10-Q
1
tm2029537d1_10q.htm
FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
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: 001-33638
INTERNATIONAL
TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
(Exact Name of Registrant
as Specified in its Charter)
British Columbia, Canada
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2300-1177
West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2K3
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
V6E 2K3
(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (604) 683-6332
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Act:
Title
of each class:
Trading
Symbol:
Name of
each exchange on which registered:
Common Shares, no par value
THM
NYSE American
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.
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions
of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging
growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
x
Smaller reporting company
x
Emerging growth company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards
provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨
No x
As of October 30, 2020, the registrant had 194,908,184
common shares outstanding.
Table of Contents
Page
Part I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1
Financial Statements
4
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
21
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
21
Part II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1
Legal Proceedings
22
Item 1A
Risk Factors
22
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
22
Item 3
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
22
Item 4
Mine Safety Disclosures
22
Item 5
Other Information
22
Item 6
Exhibits
23
SIGNATURES
24
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING
ESTIMATES OF MEASURED, INDICATED AND INFERRED RESOURCES AND PROVEN AND PROBABLE RESERVES
International
Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “our,” “ITH” or the “ Company”)
is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. As used in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve”
are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM
Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ
from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry
Guide 7”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required
to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves,
and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. In addition, the terms
“mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred
mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under
SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors
are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.
“Inferred mineral resources”
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It
cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian
disclosure rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except
in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically
or legally mineable.
Disclosure of “contained ounces”
in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations if such disclosure includes the grade or quality and the quantity
for each category of mineral resource and mineral reserve; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization
that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
Accordingly, information contained in this report and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our
mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure
requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
The term “mineralized material”
as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, although permissible under SEC Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves”
by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted
into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves”. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized
material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO ALL INVESTORS CONCERNING
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS THAT INCLUDE INFERRED RESOURCES
The Company currently holds or has the
right to acquire interests in an advanced stage exploration project in Alaska referred to as the Livengood Gold Project (the “Livengood
Gold Project” or the “Project”). Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic
viability. The preliminary assessments on the Project are preliminary in nature and include “inferred mineral resources”
that have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and are considered too speculative geologically to have economic
considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. It cannot be assumed that all or any
part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian disclosure rules, estimates of
inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies. There is no certainty that such inferred
mineral resources at the Project will ever be realized. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred
mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
contains forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 concerning anticipated results and developments in the operations of the Company in future periods, planned exploration
activities, the adequacy of the Company’s financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future.
Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,”
“believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” “plans”
and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could”
or “should” (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms) occur or be achieved. These forward-looking
statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:
· the Company’s future cash requirements, the Company’s ability to meet its financial
obligations as they come due, and the Company’s ability to be able to raise the necessary funds to continue operations on
acceptable terms, if at all;
· the preparation, timing, costs, and any anticipated contents of an updated pre-feasibility study
(“PFS”) for the Livengood Gold Project, including the ability to incorporate work done since the April 2017 NI
43-101 report and further de-risk and identify the optimal project configuration for the Livengood Gold Project;
· the potential to improve the block model or production schedule at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the potential for opportunities to improve recovery or further reduce costs at the Livengood Gold
Project;
· the Company’s ability to potentially include the results of its optimization process in the
PFS or any future financial analysis of the Project and the estimated cost of such optimization process;
· the Company’s ability to carry forward and incorporate into future engineering studies of
the Livengood Gold Project updated mine design, production schedule and recovery concepts identified during the optimization process;
· the Company’s potential to carry out an engineering phase that will evaluate and optimize
the Livengood Gold Project configuration and capital and operating expenses, including determining the optimum scale for the Livengood
Gold Project;
· the Company’s strategies and objectives, both generally and specifically in respect of the
Livengood Gold Project;
· the Company’s belief that there are no known environmental issues that are anticipated to
materially impact the Company’s ability to conduct mining operations at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the potential for the expansion of the estimated resources at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the potential for a production decision concerning, and any production at, the Livengood Gold Project;
· the sequence of decisions regarding the timing and costs of development programs with respect to, and the issuance of the necessary
permits and authorizations required for, the Livengood Gold Project;
· the Company’s estimates of the quality and quantity of the resources at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the timing and cost of any future exploration programs at the Livengood Gold Project, and the timing of the receipt of results
therefrom;
· the expected levels of overhead expenses; and
· future general business and economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and the overall sentiment of the markets
for public equity.
Such forward-looking statements reflect
the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others:
· the demand for, and level and volatility of the price of gold;
· conditions in the financial markets generally, the overall sentiment of the markets for public
equity, interest rates and currency rates;
· general business and economic conditions, including the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on such
conditions;
· government regulation and proposed legislation (and changes thereto or interpretations thereof);
· defects in title to claims, or the ability to obtain surface rights, either of which could affect
the Company’s property rights and claims;
· the Company’s ability to secure the necessary services and supplies on favorable terms in
connection with its programs at the Livengood Gold Project and other activities;
· the Company’s ability to attract and retain key staff, particularly in connection with the
permitting and development of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the accuracy of the Company’s resource estimates (including with respect to size and grade)
and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these are based;
· the timing of the ability to commence and complete planned work programs at the Livengood Gold
Project;
· delays or unanticipated issues in updating the PFS for the Livengood Gold Project;
· the timing of the receipt of and the terms of the consents, permits and authorizations necessary
to carry out exploration and development programs at the Livengood Gold Project and the Company’s ability to comply with
such terms on a safe and cost-effective basis;
· the ongoing relations of the Company with the lessors of its property interests and applicable
regulatory agencies;
· the metallurgy and recovery characteristics of samples from certain of the Company’s mineral
properties and whether such characteristics are reflective of the deposit as a whole; and
· the continued development of and potential construction of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project
property not requiring consents, approvals, authorizations or permits that are materially different from those identified by the
Company.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future
events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties
and other factors, including without limitation those discussed in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2019, which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report and the Company’s
other reports filed with the SEC.
The Company’s forward-looking statements
contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the
date of this report. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s
beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not
attribute undue certainty to or place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
PART 1
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS
As at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019
(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)
Note
September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
ASSETS
Current
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 13,768,843
$ 6,937,621
Prepaid expenses and other
158,765
238,554
Total current assets
13,927,608
7,176,175
Property and equipment
14,106
15,434
Capitalized acquisition costs
4
55,375,124
55,375,124
Total assets
$ 69,316,838
$ 62,566,733
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$ 335,360
$ 18,433
Accrued liabilities
5
468,755
317,324
Total liabilities
804,115
335,757
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital, no par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; 187,573,671 and 194,104,944 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively
6
287,050,971
278,213,801
Contributed surplus
35,435,959
35,069,274
Accumulated other comprehensive income
1,175,045
1,574,011
Deficit
(255,149,252 )
(252,626,110 )
Total shareholders’ equity
68,512,723
62,230,976
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 69,316,838
$ 62,566,733
General Information and Nature of Operations
(Note 1)
Commitments (Note 8)
Subsequent Event (Note 9)
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
4
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
and 2019
(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Note
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
Operating expenses
Consulting fees
6
$ 42,175
$ 353,478
$ 423,170
$ 440,986
Depreciation
443
579
1,328
1,737
Insurance
37,913
31,378
104,799
92,007
Investor relations
6
7,193
1,723
49,241
35,923
Mineral property exploration
4
718,541
179,692
1,370,564
1,342,230
Office
4,976
7,059
18,703
18,092
Other
3,905
3,685
12,987
11,266
Professional fees
74,029
54,720
163,189
146,837
Regulatory
59,065
52,118
139,321
136,551
Rent
33,943
33,937
101,815
101,801
Travel
14,425
17,264
20,186
25,359
Wages and benefits
6
190,665
257,279
575,398
589,807
Total operating expenses
(1,187,273 )
(992,912 )
(2,980,701 )
(2,942,596 )
Other income (expenses)
(Loss)/gain on foreign exchange
73,542
82,426
389,633
(280,820 )
Interest income
11,968
44,880
62,634
126,113
Other income
-
7,200
5,292
30,931
Total other income (expenses)
85,510
134,506
457,559
(123,776 )
Net loss for the period
(1,101,763 )
(858,406 )
(2,523,142 )
(3,066,372 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations
(76,284 )
(101,570 )
(398,966 )
265,149
Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period
(76,284 )
(101,570 )
(398,966 )
265,149
Comprehensive loss for the period
$ (1,178,047 )
$ (959,976 )
$ (2,922,108 )
$ (2,801,223 )
Basic and diluted loss per share
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted
189,497,956
187,573,671
188,219,781
187,287,838
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
5
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS
OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)
Nine-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2020
Number of
shares
Share
capital
Contributed
surplus
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
Deficit
Total
Balance, December 31, 2019
187,573,671
$ 278,213,801
$ 35,069,274
$ 1,574,011
$ (252,626,110 )
$ 62,230,976
Stock-based compensation-options
-
-
72,068
-
-
72,068
Stock-based compensation-DSUs
-
-
294,617
-
-
294,617
Exchange difference on translating
foreign operations
-
-
-
(398,966 )
-
(398,966 )
Share issuance
6,531,273
9,164,024
-
-
-
9,164,024
Share issuance costs
-
(326,854 )
-
-
-
(326,854 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
(2,523,142 )
(2,523,142 )
Balance, September 30, 2020
194,104,944
$ 287,050,971
$ 35,435,959
$ 1,175,045
$ (255,149,252 )
$ 68,512,723
Three-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2020
Number of
shares
Share
capital
Contributed
surplus
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
Deficit
Total
Balance, June 30, 2020
187,573,671
$ 278,213,801
$ 35,417,526
$ 1,251,329
$ (254,047,489 )
$ 60,835,167
Stock-based compensation-options
-
-
18,433
-
-
18,433
Exchange difference on translating
foreign operations
-
-
-
(76,284 )
-
(76,284 )
Share issuance
6,531,273
9,164,024
-
-
-
9,164,024
Share issuance costs
-
(326,854 )
-
-
-
(326,854 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
(1,101,763 )
(1,101,763 )
Balance, September 30, 2020
194,104,944
$ 287,050,971
$ 35,435,959
$ 1,175,045
$ (255,149,252 )
$ 68,512,723
Nine-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2019
Number
of
shares
Share
capital
Contributed
surplus
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
Deficit
Total
Balance, December 31, 2018
186,990,683
$ 277,852,672
$ 34,960,292
$ 1,162,900
$ (248,799,703 )
$ 65,176,161
Stock-based compensation-options
-
-
89,140
-
-
89,140
Stock-based compensation-DSUs
-
-
316,717
-
-
316,717
Exchange difference on translating
foreign operations
-
-
-
265,149
-
265,149
Share issuance
461,814
245,592
(245,592 )
-
-
-
Exercise of options
121,174
64,254
-
-
-
64,254
Reallocation from contributed
surplus
-
51,283
(51,283 )
-
-
-
Net loss
-
-
-
-
(3,066,372 )
(3,066,372 )
Balance, September 30, 2019
187,573,671
$ 278,213,801
$ 35,069,274
$ 1,428,049
$ (251,866,075 )
$ 62,845,049
Three-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2019
Number of
shares
Share
capital
Contributed
surplus
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
Deficit
Total
Balance, June 30, 2019
187,573,671
$ 278,213,801
$ 34,665,103
$ 1,529,619
$ (251,007,669 )
$ 63,400,854
Stock-based compensation-options
-
-
87,454
-
-
87,454
Stock-based compensation-DSUs
-
-
316,717
-
-
316,717
Exchange difference on translating
foreign operations
-
-
-
(101,570 )
-
(101,570 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
(858,406 )
(858,406 )
Balance, September 30, 2019
187,573,671
$ 278,213,801
$ 35,069,274
$ 1,428,049
$ (251,866,075 )
$ 62,845,049
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
6
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2020
September 30,
2019
Operating Activities
Loss for the period
$ (2,523,142 )
$ (3,066,372 )
Add items not affecting cash:
Depreciation
1,328
1,737
Stock-based compensation-option
72,068
89,140
Stock-based
compensation-DSU
294,617
316,717
Changes in non-cash items:
Accounts
receivable
93,448
13,553
Prepaid expenses and other
(18,705 )
(9,750 )
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
341,619
(269,642 )
Cash used in operating activities
(1,738,767 )
(2,924,617 )
Financing Activities
Issuance of common shares
9,164,024
64,254
Share issuance costs
(198,464 )
-
Cash provided by financing
activities
8,965,560
64,254
Investing
Activities
Capitalized
acquisition costs
-
(101,692 )
Cash used in investing financing
activities
-
(101,692 )
Effect
of foreign exchange on cash
(395,571 )
261,924
Change in cash and cash equivalents
6,831,222
(2,700,131 )
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of the period
6,937,621
10,228,964
Cash and cash equivalents,
end of the period
$ 13,768,843
$ 7,528,833
Supplementary Disclosures:
Non-cash investing and financing transactions
Share issuance costs in accounts
payable
119,916
-
Share
issuance costs in accrued liabilities
8,474
-
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
7
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
1. GENERAL
INFORMATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
International Tower Hill Mines
Ltd. (“ITH” or the “Company”) is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The Company’s
head office address is 2300-1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
International Tower Hill Mines
Ltd. consists of ITH and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (“TH Alaska”) (an Alaska corporation),
Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC (“TH US”) (a Colorado limited liability company), and Livengood Placers, Inc. (“LPI”)
(a Nevada corporation). The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating mineral properties, and either joint
venturing or developing these properties further or disposing of them when the evaluation is completed. At September 30,
2020, the Company has a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project, an exploration-stage project in Alaska, U.S.A.
These unaudited condensed consolidated
interim financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which presumes the realization of assets and discharge
of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future.
As at September 30, 2020,
the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $13,768,843 compared to $6,937,621 at December 31, 2019. The Company has no
revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds.
The Company will require significant
additional financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities
at the Livengood Gold Project and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project.
There is no assurance that the Company will make a decision to build a mine at the Livengood Gold Project and, if so, that it
will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, any significant delays in
the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with
the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s
review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and
future construction costs, although there can be no assurance that any such strategic alliance will, in fact, be realized.
Despite the Company’s
success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company
will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. The amount of funds to be raised and
the terms of any proposed equity financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds
arise. Specific plans related to the use of proceeds will be devised once financing has been completed and management knows what
funds will be available for these purposes.
COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World
Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus 2019 (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak,
which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely affected workforces, economies,
and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. While it is not possible for the Company to predict
the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its ultimate effects on the Company’s business, results
of operations or ability to raise funds at this time, as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the COVID-19
pandemic has not had any material adverse effects on the Company.
2. BASIS
OF PRESENTATION
These unaudited condensed consolidated
interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
(“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of
Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information
and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2019 as filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, these financial statements
reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial
position at September 30, 2020 and the results of its operations for the nine months then ended. Operating results for the
nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2020.
8
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These judgments, estimates and
assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and
circumstances. While management believes the estimates to be reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and
could impact future results of operations and cash flows.
On November 5, 2020, the
Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
Basis of consolidation
These condensed consolidated
interim financial statements include the accounts of ITH and its wholly-owned subsidiaries TH Alaska, TH US, and LPI. All intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated.
3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of cash
and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the
short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
Financial instruments measured
at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the significance of the inputs
used in making the measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
· Level
1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
· Level
2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
either directly or indirectly; and
· Level
3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data.
4. CAPITALIZED ACQUISITION COSTS
The Company had the following activity related to
capitalized acquisition costs:
Capitalized acquisition costs
Amount
Balance, December 31, 2019
$ 55,375,124
Acquisition costs
-
Balance, September 30, 2020
$ 55,375,124
The following table presents costs incurred for exploration
and evaluation activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
9
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
Exploration costs:
Aircraft services
$ -
$ 4,350
Environmental
135,782
131,160
Equipment rental
39,675
57,876
Field costs
57,529
63,375
Geological/geophysical
523,768
496,763
Land maintenance and tenure
521,416
534,773
Legal
84,535
47,725
Transportation and travel
7,859
6,208
Total expenditures for the period
$ 1,370,564
$ 1,342,230
Livengood Gold
Project Property
The Livengood property is located
in the Tintina gold belt approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The property consists of land
leased from the Alaska Mental Health Trust, a number of smaller private mineral leases, Alaska state mining claims purchased or
located by the Company and patented ground held by the Company.
Details of the leases are as follows:
a) A lease of the Alaska Mental Health
Trust mineral rights having a term beginning July 1, 2004 and extending 19 years
until June 30, 2023, subject to further extensions beyond June 30, 2023 by
either commercial production or payment of an advance minimum royalty equal to 125% of
the amount paid in year 19 and diligent pursuit of development. The lease requires minimum
work expenditures and advance minimum royalties (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable
from production royalties) which escalate annually with inflation. A net smelter return
(“NSR”) production royalty of between 2.5% and 5.0% (depending upon the price
of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands subject to this lease. In
addition, an NSR production royalty of l% is payable to the lessor with respect to the
unpatented federal mining claims subject to the lease described in b) below and an NSR
production royalty of between 0.5% and 1.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable
to the lessor with respect to the lands acquired by the Company as a result of the purchase
of Livengood Placers, Inc. in December 2011. During the nine months ended September 30,
2020 and from the inception of this lease, the Company has paid $344,553 and $3,651,168,
respectively.
b) A lease of federal unpatented lode
mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on April 21, 2003 and
continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related
activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties
controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $50,000 on
or before each anniversary date for the duration of the lease (all of which minimum royalties
are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of between 2% and
3% (depending on the price of gold) is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase
1% of the royalty for $1,000,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020
and from the inception of this lease, the Company has paid $50,000 and $830,000, respectively.
c) A lease of patented lode mining
claims having an initial term of ten years commencing January 18, 2007, and continuing
for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid. The lease requires an advance
minimum royalty of $20,000 on or before each anniversary date through January 18,
2017 and $25,000 on or before each subsequent anniversary (all of which minimum royalties
are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 3% is payable
to the lessors. The Company may purchase all interests of the lessors in the leased property
(including the production royalty) for $1,000,000 (less all minimum and production royalties
paid to the date of purchase), of which $500,000 is payable in cash over four years following
the closing of the purchase and the balance is payable by way of the 3% NSR production
royalty. The Company paid $15,000 of royalties during the nine months ended September 30,
2020, for a total of $250,000 from the inception of this lease. The Company has acquired
a 40% interest in the mining claims subject to the lease, providing the Company with
a 40% interest in the lease.
10
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
d) A lease of unpatented federal lode
mining and federal unpatented placer claims having an initial term of ten years commencing
on March 28, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties
are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property
or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum
royalty of $15,000 on or before each anniversary date for the duration of the lease (all
of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). The Company is
required to pay the lessor the additional sum of $250,000 upon making a positive production
decision, of which $125,000 is payable within 120 days of the decision and $125,000 is
payable within a year of the decision (all of which are recoverable from production royalties).
An NSR production royalty of 2% is payable to the lessor. The Company may purchase all
of the interest of the lessor in the leased property (including the production royalty)
for $1,000,000. The Company paid $15,000 of royalties during the nine months ended September 30,
2020, for a total of $173,000 from the inception of this lease.
Title to mineral
properties
The acquisition of title to
mineral properties is a detailed and time-consuming process. The Company has taken steps to verify title to mineral properties
in which it has an interest. Although the Company has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure that legal title to its properties
is properly recorded in the name of the Company, there can be no assurance that such title will ultimately be secured.
5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
The following table presents
the accrued liabilities balances at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
September 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Accrued liabilities
$ 439,683
$ 278,644
Accrued salaries and benefits
29,072
38,680
Total accrued liabilities
$ 468,755
$ 317,324
Accrued liabilities at September 30,
2020 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $93,466 and $346,217, respectively. Accrued liabilities
at December 31, 2019 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $57,114 and $221,530, respectively.
6. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized
The Company’s authorized
share capital consists of 500,000,000 common shares without par value. At December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020,
there were 187,573,671 and 194,104,944 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.
Share issuances
On August 31, 2020, the
Company entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “sales agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc.
(“B. Riley”), pursuant to which the Company was entitled, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term
of the sales agreement, to sell through B. Riley such number of common shares of the Company as would result in aggregate gross
proceeds to the Company of up to $10.3 million (the “Offering”). No offers or sales of common shares were made in
Canada through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) or other trading markets.
As of September 30, 2020,
the Company had issued an aggregate of 6,531,273 common shares under the sales agreement at an average price of $1.40 for gross
proceeds of $9.2 million.
11
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
Stock options
The
Company adopted an incentive stock option plan in 2006, as amended September 19, 2012 and reapproved by the Company’s
shareholders on May 28, 2015 and May 30, 2018 (the “Stock Option Plan”). The essential elements of the Stock
Option Plan provide that the aggregate number of common shares of the Company that may be issued pursuant to options granted under
the Stock Option Plan and any other share-based compensation arrangements may not exceed 10% of the number of issued shares of
the Company at the time of the granting of the options. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan will have a maximum
term of ten years. The exercise price of options granted under the Stock Option Plan shall be fixed in compliance with the applicable
provisions of the TSX Company Manual in force at the time of grant and, in any event, shall not be less than the closing price
of the Company’s common shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the day on which the option is granted,
or such other price as may be agreed to by the Company and accepted by the TSX. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan vest
immediately, unless otherwise determined by the directors at the date of grant.
A summary of the options granted
under the Stock Option Plan as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is presented below:
Nine Months Ended
Year Ended
September 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Number of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price (C$)
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value (C$)
Number of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price (C$)
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (C$)
Balance, beginning of the period
2,452,049
$ 0.94
3,655,991
$ 0.98
Granted
255,000
0.92
187,232
0.85
Exercised
-
-
(121,174 )
0.70
Cancelled
-
-
(1,270,000 )
1.06
Balance, end of the period
2,707,049
$ 0.94
$ 2,124,839
2,452,049
$ 0.94
$ 59,734
The weighted average remaining
life of options outstanding at September 30, 2020 was 2.9 years.
Stock options outstanding
are as follows:
September 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Expiry Date
Exercise
Price (C$)
Number of
Options
Exercisable
Exercise
Price (C$)
Number of
Options
Exercisable
February 25, 2022
$ 1.11
510,000
510,000
$ 1.11
510,000
510,000
February 25, 2022
$ 0.73
270,000
270,000
$ 0.73
270,000
270,000
March 10, 2022
$ 1.11
120,000
120,000
$ 1.11
120,000
120,000
March 16, 2023
$ 1.00
580,000
580,000
$ 1.00
580,000
580,000
March 16, 2023
$ 0.50
130,000
130,000
$ 0.50
130,000
130,000
June 9, 2023
$ 1.00
30,000
30,000
$ 1.00
30,000
30,000
March 21, 2024
$ 0.61
374,817
374,817
$ 0.61
374,817
374,817
February 1, 2025
$ 1.35
250,000
250,000
$ 1.35
250,000
250,000
August 8, 2025
$ 0.85
187,232
187,232
$ 0.85
187,232
187,232
May 27, 2026
$ 0.92
255,000
85,000
-
-
-
2,707,049
2,537,049
2,452,049
2,452,049
A summary of the non-vested
options as of September 30, 2020 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:
12
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
Non-vested options:
Number of
options
Weighted average
grant-date fair value
(C$)
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
-
$ -
Granted
255,000
$ 0.76
Vested
(85,000 )
$ 0.76
Outstanding at September 30, 2020
170,000
$ 0.76
At September 30, 2020, there
was unrecognized compensation expense of C$95,981 related to non-vested options outstanding. The cost is expected to be recognized
over a weighted-average remaining period of approximately 1.2 years.
Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan
On April 4, 2017, the Company
adopted a Deferred Share Unit Plan (the “DSU Plan”). The DSU Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders
on May 24, 2017 and reapproved by the Company’s shareholders on May 27, 2020. The maximum aggregate number of common
shares that may be issued under the DSU Plan and the Stock Option Plan is 10% of the number of issued and outstanding common shares
(on a non-diluted basis).
During the nine months ended
September 30, 2020, the Company granted each of the members of the Board (other than those directors nominated for election
by Paulson 90,217 deferred share units (“DSUs”) with a grant date fair value (defined as the weighted average of the
prices at which the common shares traded on the exchange with the most volume for the five days immediately preceding the grant)
of C$0.92 per DSU, representing C$83,000 per director or C$415,000 in the aggregate. The DSUs entitle the holders to receive common
shares of the Company without the payment of any consideration. The DSUs vested immediately upon being granted but the common shares
underlying the DSUs are not deliverable to the holder until the holder is no longer serving on the Board.
DSUs outstanding are as follows:
Nine Months Ended
Year Ended
September 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Number of
Units
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
(C$)
Number of
Units
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price (C$)
Balance, beginning of the period
1,383,396
$ 0.77
1,356,975
$ 0.72
Issued
451,085
$ 0.92
488,235
$ 0.85
Delivered
-
-
(461,814 )
$ 0.71
Balance, end of the period
1,834,481
$ 0.81
1,383,396
$ 0.77
Share-based payments
During
the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, there were 255,000 stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan
and 451,085 DSUs granted under the DSU Plan. Share-based payment compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2020
totaled $366,685 ($72,068 related to stock options and $294,617 related to DSUs). Of the total expense for the period ended September 30,
2020, $303,096 was included in consulting fees ($8,479 related to stock options and $294,617 related to DSUs), $4,239 was included
in investor relations, and $59,350 was included in wages and benefits in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
During the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted 187,232 stock options and 488,235 DSUs for common shares of the Company. Share-based
payment compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 totaled $405,857 ($89,140 related to stock options and $316,717
related to DSUs). Of the total expense for the period ended September 30, 2019, $316,717 was included in consulting fees and
$89,140 was included in wages and benefits in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
13
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
The following weighted average
assumptions were used for the Black Scholes valuation model for stock options granted during the period:
YTD September 30,
2020
Expected life of options
6 years
Risk-free interest rate
0.40 %
Annualized volatility
80.92 %
Dividend rate
0.00 %
Exercise price (C$)
$ 0.92
7. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company operates in a single reportable segment,
being the exploration and development of mineral properties. The following tables present selected financial information by geographic
location:
Canada
United States
Total
September 30, 2020
Capitalized acquisition costs
$ -
$ 55,375,124
$ 55,375,124
Property and equipment
7,870
6,236
14,106
Current assets
13,518,707
408,901
13,927,608
Total assets
$ 13,526,577
$ 55,790,261
$ 69,316,838
December 31, 2019
Capitalized acquisition costs
$ -
$ 55,375,124
$ 55,375,124
Property and equipment
7,979
7,455
15,434
Current assets
6,652,289
523,886
7,176,175
Total assets
$ 6,660,268
$ 55,906,465
$ 62,566,733
Three months ended
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
Net loss for the period – Canada
$ (118,528 )
$ (422,405 )
Net loss for the period – United States
(983,235 )
(436,001 )
Net loss for the period
$ (1,101,763 )
$ (858,406 )
Nine months ended
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
Net loss for the period – Canada
$ (406,149 )
$ (1,023,909 )
Net loss for the period – United States
(2,116,993 )
(2,042,463 )
Net loss for the period
$ (2,523,142 )
$ (3,066,372 )
14
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in US dollars
– Unaudited)
8. COMMITMENTS
The following table discloses
the Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2020, including anticipated mineral property payments. Under
the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and unpatented mineral claims, the Company
is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty
payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures (as summarized in the table below) in
order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling
to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire
or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral
properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:
Payments Due by Year
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025 and
beyond
Total
Mineral Property Leases (1)
$ -
$ 428,951
$ 434,185
$ 439,498
$ 444,890
$ 450,363
$ 2,197,887
Mining Claim Government Fees
92,035
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
754,335
Total
$ 92,035
$ 561,411
$ 566,645
$ 571,958
$ 577,350
$ 582,823
$ 2,952,222
1. Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level
is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties
that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments). See Note 4.
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
As further described in Note
6, on August 31, 2020, the Company entered into a sales agreement with B. Riley, pursuant to which the Company was entitled,
at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term of the sales agreement, to sell through B. Riley such number of common
shares of the Company as would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $10.3 million. Subsequent to September 30,
2020, the Company issued an additional 803,240 common shares at an average price of $1.40 for gross proceeds of $1.1 million pursuant
to the sales agreement described in Note 6. As of October 16, 2020, the Company had raised the full $10.3 million available
under the sales agreement. The Company issued a total of 7,334,513 common shares at an average price of $1.40, for gross proceeds
of $10.3 million.
15
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. All currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless noted
otherwise.
Current Business Activities
General
In response to rising gold prices and changing
worldwide macroeconomic conditions that are now supportive of accelerating work on the Livengood Gold Project, on May 7, 2020,
the Board directed management to prepare an updated pre-feasibility study (“PFS”) for the Project.
On
July 15, 2020, the Company announced that it had finalized the key contracts for completion of the previously announced PFS
on the Livengood Gold Project and expected to release the details of the PFS and the associated NI 43-101 Technical Report in October 2021.
The comprehensive study will incorporate work that has been done since the April 2017 NI 43-101 report was completed to further
de-risk and identify the optimal project configuration. The Company has engaged BBA, Inc. in Montreal as its lead consultant
and has retained Whittle Consulting, Resource Modeling, Inc., and NewFields Companies, LLC to provide specialized technical
support. The estimated cost of the updated PFS through October 2021 is $3.8 million.
Recent Developments
On August 31, 2020, the Company entered
into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “sales agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley”),
pursuant to which the Company was entitled, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term of the sales agreement, to
sell through B. Riley such number of common shares of the Company as would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of
up to $10.3 million. As of October 16, 2020, the Company had raised the full $10.3 million available under the sales agreement.
The Company issued a total of 7,334,513 common shares at an average price of $1.40 for gross proceeds of $10.3 million. This included
participation by all of the four largest shareholders of the Company. Paulson & Co. Inc. acquired 2,337,410 shares, Sprott
Asset Management USA acquired 1,111,386 shares, Electrum Strategic Opportunities Fund II, L.P. acquired 1,042,201 shares and Kopernik
Global Investors LLC, acquired 1,180,000 shares.
The
Company intends to use the proceeds of the sales agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the completion
of the PFS announced on July 15, 2020 to further de-risk the Livengood Gold Project and for environmental baseline studies .
Results of Operations
Summary of Quarterly Results
Description
September 30, 2020
June 30, 2020
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Net income (loss)
$ (1,101,763 )
$ (1,486,464 )
$ 65,085
$ (760,035 )
Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ 0.00
$ (0.00 )
September 30, 2019
June 30, 2019
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Net income (loss)
$ (858,406 )
$ (1,387,054 )
$ (820,912 )
$ (901,767 )
Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.00 )
$ (0.01 )
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 compared to
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
The Company had a net loss of $1,101,763
for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $858,406 for the three months ended September 30,
2019.
Excluding share-based costs of $2,169 and
$316,717 for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively, consulting costs were $40,006 for the three months ended September 30,
2020 compared to $36,761 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $3,245 is primarily due to variation
in timing of computer support services.
16
Insurance costs were $37,913 for the three
months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $31,378 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $6,535
is primarily due to premium increases.
Excluding share-based costs of $1,084,
investor relations costs were $6,109 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $1,723 for the three months
ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $4,386 is primarily due to the Company’s participation in an investor conference
during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
Mineral property expenditures were $718,541
for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $179,692 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The
increase of $538,849 is primarily due to the differences in the scope of technical and baseline environmental work completed during
the periods.
Professional fees were $74,029 for the
three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $54,720 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase
of $19,309 is primarily due to increased land-related legal activity and variation in timing of audit/tax services.
Regulatory costs were $59,065 for the three
months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $52,118 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $6,947
is primarily due to additional TSX fees related to the deferred share unit (“DSU”) plan reserve.
Excluding share-based costs of $15,180
and $87,454 for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively, wages and benefits were $175,485 for the three months ended September 30,
2020 compared to $169,825 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $5,660 is primarily due to a variation
in timing of employee benefits.
Share-based payment charges
Share-based payment charges for the three-month periods ended
September 30, 2020 and 2019 were allocated as follows:
Expense category:
September 30,
2020
September 30,
2019
Consulting
$ 2,169
$ 316,717
Investor relations
1,084
-
Wages and benefits
15,180
87,454
Total
$ 18,433
$ 404,171
Share-based payment charges were $18,433
during the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $404,171 during the three months ended September 30, 2019.
The decrease of $385,738 is mainly the result of the DSUs issued on August 8, 2019 being fully vested upon issuance and the
options issued on August 8, 2019 being exercisable upon grant.
Other items amounted to total other income
of $85,510 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to total other income of $134,506 during the three-month
period ended September 30, 2019. As a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S. dollar
cash balances, the Company had a foreign exchange gain of $73,542 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared
to a gain of $82,426 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The average exchange rate during the three-month
period ended September 30, 2020 was C$1 to US$0.7508 compared to C$1 to US$0.7574 during the three-month period ended September 30,
2019. Interest income was $11,968 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to $44,880 for the three-month
period ended September 30, 2019. The decrease of $32,912 is primarily due to short-term investment certificates being re-invested
upon maturity at a lower interest rate.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 compared to
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
The Company had a net loss of $2,523,142
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $3,066,372 for the nine months ended September 30,
2019.
Excluding share-based costs of $303,096
and $316,717 for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively, consulting costs were $120,074 for the nine months ended September 30,
2020 compared to $124,269 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease of $4,195 is primarily due to two less
members of the Board.
Insurance costs were $104,799 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $92,007 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $12,792
is primarily due to premium increases.
17
Excluding share-based costs of $4,239,
investor relations costs were $45,002 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $35,923 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $9,079 is primarily due to investor conferences.
Professional fees were $163,189 for the
nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $146,837 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase
of $16,352 is primarily due to land-related legal services.
Travel costs were $20,186 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $25,359 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease of $5,173
is primarily due to reduced travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Excluding share-based costs of $59,350
and $89,140 for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively, wages and benefits were $516,048 for the nine months ended September 30,
2020 compared to $500,667 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase of $15,381 is primarily due to a variation
in timing of employee benefits.
Share-based payment charges
Share-based payment charges for the nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2020 and 2019 were allocated as follows:
Expense category:
September 30,
2020
September 30,
2019
Consulting
$ 303,096
$ 316,717
Investor relations
4,239
-
Wages and benefits
59,350
89,140
Total
$ 366,685
$ 405,857
Share-based payment charges were $366,685
during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $405,857 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
The decrease of $39,172 is mainly the result of the options issued on August 8, 2019 being exercisable upon grant.
Other items amounted to total other income
of $457,559 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to total other expenses of $123,776 during the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. As a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s
U.S. dollar cash balances, the Company had a foreign exchange gain of $389,633 during the nine-month period ended September 30,
2020 compared to a loss of $280,820 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. The average exchange rate during
the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was C$1 to US$0.7391 compared to C$1 to US$0.7524 during the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2019. Interest income was $5,292 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to $30,931
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. The decrease of $25,639 is primarily due to short-term investment certificates
being re-invested upon maturity at a lower interest rate.
Liquidity Risk and Capital Resources
The Company has no revenue generating operations
from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company has predominantly financed its ongoing operations through the
sale of its equity securities by way of public offerings and private placements and the subsequent exercise of share purchase and
broker warrants and options issued in connection with such private placements.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization
declared the novel coronavirus 2019 (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued
to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets
globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. While it is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude
of the adverse results of the outbreak and its ultimate effects on the Company’s business, results of operations or ability
to raise funds at this time, as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any material
adverse effects on the Company.
As at September 30, 2020, the Company
had cash and cash equivalents of $13,768,843 compared to $6,937,621 at December 31, 2019. The increase of approximately $6.8
million resulted mainly from a sales agreement for “at the market” net proceeds of $9.0 million partially offset by
expenditures on operating activity of approximately $1.7 million and a negative foreign currency transaction impact of approximately
$0.4 million.
Financing
activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 included the issuance of common shares pursuant to the sales
agreement entered into by the Company for “at the market offerings” with B. Riley, which allowed the Company
to offer and sell up to $10.3 million of common shares from time to time, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale,
through B. Riley, acting as sales agent. In the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold 6,531,273 common shares
under the sales agreement and raised approximately $9.2 million in aggregate gross proceeds before commissions and expenses and
paid B. Riley aggregate commissions of $0.1 million. At September 30, 2020, there remained approximately $1.2 million of availability
to sell common shares through the sales agreement, all of which was sold subsequent to period end.
18
Financing activities during the nine-month
period ended September 30, 2019 included the exercise of stock options. Proceeds of $64,254 were received on the issuance
of 121,174 common shares.
The Company had no cash flows from investing
activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.
Investing activities of $101,692 during
the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 were comprised of the capitalized acquisition costs for land acquisitions of
$31,189 that closed in the second quarter and $70,503 that closed in the third quarter.
As at September 30, 2020, the Company
had working capital of $13,123,493 compared to working capital of $6,840,418 at December 31, 2019. The Company expects that
it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future, but believes the current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient for
it to complete its anticipated 2020 work plan at the Livengood Gold Project and satisfy its currently anticipated general and administrative
costs through at least the next 12 months.
The Company will require significant additional
financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities at
the Livengood Gold Project and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project, and
there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all.
In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or
unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to
advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to
assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs, although there can be no assurance that any such strategic
alliance will, in fact, be realized.
Despite the Company’s success to
date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be
able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. See “Risk Factors – We will require
additional financing to fund exploration and, if warranted, development and production. Failure to obtain additional financing
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation and could cast uncertainty on our ability
to continue as a going concern ” included in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Other than cash held by its subsidiaries
for their immediate operating needs in the United States, all of the Company’s cash reserves are on deposit with a major
Canadian chartered bank. The Company does not believe that the credit, liquidity or market risks with respect thereto have increased
as a result of the current market conditions.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table discloses the Company’s
contractual obligations as of September 30, 2020, including anticipated mineral property payments and work commitments. Under
the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and unpatented mineral claims, the Company
is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty
payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures (as summarized in the table below) in
order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling
to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire
or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral
properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:
Payments Due by Year
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025 and
beyond
Total
Mineral Property Leases (1)
$ -
$ 428,951
$ 434,185
$ 439,498
$ 444,890
$ 450,363
$ 2,197,887
Mining Claim Government Fees
92,035
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
754,335
Total
$ 92,035
$ 561,411
$ 566,645
$ 571,958
$ 577,350
$ 582,823
$ 2,952,222
1. Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level
is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties
that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments).
19
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Environmental Regulations
The operations of the Company may in the
future be affected from time to time in varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for future removal
and site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect upon the Company vary greatly and are
not predictable. The Company’s policy is to meet or, if possible, surpass standards set by relevant legislation by application
of technically proven and economically feasible measures.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
for U.S. Holders
The Company has been a “passive foreign
investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes in recent years and expects to continue to
be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospective U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences
of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, under “Part II. Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders.”
20
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2020, 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 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation, the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2020, the Company’s disclosure
controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted to the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act: (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
The effectiveness of our or any system
of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives
of the system will be met and is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgement in designing, implementing
and evaluating controls and procedures and the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control
over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
21
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Not applicable.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Other than the risk factor set forth below,
there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 under the heading “Risk Factors.”
We face various risks related to
health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, which may have material adverse effects on our business, financial position,
results of operations and/or cash flows.
We face various risks related to health
epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, including the global outbreak of COVID-19. The continued spread of COVID-19 has led
to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which increases the cost of capital and adversely impacts access to
capital. If significant portions of the population are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government
actions, facility closures or other restrictions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, our operations will likely be impacted.
In addition, our costs may increase as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. These cost increases may not be fully recoverable or
adequately covered by insurance.
It is possible that the continued spread
of COVID-19 could also adversely affect our business partners, delay our plans to advance the Livengood Gold Project or prepare
an updated pre-feasibility study for the Project, or cause other unpredictable events. We continue to work with our stakeholders
to address this global pandemic responsibly. In addition, we continue to monitor the situation, to assess further possible implications
to our business, and to take actions in an effort to mitigate adverse consequences.
We cannot at this time predict the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it could have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations
and/or cash flows.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of
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 specified information about mine health and safety in their periodic reports. These reporting requirements
are based on the safety and health requirements applicable to mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine
Act”) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”).
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries were not subject to regulation by
MSHA under the Mine Act and thus no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
22
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Description
10.1
At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated August 31, 2020, between International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on September 1, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.
23
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
By:
/s/
Karl L. Hanneman
Karl L. Hanneman
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 6, 2020
By:
/s/
David Cross
David Cross
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: November 6, 2020
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.