching data, and the Arimetco commercial leach pad data provided sufficient metallurgical information to gain a preliminary level of confidence. However, additional metallurgical testwork is necessary to better understand acidification techniques and the resultant copper extraction spatially in the mineralized resource area. Recommendations for this test program are provided in Section 26 of the report.
Oxide Material Copper Extraction
Predicted copper extraction and acid consumption was derived from the existing metallurgical data base, METCON columns and Arimetco historical information. Figure 13-1 below shows column copper extraction versus grade during a 120-day leach cycle. The 32 METCON columns average 60% extraction, which is globally near the extraction achieved by Arimetco at a similar copper grade. As grade increases, copper extraction increases. Figure 13-1 shows column copper extraction of 65%. Using a permanent heap leach pad, extraction is predicted to increase during residual leaching of the overlaid pads, greater than offsetting solution copper inventory buildup in the pad. A 71% extraction was applied for the Oxide zone.
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Figure 13-1. Comparison of Grade versus Copper Recovery Oxide Leach Material
Oxide Material Acid Consumption
Column testwork assumed the use of an acid cure application followed by continued acidification during leaching/rinsing of the columns. During the cure stage, 31.59 pounds of acid per ton of mineralized material was added. Following the acid cure, leaching of most columns consumed almost an equal amount of additional acid during the 120-day leach cycle. Most columns were operated between 1.5 and 1.6 pH during this leach cycle. It is probable that all 32 columns were over acidified both during the acid cure and leaching which resulted in excess acid consumption, averaging 57.3 pounds of sulfuric acid per ton of mineralized material processed.
The acid consumption was determined to be 45.4 pounds of sulfuric acid per ton of mineralized material outside of the Gallagher area. These testwork results, taken in conjunction with qualified opinion predicts that acid consumption may be reduced approximately 20% to 30 pounds of acid per ton of mineralized material considering the column over acidification that was realized combined with shortening of the leach cycle time to 90 days. Arimetco added 25 to 30 pounds of acid per ton of mineralized material with 7.7 pounds of acid consumed per pound of copper produced. A higher acid consumption of 50 pounds per ton of mineralized material has been attributed to the Gallagher area based upon the column testwork. The higher acid consumption is likely due to the more mafic rich granodiorite host rock.
Transition Material Extraction and Acid Consumption
Research for prediction of copper leach extraction from secondary sulphides (chalcocite)is limited to one METCON column. A number of bottle roll tests with high levels of secondary copper were also run but bottle roll tests are only considered index tests. The total grade of the METCON column #4 was 0.363% copper with a cyanide soluble copper of 0.203% (secondary sulphide). Leach extraction of the secondary copper values was 56%, the extraction kinetics being slower than the oxide columns which is typical of secondary sulphide leaching. Leach extraction after 120 days was still significant and would continue in practice through the residual leaching of lifts as this material is overlaid by fresh mineralized material.
The total head iron content was 3.87% Fe with a tail residue of 3.32% Fe, showing an iron leach extraction of 6.22%. Test results from this column showed the least continuing acid consumption and iron extraction. Acid added during the cure was 32.5 pounds of acid per ton of mineralized material. A total of 45.56 pounds of acid per ton of mineralized material were consumed during this 120-day column test. The pH of the leach solution on day one of the column test was 0.43 indicating that the column was likely over acidified, accounting for the over acidification, the acid consumption in the transition zone is considered to be 30 pounds of acid per ton of mineralized material.
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During the leach cycle the column pH ran between 1.45 and 1.55 and was much easier to maintain at this level.
Ferric iron concentration was 14.3 g/l the first day of rinsing which supplies ferric iron for chalcocite leaching. The ferrous iron was near zero after about 20 days of leaching showing that first stage chalcocite leaching was complete. The solution oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) remained about 650 mV after 20 days, ideal for second stage chalcocite leaching.
The head screen analysis of the one secondary sulphide column tested was coarser than the materials in the other 31 columns. This column also showed minimal chemical degradation. The head screen analysis was significantly coarser than the column averages and very little chemical degradation occurred. Chalcocite may tend to be more disseminated within the host rock than oxide material. Although the copper grade in the column is not high, some acid will be generated during residual leaching as the second stage of chalcocite (covellite) is slowly leached resulting in elemental sulfur formation. Therefore, considering a shorter leach cycle time, acid consumption for secondary sulphide material leaching was predicted to be 30 pounds of sulfuric acid per ton of mineralized material. Copper leach extraction with residual leaching is predicted at 65 percent.
Leach Cap and Sulphide Extraction and Acid Consumption
No column testwork has been performed on material from the Leach Cap and Sulphide zones. Most of the copper-bearing material in the Leach Cap is considered to be oxide copper. However, considering it has already undergone a natural leach cycle, the copper extraction is likely to be less. A 60% extraction has been applied to this zone. A 40% extraction was applied to the primary sulphide material based upon the limited solubility studies of pulps as described in Section 11 of this report. An acid consumption of 30 pounds per ton of mineralized material was also applied, the same as the main portion of the MacArthur Project.
Additional column testwork is necessary to fully understand leach kinetics and acid consumption for the MacArthur Project. These additional tests are currently underway.
b. Yerington Mine
Location, Access and Infrastructure
The Yerington Mine property is located near the geographic center of Lyon County, Nevada, USA, along the eastern flank of the Singatse Range. The property centers on the historical Anaconda open pit mine, flanked on the west by Weed Heights, Nevada (a small private community; the original company town of Anaconda) and on the east by the town of Yerington, Nevada. The property is easily accessed from Yerington by a network of paved roads that were used as principal transportation and access routes during the former operating period of the mine. SPS controls approximately 5,000 acre-feet of groundwater rights and the Yerington Pit contains an estimated 45,000 acre feet of water. Power is currently on-site and a new substation is being constructed a quarter mile to the South. Nevada Energy operates a 226-Megawatt natural gas fueled power plant within ten miles of the site. Power for future mining operations is expected to be readily available. Topographic coverage is on US Geological Survey "Yerington" and "Mason Butte" 7.5' topographic quadrangles. The nearest major city is Reno, Nevada, approximately 80 miles to the northwest.
History
Recorded production in the Yerington mining district dates back to 1883 (Moore, 1969) as prospectors were attracted to and investigated colorful oxidized copper staining throughout the Singatse Range. Knopf (1914) reported that oxidized copper cropped out at the historic Nevada-Empire mine located above the south center of the present-day Yerington open pit. Knopf does not show or reference other mines or prospects that are underlain by the Yerington open pit footprint, as gravel and alluvial cover obscure bedrock over an approximate 0.75-mile radius around the Nevada-Empire Mine.
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During the 1940s, Anaconda, at that time one of world's major copper producers, outlined a 60 million-ton resource over the Yerington Pit. During the early 1950s, the US government, citing the need for domestic copper production, offered "start-up" subsidies to Anaconda to open a copper mine in the Yerington district. Anaconda sank two approximately 400-foot-deep shafts in the present-day open pit and drove cross cuts to obtain bulk samples of oxidized rock for metallurgical study. Anaconda began operating the Yerington Pit in 1952 and mined continuously through 1978, producing approximately 1.744 billion pounds of copper from an ore body that contained 162 million tons averaging 0.54% Cu. Approximately 104 million tons of this total were oxidized copper ore that was "vat-leached" with sulfuric acid in 13,000-ton cement vats on a seven day leach cycle. Sulfide ores were concentrated on site in a facility that was dismantled and sold following termination of mining in 1979.
In 1976, all assets of Anaconda, including the Yerington Pit, were purchased by the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) which in 1979 shut down dewatering pumps in the pit and closed the Yerington Pit due to low copper prices. In 1982, ARCO sold the entire Yerington Pit complex and Weed Heights town site to Mr. Don Tibbals of Yerington, Nevada, who scrapped the plant and equipment. At closure, before dewatering pumps were shut off, the Yerington Pit plan hosted a pre-stripped, non NI 43-101 compliant historic "reserve" of 98 million tons averaging 0.36% Cu containing approximately 696 million pounds of copper (K. L. Howard, Jr., Anaconda Internal Memo, 1979) within the ultimate pit design. The estimate was prepared from a geologic section calculation using a 0.2 %TCu cut-off grade. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify these historic estimates as a current mineral resource and Lion CG does not treat them as such. Although the 1979 estimate contained no classification for measured, indicated, or inferred resources as defined by NI 43-101, the total estimate compares favorably to an independent resource estimate completed by Tetra Tech under NI 43-101 in February 2012. An additional 22.8 million tons of material containing 136.8 million pounds copper was identified adjacent to the pit in this historic estimate. The K. L. Howard, Jr., Anaconda Internal Memo (1979) addressing this material is considered reliable because it cites mine reconciliation calculations and geologic projections from drill holes using a 0.2% Cu grade cut-off in an internal Anaconda memo by T. Leigh to W.C. Norem (1979).
In 1989, Arimetco purchased the mine property from Tibbals, commissioned a 50,000-pound-per-day solvent extraction/electrowinning plant, and began heap leaching "sub-grade" dump rock stripped from the Yerington Pit by Anaconda. Arimetco also added an unknown tonnage of "vat leach tailings" (minus 3/8 inch oxidized tailings leached during Anaconda's operation) to some heap leach pads ("HLP's") as well as trucking oxidized ore from the MacArthur Deposit located approximately five miles north of the Yerington Pit site. Arimetco produced some 95 million pounds of copper from 1989 to 1999 before declaring bankruptcy due to low copper prices and abandoning the property.
Soil and groundwater contamination, alleged to stem from the former mining operations at Yerington, have been identified on the property. As a result, a portion of the property acquired by SPS in 2011 previously under the jurisdiction of the EPA is now being managed by the NDEP, a division of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Liability for the contamination on site is the responsibility of a third party which is actively engaged in remedial investigation and remediation activities under the supervision of the NDEP.
In order to establish SPS's position and rights, the acquisition by SPS of the Arimetco properties required a series of rigorous environmental, legal, and technical due diligence studies. The Chambers Group Inc. and Golder Associates Inc. completed a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Report to allow SPS to complete one of the requirements necessary to establish liability protection as a Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser ("BFPP"). Prior to closing on the property, SPS received letters from the NDEP, BLM and the USEPA indicating the post-closing requirements then applicable to the Yerington Pit site for SPS to maintain its defense to liability as a BFPP regarding the activities of the former mine owners and operators.
In September 2012, SPS reached a voluntary agreement with the EPA (the "EPA Agreement") to participate in upgrading the system that manages fluids from the historic mining operation at the Yerington mine site. In exchange for SPS's participation in this work, the Company obtained a site-wide 'Covenant Not to Sue' for the contamination left at the site by former owners and operators of the historic mine operations.
The EPA Agreement provides for immediate environmental improvements to the site and allows SPS to continue exploration at the site while working cooperatively with the EPA, NDEP and the community. The EPA Agreement's 'Covenant Not to Sue' strengthens SPS's 'Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Defense' against liability resulting from the contamination at the site prior to SPS's purchase.
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The first phase of the fluid management project was completed in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company co-funded the repairs to the on-site fluid management system ("FMS") by the EPA as well as the relining of one of the system ponds. During Phase 2 of the project, the Company completed a study of the FMS to determine what additional repairs or other modifications are necessary to ensure that the system is capable of handling the fluids from the former mine operations for a period of five years. The Study was completed by the Company's contractor in June 2013. EPA decided not to implement the five-year capacity alternative recommended in the Study. Rather, EPA decided to build new ponds to address the FMS capacity issues.
The Company decided not to fund construction of the additional ponds. Rather, the Company agreed to provide property at the site to construct the new ponds.
In September 2014, SPS submitted to EPA a Final Report that documented the work SPS performed under the EPA Agreement. On January 7, 2015, the EPA issued a Notice of Completion to SPS confirming that the obligations of the Work to Be Performed and the Payment of Response Costs sections of the Settlement Agreement had been met. With the issuance of the Notice of Completion, SPS believes it does not have further obligations under the EPA Agreement, except for those as a landowner and as a Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser.
In December 2015, the EPA sent a request to the Nevada Governor seeking the State's support for listing the Anaconda-Yerington Mine Site on the EPA National Priorities List ("NPL"). EPA has been considering an NPL listing as a mechanism to provide federal funds for remediation of contamination of the site left by former owners Arimetco Inc. This portion of the Site is referred to as Operable Unit 8 ("OU8") and was an unfunded liability due to Arimetco's bankruptcy. The Governor responded to the EPA noting that the State will not object to the initiation of the listing process.
On September 9, 2016, via publication in the Federal Register, the EPA proposed 10 new sites for NPL listing. The Anaconda Copper Mine in Yerington Nevada was one of those ten sites proposed for listing. EPA proposed to list the entire Site despite the fact that there was a responsible party for the operable units other than OU8, Atlantic Richfield Company, which had and continues to perform its obligations at the Site. SPS has a 'Covenant Not to Sue' with the EPA, and believes it qualifies for the 'Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Defense' to CERCLA liability. The existing contamination at the Site, other than that related to OU 8 is the responsibility of the Atlantic Richfield Company that has been working with EPA to study the contamination, design remedial activities and implement remediation at the Site. SPS's work program at the Bear deposit was not affected by the EPA proposed listing of the Site. Also, SPS does not believe that an NPL listing precludes advancing mineral exploration and development at the Site. Only the Yerington mine site falls within the area of the proposed NPL listing; the Company's other targets in the district occur outside the area of the proposed listing.
In July 2017, NDEP made a formal request to EPA to defer the listing of the Site on the NPL. Since the original request, NDEP, EPA and Atlantic Richfield have worked toward a deferral of the listing process noted above. In support of a deferral action NDEP and EPA negotiated the terms of a Deferral Agreement, NDEP and Atlantic Richfield negotiated the terms of an Interim Administrative Order on Consent, and Atlantic Richfield and NDEP negotiated a Statement of Work for a Site-Wide Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study.
In February 2018, the EPA and NDEP signed an agreement that transferred oversight responsibility for remediation of the Yerington mine site from the federal government to the state of Nevada. The deferral agreement requires that the responsible party fund and undertake remedial investigations, feasibility studies and cleanup of the Yerington site consistent with CERCLA standards. The cleanup, which is being overseen by NDEP, must be protective of human health, protective of ecological health, give preference for solutions that are durable over the long term, and will comply with all federal requirements as defined in CERCLA, the NCP and EPA guidance, and any more stringent state requirements.
On June 3, 2019, the Company announced that SPS had entered into an agreement ("ARC-SPS Agreement") with Atlantic Richfield that outlines how the two entities will work together on the Site allowing Atlantic Richfield to complete its remedial activities and the Company to move forward with its development of the Site. The ARC-SPS Agreement is part of a state-regulated, privately-funded solution to long-standing environmental issues associated with previous mining activity at the Anaconda Copper Mine site. SPS has complied with the terms of the agreement as required to date.
47
The ARC-SPS Agreement memorializes the parties' commitments concerning cooperation, access, property rights, liabilities, federal land acquisition, and ensures preservation of SPS's property and mineral rights. The ARC-SPS Agreement also contains covenants not to sue and indemnification provisions between the parties.
Of particular note, the ARC-SPS Agreement will:
• Further reduce SPS's risks regarding environmental liabilities at the Yerington site associated with past mining prior to SPS's acquisition in 2011. This includes both the former Anaconda mining operations and the former Arimetco area known as OU8, previously an unfunded liability. ARC has agreed to design, build, operate and fund the remedy for the Arimetco portion of the Site as well as to implement a CERCLA-protective remedy for the Site.
• Provide SPS with the opportunity to consolidate its land position at Yerington with the possible conversion of certain BLM mining claims into private land transferred to SPS at nominal cost without attached liability for previous mining activity.
• Dovetail with more comprehensive plans by government agencies to transfer oversight of the Yerington mine site from federal to state jurisdiction under NDEP.
• Assist in creating a simpler path for mine cleanup and development by way of private land ownership and state oversight.
The ARC-SPS agreement is one part of a larger set of agreements being negotiated among ARC, the EPA, NDEP and the BLM, to permanently address the impacts from previous mining activities by the Anaconda Mining Company and Arimetco Inc. at Yerington. ARC has continued its remediation activities at the site under previous orders by NDEP and the EPA. Once arrangements are completed, it will finalize cleanup of the Yerington site consistent with Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA") standards. The cleanup is being overseen by NDEP.
Geology and Mineralization
The Yerington Pit property includes both the Yerington deposit (the "Yerington Deposit") and a portion of the Bear Deposit which represent two of three known porphyry copper deposits in the Yerington copper district. The porphyry systems are hosted in middle Jurassic intrusive rocks of the Yerington Batholith. Unless noted otherwise, the following discussions refer to the Yerington Deposit.
Mineralized porphyry dikes associated with three phases of intrusive activity related to the Yerington Batholith form an elongate body of mineralization that extends 6,600 feet along a strike of N118ºE. The mineralization has an average width of 2,000 feet and has been defined by drilling to an average depth of 250 feet below the Yerington Pit bottom at the 3,800-ft elevation. Because of the economic constraints of low copper prices at the time, many of the 792 historic Anaconda drill holes used in the SPS study were stopped in mineralization and very few were drilled below the 3,400-ft level where the porphyry system remained largely unexplored.
Only four historic holes have actually explored the deep vertical projection of copper mineralization in the pit. Three of the holes were drilled along a single N-S oriented section through the center of the pit. According to M. T. Einaudi in an internal 1970 Anaconda report, the deep drilling program defined a series of nested, concave upward, grade shells that are elongated down the N 70º dip of the dikes with the 0.2% Cu zone extending to approximately the 2,600-ft level; an overall dip distance of 2,200 feet. Although the program encountered an increasing ratio of pyrite to chalcopyrite, there was no indication of a "barren core", the porphyry dikes showed a "remarkable continuity" down dip and molybdenum mineralization became more abundant with increasing depth.
Secondary oxide copper formed much of the upper Yerington Deposit. Chrysocolla was the dominant copper oxide mineral, occurring as fracture coatings and fillings to a depth of approximately 400 feet below the surface. Below the 4,100-ft level, chalcopyrite is the dominant copper sulfide mineral with minor bornite primarily hosted in A-type quartz veins in the older porphyry dikes. The un-mined mineralized material below the current pit bottom is primarily of chalcopyrite mineralization.
48
Exploration and Drilling Results
Exploration work on the Yerington Pit project commenced with a technical review of all available historical information relating to mineralization in and around the Yerington Pit. A huge inventory of Anaconda data was available at the Anaconda Collection - American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming at Laramie. Approximately 10,000 pages of drill hole records from the library were scanned. The records included drill hole lithology, assays, and/or survey coordinates for almost 800 drill holes. Although some holes contained only lithologic or assay summary information, 892 holes contained adequate detailed assay, hole location and orientation information to be used in a resource estimation. Core from historical drilling left on site by Anaconda was photographed, described and selected intervals from 45 Anaconda core holes were shipped to Skyline Labs for re-assay.
Information obtained from the review of historical information was used to guide a two-pronged program of drilling during the last half of 2011. A total of 21,887 feet were drilled in 42 holes. The core holes and four RC holes were drilled to twin Anaconda core holes, while the remaining RC holes were targeted for expansion of mineralization laterally and below historic drill intercepts along the perimeter of the Yerington Pit.
A drilling program to sample residuals (historic dumps and tailings) at the Yerington Pit site was completed in September 2012. A total of 9,585 feet of sonic drilling in 95 holes have provided material for the characterization of the vat leach tails, heap leach pads, and the W-3 sub-grade waste dump. Selected samples were sent to Metcon Labs in Tucson, Arizona for metallurgical testing. These residuals have been historically estimated to total 124 million tons of mineralized material. The residuals are referenced in the MacArthur Deposit PEA and the Yerington Technical Report, as "mineralized material" and therefore are neither an NI 43-101 compliant resource nor a historical resource. Additional details regarding the residuals are described in the Yerington Technical Report. The residuals are not included in the resource estimate at the Yerington Pit site or in the MacArthur Deposit PEA or resource estimate at the MacArthur Deposit site.
Sampling, Analysis and Security of Samples
Tetra Tech's review of sample preparation, handling, analyses, and security procedures for the Yerington drilling and sampling program has determined that the Company's current practices meet NI 43-101 and CIM defined requirements.
Samples taken during the period from 1952 to 1979, when Anaconda operated the Yerington Pit, including samples used for the determination of mine head grades, lithology, densities, and metallurgical performance were determined by Tetra Tech to be representative of the deposit. While no details are available regarding Anaconda's exact assaying protocol and quality control during the period the Yerington Pit copper mine was operating, public records of profit and cost confirmed that the techniques and procedures implemented conformed to industry standards for that era.
SPS explored the Yerington Pit copper property with both RC and diamond core drilling methods. The drilling program was supervised in the field by the project geologist for monitoring recovery, proper sample handling and accuracy in labeling. Approximately 4,300 samples were collected during the 2011 program and shipped for sample analyses. The samples were analyzed for total copper (TCu), gold, and a 47-element trace element package. Samples representing oxide mineralization and acid soluble sulfide copper were also analyzed for acid soluble copper and for ferric sulfate soluble copper. Rock quality designations ("RQD") and magnetic susceptibility measurements were taken on all core which was photographed following geologic logging.
The RC samples are collected in a conventional manner via a cyclone and standard wet splitter, placed in cloth bags that are pre-marked by SPS personnel at five-foot intervals and include a numbered tag inserted into a plastic bag bearing the hole number and footage interval. Collected samples, weighing approximately 15 to 20 pounds each, are wire tied and then loaded onto a ten-foot trailer with wood bed allowing initial draining and drying. Each day SPS personnel or the drillers at the end of their shift, haul the samples to SPS's secure sample preparation warehouse in Yerington, Nevada where the samples are dried, loaded on plastic lined pallets, weighed, and trucked by Skyline Assayers and Laboratories ("Skyline") personnel to Skyline's sample preparation facility in Battle Mountain, Nevada. A chain of custody form accompanies all shipments from Yerington to Battle Mountain. Once Skyline preps each sample in its Battle Mountain facility, approximately 50-gram sample pulps are air-freighted to Skyline's analytical laboratory in Tucson, Arizona for analyses and assay.
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Samples from the core drilling program are handled in a similar manner. Core samples with a diameter of approximately 2.75 -inches (HQ) are placed in wax-impregnated, ten-foot capacity cardboard boxes and delivered to SPS's secure sample warehouse in Yerington, Nevada by the drill crew following each 12-hour shift. The core is logged by a SPS geologist who marks appropriate sample intervals (one to nominal five feet) with colored flagging tape. Lines are marked along the length of core with red wax crayons to indicate where the core piece should be sawed. Each core box, bearing a label tag showing drill hole number, box number, and box footage interval, is then photographed. RQD, magnetic susceptibility, and recovery measurements are taken. Core is then loaded on a pallet, shrink wrapped, and secured with wire bands for trucking by Skyline personnel to Skyline's sample preparation facility in Battle Mountain, Nevada. The core is sawed in half by Skyline personnel, one half designated for sample preparation/assay, the second half placed in its core box for return to SPS. Chain of custody procedures for core shipments picked up by Skyline at the SPS core shed follow the format for RC samples.
Drilling samples from the Yerington Pit project were analyzed by Skyline in Tucson, Arizona, which is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA - certificate no. 2953.01) and by ISO17025-compliant ALS Minerals Laboratories in Sparks, Nevada. SPS implements a quality assurance and quality control assay protocol whereby either one blank or one standard is inserted with every ten samples into the assay stream. Rejects from the previously analyzed samples are sent to ALS Minerals in Reno, Nevada for check assays.
Mineral Resources
Tetra Tech completed an independent resource estimate and technical report update under NI 43-101 for the mineralization in and around the historic Yerington Pit titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Update Yerington Copper Project Lyon County, Nevada" and dated January 3, 2014 (effective November 20, 2013), which supersedes its previous report completed in February 2012 (the "Updated Yerington Technical Report"). The Updated Yerington Technical Report is based upon an additional 232 historic Anaconda holes unavailable when the previous report was completed. The current resource now includes over 800 boreholes.
These additional holes are well distributed throughout the deposit and provided infill and extensional information to the previously used data, allowing upgrades in classification, improved grade estimation and a new resource definition.
The increases to the February 2012 resource are as follows. Using a 0.12% TCu copper cutoff, measured and indicated oxide and chalcocite resources increased 28% in tons, 9% in grade, and 37% in pounds of contained copper while the inferred resource increased 5% in tons, 14% in grade, and 21% in contained copper. Using a 0.15% TCu copper cutoff, the primary measured and indicated resources increased 12% in tons, 12% in grade, and 25% in contained copper while the inferred resource increased 4% in tons, 11% in grade, and 13% in contained copper.
Using a cutoff grade of 0.12%, the Yerington Pit's measured and indicated acid-soluble oxide/chalcocite mineralization includes a measured and indicated resource of 23.5 million tons averaging 0.25% TCu (118 million pounds of copper) and an inferred resource of 25.9 million tons of 0.23% TCu (118 million pounds of copper). Using a cutoff of 0.15% TCu, the measured and indicated primary copper resource contains 105 million tons averaging 0.30% TCu (633 million pounds of copper) and an inferred primary copper resource of 128 million tons of 0.23% TCu (600 million pounds of copper).
Cutoff grades of 0.12% and 0.15% for the oxide/chalcocite and sulfide mineralization, respectively, were used in the Updated Yerington Technical Report based on benchmarking of the Yerington Deposit to similar deposits using open pit mining. The cutoff values are representative of grades and recoveries used in calculating the mineral resources for the preliminary economic assessment for the Company's adjacent MacArthur Copper Project, which is described in a NI 43-101 technical report filed in January of 2014 using an effective date for the resource calculation of May 2012. The MacArthur study indicates that using the cutoff grades in the report, the project has reasonable prospects for economic extraction of mineralization. The Yerington and MacArthur deposits are adjacent, geologically similar and have similar grade continuity. Open pit mining methods are proposed for both deposits. They will use similar metallurgical processes. The cutoff grades are based on similar costs, metal prices and mining/metallurgic parameters. The benchmark values applied to the Yerington Project from the MacArthur project are:
50
| Price and Recovery | |
| Copper Price (average) | $2.42/lb |
|
Oxide Ore recovery |
65% of TCu |
|
Sulfide Ore recovery |
27% of Tcu |
|
Costs: |
|
|
Process (Heap and SXEW) |
$1.02/lb recovered copper |
|
G&A Cost |
$0.50/ton ore |
|
Ore Haul and Heap dozing |
$0.25/ton ore |
|
Mining (ore and waste), base cost |
$1.50/ton |
|
Mining Lift Charge |
$0.02/ton per 20 ft bench below 4760 |
|
Floating Cone Discount Rate |
0.5% per 20 ft bench |
The following table summarizes the resource estimates contained in the Updated Yerington Technical Report, including changes from the previous report prepared in February of 2012:
|
YERINGTION COPPER PROJECT RESOURCES USING SELECTIVE CUTOFF FOR OXIDE AND |
|||||||
|
MEASURED |
Cutoff |
2013 ESTIMATE |
% CHANGE FROM 2012 |
||||
|
|
%Cu |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
|
Oxide and Chalcocite Material |
0.12 |
6,500 |
0.25 |
33,000 |
8% |
10% |
17% |
|
Sulfide (Primary Material) |
0.15 |
31,000 |
0.33 |
205,000 |
-3% |
10% |
8% |
|
Combined |
0.12,0.15 |
37,500 |
0.32 |
238,000 |
-1% |
10% |
9% |
|
INDICATED |
Cutoff |
2013 ESTIMATE |
% CHANGE FROM 2012 |
||||
|
|
%Cu |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
|
Oxide and Chalcocite Material |
0.12 |
17,000 |
0.25 |
85,000 |
37% |
9% |
47% |
|
Sulfide (Primary Material) |
0.15 |
74,000 |
0.30 |
428,000 |
19% |
15% |
35% |
|
Combined |
0.12,0.15 |
90,000 |
0.29 |
513,000 |
22% |
12% |
37% |
|
MEASURED + INDICATED |
Cutoff |
2013 ESTIMATE |
% CHANGE FROM 2012 |
||||
|
|
%Cu |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
|
Oxide and Chalcocite Material |
0.12 |
23,500 |
0.25 |
118,000 |
28% |
9% |
37% |
|
Sulfide (Primary Material) |
0.15 |
105,000 |
0.30 |
633,000 |
12% |
12% |
25% |
|
Combined |
0.12,0.15 |
128,000 |
0.29 |
751,000 |
14% |
11% |
26% |
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|
INFERRED |
Cutoff |
2013 ESTIMATE |
% CHANGE FROM 2012 |
||||
|
|
%Cu |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
Tonsx1000 |
Grade |
Lbsx1000 |
|
Oxide and Chalcocite Material |
0.12 |
25,900 |
0.23 |
118,000 |
5% |
14% |
21% |
|
Sulfide (Primary Material) |
0.15 |
128,000 |
0.23 |
600,000 |
4% |
11% |
13% |
|
Combined |
0.12,0.15 |
154,000 |
0.23 |
718,000 |
4% |
10% |
14% |
1Independent qualified person, Dr. Rex Bryan, prepared and supervised the preparation of these mineral resources.
2All estimated resources are shown using a 0.12% and 0.15% copper cutoff for oxide and sulfide respectively
3 Effective date November 20, 2013
The results of the 2013 NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate compare favorably to the estimates of copper remaining in and around the Yerington Pit after the mine shut down (K.L. Howard, Jr., Anaconda Internal Memo, 1979). The 1979 estimate contained no classification for measured, indicated, or inferred, so direct comparison can only be made when considering all classes of the current estimate, but was reported at 121 million tons with an average grade of 0.34% Tcu.
The 1979 estimate cited approximately 84% of the total contained copper (696 million pounds of copper in 97.8 million tons with an average grade of 0.356% Cu) as being within the original Anaconda pit design, suggesting that a significant portion of the Yerington Pit resource may be mined without a pushback or major changes to the upper walls of the Anaconda pit.
The current Tetra Tech resource estimate is based upon SPS's 2011 drilling as well as 792 historic drill holes taken from approximately 10,000 scanned pages of assay and/or geologic data which were reviewed and digitally recorded by SPS personnel and from 57 Anaconda cross sections in use at the time of mine closure. The digital data entry was validated by Tetra Tech against historic sections and was considered to be compliant, based upon results of 18 twin holes and 5,446 feet of core from Anaconda holes which were assayed by SPS. The twinned drill intercepts statistically confirmed that the new compliant data support use of the historical data, as did the new core assays which were well within the expected norms for corroborating the old with new data.
The Tetra Tech resource estimate is included with a description of the project history, geology, mineralization, sampling procedures, and laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures. The Updated Yerington Technical Report is available at www.sedar.com. The Qualified Person for the Yerington Pit project resource estimate and the Updated Yerington Technical Report is Rex Clair Bryan, Ph.D., Sr. Geostatistician for Tetra Tech.
Future Work Plans
Lion CG believes the Yerington Pit project has potential for additional copper resources. Historic and current drilling data indicate that horizontal and vertical limits to the mineralization at the Yerington Pit have not yet been found. Additional exploration and in-fill drilling are being considered in an attempt to both expand and upgrade the current copper resources of the project prepared under NI 43-101 subject to financing. Historic and current drilling data indicate that horizontal and vertical limits to the mineralization at the Yerington Pit have not yet been found.
c. Bear Prospect, Nevada
The Bear deposit is located south-southeast of the MacArthur Project and is a large porphyry copper system that was discovered and partially delineated by Anaconda in the 1960s and by Phelps Dodge in the 1960s and 1970s. The deposit is open in several directions and was previously never consolidated under single owner. Lion CG currently controls the Bear deposit through private land option agreements covering over 2,300 acres. Additionally, Lion CG has data from 49 holes totaling 126,400 feet that defines a system covering an area of at least 2 square miles. The portion of the deposit controlled by Anaconda in the 1960s covered approximately 25% of this area. It has been estimated that the Anaconda drilling program defined more than 500,000,000 tons of mineralized material with an average copper grade of 0.40% (Dilles and Proffett, 1995).
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The Company has five option agreements, entered from March 2013 to May 2015, to acquire a 100% interest in private land in Yerington, Nevada, known as the Bear deposit. Under the terms of these option agreements, as amended, the Company is required to make $5,423,000 in cash payments over 15 years ($5,029,000 paid) to maintain the exclusive right to purchase the land, mineral rights, and certain water rights and to conduct mineral exploration on these properties.
In 2014, SPS conducted an internal resource estimate of the entire Bear deposit, based upon the drill results from Anaconda and Phelps Dodge. The resource was created in DataMine® using an inverse distance cubed methodology. At a 0.35% TCu cutoff, the deposit contains 1.29 billion tons averaging 0.46% TCu (11.88 B lbs contained copper). This resource has not been classified according to current CIM standards as a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify this estimate. It should not be relied upon and Lion CG does not treat it as a current mineral resource.
From 2015 to 2016, SPS conducted a drill program consisting of six holes totaling 20,474 feet. Four of the holes extended known mineralization 2,000 feet N-NE by 3,000 feet NW-SE with intercepts averaging about 1,000 feet, ranging in grade from 0.14% to 0.42% TCu.
The Bear Deposit was discovered in 1961 by Anaconda condemnation drilling in the sulfide tailings disposal area and was further delineated in the 1960s and 1970s. Currently the deposit is open in several directions and has never been consolidated under a single owner. A part of Lion CG's recently acquired acreage was not previously accessible for exploration and is adjacent to the highest grade mineralization discovered during previous exploration of the area.
Historical information compiled for the Bear Deposit includes 126,400 feet of drilling in 49 drill holes that define a mineralized system covering an area of at least two square miles. The portion controlled by Anaconda in the 1960s covered approximately 25% of this area and includes an estimated 500 million tons of mineralized material averaging 0.40% copper (Dilles and Proffett, 1995). The Bear Deposit tonnage and grade estimate is historic in nature. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify this historic estimate as a current mineral resource and Lion CG does not treat it as such. In order to do so, this estimate will have to be confirmed by additional drilling.
The Bear Deposit is a large porphyry copper system that occurs below 500 to 1,000 feet of valley fill and volcanic rocks of Tertiary age. Mineralization occurs predominantly in quartz monzonite, border phase quartz monzonite, and quartz monzonite porphyry dikes of Jurassic age. There does not seem to be any relation between the Jurassic rock type and the sulfide occurrence. Copper mineralization occurs most commonly as chalcopyrite with minor bornite within platings and veinlets of fresh feldspar and shreddy biotite. No copper oxide mineralization is present and only minor occurrences of chalcocite have been noted. Molybdenite is a common sulfide within the deposit, usually occurring with the best copper mineralization. However, only about 20% of the historic core samples have been analyzed for molybdenite and more studies are necessary to better understand its average grade and distribution.
The deposit is displaced by the gently east-dipping normal fault known as the Bear fault. The fault is defined by strongly sheared dark clay gouge with andesite and sulfide fragments. On the western part of the deposit the mineralization occurs within the foot wall of the fault while to the east the mineralization occurs deeper within the hanging wall.
The Bear Deposit is prospective because of its very large size, historic drilling and potential for higher grades than district averages. Molybdenum could also represent a by-product credit.
Acquisition and exploration costs incurred by the Company for the Bear Deposit to December 31, 2021 were $1.7 million (2020 - $1.5 million) net of option payments made.
d. Wassuk, Nevada
The Company has an option, as further amended, to earn a 100% interest in certain unpatented mining claims in Lyon County, Nevada, over ten years and is required to make $1,405,000 in cash payments (paid) and incur a work commitment of $50,000 by December 31, 2021 (completed). During 2021 two final option payments of $125,000 due by August 1, 2021, and the final $125,000 due by October 10, 2021, were both paid and form part of the total payments of $1,405,000.
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The property is subject to a 3% NSR royalty upon commencing commercial production, which can be reduced to a 2% NSR royalty in consideration of $1,500,000. Acquisition is currently underway.
e. Groundhog Prospect, Alaska
The Groundhog copper project is a 54,880-acre property situated in an established copper porphyry belt situated 200 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. It is located on State of Alaska claims covering the northern extension of a 10-kilometer wide north-northeast trending structural zone that hosts a number of porphyry copper-gold prospects, including the large Pebble porphyry copper, gold and molybdenum project, which is approximately three miles south of the Groundhog claim boundary.
Lion CG signed a lease agreement dated April 20, 2017, further amended, with Chuchuna Minerals Company ("Chuchuna"), an Alaska corporation, giving Lion CG an option to purchase a 90% interest in the Groundhog copper prospect. Lion CG committed to funding $1 million for exploration in the first year of the agreement, and a minimum of $500,000 in each of the following seven years. Lion CG can earn its 90% interest in Groundhog by providing a total of $5 million in funding for exploration over seven years, and by paying Chuchuna a lump sum of $3 million by the end of the final year. Lion CG has no obligation to exercise its option and can terminate the agreement at its discretion annually. Chuchuna will be the operator of the project and will plan, implement and manage exploration field programs as set out in a budget and work plan approved by Lion CG.
During 2019, the Company completed a 1,664 line kilometer ZTEM and magnetic survey covering 165 square miles of the Groundhog property. The survey identified 19 targets that are worthy of follow-up. A limited geologic reconnaissance program over the strongest ZTEM anomalies did not identify any significant geochemical anomalies, due primarily to thick overburden and scarce outcrop.
In May 2020, the Company filed an independent technical report on Groundhog which supports its assessment that the property has potential to host copper-gold mineralization similar to the nearby Pebble deposit.
If Lion CG exercises its option to acquire 90% of Groundhog, Chuchuna and Lion CG will enter into a joint venture agreement. Chuchuna will retain a 10% interest in the property carried to production, and a NSR of 1.75%. Within the first ten years Lion CG may purchase 50% of the NSR by paying Chuchuna $25,000,000.
2021 Exploration
The Company has met the annual work commitments required to spend a minimum of $160,000. The Company incurred exploration expenditures of $166,000 for the year-ended December 31, 2021.
Future plans
Previous geologic, geochemical, and geophysical studies conducted on the property by a major international mining company, identified a number of large, high priority, magnetic and induced polarization (IP) targets. It is the intention to evaluate these, and other targets identified by more recent work by Chuchuna, by mapping, sampling, additional IP geophysical surveying and drilling.
f. Butte Valley, Nevada
The Butte Valley is a large potential, based on amplitude of magnetic anomaly, size of IP anomaly and volume of alteration system drilled to date with the main following characteristics:
• Near the Robinson porphyry copper deposit held by KGHM
• 38 miles NNW of Ely, Nevada
• 21 square miles of claims
54
The Company entered into an option agreement dated August 22, 2019, as amended on December 6, 2019 and July 30, 2021, with North Exploration, to purchase a 100% interest in six hundred unpatented mining claims in White Pine County, Nevada, for $600,000 over five years. North Exploration will retain a 2.5% NSR, of which 1% can be purchased for $1,000,000. A further 0.5% NSR can be purchased within the first ten years after the option is exercised for $5,000,000.
On December 3, 2019, the Company entered into an option agreement with Nevada Select Royalty, Inc. ("Nevada Select Royalty"), to purchase a 100% interest in seventy-eight unpatented claims in White Pine Country, Nevada associated with the Butte Valley project for $250,000 over five years. Nevada Select Royalty will retain a 2% NSR, of which 1% can be purchased by the Company during the ten-year term of the option for $10,000,000.
Acquisition and exploration costs incurred by the Company for the Butte Valley to December 31, 2021, were $0.8 million (2020 - $0.4 million).
On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into a property acquisition agreement to assign its options to acquire the Butte Valley property to 1301666 B.C. Ltd. ("BC Co."), a private British Columbia company established to acquire mineral resource properties.
Pursuant to the agreement, Lion CG's 100% owned subsidiary Quaterra Alaska, Inc. will be granted an equity position in BC Co. In addition, Quaterra Alaska, Inc. will maintain a 1.5% NSR on each of the Butte Valley optioned properties, which is subject to a buy-down to a 1.0% NSR in exchange for a payment of $7,500,000 per property.
On April 5, 2022, the Company completed the assignment of the two option agreements for the Butte Valley property. Pursuant to the assignment agreement, Lion CG received 16,049,444 common shares of BC Co. Concurrently with the completion of the assignment of the Butte Valley Property, BC Co. closed a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$3,106,000 through the issuance of 15,531,130 units at a price of CAD$0.20 per unit. In addition, the Company received a payment of $500,000 from BC Co. as a reimbursement of exploration expenditures and related costs incurred by the Company on the Butte Valley Property.
g. Chaco Bear and Ashton, British Columbia
The Chaco Bear Property is in Northern British Columbia, Canada. The project is situated in the Omineca Mining Division, and approximately 5 kilometers west of Bear Lake that is 155 kilometers due north of Smithers. The property is comprised of five contiguous tenures that total 2,807.104 Ha. The Chaco Bear is geologically located within the Stikine Terrane - Mineralization hosted by the Telkwa Formation of the Hazelton Group, separated from the younger Hazelton formations by a major unconformity. This is the same host rocks as the Golden Triangle.
The property has been explored at various times and to different levels since the late 1940s and more seriously since in the late 1960s. The current surface level of erosion is interpreted to be too shallow to allow exposure of more concentrated mineralogy and this may be concealed laterally and at depth.
On August 25, 2021, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with Houston Minerals Ltd. ("Houston") setting forth the terms of an option (the "Option") whereby the Company may acquire a 100% interest in the Chaco Bear Property located directly east of the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, and the Ashton Property located near Lytton, British Columbia (collectively, the "Properties").
Under the terms of the LOI, the Company and Houston proposed to enter into a definitive agreement whereby the Company can earn up to a 100% interest in the Properties by making the following issuances and payments over a four-year period:
• issuing 8,000,000 common shares of the Company on closing;
• making annual lease payments on the Properties after 2021;
• incurring CAD$150,000 of exploration expenditures on the Chaco Bear Property and CAD$50,000 of exploration expenditures on the Ashton Property before the end of 2021;
• incurring exploration expenditures of at least the value of the annual assessment multiplied by 1.5 for periods after 2021;
55
• paying CAD$1,500,000 for the Chaco Bear Property and CAD$1,000,000 for the Ashton Property on or before 4 years from the closing, which amounts are payable in cash or common shares of the Company; and
• making annual advance royalty payments in the fourth and fifth year from the closing in the amounts of CAD$250,000 on the Chaco Bear Property and CAD$150,000 on the Ashton Property.
On September 17, 2021, the parties agreed to an amendment to the LOI to include a 2.5% NSR on each property. Prior to feasibility, the Company may reduce the NSR to 1.0% on the Chaco Bear Property in consideration for a payment of CAD$6,000,000 and 1.0% on the Ashton Property for a payment of CAD$3,000,000. Post feasibility, the Company may purchase the remaining 1.0% NSR on the Chaco Bear Property for CAD$12,000,000 and the remaining 1.0% NSR on the Ashton Property for CAD$6,000,000.
On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into an option agreement with Houston to replace the LOI dated August 25, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the option agreement, the Company may acquire a 100% interest in the Chaco Bear Property located directly east of the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, and the Ashton Property located near Lytton, British Columbia, subject to a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty.
The consideration terms under the terms of the option agreement are unchanged from the LOI except that the term of the option has changed from a four year period to a ten year period and annual advance royalty payments in the amounts of CAD$250,000 on the Chaco Bear Property and CAD$150,000 on the Ashton Property are to be paid starting on the fifth year from closing through to the ninth year from closing instead of only in the fourth and fifth years from the closing. All other consideration terms remain unchanged.
In addition, commencing on January 31, 2022, and on January 31 of each year thereafter during the Option Period, Lion CG shall pay the following option maintenance fees to Houston: (a) CAD$60,000 in respect of the Chaco Bear Property; and (b) CAD$40,000 in respect of the Ashton Property.
On March 16, 2022, the Company closed its previously announced option agreement with Houston by issuing 8,000,000 common shares of the Company to Houston and funding an initial work program of $200,000 on the Properties in consideration for the grant of the Option. The Company may exercise the Option for a period of up to ten years to acquire (i) the Chaco Bear property by paying $1,500,000 to Houston, in cash or in common shares of the Company at the Company's option; and/or (ii) the Ashton Property by paying $1,000,000 to Houston in cash or in common shares of the Company at the Company's option, and in either case common shares will be valued using the volume weighted average trading price of the Company's common shares for the twenty trading day period ending three trading days prior to the date of issuance of such Lion CG shares, with such cash payments being subject to a discount of between 5% and 15% based on the timing of exercise and cumulative exploration expenditures incurred as at the time of exercise. Houston will retain a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty on any of the Properties for which an Option has been exercised by the Company.
Additional exploration targets
• Potential for epithermal gold and related base metal mineralization
• Target deposit types are:
a) High grade epithermal gold-silver vein and/or network vein mineralization hosted in the andesite-dacite volcanics
b) Porphyry-copper-gold prospect (Rusty Lake Area)
c) Strata-controlled bedded replacement bodies within the Hazelton Group volcanics or in the deeper unexposed country rocks
• Property is inadequately explored by field methods of mapping, rock chip sampling, and drill tests of anomalous mineralized areas
• Broader application of field exploration methods combined with appropriate geophysical surveys will define new exploration targets throughout the property.
56
h. Ashton Property, British Columbia
Ashton Property are location within 10 km of Lytton in southern BC at the Spences Bridge Gold Belt at 19 km south of Spences Bridge on the east bank of the Thompson River within a few hundred meters of the Trans-Canada Highway and the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway History
The going forward exploration strategy, includes additional geological mapping and surface prospecting, further mapping and surface sampling will be focused on the southern portion of the Ashton Project where there is extensive gold in soil anomalies. drilling to evaluate a potential gold skarn and the propylitic alteration on the project area will be further investigated for other mineralized stocks.
History
The Ashton Property is a composite copper-gold and project in south eastern British Columbia and located some 170 km northeast from Vancouver and 15 km east of the town of Lytton. The project consists of seven contiguous claims that that comprises an area of 1429 hectares. The northern boundary of the property lays a few hundred metres south of the Trans-Canada Highway (Fraser Canyon) and the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The surrounding infrastructure provides all the required features required to expedite the development of a low capital and profitable mining operation. The major Highland Valley Copper operations are located some 40 km to the northeast and independently validate the potential of this project.
Local geology and alteration
Strong propylitic alteration at Ashton indicates the presence of a concealed porphyry system
| • |
Situated near, and likely a major source for, the famous Nicoaman placer gold deposits that sparked the Thompson River gold rush. |
|
• |
Propylitic alteration of a diorite intrusive can be subdivided into a central actinolite dominant zone and a more distal epidote-chlorite-calcite zone |
|
• |
The central actinolite altered zone containing actinolite, epidote, chlorite, and calcite covers an area approximately 100 m X 100 m |
|
• |
Correlates with some of the best MMI and soil sample copper anomalies |
57
|
• |
Minor phyllic alteration also present in central zone |
|
• |
The chlorite-epidote-calcite zone extends up to 500 m from the central actinolite alteration zone |
Additional gold potential
Gold mineralization is found to the south of the copper porphyry at Ashton (MMI anomaly) and additional gold pathfinder elements are associated with Au anomaly (As, Te, Hg, Sb, Se, and Ag). Epithermal gold can have a direct relationship with a porphyry system and low sulfidation gold deposits are laterally displaced from the magmatic porphyry (Sillitoe Model). This gold area is a large underexplored target in the southern area of Ashton.
Exploration strategy
The exploration strategy, includes additional geological mapping and surface prospecting, further mapping and surface sampling will be focused on the southern portion of the Ashton Project where there is extensive gold in soil anomalies. drilling to evaluate a potential gold skarn and the propylitic alteration on the project area will be further investigated for other mineralized stocks.
Letter of Intent
See Chaco Bear property discussion above.
i. Blue Copper Prospect
During the year ended as of December 31, 2021, the Company's acquired and staked a district scale exploration and resource discovery opportunity (the "Blue Copper Prospect"), comprising more than 7,430 acres in Powell County and Lewis & Clark County in Montana, USA. The area is prospective for high grade copper-gold skarns and porphyry copper-gold mineralization. The claim block encompasses a group of more than 14 historic small mines that produced high grade gold, copper and tungsten.
As a part of the Blue Copper Prospect, Blue Copper LLC entered into a purchase agreement with Four O Six Mining & Exploration LLC ("406 Mining") to acquire certain existing and additional unpatented mining claims. In exchange for the unpatented mining claims, as part of the closing of the transaction, on February 14, 2022, the Company issued 1,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company and the subsidiary provided a NSR of 2.0% with a buy-down of 1% NSR for $1,500,000.
The Blue Copper Prospect, located approximately 25 miles WNW of Helena, Montana, is centered on the Late Cretaceous Blackfoot City Stock (the "BCS"), which was intruded into the Black Mountain syncline, composed primarily of a Paleozoic sequence of limestone, dolomite, shale and sandstone. The BCS crystallized at the same time as the nearby Boulder batholith, which is host to the world-famous Butte copper mines. The area is prospective for high grade copper-gold skarns and porphyry copper-gold mineralization.
The claim block encompasses a group of more than 14 historic small mines that produced high grade gold, copper and tungsten. Importantly, the streams draining the BCS have a recorded production of almost 200,000 ounces of placer gold through 1959, although the actual production was most likely much higher. Despite the extensive placer production, only one lode gold mine operated historically and produced less than 10,000 ounces. Several major companies conducted exploration programs in the area during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Company is currently acquiring, compiling and interpreting historic data to develop a 2022 work plan which will be provided when available.
As a part of the Blue Copper Prospect, Blue Copper LLC entered into a purchase agreement with Four O Six Mining & Exploration LLC ("406 Mining") to acquire certain existing and additional unpatented mining claims. In exchange for the unpatented mining claims, as part of the closing of the transaction, the Company will issue 1,500,000 common shares of the capital of the Company and the subsidiary provide a NSR of 2.0% with a buy-down of 1% NSR for $1,500,000.
|
ITEM 5. |
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
58
The information in this section is derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended December 31 and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in Item 17 of this annual report.
|
A. |
Operating Results |
The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and the Company's financial position should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 appearing under Item 18 - Financial Statements and listed under Item 19 - Exhibits.
The Company's consolidated financial statements are stated in thousands of US Dollars and have been prepared in accordance and compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IFRS").
The Company is a copper exploration and development company working on its mineral properties located in Nevada,
Alaska, and Montana, United States and British Columbia, Canada.
The Company acquires its mineral properties through option or lease agreements and capitalizes all acquisition, exploration and evaluation costs related to the properties. The underlying value of the amounts recorded as mineral properties does not reflect current or future values. The Company's continued existence depends on discovering the economically recoverable mineral reserves and obtaining the necessary funding to complete the development of these properties.
2021 versus 2020
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred a comprehensive loss of $3,024,000 compared to $983,000 for the prior year. Significant differences in the comparative amounts were mainly caused by the hiring of executives, consultants, and the increase of marketing activity, the non-cash share-based compensation, and an unrealized gain (loss) on the marketable securities.
General administrative costs mainly comprise salaries, rent, investor relations, insurance, regulatory and general office costs required to maintain a publicly listed company in Canada. The scale and nature of the Company's corporate and administrative activity have remained relatively consistent over the periods presented.
During the year ended at December 31, 2021, the Company sold 1,942,795 common shares (2019 the Company held - 1,942,795) of Grande Portage Resources Ltd. resulting from the sale of the Company's 35% interest in the Herbert Gold project on July 29, 2016. During 2021, a $198,000 realized gain (2020 - $476,000 unrealized gain) was recognized in the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
2020 versus 2019
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred a loss of $983,000 compared to $1,711,000 for the prior year. Significant differences in the comparative amounts were mainly caused by the changes in interest and accretion expense on convertible notes, the non-cash share-based compensation, and an unrealized gain (loss) on the marketable securities.
General administrative costs mainly comprise salaries, rent, investor relations, insurance, regulatory and general office costs required to maintain a publicly listed company in Canada. The scale and nature of the Company's corporate and administrative activity have remained relatively consistent over the periods presented.
The Company also spent $167,000 on the preliminary evaluation of several exploration prospects.
59
Interest expense of $72,000 in 2020 (2019 - $206,000) was primarily related to the convertible notes which were fully settled in 2020.
The Company held 1,942,795 common shares of Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (trading symbol "GPG" at TSX-V). These shares were revalued at each reporting date based on the market closing price. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $476,000 in 2020 compared to a $9,000 gain in 2019.
In August 2020, the Company settled CAD$500,000 (2019 - $550,000 and CAD$500,000) of the convertible notes by issuing 1,000,000 units (2019 - 11,769,300 units) and by making a CAD$499,233 cash payment, including interest. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant exercisable at CAD$0.065 until August 28, 2022. A $26,000 loss (2019 - $13,000 loss), resulting from the difference between the market price of the shares issued and the conversion rate, was recorded in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
|
B. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources |
The Company is an exploration company that has not earned any production revenue. Its operations have been dependent mainly on proceeds from the sale of water rights private placements in the last few years without diluting shareholders' value.
As of April 29, 2022, the Company had a cash balance of $487,427.
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $842,000 on December 31, 2021 (2020 - $701,000) and no outstanding debt. The $141,000 increase was mainly due to the $4,289,000 net cash proceeds combined from private placement, 5,885,0000 shares issued for stock options and warrants exercised less operation and investing activities.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company spent $2,078,000 in operating activities (2020 - $1,181,000).
As of December 31, 2021, the Company invested $2,069,000, (2020 - $457,000) in investing activities, including proceeds of $830,494 for the sale of marketable securities.
In 2021, the Company made mineral property option payments and paid all mineral claim fees, focused on the MacArthur Project. The Company paid a combined $696,000 in mineral property options in 2021 (Bear $193,000, Wassuk $305,000, Butte Valley $100,000, and Groundhog $98,000), plus mineral claim fees, to maintain its mineral properties in good standing. In addition, the Company incurred CAD$150,000 of exploration expenditures on the Chaco Bear Property and CAD$50,000 of exploration expenditures on the Ashton Property before the end of 2021.
On February 24, 2021, the Company announced a fourth water rights sale for expected gross proceeds of $2,910,000, of which $1,000,000 was received on March 5, 2021. Proceeds from the sale were used to advance the MacArthur project and for general corporate purposes. As discussed previously, the water rights under this purchase agreement are subject to a Forfeiture Notice, which is being appealed. Should the appeal be unsuccessful or Desert Pearl elects to terminate the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company will be obligated to refund the $1,000,000 initial payment to Desert Pearl. The initial payment has been treated as an accrued liability on the balance sheet and the $1,910,000 balance of the water rights proceeds would be forfeited.
On September 13, 2021, the Company closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for gross proceeds of $1,566,000. The Company issued 26,105,833 units (each, a "Unit") of the Company at a price of $0.06 per Unit. In connection with the completion of the first tranche of the Private Placement, the Company paid a total of $23,000 and issued 382,900 finder's warrants as finder's fees. The finder's warrants will be exercisable at $0.10 per share for a period of 3 years from the date of closing.
On September 27, 2021, the Company closed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $772,000. The Company issued 12,863,669 Units of the Company at a price of $0.06 per Unit. In connection with the completion of the second tranche of the Private Placement, the Company paid a total of $17,000 and issued 289,240 finder's warrants as finder's fees. The finder's warrants will be exercisable at $0.10 per share for a period of 3 years from the date of closing.
60
On October 14, 2021, the Company agreed to settle outstanding debt of CAD$33,302 with Manex Resource Group Inc. ("Manex") a former related party by issuing 403,665 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of CAD$0.0825 per share. The amount of indebtedness represents an outstanding account for services provided to the Company.
On October 21, 2021, the Company closed the third and final tranche of its oversubscribed Private Placement. The Company issued 29,832,834 Units at a price of $0.06 (CAD$0.075) per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,789,970 (CAD$2,237,463). Combined with the first and second tranches, the Company raised an aggregate of $4,128,140 (CAD$5,160,175) in the Private Placement.
As at December 31, 2021, the Company's working capital deficit was $522,000 (2020-$1,128,000 surplus). The Company continues to incur losses, has limited financial resources and has no current source of revenue or cash flow generated from operating activities. To address its financing requirements, the Company plans to seek financing through, but not limited to, debt financing, equity financing and strategic alliances. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be available. If adequate financing is not available or cannot be obtained on a timely basis, the Company may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of its exploration programs or relinquish some or all of its rights under the existing option and acquisition agreements.
Material increases or decreases in the Company's liquidity and capital resources will be determined by the outcome regarding the Petition for Judicial Review of the Forfeiture Notice filed on August 20, 2021 and obtaining equity or other sources of financing.
|
C. |
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc. |
The Company does not have a research and development policy, nor do we hold any patents, licenses, or other intellectual property.
|
D. |
Trend Information |
Mineral property expenditures can vary from quarter to quarter depending on when option payments are due and the stage of the exploration program. For example, drilling may slow down for a period of time when results are analyzed, resulting in lower costs during that period.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations since our inception. Income was generated through management fees on certain properties and interest earned on banker's acceptance investments.
|
E. |
Critical Accounting Estimates |
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Judgment is required in assessing whether certain factors would be considered an indicator of impairment. Both internal and external information is considered to determine whether there is an indicator of impairment present and, accordingly, whether impairment testing is required.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
There is no significant estimation uncertainty in relation to estimates included in the Company's financial statements.
|
F. |
Safe Harbor |
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The safe harbor provided in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall apply to forward-looking information provided pursuant to this Item 5.F. Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" at the outset of this annual report.
|
ITEM 6. |
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES - |
|
A. |
Directors and senior management |
On February 1, 2021, Gerald Prosalendis resigned as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Thomas Patton was appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.
On May 13, 2021, the Company appointed Travis Naugle as Chief Executive Officer and on June 18, 2021 he was appointed Director of the Company.
On May 13, 2021, Dr. Patton resigned as the CEO and Interim President of the Company.
On May 13, 2021, the Company appointed Stephen Goodman as President and on September 15, 2021 as CFO.
On July 15, 2021, Lawrence Page, Q.C, resigned as Corporate Secretary of the Company.
On August 5, 2021, Stephen Goodman was appointed Corporate Secretary of the Company.
On September 13, 2021, the Company appointed Stephen Goodman and Tony Alford as directors of the Company.
On September 15, 2021 Lei Wang resigned as CFO.
John Kerr resigned as a director of the Company on September 13, 2021.
LeRoy E. Wilkes resigned as a director of the Company on September 13, 2021.
Terrence Eyton resigned as a director of the Company on September 13, 2021.
On December 6, 2021 Thomas Presello was appointed as Director.
The following tables and biographies set forth information about our directors and executive officers:
| Name | Age | Positions Held | Period as Director or Officer |
Jurisdiction of Residence |
| Travis Naugle | 45 | Chief Executive Officer | Since 2021 | Colorado U.S.A. |
| Stephen Goodman | 50 | President & Chief Financial Officer |
Since 2021 | Ottawa Canada |
| Thomas C. Patton | 78 | Chairman & Director | Since 1998 | Washington, U.S.A. |
| Thomas Pressello |
52 | Director | Since 2021 | British Columbia, Canada |
| Tony Alford | 61 | Director | Since 2021 | North Carolina, U.S.A. |
Travis Naugle, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Naugle is a seasoned executive and officer in gold, copper and strategic & critical metals mining companies. He has led in the design, construction, and operation of mining projects in the U.S., Eurasia, Russia, and Asia. His track record includes a focus on environmental and sustainability initiatives in collaboration with local and indigenous peoples, numerous asset- and company-level transactions, negotiating international joint ventures, and securing a bilateral mining treaty between two sovereign nations. A licensed Professional Engineer, Mr. Naugle received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and holds a degree in mining engineering from Montana Tech.
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Stephen Goodman, President & CFO
Mr. Goodman has been involved as a senior executive, director and investment banker in several hundred million dollars of acquisition, exploration and production financings for mining companies listed on the CSE and TSX-V. After several years at Canaccord Capital, he moved to New York to work as an investment banker working at firms including Casimir Capital, Knight Capital Group, KGS Alpha Capital Markets (now BMO) and StormHarbour Securities LP. Mr. Goodman is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, attained a Master of Business Administration from the Institut des Hautes Etudes Economiques et Commerciales in France; and Post-Graduate Diploma in Asia Management from Capilano University.
Dr. Thomas Patton, Director
Former president of COO Western Silver, Senior VP Exploration and Business Development, Kennecott; Managing Director South America, Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration. Has worked as a resource exploration geologist for over 40 years. Notably headed the Wester Silver team that discovered and delineated the world's largest silver reserve, Peñasquito, and subsequently sold to Glamis Gold (now Goldcorp) for 1.2 billion in 2006; former Executive VP Exploration, Kennecott.
Thomas Pressello, Director
Mr. Pressello has been involved in corporate and commercial finance for more than 25 years. He previously worked at one of the largest Canadian banks where he restructured several $100 million plus real estate portfolios, and a Western Canadian real estate merchant bank where he acted as a general partner for several real estate limited partnerships. He is the founder of Active Hedge Capital Inc., a finance advisory firm. He has served as the chief financial officer and president of Pacific Harbour Capital Ltd. and was responsible for the restructuring of the company. Through Active Hedge Capital Inc. Mr. Pressello also assisted with the receivership and sale of a publicly listed alternative fuels business for a TSX listed Toronto merchant bank. Most recently within Active Hedge Capital Inc. Mr. Pressello has been an active key investor into several investment opportunities focused in the high tech, bio tech and real estate areas. Mr. Pressello is a graduate of the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.
Tony Alford, Director,
Founder and President of PBA Consultants, Inc., a firm specializing in tax savings and cost reduction services, for many of the fortune 500 companies across the USA; Founded Alford Investments in 1993 focusing on real estate investment properties, pharmacy distribution, food related and natural resource companies; Director of Revett Minerals Inc. in 2009 and 2010.
|
B. |
Compensation |
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
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|
Name |
Salary |
Bonus |
Securities |
Share- |
All other |
Total |
|
Thomas C. Patton(1) |
100,231 | nil | 200,000 | 22,171 | nil | 122,402 |
|
Travis Naugle (2) |
155,417 |
nil |
2,000,000 |
55,429 |
nil |
210,846 |
|
Stephen Goodman (3) |
125,833 |
nil |
2,000,000 |
55,429 |
nil |
181,262 |
|
Lei Wang(4) |
59,925 | nil | 200,000 | 22,171 | nil | 82,096 |
|
Gerald Prosalendis (5) |
46,331 | nil | nil | nil | nil | 46,331 |
1) Dr. Patton received a salary payment of $100,000 per year since July 2019 as Chairman of the Company. He assumed the role of President and CEO of the Company in September 2015 and Chairman and CEO on April 14, 2016. In July 2019, he relinquished the role of President and CEO, while remaining Chairman of the company.
2) Mr. Naugle receives an annual salary payment of $250,000 since he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on May 13, 2021. On September 17, 2021, the Company granted 4,000,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") pursuant to its restricted share unit plan (the "RSU Plan") to Mr. Travis subject to certain conditions and approval of the BOD at AGM (RSU are not included in the table above).
3) Mr. Goodman receives an annual salary payment of $200,000 since he was appointed as President of the Company on May 13, 2021. On September 17, 2021, the Company granted 4,000,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") pursuant to its restricted share unit plan (the "RSU Plan") to Mr. Goodman subject to certain conditions and approval of the BOD at AGM (RSU are not included in the table above). Mr. Goodman also serves as the CFO and Corporate Secretary.
4) Ms. Wang received an annual salary payment of CAD$90,000. She resigned in September 2021.
5) Mr. Prosalendis received a salary payment of CAD$225,000 per year and he resigned as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on February 1, 2021.
6) The Company granted stock options on June 18, and September 27, 2021, under its Incentive Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of CAD$0.25 and CAD$0.12 respectively per share for a five year term to the executive officers named above.
Board of Directors.
On December 6, 2021, the Company appointed Thomas Pressello to the Board of Directors.
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to independent directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
64
| Name | Fees ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Securities Under Options Granted (#)(1) |
Share-Based Payment Under Options ($)(2) |
All other Compensation |
Total ($) |
| Thomas Pressello Audit Committee Chair |
nil |
nil |
750,000 | 11,072 | nil |
11,072 |
| Tony Alford | nil |
nil |
3,400,000 | 124,992 | nil |
124,992 |
| John Kerr(3) SHSE Chair |
3,006 | nil | 200,000 | 22,171 | nil | 25,177 |
| Terry Eyton(3) Audit Chair |
3,507 | nil | 200,000 | 22,171 | nil | 25,678 |
| Roy Wilkes(3) CGNC Chair |
nil | nil | 200,000 | 22,171 | nil | 22,171 |
|
(1) |
The Company granted stock options on June 18, September 27, October 21 and December 12, 2021, under its Incentive Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of CAD$0.25, CAD$0.12, CAD$0.12 and CAD$0.10 respectively, per share for a five-year term to the directors named above. |
|
|
|
(2) |
The weighted assumptions used to calculate share-based payment for 2021 options were: risk-free interest rate 1.13%, expected share price volatility 104.89%, expected option life 5 years, forfeiture rate 0%, and expected dividend yield 0%. |
| (3) | Resigned as a director of the Company on September 13, 2021. |
|
C. |
Board Practices |
Term of Office
Our directors are elected annually at our annual general meeting and each officer holds such office for one year, until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, or until replaced by his or her successor.
Employment and Service Contracts
During the most recently completed financial year, four of our executive officers had service contracts in place which provide for benefits upon termination of employment. Gerald Prosalendis resigned as an officer and director of the Company on February 1, 2021, subsequent to the year end.
Thomas Patton: Dr. Patton entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with the Company and its subsidiary, Quaterra Alaska Inc., effective July 1, 2019, for a term of two years. This agreement replaces a prior agreement dated January 1, 2016 and amended on April 14, 2016 and renewed by agreements dated April 14, 2017, and April 14, 2019. Under the employment agreement, Dr. Patton is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $100,000 (previously $150,000). Upon the expiration of one year following the date of the employment agreement and each year thereafter, the Company will review Dr. Patton's salary with a view to its increase, giving consideration to the Company's financial position and the scope of its activities. Dr. Patton may be eligible to participate in future stock option grants. The Company may terminate the employment of Dr. Patton only for breach of the employment agreement or for cause. Dr. Patton is entitled to two months' notice of such discharge. If Dr. Patton becomes disabled and unable to perform his regular duties, he shall be entitled to receive his full salary for two months. Upon a change of control, as defined in the employment agreement, Dr. Patton has the right to terminate the employment agreement and receive an amount of money equal to his annual salary for two years, that amount being $200,000.
Gerald Prosalendis: Mr. Prosalendis entered into an employment agreement with the Company effective July 1, 2019, for a period of two years, whereby Mr. Prosalendis received an annual salary of CAD$250,000. This replaced a prior agreement dated April 14, 2016, as renewed on April 14, 2018, whereby Mr. Prosalendis received an annual salary of CAD$225,000. The agreement provided that the board of directors would conduct an annual performance review of Mr. Prosalendis which would include a general performance assessment and possible salary adjustments or bonus payments. Mr. Prosalendis was eligible to participate in future stock option grants. The Company was able to terminate the employment of Mr. Prosalendis only for breach of the employment agreement or for cause. Mr. Prosalendis was entitled to two months' notice of such discharge. If Mr. Prosalendis were to have become disabled and unable to perform his regular duties, he would have been entitled to receive his full salary for two months. Upon a change of control, as defined in the employment agreement, Mr. Prosalendis had the right to terminate the employment agreement and receive an amount of money equal to his annual salary for two years, that amount being CAD$500,000. Mr. Prosalendis resigned from all of his positions with the Company on February 1, 2021.
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Travis Naugle: Effective on May 1st, 2021, Travis Naugle entered into an employment agreement with the Company, whereby Mr. Naugle is entitled to an annual salary of $250,000. The Board will conduct an annual review of Mr. Naugle's performance to occur on a date in December of each year and on or before the expiry of the annual review period. Mr. Naugle will be entitled to receive an annual grant of options under the stock option plan of the Company on each annual review date. The number of options will be determined by the Board based on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 150% of the base salary of the employee. If the Company terminates the employee's employment for any reason other than for cause or death or disability, the employee shall receive a payment equal to 75% of the annual grant of options under the stock option plan of the Company that was due to be paid on the next annual review date following such date of termination. In the event that either of the Company terminates the employment of the employee other than for cause, the Company shall, upon such termination, pay severance compensation to the employee equal to one time the employee's annual compensation. In the event that the Company completes a change of control during the term of this agreement or within six months of the termination of this agreement, upon the completion of such change of control, the Company shall pay to the employee a payment equal to three times the employee's annual salary. Additionally, upon a change of control, any unvested stock options or grants under other equity compensation plans held by the employee shall immediately vest. In the event this agreement is terminated within six months following a change of control, provided the employee has been paid the change of control payment, no further payment to the employee shall be required.
Stephen Goodman: Effective on May 1st, 2021, Stephen Goodman entered into an employment agreement with the Company. On September 15, 2021 the employment agreement was replaced for a consulting agreement with a company owned by Mr. Goodman in which Mr. Goodman is entitled to an annual fee of $200,000. The Company will review Mr. Goodman's fee with a view to its increase, giving consideration to the Company's financial position and the scope of its activities. Mr. Goodman may be eligible to participate in future stock option grants. If the Company terminates the consultant's services for any reason other than death or disability, the consultant will receive a payment equal to 75% of the annual grant of options under the stock option plan of the Company that was due to be paid on the next annual review date following such date of termination. In the event that the Company completes a change of control during the term of this agreement or within six months of the termination of this agreement, upon the completion of such change of control, the Company shall pay to the consultant a payment equal to three times the consultants' annual fee. Additionally, upon a change of control, any unvested stock options or grants under other equity compensation plans held by the consultant shall immediately vest. In the event this agreement is terminated within six months following a change of control, provided the consultant has been paid the change of control payment, no further payment to the consultant shall be required.
Committees
The Board discharges its responsibilities directly and through committees. At regularly scheduled meetings, members of the Board and management discuss the broad range of matters and issues relevant to the Company's business interests and the Board is responsible for the approval of the Company's Strategic Plan. In addition, the Board receives reports from management on the Company's operational and financial performance. Between scheduled meetings, matters requiring Board authorization is effected by means of signed Consent Resolutions.
Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee.
Audit Committee -The Company's Board of Directors has a separately-designated standing audit committee (the "Audit Committee") established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The members of the Audit Committee are Stephen Goodman, Tony Alford and Thomas Pressello. The Company's Board of Directors has determined that each member is independent (as provided for under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and are financially literate. The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting directors to meet their responsibilities, providing better communication between directors and external auditors, enhancing the independence of the external auditor, increasing the credibility and objectivity of financial reports, and strengthening the role of the directors, facilitating in-depth discussions among directors, management, and the external auditor.
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|
D. |
Employees |
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, we had direct employees as outlined below:
| Company | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Lion Copper and Gold Corp. | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Quaterra Alaska Inc. | 7 | 4 | 4 |
|
E. |
Share ownership |
All persons listed in subsection 6.B above beneficially own an aggregate of 9,270,776 common shares or 3.06% of our common shares outstanding. All of them have the right to exercise or redeem various stock options that if fully exercised they will beneficially own 8,950,000 common shares of the Company or 2.95% of our outstanding shares.
We grant stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants who provide services to us, including our subsidiaries, pursuant to our Incentive Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the Incentive Stock Option Plan is to provide increased incentive to contribute to our future success and prosperity, thus enhancing the value of our shares for the benefit of all the shareholders and increasing our ability to attract and retain skilled and motivated individuals in the service of us. Our Incentive Stock Option Plan is a "rolling" plan through which the maximum number of issuable shares underlying options is equal to 10% of our outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2021, there were 19,915,000 options outstanding under the Incentive Stock Option Plan.
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ITEM 7. |
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
|
A. |
Major Shareholders |
The following table sets forth information regarding each beneficial shareholder holding greater than 5% of Lion CG's common shares as of the date of this annual report. The information is based solely on our review of publicly filed ownership reports and information delivered to us. The number of shares beneficially owned by each person or entity is determined under SEC rules which provide that a person or entity beneficially owns any shares as to which the person or entity has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, a person or entity beneficially owns any shares that the person or entity has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date of this annual report through the exercise of any stock option or other right.
|
Name |
Number of Common Shares(1) |
Approximate % of Total Issued |
|
Tony Alford |
36,623,165 (1) (2) |
12.1% |
(1) The above information was derived from insider and beneficial ownership reports available at www.sedi.com.
(2) Mr. Alford holds 35,087,240 of these Common Shares jointly with his spouse.
The Company's major shareholders do not have different voting rights than all other shareholders of the Company.
To the knowledge of the Company, no shareholder currently holds greater than 20% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company.
As of December 31, 2021, approximately 54% of our common shares were held in Canada and approximately 45% of our common shares were held in the U.S., with less than 1% of our common shares held in various other countries.
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B. |
Related Party Transactions |
Directors of the Company participated in the first and second tranches of the Company's Private Placement acquiring 1,566,668 Units.
On October 14, 2021, the Company agreed to settle outstanding debt of $27 (CAD$33) with Manex Resource Group Inc., a Company controlled, until October 31, 2021, by the Company's former Corporate Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Page ("Manex") by issuing 403,665 common shares of the Company at a market price of CAD$0.0825 per share (see Note 7 (d) to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 201).
On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into a property acquisition agreement to assign its options to acquire the Butte Valley property to BC Co. which is a private British Columbia company established to acquire mineral resource properties. BC Co. was founded by two individuals that are also directors and officers of Lion CG and as such the transaction is a non-arm's length transaction under TSXV rules.
On April 5, 2022, the Company completed the assignment of the two option agreements for the Butte Valley property. Pursuant to the assignment agreement, Lion CG received 16,049,444 common shares of BC Co. Concurrently with the completion of the assignment of the Butte Valley Property, BC Co. closed a private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$3,106,226 through the issuance of 15,531,130 units at a price of CAD$0.20 per unit. In addition, the Company received a payment of US$500,000 from BC Co. as a reimbursement of exploration expenditures and related costs incurred by the Company on the Butte Valley Property.
On April 13, 2022, Quaterra Alaska Inc. entered into a NSR buydown agreement for the Butte Valley property with BC Co., pursuant to which the third party will pay $500,000 in exchange for a buy-down of the royalties to 0.5%. Closing of the transaction will be subject to the third party enter into an exploration and earn-in agreement with certain exploration company. If the closing of the transaction doesn't occur by July 20, 2022, the NSR buydown agreement will be null and void.
As per their agreements with the Company, the CEO and President/CFO are entitled to receive an annual grant of options under the Stock Option Plan of the Company on each Annual Review Date. The number of options will be determined by the Board based on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 150% of the annual base compensation. The exercise price per common share of the Company will be equal to the Market Price (as defined in the TSXV policies) of the Company's common shares as at the Annual Review Date, subject to a minimum exercise price per share of C$0.05. The applicable percentage on the annual base salary will be determined by the Board based on an assessment of the performance of the CEO and President/CFO in achieving the Annual Objectives for the relevant Annual Review Period. The Board is yet to determine the percentage and number of bonus options to be granted between 50% and 150% of their base compensation to the CEO and President/CFO for 2021.
As per their agreements with the Company, the CEO and President/ CFO were each granted 4 million Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") on October 21, 2021, which were granted subject to vesting in three equal installments over three years. The grant of RSUs is subject to shareholder approval and further subject to TSXV approval of the RSU Plan and the aforementioned grant thereunder. Pursuant to Exchange policies, RSUs granted prior to shareholder approval of the RSU Plan must be specifically approved by a vote of shareholders excluding the votes of the holders of the Restricted Share Units. As a result of these pending approvals, the RSUs cannot commence vesting any earlier than on date of receipt of the same.
|
C. |
Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 8. |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Financial Statements
The consolidated statements of financial position of Lion CG as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows of Lion CG for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, as well as the auditors' report thereon, are presented at Item 17 of this annual report.
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Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be a party to pending or threatened legal proceedings and arbitrations that are routine and incidental to our business. Based upon information presently available, our management is not aware of any threatened or pending litigation.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Significant Changes
Except as otherwise disclosed in this annual report, including under Item 5. "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects", there has been no significant change in our financial position since December 31, 2021.
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ITEM 9. |
THE OFFER AND LISTING |
|
A. |
Offer and listing details |
Our common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LEO" and trade on the OTCQB under the symbol "LCGMF".
|
B. |
Plan of Distribution |
Not applicable.
|
C. |
Markets |
See subsection 9.A. "Offer and Listing Details" above.
|
D. |
Selling Shareholders |
Not applicable.
|
E. |
Dilution |
Not applicable.
|
F. |
Expenses of the Issue |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 10. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
|
A. |
Share Capital |
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Common Shares
The authorized share structure of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value. All the common shares of the Company are of the same class and, once issued, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be acted upon by the shareholders. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefor.
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B. |
Memorandum and Articles of Association |
Incorporation
We are governed by notice of articles dated February 4, 2021, and articles dated June 21, 2018 (the "Articles"). Our Articles are on file with the Office of the British Columbia Registrar of Companies under Certificate of Incorporation No. BC0446713. Under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (BC), we have the capacity and the rights, powers, and privileges of an individual of full capacity. There are no restrictions in our Articles on the business that we can carry on or the powers we can exercise.
Powers and Functions of the Directors
Under Article 17, a director is obligated to disclose a potential interest in a contract or transaction being considered by us and may not vote on a contract or transaction with a disclosable interest, but the director shall be counted in the quorum at the meeting of the Board of Directors at which the contract or transaction is approved.
Under Article 13, the Board of Directors may, in the absence of an independent quorum, vote compensation to themselves.
Under Article 8, there are no limitations on borrowing powers exercisable by our Board of Directors.
There are no provisions in our Articles for the retirement or non-retirement of a director under an age limit.
There is no requirement in our Articles for a director to hold any of our common shares.
Rights and Restrictions Attached to the Common Shares
Our common shares rank equally as to dividend rights, voting rights, profits, and liquidation rights. The common shares are not subject to redemption or sinking fund provisions, liability to further capital calls, nor any provisions discriminating against any existing or prospective holder of such shares as a result of such shareholder owning a substantial number of shares.
Alteration of Share Rights
Subject to the Business Corporations Act (BC), our Articles provide that an ordinary resolution is required to change the rights of common shares and must be (a) passed at a general meeting by a simple majority of the voting common shareholders; or (b) consented to in writing by a majority of not less than 2/3 of the voting common shareholders.
Annual General Meetings
Articles 10 and 11 of our Articles, together with applicable corporate and securities laws, contain the conditions governing the manner in which annual and extraordinary general meetings of shareholders are called, including notice, proxy solicitation, and quorum requirements. Annual general meetings are called and scheduled upon decision by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may convene an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders. Holders of common shares may not requisition an extraordinary meeting of the shareholders. All meetings may be attended by registered shareholders or persons who hold powers of attorney or proxies given to them by registered shareholders.
Foreign Ownership Limitation
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Our Articles do not contain limitations on the rights of non-residents, foreigners, or other groups to own common shares.
Change of Control
There are no provisions in our Articles that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, or that operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving us or any of our subsidiaries.
Share Ownership Reporting Obligation
Our Articles do not contain provisions governing the threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Differences between Canadian and U.S. Law
The securities laws of the Province of British Columbia require disclosure of shareholdings by (i) persons who are our directors or senior officers; and (ii) a person who has direct or indirect beneficial ownership of control or direction over, or a combination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of and control or direction over our securities carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all of our outstanding voting securities.
The threshold of share ownership percentage requiring disclosure of ownership is higher in the home jurisdiction of British Columbia than the U.S. where U.S. securities law prescribes a 5% threshold for ownership disclosure.
Capital Changes
There are no conditions imposed by our Articles governing changes in our share capital that are more stringent than is required by law.
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C. |
Material Contracts |
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in Item 4. - "Information on the Company" or elsewhere in this annual report.
|
D. |
Exchange Controls |
There currently are no laws, decrees, regulations, or other legislation in Canada that restrict the export or import of capital or impose foreign exchange controls or affect the remittance of interest, dividends, or other payments to non-resident holders of our common shares, other than the withholding tax requirements described under Subsection E - "Taxation" below. Canada has no system of exchange controls.
There are no limitations imposed by Canadian laws or our Articles on the right of non-resident to hold our common shares, other than as provided by the Investment Canada Act, as amended (the "Act"), as amended by the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Canada), and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement Implementation Act. The Act requires notification and, in certain cases, advance review and approval by the Government of Canada of the acquisition by a "non-Canadian" of "control of a Canadian business", all as defined in the Act. Generally, the threshold for review will be higher in monetary terms for a member of the WTO or NAFTA.
|
E. |
Taxation |
|
We encourage you to consult with your own tax advisors about the Canadian and U.S. federal, state, provincial, local, and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning, and disposing of our common shares. |
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Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
The discussion under this heading summarizes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares of common shares for a shareholder who is not a resident of Canada but is a resident of the United States and who will acquire and hold a corporation's common shares as capital property for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Canadian Tax Act"). This summary does not apply to a shareholder who carries on business in Canada through a "permanent establishment" situated in Canada or performs independent personal services in Canada through a fixed base in Canada if the shareholder's holding is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. This summary is based on the provisions of the Canadian Tax Act and the regulations thereunder and on an understanding of the administrative practices of Canada Customs & Revenue Agency and considers all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act or regulations made by the Minister of Finance of Canada as of the date hereof.
This discussion is general only and is not, nor is it intended to provide a detailed analysis of the income tax implications of any particular shareholder's interest. Investors are advised to obtain independent advice from a shareholder's own Canadian and U.S. tax advisors with respect to income tax implications pertinent to their particular circumstances. The provisions of the Canadian Tax Act are subject to income tax treaties to which Canada is a party, including the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the "Convention").
Dividends on Common Shares and Other Income
Under the Canadian Tax Act, a non-resident of Canada is generally subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25 percent on dividends paid or deemed to have been paid to him or her by a corporation resident in Canada. The corporation is responsible for the withholding of tax at the source. The Convention limits the rate to 15 percent if the shareholder is a resident of the United States and the dividends are beneficially owned by and paid to such shareholder and to 5 percent if the shareholder is also a corporation that beneficially owns at least 10 percent of the voting stock of the payor corporation.
The amount of a stock dividend (for tax purposes) would generally be equal to the amount by which the paid up or stated capital of the corporation had increased by reason of the payment of such dividend. The corporation will furnish additional tax information to shareholders in the event of such a dividend. Interest paid or deemed to be paid on the corporation's debt securities held by non-Canadian residents may also be subject to Canadian withholding tax, depending upon the terms and provisions of such securities and any applicable tax treaty.
The Convention generally exempts from Canadian income tax dividends paid to a religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organization or to an organization constituted and operated exclusively to administer a pension, retirement or employee benefit fund or plan, if the organization is a resident of the United States and is exempt from income tax under the laws of the United States.
Dispositions of Common Shares
Under the Canadian Tax Act, a taxpayer's capital gain or capital loss from a disposition of a common share is the amount, if any, by which his or her proceeds of disposition exceed (or are exceeded by, respectively) the aggregate of his or her adjusted cost base of the share and reasonable expenses of disposition. The capital gain or loss must be computed in Canadian currency using a weighted average adjusted cost base for identical properties. The capital gains net of losses included in income since October 17, 2000, is 50%. The amount by which a shareholder's capital loss exceeds the capital gain in a year may be deducted from a capital gain realized by the shareholder in the three previous years or any subsequent year, subject to certain restrictions in the case of a corporate shareholder.
Under the Canadian Tax Act, a non-resident of Canada is subject to Canadian tax on taxable capital gains and may deduct allowable capital losses realized on a disposition of "taxable Canadian property." Common shares of a corporation will constitute the taxable Canadian property of a shareholder at a particular time if the shareholder used the shares in carrying on business in Canada, or if at any time in the five years immediately preceding the disposition, 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series in the capital stock of the corporation belonged to one or more persons in a group comprising the shareholder and persons with whom the shareholder and persons with whom the shareholder did not deal at arm's length and in certain other circumstances.
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The Convention relieves United States residents from liability for Canadian tax on capital gains derived on a disposition of shares, unless: (i) the value of the shares is derived principally from "real property" in Canada, including the right to explore for or exploit natural resources and rights to amounts computed by reference to production; (ii) the shareholder was resident in Canada for 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years preceding, and at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding, the disposition and the shares were owned by him when he ceased to be resident in Canada; or (iii) the shares formed part of the business property of a "permanent establishment" that the holder has or had in Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition.
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of our common shares. This discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences. This discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("the Code"), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. In addition, the discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, or recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
U.S. Holders
As used herein, a U.S. Holder includes a holder of common shares who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation (or an entity which has elected to be treated as a corporation under Treasury Regulations created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, any estate other than a foreign estate (as defined in the Code) or, a trust subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and control of a United States fiduciary as described in the Code. This summary does not address the tax consequences to, and U.S. Holder does not include, persons subject to special provisions of federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals, persons or entities that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. dollar, shareholders who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, and shareholders who acquired their common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services. This summary is limited to U.S. Holders who own common shares as capital assets. This summary does not address the consequences to a person or entity holding an interest in a shareholder or the consequences to a person of the ownership, exercise or disposition of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire common shares.
Distribution on Common Shares
U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares are required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date), to the extent that the corporation has current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing the U.S. Holder's United States federal taxable income (see more detailed discussion at "Foreign Tax Credit" below). To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits of the corporation, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares. Dividend income will be taxed at marginal tax rates applicable to ordinary income while preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a U.S. Holder which is a corporation.
In the case of foreign currency received as a dividend that is not converted by the recipient into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Gain or loss may be recognized upon a subsequent sale of other disposition of the foreign currency, including the exchange for U.S. dollars.
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Dividends paid on the common shares of a corporation will not generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from certain United States corporations. A U.S. Holder, which is a corporation, may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to a 70% deduction of the United States source portion of dividends received from a corporation (unless the corporation qualifies as a "foreign personal holding company" or a "passive foreign investment company", as defined below) if such U.S. Holder owns shares representing at least 10% of the voting power and value of the corporation. The availability of this deduction is subject to several complex limitations which are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of common shares may be entitled, at the option of the U.S. Holder, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces United States Federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayer's income subject to tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign income taxes (or taxes in lieu of income tax) paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during the year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder's United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holder's foreign source income bears to his/her or its worldwide taxable income. The various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern this classification process. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income such as "passive income", "high withholding tax interest", "financial services income", "shipping income", and certain other classifications of income. Dividends distributed will generally constitute "passive income" or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, "financial services income" for these purposes. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the credit are fact specific and holders and prospective holders of common shares of should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.
For individuals whose entire income from sources outside the United States consists of qualified passive income whose total amount of creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year does not exceed $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return) and for whom an election is made under section 904(j), the limitation on credit does not apply.
Disposition of Common Shares
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common shares equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received, and (ii) the tax basis in the common shares. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of U.S. Holders which are individuals, estates, or trusts. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the common shares are capital assets in the hands of the U.S. Holder, which will be a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending upon the holding period of the U.S. Holder. Gains and losses are netted and combined according to special rules in arriving at the overall capital gain or loss for a particular tax year. Deductions for net capital losses are subject to significant limitations. For U.S. Holders which are not corporations, any unused portion of such net capital loss may be carried over to be used in later tax years until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted, but individuals may not carry back capital losses. For U.S. Holders which are corporations (other than corporations subject to Subchapter S of the Code), an unused net capital loss may be carried back three years from the loss year and carried forward five years from the loss year to be offset against capital gains until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted.
Foreign Personal Holding Company
If at any time during a taxable year more than 50% of the total combined voting power or the total value of our outstanding shares is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States and 60% (50% after the first tax year) or more of our gross income for such year was derived from certain passive sources, then we would be treated as a "foreign personal holding company." In that event, U.S. Holders that hold common shares would be required to include in gross income for such year their allocable portions of such passive income to the extent we do not actually distribute such income.
We do not believe we currently have the status of a "foreign personal holding company". However, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a foreign personal holding company for any future taxable year.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company
As a foreign corporation with U.S. Holders, we potentially could be treated as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC"), as defined in Section 1297 of the Code, depending upon the percentage of our income which is passive, or the percentage of our assets which are held for the purpose of producing passive income. We believe we currently are a PFIC.
The rule governing PFICs can have significant tax effects on U.S. Holders of foreign corporations. These rules do not apply to non-U.S. Holders. Section 1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the United States and, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is "passive income", which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by fair market value (or, if the corporation is a controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, by adjusted tax basis), of its assets that produce or are held for the production of "passive income" is 50% or more. The taxation of a US Holder who owns stock in a PFIC is extremely complex and is therefore beyond the scope of this discussion. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors with regards to the impact of these rules.
Controlled Foreign Corporation
If more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of our common shares entitled to vote is owned, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States partnerships, corporations, or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts, each of whom own actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock ("United States Shareholders"), then we would be a "controlled foreign corporation" (CFC). We do not believe we currently are a CFC.
The CFC classification would affect many complex results, one of which is that certain income of a CFC would be subject to current U.S. tax. The United States generally taxes United States Shareholders of a CFC currently on their pro rata shares of the Subpart F income of the CFC. Such United States Shareholders are generally treated as having received a current distribution out of the CFC's Subpart F income and are also subject to current U.S. tax on their pro rata shares of the CFC's earnings invested in U.S. property. The foreign tax credit described above may reduce the U.S. tax on these amounts. In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, gain from the sale or exchange of shares by a U.S. Holder of common shares of a corporation which is or was a United States Shareholder at any time during the five-year period ending with the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary income to the extent of earnings and profits of the corporation (accumulated only while the shares were held by the United States Shareholder and while the corporation was a CFC attributable to the shares sold or exchanged). If a foreign corporation is both a PFIC and a CFC, the foreign corporation generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to the United States Shareholders of the CFC. This rule generally will be effective for taxable years of United States Shareholders beginning after 1997 and for taxable years of foreign corporations ending with or within such taxable years of United States Shareholders. The PFIC provisions continue to apply in the case of a PFIC that is also a CFC with respect to the U.S. Holders that are less than 10% shareholders.
|
F. |
Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
|
G. |
Statement by Experts |
Not applicable.
|
H. |
Documents on Display |
Any document referred to in this annual report may be inspected at our principal executive offices at Suite 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2T8 during regular business hours.
Various documents referenced in this annual report also are included as exhibits to this annual report in accordance with Item 19 of this Form 20-F. We are required to file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC further maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information about issuers like us who file electronically with the SEC.
74
In addition, we file various documents on the Canadian Securities Administrator's System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com as required by applicable Canadian law and stock exchanges.
|
I. |
Subsidiary Information |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 11. |
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 12. |
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
PART II
|
ITEM 13. |
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
None.
|
ITEM 14. |
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Effective June 21, 2018, in accordance with the vote of shareholders at the 2018 Annual General Meeting, we adopted a right plan applicable to our common shares (the "Rights Plan"). This Rights Plan replaced an earlier shareholder rights plan dated June 12, 2013. The Rights Plan will remain in effect until termination of the annual meeting of shareholders in 2021 unless the shareholders vote by ordinary resolution at that meeting to ratify and confirm the Rights Plan.
The purpose of the Rights Plan is to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders are treated equally and fairly in connection with any take-over bid or similar proposal to acquire our common shares. Take-over bids may be structured in such a way as to be coercive or discriminatory in effect or may be initiated at a time when it will be difficult for our Board of Directors to prepare an adequate response. Such offers may result in shareholders receiving unequal or unfair treatment, or not realizing the full or maximum value of their investment in us.
The Rights Plan discourages the making of any such offers by creating the potential of significant dilution to any offeror who does so. This potential is created through the issuance to all shareholders of contingent rights to acquire additional common shares of the Company at a significant discount to then prevailing market prices, which could, in certain circumstances, become exercisable by all shareholders other than an offeror and its associates, affiliates and joint actors.
An offeror can avoid that potential by making an offer that either: (i) qualifies as a "Permitted Bid" under the Rights Plan, and therefore meets certain specified conditions (including a minimum deposit period of 105 days) which aim to ensure that all shareholders are treated fairly and equally; or (ii) does not qualify as a "Permitted Bid" but is negotiated with and has been exempted by our Board of Directors from the application of the Rights Plan in light of the opportunity to bargain for agreed terms and conditions to the offer that are believed to be in the best interests of shareholders.
75
|
ITEM 15. |
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Based on the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting ("ICFR") as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Management (under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer) assessed the effectiveness of our ICFR as of December 31, 2021, using the framework set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO 2013 framework). Based on this assessment, our management concluded that our ICFR were effective as of December 31, 2021.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding our ICFR. Our management's report was not subject to attestation by our registered independent public accounting firm because we are not an accelerated filer or large accelerated filer and exempt as an Emerging Growth Company.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
|
Item 16A. |
Audit Committee financial expert |
Our Board of Directors has determined that Thomas Pressello is an "audit committee financial expert", as defined in Item 16A(b) of Form 20-F, serving on the Audit Committee of the Company as within the criteria prescribed under SEC.
|
Item 16B. |
Code of Ethics |
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all our directors, officers, and employees. It includes a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
The Company will provide to any person without charge, upon request via email at info@lion.com, a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
|
Item 16C. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The Company retained MNP LLP as new auditors for the fiscal year 2021.
The Audit Committee nominates and engages the independent auditors to audit the financial statements, and approves all audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by MNP LLP. Any services provided by MNP LLP that are not specifically included within the scope of the audit must be preapproved by the Audit Committee prior to any engagement.
76
The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to us by our independent auditors MNP LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for 2021 and 2020 respectively, in each of the last two fiscal years.
|
CAD |
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
2021 |
2020 |
|
|
Audit Fees |
$45,861 |
$40,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Tax Fees |
Nil |
Nil |
|
All Other Fees |
- |
- |
Audit fees are the aggregate fees billed by the Company's independent auditor for the audit of the Company's annual consolidated financial statements, reviews of interim consolidated financial statements and attestation services that are provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-related fees are fees charged by the Company's independent auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements and are not reported under "Audit Fees".
Tax fees are fees for professional services rendered by the Company's independent auditors for tax compliance and tax advice on actual or contemplated transactions.
The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the external auditor to perform audit, review, and attestation services. The Audit Committee pre-approves all non-audit services provided by our external auditors, and pre-approved the tax fees and all other fees listed in the table above.
|
Item 16D. |
Exemptions from the listing standards for Audit Committees |
Not applicable.
|
Item 16E. |
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
None.
|
Item 16F. |
Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant |
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") appointment as independent registered public accountant for Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (the "Registrant") ended effective October 25, 2021. The Registrant's Audit Committee recommended to the Registrant's Board of Directors that a change in auditors be approved. PwC reports on the Registrant's financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Registrant's fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and the subsequent year ended December 31, 2021 (i) there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports on the Registrant's financial statements for such years, and (ii) there were no "reportable events" of the kind described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
On October 25, 2021, the Registrant by action of its Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Registrant's Audit Committee engaged MNP LLP ("MNP") as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Registrant's financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. During the Registrant's fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, neither the Registrant, nor anyone on its behalf has consulted MNP on items which (i) concerned the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Registrant's financial statements or (ii) concerned the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or reportable events (as described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of said Item 304).
77
The registrant has authorized PWC to respond fully to MNP questions concerning the review of PwC's working papers for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Registrant has requested MNP to furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether MNP agrees with the statements contained above. A copy of the letter from MNP, dated October 25, 2021, to the Securities and Exchange Commission is filed as an exhibit hereto.
|
Item 16G. |
Corporate Governance |
Not applicable.
|
Item 16H. |
Mine Safety Disclosure |
Not applicable.
|
Item 16I. |
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections |
Not applicable.
PART III
|
ITEM 17. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements:
|
ITEM 18. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are expressed in thousands of US Dollars and are prepared in accordance and compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
78
|
ITEM 19. |
EXHIBITS |
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this annual report on Form 20-F:
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
Description of Exhibit |
|
|
|
|
Notice of Articles of Lion Copper and Gold Corp., dated December 8, 2021 (filed herewith) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 101.INS |
Inline XBRL Instance File |
| 101.SCH | |
| 101.CAL |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| 101.DEF | |
| 101.LAB | |
| 101.PRE | |
| 104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
79
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
| LION COPPER AND GOLD CORP. | |
| Dated: May 30, 2022 | By: /s/ Stephen Goodman |
| Stephen Goodman | |
| Chief Financial Officer |
80
Lion Copper and Gold Corp.
(Formerly Quaterra Resources Inc.)
Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2021
(In U.S. Dollars)
81
Management's Responsibility for Financial Reporting
The accompanying annual consolidated financial statements of Lion Copper and Gold Corp. have been prepared by management and are in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Management acknowledges its responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the annual consolidated financial statements; has established and maintained a system of internal accounting control designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use, financial information is reliable and accurate, and transactions are properly recorded and executed under management's authorization. This system includes established policies and procedures, the selection and training of qualified personnel, and an organization providing for appropriate delegation of authority and segregation of responsibilities. 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 for financial statement preparation and presentation.
The Board of Directors oversees management's responsibility for financial reporting and internal control systems through an Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and the independent auditors to review the scope and results of the annual audit and to review the consolidated financial statements and related financial reporting and internal control matters before the consolidated financial statements are approved by the Board of Directors and submitted to the Company's shareholders.
MNP LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company's consolidated financial statements under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and has expressed its opinion in the independent auditor's report.
| "Travis Naugle" (signed) | "Stephen Goodman" (signed) |
|
Travis Naugle |
Stephen Goodman |
| Chief Executive Officer | President & Chief Financial Officer |
April 29, 2022
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
82
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (formerly Quaterra Resources Inc.)
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Lion Copper and Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (together, the "Company") as of December 31, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Other Matter
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 were audited by another auditor who expressed an unmodified audit opinion on those statements on March 30, 2021.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
|
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2021. Vancouver, Canada April 29, 2022 |
Chartered Professional Accountants |
83
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (formerly known as Quaterra Resources Inc.)
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (formerly known as Quaterra Resources Inc.) and its subsidiaries (together, the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and the related consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and including the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
March 30, 2021
PCAOB ID# 271
We have served as the Company's auditor from 2016 to 2021.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers Place, 250 Howe Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3S7
T: +1 604 806 7000, F: +1 604 806 7806
"PwC" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.
84
| Note | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||
| Other receivables | |||||||
| Marketable securities | 4 | ||||||
| Prepaid and deposit | |||||||
| Non-current assets: | |||||||
| Mineral properties | 5 | ||||||
| Reclamation bonds | |||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | |||||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 5 (a) | ||||||
| Derivative liabilities - warrants | 6 | ||||||
| Non-current liability | |||||||
| Derivative liabilities - warrants | 6 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | |||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | |||||||
| Share capital | |||||||
| Contributed surplus | |||||||
| Deficit | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||
| Total Equity | |||||||
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | $ | $ |
Going concern (note 1)
Commitments (note 11)
Contingencies (note 12)
Subsequent events (note 16)
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors on April 29, 2022:
| /s/ "Travis Naugle" | /s/ "Stephen Goodman" |
| Chief Executive Officer | President & Chief Financial Officer |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
85 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts)
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| Note | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| General administrative expenses | ||||||||||
| General office | $ | $ | $ | |||||||
| Insurance | ||||||||||
| Investor relations and corporate development | ||||||||||
| Professional fees | ||||||||||
| Rent | ||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | ||||||||||
| Transfer agent and regulatory | ||||||||||
| Travel | ||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 8(a) | |||||||||
| ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| Fair value gain on derivative liabilities - warrants | 6 | ( |
) | |||||||
| General exploration | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Loss on settlement of convertible notes | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities | 4 | |||||||||
| Realized gain on sale of marketable securities | ||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Interest and other (expense) income | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||
| Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the year | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||
| Loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
86 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares)
| Number of | Contributed | ||||||||||||||
| shares | Share capital | surplus | Deficit | Total Equity | |||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||||||
| Shares issued for cash | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Shares issued for convertible notes | - | ||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for stock options exercised | ( |
) | - | ||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||||||
| Shares issued for convertible notes | - | ||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for stock options exercised | ( |
) | - | ||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||||||
| Shares issued for private placements | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Shares issued for stock options and warrants exercised | ( |
) | - | ||||||||||||
| Shares issued in settlement agreements | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Share issuance cost | - | ( |
) | - | - | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Fair value warrants | - | ( |
) | - | - | ||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year | - | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
87 |
|
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||
| Net loss for the year | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
| Items not involving cash: | |||||||||
| Fair value (gain) on derivative liabilities - warrants | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| Fair value loss on warrants | |||||||||
| Loss on settlement of convertible notes | |||||||||
| Interest and convertible accretion | |||||||||
| Realized (gain) on sale of marketable securities | ( |
) | |||||||
| Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||
| ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Changes in non-cash working capital | |||||||||
| Other receivable | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| Prepaid and deposit | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( |
) | |||||||
| ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Financing activities | |||||||||
| Proceeds from shares issued for private placements, net | |||||||||
| Proceeds from shares issued for stock options and warrants exercised | |||||||||
| Convertible notes | ( |
) | |||||||
| Loan | ( |
) | |||||||
| Related party loan payable | ( |
) | |||||||
| ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Investing activities | |||||||||
| Expenditures on mineral properties | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||
| Net proceeds from water rights sale | |||||||||
| Sale of marketable securities |
|
||||||||
| Reclamation bonds | |||||||||
| ( |
) | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign exchange on cash | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | ( |
) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information | |||||||||
| Exploration expenditures included in accounts payable | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ||||
| Interest paid in cash | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Shares issued for interest | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Shares issued in settlement agreements | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
88 |
|
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN
Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (together with its subsidiaries, "Lion CG" or the "Company") is a copper exploration and development company working on its mineral properties located in Nevada, Alaska and Montana in the United States and British Columbia, Canada. The Company is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada. Its registered and records offices are located at 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2T8. On November 22, 2021, the Company changed its name from Quaterra Resources Inc. to Lion Copper and Gold Corp. The shares of the Company commenced trading under the new name at the open of trading on November 23, 2021. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") under the symbol "LEO". and trade on the OTCQB Market under the symbol "LCGMF".
The Company acquires its mineral properties through option or lease agreements and capitalizes all acquisition, exploration and evaluation costs related to the properties. The underlying value of the amounts recorded as mineral properties does not reflect current or future values. The Company's continued existence depends on discovering the economically recoverable mineral reserves and obtaining the necessary funding to complete the development of these properties.
These consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates that the Company will be able to meet its commitments, continue operations and realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for at least twelve months from December 31, 2021. The Company has incurred ongoing losses and expects to incur further losses in the advancement of its business activities. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred a net loss of $
The Company continues to incur losses, has limited financial resources and has no current source of revenue or cash flow generated from operating activities. To address its financing requirements, the Company plans to seek financing through, but not limited to, debt financing, equity financing and strategic alliances. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be available. If adequate financing is not available or cannot be obtained on a timely basis, the Company may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of its exploration programs or relinquish some or all of its rights under the existing option and acquisition agreements. The above factors give rise to material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
If the going concern assumptions were not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements, then adjustments would be necessary to the carrying values of assets, liabilities, the reported expenses and the consolidated statement of financial position classifications used. Such adjustments could be material.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Statement of compliance
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"), effective for financial year ended December 31, 2021.
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments which are measured at fair value. In addition, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, except for the cash flow information.
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The Company consolidates an entity when it has power over that entity, is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with that entity and can affect those returns through its control over that entity. All material intercompany transactions, balances and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.
These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Lion Copper and Gold Corp., and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Quaterra Alaska Inc. (Quaterra Alaska), Inc. Six Mile Mining Company, Singatse Peak Services, LLC ("SPS") and Blue Copper LLC.
These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors of the Company on April 29, 2022.
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Accounting estimates and judgments
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the application of policies, reported amounts and disclosures. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to uncertainty and the effect on the consolidated financial statements of changes in such estimates in future periods could be significant. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A key source of estimation uncertainty that has a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements exists in relation to share-based compensation: The Company has a stock option plan pursuant to which the fair value of options issued is estimated by using the Black Scholes option pricing model on the date of the grant based on certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in Note 8 and include expected volatility, expected life of the options and number of options expected to vest.
Significant judgments used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to:
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Mineral properties: Judgment is required in assessing whether certain factors would be considered an indicator of impairment. Both internal and external information is considered to determine whether there is an indicator of impairment present and, accordingly, whether impairment testing is required; |
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Going concern: In the determination of the Company's ability to meet its ongoing obligations and future contractual commitments, management relies on the Company's planning, budgeting and forecasting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company's normal operations on an ongoing basis and its expansionary plans. The key inputs used by the Company in this process include forecasted capital deployment, results from operations, results from the exploration and development of its properties and general industry conditions; and |
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Taxes: Judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable income realized, including the usage of tax planning strategies. |
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
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b) Translation of foreign currencies
The functional currency for each of the Company's subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Determination of functional currency may involve certain judgments to determine the primary economic environment and the Company reconsiders the functional currency of its entities if there is a change in events and conditions that determined the primary economic environment.
The Company's presentation currency is the U.S. dollar ("$" or "USD"). The functional currency of the Company and its significant subsidiaries is the USD.
In preparing the financial statements, transactions in currencies other than an entity's functional currency ("foreign currencies") are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the period-end foreign exchange rate. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the historical rate on the date of the transaction. All gains and losses on translation of these foreign currency transactions are included in the statement of loss.
c) Mineral properties
Direct costs related to the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties held or controlled by the Company are capitalized on an individual property basis until the property transitions to the development stage, is sold, abandoned, or determined to be impaired. Administration costs and general exploration costs are expensed as incurred.
The Company classifies its mineral properties as exploration and evaluation assets until the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource are demonstrable. At this point, the mineral properties' carrying value is tested for impairment and subsequently transferred to property and equipment. The establishment of technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral property is assessed based on a combination of factors, such as the extent of established mineral reserves, the results of feasibility and technical evaluations, and the status of mineral leases or permits.
Proceeds from the sale of properties, property water rights or cash proceeds received from farm-out option agreements are recorded as a reduction of the related mineral property, with any excess proceeds accounted for in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
d) Impairment
The Company's assets are reviewed for the indication of impairment at each reporting date in accordance with IFRS 6 - Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources. If any such indication exists, an estimate of the recoverable amount of the asset is undertaken, being the higher of an asset's fair value, less costs of disposal and its value in use. If the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognized in the statement of loss.
Impairment indicators are considered to exist if (i) the right to explore the area has expired or will expire in the near future with no expectation of renewal; (ii) Substantive expenditure on further exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources in the area is neither planned nor budgeted; (iii) No commercially viable deposits have been discovered, and the decision had been made to discontinue exploration in the area; and (iv) Sufficient work has been performed to indicate that the carrying amount of the expenditure carried as an asset will not be fully recovered.
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An impairment loss is reversed if there is an indication that there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that this does not exceed the original carrying amount that if no impairment loss had been recognized.
e) Share-based compensation
The fair value of stock options granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants is calculated using the Black Scholes option pricing model and is expensed over the vesting periods. If and when the stock options are exercised, the value attributable to the stock options is transferred to share capital.
f) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, bank deposits and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less.
g) Financial instruments
Financial instruments are recognized in the statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to a contractual obligation. At initial recognition, the Company classifies and measures its financial instruments as one of the following:
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at amortized cost, if they are held to collect contractual cash flows which solely represent payments of principal and interest; |
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at fair value, through other comprehensive income ("FVOCI") if they are held to both collect contractual cash flows and to sell where those cash flows represent payments of principal and interest solely; |
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otherwise, they are classified at fair value through profit or loss ("FVPL"). |
Financial assets are classified and measured at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in either profit and loss as they arise unless restrictive criteria are met for classifying and measuring the asset at either amortized cost or FVOCI. Financial liabilities are measured at amortized costs unless they are elected to be or required to be measured at fair value through profit and loss.
Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired or have been transferred, and the Company has transferred all risks and rewards of ownership. Financial liabilities are derecognized when the obligations specified in the contract are discharged, cancelled, or expire.
The Company's accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The marketable securities are a Level 1 fair value measurement; the derivative warrants are a Level 2 fair value measurement.
The convertible note is classified as a liability at amortized cost, with the conversion feature classified as a derivative liability. The debt liability was initially recorded at fair value and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method and will be accreted to the face value over the term of the convertible debenture.
h) Provisions
Provisions are recognized when a present legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of past events where it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated.
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The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, considering the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. The Company had no material provisions as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
i) Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute the dilutive effect of options, warrants and similar instruments. Under this method, the dilutive effect on earnings per share is calculated, presuming the exercise of in-the-money outstanding options, warrants and similar instruments. It assumes that the proceeds of such exercise would be used to repurchase common shares at the average market price during the year. However, the calculation of diluted loss per share excludes the effects of various conversions and exercise of options and warrants that would be anti-dilutive.
j) Income tax
Income tax comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in net loss, except to the extent it is related to items recognized directly in equity or other comprehensive loss.
Deferred tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax is determined on a non-discounted basis using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax asset or liability is settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that their recovery is probable.
k) Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Effective
IAS 12 Income Taxes
On May 7, 2021, IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 which require companies to recognize deferred tax on transactions that, on initial recognition, give rise to equal amounts of taxable and deductible temporary differences. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. The impacts of the above amendments to IAS 12 on the Company's consolidated financial statements have not yet been evaluated.
4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold
As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of these shares was $
5. MINERAL PROPERTIES
Total mineral property maintenance and exploration costs are listed in the table below:
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| Singatse Peak Services | Six Mile | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Butte | Blue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| MacArthur | Yerington | Bear | Wassuk | Groundhog | Valley | Copper | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Property maintenance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Geological & mapping | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geophysical surveys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical study | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assay & labs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Environmental | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Field support & other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from water rights | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total additions of the year | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Property maintenance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Geological & mapping | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geophysical surveys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical study | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assay & labs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Environmental | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Field support & other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from water rights | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total additions of the year | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Property maintenance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Drilling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological & mapping | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geophysical surveys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical study | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assay & labs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Environmental | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Field support & other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total additions of the year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The Company owns a
a) MacArthur and Yerington Properties, Nevada
On February 24, 2021, the Company announced a purchase and sale agreement to sell certain primary groundwater rights to Desert Pearl Farms LLC ("Desert Pearl"), a Yerington-based company involved in agriculture, for $
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On July 23, 2021, the Company received a notice from the State of Nevada that three water rights permits had been forfeited. Further, that the application for an extension of time to prevent forfeiture of a fourth certificate was denied. The permits affected are components of the Purchase and Sale Agreement announced on February 24, 2021.
On August 20, 2021, the Company filed a Petition for Judicial Review of the Forfeiture Notice and has retained legal counsel to initiate and vigorously undertake the appeal process. Should the appeal be unsuccessful or Desert Pearl elects to terminate the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company will be obligated to refund the $
b) Bear Deposit, Nevada
The Company has five option agreements, entered from March 2013 to May 2015, to acquire a
Outstanding payments due under the five option agreements by year are as follows:
• $
• $
• $
• $
c) Wassuk, Nevada
The Wassuk property consists of 310 unpatented lode claims totaling approximately 6,400 acres on lands administered by the BLM.
The Company has completed all requirements to earn a
The property is subject to a
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d) Groundhog, Alaska
On April 20, 2017, the Company entered a lease with option to purchase agreement with Chuchuna Minerals Company ("Chuchuna") to earn a 90% interest in the Groundhog copper prospect, located two hundred miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the lease agreement was further extended from six to seven years, providing the Company more time to make the required exploration expenditures and lump sum payment. To earn the
The Company has met the annual work commitments required to spend a minimum of $
e) Butte Valley, Nevada
The Company entered into an option agreement dated August 22, 2019, as amended on December 6, 2019 and July 30, 2021, with North Exploration, LLC ("North Exploration"), to purchase a
On December 3, 2019, the Company entered into an option agreement with Nevada Select Royalty, Inc. ("Nevada Select"), to purchase a
Aggregate payments to maintain the two option agreements by year are as follows:
• $
• $
• $
• $
• $
On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into a property acquisition agreement to assign its options to acquire the Butte Valley property to 1301666 B.C. Ltd ("BC Co.") which is a private British Columbia company established to acquire mineral resource properties (see Note 16).
f) Chaco Bear and Ashton Properties, British Columbia
On August 25, 2021, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with Houston Minerals Ltd. ("Houston") setting forth the terms of an option whereby the Company may acquire a
Under the terms of the LOI, the Company and Houston proposed to enter into a definitive agreement whereby the Company can earn up to a 100% interest in the Properties by making the following issuances and payments over a four-year period:
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| • | issuing |
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making annual lease payments on the Properties after 2021; |
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| • | incurring CAD$ |
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incurring exploration expenditures of at least the value of the annual assessment multiplied by 1.5 for periods after 2021; |
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| • | paying CAD$ |
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| • | making annual advance royalty payments in the fourth and fifth year from the closing in the amounts of CAD$ |
On September 17, 2021, the parties agreed to an amendment to the LOI to include a
On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into an option agreement with Houston to replace the LOI (See subsequent events). (See Note 16).
g) Blue Copper Prospect, Montana
During the year ended as of December 31, 2021, Blue Copper LLC (the Company's
As a part of the transaction, Blue Copper LLC entered into a purchase agreement with Four O Six Mining & Exploration LLC to acquire certain existing and additional unpatented mining claims. In exchange for the unpatented mining claims, as part of the closing of the transaction, the Company issued
Blue Copper LLC has staked an additional 131 claims to expand the Blue Copper Prospect. The Company has provided a NSR of
6. DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES WARRANTS
The Company has certain outstanding share purchase warrants that are exercisable in a different currency from the Company's functional currency. These warrants are classified as derivative liabilities and carried at fair value and revalued at each reporting date.
As of December 31, 2021, the derivative liabilities were related to
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7. SHARE CAPITAL
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value.
Common share transactions:
Year ended December 31, 2021
a) On September 13, 2021, the Company closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for gross proceeds of $
Each Unit is comprised of one common share (a "Common Share") and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at a price of $
In connection with the completion of the first tranche of the Private Placement, the Company paid a total of $
b) On September 27, 2021, the Company closed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $
In connection with the completion of the second tranche of the Private Placement, the Company paid a total of $
Each Unit is comprised of one Common Share and one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at a price of $
Related parties acquired
c) On October 21, 2021, the Company closed the third and final tranche of its oversubscribed Private Placement. The Company issued
Each Unit is comprised of one Common Share and Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $
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In connection with the completion of the third tranche of the Private Placement, the Company paid a total of $
The securities issued pursuant to the third tranche of the Private Placement were subject to a four-month hold period expiring on February 22, 2022.
d) On October 14, 2021, the Company agreed to settle outstanding debt of $
e) During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued
Year ended December 31, 2020
a) During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued
b) In July and August 2020, CAD$
The share capital for the CAD$
Interest and accretion expense for the convertible notes at December 31, 2020 was $
The conversion feature was a derivative liability based on the fact the conversion into units could result in a variable number of shares to be issued.
8. EQUITY RESERVES
a) Stock options
The Company has a stock option plan under which the Company is authorized to grant stock options of up to
The continuity of the number of stock options issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
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| As at December 31, 2021 | As at December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||
| Number of | Weighted | Number of | Weighted | |||||||||
| Options | Average | Options | Average | |||||||||
| Exercise Price | Exercise Price | |||||||||||
| Outstanding, beginning of year | ||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||
| Expired | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Cancelled | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Exercised | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Outstanding, end of year | ||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 the number of stock options outstanding and exercisable were:
| Number of | Remaining | Number of | ||||||||||
| Exercise Price | Options | contractual life in | Options | |||||||||
| Expiry Date | (CAD) | Outstanding | years | Exercisable | ||||||||
| June 23, 2022 |
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| September 20, 2023 |
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| June 21, 2024 |
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| August 8, 2024 |
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| June 20, 2025 |
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| June 18, 2026 |
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| September 17, 2026 |
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| October 21, 2026 |
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| December 12, 2026 |
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| Outstanding December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Number of | Remaining | Number of | ||||||||||
| Exercise Price | Options | contractual life in | Options | |||||||||
| Expiry Date | (CAD) | Outstanding | years | Exercisable | ||||||||
| April 14, 2021 |
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| June 23, 2022 |
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| September 20, 2023 |
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| June 21, 2024 |
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| August 8, 2024 |
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| June 20, 2025 |
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| Outstanding December 31, 2020 |
The Company used the following assumptions in the Black-Scholes option pricing model:
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Weighted average share price | CAD |
CAD |
CAD |
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| Risk-free interest rate | |||||||||
| Expected share price volatility | |||||||||
| Expected option life in years | |||||||||
| Forfeiture rate | |||||||||
| Expected dividend yield | |||||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2021 an amount of $1,077 (2020 - $175) was expensed as share-based compensation. The portion of share-based compensation recorded is based on the vesting schedule of the options.
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b) Share purchase warrants
The continuity of the number of share purchase warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, is as follows:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||
| Weighted | Weighted | |||||||||||
| Number of | Average Exercise | Number of | Average | |||||||||
| Warrants | Price | Warrants | Exercise Price | |||||||||
| Outstanding, beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding, end of year | $ | $ | ||||||||||
The following table summarizes warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| December 31, | |||||||||
| Expiry date | Currency | Exercise price | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| August 28, 2022 | CAD | ||||||||
| August 28, 2022 | $ | ||||||||
| September 20, 2022 | CAD | ||||||||
| September 13, 2024 | $ | ||||||||
| September 27, 2024 | $ | ||||||||
| October 21, 2024 | $ | ||||||||
| Outstanding at the end of the year | |||||||||
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company's related parties include its directors and officers whose remuneration was as follows, subject to change of control provisions for officers:
| December 31, | |||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Salaries | |||||||||
| Directors' fees | |||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||
a) Directors of the Company participated in the first and second tranches of the Company's Private Placement acquiring
b) On October 14, 2021, the Company agreed to settle outstanding debt of $
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c) On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into a property acquisition agreement to assign its options to acquire the Butte Valley property to BC Co. which is a private British Columbia company established to acquire mineral resource properties. BC Co. was founded by two individuals that are also directors and officers of Lion CG and as such the transaction is a non-arm's length transaction under TSXV rules.
On April 5, 2022, the Company completed the assignment of the two option agreements for the Butte Valley property. Pursuant to the assignment agreement, Lion CG received
The transaction is a non-arm's length transaction under TSXV rules (see Note 16).
d) As per their agreements with the Company, the CEO and President/CFO are entitled to receive an annual grant of options under the Stock Option Plan of the Company on each Annual Review Date. The number of options will be determined by the Board based on a minimum of
e) As per their agreements with the Company, the CEO and President/ CFO were each granted
10. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company operates in one reportable operating segment, being mineral exploration. Geographic segment information of the Company as at and for the years ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:
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| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Canada | USA | Total | |||||||
| Non current assets | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Canada | USA | Total | |||||||
| Net Loss | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
11. COMMITMENTS
To acquire certain mineral property interests as per Note 5, the Company must make optional acquisition expenditures to satisfy the terms of existing option agreements, failing which the rights to such mineral properties will revert to the property vendors.
12. CONTINGENCIES
On July 23, 2021, the Company received notice from the State of Nevada that the State has not approved extensions of three water rights permits purchased by its subsidiary, SPS in 2011. The State also advised that a fourth permit would not be extended after a period of an additional year.
On August 20, 2021, the Company filed a Petition for Judicial Review of the Forfeiture Notice and has retained legal counsel to initiate and vigorously undertake the appeal process. Should the appeal be unsuccessful or the agreement to sell water is terminated, the Company will be obligated to refund the $
13. DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of income tax provision computed at Canadian statutory rates to the reported income tax provision is provided as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Tax loss for the year | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||
| Canadian statutory rate | |||||||||
| Income tax benefit computed at statutory rates | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) |
| Foreign tax rates different from statutory rates | |||||||||
| Other | ( |
) | |||||||
| Share issuance costs | ( |
) | |||||||
| Foreign exchange gains and losses | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||
| Permanent differences | |||||||||
| Change in unused tax losses and tax offsets | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (recovery) | $ | $ | $ |
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The Company's unrecognized deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized consists of the following amounts:
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Non Capital losses | $ | $ | ||||
| Capital losses | ||||||
| Tax value over book value of mineral properties | ||||||
| Tax value over book value of equipment | ||||||
| Tax value over (under) book value of investments and | ||||||
| share issuance costs | ( |
) | ||||
| $ | $ |
The company's unused tax losses expire as follows:
| Canada | US | |||||
| 2021-2026 | $ | $ | ||||
| 2026-2041 | ||||||
| Indefinite | ||||||
| $ | $ |
The Company's unused capital losses of $
14. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Company considers its capital to be equity, comprising share capital, reserves and deficit. The Company's objectives are to ensure sufficient financial flexibility to achieve its ongoing business objectives, including the funding of future growth opportunities, the pursuit of accretive acquisitions, and to maximize shareholder return through enhancing the share value.
The Company manages capital through its budgeting and forecasting processes. The Company reviews its working capital and forecasts its future cash flows based on operating expenditures and other investing and financing activities.
To maintain its objectives, the Company may issue new shares, adjust capital spending, acquire or dispose of assets. There is no assurance that these initiatives will be successful.
There was no change in the Company's approach to capital management during the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISKS
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Financial instruments recorded at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial position are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
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Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
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Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and |
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Level 3 - Inputs that are not based on observable market data. |
The Company's activities expose it to financial risks of varying degrees of significance, which could affect its ability to achieve its strategic objectives for growth and shareholder returns. The principal financial risks to which the Company is exposed are, liquidity risk, currency risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and commodity price risk. The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company's risk management framework and reviews the Company's policies on an ongoing basis.
a) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure. To mitigate this risk, the Company has a planning and budgeting process in place to determine the funds required to support its ongoing operations and capital expenditures. The Company ensures that sufficient funds are raised from equity offerings or debt financings to meet its operating requirements, after considering existing cash and expected exercise of stock options and share purchase warrants. See Note 1 for further discussion.
b) Currency risk
Foreign exchange risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company operates in the United States and Canada; therefore, it is exposed to currency risk from transactions denominated in CAD. Currently, the Company does not have any foreign exchange hedge programs and manages its operational CAD requirements through spot purchases in the foreign exchange markets. Based on CAD financial assets and liabilities' magnitude, the Company does not have material sensitivity to CAD to USD exchange rates.
c) Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to the interest rate risk on its liabilities through its outstanding borrowings and the interest earned on cash balances. The Company monitors its exposure to interest rates and maintains an investment policy that focuses primarily on the preservation of capital and liquidity.
d) Credit risk
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e) Market risk
The Company is exposed to market risk because of the fluctuating values of its publicly traded marketable securities. The Company has no control over these fluctuations and does not hedge its investments. Marketable securities; if any, are adjusted to fair value at each reporting date.
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
a) On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into an option agreement with Houston Minerals Ltd. to replace the LOI dated August 25, 2021 (See Note 5 (f)). Pursuant to the terms of the option agreement, the Company may acquire a
In addition, commencing on January 31, 2022, and on January 31 of each year thereafter during the Option Period, Lion CG shall pay the following option maintenance fees to Houston: (a) CAD$
On March 16, 2022, the transaction was closed and Lion CG has funded an initial work program of CAD$
b) In 2019, the Company secured two separate option agreements to acquire 678 unpatented mining claims covering most of the known mineralization at the Butte Valley Property. On January 26, 2022, Quaterra Alaska entered into an agreement to assign its options to acquire the Butte Valley Property to a private company, BC Co.
Pursuant to the agreement, Lion CG's
On April 5, 2022, the Company completed the assignment of the two option agreements for the Butte Valley Property. In addition, the Company received a payment of $
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d) On March 18, 2022, the Company entered into an Option to Earn-in Agreement with Rio Tinto America Inc. ("Rio Tinto") to advance studies and exploration at Lion CG's copper assets in Mason Valley, Nevada. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto has the option to earn a
The stages of the Agreement are set out below.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stages 1 and 2 may be accelerated at Rio Tinto's option.
Stage 3 - Feasibility Study
Investment Decision
Upon completion of the Feasibility Study, Rio Tinto and Lion CG will decide whether to create an investment vehicle into which the Mining Assets will be transferred, with Rio Tinto holding not less than a
• If Rio Tinto elects to not to create the investment vehicle, then Lion CG shall grant to Rio Tinto a
• If Rio Tinto elects to create the investment vehicle but Lion CG elects not to create the investment vehicle, then, at Rio Tinto's option, Lion CG shall create the investment vehicle and Rio Tinto will purchase Lion CG's interest in the investment vehicle for fair market value.
Project Financing
• Following the formation of the investment vehicle, any project financing costs incurred will be funded by Rio Tinto and Lion CG in proportion to their respective ownership interest in the investment vehicle.
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e)
f) On April 13, 2022, Quaterra Alaska Inc. entered into a NSR buydown agreement for the Butte Valley property with BC Co., pursuant to which BC Co. will pay $
g) On April 21, 2022, the Company agreed to settle outstanding debt of $