10-K
1
tm211093d1_10k.htm
FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31,
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
98-0668474
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2300-1177 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
(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
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of
the Act: N/A
Indicate by check mark if the registrant
is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to
file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
¨ No x
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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b))
by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
¨ No x
Based on the last sale price on the NYSE American of the registrant’s
Common Shares on June 30, 2020 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter)
of $1.78 per share, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $173.1
million.
As of March 1, 2021, the registrant had 194,908,184 Common
Shares outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
To the extent specifically referenced in Part III, portions
of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registrant’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into this report.
Table of Contents
Page
Part I
Item 1
Business
7
Item 1A
Risk Factors
10
Item 1B
Unresolved Staff Comments
21
Item 2
Properties
21
Item 3
Legal Proceedings
30
Item 4
Mine Safety Disclosures
30
Part II
Item 5
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
31
Item 6
Selected Financial Data
37
Item 7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
38
Item 7A
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
42
Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
43
Item 9
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
61
Item 9A
Controls and Procedures
61
Item 9B
Other Information
61
Part III
Item 10
Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
62
Item 11
Executive Compensation
62
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
62
Item 13
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
62
Item 14
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
62
Part IV
Item 15
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
63
Item 16
Form 10-K Summary
64
SIGNATURES
65
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 Annual Report
on Form 10-K, 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
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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 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.
1
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K 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” 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;
2
· 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 I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K 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.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING SIMILAR OR
ADJACENT MINERAL PROPERTIES
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains
information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to
explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties,
and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties, and any results of the mining or exploitation thereof, are not indicative
of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties, or any potential results of the mining or exploitation thereof.
3
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a glossary of certain terms
that may be used in this report.
“alteration”
Changes in the chemical or mineralogical composition of a rock, generally produced by weathering or hydrothermal solutions
“anomalous”
Departing from the expected or normal
“April 2017 Report”
The technical report entitled “Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report Pre-feasibility Study on the Livengood Gold Project, Livengood, Alaska, USA” dated April 10, 2017 and prepared by certain Qualified Persons under NI 43-101, as filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com
“As”
Arsenic
“basalt”
A dark coloured igneous rock, commonly extrusive – the fine-grained equivalent of gabbro
“biotite”
A common rock forming mineral of the mica group
“Board”
The Board of Directors of ITH
“chert”
A microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline sedimentary rock, consisting chiefly of interlocking crystals of quartz less than about 30 microns in diameter
“clastic”
Pertaining to a rock or sediment composed principally of fragments derived from pre-existing rocks or minerals and transported some distance from their places of origin; also said of the texture of such a rock
“cm”
Centimeters
“common shares”
The common shares without par value in the capital of ITH as the same are constituted on the date hereof
“conglomerate”
A coarse grained clastic sedimentary rock, composed of rounded to sub-angular fragments larger than 2mm in diameter set in a fine-grained matrix of sand or silt, and commonly cemented by calcium carbonate, iron oxide, silica or hardened clay
“Corvus”
Corvus Gold Inc., a company subsisting under the laws of British Columbia which was spun off from the Company in August, 2010
“deformation”
A general term for the processes of folding, faulting, shearing, compression, or extension of rocks as a result of various earth forces
“deposit”
A mineralized body which has been physically delineated by sufficient drilling, trenching, and/or underground work, and found to contain a sufficient average grade of metal or metals to warrant further exploration and/or development expenditures. Such a deposit does not qualify as a commercially mineable ore body or as containing reserves or ore, unless final legal, technical and economic factors are resolved
“diamond drill”
A type of rotary drill in which the cutting is done by abrasion rather than percussion. The cutting bit is set with diamonds and is attached to the end of the long hollow rods through which water is pumped to the cutting face. The drill cuts a core of rock which is recovered in long cylindrical sections, an inch or more in diameter
“dip”
The angle that a stratum or any planar feature makes with the horizontal, measured perpendicular to the strike and in the vertical plane
“dike”
A tabular body of igneous rock that cuts across the structure of adjacent rocks or cuts massive rocks
“director”
A member of the Board of Directors of ITH
“disseminated”
Fine particles of mineral dispersed throughout the enclosing rock
“epigenetic”
Of or relating to a mineral deposit of origin later than that of the enclosing rocks
“g/t”
Grams per metric tonne
“gabbro”
A group of dark coloured, basic intrusive igneous rocks – the approximate intrusive equivalent of basalt
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“grade”
To contain a particular quantity of ore or mineral, relative to other constituents, in a specified quantity of rock
“host”
A rock or mineral that is older than rocks or minerals introduced into it or formed within it
“host rock”
A body of rock serving as a host for other rocks or for mineral deposits, or any rock in which ore deposits occur
“hydrothermal”
A term pertaining to hot aqueous solutions of magmatic origin which may transport metals and minerals in solution
“intrusion”
The process of the emplacement of magma in pre-existing rock, magmatic activity. Also, the igneous rock mass so formed
“intrusive”
Of or pertaining to intrusion, both the process and the rock so formed
“kg”
Kilograms
“km”
Kilometers
“lode”
A vein of metal ore in the earth
“m”
Meters
“mm”
Millimeters
“mafic”
Said of an igneous rock composed chiefly of dark, ferromagnesian minerals, also, said of those minerals
“magma”
Naturally occurring molten rock material, generated within the earth and capable of intrusion and extrusion, from which igneous rocks have been derived through solidification and related processes
“magmatic”
Of, or pertaining to, or derived from, magma
“massive”
Said of a mineral deposit, especially of sulphides, characterized by a great concentration of ore in one place, as opposed to a disseminated or veinlike deposit
“mineral reserve”
The economically mineable part of a measured and/or indicated mineral resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at pre-feasibility or feasibility level as appropriate that include application of “modifying factors” (which are defined in NI 43-101 as considerations used to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves, including but not, mining processing, metallurgical, infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors). Such studies demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction could reasonably be justified. The reference point at which mineral reserves are defined, usually the point where the ore is delivered to the processing plant, must be stated. It is important that, in all situations where the reference point is different, such as for a saleable product, a clarifying statement is included to ensure that the reader is fully informed as to what is being reported. The public disclosure of a mineral reserve must be demonstrated by a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study.
“mineral resource”
A concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other geological characteristics of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling.
“mineralization”
The concentration of metals and their chemical compounds within a body of rock
“NI 43-101”
National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators entitled “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects”
“NSR”
Net smelter return
“NYSE American”
NYSE American (formerly, NYSE MKT and the American Stock Exchange)
“ophiolite”
An assemblage of mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks ranging from spilite and basalt to gabbro and peridotite, and always derived from them by later metamorphism, whose origin is associated with an early phase of the development of a geosyncline
5
“RC”
A method of drilling whereby rock cuttings generated by the drill bit are flushed up from the bit face to the surface through the drill rods by air or drilling fluids for collection and analysis
“Sb”
Antimony
“sedimentary”
Pertaining to or containing sediment (typically, solid fragmental material transported and deposited by wind, water or ice that forms in layers in loose unconsolidated form), or formed by its deposition
“sill”
A tabular igneous intrusion that parallels the planar structure of the surrounding rock
“strike”
The direction taken by a structural surface
“tabular”
Said of a feature having two dimensions that are much larger or longer than the third, or of a geomorphic feature having a flat surface, such as a plateau
“Canadian Tax Act”
Income Tax Act (Canada)
“tectonic”
Pertaining to the forces involved in, or the resulting structures of, tectonics
“tectonics”
A branch of geology dealing with the broad architecture of the outer part of the earth, that is, the major structural or deformational features and their relations, origin and historical evolution
“TSX”
Toronto Stock Exchange
“ultramafic”
Said of an igneous rock composed chiefly of mafic minerals
“vein”
An epigenetic mineral filling of a fault or other fracture, in tabular or sheet-like form, often with the associated replacement of the host rock; also, a mineral deposit of this form and origin
“volcaniclastic”
Pertaining to a clastic rock containing volcanic material in whatever proportion, and without regard to its origin or environment
USE OF NAMES
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "we", "us", "our", "ITH", "International
Tower Hill", the "Company" or the "Corporation" refer to International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. and its subsidiaries.
CURRENCY
All dollar amounts in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K are presented in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. References to C$ refer to Canadian currency.
6
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
ITH
is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. 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” or the “Project”. The Company is in the process of optimizing the Livengood Gold Project as discussed
below. The Company has not yet begun preparation for the extraction of mineralization from the deposit or reached commercial production.
The Company has a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project, which as of August 26, 2016 (the date of last measure), has
a mineral resource of 497 million measured tonnes at an average grade of 0.68 g/tonne (10.84 million ounces), 28 million indicated
tonnes at an average grade of 0.69 g/tonne (0.62 million ounces) and 53 million inferred tonnes at an average grade of 0.66 g/tonne
(1.1 million ounces). In 2017, the Company issued the results of a pre-feasibility study that was summarized in the April 2017
Report which converted a portion of the mineral resources at the Project into proven reserves of 378 million tonnes at an average
grade of 0.71 g/tonne (8.62 million ounces) and probable reserves of 14 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.72 g/tonne (353,000
ounces) based on a gold price of $1,250 per ounce. All work presently underway or planned by the Company is directed at preparing
an updated pre-feasibility study to be released in a new NI 43-101 report for the Livengood Gold Project and maintaining necessary
environmental baseline activities. A more complete description of the Livengood Gold Project and the current activities is set
forth in Part I, Item 2 and Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Since 2006, the Company has focused primarily
on the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Alaska and Nevada by acquiring through staking, purchase, lease or
option (primarily from AngloGold Ashanti (U.S.A.) Exploration Inc. (“AngloGold”) in a transaction which closed on August 4,
2006) interests in a number of mineral properties in Alaska (Livengood Gold Project, Terra, LMS, BMP, Chisna, Coffee Dome, West
Tanana, Gilles, West Pogo, Caribou, Blackshell and South Estelle) and Nevada (North Bullfrog and Painted Hills) that it believed
had the potential to host large precious or base metal deposits. Since early 2008, the Company’s primary focus has been the
exploration and advancement of the Livengood Gold Project and the majority of its resources have been directed to that end. In
August 2010, ITH undertook a corporate spin-out arrangement transaction whereby all of its mineral property interests
other than the Project were transferred to Corvus and Corvus was spun out as an independent and separate public company. Since
the completion of that transaction, the sole mineral property held by the Company has been the Livengood Gold Project and the Company
has focused exclusively on the ongoing exploration and potential development of the Livengood Gold Project.
The head office and principal executive
address of ITH is located at 1177 West Hastings Street, Suite 2300, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 2K3, and its registered
and records office is located at 745 Thurlow Street, Suite 2400, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 0C5.
2020
Livengood Gold Project Developments
During the year ended December 31,
2020, the Company made a decision to embark on a new phase for the Livengood Gold Project as a result of the favorable macro-economic
backdrop for gold.
On May 8, 2020, the Company announced
that the Board had approved a work plan to prepare an updated PFS on the Livengood Gold Project. The Company stated that it believed
that the strength in the price of gold arising from the unprecedented accommodative fiscal and monetary stimulus from central banks
and governments globally provided the necessary macroeconomic backdrop to support the advancement of the large, highly-levered,
and long-life gold asset at Livengood.
On July 15, 2020, the Company announced
that it had finalized the key contracts for completion of a PFS in respect of the Livengood Gold Project and expected to release
the results 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 last NI 43-101 report was completed to further de-risk and identify the optimal project configuration.
The Company has engaged BBA, Inc. as its lead consultant and retained Whittle Consulting, Resource Modeling, Inc., Resource
Development Associates, Easton Process Consulting and NewFields Companies, LLC to provide specialized technical support.
7
On August 31, 2020, the Company entered
into an At Market Issuance (“ATM”) 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 “ATM Offering”).
On September 2, 2020, the Company
announced that its existing three largest shareholders had each taken their pro-rata share of the ATM Offering, resulting in the
issuance of 5,670,997 common shares (representing 3% of the 187.6 million shares previously issued and outstanding) at the September 1,
2020 closing market price of $1.40 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $7.9 million.
On October 16, 2020, the Company announced
that it had raised the full $10.3 million available pursuant to the ATM Offering with B. Riley. 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. The Company stated it intended to use the net proceeds
of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the completion of the PFS announced in May 2020
to further de-risk the Livengood Gold Project and for environmental baseline studies.
Director Changes
The Company announced the appointment of
Christopher Papagianis to the Company’s Board effective June 1, 2020. Mr. Papagianis was nominated for election
as a director in accordance with an investor rights agreement with the Company’s largest shareholder, Paulson &
Co. Inc. (“Paulson”), and fills a vacancy created by the June 1, 2020 resignation of Damola Adamolekun, the previous
Paulson designee.
2021
Outlook
On January 12, 2021, the Company announced
that the Board had approved a 2021 budget of $5.6 million and endorsed the associated 2021 work program to advance the Livengood
Gold Project. The key element of the 2021 work program is the completion of the PFS on the Livengood Gold Project that is planned
for release in October 2021. The work program will also advance the baseline environmental data collection in critical areas
of hydrology and waste rock geochemical characterization needed to support future permitting, as well as advance community engagement.
The Company remains open to a strategic
alliance to help support the future development of the Project while considering all other appropriate financing options. The size
of the gold resource, the Project’s favorable location, and the Company’s proven team are some of the reasons the Company
could potentially attract a strategic partner with a long-term development horizon who understands the Project is highly leveraged
to gold prices.
Regulatory, Environmental and Social Matters
All of the Company’s currently proposed
exploration is in the State of Alaska. In Alaska, low impact, initial stage surface exploration such as stream sediment, soil and
rock chip sampling does not require any permits. The State of Alaska requires an APMA (Alaska Placer Mining Application) exploration
permit for all substantial surface disturbances such as trenching, road building and drilling. These permits are reviewed by related
state and federal agencies that can comment on and require specific changes to proposed work plans to minimize impacts on the environment.
The permitting process for significant disturbances generally requires 30 days for processing and all work must be bonded. The
Company currently has all necessary permits with respect to its currently planned exploration activities in Alaska. Although the
Company has never had an issue with the timely processing of APMA permits, there can be no assurances that delays in permit approval
will not occur.
8
ITH has established a Technical Committee,
which has adopted a formal, written charter. As set out in its charter, the overall purpose of the Technical Committee is to assist
the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Company’s continuing commitment to improving the
environment and ensuring that activities are carried out and facilities are operated and maintained in a safe and environmentally
sound manner that reflects the Company’s ideals and principles of sustainable development. The primary function of the Technical
Committee is to monitor, review and provide oversight with respect to the technical aspects of the Company’s projects as
well as monitor policies, standards, and programs relative to health, safety, community relations and environmental-related matters.
The Technical Committee also advises the Board and makes recommendations for the Board’s consideration regarding health,
safety, community relations and environmental-related issues.
Although not set out in a specific policy,
the Company strives to be a positive influence in the local communities where its mineral projects are located, not only by contributing
to the welfare of such communities through donations of money and supplies, as appropriate, but also through hiring local workers
to assist in ongoing exploration programs when appropriate. The Company considers building and maintaining strong relationships
with local communities to be fundamental to its ability to continue to operate in such regions and to assist in the eventual development
(if any) of mining operations in such regions, and it attaches considerable importance to commencing and fostering such relationships
from the beginning of its involvement in any particular area.
Corporate Structure
ITH was incorporated under the Company
Act (British Columbia) under the name “Ashnola Mining Company Ltd.” on May 26, 1978. ITH’s name was
changed to “Tower Hill Mines Ltd.” on June 1, 1988, and subsequently changed to “International Tower Hill
Mines Ltd.” on March 15, 1991. ITH has been transitioned under, and is now governed by, the Business Corporations
Act (British Columbia).
ITH has three material subsidiaries:
· Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (“TH Alaska”), a corporation incorporated in Alaska on
June 27, 2006, which holds most of the Company’s Alaskan mineral properties and is 100% owned by ITH;
· Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC, a limited liability company formed in Colorado on June 27, 2006,
which carries on the Company’s administrative and personnel functions and is wholly owned by TH Alaska; and
· Livengood Placers, Inc., a corporation incorporated in Nevada on June 11, 1998, which
holds certain Alaskan properties and is 100% owned by TH Alaska.
The following corporate chart sets forth
all of ITH’s material subsidiaries:
9
Competition
ITH is an exploration stage company. The
Company competes with other mineral resource exploration and development companies for financing, technical expertise and the acquisition
of mineral properties. Many of the companies with whom the Company competes have greater financial and technical resources. Accordingly,
these competitors may be able to spend greater amounts on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. This
competition could adversely impact the Company’s ability to finance further exploration and to achieve the financing necessary
for the Company to develop its mineral properties.
Availability of Raw Materials and Skilled Employees
All aspects of the Company’s business
require specialized skills and knowledge. Such skills and knowledge include the areas of geology, drilling, logistical planning,
preparation of feasibility studies, permitting, construction and operation of a mine, financing and accounting. Since commencing
its current operations in mid-2006, the Company has found and retained appropriate employees and consultants and believes it will
continue to be able to do so in the future.
All of the raw materials the Company requires
to carry on its business are readily available through normal supply or business contracting channels in Canada and the United
States. Since commencing exploration activities at the Livengood Gold Project in mid-2006, the Company has been able to secure
the appropriate personnel, equipment and supplies required to conduct its contemplated programs. While it has experienced difficulty
in procuring some equipment, such as drill equipment or services, experienced drillers and timely assay laboratory services in
previous years, the recent overall slowdown in the mineral exploration business has resulted in more equipment and services being
made available on a timely basis. As a result, the Company does not believe that it will experience any shortages of required personnel,
equipment or supplies in the foreseeable future.
Employees
At December 31, 2020, the Company
had three employees. The Company also uses consultants with specific skills to assist with various aspects of project evaluation,
engineering, community engagement and investor relations, and corporate governance.
Seasonality
As the Company’s mineral exploration
activity takes place in Alaska, its business is seasonal. Due to the northern climate, exploration work on the Livengood Gold Project
can be limited due to excessive snow cover and cold temperatures. In general, surface sampling work is limited to May through
September and surface drilling from March through November, although some locations afford opportunities for year-round
exploration operations and others, such as road-accessible wetland areas, may only be explored while frozen in the winter.
Available Information
ITH maintains an internet website at www.ithmines.com.
The Company makes available, free of charge, through the Investors section of its website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed
with, or furnished to, the SEC and its Annual Information Form, press releases and material change reports and other reports filed
on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). The Company’s SEC filings are available with the Canadian
Securities Administrators from the SEC’s internet website at www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other information regarding issuers that file electronically. The Company’s SEDAR filings are available from the Canadian
Securities Administrators’ internet website at www.sedar.com under the Company’s profile. The contents of these websites
are not incorporated into this report and the references to the URLs for these websites are intended to be inactive textual references
only.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following
risk factors in addition to the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Each of these risk factors
could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as materially and adversely
affect the value of an investment in our common shares. The risks described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional
risks that we are not presently aware of, or that we currently believe are immaterial, may also adversely affect our business,
operating results and financial condition. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address these risks or that other unknown
risks exist that may affect our business.
10
Risks Related to Our Business
Our
success depends on the development and operation of the Livengood Gold Project, which is our only project.
Our
only property at this time is our Livengood Gold Project, which is in the exploration stage. The April 2017 Report
indicates that the Project generates a minimal positive return at a gold price of $1,250 per ounce. The Company would need to see
higher gold prices over a sustained period for the Project to be commercially viable. While management is exploring opportunities
identified in the April 2017 Report for optimization and reducing Project costs, there can be no assurance that any such efforts
will be successful, that any of the optimization opportunities or cost savings will in fact be realized or that the price of gold
will increase sufficiently, and be sustained for a sufficient period, to warrant a decision to develop the Project. No assurance
can be given that any level of recovery of ore reserves will be realized or that any identified mineral deposit will ever qualify
as a commercial mineable ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. If we are not able to identify commercially
viable mineral deposits or profitably extract minerals from such deposits, if the Project is not developed, or if the Project is
otherwise subject to deterioration, destruction or significant delay, we may never generate revenues and our shareholders may lose
all or a substantial portion of their investment.
While we may be successful in outlining
potential optimizations that might improve the economics of the Project, there can be no assurance that any such optimizations
can actually be incorporated into the Project.
While a review of the pre-feasibility test
work to date on the Project indicates that there is the potential to further optimize the specific parameters of the Project, and
that such optimizations may result in lower capital costs and operating costs for the Project, there can be no assurance that such
optimizations can be achieved or that it will be possible to change the scope, size, scale and parameters of any revised Project
configuration to incorporate the optimized results. Even if such optimization test work shows that optimization will improve capital
or operating costs for the Project, it may not be possible to re-scale the Project so as to take advantage of all or any part of
the optimized processes and therefore it may not be possible to derive any benefit from the optimization work or studies carried
out. If we are not able to actually incorporate the optimized results, our business would be materially adversely affected and
our shareholders could lose all or a substantial portion of their investment.
We have a history of losses and expect
to continue to incur losses in the future.
We
have incurred losses and have had no revenue from operations since inception, and we expect to continue to incur losses in the
foreseeable future. We have not commenced commercial production on the Livengood Gold Project and we have no other mineral properties.
We have no revenues from operations and we do not anticipate generating revenues from operations until we are able, if ever, to
begin production at the Livengood Gold Project. We will continue to incur operating losses until the Livengood Gold Project begins
to generate sufficient revenues to fund continuing operations, which cannot be assured. The Project is currently in the exploration
stage and, as contemplated in the April 2017 Report, is not commercially viable in the current gold market. Our activities
may not result in profitable mining operations and we may not succeed in establishing mining operations or profitably producing
metals at the Livengood Gold Project.
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.
11
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 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.
We are an exploration stage company
and have no history producing metals from our properties. Any future revenues and profits are uncertain.
We
have no history of mining or refining any mineral products or metals and the Livengood Gold Project is not currently producing.
There can be no assurance that the Livengood Gold Project will be successfully placed into production, produce minerals in commercial
quantities, or otherwise generate operating earnings. Advancing properties from the exploration stage into development and commercial
production requires significant capital and time and will be subject to further feasibility studies, permitting requirements and
construction of the mine, processing plants, roads and related works and infrastructure. We will continue to incur losses until
such time, if ever, as our mining activities successfully reach commercial production levels and generate sufficient revenue to
fund continuing operations. There is no certainty that we will produce revenue from any source, operate profitably or provide a
return on investment in the future.
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.
Advancing
properties from exploration into the development stage requires significant capital and time, and successful commercial production
from a property, if any, will be subject to completing feasibility studies, permitting and construction of the mine, processing
plants, roads, and other related works and infrastructure. The Company does not presently have sufficient financial resources
or a source of operating cash flow to complete the permitting process and, if a production decision is made, the construction of
a mine at the Livengood Gold Project. The completion of the permitting process and any construction of a mine at the Livengood
Gold Project will depend upon the Company’s ability to obtain financing through the sale of its equity securities, enter
into a joint venture or strategic alliance relationship, secure significant debt financing or find alternative means of financing.
There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining the required financing on favorable terms or at all. Even
if the results of exploration are encouraging, the Company may not be able to obtain sufficient financing to conduct the further
exploration that may be necessary to determine whether or not a commercially mineable deposit exists.
Our
ability to obtain additional financing in the future will depend upon a number of factors, including prevailing capital market
conditions , the status of the national and worldwide economy, our business performance and the price of gold and other precious
metals. Capital markets worldwide have been adversely affected in the past few years, including in 2020, by substantial losses
by financial institutions and market volatility due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things. Failure to obtain
such additional financing on favorable terms or at all could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further mining operations
or exploration and development and the possible partial or total loss of our interests in the Livengood Gold Project.
Resource
exploration is a highly speculative business, and certain inherent exploration risks could have a negative
effect on our business.
Our
long-term success depends on our ability to identify mineral deposits on the Livengood Gold Project and other properties
we may acquire, if any, that can then be developed into commercially viable mining operations. Resource exploration is a highly
speculative business and involves a high degree of risk, including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting both from
the failure to discover mineral deposits and from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in size and
grade at the then prevailing market conditions to return a profit from production. Substantial expenditures are required to establish
proven and probable mineral reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal, and to
develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Although substantial benefits may
be derived from the discovery of a major mineralized deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient
quantities to justify commercial operations or that funds required for development can be obtained on a timely basis. The marketability
of minerals which may be acquired or discovered by the Company will be affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company
and cannot be accurately predicted. These factors include market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities,
mineral markets and processing equipment, and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties,
land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately
predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
12
Mineral
resource estimates are based on interpretation and assumptions and could be inaccurate or yield less mineral
production under actual conditions than is currently estimated. Any material changes in these estimates will affect the economic
viability of placing a property into production.
The
mineral resource estimates included in our reports are estimates only and no assurance can be given that any particular level of
recovery of minerals will in fact be realized or that an identified reserve or resource will ever qualify as a commercially mineable
(or viable) deposit which can be legally and economically exploited. The estimating of mineral resources and mineral reserves is
a subjective process and the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates is a function of the quantity and quality
of available data, the accuracy of statistical computations, and the assumptions used and judgments made in interpreting available
engineering and geological information. There is significant uncertainty in any mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate and
the actual deposits encountered and the economic viability of a deposit may differ materially from the Company’s estimates.
In addition, the grade of mineralization ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results and such differences
could be material. Because we have not commenced actual production, mineralization estimates, including mineral resource
estimates, for the Livengood Gold Project may require adjustments or downward revisions, and such adjustments or revisions may
be material.
Until
ore is actually mined and processed, mineral resources, mineral reserves and grades of mineralization must be considered
as estimates only. The grade of ore ultimately mined, if any, may differ from that indicated by any pre-feasibility or definitive
feasibility studies and drill results. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale laboratory tests will be
duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale operations. Extended declines in market prices
for gold may render portions or all of our mineral resources uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralization or adversely
affect the commercial viability determinations reached by us. Material changes in estimates of mineralization, grades, stripping
ratios, recovery rates or of our ability to extract such mineralization may affect the economic viability of projects and the value
of our Livengood Gold Project. The estimated resources described in our reports should not be interpreted as assurances of mine
life or of the profitability of future operations. Estimated mineral resources and mineral reserves may have to be re-estimated
based on changes in applicable commodity prices, further exploration or development activity or actual production experience. This
could materially and adversely affect estimates of the volume or grade of mineralization, estimated recovery rates or other important
factors that influence mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates. Market price fluctuations for gold, silver or base metals,
increased production costs or reduced recovery rates or other factors may render any particular reserves uneconomical or unprofitable
to develop at a particular site or sites. A reduction in estimated reserves could require material write downs in investment in
the affected mining property and increased amortization, reclamation and closure charges. Mineral resources are not mineral
reserves and there is no assurance that any mineral resources will ultimately be reclassified as proven or probable reserves. Mineral
resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
There are differences in U.S. and
Canadian practices for reporting reserves and resources.
Our
reserve and resource estimates are not directly comparable to those made in filings subject to SEC reporting and disclosure requirements,
as we report reserves and resources in accordance with Canadian practices. These practices are different from the practices used
to report reserve and resource estimates in reports and other materials filed with the SEC. It is Canadian practice to report measured,
indicated and inferred mineral resources (and in certain circumstances, deposits that are not measured, indicated or inferred mineral
resources but that are targeted for further exploration), which are generally not permitted in disclosure filed with the SEC by
U.S. issuers. In the United States and in Canada, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless
the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the
reserve determination is made. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured, indicated or inferred
mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves.
13
Further, “inferred mineral resources”
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. Disclosure
of “contained ounces” 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 only permits issuers to report “resources”
as in place, tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
Accordingly,
information concerning descriptions of mineralization, reserves and resources contained in our reports may not be comparable to
information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
Increased
costs could affect our ability to bring our projects into production and, once in production, our financial condition and
ability to be profitable.
Management
anticipates that costs at the Livengood Gold Project will frequently be subject to variation from one year to the next due
to a number of factors, such as changing ore grade, metallurgy and revisions to mine plans, if any, in response to the physical
shape and location of the ore body. In addition, costs are affected by the price of commodities such as fuel, rubber and electricity.
Such commodities are at times subject to volatile price movements, including increases that could make production less profitable
or not profitable at all. A material increase in costs could also impact our ability to maintain operations and have a significant
effect on the Company’s profitability in the event that a production decision is made.
The
volatility of the price of gold could adversely affect any future operations and, if warranted, our ability to develop our properties .
Even
if commercial quantities of mineral deposits are discovered by the Company, there is no guarantee that a profitable market will
exist for the sale of the metals produced, if any. The Company’s long-term viability and profitability , the value
of the Company’s properties, the market price of its common shares and the Company’s ability to raise funding to conduct
continued exploration and development, if warranted, depend, in large part, upon the market price of gold. The decision to put
a mine into production and to commit the funds necessary for that purpose must be made long before the first revenue from production
would be received. A decrease in the price of gold may prevent the Company’s property from being economically mined or result
in the write-off of assets whose value is impaired as a result of lower gold prices.
The
price of gold has experienced significant movement over short periods of time, and is affected by numerous factors beyond
the control of the Company, including economic and political conditions, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations,
interest rates, global or regional demand, sale or purchase of gold by various central banks and financial institutions, speculative
activities and increased production due to improved mining and production methods. The volatility of mineral prices represents
a substantial risk which no amount of planning or technical expertise can fully eliminate. There can be no assurance that the price
of gold will be such that any such deposits can be mined at a profit. The volatility in gold prices is illustrated by the following
table, which presents the high, low and average fixed price in U.S. dollars for an ounce of gold, based on the London Bullion
Market Association P.M. fix, over the past five years:
High
Low
Average
2016
$ 1,366
$ 1,077
$ 1,250
2017
$ 1,346
$ 1,151
$ 1,257
2018
$ 1,355
$ 1,178
$ 1,269
2019
$ 1,546
$ 1,270
$ 1,393
2020
$ 2,067
$ 1,474
$ 1,771
January 1, 2021 to March 1, 2021
$ 1,943
$ 1,743
$ 1,838
14
Our results of operations could be
affected by currency fluctuations.
The
Livengood Gold Project is located in the United States, with most costs associated
with the Project paid in U.S. dollars, and the Company maintains its accounts in Canadian and U.S. dollars, making it subject to
foreign currency fluctuations. There can be significant swings in the exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollar. There
are no plans at this time to hedge against any exchange rate fluctuations in currencies. Adverse foreign currency fluctuations
may cause losses and materially affect the Company’s financial position and results.
Resource
exploration, development and production involve a high degree of risk and we do not maintain insurance with
respect to certain of these risks, which exposes us to significant risk of loss.
Resource exploration, development and production
involve a high degree of risk. Our operations are, and any future development or mining operations we may conduct will be, subject
to all of the operating hazards and risks normally incident to exploring for and developing mineral properties, such as, but not
limited to:
· economically insufficient mineralized material;
· fluctuation in exploration, development and production costs;
· labor disputes;
· unanticipated variations in grade and other geologic problems;
· water conditions;
· difficult surface or underground conditions;
· mechanical and equipment failure;
· failure of pit walls or dams;
· environmental hazards;
· industrial accidents;
· metallurgical and other processing problems;
· unusual or unexpected rock formations;
· personal injury, cave-ins, landslides, flooding, fire, explosions, and rock-bursts;
· metal losses;
· power outages;
· periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions; and
· decrease in the value of mineralized material due to lower gold prices.
These
risks could result in damage to , or destruction of, mineral properties, facilities or other property, personal injury, environmental
damage, delays in operations, increased cost of operations, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Although the Company
maintains or can be expected to maintain insurance within ranges of coverage consistent with industry practice, no assurance can
be given that the Company will be able to obtain insurance to cover all of these risks at economically feasible premiums or at
all. The Company may elect not to insure where premium costs are disproportionate to the Company’s perception of the relevant
risks. The payment of such insurance premiums and of such liabilities would reduce the funds available for exploration and production
activities, if warranted. Should events such as these that are not covered by insurance arise, they could reduce or eliminate our
assets and shareholder equity as well as result in increased costs and a decline in the value of our assets or common shares.
15
We may not be able to obtain all
required permits and licenses to place any of our properties into production.
The
current and future operations of the Company require licenses and permits from various governmental authorities. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration,
development and mining operations at its projects, on reasonable terms or at all. Costs related to applying for and obtaining permits
and licenses may be prohibitive and could delay our planned exploration and development activities. Failure to comply with permitting
requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations
to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment,
or remedial actions. Delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, any such licenses and permits, or a failure to comply with the
terms of any such licenses and permits that the Company does obtain, could delay or prevent production of the Livengood Gold Project
and have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Title to the Livengood Gold Project may be subject to
defects in title or other claims, which could affect our property rights and claims.
There
are risks that title to the Livengood Gold Project may be challenged or impugned. The Livengood Gold Project is located
in the State of Alaska and may be subject to prior unrecorded agreements or transfers or native land claims, and title may be affected
by undetected defects. There may be valid challenges to the title of the Livengood Gold Project which, if successful, could impair
development or operations. This is particularly the case in respect of those portions of our properties in which we hold our interest
solely through a lease with the claim holders, as such interest is substantially based on contract and has been subject to a number
of assignments (as opposed to a direct interest in the property).
Some
of the mining claims at the Livengood Gold Project are U.S. federal or Alaska state “unpatented” mining claims.
There is a risk that a portion of such unpatented mining claims could be determined to be invalid, in which case the Company could
lose the right to mine any minerals contained within those mining claims. Unpatented mining claims are created and maintained in
accordance with the applicable U.S. federal and Alaska state mining laws. Unpatented mining claims are unique property interests
and are generally considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property interests due to the validity of unpatented
mining claims often being uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and regulations
under the provisions of the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872 (the “Mining Law”). Unpatented mining claims are
always subject to possible challenges of third parties or validity contests by the United States federal government or the Alaska
state government, as applicable. The validity of an unpatented mining claim, in terms of both its location and its maintenance,
is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of federal and state statutory and decisional law. Title to the unpatented
mining claims may also be affected by undetected defects such as unregistered agreements or transfers and there are few public
records that definitively determine the issues of validity and ownership of unpatented mining claims. The Company has not obtained
full title opinions for the majority of its mineral properties. Not all the mineral properties in which the Company has an interest
have been surveyed, and their actual extent and location may be in doubt. Should the federal government impose a royalty or additional
tax burdens on the properties that lie within public lands, the resulting mining operations could be seriously impacted, depending
upon the type and amount of the burden.
The
leases and agreements pursuant to which the Company has interests, or the right to acquire interests, in a significant portion
of the Livengood Gold Project provide that the Company must make a series of cash payments over certain time periods or expend
certain minimum amounts on the exploration of the properties. Failure by the Company to make such payments or make such expenditures
in a timely fashion may result in the Company losing its interest in such properties. There can be no assurance that the Company
will have, or be able to obtain, the necessary financial resources to be able to maintain all of its property agreements in good
standing, or to be able to comply with all of its obligations thereunder, which could result in the Company forfeiting its interest
in one or more of its mineral properties.
The Company may not have and may
not be able to obtain surface or access rights to all or a portion of the Livengood Gold Project.
Although the Company acquires the rights
to some or all of the minerals in the ground subject to the mineral tenures that it acquires, or has a right to acquire, in most
cases it does not thereby acquire any rights to, or ownership of, the surface to the areas covered by its mineral tenures. In such
cases, applicable mining laws usually provide for rights of access to the surface for the purpose of carrying on mining activities,
however, the enforcement of such rights through the courts can be costly and time consuming. It is necessary to negotiate surface
access or to purchase the surface rights if long-term access is required. There can be no guarantee that, despite having the right
at law to access the surface and carry on mining activities, the Company will be able to negotiate satisfactory agreements with
any such existing landowners/occupiers for such access or purchase such surface rights, and therefore it may be unable to carry
out planned exploration or mining activities. In addition, in circumstances where such access is denied, or no agreement can be
reached, the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts in such jurisdiction, the outcomes of
which cannot be predicted with any certainty. The inability of the Company to secure surface access or purchase required surface
rights could materially and adversely affect the timing, cost or overall ability of the Company to develop any mineral deposits
it may locate.
16
We
are subject to significant governmental regulations which affect our operations and cost s of conducting our
business.
Any
exploration activities carried on by the Company are, and any future development or mining operations we may conduct will be, subject
to extensive laws and regulations governing various matters, including:
· mineral concession acquisition, exploration, development, mining and production;
· management of natural resources;
· exports, price controls, taxes and fees;
· labor standards on occupational health and safety, including mine safety;
· post-closure reclamation;
· environmental standards, waste disposal, toxic substances, explosives, land use and environmental protection; and
· dealings with indigenous peoples and historic and cultural preservation.
Companies
engaged in exploration activities often experience increased costs and delays in production and other schedules as a result of
the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits
may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties , enforcement actions thereunder, including the forfeiture of claims,
orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities requiring operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures
requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or costly remedial actions, any of which could result in the
Company incurring significant expenditures. The Company may also be required to compensate third parties suffering loss or damage
as a result of our mineral exploration activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of such
laws, regulations and permits.
It is also possible that future laws and
regulations could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspension of the Company’s operations
and delays in the exploration and development of the Company’s properties.
Legislation has been proposed that
would significantly affect the mining industry and our business.
In
recent years, members of the United States Congress have repeatedly introduced bills which would supplant or alter the provisions
of the Mining Law. If adopted, such legislation, among other things, could eliminate or greatly limit the right to a mineral patent,
impose federal royalties on mineral production from unpatented mining claims located on United States federal lands (which includes
certain of the mining claims at the Livengood Gold Project), result in the denial of permits to mine after the expenditure of significant
funds for exploration and development, reduce estimates of mineral reserves and reduce the amount of future exploration and development
activity on U.S. federal lands, all of which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s ability to operate
and its cash flow, results of operations and financial condition.
17
Our
activities are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may increase our costs of doing business
and restrict our operations.
The
activities of the Company are subject to environmental regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Environmental legislation
generally provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions into the air, discharges into water, management
of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species and reclamation
of lands disturbed by mining operations. Certain types of operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact
assessments. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner involving stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and
penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility
for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations and future
changes in these laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays, cause material changes or delays in our current
and planned operations and future activities and reduce the profitability of operations. It is possible that future changes in
these laws or regulations could have a significant adverse impact on the Livengood Gold Project or some portion of our business,
causing us to re-evaluate those activities at that time.
Examples of current U.S. federal laws which
may affect our current operations and may impact future business and operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Comprehensive Environmental, Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes, impose strict, joint and several liability
on current and former owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances
found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the government to file claims requiring cleanup actions, demands for reimbursement
for government-incurred cleanup costs, or natural resource damages, or for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file
claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances released into the environment. The Federal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and comparable state statutes, govern the disposal of solid waste
and hazardous waste and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance, as well as requirements
for corrective actions. CERCLA, RCRA and comparable state statutes can impose liability for clean-up of sites and disposal of substances
found on exploration, mining and processing sites long after activities on such sites have been completed.
The Clean Air Act (“CAA”) restricts
the emission of air pollutants from many sources, including mining and processing activities. Our mining operations may produce
air emissions, including fugitive dust and other air pollutants from stationary equipment, storage facilities and the use of mobile
sources such as trucks and heavy construction equipment, which are subject to review, monitoring or control requirements under
the CAA and state air quality laws. New facilities may be required to obtain permits before work can begin, and existing facilities
may be required to incur capital costs in order to remain in compliance. In addition, permitting rules may impose limitations
on our production levels or result in additional capital expenditures in order to comply with the regulations.
The
National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental considerations into
their decision-making processes by evaluating the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, including issuance of permits
to mining facilities, and assessing alternatives to those actions. If a proposed action could significantly affect the environment,
the agency must prepare a detailed statement known as an Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”). The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (“EPA”), other federal agencies, and any interested third parties will review and comment
on the scoping of the EIS and the adequacy of and findings set forth in the draft and final EIS. We are required to undertake the
NEPA process for the Livengood Gold Project permitting. The NEPA process can cause delays in issuance of required permits or result
in changes to a project to mitigate its potential environmental impacts, which can in turn impact the economic feasibility of a
proposed project or the ability to construct or operate the Livengood Gold Project or other properties and may make them entirely
uneconomic.
The Clean Water Act (“CWA”),
and comparable state statutes, impose restrictions and controls on the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States.
The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the
EPA or an analogous state agency. The CWA regulates storm water mining facilities and requires a storm water discharge permit for
certain activities. Such a permit requires the regulated facility to monitor and sample storm water run-off from its operations.
The CWA and regulations implemented thereunder also prohibit discharges of dredged and fill material in wetlands and other waters
of the United States unless authorized by an appropriately issued permit. The CWA and comparable state statutes provide for civil,
criminal and administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges of pollutants and impose liability on parties responsible for
those discharges for the costs of cleaning up any environmental damage caused by the release and for natural resource damages resulting
from the release.
18
The
Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) and the Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) program promulgated thereunder,
regulate the drilling and operation of subsurface injection wells. The EPA directly administers the UIC program in some
states and in others the responsibility for the program has been delegated to the state. The program requires that a permit be
obtained before drilling a disposal or injection well. Violation of these regulations or contamination of groundwater by mining
related activities may result in fines, penalties, and remediation costs, among other sanctions and liabilities under the SDWA
and state laws. In addition, third party claims may be filed by landowners and other parties claiming damages for alternative water
supplies, property damages, and bodily injury.
Regulations and pending legislation
governing issues involving climate change could result in increased operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business.
A number of governments or governmental
bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes in response to various climate change interest groups and the potential
impact of climate change. Legislation and increased regulation regarding climate change could impose significant costs on us, our
future partners and our suppliers, including costs related to increased energy requirements, capital equipment, environmental monitoring
and reporting and other costs to comply with such regulations. Any adopted future climate change regulations could also negatively
impact our ability to compete with companies situated in areas not subject to such limitations. Given the emotion, political significance
and uncertainty around the impact of climate change and how it should be dealt with, we cannot predict how legislation and regulation
will affect our financial condition, operating performance and ability to compete. Furthermore, even without such regulation, increased
awareness and any adverse publicity in the global marketplace about potential impacts on climate change by us or other companies
in our industry could harm our reputation. The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain
and would be particular to the geographic circumstances in areas in which we operate. These may include changes in rainfall and
storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures. These impacts may adversely impact
the cost, production and financial performance of our operations.
Land reclamation requirements for
our properties may be burdensome and expensive in the future.
L and
reclamation requirements are generally imposed on mineral exploration companies (as well as companies with mining operations) in
order to minimize long term effects of land disturbance. Reclamation may include requirements to:
· control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluents;
· treat ground and surface water to drinking water standards; and
· reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation.
In
order to carry out reclamation obligations imposed on us in connection with the potential development activities at the Livengood
Gold Project, we must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and development programs.
We plan to set up a provision for reclamation obligations on the Livengood Gold Project, as appropriate, but this provision may
not be adequate. If we are required to carry out unanticipated reclamation work, our financial position could be adversely affected.
The
m ining industry is intensely competitive, and we have limited financial and personnel resources with which
to compete .
The Company’s business of the acquisition,
exploration and, if warranted, development and mining of mineral properties is intensely competitive. The Company may be at a competitive
disadvantage in acquiring additional mining properties because it must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which
may have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than the Company. The Company may also
encounter increasing competition from other mining companies in efforts to hire experienced mining professionals. Increased competition
could adversely affect the Company’s ability to attract necessary capital funding, acquire suitable producing properties
or prospects for mineral exploration in the future, or attract or retain key personnel or outside technical resources.
19
A
shortage of equipment and supplies could adversely affect our ability to operate our business .
We
are dependent on various supplies and equipment to carry out our exploration and, if warranted, development and mining operations.
The shortage of such supplies, equipment and parts could have a material adverse effect on our ability to carry out our operations
and therefore limit or increase the cost of production.
We
are dependent on key personnel and the absence of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business .
We may experience difficulty attracting and retaining qualified personnel.
Our
future success is largely dependent on the performance and abilities of our directors,
officers, employees and management and on our ability to attract and retain additional key personnel in exploration, mine development,
sales, marketing, technical support and finance. In addition, t he Company has relied and may continue to rely upon consultants
and others for operating expertise. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain the services of our directors, officers,
employees or other qualified personnel required to operate our business. The loss of the
services of these persons could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Recruiting
and retaining qualified personnel is critical to our success and there can be no assurance we will be able to recruit and retain
such personnel. The number of persons skilled in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties is limited
and competition for such persons is intense. If we are not successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, our ability
to develop our properties could be affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
cash flows and financial condition. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance policies on any of our officers
or employees.
Our
ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations .
In general, under Section 382 of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change”
is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) to offset
future taxable income. Similarly, where control of a corporation has been acquired by a person or group of persons, subsection
111(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Canadian Tax Act”), and equivalent provincial income tax legislation
restrict the corporation’s ability to carry forward non-capital losses from preceding taxation years. Our existing NOLs may
be subject to limitations arising from previous ownership changes. Future changes in our stock ownership, some of which are outside
of our control, could result in an ownership change under Section 382 of the Code or an acquisition of control for the purposes
of subsection 111(5) of the Canadian Tax Act, and adversely affect our ability to utilize our NOLs in the future. There is
also a risk that due to regulatory changes, such as suspensions on the use of NOLs, or other unforeseen reasons, our existing NOLs
could expire or otherwise be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. For these reasons, we may not be able to utilize
a material portion of the NOLs reflected on our balance sheet, even if we attain profitability.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
Our
share price may be volatile and as a result you could lose all or part of your investment .
In
recent years, the securities markets in the United States and Canada have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility,
and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly those considered exploration or development stage companies,
have experienced wide fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset
values or prospects of such companies. Any quoted market for our common shares may be subject to market trends and conditions generally,
notwithstanding any potential success we have in creating revenues, cash flows or earnings. The price of our common shares has
been subject to price and volume volatility in the past . In 2020, the price of our common shares on the TSX ranged from
a low of C$0.46 to a high of C$2.86, and on the NYSE American ranged from a low of $0.35 to a high of $2.09. From January 1,
2021 to March 1, 2021, the price of our common shares on the TSX ranged from a low of C$1.40 to a high of C$1.92, and on the
NYSE American ranged from a low of $1.11 to a high of $1.52. There can be no assurance that significant fluctuations in the trading
price of the Company’s common shares will not continue to occur, or that such fluctuations will not materially adversely
impact the Company’s ability to raise equity funding without significant dilution to its existing shareholders, or at all.
As a result, our shareholders may be unable to resell their shares at a desired price.
20
Future
sales of our securities in the public or private markets will dilute our current shareholders and could adversely
affect the trading price of our common shares and our ability to continue to raise funds in new stock offerings.
It
is likely that the Company will sell common shares or securities exercisable or convertible into common shares in the future.
The Company may issue securities on less than favorable terms to raise sufficient capital to fund its business plan. Any transaction
involving the issuance of equity securities or securities convertible into common shares would result in dilution, possibly substantial,
to present and prospective holders of common shares, could adversely affect the trading prices of our common shares and could impair
our ability to raise capital through future offerings of securities.
We
have never paid dividends on our common shares .
We
have not paid dividends on our common shares to date, and we may not be in a position to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ability to successfully develop the Livengood Gold Project and generate
earnings from operations. Further, our initial earnings, if any, will likely be retained to finance our operations. Any future
dividends will depend upon our earnings, our then-existing financial requirements and other factors, and will be at the discretion
of the Board.
We
believe that we likely were a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2020, which may result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders.
We
believe that we likely were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and
we expect that we will be a PFIC in the current year and that we may continue to be classified as a PFIC in future years. The
determination of whether or not the Company is a PFIC is a factual determination dependent on a number of factors and cannot be
made until the close of the applicable tax year. Accordingly, no assurances can be given regarding the Company’s PFIC status
for the current year or any future year. If the Company is a PFIC at any time during a U.S. holder’s holding period, then
certain potentially adverse tax consequences could apply to such U.S. holder’s acquisition, ownership, and disposition of
common shares. For more information, please see the discussion in “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S.
Holders” below.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
LIVENGOOD GOLD PROJECT, ALASKA
The Company currently holds, or has rights
to acquire, ownership or leasehold interests in a group of adjacent mineral properties in Alaska which are collectively referred
to as the “Livengood Gold Project.” The Livengood Gold Project is located approximately 113 km (70 miles) by road northwest
of Fairbanks, Alaska and approximately 65 km (40 miles) north of the boundary of the Fairbanks North Star Borough as shown in Figure
1 below. The project lies within the Tolovana Mining District in the northern part of the Tintina Gold Belt. The Company’s
primary focus is to continue to advance the Livengood Gold Project with the objective of assessing its viability for commercial
gold mining.
The
Company is in the process of optimizing the Livengood Gold Project and does not mine, produce or sell any mineral products at this
time. The Company has a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project, which as of August 26, 2016 (the date of last measure),
has a mineral resource of 497 million measured tonnes at an average grade of 0.68 g/tonne (10.84 million ounces), 28 million indicated
tonnes at an average grade of 0.69 g/tonne (0.62 million ounces) and 53 million inferred tonnes at an average grade of 0.66 g/tonne
(1.1 million ounces). In 2017, the Company issued the results of a pre-feasibility study that was summarized in the April 2017
Report, which converted a portion of the mineral resources at the Project into proven reserves of 378 million tonnes at an average
grade of 0.71 g/tonne (8.62 million ounces) and probable reserves of 14 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.72 g/tonne (353,000
ounces) based on a gold price of $1,250 per ounce. All work presently underway or planned by the Company is directed at
preparing an updated pre-feasibility study to be released in a new NI 43-101 report for the Livengood Gold Project and maintaining
necessary environmental baseline activities.
21
The Company relies upon consultants and
contractors to carry on many of its activities and, in particular, to carry out drilling programs at the Livengood Gold Project
and in connection with metallurgical test work, engineering and the preparation of technical reports on the Project. If ITH expands
its activities in the future, it may choose to hire additional employees rather than relying on consultants.
Figure 1: Location of the Livengood
Gold Project
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure
and Physiography
The Livengood Gold Project is located approximately
113 km (70 miles) by road northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska in the Tolovana Mining District within the Tintina Gold Belt. The Project
area is centered on Money Knob, a local topographic high point. This feature and the adjoining ridgelines are the probable lode
gold source for the Livengood placer deposits which lie in the adjacent valleys which have been actively mined since 1914 and have
produced more than 500,000 ounces of gold.
The Livengood Gold Project straddles and
is accessed via the Elliot Highway, a paved, all weather road linking the north slope oil fields at Prudhoe Bay to central and
southern Alaska through Fairbanks. At present there are no full-time residents in the former mining town of Livengood. A number
of unpaved roads have been developed in the area providing excellent access. A 427 m (1400-foot) runway is located 6 km (3.7 miles)
to the southwest near the former Alyeska Pipeline Company Livengood Camp and is suitable for light aircraft. The Livengood Gold
Project is also adjacent to the Alyeska Pipeline corridor, which transports crude oil from Prudhoe Bay south. This corridor contains
a fiber optic communications cable utilized at the Livengood Gold Project.
22
Topography at the site is eroded hills
and valleys with a general elevation difference of 200m (656 feet). The valleys generally contain active streams draining into
the Tolovana River system to the west.
The site is approximately 65 km (40 miles)
south of the Arctic Circle, and has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Annual precipitation is
approximately 40 cm (16 inches). Average low temperatures in winter are -21 ° to
-28 ° Celsius (-6 ° to -18 °
Fahrenheit), with records reaching as low as -55 ° Celsius (-67 °
Fahrenheit). Exploration work on the Livengood Gold Project can be limited due to excessive snow cover and cold temperatures. In
general, surface sampling work is limited to May through September and surface drilling from March through November.
Road-accessible wetland areas may only be explored while frozen in the winter. Work to date on the site has been limited to exploration
and geotechnical drilling and environmental baseline activities. The Company does not have any plant or equipment at the site,
relying on contractors to perform the work.
The nearest community to Livengood Gold
Project is the village of Minto, a town with a population of approximately 177 located approximately 65 km (40 miles) southwest
by road. The Fairbanks metropolitan area has a population of approximately 100,000 people, and comprises the regional center with
hospitals, government offices, businesses and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. The city is linked to southern Alaska along
a north-south transportation and utility corridor that includes two paved highways, a railroad to tide water, an interlinked electrical
grid, and communications infrastructure. Fairbanks has an international airport serviced daily by up to three major airlines.
In
preliminary, nonbinding discussions, the local utility in Fairbanks (Golden Valley Electrical Association) has indicated that 80-100
Megawatts of power could be available to the Livengood Gold Project. Livengood would be connected to the local grid by building
an 82 km (50 miles) 230-kVA line along the pipeline corridor. Environmental baseline studies required for the electrical line construction
started in 2011.
The April 2017 Report developed site
layout plans for the infrastructure required at the Livengood Gold Project. This included evaluating mine shops; process, water
and tailing management facilities; power; access roads; administration offices; and camp facilities.
Livengood Gold Project Lands
The Livengood Gold Project covers approximately
19,546 hectares (48,300 acres), all of which is controlled by the Company through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TH Alaska. The Livengood
Gold Project is comprised of multiple land parcels: 100% owned patented mining claims; 100% owned State of Alaska mining claims;
100% owned federal unpatented placer claims; land leased from the Alaska Mental Health Trust (“AMHT”); land leased
from holders of state and federal patented and unpatented mining and placer claims; and undivided interests in patented mining
claims. The property and claims controlled through ownership, leases or agreements are summarized below:
100% owned patented mining claims
· U.S. Mineral Survey 1960 and 2447, located on lower Livengood Creek, subject to an agreement to
allow Larry Nelson, as agent for Nelson Mining Company, to operate a placer mine on MS 1960 and 2447 through February 2, 2023.
· U.S. Mineral Survey 1956, located on lower Gertrude Creek, subject to a reserved royalty of 5%
of gross value held by Key Trust Company on behalf of the Luther Hess Trust.
· With respect to portions of U.S. Mineral Survey 1626, located on lower Amy Creek:
100% of No. 2 Above Discovery Any Creek,
100% of No. 3 Above Discovery Amy Creek, and
100% of Up Grade Association Bench
100% owned State of Alaska mining claims
· 169 state claims acquired by purchase
· 153 state claims acquired by location
23
100% owned federal unpatented placer claims
· 29 federal unpatented placer claims
100%
owned Livengood Placers, Inc., a private Nevada corporation that is 100% owned by TH Alaska. Livengood Placers, Inc.
is the record owner of the following:
· 29 patented claims
· 108 federal unpatented placer claims
· 24 State of Alaska mining claims
Leased property
· Alaska Mental Health Trust Lease. A lease of the AMHT mineral rights having a term commencing
July l, 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 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 the Hudson/Geraghty Lease 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. As of December 31,
2020, there were 9,970 acres included in the AMHT lease.
· Hudson/Geraghty Lease. A lease of 20 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 (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.
· Griffin Lease. A lease of three patented lode 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 of $500,000 is payable by way of the 3% NSR production
royalty. 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.
24
· Tucker Lease. A lease of two unpatented federal lode mining claims and four 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 (all of
which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). The Company is required to pay the lessor the sum of $250,000
upon making a positive production decision, payable $125,000 within 120 days of the decision and $125,000 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.
Patented claims (undivided interests less than
100%)
· An undivided 203/240th interest in that certain patented placer mining claim known as the “Kinney
Bench” claim, included within U.S. Mineral Survey No. 1626 on lower Amy Creek.
· An undivided 53/90th interest in that certain patented placer mining claim known as the “Union
Bench Association” claim, included within U.S. Mineral Survey No. 1626 on lower Amy Creek.
· An undivided 83/120th interest in that certain patented placer mining claim known as the “Bessie
Bench” claim, included within U.S. Mineral Survey No. 1626 on lower Amy Creek.
· An undivided 23/60th interest in those certain patented placer mining claims known as the “War
Association” claim; the “Mutual Association” claim; and the “O.K. Fraction” claim, all included
within U.S. Mineral Survey No. 2033 on lower Amy Creek.
· An undivided 2/5th interest in those certain patented lode mining claims included within U.S. Mineral
Survey No. 1990.
On State of Alaska lands, the state holds
both the surface and the subsurface rights. State of Alaska 40-acre mining claims require an annual rental payment of $40 per claim
to be paid to the state (by November 30 th of each year) for the first five years, $85 per year for the second five
years, and $205 per year thereafter. The annual rental rates for each 160-acre claim is $165 for the first five years, $330 for
the second five years, and $825 per year thereafter. As a consequence of the annual rentals due, all Alaska State Mining Claims
have an expiry date of November 30th each year. In addition, there is a minimum annual work expenditure requirement of $100
per 40-acre claim (due on or before noon on September 1 in each year) or cash-in-lieu thereof, and an affidavit evidencing
that such work has been performed is required to be filed on or before November 30th in each year. Excess work can be carried
forward for up to four years. If the rental is paid and the work requirements are met, the claims can be held indefinitely. The
work completed by the Company during the 2020 field season was filed as assessment work, and the value of that work is sufficient
to meet the assessment work requirements through September 1, 2024 on all State of Alaska mining claims.
Holders of State of Alaska mining claims
are also required to pay a production royalty on all revenue received from minerals produced on state land during each calendar
year. The production royalty rate is 3% of net income.
Holders of federal unpatented mining claims
are required to pay an annual rental of $165 per 20 acres.
All of the foregoing agreements are in
good standing and are transferable. The Company has taken reasonable steps to verify title to mineral properties in which it has
an interest. Except for the patented claims, none of the properties have been surveyed.
Holders of Federal and Alaska State unpatented
mining claims have the right to use the land or water included within mining claims only when necessary for mineral prospecting,
development, extraction, or basic processing, or for storage of mining equipment. However, the exercise of such rights is subject
to the appropriate permits being obtained.
25
Geology and Mineralization
The rocks at the Livengood Gold Project
are part of the Livengood Terrane, an east–west belt, approximately 240 km (149 miles) long, consisting of tectonically interleaved
assemblages of various ages. These assemblages include the Amy Creek Assemblage, a sequence of latest Proterozoic and/or early
Paleozoic basalt, mudstone, chert, dolomite, and limestone. An early Cambrian ophiolite sequence of mafic and ultramafic sea floor
rocks was thrust over the Amy Creek Assemblage and was, in turn, overthrust by a sequence of Devonian shale, siltstone, conglomerate,
volcanic, and volcaniclastic rocks, which are the dominant host to the mineralization currently under exploration at the Livengood
Gold Project. The Devonian assemblage was overthrust by a second klippe of Cambrian ophiolite rocks. All of these rocks are intruded
by Cretaceous multiphase monzonitic and syenitic dikes and sills. Gold mineralization is spatially and temporally associated with
these intrusive rocks.
Gold mineralization occurs in association
with disseminated arsenopyrite and pyrite in volcanic, sedimentary, and intrusive rocks, and in quartz veins cutting the more competent
lithologies, primarily volcanic rocks, sandstones, and, to a lesser degree, ultramafic rocks. Three principal stages of alteration
are currently recognized, an early biotite stage, followed by albite-quartz, and a late sericite-quartz assemblage. Carbonate appears
to have been introduced with and subsequent to these stages. Arsenopyrite and pyrite were introduced primarily during the albite-quartz
and sericite-quartz stages. Gold correlates strongly with arsenic and occurs primarily within and on the margins of arsenopyrite
and pyrite.
Mineralization is interpreted as intrusion-related,
consistent with other gold deposits of the Tintina Gold Belt, and has a similar As-Sb geochemical association. Mineralization is
controlled partly by lithologic units, but thrust-fold architecture was key to providing pathways for intrusive and associated
hydrothermal fluids.
Local fault and contact limits to mineralization
have been identified, but overall the deposit has not been closed off in any direction. The current resource and area drilled covers
the most significant portion of the area with anomalous gold in surface soil samples, but still represents only about 25% of the
total gold-anomalous area.
Among deposits of the Tintina Gold Belt,
mineralization at the Livengood Gold Project is most similar to the dike and sill-hosted mineralization at the Donlin Creek deposit,
where gold occurs in narrow quartz veins associated with dikes and sills of similar composition. The age of the intrusions and
the genetic link between the mineralization and intrusive rocks are typical of those of other nearby gold deposits of the Tintina
Gold Belt, which have been characterized as intrusion-related gold systems and for these reasons the Livengood Gold Project is
best classified with them.
History and Exploration
Gold was first discovered in the gravels
of Livengood Creek in 1914. Subsequently, over 500,000 ounces of placer gold were produced and the small town of Livengood was
established. From 1914 through the 1970’s, the primary focus of prospecting activity was placer deposits. Historically, prospectors
considered Money Knob and the associated ridgeline the source of the placer gold. Prospecting, in the form of dozer trenches, was
carried out for lode type mineralization in the vicinity of Money Knob primarily in the 1950’s. However, to date no significant
production has been derived from lode gold sources.
The geology and mineral potential of the
Livengood District have been investigated by state and federal agencies and explored by several companies over the past 50-plus
years. Modern mapping and sampling investigations were initially carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1967 as part of a
heavy metal assessment program. Mapping completed in the course of this program recognized the essential rock relations, thrust
faulting, and mineralization associated with Devonian clastic rocks, the thrust system and intrusive rocks. Since then, the Livengood
placer deposits and the surrounding geology have featured in numerous investigations and mapping programs at various scales by
the U.S. Geological Survey and the Alaska State Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
In
addition to individuals prospecting the area, since the 1970’s several mining companies, including Homestake, AMAX, Placer
Dome, Cambior and AngloGold, have investigated the potential for lode gold mineralization beneath the Livengood placers
and on the adjacent hillsides, including at Money Knob. Placer Dome’s work appears to have been the most extensive, but it
was focused largely on the northern flank of Money Knob and the valley of Livengood Creek.
26
The most recent round of exploration of
the Money Knob area began when AngloGold acquired the property in 2003 and undertook an 8-hole RC program on the Hudson-Geraghty
lease. The results from this program were encouraging and were followed up with an expanded soil geochemical survey which identified
gold-anomalous zones over Money Knob and to the east. Based on the results of this and prior (Cambior) soil surveys, 4 diamond
core holes were drilled in late 2004. Results from these two AngloGold drill programs were deemed favorable but no further work
was executed due to financial constraints and a shift in corporate strategy.
The Company acquired the Livengood Gold
Project in 2006 from AngloGold and has advanced the soil sampling coverage, undertook to drill surface geochemical anomalies and
conducted drilling campaigns on the Livengood Gold Project since that time.
In 2006, the Company conducted a 1,227
m, seven-hole program and continued to demonstrate the presence of mineralization over a broader area. The 2007 campaign consisted
of 15 diamond drill holes for a total of 4,411 m. These holes focused on extending and defining the volcanic-hosted mineralization
first recognized by AngloGold in 2003. However, as drilling progressed, it became clear that although mineralization is strongest
in the volcanic rocks, it occurs in all rock types at Money Knob.
Based on favorable results in 2007, the
2008 program consisted of 29,150 m of RC and 2,187 m core drilling in 109 and 9 holes, respectively. The drill program was designed
to improve definition and expand the resource calculated early in 2008 based on 2007 drill data. The 2008 drill program did not
identify limits to mineralization in any direction. Instead, a thicker mineralized zone (up to 200 m) was identified. In addition,
this campaign highlighted the fact that mineralization occurs in all rock types, not just in Devonian volcanic rocks, indicating
potential more widespread mineralization than envisioned prior to the 2008 drill program.
In 2009, the Company completed 12 diamond
drill holes totaling 4,572 m and 195 RC holes totaling 59,757 m. Six of the diamond drill holes were drilled across the NNW-trending
Core Zone in order to better understand the structural controls and to test the depth continuity of the mineralization. This drilling
confirmed that the Core Zone is the locus of a swarm of 0.2 - 1.0 m thick southerly dipping dikes. In addition, a number of larger
(+10 m thick) steeply dipping NNW-trending dikes were observed, suggesting that ENE extension may have occurred at about the time
of dike magmatism. The RC holes were primarily targeted at grid infill drilling to improve resource estimation of the Core Zone
and a step-out program that led to discovery and delineation of the Sunshine and Tower Zones.
In 2010, the Company completed 40 diamond
drill holes totaling 13,631 m and 198 RC holes totaling 56,550 m. These holes, filled in between the Core and Sunshine Zones,
expanded the SW Zone and infilled to 50 m spacing in the Core and Sunshine Zones.
Nearly all drill holes at Money Knob have
been drilled in a northerly direction at an inclination of -50 degrees (RC) and -60 degrees (core) in order to best intercept
the south dipping structures and mineralized zones as close to perpendicular as possible. A few holes have been drilled in other
directions to test other features and aspects of mineralization. Most exploration holes have been spaced at 75 m apart along lines
75 m apart, subsequent infill drilling in the center of 75 m squares brings the nominal drill spacing to 50 m for a significant
portion of the deposit. Core is recovered using triple tube techniques to ensure good recovery (>95%) and confidence in core
orientation. RC holes are bored and cased for the upper 0-30 m to prevent down hole contamination and to help keep the hole open
for ease of drilling at greater depths.
In 2011, the Company continued with resource
definition drilling, completing 26,163 m of RC drilling and 11,468 m of diamond drilling. Two areas of the deposit, the Core and
Sunshine crosses, were selected for 15 m-spaced RC in-fill drilling on crosses with north-south and east-west legs 150 m in length.
A third area, Area 50 in the Sunshine Zone, measuring 195 m by 240 m, was drilled on a 37.5 m grid with alternating core and RC
drilling. Two resources were generated for each volume using ordinary kriging on samples composited to 10 m lengths: the first
including those portions of the 50 m grid drilling within the volume; and a second using both the grid and close-spaced drilling
within the same volume. On average, the effect of the increased drilling density on tonnage, grade, and contained ounces of gold
was less than 1% and confirmed the integrity of the previously reported resource estimate. In 2011, the Company broadened the
scope of the field program to include 2,240 m of exploration drilling outside the resource area, as well as 8,932 m of geotechnical
drilling and 1,192 m of large diameter groundwater test wells.
In May 2012, the Company commenced
an 18-hole program of condemnation drilling to either sterilize or establish the presence of significant mineralization in the
area surrounding the Money Knob deposit. The purpose of the condemnation drilling program was to determine appropriate areas for
infrastructure development. Additionally, four of these holes are also being used for hydrological studies. The program was completed
in July 2012 with 3,065 m in 19 holes.
27
Also in May 2012, the Company commenced
multi-faceted drill programs consisting of hydraulic gradient, infrastructure, borrow source identification, and large-diameter
wells for pump tests. The hydraulic gradient and infrastructure drilling consisted of 5,826 m in 49 holes utilizing core drilling.
The geotechnical and borrow source information was obtained from 2,695 m drilled in 73 holes, utilizing core, sonic, and auger
drilling methods. Seven large diameter wells have been drilled for a total of 1,031 m.
The drill program from February through
October 2012 totaled 15,731 m in 199 holes.
The Company has not completed any material
exploration at the Project since 2012, but has focused on engineering, metallurgical studies, and environmental baseline.
Sample Preparation, Analyses and Security
The
Company samples all holes from surface to total depth, using defined procedures. For RC samples, pulverized material is passed
through a cyclone to separate solids from drilling fluids, then over a spinning conical splitter. The splitter is set to collect
two identical splits of sample weighing 2-5 kg (4.4-11.0 pounds) each. Representative coarse material is collected and saved in
chip trays for geological description. Samples are put in pre-numbered, bar-coded bags by the drill site crew. One sample is submitted
for analysis, and one sample is kept for reference. Samples are secured on site and transported to a sample preparation facility
operated by ALS Chemex in Fa irbanks.
Core materials are collected at the drill
site and placed in core boxes. Run blocks, orientation blocks and depths are placed in the boxes at site. The core is transported
to a sample management facility at the Project, where it is described, then sawn in half. Half of the core is collected for assaying
and half remains for reference. Core samples are weighed before shipping.
The
Company’s geologic work program at Livengood was designed and was supervised by Chris Puchner, formerly Chief Geologist
of the Company and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Puchner was responsible for all aspects of the work, including
the quality control/quality assurance program. The quality assurance/quality control program implemented by the Company
meets or exceeds industry standards. A quality assurance/quality control program includes insertion of blanks and standards (1/10
samples) and duplicates (1/20 samples). Blanks help assess the presence of any contamination introduced during sample preparation
and help calibrate the low end of the assay detection limits. Commercial standards are used to assess the accuracy of the analyses.
Duplicates help assess the homogeneity of the sample material and the overall sample variance. The Company has undertaken rigorous
protocols to assure accurate and precise results. Among other methods, weights are tracked throughout the various steps performed
in the laboratory to minimize and track errors. A group of 2,096 metallic screen fire assays performed in 2011 did not indicate
any bias in the matching fire assays.
On-site Project personnel photograph the
core from each individual borehole prior to preparing the split core. Duplicate RC drill samples are collected with one split
sent for analysis. Representative chips are retained for geological logging. On-site personnel at the Project log and track all
samples prior to sealing and shipping. All sample shipments are sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Fairbanks, Alaska, for preparation
and then on to ALS Chemex in Reno, Nevada, or Vancouver, B.C., for assay. ALS Chemex’s quality system complies with the
requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored
by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of
international and in-house standards. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant
third-party laboratory for additional quality control.
Data entry and database validation procedures
have been checked and found to conform to industry practices. Procedures are in place to minimize data entry errors. These include
pre-numbered, pre-tagged, bar-coded bags, and bar-coded data entry methods which relate all information to sample and drill interval
information. Likewise, data validation checks are run on all information used in the geologic modeling and resource estimation
process. Database entries for a random sample (10%) of drill holes used for the resource estimate were checked against the original
assay certificates by one of the independent authors of the April 2017 Report and the error rate was found to be within acceptable
limits.
28
Analysis of assay data from core and RC
sampling has been performed to check for down hole contamination of RC and to compare the data distributions produced by the two
methods. Analysis of RC data has not indicated cyclic down hole contamination. Decay analysis conducted on both core drilling
and RC drilling indicates similar patterns of monotonic grade increase or decrease. Comparison of the grade distributions between
core and RC data were conducted using Quantile-Quantile plots, and simulation of population means for different numbers of samples.
The comparison indicated that the mean of all core data was 4% lower than RC data. Comparison of core and RC data below the water
table showed similar population means, suggesting that down hole contamination was not occurring.
Core and RC check samples have been collected
during each drilling campaign by independent third parties. Results from these samples, as well as blanks and standards included,
are consistent with the Company’s initial results. This includes a similar increase in variance for samples at higher grades,
a pattern consistent with nugget effect. No systematic high or low bias has been observed.
April 2017 Report
In April 2017, the Company filed
the April 2017 Report with respect to the Livengood Gold Project, which indicates that
the Project generates a minimal positive return at a gold price of $1,250 per ounce. Readers are encouraged to review the entire
April 2017 Report on SEDAR, with particular emphasis on the sensitivity analyses contained therein. Readers are cautioned
that the NI 43-101 reports filed on SEDAR by the Company in September of 2013 and October of 2016 are no longer considered
current and should therefore no longer be relied upon by investors.
2021 Pre-Feasibility Study
On January 12, 2021, the Company
announced that the Board had approved a 2021 budget of $5.6 million and endorsed the associated 2021 work program to advance the
Livengood Gold Project. The key element in the 2021 work program is the completion of an updated PFS on the Livengood Gold Project
that is planned for release in October 2021. The work program will also advance the baseline environmental data collection
in critical areas of hydrology and waste rock geochemical characterization, needed to support future permitting, as well as advance
community engagement.
Environmental Studies, Permitting and Social and Community
Impacts
The Livengood Gold Project is currently
operating within compliance of all environmental regulations that apply during the exploration stage of major mineral projects.
The Company has received all necessary exploration permits for activities such as trenching, drill road building and drilling.
These permits are also reviewed by related state and federal agencies that can comment and require specific changes to the proposed
work plans to minimize impacts on the environment. The permitting process for major exploration projects generally requires 30-60
days for processing. The Company currently has all necessary permits with respect to its exploration activities in Alaska. Although
the Company has never had an issue with the timely processing of exploration permits there can be no assurances that delays in
permit approval will not occur. Reclamation of surface disturbance associated with exploration activities is conducted concurrently
where required.
The Company has been conducting extensive,
multi-disciplinary environmental baseline studies in and around the Project area since 2008 in order to understand the current
environmental conditions and to allow Project design to be optimized to minimize potential environmental effects. The environmental
baseline programs conducted or currently underway at the Project include:
· surface
water and hydrology;
· groundwater
hydrogeology;
· geohydrology;
· wetlands
and vegetation;
· meteorology
and air quality;
29
· aquatic
life and resources;
· wildlife
and habitat;
· cultural
resources;
· rock
characterization; and
· geochemical
characteristics.
Based on review of the studies completed
to date, the Company believes that there are no known environmental issues that are anticipated to materially impact the Company’s
ability to conduct mining operations at the Project.
Looking forward to potential project development,
a site-specific monitoring plan and water management plan for both operations and post mine closure will be developed in conjunction
with detailed engineering and project permit planning. Development of the Livengood Gold Project will require a number of state
and federal permits. Federal permits will be issued pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Council of Environmental
Quality (CEQ). In fulfillment of the NEPA requirements, the Livengood Gold Project will be required to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement. Although at this time it is unknown which department will become the lead federal agency, the State of Alaska
is expected to take a cooperating role to coordinate the NEPA review with the State permit process. Actual permitting timelines
are controlled by the NEPA review and U.S. Federal and State agency decisions. There are no municipal or community agreements
required for the Livengood Gold Project.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are periodically a party to or otherwise
involved in legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Management does not believe that there is any pending
or threatened proceeding against us which, if determined adversely, would have a material adverse effect on our financial position,
liquidity or results of operations.
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 fiscal year ended December 31, 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.
30
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S
COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
The common shares of the Company are listed
and posted for trading on the TSX under the symbol “ITH”, on the NYSE American under the symbol “THM”,
and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “-1I1-”. As at March 1, 2021, there were 194,908,184 common
shares issued and outstanding, and the Company had approximately 100 shareholders of record.
Dividends
Since its inception, ITH has not
paid any dividends. ITH has no present intention of paying any dividends, as it anticipates that all available funds will be invested
to finance the growth of its business. The Board will determine if and when dividends should be declared and paid in the future
after taking into account many factors, including ITH’s financial condition, operating results and anticipated cash needs
at the relevant time. There are no restrictions which prevent ITH from paying dividends.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated
Purchasers
None.
Exchange Controls
Canada has no system of exchange controls.
There are no Canadian restrictions on the repatriation of capital or earnings of a Canadian public company to non-resident investors.
There are no laws in Canada or exchange restrictions affecting the remittance of dividends, profits, interest, royalties and other
payments to non-resident holders of the Company’s securities, except as discussed in “Certain Canadian Federal Income
Tax Considerations for U.S. Resident Holders” below.
There are no limitations under the laws
of Canada or in the organizing documents of the Company on the right of foreigners to hold or vote securities of the Company,
except that the Investment Canada Act (Canada) may require review and approval by the Minister of Industry (Canada) of
certain acquisitions of “control” of the Company by a “non-Canadian.” The threshold for acquisitions of
control is generally defined as being one-third or more of the voting shares of the Company. “Non-Canadian” generally
means an individual who is not a Canadian citizen, or a corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is ultimately controlled
by non-Canadians.
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S.
Resident Holders
This summary is applicable to a holder
of common shares of the Company who, for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and any applicable treaty and at all relevant times,
is not (and is not deemed to be) resident in Canada, deals at arm’s length and is not affiliated with the Company, does
not (and is not deemed to) use or hold the common shares in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada, is not a “specified
shareholder” (as defined in subsection 18(5) of the Canadian Tax Act) of the Company, is not an insurer that carries
on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere, and holds the common shares as capital property (a “Non-Resident Holder”).
This summary is based on the current provisions
of the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980) , as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Treaty”), the Canadian Tax Act,
the regulations thereunder, all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act and regulations publicly announced by or on behalf
of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and the Company’s understanding of the administrative policies
and assessing practices published in writing by the Canada Revenue Agency prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes that
all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act and regulations will be enacted as currently proposed, does not otherwise
take into account any change in law or administrative policy or assessing practice, whether by judicial, governmental, legislative
or administrative decision or action, and does not take into account other federal or provincial, territorial or foreign tax consequences,
which may vary from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein.
31
This
summary is of a general nature only, is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations, and it is not intended
to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any Non-Resident Holder of common shares and no representation
with respect to Canadian federal income tax consequences to any Non-Resident Holder of common shares is made herein. Accordingly,
Non-Resident Holders of common shares should consult their own tax advisers with respect to their individual circumstances .
Dividends on Common Shares
Canadian withholding tax at a rate of
25% (subject to reduction under the provisions of any applicable tax treaty) will be payable on dividends (or amounts paid or
credited on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends) paid or credited or deemed to have been paid or
credited to a Non-Resident Holder of common shares. Under the Canada–U.S. Treaty, the withholding tax rate is generally
reduced to 15% for a Non-Resident Holder entitled to the benefits of the Canada–U.S. Treaty who is the beneficial owner
of the dividends (or 5% if the holder is a company that owns at least 10% of the common shares of the Company at such time).
Certain U.S.-resident entities that are
fiscally transparent for United States federal income tax purposes (including limited liability companies) may not in all circumstances
be entitled to the benefits of the Canada–U.S. Treaty. Non-Resident Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors
to determine their entitlement to benefits under the Canada-U.S. Treaty based on their particular circumstances.
This summary does not deal with special
situations such as the particular circumstances of traders or dealers or Non-Resident Holders who have entered into a “derivative
forward agreement” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act) in respect of the common shares. Such Non-Resident Holder should
consult their own tax advisors.
Capital Gains and Losses
Subject to the provisions of any relevant
tax treaty, capital gains realized by a Non-Resident Holder on the disposition or deemed disposition of common shares held as
capital property will not be subject to Canadian tax unless the common shares are “taxable Canadian property” (as
defined in the Canadian Tax Act), in which case the capital gains will be subject to Canadian tax at rates which will approximate
those payable by a Canadian resident.
Common
shares of the Company generally will not be “taxable Canadian property” to a Non-Resident Holder provided that, at
the time of the disposition or deemed disposition, the common shares are listed on a designated stock exchange (which currently
includes the TSX and NYSE American), unless at any time during the 60-month period that ends at that time: (a) one
or any combination of (i) such Non-Resident Holder, (ii) persons not dealing at arm’s length with such Non-Resident
Holder and (iii) partnerships in which such Non-Resident Holder or a person described in (ii) holds a membership interest
directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the
capital stock of the Company; and (b) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares disposed of was derived
directly or indirectly from one or any combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource
properties” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act), “timber resource properties” (as defined in the Canadian Tax
Act), and options in respect of, or interests in, or civil law rights in, any such properties (whether or not such property exists).
In certain circumstances set out in the Canadian Tax Act, the common shares may be deemed to be “taxable Canadian property”.
Under the Canada–U.S. Treaty, a
Non-Resident Holder entitled to the benefits of the Canada–U.S. Treaty and to whom the common shares are “taxable
Canadian property” will not be subject to Canadian tax on the disposition or deemed disposition of the common shares unless
at the time of disposition or deemed disposition, the value of the common shares is derived principally from real property situated
in Canada. Non-Resident Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors to determine their entitlement to benefits under
the Canada-U.S. Treaty based on their particular circumstances.
32
Currency Conversion
Generally, for purposes of the Canadian
Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of common shares, including dividends, adjusted cost
base and proceeds of dispositions must be determined in Canadian dollars using the daily exchange rate of the Bank of Canada on
the particular date the particular amount arose or in certain situations, such other rate of exchange as acceptable to the Canada
Revenue Agency.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S.
Holders
The
following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of acquiring,
owning, and disposing of our common shares. This discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the U.S.
tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular investor’s decision to acquire the common shares, including any
state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of common shares. This discussion applies only to
those U.S. Holders that hold common shares as capital assets for U.S. tax purposes (generally, for investment and not in connection
with the carrying on of a trade or business) and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income tax law that may be relevant
to investors that are subject to special or different treatment under U.S. federal income tax law (including, for example, a holder
liable for the alternative minimum tax or a holder that actually or constructively owns 10% or more by voting power or value of
our common shares). This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its
legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, published rulings and other administrative guidance of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and court decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof. These laws are
subject to change or differing interpretation by the IRS or a court, possibly on a retroactive basis. This discussion also
assumes that the Company is not, and will not become, a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) as defined for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder”
means a beneficial owner of our common shares that is:
· an
individual citizen or resident of the United States;
· a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes)
created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any
state or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia;
· an
estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source;
or
· a
trust (i) if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s
administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial
decisions of the trust or (ii) that has a valid election in effect to be treated
as a U.S. person under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.
If a partnership (including any entity
treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the common shares, the U.S. tax treatment
of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder
of the common shares that is a partnership and partners in such a partnership should consult their own tax advisors about the
U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, or disposing of common shares, particularly in light of recent U.S.
tax reform.
Distributions
Subject to the passive foreign investment
company rules discussed below, should a distribution be made, a U.S. Holder must include in gross income as dividend income
the gross amount of any distribution paid on the common shares (including the amount of any non-U.S. taxes withheld from such
amount), to the extent such distribution is paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal
income tax purposes). Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal
income tax purposes) will first be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s basis in
the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of common shares. See “Sale, Exchange, or Other Disposition
of Common Shares” below.
Dividends
received by U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates, or trusts will be taxed at preferential rates if such dividends meet the
requirements of “qualified dividend income.” Dividends that fail to meet such requirements, and dividends received
by corporate U.S. Holders, are taxed at ordinary income rates. In order for dividends to qualify as “qualified dividend
income,” an entity must be considered a “qualified foreign corporation” and certain other requirements must
be met. While we believe the Company is a qualified foreign corporation, a dividend received by a U.S. Holder will not be qualified
dividend income if the Company is a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid
or the immediately preceding taxable year. See the discussion below regarding our passive foreign investment company status
under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.” In the case of a corporate U.S. Holder, dividends received generally
will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
33
Dividends
paid on the common shares will generally be treated as foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Foreign
tax credits are generally subject to various classifications and other limitations. The rules relating to computing foreign
tax credits are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the foreign tax credit implications of
owning common shares.
Sale, Exchange, or Other Disposition of Common Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment
company rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder that sells or otherwise disposes of the common shares will recognize capital
gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between (i) the U.S. dollar value of the amount
realized on the sale or disposition and (ii) the tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, of such common shares. Such gain
or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at
the time of sale, exchange, or other disposition. Long-term capital gains of individuals are generally subject to preferential
maximum U.S. federal income tax rates. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If
the Company is considered a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax
purposes at any time during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, then certain potentially adverse tax consequences apply to such
U.S. Holder’s acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be
a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either (1) at least 75% of its gross income
for the taxable year is passive income; or (2) at least 50% of the average value (determined on a quarterly basis) of its
assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income generally includes
dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business),
and the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of certain assets that produce passive income. If a foreign corporation
owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests
as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and receiving directly its proportionate share of the
other corporation’s income.
We
believe that we likely were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and
we expect that we will be a PFIC in the current year and that we may be a PFIC in future years. The determination
of whether or not the Company is a PFIC is a factual determination dependent on a number of factors that cannot be made until
the close of the applicable tax year. Accordingly, no assurances can be given regarding the Company’s PFIC status for the
current year or any future year. The Company’s status as a PFIC can have significant adverse tax consequences for a U.S.
Holder if we are a PFIC for any year during such U.S. Holder’s holding period.
A U.S. Holder that holds common shares
while the Company is a PFIC may be subject to increased tax liability upon the sale, exchange, or other disposition of the common
shares or upon the receipt of certain distributions, regardless of whether the Company is a PFIC in the year in which such disposition
or distribution occurs. These adverse tax consequences include:
(a)
“Excess
distributions” by the Company are subject to the following special rules. An excess distribution generally is the excess
of the amount a PFIC distributes to a shareholder during a taxable year over 125% of the average amount it distributed to
the shareholder during the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the part of the shareholder’s holding period
before the taxable year. Distributions with respect to the common shares during the taxable year to a U.S. Holder that
are excess distributions must be allocated rateably to each day of the U.S. Holder’s holding period. The amounts
allocated to the current taxable year and to taxable years prior to the first year in which the Company was classified as
a PFIC are included as ordinary income in a U.S. Holder’s gross income for that year. The amount allocated to each
other prior taxable year is taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax rate in effect for the U.S. Holder in that prior
year (without offset by any net operating loss for such year) and the tax is subject to an interest charge at the rate applicable
to deficiencies in income taxes (the “special interest charge”).
34
(b)
The
entire amount of any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the common shares will be treated as an excess distribution
made in the year of sale or other disposition and as a consequence will be treated as ordinary income and, to the extent allocated
to years prior to the year of sale or disposition, will be subject to the special interest charge described above.
Special rules apply for calculating the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC.
While
there are certain U.S. federal income tax elections (described below) that can be made to mitigate the adverse tax consequences
described above such elections are only available in limited circumstances and must be made in a timely manner. These rules are
very complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the potential of making an election to mitigate
the adverse consequences described above of the Company being classified as a PFIC .
Qualifying
Electing Fund (“QEF”) Election . A U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC, including the Company, may make a QEF
election with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. Generally, a QEF election should be made
with the filing of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the first taxable year for which both (i) the
U.S. Holder holds common shares, and (ii) the Company was a PFIC. A U.S. Holder that timely makes a valid QEF election with
respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year (i) as ordinary income, such holder’s pro
rata share of the Company’s ordinary earnings for the taxable year, and (ii) as long-term capital gain, such holder’s
pro rata share of the Company’s net capital gain for the taxable year. However, the QEF election is available only if such
PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations. There can be no assurance that the Company will provide U.S. Holders with the information required for them to
make a QEF election.
Deemed
Sale Election. If the Company is a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, but the Company
ceases in a subsequent year to be a PFIC, then a U.S. Holder may make a deemed sale election for such subsequent year in order
to avoid the adverse PFIC tax treatment described above that would otherwise continue to apply because of the Company’s
having previously been a PFIC. If such election is timely made, the U.S. Holder would be deemed to have sold the common shares
held by the holder at their fair market value, and any gain from such deemed sale would be taxed as an excess distribution (as
described above). The basis of the common shares would be increased by the gain recognized, and a new holding period would begin
for the common shares for purposes of the PFIC rules. The U.S. Holder would not recognize any loss incurred on the deemed sale,
and such a loss would not result in a reduction in basis of the common shares. After the deemed sale election, the U.S. Holder’s
common shares with respect to which the deemed sale election was made would not be treated as shares in a PFIC, unless the Company
subsequently becomes a PFIC.
Mark-to-Market
Election. Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined in the applicable Treasury regulations)
in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the adverse PFIC tax treatment discussed above. If
a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election for shares of marketable stock, the U.S. Holder will include in income each year
an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares as of the close of the holder’s taxable year
over the holder’s adjusted basis in such shares. A U.S. Holder is allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted
basis of the shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to
the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the shares included in the holder’s income for prior taxable years. Amounts
included in a U.S. Holder’s income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition
of the shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market
loss on the shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the shares, to the extent that the amount
of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such shares. A U.S. Holder’s basis in
the shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. However, the special interest charge and related adverse
tax consequences described above for non-electing holders may continue to apply on a limited basis if the U.S. Holder makes the
mark-to-market election after such holder’s holding period for the shares has begun.
35
Because our common shares are regularly
traded on TSX, the NYSE American, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, we anticipate that our common shares will be classified as
“marketable stock.” No assurances can be given, however, that our common shares are or will be marketable stock.
Form 8621
(Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund). If we are
a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, such U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual
information report with such U.S. Holder’s U.S. Federal income tax return on IRS Form 8621.
The PFIC rules are complex, and U.S.
Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules and how they may affect the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares in the event the Company is a PFIC at any time during
the holding period for such common shares.
Medicare Tax
A U.S. Holder that is an individual or
estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax
on the lesser of (1) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the
excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of an
individual will be $200,000 or $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A holder’s net investment income
will generally include dividend income and net gains from the disposition of common shares, unless such dividends or net gains
are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain
passive or trading activities). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare
tax in respect of their investment in the common shares.
Disclosure Requirements for Specified Foreign Financial
Assets
U.S. Holders (including certain domestic
corporations, partnerships, and trusts that are considered formed or availed of for the purpose of holding, directly or indirectly,
“specified foreign financial assets,” referred to as “specified domestic entities” in applicable United
States Treasury regulations) that, during any taxable year, hold any interest in any “specified foreign financial asset”
generally will be required to file with their U.S. federal income tax returns certain information on IRS Form 8938 if the
aggregate value of all such assets exceeds certain specified amounts. The term “specified foreign financial asset”
generally includes any financial account maintained with a non-U.S. financial institution, which may include common shares if
they are not held in an account maintained with a financial institution. Substantial penalties may be imposed, and the period
of limitations on assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes may be extended, in the event of a failure to comply
with this reporting and filing requirement. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the possible application
to them of these requirements.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Generally,
amounts received by a U.S. Holder in foreign currency (including distributions paid in foreign currency to a U.S. Holder in connection
with the ownership of common shares or on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of common shares) will be equal to the U.S.
dollar value of such foreign currency based on the applicable exchange rate on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such
foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). The subsequent disposition of any foreign currency received (including
an exchange for U.S. currency) will generally give rise to ordinary gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between
the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency on the date it was received and the date of the subsequent disposition. Each U.S.
Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing
of foreign currency.
Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding
Payments made within the United States
or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and/or proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of,
common shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax (currently at a 24% rate) if a U.S.
Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9),
(b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has
previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury,
that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S.
Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax.
36
Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS
in a timely manner. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding
rules.
Acquiring, owning, or disposing of
our common shares may have tax consequences under the laws of the United States and Canada that are not described in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K. Shareholders are solely responsible for determining the tax consequences applicable to their particular
circumstances and should consult their own tax advisors concerning an investment in the Company’s common shares.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.
37
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Current
Business Activities
General
2020
Livengood Gold Project Developments
During the year ended December 31,
2020, the Company made a decision to embark on a new phase for the Livengood Gold Project as a result of the favorable macro-economic
backdrop for gold.
On May 8, 2020, the Company announced
that the Board had approved a work plan to prepare an updated pre-feasibility study (“PFS”) on the Livengood Gold Project.
The Company stated that it believed that the strength in the price of gold arising from the unprecedented accommodative fiscal
and monetary stimulus from central banks and governments globally provided the necessary macroeconomic backdrop to support the
advancement of the large, highly-levered, and long-life gold asset at Livengood.
On July 15, 2020, the Company announced
that it had finalized the key contracts for completion of a PFS in respect of the Livengood Gold Project and expected to release
the results 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 last NI 43-101 report was completed to further de-risk and identify the optimal project configuration.
The Company has engaged BBA, Inc. as its lead consultant and retained Whittle Consulting, Resource Modeling, Inc., Resource
Development Associates, Easton Process Consulting, and NewFields Companies, LLC to provide specialized technical support.
On August 31, 2020, the Company entered
into an At Market Issuance (“ATM”) 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 “ATM Offering”).
On September 2, 2020, the Company
announced that its existing three largest shareholders had each taken their pro-rata share of the ATM Offering, resulting in the
issuance of 5,670,997 common shares (representing 3% of the 187.6 million shares previously issued and outstanding) at the September 1,
2020 closing market price of $1.40 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $7.9 million.
On October 16, 2020, the Company announced
that it had raised the full $10.3 million available pursuant to the ATM Offering with B. Riley. 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. The Company stated it intended to use the net proceeds
of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the completion of the PFS announced in [May 2020
to further de-risk the Livengood Gold Project and for environmental baseline studies.
Director Changes
The Company announced the appointment of
Christopher Papagianis to the Company’s Board effective June 1, 2020. Mr. Papagianis was nominated for election
as a director in accordance with an investor rights agreement with the Company’s largest shareholder, Paulson &
Co. Inc. (“Paulson”), and fills a vacancy created by the June 1, 2020 resignation of Damola Adamolekun, the previous
Paulson designee.
38
2021
Outlook
On January 12, 2021, the Company announced
that the Board had approved a 2021 budget of $5.6 million and endorsed the associated 2021 work program to advance the Livengood
Gold Project. The key element of the 2021 work program is the completion of the PFS on the Livengood Gold Project that is planned
for release in October 2021. The work program will also advance the baseline environmental data collection in critical areas
of hydrology and waste rock geochemical characterization needed to support future permitting, as well as advance community engagement.
The Company remains open to a strategic
alliance to help support the future development of the Project while considering all other appropriate financing options. The size
of the gold resource, the Project’s favorable location, and the Company’s proven team are some of the reasons the Company
would potentially attract a strategic partner with a long-term development horizon who understands the Project is highly leveraged
to gold prices.
Results of Operations
Summary of Quarterly Results
Description
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Net income (loss)
$ (1,995,576 )
$ (1,101,763 )
$ (1,486,464 )
$ 65,085
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ 0.00
Description
December 31,
2019
September 30,
2019
June 30,
2019
March 31,
2019
Net loss
$ (760,035 )
$ (858,406 )
$ (1,387,054 )
$ (820,912 )
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
$ (0.00 )
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.01 )
$ (0.00 )
Significant fluctuations in the Company’s
quarterly net loss have mainly been the result of operating cost changes.
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to Year ended
December 31, 2019
The Company had cash and cash equivalents
of $13,049,293 at December 31, 2020 compared to $6,937,621 at December 31, 2019. The Company incurred a net loss of $4,518,718
for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a net loss of $3,826,407 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The
following discussion highlights certain selected financial information and changes in operations between the year ended December 31,
2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019.
Mineral property exploration expenditures
were $2,364,899 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1,689,228 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The
increase of $675,671 is due to expenditures for metallurgical studies and engineering to prepare a PFS on the Livengood Gold Project,
partially offset by the Company limiting field activities to the continuation of critical environmental baseline work while moving
forward with a multi-phase metallurgical test work program.
Share-based
payment charges were $385,531 during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $405,857 during the year ended December 31,
2019. The $20,326 decrease in share-based payment charges during the period was mainly the result of fewer deferred share units
(“DSUs”) issued to certain members of the Board during the year ended December 31, 2020 and incentive options
granted to certain officers and employees of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2019 being fully vested upon issuance.
The Company granted 451,085 DSUs and 255,000 options during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 488,235 DSUs and
187,232 options during the year ended December 31, 2019. Both DSU grants were fully vested upon issuance. At December 31,
2020, there was $71,430 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options outstanding.
39
Share-based payment charges were allocated
as follows:
Expense category:
Year ended
December 31,
2020
Year ended
December 31,
2019
Consulting
$ 304,205
$ 316,717
Investor relations
6,456
-
Wages and benefits
74,870
89,140
$ 385,531
$ 405,857
Excluding share-based payment charges of
$74,870 and $89,140, respectively, wages and benefits increased to $733,967 for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $689,084
for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $44,883 is primarily due to increased payroll and payroll-related benefit
accruals as at December 31, 2020.
Professional fees were $219,268 for the
year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $192,339 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $26,929 is due
primarily to increased legal fees related to property and general administration matters.
Insurance costs were $144,837 for the year
ended December 31, 2020 compared to $123,997 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $20,840 resulted from
premium increases to maintain coverage.
Excluding share-based payment charges of
$6,456 and $Nil, respectively, investor relations costs were $50,750 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $38,697
for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $12,053 was due to the year ended December 31, 2019 including a
vendor credit of $9,550 for prior year invoicing corrections.
Travel costs were $20,450 for the year
ended December 31, 2020 compared to $33,045 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease of $12,595 is due primarily
to reduced travel requirements.
Excluding share-based payments, all other
operating expense categories reflected only moderate changes period over period.
Other items amounted to an expense of $103,889
during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to an expense of $175,938 in the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company
had a foreign exchange loss of $191,071 during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a foreign exchange loss of $406,454
during the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S.
dollar cash balances. The average exchange rate during the year ended December 31, 2020 was C$1 to US$0.7461 compared to C$1
to US$0.7537 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has no revenue generating operations
from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company’s ongoing operations have been predominantly financed through
sale of its equity securities by way of private placements and the subsequent exercise of share purchase and broker warrants issued
in connection with such private placements. However, the exercise of warrants is dependent primarily on the market price and overall
market liquidity of the Company’s securities at or near the expiry date of such warrants (over which the Company has no control)
and therefore there can be no guarantee that any existing warrants will be exercised. There are currently no warrants outstanding.
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any material
adverse effects on the Company.
40
As
at December 31, 2020, the Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $13,049,293 compared to $6,937,621 at December 31,
2019. The increase of approximately $6.1 million resulted mainly from sales made under the Company’s ATM Offering, under
which net proceeds were $9.8 million, partially offset by operating expenditures on the Livengood Gold Project of approximately
$3.9 million and a positive foreign currency translation impact of approximately $0.2 million. As at March 9, 2021,
management believes that the Company has sufficient financial resources to maintain its operations for the next twelve months.
Financing activities during the year ended
December 31, 2020 included the ATM Offering whereby 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. Share issuance costs included $0.5 million related to the Offering.
Financing activities during the year ended
December 31, 2019 included the exercise of stock options. Proceeds of $64,254 were received on the issuance of 121,174 shares
pursuant to the exercise of stock options.
The Company had no cash flows from investing
activities during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Investing activities of $101,692 during
the year ended December 31, 2019 were comprised of mineral property costs for land acquisitions of $31,189 that closed in
the second quarter and $70,503 that closed in the third quarter.
As at December 31, 2020, the Company
had working capital of $12,718,381 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 2021 work plan at the Livengood Gold Project and satisfy its currently anticipated general and administrative
costs through the 2022 fiscal year.
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. ” The quantity 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.
Due to this uncertainty, if the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it may be required to reduce all discretionary
activities at the Project to preserve its working capital to fund anticipated non-discretionary expenditures beyond the 2022 fiscal
year.
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.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance
sheet arrangements.
41
Critical Accounting Policies
Mineral properties and exploration and evaluation expenditures
The Company’s mineral project is
currently in the exploration and evaluation phase. Mineral property acquisition costs are capitalized when incurred. Mineral property
exploration costs are expensed as incurred. At such time that the Company determines that a mineral property can be economically
developed, subsequent mineral property expenses will be capitalized during the development of such property.
The Company assesses interests in exploration
properties for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of an asset may exceed its recoverable
amount. Impairment analysis includes assessment of the following circumstances: a significant decrease in the market price of a
long-lived asset or asset group; a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group
is being used or in its physical condition; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could
affect the value of a long-lived asset or asset group, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; an accumulation
of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset or
asset group; a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection
or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group; or a current expectation
that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end
of its previously estimated useful life. The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than 50%.
Stock-based compensation
The Company follows the provisions of Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Section 718 “Compensation - Stock
Compensation”, which establishes accounting for equity-based compensation awards to be accounted for using the fair value
method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of the awards. Compensation
expense is measured at the grant date and recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.
Recently Adopted Accounting Policies
For a description of recently adopted accounting
policies, please see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within our Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
Not applicable.
42
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY
DATA.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To
the Shareholders and Directors of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd .
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial
Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the
related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with
the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have,
nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required
to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the
effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures
to assess the risks of material misstatements of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated
below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required
to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated
financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgements. The communication of
critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we
are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the
accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
43
Assessment of impairment indicators
of mineral property
As described in Note 4 to the consolidated
financial statements, the carrying amount of the Company’s mineral property was $55,375,124 as at December 31, 2020.
Management applies judgment to assess the mineral property for impairment indicators that could give rise to the requirement to
conduct a formal impairment test. Internal and external factors such as (i) significant decrease in the market price of the
asset, (ii) current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or a forecast of continuing losses
associated with the use of the asset, (iii) significant changes in expected capital and operating costs, and reclamation costs,
(iv) significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors including changes in gold prices, and (v) current
expectation that the asset will more likely than not be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful
life, are evaluated by management in determining whether there are any indicators of impairment.
The principal considerations for our determination
that the assessment of impairment indicators of the mineral property is a critical audit matter are that there was judgement by
management when assessing whether there were indicators of impairment for the mineral property. This in turn led to a high degree
of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures to evaluate audit evidence relating to the judgments made
by management in their assessment of indicators of impairment that could give rise to the requirement to conduct a formal impairment
test.
Addressing the matter involved performing
procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements.
These procedures include, among others, evaluating management’s assessment of indicators of impairment; and assessing whether
there has been a significant decrease in the market price of the asset, significant changes in the expected capital costs, operating
costs, reclamation costs, and current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or forecasted continued
losses associated with the use of the asset, by considering the current and past performance of the mineral property including
other third-party information and evidence obtained in other areas of the audit, as applicable. The procedures performed also included
(i) evaluating whether there were significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors including changes in
gold prices by considering external market data and industry data; and (ii) assessing the completeness of external and internal
factors that could be considered as indicators of impairment of the Company’s mineral property, including consideration of
evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
We have served as the Company’s auditor
since 2017.
/s/ Davidson & Company LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
March 9, 2021
44
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at December 31, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Note
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 13,049,293
$ 6,937,621
Prepaid expenses and other
162,079
238,554
Total current assets
13,211,372
7,176,175
Property and equipment
7,832
15,434
Mineral property
4
55,375,124
55,375,124
Total assets
$ 68,594,328
$ 62,566,733
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$ 199,026
$ 18,433
Accrued liabilities
5
293,965
317,324
Total liabilities
492,991
335,757
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital, no par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; 194,908,184 and 187,573,671 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
7
288,032,132
278,213,801
Contributed surplus
35,454,805
35,069,274
Accumulated other comprehensive income
1,759,228
1,574,011
Deficit
(257,144,828 )
(252,626,110 )
Total shareholders’ equity
68,101,337
62,230,976
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 68,594,328
$ 62,566,733
Nature
of operations (Note 1)
Commitments
(Note 9)
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these consolidated financial statements.
45
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 and 2019
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Note
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
Operating Expenses
Consulting fees
7
$ 472,413
$ 484,546
Depreciation
7,602
2,316
Insurance
144,837
123,997
Investor relations
7
57,206
38,697
Mineral property exploration
4
2,364,899
1,689,228
Office
27,590
30,535
Other
17,774
14,910
Professional fees
219,268
192,339
Regulatory
138,191
126,895
Rent
11
135,762
135,737
Travel
20,450
33,045
Wages and benefits
7
808,837
778,224
Total operating expenses
(4,414,829 )
(3,650,469 )
Other income (expense)
Loss on foreign exchange
(191,071 )
(406,454 )
Interest income
76,361
164,533
Other income
10,821
65,983
Total other income (expense)
(103,889 )
(175,938 )
Net loss for the year
(4,518,718 )
(3,826,407 )
Other comprehensive income
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations
185,217
411,111
Total other comprehensive income for the year
185,217
411,111
Comprehensive loss for the year
$ (4,333,501 )
$ (3,415,296 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ (0.02 )
$ (0.02 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted
189,870,444
187,359,884
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these consolidated financial statements.
46
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 and 2019
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
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-option
-
-
89,140
-
-
89,140
Stock based compensation-DSU
-
-
316,717
-
-
316,717
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations
-
-
-
411,111
-
411,111
Maturity of DSU
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
-
-
-
-
(3,826,407 )
(3,826,407 )
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-option
-
-
90,914
-
-
90,914
Stock based compensation-DSU
-
-
294,617
-
-
294,617
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations
-
-
-
185,217
-
185,217
At-The-Market offering
7,334,513
10,299,277
-
-
-
10,299,277
Share issuance costs
-
(480,946 )
-
-
-
(480,946 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
(4,518,718 )
(4,518,718 )
Balance, December 31, 2020
194,908,184
$ 288,032,132
$ 35,454,805
$ 1,759,228
$ (257,144,828 )
$ 68,101,337
The accompanying notes
are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
47
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 and 2019
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
Operating Activities
Loss for the year
$ (4,518,718 )
$ (3,826,407 )
Add items not affecting cash:
Depreciation
7,602
2,316
Stock-based compensation-option
90,914
89,140
Stock-based compensation-DSU
294,617
316,717
Changes in non-cash working capital items:
Accounts receivable
94,795
(15,266 )
Prepaid expenses
(14,447 )
(11,023 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
156,302
(215,110 )
Cash used in operating activities
(3,888,935 )
(3,659,633 )
Financing Activities
Issuance of common shares
10,299,277
64,254
Share issuance costs
(480,946 )
-
Cash provided by financing activities
9,818,331
64,254
Investing Activities
Mineral property land acquisition
-
(101,692 )
Cash used in investing activities
-
(101,692 )
Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents
182,276
405,728
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
6,111,672
(3,291,343 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
6,937,621
10,228,964
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$ 13,049,293
$ 6,937,621
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
48
INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. GENERAL INFORMATION, 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 December 31, 2020,
the Company was in the exploration stage and controls a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project in Alaska, U.S.A.
These consolidated 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.
The Company will require significant
additional financing to continue its operations in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project and for 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 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.
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. Due to this uncertainty, if the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it may
be required to reduce all discretionary activities at the Project to preserve its working capital to fund anticipated non-discretionary
expenditures beyond the 2021 fiscal year. As at March 9, 2021, management believes that the Company has sufficient financial
resources to maintain its operations for the next twelve months.
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, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any material adverse effects on the Company.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
These consolidated financial
statements are presented in United States dollars and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles (“U.S. GAAP”). On March 9, 2021, the Board approved the consolidated financial statements dated December 31,
2020.
Basis of consolidation
These consolidated 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.
Significant judgments, estimates and
assumptions
The preparation of financial
statements in accordance 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 regularly 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.
49
The areas which require significant
judgment and estimates that management has made at the financial reporting date, that could result in a material change to the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event actual results differ from the assumptions made, relate to, but are not
limited to the following:
Significant judgments
· the determination of functional currencies;
· quantitative and qualitative factors used in the assessment of impairment of the Company’s
mineral property; and
· the analysis of resource calculations, drill results, labwork, etc. which can impact the Company’s
assessment of impairment, and provisions, if any, for environmental rehabilitation and restoration.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash equivalents include highly
liquid investments with original maturities of twelve months or less, and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change
in value. Cash equivalents are held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments rather than for investment or other
purposes.
Property and equipment
On initial recognition, property
and equipment are valued at cost. Property and equipment is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation, less any
accumulated impairment losses, with the exception of land which is not depreciated. Depreciation is recorded over the estimated
useful life of the assets at the following annual rates:
Computer equipment
- 30% declining balance;
Computer software
- 3 years straight line;
Furniture and equipment
-20% declining balance; and
Leasehold improvements
- straight-line over the lease term.
Additions during the year are
depreciated at one-half the annual rates. Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each financial
year-end and adjusted if appropriate.
Mineral properties and exploration and evaluation
expenditures
The Company’s mineral project
is currently in the exploration and evaluation phase. Mineral property acquisition costs are capitalized when incurred. Mineral
property exploration costs are expensed as incurred. At such time that the Company determines that a mineral property can be economically
developed, subsequent mineral property expenses will be capitalized during the development of such property.
The Company assesses interests
in exploration properties for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of an asset may exceed its
recoverable amount. Impairment analysis includes assessment of the following circumstances: a significant decrease in the market
price of a long-lived asset or asset group; a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or
asset group is being used or in its physical condition; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate
that could affect the value of a long-lived asset or asset group, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; an
accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived
asset or asset group; a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or
a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group; a current
expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before
the end of its previously estimated useful life. The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than
50%.
Asset retirement obligations
The Company records a liability
based on the best estimate of costs for site closure and reclamation activities that the Company is legally or contractually required
to remediate. The provision for closure and reclamation liabilities is estimated using expected cash flows based on engineering
and environmental reports and accreted to full value over time through periodic charges to income. The Company does not have any
material provisions for environmental rehabilitation as of December 31, 2020.
50
Impairment
of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of
Long-lived
assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may
not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset
to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to
be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets
to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount and the fair value less costs to sell.
Income taxes
The Company
accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Current income taxes are the expected taxes payable or receivable
on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment
to taxes payable in respect of previous years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective
tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under the asset and liability method, the effect
on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will
not be recognized.
Net loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated
using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential
dilution that could occur if securities or contracts that may require the issuance of common shares in the future were converted,
unless the impact is anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2020, this calculation proved to be anti-dilutive, and
therefore the Company’s 2,707,049 stock options and 1,834,481 deferred share units (“DSUs”) outstanding at year-end
have been excluded from the calculation.
Stock-based compensation
The Company follows the provisions
of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Section 718 “Compensation
- Stock Compensation”, which establishes accounting for equity-based compensation awards to be accounted for using the fair
value method. Equity-settled share-based payment arrangements are initially measured at fair value at the date of grant and recorded
within shareholders’ equity. Arrangements considered to be cash-settled are initially recorded at fair value and classified
as accrued liabilities, and subsequently re-measured at fair value at each reporting date. The Company’s stock option plan
is an equity-settled arrangement and the Company’s deferred share unit plan can be an equity or cash settled arrangement
depending on the grant date term.
The fair value at grant date
of all share-based payments is recognized as compensation expense over the period for which benefits of services are expected to
be derived, with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity or accrued liabilities depending on whether they are equity-settled
or cash-settled. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and
estimate the expected forfeiture rate at the date of grant. The value of DSUs is estimated based on the quoted market price of
the Company’s common shares. When awards are forfeited because non-market based vesting conditions are not satisfied, the
expense previously recognized is proportionately reversed.
Functional currency
The Company’s consolidated
financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is the Company’s reporting currency. The functional currency of
ITH is the Canadian (“CAD” or “C”) dollar and the functional currency of ITH Alaska, TH US and LPI is the
U.S. dollar.
In accordance with ASC 830, Foreign
Currency Matters, the Company translates the assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars using the rate of exchange prevailing at
the balance sheet date and the statements of operations and comprehensive loss and cash flows are translated at an average rate
during the reporting period. Adjustments resulting from the translation from CAD into U.S. dollars are recorded in shareholders'
equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Foreign currency transactions
are translated into the functional currency of the respective currency of the entity or division, using the exchange rates prevailing
at the dates of the transactions (spot exchange rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such
transactions and from the re-measurement of monetary items denominated in foreign currency at period-end exchange rates are recognized
in profit or loss. Non-monetary items that are not re-translated at period end are measured at historical cost (translated using
the exchange rates at the transaction date), except for non-monetary items measured at fair value, which are translated using the
exchange rates as at the date when fair value was determined. Gains and losses are recorded in the statement of operations and
comprehensive loss.
51
Recently adopted accounting
pronouncements
Accounting
Standards Update No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). In February 2016, the FASB issued a new standard regarding
leases. These are elements of the new standard that could impact almost all entities to some extent, although lessees will likely
see the most significant changes. Lessees will need to recognize virtually all of their leases on the balance sheet, by recording
a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Company adopted the standards on January 1, 2019 and adoption had no impact
on the Company’s financial statements.
Accounting
Standards Update 2016-16—Income Taxes, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740).
In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance intended to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity
transfers of assets other than inventory by requiring an entity to recognize the income tax consequences when a transfer occurs,
instead of when an asset is sold to an outside party. The Company adopted the standards on January 1, 2019 and adoption had
no impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Accounting
Standards Update No. 2014-09—Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). On May 28, 2014, the
FASB issued guidance that requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer
of promised goods or services to customers. This ASU was further amended in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016,
May 2016 and December 2016 by ASU No. 2015-014, No. 2016-08, No. 2016-10, No. 2016-12 and No. 2016-20,
respectively. The guidance provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded
disclosures about revenue recognition. The Company adopted the standards on January 1, 2019 and adoption had no impact on
the Company’s financial statements.
Accounting
Standards Update No. 2018-13—Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) . In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance
that modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding disclosures. The Company
adopted the standards on January 1, 2020 and adoption had no impact on the Company’s financial statements .
Recently issued accounting
pronouncements
Accounting
Standards Update No. 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740). In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance intended
to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes and removes certain exceptions to the general principles and
also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The Company is required to adopt this new standard
for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of guidance will have no impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
Accounting
Standards Update No. 2016-13—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . In June 2016, the
FASB issued guidance intended to change how companies account for credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments.
For trade receivables, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, companies will be required to estimate lifetime expected credit
losses and recognize an allowance against the related instruments. For available for sale debt securities, companies will be required
to recognize an allowance for credit losses rather than reducing the carrying value of the asset. The adoption of this update,
if applicable, will result in earlier recognition of losses and impairments.
Accounting
Standards Update No. 2018-19—Codification Improvements to ASC 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses.
In November 2018, the FASB introduced guidance on an expected credit loss methodology for the impairment of financial assets
measured at amortized cost basis. That methodology replaces the probable, incurred loss model for those assets. ASU 2018-19 is
the final version of Proposed Accounting Standards Update 2018-270, which has been deleted. Additionally, the amendments clarify
that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables
arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with ASC 842, Leases.
These updates are effective beginning
January 1, 2023, and the Company is currently evaluating ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 and the potential impact of adopting
this guidance on its financial reporting.
3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of cash and
cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these
financial instruments.
52
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.
There were no financial
instruments measured at fair value.
4. MINERAL PROPERTY
The Company had the following
activity related to the mineral property:
Capitalized acquisition costs
Amount
Balance, December 31, 2018
$ 55,273,432
Additions
101,692
Balance, December 31, 2019
$ 55,375,124
Additions
-
Balance, December 31, 2020
$ 55,375,124
The following table presents
costs incurred for exploration and evaluation activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Year ended
December 31, 2020
Year ended
December 31, 2019
Exploration costs:
Aircraft services
$ -
$ 4,350
Environmental
169,704
169,171
Equipment and facilities rental
54,945
75,774
Field costs
70,254
75,772
Geological/geophysical
1,437,530
710,121
Land maintenance & tenure
563,243
575,975
Legal
54,982
70,229
Transportation and travel
14,241
7,836
Total expenditures for the year
$ 2,364,899
$ 1,689,228
Properties acquired from AngloGold, Alaska
Pursuant to an Asset Purchase
and Sale and Indemnity Agreement dated June 30, 2006, as amended on July 26, 2007 (the “AngloGold Agreement”),
among the Company, AngloGold Ashanti (U.S.A.) Exploration Inc. (“AngloGold”) and TH Alaska, the Company acquired all
of AngloGold’s interest in a portfolio of seven mineral exploration projects in Alaska and referred to as the Livengood,
Chisna, Gilles, Coffee Dome, West Pogo, Blackshell, and Caribou properties (the “Sale Properties”) in exchange for
a cash payment of $50,000 on August 4, 2006, and the issuance of 5,997,295 common shares, representing approximately 19.99%
of the Company’s issued shares following the closing of the acquisition and two private placement financings raising an aggregate
of C$11,479,348.
As further consideration for
the transfer of the Sale Properties, the Company granted to AngloGold a 90-day right of first offer with respect to the Sale Properties
and any additional mineral properties in Alaska in which the Company acquires an interest and which interest the Company proposes
to farm out or otherwise dispose of. Upon AngloGold’s equity interest in the Company being reduced to less than 10%, this
right of first offer would then terminate.
On December 11, 2014, the
Company closed a private placement financing in which AngloGold elected not to participate. As a result of the shares issued in
this private placement, AngloGold’s ownership in the Company was reduced to less than 10% and thus both AngloGold’s
right to maintain its ownership percentage interest and its right of first offer on the Company’s Alaskan properties terminated
upon the closing of the December 2014 private placement.
Details of the Livengood Property
(being the only Sale Property still held by the Company) are as follows:
Livengood Property:
The Livengood property is located
in the Tintina gold belt approximately 113 kilometers (70 miles) north 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.
53
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 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. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has paid $3,651,168 from the inception of this
lease.
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 (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. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has paid $830,000 from the inception of this lease.
c) a lease of patented lode 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 of $500,000 is payable by way of the 3% NSR production royalty. As of December 31,
2020, the Company has paid $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.
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 (all of which minimum royalties are
recoverable from production royalties). The Company is required to pay the lessor the sum of $250,000 upon making a positive production
decision, payable $125,000 within 120 days of the decision and $125,000 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. As of December 31, 2020, the Company
has paid $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 December 31, 2020 and 2019.
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Accrued liabilities
$ 227,459
$ 278,644
Accrued salaries and benefits
66,506
38,680
Total accrued liabilities
$ 293,965
$ 317,324
54
Accrued liabilities at December 31,
2020 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $51,151 and $176,308, respectively. Accrued liabilities
at December 31, 2019 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $57,114 and $221,530, respectively.
6. INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of income taxes
at statutory rates with the reported taxes is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Loss before income taxes
$ (4,518,718 )
$ (3,826,407 )
Statutory Canadian corporate tax rate
27.00 %
27.00 %
Expected income tax (recovery)
$ (1,220,054 )
$ (1,033,130 )
Share-based payments
104,093
109,581
Difference in tax rates in other jurisdictions
(115,057 )
(88,499 )
Share issue cost
(129,854 )
68,800
Adjustment to prior years provision versus statutory tax returns
(7,789 )
3,721
Change in unrecognized deductible temporary differences
1,368,661
939,527
Total income tax expense (recovery)
$ -
$ -
The significant components
of the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows:
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities):
Mineral properties
$ 18,750,505
$ 20,156,879
Property and equipment
10,365
8,059
Share issue costs
118,756
31,653
Net operating losses available for future periods
55,302,874
52,617,248
74,182,500
72,813,839
Valuation allowance
(74,182,500 )
(72,813,839 )
Net deferred tax asset
$ -
$ -
At December 31, 2020, the
Company has available net operating losses for Canadian income tax purposes of approximately $22,859,000 and net operating losses
for US income tax purposes of approximately $161,614,000 available for carry-forward to reduce future years’ taxable income,
if not utilized, expiring as follows:
Canada
United States
2040
$ 907,000
$ 8,081,000
2039
910,000
7,743,000
2038
388,000
8,638,000
2037
1,394,000
8,800,000
2036
1,383,000
8,798,000
2035
406,000
10,703,000
2034
1,694,000
12,587,000
2033
1,827,000
14,208,000
2032
2,629,000
16,797,000
2031
4,180,000
40,825,000
2030
2,829,000
18,765,000
2029
2,074,000
2,973,000
2028
1,253,000
1,412,000
2027
907,000
1,284,000
2026
78,000
-
$ 22,859,000
$ 161,614,000
55
The Company also has available
mineral resource expenses that are related to the Company’s exploration activities in the United States of approximately
$117,054,000 which may be deductible for U.S. tax purposes. Future tax benefits, which may arise as a result of applying these
deductions to taxable income, have not been recognized in these accounts due to the uncertainty of future taxable income.
7. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized
The Company’s authorized
share capital consists of 500,000,000 common shares without par value. At December 31, 2019 and 2020, there were 187,573,671
and 194,908,184 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.
Share issuances
On
August 31, 2020, the Company entered into an At Market Issuance (“ATM”) 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 $10,300,000 (the “Offering”). The Company would pay B. Riley a commission of up to 3%
of the gross proceeds from the sale of common shares pursuant to the ATM Sales Agreement.
During the year ended December 31,
2020, the Company issued 7,334,513 common shares pursuant to the Offering for gross proceeds of $10,299,277. Share issuance costs
were $480,946 resulting in net proceeds of $9,818,331 from the Offering.
During the year ended December 31,
2019, the Company issued 121,174 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for total proceeds of $64,254 and transferred
related contributed surplus of $51,283 to share capital.
At the Company’s 2019 Annual
General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 30, 2019, Messrs. John Ellis and Thomas Irwin did not stand for re-election
as director. On June 5, 2019, in accordance with the Company’s Deferred Share Unit Plan, the Company issued 230,907
common shares to each of the two past directors for a total of 461,814 common shares and transferred related contributed surplus
of $245,592 to share capital.
Stock options
The Company adopted an incentive
stock option plan in 2006, as amended September 19, 2012 and re-approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 28,
2015 and May 30, 2018 (the “2006 Plan”). The essential elements of the 2006 Plan provide that the aggregate number
of common shares of the Company’s capital stock that may be issued pursuant to options granted under the 2006 Plan 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
2006 Plan have a maximum term of ten years. The exercise price of options granted under the 2006 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 2006
Plan vest immediately, unless otherwise determined by the directors at the date of grant.
During the year ended December 31,
2020, the Company granted a total of 255,000 incentive stock options to employees of the Company to purchase common shares in the
capital stock of the Company at an issue price of C$0.92 per share. Of the total 255,000 stock options granted, 150,000 were granted
to Mr. Karl Hanneman, Chief Executive Officer. All of the options vest one-third on the grant date, one-third on May 27,
2021, one-third on May 27, 2022 and expire on May 27, 2026.
During the year ended December 31,
2019, the Company granted a total of 187,232 incentive stock options to employees of the Company to purchase common shares in the
capital stock of the Company at an issue price of C$0.85 per share. Of the total 187,232 stock options granted, 150,000 were granted
to Mr. Karl Hanneman, Chief Executive Officer. All of the options vested 100% on the grant date of August 8, 2019 and
expire on August 8, 2025.
A summary of the status of the
stock option plan as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and changes during the fiscal years is presented below:
56
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Number of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price (C$)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (C$)
Number of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price (C$)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (C$)
Balance, beginning of the year
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 year
2,707,049
$ 0.94
$ 2,287,262
2,452,049
$ 0.94
$ 59,734
The weighted average remaining
life of options outstanding at December 31, 2020 was 2.6 years.
Stock options outstanding are
as follows:
December 31, 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 December 31, 2020 and 2019 and changes during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
Non-vested options:
Number of options
Weighted average
grant-date fair
value (C$)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
83,333
$ 0.40
Granted
187,232
$ 0.62
Vested
(270,565 )
$ 0.55
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
-
-
Granted
255,000
$ 0.76
Vested
(85,000 )
$ 0.76
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
170,000
$ 0.76
At December 31, 2020, there
was $71,430 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options outstanding.
Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan
On April 4, 2017, the Company
adopted a Deferred Share Unit Plan (the “DSU Plan”). On May 24, 2017, at the Company’s Annual General and
Special Meeting of Shareholders, the DSU Plan was approved. As at December 31, 2020, the maximum aggregate number of common
shares that could be issued under the DSU Plan and the 2006 Plan was 19,490,818, representing 10% of the number of issued and outstanding
common shares on that date (on a non-diluted basis). As at December 31, 2020, the Company had stock options to potentially
acquire 2,707,049 common shares outstanding under the 2006 Plan (representing approximately 1.39% of the outstanding common shares),
leaving up to 16,783,769 common shares available for future grants under the DSU Plan and under the 2006 Plan (combined) based
on the number of outstanding common shares as at that date on a non-diluted basis (representing an aggregate of approximately 8.61%
of the outstanding common shares).
57
During the year ended December 31,
2020, in accordance with the DSU Plan, the Company granted each of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors (other
than those directors nominated for election by Paulson & Co., Inc.) 90,217 DSUs for a total of 451,085 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 trading days immediately preceding the grant) of C$0.92 per DSU, representing C$83,000 per director or
C$415,000 in the aggregate.
During the year ended December 31,
2019, in accordance with the Company’s DSU Plan, the Company granted each of the members of the Board of Directors (other
than those directors nominated for election by Paulson & Co., Inc.) 97,647 DSUs for a total of 488,235 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 trading days immediately preceding the grant) of C$0.85 per DSU, representing C$83,000 per director or
C$415,000 in the aggregate.
The DSUs entitle the holders
to receive common shares of the Company’s stock without the payment of any consideration. The DSUs vested immediately upon
being granted, but the common shares of stock underlying the DSUs are not deliverable to the grantee until the grantee is no longer
serving on the Company’s Board of Directors.
DSUs outstanding are as follows:
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Number of
DSUs
Weighted average
grant-date fair
value (C$)
Number of
DSUs
Weighted average
grant-date fair
value (C$)
Balance, beginning of the year
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 year
1,834,481
$ 0.81
1,383,396
$ 0.77
Share-based payments
During the year ended December 31,
2020, the Company granted 255,000 stock options and 451,085 DSUs for common shares of the Company. Share-based payment compensation
for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $385,531 ($90,914 related to stock options and $294,617 related to DSUs). Of
the total expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, $304,205 was included in consulting fees, $74,870 was included in
wages and benefits, and $6,456 was included in investor relations in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
During the year ended December 31,
2019, the Company granted 187,232 stock options and 488,235 DSUs for common shares of the Company. Share-based payment compensation
for the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled $405,857 ($89,140 related to stock options and $316,717 related to DSUs). Of
the total expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, $316,717 was included in consulting fees and $89,140 was included
in wages and benefits in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
The following weighted average
assumptions were used for the Black-Scholes option pricing model of the stock options:
Year ended December 31, 2020
Year ended December 31, 2019
Expected life of options
6 years
6 years
Risk-free interest rate
0.40 %
1.23 %
Expected volatility
80.92 %
85.44 %
Dividend rate
0.00 %
0.00 %
Exercise price (C$)
$ 0.92
$ 0.85
The expected volatility used
in the Black-Scholes option pricing model is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s shares.
58
8. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company operates in a single
reportable operating segment, being the exploration and development of mineral properties. The following tables present selected
financial information by geographic location:
Canada
United States
Total
December 31, 2020
Mineral property
$ -
$ 55,375,124
$ 55,375,124
Property and equipment
7,832
-
7,832
Current assets
12,862,068
349,304
13,211,372
Total assets
$ 12,869,900
$ 55,724,428
$ 68,594,328
December 31, 2019
Mineral property
$ -
$ 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
Year ended December 31,
2020
Year ended December 31,
2019
Net loss for the year - Canada
$ (1,134,685 )
$ (1,223,489 )
Net loss for the year - United States
(3,384,033 )
(2,602,918 )
Net loss for the year
$ (4,518,718 )
$ (3,826,407 )
9. COMMITMENTS
The following table discloses,
as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s contractual obligations including anticipated mineral property payments and work
commitments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and the terms of the unpatented
mineral claims held by it, 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 expenditures, 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
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and beyond
Total
Mineral Property Leases (1)
$ 428,860
$ 433,221
$ 521,526
$ 527,045
$ 532,633
$ 538,291
$ 2,981,576
Mining Claim Government Fees
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
132,460
794,760
Total
$ 561,320
$ 565,681
$ 653,986
$ 659,505
$ 665,093
$ 670,751
$ 3,776,336
1. Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level
is significantly below the work for which 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.
59
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On August 31, 2020, the
Company entered into an At Market Issuance (“ATM”) 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 $10,300,000 (the “Offering”). No offers or sales of common shares were made in Canada through the facilities
of the Toronto Stock Exchange or other trading markets. On September 2, 2020, the Company announced that its existing three
largest shareholders had each taken their pro-rata share of the Offering, resulting in the issuance of 4,490,997 common shares
(representing 2% of the 187,573,671 shares previously issued and outstanding) at the September 1, 2020 closing market price
of $1.40 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,287,396.
11. LEASES
On December 12, 2019, the
Company entered into a one-year operating lease agreement (for the lease period of January 1, 2020 through December 31,
2020) of the Fairbanks office. After the initial one-year lease period, the agreement has continued on a month-to-month basis.
Therefore, the Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for the office lease. Accordingly, office lease costs
will continue to be reported as rent expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and the Company
will not recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
60
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS
WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 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 December 31, 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
SEC under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable
rules and forms and (ii) 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 judgment in designing, implementing
and evaluating controls and procedures and the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events.
Management’s Annual Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Management
evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In conducting this evaluation, management used the framework established
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission as set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework
(2013). Based on this evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), management concluded
that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020 .
Because of its inherent limitations, a
system of internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well
designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be
met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls
must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls
can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system
of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that
any design will achieve its stated objectives under all future conditions.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does
not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent public accounting firm pursuant
to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
There were no changes in internal controls
over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
61
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by Items 401,
405, 406, 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K will be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for
its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2020 (the “2021
Proxy Statement”), and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics is available on the Company’s website at www.ithmines.com. We intend to post on our website any amendments to,
or waivers from our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to senior financial executives.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 402 and
paragraph (e)(4) and (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K will be contained in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement,
and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 201(d) and
Item 403 of Regulation S-K will be contained in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated by reference in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Item 404 and
Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K will be contained in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated by reference
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND
SERVICES
The information required by Item 9(e) of
Schedule 14A will be filed in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
62
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES
(a) Documents
filed as part of this report
(1) All
financial statements
The consolidated statements of operations
and comprehensive loss, cash flows, and changes in shareholders’ equity, and the consolidated balance sheets are included
as part of Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
(2) Financial
statement schedules
All financial statement schedules have
been omitted, since the information is either not applicable or required, or because the information required is included in the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-K.
(3) Exhibits
required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
Exhibit Number
Description
3.1
Articles of the Company, as amended on June 11, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.1
Form of Common Share Certificate (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A on August 2, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.2
Investor Rights Agreement, dated December 28, 2016, between International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. and Paulson & Co. Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.3
Description of Securities (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.1
Mining Lease with Option to Purchase, dated January 18, 2007, between Talon Gold Alaska Inc. and Bernard E. Griffin, Donna Griffin, Larry Kilgore, Sherry Gerbi, Jerry Griffin, Tim Miller, Lynne Miller, Robert and Marcia Miller (filed as Exhibit 11 to the Company’s Form 20-F on December 3, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.2**
Upland Mining Lease, effective July 1, 2004, between the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (as successor to AngloGold (U.S.A.)) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A on December 10, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.3
Addendum No. 2 to Upland Mining Lease, effective July 1, 2007, between the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Mental Health Trust Land Office and Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (formerly Talon Gold Alaska, Inc.) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 6, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.4
Addendum No. 3 to Upland Mining Lease, effective January 1, 2010, between the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Mental Health Trust Land Office and Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (formerly Talon Gold Alaska, Inc.) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 6, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.5
Addendum No. 4 to Upland Mining Lease, effective June 27, 2013, between the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Mental Health Trust Land Office and Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 6, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.6**
Addendum No. 5 to Upland Mining Lease, effective June 30, 2013, between the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Mental Health Trust Land Office and Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 6, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.7*
2006 Stock Option Plan, as amended September 19, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K on March 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.8*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for use under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10-K on March 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
63
10.9*
2017 Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on August 11, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.10*
Consulting Agreement, dated May 11, 2015, between David A. Cross and International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.11*
Financial and Accounting Consulting Agreement, dated May 11, 2015, between Cross Davis & Company LLP, Certified General Accountants and International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.12*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 12, 2018, between Karl Hanneman and Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC
10.13
Amended and Restated Mining Lease, dated November 22, 2017, between Kasey Leigh Tucker and Tower Hill Mines, Inc. to amend and restate Mining Lease effective as of March 28, 2017, between Ronald Tucker and Talon Gold Alaska, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-K on March 15, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.14
Subscription Agreement, dated March 13, 2018, between the Company and Electrum Strategic Opportunities Fund II, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.15
Subscription Agreement, dated March 13, 2018, between the Company and Paulson & Co. Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference)
21.1+
Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1+
Consent of Davidson & Company LLC
24+
Power of Attorney (see signature page)
31.1+
Certification of Principal 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 Principal Financial and Accounting 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 Principal 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 Principal Financial and Accounting 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
** Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted by redacting a portion of the text (indicated
by asterisks in the text). This exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request
for confidential treatment.
+ Filed or furnished herewith
The information required by Section (a)(3) of
Item 15 is set forth on the Exhibit Index that follows the signatures page of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
64
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13
or 15(d) 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
Date:
March 10 , 2021
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that
each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Karl. L. Hanneman as his attorney-in-fact, with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the
same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
By:
/s/ Karl L. Hanneman
By:
/s/ Marcelo Kim
Karl L. Hanneman
Marcelo Kim
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
March 10, 2021
Date:
March 10, 2021
By:
/s/ David Cross
By:
/s/ Stephen A. Lang
David Cross
Stephen A. Lang
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Director
Date:
March 10, 2021
Date:
March 10, 2021
By:
/s/ Anton J. Drescher
By:
/s/ Christopher Papagianis
Anton J. Drescher
Christopher Papagianis
Director
Director
Date:
March 10, 2021
Date:
March 10, 2021
By:
/s/ Stuart A. Harshaw
By:
/s/ Thomas S. Weng
Stuart A. Harshaw
Thomas S. Weng
Director
Director
Date:
March 10, 2021
Date:
March 10, 2021
65
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.