Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report,
our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).
Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded
that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2022, to ensure that information required to be disclosed
by the Company in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within
the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Description of Material Weakness
Management has concluded that the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2022, due to the failure to report disclosures on a timely basis.
Remediation of Material Weakness
Management has developed a plan and related timeline
for the Company to design a set of control procedures and the related required documentation thereof in order to address this material
weakness. However, its implementation was delayed as a decline in commodity prices caused the Company to pursue aggressive cost cutting
and de-staffing which has increasingly concentrated duties on the remaining staff. Until the Company has the proper staff in place, it
likely will not be able to remediate its material weaknesses.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention
or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on
the financial statements.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent
registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation
by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to a provision under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act that grants a permanent exemption for non-accelerated filers from complying with Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting
identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred
during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
None.
52
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
The following table sets forth information regarding the members of
our board of directors (the “Board”) and our executive officers.
Name
Age
Position(s)
George Glasier
79
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert Klein
57
Chief Financial Officer
Bryan Murphy
54
Director, Chairman
Andrew Wilder
52
Director
Executive Officers
George Glasier, J.D ., founded Western Uranium & Vanadium
Corp. and has served as a Director and as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2014. He has over thirty years’ experience
in the uranium industry in the United States, with extensive experience in sales and marketing; project development and permitting uranium
processing facilities. He is the founder of Energy Fuels Inc. (Volcanic Metals Exploration Inc.) and served as its Chief Executive Officer
and President from January 2006 to March 2010. He was responsible for assembling a first-class management team, acquiring a portfolio
of uranium projects, and leading the successful permitting process that culminated in the licensing of the Piñon Ridge uranium
mill; planned for construction in Western Montrose County, Colorado. He began his career in the uranium industry in the late 1970’s
with Energy Fuels Nuclear, which built and operated the White Mesa Mill near Blanding, Utah, becoming the largest uranium producer in
the United States.
Robert Klein has served as Chief Financial Officer of
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp since 2016. He is in charge of accounting and finance, and is closely involved in capital markets
activities, corporate transactions, investor relations, public relations, and legal, and compliance. Formerly, Mr. Klein served as Vice
President Finance and had leading roles in reporting, corporate transactions, and Western’s public listings on the CSE and OTCQX.
Mr. Klein was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of Cross River Group and began his association with Western on an Operating Partner
basis after the formation of Western’s predecessor company, Pinon Ridge Mining, LLC. Previously, Mr. Klein was a Managing Director at
Analytical Research, an alternative investments research firm. He has a broad financial background derived from senior operating and investment
roles with asset managers and through Exeter Analytics, a consulting firm he founded. Mr. Klein was formerly the CFO of Five Points Capital,
a hedge fund spin-out from Soros Fund Management. After having begun his career in public accounting, Mr. Klein worked for Lehman Brothers,
an investment bank, and William E. Simon & Sons, a merchant bank and private investment firm. Rob earned the Chartered Financial Analyst
designation, received an M.B.A. from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Accounting from
George Mason University.
53
Non-Employee Directors
Andrew Wilder serves as
a Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee for Western Uranium & Vanadium Corporation, positions he has held since 2014. He
is the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Cross River Infrastructure Partners, a platform designed to accelerate global sustainability
through the development and construction of infrastructure projects deploying transformative industrial technologies. Areas of focus include
capturing and sequestering carbon emissions, generating green hydrogen and ammonia, generating clean power with advanced small modular
nuclear reactors, and upcycling biowaste into renewable natural gas. Mr. Wilder is also currently a Board Member for Bedford 2030, a community-based
climate action non-profit organization for the Township of Bedford, New York. In 2011, prior to launching Cross River Infrastructure Partners,
Mr. Wilder founded and managed the Cross River Group, an advisory business providing capital and business development services to alternative
asset managers and institutions. In 2001, Mr. Wilder co-founded and served as Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer for North Sound
Capital LLC, an equity hedge fund manager with $3 billion peak assets under management. Mr. Wilder’s prior career included serving
as a Manager in the audit group of Deloitte. Mr. Wilder received the Chartered Accountant (Canada) designation, holds the CFA designation,
and received an MBA from the University of Toronto and a BA from the University of Western Ontario.
Bryan Murphy has served as a
Director of Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. since 2018. He is the founder of Magellan Limited, an advisory firm focusing on providing
strategic, M&A, and financial advisory services and currently serves as CFO and Head of Finance for Biome Renewables Inc., an early-stage
renewable energy innovation and industrial design company. Formerly, Mr. Murphy was Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Quest Partners,
a boutique investment bank that focuses on the provision of M&A, corporate finance, and business strategy services. In these capacities,
Mr. Murphy has developed extensive international experience and relationships advising high-growth businesses across North America, Europe,
and the Middle East. In the prior dozen years, Mr. Murphy held senior management roles at Canadian Tire Corporation overseeing divisions
and business lines. Additionally, Mr. Murphy was formerly a board member of Covenant House Toronto, one of Canada’s largest homeless
youth agencies. Bryan has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration majoring in Finance and an MBA with Distinction from
the University of Western Ontario Richard Ivey School of Business. Bryan earned the ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management
at the University of Toronto and the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Involvement of Officers and Directors in
Certain Legal Proceedings
During the past ten years, none of the persons
serving as our executive officers and/or directors have been the subject of any of the following legal proceedings that are required to
be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K, including: (a) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which
such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (b)
any criminal convictions or any criminal proceedings in which the person is a named subject (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses); (c) any order, judgment, or decree permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement
in any type of business, securities or banking activities; (d) any finding by a court, the SEC or the CFTC to have violated a federal
or state securities or commodities law, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or
regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud in connection with any business entity; or (e) any sanction or order of any self-regulatory
organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or other organization that has disciplinary authority
over its members or persons associated with a member. Further, no such legal proceedings are believed to be contemplated by governmental
authorities against any director or executive officer.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our
directors and executive officers.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies
to our officers, directors, employees and consultants. A copy of the code of ethics will be sent, free of charge, to any person who sends
a written request for a copy to Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp., 330 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2S8.
Insider Trading Policy and Procedures
We have adopted a Disclosure, Confidentiality
and Insider Trading Policy that includes insider trading policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance
with applicable insider trading laws, rules and regulations and the CSE’s continued listing standards.
Audit Committee
Western has established a separately designated
audit committee of the board of directors (the “Board”) consisting of Andrew Wilder, George Glasier, and Bryan Murphy. Our
audit committee is responsible for oversight of audits, corporate governance, board nominations, and executive compensation. The Board
has determined that one of its members, Andrew Wilder, who has previously served as Western’s Chief Financial Officer, qualifies
as an “audit committee financial expert”. We have also determined that Mr. Wilder and Mr. Murphy are independent directors
as defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).
54
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding
compensation earned by our named executive officers:
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary ($)
Bonus ($)
Stock
Awards ($)
Option
Awards ($)
All Other
Compensation ($)
TOTAL($)
George Glasier (1)
2022
$ 250,000
$ 50,000
$ -
$ 364,190
$ -
$ 664,190
President and Chief Executive Officer
2021
$ 220,000
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 220,000
Robert Klein (2)
2022
$ 150,000
$ 15,000
$ -
$ 364,190
$ -
$ 529,190
Chief Financial Officer
2021
$ 150,000
$ 50,000
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 200,000
(1) On February 10, 2022, Mr. Glasier was granted an option to purchase
200,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.76 per share which expires five years from the date of issuance. This option
vested in three installments: one-third on the date of grant, one-third on April 1, 2022 and one-third on July 1, 2022. On October 31,
2022, Mr. Glasier was granted an option to purchase 300,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.60 per share which expires
five years from the date of issuance. This option vests in two installments: one-half on the date of grant and one-half on April 30,
2023.
(2) On February 10, 2022, Mr. Klein was granted an option to purchase 200,000
of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.76 per share which expires five years from the date of issuance. This option vested
in three installments: one-third on the date of grant, one-third on April 1, 2022 and one-third on July 1, 2022. On October 31, 2022,
Mr. Klein was granted an option to purchase 300,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.60 per share which expires five
years from the date of issuance. This option vests in two installments: one-half on the date of grant and one-half on April 30, 2023.
Employment Agreements
George Glasier
On February 8, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with George Glasier, its Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement automatically renews each year unless either party provides
a 90-day advance written notice of their desire to not renew the agreement. The employment agreement provides for a base salary of $180,000
per year, the amount of which is subject to review by the board of directors at least annually. The agreement also provides for a discretionary
annual cash bonus to be determined by the Board. On May 30, 2019, the Board approved an addendum to Mr. Glasier’s employment agreement,
increasing his annual base salary from $180,000 to $220,000. In December 2021, the Board approved an increase to Mr. Glasier’s base
salary from $220,000 to $250,000. Pursuant to the employment agreement, if the Company terminates the employment agreement without cause,
or if a change of control occurs, the Company is required to pay to Mr. Glasier a lump sum payment equal to two and one-half times his
annual base salary.
Robert Klein
On November 12, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement
with its Chief Financial Officer, Robert Klein. The agreement was effective as of October 1, 2020 and has an initial term that ends on
September 30, 2021. The agreement will automatically renew for successive annual terms unless either party provides a 90-day advance written
notice of their intention not to renew. The Agreement provides for a base salary of $150,000 per year, the amount of which is subject
to review by the board of directors at least annually. Under the agreement, Mr. Klein is eligible to receive bonuses after the end of
each calendar year or earlier in the discretion of the Board, and a bonus will also be considered upon the closing of a strategic transaction
by the Company. The agreement provides that Mr. Klein is eligible to participate generally in any employee benefit plan of the Company
or its affiliates and to receive annual stock option grants under the Company’s incentive stock option plan in amounts to be determined
and approved by the Board.
55
Outstanding Equity
Awards Table
The following table sets forth unexercised options,
unvested stock and equity incentive plan awards outstanding for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022.
Outstanding Option Awards at Fiscal Year-End
for 2022
Name
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
Option
exercise
price
($CAD)
Option
expiration
date
George Glasier
66,667
-
$ 1.60
03/31/2023
41,667
-
$ 1.03
01/06/2025
41,666
-
$ 1.03
01/31/2025
41,667
-
$ 1.03
06/30/2025
66,667
-
$ 1.76
02/09/2027
66,666
-
$ 1.76
04/01/2027
66,667
-
$ 1.76
07/01/2027
150,000
-
$ 1.60
10/31/2027
-
150,000
$ 1.60
04/30/2028
Robert Klein
66,667
-
$ 1.60
03/31/2023
83,333
-
$ 2.15
09/24/2023
83,334
-
$ 2.15
10/31/2023
83,333
-
$ 2.15
03/31/2024
41,667
-
$ 1.03
01/06/2025
41,666
-
$ 1.03
01/31/2025
41,667
-
$ 1.03
06/30/2025
66,667
-
$ 1.76
02/09/2027
66,666
-
$ 1.76
04/01/2027
66,667
-
$ 1.76
07/01/2027
150,000
-
$ 1.60
10/31/2027
-
150,000
$ 1.60
04/30/2028
Outstanding Stock Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2022
None.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth a summary of the
compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 earned by each director who is not a named executive officer and who served on
the Board during the year.
Name
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
Stock
Awards ($)
Option
Awards ($)
Total ($)
Andrew Wilder (1)
$ 17,696
$ -
$ 364,190
$ 381,886
Bryan Murphy (2)
$ 44,239
$ -
$ 364,190
$ 408,429
(1)
Mr. Wilder is paid a CAD $2,000 monthly fee for his services as a Director. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred $17,696 in director fees for Mr. Wilder’s services. On February 10, 2022, Mr. Wilder was granted an option to purchase 200,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.76 per share which expires five years from the date of issuance. This option vested in three installments: one-third on the date of grant, one-third on April 1, 2022 and one-third on July 1, 2022.On October 31, 2022, Mr. Wilder was granted an option to purchase 300,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.60 per share which expires five years from the date of issuance. This option vests in two installments: one-half on the date of grant and one-half on April 30, 2023.
(2)
Mr. Murphy is paid a CAD$5,000 monthly fee for his services as Chairman and Director. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred $44,239 in director fees for Mr. Murphy’s services. On February 10, 2022, Mr. Murphy was granted an option to purchase 200,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.76 per share which expires five years from the date of issuance. This option vested in three installments: one-third on the date of grant, one-third on April 1, 2022 and one-third on July 1, 2022. On October 31, 2022, Mr. Murphy was granted an option to purchase 300,000 of our common shares at an exercise price of CAD $1.60 per share which expires five years from the date of issuance. This option vests in two installments: one-half on the date of grant and one-half on April 30, 2023.
56
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of our class of common shares as of April 17, 2023 by:
●
each person, or group of affiliated persons, known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common shares;
●
each of our directors and executive officers; and
●
all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
The amounts and percentages of common shares beneficially owned are
reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. The information relating
to our 5% beneficial owners is based on information we received from such holders. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be
a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the
voting of a security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of a security. A person
is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.
Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person’s ownership percentage, but not
for purposes of computing any other person’s percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the
same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest.
Except as otherwise set forth in the footnotes to the table below,
the address of persons listed below is c/o Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp., 330 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5H 2S8. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each of the beneficial owners listed has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment
power with respect to the indicated common shares.
Name of Beneficial Owner
Number of
Common
Shares
Percentage of
Outstanding
Common
Shares (1)
5% or Greater Shareholders:
George Glasier
5,535,869 (2)
12.5 %
Sahar Benenson
3,670,100 (3)
8.3 %
Brooke Benenson
2,695,800 (4)
6.2 %
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
George Glasier
5,535,869 (2)
12.5 %
Andrew Wilder
875,000 (5)
2.0 %
Robert Klein
913,358 (6)
2.1 %
Bryan Murphy
1,001,017 (7)
2.2 %
All executive officers and directors as a group (4 persons)
8,325,244
17.7 %
(1)
Based on 43,602,565 common shares outstanding on April 14, 2023 and, with respect to each individual holder, rights to acquire our common shares exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2023.
(2)
Consists of 4,810,869 common shares and 625,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held by Mr. Glasier. Also includes 100,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held by Mr. Glasier’s spouse, the beneficial ownership of which Mr. Glasier disclaims.
(3)
Consists of 2,545,800 common shares beneficially owned jointly by Mr. Benenson and
by his spouse, Brooke Benenson, 474,300 common shares owned solely by Mr. Benenson and 650,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise
of warrants beneficially owned by Mr. Benenson. See Note (4).
(4)
Consists of 2,545,800 common shares beneficially owned jointly by Ms. Benenson and by her spouse, Sahar Benenson, and 150,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants beneficially owned by Ms. Benenson. See Note (3).
(5)
Consists of 875,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held by Mr. Wilder.
(6)
Consists of 38,358 common shares and 875,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held by Mr. Klein.
(7)
Consists of 13,517 common shares beneficially owned directly, 31,250 common shares beneficially owned indirectly through Magellan Limited, 31,250 common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants beneficially owned indirectly through Magellan Limited, and 925,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held by Mr. Murphy.
57
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The Company maintains an Incentive Stock Option
Plan (the “Plan”) that permits the granting of stock options as incentive compensation. Shareholders of the Company approved
the Plan on June 30, 2008 and amendments to the Plan on June 20, 2013, and the board of directors approved additional changes to the Plan
on September 12, 2015 and as of October 1, 2021. The Plan was amended on October 1, 2021 to allow for the cashless exercise of stock options,
among other things.
The purpose of the Plan is to attract, retain
and motivate directors, management, staff and consultants by providing them with the opportunity, through stock options, to acquire a
proprietary interest in the Company and benefit from its growth.
The Plan is to be administered by the Board in
accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the policies of any stock exchange, over-the-counter marketplace, or quotation/system
service upon which the Company’s securities are listed or traded. The Board is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan,
to adopt such rules and regulations as it deems consistent with the Plan’s provisions and, in its sole discretion, to designate options
to purchase shares of the Company pursuant to the Plan. The Board may delegate to a committee the authority to exercise any or all power
and authority of the Board under the Plan, including the authority with respect to option grants and/or exercises, all to the extent stipulated
by the Board when so delegated. The Board may authorize one or more individuals of the Company to execute, deliver and receive documents
on behalf of the Board.
At December 31, 2022, a total of 4,306,334 stock
options issued under the Plan were outstanding.
The Plan provides that the aggregate number of
common shares for which stock options may be granted will not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares at the time stock
options are granted. At December 31, 2022, a total of 43,602,565common shares were outstanding, and at that date the maximum number of
stock options eligible for issue under the Plan was 4,360,257. A stock option exercise price shall not be less than the most recent share
issuance price. The maximum term is five years. There are no specific vesting provisions under the Plan. Options are non-assignable and
non-transferable.
The Plan provides that if an optionee’s employment
is terminated for any reason, or if the service of a director, senior executive or consultant of the Company who is an optionee is terminated,
any vested stock option of such optionee may be exercised during a period of ninety (90) days following the date of termination of such
employment or service, as the case may be. In the case of an optionee’s death, any vested stock option of such optionee at the time of
death may be exercised by his or her personal representative, heirs or legatees or their liquidator during a period of one year following
such optionee’s death.
The total number of common shares issuable to
any one person during a 12-month period may not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of common shares issued and outstanding.
Also, in any 12-month period, no options exercisable for more than 2% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares may be awarded
to consultants. The Plan provides that where options are cancelled or lapse under the Plan, the associated common shares become available
again and new options may be granted in respect thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
The Board may make any amendment to the Plan,
without shareholder approval, except an increase in the number of common shares reserved for issue under the Plan or a reduction of an
option exercise price. The terms of any existing option may not be altered, suspended or discontinued without the consent in writing of
the Optionee.
58
Equity Compensation Plan Information
As of December 31, 2022
Plan Category
Number of
securities to
be issued
upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
Number of
securities remaining
available
for future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a))
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders
4,306,334
$ 1.24
53,923
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders
-
n/a
-
Total
4,306,334
$ 1.24
53,923
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS,
AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Transactions with Related Persons
Prior to the acquisition of Black Range, Mr. George Glasier, the Company’s
CEO, who is also a director (“Seller”), transferred his interest in a former joint venture with Ablation Technologies, LLC
to Black Range. In connection with the transfer, Black Range issued 25 million shares of Black Range common stock to Seller and committed
to pay AUD $500,000 (USD $340,252 as of December 31, 2022) to Seller within 60 days of the first commercial application of the Kinetic
Separation technology. Western assumed this contingent payment obligation in connection with the acquisition of Black Range. At the date
of the acquisition of Black Range, this contingent obligation was determined to be probable. Since the deferred contingent consideration
obligation is probable and the amount is estimable, the Company recorded the deferred contingent consideration as an assumed liability
in the amount of $340,252 and $362,794 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company has multiple lease arrangements with Silver
Hawk Ltd., an entity which is owned by George Glasier and his wife Kathleen Glasier. These leases, which are all on a month-to-month basis,
are for the Company’s rental of office, workshop, warehouse and employee housing facilities The Company incurred rent expense of
$55,198 and $34,427 in connection with these arrangement for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Director Independence
The board of directors facilitates its exercise of independent supervision
over management by ensuring representation on the Board by directors who are independent of management and by promoting frequent interaction
and feedback.
Directors are considered to be independent if they have no direct or
indirect material relationship with the Company. A “material relationship” is a relationship which could, in the view of the
Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director’s independent judgment.
The Company’s Board currently consists of three directors. Currently,
Andrew Wilder and Bryan Murphy are independent directors based upon the tests for independence set forth in National Instrument 52-110 Audit
Committees .
SEC rules require a separate determination of independence of the Company’s
directors based on the definition of independence of a U.S. national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system which has
requirements that a majority of the board of directors be independent. Because the Company’s common shares are not currently listed
on a national securities exchange, it currently uses the definition in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) for determining director independence.
Under that definition, Andrew Wilder and Bryan Murphy would be considered independent directors. Mr. Wilder and Mr. Murphy would also
be considered independent directors under Rule 5605(c)(2)’s provisions relating to audit committee composition.
59
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees
billed by MNP LLP (“MNP”), our independent registered accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December
31, 2021. These fees are categorized as audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees. The nature of the services provided
in each category is described in the table below.
2022
2021
Audit fees
$ 86,841
$ 71,804
Audit-related fees
-
15,158
Tax fees
12,665
12,446
All other fees
-
-
Total fees
$ 99,506
$ 99,408
Audit fees: Consist of fees billed for professional
services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements and review of the quarterly interim consolidated financial statements.
These fees also include the review of registration statements and the delivery of consents in connection with registration statements.
Audit-related fees: In 2022, MNP billed audit-related
fees for preparation and review of an SEC Form S-1 filing and a comment letter. There were no fees billed by MNP for professional services
rendered for audit-related services for the years ended December 31, 2022.
Tax fees: Consists of fees incurred for the Company’s
U.S. and Canadian tax preparation fees and tax consulting fees.
All other fees: There were no fees billed by MNP
for professional services rendered for other compliance purposes for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The Company’s board of directors has established
pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant to which the Board approved the foregoing audit and tax services provided by MNP in 2022
and 2021 consistent with the Board’s responsibility for engaging Western’s independent auditors. The Board also considered
whether the non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm are compatible with an auditor maintaining
independence. The Board has determined that the rendering of such services is compatible with MNP maintaining its independence.
60
PART IV – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Documents Filed as Part of This Report.
(a) The following financial
statements are being filed as part of this Annual Report.
Consolidated
Financial Statements of Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. and Subsidiaries
Page
No.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 1930)
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 2021
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
(b) The following exhibits
are being provided as required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1 (1)
Share Exchange Agreement between Pinon Ridge Mining LLC, Homeland Uranium Inc., Homeland Uranium (Utah), et al., dated November 6, 2014.
2.2 (1)
Merger Implementation Agreement between Black Range Minerals Limited and Western Uranium Corporation, dated March 20, 2015.
2.3 (1)
Credit Facility between Western Uranium Corporation and Black Range Minerals Limited, dated March 20, 2015.
2.4 (2)
Termination and Liquidation Agreement between Ablation Technologies LLC, Black Range Minerals Ablation Holdings Inc. and Mineral Ablation, LLC dated March 17, 2015
3.1 (1)
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
3.2 (1)
Amended and Restated By-laws.
4.1 (8)
Description of Capital Stock
10.1 (3)
Call Option Agreement
10.2 (2)
Technology License Agreement between Ablation Technologies LLC and Black Range Mineral Ablation Holdings Inc. dated as of March 17, 2015
10.3 (8)
Incentive Stock Option Plan (Rolling 10%), as amended
10.4 (4)
Employment Agreement between George Glasier and Western Uranium & Vanadium Corporation dated February 8, 2017
10.5 (4)
Employment Agreement between Robert Klein and Western Uranium & Vanadium Corporation dated May 12, 2017
10.6 (5)
Employment Agreement between Robert Klein and Western Uranium & Vanadium Corporation dated November 13, 2017
61
10.7 (6)
Addendum to Employment Agreement between George Glasier and Western Uranium & Vanadium Corporation dated May 30, 2019
10.8 (7)
Employment Agreement, dated November 12, 2020, by and between Robert Klein and Western Uranium and Vanadium Corp.
19.1*
Disclosure, confidentiality and Insider Trading Policy
21.1 *
List of Subsidiaries
31.1*
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2*
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
95*
Mine Safety Disclosure Exhibit
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).*
+
Schedules and exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of the omitted schedules and exhibits to the SEC upon request.
*
Filed herewith
(1)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10 filed on April 29, 2016
(2)
Previously filed as an exhibit with Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Form 10 filed on July 22, 2016
(3)
Previously filed as an exhibit with Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Form 10 filed on June 22, 2016
(4)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2017
(5)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on April 2, 2018
(6)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2019
(7)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 16, 2020
(8)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on April 15, 2022
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None
62
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.
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP.
Date: April 17, 2023
By:
/s/ George Glasier
Chief Executive Officer and President
Date: April 17, 2023
By:
/s/ Robert Klein
Robert Klein
Chief Financial Officer
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.
Dated: April 17, 2023
By:
/s/ George Glasier
George Glasier
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: April 17, 2023
By:
/s/ Robert Klein
Robert Klein
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: April 17, 2023
By:
/s/ Bryan Murphy
Bryan Murphy
Director
Dated: April 17, 2023
By:
/s/ Andrew Wilder
Andrew Wilder
Director
63
Western
Uranium & Vanadium Corp. and Subsidiaries
Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page No.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 1930 ) F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
F- 1
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To
the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp.
Opinion
on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (the Company) as of December 31, 2022
and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity,
and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements).
In
our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the
Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its consolidated operations and its consolidated cash flows for the years
then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Material
Uncertainty Related to Going Concern
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed
in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred continuing losses and negative cash flows from operations
and is dependent upon future sources of equity or debt financing in order to fund its operations. These conditions raise substantial
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also
described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
Basis
for Opinion
These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company’s consolidated 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 consolidated 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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ MNP LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
We
have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
Mississauga,
Canada
April 17, 2023
F- 2
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated
in USD)
As of December 31,
2022
2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash
$ 9,682,133
$ 880,821
Restricted cash, current portion
75,057
75,057
Prepaid uranium concentrate inventory
-
4,085,723
Prepaid expenses
254,105
153,701
Marketable securities
612
2,120
Other current assets
227,588
264,039
Total current assets
10,239,495
5,461,461
Restricted cash, net of current portion
676,348
665,389
Mineral properties and equipment, net
12,798,904
11,780,142
Kinetic separation intellectual property
9,488,051
9,488,051
Total assets
$ 33,202,798
$ 27,395,043
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$ 551,615
$ 699,593
Reclamation liability, current portion
75,057
75,057
Subscription payable
-
146,177
Deferred revenue, current portion
43,860
48,465
Total current liabilities
670,532
969,292
Reclamation liability, net of current portion
225,219
196,563
Deferred tax liability
2,708,887
2,708,887
Deferred contingent consideration
340,252
362,794
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
-
60,015
Total liabilities
3,944,890
4,297,551
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Shareholders’ Equity
Common shares, no par value, unlimited authorized shares, 43,602,871 and 39,073,428 shares issued as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and 43,602,565 and 39,073,122 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively
43,394,303
36,195,510
Treasury shares, 306 shares held in treasury as of December 31, 2022 and 2021
-
-
Accumulated deficit
( 13,875,263 )
( 13,161,496 )
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
( 261,132 )
63,478
Total shareholders’ equity
29,257,908
23,097,492
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 33,202,798
$ 27,395,043
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 3
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Stated
in USD)
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
Revenues
$ 7,858,972
$ 272,142
Cost of revenues
4,044,083
-
Gross profit
3,814,889
272,142
Expenses
Mining expenditures
762,333
717,657
Professional fees
493,940
365,302
General and administrative
3,246,171
1,172,585
Consulting fees
91,626
29,543
Total operating expenses
4,594,070
2,285,087
Operating loss
( 779,181 )
( 2,012,945 )
Accretion and interest
( 61,414 )
( 16,960 )
Settlement expense
-
78,052
Other income
( 4,000 )
-
Net loss
( 713,767 )
( 2,074,037 )
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign exchange (loss) gain
( 324,610 )
89,020
Comprehensive loss
$ ( 1,038,377 )
$ ( 1,985,017 )
Net loss per share - basic and diluted
$ ( 0.02 )
$ ( 0.06 )
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted
42,815,086
36,838,441
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 4
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Stated
in USD)
Common Shares
Treasury Shares
Accumulated
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Deficit
Income
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2021
30,083,747
$ 29,886,367
306
$ -
$ ( 11,087,459 )
$ ( 25,542 )
$ 18,773,366
Private placement - February 16, 2021, net of offering costs
3,250,000
1,950,509
-
-
-
-
1,950,509
Private placement - March 1, 2021, net of offering costs
3,125,000
1,918,797
-
-
-
-
1,918,797
Private placement - December 17, 2021, net of offering costs
372,966
434,973
-
-
-
-
434,973
Proceeds from the exercise of warrants
2,066,693
2,004,864
-
-
-
-
2,004,864
Cashless exercise of stock options
174,716
-
-
-
-
-
-
Foreign exchange gain
-
-
-
-
-
89,020
89,020
Net loss
-
-
-
-
( 2,074,037 )
-
( 2,074,037 )
Balance as of December 31, 2021
39,073,122
$ 36,195,510
306
$ -
$ ( 13,161,496 )
$ 63,478
$ 23,097,492
Private placement - January 20, 2022, net of offering costs
2,495,575
3,011,878
-
-
-
-
3,011,878
Proceeds from the exercise of warrants
2,020,351
2,620,395
-
-
-
-
2,620,395
Cashless exercise of stock options
13,517
-
-
-
-
-
-
Stock based compensation - stock options
-
1,566,520
-
-
-
-
1,566,520
Foreign exchange loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 324,610 )
( 324,610 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
( 713,767 )
-
( 713,767 )
Balance as of December 31, 2022
43,602,565
$ 43,394,303
306
$ -
$ ( 13,875,263 )
$ ( 261,132 )
$ 29,257,908
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 5
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Stated
in USD)
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
Cash Flows From (Used in) Operating Activities:
Net loss
$ ( 713,767 )
$ ( 2,074,037 )
Reconciliation of net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation
26,877
20,380
Accretion of reclamation liability
28,656
9,142
Stock based compensation
1,566,520
-
Change in marketable securities
1,508
285
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid uranium concentrate inventory
4,085,723
( 4,085,723 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
( 63,953 )
( 269,606 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
( 147,979 )
356,976
Subscription payable
( 146,177 )
-
Reclamation liability
-
( 47,462 )
Deferred revenue
( 64,620 )
( 64,620 )
Contingent consideration
( 22,542 )
-
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
4,550,246
( 6,154,665 )
Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities
Purchase of mineral properties and equipment
( 1,045,638 )
( 65,000 )
Net cash used in investing activities
( 1,045,638 )
( 65,000 )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from warrant exercises
2,620,395
2,004,864
Issuances of common shares, net of offering costs
3,011,878
4,304,279
Net cash provided by financing activities
5,632,273
6,309,143
Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash
( 324,610 )
59,728
Net increase in cash and restricted cash
8,812,271
149,206
Cash and restricted cash - beginning
1,621,267
1,472,061
Cash and restricted cash - ending
$ 10,433,538
$ 1,621,267
Cash
$ 9,682,133
$ 880,821
Restricted cash, current portion
75,057
75,057
Restricted cash, noncurrent
676,348
665,389
Total
$ 10,433,538
$ 1,621,267
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest
$ -
$ -
Income taxes
$ -
$ -
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F- 6
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
1 – BUSINESS
Nature
of operations
Western
Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (“Western” or the “Company”) was incorporated in December 2006 under the Ontario
Business Corporations Act. On November 20, 2014, the Company completed a listing process on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”).
As part of that process, the Company acquired 100 % of the members’ interests of Pinon Ridge Mining LLC (“PRM”), a Delaware
limited liability company. The transaction constituted a reverse takeover (“RTO”) of Western by PRM. Subsequent to obtaining
appropriate shareholder approvals, the Company reconstituted its Board of Directors and senior management team. Effective September 16,
2015, Western completed its acquisition of Black Range Minerals Limited (“Black Range”).
The
Company’s registered office is located at 330 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 2S8, and its common shares
are listed on the CSE under the symbol “WUC.” On April 22, 2016, the Company’s common shares began trading on the OTC
Pink Open Market, and on May 23, 2016, the Company’s common shares were approved for trading on the OTCQX Best Market. The Company’s
principal business activity is the acquisition and development of uranium and vanadium resource properties in the states of Utah and
Colorado in the United States of America (“United States”).
On
June 28, 2016, the Company’s registration statement became effective and Western became a United States reporting issuer. Thereafter,
the Company was approved for Depository Trust Company eligibility through the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, which facilitates
electronic book-entry delivery, settlement, and depository services for shares in the United States.
Note
2 – Liquidity and going concern
With the exception of the quarter ended June 30,
2022, the Company had incurred losses from its operations. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company generated a comprehensive
loss of $ 1,038,377 . The Company expects to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future as it incurs expenses to bring its mining
operations online. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ 13,875,263 and working capital of $ 9,568,963 .
Since
inception, the Company has met its liquidity requirements principally through the issuance of notes and the sale of its common shares.
On January 20, 2022, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 2,495,575 units at a price of CAD $ 1.60 per unit. The aggregate
gross proceeds raised in the private placement amounted to CAD $ 3,992,920 (USD $ 3,011,878 in net proceeds). During the year ended December
31, 2022, the Company received $ 2,620,395 in proceeds from the exercise of warrants.
The
Company’s ability to continue its planned operations and to pay its obligations when they become due is contingent upon the Company
obtaining additional financing. Management’s plans include seeking to procure additional funds through debt and equity financing,
to secure regulatory approval to fully utilize its kinetic separation (“Kinetic Separation”) technology, and to initiate
the processing of ore to generate operating cash flows.
There
are no assurances that the Company will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, or that cash flows generated
from its operations will be sufficient to meet its current operating costs. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient amounts of
additional capital, it may be required to reduce the scope of its planned product development, which could harm its financial condition
and operating results, or it may not be able to continue to fund its ongoing operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these consolidated
financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome
of these uncertainties.
F- 7
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
3 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
These
consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars and have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Western Uranium Corp.
(Utah), PRM, Black Range, Black Range Copper Inc., Ranger Resources Inc., Black Range Minerals Inc., Black Range Minerals Colorado LLC,
Black Range Minerals Wyoming LLC, Haggerty Resources LLC, Ranger Alaska LLC, Black Range Minerals Utah LLC, Black Range Minerals Ablation
Holdings Inc., and Black Range Development Utah LLC. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
The
Company has established the existence of mineralized materials for certain uranium projects. The Company has not established proven or
probable reserves, as defined by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), through the completion
of a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study for any of its uranium projects.
Exploration
Stage and Mineral Properties
In
accordance with U.S. GAAP, expenditures relating to the acquisition of mineral rights are initially capitalized as incurred while exploration
and pre-extraction expenditures are expensed as incurred until such time the Company exits the exploration stage by establishing proven
or probable reserves. Expenditures relating to exploration activities, such as drill programs to search for additional mineralized materials,
are expensed as incurred. Expenditures relating to pre-extraction activities, such as the construction of mine wellfields, ion exchange
facilities, disposal wells, and mine development, are expensed as incurred until such time proven or probable reserves are established
for that uranium project, after which subsequent expenditures relating to development activities for that particular project are capitalized
as incurred. Expenditures relating to mining and ore production while the Company is in the exploration stage and while the ore is stockpiled
underground are expensed as incurred.
Production
stage issuers, as defined in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K, having engaged in material extraction of established mineral reserves on
at least one material property, typically capitalize expenditures relating to ongoing development activities, with corresponding depletion
calculated over proven and probable reserves using the units-of-production method and allocated to future reporting periods to inventory
and, as that inventory is sold, to cost of goods sold. The Company is an exploration stage issuer, which has resulted in the Company
reporting larger losses than if it had been in the production stage due to the expensing, instead of capitalizing, of expenditures relating
to ongoing mine development and extraction activities. Additionally, there would be no corresponding amortization allocated to future
reporting periods of the Company since those costs would have been expensed previously, resulting in both lower inventory costs and cost
of goods sold and results of operations with higher gross profits and lower losses than if the Company had been in the production stage.
Any capitalized costs, such as expenditures relating to the acquisition of mineral rights, are depleted over the estimated extraction
life using the straight-line method. As a result, the Company’s consolidated financial statements may not be directly comparable
to the financial statements of companies in the production stage. Western will not be eligible to become a production stage issuer, and
will remain an exploration stage issuer, until such time as mineral reserves are established on at least one material property.
F- 8
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, CONTINUED
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the
periods reported. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty, and the effects on the consolidated financial
statements of changes in such estimates in future periods could be significant. Significant areas requiring management’s estimates
and assumptions include the determination of the fair value of transactions involving common shares, assessment of the useful life and
evaluation for impairment of Kinetic Separation intellectual property, valuation and impairment assessments of mineral properties and
equipment, valuation of deferred contingent consideration, valuation of the reclamation liability, valuation of stock-based compensation,
and valuation of available-for-sale securities. Other areas requiring estimates include allocations of expenditures, depletion, and amortization
of mineral rights and properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign
Currency Translation
The reporting currency of the Company, including
its subsidiaries, is the United States dollar. The financial statements of subsidiaries located outside of the U.S. are measured in their
functional currency, which is the local currency. The functional currency of the parent (Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (Ontario))
is the Canadian dollar. The functional currencies of the subsidiaries is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of
these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the
functional currency are recorded based on the exchange rates at the time of the transaction. Income and expense items are translated using
average monthly exchange rates. Non-monetary assets are translated at their historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are included
in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income” in the consolidated balance sheets.
Segment
Information
The
Company determines its reporting units in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) 280, Segment Reporting . The Company evaluates a reporting unit by first identifying its operating
segments under ASC 280. The Company then evaluates each operating segment to determine if it includes one or more components that constitute
a business. If there are components within an operating segment that meet the definition of a business, the Company evaluates those components
to determine if they must be aggregated into one or more reporting units. If applicable, when determining if it is appropriate to aggregate
different operating segments, the Company determines if the segments are economically similar and, if so, the operating segments are
aggregated. The Company has one operating segment and reporting unit. The Company operates in one reportable business segment; the Company
is in the business of exploring, developing, mining, and the production of its uranium and vanadium resource properties, including the
utilization of the Company’s Kinetic Separation technology in its mining processes. The Company is organized and operated as one
business. Management reviews its business as a single operating segment, using financial and other information rendered meaningful only
by the fact that such information is presented and reviewed in the aggregate.
Cash
The
Company considers all highly-liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash
equivalents. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no cash equivalents.
Marketable
Securities
The
Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale securities, which are carried at their fair value based on the quoted
market prices of the securities with unrealized gains and losses reported as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, a separate
component of shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in net earnings in the
period earned or incurred.
F- 9
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, CONTINUED
Restricted
Cash
Certain
cash balances are restricted as they relate to deposits with banks that have been assigned to state reclamation authorities in the United
States to secure various reclamation guarantees with respect to mineral properties in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. As these funds are
not available for general corporate purposes and secure the long term reclamation liability (see Note 4), they have been separately disclosed
and classified as long-term for the majority of the Company’s mines. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company has determined
that the Van 4 Mine is now considered to be in reclamation. The Company recognized the Van 4 Mine’s reclamation liability and its
restricted cash in full on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as current.
Property
and equipment
Property
and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method, based upon
the following estimated useful lives:
Asset
Classification
Estimated
Useful Life
Equipment
5 years
Computer
and related equipment
3 years
Software
7 years
Vehicles
5 years
For
the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $ 26,877 and $ 20,380 , respectively.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company purchased prepaid uranium concentrate contracts for future delivery of uranium concentrate pursuant to a supply agreement. The
Company recognizes revenue upon the delivery of the uranium contract to the counterparty and charges to cost of revenues the purchase
cost of the uranium concentrate contract upon such delivery.
The
Company leases certain of its mineral properties for the exploration and production of oil and gas reserves. The Company accounts for
lease revenue in accordance with the FASB ASC 842, Leases . Lease payments received in advance are deferred and recognized on a
straight-line basis over the related lease term associated with the prepayment. Royalty payments are recognized as revenues based upon
production.
Fair
Values of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash, restricted cash,
accounts payable, subscription payable, reclamation liability, contingent consideration and accrued liabilities approximate their fair
value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Marketable securities are adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date based
on quoted prices which are considered level 1 inputs. The Company’s operating and financing activities are conducted primarily in
Canadian dollars, and as a result, the Company is subject to exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency rates. The Company
is exposed to credit risk through its cash and restricted cash but mitigates this risk by keeping these deposits at major financial institutions.
The
FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , provides the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides
a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest
priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority
to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).
F- 10
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Fair
Values of Financial Instruments (continued)
Fair
value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize
the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
Level
1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level
2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in
markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level
3- Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated
by observable market data or correlation by other means.
The
fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
Quoted
Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets or
Liabilities
(Level 1)
Quoted
Prices
for Similar Assets or
Liabilities in Active
Markets
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Marketable
securities as of December 31, 2022
$ 612
$ -
$ -
Marketable
securities as of December 31, 2021
$ 2,120
$ -
$ -
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
The
Company reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets and Kinetic Separation technology for impairment when events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash
flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the assets. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on
discounted estimated future cash flows or upon an estimate of fair value that may be received in an exchange transaction. Future cash
flows are estimated based on estimated quantities of recoverable minerals, expected uranium prices (considering current and historical
prices, trends, and related factors), production levels, operating costs of production, and capital, restoration and reclamation costs,
based upon the projected remaining future uranium production from each project. The Company’s long-lived assets (which include
its mineral assets and Kinetic Separation intellectual property) were acquired during the end of 2014 and in 2015 in arms-length transactions.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company evaluated the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis for its mineral properties
and Kinetic Separation intellectual property and determined that no impairment was deemed to exist. Estimates and assumptions used to
assess recoverability of the Company’s long-lived assets and to measure fair value of the Company’s uranium properties are
subject to risk uncertainty. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of the Company’s long-lived
assets. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are
largely independent of future cash flows from other asset groups.
F- 11
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Income
Taxes
The
Company utilizes an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. The provision for income taxes
is based upon income or loss after adjustment for those permanent items that are not considered in the determination of taxable income.
Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets
and liabilities at the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
The
Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of the tax laws
that might be challenged in an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In management’s opinion, adequate
provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances
or reversals of reserves may be necessary.
Tax
benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The
amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement.
A liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded for any tax benefits claimed in the Company’s tax returns that do not meet
these recognition and measurement standards. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no liability for unrecognized tax benefits
was required to be reported.
The
Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with tax audits is to record such items as a component of general
and administrative expense. There were no amounts accrued for penalties and interest for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The Company does not expect its uncertain tax position to change during the next twelve months. Management is currently unaware of any
issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals, or material deviations from its position.
The
Company has identified its federal Canadian and United States tax jurisdictions and its state tax jurisdictions in Colorado and Utah
as its “major” tax jurisdictions, and such returns for the years 2017 through 2022 remain subject to examination.
Restoration
and Remediation Costs (Asset Retirement Obligations)
Various
federal and state mining laws and regulations require the Company to reclaim the surface areas and restore underground water quality
for its mine projects to the pre-existing mine area average quality after the completion of mining.
Future
reclamation and remediation costs, which include extraction equipment removal and environmental remediation, are accrued at the end of
each period based on management’s best estimate of the costs expected to be incurred for each project. Such estimates are determined
by the Company’s engineering studies which consider the costs of future surface and groundwater activities, current regulations,
actual expenses incurred, and technology and industry standards.
In
accordance with the FASB ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations , the Company capitalizes the measured fair value
of asset retirement obligations to mineral properties. The asset retirement obligations are accreted to an undiscounted value until the
time at which they are expected to be settled. The accretion expense is charged to earnings and the actual retirement costs are recorded
against the asset retirement obligations when incurred. Any difference between the recorded asset retirement obligations and the actual
retirement costs incurred will be recorded as a gain or loss in the period of settlement.
At
each reporting period, the Company reviews the assumptions used to estimate the expected cash flows required to settle the asset retirement
obligations, including changes in estimated probabilities, amounts and timing of the settlement of the asset retirement obligations,
as well as changes in the legal obligation requirements at each of its mineral properties. Changes in any one or more of these assumptions
may cause revision of asset retirement obligations for the corresponding assets.
F- 12
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Stock-Based
Compensation
The Company follows the FASB ASC 718, Compensation
- Stock Compensation , which addresses the accounting for stock-based payment transactions, requiring such transactions to be accounted
for using the fair value method. Awards of shares for property or services are recorded at the fair value of the stock or the fair value
of the service, whichever is more readily measurable. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the grant date
fair value of stock-based awards under ASC 718. The fair value is charged to earnings depending on the terms and conditions of the award,
and the nature of the relationship of the recipient of the award to the Company. The Company records the grant date fair value in line
with the period over which it was earned. For employees and consultants, this is typically considered to be the vesting period of the
award.
Net
Loss per Share
Basic
net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted
earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding
during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants
(using the treasury stock method). The computation of net loss per share for each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is the
same for both basic and fully diluted.
Potentially
dilutive securities outlined in the table below have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because the effect
of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
Warrants to purchase common shares
9,362,076
9,735,948
Options to purchase common shares
4,306,334
2,324,670
Total potentially dilutive securities
13,668,410
12,060,618
Recent
Accounting Standards
Management
does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, will have a material effect on the
accompanying consolidated financial statements.
F- 13
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY
The
Company’s mining properties acquired on August 18, 2014 that the Company retains as of December 31, 2022 include: The San
Rafael Uranium Project located in Emery County, Utah; The Sunday Mine Complex located in western San Miguel County, Colorado; The
Van 4 Mine located in western Montrose County, Colorado; The Sage Mine located in San Juan County, Utah, and San Miguel County,
Colorado. These mining properties include leased land in the states of Colorado and Utah. None of these mining properties were
operational at the date of acquisition.
The
Company’s mining properties acquired on September 16, 2015 that the Company retains as of December 31, 2022 include Hansen, North
Hansen and Hansen Picnic Tree located in Fremont and Teller Counties, Colorado. The Company also acquired the Keota project located in
Weld County, Colorado and the Ferris Haggerty project located in Carbon County Wyoming. These mining assets include both owned and leased
land in the states of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. All of the mining assets represent properties which have previously been mined, to
different degrees, for uranium.
As
the Company has not formally established proven or probable reserves on any of its properties, there is inherent uncertainty as to whether
or not any mineralized material can be economically extracted as originally planned and anticipated.
The
Company’s mineral properties and equipment and kinetic separation intellectual property are:
As of December 31,
2022
2021
Mineral properties and equipment, net
$ 12,798,904
$ 11,780,142
Kinetic separation intellectual property
$ 9,488,051
$ 9,488,051
Mineral Properties and Equipment
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021,
Western made purchases of $ 1,045,638 and $ 65,000 , which principally consisted of mining equipment, to increase mining capacity.
Oil
and Gas Lease and Easement
The
Company entered into an oil and gas lease that became effective with respect to minerals and mineral rights owned by the Company of approximately
160 surface acres of the Company’s property in Colorado. As consideration for entering into the lease, the lessee has agreed to
pay the Company a royalty from the lessee’s revenue attributed to oil and gas produced, saved, and sold attributable to the net
mineral interest. The Company has also received cash payments from the lessee related to the easement that the Company is recognizing
incrementally over the eight year term of the easement.
On
June 23, 2020, the same entity, as discussed above, elected to extend the oil and gas lease easement for three additional years , commencing
on the date the lease would have previously expired. During 2021, the operator completed all well development stages, and each of the
eight (8) wells commenced oil and gas production by mid-August 2021.
During
the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 the Company recognized aggregate revenue of $ 635,363 and $ 272,142 , respectively, under these
oil and gas lease arrangements.
F- 14
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY, CONTINUED
Reclamation
Liabilities
The
Company’s mines are subject to certain asset retirement obligations, which the Company has recorded as reclamation liabilities.
The reclamation liabilities of the United States mines are subject to legal and regulatory requirements, and estimates of the costs of
reclamation are reviewed periodically by the applicable regulatory authorities. The reclamation liability represents the Company’s
best estimate of the present value of future reclamation costs in connection with the mineral properties. The Company determined the
gross reclamation liabilities of the mineral properties to be $ 751,405 and $ 740,446 as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
On March 2, 2020, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (“MLRB”) issued an order vacating the Van 4 Temporary Cessation,
terminating mining operations and ordering commencement of final reclamation. The Company has begun the reclamation of the Van 4 Mine.
The reclamation cost is fully covered by the reclamation bonds posted upon acquisition of the property. The Company adjusted the fair
value of its reclamation obligation for the Van 4 Mine. The portion of the reclamation liability related to the Van 4 Mine and its related
restricted cash are included in current liabilities and current assets, respectively, at a value of $ 75,057 . The Company expects to begin
incurring the reclamation liability after 2054 for all mines that are not in reclamation and accordingly, has discounted the gross liabilities
over their remaining lives using a discount rate of 5.4%. The net discounted aggregated values as of December 31, 2022 and December 31,
2021 were $300,276 and $271,620, respectively. The gross reclamation liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are secured
by financial warranties in the amount of $ 751,405 and $ 740,446 , respectively.
Reclamation
liability activity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consists of:
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
Beginning balance at January 1
$ 271,620
$ 309,940
Accretion
28,656
9,142
Discontinuation of reclamation liability
-
( 47,462 )
Ending Balance at December 31
$ 300,276
$ 271,620
During
the first quarter of 2021, the Company received notice that its Ferris Haggerty property was no longer considered to be subject to reclamation
treatment. The Company recorded a discontinuation of the Ferris Haggerty property’s present value of $ 2,669 during the first quarter
2021. On April 29, 2021, the Company moved the Ferris Haggerty $ 10,000 restricted cash deposit into its cash after receiving payment
from the state of Wyoming. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company received notice from the State of Colorado that its surety
release request on the Hansen Picnic Tree property had been approved, and as such, this property is no longer subject to reclamation
treatment. As the property was not a current development priority, Western completed reclamation on the property. The Company recorded
a discontinuation of the Hansen Picnic Tree property’s present value of $ 44,793 during the fourth quarter of 2021. On December
29, 2021, the Company moved the $ 154,936 restricted cash deposit into its cash after receiving payment from the state of Colorado.
F- 15
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY, CONTINUED
Sunday
Mine Complex Permitting Status
On
February 4, 2020, the Colorado DRMS sent a Notice of Hearing to Declare Termination of Mining Operations related to the status of the
mining permits issued by the state of Colorado for the Sunday Mine Complex. At issue was the application of an unchallenged Colorado
Court of Appeals Opinion for a separate mine (Van 4) with very different facts that are retroactively modifying DRMS rules and regulations.
The Company maintains that it was timely in meeting existing rules and regulations. The hearing was scheduled to be held during several
monthly MLRB Board meetings, but this matter was delayed several times. The permit hearing was held during the MLRB Board monthly meeting
on July 22, 2020. At issue was the status of the five existing permits which comprise the Sunday Mine Complex. Due to COVID-19 restrictions,
the hearing took place utilizing a virtual-only format. The Company prevailed in a 3 to 1 decision which acknowledged that the work completed
at the Sunday Mine Complex under DRMS oversight was timely and sufficient for Western to maintain these permits. In a subsequent July
30, 2020 letter, the DRMS notified the Company that the status of the five permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St. Jude, Carnation, and Topaz)
had been changed to “Active” status effective June 10, 2019, the original date on which the change of the status was approved.
On August 23, 2020, the Company initiated a request for Temporary Cessation status for the Sunday Mine Complex as the mines had not been
restarted within a 180-day window due to the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, a permit hearing was
scheduled for October 21, 2020 to determine Temporary Cessation status. In a unanimous vote, the MLRB approved Temporary Cessation status
for each of the five Sunday Mine Complex permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St. Jude, Carnation, and Topaz). On October 9, 2020, the MLRB
issued a board order which finalized the findings of the July 22, 2020 permit hearing. On November 10, 2020, the MLRB issued a board
order which finalized the findings of the October 21, 2020 permit hearing. On November 6, 2020, the MLRB signed an order placing the
five Sunday Mine Complex mine permits into Temporary Cessation. On November 12, 2020, a coalition of environmental groups (the “Plaintiffs”)
filed a complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the July 22, 2020 decision by requesting termination of the Topaz Mine
permit. On December 15, 2020, the same coalition of environmental groups amended their complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal
of the October 21, 2020 decision requesting termination of the Topaz Mine permit. The Company has joined with the MLRB in defense of
their July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 decisions. On May 5, 2021, the Plaintiffs in the Topaz Appeal filed an opening brief with the
Denver District Court seeking to overturn the July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 MLRB permit hearing decisions on the Topaz Mine permit.
The MLRB and the Company were to respond with an answer brief within 35 days on or before June 9, 2021, but instead sought a settlement.
The judicial review process was delayed as extensions were put in place until August 20, 2021. A settlement was not reached, and the
MLRB and the Company submitted answer briefs on August 20, 2021. The Plaintiff submitted a reply brief on September 10, 2021. On March
1, 2022, the Denver District Court reversed the MLRB’s orders regarding the Topaz Mine and remanded the case back to MLRB for further
proceedings consistent with its order. The Company and the MLRB had until April 19, 2022 to appeal the Denver District Court’s
ruling. Neither the Company nor the MLRB appealed the Denver District Court ruling. Subsequently on March 20, 2023, the MLRB issued a
board order for the Company to commence final reclamation, which upon completion will terminate mining operations at the Topaz Mine.
Reclamation is to commence immediately at the Topaz Mine and is to be completed within five years by March 2028. The Company is currently
working toward the completion of an updated Topaz Mine Plan of Operations which is a separate federal requirement of the BLM for the
conduct of mining activities on the federal land at the Topaz Mine and needed to re-permit the Topaz Mine with Colorado’s DRMS.
F- 16
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY, CONTINUED
Kinetic
Separation Intellectual Property
The
Kinetic Separation intellectual property was acquired in Western’s acquisition of Black Range on September 16, 2015. Previously
Black Range acquired its Kinetic Separation assets in the dissolution of a joint venture on March 17, 2015, through the acquisition of
all the assets of the joint venture and received a 25-year license to utilize all of the patented and unpatented technology owned by
the joint venture. The technology license agreement for patents and unpatented technology became effective as of March 17, 2015, for
a period of 25 years, until March 16, 2040. There are no remaining license fee obligations, and there are no future royalties due under
the agreement. The Company has the right to sub-license the technology to third parties. The Company may not sell or assign the Kinetic
Separation license; however, the license could be transferred in the case of a sale of the Company. The Company has developed improvements
to Kinetic Separation during the term of the license agreement and retains ownership of, and may obtain patent protection on, any such
improvements developed by the Company.
The
Kinetic Separation patent was filed on September 13, 2012 and granted on February 14, 2014 by the United States Patent Office. The patent
is effective for a period of 20 years until September 13, 2032. This patent is supported by two provisional patent applications. The
provisional patent applications expired after one year but were incorporated in the U.S. Patent by reference and claimed benefit prior
to their expirations. The status of the patent and two provisional patent applications has not changed subsequent to the 2014 patent
grant. The Company has the continued right to use any patented portion of the Kinetic Separation technology that enters the public domain
subsequent to the patent expiration.
The
Company anticipates Kinetic Separation will improve the efficiency of the mining and processing of the sandstone-hosted ore from Western’s
conventional mines through the separation of waste from mineral bearing-ore, potentially reducing transportation, mill processing, and
mill tailings costs. Kinetic Separation is not currently in use or being applied at any Company mines. The Company views Kinetic Separation
as a cost saving technology, which it will seek to incorporate into ore production subsequent to commencing scaled production levels.
There are also alternative applications, which the Company has explored.
NOTE
5 – Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities consisted of:
As of December 31,
2022
2021
Trade accounts payable
$ 403,705
$ 510,831
Accrued liabilities
147,910
188,762
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$ 551,615
$ 699,593
F- 17
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Supply
Contract
In
December 2015, the Company signed a uranium concentrates supply agreement with a major United States utility company for delivery commencing
in 2018 and continuing for a five-year period through 2022. On March 8, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with a third party
to complete the Year 4 (2021) uranium concentrate delivery. The Company paid $ 78,000 in April 2021 to the assignee for which the assignee
made the delivery in May 2021. In April 2022, in satisfaction of the Year 5 delivery under its supply contract, the Company delivered
125,000 lbs of uranium concentrate from its prepaid uranium concentrate inventory. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2022,
the Company recorded revenue of $7,223,609 (at a price of approximately $57 per pound) and cost of revenue of $4,044,083, related to
the delivery of the uranium. In May 2022, the Company received the cash proceeds from this sale.
Strategic
Acquisition of Physical Uranium
In
May 2021, the Company executed a binding agreement to purchase 125,000 pounds of natural uranium concentrate at approximately $ 32 per
pound. In December 2021, the Company paid $ 4,044,083 , in connection with its full prepayment of the purchase price for 125,000 pounds
of natural uranium concentrate. This uranium concentrate was subsequently delivered under the terms of the aforementioned uranium concentrates
supply agreement in April 2022.
NOTE
7 – SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS
Authorized
Capital
The
holders of the Company’s common shares are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of common shares are entitled to ratably receive
such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors, out of legally available funds. Upon the liquidation, dissolution,
or winding down of the Company, holders of common shares are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the Company that are legally
available for distribution. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, an unlimited number of common shares were authorized for issuance.
Private
Placements
On
February 16, 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 3,250,000 units at a price of CAD $ 0.80 per
unit. The aggregate gross proceeds raised in the private placement amounted to CAD $ 2,600,000 (USD $ 1,950,509 in net proceeds).
Each unit consisted of one common share of Western (a “Share”) plus one common share purchase warrant of Western (a “Warrant”).
Each warrant entitled the holder to purchase one Share at a price of CAD $ 1.20 per Share for a period of three years following
the closing date of the private placement. A total of 3,250,000 Shares and 3,250,000 Warrants were issued in the
private placement.
On
March 1, 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 3,125,000 units at a price of CAD $ 0.80 per unit.
The aggregate gross proceeds raised in the private placement amounted to CAD $ 2,500,000 (USD $ 1,918,797 in net proceeds). Each
unit consisted of one Share plus one Warrant. Each Warrant entitled the holder to purchase one Share at a price of CAD $ 1.20 per
Share for a period of three years following the closing date of the private placement. A total of 3,125,000 Shares
and 3,125,000 Warrants were issued in the private placement.
On
December 17, 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 372,966 units at a price of CAD $ 1.60 per unit.
The aggregate gross proceeds raised in the private placement amounted to CAD $ 596,746 (USD $ 434,973 in net proceeds). Each
unit consisted of one Share plus one Warrant. Each Warrant entitled the holder to purchase one Share at a price of CAD $ 2.50 per
Share for a period of three years following the closing date of the private placement. A total of 372,966 Shares
and 372,966 Warrants were issued in the private placement.
On
January 20, 2022, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 2,495,575 units at a price of CAD $ 1.60 per unit. The aggregate
gross proceeds raised in the private placement amounted to CAD $ 3,992,920 (USD $ 3,011,878 in net proceeds). Each unit consisted of one
common share of Western (a “Share”) plus one common share purchase warrant of Western (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant
entitled the holder to purchase one Share at a price of CAD $ 2.50 per Share for a period of three years following the closing date of
the private placement. A total of 2,495,575 Shares and 2,495,575 Warrants were issued to investors and 98,985 Warrants were issued to
broker dealers in connection with the private placement.
F- 18
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
7 – SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS, CONTINUED
Warrant
Exercises
During
the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, an aggregate of 2,020,351 and 2,066,693 warrants were exercised for total gross proceeds of
$ 2,620,395 and $ 2,004,864 , respectively.
Incentive
Stock Option Plan
The
Company maintains an Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) that permits the granting of stock options as incentive compensation.
Shareholders of the Company approved the Plan on June 30, 2008 and amendments to the Plan on June 20, 2013. The board of directors approved
additional changes to the Plan on September 12, 2015. On October 1, 2021, the Company further amended the Plan, principally to allow
for the cashless exercise of stock options.
The
purpose of the Plan is to attract, retain, and motivate directors, management, staff, and consultants by providing them with the opportunity,
through stock options, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and benefit from its growth.
The
Plan provides that the aggregate number of common shares for which stock options may be granted will not exceed 10 % of the issued and
outstanding common shares at the time stock options are granted. As of December 31, 2022, a total of 43,602,565 common shares were outstanding,
and at that date the maximum number of stock options eligible for issue under the Plan was 4,360,257 .
Stock
Options
On
February 10, 2022, the Company granted options under the Plan for the purchase of an aggregate of 900,000 common shares to five individuals
consisting of directors and officers of the Company. The options have a five year term, an exercise price of CAD $ 1.76 (US $ 1.30 as of
December 31, 2022) and vest equally in thirds commencing initially on the date of grant and thereafter on April 1, 2022, and July 1,
2022.
On
October 31, 2022, the Board of Directors granted options under the Plan for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,665,000 common shares to
individuals consisting of directors and officers of the Company. Each of these options have a five year term, an exercise price of CAD
$ 1.60 (US $ 1.18 as of December 31, 2022) and vest equally in two installments beginning on the date of grant and thereafter on April
30, 2023.
The
Company utilized the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of these stock options, using the assumptions as
outlined below:
December
31,
2022
Stock Price
CAD $ 1.44 - $ 1.76
Exercise Price
CAD $ 1.60 - $ 1.76
Dividend Yield
0 %
Expected Volatility
103.3 % - 108.4 %
Weighted Average Risk-Free Interest Rate
1.61 % - 4.45 %
Expected life (in years)
2.6
F- 19
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
7 – SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS, CONTINUED
Stock
Options, continued
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company
issued 13,517 shares of common stock pursuant to the cashless exercise of 50,000 stock options (with a market price
on date of exercise of CAD $ 1.3705 (US $ 1.00 as of December 31, 2022).
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding – January 1, 2022
2,324,670
$ 1.35
1.67
$ 0.39
$ 528,714
Granted
2,565,000
1.22
-
0.72
Expired
( 533,336 )
1.32
-
0.19
Exercised
( 50,000 )
0.74
-
0.05
-
Outstanding – December 31, 2022
4,306,334
$ 1.24
3.35
$ 0.61
$ 60,965
Exercisable – December 31, 2022
3,473,834
$ 1.26
2.88
$ 0.60
$ 60,965
The Company’s stock-based compensation expense
related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $ 1,566,520 and $ 0 , respectively, which is included in general
and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive loss. As of December
31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had $ 364,095 and $ 0 of unamortized stock option expense, respectively.
Warrants
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding - January 1, 2022
9,735,948
$ 1.09
1.49
$ 3,799,606
Issued
2,594,560
1.84
-
-
Exercised
( 2,020,351 )
1.21
-
-
Expired/Forfeited
( 948,081 )
2.00
-
-
Outstanding – December 31, 2022
9,362,076
$ 1.19
1.43
$ 27,227
Exercisable – December 31, 2022
9,362,076
$ 1.19
1.43
$ 27,227
Note
8 – Mining Expenditures
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
Permits
$ 282,851
$ 134,261
Mining costs
471,622
578,034
Royalties
7,860
5,362
$ 762,333
$ 717,657
F- 20
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
9 – Related Party Transactions AND BALANCES
The
Company has transacted with related parties pursuant to service arrangements in the ordinary course of business, as follows:
Prior
to the acquisition of Black Range, Mr. George Glasier, the Company’s CEO, who is also a director (“Seller”), transferred
his interest in a former joint venture with Ablation Technologies, LLC to Black Range. In connection with the transfer, Black Range issued
25 million shares of Black Range common stock to Seller and committed to pay AUD $500,000 (USD $340,252 as of December 31, 2022) to Seller
within 60 days of the first commercial application of the kinetic separation technology. Western assumed this contingent payment obligation
in connection with the acquisition of Black Range. At the date of the acquisition of Black Range, this contingent obligation was determined
to be probable. Since the deferred contingent consideration obligation is probable and the amount is estimable, the Company recorded
the deferred contingent consideration as an assumed liability in the amount of $ 340,252 and $ 362,794 as of December 31, 2022 and December
31, 2021, respectively.
The Company has multiple lease arrangements with Silver Hawk Ltd.,
an entity which is owned by George Glasier and his wife Kathleen Glasier. These leases, which are all on a month-to-month basis, are for
the Company’s rental of office, workshop, warehouse and employee housing facilities The Company incurred rent expense of $ 55,198
and $ 34,427 in connection with these arrangement for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company also owed Mr. Glasier reimbursable
expenses in the amount of $ 87,221 and $ 65,753 as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which are recorded in accounts
payable and accrued liabilities.
Note
10 – Income Taxes
The
tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are
as follows:
As
of December 31,
2022
2021
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating
loss carryovers
$ 5,708,411
$ 5,815,866
Marketable securities
16,094
15,720
Accrued expenses
35,681
46,604
Amortization capitalized cost
725,959
-
Unrealized foreign exchange
64,761
-
Accretion expense
8,639
-
Deferred
tax assets, gross
6,559,545
5,878,190
Less: valuation allowance
( 3,688,584 )
( 3,488,821 )
Deferred
tax assets, net
2,870,961
2,389,369
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment
( 5,314,338 )
( 5,098,256 )
Amortization
annual expense
( 265,510 )
-
Deferred tax liabilities,
net
$ ( 2,708,887 )
$ ( 2,708,887 )
The
change in the Company’s valuation allowance is as follows:
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
Beginning of year
$ 3,488,821
$ 2,997,084
Increase in valuation allowance
199,763
491,737
End of year
$ 3,688,584
$ 3,488,821
F- 21
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
Note
10 – Income Taxes, CONTINUED
A
reconciliation of the provision for income taxes with the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income
from operations before the provision for income taxes is as follows:
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2022
2021
U.S. federal statutory rate
( 21.0 )%
( 21.0 )%
State and foreign taxes
( 3.8 )%
( 3.8 )%
Permanent differences
Stock-based compensation
37.4 %
0 %
Other
1.0 %
0 %
True-up to prior years return
19.3 %
0 %
Valuation allowance
( 32.9 )%
24.8 %
Effective income tax rate
0 %
0 %
The
Company has net operating loss carryovers of approximately $ 23,017,786 for federal and state income tax purposes and net operating loss
carryovers of $ 11,663,991 for Canadian provincial tax purposes which begin to expire in 2026. The ultimate realization of the net operating
loss is dependent upon future taxable income, if any, of the Company.
Based on losses from inception, the Company determined
that as of December 31, 2022 it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize benefits from the deferred tax assets. The Company
will not record income tax benefits in the consolidated financial statements until it is determined that it is more likely than not that
the Company will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred income tax assets. As a result of the analysis, the Company
determined that a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $ 3,688,584 and $ 3,488,821 was required as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Internal
Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382 imposes limitations on the use of net operating loss carryovers when the share ownership
of one or more 5% shareholders (shareholders owning 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding capital stock) has increased on a cumulative
basis over a period of three years by more than 50 percentage points. Management cannot control any ownership changes that occur. Accordingly,
there is a risk of an ownership change beyond the control of the Company that could trigger a limitation of the use of the loss carryover.
The Company has analyzed the issuances of common shares during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and does not believe such change
of control occurred. If such ownership change under IRC section 382 had occurred, such change would substantially limit the Company’s
ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards in the future.
NOTE
11 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair
Values
The
Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, restricted cash, accounts payable, contingent consideration and accrued liabilities.
The fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The Company’s financial instruments also incorporate marketable securities that are adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet
date based on quoted prices which are considered level 1 inputs. The reclamation deposits, which are reflected in restricted cash on
the consolidated balance sheets, are deposits mainly invested in certificates of deposit at major financial institutions, and their fair
values are estimated to approximate their carrying values. There were no transfers of financial instruments between Levels 1, 2, and
3 during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Foreign
Currency Risk
Foreign
currency risk is the risk that changes in the rates of exchange on foreign currencies will impact the financial position or cash flows
of the Company. The Company’s reporting currency is the United States dollar. The functional currency for Western standalone entity
is the Canadian dollar. The Company is exposed to foreign currency risks in relation to certain activity that is to be settled in Canadian
funds. Management monitors its foreign currency exposure regularly to minimize the risk of an adverse impact on its cash flows.
F- 22
WESTERN
URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated
in USD)
NOTE
11 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, CONTINUED
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Concentration
of credit risk is the risk of loss in the event that certain counterparties are unable to fulfil their obligations to the Company. The
Company limits its exposure to credit loss on its cash and restricted cash by placing its cash with high credit quality financial institutions.
Liquidity
Risk
Liquidity
risk is the risk that the Company’s consolidated cash flows from operations will not be sufficient for the Company to continue
operating and discharge is liabilities. The Company is exposed to liquidity risk as its continued operation is dependent upon its ability
to obtain financing, either in the form of debt or equity, or achieve profitable operations in order to satisfy its liabilities as they
come due. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had a working capital of $ 9,568,963 and cash on hand of $ 9,682,133 .
Market
Risk
Market
risk is the risk that fluctuations in the market prices of minerals will impact the Company’s future cash flows. The Company is
exposed to market risk on the price of uranium and vanadium, which will determine its ability to build and achieve profitable operations,
the amount of exploration and development work that the Company will be able to perform, and the number of financing opportunities that
will be available. Management believes that it would be premature at this point to enter into any hedging or forward contracts to mitigate
its exposure to specific market price risks.
Note
12 – COVID-19
The
world continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 and the measures to prevent its spread, previously impacted the Company’s
business in a number of ways. COVID-19 has primarily caused Western delays in reporting, regulatory matters, operations, and sick/quarantine
days for employees infected/exposed to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic previously limited Western’s participation in industry and
investor conference events during 2020 and 2021. The impact of future disruptions and the extent of adverse impacts on the Company’s
financial and operating results will be dictated by the unpredictable duration and severity of the future waves of COVID-19. The Company
is continuing to monitor COVID-19 and its subvariants and the potential impact of the pandemic on the Company’s operations.
F-23
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.