10-Q
1
tm2023900-1_10q.htm
FORM 10-Q
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended May 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: 1-35447
TRILOGY METALS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified
in Its Charter)
British
Columbia
98-1006991
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Suite 1150, 609 Granville
Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
V7Y
1G5
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip
Code)
(604) 638-8088
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including
Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common
Shares
TMQ
NYSE American
Toronto Stock Exchange
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 x
Non-accelerated
filer ¨
Smaller
reporting
company x
Emerging
growth
company ¨
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act. ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨
No x
As of July 7, 2020, the registrant
had 140,965,583 Common Shares, no par value, outstanding.
TRILOGY
METALS INC.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
2
Item 1.
Financial Statements
2
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
17
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
25
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
26
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
27
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
27
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
27
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
27
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
28
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
28
Item 5.
Other Information.
28
Item 6.
Exhibits
28
ii
PART I -
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial
Statements
Trilogy
Metals Inc.
Interim
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
in thousands of US
dollars
May 31,
2020
$
November 30,
2019
$
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
12,343
19,174
Accounts receivable (note 3)
699
264
Deposits and prepaid amounts
473
719
13,515
20,157
Equity method investment (note 4)
175,261
-
Plant and equipment (note 5)
239
715
Mineral properties and development costs (note 6)
-
30,631
Rent deposit (note 8 (a))
-
114
Right of use asset (note 8 (a))
529
-
189,544
51,617
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 7)
539
2,354
Current portion of lease liability
139
-
678
2,354
Long-term portion of lease liability (note 8 (b))
460
-
Mineral properties purchase option
-
31,000
1,138
33,354
Shareholders’ equity
Share
capital (note 9) – unlimited common shares authorized, no par value Issued -140,922,886
(2019 – 140,427,761)
178,650
177,971
Contributed surplus
122
122
Contributed surplus – options (note 9(a))
22,661
21,123
Contributed surplus – units (note 9(b))
1,508
1,759
Deficit
(14,535 )
(182,712 )
188,406
18,263
189,544
51,617
Commitments (note 11)
(See accompanying notes to the interim
consolidated financial statements)
/s/ Tony
Giardini, President, CEO and Director
/s/ Kalidas
Madhavpeddi, Director
Approved on behalf of the Board of
Directors
2
Trilogy
Metals Inc.
Interim
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
and Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
(unaudited)
in thousands of
US dollars, except share and per share amounts
For the three
months ended
For the six
months ended
May 31,
2020
$
May 31,
2019
$
May 31,
2020
$
May 31,
2019
$
Expenses
Amortization
16
38
58
75
Feasibility study
742
-
742
-
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
(16 )
5
7
(29 )
General and administrative
433
436
1,084
928
Investor relations
101
175
227
292
Mineral properties expense (note 6(a))
-
2,906
1,545
4,441
Professional fees
198
153
866
244
Salaries
226
282
450
563
Salaries – stock-based compensation
770
664
1,966
2,603
Total expenses
2,470
4,659
6,945
9,117
Other items
Gain on derecognition of assets contributed to joint venture (note 4(a))
-
-
(175,770 )
-
Share of loss on equity investment (note 4(b))
561
-
739
-
Interest and other income
(29 )
(150 )
(91 )
(272 )
Comprehensive (loss) earnings for the
period
(3,002 )
(4,509 )
168,177
(8,845 )
Basic (loss) earnings per common share
(0.02 )
(0.04 )
1.20
(0.07 )
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share
(0.02 )
(0.04 )
1.13
(0.07 )
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
140,785,082
132,095,920
140,701,337
132,007,414
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
140,785,082
132,095,920
148,705,482
132,007,414
(See accompanying notes to the interim
consolidated financial statements)
3
Trilogy
Metals Inc.
Interim
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
in thousands of US dollars, except share
amounts
Number
of shares outstanding
Share
capital
$
Warrants
$
Contributed
surplus
$
Contributed
surplus – options
$
Contributed
surplus – units
$
Deficit
$
Total
shareholders’ equity
$
Balance
– November 30, 2018
131,585,612
164,069
2,253
122
19,076
1,489
(154,807 )
32,202
Exercise of options
44,230
28
-
-
(28 )
-
-
-
Restricted Share Units
412,501
424
-
-
-
(424 )
-
-
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
1,586
353
-
1,939
Loss for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
(4,336 )
(4,336 )
Balance – February 28,
2019
132,042,343
164,521
2,253
122
20,634
1,418
(159,143 )
29,805
Exercise of options
101,064
53
-
-
(53 )
-
-
-
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
355
309
-
664
Loss for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
(4,509 )
(4,509 )
Balance – May 31,
2019
132,143,407
164,574
2,253
122
20,936
1,727
(163,652 )
25,960
Balance – November 30,
2019
140,427,761
177,971
-
122
21,123
1,759
(182,712 )
18,263
Exercise of options
19,514
6
-
-
(6 )
-
-
-
Restricted Share Units
212,501
330
-
-
-
(330 )
-
-
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
1,155
41
-
1,196
Earnings for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
171,179
171,179
Balance – February 29,
2020
140,659,776
178,307
-
122
22,272
1,470
(11,533 )
190,638
Exercise of options
63,110
31
-
-
(31 )
-
-
-
Restricted Share Units
200,000
312
-
-
-
(312 )
-
-
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
420
350
-
770
Earnings for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
(3,002 )
(3,002 )
Balance – May 31,
2020
140,922,886
178,650
-
122
22,661
1,508
(14,535 )
188,406
(See accompanying notes to the interim
consolidated financial statements)
4
Trilogy
Metals Inc.
Interim
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
in thousands of US dollars
For the six
months ended
May 31,
2020
$
May 31,
2019
$
Cash flows used in operating activities
Earnings (loss) for the period
168,177
(8,845 )
Items not affecting cash
Amortization
58
75
Right of use asset amortization
86
-
Loss on working capital written-off upon joint venture formation
18
-
Gain on derecognition of assets (note 4(a))
(175,770 )
-
Loss on equity investment in Ambler Metals LLC. (note 4(b))
739
-
Unrealized foreign exchange loss
11
8
Stock-based compensation
1,966
2,603
Operating lease payments
(97 )
-
Net change in non-cash working capital
Increase in accounts receivable
(435 )
(148 )
Decrease (increase) in deposits and prepaid amounts
246
(894 )
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1,815 )
(176 )
(6,816 )
(7,377 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Mineral properties funding
-
10,200
-
10,200
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(6,816 )
2,823
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents
(15 )
(8 )
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period
19,174
22,991
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period
12,343
25,806
(See accompanying
notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)
5
Trilogy
Metals Inc.
Notes
to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
1) Nature of operations
Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy”
or the “Company”) was incorporated in British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (BC) on April 27, 2011.
The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties, through our equity investee (see note 4), with
a focus on the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“UKMP”), including the Arctic and Bornite Projects located in Northwest
Alaska in the United States of America (“US”).
2) Summary of significant accounting
policies
Basis of presentation
These interim consolidated financial statements
have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include
the accounts of Trilogy and its wholly owned subsidiary, NovaCopper US Inc. (dba “Trilogy Metals US”). All
significant intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation. For variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where
Trilogy is not the primary beneficiary, we use the equity method of accounting.
All figures are in United States dollars
unless otherwise noted. References to CAD$ refer to amounts in Canadian dollars.
The unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of May 31,
2020 and our results of operations and cash flows for the six months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019. The results
of operations for the six months ended May 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
fiscal year ending November 30, 2020.
As these interim consolidated financial
statements do not contain all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements, these unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and related notes included
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on February 13, 2020.
These interim consolidated financial statements
were approved by the Company’s Audit Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors for issue on July 7, 2020.
6
Accounting standards adopted
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued
new accounting requirements for accounting for, presentation of, and classification of leases (“ASU 2016-02”) which,
together with subsequent amendments, is included in ASC 842, Leases. ASC 842 became effective for the Company as of December 1,
2019.
The Company adopted ASC 842 using the
modified retrospective transition method by applying the transition provision and recording our cumulative adjustment to opening
deficit at the beginning of the period of adoption on December 1, 2019, rather than at the beginning of the comparative period
presented. Therefore, in the comparative periods, we continue to apply the legacy guidance in ASC 840, including its disclosure
requirements. We elected to apply all of the transition practical expedients available, including:
· the
package of three practical expedients to (1) not reassess whether any expired or
existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) not reassess the lease classification
for any expired or existing leases, and (3) not reassess initial direct costs for
any existing lease;
· the
hindsight practical expedient to use hindsight when determining lease term and assessing
impairment of right-of-use assets, if any; and
· the
easements practical expedient to continue applying our current policy for accounting
for any land easements expired before or existing as of December 1, 2019.
In addition, we elected to apply the short-term
lease recognition exemption and elected to apply the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all
applicable leases on transition. The adoption of this new standard resulted in the recognition of right of use assets and lease
liabilities of $786,000 as at December 1, 2019.
New accounting policy
Investment in affiliates
Investments in unconsolidated ventures
over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for under the equity
method and include the Company’s investment in the Ambler Metals project. We identified Ambler Metals LLC as a VIE as the
entity is dependent on funding from its owners. All funding, ownership, voting rights and power to exercise control is shared
equally on a 50/50 basis between the owners of the VIE. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary
of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is its investment in Ambler Metals LLC.
Ambler Metals LLC is a non-publicly traded
equity investee holding exploration and development projects. The Company reviews and evaluates its investment in affiliates for
other than temporary impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be
recoverable. Events that could indicate impairment of an investment in affiliates include a significant decrease in long-term
expected commodity prices, a significant increase in expected operating or capital costs, unfavorable exploration results or technical
studies, a significant decrease in reserves, a loss of significant mineral claims or a change in the development plan or strategy
for the project. Asset impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are
less than the carrying amount of the asset. If the underlying assets are not recoverable, an impairment loss is measured and recorded
based on the difference between the carrying amount of the investee and its estimated fair value which may be determined using
a discounted cash flow model .
7
3) Accounts receivable
in thousands of dollars
May 31,
2020
$
November 30,
2019
$
GST input tax credits
31
42
Recoverable payments
-
222
Ambler Metals LLC
668
-
Accounts receivable
699
264
The balance due from Ambler Metals LLC
(see note 4 below) consists of services rendered by Trilogy and reimbursements for invoices paid by Trilogy on behalf of Ambler
Metals LLC per a service agreement. The balance was paid in full by Ambler Metals LLC subsequent to the quarter end.
4) Equity method investment
(a) Formation of Ambler Metals LLC
On February 11,
2020, the Company completed the formation of a 50/50 joint venture named Ambler Metals LLC with South32 Limited (“South32”).
As part of the formation of the joint venture, Trilogy contributed all its assets associated with the UKMP, including the Arctic
and Bornite Projects, while South32 contributed US$145 million, resulting in each party’s subsidiaries directly owning a
50% interest in Ambler Metals LLC.
Ambler Metals LLC is an independently
operated company jointly controlled by Trilogy and South32 through a four-member board, of which two members are currently appointed
by Trilogy based on its 50% equity interest. All significant decisions related to the UKMP require the approval of both companies.
We determined that Ambler Metals LLC is a VIE because it is expected to need additional funding from its owners for its significant
activities. However, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of Ambler Metals LLC as the power to direct its activities,
through its board, is shared under the Ambler Metals LLC limited liability company agreement. As we have significant influence
over Ambler Metals LLC through our representation on its board, we use the equity method of accounting for our investment in Ambler
Metals LLC. Our investment in Ambler Metals LLC was initially measured at its fair value of $176 million upon recognition. Our
maximum exposure to loss in this entity is limited to the carrying amount of our investment in Ambler Metals LLC, which totaled
$176 million, as well as $668 thousand of amounts receivable per a service agreement. The following table summarizes the gain
on recognition of the UKMP assets upon transfer to the Ambler Metals LLC joint venture on February 11, 2020.
8
in
thousands of dollars
$
Fair value ascribed to Ambler Metals LLC interest
176,000
Less: carrying value of contributed /eliminated assets
Mineral properties
(30,587 )
Property, plant and equipment
(618 )
Elimination of Fairbanks warehouse right of use asset
(93 )
Elimination of prepaid State of Alaska mining claim fees
(303 )
Add:
Demobilization costs of drills
278
Cancellation of Fairbanks warehouse lease liability
93
Fair value of mineral properties purchase option
31,000
Gain on derecognition
175,770
(b) Carrying value of equity method investment
During the six-month period ended May 31,
2020, Trilogy recognized, based on its 50% ownership interest in Ambler Metals LLC, an equity loss equivalent to its pro rata
share of Ambler Metals LLC’s comprehensive loss of $1.48 million for the period between February 11, 2020 (date of
joint venture formation) to May 31, 2020. The carrying value of Trilogy’s 50% investment in Ambler Metals LLC as at
May 31, 2020 is summarized on the following table.
in
thousands of dollars
$
February 11, 2020, fair value ascribed to Ambler Metals LLC
interest
176,000
Share of loss on equity investment for the six-month period ended May 31, 2020
(739 )
May 31, 2020, equity method investment
175,261
(c) The following table summarizes Ambler
Metals LLC’s Balance Sheet as at May 31, 2020.
in
thousands of dollars
May 31,
2020
$
Current assets: Cash, deposits and prepaid expenses
86,490
Non - current assets: Property, equipment and mineral properties
31,359
Loan receivable from South32
57,876
Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(917 )
Non - current liabilities: Lease obligation
(79 )
Net assets
174,729
(d) The following table summarizes Ambler
Metals LLC’s comprehensive loss from the formation of the joint venture on February 11,
2020 to the end of the reporting period on May 31, 2020.
9
in thousands
of dollars
February 11
– May 31, 2020
$
Amortization
50
Mineral properties expense
1,080
General and administrative expense
904
Interest income
(557 )
Comprehensive loss
1,477
5) Plant
and equipment
in thousands of
dollars
May 31,
2020
Cost
$
Accumulated
amortization
$
Assets
derecognized
note
4(a)
$
Net
$
British Columbia, Canada
Furniture and equipment
63
(36
)
-
27
Leasehold improvements
253
(43
)
-
210
Computer hardware and software
115
(113
)
-
2
Alaska, USA
Machinery, and equipment
3,667
(3,049
)
(618
)
-
Vehicles
348
(348
)
-
-
Computer hardware and software
4
(4
)
-
-
4,450
(3,593
)
(618
)
239
in thousands of dollars
November 30, 2019
Cost
$
Accumulated
amortization
$
Net
$
British Columbia, Canada
Furniture and equipment
63
(29 )
34
Leasehold improvements
53
(17 )
36
Computer hardware and software
115
(112 )
3
Alaska, USA
Machinery, and equipment
3,667
(3,026 )
641
Vehicles
348
(348 )
-
Computer hardware and software
4
(3 )
1
4,250
(3,535 )
715
10
6) Mineral
properties and development costs
in thousands of dollars
November 30,
2019
$
Acquisition
costs reimbursable
from Ambler
Metals LLC
Assets
derecognized
note
4(a)
$
May 31, 2020
$
Alaska, USA
Ambler (a)
26,631
(44 )
(26,587 )
-
Bornite (b)
4,000
-
(4,000 )
-
30,631
(44 )
(30,587 )
-
in thousands of dollars
November 30,
2018
$
Acquisition
costs
$
November 30,
2019
$
Alaska, USA
Ambler (a)
26,587
44
26,631
Bornite (b)
4,000
-
4,000
30,587
44
30,631
(a) Mineral properties expense
The following table summarizes mineral
properties expense for the noted periods.
In thousands of
dollars
Three
months ended
May 31, 2020
$
Three
months ended
May 31,
2019
$
Six
months ended
May 31,
2020
$
Six
months ended
May 31,
2019
$
Alaska, USA
Community
-
146
137
264
Drilling
-
173
-
173
Engineering
-
303
723
624
Environmental
-
136
99
271
Geochemistry and geophysics
-
593
12
758
Land and permitting
-
174
134
360
Project support
-
778
249
1,004
Other income
-
-
-
(1 )
Wages and benefits
-
603
191
988
-
2,906
1,545
4,441
No additional mineral properties expenses
were incurred during the three-month period ended May 31, 2020, as on February 11, 2020, upon the formation of the joint
venture with South 32, all mineral properties previously held by the Company were contributed to Ambler Metals LLC. The Company
continues to fund the Arctic Project feasibility study, costs for which were $0.7 million since the formation of the joint venture
on February 11, 2020. The table above is for comparison purposes for the respective periods.
(b) Derecognition
As
part of the formation of the joint venture with South32 on February 11, 2020, Trilogy contributed all its assets associated
with the UKMP, including the Arctic and Bornite projects. As a result, $0.62 million of machinery and equipment as well as $30.6
million of mineral properties related to the UKMP were derecognized in Trilogy on February 11, 2020.
11
7) Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
in thousands of dollars
May 31,
2020
$
November 30, 2019
$
Trade accounts payable
232
902
Accrued liabilities
214
721
Accrued salaries and vacation
93
731
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
539
2,354
8) Leases
(a) Right-of-use asset
in thousands
of dollars
$
ASC 842 transition as at December 1, 2019
681
Amortization
(86 )
Lease accretion
27
Derecognition of
Fairbanks warehouse lease
(93 )
529
The pre-transition rent deposit of $114
thousand was transferred to the Right-of-use asset upon adoption of ASC 842 on December 1, 2019 and is included in the opening
balance of $681 thousand.
(b) Lease liabilities
The
Company’s lease arrangements primarily consist of an operating lease for our office space ending in June 2024. There
are no extension options.
Total
lease expense recorded within general and administrative expenses was comprised of the following components:
in thousands
of dollars
Six
months ended
May 31,
2020
$
Operating lease costs
86
Variable lease costs
64
Total lease expense
150
Variable
lease costs consist primarily of the Company’s portion of operating costs associated with the office space lease as the
Company elected to apply the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components.
As
of May 31, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 4.1 years and the weighted-average discount rate is 8%. Significant
judgment was used in the determination of the incremental borrowing rate which included estimating the Company’s credit
rating.
Supplemental
cash and non-cash information relating to our leases during the six months ended May 31, 2020 are as follows:
• Cash
paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $96,842.
• No
cash was paid upon termination of a lease for office and warehouse space and reassignment
to Ambler Metals LLC that resulted in the derecognition of the right-of-use asset of
$92,974 and the operating lease liability of $93,006.
12
Future
minimum payments relating to the lease recognized in our balance sheet as of May 31, 2020 are as follows:
in
thousands of dollars
Fiscal year
May 31,
2020
$
2020
90
2021
184
2022
173
2023
211
2024
116
Total undiscounted lease payments
774
Effect of discounting
(175
)
Present value of lease payments recognized as
lease liability
599
9) Share
capital
Authorized:
unlimited common shares,
no par value
in
thousands of dollars, except share amounts
Number of shares
Ascribed
value
$
November 30, 2018
131,585,612
164,069
Exercise of options
1,725,776
1,123
Restricted Share Units
412,501
424
Deferred Share Units
182,132
189
Exercise of warrants
6,521,740
12,166
November 30, 2019
140,427,761
177,971
Exercise of options
82,624
38
Restricted Share Units
412,501
642
May 31, 2020, issued
and outstanding
140,922,886
178,651
On April 30, 2012,
under the NovaGold Arrangement, Trilogy committed to issue common shares to satisfy holders of NovaGold deferred share units (“NovaGold
DSUs”) on record as of the close of business April 27, 2012. When vested, Trilogy committed to deliver one common share
to the holder for every six shares of NovaGold the holder is entitled to receive, rounded down to the nearest whole number. As
of May 31, 2020, 11,927 NovaGold DSUs remained outstanding representing a right to receive 1,988 common shares in Trilogy,
which will settle upon certain directors retiring from NovaGold’s board.
(a) Stock
options
During the period ended
May 31, 2020, the Company granted 2,325,000 options (2019 – 2,527,500 options) at a weighted-average exercise price
of CAD$2.93 (2019 – CAD$2.96) to employees, consultants and directors exercisable for a period of five years with various
vesting terms from immediate vesting to vesting over a two-year period. The weighted-average fair value attributable to options
granted in the period was $0.96 (2019 - $1.08).
For the period ended May 31,
2020, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $1.58 million (2019 – $1.94 million) for options
granted to directors, employees and service providers, net of estimated forfeitures.
The fair value of the stock
options recognized in the period has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
13
Assumptions used in the
pricing model for the period are as provided below.
May 31,
2020
Risk-free interest rates
1.50 %
Exercise price
CAD$3.07
Expected life
3.0
years
Expected volatility
63.3 %
Expected dividends
Nil
As of May 31, 2020,
there were 1,453,338 non-vested options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $2.15; the non-vested stock option
expense not yet recognized was $0.71 million. This expense is expected to be recognized over the next two years.
A summary of the Company’s
stock option plan and changes during the period ended May 31, 2020 is as follows:
May 31,
2020
Number
of options
Weighted
average
exercise price
$
Balance – beginning of the period
9,205,600
1.05
Granted
2,325,000
2.13
Exercised
(151,667 )
0.56
Forfeited
(260,000 )
2.15
Balance – end of period
11,118,933
1.25
The following table summarizes information about
the stock options outstanding at May 31, 2020.
Outstanding
Exercisable
Unvested
Range
of price
Number
of
outstanding options
Weighted
average years
to expiry
Weighted
average
exercise price
$
Number
of
exercisable
options
Weighted
average
exercise price
$
Number
of
unvested options
$0.32
to $0.50
3,901,433
0.81
0.40
3,901,433
0.81
-
$0.51
to $1.00
1,845,000
2.48
0.73
1,845,000
2.48
-
$1.01
to $1.50
225,000
2.87
1.29
175,000
2.83
50,000
$1.51
to $2.00
915,000
4.41
1.72
898,333
4.43
16,667
$2.01
to $2.54
4,232,500
4.03
2.17
2,895,829
3.92
1,336,671
11,118,933
2.65
1.25
9,715,595
2.43
1,403,338
The aggregate intrinsic
value of vested share options (the market value less the exercise price) at May 31, 2020 was $8.3 million (2019 - $17.6 million)
and the aggregate intrinsic value of exercised options for the three months ended May 31, 2020 was $0.18 million (2019 -
$0.30 million).
(b) Restricted
Share Units and Deferred Share Units
The Company has a Restricted
Share Unit Plan (“RSU Plan”) and a Non-Executive Director Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) to provide
long-term incentives to employees, officers and directors. Awards under the RSU Plan and DSU Plan may be settled in cash and/or
common shares of the Company at the Company’s election with each restricted share unit (“RSU”) and deferred
share unit (“DSU”) entitling the holder to receive one common share of the Company or equivalent value. All units
are accounted for as equity-settled awards.
14
A summary of the Company’s
unit plans and changes during the period ended May 31, 2020 is as follows:
Number
of RSUs
Number
of DSUs
Balance – beginning of the period
212,501
1,137,488
Granted
200,000
44,903
Vested/paid
(412,501 )
-
Balance – end
of period
-
1,182,391
For the period ended May 31,
2020, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $0.39 million (2019- $0.66 million), net of estimated forfeitures.
The 200,000 RSUs granted
and fully vested during the period were settled on April 16, 2020 through the issuance of 200,000 common shares. The 225,000
RSUs granted for the annual incentive payout for the 2018 fiscal year vested half on the grant date and half on the first anniversary
of the grant date. RSUs vesting in December 2019 were settled on December 17, 2019 through the issuance of 212,501 common
shares.
10) Financial
instruments
The Company is exposed to
a variety of risks arising from financial instruments. These risks and management’s objectives, policies and procedures
for managing these risks are disclosed as follows.
The Company’s financial
instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of
their maturity. The Company’s financial instruments initially measured at fair value and then held at amortized cost include
cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Financial risk management
The Company’s activities
expose it to certain financial risks, including currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest risk and price risk.
(a) Currency
risk
Currency risk is the risk
of a fluctuation in financial asset and liability settlement amounts due to a change in foreign exchange rates. The Company operates
in the United States and Canada. The Company’s exposure to currency risk at May 31, 2020 is limited to the Canadian
dollar balances consisting of cash of CDN$87,000, accounts receivable of CDN$42,000 and accounts payable of CDN$347,000. Based
on a 10% change in the US-Canadian exchange rate, assuming all other variables remain constant, the Company’s net loss
would change by approximately $16,000.
(b) Credit
risk
Credit risk is the risk
of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company
holds cash and cash equivalents with Canadian Chartered financial institutions. The Company’s accounts receivable consists
of Canadian Goods and Services Tax receivable from the Federal Government of Canada and other receivables for recoverable expenses.
The Company’s exposure to credit risk is equal to the balance of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable as recorded
in the financial statements.
(c) Liquidity
risk
Liquidity risk is the risk
that the Company will encounter difficulties raising funds to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company is
in the exploration stage and does not have cash inflows from operations; therefore, the Company manages liquidity risk through
the management of its capital structure and financial leverage.
15
Contractually obligated
cash flow requirements as at May 31, 2020 are as follows:
in thousands of dollars
Total
$
<1
Year
$
1–2
Years
$
2–5
Years
$
Thereafter
$
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
539
539
-
-
-
539
539
-
-
-
(d) Interest
rate risk
Interest rate risk is the
risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk with respect to interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Based on balances as
at May 31, 2020, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change in net loss of $0.1 million, assuming all other variables
remain constant.
11) Commitment
The Company has commitments
with respect to an office lease requiring future minimum lease payments as summarized in note 8(b) above.
12) Subsequent
event
Subsequent to the end of
the second quarter, on June 1, 2020, the newly appointed CEO was granted a one-time stock option grant, per his employment
agreement, of 1.6 million stock options vesting equally in thirds on the grant date, the first anniversary of the grant date,
and the second anniversary of the grant date. In addition to this grant, the new CEO was also granted 170,000 stock options in
lieu of salary for the June 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 employment period. These options fully vest on September 30,
2020.
16
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Trilogy
Metals Inc.
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis
(expressed in US dollars)
Cautionary notes
Forward-looking statements
This Management’s
Discussion and Analysis contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements
may include statements regarding the Company’s work programs and budgets; perceived merit of properties, exploration results
and budgets, the Company and Ambler Metals LLC’s funding requirements, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs,
capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic
viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, statements regarding Ambler Metals’ plans and expectations relating
to its Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, sufficiency of the $145 million subscription price to fund the UKMP (as defined below) through
feasibility and the permitting of the first mine; impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 field season; market prices for precious and
base metals; the timing of the feasibility study on the Arctic project; timing of the issuance of the Record of Decision by the
BLM and the issuance of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit from the United States Army Corp. of Engineers, or other
statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts
of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource
estimates may also be deemed to constitute “forward-looking statements” to the extent that they involve estimates
of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.
Any statements that express
or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future
events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”,
“anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”,
“intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential”, “possible”
or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results “may”, “could”, “would”,
“should”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these
terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date
the statements are made, as well as on a number of material assumptions, which could
prove to be significantly incorrect, including about:
· our
ability to achieve production at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects;
· the
accuracy of our mineral resource and reserve estimates;
· the
results, costs and timing of future exploration drilling and engineering;
· timing
and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation;
· the
adequacy of our financial resources;
· the
receipt of third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals for the exploration,
development, construction and production of our properties;
· our expected
ability to develop adequate infrastructure and that the cost of doing so will be reasonable;
· continued
good relationships with South32 Limited (“South32”), our joint venture partner,
as well as local communities and other stakeholders;
· there being
no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether relating to labor, supply, power
damage to equipment or other matter;
· expected
trends and specific assumptions regarding metal prices and currency exchange rates;
· the potential
impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and
· prices for
and availability of fuel, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining
consistent with current levels.
We have also assumed that no significant
events will occur outside of our normal course of business. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be
other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. We believe that the assumptions
inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this MD&A. However, forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent
uncertainty therein.
17
Forward-looking statements are subject
to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from
those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
· risks
related to inability to define proven and probable reserves;
· risks
related to our ability to finance the development of our mineral properties through external
financing, strategic alliances, the sale of property interests or otherwise;
· uncertainty
as to whether there will ever be production at the Company’s mineral exploration
and development properties;
· risks
related to our ability to commence production and generate material revenues or obtain
adequate financing for our planned exploration and development activities;
· risks
related to lack of infrastructure including but not limited to the risk whether or not
the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project, or AMDIAP, will receive the requisite
permits and, if it does, whether the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
will build the AMDIAP;
· risks
related to inclement weather which may delay or hinder exploration activities at our
mineral properties;
· risks
related to our dependence on a third party for the development of our projects;
· commodity
price fluctuations;
· our
history of losses and expectation of future losses;
· uncertainties
relating to the assumptions underlying our resource estimates, such as metal pricing,
metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs;
· uncertainty
related to inferred mineral resources;
· mining
and development risks, including risks related to infrastructure, accidents, equipment
breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions
in development, construction or production;
· risks
related to market events and general economic conditions;
· risks
related to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19);
· risks
and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade
and continuity of our mineral deposits;
· risks
related to governmental regulation and permits, including environmental regulation, including
the risk that more stringent requirements or standards may be adopted or applied due
to circumstances unrelated to the Company and outside of our control;
· the
risk that permits and governmental approvals necessary to develop and operate mines at
our mineral properties will not be available on a timely basis or at all;
· risks
related to the need for reclamation activities on our properties and uncertainty of cost
estimates related thereto;
· uncertainty
related to title to our mineral properties;
· risks
related to the acquisition and integration of operations or projects;
· risks
related to increases in demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration
and development of mineral properties, and related cost increases;
· our
need to attract and retain qualified management and technical personnel;
· risks
related to conflicts of interests of some of our directors and officers;
· risks
related to potential future litigation;
· risks
related to the voting power of our major shareholders and the impact that a sale by such
shareholders may have on our share price;
· risks
related to global climate change;
· risks
related to adverse publicity from non-governmental organizations;
· uncertainty
as to our ability to maintain the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting
as per the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
· increased
regulatory compliance costs, associated with rules and regulations promulgated by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Canadian Securities Administrators,
the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and the Financial Accounting Standards
Boards, and more specifically, our efforts to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act;
· uncertainty
as to the volatility in the price of the Company’s common shares;
· the
Company’s expectation of not paying cash dividends; and
· adverse
federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders should the Company be a passive
foreign investment company.
18
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 referred to in Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 13, 2020, filed with the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the SEC, and other information released by Trilogy and filed with the appropriate
regulatory agencies.
The Company’s forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and 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 place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements.
General
This Management’s Discussion and
Analysis (“MD&A”) of Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy”, “Trilogy Metals”, “the Company”
or “we”) is dated July 7, 2020 and provides an analysis of our unaudited interim financial results for the quarter
ended May 31, 2020 compared to the quarter ended May 31, 2019.
The following information should be read
in conjunction with our May 31, 2020 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes which
were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The MD&A
should also be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended November 30, 2019.
A summary of the U.S. GAAP accounting policies is outlined in note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements.
All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. References to “Canadian dollars” and “C$”
and “CDN$” are to the currency of Canada and references to “U.S. dollars”, “$” or “US$”
are to the currency of the United States.
Andrew W. West, P.Geo., an employee and
Exploration Manager, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(“NI 43-101”), and has approved the scientific and technical information in this MD&A.
Trilogy’s shares are listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the NYSE American Stock Exchange (“NYSE American”) under the symbol
“TMQ”. Additional information related to Trilogy, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov .
Description of business
We are a base metals exploration company
focused on the exploration and development of mineral properties, through our equity investee, in the Ambler mining district located
in Alaska, U.S.A. We conduct our operations through a wholly owned subsidiary, NovaCopper US Inc. which is doing business as Trilogy
Metals US (“Trilogy Metals US”). Our Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, (“UKMP” or “UKMP Projects”)
were contributed into a 50/50 joint venture named Ambler Metals LLC (“Ambler Metals”) between Trilogy and South32
on February 11, 2020 (see below). The projects contributed to Ambler Metals consist of: i) the Ambler lands which host the
Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver project (the “Arctic Project”); and ii) the Bornite lands being explored under
a collaborative long-term agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (“NANA”), a regional Alaska Native Corporation,
which host the Bornite carbonate-hosted copper project (the “Bornite Project”) and related assets.
Project Activities
Deferral of the 2020 Summer Exploration
Programs at the UKMP
Through Ambler
Metals , we and our joint venture partner, South32 Limited (“South32”) have decided
not to proceed with the 2020 exploration program after assessing the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) environment. Ambler
Metals gave due consideration to the merits of carrying out an abridged work program at the UKMP. However, given the
continued uncertainty resulting from COVID-19, ongoing safety concerns (despite added safety protocols including physical distancing,
protective equipment and testing)and the fact that, due to COVID-19, the planned field season had already been delayed to the point
at which any field season would provide limited critical path benefits, the decision has been made not to proceed with a 2020 field
season. The safety of our employees, contractors and the communities where we work is paramount. We are disappointed as we know
delay affects everyone involved, including our partner NANA and our NANA shareholder hires.
2020 Operating Budget for the Upper
Kobuk Mineral Projects
In
a press release dated February 26, 2020, the Company announced that Ambler Metals had approved a 2020 program budget of $22.8
million for the advancement of the UKMP. The budget is 100% funded by Ambler Metals. The 2020 program budget includes 10,000 meters
of drilling at the Arctic Project, 2,500 meters of drilling within the Ambler Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (“VMS”)
Belt and geological mapping and geochemical soil sampling at the Bornite Project. However, due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the
drilling programs have been deferred, see “Deferral of the 2020 Summer Exploration Programs at the UKMP” above and
“Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)” below. Project activities during the second quarter consisted of non-drilling,
off-site analytical activities focused on updating drilling data, composite sample collection and updates to geological models.
19
Arctic
Project
Activities at the Arctic Project during
the second quarter focused mainly on updating the 2020 Arctic resource and metallurgical drill program for resource definition
and variability testing and planning for the next stages of engineering studies to advance the project towards permitting and development.
Work on the feasibility study for the Arctic project continued during the second quarter, with an expected completion date early
in the third quarter of 2020.
Bornite Project
The Bornite geological model was updated
during the second quarter incorporating the 2019 drill program results. Additional sample collection from Bornite drill core was
completed during the quarter for age determinations on certain mineral species. Five additional composite samples from the potential
underground resource area were collected and metallurgical work was started during the quarter.
Regional Exploration Project
Regional project activities during the
second quarter consisted mainly of updating the Sunshine prospect geologic model incorporating the 2019 drill results. In addition,
metallurgical work began on five composite samples from the Sunshine prospect. Test work is ongoing and will continue through the
third quarter. The Company also continued its review of historical exploration data collected for the Ambler Mining District.
Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
With respect to the outbreak of COVID-19,
Trilogy recognizes that the situation is extremely fluid and is monitoring the State of Alaska Health Department and Federal Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommendations and restrictions on travel. These recommendations and restrictions
have significantly impacted our ability to conduct the planned work programs during the fiscal 2020 field season. Our highest priority
is the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors and community members. As a result, we and our joint venture partner,
through Ambler Metals, have determined it prudent to defer the planned exploration drilling activities at the UKMP for this season.
Ambler Mining District Industrial Access
Project (AMDIAP)
In a press release dated March 27, 2020,
the Company announced the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the United States Bureau of Land Management
(BLM). The final step in the permitting process for the AMDIAP is the issuance of the Record
of Decision by the BLM, which is expected to be issued in July 2020.
Corporate developments
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of shareholders
was held on May 28, 2020. At the Annual General Meeting, all directors nominated by the Company and standing for election
were elected by shareholders of the Company, with each director receiving no less than 99.75% of the votes cast.
Appointment of New President and CEO
Tony Giardini was appointed as President
and CEO of the Company effective June 1, 2020. Mr. Giardini has been a director
of the Company since 2012 and will continue to be an executive director. Mr. Giardini has extensive experience as an executive
officer and key leadership team member with his previous roles as President of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (“Ivanhoe”), a base
metals development and exploration company, and as Chief Financial Officer at Kinross Gold Corporation, a senior gold producer.
Mr. Giardini has extensive experience with joint ventures and large capital projects, including Ivanhoe’s three large
development assets, Platreef, Kipushi and Kamoa-Kakula.
20
Joint Venture
Option agreement
On April 10, 2017, Trilogy and Trilogy
Metals US entered into an Option Agreement to form a Joint Venture with South32 Group Operations Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of South32, which agreement was later assigned by South32 Operations to its affiliate, South32 USA Exploration Inc. on the UKMP
(“Option Agreement”). Under the terms of the Option Agreement, as amended, Trilogy Metals US granted South32 the right
to form a 50/50 joint venture to hold all of Trilogy Metals US’ Alaskan assets. South32 exercised its option on December 19,
2019.
Formation of joint venture
On February 11, 2020, Trilogy completed
the formation of the 50/50 joint venture with South32. Trilogy contributed all its assets associated with the 172,675-hectare
UKMP, including the Arctic and Bornite Projects, while South32 contributed a subscription price of US$145 million (the “Subscription
Price”), resulting in each party owning a 50% interest in Ambler Metals. The Subscription Price will be used to advance
the Arctic and Bornite Projects, along with exploration in the Ambler mining district. With Ambler Metals being well funded, with
access to $145 million, Trilogy does not expect to fund programs and budgets to advance the UKMP until the Subscription Price
is spent by Ambler Metals. To assist Ambler Metals during the initial set up phase, Trilogy is paying all of Ambler Metals’
invoices and being reimbursed pursuant to a services agreement (the “Services Agreement”) until the back office is
fully transitioned to a new team employed by Ambler Metals, which will be no longer than the end of the year.
Ambler Metals is an independently operated
company controlled by Trilogy and South32 through a four-member board of which two members are currently appointed by Trilogy
based on its 50% equity interest. All significant decisions related to the UKMP require the approval of both companies. We determined
that Ambler Metals is a variable interest entity, or VIE, because it is expected to need additional funding from its owners for
its significant activities. However, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of Ambler Metals as the power to direct
its activities, through its board, is shared under the limited liability company agreement. As we have significant influence over
Ambler Metals through our representation on its board, we use the equity method of accounting for our investment in Ambler Metals.
Our investment in Ambler Metals was initially measured at its fair value of $176 million upon recognition. Our maximum exposure
to loss in this entity is limited to the carrying amount of our investment in Ambler Metals, which totaled $175 million as well
as $0.7 million of amounts receivable per a Service Agreement between Trilogy and Ambler Metals. The amounts receivable as at
May 31, 2020 has been subsequently collected.
During the three-month period ended May 31,
2020, Ambler Metals loaned $57.5 million back to South32 and retained $87.5 million. The loan has a 7-year maturity date, but
Ambler Metals will begin to draw down on the loan with cash calls to South32 to fund its 50% share of the 2021 budget to advance
development studies, resource drilling and regional exploration programs. The loan is secured by South32’s membership interest
in Ambler Metals and guaranteed by South32 International Investment Holdings Pty Ltd. Trilogy currently estimates that the Subscription
Price, which includes the funds to be repaid under the loan, will fund the UKMP through feasibility and the permitting of the
first mine to be developed in the Ambler mining district. Once the full amount of the Subscription Price payment of $145 million
is expended, the parties will contribute funding pro rata, as contemplated by the operating agreement which governs Ambler Metals.
21
Summary of results
in thousands of dollars,
except for per share amounts
Three months ended
Six months ended
Selected expenses
May 31, 2020
$
May 31, 2019
$
May 31, 2020
$
May 31, 2019
$
General and administrative
433
436
1,084
928
Mineral properties expense
-
2,906
1,545
4,441
Feasibility study
742
-
742
-
Professional fees
198
153
866
244
Salaries
226
282
450
563
Salaries – stock-based compensation
770
664
1,966
2,603
Investor relations
101
175
227
292
Gain on derecognition of assets contributed to joint venture
-
-
(175,770
)
-
Equity in investee
561
-
739
-
Comprehensive earnings (loss) for the period
(3,002
)
(4,509
)
168,177
(8,845
)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
($
0.02
)
($
0.04
)
$
1.20
($
0.07
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
($
0.02
)
($
0.04
)
$
1.13
($
0.07
)
For the three months ended May 31,
2020, Trilogy reported loss of $3.0 million (or $0.02 basic and diluted loss per common share). For the comparable period in 2019,
we reported a net loss of $4.5 million (or $0.04 basic and diluted loss per common share).
The decrease in comprehensive loss is
primarily due to the elimination of mineral properties expense as these expenditures became the responsibility of Ambler Metals
subsequent to the formation of the joint venture with South32 on February 11, 2020. For the three-month period ended May 31,
2019, Trilogy spent $2.9 million in mineral properties expense, mostly consisting of internal engineering studies for the Bornite
and Arctic Projects, meteorological and air quality studies for the Arctic Project and costs associated with preparing the camp
for the field season.
Other variances in relation to the comparative
three-month period ended May 31, 2020 consists of the following: i) feasibility study expenses of $0.7 million were related
to the Arctic Project, and include costs incurred subsequent to the formation of Ambler Metals on February 11, 2020, for
which there are no prior year comparatives; ii) share of loss in equity investment in Ambler Metals of $0.6 million, amounts for
which do not exist in the comparable second quarter of 2019; iii) an increase of $0.1 million in stock-based compensation primarily
due to option and restricted share unit (“RSU”) awards that were granted and fully vested during the quarter; and
iv) a decrease of $0.07 million in investor relations as marketing events scheduled during the quarter were postponed due to the
impact of COVID-19.
For the six- month period ended May 31,
2020, Trilogy reported comprehensive earnings of $168 million (or $1.20 basic and $1.13 diluted earnings per common share). For
the comparable period in 2019, we reported a comprehensive loss of $8.8 million (or $0.07 basic and diluted loss per common share).
The differences for the six-month period ended May 31, 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, are primarily due
to the gain of $176 million recognized from the contribution of mineral property assets to the joint venture with South32 upon
formation of the Ambler Metals on February 11, 2020. This gain was offset by a $0.7 million loss reflecting the Company’s
50% equity share of Ambler Metals operating loss for the six-month period ended May 31, 2020. There is no comparable amount
in the second quarter of 2019.
Other variances noted for the comparative
six-month period ended May 31, 2020 consist of the following: i) an increase in general and administrative expenses of $0.2
million, primarily due to executive recruiting fees; ii) an elimination of $2.9 million in mineral properties expense as all mineral
property assets were contributed to Ambler Metals upon formation of the joint venture on February 11, 2020; iii) an increase
of $0.6 million in professional fees primarily attributed to the implementation of new lease accounting standards, legal fees
related to the formation of the joint venture and consulting fees for the former CEO Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse who remained as a consultant
to Trilogy through to February 29, 2020; iv) the inclusion of $0.1 million in salaries in stock based compensation for the
interim CEO; and iv) a decrease of $0.6 million in stock-based compensation driven primarily by a combination of a 200,000 unit
reduction in the number of stock options granted as well as a lower share price contributing to a lower fair value for stock options,
RSUs and deferred share units (“DSU”) granted during the six-month period ended May 31, 2020.
22
Selected financial
data
Quarterly information
in thousands of dollars,
except per share amounts
Q2
2020
Q1
2020
Q4
2019
Q3
2019
Q2
2019
Q1
2019
Q4
2018
Q3
2018
05/31/20
$
02/28/20
$
11/30/19
$
08/31/19
$
05/31/19
$
02/28/19
$
11/30/18
$
08/31/18
$
Interest and other income
29
62
91
137
150
122
117
135
Mineral property expenses
-
1,545
3,819
10,951
2,906
1,535
3,833
9,051
Share of loss on equity investment
561
178
-
-
-
-
-
-
Earnings (loss) for the period
(3,002
)
171,179
(6,525
)
(12,535
)
(4,509
)
(4,336
)
(5,319
)
(9,920
)
Earnings (loss) per common share – basic
(0.02
)
1.22
(0.05
)
(0.09
)
(0.04
)
(0.03
)
(0.04
)
(0.08
)
Earnings (loss) per common share – diluted
(0.02
)
1.16
(0.05
)
(0.09
)
(0.04
)
(0.03
)
(0.04
)
(0.08
)
Factors that can cause fluctuations in
our quarterly results include the length of the exploration field season at the properties, the type of program conducted, stock
option vesting, and issuance of shares. Other factors that have caused fluctuations in the quarterly results that would not be
expected to re-occur include the acquisition and disposition of assets and financing activities.
For the three-month period ended May 31,
2020, we reported a comprehensive loss of $3.0 million, which consists of $2.4 million in operating expenses and $0.6 million
for Trilogy’s 50% share of Ambler Metals’ operating loss, from the formation of the joint venture on February 11,
2020, to May 31, 2020. There is no prior period comparative for the pro rata share of Ambler Metals operating loss as the
joint venture formation was completed during fiscal 2020. When compared to the three-month period ended May 31, 2019, the
current period operating expenses was $2.1 million lower. The decrease is primarily due to the elimination of $2.9 million of
mineral properties expense for which there are no comparable expenses in the current period, offset by $0.7 million in feasibility
study costs in the current period.
For the first quarter of 2020, we reported
comprehensive earnings of $171 million which consisted of a gain of $176 million arising from the derecognition of our Alaskan
mineral properties upon contribution to the joint venture with South32, offset by Trilogy’s 50% share of Ambler Metals’
operating loss for the period from February 11, 2020 to February 29, 2020 and total expenses of $4.5 million for the
period. There are no prior period comparatives for the gain on contribution of Alaskan assets or the pro rata share of Ambler
Metals’ operating loss. The expense of $4.4 million incurred for the first quarter of 2020 was slightly higher than the
loss of $4.3 million for the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to higher professional fees, general and administrative expense,
share of loss on equity investment offset by a lower stock-based compensation cost.
The loss of $6.5 million for the fourth
quarter ended November 30, 2019 is higher when compared to the net loss of $5.3 million incurred in the fourth quarter ended
November 30, 2018. The primary drivers for the difference were $0.7 million higher stock-based compensation, $0.6 million
higher professional fees and $0.1 million increase in general and administrative expenses, all offset by $0.2 million in decreased
salaries and benefits in the fourth quarter 2019.
Our net loss for the third quarter ended
August 31, 2019 of $12.5 million was significantly higher versus the comparative loss of $9.9 million for the same quarter
in the prior year. The $2.6 million increase is primarily due to an increase in mineral properties expenditures due to the size
of the 2019 field program which included the new regional exploration program which did not exist in the comparative period.
Liquidity and capital
resources
At May 31, 2020,
we had $12.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $12.8 million, which is sufficient to fund our ongoing
operations for at least the next 12 months. The projects are fully funded by Ambler Metals and we do not anticipate needing to
fund our 50% share of future expenditures to advance the projects until Ambler Metals’ $145 million is spent.
23
Contractual obligations
Contractual obligated undiscounted cash
flow requirements as at May 31, 2020 are as follows.
In thousands of dollars
Total
$
<1 Year
$
1–2 Years
$
2–5 Years
$
Thereafter
$
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
539
539
-
-
-
Office lease
774
181
379
214
-
1,313
720
379
214
-
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We have no material off-balance sheet
arrangements.
Outstanding share data
At July 7, 2020, we had 140,965,583 common
shares issued and outstanding. At July 7, 2020, we had outstanding, 12,848,538 stock options with a weighted-average exercise price
of $1.37 as well as 1,204,170 DSUs and 11,927 NovaGold DSUs for which the holder is entitled to receive one common share for every
six NovaGold shares received. Upon exercise of all the foregoing convertible securities, the Company would be required to issue
an aggregate of 14,054,695 common shares.
New accounting pronouncements
Certain recent accounting pronouncements
have been included under note 2 in our May 31, 2020 unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
Critical accounting
estimates
The most critical accounting estimates
upon which our financial status depends are those requiring estimates of the recoverability of our capitalized mineral properties,
impairment of long-lived assets, equity method investment, income taxes and valuation of stock-based compensation.
Mineral properties and development
costs
All direct costs related to the acquisition
of mineral property interests are capitalized. The acquisition of title to mineral properties is a complicated and uncertain process.
The Company has taken steps, in accordance with industry standards, to verify the title to mineral properties in which it has
an interest. Although the Company has made efforts to ensure that legal title to its mining assets is properly recorded, there
can be no assurance that such title will be secured indefinitely.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Management assesses the possibility of
impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts
of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Significant judgments are made in assessing the possibility of impairment.
Management considers several factors in considering if an indicator of impairment has occurred, including but not limited to,
indications of value from external sources, significant changes in the legal, business or regulatory environment, and adverse
changes in the use of physical condition of the asset. These factors are subjective and require consideration at each period end.
If an indicator of impairment is determined to exist, management calculates the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows relating
to the asset or asset group using estimated future prices, mineral resources, and operating, capital and reclamation costs. When
the carrying value of an asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value,
which is usually determined using discounted future cash flows. Management’s estimates of mineral prices, mineral resources,
foreign exchange rates, production levels and operating capital and reclamation costs are subject to risk and uncertainties that
may affect the determination of the recoverability of the long-lived asset.
24
Income taxes
We must make estimates and judgments in
determining the provision for income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits
including interest and penalties. We are subject to income tax law in the United States and Canada. The evaluation of tax liabilities
involving uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulation is based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances,
changes in tax law, new audit activity, and effectively settled issues. The evaluation of an uncertain tax position requires significant
judgment, and a change in such recognition would result in an additional charge to the income tax expense and liability.
Stock-based compensation
Compensation expense for options granted
to employees, directors and certain service providers is determined based on estimated fair values of the options at the time
of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which takes into account, as of the grant date, the fair market value of
the shares, expected volatility, expected life, expected forfeiture rate, expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate
over the expected life of the option. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires input estimation of the expected
life of the option, volatility, and forfeiture rate which can have a significant impact on the valuation model, and resulting
expense recorded.
Investment in affiliates
Investments in unconsolidated ventures
over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for under the equity
method and include the Company’s investment in Ambler Metals. We identified Ambler Metals as a Variable Interest Entity
(VIE) as the entity is dependent on funding from its owners. All funding, ownership, voting rights and power to exercise control
is shared equally on a 50/50 basis between the owners of the VIE. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is not the primary
beneficiary of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is its investment in Ambler Metals.
Ambler Metals is a non-publicly traded
equity investee holding exploration and development projects. The Company reviews and evaluates its investment in affiliates for
other than temporary impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be
recoverable. Events that could indicate impairment of an investment in affiliates include a significant decrease in long-term
expected copper price, a significant increase in expected operating or capital costs, unfavorable exploration results or technical
studies, a significant decrease in reserves, a loss of significant mineral claims or a change in the development plan or strategy
for the project. Asset impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are
less than the carrying amount of the asset. If the underlying assets are not recoverable, an impairment loss is measured and recorded
based on the difference between the carrying amount of the investee and its estimated fair value which may be determined using
a discounted cash flow model .
Additional information
Additional information regarding the Company,
including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov and
on our website at www.trilogymetals.com . Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference.
Item 3. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our financial instruments consist of
cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of the
financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of their maturity. Our financial instruments
initially measured at fair value and then held at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits,
and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
25
(e) Currency risk
Currency risk is the risk of a fluctuation
in financial asset and liability settlement amounts due to a change in foreign exchange rates. The Company operates in the United
States and Canada. The Company’s exposure to currency risk at May 31, 2020 is limited to the Canadian dollar consisting
of cash of CDN$87,000, accounts receivable of CDN$42,000 and accounts payable of CDN$347,000. Based on a 10% change in the US-Canadian
exchange rate, assuming all other variables remain constant, the Company’s net loss would change by approximately $16,000.
(f) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected
loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. We hold cash and cash equivalents
with Canadian Chartered financial institutions. Our accounts receivable consists of Canadian Goods and Services Tax receivable
from the Federal Government of Canada and other receivables for recoverable expenses. Our exposure to credit risk is equal to
the balance of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable as recorded in the financial statements.
(g) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will
encounter difficulties raising funds to meet our financial obligations as they fall due. We are in the exploration stage and do
not have cash inflows from operations; therefore, we manage liquidity risk through the management of the capital structure and
financial leverage. Future financings may be obtained through debt financing, equity financing, sales of investments, convertible
debt, exercise of options, or other means. Continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financing or
to generate future cash flows. Our contractually obligated cash flow is disclosed under the section titled “Contractual
Obligations.”
(h) Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the
fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. We are exposed
to interest rate risk with respect to interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Based on balances as at May 31,2020,
a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change in net loss of $0.1 million, assuming all other variables remain constant.
As we are currently in the exploration
phase none of our financial instruments are exposed to commodity price risk; however, our ability to obtain long-term financing
and its economic viability could be affected by commodity price volatility
Item 4. Controls
and Procedures
Disclosure controls
and procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted by the Company under U.S. and Canadian
securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in those rules, including
providing reasonable assurance that material information is gathered and reported to senior management, including the Chief Executive
Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to permit timely decisions regarding
public disclosure. Management, including the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules of Canadian Securities Administration, as of May 31,
2020. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were
effective.
Internal control over
financial reporting
Management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of
the Exchange Act and National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim filings.
Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even
those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation
and presentation.
26
Changes in internal
control over financial reporting
Except for the implementation of certain
internal controls over the formation of the Ambler Metals joint venture, there have been no changes in our internal controls over
financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2020 which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. We continue to evaluate our internal control over financial
reporting on an ongoing basis to identify improvements. In connection with the formation of the Ambler Metals joint venture in
February 2020, we modified our internal control over financial reporting to reflect the impact of the formation of the joint
venture, which modifications were finalized prior to the filing of the Form 10-Q
for the period ended May 31, 2020.
PART II
- OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal
Proceedings
From time to time, we are a party to routine
litigation and proceedings that are considered part of the ordinary course of its business. We are not aware of any material current,
pending, or threatened litigation.
Item 1A. Risk
Factors
Trilogy and its future business, operations
and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties due to the nature of its business and the present stage
of exploration of its mineral properties and the formation of the joint venture. Except as set forth below, certain of these risks
and uncertainties are under the heading “Risk Factors” under Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 13,
2020 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.trilogymetals.com.
The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
may affect our operations.
The Company faces risks related to health
epidemics and other outbreaks of communicable diseases, which could significantly disrupt its operations and may materially and
adversely affect its business and financial conditions.
The Company’s business could be
adversely impacted by the effects of the coronavirus or other epidemics. In December 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus
emerged in China and the virus has now spread to several other countries, including Canada and the U.S., and infections have been
reported globally. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts the Company’s business, including exploration and development
activities at Ambler Metals and the market for its securities, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain
and cannot be predicted at this time, and include the duration, severity and scope of the outbreak and the actions taken to contain
or treat the coronavirus outbreak. In particular, the continued spread of the coronavirus and travel and other restrictions established
to curb the spread of the coronavirus, could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business including without limitation,
the planned exploration programs at Ambler Metals during the 2020 field season, employee health, workforce productivity, increased
insurance premiums, limitations on travel, the availability of industry experts and personnel, the timing to process drill and
other metallurgical testing, and other factors that will depend on future developments beyond the Company’s control, which
may have a material and adverse effect on the its business, financial condition and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that the Company's
personnel will not be impacted by these pandemic diseases and ultimately see its workforce productivity reduced or incur increased
medical costs or insurance premiums as a result of these health risks.
In addition, a significant outbreak of
coronavirus could result in a widespread global health crisis that could adversely affect global economies and financial markets
resulting in an economic downturn that could have an adverse effect on the demand for precious metals and our future prospects.
Item 2. Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None
27
Item 3. Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine
Safety Disclosures
These disclosures are not applicable to
us.
Item 5. Other
Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Certificate
of Incorporation, dated April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference Exhibit 99.2 to the Registration Statement on Form 40-F
as filed on March 1, 2012, File No. 001-35447) https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1543418/000106299312000734/exhibit99-2.htm
3.2
Articles
of Trilogy Metals Inc., effective April 27, 2011, as altered March 20, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3
to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 40-F as filed on April 19, 2012, File No. 001-35447)
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1543418/000106299312000734/exhibit99-3.htm
3.3
Notice of Articles and Certificate of Change of Name, dated September 1, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
to the Form 8-K dated September 8, 2016) https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1543418/000127956916004324/ex31.htm
10.1
Employment Agreement between Trilogy Metals Inc. and Tony Giardini dated April 20, 2020
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1543418/000127956920000577/ex101.htm
28
10.2
Amendment Agreement between Trilogy Metals Inc. and James Gowans dated April 9, 2020 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1543418/000110465920045204/tm2015554d1_ex10-1.htm
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or
Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101
Interactive Data Files
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
29
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: July 8, 2020
TRILOGY METALS INC.
By:
/s/ Tony Giardini
Tony Giardini
President and Chief Executive Officer
By:
/s/ Elaine M. Sanders
Elaine M. Sanders
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
30
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.