NexMetals Mining Corp 6-K, filed May 30, 2023
NexMetals Mining Corp. (NEXM)
About this 6-K
NexMetals Mining Corp filed this 6-K on May 30, 2023.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the month of May
Commission
File Number:
(Formerly, North American Nickel Inc.)
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: ☐ Yes ☒ No.
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): n/a
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. on May [29], 2023 has distributed Exhibits 99.1 to 99.4 to the applicable Canadian securities regulators and to shareholders who requested same, to disseminate its interim financial statements and related materials for the quarter ended
The disclosure documents can be viewed on the Canadian reporting issuer disclosure website www.sedar.com
| 2 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. | ||
| (Registrant) | ||
| Date: May 30, 2023 | By | /s/ Sarah-Wenjia Zhu |
| Name: | Sarah-Wenjia Zhu | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| 3 |
Exhibit Index
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | Q1 2023 Financial Statements | |
| 99.2 | Q1 2023 Management Discussion & Analysis as at May 26, 2022 | |
| 99.3 | CEO certification Q1 2023 | |
| 99.4 | CFO certification Q1 2023 |
| 4 |
Exhibit 99.1
UNAUDITED CONDENSED INTERIM Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and stated in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
INDEX
Notice to Reader
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
| ■ | Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | |
| ■ | Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss | |
| ■ | Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency) | |
| ■ | Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |
| ■ | Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements |
NOTICE TO READER OF THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the three months ended March 31, 2023
In accordance with National Instrument 51-102, of the Canadian Securities Administrators, Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (the “Company” or “PNRL”) discloses that the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have not been reviewed or audited by independent auditors.
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 (“Financial Statements”) have been prepared by management. The Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which are available electronically on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the name, Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. The Financial Statements are stated in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated, and are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
“signed” Keith Morrison Chief Executive Officer
|
“signed” Sarah Zhu Chief Financial Officer
|
| May 26, 2023 |
| 2 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| Notes | As at March 31, 2023 | As at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| Cash | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||||||
| Other receivables | 4 | |||||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| Exploration and evaluation assets | 5 | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 6 | |||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||
| Trade payables and accrued liabilities | 7 | |||||||||||
| Current portion of lease liability | 9 | |||||||||||
| Promissory note | 8 | |||||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||
| NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||
| Vehicle financing | ||||||||||||
| Provision for leave and severance | ||||||||||||
| Lease liability | 9 | |||||||||||
| Deferred share units liability | 10 | |||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||
| SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
| Share capital – common | 10 | |||||||||||
| Share capital – preferred | ||||||||||||
| Reserve | ||||||||||||
| Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation reserve | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
Nature of Operations and Going Concern (Note 1)
Subsequent Events (Note 16)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Approved by the Board of Directors on May 26, 2023.
“signed” Keith Morrison Chief Executive Officer |
“signed” Don Newberry Audit Committee Chair |
| 3 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| Three months ended | ||||||||||||
| Notes | March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| EXPENSES | ||||||||||||
| Corporate and administration expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Management fees | 11 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
| Due diligence cost of Botswana assets | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Advisory and consultancy | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation | 6 | ( | ) | |||||||||
| General exploration expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Interest and bank charges | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Share-based payment | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Deferred share units granted | 10 | ( | ) | |||||||||
| Warrant fair value movement | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Net foreign exchange loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| TOTAL EXPENSES | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| OTHER ITEMS | ||||||||||||
| Interest expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||||||
| Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
| 4 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| Notes | Number of Shares | Share Capital | Preferred shares | Reserve | Deficit | Foreign Currency Translation Reserve | Total Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2021 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss for the period | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share capital issued through private placement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issue costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS AT MARCH 31, 2022 | (1) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 10 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | 10 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share capital issued through private placement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issue costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FV of broker warrants | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FV of Lender warrants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS AT MARCH 31, 2023 | 10 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance | 10 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
| (1) |
| 5 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| Three months ended | Three months ended | |||||||
| March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Total net loss for the period | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Items not affecting cash: | ||||||||
| Share-based payment | ||||||||
| Deferred share units granted | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| Provision for leave and severance | ||||||||
| Accrued interests and accretion on promissory note | ||||||||
| Warrant fair value movement | ||||||||
| Changes in working capital | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other receivables | ( | ) | ||||||
| Trade payables and accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Additions to Expenditures on exploration and evaluation assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common shares | ||||||||
| Share issue costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Vehicle loan financing | ( | ) | ||||||
| Lease payment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Impact of currency translation for the foreign operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Change in cash for the period | ||||||||
| Cash at the beginning of the period | ||||||||
| Cash at the end of the period | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
| 6 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN
Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (TSXV: PNRL) (formerly, North American Nickel Inc.) (the “Company” or “PNRL”) was founded upon the closing of a reverse takeover transaction (the “RTO”) whereby Premium Nickel Resources Corporation (“PNRC”) and 1000178269 Ontario Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of North American Nickel Inc. (“NAN”), amalgamated by way of a triangular amalgamation (the “Amalgamation”) under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”) on August 3, 2022. (Note 3). Prior to the RTO, the common shares of NAN were listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) under the symbol “NAN”.
Prior to the RTO, PNRC was a private company existing under the OBCA. PNRC was incorporated to evaluate, acquire, improve and reopen, assuming economic feasibility, a combination of certain assets of BCL Limited (“BCL”) and Tati Nickel Mining Company (“TNMC”) that were in liquidation in Botswana. The initial investors of PNRC included NAN, several resource investors and local Namibian and Botswana mine operators.
In connection with the RTO, the Company was continued under the OBCA and changed its name from “North American Nickel Inc.” to “Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.”
Currently, the Company’s principal business activity is the exploration and development of mineral properties in Botswana through its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
The following corporate structure chart sets out details of the direct and indirect ownership of the principal subsidiaries of the Company:
Notes:
| (1) | Premium Nickel Resources Proprietary Limited owns the Selebi Mines (as defined below). | |
| (2) | Premium Nickel Group Proprietary Limited owns the Selkirk mine. |
| 7 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
The Company has its head and registered office at One First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 3400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1A4.
On September 28, 2021, PNRC executed a definitive asset purchase agreement (the “Selebi APA”) with the liquidator of BCL to acquire the Selebi and Selebi North (together, the “Selebi Assets”) nickel-copper-cobalt (“Ni-Cu-Co”) deposits and related infrastructure formerly operated by BCL. On January 31, 2022, PNRC closed the transaction and ownership of the assets was transferred to the Company.
PNRC also negotiated a separate asset purchase agreement to finalize terms for any prioritized assets formerly operated by TNMC. On August 22, 2022, the Company announced the completion of its acquisition of the nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum-group elements (“Ni-Cu-Co-PGE”) Selkirk mine in Botswana, together with associated infrastructure and four surrounding prospecting licences (collectively, the “Selkirk Assets”). The acquisition was completed pursuant to PNRC’s previously-announced asset purchase agreement with the liquidator of TNMC on January 20, 2022. With the acquisition now complete, ownership of the Selkirk mine has been transferred to the Company.
The Company continues to monitor the global COVID-19 developments and is committed to working with health and safety as a priority and in full respect of all government and local COVID-19 protocol requirements. The Company has developed COVID-19 travel, living and working protocols and is ensuring integration of those protocols with the currently applicable protocols of the Government of Botswana and surrounding communities. The impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operation was mainly the increase in travelling costs due to travel restriction as well as inflated material cost for exploration and drilling work.
Going Concern
The
Company, being in the exploration and redevelopment stage, is subject to risks and challenges similar to companies in a comparable stage
of exploration and development. These risks include the challenges of securing adequate capital for exploration, development and operational
risks inherent in the mining industry, and global economic and metal price volatility and there is no assurance management will be successful
in its endeavors. As at March 31, 2023, the Company had no source of operating cash flows, nor any credit line currently in place. The
Company incurred a net loss of $
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern, meaning it will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the ordinary course of operations. The ability of the Company to continue operations as a going concern is ultimately dependent upon achieving profitable operations and its ability to obtain adequate financing. To date the Company has not generated profitable operations from its resource activities and will need to invest additional funds in carrying out its planned exploration, development and operational activities. It is not possible to predict whether financing efforts will be successful or if the Company will attain a profitable level of operation. These material uncertainties cast substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities and the reported expenses and comprehensive loss that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. These adjustments could be material.
The evaluation properties in which the Company currently has an interest are in pre-revenue exploration stage. As such, the Company is dependent on external financing to fund its activities. In order to carry out the planned exploration and cover administrative costs, the Company will use its existing working capital and raise additional amounts as needed. Although the Company has been successful in its past fundraising activities, there is no assurance as to the success of future fundraising efforts or as to the sufficiency of funds raised in the future. The Company will continue to assess new properties and seek to acquire interests in additional properties if there is sufficient geologic or economic potential and if adequate financial resources are available to do so.
| 8 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors of the Company on May 26, 2023. The discussion in the notes to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements is stated in Canadian dollars.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Statement of Compliance
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (“IAS 34”), Interim Financial Reporting, utilizing the accounting policies of the Company outlined in its December 31, 2022 audited annual consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies are in line with IFRS guidelines. These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the audited annual consolidated financial statements and therefore should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.
(b) Basis of preparation
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified by the revaluation of any financial assets and financial liabilities where applicable. The preparation of unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with IAS 34 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies.
The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those used in the preparation of the audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
(c) Basis of consolidation
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated upon consolidation.
Effective
August 3, 2022, NAN completed the
(d) New standards and amendments effective this year
IAS 1 – In February 2021, the IASB issued “Disclosure of Accounting Policies” with amendments that are intended to help preparers in deciding which accounting policies to disclose in their financial statements. The amendments are effective for year ends beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The impact of adopting this amendment on the Company’s consolidated financial statements was not significant.
IAS 8 – In February 2021, the IASB issued “Definition of Accounting Estimates” to help entities distinguish between accounting policies and accounting estimates. The amendments are effective for year ends beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The impact of adopting this amendment on the Company’s consolidated financial statements was not significant.
| 9 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
(e) Accounting standards and amendments issued but not yet effective
Certain pronouncements were issued by the IASB or the IFRIC that are mandatory for accounting periods commencing on or after January 1, 2023. Many are not applicable or do not have a significant impact to the Company and have been excluded. The following have not yet been adopted and are being evaluated to determine their impact on the Company.
IAS 1 – Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”) was amended in January 2020 to provide a more general approach to the classification of liabilities under IAS 1 based on the contractual arrangements in place at the reporting date. The amendments clarify that the classification of liabilities as current or non-current is based solely on a company’s right to defer settlement at the reporting date. The right needs to be unconditional and must have substance. The amendments also clarify that the transfer of a company’s own equity instruments is regarded as settlement of a liability, unless it results from the exercise of a conversion option meeting the definition of an equity instrument. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2024.
3. AMALGAMATION
On April 26, 2022, PNRC and NAN entered into a definitive amalgamation agreement (the “Amalgamation Agreement”) in respect of their previously-announced RTO transaction, pursuant to which PNRC would “go-public” by way of a reverse takeover of NAN.
Transaction Particulars
Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement:
| (a) | NAN’s subsidiary, 1000178269 Ontario Inc. (“NAN Subco”), amalgamated with PNRC under Section 174 of the OBCA to form one corporation; | |
| (b) | Holders
of PNRC shares exchanged their shares at a rate of shares of NAN for each share of PNRC (the “Exchange Ratio”),
after giving effect to a | |
| (c) | the transactions resulted in an RTO of the Company in accordance with the policies of the TSXV, all in the manner contemplated by, and pursuant to, the terms and conditions of the Amalgamation Agreement. |
In connection with the RTO, NAN, among other things: (a) changed its name to “Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.”; (b) changed its stock exchange ticker symbol to “PNRL”; and (c) reconstituted the board of directors and management of the Company. The outstanding options of PNRC immediately prior to the effective time of the RTO were exchanged and adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement such that holders thereof were entitled to acquire, following the closing of the RTO, options of the Company after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio, as applicable.
Pursuant
to the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company issued common shares of the Company (on a post-consolidation basis) in exchange
for outstanding shares of PNRC immediately prior to the effective time of the RTO. Immediately after giving effect to the
RTO Transaction, the Company was owned approximately
Prior to this exchange, NAN had shares outstanding (on a post-consolidation basis). Taking into account the composition of the board and senior management and the relative ownership percentages of NAN and PNRC shareholders in the newly combined enterprise, from an accounting perspective PNRC is considered to have acquired NAN, and hence the transaction has been recorded as a reverse takeover.
The substance of the transaction is a reverse acquisition of a public company. The transaction does not constitute a business acquisition as NAN does not meet the definition of a business under IFRS 3 as it has no inputs or processes. As a result, the transaction is accounted for as a capital transaction with NAN being identified as the accounting acquiree and the equity consideration being measured at fair value (“FV”).
| 10 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
The
purchase price was determined based on the number of shares that PNRC would have had to issue on the date of closing to give the owners
of NAN the same percentage equity (
The costs of the acquisition have been allocated as follows:
SUMMARY OF COST OF ACQUISITION
| FV of shares transferred | $ | |||
| FV of options, warrants and agent warrants | ||||
| FV of preferred shares | ||||
| Settlement of pre-existing relationship – | ( | ) | ||
| Total FV of consideration transferred | $ | |||
| Cash | $ | |||
| Trade and other receivables | ||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ||||
| Trade payables and accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ||
| Net assets acquired | ||||
| Loss on acquisition | ||||
| Total Purchase Price | $ |
*Pre-existing relationship
Before
the closing of the RTO, NAN owned common shares of PNRC and a
Prior
to the RTO, the fair value of the
Pursuant to the RTO, an aggregate of options to purchase common shares of the Company (“Replacement Options”) were issued (on a post 5:1 consolidation basis) to the former holders of options to purchase common shares of PNRC (prior to the RTO) (“PNRC Options”) in exchange for PNRC Options. The Replacement Options issued to the former holders of PNRC Options were on the same terms and conditions as those exchanged by PNRC holders except all the previously unvested options vested immediately. Immediately prior to the completion of the RTO, PNRC had unvested options outstanding which re-evaluated at a FV of $ upon the completion of the RTO according to IFRS2.
Given
that the RTO has been accounted for as a reverse takeover of NAN by PNRC, from an accounting perspective, PNRC is deemed to have issued
options and warrants to the former security holders of NAN. Immediately prior to the closing of the RTO, NAN had options and
warrants outstanding, respectively, as well as preferred shares that could be converted to common shares of
NAN (on a post-consolidation basis). The aggregate fair value of such options, warrants and preferred shares
of NAN was $, and this amount has been included as a component of the purchase price. Costs related to the transaction were
$
| 11 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE ASSUMPTIONS OF OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
| As of August 3, 2022 | Warrants | Options | ||||||
| Expected dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price of last financing | $ | $ | ||||||
| Expected share price volatility | % - | % | % - | % | ||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % - % | ||||||
| Remaining life of warrants & options | - years | – years | ||||||
For purposes of determining the fair value of the share consideration exchanged on the RTO, the shares of PNRC were valued at USD per share, the offering price for the PNRC shares on the last PNRC equity financing prior to the RTO.
The
RTO resulted in a loss of $
4. OTHER RECEIVABLES
A summary of the other receivables as at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is detailed in the table below:
SCHEDULE OF RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| HST paid on purchases | ||||||||
| VAT paid on purchases | ||||||||
| Total receivables and other current assets | ||||||||
| 12 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
5. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
SUMMARY OF EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
| Selebi | Selkirk | Total | ||||||||||
| Botswana | ||||||||||||
| Selebi | Selkirk | Total | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | ||||||||||||
| Site operations & administration | ||||||||||||
| Care & Maintenance | ||||||||||||
| Geology | ||||||||||||
| Drilling | ||||||||||||
| Geophysics | ||||||||||||
| Engineering | ||||||||||||
| Environmental, Social and Governance | ||||||||||||
| Metallurgy & MP | ||||||||||||
| Technical studies | ||||||||||||
| Health and safety | ||||||||||||
| Impact of foreign currency translation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total, March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Ending balance | ||||||||||||
The following is a description of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets and the related spending commitments:
Botswana Assets - Selebi and Selkirk
On September 28, 2021, the Company executed the Selebi APA with the BCL liquidator to acquire the Selebi assets and related infrastructure formerly operated by BCL. On January 31, 2022, the Company closed the transaction and ownership of the Selebi Assets transferred to the Company.
Pursuant
to the Selebi APA the aggregate purchase price payable to the seller for the Selebi Assets, shall be the sum of $
| ● | $ |
| ● | $ |
| ● | The
third instalment of $ |
| ● | Payment
of care and maintenance funding contribution in respect of the Selebi Assets for a total of $ |
The
total acquisition cost of the Selebi Mines included the first instalment of $
| 13 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
In addition to the Selebi APA, the purchase of the Selebi Assets is also subject to a contingent compensation agreement as well as a royalty agreement with the liquidator.
PNRC also negotiated a separate asset purchase agreement (the “Selkirk APA”) with the liquidator of TNMC to acquire the Selkirk deposit and related infrastructure formerly operated by TNMC on January 20, 2022 and closed the transaction on August 22, 2022.
In
regards to the Selkirk Assets, the Selkirk APA does not provide for a purchase price or initial payment for the purchase of the assets.
The acquisition cost of the Selkirk mine of $
During
the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred $
| 14 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The table below sets out costs and accumulated amortization as at March 31, 2023.
SUMMARY OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Cost | Land (ROU Assets) | Buildings (ROU Assets) | Furniture and Fixtures | Exploration Equipment | Generator | Vehicles | Computer and software | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of FX translation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation during the period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated Depreciation | Land (ROU Assets) | Buildings (ROU Assets) | Furniture and Fixtures | Exploration Equipment | Generator | Vehicles | Computer and software | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation during the period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Land (ROU Assets) | Buildings (ROU Assets) | Furniture and Fixtures | Exploration Equipment | Generator | Vehicles | Computer and Software | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
7. TRADE PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
SUMMARY OF TRADE PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Amounts due to related parties (note 11) | ||||||||
| Trade payables | ||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Trade payables and accrued liabilities | ||||||||
8. PROMISSORY NOTE
On
November 21, 2022, the Company announced a $
On
March 17, 2023, the Company entered into an amended and restated promissory note (the “A&R Promissory Note”) extending
the maturity of the Promissory note from
The obligations of the Company under the Promissory Note are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of its existing and future subsidiaries. No assets of the Company were pledged as collateral under the Promissory Notes. The Promissory Note is subject to certain covenants and provisions on events of default, repayments and mandatory prepayments.
In
connection with the promissory note, the Company accrued $
The
fair value of the liability of the Lender Warrants was estimated at $
| 16 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
The fair value of the Lender warrants was calculated using the following assumptions:
SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE OF LENDER WARRANTS ASSUMPTIONS
| March 31, 2023 | ||||
| Expected dividend yield | % | |||
| Stock price | $ | |||
| Expected share price volatility | % | |||
| Risk free interest rate | % | |||
| Expected life of warrant | ||||
9. LEASE LIABILITY
On July 9, 2022, the Company executed a sales agreement (the “Lodge Agreement”) with Tuli Tourism Pty Ltd. (the “Seller”) for the Syringa Lodge (the “Lodge”) in Botswana.
As
per the Lodge Agreement, the aggregate purchase price payable to the Seller shall be the sum of $
In
addition to the above purchase price, the Company is required to pay to the Seller the an agreed interest amount in twelve equal monthly
instalments of $
The details of lease liabilities are as follows:
SCHEDULE OF DETAILS OF LEASE LIABILITIES
March 31, 2023 | ||||
| lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ||
| Interest expense on lease liabilities | ||||
| Impact of FX translation | ( | ) | ||
| IFRS 16 lease liabilities as of end of year | ||||
| Current portion of lease liability (less than one year) | ||||
| Long-term lease liability (one to five year) | ||||
The authorized capital of the Company comprises an unlimited number of common shares without par value and Series 1 convertible preferred shares without par value.
Effective August 3, 2022, in connection with the closing of the RTO, the Company completed a share consolidation of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares and preferred shares, in each case exchanging one (1) post-consolidation share without par value for every five (5) pre-consolidation shares issued and outstanding.
All
references to share capital, warrants, options and weighted average number of shares outstanding have been adjusted in these financial
statements and retrospectively to reflect the Company’s RTO share exchange and
| 17 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| a) | Common Shares Issued and Outstanding |
During
the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company issued common shares at a price of $per share for gross proceeds of $upon the closing of a brokered private placement
on February 24, 2023 (the “Offering”). Each Broker Warrant is exercisable
to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $
SCHEDULE OF OF FAIR VALUE OF BROKER WARRANTS ASSUMPTIONS
| March 31, 2023 | ||||
| Expected dividend yield | % | |||
| Stock price | $ | |||
| Expected share price volatility | % | |||
| Risk free interest rate | % | |||
| Expected life of warrant | ||||
As at March 31, 2023, the Company had common shares issued and outstanding (December 31, 2022 – on a post-RTO and post-consolidation basis).
2022
In
April 2022, PNRC completed a non-brokered private placement of shares at a price of USD per share for gross proceeds of
$ (USD ). In connection with the private placement, PNRC has paid to eligible finders (“Finders”):
(a) a cash commission equal to
On
August 3, 2022, PNRC combined with NAN in a reverse takeover transaction whereby shareholders of PNRC exchanged their shares at a rate
of shares of NAN for each share of PNRC, after giving effect to a
| 18 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| b) | Warrants |
A summary of common share purchase warrant activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was as follows:
SCHEDULE OF WARRANT ACTIVITY
Number Outstanding | Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) | |||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||
| Cancelled / expired | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balance as at March 31, 2023 | ||||||||
At March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding common share purchase warrants exercisable to acquire common shares of the Company as follows:
SCHEDULE OF NUMBER AND WEIGHTED AVERAGE REMAINING CONTRACTUAL LIFE OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTS
| Warrants Outstanding | Expiry Date | Exercise Price ($) | Weighted Average remaining contractual life (years) | |||||||||
| April 16, 20231 | ||||||||||||
| August 3, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| February 24, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| March 22, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 1. |
| c) | DSU Plan |
Effective December 2022, the Company approved a Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) (“DSUs”) that enables the Company upon approval by the Directors to grant DSUs to eligible non-management directors. The DSUs credited to the account of a director may only be redeemed following the date upon which the holder ceases to be a director. Depending upon the country of residence of a director, the DSUs may be redeemed at any time prior to December 15 in the calendar year following the year in which the holder ceases to be a director and may be redeemed in as many as four installments. Upon redemption, the holder is entitled to a cash payment equal to the number of units redeemed multiplied by the five day VWAP of the Company’s common shares on that date. The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to settle the value of the DSUs redeemed in the Company’s common shares on a one-for-one basis, provided shareholder approval has been obtained on or prior to the relevant redemption date.
SCHEDULE OF DEFERRED SHARE UNIT PLAN HAVE BEEN GRANTED
| 2023 | ||||
| Number of DSUs outstanding at December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Number of DSUs granted during the period | ||||
| Number of DSUs outstanding at March 31, 2023 | ||||
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the DSU compensation totaled $and was recorded as share based compensation, and a DSU liability of the same amount was recorded (December 31, 2022, - $).
| 19 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
| d) | Reserve |
The reserve records items recognized as stock-based compensation expense and other share-based payments until such time that the stock options or warrants are exercised, at which time the corresponding amount will be transferred to share capital. Amounts recorded for forfeited or expired unexercised options and warrants are transferred to deficit.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded $ (December 31, 2022 - $) of fair value of the warrants to reserves.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following amounts due to related parties are included in trade payables and accrued liabilities (note 7).
SCHEDULE OF AMOUNTS DUE TO RELATED PARTIES, INCLUDED IN TRADE PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Directors and Officers of the Company | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
These amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing and have no fixed terms of repayment.
| (a) | Related party transactions |
During
the year ended December 31, 2022, ThreeD Capital Inc. subscribed for a further common shares of PNRC ( shares on a
post-RTO and post-consolidation basis), for a further investment of $
Between March 2 and March 3, 2022, PNRC issued promissory notes to its officers and directors as well as its shareholders as below:
| Directors and Officers of the Company | ||||
| ThreeD Capital Inc. | ||||
| NAN | ||||
| Total |
On
April 30, 2022, all amounts owing in respect of the above promissory notes were repaid in full by payment of cash in an amount of $
| (b) | Key management personnel is defined as members of the Board of Directors and senior officers. |
Key management compensation was related to the following:
SCHEDULE OF KEY MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
| March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Management fees | ||||||||
| Corporate and administration expenses | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| 20 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company thoroughly examines the various financial instrument risks to which it is exposed and assesses the impact and likelihood of those risks. These risks may include interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk and currency risk. The carrying value of cash and trade payables and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the Promissory Note, vehicle financing and lease liability are equal to their carrying values as all these amounts carry a fix interest rate. The fair value of the DSUs is the closing price of the Company’s common shares at the end of each reporting period. Fair value measurements of financial instruments are required to be classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of inputs in making the measurements. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.
On March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of cash and DSUs is based on Level 1 measurements.
13. RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company’s exposure to market risk includes, but is not limited to, the following risks:
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is not subject to significant changes in interest rates.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Currency risk is risk that the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the value of cash and other financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies can fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates.
The Company operates in Canada, Barbados and Botswana and undertakes transactions denominated in foreign currencies such as US dollar and Botswana Pula, and consequently is exposed to exchange rate risks. Exchange risks are managed by matching levels of foreign currency balances and related obligations and by maintaining operating cash accounts in non-Canadian dollar currencies.
Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities which expose the Company to currency risk are disclosed below. The amount shown are those reported and translated into CAD at the closing rate.
SCHEDULE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Short -term exposure | Long-term exposure | |||||||||||
| USD | BWP | BWP | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Financial assets | ||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total exposure | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| 21 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
Short -term exposure | Long-term exposure | |||||||||||
| USD | BWP | BWP | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Financial assets | ||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total exposure | ( | ) | ||||||||||
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of net loss in relation to the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities and the USD/CAD exchange rate and BWP/CAD exchange rate, all other things being equal. It assumes a +/- 5% change of the USD/CAD and BWP/CAD exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022, respectively.
If the CAD strengthened against the USD and BWP by 5%, respectively (December 31, 2022 – 5 %), it would have had the following impact:
SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN EXCHANGE RATES
Profit for the year | Long-term exposure profit for the year | |||||||||||||||
| USD | BWP | Total | BWP | |||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
If the CAD weakened against the USD and BWP by 5%, respectively (December 31, 2022 – 5 %), it would have had the following impact:
Profit for the year | Long-term exposure profit for the year | |||||||||||||||
| USD | BWP | Total | BWP | |||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
The higher foreign currency exchange rate sensitivity in profit at March 31, 2023 compared with December 31, 2022 is attributable to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, BWP and USD in relation to CAD.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. The credit risk is primarily associated with liquid financial assets. The Company limits exposure to credit risk on liquid financial assets by holding cash at highly-rated financial institutions.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Company manages the liquidity risk inherent in these financial obligations by regularly monitoring actual cash flows to annual budget which forecast cash and expected cash availability to meet future obligations.
The Company will defer discretionary expenditures, as required, in order to manage and conserve cash required for current liabilities.
| 22 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
The following table shows the Company’s contractual obligations as at March 31, 2023:
SCHEDULE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Less than 1 year | 1 - 2 years | 2 - 5 years | Total | |||||||||||||
| Trade payables and accrued liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Vehicle financing | ||||||||||||||||
| Lease liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||
Capital Risk Management
The Company manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern, so that adequate funds are available or are scheduled to be raised to meet its ongoing administrative and operating costs and obligations. This is achieved by the Board of Directors’ review and ultimate approval of budgets that are achievable within existing resources, and the timely matching and release of the next stage of expenditures with the resources made available from capital raises and debt funding from related or other parties. In doing so, the Company may issue new shares, restructure or issue new debt.
The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements imposed by a regulator or a lending institution.
In the management of capital, the Company includes the components of equity, loans and borrowings, and other current liabilities, net of cash.
SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS OF EQUITY DEFICIENCY, LOANS AND BORROWING, OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES, NET OF CASH
| March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Shareholder’s equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | ||||||||
| Cash | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total | ||||||||
14. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company operates in one reportable operating segment being that of the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in three geographic segments being Botswana, Greenland and Canada. The Company’s geographic segments are as follows:
SCHEDULE OF GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENTS
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Canada | ||||||||
| Barbados | ||||||||
| Botswana | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| 23 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ||||||||
| Canada | ||||||||
| Botswana | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Exploration and evaluation assets | ||||||||
| Botswana | ||||||||
15. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
There are no environmental liabilities associated with the Selebi Assets and the Selkirk Assets as at the acquisition dates as all liabilities prior to the acquisitions are the responsibility of the sellers, BCL and TNMC, respectively. The Company has an obligation for the rehabilitation costs arising subsequent to the acquisitions. As of March 31, 2023, management is not aware of or anticipating any contingent liabilities that could impact the financial position or performance of the Company related to its exploration and evaluation assets.
The Company’s exploration and evaluation assets are affected by the laws and environmental regulations that exist in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. It is not possible to estimate the future contingent liabilities and the impact on the Company’s operating results due to future changes in Company’s development of its projects or future changes in such laws and environmental regulations.
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
April 13, 2023, the Company extended the expiry date of a total of
| 24 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Exhibit 99.2
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
May 26, 2023
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (this “MD&A”) of Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (formerly, North American Nickel Inc.) (“Premium Nickel Resources”, the “Company” or “PNRL”) has been prepared with all information available up to and including May 26, 2023. This MD&A is intended to assist the reader to assess material changes in the financial condition of the Company between March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (“Q1 2023”) and for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (“Q1 2022”).This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements, including the accompanying notes thereto, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, including the accompanying notes thereto, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (“FY 2022” or the “Annual Financial Statements”).
The Financial Statements and the financial information contained in this MD&A were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
In this MD&A, unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Company, PNRL or Premium Nickel Resources refer to Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All monetary amounts in the discussion are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
This MD&A contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (see “Forward-looking Information” below). Information regarding the adequacy of cash resources of the Company to carry out its exploration and re-development programs or the need for future financing is considered to be forward-looking information. All forward-looking information, including information not specifically identified herein, is made subject to cautionary language in this MD&A. Readers are cautioned to refer to the disclosure in this MD&A under the heading “Forward-looking Information” when reading any forward-looking information. This MD&A is prepared in accordance with Form 51-102F1 adopted by the Canadian Securities Administration and has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Readers are also encouraged to read the other public filings of Premium Nickel Resources, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Premium Nickel Resources’ issuer profile. Other pertinent information about the Company can be found on the Company’s website (https://premiumnickelresources.ca/).
Company Overview
Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. is the continuing company following a reverse takeover transaction completed on August 3, 2022 between the former TSX Venture Exchange listed company, North American Nickel Inc. (“NAN”), and private Canadian company Premium Nickel Resources Corporation (“PNRC”). Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the Company is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “PNRL”.
PNRL’s global strategy is to identify high quality nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum group elements (“Ni-Cu-Co-PGE”) projects and acquire opportunities that offer high prospectivity in mining friendly jurisdictions located in low-risk countries with supportive foreign investment and resource legislation as well as strong rule-of-law. The current portfolio includes global projects in Botswana, Greenland, Canada and Morocco, with the projects in Botswana being the Company’s significant assets.
Currently, the Company’s principal business activity is the exploration and development of PNRL’s flagship asset, the Selebi Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mine in Botswana and, separately, the Company’s Selkirk Ni-Cu- -PGE sulphide mine, also in Botswana.
| 1 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Summary of Activities
The Selebi and Selkirk deposits are permitted with 10-year mining licences and benefit from significant local infrastructure. The Company’s flagship Selebi mine includes two operational shafts, the Selebi and Selebi North shafts (together, the “Selebi Mine”) and related infrastructure such as rail, power and roads (together with the Selebi Mine, the “Selebi Assets”).
PNRL concluded the 2022 exploration and drilling program at the Selebi Mine in January 2023. This initial drilling program was focused on an area at the western down dip edge of the historic 2016 South African Mineral Resource Committee (“SAMREC”) resource estimate. The primary objective of this first phase of surface drilling and borehole electromagnetics (“BHEM”) program at Selebi was to provide the Company with the relevant information to demonstrate that the mine horizons could be well mineralized beyond the limits of legacy production, and to support the transition to underground resource drilling at both the Selebi North and Selebi deposits.
The BHEM data acquired as of the date of this report demonstrates that there are multiple sizable anomalies detected on the northern extension of the Selebi Mine. Additionally, the results of the drilling, in conjunction with the BHEM program, have provided compelling evidence that the Selebi and Selebi North deposits are part of a large mineralized system, with multiple mineralized horizons present across the three kilometre area between the Selebi historical mine workings to the south and the Selebi North historical mine workings to the north.
The Company sees significant potential for expanding the resource estimate from the 2016 SAMREC code-compliant historic estimate (see “Historical Estimate”). In 2023, PNRL is planning to undertake a combination of resource and continued exploration drilling at the Selebi Mine to demonstrate the size potential of the Selebi Mine mineral system and ultimately establish a maiden mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) as well as completing a preliminary economic assessment. The exploration drilling will be on-going, and the resource drilling at the Selebi Mine is expected to start underground from the Selebi North shaft in July 2023. Upon completion of the underground development program at Selebi North, the Company will extend the 810 exploration drift towards Selebi to facilitate future underground exploration drilling of the untested area between Selebi North and Selebi. The Company’s primary objective is to prepare NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimates which are targeted for completion at Selebi North in Q1 2024, which will be followed by an updated mineral resource estimates and preliminary economic assessment in Q3 2024.
Concurrently, PNRL will continue its work at the Selkirk mine (the “Selkirk Mine”) and its surrounding prospecting licences, which is the Company’s second asset in Botswana, located approximately 75 kilometres north of the Selebi Mine. The focus of this work will be to understand the legacy work done by previous owners, which had advanced Selkirk to a bankable feasibility study for redevelopment as an open-pit mine. The Company plans to include drilling, geoscience and metallurgical work to support a mineral resource estimate prepared under NI 43-101 as well as a preliminary economic assessment on the project. Additionally, the Company is pursuing an alternative ore processing and tailings management strategy to those used in previous economic studies.
Corporate Social Responsibility
PNRL is committed to conducting its business in a socially responsible and sustainable manner, with a focus on environmental stewardship, health and safety, community engagement and ethical conduct. The Company has established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as industry standards for responsible mining. PNRL recognizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and works closely with local communities, indigenous groups and other stakeholders to ensure their concerns and perspectives are heard and addressed.
Highlights and Key Developments During Q1 2023 and to Date:
| ● | The Company began trading on the OTCQX Best Market at the open of the market on January 20, 2023 under the symbol “PNRLF”. | |
| ● | The Company reported additional assay results from its 2022 drilling program at its Selebi Mine. |
| 2 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
| ● | Under the terms of the Company’s promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) with it’s lender Pinnacle Island LP (the “Lender”), the Company extended the maturity date of the Promissory Note from February 23, 2023 to March 22, 2023. On March 17, 2023, the Company entered into an amended and restated promissory note (the “A&R Promissory Note”) extending the maturity date from March 22, 2023 to November 24, 2023. In connection with the entering into of the A&R Promissory Note, the Company paid a fee of $225,000 and issued 350,000 non-transferrable common share purchase warrants to the Lender (the original 119,229 warrants originally issued in connection with the Promissory Note were cancelled). Each warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $1.75 per common share for a period of one year from date of the A&R Promissory Note. Refer to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements (Note 8 – Promissory Note) for further details of the impact of the bridge loan financing. | |
| ● | On February 24, 2023, the Company closed a “best efforts” brokered private placement offering under which 4,437,184 common shares of the Company were issued at a price of $1.75 per common share for gross proceeds of $7,765,072.00. Paradigm Capital Inc. acted as lead agent and sole bookrunner of the offering, on behalf of a syndicate of agents. In connection with the offering, the Company: (a) paid to the agents a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds (other than on certain president’s list purchasers on which a cash commission of 3% was paid); and (b) issued to the agents that number of non-transferable broker warrants of the Company as is equal to 6% of the number of common shares sold under the offering (other than on common shares issued to president’s list purchasers on which broker warrants equal to 3% were issued). Each broker warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $1.75 per common share until February 24, 2025. | |
| ● | The Company strengthened its management team and Board of Directors with the addition of key personnel in mining operations, finance and corporate governance. | |
| ● | On April 12, 2023, the Company filed a technical report in accordance with NI 43-101 for the Company’s Selkirk Mine. | |
| ● | On April 13, 2023, the Company extended the expiry date of a total of 643,299 common share purchase warrants of the Company from April 16, 2023 to October 16, 2023. |
Selebi Mine, Botswana
The Selebi Mine was acquired on January 31, 2022 through an asset purchase agreement with the liquidator of BCL. The Selebi Mine is comprised of a single mining licence covering an area of 11,504 hectares located near the town of Selebi Phikwe, approximately 150 kilometres southeast of the city of Francistown, and 410 kilometres northeast of the national capital Gaborone. The Selebi Mine includes two operational shafts (Selebi and Selebi North with a total combined capacity of 5,100 tons per day) as well as all related surface (rail, power and roads) and underground infrastructures. The Selebi deposit began production in 1980 and Selebi North began production in 1990. Mining terminated at both operations in 2016 due to weak global commodity prices and a failure in the separate Phikwe smelter processing facility. The BCL assets were subsequently placed under liquidation in 2017.
At the time of liquidation, SAMREC compliant mineral resources within the Selebi Mine were reported as in-situ and depleted for mining as of December 31, 2016 (see “Historical Estimate”). These historical measured and indicated mineral resources used a nickel equivalent (NiEq)1 cut-off grade of 0.4% and were estimated to total 17.83 Mt at grades of 0.87% Ni and 1.42% Cu containing 155, 000 tonnes (t) Ni and 253,000 t Cu. Historical inferred mineral resources were estimated to total 15.34 Mt at grades of 0.71% Ni and 0.89% Cu containing 109,000 t Ni and 136,000 t Cu. Nickel and copper prices used were US$8.00/lb. Ni and US$3.00/lb. Cu, respectively. This estimate, which has not been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, is considered to be historical in nature and should not be relied upon. However, management believes that it could be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Selebi Mine property. A qualified person has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical mineral estimate as a current mineral resource estimate and the Company is not treating the historical mineral estimates as current mineral resource estimates. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Exploration and Development Activities
The Company initiated a drilling program in March 2022, with holes targeting the area down plunge of Selebi Mine workings. Concurrent with the drill program, data compilation and verification continued. The program of re-opening historic holes that began in October 2021 is ongoing and up to three drills have been cleaning historic holes to facilitate the collection of new gyro and BHEM geophysical data. Collars of drillholes have been located using a differential Global Positioning System (“DGPS”). An initial downhole program of televiewer and physical property logging has also been completed to support the creation of a structural model. Level plans were digitized, and after significant effort, the Company now has a 3D model of the Selebi and Selebi North underground infrastructure. The gathering of geological information to build a 3D model is ongoing. Information from handwritten drill logs was merged into the BCL drill hole database, and the historic core is being re-logged.
1 The NiEq cut-off grade was based on a ratio of nickel and copper prices where NiEq = %Ni + (Cu price/Ni price)*%Cu.
| 3 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Mitchell Drilling completed the 2022 drill program on January 23, 2023 completing a total of 15,074.36 metres, including 707.40 metres of rotary air blast drilling which served as a test of the technology’s capacity to expedite the initial 1,000 meters of drilling. A total of nine new holes and the extension of one historic hole have reached target depth and intersected mineralized amphibolite; assay results from nine of these holes have been received from ALS Chemex laboratories in South Africa and results have been released, including results from two holes released in Q1 2023. The assay results from the final hole, SMD-22-012, are currently at the ALS Chemex laboratories in South Africa.
Discovery drilling continues to ream open historic holes to facilitate gyro and BHEM surveys. A total of 48 historic holes have been opened and surveyed with gyro, and BHEM surveys have been completed in 53 new and historic holes.
The results from the drilling and geophysical surveys indicate that there is structural thickening at the western down-dip extent of the mineralized amphibolite, and drilling continues in this area to define the plunge and extent of this mineralization.
In addition to this work, additional DGPS surveys were completed, and additional historic data is being added to the drilling database. Additionally, metallurgical studies are ongoing at SGS Lakefield to understand the nickel losses in the concentrate. The final report is expected in late May 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred $4,318,552 in exploration expenditures on the Selebi Assets (March 31, 2022- $11,616,997).
Outlook – Exploration and Development
The proposed work plan for the Selebi Mine includes underground drilling at Selebi North, expected to commence in July 2023. Drilling will be ongoing for up to 9 months, with the specific objective of delivering an NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate for the Selebi Mine as well as a preliminary economic assessment by Q3 2024. During that time, data compilation and verification efforts will continue, with additional hole re-openings, downhole gyro, BHEM and televiewer surveys, digitization of historic data, re-logging of historic core and updating of the 3D geological and structural model. In addition to this work, additional metallurgical samples will be collected and sent for detailed studies. The underground infrastructure at Selebi North is currently being upgraded to support the underground drilling program as well as to improve health & safety. Upon completion of the underground development program at Selebi North, the Company will extend the 810 exploration drift toward Selebi to facilitate future underground exploration drilling of the untested area between Selebi North and Selebi.
Selkirk Mine, Botswana
The Selkirk Mine was acquired in August 2022 through an asset purchase agreement with the Liquidator of TNMC. The Selkirk property consists of a single mining licence covering an area of approximately 14.6 square kilometres and four prospecting licences cover 126.7 square kilometres. The project is situated 28 kilometres south-east of the town of Francistown, and 75 kilometres north of the Selebi Mine.
Exploration and Development Activities
The Company has been carrying out due diligence on the Selkirk Mine since 2021. The results of the data verification efforts include examination and sampling of mineralized drill core, sampling from underground workings, collecting DGPS coordinates of drill collars and quality assessment of information in databases.
During the Selkirk core review, five unsampled HQ sized core (63.5 millimeters) holes, drilled immediately prior to the closure of operations by TNMC, were identified. These five holes were taken to the core processing facility at Phikwe, where they were sampled in approximately 1 metre intervals, bagged and sent for assays. A total of 56 samples from DSLK278 used for metallurgical testing were analyzed at SGS Canada for nickel and copper and pulps were sent to ALS in Vancouver for a full suite of analyses. The remaining 1010 core samples were sent to ALS Global in Johannesburg for analyses. Results were reported in Q3 and Q4, 2022.
| 4 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
In 2022, the Company also completed a concept level metallurgical study to assess if readily marketable copper and nickel concentrates could be produced and, if so, at what metal recovery levels. The Selkirk test program was carried out at SGS Canada in Lakefield, Ontario and followed a similar program conducted on samples from the Selebi Mine, which demonstrated potential for these metallurgical objectives to be achieved. The source of the material was previously unsampled HQ sized drill core from 2016 drill hole DSLK278, positioned 50m from historic mine workings. In the latter half of 2022, the Company’s due diligence efforts identified two distinct nickel tenor domains, and four variability metallurgical samples were sent to SGS Canada Lakefield in December 2022. Metallurgical test work on the samples began in Q1 2023 and is expected to be completed in May 2023.
The Company filed a technical report, in accordance with NI 43-101, for the Selkirk Mine on April 12, 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred $189,877 in exploration expenditures on the Selkirk assets (March 31, 2022 - $nil).
Outlook – Exploration and Development
The Company has proposed a work plan at the Selkirk Mine that includes drilling to better define the existing resources and a search for additional resources, the development of a 3-D geological and structural model and the completion of additional metallurgical studies focused on improving recoveries.
Maniitsoq Nickel-Copper-PGM Project, Southwest Greenland
The Maniitsoq project is centred on the 75 kilometre by 15 kilometre Greenland Norite Belt which hosts numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with mafic and ultramafic intrusions. The property is located 100 kilometres north of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and is accessible year-round either by helicopter or by boat from Nuuk or Maniitsoq, the latter located on the coast approximately 15 kilometres to the west. The Company acquired the Maniitsoq project in 2011 due to its potential for the discovery of significant magmatic sulfide deposits in a camp-scale belt. The Maniitsoq property consists of three exploration licences, Sulussagut No. 2011/54 and Ininngui No. 2012/28 comprising 2,689 and 296 square kilometres, respectively, and the Carbonatite property No. 2018/21 (63 square kilometres), and a prospecting licence, No. 2020/05, for West Greenland. The Greenland properties have no mineral resources or reserves.
The three licences, 2011/54, 2012/28 and 2018/31 have sufficient accrued work credits to keep the property in good standing until December 2023, at which time a reduction in the size of the property will be required. Prospecting licence 2011/54 expired in December 31, 2022 and the Company has applied for its renewal. The prospecting licence is in effect until December 31, 2024.
Exploration and Development Activities
No exploration work was carried out in Greenland 2022. Remaining targets were reviewed and prioritized in preparation for a potential field program in 2023. A quote is pending for computer assisted target generation.
Prior to the closing of the RTO on August 3, 2022, the Maniitsoq property had a book value of $36,692,516. As the transaction is accounted for as a capital transaction with NAN being identified as the accounting acquiree, the net assets of NAN were measured at fair value. Upon the completion of the RTO, the Company has switched its focus to development of the Botswana assets with the result that limited resources (management time, capital, etc.) have since been allocated or will be allocated to the Greenland assets. Management believes that facts and circumstances exist to suggest that the carrying amount of the Maniitsoq property at August 3, 2022 exceeds its fair value. As a result, the carrying value of the Greenland assets has been reduced to nil as of August 3, 2022, for a total impairment of $36,692,516.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred $21,501 in exploration expenditure on the Maniitsoq property, which is comprised of the Sulussugut, Ininngui, Carbonatite and 2020/05 licences. These expenditures were recorded as general exploration expense in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
| 5 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Canadian Nickel Projects - Sudbury, Ontario
Post Creek Property
The Post Creek property is located 35 kilometres east of Sudbury in Norman, Parkin, Alymer and Rathburn townships and consists of 73 unpatented mining claim cells in two separate blocks, covering a total area of 912 hectares held by the Company. The Company acquired the property through an option agreement in April 2010, subsequently amended in March 2013. As at the date of this MD&A, the Company holds a 100% interest in the Post Creek property and is obligated to pay advances on a net smelter return of $10,000 per annum, which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the net smelter return.
The Post Creek property lies adjacent to the Whistle Offset Dyke Structure which hosts the past–producing Whistle Offset and Podolsky Cu-Ni-PGM mines. Post Creek lies along an interpreted northeast extension of the corridor containing the Whistle Offset Dyke and Footwall deposits and accounts for a significant portion of all ore mined in the Sudbury nickel district and, as such, represents favourable exploration targets. Key lithologies are Quartz Diorite and metabreccia related to offset dykes and Sudbury Breccia associated with Footwall rocks of the Sudbury Igneous Complex which both represent potential controls on mineralization.
No exploration work was completed in 2022 on the Post Creek Property. The claims have sufficient work credits to keep them in good standing until 2025.
Halcyon Property
The Halcyon property is located 35 kilometres northeast of Sudbury in the Parkin and Aylmer townships, and consists of 63 unpatented mining cells for a total of 864 hectares. Halcyon is adjacent to the Post Creek property and is approximately 2 kilometres north of the producing Podolsky Mine of FNX Mining. The property was acquired through an option agreement and as at the date of this MD&A, the Company holds a 100% interest in the Halcyon property and is obligated to pay advances on a net smelter return of $8,000 per annum, which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the net smelter return.
No exploration work was completed on the Halcyon Property in 2022. The claims are in good standing through 2025.
Quetico Property
The Quetico Property is located within the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario and consists of 99 claim cells in two blocks. Cells were acquired to assess: (a) the Quetico Sub-province corridor, which hosts intrusions with Ni-Cu-Co-PGM mineralization related to a late 2690 Ma Archean magmatic event; and (b) the Neoproterozoic (1100 Ma MCR) magmatic event and related intrusions.
No work was carried out on the Property in 2022. Of the 99 claims, 46 claims expired in April 2023, with the remaining in good standing until April 2024.
Just prior to the finalization of the RTO, the Canadian assets had a book value of $2,535,873. However, this amount has been completely written off as of August 3, 2022, which coincided with the closing date of the RTO. This decision was made due to the company’s shift in focus towards the development of the Botswana assets. Consequently, the allocation of management time and capital resources to the Canadian assets has been limited, both in the past and moving forward.. During the period from August 3 to December 31, 2022, the Company incurred an additional $21,739 in exploration and licence related expenditures for the Canadian properties and the expenditures were recorded as general exploration expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred $7,710 in acquisition and exploration related costs related to the Post Creek, Halcyon and Quetico properties. The costs were recorded as general exploration expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
High Atlas Project
The High Atlas Property includes four permits acquired in December 2021 and one permit acquired in February 2022. The property is located in the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Jurassic aged troctolitic and gabbroic intrusions occur at the margin of a significant trans-lithospheric structure over a strike length greater than 100 kilometres. The intrusions are host to three major nickel-copper occurrences and another ten minor occurrences. There is no modern geophysical coverage and no drilling on the property.
| 6 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
In October 2022, the Company and ONHYM decided not to pursue the joint venture discussions that initially set out the general framework of a joint venture for the exploration and consolidation of permits owned by ONHYM in the Imilchil region.
No exploration work was carried out in 2022.
The exploration and licence related expenditures for the project are recorded as property investigation expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. The Company has spent $nil on the project during the period from August 3 to December 31, 2022 and $3,318 during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Financial Capability
The Company is an exploration and re-development stage entity and has not yet achieved profitable operations. The business of the Company entails significant risks. The recoverability of amounts shown for mineral property costs is dependent upon several factors including environmental risk, legal and political risk, the establishment of economically recoverable mineral reserves, confirmation of the Company’s interests in the underlying mineral claims, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete exploration and development and the ability of the Company to attain sufficient net cash flow from future profitable production or disposition proceeds.
At the end of Q1 2023, the Company had a working capital deficiency of $6,085,204 (FY 2022 - $6,024,026 negative working capital) and reported accumulated deficit of $80,478,189 (FY 2022 - $78,092,605). At the end of Q1 2023, the Company required additional funds to continue its planned operations and meet its obligations.
As at March 31, 2023, the Company had $5,314,247 in available cash (March 31, 2022— $4,426,768). There are no sources of operating cash flows. Given the Company’s current financial position and the ongoing exploration and evaluation expenditures, the Company will need to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity or other available financing alternatives to continue funding its operating, exploration and evaluation activities, and eventual development of the mineral properties. Although the Company has been successful in its past fund-raising activities, there is no assurance as to the success of future fundraising efforts or as to the sufficiency of funds raised in the future.
On February 24, 2023, the Company announced it had closed its previously-announced “best efforts” brokered private placement offering under which 4,437,184 common shares of the Company were issued at a price of $1.75 per common share for gross proceeds of $7,765,072.
Selected Financial Information
The following amounts are derived from the Company’s unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements prepared under IFRS.
| In Canadian dollars, except per share amounts | March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Net profit (loss) | (2,385,584 | ) | (23,229,731 | ) | ||||
| Basic profit (loss) per share | (0.03 | ) | (0.30 | ) | ||||
| Dividends declared | - | - | ||||||
| Share capital | 98,134,854 | 19,849,780 | ||||||
| Common shares issued | 120,958,527 | 82,106,977 | ||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 118,246,915 | 78,398,422 | ||||||
| Total assets | 46,106,523 | 21,186,683 | ||||||
| Non-current financial liabilities | 2,005,653 | 28,838,409 | ||||||
| Investment in exploration and evaluation assets | 36,332,411 | 14,716,923 | ||||||
Overall Performance and Results of Operations
Net loss of $2,385,584 in Q1 2023 was lower by $20,844,147 compared to a loss of $23,229,731 in Q1 2022. The larger loss in Q1 2022 mainly resulted from an increase in fair value of the 15% warrant ($19,712,297) recorded in Q1 2022.
| 7 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Total Assets
Total assets during Q1 2023 increased by a net amount of $4,449,525 from the end of FY 2022. The change is mainly attributable to an increase in exploration and evaluation assets of $4,508,429 and an increase in cash of $151,256, offset by a decrease in property, plant and equipment of $109,642 and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other receivables of $100,518.
Investment in Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Investment in exploration and evaluation assets relates to the acquisition and evaluation of the Selebi Assets and the Selkirk Mine. As at March 31, 2023, the recorded amount of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets increased by $21,615,488 compared to $14,716,923 as at March 31, 2022. Principal factors contributing to this change were expenditures related to the acquisition and evaluation of the Selebi Assets and increased exploration activities on the Selebi Assets and the Selkirk Assets following the closing of the acquisitions and completion of the RTO.
Quarterly Results of Operations
| All amounts in table are expressed in thousands of CDN dollars, except shares and per share amounts | 2023 1st quarter | 2022 4th quarter | 2022 3rd quarter (restated) | 2022 2nd quarter | ||||||||||||
| Statement of Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (2,385 | ) | (2,875 | ) | (9,300 | ) | (983 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted | 0.03 | (0.02 | ) | (0.09 | ) | (0.04 | ) | |||||||||
| Statement of Financial Position | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash | 5,314 | 5,162 | 5,757 | 1,321 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | 46,107 | 41,657 | 35,367 | 41,859 | ||||||||||||
| Net assets | 31,327 | 27,188 | 29,038 | 40,210 | ||||||||||||
| Share capital | 98,166 | 91,176 | 89,667 | 93,970 | ||||||||||||
| Common shares issued | 120,958,527 | 116,521,343 | 115,442,343 | 26,774,006 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 118,246,915 | 115,968,168 | 105,842,672 | 26,774,006 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
| All amounts in table are expressed in thousands of CDN dollars, except shares and per share amounts | 2022 1st quarter | 2021 4th quarter | 2021 3rd quarter | 2021 2nd quarter | ||||||||||||
| Statement of Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (390 | ) | 2,214 | 236 | 421 | |||||||||||
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted | (0.01 | ) | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.02 | |||||||||||
| Statement of Financial Position | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash | 690 | 1,973 | 1,322 | 1,936 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | 41,970 | 41,683 | 41,298 | 41,486 | ||||||||||||
| Net assets | 41,193 | 41,203 | 40,676 | 40,876 | ||||||||||||
| Share capital | 93,970 | 93,451 | 91,607 | 91,827 | ||||||||||||
| Common shares issued | 26,774,006 | 26,240,925 | 24,969,866 | 24,889,866 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 26,647,885 | 25,653,156 | 24,914,214 | 23,945,386 | ||||||||||||
Note: Prior to the RTO, PNRC was a private company and no quarterly financial statements were prepared and published. The amounts in the above table from 2021 2nd quarter to 2022 2nd quarter are those of NAN, and are based on the information contained in the financial statements of NAN for the applicable periods, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the Company’s issuer profile.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022
The Company incurred a net loss of $2,385,584 in Q1 2023, lower by $20,844,147 compared to a net loss of $23,229,731 in Q1 2022. Net loss of $2,385,584 in Q1 2023 was lower by $20,844,147 compared to a loss of $23,229,731 in Q1 2022. The larger loss in Q1 2022 mainly resulted from an increase in fair value of the 15% warrant ($19,712,297) recorded in Q1 2022.
The following lower expenditures in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022 also contributed to the lower Q1 2023 loss:
| ● | Share-based payment relating to options issuance was $nil in Q1 2023 compared to $2,593,095 in Q1 2022. | |
| ● | Advisory and consultancy fees were $4,585 and were lower by $187,182 compared to $191,767 incurred in Q1 2022. Higher costs in Q1 2022 were due to increased activities in Botswana and Barbados upon the closing of the Selebi and Selkirk acquisitions in January and August 2022, respectively. | |
| ● | Due diligence related expenditures totalled $nil in Q1 2023 compared to costs of $4,797 in Q1 2022. | |
| The lower loss in Q1 2023 was partially offset by the following higher expenditures in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022: | ||
| ● | Corporate and administrative expenses of $1,050,753 were higher by $832,600 compared to $218,153 in Q1 2022. Increased operating activities related to Botswana and corporate activities relating to financing were the key contributing factors to higher costs in Q1 2023. | |
| ● | Management fees were $802,074 in Q1 2023 and were higher by $303,100 compared to $498,974 in Q1 2022. This increase is a direct result of operational activities in Botswana following the purchase of the Selebi Assets and the Selkirk Mine, an increase in the fees payable to management as well as costs related to the management of the Company’s subsidiaries in Barbados. | |
| ● | Interest costs were $200,834 in Q1 2023 compared to $nil in Q1 2022. The interest costs related to the A&R Promissory Note as well as the interest charged on the lease liability associated with the acquisition of the Syringa Lodge. | |
| ● | Bank charges net of interest earned on bank deposits was $49,939 in Q1 2023 and was higher by $48,476 compared to $1,463 in Q1 2022. | |
| 9 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
| ● | Depreciation expense was $45,762 during Q1 2023 compared to $nil in Q1 2022. | |
| ● | General exploration expenditures were $43,939 during Q1 2023 compared to $nil in Q1 2022 and related to exploration expenditures on the Greenland, Canada and Morocco assets. | |
| ● | Foreign exchange loss totaled $30,416 during Q1 2023 and was higher by $21,231 compared to a loss of $9,185 in Q1 2022. The loss in Q1 2023 was due to the increased volume in transactions denominated in foreign currencies and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. |
Financing
On February 24, 2023, the Company closed its previously-announced “best efforts” brokered private placement offering under which 4,437,184 common shares of the Company were issued at a price of $1.75 per common share for gross proceeds of $7,765,072.00 through a syndicate of agents. In connection with the offering, the Company: (a) paid to the agents a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds (other than on certain president’s list purchasers on which a cash commission of 3% was paid); and (b) issued to the agents that number of non-transferable broker warrants of the Company as is equal to 6% of the number of common shares sold under the offering (other than on common shares issued to president’s list purchasers on which broker warrants equal to 3% were issued). Each broker warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $1.75 per common share until February 24, 2025. A total of 221,448 broker warrants were issued to the agents under the private placement.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern
Liquidity
The Company has financed its operations to date primarily through the issuance of common shares. The Company continues to seek capital through various means including the issuance of equity, royalty/streaming transactions and the securing of joint venture partners where appropriate.
The Company’s principal requirements for cash over the next twelve months will be to fund the ongoing work program at the Selebi Mine (as more particularly described in the Selebi Technical Report and Appendix “C” – Information Concerning PNR in the Form 3D2, Information Required in a Filing Statement for a Reverse Takeover or Change of Business (the “Filing Statement”) prepared in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, a copy of which is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Premium Nickel Resources’ issuer profile), general corporate and administrative costs and to service the Company’s current trade and other payables.
As at March 31, 2023, the Company had $5,314,247 in available cash. On February 24, 2023, the Company closed its previously-announced “best efforts” brokered private placement offering under which 4,437,184 common shares of the Company were issued at a price of $1.75 per common share for gross proceeds of $7,765,072. The proceeds from the offering were deployed as contemplated with no material variances.
Working Capital
As at March 31, 2023, the Company had a negative working capital of $6,085,204 (December 31, 2022 – $6,024,026), calculated as total current assets less total current liabilities. The decrease in working capital is mainly due to increase in cash and other current assets, offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and promissory note payable.
Going Concern
As at March 31, 2023, the Company had accumulated losses totaling $80,478,189. The continuation of the Company is dependent upon the continued financial support of shareholders, its ability to raise capital through the issuance of its securities, and/or obtaining long-term financing.
When managing capital, the Company’s objective is to ensure that the Company continues as a going concern as well as to maintain optimal returns to shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. Management adjusts the capital structure as necessary in order to support the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties.
| 10 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
The properties in which the Company currently has an interest are in the exploration and evaluation stage. As such, the Company is dependent on external financing to fund its activities. In order to carry out the planned exploration and pay for administrative costs, the Company will spend its existing working capital and raise additional amounts as needed. Although the Company has been successful in its past fund-raising activities, there is no assurance as to the success of future fundraising efforts or as to the sufficiency of funds raised in the future.
The Company will continue to assess new properties and seek to acquire an interest in additional properties if it believes there is sufficient geologic or economic potential and if it has adequate financial resources to do so.
Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
Selebi Assets
As per the Selebi asset purchase agreement (the “Selebi APA”), the aggregate purchase price payable to the seller for the Selebi Assets is the sum of US$56,750,000 which amount shall be paid in three instalments:
| ● | US$1,750,000 payable on the closing date. This payment has been made. |
| ● | US$25,000,000 upon the earlier of: (a) approval by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (“MMRGTES”) of the Company’s Section 42 and Section 43 applications (further extension of the mining licence and conversion of the mining licence into an operating licence respectively); and (b) on the expiry date of the study phase, January 31, 2025, which can be extended for one year. |
| ● | The third instalment of $30,000,000 is payable on the completion of mine construction and production start-up by the Company on or before January 31, 2030, but not later than four years after the approval by the Minister of MMRGTES of the Company’s Section 42 and Section 43 applications. |
| ● | Payment of care and maintenance funding contribution in respect of the Selebi Assets for a total of US$5,178,747 from March 22, 2021 to the closing date. This payment has been made. |
As per the term and conditions of the Selebi APA, the Company has the option to cancel the second and third payments and give back the Selebi Assets to the liquidator in the event where the exploration program determines that the Selebi Assets are not economical. The Company also has an option to pay in advance the second and third payments in the event where the exploration program determines that the Selebi Assets are economical. The Company’s accounting policy, as permitted by IAS 16 – Property, Plant and Equipment, is to measure and record contingent consideration when the conditions associated with the contingency are met. As of March 31, 2023, none of the conditions of the second and third instalment are met. Hence, these amounts are not accrued in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
In addition to the Selebi APA, the purchase of the Selebi Assets is also subject to a contingent compensation agreement as well as a royalty agreement with the liquidator.
Selkirk Assets
In regard to the Selkirk assets (the Selkirk Mine and related infrastructures), the purchase agreement does not provide for a purchase price or initial payment for the purchase of the assets. The Selkirk purchase agreement provides that if the Company elects to develop Selkirk first, the payment of the second Selebi instalment of US$25 million would be upon the approval by the Minister of MMRGTES of the Company’s Section 42 and Section 43 applications (further extension of the Selkirk mining licence (years) and conversion of the Selkirk mining licence into an operating licence respectively). For the third Selebi instalment of US$30 million, if Selkirk were commissioned earlier than Selebi, the payment would trigger on Selkirk’s commission date.
Right-of-Use Assets
On July 9, 2022, the Company executed a sales agreement with Tuli Tourism Pty Ltd. (“Tuli”) for the Syringa Lodge (the “Lodge”) in Botswana and obtained possession of the property in August 2022. Pursuant to the sales agreement, the aggregate purchase price payable to the Seller is $3,213,404. A deposit of $482,011 was paid on August 17, 2022. The balance is payable into two instalments of $1,365,697 on August 1, 2023 and August 1, 2024. In addition to the above purchase price, the Company will pay to Tuli agreed interest in twelve equal monthly instalments of $13,657 each, followed by twelve equal monthly instalments of $6,828.
| 11 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Post Creek
Commencing August 1, 2015, the Company is obligated to pay advances on a net smelter return of $10,000 per annum. During FY 2022, the Company paid $10,000 which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the net smelter return.
Halcyon
Commencing August 1, 2015, the Company is obligated to pay advances on a net smelter return of $8,000 per annum. During FY 2022, the Company paid $8,000 which will be deducted from any payments to be made under the net smelter return.
Related Party Transactions
Related party transactions are summarized below and include transactions with the following individuals or entities:
Key management personnel
Key management personnel are defined as members of the Board of Directors and senior officers.
Key management compensation was as related to the following:
| March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Management fees | 802,074 | 498,974 | ||||||
| Corporate and administration expenses | 59,182 | 45,731 | ||||||
| 861,256 | 544,705 | |||||||
As of March 31, 2022, ThreeD Capital Inc. beneficially owned 6,644,950 shares (December 31, 2022 - 8,662,347 shares) in both cases on a post-RTO and post-consolidation basis, constituting approximately 5.49% (December 31, 2022– 7.5%) of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company.
Contingent Liabilities
There are no environmental liabilities associated with the Selebi Assets and the Selkirk Assets as at the acquisition dates as all liabilities prior to the acquisitions are the responsibility of the sellers, BCL and TNMC, respectively. The Company has an obligation for the rehabilitation costs arising subsequent to the acquisitions. As of March 31, 2022, management is not aware of or anticipating any contingent liabilities that could impact the financial position or performance of the Company related to its exploration and evaluation assets.
The Company’s exploration and evaluation assets are affected by the laws and environmental regulations that exist in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. It is not possible to estimate the future contingent liabilities and the impact on the Company’s operating results due to future changes in the Company’s development of its projects or future changes in such laws and environmental regulations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements as at March 31, 2023.
Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management
The Company thoroughly examines the various financial instrument risks to which it is exposed and assesses the impact and likelihood of those risks. These risks may include interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and currency risk. The carrying value of cash, trade payables and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the A&R Promissory Note, vehicle financing and lease liability are equal to their carrying values as all these amounts carry a fix interest rate. The fair value of the deferred share units is the closing price of the Company’s common shares at the end of each reporting period. Fair value measurements of financial instruments are required to be classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of inputs in making the measurements. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
| 12 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.
On March 31, 2023, the fair value of cash and the deferred share units are based on Level 1 measurements.
All amounts in this table are expressed in thousands of CDN dollars | Fair Value at March 31, 2023 | Basis of Measurement | Associated Risks | |||||
| Cash | 5,314,247 | FVTPL | Credit | |||||
| Trade payables and accrued liabilities | 4,229,671 | Amortized cost | Liquidity | |||||
| Lease liability | 2,668,646 | Amortized cost | Liquidity | |||||
| Promissory note | 6,940,294 | Amortized cost | Liquidity | |||||
| Vehicle financing | 151,600 | Amortized cost | Liquidity | |||||
| Deferred share unit liability | 455,292 | FVTPL | Liquidity | |||||
The Company’s accounting policies regarding financial instrument classification, measurement, impairment and derecognition are described in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements (see Note 2).
Risk and Uncertainties
The business of the Company entails significant risks that may have a material and adverse impact on the future operations and financial performance of the Company and the value of the common shares of the Company. Although the Company has been successful in its past fund-raising activities, there is no assurance as to the success of future fundraising efforts or as to the sufficiency of funds raised in the future.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, have adversely affected workforces, economies and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. It is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on the Company’s business or results of operations at this time.
Readers are encouraged to read and consider the risk factors which are more specifically described, inter alia, in: (a) this MD&A (see “Risk and Uncertainties”); (b) the Filing Statement (see “Risk Factors”); (c) the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements (see Note 13 – Risk Management); and (d) the Annual Financial Statements (see Note 14 – Risk Management). Such risk factors could materially affect the future operating results of the Company and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements relating to the Company.
| 13 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Share Capital Information
As of the date of this MD&A, the fully-diluted share capital of the Company, including common shares issuable upon exercise of securities of the Company exercisable for common shares, is as follows:
| Securities | Common shares | |
| Common shares | 120,958,527 | |
| Preferred shares (1) | 13,131 | |
| Deferred shares | 322,901 | |
| Warrants | 1,510,399 | |
| Stock options | 10,407,044 | |
| Fully diluted share capital | 133,212,002 |
(1): The 118,186 outstanding preferred shares are convertible into common shares at a 9:1 ratio.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management has established processes to provide management with sufficient knowledge to support representations that management has exercised reasonable diligence that: (a) the consolidated financial statements do not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it is made, as of the date of and for the periods presented by the consolidated financial statements; and (b) the consolidated financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, as of the date of and for the periods presented.
Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this MD&A that are not historical facts are forward-looking information (within the meaning of the Canadian securities legislation) that involve risks and uncertainties. In this MD&A, forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the RTO, ongoing payments and covenants with respect to the Selebi acquisition and the Selkirk acquisition, the Company’s anticipated plans and work program at the Selebi Mine, establishment and estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future capital expenditures, success of exploration activities, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking information are described, inter alia, in (a) this MD&A (see “Risk and Uncertainties”), (b) the Filing Statement (see “Risk Factors”), (c) the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements (see Note 12 – Risk Management), and (d) the Annual Financial Statements (see Note 13 – Risk Management). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this MD&A speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
| 14 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Historical Estimate
The historical SAMREC compliant resource (the “Historic SAMREC Resource”) that was calculated for the Selebi Mine in 2016 is considered to be historical in nature and should not be relied upon as a current mineral resource estimate. While management believes that the Historic SAMREC Resource could be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Selebi deposit, a qualified person has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical mineral estimate as a current mineral resource estimate and the Company is not treating the historical mineral estimates as current mineral resource estimate.
Selebi Technical Report
The Scientific and technical information in this MD&A relating to the Selebi Mine is supported by the technical report titled “Technical Report on the Selebi Mines, Central District, Republic of Botswana, Report for NI 43-101”, dated June 16, 2022 (with an effective date of March 1, 2022) (the “Technical Report”), and prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. for the Company, in accordance with NI 43-101. Reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, including the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained therein, as well as the data verification relating to the historic data compilation presented in this MD&A, and is available electronically on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Premium Nickel Resources’ issuer profile.
Selkirk Technical Report
The Scientific and technical information in this MD&A relating to the Selkirk Mine is supported by the technical report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report - Selkirk Nickel Project - North East District, Republic of Botswana”, dated April 12, 2023 (the “Technical Report”), and prepared by G-Mining Services Ltd. for the Company, in accordance with NI 43-101. Reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, including the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained therein, as well as the data verification relating to the historic data compilation presented in this MD&A, and is available electronically on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Premium Nickel Resources’ issuer profile.
Qualified Person and Technical Information
The scientific and technical information in this MD&A has been reviewed and approved by Sharon Taylor, Chief Geophysicist of the Company, who is a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.
The drilling was completed by Mitchell Drilling of Botswana utilizing a Sandvik UDR1500 and a Boart Longyear LF-160 diamond drill rig. Drill core samples (47.75mm NQ) are cut in half by a diamond saw on site. Half of the core is retained for reference purposes. Samples are generally 1.0 to 1.5 metre intervals or less at the discretion of the site geologists. Sample preparation and lab analysis was completed at the ALS Chemex in Johannesburg, South Africa. Commercially prepared blank samples and certified Cu/Ni sulphide analytical control standards with a range of grades are inserted in every batch of 20 samples or a minimum of one set per sample batch. Analyses for Ni, Cu, Co and S are completed using a peroxide fusion preparation and ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP81). Ag analyses are completed using a four acid digestion with ICP-AES Finish (ME-ICP61).
Lengths of assays are reported as down hole intervals. True thickness can be calculated assuming a dip/dip direction of 43°/206°.
The scientific and technical information in this MD&A relating to the assets of the Company in Greenland and Canada has been prepared by or under the supervision of Peter C. Lightfoot, Ph.D., P. Geo., the Consulting Chief Geologist of the Company, who is a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101. Dr. Lightfoot has reviewed and approved the disclosure in this MD&A relating to the assets of the Company in Greenland and Canada.
For further information relating to the Maniitsoq Project in southwest Greenland, please see the technical report titled Updated Independent Technical Report for the Maniitsoq Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGM Project, Greenland” dated March 17, 2017 (with an effective date of March 17, 2017) prepared for the Company by SRK Consulting (US) Inc., which is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Premium Nickel Resources’ issuer profile.
| 15 | PNRL / Q1 2023 |
Exhibit 99.3
Form 52-109FV2
Certification of Interim Filings
Venture Issuer Basic Certificate
I, Keith Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. certify the following:
| 1. | Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended March 31, 2023. |
| 2. | No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings. |
| 3. | Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings. |
| Date: May 26, 2023 | |
 |
|
| Keith Morrison | |
| Chief Executive Officer |
NOTE TO READER
In contrast to the certificate required for non-venture issuers under National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (NI 52-109), this Venture Issuer Basic Certificate does not include representations relating to the establishment and maintenance of disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as defined in NI 52-109. In particular, the certifying officers filing this certificate are not making any representations relating to the establishment and maintenance of
| i) | controls and other procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and |
| ii) | a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP. |
The issuer’s certifying officers are responsible for ensuring that processes are in place to provide them with sufficient knowledge to support the representations they are making in this certificate. Investors should be aware that inherent limitations on the ability of certifying officers of a venture issuer to design and implement on a cost effective basis DC&P and ICFR as defined in NI 52-109 may result in additional risks to the quality, reliability, transparency and timeliness of interim and annual filings and other reports provided under securities legislation.
| 1 |
Exhibit 99.4
Form 52-109FV2
Certification of Interim Filings
Venture Issuer Basic Certificate
I, Sarah-Wenjia Zhu, Chief Financial Officer of Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. certify the following:
| 1. | Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended March 31, 2023. |
| 2. | No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings. |
| 3. | Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings. |
| Date: May 26, 2023 | |
 |
|
Sarah-Wenjia Zhu Chief Financial Officer |
NOTE TO READER
In contrast to the certificate required for non-venture issuers under National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (NI 52-109), this Venture Issuer Basic Certificate does not include representations relating to the establishment and maintenance of disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as defined in NI 52-109. In particular, the certifying officers filing this certificate are not making any representations relating to the establishment and maintenance of
| i) | controls and other procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and |
| ii) | a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP. |
The issuer’s certifying officers are responsible for ensuring that processes are in place to provide them with sufficient knowledge to support the representations they are making in this certificate. Investors should be aware that inherent limitations on the ability of certifying officers of a venture issuer to design and implement on a cost effective basis DC&P and ICFR as defined in NI 52-109 may result in additional risks to the quality, reliability, transparency and timeliness of interim and annual filings and other reports provided under securities legislation.
| 1 |