Item 1. Business
Item
1. BUSINESS.
Overview
Background
Idaho
Copper Corporation (formerly known as Joway Health Industries Group Inc.) (the “Company” or “Idaho Copper”),
incorporated in Nevada, was initially engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and sales of tourmaline-related healthcare products through
operating entities in China. As a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Merger
Agreement”), dated as of December 31, 2020, with Dynamic Elite International Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, Crystal
Globe Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, and Joway Merger Subsidiary Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, the Company no
longer had any assets or business operations. Accordingly, the Company became a shell company, as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
On
February 3, 2022, the Company consummated the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 31, 2022
(the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company, Crystal Globe Limited and JHP Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation
(“JHP”), pursuant to which JHJP purchased 16,644,820 shares of common stock of the Company from Crystal Globe. The shares
represented 83% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company on a fully diluted basis. The purchase price for the shares paid
by JHP was $100,000. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, each of Crystal Globe, JHP and the Company made customary representations and
warranties to each other. In connection with the acquisition of the 83% by JHP, Jinghe Zhang, the sole officer and director of the Company,
resigned and Ramon Lata was appointed as the sole officer and director of the Company.
On
January 23, 2023, the Company entered into and consummated the transactions contemplated by a share exchange agreement (the “Share
Exchange Agreement”) by and among the Company, International CuMo Mining Corporation, an Idaho corporation (“ICUMO”),
and all of the shareholders of ICUMO (collectively, the “ICUMO Shareholders”). Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange
Agreement, the ICUMO Shareholders transferred all the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of ICUMO to the Company in exchange
for newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). As a result
of this share exchange (the “Exchange”), ICUMO became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
ICUMO
owns or controls the mining claims and rights to the CuMo Project, a large primary molybdenum deposit with silver and copper deposits.
Located in Boise County, Idaho, ICUMO was formed to explore the geologic and environmental factors that will determine the future development
plan of the CuMo Project. A more detailed description of ICUMO’s history and business is included in Item 2 below.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement, each share of ICUMO’s common stock held by the ICUMO Shareholders was converted into
the right to receive the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Exchange Shares”) equal to an exchange ratio of 1.34 (the
“Exchange Ratio”).
As
a result of the Exchange, a change in control of the Company occurred with the ICUMO Shareholders owning 90.1% of the issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock. Immediately after giving effect to the Exchange, there were 202,294,000 issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock, held as follows:
●
The
stockholders of the Company prior to the Exchange held 20,054,000 shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock; and
●
The
ICUMO Shareholders held 182,240,000 shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock.
1
Pursuant
to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement, on January 23, 2023 at the closing of the Exchange (the “Closing”) the
Company assumed: (i) all ICUMO’s obligations for the options, whether or not vested, granted to key management personnel
pursuant to certain incentive stock option agreements (the “Incentive Stock Options”), and any vested options are now
exercisable to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.125 until December 31, 2027; and (ii) all ICUMO’s
obligations pursuant to certain warrants to purchase shares of ICUMO common stock (the “2021 Warrants”), which warrants
are now exercisable to purchase shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $0.15, until May 11, 2027. The Incentive Stock
Options and 2021 Warrants are (i) exercisable for that number of shares of Common
Stock equal to the number of shares of ICUMO’s common stock subject to such option and warrants, immediately prior to the
Closing and as adjusted by the Exchange Ratio, and (ii) have an initial exercise price per share equal to the initial exercise
price per share in effect for that option or warrant immediately prior to the Closing. With respect to these Incentive Stock Options
and 2021 Warrants, the Company assumed at Closing, after applying the Exchange Ratio, vested and unvested options to purchase an aggregate of
56,615,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants exercisable for up to 41,540,000 shares of Common Stock.
At
the Closing, Ramon Lata, the sole officer, and director of the Company, resigned from all his offices and from the Board of Directors
of the Company (the “Board”). In his place, the Board appointed four new directors, Robert Scannell, John Moeller, Shaun
Dykes, and Andrew Brodkey, and the following four executive officers, Steven Rudofsky as Chief Executive Officer and President, Robert
Scannell as Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Brodkey as Chief Operating Officer, and Shaun Dykes as Vice President, Exploration.
Private
Placement by ICUMO
Prior
to entering into the Share Exchange Agreement, from December 2022 to January 9, 2023, ICUMO conducted a private placement offering whereby
it issued and sold convertible secured promissory notes in the total amount of $898,000 with a conversion price of $0.10 (the “Notes”)
and 8,980,000 warrants to purchase ICUMO common stock, with an exercise price of $0.15 (the “2023 Warrants”). As a condition
to entering into the Share Exchange Agreement, ICUMO and the Company agreed that the Company would exchange the Notes and 2023 Warrants
for notes and warrants issued by the Company. Such replacement notes and warrants were
issued by the Company to the holders of the Notes and 2023 Warrants on January 23, 2023 (the “Replacement Notes and Warrants”).
After applying the Exchange Ratio to the conversion rate, the Company now has outstanding convertible secured promissory notes in the
principal amount of $898,000 which will convert into shares of Common Stock at an adjusted conversion price of $0.075 per share of Common
Stock and 11,973,333 warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock at an adjusted exercise price of $0.15 per share. Principal on the Notes
is due and payable on July 23, 2025. The warrants expire on January 9, 2028.
The
Replacement Notes and Warrants are secured by a first priority lien on all of the assets and mining claims of the Company, other than
certain patented lode mining claims that represent approximately 7.3% of the CuMo Project.
The
Company continues to be a “smaller reporting company,” as defined under the Exchange Act, however, as a result of the Exchange,
the Company has ceased to be a “shell company”.
In
connection with the Exchange, the Company entered into lock-up and leak-out agreements (“Lock-Up Agreements”) with (i)
certain majority shareholders of ICUMO, (ii) the holders of the Incentive Stock Options, (iii) the majority stockholder of the
Company prior to the Exchange; and (iv) certain service providers who will receive shares of Common Stock as payment for services
rendered in connection with the Share Exchange Agreement. These Lock-Up Agreements cover the Exchange Shares, any Common Stock
issued pursuant to the exercise of any Incentive Stock Options or 2021 Warrants, and all shares of Common Stock issued to such
service providers (the “Covered Securities”). The Lock-Up Agreements did not require any additional restrictions to be
added to the Covered Securities at issuance but rather were applicable to the holders of the Covered Securities. The Lock-up
Agreements provide that the Covered Securities are subject to an 18-month lock-up from January 23, 2023, subject to (i) early
release upon the Company up-listing to a national securities exchange, and (ii) termination upon certain corporate events and
transactions, and also provide for certain limited permitted transfers where the recipient takes the shares subject to the
restrictions in the Lock-Up Agreement. At the end of the lock-up period, the Covered Securities are subject to a one-year leak-out
restriction for public resales of five percent of the trailing ten (10) day average trading volume of the Common Stock. The Company
may waive these restrictions.
In
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement, prior to the Closing, the Company assigned all the amounts
owed to a third-party service provider to JHP, the former controlling stockholder of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of this Debt
Assignment and Release Agreement, JHP Holdings, Inc. assumed all the outstanding debts of the Company as of January 23, 2023.
2
The CuMo Project, Geology and Mineralization
The
CuMo Project currently consists of one hundred and twenty-six (126) federal unpatented lode mining claims, and six (6) patented mining
claims. In total, the project comprises approximately 2,640 acres. The unpatented lode mining claims and patented claims are situated
in an unorganized mining district, in Boise County, Idaho, spanning Sections in Township 7N and 8N, Range 5E and 6E, Boise Meridian.
The
CuMo deposit is situated within the Idaho batholith and is part of a regional scale belt of porphyry and related deposits identified
as the Idaho-Montana Porphyry Belt. Igneous complexes in this belt are interpreted to be related to an Eocene, intra-arc rift, and are
characterized by alkalic rocks in the northeast, mixed alkalic and calc-alkalic rocks in the middle, and calc-alkaline rocks in the southwest.
The CuMo deposit is located at the southwestern end of this belt and is associated with a calc-alkalic monzogranite, reported as 45-52Ma
age that intrudes Cretaceous equigranular intrusive rocks of the Atlanta Lobe of the Idaho Batholith. The CuMo area is underlain by biotite
granodiorite, the most common rock type of the Atlanta lobe of the Idaho batholith. All of the felsic intrusive phases contain molybdenite
(MoS2) mineralization.
The
CuMo deposit is located in an historic gold mining camp. Gold was discovered in the Boise Basin in 1862 and lode mining began within
a year. As of 1940, total gold production amounted to 2.8 million ounces of which 74% was from placer operations. More gold has been
produced from the Boise Basin than any other mining locality in Idaho. Although they are primarily gold deposits, considerable silver
and minor copper, lead and zinc were produced as byproducts from the lodes.
The
area features two separate mineralizing events that are referred to as early Tertiary and early Miocene. The first event consists of
gold-quartz veins containing minor sulfide minerals that occur within the Idaho batholith and are associated with weak wall rock alteration.
Associated sulfide minerals include pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and stibnite. The second mineralizing
event occurs within porphyry dikes and stocks as well as in the batholith, and is characterized by relatively abundant sulfide mineralization,
subordinate quartz, and widespread wall rock alteration. Base metal mineralization consists of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite,
chalcopyrite, minor quartz, and siderite with local occurrences of pyrrhotite and enargite.
Molybdenum
mineralization was discovered at CuMo in 1963. Mineralization on the property occurs in veins and veinlets developed within various intrusive
bodies. Molybdenite (MoS2) occurs within quartz veins, veinlets, and vein stockworks. Whereas a typical porphyry deposit features disseminated
mineralized areas throughout the orebody. CuMo is a stockwork-type deposit, Individual veinlets vary in size from tiny fractures to veinlets
five centimeters in width, with an overall thickness averaging 0.3- 0.4 cm. Pyrite and/or chalcopyrite are commonly associated with molybdenite
although molybdenite can occur alone without other metallic mineralization.
Due
to their large size, the total contained economic molybdenum in this type of lower grade copper-molybdenum deposit can be equivalent
to or exceed that of high-grade molybdenum deposits.
History
of CuMo Project Exploration
The
Boise Basin was first explored following the discovery of placer gold deposits in 1862. Several lode gold deposits were discovered and
developed immediately following the initial alluvial gold rush, with significant production occurring in the late 1800’s and early
1900’s. No production has occurred on the CuMo Project claim footprint itself.
The
first interest in the CuMo property was shown during aerial reconnaissance by Amax Exploration (“Amax”) in 1963. Follow-up
geochemical rock and soil sampling indicated anomalous molybdenum and copper values. Forty claims were then staked, and three previously
existing claims were optioned. A 2.5 mile (4 km) rough access road was constructed in 1964 to facilitate collection of rock samples and
geological mapping. Amax completed detailed bedrock mapping on the CuMo property between 1964 and 1981.
In
1968, Curwood Mining Company staked 12 claims and undertook detailed mapping and geochemical rock sampling. Several trenches were excavated,
and one line of dipole-dipole array induced polarization (“IP”) geophysical survey was conducted.
In
1969, Midwest Oil Corp. optioned the property and conducted exploration drilling through 1972 (four short rotary holes (less than 100
ft) initially, which were later deepened using diamond drilling, followed by six cored holes). Midwest also performed an IP survey in
1971 and an airborne magnetic survey in 1973.
In
1973, Midwest formed a joint venture with Amax and then subsequently Midwest was merged with Amoco Minerals Company (“AMOCO”)
resulting in an Amax-AMOCO joint venture with AMOCO as operator. During the period 1973 to 1981, the Amax-AMOCO joint venture completed
30,822 ft of drilling, surface geological mapping, re-logging of the core, road construction, an aerial topographic survey, and age dating.
In 1980, Amax Exploration Inc. transferred its interest to Climax Molybdenum Company (“Climax”), also a subsidiary of Amax
Inc. In 1982, Climax collected more than 300 soil geochemical samples from three different grids.
3
A
total of twenty-three (23) diamond holes and three RC holes were drilled on the property during this timeframe. Most RC holes were pre-collars
to diamond drill holes with only the diamond drill component of the holes being used for resource modelling and sampling. The historic
holes were sampled mostly at a 20ft sample interval. All the sample rejects were delivered directly from Climax’s secure facility
in Colorado and are stored in the project secure warehouse facility for use by the project.
The
drilling efforts from 1969 to 1982 were the only actual drilling done on the property until ICUMO in 2006, who under option from American
CuMo completed one diamond drillhole and partially completed another before relinquishing the project back to American CuMo in late 2006.
Thereafter, American CuMo between 2006 and 2012 drilled a total of 25,486.82m in forty-two (42) holes. Drilling consisted of both HQ
and NQ diameter core with holes being started with HQ diameter and then reducing at a major fault intersection or at 1000ft which ever
was less. Core recoveries were monitored and were excellent (90%+). All holes were surveyed down-the-hole at regular intervals (100 feet)
using a Reflex survey instrument. All core was collected at the drill site by the diamond drillers under supervision of onsite geology
staff and delivered to a secure warehouse facility in Garden Valley where they were logged, analyzed and samples collected. All drill
sites were surveyed using a total field station in order to accurately locate the holes.
The
2006 through 2012 results confirmed the extent and grade of mineralization on the property as indicated by previous drilling and demonstrated
continuity of mineralization between the original wide-spaced holes.
American
CuMo’s work resulted in the interpretation and modelling of three distinct mineralized zones within the deposit. These zones were
previously interpreted by Amax as distinct shells that were produced by separate intrusions. Re-interpretation of down-hole histograms
for copper (Cu), silver (Ag) and molybdenite (MoS2) suggests the mineralized zones are part of a single, large, concentrically zoned
system with an upper copper-silver zone, underlain by a transitional copper-molybdenum zone, in turn underlain by a lower molybdenum-rich
zone. Three-dimensional modeling of the above zonation indicates the current area being drilled is located on the north side of a large
system extending 4.5km (15,000ft) in diameter, of which 1.5km (3,000ft) has been drilled.
Resource
Reports and Preliminary Economic Assessments
In
2008, an initial Resource Estimate compliant with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 was commissioned by American CuMo under its former
name, Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines Ltd. This estimate was based on information from 31 diamond drillholes completed through 2007.
The deposit was subdivided into three mineral domains based on the drill hole data: a Cu-Ag zone, a Cu-Mo zone, and a Mo zone. Within
each mineral domain 20 ft. composites were formed. Blocks 50 x 50 x 50 ft. were estimated for MoS2, Cu, Ag and W by ordinary kriging.
In
May 2009, the authors of the 2008 report provided an updated Resource Estimate based on a total of 42 diamond drill holes totaling 76,436
ft, including 11 completed during 2008. Using a Recoverable Metal Value (the “RCV”) cutoff at various US dollar values per
ton, and at certain assumed metal recoveries and metal prices, the authors presented tonnages, metal grades, and contained metal for
indicated and inferred resource calculations in all 3 mineralized zones.
In
November 2009, Ausenco Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”), an independent, third-party engineering firm employed by American CuMo, published
a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment, throughput Scoping Study Report based on the same 42 diamond drillholes. In a
manner similar to the May 2009 report, Ausenco reported tonnages, metal grades and contained metal for indicated and inferred resource
calculations in all 3 mineralized zones. Ausenco went further and proposed a mining and processing operational design at various mining
rates, from 50,000 to 200,000 tons per day of ore to mill throughput. This firm also included provisions and estimated capital and operating
costs for a conceptual open pit mine, waste dumps, tailings storage facility, plant/concentrator, molybdenum roaster, and ancillary facilities.
Based on this data, Ausenco was able to perform a Preliminary Economic Analysis (PEA) of the CuMo project, at various throughput rates,
which yielded numeric results for Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Payback, and cash operating costs per pound of molybdenum
equivalent.
4
In
2011, a new technical study for a NI 43-101 compliant Resource update was commissioned with Snowden Mining Consultants. The resource
estimate update was based on a total of 54 diamond drillholes totaling 99,404 ft. Of these, 12 diamond drillholes were completed in 2009
and 2010. Again, using assumed metal recoveries and selected RCV cut-off grades, Snowden reported updated global Indicated Resources
and global Inferred Resources Snowden adopted most of the other design parameters and assumptions offered by Ausenco.
In
August 2015, Gary Giroux of Giroux Consultants Ltd. (one of the authors of the 2008 and 2009 Reports) was employed by American CuMo to
publish a NI 43-101 compliant, updated resource estimate. This update was based on a total of 65 diamond drill holes totaling 120,685
feet (36,784.9 meters). Nine (9) of the sixty-five (65) diamond drill holes were completed in 2012 since the previous resource calculation.
Using low, medium, and high metal price assumptions, and different cutoff grades for RCV, Giroux calculated Measured, Indicated, and
Inferred mineral resource numbers for ore contained within a conceptual pit shell.
Finally,
in 2020 SRK authored a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment and Technical Report (PEA) for the CuMo project. This document,
relying on the previously published 2015 resource estimate, proposed an open pit mine and concentrator combination at a milling rate
of 150,000 tons per day, and an initial mine life of 30 years. It also incorporated particle-based ore sorting technology to remove 28%
of the mining waste from the ore stream, prior to entering the concentrator.
The
mineral resource estimates contained in the TRS are based on drilling completed through 2012 on a total of 65 diamond drill holes totaling
36,166 m (118,654 ft). As no additional drilling has been completed since the 2015 resource was estimated, the mineral resource estimates
are considered current and have not been updated since that time.
The
mineral resource estimates contained in the TRS were estimated in conformity with Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting
Standards (CRIRSCO) “International Reporting Template for the public reporting of Exploration Targets, Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves” as adopted by the International Council on Mining & Metals November 2019. The mineral resources
are reported in in accordance with §§229.1300 through 229.1305 (subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K).
The
resource estimate was based on a total of 65 diamond drill holes totaling 36,166 m (118,654 ftNine of the 65 diamond drill holes were
completed in 2012. As no additional drilling has been completed since the 2015 resource was estimated, it is considered current. The
resource is considered an Insitu resource as it is based on the drilling and overall geological modeling.
Table
1 to Paragraph (D)(1)—CuMo Summary of Copper, Molybdenum, Silver, Rhenium and Sulphur Mineral Resources at the End of the Fiscal
Year 2024 Based on Metal Prices (see table 2)
Grades
Metal Recoveries (2)
Classification
short tons
Cu
MoS2
Ag
Re
S
RCV (1)
Rc v
Cu Recov
Mo Recov
Ag recov
Re Recov
(Millions)
%
%
Gms
PPM
%
$
Cutoff
%
%
%
%
Measured
297.2
0.076
0.081
2.09
0.03
0.229
17.83
$ 5.00
60 to 80
80 to 95
55 to 75
90
Indicated
1972.3
0.085
0.053
2.57
0.019
0.269
13.4
$ 5.00
60 to 80
80 to 95
55 to 75
90
Measured + Indicated
2269.6
0.084
0.057
2.5
0.021
0.264
13.98
$ 5.00
60 to 80
80 to 95
55 to 75
90
Inferred
2556.6
0.067
0.048
2.13
0.017
0.282
11.48
$ 5.00
60 to 80
80 to 95
55 to 75
90
*
The detailed results of the resource calculation can be found in Exhibit 96.1 of this filing.\in particular sections 1.10.1 and Section
11. The point of reference for this mineral resource is an In-situ Resource.
5
RCV
calculation:
The
RCV calculations were based on the following metal prices
Table
2: Metal prices for resources and represent the longer term predictions for future prices combined with the moving average for the past
3 years.
Metal
Price
Copper (Cu), $/lb
3.00
Molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ), $/lb
10.00
Molybdenum Metal (Mo), $/lb
15.00
Silver (Ag), $/ounce
12.50
Molybdenum
is sold as molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) which has higher Mo content. The price used in this study for MoO 3 is $10/lb. MoO 3
is calculated from MoS 2 by the following:
●
Pounds Mo = MoS 2 * 20 / 1.6681
●
Pounds MoO 3 = Pounds Mo * 1.5
The
metal recoveries used to calculate RCV were a function of mineralized zones as follows:
Table
3: Metal recoveries sorted by mineralized zone
Metal
%Recoveries
in Oxides
%Recoveries
in Cu-Ag Zone
%Recoveries
in Cu-Mo Zone
%Recoveries
in Mo & MSI Zones
Cu
60.0
68.0
85.0
72.0
Mo
80.0
86.0
92.0
95.0
Ag
65.0
75.0
78.0
55.0
*Note
– the recoveries for all metals in the MSI Zone were similar to the Mo Zone
Factors
to use in RCV equation were as follows:
MoS 2 Factor
($/ton) =
MoS 2 %
* Mo Recovery % * 2000 lbs/ton * $/lb MoO 3 * 1.5/1.6881
Cu Factor ($/ton) =
Cu % * Cu Recovery % *
2000 lbs/ton * $/lb Cu
Ag Factor ($/ton) =
Ag ppm * Ag Recovery
% * $/oz Ag
31.1035 g/oz * 1.1023 tons/tonne
The
equations to calculated RCV for each mineralized zone were as follows:
RCV
(oxides) = (Cu% * 36.0) + (Ag(ppm) * 0.24) + (MoS 2 % * 143.88)
RCV
(Cu-Ag) = (Cu% * 40.8) + (Ag(ppm) * 0.27) + (MoS 2 % * 154.67)
RCV
(Cu-Mo) = (Cu% * 51.0) + (Ag(ppm) * 0.28) + (MoS 2 % * 165.46)
RCV
(Mo) = (Cu% * 43.2) + (Ag(ppm) * 0.20) + + (MoS 2 % * 170.85)
RCV
(MSI) = (Cu% * 43.2) + (Ag(ppm) * 0.20) + + (MoS 2 % * 170.85)
6
Other
assumptions:
In
2012, Snowden Mining Consultants (Snowden) used Geovia’s WhittleTM pit optimizer to determine a constraining open pit shell for
the CuMo deposit. Optimization parameters were from Thompson Creek mine (a comparable open pit molybdenum project located in Idaho).
The optimization parameters included mill feed, mining and processing costs of $9.28 per processed ton, overall pit slope angles of 45°,
metallurgical recoveries as shown above and appropriate dilution and offsite costs and royalties. The commodity prices used in 2012 by
Snowden for restraining the resource were Mo at $25/lb, Cu at $3/lb, Ag at $20/oz and W at $10/lb. This pit constraint is still valid.
Once block inside the constraining pit were identified RCV values were recalculated using the current metal prices.
In
the mineral resource estimate table above the base case of $5.00/t RCV cut-off is used and is selected based on operating costs and the
results of grade improvement using a mineral sorting process. The $5.00 cut-off is suggested to separate waste from material that is
fed into the sorters. From the sorters, only mill feed above an economic cut-off would be sent for immediate processing and is used in
the economic analysis.
An
estimate for rhenium (Re) and sulfur (S) associated with the MoS 2 was completed using linear regression of MoS 2
vs. Re and MoS 2 vs S to show the average grades of Re and S that would be contained with MoS 2 within each block.
The Re and S were not used to determine the RCV value of resources.
There
has been no changes to the disclosed mineral resource in the past 5 fiscal years.
Effect
of Material Regulations on the current operations of the Company.
The
Company’s current activities are subject to a number of laws and regulations, in particular including those with respect to exploration
on federal lands (under the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service (USFS)) and corresponding State of Idaho and local/Boise
County laws and regulations. These laws and regulations, and permits/approvals granted by governmental entities thereunder, govern how
the Company must conduct surveys and how it can build and maintain roads and drill pads, access the properties, conduct drilling and
related exploration, transport staff and materials, secure, use and conserve water, protect identified species of flora and fauna, limit
land disturbance, protect surface and groundwater, comply with mitigation requirements, and reclaim affected lands post-exploration.
The Company is also required to post a bond with the USFS for reclamation assurance. Material compliance with these regulations is mandatory
and is critical to the operations of the Company. Presently, the Company is awaiting final approval of its Exploration Plan of Operations
by the USFS (pursuant to an Environmental Assessment published by the USFS under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA))
for the commencement of such exploration activities, which is anticipated before the end of calendar year 2024, thereby allowing the
Company to legally undertake exploration on federal lands in 2025. In addition, material approvals that the Company will need for its
planned 2025 exploration activities will need to come from the Idaho Department of Water Resources, the Idaho Department of Environmental
Quality, and Boise County Department of Roads. The proposed Plan of Operations, if approved, will permit the Company to conduct exploration
from April 15 to December 15 each calendar year for a 4-year period starting in 2025, and the Company believes that each of such material
approvals will be applied for and received prior to April 15, 2025.
Significant
encumbrances to and future permitting for the property.
There
are no legal encumbrances affecting the properties except for the pledges of security under certain notes and debentures.
The
Company notes in the previous paragraph the current permitting and governmental approval requirements to conduct exploration on the federal
lands comprising the CuMo project during 2025, principally controlled by the terms and conditions of the Exploration Plan of Operations
which is expected to be approved by the USFS before the end of 2024.
As
to future permits and approvals needed for development, construction and operation of a mining project at CuMo, and assuming that technical
and economic evaluation of a project merits such development, the Company first will need to conduct extensive baseline environmental
studies, hydrological studies, additional plant and animal surveys, and related activities required under NEPA to allow the USFS to publish
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If drilling and exploration activities are permitted and completed during 2025 (assuming no
legal challenges), the Company anticipates that it will begin additional technical analysis for a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS),
described below, and commence environmental baseline work during 2025, leading to a PFS publication conceivably within 18 months. If
the PFS results are positive, the Company would continue with additional technical work, environmental work, preliminary engineering
work, all in order to develop a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) and submit to the federal agency a Plan of Operations for construction,
development and operation of a mining project under an EIS. The Company estimates that an EIS could be published by the USFS as early
as 2029. The Company notes that possible legal challenges from NGO’s could potentially prevent exploration in 2025 and can extend
these approximate timelines.
7
Effect
of Material Regulations on the current operations of the Company.
The
Company’s current activities are subject to a number of laws and regulations, in particular including those with respect to exploration
on federal lands (under the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service (USFS)) and corresponding State of Idaho and local/Boise
County laws and regulations. These laws and regulations, and permits/approvals granted by governmental entities thereunder, govern how
the Company must conduct surveys and how it can build and maintain roads and drill pads, access the properties, conduct drilling and
related exploration, transport staff and materials, secure, use and conserve water, protect identified species of flora and fauna, limit
land disturbance, protect surface and groundwater, comply with mitigation requirements, and reclaim affected lands post-exploration.
The Company is also required to post a bond with the USFS for reclamation assurance. Material compliance with these regulations is mandatory
and is critical to the operations of the Company. Presently, the Company is awaiting final approval of its Exploration Plan of Operations
by the USFS (pursuant to an Environmental Assessment published by the USFS under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA))
for the commencement of such exploration activities, which is anticipated before the end of calendar year 2024, thereby allowing the
Company to legally undertake exploration on federal lands in 2025. In addition, material approvals that the Company will need for its
planned 2025 exploration activities will need to come from the Idaho Department of Water Resources, the Idaho Department of Environmental
Quality, and Boise County Department of Roads. The proposed Plan of Operations, if approved, will permit the Company to conduct exploration
from April 15 to December 15 each calendar year for a 4-year period starting in 2025, and the Company believes that each of such material
approvals will be applied for and received prior to April 15, 2025.
Significant
encumbrances to and future permitting for the property.
There
are no legal encumbrances affecting the properties except for the pledges of security under certain notes and debentures.
The
Company notes in the previous paragraph the current permitting and governmental approval requirements to conduct exploration on the federal
lands comprising the CuMo project during 2025, principally controlled by the terms and conditions of the Exploration Plan of Operations
which is expected to be approved by the USFS before the end of 2024.
As
to future permits and approvals needed for development, construction and operation of a mining project at CuMo, and assuming that technical
and economic evaluation of a project merits such development, the Company first will need to conduct extensive baseline environmental
studies, hydrological studies, additional plant and animal surveys, and related activities required under NEPA to allow the USFS to publish
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If drilling and exploration activities are permitted and completed during 2025 (assuming no
legal challenges), the Company anticipates that it will begin additional technical analysis for a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS),
described below, and commence environmental baseline work during 2025, leading to a PFS publication conceivably within 18 months. If
the PFS results are positive, the Company would continue with additional technical work, environmental work, preliminary engineering
work, all in order to develop a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) and submit to the federal agency a Plan of Operations for construction,
development and operation of a mining project under an EIS. The Company estimates that an EIS could be published by the USFS as early
as 2029. The Company notes that possible legal challenges from NGO’s could potentially prevent exploration in 2025 and can extend
these approximate timelines.
Internal Controls and Data Verification
Shaun M. Dykes (the “Qualified Person”), who resigned from his position as an officer of the Company and a member
of the Board on March 27, 2023, reviewed the procedures used by ICUMO and produced a description and an analysis of the results as contained in Section 8 of the TRS.
These are standard data verifications with no limitations.
8
All assay results used in the verification process
by the Qualified Person were obtained from fully certified analytical laboratories with signed assay certificates.
The Qualified Person has reviewed the data collection
and verification procedures followed by ICUMO and by third parties on behalf of ICUMO, and believes these procedures are consistent with
industry best practices and acceptable for use in geological and resource modelling.
These procedures have also been verified by several
independent qualified people over the years.
For more information about quality control/quality
assurance and data verification, see Section 8 and Section 9 of the TRS.
The mineral resources estimated may ultimately be
affected by a broad range of environmental, permitting, socio-economic (as discussed in Section 17 of the TRS), legal, title (as discussed
in Section 3 of the TRS), marketing and political factors (as discussed in Section 22 of the TRS). At this time the authors are unaware
of any of these factors that could materially affect the mineral resource estimate. Of course, going forward, relevant factors that could
influence the resource estimate include changes to the geological, geotechnical or geometallurgical models, infill drilling to convert
mineral resources to a higher classification, drilling to test for extensions to known resources, collection of additional bulk density
data and significant changes to commodity prices. It should be noted that all these factors pose potential risk and opportunities to the
current mineral resource.
Current Planned Working Programs
Ore Sorting and Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment
ICUMO presently is investigating the potential to
utilize additional ore sorting scanning technologies to optimize the separation of waste from ore post-mining and increase the head grade
of ICUMO ore being fed to a concentrator. The thin-veined, stockwork nature of the CuMo deposit lends itself nicely to ore sorting, as
noted above, since these darker colored veins largely carry the metals of interest and are much different from waste in appearance. A
visual scanning exercise of all of the core recovered from the drilling activities described herein shows that on average, 84% of the
waste mined can be theoretically separated through application of ore sorting, versus the 28% waste removal that SRK Consulting (Canada)
Inc. (“SRK”) conservatively used in its 2020 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”). There are over 90 active
mines in the world today which utilize some form of ore sorting.
Idaho Copper has signed an agreement to test CuMo material with MineSense,
Technologies Ltd., of Vancouver, BC, Canada, using their ShovelSense scanning systems, which employ X-ray fluorescence (the “XRF”)
surface scanning technology. These systems are installed directly on mine shovel buckets and scan the blasted material as the shovel scoops
it up, allowing the mine operator, based on cutoff grades, to differentiate ore from waste at the mining face. ShovelSense is currently
being used successfully by at least three large producing copper open pit mines (Highland Valley BC, Copper Mountain BC, and Carmen de
Andacollo Chile). The MineSense agreement is for the sum of $65,000 and contemplates that the service provider will run repetitive laboratory
batch tests with its XRF sensor scanning equipment at its Vancouver facility. The Company has provided representative run of mine ore
samples from previous core drilling from then three geologic zones, which will be processed by MineSense, whom thereafter will crush the
samples and re-run, and finally pulverize the samples and send to a laboratory for typical elemental analysis.
9
The
final ore sorting design will likely not only rely on a single sorting pass, but may possibly integrate multiple sorting technologies,
such as combining surface XRF scanning at the mining face on blasted material with downstream penetrative prompt gamma neutron activation
analysis (PGNAA) or pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA) scanners installed on the material conveyors, and potentially bulk
particle XRF scanners to finish. The potential combination of different ore sorting technologies and equipment could enable the Company
to optimize the separation of ore from waste, substantially increasing the head grade of mill feed, and thereby reducing the size of
the concentrator. Consequently, this will in theory allow the Company to significantly reduce capital and operating costs.
The
Company has contracted with SGS Bateman, Inc., (“SGS”) a noted professional mining industry consultant, to undertake metallurgical
test work and act as lead author and Qualified Person(s) (QP), to publish an updated PEA, utilizing ore sorting results to revise the
technical and economic sections of the document. The key terms of the SGS contract are, for an estimated cost of $429,000, SGS, and except
for ore sorting, SGS will provide all of the technical input for a Canadian NI-43-101 equivalent Technical Report and a compliant US
SK-1300 Technical Report. These reports will include all technical studies including geologic resources, mineable resources, pit optimization,
mine planning and equipment scheduling, metallurgical analysis, concentrator design, capital and operating cost estimates, and an economic
analysis. SGS will also conduct at its Lakefield, Ontario, Canada laboratories, metallurgical testwork on representative, post-ore sorting,
higher-grade ore samples which were provided by the Company. As to ore sorting, the Company has engaged Lycopodium, Inc, of Ontario,
Canada, for a cost of roughly US$70,000, to provide a QP for expert ore sorting analysis of the MineSense sorting results which will
be incorporated into the updated PEA. The expected budget for all of the work identified above is roughly $1 million. The updated PEA
is anticipated to be published in early 2025.
Additional
Exploration and Metallurgical Studies; Pre-Feasibility Study
Following
completion of the updated PEA, and pending issuance by the USFS of approval of the Company’s Plan of Operations under an Environmental
Assessment expected to be published by the end of 2024, Company intends to procced with additional exploration, including infill, expansion,
and geotechnical pit wall drilling. The infill work is intended to enable the Company to reclassify resources currently labeled as Inferred,
to the level of Indicated, or Measured and Indicated. The Company has tentatively budgeted $12 million for this drilling and exploration
work.
The
Company also plans to initiate additional metallurgical studies to (1) determine the optimal concentrator design for both copper-silver,
and molybdenum concentrate circuits, and (2) investigate the potential to recover copper and molybdenum via heap leaching of lower grade
ore that is stockpiled and not immediately processed at the concentrator. The Company has identified a number of outside consultants
that can be engaged for both of these studies. In total, the Company expects that these studies will cost approximately $1,000,000 and
will take on the order of four (4) months to complete.
These
undertakings are part of the Company’s plan to develop an independent, third-party Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the CuMo Project.
In addition to the exploration and metallurgical work, explained above, the PFS will include expenditures for infrastructure and road
improvements, environmental and permitting work, preliminary engineering, community, and public/governmental relations work, and potentially
costs for expansion of the current land position.
Competitive
Position in the Industry
The
mineral exploration, development, and production industry are largely un-integrated. The Company competes with other exploration companies
looking to acquire and obtain financing for the exploration and development of mineral resource properties. While the Company competes
with other exploration companies to locate and acquire mineral resource properties, it may also compete with them for the removal or
sales of mineral products from its properties if it should eventually discover their presence in quantities sufficient to make production
economically feasible. Readily available markets for the sale of mineral products only sometimes exist for all mineral commodities; however,
the principal CuMo Project commodities of copper, silver and molybdenum are traded on international exchanges and therefore, at a minimum
a terminal market exists for which these commodities can be delivered and sold.
Employees
As
of the date of this Report, other than certain executives, ICUMO has no employees. ICUMO does not have or maintain any employee benefit
plans or similar plans under any applicable laws.
Name
Change
On
February 7, 2023, the Board and the holder of 121,343,700 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 59.98% of the Company’s
voting equity, approved by written consent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Nevada law, the execution and filing of a
Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the “Amendment”) with the Nevada Secretary of State,
to effect the change of the Company’s name from “Joway Health Industries Group Inc.” to “Idaho Copper Corporation”.
On March 9, 2023, the Company filed the Amendment with the Nevada Secretary of State, with immediate effect.
10
Recent Developments
Between February and
April 2024, we entered into subscription agreements (each a “Subscription Agreement”) with certain accredited investors
(each, a “Subscriber” and collectively, the “Subscribers”), pursuant to which the Company offered and sold
to the Subscribers in a private placement offering (the “Offering”), units (each, a “Unit” and,
collectively, the “Units”), for a purchase price of $12,000 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $ 1,952,000 .
Each Unit consists of one (1) share of the Company’s Series A Convertible
Non-Voting Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and (ii) 62,500 common stock
purchase warrants (the “Warrants”). Each share of Preferred Stock converts into
50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”). The Warrant entitles the
holders to shares of Common Stock for three (3) years, at an exercise price of $0.24 per share. The Company intends to
utilize the net proceeds from the sale of the Units in the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Newbridge Securities Corporation
acted as the sole placement agent and received cash commissions of 10.0% of the gross proceeds. Certain members of placement agent participated
as investors in the Offering.
Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, the Company agreed to file a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the re-sale of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion
of the Preferred Stock and upon the exercise of the Warrants within 90 business days after the final Closing date. If the Company fails
to file a registration statement by such date, the Company shall pay the Subscribers 2.5% of their respective purchase price for each
30 days that the registration statement is not filed, with a maximum of 10%.
Available
Information
We
file annual, quarterly, and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statement or other
information that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please
call the SEC at (202) 551-8090 for further information on the public reference room. These SEC filings are also available to the public
from commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
The
Company’s website is www.idaho-copper.com. The Company’s website is not incorporated in this Form 10-K.
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form
10-K (this “Report”) for the Company, contains forward-looking statements that relate
to future events or our future financial performance. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and other
factors include those listed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,”
“anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue”
or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances
or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in this Report in greater detail
under the heading “Risk Factors.” Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. You
should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this Annual Report completely and with
the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
11
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements,
even if new information becomes available in the future. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.