The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . All currency amounts are stated inU.S. dollars unless noted otherwise.
Current Business Activities
General
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. consists of ITH and its wholly-owned subsidiariesTower Hill Mines, Inc. ("TH Alaska") (anAlaska corporation),Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC ("TH US") (aColorado limited liability company), andLivengood Placers, Inc. ("LPI") (aNevada corporation). The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating mineral properties, and either joint venturing or developing these properties further or disposing of them when the evaluation is completed. AtSeptember 30, 2021 , the Company has a 100% interest in itsLivengood Gold Project , an exploration-stage project inAlaska, U.S.A.
In response to improved gold prices and changing worldwide macroeconomic
conditions that were supportive of accelerating work on the
Recent Developments
OnJanuary 12, 2021 , the Company announced that the Board had approved a 2021 budget of$5.6 million and endorsed the associated 2021 work program to advance theLivengood Gold Project . The key element of the 2021 work program is the completion of the PFS for theLivengood Gold Project . The work program will also advance the baseline environmental data collection in critical areas of hydrology and waste rock geochemical characterization needed to support future permitting, as well as advance community engagement.
Livengood Gold Project Pre-Feasibility Study
OnNovember 4, 2021 , the Company announced the results of the PFS for itsLivengood Gold Project (the "Project"). The PFS details a project that would process 65,000 tons per day and produce 6.4 million ounces of gold over 21 years from a gold resource estimated at 13.6 million ounces at 0.60 g/tonne. The PFS utilized a third-party review byWhittle Consulting andBBA Inc. to integrate new interpretations based on an expanded geological database, improved geological modelling, new resource estimation methodology, an optimized mine plan and production schedule, additional detailed metallurgical work at various gold grades and grind sizes, changes in the target grind for the mill, new engineering estimates, and updated cost inputs, all of which significantly de-risk the Project. The PFS has estimated the capital costs of the Project atUS$1.93 billion , the total cost per ton milled atUS$13.12 , the all-in sustaining costs atUS$1,171 per ounce, and the net present value (5%) atUS$1,800 /oz ofUS$400 million . The Project configuration evaluated in the PFS is a conventional, owner-operated surface mine that will utilize large-scale mining equipment in a blast/load/haul operation. Mill feed would be processed in a 65,000 tons per day comminution circuit consisting of primary and secondary crushing, wet grinding in a single semi-autogenous ("SAG") mill and single ball mill followed by a gravity gold circuit and a conventional carbon in leach ("CIL") circuit.
Whittle Enterprise Optimization
Prior to beginning the PFS, the Company retained Whittle Engineering and BBA Engineering to collaborate on an enterprise optimization study (the "Whittle and BBA Study") to review various technologies and project configurations and to recommend the optimum configuration for the PFS. The Whittle and BBA Study reviewed secondary crushing with SAG and ball mill, tertiary crushing with ball mill, gravity/CIL at p80 of 90 micron to 250 micron, stand-alone and auxiliary heap leach configurations, gravity only gold recovery, gravity/flotation with pressure oxidation and CIL of flotation concentrate. These configurations were evaluated at various combinations of project ramp up strategy, annual throughput, primary, secondary, and tertiary grind size, as well as mining fleet size and stockpile management strategies. Tailings technologies reviewed included conventional tailings and pressure filtered tailings. 19
Table of Contents
The Whittle and BBA Study determined that the gravity/CIL plant at p80 250 micron with conventional tailings provided the highest net present value, which is the configuration detailed in the PFS.
The PFS was prepared by independent third-party consultants and provides information on the optimized Project with higher throughput, updated resource estimate, and capital and operating cost estimates as compared to the project evaluated in the National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")April 2017 Technical Report (the "2017 Report"). The final version of the NI 43-101 technical report containing the PFS will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days. As a result of the changes to the Project as evaluated in the PFS, including differences in the mineral resource estimation methodology and changes to the economic parameters applied to the geologic block model (gold price, recovery, CAPEX, and OPEX), all of which resulted in a change in the mineral resources, the Project as evaluated in the 2017 Report is no longer considered current and the 2017 Report should therefore not be relied upon by investors.
The Company cautions that the PFS is preliminary in nature, and is based on
technical and economic assumptions which would be further refined and evaluated
in a full feasibility study. The PFS is based on an updated Project mineral
resource estimate effective as of
COVID-19 Pandemic
InMarch 2020 , theWorld Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus 2019 ("COVID-19") a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. While it is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak, including as a result of the emergence of variant strains of the virus and ongoing vaccination efforts, and its ultimate effects on the Company's business, results of operations or ability to raise funds at this time, as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any material adverse effects on the Company. Results of Operations Summary of Quarterly Results Description September 30, 2021 June 30, 2021 March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Net income (loss)$ (1,648,913) $ (2,178,014) $ (1,137,872) $ (1,995,576) Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share $ (0.01)$ (0.01) $ (0.01) $ (0.01) September 30, 2020 June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 December 31,2019 Net income (loss)$ (1,101,763) $ (1,486,464) $ 65,085 $ (760,035) Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share $ (0.01)$ (0.01) $ 0.00 $ (0.00)
Three Months Ended
The Company had a net loss of
Mineral property expenditures were$1,378,786 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , compared to$718,541 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$660,245 is primarily due to work associated with the completion of the PFS for theLivengood Gold Project of$339,144 , land maintenance in the Livengood area of$240,000 , the timing variance ofState of Alaska claim rentals of$153,430 , partially offset by land-related legal costs of ($69,282 ) and the timing variance of baseline environmental costs of ($3,047 ) during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . Excluding share-based costs of$2,235 and$2,169 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 andSeptember 30, 2020 , respectively, consulting costs were$68,970 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$40,006 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$28,964 is primarily due to increased investor relations support services.
Insurance costs were
20
Table of Contents
Office costs were$10,963 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$4,976 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$5,987 is primarily due to the timing of computer equipment replacements. Regulatory costs were$52,229 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$59,065 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The decrease of$6,836 is primarily due toToronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") listing fees of$6,360 incurred during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 .
Share-based payment charges
Share-based payment charges for the three-month periods ended
Expense category: September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 Consulting $ 2,235 $ 2,169 Investor relations 1,852 1,084 Wages and benefits 25,934 15,180 Total $ 30,021 $ 18,433 Share-based payment charges were$30,021 during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$18,433 during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$11,588 is mainly the result of the stock options to purchase common shares of the Company issued to its employees and consultants onMay 27, 2020 andMay 25, 2021 . One-third of the stock options vested automatically upon grant with the remaining options vesting in equal parts over a period of two years. Other items amounted to total other income of$258,079 during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , compared to total other income of$85,510 during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . As a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company'sU.S. dollar cash balances, the Company had a foreign exchange gain of$249,160 during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , compared to a gain of$73,542 during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The average exchange rate during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 wasC$1 toUS$0.7937 , compared toC$1 toUS$0.7508 during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . Interest income was$3,627 for the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , compared to$11,968 for the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The decrease of$8,341 is primarily due to short-term investment certificates being re-invested upon maturity at a lower interest rate.
Nine Months Ended
The Company had a net loss of$4,964,799 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , compared to a net loss of$2,523,142 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . Mineral property expenditures were$3,043,856 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$1,370,564 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$1,673,292 is primarily due to work associated with the completion of the PFS for theLivengood Gold Project of$1,253,667 , land maintenance in the Livengood area of$240,000 , the timing variance ofState of Alaska claim rentals$151,315 , and the timing variance of baseline environmental costs of$50,156 , partially offset by land-related legal costs of ($21,846 ) during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . Excluding share-based costs of$378,645 and$303,096 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 andSeptember 30, 2020 , respectively, consulting costs were$174,225 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$120,074 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$54,151 is primarily due to increased investor relations support services. Regulatory costs were$185,235 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$139,321 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$45,914 is primarily due to costs for TSX listing fees and increased filing fees due to the Company's increased market valuation.
Insurance costs were
21
Table of Contents
Excluding share-based costs of$8,430 and$4,239 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 andSeptember 30, 2020 , respectively, investor relations costs were$56,944 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$45,002 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$11,942 is primarily due to participation in investor relations conferences and increased investor relations services. Office costs were$24,368 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$18,703 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$5,665 is primarily due to timing of computer equipment replacements.
Share-based payment charges
Share-based payment charges for the nine-month periods ended
Expense category: September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 Consulting $ 378,645 $ 303,096 Investor relations 8,430 4,239 Wages and benefits 118,026 59,350 Total $ 505,101 $ 366,685 Share-based payment charges were$505,101 during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$366,685 during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The increase of$138,416 is mainly the result of the DSUs issued onMay 25, 2021 being expensed at a closing price ofC$1.40 as compared to the DSUs issued onMay 27, 2020 being expensed at a closing price ofC$0.90 ($73,233 ) and the stock options to purchase common shares of the Company issued to its employees and consultants onMay 27, 2020 andMay 25, 2021 . One-third of the stock options vested automatically upon grant with the remaining options vesting in equal parts over a period of two years ($65,183 ). Other items amounted to expense of$16,674 during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to income of$457,559 during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . As a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company'sU.S. dollar cash balances, the Company had a foreign exchange loss of$49,356 during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to a gain of$389,633 during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The average exchange rate during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 wasC$1 toUS$0.7994 compared toC$1 toUS$0.7391 during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . Interest income was$17,390 for the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 compared to$62,634 for the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 . The decrease of$45,244 is primarily due to short-term investment certificates being re-invested upon maturity at a lower interest rate.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company has predominantly financed its ongoing operations through the sale of its equity securities by way of public offerings and private placements and the subsequent exercise of share purchase and broker warrants and options issued in connection with such private placements.
As at
The Company had no cash flows from financing activities during the nine-month
period ended
Financing activities during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 included the issuance of common shares pursuant to the sales agreement entered into by the Company for "at the market offerings" withB. Riley Securities, Inc. ("B. Riley") (the "Sales Agreement"), which allowed the Company to offer and sell up to$10.3 million of common shares from time to time, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, throughB. Riley , acting as sales agent. In the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , the Company sold 6,531,273 common shares under the Sales Agreement and raised approximately$9.2 million in aggregate gross proceeds before commissions and expenses and paidB. Riley aggregate commissions of$0.1 million . AtSeptember 30, 2020 , there remained approximately$1.2 million of availability to sell common shares through the Sales Agreement, all of which were sold during the fourth quarter of 2020. 22
Table of Contents
The Company had no cash flows from investing activities during the nine-month
periods ended
As atSeptember 30, 2021 , the Company had working capital of$8,311,032 compared to working capital of$12,718,381 atDecember 31, 2020 . The Company expects that it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future, but believes the current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to cover the anticipated 2021 work plan at theLivengood Gold Project and satisfy its currently anticipated general and administrative costs through at least the next 12 months. The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities at theLivengood Gold Project and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at theLivengood Gold Project , and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at theLivengood Gold Project , or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company's review of its financing options includes considering a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs, although there can be no assurance that any such strategic alliance will, in fact, be pursued or realized. Despite the Company's success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. See "Risk Factors - We will require additional financing to fund exploration and, if warranted, development and production. Failure to obtain additional financing could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation and could cast uncertainty on our ability to continue as a going concern" included in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . Other than cash held by its subsidiaries for their immediate operating needs inthe United States , all of the Company's cash reserves are on deposit with a major Canadian chartered bank. The Company does not believe that the credit, liquidity or market risks with respect thereto have increased as a result of current market conditions.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table discloses the Company's contractual obligations as ofSeptember 30, 2021 , including anticipated mineral property payments and work commitments. Under the terms of the Company's mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and unpatented mineral claims, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures (as summarized in the table below) in order to maintain and preserve the Company's interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options: Payments Due by Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 and beyond Total
Mineral Property Leases(1) $ -$ 426,972 $ 513,715 $ 519,136 $ 524,625 $ 530,183$ 2,514,631 Mining Claim Government Fees 7,400 205,720 205,720 205,720 205,720 205,720 1,036,000 Total$ 7,400 $ 632,692 $ 719,435 $ 724,856
Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the 1. required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will
actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties
that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments).
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Environmental Regulations
The operations of the Company may in the future be affected from time to time in varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for future removal and site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect 23
Table of Contents
upon the Company vary greatly and are not predictable. The Company's policy is to meet or, if possible, surpass standards set by relevant legislation by application of technically proven and economically feasible measures.
Certain
The Company has been a "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC") forU.S. federal income tax purposes in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospectiveU.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and theU.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 , under "Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases ofEquity Securities - CertainU.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations forU.S. Holders."
© Edgar Online, source