Thunder Mountain Gold Inc 10-Q for FY2021 Q3
Thunder Mountain Gold Inc (THMG)
About this 10-Q
Thunder Mountain Gold Inc filed this 10-Q on November 15, 2021, covering the quarter ended September 30, 2021 (FY2021 Q3).
Headline figures
Quarter ended September 30, 2021, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $325K
- unchanged from $325K a year earlier
- Net loss
- $654.86K
- compared with net income of $1.04M a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number:
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
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(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is ¨ a large accelerated filer, ¨ an accelerated file, x a
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Number of shares of issuer’s common stock outstanding at October 21, 2021:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION3
Item 1 – Financial Statements3
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation17
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk34
Item 4. Controls and Procedures34
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.35
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.35
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures35
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 – Financial Statements
Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 | ||||
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| December 31, 2020 | |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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Total current assets |
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Property and Equipment: |
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Land |
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Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $ |
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Total property and equipment |
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Right to use asset |
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Investment in BeMetals, at fair value ( |
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Total assets |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities |
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Accrued related party liability ( |
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Related parties notes payable ( |
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Accrued interest payable to related parties ( |
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Operating lease liability – current ( |
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Advance from BeMetals ( |
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Deferred officer compensation ( |
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Total current liabilities |
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Accrued reclamation costs |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and Contingencies ( |
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Stockholders' equity: |
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Preferred stock; $ |
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Common stock; $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Less: |
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Accumulated deficit |
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Total Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc stockholders' equity |
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Noncontrolling interest in Owyhee Gold Trust ( |
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Total stockholders' equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
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| Three Months Ended |
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Revenues: |
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Gain on mineral interest | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||
Management service income |
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Total revenues |
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Operating expenses: |
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Exploration |
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Legal and accounting |
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Management and administrative |
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Depreciation |
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Total operating expenses |
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest expense, related parties |
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Unrealized gain (loss) on investment |
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Gain on sale of investment |
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Other income |
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Total other income (expense) |
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Net income (loss) |
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Net Income (loss) – noncontrolling interest in Owyhee Gold Trust |
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Net income (loss) – Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. | $ | ( | $ |
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Net income (loss) per common share-basic and diluted | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding- diluted |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) | |||||
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income (loss) | $ | ( | $ |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: |
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Depreciation |
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Stock based compensation |
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Gain on mineral interest |
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Unrealized (gain) loss on investment |
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Gain on sale of investment |
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Change in: |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities |
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Accrued liability payable to related parties |
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Accrued interest payable to related parties |
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Advance from BeMetals |
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Net cash used by operating activities |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Proceeds from sale of investment |
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Proceeds from mineral interest |
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Net cash provided by investing activities |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from Exercise of Options |
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Proceeds from SBA PPP Loan |
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Payments on related parties notes payable |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
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Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
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Noncash financing activities |
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Shares issued for settlement of option exercise with accrued interest and wages | $ | $ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) For three-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 | ||||||||
| Common Stock Shares |
| Common Stock Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Deficit | Non-Controlling Interest in OGT | Total |
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Balances at July 1, 2020 |
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Net income(loss) |
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Balances at September 30, 2020 |
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Balances at July 1, 2021 |
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Stock Options exercised |
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Net income(loss) |
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Balances at September 30, 2021 |
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For nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020
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Balances at January 1, 2020 |
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Stock based compensation |
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Net income(loss) |
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Balances at September 30, 2020 |
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Balances at January 1, 2021 |
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Stock Options exercised |
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Net income(loss) |
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Balances at September 30, 2021 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Business Operations
Business Operations
Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. (“Thunder Mountain”, “THMG”, or “the Company”) was originally incorporated under the laws of the State of Idaho on
On February 27, 2019, the Company entered into an Option Agreement, (the “BeMetals Option Agreement”) with BeMetals Corporation. Under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of South Mountain Mines, Inc. (“SMMI”) from Thunder Mountain Resources, Inc. (“TMRI”), both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The original term of the agreement was for two years, but was extended on May 18, 2020 by three months. On September 14, 2021, the BeMetals Option Agreement was amended, extending the option period to December 31, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and business conditions surrounding restricted international travel, and corresponding access to capital markets. During this term, BeMetals is required to conduct a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA"), completed by a mutually agreed third-party engineering firm. Over its term, this agreement requires issuance of 10,000,000 million shares of BMET stock to the Company by BeMetals, and cash payments to the Company of $1,350,000: $1,100,000 in cash and $250,000 in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. In the event that BeMetals decides not to proceed with the South Mountain Project, BeMetals will not be obligated to make any additional payments. See Note 3 for further information.
Basis of Presentation and Going Concern
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the management of the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim consolidated financial statements have been included.
Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of the Company's financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that the actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material effect on the reported amounts of the Company's financial position and results of operations. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern.
COVID-19
In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its rapid spread around the world and throughout the United States prompted
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many countries, including the United States, to institute restrictions on travel, public gatherings and certain business operations. These restrictions disrupted economic activity in Thunder Mountain Gold’s business related to raising capital. As of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the disruption did not materially impact the Company’ financial statements. However, if the severity of the economic disruptions increase as the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the negative financial impact could be significantly greater in future periods.
The effects of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 and related government responses could also include extended disruptions to supply chains and capital markets, reduced labor availability and a prolonged reduction in economic activity. These effects could have a variety of adverse impacts to the Company. As of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, there were no material adverse impacts to the Company’ operations due to COVID-19.
In addition, the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 could also adversely impact the impairment risks for certain long-lived assets, and equity method investments. Thunder Mountain Gold evaluated these impairment considerations and determined that no such impairments occurred as of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020.
The effects of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 and related government responses could have disruptions to the “BeMetals Option Agreement”. In the event, if BeMetals decides not to proceed with the South Mountain Project, BeMetals will not be obligated to make any additional payments. The COVID-19 outbreak could have a variety of adverse impacts to the Company, including their ability to continue operations of their exploration under the BeMetals Operation Agreement. As of September 30, 2021, there were no material adverse impacts to the Company’s BeMetal Options Agreement due to COVID-19.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company; its wholly owned subsidiaries, Thunder Mountain Resources, Inc. (“TMRI”) and South Mountain Mines, Inc. (“SMMI”); and a company in which the Company owns 75% and has majority control, Owyhee Gold Trust, LLC (“OGT”). The Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the other investor’s 25% non-controlling, capped interest in OGT. Intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of properties and mineral interests, environmental remediation liabilities, deferred tax assets, and stock-based compensation. Management’s estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Management service revenue is recognized when the Company has satisfied its performance obligation required under its management contract. Such obligation is satisfied over time as work is performed and the Company has a contractual right to payment.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred income tax liabilities or assets at the end of each period using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. A valuation allowance is recognized on deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
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Cash and Cash Equivalents
For the purposes of the balance sheet and statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be a cash equivalent.
Fair Value Measurements
When required to measure assets or liabilities at fair value, the Company uses a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used. The Company determines the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall. The categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Level 1 uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, Level 2 uses significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 uses significant unobservable inputs. The amount of the total gains or losses for the period are included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date. At September 30, 2021, the Company has one financial asset, investment in equity security, that is adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis for which the fair value is determined based on Level 1 inputs as the equity security is traded on a stock exchange. The Company has no financial liabilities that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis.
Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment in BeMetal’s equity security and related party notes payable, the carrying value of which approximates fair value based on the nature of those instruments.
Investments
The Company determines the appropriate classification of investments at the time of acquisition and re-evaluates such determinations at each reporting date. Equity securities that have a readily determined fair value are carried at fair value determined using Level 1 fair value measurement inputs with the change in fair value recognized as unrealized gain (loss) in the consolidated statement of operations each reporting period. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recognized on a specific identification basis.
Mineral Interests
The Company capitalizes costs for acquiring mineral interests, and expenses costs to maintain mineral rights and leases as incurred. Exploration costs are expensed in the period in which they occur. Should a property reach the production stage, these capitalized costs would be amortized using the units-of-production method based on periodic estimates of ore reserves. Mineral interests are periodically assessed for impairment of value and any subsequent losses are charged to operations at the time of impairment.
If a mineral interest is abandoned or sold, its capitalized costs are charged to operations. Consideration received by the Company pursuant to joint ventures or purchase option agreements is applied against the carrying value of the related mineral interest. When and if payments received exceed the carrying value, the excess amount is recognized as a gain in the consolidated statement of operations in the period the consideration is received.
Leases
Arrangements meeting the definition of a lease are classified as operating or financing leases and are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as both a right-of-use asset and lease liability, calculated by discounting fixed lease payments over the lease term at the rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease liabilities are increased by interest and reduced by payments each period, and the right-of-use asset is amortized over the lease term. For operating leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the right-of-use asset result in straight-line rent expense over the lease term. For finance leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the right-of-use asset results in front-loaded expense over the lease term. Variable lease expenses are recorded when incurred.
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Investments in Joint Ventures
For companies and joint ventures where the Company holds more than 50% of the voting interests, but less than 100%, and has significant influence, the company or joint venture is consolidated, and other investor interests are presented as noncontrolling. See Note 3 regarding the Company’s investment in Owyhee Gold Trust. Joint Ventures in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Reclamation and Remediation
The Company’s operations have been, and are subject to, standards for mine reclamation that have been established by various governmental agencies. The Company would record the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which the Company incurred a legal obligation for the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. A corresponding asset would also be recorded and depreciated over the life of the asset.
For non-operating properties, the Company accrues costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when it is probable that such costs will be incurred, and they are reasonably estimable. Such costs are based on management’s estimate of amounts expected to be incurred when the remediation work is performed. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had accrued $65,000 on its consolidated balance sheets relating to estimated mine closure and reclamation costs on its South Mountain Mines property.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock options, are measured at fair value and expensed in the consolidated statement of operations over the vesting period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Updates Adopted
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The update contains a number of provisions intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes. Adoption of this update on January 1, 2021 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Clarifying the Interactions Between Topic 321, Topic 323 and Topic 815. ASU 2020-01 which makes improvements related to accounting for certain equity securities when the equity method of accounting is applied or discontinued, and scope considerations related to forward contracts and purchased options on certain securities. ASU 2020-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Adoption of this update on January 1, 2021, had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company is required to have dual presentation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS. The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. We do not include the impact of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents in our basic earnings (loss) per share calculations. Diluted earnings per share reflect potentially dilutive common stock equivalents, including options and warrants that could share in our earnings through the conversion of common shares, except where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, stock options of
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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, dilutive common stock equivalents of
2. Mineral Interest Commitments
The Company has two lease arrangements with landowners that own land parcels adjacent to the Company’s South Mountain patented and unpatented mining claims. The leases were originally for a seven-year period, with annual payments of $20 per acre. The leases were renewed for an additional 10 years at $30 per acre paid annually; committed payments are listed in the table below. The leases have no work requirements.
Annual Payment | |
Acree Lease (June) | $ |
Lowry Lease (October) | |
Total | $ |
The Company has 26 unpatented claims (533 acres) in the Trout Creek area and 21 unpatented claims in the South Mountain area. For the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company made the decision not to maintain 52 unpatented mining claims (1,067 acres) in the Trout Creek area.
The claim fees are paid on these unpatented claims annually as follows:
Target Area | 2021 |
Trout Creek -State of Nevada | $ |
Trout Creek -Lander County, Nevada | |
South Mountain-State of Idaho | |
Total | $ |
3.South Mountain Project
BeMetals Option Agreement:
On February 27, 2019, the Company entered into an Option Agreement, (the “BeMetals Option Agreement”) with BeMetals Corp., a British Columbia corporation (“BeMetals”), and BeMetals USA Corp., a Delaware corporation (“BMET USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of BeMetals. Under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SMMI from TMRI, both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. SMMI is the Company’s subsidiary that holds the Company’s investment in the South Mountain project mineral interest. The original term of the agreement is for two years with BeMetals completing a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") completed by a mutually agreed third-party engineering firm. On May 18, 2020, the Company extended the BMET Option Agreement by three months from the existing BeMetals Option Agreement date, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and business conditions surrounding restricted international travel, and corresponding access to capital markets.
On September 14, 2021, the BeMetals Option Agreement was amended, effecting Tranche 6 with the addition of Tranche 7 and 8. The option period has been extended to December 31, 2022, unless agreed to be extended by all Parties.
Pursuant to the amended BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the outstanding shares of SMMI from TMRI if the following obligations are satisfied:
·Tranche 1: cash payment of $100,000 to TMRI within 1 business day of delivery of voting support agreements from shareholders of THMG who hold or control shares carrying more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding THMG Shares. Payment was received on March 5, 2019 and is nonrefundable.
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·Tranche 2: Tranche 2 conditions were completed on June 10, 2019, with the issuance of 10 million common shares of BMET USA to TMRI having a fair value of $1,883,875; and BMET USA’s purchase of 2.5 million shares of THMG common stock at a price of $0.10 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $250,000, on a private placement basis (received June 2019).
·Tranche 3: Cash payment of $250,000 on or before the 6-month anniversary of the Tranche 2. Payment was received on December 10, 2019.
·Tranche 4: Cash payment of $250,000 on or before the 15-month anniversary of the Tranche 2, was received on September 10, 2020, and was recognized as a gain on sale of mineral interest during the year ended December 31, 2020.
·Tranche 5: Cash payment of $250,000 on or before the 21-month anniversary of the Tranche 2, was received on March 5, 2021, and recognized as a gain on sale of mineral interest for the period ended March 31, 2021.
·Tranche 6: Cash payment of $250,000 on or before September 30, 2021, which was received on September 10, 2021, and fulfilled the cash option payment requirement per the original agreement.
·Tranche 7: Commencing from September 10, 2021, BeMetals shall fund and complete a surface drilling exploration program with a minimum of 7,000 feet. Including but not limited to corresponding sampling and analysis.
·Tranche 8: Upon BeMetal’s intention to exercise their option, and completion of Tranches 1 through 7. An additional payment of an amount equal to the lesser of 50% of the market capitalization of BeMetals at the time, and the greater of either $10 million; or 20% the net present value of the South Mountain Project as calculated in the PEA, and discounted at 8%. Less the sum of:
·US$850,000 being the total cash payments made by BMET USA.
·The Tranche 2 Shares Value $1,883,875.
·The aggregate value of the South Mountain Project Liabilities, excluding reclamation and environmental liabilities.
BeMetals Management Service Income
Concurrent with the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA and SMMI entered a management contract whereby BeMetals will pay $25,000 monthly to SMMI for management services to enable BMET to perform exploration and development work with respect to the South Mountain Project. Management service income of $
Advance from BeMetals
BeMetals provides funding to SMMI for ongoing project expenses, including office lease payments. Under the terms of the Option Agreement, SMMI’s management provides BeMetals a request for funds monthly to cover the upcoming month’s expenses. On September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, advances received from BeMetals that have not yet been spent totaled $
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SMMI Joint Venture – OGT, LLC
The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary SMMI is the sole manager of the South Mountain Project in its entirety through a separate Mining Lease with Option to Purchase (“Lease Option”) with the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary OGT. The Lease Option includes a capped $5 million less net returns royalties paid through the date of exercise. The Lease Option expires in November 2026. If SMMI exercises the option, the option payment of $5 million less advance royalties will be distributed 100% by OGT to OGT’s minority member. Under the Lease Option, SMMI pays an advance $5,000 net returns royalty to OGT annually on November 4 which is distributed to OGT’s minority member.
4. Investment in Equity Security
In June 2019 in connection with the BeMetals Option Agreement (see Note 3), the Company received
On May 4, 2021, the Company sold
At September 30, 2021, the fair value of the remaining shares is $
5. Property and Equipment
The Company’s property and equipment are as follows:
| September 30, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 | |
Vehicles | $ |
| ||
Buildings |
|
| ||
Construction Equipment |
|
| ||
Mining Equipment |
|
| ||
|
| |||
Accumulated Depreciation |
| ( |
| ( |
|
| 2,722 |
| 4,954 |
Land |
|
| ||
Total Property and Equipment | $ |
|
6. PPP Loan
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (the “CARES Act”) Act was signed into United States law.
In April 2020, the Company received a loan of $
13
in the CARES Act. Qualifying expenses include payroll costs, costs used to continue group health care benefits, mortgage payments, rent, and utilities. The Company elected to take 24 weeks to spend these funds instead of eight weeks. The Company used the entire loan amount for qualifying expenses.
On October 21, 2020, the Company completed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application with Washington Trust Bank. On November 7, 2020, the Company received a notice that the PPP loan was forgiven. Accordingly, the Company recorded PPP loan forgiveness in other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.
7. Related Parties
Notes Payable
At September 30, 2021 the Company had a notes payable balance of $
James Collord, the Company’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer was paid $
For the three months ended September 30, 2021, Mr. Collord exercised stock options, using $8,163 of accrued interest plus $2,500 in deferred wages, net of $663 in related taxes, to cover the option exercise price of $
Deferred Officer Compensation
Three of the Company’s officers began deferring compensation for services on April 1, 2015. On July 31, 2018, the Company stopped expensing and deferring compensation for the three Company officers in the interest of marketing the SMMI project. As part of the BeMetals agreement (Note 3), the Company resumed compensation for these officers on May 15, 2019. The officers deferred compensation balances at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 represent the balances deferred prior to the BeMetals agreement and are as follows: Eric Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer - $
Accrued Related Party Liability
The Company engaged Baird Hanson LLP (“Baird”), a company owned by one of the Company’s directors, to provide legal services. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balance due to Baird for prior years’ legal services was $
8. Stockholders’ Equity
The Company’s common stock has a par value of $
On July 19, 2021, the Company issued
14
9.Stock Options
The Company has a Stock Incentive Plan (the “SIP”) that provides for the grant of stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, and incentive awards to eligible individuals including directors, executive officers and advisors that have furnished bona fide services to the Company not related to the sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction.
On July 19, 2021, management and Board members exercised stock options for
The Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Jones, exercised stock options representing 200,000 shares of common stock for total consideration of $20,000. This payment was noncash representing $7,146 from the accounts payable and $12,854 net of accrued wages. James Collord, the Company’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer exercised stock options in the amount of $10,000 representing 100,000 shares of common stock Mr. Collord exercised stock options, using $8,163 of accrued interest plus $2,500 in accrued wages, net of $663 in related taxes, to cover the option exercise price of $10,000. Additionally, Larry Thackery, Company’s CFO, exercised stock options for 160,000 shares of common stock for $16,000 with $10,535 in cash, and $5,917 in accrued wages, net of $453 in related taxes.
Board Members, Ralph Noyes, and Doug Glaspey exercised stock options of 150,000 and 100,000 shares of common stock, respectively. This transaction was a cash transaction of $15,000 for Ralph Noyes, and $10,000 for Doug Glaspey for a total of $25,000 in cash.
On March 30, 2020, the Company granted 1,630,000 stock options to officers and directors of the Company. The fair value of the options was determined to be $152,580 using the Black Scholes model. The options are exercisable on or before March 29, 2025 and have an exercise price of $0.099. The options were fully vested upon grant and the entire fair value was recognized as compensation expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of the grant using the assumptions noted in the following table:
| March 30, 2020 |
Stock price | $ |
Exercise price | $ |
Expected volatility | |
Expected dividends | - |
Expected terms (in years) | |
Risk-free rate |
No stock options were granted, and
15
The following is a summary of the Company’s options issued and outstanding under the SIP:
| Shares |
| Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2019 | |
| |
Granted | |
| |
Expired | ( |
| ( |
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2020 | |
| $ |
Exercised | ( |
| - |
Expired | ( |
| - |
Outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2021 |
| $ |
The average remaining contractual term of the options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2021 was
10.Leases
The Company renewed its office operating lease on February 1, 2021, for 12 months, but do not anticipate extending the lease beyond January 31, 2022. Since the remaining lease term at September 30, 2021 is less than one year the Company did not recognize a right to use asset and related lease liability on the balance sheet for the lease renewal. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 2020 the Company paid $
16
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand our financial condition. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our financial statements and the accompanying integral notes (“Notes”) thereto. The following statements may be forward-looking in nature and actual results may differ materially.
COVID-19
In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its rapid spread around the world and throughout the United States prompted many countries, including the United States, to institute restrictions on travel, public gatherings, and certain business operations. These restrictions disrupted economic activity in the Company’s business related to raising capital. As of September 30, 2021, the disruption did not materially impact the Company’s financial statements. However, if the severity of the economic disruptions increase as the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the negative financial impact due to the BeMetals Option Agreement could be significantly greater in future periods.
The effects of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 and related government responses could have disruptions to the Company`s Option Agreement with BeMetals Corp. Under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of South Mountain Mines, Inc. (“SMMI”) from the Company. The term of the agreement is for two years starting June 10, 2019, with an option to extend an additional year, with BeMetals conducting a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") completed by a mutually agreed third-party engineering firm. Over its term, this agreement requires cash payments to the Company of $1,350,000; $1,100,000 in cash and $250,000 in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. In the event that BeMetals decides not to proceed with the South Mountain Project, BeMetals will not be obligated to make any additional payments. The COVID-19 outbreak could have a variety of adverse impacts to the Company, including their ability to continue operations of their exploration under the BeMetals Operation Agreement. Thunder Mountain Gold evaluated these impairment considerations and determined that no such impairments occurred as of September 30, 2021.
COVID-19 Additional Precautions
Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. has also taken steps to mitigate the potential risks to employees and suppliers posed by the spread of COVID-19. The Company has taken extra precautions for employees who work under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, and have implemented work from home policies where appropriate.
As of September 30, 2021, there has been no material adverse impact to the BeMetals Operation Agreement. Management will continue to review and modify plans as conditions change. Despite efforts to manage these impacts to the Company, the ultimate impact of COVID-19 also depends on factors beyond management’s knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of this outbreak as well as third-party actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects. Therefore, management cannot estimate the potential future impact to financial position, results of operations and cash flows, but the impacts could be material.
Plan of Operation:
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: inability to locate property with mineralization, lack of financing for exploration efforts, competition to acquire mining properties; risks inherent in the mining industry, and risk factors that are listed in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On February 27, 2019, the Company entered into an Option Agreement, (the “BeMetals Option Agreement”) with BeMetals Corp. Under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of South Mountain Mines, Inc. (“SMMI”) from Thunder Mountain Resources, Inc.
17
(“TMRI”), both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The term of the agreement is for two years with BeMetals completing a PEA completed by a mutually agreed third-party engineering firm. Over its term, this agreement requires BeMetals to issue 10,000,000 shares of BMET stock to the Company, and cash payments to the Company of $1,350,000: $1,100,000 in cash and $250,000 in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. Through September 30, 2021, cash proceeds of $1,100,000 and $250,000 in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock have been received. In the event BeMetals decides not to proceed with the South Mountain Project, BeMetals will not be obligated to make any additional payments.
The Company’s plan of operation for the next twelve months will be to provide support to BeMetals Corp. during their option period and help ensure that the South Mountain PEA is completed on schedule and within budget. The South Mountain Project PEA was kicked off on March 22, 2021. Both BeMetals and Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. Thunder Mountain Gold agreed to appoint Mine Technical Services Ltd., to undertake and deliver this PEA study for the Project working closely with the Company, its consultants and advisors. As part of the work for the PEA, SGS Mineral Services have been contracted to complete a metallurgical test work program to update the historical process studies. In addition, Hard Rock Consulting LLC., was contracted to provide an updated mineral resource estimate for the Project based on the drilling to-date including the new analytical drilling results released in March. Mine Technical Services was contracted to complete the South Mountain PEA.
South Mountain Project, Owyhee County, Idaho
Under the BeMetals Corporation (TSX-V: BMET) Option Agreement, BeMetals and Thunder Mountain Gold formed a project team early in 2019 that is focused on advancing the South Mountain Project. This Boise Idaho-based team includes key management of Thunder Mountain Gold Inc., who have coordinated re-establishment of the Project site prior to the start of drilling. In addition, BeMetals appointed a project manager and project geologist for this team, along with technical and underground support.
With coordination from Thunder Mountain Gold, BeMetals Corp. (BMET) commenced underground core drilling in a Phase 1 approach at South Mountain in July of 2019 and drilled twenty-one holes totaling 7,517 feet (2,290 meters) from five underground drilling stations within the Sonneman level. The drilling program was designed to test potential down plunge extensions, and overall continuity to the mineralized zones and confirm the grade distribution of the current polymetallic mineral resource. All of the drill core recovered from the drilling was logged on site and assayed by ALS Chemex. Selected intervals and results are summarized in the Company`s 2020 Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
PHASE 3 - DMEA ZONE DRILLING - SOUTH MOUNTAIN PROJECT
An additional exploratory phase of drilling from surface commenced during the third quarter at South Mountain. This program is designed to further test the down depth extent of mineralization at the DMEA Zone with the objective to significantly expand the scale of the current Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) at South Mountain. The DMEA Zone is the largest known body of mineralization on the Property, containing the majority of tonnage in the current MRE, and the mineralized zone remains open at depth.
This phase of the drilling program is designed with a goal of 7,000 feet of surface HQ core. Preliminary results from this drilling are expected around the end of calendar year 2021.
PHASE 2 TEXAS ZONE DRILLING - SOUTH MOUNTAIN PROJECT
A total of 8,904 feet (2,714 meters) of underground core drilling was completed during Phase 2 in 2020, with 30 holes in both the Texas and DMEA zones. During this drilling campaign, our site team widened and advanced the existing Sonneman level eastwards by 170 feet (52 meters) to establish a new drill station closer to the Texas Zone (See Figure 1). With better access to drill the Texas Zone, a total of 24 holes were completed to test this zone of mineralization. Geological logging of the core supported by sampling results indicate that two styles of high-grade mineralization have developed in this area and are now identified as the Texas West and Texas East zones.
Table 1 below illustrates the drilling results received to date from the Texas West Zone. This zone is characterized by skarn-hosted, dominantly copper and silver mineralization. This is demonstrated, for example, in the drilled intercepts:
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·3.81% Cu with 7.82 opt (244.3 g/t) Ag over 15.7 feet (4.79 meters) in hole SM20-043 (Interval 1),
·2.56% Cu with 8.32 opt (260.1 g/t) Ag over 35.6 feet (10.85 meters) in SM20-028, and
·2.23% Cu with 10.81 opt (337.9 g/t) Ag over 16.96 feet (5.17 meters) in hole SM20-038.
Important to note that from the geological logging of the core, the higher copper grades over significant drilled widths in Texas West appear to be controlled by the increased abundance of chalcopyrite, which is a common copper sulphide mineral, often extractable through conventional flotation methods. Representative sample material of this and other zones of the deposit have been identified and are being collected for metallurgical test work at the SGS Mineral Services site in Lakefield, Canada. Results from this study will be included with historical test work and incorporated into the planned PEA study later this year.
Table 2 below displays the drill hole intersections from the Texas East Zone where this mineralization is represented by predominantly massive sulphide hosted zinc, silver, and gold mineralization. Examples of this style of mineralization are intercepts:
·8.65% Zn, 6.98 opt (218.1 g/t) Ag and 0.078 opt (2.44 g/t) Au over 11 feet (3.37 meters) in hole SM20-043 (Interval 2), and
·4.17% Zn, 6.23 opt (194.8 g/t) Ag and 0.130 opt (4.05 g/t) Au over 27.39 feet (8.35 meters) in hole SM20-050.
The gold grades of 0.130 opt (4.05 g/t) over 27.39 feet (8.35 meters); 0.066 opt (2.07 g/t) over 15.45 feet (4.71 meters) and 0.122 opt. (3.82 g/t) over 4.39 feet (1.34 meters) in holes SM20-050, SM20-043, and SM20-029, respectively, are of specific interest from a value potential for the Texas East Zone. These Texas East intersections represent the successful targeting and interpreted extension of mineralization below historical high-grade rib sampling in the Sonneman level from the 1980s (See Figure 1). (See Thunder Mountain Gold news release, dated; January 27, 2020).
The 2020 drill program intersected mineralization extending the Texas Zone further down dip of historical drilling and the exposures in the underground development. Texas Zone mineralization is now interpreted to continue from the collar of the old Texas Shaft some 1,150 feet (350 meters) down dip to the SM20-050 intercept. Both the Texas West and East zones remain open to depth (See Figure 1). Table 3 further below provides drill hole azimuth, dip, end of hole length and collar coordinates for each of the reported drill holes.
Table 1. Analytical and Assay Results from Texas West Zone
Drill Hole ID, Zone | From | To | Core Interval (ft) | Cu % | Ag | Au | Pb % | Zn % |
& Interval | (ft) | (ft) | opt | opt | ||||
TEXAS WEST ZONE |
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SM20-028 | 198.95 | 234.55 | 35.60 | 2.56 | 7.586 | 0.008 | 0.1 | 0.13 |
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SM20-030 | 54.89 | 82.09 | 27.20 | 1.13 | 3.649 | 0.003 | 0.02 | 0.26 |
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SM20-031 | 136.09 | 140.58 | 4.49 | 1.56 | 8.940 | 0.012 | 1.09 | 2.21 |
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SM20-033 | 110.79 | 119.49 | 8.69 | 2.77 | 7.330 | 0.011 | 0.03 | 0.15 |
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SM20-036 | 112.40 | 143.70 | 31.30 | 0.99 | 9.243 | 0.007 | 0.39 | 2.15 |
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SM20-038 | 106.00 | 131.00 | 25.00 | 1.64 | 8.152 | 0.022 | 0.86 | 0.55 |
INCLUDING: | 106.00 | 122.97 | 16.96 | 2.23 | 9.855 | 0.030 | 1.12 | 0.77 |
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SM20-041 |
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|
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INTERVAL 1: | 63.71 | 73.88 | 10.17 | 1.29 | 5.177 | 0.003 | 0.07 | 0.04 |
INTERVAL 2: | 104.20 | 109.19 | 4.99 | 0.44 | 4.947 | 0.069 | 0.91 | 1.99 |
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SM20-042 |
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INTERVAL 1: | 58.99 | 65.19 | 6.20 | 1.92 | 3.004 | 0.002 | 0.01 | 0.03 |
INTERVAL 2: | 78.08 | 83.99 | 5.91 | 1.06 | 3.325 | 0.002 | 0.03 | 0.1 |
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SM20-043 | (ft) | (ft) | Interval (ft) |
| opt | opt |
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INTERVAL 1: | 131.00 | 154.00 | 23.00 | 2.84 | 5.294 | 0.006 | 0.01 | 0.29 |
INCLUDING: | 131.00 | 146.69 | 15.68 | 3.81 | 7.125 | 0.005 | 0.01 | 0.07 |
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SM20-049 |
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INTERVAL 1: | 106.89 | 120.64 | 13.75 | 1.82 | 2.608 | 0.002 | 0.01 | 0.18 |
INTERVAL 2: | 147.31 | 151.25 | 3.94 | 2.42 | 4.025 | 0.004 | 0.01 | 0.07 |
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Analytical and Assay results are pending for drill holes SM20-32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 40, 44-48 and 51 | ||||||||
Note: Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. It is estimated based upon current data that true widths might range between 60-80% of the drilled intersection. A nominal cut-off grade of 0.5% Cu has been applied to determine the boundaries of the intersections for this skarn-hosted mineralization with no more than 1.22 meters of internal dilution. *A nominal cut-off grade of 4.375 opt (150 g/t) Ag has been applied to this intersection. Table 3 below documents; Drill Hole Azimuth, Dip, end of hole length, and Collar Coordinates (Note: See details below in QA/QC section).
Table 2. Analytical and Assay Results from Texas East Zone
Drill Hole ID, Zone | From | To | Core Interval (ft) | Zn % | Ag | Au | Pb % | Cu % |
& Interval | (ft) | (ft) | opt | opt | ||||
TEXAS EAST ZONE |
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SM20-029 | 202.20 | 206.59 | 4.40 | 19.67 | 6.688 | 0.111 | 3.94 | 0.25 |
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SM20-043 |
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INTERVAL 2: | 185.47 | 200.89 | 15.42 | 6.19 | 4.918 | 0.060 | 0.71 | 0.39 |
INCLUDING: | 185.47 | 196.49 | 11.02 | 8.65 | 6.361 | 0.071 | 0.9 | 0.52 |
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SM20-050 |
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INTERVAL 1: | 151.84 | 159.42 | 7.58 | 0.1 | 4.255 | 0.005 | 0.01 | 2.91 |
INTERVAL 2: | 162.89 | 190.29 | 27.40 | 4.17 | 5.682 | 0.118 | 0.78 | 0.54 |
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Analytical and Assay results are pending for drill holes SM20-32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 40, 44-48 and 51 | ||||||||
Note: Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. It is estimated based upon current data that true widths might range between 60-80% of the drilled intersection. Interval’s cut-offs are based upon visual contacts of massive sulphide units with no more than 0.80 meters of internal skarn. For hole SM20-050 Interval 1. a nominal cut-off grade of 0.5% Cu has been applied to determine the boundaries of the intersections for
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this skarn-hosted mineralization. Table 3 below documents; Drill Hole Azimuth, Dip, end of hole length, and Collar Coordinates (Note: See details below in QA/QC section).
Figure 1: 3D Perspective view inclined 200 looking north-north-east, with hole locations for SM20-028 thru SM20-050
Table 3: Drill Hole Azimuth, Dip, End of hole length and Collar Coordinates
Hole ID | Azimuth Degree | Dip Degree | End of hole Length (ft) | East (ft.) | North (ft.) | Elev. (ft.) |
SM20-028 | 90 | 15 | 246 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-029 | 126 | -12 | 325 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-030 | 95 | -30 | 125 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-031 | 110 | -14 | 179 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-032* | 105 | -64 | 144 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-033 | 115 | -30 | 205 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-034* | 80 | 15 | 217 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-035* | 105 | 14 | 78 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
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SM20-036 | 105 | -14 | 269 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-037* | 100 | -14 | 225 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-038 | 110 | -30 | 185 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-039* | 122 | -8 | 350 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-040* | 105 | -29 | 200 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-041 | 110 | -40 | 185 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-042 | 87 | -62 | 204 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-043 | 124 | -20 | 399 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-044 | 124 | -20 | 154 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-045* | 0 | -55 | 108 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-046* | 127 | -37 | 305 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-047* | 60 | -80 | 173 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-048* | 135 | -36 | 275 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-049 | 155 | -60 | 205 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-050 | 150 | -42 | 276 | 2311764 | 393645 | 6866.77 |
SM20-051* | 170 | -49 | 404 | 2311760 | 393643 | 6866.07 |
*The results pending for this drillhole.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES
The project employs a rigorous QC/QA program that includes blanks, duplicates and appropriate certified standard reference material. All samples are introduced into the sample stream prior to sample handling/crushing to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The insertion rate for the combined QA/QC samples is 10 percent or more depending upon batch sizes. ALS Global completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Reno, Nevada, U.S.A. All analytical and assay procedures are conducted in the ALS facility in North Vancouver, BC. The samples are processed by the following methods as appropriate to determine the grades; Au-AA23-Au 30g fire assay with AA finish, ME-ICP61-33 element four acid digest with ICP-AES finish, ME-OG62-ore grade elements, four acid with ICP-AES finish, Pb-OG62-ore grade Pb, four acid with ICP-AES finish, Zn-OG62-ore grade Zn, four acid digest with ICP-AES finish, Ag-GRA21-Ag 30g fire assay with gravimetric finish.
The South Mountain Project
South Mountain is a polymetallic development project focused on high-grade zinc and silver. It is located approximately 70 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho (see Figure 2). The Project was intermittently mined from the late 1800s to the late 1960s and its existing underground workings remain intact and well maintained. Historic production at the Project has largely come from high-grade massive sulfide bodies that remain open at depth and along strike. According to historical smelter records, approximately 53,642 tons of mineralized material has been mined to date. These records also indicate average grades; 14.5% Zn, 11.63 opt Ag, 0.063 opt Au, 2.4% Pb, and 1.4% Cu were mined. Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. purchased and advanced the Project from 2007 through 2019 investing approximately US$12M during that period. The current mineral resource estimate of the deposit is detailed in Table 3 below and the Company expects to provide a revised mineral resource update following a phase 2 drilling program in 2020.
The Project is largely on and surrounded by private surface land, and as such, the permitting and environmental aspects of the Project are expected to be straightforward. Permits are currently in place for underground exploration activities.
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Figure 2. Location of South Mountain Project
South Mountain Mine History
The limited historic production peaked during World War II when, based on smelter receipts, the production of direct shipped ore totaled as follows:
Metal | Grade | Total Metal |
Zinc | 14.5% | 15,593,100 lbs. (7,072,900 Kg) |
Silver | 10.6 opt (363.4 g/t) | 566,440 ozs (17,618,200 grams) |
Gold | 0.058 opt (1.99 g/t) | 3,120 ozs (96,980 grams) |
Copper | 1.4% | 1,485,200 lbs. (6,320 Kg) |
Lead | 2.4% | 2,562,300 lbs. (1,162,250 Kg) |
Anaconda Smelter – Toole Utah - Crude Ore Shipment Head Grades
1941-1953 Total Tons: 53,653 (48,670 tonnes)
In addition to the direct-ship ore, a flotation mill was constructed and operated during the late-1940s and early-1950s.
From the 1954 South Mountain Mill report, recoveries were reported as follows:
1954 South Mountain Mill Report
Metal | Head Grades | Recovery |
Zinc | 6.7% | 80% |
Silver | 17.5 opt (600 g/t) | 85% |
Gold | 0.02 opt (0.7 g/t) | 75% |
Copper | 3.2% | 90% |
Lead | 1% | 90% |
These are historic grades and recoveries not confirmed by the Company, but reportedly
mined from a small 39,600-ton (35,900 tonnes) copper rich block in the Texas zone.
South Mountain Mines Inc. (an Idaho Corporation) owned the patented claims from 1975 to the time the Company purchased the entity in 2007. They conducted extensive exploration work including extending the Sonneman Level by approximately 1,500 feet to intercept the down-dip extension of the Texas sulfide mineralization mined on the Laxey Level approximately 400 feet up-dip from the Sonneman. High grade sulfide mineralization was intercepted and confirmed on the Sonneman Extension. In 1985 South Mountain Mines Inc. completed a feasibility study based on historic and newly developed ore zones exposed in their underground workings and drilling. Although they
23
determined positive economics, and that the resource was still open at depth with a large upside potential, the project was idled and placed into care and maintenance.
In 2008, the Company contracted Kleinfelder, Inc., a nationwide engineering and consulting firm, to complete a technical report “Resources Data Evaluation, South Mountain Property, South Mountain Mining District, Owyhee County, Idaho”. The technical report was commissioned by Thunder Mountain Resources, Inc. to evaluate all the existing data available on the South Mountain property. Kleinfelder utilized a panel modeling method using this data to determine potential mineralized material remaining and to make a comparison with the resource determined by South Mountain Mines in the mid-1980s. Kleinfelder’s calculations provided a potential resource that is consistent with South Mountain Mines’ (Bowes 1985) historic reserve model.
In 2009, the Company contracted a third-party consulting firm that incorporated all the new drill and sampling data into an NI 43-101 Technical Report. This report was completed as part of the Company’s dual listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2010. The Company is also traded in the U.S. on the OTCQB under ticker THMG.
In January of 2018, the Company engaged Hard Rock Consulting LLC (HRC) from Denver, Colorado to update the South Mountain Project 43-101. HRC concluded that significant potential exists to increase the known mineral resource with additional drilling, as well as to upgrade existing mineral resource classifications with additional infill drilling. HRC also determined that the conceptual geologic model is sound, and, in conjunction with drilling results, indicates that mineralization is essentially open in all directions, and is continuous between underground levels and extends to the surface.
Hard Rock Consulting also noted that:
·THMG technical staff has thorough understanding of the geology of the South Mountain Project, and that the appropriate deposit model is being applied for exploration.
·Because the Project is largely located on and surrounded by private land, it greatly simplifies Project approvals compared to mining projects involving public lands.
·Initial metallurgical testing demonstrates that the South Mountain massive sulfide mineralization is amenable to differential flotation and concentration.
·The current mineral resource at the South Mountain Project is more than sufficient to warrant continued planning and development to further advance the Project.
Gold Breccia
HRC also reviewed the data on the anomalous gold-bearing multi-lithic breccia that was identified by THMG conducting reconnaissance work at South Mountain. In 2010, five holes were drilled in the anomaly for a total footage of 3,530 feet, and 705 total samples taken every five feet of drill hole. Of the 705 samples taken, 686 samples contained anomalous gold, or 97% of the samples. The highest-grade intercept ran 0.038 ounce per ton. HRC reviewed the reports done on the breccia completed by both Kinross and Newmont; of note was Newmont’s comparison of the geology to the Battle Mountain Complex in Nevada.
The Technical Report was authored by Ms. J.J. Brown, P.G., SME-RM, Mr. Jeffrey Choquette, P.E., and Mr. Randy Martin, SME-RM, all of Hard Rock Consulting, each of whom is an independent qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 The NI 43-101 Technical Report has an effective date of April 7, 2018 and has been filed in Canada on SEDAR in accordance with NI 43-101. The Report can be reviewed on the Company`s website at www.thundermountaingold.com.
Note to United States investors concerning estimates of measured, indicated and inferred resources.
Disclosure of the NI-43-101 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, including Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”), which differ from the current requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) set out in Industry Guide 7. The Highlights of South Mountain NI-43-
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101 section refers to “mineral resources,” “measured mineral resources,” “indicated mineral resources,” and “inferred mineral resources.” While these categories of mineralization are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, they are not recognized by Industry Guide 7 and are not normally permitted to be disclosed in SEC filings. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any of measured, indicated or inferred mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. Under Industry Guide 7, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the mineralization can be economically or legally extracted at the time the “reserve” determination is made. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian reporting standards; however, Industry Guide 7 normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by Industry Guide 7 standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained in this 10-K containing descriptions of South Mountain’s mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of Industry Guide 7.
Phase I Drilling at South Mountain under BeMetals Option Agreement
The principal objectives of the Phase 1 work plan at South Mountain were testing the extensions of the mineralized zones and confirmation of the grade distribution of the current polymetallic mineral resource estimate. The Company successfully completed the phase 1 program comprised of 20 underground drill holes for a total of approximately 2,290 meters. Geological logging and sampling of all drill holes have now been completed with all analytical results received. These results have been compiled into the Project’s geological database and were used to design the phase 2 drilling program for 2020. Following the phase 2 drilling program, all new results will be integrated into an updated mineral resource estimation for the Project, expected to be completed towards the end of 2021.
Table 1. BeMetal`s Analytical and Assay Results for the Phase 1 Drilling Program
Drill Hole ID, Zone & Interval | From (m) | To (m) | Core Interval (m) | Zn % | Ag g/t | Au g/t | Pb % | Cu % |
DMEA Zone |
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SM19-002 |
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Interval 1 | 46.88 | 57.39 | 10.51 | 17.81 | 226 | 2.41 | 1.59 | 0.16 |
Interval 2 | 67.85 | 71.63 | 3.78 | 5.45 | 145 | 8.39 | 0.58 | 0.15 |
Interval 3 | 85.83 | 96.39 | 10.56 | 11.42 | 123 | 4.43 | 0.36 | 0.52 |
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SM19-003 |
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Interval 1 | 51.18 | 75.35 | 24.17 | 11.12 | 267 | 3.44 | 3.75 | 0.29 |
Including | 51.18 | 60.78 | 9.60 | 11.74 | 437 | 5.99 | 8.68 | 0.38 |
Including | 62.09 | 75.35 | 13.26 | 11.77 | 169 | 1.88 | 0.54 | 0.25 |
Interval 2 | 77.60 | 81.24 | 3.64 | 9.74 | 331 | 1.94 | 1.11 | 0.34 |
SM19-005 | 75.13 | 86.37 | 11.23 | 7.97 | 128 | 1.20 | 0.91 | 0.24 |
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SM19-006 | 28.01 | 43.71 | 15.70 | 21.27 | 147 | 8.04 | 0.77 | 0.30 |
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SM19-007 | 26.97 | 39.17 | 12.20 | 18.16 | 122.6 | 4.41 | 1.55 | 0.16 |
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SM19-014 |
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Interval 1 | 105.31 | 120.40 | 15.09 | 9.59 | 127.1 | 1.50 | 0.69 | 0.28 |
Interval 2 | 138.07 | 143.88 | 5.81 | 4.88 | 76.9 | 2.55 | 0.21 | 0.12 |
Interval 3 | 155.17 | 158.95 | 3.78 | 14.49 | 145.5 | 0.37 | 0.25 | 0.48 |
Interval 4 | 184.40 | 189.56 | 5.15 | 0.28 | 79.9 | 2.08 | 0.15 | 0.06 |
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Interval 5 | 250.65 | 258.94 | 8.29 | 8.11 | 178.7 | 0.48 | 0.57 | 1.73 |
Interval 6 | 266.33 | 268.16 | 1.83 | 1.32 | 158.9 | 2.56 | 0.56 | 0.11 |
Texas Zone |
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SM19-010 |
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Interval 1 | 24.41 | 31.62 | 7.21 | 4.37 | 155.2 | 0.13 | 0.03 | 2.07 |
Interval 2 | 53.11 | 63.15 | 10.04 | 0.40 | 135.1 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 1.75 |
* Note: 1.00 meter (m) is equal to 3.28 feet (ft). One gram per tonne (g/t) is equal to 0.032 ounces per ton (oz/t, or o.p.t.)
Table 2 below shows the latest results received from holes SM19-016, SM19-017 and SM19-018.
Table 2. Drill Holes SM19-016, SM19-017 and SM19-018: Analytical and Assay Results
Drill Hole ID: Zone & Interval | From (m) | To (m) | Core Interval (m) | Zn % | Ag g/t | Au g/t | Pb % | Cu % |
DMEA Zone |
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SM19-016 |
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Interval 1 | 112.33 | 132.05 | 19.72† | 0.07 | 8.39 | 1.52 | 0.01 | 0.002 |
Interval 2 | 136.55 | 146.64 | 10.09 | 3.15 | 151.3 | 1.68 | 0.66 | 0.22 |
Interval 3 | 158.27 | 163.59 | 5.32† | 0.59 | 46.8 | 1.81 | 0.11 | 0.04 |
Interval 4 | 184.18 | 188.64 | 4.47† | 5.04 | 482.0 | 4.27 | 5.80 | 0.43 |
Interval 5 | 227.32 | 230.83 | 3.51 | 8.85 | 136.2 | 0.17 | 1.25 | 1.67 |
MB4 Target Zone |
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SM19-017 |
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Interval 1 | 1.37 | 5.23 | 3.86* | 12.90 | 314.1 | 0.26 | 0.88 | 1.08 |
Interval 2 | 16.32 | 24.08 | 7.76* | 10.23 | 91.4 | 0.07 | 0.36 | 0.55 |
SM19-018 |
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Interval 1 | 0.00 | 18.62 | 18.62* | 5.15 | 73.2 | 0.11 | 0.02 | 0.41 |
Including | 8.53 | 18.62 | 10.09* | 8.06 | 97.0 | 0.15 | 0.02 | 0.68 |
Note: Reported widths in tables 1 & 2 are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. It is estimated based upon current data that true widths might range between 60-80% of the drilled intersection. For drill holes SM19-017* and SM19-018* true widths are unknown as these are the first drill intersections of the MD4 target. Intervals cut offs are based upon visual contacts of massive sulfide units with no more than 1.75 meters of internal skarn. For SM19-010 a nominal 0.5% copper cut off has been applied to determine the boundaries of the intersections for this skarn hosted mineralization with no more than 1.4m of internal dilution. For SM19-016† (intervals 1, 3 and 4) a nominal 0.46 g/t gold cut off has been applied to determine the boundaries of the intersections with no internal dilution. For SM19-017 & 018 a nominal 2.4% zinc cut off has been applied to determine the boundaries of the intersections for this skarn hosted mineralization with no more than 2m of internal dilution. (Note: See details below in QA/QC section). 1.00 meter (m) is equal to 3.28 feet (ft). One gram per tonne (g/t) is equal to 0.032 ounces per ton (oz/t, or o.p.t.).
The above drill holes returned significant intersections of both massive sulfide and skarn styles of mineralization. Important sulfide minerals are pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite. During the planned phase 3 campaign at South Mountain, the Company will carry out mineralogy and metallurgical test work studies to confirm historical other previous high-grade results, which will be included in the PEA.
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Figure 1: 3D Perspective View inclined at 20 degrees looking north-north-east, showing locations of rib-sampling, priority target zones, and the phase 1 drill holes and highlighted the recent SM19-016, SM19-017 and SM19-018
Underground core drilling is being conducted to extend and upgrade the South Mountain resource - testing the continuity and down-dip extensions of the high-grade polymetallic massive sulfide zones. The Company plans additional core drilling in the DMEA and Laxey zones to complete the confirmation and extensional drilling. In addition, there are plans to retrieve bulk samples for metallurgical test work. More than 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) have been drilled at South Mountain and included in the model. The South Mountain historic ore zones remain open down-dip on the zones encountered. The successful drilling and development work prove that the South Mountain resource continues to grow with potential to increase the resource substantially.
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Figure 2: Plan View of the Sonneman & Laxey Levels, South Mountain Deposit,
showing locations of rib-sampling, priority target zones, and drill holes SM19-016, SM19-017 and SM19-018
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Figure 3: Plan View of Sonneman & Laxey Levels,
showing locations of previously reported rib sampling
Underground Pre-Development Work Completed in 2012 thru 2014
The reconstruction of the Sonneman and Laxey drifts continued successfully until January 2014 when the Project went into care and maintenance. The Sonneman Level advanced 2,711 feet from the portal and is constructed to 12 feet by 12 feet for future development and mining. Approximately 350 feet of drift remains to be rehabilitated to reach the historic Texas massive sulfide zone located at the end of the old workings. This advance through this zone will allow for the drill stations and underground drilling to further define the high-grade resource encountered by William Bowes group in the 1980s.
The historic 2,200-foot-long Laxey Level drift has been rehabilitated to 10 feet by 10 feet for approximately 720 feet. At that point the old tunnel had recently collapsed at an intrusive dike and preparations were being made to advance through the caved area. This old tunnel was rehabilitated and accessed along its full length in 2008, at which point it intercepted the Texas massive sulfide zone, one of many that had limited mining during and after the World War II period. Excellent high-grade massive sulfide is exposed in this area, and the core drilling during 2013 proved its continuity between the Laxey Level and the surface, an up-dip distance of nearly 400 feet.
During the development of the Sonneman Level during 2012-2013 several massive sulfide mineralized zones were mined through. Detailed rib sampling along some of these zones yielded the following results:
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Highlights from 2013-2014 Rib-Sampling Program
• DMEA Zones 1/2/3; 130 ft. (39.62m) @ 16.76% Zinc (“Zn”), 4.11 ounces per ton (“o.p.t.”) (140.91 grams per tonne (“g/t”)) Silver (“Ag”), 0.089 o.p.t. (3.08 g/t Gold) (“Au”), 0.78% Copper (“Cu”) and 0.38% Lead (“Pb”)
• Muck Bay #4 Zone; 23 ft. (7.01m) @ 14.69% Zn, 7.18 o.p.t. (246.17 g/t) Ag, 0.34% Cu and 0.65% Pb
• Laxey Zone; 40 ft. (12.19m) @ 16.44% Zn, 13.97 o.p.t. (478.97 g/t) Ag, 0.020 o.p.t. (0.68 g/t) Au, 0.70% Cu and 0.86% Pb
(Results previously reported in the Company`s annual / quarterly reports; news releases; and the May 2019 independent technical report titled, “National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the South Mountain Project Owyhee County, Idaho, USA.” 1.00 meter (m) is equal to 3.28 feet (ft). One gram per tonne (g/t) is equal to 0.032 ounces per ton (oz/t, or o.p.t.).
Qualified Person – The technical information in this Form 10Q has been reviewed and approved by Larry D. Kornze, Retired, P. Eng., Qualified Person, and Director of Thunder Mountain Gold Inc., and a “Qualified Person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 standards.
This property is without known reserves and the proposed program is exploratory in nature according to Instruction 3 to paragraph (b)(5) of the SEC`s Industry Guide 7. There are currently no permits required for conducting exploration in accordance with the Company`s current board approved exploration plan.
Trout Creek Project, Lander County, Nevada
The Trout Creek project is a highly prospective gold exploration target located along the western flank of the Shoshone Mountain Range in the Reese River Valley in Lander County, Nevada. The claim package consists of 78 unpatented mining claims (approximately 1560 acres) that are situated along a recognizable structural zone in the Eureka-Battle Mountain mineralized gold trend. Because the project is surrounded by Newmont Mining`s land package, Thunder Mountain struck a joint venture agreement with Newmont Mining on some of their adjoining mineral rights sections and aliquot parcels from 2011 thru 2016. On October 27, 2016, the Company terminated the exploration agreement with Newmont Mining Corporation to concentrate their efforts on the South Mountain Project. The Company retained the 78-claim package by paying annual fees to BLM of $12,090 and Lander County $940 fees.
The Project is located approximately 155 air miles northeast of Reno, Nevada, or approximately 20 miles south of Battle Mountain, Nevada, in Sections 10, 11, 14, 16, 21, 22, 27; T.29N.; R.44E. Mount Diablo Baseline & Meridian, Lander County, Nevada. Latitude: 40 23’ 36” North, Longitude: 117 00’ 58” West. The property is generally accessible year-round by traveling south from Battle Mountain Nevada on state highway 305, which is paved.
The Trout Creek target is anchored by a regional gravity anomaly on a well-defined northwest-southeast trending break in the alluvial fill thickness and underlying bedrock. Previous geophysical work in the 1980s revealed an airborne magnetic anomaly associated with the same structure, and this was further verified and outlined in 2008 by Company personnel, with consultation from Jim Wright – Wright Geophysics using a ground magnetometer. The target is covered by alluvial fan deposits of generally unknown thickness, shed from the adjacent Shoshone Range, a fault block mountain range composed of Paleozoic sediments of both upper and lower plate rocks of the Roberts Mountains thrust.
An extensive data package on the area was made available to Thunder Mountain Gold by Newmont during the joint exploration agreement period (2011-2016) that significantly enhanced the target area. This, along with fieldwork consisting of mapping and sampling the altered and mineralized structures that can be followed through the Shoshone Range. Of importance is that these structures align with the Cortez-Pipeline deposits and the Phoenix deposit (part of the Eureka-Battle Mountain-Getchell Trend).
In addition to the geologic fieldwork, Wright Geophysics conducted a ground gravity survey and CSMAT over the pediment target area and this provided insight into the gravel-bedrock contact as well as defining the favorable structural setting within the buried bedrock. An untested drill target was identified under the gravel pediment along
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these structures, and the geophysics showed that the bedrock was within 500 feet of the surface, which is reasonable depth for exploration drilling and potential mining if a significant mineralization is encountered.
The Company does not plan to conduct any work on the Trout Creek Property in 2021 because of it`s focus on completing the NI 43-101 PEA at their South Mountain Project.
There are currently no environmental permits required for the planned exploration work on the property. In the future, a notice of intent may be required with the Bureau of Land Management. This property is without known reserves and the proposed program is exploratory in nature according to Instruction 3 to paragraph (b)(5) of the SEC’s Industry Guide 7.
Competition
We are an exploration stage company. We compete with other mineral resource exploration and development companies for financing and for the acquisition of new mineral properties. Many of the mineral resource exploration and development companies with whom we compete have greater financial and technical resources than us. Accordingly, these competitors may be able to spend greater amounts on acquisitions of mineral properties of merit, on exploration of their mineral properties and on development of their mineral properties. In addition, they may be able to afford greater geological expertise in the targeting and exploration of mineral properties. This competition could result in competitors having mineral properties of greater quality and interest to prospective investors who may finance additional exploration and development. This competition could adversely impact on our ability to finance further exploration and to achieve the financing necessary for us to develop our mineral properties.
Employees
The Company employs three full-time officers. As part of the BeMetals agreement, the Company allowed these officers to work on the South Mountain Project on a consulting arrangement with BeMetals.
Results of Operations:
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded a net loss of ($512,536) compared to net income of $1,043,569 for the same period ended September 30, 2020. The net loss realized for the quarter is due to the unrealized loss of $913,942 recognized on the Company’s investment in BeMetals, which is carried at fair value compared to a gain of $1,454,058 recognized in the prior year’s comparable period. In addition, the company reports an increased gain of $250,000 on the sale of mineral interest in the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Three-month period comparisons
Total revenue for the three month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $325,000, and consisted of $75,000 in management services income and the $250,000 gain on mineral interest pursuant to the BeMetals agreement. Total operating expenses for the three months ending September 30, 2021 of $136,490 increased from the same respective time period in 2020 by $18,744 or 16%. Management and administrative expense increased by $21,235 or 22% to $116,745 compared to $95,510 for the same period last year. Exploration, legal and accounting and depreciation expense remained consistent with the prior year.
Nine-month period comparisons
Total revenues for the nine-month period September 30, 2021 increased $250,000, or 52%, to $725,000 compared with $475,000 in the same period last year, While management service income remained consistent at $225,000 for both years, the gain on mineral interest increased to $500,000 as a result of payments receive pursuant to the terms of the Be Metals option agreement. Total operating expenses for the nine months ending September 30, 2021 of $424,662 decreased from the same respective time period in 2020 by $113,169 or 21%. Exploration expenses remained consistent with the prior year while legal and accounting expenses increased. Legal and accounting costs increased $22,595 to $68,694, an increase of 49%, compared with $46,099 in prior year. The increase is the result of additional legal expenses associated with the amendment to the BeMetals option agreement that was executed during the quarter. Management and administrative expense decreased by $121,496, or 26%, to $341,097 from $462,593 in the prior year due to a reduction in stock compensation expense recognized. The Company has not recognized any stock compensation in the current year compared with $159,740 in 2020 related to the grant of stock options to officers and directors. Depreciation expense continued to decrease as the Company’s fixed assets are almost all fully depreciated.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources:
The consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2021, have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. Such assumption contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As shown in the consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2021, the company believes it has sufficient cash reserves to cover normal operating expenditures for the following 12 months.
The liquidity of the Company was enhanced on February 27, 2019, when the Company entered the BeMetals Option Agreement with BeMetals Corp., and BMET USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of BeMetals. Under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SMMI from TMRI, both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The term of the agreement is for two years with BeMetals completing a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") completed by a mutually agreed third-party engineering firm. Through September 30, 2021, cash proceeds of $1,100,000 and $250,000 in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock have been received. BeMetals also agreed to pay the Company $25,000 per month for management services. In the event that BeMetals decides not to proceed with the South Mountain Project, BeMetals will not be obligated to make any additional payments.
On July 19,2021, management and certain Directors exercised options for 710,000 common shares at a price of $0.10 per share for total proceeds of $71,000 of which $35.534 was for cash and a $35,466 reduction in current liabilities related to advances from related parties for funds advanced by management and foregone wages.
On May 17, 2021, the Company received US $649,557. The shares of 2,000,000 common stock were sold in an arranged transaction through Canaccord Genuity at a price of US $0.325 ($CAD 0.40). Currently, there remains 8,000,000 of BeMetals common stock shares being held at Canaccord Genuity in connection with the BeMetals Option Agreement. (See South Mountain Project above), This sale meets the requirements under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement.
In April 2020, the Company received a loan of $48,000 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under Division A, Title I, Section 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act. The loan, which was in the form of a promissory note, as amended, dated April 21, 2020, issued by the Company (the “Note”); On October 21, 2020, the Company completed its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application with Washington Trust Bank. On November 07, 2020, the Company received a notice that our loan was paid in full by Small Business Administration, and the PPP loan was forgiven.
The Company has historically incurred losses, however, under the BeMetals Option Agreement, the Company now has a recurring source of revenue, and its ability to continue as a going concern is no longer dependent on equity capital raises and borrowings. However, the Company believes it has the ability to raise capital in order to fund its future exploration and working capital requirements if necessary.
Potential additional sources of cash, include additional external debt, the sale of shares of our stock, or alternative methods such as mergers or sale of 8,000,000 BeMetals common stock shares held by the company. (See South Mountain Project above), No assurances can be given, however, that we will be able to obtain any of these potential sources of cash.
Our plans for the long-term continuation as a going concern include financing our future operations through sales of our common stock and/or debt and the potential exploitation of our mining properties. Our plans may also, at some future point, include the formation of mining joint ventures with senior mining company partners on specific mineral properties whereby the joint venture partner would provide the necessary financing in return for equity in the property.
In addition to the BeMetals Corp. Option Agreement, we believe that the Company will be able to meet its financial obligations because of the following:
·On October 27, 2021, we had $1,140,734 cash in our bank accounts.
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·We do not include in this consideration any option payments mentioned below.
·Management is committed to manage expenses of all types to not exceed the on-hand cash resources of the Company at any point in time, now or in the future.
·The Company will also consider other sources of funding, including potential mergers, the sale of all or part of the Company`s BeMetals Corp. (TSX-V: BMET) common shares beneficially held, and/or additional farm-out of its other exploration property.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company reports net cash used by operating activities of $198,863 compared to cash used by operating activities of $206,686 in 2020. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company received $1,149,557 in cash from investing activities, $500,000 from the sale of mineral interests for Tranches 5 and 6 of the BeMetals Option Agreement, and $649,557 in proceeds from sale of 2,000,000 shares of BeMetals common stock. During the period ended September 30, 2021, net cash used by financing activities was $4,274, which included $35,534 in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and $39,808 in payments on related notes payables. The Company reported a net cash increase of $946,420 for the period ended September 30, 2021, compared to a net cash increase of $91,314 for same period in 2020.
Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend on many factors, including timing, cost and progress of our exploration efforts, our evaluation of, and decisions with respect to, our strategic alternatives, and costs associated with the regulatory approvals. If it turns out that we do not have enough cash to fund our operations, we will attempt to raise additional funds from a public offering, a private placement, mergers, farm-outs or loans.
Additional financing may be required in the future to fund our planned operations. We do not know whether additional financing will be available when needed or on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional financing, when necessary, we may have to delay our exploration efforts or any property acquisitions or be forced to cease operations. Collaborative arrangements may require us to relinquish our rights to certain of our mining claims.
Contractual Obligations
During 2008 and 2009, three lease arrangements were made with landowners that own land parcels adjacent to the Company’s South Mountain patented and unpatented mining claims. The leases were for a seven-year period, with options to renew, with annual payments (based on $20 per acre) listed in the following table. The leases have no work requirements.
Contractual obligations | Payments due by period | ||||
Total* | Less than 1 year | 2-3 years | 4-5 years | More than 5 years | |
Acree Lease (yearly, June)(1) | $10,170 | $3,390 | $6,780 | - | $ - |
Lowry Lease (yearly, October)(1)(2) | $33,840 | $11,280 | $22,560 | - | $ - |
OGT LLC(3) | $25,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $ - |
Total | $69,010 | $19,670 | $39,340 | $10,000 | $ - |
(1)Amounts shown are for the lease periods years 12 through 16, a total of 4 years that remains after 2019. Lease was extended an additional 10 years at $30/acre after 2014.
(2)The Lowry lease has an early buy-out provision for 50% of the remaining amounts owed in the event the Company desires to drop the lease prior to the end of the first seven-year period.
(3) OGT LLC, managed by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary SMMI, receives a $5,000 per year payment for up to 10 years, or until a $5 million capped NPI Royalty is paid.
Critical Accounting Policies
We have identified our critical accounting policies, the application of which may materially affect the financial statements, either because of the significance of the financials statement item to which they relate, or because they require management’s judgment in making estimates and assumptions in measuring, at a specific point in time, events which will be settled in the future. The critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates which management believes have the most significant effect on the financial statements are set forth below:
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a)Estimates. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the future resolution of the uncertainties increase, these judgments become even more subjective and complex. Although we believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates and assumptions based upon actual results may have a material impact on our results of operation and/or financial condition.
b)Stock-based Compensation. The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation” using the fair value method. All transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable.
c)Income Taxes. We have current income tax assets recorded in our financial statements that are based on our estimates relating to federal and state income tax benefits. Our judgments regarding federal and state income tax rates, items that may or may not be deductible for income tax purposes and income tax regulations themselves are critical to the Company’s financial statement income tax items.
d)Investments. In a joint venture where the Company holds more than 50% of the voting interest and has significant influence, the joint venture is consolidated with the presentation of non-controlling interest. In determining whether significant influences exist, the Company considers its participation in policy-making decisions and its representation on the venture’s management committee.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
At the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of, and with the participation of, the Company’s Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(e) and Rule 15d – 15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequately designed and effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports that it files or submits to the SEC under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in applicable rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The effects of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 and related government responses could have disruptions to the Company`s Option Agreement with BeMetals Corp. Under the terms of the BeMetals Option Agreement, BMET USA will be entitled to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of South Mountain Mines, Inc. (“SMMI”) from the Company. The term of the agreement is for two years starting June 10, 2019, with an option to extend an additional year, with BeMetals conducting a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") completed by a mutually agreed third-party engineering firm. Over its term, this agreement requires cash payments to the Company of $1,350,000; $1,100,000 in cash and $250,000 in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. In the event that BeMetals decides not to proceed with the South Mountain Project, BeMetals will not be obligated to make any additional payments. The COVID-19 outbreak could have a variety of adverse impacts to the Company, including their ability to continue operations of their exploration under the BeMetals Operation Agreement. Thunder Mountain Gold evaluated these impairment considerations and determined that no such impairments occurred as of September 30, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On March 30, 2020, the Company granted 1,630,000 stock options to officers and directors of the Company. The fair value of the options was determined to be $152,580 using the Black Scholes model. The options are exercisable on or before March 29, 2025 and have an exercise price of $0.099. The options were fully vested upon grant and the entire fair value was recognized as compensation expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
The Company’s totals, for the Stock Incentive Plan was exercised stock options for 710,000 shares of common stock for total consideration $71,000. The Company issued 354,648 common shares in exchange for advanced funds, accounts payables, and accrued interest payable to management for a nonmonetary value of $71,000. An additional 355,352 common shares were exercised for cash consideration of $35,535.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities.
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company did not have any operating mines and therefore had no such specified health and safety violations, orders or citations, related assessments or legal actions, mining-related fatalities, or similar events in relation to the Company’s United States operations requiring disclosure pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Documents which are filed as a part of this report:
Exhibits:
31.1 | Certification Required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). Jones |
31.2 | Certification Required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). Thackery |
32.1 | |
32.2 | |
101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
THUNDER MOUNTAIN GOLD, INC.
/s/ Eric T. Jones
By
Eric T. Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 12, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934 this report signed below by the following person on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities on the date indicated.
/s/ Larry Thackery
By
Larry Thackery
Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 12, 2021
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