Rise Gold Corp. 10-Q

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. SPECIAL NOTE OF CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS REPORT, INCLUDING STATEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION, ARE WHAT ARE KNOWN AS "FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS", WHICH ARE BASICALLY STATEMENTS ABOUT THE FUTURE. FOR THAT REASON, THESE STATEMENTS INVOLVE RISK AND UNCERTAINTY SINCE NO ONE CAN ACCURATELY PREDICT THE FUTURE. WORDS SUCH AS "PLANS", "INTENDS", "WILL", "HOPES", "SEEKS", "ANTICIPATES", "EXPECTS" AND THE LIKE OFTEN IDENTIFY SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS, BUT ARE NOT THE ONLY INDICATION THAT A STATEMENT IS A FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT. SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE STATEMENTS CONCERNING OUR PLANS AND OBJECTIVES WITH RESPECT TO PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS, AND STATEMENTS WHICH EXPRESS OR IMPLY THAT SUCH PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS WILL OR MAY PRODUCE REVENUES, INCOME OR PROFITS. NUMEROUS FACTORS AND FUTURE EVENTS COULD CAUSE US TO CHANGE SUCH PLANS AND OBJECTIVES OR FAIL TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT SUCH PLANS OR ACHIEVE SUCH OBJECTIVES, OR CAUSE SUCH PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS TO FAIL TO PRODUCE REVENUES, INCOME OR PROFITS. THEREFORE, THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF THE DISCUSSION OF RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS CONTAINED IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IN OUR OTHER FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. NO STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A GUARANTEE OR ASSURANCE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR FUTURE RESULTS. Description of Business Our Company was incorporated on February 9, 2007 as Atlantic Resources Inc. in the state of Nevada pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statutes. On April 11, 2012, we changed our name to Patriot Minefinders Inc. On January 14, 2015, we changed our name to Rise Resources Inc. On April 7, 2017, we changed our name to Rise Gold Corp. We are a mineral exploration company and our primary asset is a major past producing high-grade I-M Mine Property near Grass Valley, California, United States, which we own outright. In the past, we have held several other potential mineral properties in British Columbia, Canada, which have been written off based on the strength of the I-M Mine Project. As of April 30, 2021, based on management’s review of the carrying value of mineral rights, management determined that there is no evidence that the cost of these acquired mineral rights will not be fully recovered and accordingly, the Company determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of mineral rights was required. As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, the Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral properties and has incurred only acquisition and exploration costs. On January 14, 2015, we completed a merger with our wholly owned subsidiary, Rise Resources Inc., and formally assumed the subsidiary’s name by filing Articles of Merger with the Nevada Secretary of State. The subsidiary was incorporated entirely for the purpose of effecting the name change and the merger did not affect our Articles of Incorporation or corporate structure in any other way. On January 22, 2015, we completed a 1 for 80 reverse split of our common stock and effected a corresponding decrease in our authorized capital by filing a Certificate of Change with the Nevada Secretary of State (the “Reverse Split”). As a result of the Reverse Split, our authorized capital decreased from 168,000,000 shares to 2,100,000 and our issued and outstanding common stock decreased from 6,340,000 shares to 79,252, with each fractional share being rounded up to the nearest whole share. Both the name change and Reverse Split became effective in the market at the open of business on February 9, 2015. On April 9, 2015, we increased our authorized capital from 2,100,000 to 40,000,000 shares of common stock. On March 29, 2017, we completed another merger with our wholly owned subsidiary, Rise Gold Corp., and formally assumed the subsidiary’s name by filing Articles of Merger with the Nevada Secretary of State. The subsidiary was incorporated 3 entirely for the purpose of effecting the name change and the merger did not affect our Articles of Incorporation or corporate structure in any other way. We currently have one wholly owned subsidiary, Rise Grass Valley, Inc., which holds certain of our interests and assets located in the United States, and in particular, our interest in the I-M Mine Property. Rise Grass Valley, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Nevada pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statutes. Our common stock is currently listed in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) under the symbol “RISE.CN”. We are a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada. Our common stock is also currently traded in the United States on the OTCQX Market under the symbol “RYES”. We are an SEC reporting company by virtue of our class of common stock being registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Business Development Developments in our Company’s business during the July 31, 2020 fiscal year and the nine-month period ended April 30, 2021 include the following: On July 3, 2019, the Company completed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement. The Company raised a total of $552,000 (C$725,769) through the sale of 1,036,813 units at a price of $0.50 (C$0.70) per unit where each unit consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional share at an exercise price of $0.80 (C$1.00) until July 3, 2022. On August 19, 2019, the Company completed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement for a total of $2,412,281 (C$3,207,850) through the sale of 4,582,644 units at a price of $0.50 (C$0.70) per unit where each unit consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one share of common stock at a price of $0.80 (C$1.00) until August 19, 2022. The Company has paid finders’ fees and associated legal fees of $8,710 and issued a total of 11,196 finder’s warrants entitling the holder to acquire one share at a price of $0.80 (C$1.00) until August 19, 2022. On September 3, 2019, the Company completed a debt financing with Eridanus Capital LLC (the “Lender”) for $1,000,000 (the “Loan”). The Loan has a term of 4 years and an annual interest rate of 10% for the first two years increasing to 20% in year 3 and to 25% in year 4. Interest will accrue and be paid along with the principal upon the maturity date. The Lender received 1,150,000 bonus share purchase warrants as additional consideration for advancing the Loan. The fair value of these warrants was calculated to be $444,942 which was netted against the loan payable balance along with $15,000 paid to the lender for a total of $459,942 in other issuance costs. Each warrant entitles the holder to acquire one share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.80 (C$1.00) for a period of three years from the date of issuance. The Loan may be repaid prior to the maturity date, in whole or in part, provided that all accrued interest is paid. In addition, if total interest payments are less than $200,000, the difference will be paid to the Lender as prepayment compensation. The Loan is secured against the assets of the Company and its subsidiary and will be used for permitting, engineering and working capital at the Company’s Idaho Maryland Gold Project. On November 21, 2019, the Company submitted an application for a Use Permit to Nevada County to allow the re-opening of the Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine. The Use Permit application proposes underground mining to recommence at an average throughput of 1,000 tons per day. On March 17, 2020, the Company provided an update to the application where all technical reports for the Draft Environmental Impact Report have been completed and the timeline for approval is expected to range from 12 to 18 months. On December 16, 2019, the Company completed a 1 for 10 reverse split of the Company’s authorized and issued shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. All references to the Company’s shares issued and outstanding have been adjusted to reflect this change. On July 31, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement for a total of $3,272,875 through the issuance of 4,363,833 units (each a “Unit”) at a price of $0.75 per Unit (C$1.02 per Unit), with each Unit comprising one share of common stock (a “Share”) and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $1.00 until July 31, 2022. The Company paid a total of $32,576 in finders fees and issued a total 4 of 43,435 finders warrants, where each finder’s warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Share at a price of $1.00 until July 31, 2022. To accommodate the lack of authorized capital to facilitate the closing of the private placement, the Company’s President and CEO surrendered 1,097,298 stock options priced between C$0.70 and C$2.40 per share. On September 18, 2020, the Company announced an increase of the Company’s authorized capital from 40,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share to 400,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. On September 22, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement for a total of $250,000 through the issuance of 333,333 units at a price of $0.75 per Unit (C$1.02 per Unit), with each Unit comprising of one share of common stock and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $1.00 until September 21, 2022. On September 22, 2020, the Company granted a total of 1,338,500 stock options to the President and CEO of the Company. The stock options are exercisable at a price of $0.90 (C$1.20) per share with an expiry date of September 22, 2025. Plan of Operations As at April 30, 2021, the Company had a cash balance of $1,534,934, compared to a cash balance of $3,378,826 as of July 31, 2020. Our plan of operations for the next 12 months is to continue the Use Permit process in Nevada County California, to re-open the Idaho-Maryland gold mine at the I-M Mine Property. The Company submitted the application for a Use Permit to Nevada County on November 21st 2019. On April 28th, 2020, with a vote of 5-0, the Nevada County (“County”) Board of Supervisors approved the contract for Raney Planning & Management Inc. (“Raney”) to prepare the Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) and conduct contract planning services on behalf of the County for the proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine Project. Raney began work immediately to review the technical studies submitted by Rise with the Use Permit application and is currently preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Report (“Draft EIR”). A general outline of remaining milestones in the process to approval of the permit is outlined as follows; 1) County planning staff and Raney prepare a Draft EIR 2) Draft EIR is published for public comment; 3) Raney publishes a Final EIR which includes responses to public comments on the Draft EIR; and 4) County decision makers review the Final EIR, certify the environmental document and consider approval of the Use Permit and Reclamation Plan at a public hearing. The Company’s estimate of the remaining timeline to approval is approximately late 2021. Ancillary construction and operational permits would follow as needed. Project Design The Use Permit application proposes underground mining to recommence at an average throughput of 1,000 tons per day. The existing Brunswick Shaft, which extends to ~3400 feet depth below surface, would be used as the primary rock conveyance from the I-M Mine Property. A second service shaft would be constructed by raising from underground to provide for the conveyance of personnel, materials, and equipment. Gold processing would be done by gravity and flotation to produce gravity and flotation gold concentrates. Processing equipment and operations would be fully enclosed in attractive modern buildings and numerous mature trees located on the perimeter of the Brunswick site would be retained to provide visual shielding of aboveground project facilities and operations. The Company would produce barren rock from underground tunnelling and sand tailings as part of the project which would be used for creation of approximately 58 acres of level and useable industrial zoned land for future economic development in Nevada County. 5 A water treatment plant and pond, using conventional processes, would ensure that groundwater pumped from the mine is treated to regulatory standards before being discharged to the local waterways. Detailed studies by professionals in the fields of civil and electrical engineering, biology, hydrology, cultural resources, traffic, air quality, human health, vibration, and sound have guided the design of the project. Approximately 300 employees would be required if the mine reaches full production. Government Regulations We plan to engage in mineral exploration and development activities and will accordingly be exposed to environmental risks associated with mineral exploration activity. We are the operator of the I-M Mine Property. Our exploration and development activities will be subject to extensive federal, state and local laws, regulations and permits governing protection of the environment. Among other things, its operations must comply with the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 as administered by the United States Department of Labor. Our plan is to conduct our operations in a way that safeguards public health and the environment. We believe that our operations comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations in all material respects. The costs associated with implementing and complying with environmental requirements can be substantial and possible future legislation and regulations could cause us to incur additional operating expenses, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in developing or conducting operations on its properties, including the I-M Mine Property, the extent of which cannot be predicted with any certainty. 6 Results of Operations For the Periods Ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 The Company’s operating results for the periods ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows: Liquidity and Capital Resources Working Capital At April 30, 2021 At July 31, 2020 At July 31, 2019 Current Assets $ 1,860,442 $ 3,762,515 $ 416,569 Current Liabilities $ 179,885 $ 494,771 $ 923,152 Working Capital $ 1,680,558 $ 3,267,744 $ (506,583) 7 Cash Flows For the nine-month period ended April 30, 2021 For the nine-month period ended April 30, 2020 Net Cash used in Operating Activities $ (2,092,090) $ (2,202,248) Net Cash used in Investing Activities $ - $ - Net Cash provided by Financing Activities $ 248,198 $ 3,013,896 Net Increase (decrease) in Cash During the Period $ (1,843,892) $ 811,648 As of April 30, 2021, the Company had $1,534,934 in cash, $1,860,442 in current assets, $6,591,845 in total assets, $179,885 in current liabilities and $1,573,489 in non-current liabilities, a working capital of $1,680,558 and an accumulated deficit of $18,969,011. During the nine-month period ended April 30, 2021, the Company used $2,092,090 (2020 - $2,202,248) in net cash on operating activities. The difference in net cash used in operating activities during the two periods was largely due to the lower net loss for the most recent period as a result of the revaluation adjustment of the derivative liability. The Company had no investing activities during the nine-month periods ending April 30, 2021 (April 30, 2020 - $Nil). The Company received net cash of $248,198 (2020 - $3,013,896) from financing activities during the nine-month period ended April 30, 2021. The Company expects to operate at a loss for at least the next 12 months. It has no agreements for additional financing and cannot provide any assurance that additional funding will be available to finance its operations on acceptable terms in order to enable it to carry out its business plan. There are no assurances that the Company will be able to complete further sales of its common stock or any other form of additional financing. If the Company is unable to achieve the financing necessary to continue its plan of operations, then it will not be able to carry out any exploration work on the Idaho-Maryland Property or the other properties in which it owns an interest and its business may fail. On March 11, 2020, the novel coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Governmental authorities around the world have implemented measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures have adversely affected workforces, customers, supply chains, consumer sentiment, economies, and financial markets, and, along with decreased consumer spending, have led to an economic downturn across many global economies. The extent to which COVID-19 ultimately impacts our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effectiveness of actions taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact. The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving and new information emerges regularly, and as a result, the ultimate duration and magnitude of the impact on the economy and our business are not known at this time. These conditions may affect our ability to obtain debt and equity financing to fund ongoing exploration activities, as well as conduct business more efficiently. We have taken action to minimize the risks of the COVID-19 virus for our employees, contractors and other people participating in our operations, programs, and activities. Although there have been no known or suspected cases of the virus reported at any of our workplaces, either in Canada or the United States, the health and safety of our work force remains a priority. We are closely monitoring the rapid developments of the outbreak and continually assessing the potential impact on our business. We continue to follow government health protocols including our continued “work from home” protocol for personnel whose attendance at the office or work sites is not critical. 8 Off Balance Sheet Arrangements The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. Not applicable.